I played two games yesterday the £12k and the Bad Beat Team Event.
I enjoyed the £12k, especially doubling up first hand 88 vs A5 on a 678A board.
I played well enough, laying down AQ twice when it recent weeks I probably would have gone bust.
I ended up in 42nd, losing two hands on the trot JJ to AK and then AK to JT, both all in preflop.
AJT flop was a bit nasty at the end. Overall I played well and felt my head was getting back into the game.
In the dream team I had my best performance of the season, finishing in 10th place, earning $60 but more importantly 1000 pts for the team.
After six weeks, we have moved up to 12th place and with two good weeks on the trot its starting to look promising.
The top 4 players in the team so far
Jamie 'FISHMAC' 2790
Clinton 'ClintonO' 2300
Martyn ' 50kinred' 1900
Desh ' INJUSTICE' 1400
Whilst I am writing I have doubled in the first hand in the £12k for the second consecutive night, lets hope it ends up better than last night! AA vs AQ.
I had a comment a few days back reference making deals on cryptologic. The few I have made have always been honoured by all players, it has to be done on trust and so far everyone has been trustworthy.
I made a deal on bluesquare a couple of weeks ago, whereby the top 7 paid £50 each to 8th place, however whilst 4 of them honoured the deal, 3 decided not to.
So all I can say is get as much information as you can from the players you are making deals with.
ClintonO
Friday, February 23, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
A week off
Well a week has passed since I played any real poker. 2 hands in my bad beat team event on Thursday and an hour and a half in the £12k last night.
I have to say I am not yet feeling the overwhelming desire to rush back into playing. Bizarrely I am feeling more tired through not playing than I am when I am putting everything in to it. With 17 days to go to Dortmund, I still feel like I need a bit longer to recharge those batteries.
I am going to play very selectively this week before hopefully wanting to step up again next.
A quick congratulations to Sun_Deshi who has taken advantage of my absence by winning the £12k and moving 5-4 up in our mini competition on that tournament.
Also to ThierryH who was winning the leaderboard competition when I checked last night.
See you all in a few days.
ClintonO
I have to say I am not yet feeling the overwhelming desire to rush back into playing. Bizarrely I am feeling more tired through not playing than I am when I am putting everything in to it. With 17 days to go to Dortmund, I still feel like I need a bit longer to recharge those batteries.
I am going to play very selectively this week before hopefully wanting to step up again next.
A quick congratulations to Sun_Deshi who has taken advantage of my absence by winning the £12k and moving 5-4 up in our mini competition on that tournament.
Also to ThierryH who was winning the leaderboard competition when I checked last night.
See you all in a few days.
ClintonO
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Day 1 of break
Well Day 1 of the break did not go according to plan.
I had already qualified for the Highrollers six pac £215 entry so I had to play it.
Six pacs tournies are not my game, I am still adjusting to the amount you have to play.
This tournament was a very slow structure, allowing lots of time to play poker.
I was a shortstack throughout, but hung on in there.
All of a sudden I was on the final table. The top three get paid. I was by far the smallest stack.
I offered the table a split with 6 players left and again with 5, but they declined!
I doubled up with AQ against AJ, 55 against 22 and 33 against AJ. 4 left and I was around 3rd/4th.
My 77 then lost to AJ and one of the other guys hit a two outer to survive.
After an hour with 4 players, finally it was down to 3 players. I had won £1360.
With 3 left I was in 2nd, the short stack moved in with 83, I had t8, and the chip leader 9T. The board was 68387. I had trips, leader straight, but amazingly shortstack had a boat!
I then lost a massive pot with 3 left, QJ hearts vs AA and it left me with 551 chips against 23k and 59k. I don't know how but I managed to finish 2nd and take home £2040.
The guy who won it was called montcarlo, I don't think I have played against him before, but he played very well and totally dominated the final table. I lost with AJ against 33 for the final hand, incredibly the hand that had kept me in it before.
Right as Ross from friends so famously says 'We were on a break!'
Well breaks like these I can do with more often.
ClintonO
I had already qualified for the Highrollers six pac £215 entry so I had to play it.
Six pacs tournies are not my game, I am still adjusting to the amount you have to play.
This tournament was a very slow structure, allowing lots of time to play poker.
I was a shortstack throughout, but hung on in there.
All of a sudden I was on the final table. The top three get paid. I was by far the smallest stack.
I offered the table a split with 6 players left and again with 5, but they declined!
I doubled up with AQ against AJ, 55 against 22 and 33 against AJ. 4 left and I was around 3rd/4th.
My 77 then lost to AJ and one of the other guys hit a two outer to survive.
After an hour with 4 players, finally it was down to 3 players. I had won £1360.
With 3 left I was in 2nd, the short stack moved in with 83, I had t8, and the chip leader 9T. The board was 68387. I had trips, leader straight, but amazingly shortstack had a boat!
I then lost a massive pot with 3 left, QJ hearts vs AA and it left me with 551 chips against 23k and 59k. I don't know how but I managed to finish 2nd and take home £2040.
The guy who won it was called montcarlo, I don't think I have played against him before, but he played very well and totally dominated the final table. I lost with AJ against 33 for the final hand, incredibly the hand that had kept me in it before.
Right as Ross from friends so famously says 'We were on a break!'
Well breaks like these I can do with more often.
ClintonO
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Time for a little break!
The Poker Gods are not shining on me at present!
I played a number of tournaments today, where going nicely in each, got hit by a 2 or 3 outer on the river. Recently my luck has not been in, so I am going to ease up over the next week or so.
Tonight I was playing in the £40k my bogey tournament, I had already had a couple of nasty little beats, I am dealt AA in the Small Blind and two people are already all in! Christmas has come early!
dealt to ClintonO [Ac As]
mrlort: folds
Sofia1979: folds
Loverat: folds
Myggebo: raises to 1795 and is all-in
Karl25125: folds
100k: folds
Rhaegar: raises to 3395 and is all-in
ClintonO: is all-in 1765
--burakki: folds
Returned uncalled bets 1,555 to Rhaegar
----- FLOP ----- [Qd Jd 3c]
----- TURN ----- [Qd Jd 3c][6s]
----- RIVER ----- [Qd Jd 3c 6s][9d]
----- SHOW DOWN -----
Rhaegar: shows [Qc Ah] (A Pair of Queens, Ace high)
ClintonO: shows [Ac As] (A Pair of Aces, Queen high)
Myggebo: shows [Tc 8c] (A Straight, Queen high)
ClintonO collected 90 from Side pot #1
Myggebo collected 5535 from Main pot
However, I refuse to moan about bad beats as they do happen.
I am though going to take a little rest from this game. My sole focus is now the EPT Dortmund. I am giving up on the Leaderboard this month and aside from the Highrollers final tomorrow night, I am going to have the week off.
My game is about preparation, I have 25 days ahead of the biggest poker game of my career to date and its time to get ready and right now that means a break.
See you in a little while
ClintonO
I played a number of tournaments today, where going nicely in each, got hit by a 2 or 3 outer on the river. Recently my luck has not been in, so I am going to ease up over the next week or so.
Tonight I was playing in the £40k my bogey tournament, I had already had a couple of nasty little beats, I am dealt AA in the Small Blind and two people are already all in! Christmas has come early!
dealt to ClintonO [Ac As]
mrlort: folds
Sofia1979: folds
Loverat: folds
Myggebo: raises to 1795 and is all-in
Karl25125: folds
100k: folds
Rhaegar: raises to 3395 and is all-in
ClintonO: is all-in 1765
--burakki: folds
Returned uncalled bets 1,555 to Rhaegar
----- FLOP ----- [Qd Jd 3c]
----- TURN ----- [Qd Jd 3c][6s]
----- RIVER ----- [Qd Jd 3c 6s][9d]
----- SHOW DOWN -----
Rhaegar: shows [Qc Ah] (A Pair of Queens, Ace high)
ClintonO: shows [Ac As] (A Pair of Aces, Queen high)
Myggebo: shows [Tc 8c] (A Straight, Queen high)
ClintonO collected 90 from Side pot #1
Myggebo collected 5535 from Main pot
However, I refuse to moan about bad beats as they do happen.
I am though going to take a little rest from this game. My sole focus is now the EPT Dortmund. I am giving up on the Leaderboard this month and aside from the Highrollers final tomorrow night, I am going to have the week off.
My game is about preparation, I have 25 days ahead of the biggest poker game of my career to date and its time to get ready and right now that means a break.
See you in a little while
ClintonO
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Leaderboard Update
4 days in and I am sitting in 74th position with 107.95 points.
One more cash finish to record, a 25th in the £12k on Thursday.
It would have been better but my AK lost to an AJ which hit a runner runner flush after a A hit the flop.
Aside from that my MTT form has not been much kop.
I was going well in the $4k last night but my Aces were cracked by fives.
I also managed to miss out on the GUKPT in Walsall by three places again, I am destined not to qualify for that. It becomes a total crap shoot towards the end. Three times in three hands I had my chips in with the best hand but lost everytime. AQ vs KJ, AT vs QT and 99 vs AK.
I have had some success though, so its not all doom and gloom. I won a highrollers qualifier and am in Mondays £215 final. I also won the EPT Monte Carlo qualifier earlier today for tonights final.
Amazingly I have had a fair amount on the cash tables. I dont usually play on there and have been playing at fairly low levels, but have somehow managed to add £1k to my profits for February through cash tables alone. All I can say is that some people have been very generous to me.
I have just under a month to sort my MTT form out before Dortmund. Although February has been good from a profit point of view, I am not at my best and I know it. I have too much else that I am thinking about and therefore I am only playing at about 70%.
I did not have a great February last year so I need to work on why.
Looking through my records, my hot period is August to January and then go cold from February to July, so thats not good!
Time to find my MTT form, now where did I put it!
ClintonO
One more cash finish to record, a 25th in the £12k on Thursday.
It would have been better but my AK lost to an AJ which hit a runner runner flush after a A hit the flop.
Aside from that my MTT form has not been much kop.
I was going well in the $4k last night but my Aces were cracked by fives.
I also managed to miss out on the GUKPT in Walsall by three places again, I am destined not to qualify for that. It becomes a total crap shoot towards the end. Three times in three hands I had my chips in with the best hand but lost everytime. AQ vs KJ, AT vs QT and 99 vs AK.
I have had some success though, so its not all doom and gloom. I won a highrollers qualifier and am in Mondays £215 final. I also won the EPT Monte Carlo qualifier earlier today for tonights final.
Amazingly I have had a fair amount on the cash tables. I dont usually play on there and have been playing at fairly low levels, but have somehow managed to add £1k to my profits for February through cash tables alone. All I can say is that some people have been very generous to me.
I have just under a month to sort my MTT form out before Dortmund. Although February has been good from a profit point of view, I am not at my best and I know it. I have too much else that I am thinking about and therefore I am only playing at about 70%.
I did not have a great February last year so I need to work on why.
Looking through my records, my hot period is August to January and then go cold from February to July, so thats not good!
Time to find my MTT form, now where did I put it!
ClintonO
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Leaderboard Day 2
Day 1 was officially rubbish 9pts and joint 141st place.
Day 2 was going the same way until a final table in the $4k helped matters. Now 56 pts and 60th place.
I played in all 3 tournaments on Day 2.
The 8k was over with 15 mins. I had KK and ran into AA, fair enough it happens.
The 12k was dissapointing. I went out in 50th shortly before the points start getting interesting.
I was sat with KQ in the big blind. Mny75 was in the small blind and moved all in for a little less than what I had. He tends to play any two cards in that position, KQ is a favourite over most hands so I called. He turns over QT and of course hits the ten.
The $4k started well, KK in the first hand and I got someone to donate all their chips with second pair! I moved up steadily and a set of nines late on enabled me to be comfortable going into the last 30.
With 14 left I lost a big pot when my two pair lost to a gutshot on the river. I fought back to make the final table. With 9 left I was down to just 12k, blinds at 2k/4k and had to move from the cutoff with A8 I came up against AT and with 6799 on the board i had outs, but none of them materialised.
I will give it another go tonight, to try and get some more points on the board.
ClintonO
Day 2 was going the same way until a final table in the $4k helped matters. Now 56 pts and 60th place.
I played in all 3 tournaments on Day 2.
The 8k was over with 15 mins. I had KK and ran into AA, fair enough it happens.
The 12k was dissapointing. I went out in 50th shortly before the points start getting interesting.
I was sat with KQ in the big blind. Mny75 was in the small blind and moved all in for a little less than what I had. He tends to play any two cards in that position, KQ is a favourite over most hands so I called. He turns over QT and of course hits the ten.
The $4k started well, KK in the first hand and I got someone to donate all their chips with second pair! I moved up steadily and a set of nines late on enabled me to be comfortable going into the last 30.
With 14 left I lost a big pot when my two pair lost to a gutshot on the river. I fought back to make the final table. With 9 left I was down to just 12k, blinds at 2k/4k and had to move from the cutoff with A8 I came up against AT and with 6799 on the board i had outs, but none of them materialised.
I will give it another go tonight, to try and get some more points on the board.
ClintonO
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Mid Month Leaderboard Day 1
Februarys Leaderboard competition is underway and all was looking positive until about ten minutes ago!
Today I managed a final table appearance, fifth in the £1.5k, which helps pay for a number of the leaderboard events. I also won the qualifier for the £12k quite comfortably.
So Event 1 Tuesday 6th February £12k 300 Entrants
A tough starting table with ThierryH, Animalgod and Stinger05 all present. I get absolutely nothing worth playing for 40 mins. Then the black aces in the big blind appear. Most fold until the loose fill_ivey calls, and animalgod in the small blind also. I raise it up and ivey comes along. A harmless looking board of K75 rainbow. I bet half the pot and get called. Turn is 3, I again lead out and he reraises for the rest of chips, he has less than me and its only another 400 to call. At this point I am not too worried. I dont think he has a set as he would have raised from the cutoff, two pair is unlikely, but possible, I have to call. He turns over 64 offsuit for the straight.
Well I have to admit I did not see that one coming!
I was left with few chips and pushed with QJ against 88, but an 8 on the flop put an end to tournament number 1. 207th place and 5 points. It can only get better!
As part of my tour at the moment, I tried a stop at Ladbrokes, what a waste of time! I entered a tournament to win a share in a racehorse. I then got a message telling me the site had packed in and no further poker would be played tonight!
Event 2 £8k 387 Players
I tried to play this far too quickly, playing many more hands than I usually do. I was making good progress until I lost half my stack calling an all in with AK and losing to 88. I regained my chip position and then managed to throw my chips away by being too aggressive with AK this time running into QQ and losing.
227th place and 2 points.
I was not happy with my game in the 8k, I was too tired to play it properly and therefore was overvaluing my high aces. I know its only day 1, but I am already not sure I have the stamina to play all the leaderboard games, I will see how I feel tomorrow.
Event 3 $4k 287 players.
Again I am playing a little too pacy, I move to 4k early doors, before falling back to 2k when I run into AA with AQ, again overplaying high Aces.
Hopefully I have now reset my image for the rest of the tournament! I actually won 8 hands on the trot at one point. I got back up to 4k and beyond. I eventually met my match when my QQ was beaten by AJ. Blinds were still only smallish, so again overplaying. I finished 103rd with 2 points. Giving me a total of 9!
I know that I am not on my game tonight, too much going on in my head to concentrate fully.
I am for some reason committing myself with almost everyhand I go in with. I would hope that tomorrow I can get back the discipline that is normally so good in my game. Just goes to show if you are not operating at your best, then there is really no point playing.
Still at least I have not done any worse in day 1 of the leaderboard in comparison to the last one!
ClintonO
Today I managed a final table appearance, fifth in the £1.5k, which helps pay for a number of the leaderboard events. I also won the qualifier for the £12k quite comfortably.
So Event 1 Tuesday 6th February £12k 300 Entrants
A tough starting table with ThierryH, Animalgod and Stinger05 all present. I get absolutely nothing worth playing for 40 mins. Then the black aces in the big blind appear. Most fold until the loose fill_ivey calls, and animalgod in the small blind also. I raise it up and ivey comes along. A harmless looking board of K75 rainbow. I bet half the pot and get called. Turn is 3, I again lead out and he reraises for the rest of chips, he has less than me and its only another 400 to call. At this point I am not too worried. I dont think he has a set as he would have raised from the cutoff, two pair is unlikely, but possible, I have to call. He turns over 64 offsuit for the straight.
Well I have to admit I did not see that one coming!
I was left with few chips and pushed with QJ against 88, but an 8 on the flop put an end to tournament number 1. 207th place and 5 points. It can only get better!
As part of my tour at the moment, I tried a stop at Ladbrokes, what a waste of time! I entered a tournament to win a share in a racehorse. I then got a message telling me the site had packed in and no further poker would be played tonight!
Event 2 £8k 387 Players
I tried to play this far too quickly, playing many more hands than I usually do. I was making good progress until I lost half my stack calling an all in with AK and losing to 88. I regained my chip position and then managed to throw my chips away by being too aggressive with AK this time running into QQ and losing.
227th place and 2 points.
I was not happy with my game in the 8k, I was too tired to play it properly and therefore was overvaluing my high aces. I know its only day 1, but I am already not sure I have the stamina to play all the leaderboard games, I will see how I feel tomorrow.
Event 3 $4k 287 players.
Again I am playing a little too pacy, I move to 4k early doors, before falling back to 2k when I run into AA with AQ, again overplaying high Aces.
Hopefully I have now reset my image for the rest of the tournament! I actually won 8 hands on the trot at one point. I got back up to 4k and beyond. I eventually met my match when my QQ was beaten by AJ. Blinds were still only smallish, so again overplaying. I finished 103rd with 2 points. Giving me a total of 9!
I know that I am not on my game tonight, too much going on in my head to concentrate fully.
I am for some reason committing myself with almost everyhand I go in with. I would hope that tomorrow I can get back the discipline that is normally so good in my game. Just goes to show if you are not operating at your best, then there is really no point playing.
Still at least I have not done any worse in day 1 of the leaderboard in comparison to the last one!
ClintonO
Monday, February 05, 2007
Slowly coming back into form.
After a relatively quiet period of just ticking along. I can see signs that things are starting to click into shape. With the leaderboard competition starting tomorrow, I am quietly confident.
I equalled my yearly best position in the £40k with a 21st place last night and £300. Although I was in 8th place 5 minutes before I went out! I am destined never to hit that final table in this tournament.
I held AK suited on the small blind. Book from the cut-off had moved all in for half my stack. He had been raising a lot, but no-one was believing him, as he was reraised all-in every time, so he changed his tactic by pushing them all-in.
I had a decision to make, if I called and won I would be in the top 2, if I lost then I would be back in the pack. I decided that an all in move with the chips he had (28k into a 5k pot) then he was happy to take it down there and then and therefore had a mid/low pair or a high ace. As the worse I could be was 50/50 I made the call. He turned over tens and I did not improve.
A few hands later I had AK suited again, I raised from the cut off and the loose button came over the top of me. There was a short stack on another table (one more out and prizes moved from £300 to £450) with just 4k, but I had 6.4k invested of my 20k and the chance to win near enough 50k meant I went with it. Another race this time against queens. A flop with JT gave me two more outs, the turn gave me outs with the flush potential, but the river bought pain and the disappointment of going out 21st for the 2nd time in 3 weeks.
I had some success on the cash tables, I was experimenting on a low £1/£2 game and managed to win enough to pay for any entry fee I invested over the weekend.
I was running well in the DTD freeroll for a WSOP seat, down to the last two tables and I reraise all in with KQ only to be called with QT. They hit a straight! C’est la vie!
Congrats to Andy for winning the EPT Monte Carlo qualifier. Definitely need to get my act together and qualify for this one. I finished 13th in that qualifier, still not sure how someone instant called my reraise for nearly all his chips with K9, but it was too good for my 99.
I played the Mansion $100k Guaranteed over the weekend, the value there is incredible. $100 and 450 players entered. $55k overlay. This did not stop me crashing out very early though!
Despite just ticking along February has started well enough.
My priority for the week still remains with the GUKPT qualifier for Walsall (I will win this seat!), but with the Mid Month Leaderboard starting tomorrow, I have a lot to concentrate on over the next few weeks.
ClintonO
I equalled my yearly best position in the £40k with a 21st place last night and £300. Although I was in 8th place 5 minutes before I went out! I am destined never to hit that final table in this tournament.
I held AK suited on the small blind. Book from the cut-off had moved all in for half my stack. He had been raising a lot, but no-one was believing him, as he was reraised all-in every time, so he changed his tactic by pushing them all-in.
I had a decision to make, if I called and won I would be in the top 2, if I lost then I would be back in the pack. I decided that an all in move with the chips he had (28k into a 5k pot) then he was happy to take it down there and then and therefore had a mid/low pair or a high ace. As the worse I could be was 50/50 I made the call. He turned over tens and I did not improve.
A few hands later I had AK suited again, I raised from the cut off and the loose button came over the top of me. There was a short stack on another table (one more out and prizes moved from £300 to £450) with just 4k, but I had 6.4k invested of my 20k and the chance to win near enough 50k meant I went with it. Another race this time against queens. A flop with JT gave me two more outs, the turn gave me outs with the flush potential, but the river bought pain and the disappointment of going out 21st for the 2nd time in 3 weeks.
I had some success on the cash tables, I was experimenting on a low £1/£2 game and managed to win enough to pay for any entry fee I invested over the weekend.
I was running well in the DTD freeroll for a WSOP seat, down to the last two tables and I reraise all in with KQ only to be called with QT. They hit a straight! C’est la vie!
Congrats to Andy for winning the EPT Monte Carlo qualifier. Definitely need to get my act together and qualify for this one. I finished 13th in that qualifier, still not sure how someone instant called my reraise for nearly all his chips with K9, but it was too good for my 99.
I played the Mansion $100k Guaranteed over the weekend, the value there is incredible. $100 and 450 players entered. $55k overlay. This did not stop me crashing out very early though!
Despite just ticking along February has started well enough.
My priority for the week still remains with the GUKPT qualifier for Walsall (I will win this seat!), but with the Mid Month Leaderboard starting tomorrow, I have a lot to concentrate on over the next few weeks.
ClintonO
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Updated Events on Crypto
Both UK Betting and Wm Hill must have taken notice of my comment, that they had nothing going on, as they now both have promos for Feb.
UK Betting are offering £100 for 1000 MPPs generated. This is less value though than the current schemes on Inter Poker and Parbet, although if you can generated 1000MPPs fairly easily it may be worth having.
Wm Hill have followed Sun Pokers lead and are now having a similiar WSOP Promotion. Whereby their top ten MPP earners between Feb and May can win themselves money for Vegas.
If you are a big cash player and have missed out on the Sun promo, this may be worth your time.
Today I will playing the $100k on Mansion at 6pm. This will be a great value tournament with a great overlay.
This will be alongside the £12k and Monte Carlo Final on Littlewoods.
ClintonO
UK Betting are offering £100 for 1000 MPPs generated. This is less value though than the current schemes on Inter Poker and Parbet, although if you can generated 1000MPPs fairly easily it may be worth having.
Wm Hill have followed Sun Pokers lead and are now having a similiar WSOP Promotion. Whereby their top ten MPP earners between Feb and May can win themselves money for Vegas.
If you are a big cash player and have missed out on the Sun promo, this may be worth your time.
Today I will playing the $100k on Mansion at 6pm. This will be a great value tournament with a great overlay.
This will be alongside the £12k and Monte Carlo Final on Littlewoods.
ClintonO
January Review
A good start to the year, but how did I do versus my objectives for the year!
Objective 1) Cash in major live event. Well EPT Deauville has become EPT Dortmund and this objective is still ongoing, as I have not played a major live event yet. I was hoping to get to the GUKPT in Walsall in February, but I have bubbled twice and lost with 88 tonight against A2 when ten were left and 7 seats.
Objective 2) Final Table in the £40k. I have not managed this yet but did reach 21st two weeks ago.
Objective 3 MTTS - Win 10 online tournaments in 2007 - January I recorded 2.
To cash in 20% of all tournaments played. I am currently hitting a very impressive 34% cash rate.
Make £40k in the year - January saw +£5k
Objective 3 STTS/CASH - I have hardly played any so I am not going to look at this yet.
Objective 4 Live Events.
My plan for the year is now
EPT Dortmund (replaces Deauville)
EPT Monte Carlo
GBPT Nottingham
WSOP
GUKPT Luton
EPT Barcelona
CPC
Aussie Millions.
I am trying to make the GUKPT in Walsall, but I keep falling at the final hurdle.
I have been pleased with my start to the year and the leaderboard competition was a very successful one.
February started okay tonight with a 13th place finish in the 12k, but I am ready to take on the crypto world in the leaderboard tournament starting next week.
See you all on the tables
ClintonO
Objective 1) Cash in major live event. Well EPT Deauville has become EPT Dortmund and this objective is still ongoing, as I have not played a major live event yet. I was hoping to get to the GUKPT in Walsall in February, but I have bubbled twice and lost with 88 tonight against A2 when ten were left and 7 seats.
Objective 2) Final Table in the £40k. I have not managed this yet but did reach 21st two weeks ago.
Objective 3 MTTS - Win 10 online tournaments in 2007 - January I recorded 2.
To cash in 20% of all tournaments played. I am currently hitting a very impressive 34% cash rate.
Make £40k in the year - January saw +£5k
Objective 3 STTS/CASH - I have hardly played any so I am not going to look at this yet.
Objective 4 Live Events.
My plan for the year is now
EPT Dortmund (replaces Deauville)
EPT Monte Carlo
GBPT Nottingham
WSOP
GUKPT Luton
EPT Barcelona
CPC
Aussie Millions.
I am trying to make the GUKPT in Walsall, but I keep falling at the final hurdle.
I have been pleased with my start to the year and the leaderboard competition was a very successful one.
February started okay tonight with a 13th place finish in the 12k, but I am ready to take on the crypto world in the leaderboard tournament starting next week.
See you all on the tables
ClintonO
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Light play ahead of new Leaderboard competition
Nothing much to report this week, I have been catching up on sleep ahead of the 20 day marathon that starts on Tuesday.
Last night I took one of four seats for the EPT final qualifier for Monte Carlo on saturday night.
I have also played a couple of the highroller qualifiers, bubbling twice, but taking home some £170 for my troubles.
Dissapointment last night in the GUKPT qualifier last night, there was 10 seats available and I was sitting comfortably in 5th with just 50 left. I got tangled up in a small blind/big blind situation where my Q9 ran into 32 on a 229Q board. Then I had a TT versus AK which I lost and then when I had a straight, the river then dealt a 2 outer to split the board. I was not happy with this performance as I felt I should have secured my seat from that position.
Also time is running out to get myself a seat (Betfair appear to have pulled their qualifiers for it)
Tonight I will be in action in the Dream Team event as well as the £12k and smaller events on Littlewoods.
I will also post a January performance update, yes we are 1 month in already!
ClintonO
Last night I took one of four seats for the EPT final qualifier for Monte Carlo on saturday night.
I have also played a couple of the highroller qualifiers, bubbling twice, but taking home some £170 for my troubles.
Dissapointment last night in the GUKPT qualifier last night, there was 10 seats available and I was sitting comfortably in 5th with just 50 left. I got tangled up in a small blind/big blind situation where my Q9 ran into 32 on a 229Q board. Then I had a TT versus AK which I lost and then when I had a straight, the river then dealt a 2 outer to split the board. I was not happy with this performance as I felt I should have secured my seat from that position.
Also time is running out to get myself a seat (Betfair appear to have pulled their qualifiers for it)
Tonight I will be in action in the Dream Team event as well as the £12k and smaller events on Littlewoods.
I will also post a January performance update, yes we are 1 month in already!
ClintonO
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Whats available to qualify for?
Just a quick post for those of you like me who fancys playing in more live events, heres where and what you can qualify for in February.
GUKPT Walsall - Blue Square (Tribeca), Betfair (Poker Champs) and DTD(?) (Crypto)
EPT Monte Carlo - Littlewoods (Crypto), Betfair, TGF (Boss), Crazy Poker (Prima), Club on the Park (Playtech), Poker Stars, Paradise
WSOP - DTD (Crypto), Bodog
To join me at the EPT Dortmund - Crazy Poker, Club on the Park, Poker Stars. Paradise
Irish Open - Blue Square, TGF
Others Include.
Blue Square - Caribbean Poker Cruise, any WPT event, Pokerface (VEGAS)
Betfair - Northern Ireland Poker Championships
TGF - Asian Poker Classic
Coral - Great British Poker Tour
Mansion - Pokerdome (VEGAS)
Bodog - WPT La Poker Classic.
Also for those bargain hunters. Earn 1 MPP on Playboy Poker and get $20. Code SUPJANPB.
My immediate priority before the leaderboard starts again is the GUKPT Walsall qualifiers.
Blue Square (Wed & Fri), Betfair (Thurs)
ClintonO
GUKPT Walsall - Blue Square (Tribeca), Betfair (Poker Champs) and DTD(?) (Crypto)
EPT Monte Carlo - Littlewoods (Crypto), Betfair, TGF (Boss), Crazy Poker (Prima), Club on the Park (Playtech), Poker Stars, Paradise
WSOP - DTD (Crypto), Bodog
To join me at the EPT Dortmund - Crazy Poker, Club on the Park, Poker Stars. Paradise
Irish Open - Blue Square, TGF
Others Include.
Blue Square - Caribbean Poker Cruise, any WPT event, Pokerface (VEGAS)
Betfair - Northern Ireland Poker Championships
TGF - Asian Poker Classic
Coral - Great British Poker Tour
Mansion - Pokerdome (VEGAS)
Bodog - WPT La Poker Classic.
Also for those bargain hunters. Earn 1 MPP on Playboy Poker and get $20. Code SUPJANPB.
My immediate priority before the leaderboard starts again is the GUKPT Walsall qualifiers.
Blue Square (Wed & Fri), Betfair (Thurs)
ClintonO
Monday, January 29, 2007
What happening on Crypto at the moment
Lots of new events appearing on cryptologic as the number of skins are increased.
Heres whats happening
Littlewoods - My software provider is where I will be playing the Mid Month leaderboard for February 6th-25th. The top two once again will secure a Monte Carlo seat.
Also every saturday night there is an E250 qualifier with one seat guaranteed for Monte Carlo.
Betsafe - A new site with some good promos going on. Money for MPPs is running at the moment. Top prize of $1000 for earning 5000 MPPS. Plus the top 40 MPP earners between Jan 20 and Feb 20 earn a weekend in Riga - 9th -11th March, be warned though this does clash with the EPT in Dortmund.
DTD - Earn 400 MPPs before 4th Feb and get into a Freeroll for the WSOP, definitely worth a look, only 56 players in at present.
They also have a GUKPT Walsall holding tank, so will be watching closely to see what happens here.
Inter - They are also in with MPP bonuses, with their Reload promotions. Best value seems to be $300 for 1500 MPPs.
Parbet - Another new site and the only one running exclusive qualifiers for the EPT in Warsaw. The have a final on March 11 E600 with weekly finals on Saturdays at 5pm E60.
Playboy - They have a trip for two in the Playboy towers in Vegas up for grabs on the 25th Feb. $100 entry fee for this one. Plus Bunny Money freerolls every Thursday at 6.30 and 9pm
Sun Poker - Really going to town with their sick promo, giving away loads of seats to the World Series. Also a freeroll for the $50k HORSE event for all those players earning 50000 MPPS before May 31.
There is nothing exclusive happening at UK Betting, William Hill, Poker Plex or Classic Poker
I will be looking what else is available around the sites over the next few days, as the Leaderboard competition does not start until the 6th February.
ClintonO
Heres whats happening
Littlewoods - My software provider is where I will be playing the Mid Month leaderboard for February 6th-25th. The top two once again will secure a Monte Carlo seat.
Also every saturday night there is an E250 qualifier with one seat guaranteed for Monte Carlo.
Betsafe - A new site with some good promos going on. Money for MPPs is running at the moment. Top prize of $1000 for earning 5000 MPPS. Plus the top 40 MPP earners between Jan 20 and Feb 20 earn a weekend in Riga - 9th -11th March, be warned though this does clash with the EPT in Dortmund.
DTD - Earn 400 MPPs before 4th Feb and get into a Freeroll for the WSOP, definitely worth a look, only 56 players in at present.
They also have a GUKPT Walsall holding tank, so will be watching closely to see what happens here.
Inter - They are also in with MPP bonuses, with their Reload promotions. Best value seems to be $300 for 1500 MPPs.
Parbet - Another new site and the only one running exclusive qualifiers for the EPT in Warsaw. The have a final on March 11 E600 with weekly finals on Saturdays at 5pm E60.
Playboy - They have a trip for two in the Playboy towers in Vegas up for grabs on the 25th Feb. $100 entry fee for this one. Plus Bunny Money freerolls every Thursday at 6.30 and 9pm
Sun Poker - Really going to town with their sick promo, giving away loads of seats to the World Series. Also a freeroll for the $50k HORSE event for all those players earning 50000 MPPS before May 31.
There is nothing exclusive happening at UK Betting, William Hill, Poker Plex or Classic Poker
I will be looking what else is available around the sites over the next few days, as the Leaderboard competition does not start until the 6th February.
ClintonO
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Leaderboard is Over
6th place and $1k bonus money. I am happy with that and will be back to fight next month.
Well done to those who battled it out. Logictech was absolutely outstanding, I do not know you, but fantastically well done.
The top ten.
1) logitech - 2445.8 - Monte Carlo package
2) Onny87 - 1179.3 - Monte Carlo package
3) BLIMEEY2 - 1143.9 - $4k
4) DESHONDTD - 1136.5 - $2.8k (Won his Monte Carlo package last night)
5) Filleter - 1088.85 - $1.8k
6) ClintonO - 921.27 - $1k
7) Threeaces - 858.65 - $500
8) Stinger05 - 839.72 - $400
9) Straggler - 832.45 - $300
10) n.a.t - 815.65 - $200
I played in 51 tournaments, cashed in 15 of them and had 4 final table appearances. With my $1k 6th place prize, I made just under £2k for the event. So at the end of the day I am not complaining!
Roll on February! Although in the mean time, I need to catch up on my sleep.
ClintonO
Well done to those who battled it out. Logictech was absolutely outstanding, I do not know you, but fantastically well done.
The top ten.
1) logitech - 2445.8 - Monte Carlo package
2) Onny87 - 1179.3 - Monte Carlo package
3) BLIMEEY2 - 1143.9 - $4k
4) DESHONDTD - 1136.5 - $2.8k (Won his Monte Carlo package last night)
5) Filleter - 1088.85 - $1.8k
6) ClintonO - 921.27 - $1k
7) Threeaces - 858.65 - $500
8) Stinger05 - 839.72 - $400
9) Straggler - 832.45 - $300
10) n.a.t - 815.65 - $200
I played in 51 tournaments, cashed in 15 of them and had 4 final table appearances. With my $1k 6th place prize, I made just under £2k for the event. So at the end of the day I am not complaining!
Roll on February! Although in the mean time, I need to catch up on my sleep.
ClintonO
Recent Posts
Hey all,
I just wanted to make a couple of points following some recent comments. Please keep them coming by the way, always appreciated.
Firstly my comment reference 'one of the best players on the site', I am not big headed and often dismiss what I achieve, it is only when people remind me of what I have achieved in less than two years, that I realise, do you know what I have done well. For me the mid-month leaderboard was great test, I can't play every game, I have to balance a job, a young family and a love of poker. 6th whilst not second place, was a decent effort which I am proud of.
Also I am certain that most players could comfortably beat me at cash games and my single table game, whilst improving needs a lot more work.
My multi table game though is coming on leaps and bounds. I am not totally comfortable with it and know there is room for improvement. You have to keep learning at this game. Last night I was fourth in the Monte Carlo final, where if my AJ had beaten A8 and my 99 had beaten 55, then maybe just maybe I could have won that. I also know that for the last two hours of the game, I was completly card dead and relying on playing the opposition and not the cards. However many many congratulations to my good friend Sun_Deshi who secured his seat, after playing some fantastic final table play.
My second reference is regards the legends comment. I do not think for one second that I have achieved anything in this game worthy of legend status, however it is term we use amongst friends as recognition of anything we achieve, no matter what it is. It is lighthearted and not meant in any other way.
When I started playing I had one game and when people worked it out, people knew how to play me. I have adapted my game to situations and players and believe I can hold my own. I have also never played under any other name, I have nothing to hide, if you can outplay then good luck to you, but I will continue to try to improve my game.
I will never be a flamboyant character of poker, my game is about preparation, numerical ability and strategy, but mark my words I will keep trying to improve my game. I am having a great time with the game and enjoying my progress.
Please keep the comments coming, positive or negative I can only learn from then.
Cheers
ClintonO
I just wanted to make a couple of points following some recent comments. Please keep them coming by the way, always appreciated.
Firstly my comment reference 'one of the best players on the site', I am not big headed and often dismiss what I achieve, it is only when people remind me of what I have achieved in less than two years, that I realise, do you know what I have done well. For me the mid-month leaderboard was great test, I can't play every game, I have to balance a job, a young family and a love of poker. 6th whilst not second place, was a decent effort which I am proud of.
Also I am certain that most players could comfortably beat me at cash games and my single table game, whilst improving needs a lot more work.
My multi table game though is coming on leaps and bounds. I am not totally comfortable with it and know there is room for improvement. You have to keep learning at this game. Last night I was fourth in the Monte Carlo final, where if my AJ had beaten A8 and my 99 had beaten 55, then maybe just maybe I could have won that. I also know that for the last two hours of the game, I was completly card dead and relying on playing the opposition and not the cards. However many many congratulations to my good friend Sun_Deshi who secured his seat, after playing some fantastic final table play.
My second reference is regards the legends comment. I do not think for one second that I have achieved anything in this game worthy of legend status, however it is term we use amongst friends as recognition of anything we achieve, no matter what it is. It is lighthearted and not meant in any other way.
When I started playing I had one game and when people worked it out, people knew how to play me. I have adapted my game to situations and players and believe I can hold my own. I have also never played under any other name, I have nothing to hide, if you can outplay then good luck to you, but I will continue to try to improve my game.
I will never be a flamboyant character of poker, my game is about preparation, numerical ability and strategy, but mark my words I will keep trying to improve my game. I am having a great time with the game and enjoying my progress.
Please keep the comments coming, positive or negative I can only learn from then.
Cheers
ClintonO
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Leaderboard draws to a close
Well I gave it a damn good go. A 7th place in the £8k last night helped me consolidate my position in 6th. I took a couple of shockers in the first two hours, but recovered with even a bit of luck on my side. AJ beating AK and KJ beating JJ when short stacked.
I was the short stack for most of the time I was on the final table. With blinds at 2k/4k, approaching 3k/6k my 30k was not going to last too long. I moved with AJ and was called by AT. The river paired the board for a second time. I needed that to have a real go.
By time I was first to act again with anything resembling a hand I was down to 18k and went out.
I am aware there is still one day left in the leaderboard tournament, but I have to rely on a friend to play tonights game (a very good player), as I have a leaving do for a good friend who has worked for me for a year. I know the chance for Monte Carlo is still there, but as great as Poker is, it cannot dictate your life!
As long as I don’t lose 6th place I will be happy. Although I will still take higher if it happens!
I have fallen just short of the important number 2 slot by a small margin. It has been really enjoyable event and added a real competitive edge to the site. I am pleased that the cryptologic skins are running it again for February and March. With the 3 recent additions (Betsafe, Parbet and Playboy), the site seems to be going from strength to strength.
On the flip side this event has been absolutely exhausting. I have played in all bar 6 of the qualifying tournaments (51/57) finishing most nights at between 1 and 3am and then getting up for work at 7am, not the most healthy situation.
I will report back a full review on the leaderboard with a full profit & loss situation tomorrow when I have access to all my statistics. At the end of the day being one of the top ten players on the site is a great achievement.
Tomorrow I will also publish my schedule for qualifying for live events over the next few weeks.
I have also written a new article entitled ‘How to win an online MTT tournament! This will be published in Littlewoods next Full House magazine. I will post it on here shortly.
ClintonO
I was the short stack for most of the time I was on the final table. With blinds at 2k/4k, approaching 3k/6k my 30k was not going to last too long. I moved with AJ and was called by AT. The river paired the board for a second time. I needed that to have a real go.
By time I was first to act again with anything resembling a hand I was down to 18k and went out.
I am aware there is still one day left in the leaderboard tournament, but I have to rely on a friend to play tonights game (a very good player), as I have a leaving do for a good friend who has worked for me for a year. I know the chance for Monte Carlo is still there, but as great as Poker is, it cannot dictate your life!
As long as I don’t lose 6th place I will be happy. Although I will still take higher if it happens!
I have fallen just short of the important number 2 slot by a small margin. It has been really enjoyable event and added a real competitive edge to the site. I am pleased that the cryptologic skins are running it again for February and March. With the 3 recent additions (Betsafe, Parbet and Playboy), the site seems to be going from strength to strength.
On the flip side this event has been absolutely exhausting. I have played in all bar 6 of the qualifying tournaments (51/57) finishing most nights at between 1 and 3am and then getting up for work at 7am, not the most healthy situation.
I will report back a full review on the leaderboard with a full profit & loss situation tomorrow when I have access to all my statistics. At the end of the day being one of the top ten players on the site is a great achievement.
Tomorrow I will also publish my schedule for qualifying for live events over the next few weeks.
I have also written a new article entitled ‘How to win an online MTT tournament! This will be published in Littlewoods next Full House magazine. I will post it on here shortly.
ClintonO
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Monte Carlo or ...
BUST!
It was the night that was supposed to catapult me to the coveted 2nd place position in the monthly leaderboard, but it could not have gone more wrong!
First the basics I did manage 35 points for the night which should take me up to 6th place (worth $1k).
However it really is a case of what might have been.
Firstly the £12k. A nice comfortable start adding 50% to my starting stack in the first hour. 15 minutes later I get my first hand of the night. KK in the cut off. One UTG limper for 150, I raise it up to 600. Button calls, limper folds.
Flop is nine high. I bet half the pot leaving me 1500 chips back to which he calls. I put him on two overcards with a flush draw or a pocket pair. Pot is now worth 3200. I push the remainder of my chips in and am called with a set of 9s. Nicely played by him. Probably a bit risky with an under the gun limper to call 600, with a potential reraise behind him, but well played nonetheless. I then move whats left of my chips with AQ and lose to KJ.
The £8k.
Started this tournament really well. Doubled early with AQ against AJ on an AQ4 flop and moved in the top 5 with 8k in the first hour.
Then I am dealt A5 in the big blind, with 3 limpers I take a look at the flop. A53. Very nice.
Button bets ¾ of the pot, to which I call. Turn is a King, which is probably a good card for me. Button bets the pot, I decide to take the pot there and then and he calls the remainder of his 6.5k with AJ. Surprised he limped preflop, but happy that I am about to move into a nice lead in the tournament. River another king, my 2nd pair is now worthless and his Jack kicker plays. Sick – I believe the phrase is.
$4k.
Last chance saloon for the night, my aim is to make top 35 to move me up to 6th in the rankings as my two rivals had crashed out in all the tournaments.
I never build up a stack, but claw and fight my way through to that 35th place. I am sitting 34th of 35.
Having accomplished this, it was a matter of seeing how far I could go. I was raising 2 pots a round without any resistance. Suddenly my 3k stack was up at 18k.
I then got fortunate as my AJclubs beat AQ, with a flush and suddenly winning the tournament was a reality. I had stayed up until 2.30am so I might as well win the thing. A win would put me within 16 points of the Monte Carlo seat.
We are down to 11 players, I am in 2nd place. 5 players on the table, myself and the chip leader are taking down every pot.
I am dealt QQ under the gun, to which I make my standard 3x BB raise (7200 at this point). The Big Blind (shortest stack on the table) moves in for his final 20k. I decide to call and am up against A7, to join the chip leader in the 75k mark. However the river card decided to be an Ace and I am right back in the thick of things!
The very next hand I have AT clubs in the BB. The chip leader continued his approach of raising every hand where he was ahead of me to act. I moved all in. Unfortunately he had a hand QQ. The flop bought two clubs, giving me two chances to hit the 12 outs (plus the backdoor straight and running tens) but it was not to be. I crashed out in 11th.
$60 and 28 points for almost 4 hours work, plus a severe dent on my sleeping time.
So so disappointing when I could almost sense victory.
Last chance saloon tonight, to be honest holding onto 6th place (assuming no-one managed to overtake me from the final table last night) is my number aim and taking the $1k prize associated with it. The leaderboard has two days to run, but I can’t play on Thursday, so I want to sure up my position was a points scoring position in the £12k tonight.
I will also be playing the UKPT Walsall qualifier on blue square, where I am going to make it 3rd time lucky!
ClintonO
It was the night that was supposed to catapult me to the coveted 2nd place position in the monthly leaderboard, but it could not have gone more wrong!
First the basics I did manage 35 points for the night which should take me up to 6th place (worth $1k).
However it really is a case of what might have been.
Firstly the £12k. A nice comfortable start adding 50% to my starting stack in the first hour. 15 minutes later I get my first hand of the night. KK in the cut off. One UTG limper for 150, I raise it up to 600. Button calls, limper folds.
Flop is nine high. I bet half the pot leaving me 1500 chips back to which he calls. I put him on two overcards with a flush draw or a pocket pair. Pot is now worth 3200. I push the remainder of my chips in and am called with a set of 9s. Nicely played by him. Probably a bit risky with an under the gun limper to call 600, with a potential reraise behind him, but well played nonetheless. I then move whats left of my chips with AQ and lose to KJ.
The £8k.
Started this tournament really well. Doubled early with AQ against AJ on an AQ4 flop and moved in the top 5 with 8k in the first hour.
Then I am dealt A5 in the big blind, with 3 limpers I take a look at the flop. A53. Very nice.
Button bets ¾ of the pot, to which I call. Turn is a King, which is probably a good card for me. Button bets the pot, I decide to take the pot there and then and he calls the remainder of his 6.5k with AJ. Surprised he limped preflop, but happy that I am about to move into a nice lead in the tournament. River another king, my 2nd pair is now worthless and his Jack kicker plays. Sick – I believe the phrase is.
$4k.
Last chance saloon for the night, my aim is to make top 35 to move me up to 6th in the rankings as my two rivals had crashed out in all the tournaments.
I never build up a stack, but claw and fight my way through to that 35th place. I am sitting 34th of 35.
Having accomplished this, it was a matter of seeing how far I could go. I was raising 2 pots a round without any resistance. Suddenly my 3k stack was up at 18k.
I then got fortunate as my AJclubs beat AQ, with a flush and suddenly winning the tournament was a reality. I had stayed up until 2.30am so I might as well win the thing. A win would put me within 16 points of the Monte Carlo seat.
We are down to 11 players, I am in 2nd place. 5 players on the table, myself and the chip leader are taking down every pot.
I am dealt QQ under the gun, to which I make my standard 3x BB raise (7200 at this point). The Big Blind (shortest stack on the table) moves in for his final 20k. I decide to call and am up against A7, to join the chip leader in the 75k mark. However the river card decided to be an Ace and I am right back in the thick of things!
The very next hand I have AT clubs in the BB. The chip leader continued his approach of raising every hand where he was ahead of me to act. I moved all in. Unfortunately he had a hand QQ. The flop bought two clubs, giving me two chances to hit the 12 outs (plus the backdoor straight and running tens) but it was not to be. I crashed out in 11th.
$60 and 28 points for almost 4 hours work, plus a severe dent on my sleeping time.
So so disappointing when I could almost sense victory.
Last chance saloon tonight, to be honest holding onto 6th place (assuming no-one managed to overtake me from the final table last night) is my number aim and taking the $1k prize associated with it. The leaderboard has two days to run, but I can’t play on Thursday, so I want to sure up my position was a points scoring position in the £12k tonight.
I will also be playing the UKPT Walsall qualifier on blue square, where I am going to make it 3rd time lucky!
ClintonO
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
8th place and 3 days left
Two decent performances in the 8k and 4k last night earnt me some more points (39 for the night) and right in the thick of it.
I am realistically competiting for 6th place, with only 9 points seperating Threeaces, Straggler and myself. I am on 807 points. Those in 2nd through 5th all have over a thousand points so it will have to be a top 4 finish tonight in the £12k if I want to earn a Monte Carlo seat through this competition.
6th is worth $1k and compared to the $400 for 8th so that would be nice. However one big result would do it!
Straggler who is in 7th place has gone out early tonight, so a top 36 place would see me overtake him.
I also played the EPT qualifier last night and won a seat in saturdays E270 final for a seat at Monte Carlo.
Well done to Desh for moving into 2nd place in the leaderboard, Jamie (FISHMAC) for winning last nights $3k and also to Eyesight who has been having a great week.
Lets hope its a big night Tuesday once again.
ClintonO
I am realistically competiting for 6th place, with only 9 points seperating Threeaces, Straggler and myself. I am on 807 points. Those in 2nd through 5th all have over a thousand points so it will have to be a top 4 finish tonight in the £12k if I want to earn a Monte Carlo seat through this competition.
6th is worth $1k and compared to the $400 for 8th so that would be nice. However one big result would do it!
Straggler who is in 7th place has gone out early tonight, so a top 36 place would see me overtake him.
I also played the EPT qualifier last night and won a seat in saturdays E270 final for a seat at Monte Carlo.
Well done to Desh for moving into 2nd place in the leaderboard, Jamie (FISHMAC) for winning last nights $3k and also to Eyesight who has been having a great week.
Lets hope its a big night Tuesday once again.
ClintonO
Monday, January 22, 2007
Into the Home Straight.
The leaderboard competition has just 4 days to run and I am currently sitting in 8th place. A Top 3 performance in the £12k this week though, should be enough to secure that so important 2nd place.
I gained some much needed points on Saturday night when reaching the final table of the £8k, by finishing sixth and winning £400.
All in all it is reaching a very interesting climax.
My good friend Desh under one of his 27 alias’ (DESHONDTD) has thrown himself into contention by moving into 3rd which adds a little more spice to the contest.
Last night was a profitable night, although as usual could have been better! I managed a 21st place in the main weekly tournament on Littlewoods – the £40k, which added a little over £300 to the bankroll.
I also played in the Prima network $150k GTD on a platform called Crazy Poker, where I had previously played one freeroll game a year or so ago.
There were 1356 players in this event and five hours on, my pair of eights got busted by a straight on the river to prevent me going into 3rd place and left me crippled going out in 34th. I earned $540 for my troubles, a decent return, but less than the $35k first prize I was eyeing up!
This week my main aim will still be the Leaderboard tournament, although I am going to have one more going at winning this UKPT seat for Walsall.
ClintonO
I gained some much needed points on Saturday night when reaching the final table of the £8k, by finishing sixth and winning £400.
All in all it is reaching a very interesting climax.
My good friend Desh under one of his 27 alias’ (DESHONDTD) has thrown himself into contention by moving into 3rd which adds a little more spice to the contest.
Last night was a profitable night, although as usual could have been better! I managed a 21st place in the main weekly tournament on Littlewoods – the £40k, which added a little over £300 to the bankroll.
I also played in the Prima network $150k GTD on a platform called Crazy Poker, where I had previously played one freeroll game a year or so ago.
There were 1356 players in this event and five hours on, my pair of eights got busted by a straight on the river to prevent me going into 3rd place and left me crippled going out in 34th. I earned $540 for my troubles, a decent return, but less than the $35k first prize I was eyeing up!
This week my main aim will still be the Leaderboard tournament, although I am going to have one more going at winning this UKPT seat for Walsall.
ClintonO
Saturday, January 20, 2007
You know its not your night when (part 3).....
You bubble for a seat in a major tournament for the second time in 3 days!
Once again QQ did me in as I move in with AJ.
I will win this seat - 3rd time lucky I am sure.
Things are not going well for me at the moment, I am getting my chips in with the best hand and they are simply not holding. I have lost 5 consecutive AK to AQ all preflop!
The leaderboard despite a cash in the £12k last night has continued on the downward trend. I am now sitting in 8th place. The good news remains that a top 3 in the £12k and I am back in the Monte Carlo seat.
There are still 6 days to go, so it is definitely still possible.
The Bad Beat tournament on Thursday was a poor week for the defending champions. I added some more points to our total, but without our star performer Jamie (FISHMAC) we would be in all sorts of trouble.
ClintonO
Once again QQ did me in as I move in with AJ.
I will win this seat - 3rd time lucky I am sure.
Things are not going well for me at the moment, I am getting my chips in with the best hand and they are simply not holding. I have lost 5 consecutive AK to AQ all preflop!
The leaderboard despite a cash in the £12k last night has continued on the downward trend. I am now sitting in 8th place. The good news remains that a top 3 in the £12k and I am back in the Monte Carlo seat.
There are still 6 days to go, so it is definitely still possible.
The Bad Beat tournament on Thursday was a poor week for the defending champions. I added some more points to our total, but without our star performer Jamie (FISHMAC) we would be in all sorts of trouble.
ClintonO
Thursday, January 18, 2007
You know its not your night when (part 2) ......
There are seven seats available to major live tournament and you crash out in 8th.
I was playing a tournament for seats at the UKPT at Walsall next month, I had played well all night, disciplined but aggressive poker. I had even folded QQ to all in reraise on the bubble.
Blinds were up at 2,000/4,000 and there was 3 of us on the 20,000 mark. I then pick up pocket sevens and decide the blinds are needed to keep me ahead. The big blind has QQ and I am out. So so annoyed! I did not need to play that hand. Grrrr!
There was some positive news as we had agreed a bubble deal, whereby the person in 8th got £350, however I found no solace in this.
The leaderboard competition is slipping away from me, with no successes last night.
A big big night is needed tonight.
The pressure is now officially on.
ClintonO
I was playing a tournament for seats at the UKPT at Walsall next month, I had played well all night, disciplined but aggressive poker. I had even folded QQ to all in reraise on the bubble.
Blinds were up at 2,000/4,000 and there was 3 of us on the 20,000 mark. I then pick up pocket sevens and decide the blinds are needed to keep me ahead. The big blind has QQ and I am out. So so annoyed! I did not need to play that hand. Grrrr!
There was some positive news as we had agreed a bubble deal, whereby the person in 8th got £350, however I found no solace in this.
The leaderboard competition is slipping away from me, with no successes last night.
A big big night is needed tonight.
The pressure is now officially on.
ClintonO
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
You know its not your night when.....
You are winning a MTT comfortably with 3 players left and your computer crashes and fails to reboot!
Yes its true in the $3k (prize pool $4.7k) tournament tonight, just about to wield the axe with AQ against the remaining short stacks and the computer just stops.
My 62k in chips disappear as I try to log back on.
Operating system not found.....
Oh my god, thats my computer knackered.
Somehow it eventually comes back on, (a lot of pleading with the computer gods!) the other two have been sharing my chips between them, how amicable of them!
19k left. I pick up Ak, perhaps there is justice - All in - called by KQ. There is no justice.
$564 instead of $1410. That my friends is damn sick.
I reached another final table in the £1.5k tonight, but crashed early when I ran into AA with my 99 on a 8 high flop.
In the leaderboard tournaments, I comfortably played my worst 3 games in forever. Although KK losing to K9 for 90% of my chips in the 8k did not help.
I am actually just relieved my computer is still working, I feared my hard drive was gone for a second.
Quick everything on the D:Drive!
To lose $900 because of a computer and then £2k to replace would have been too much to take.
2 Final tables is not bad for a nights work, but I still feel robbed of my 3 title of the year.
Amazingly relieved rather than tearing my hair out!
ClintonO
Yes its true in the $3k (prize pool $4.7k) tournament tonight, just about to wield the axe with AQ against the remaining short stacks and the computer just stops.
My 62k in chips disappear as I try to log back on.
Operating system not found.....
Oh my god, thats my computer knackered.
Somehow it eventually comes back on, (a lot of pleading with the computer gods!) the other two have been sharing my chips between them, how amicable of them!
19k left. I pick up Ak, perhaps there is justice - All in - called by KQ. There is no justice.
$564 instead of $1410. That my friends is damn sick.
I reached another final table in the £1.5k tonight, but crashed early when I ran into AA with my 99 on a 8 high flop.
In the leaderboard tournaments, I comfortably played my worst 3 games in forever. Although KK losing to K9 for 90% of my chips in the 8k did not help.
I am actually just relieved my computer is still working, I feared my hard drive was gone for a second.
Quick everything on the D:Drive!
To lose $900 because of a computer and then £2k to replace would have been too much to take.
2 Final tables is not bad for a nights work, but I still feel robbed of my 3 title of the year.
Amazingly relieved rather than tearing my hair out!
ClintonO
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Leaderboard Reaches Halfway
10 days of the 20 gone and I have slipped to 6th place. Just the one small cash in the last 3 days has now left me with work to.
Unfortunately the 2nd place spot looks firmly on the way to Filleter, who when I went to bed last night was comfortably winning the £8k.
I am now 300pts behing 2nd place, which is a top 3 finish in the £12k.
I believe I need another 500pts to take 2nd place and my quest starts tonight. Although I am incredibly tired at the moment and feel I will probably get better towards the end of the week. Anything more than the 9pts you get for just playing will be a bonus tonight!
1) logitech 1093.25
2) Filleter 914.6
3) Straggler 665.45
4) Threeaces 660.45
5) Costy 622.75
6) ClintonO 608.77
The prize money for 6th slips to $1k from $1.8k for 5th and falls to $200 for 10th! I really need to sort this out. (Starting with the £8k tonight - I have just crashed from the £12k - where I played officially rubbish!) As much as I hate to say it, maybe an early night is on the cards!
Fingers crossed for a great week!
ClintonO
Unfortunately the 2nd place spot looks firmly on the way to Filleter, who when I went to bed last night was comfortably winning the £8k.
I am now 300pts behing 2nd place, which is a top 3 finish in the £12k.
I believe I need another 500pts to take 2nd place and my quest starts tonight. Although I am incredibly tired at the moment and feel I will probably get better towards the end of the week. Anything more than the 9pts you get for just playing will be a bonus tonight!
1) logitech 1093.25
2) Filleter 914.6
3) Straggler 665.45
4) Threeaces 660.45
5) Costy 622.75
6) ClintonO 608.77
The prize money for 6th slips to $1k from $1.8k for 5th and falls to $200 for 10th! I really need to sort this out. (Starting with the £8k tonight - I have just crashed from the £12k - where I played officially rubbish!) As much as I hate to say it, maybe an early night is on the cards!
Fingers crossed for a great week!
ClintonO
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Monte Carlo Leaderboard Hotting Up
After 7 days of 20 in the Mid Month Leaderboard running on Littlewoods, I am currently sitting in 5th place.
5th place is worth $1,800 after 20 days, but I have my sights firmly on the first two places which are Monte Carlo packages.
The Top 5 is currently
logitech 1000.6pts
Filleter 637.0pts
Threeaces 625.95pts
Straggler 581.7pts
ClintonO 573.47pts.
logitech have got themselves into a very nice position, but the second spot is definitely within reach.
4 cashes in the last 3 days has moved me right into contention, with a 4th place in the £12k on Wednesday and a 3rd place in the £8k on Thursday.
I have so far invested £489 into the competition, with a return of £1987.25 (Profit £1,498.25)
So far so good, but its time to step it up to the top two places!
We have also had week 1 of the Dream Team II competition with Bad Beat. This was not a great start and we are languishing in the bottom half of the table. Jamie (FISHMAC) was our best performer earning 600pts with his 30th place. I added 400pts and Martin (5okinred) 80pts more.
In the Poker in Goa competition also on Bad Beat, I had a respectable 5th place this week, which leaves me in 6th place overall with two weeks to go.
My focus remains very much on Monte Carlo, which is somewhere I really want to go.
I also had a small article about me on the Betrescue site this week.
http://209.85.135.104/search?q=cache:IVExV_ZDYEcJ:www.betrescue.com/ps.shtml+clinton+orchard+poker&hl=en&gl=uk&ct=clnk&cd=5
More points tonight please!
ClintonO
5th place is worth $1,800 after 20 days, but I have my sights firmly on the first two places which are Monte Carlo packages.
The Top 5 is currently
logitech 1000.6pts
Filleter 637.0pts
Threeaces 625.95pts
Straggler 581.7pts
ClintonO 573.47pts.
logitech have got themselves into a very nice position, but the second spot is definitely within reach.
4 cashes in the last 3 days has moved me right into contention, with a 4th place in the £12k on Wednesday and a 3rd place in the £8k on Thursday.
I have so far invested £489 into the competition, with a return of £1987.25 (Profit £1,498.25)
So far so good, but its time to step it up to the top two places!
We have also had week 1 of the Dream Team II competition with Bad Beat. This was not a great start and we are languishing in the bottom half of the table. Jamie (FISHMAC) was our best performer earning 600pts with his 30th place. I added 400pts and Martin (5okinred) 80pts more.
In the Poker in Goa competition also on Bad Beat, I had a respectable 5th place this week, which leaves me in 6th place overall with two weeks to go.
My focus remains very much on Monte Carlo, which is somewhere I really want to go.
I also had a small article about me on the Betrescue site this week.
http://209.85.135.104/search?q=cache:IVExV_ZDYEcJ:www.betrescue.com/ps.shtml+clinton+orchard+poker&hl=en&gl=uk&ct=clnk&cd=5
More points tonight please!
ClintonO
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
EPT Deauville Cancelled
Terrible news today as we hear than the EPT event in Deauville has been cancelled. This was to be my EPT debut, which will now have to wait.
Possible options are Dortmund or Warsaw. A further option is to stump up the additional E5k and go to Monte Carlo, but the price is a bit steep for me, so it will have to be one of the other two. My preference is for Dortmund at this time.
With event being cancelled, I will try my luck at the UKPT event in Walsall the week before. (15th - 18th Feb)
On the Leadeboard front things improved a little with two top 30 finishes in the 12k and the 4k, but there is still much more work to be done as I languished down the field in 61st.
I made another final table on Sunday night, getting a 5th place finish in the £1.5k, running into AA in the big blind with AK in the small. This at least takes my final table tally up to four in the first week of the year.
I had a comment yesterday about my STT form and the comment was right, my STT record is not good enough. I know exactly why because I do not treat them with the same respect as a MTT and therefore my preparation is wrong.
I played one last night with the right attitude and won in comfortably. If I am going to play these they have to be serious from now on. My record at £50/£60 STTs are good because I treat them right.
From now on its only when I have the proper time to play them.
ClintonO
Possible options are Dortmund or Warsaw. A further option is to stump up the additional E5k and go to Monte Carlo, but the price is a bit steep for me, so it will have to be one of the other two. My preference is for Dortmund at this time.
With event being cancelled, I will try my luck at the UKPT event in Walsall the week before. (15th - 18th Feb)
On the Leadeboard front things improved a little with two top 30 finishes in the 12k and the 4k, but there is still much more work to be done as I languished down the field in 61st.
I made another final table on Sunday night, getting a 5th place finish in the £1.5k, running into AA in the big blind with AK in the small. This at least takes my final table tally up to four in the first week of the year.
I had a comment yesterday about my STT form and the comment was right, my STT record is not good enough. I know exactly why because I do not treat them with the same respect as a MTT and therefore my preparation is wrong.
I played one last night with the right attitude and won in comfortably. If I am going to play these they have to be serious from now on. My record at £50/£60 STTs are good because I treat them right.
From now on its only when I have the proper time to play them.
ClintonO
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Another Title
January has definitely started in a positive manner, as I made my 2nd win of the year, plus I also managed a 3rd place in another. Making it 3 final tables for the year and 2 wins.
The win came in the $3k GTD which had 174 runners and $1044 for first place. My 3rd place in the other tournament also generated $534 in winnings. Well done to Lynchem who won thoroughly deserved his win in that tournament.
Unfortunately my Mid Month Leaderboard competition started in disastrous fashion. When going nicely my all in reraise with AQ was called by AT. Flop TT5. Ouch. The guy that knocked me out with that mny75 only lasted 16 places longer!
So I have 9 points from day 1. A lot of catching up to do. The competition does run until the 25th so time is on my side.
Leaderboard investement £53 Returns £0. Points 9. Position - Well off the pace!
MTTs are really my game at the moment and I am going to stick to them until I can build a bankroll that will allow me to try my luck at the STT and Cash world of poker.
I did manage one win at a STT earlier though to qualify for the £12k.
Thanks to Joe (The Deacons) note earlier. Don't you worry that I am going to go off around the world and throw everything away. Every win so far has been invested back into property (ie the house) and I am not thinking of only playing poker full time, just want it to be a bigger part of my life.
I am not foolish enough to think that I am a world beater and it is the answer to everything, however I do have a bit of skill for this game and want to maximise my return on my investment.
I am pleased to already have 2 tournament wins under my belt after 6 days this year.
I am hoping my target for 2007 of 10 is well beaten!
ClintonO
Friday, January 05, 2007
Sunday Mail Article
Evening everybody.
Its been a promising start to the year and I am really enjoying playing at the moment.
I do feel another big win is not too far away.
The poker world continues to get bigger and better and the EPT has suddenly got two new tournamnents in this seasons tour. We now have EPT Dortmund and EPT Warsaw. Obviously no chance for me to play in them this year, but lets pencil them in for the future!
I am pleased to see Littlewoods is running another Leaderboard tournmanent, this time with the top two winning seats for the EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo. This is up there as my priority tournament, so I am going to give this challenge everything, even if I am a walking zombie for the next 3 weeks!
I also had an email today from Littlewoods regarding an article in the new years eve edition of the Sunday mail.
Check it out for yourselves!
http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/sport/unpdate/tm_method=full%26objectid=18356160%26siteid=64736-name_page.html
I love the fact I won the £12k the day after this was out!
Anyway I am settling down for a nights play after another exhausting week at work.
Good Luck to everyone I play.
ClintonO
Its been a promising start to the year and I am really enjoying playing at the moment.
I do feel another big win is not too far away.
The poker world continues to get bigger and better and the EPT has suddenly got two new tournamnents in this seasons tour. We now have EPT Dortmund and EPT Warsaw. Obviously no chance for me to play in them this year, but lets pencil them in for the future!
I am pleased to see Littlewoods is running another Leaderboard tournmanent, this time with the top two winning seats for the EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo. This is up there as my priority tournament, so I am going to give this challenge everything, even if I am a walking zombie for the next 3 weeks!
I also had an email today from Littlewoods regarding an article in the new years eve edition of the Sunday mail.
Check it out for yourselves!
http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/sport/unpdate/tm_method=full%26objectid=18356160%26siteid=64736-name_page.html
I love the fact I won the £12k the day after this was out!
Anyway I am settling down for a nights play after another exhausting week at work.
Good Luck to everyone I play.
ClintonO
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
WPT Mag
Well its taken a while, but thanks to my good friend Kai, I can now operate my scanner!
So as promised here is the article featuring the first WPT Rookie of the month.
Cheers
ClintonO
Nothing for two weeks - Now two in a Day!
Well its about time I let you know my objectives for the year. At this point, I am still undecided about my career, do I make poker a more prominent part (degree, MBA, 13 years in the FMCG world – most at a senior level – believe me it’s a difficult decision to make, especially for a Cancerian (we don’t do change))
This years objectives revolve around live poker, something I do very infrequently and at the moment am no good at! Well I bubbled in the $500 at St.Kitts in 2005, so there is a bit of potential, but so far no good!
At the moment if you look me up on the internet on poker pages or the Hendon mob web sites, you will see no record of me, how is that possible I hear you ask!? (lol!) Well I have never cashed in a big live tournament.
Now I could happily stay online and continue to make great strides, but I can not refuse a challenge. This year I want to set myself up for the 2008 live scene.
I am very excited by the Grosvenor and Gala (separate) poker tours and want to take part in them. To play the complete tour I will have to wait until 2008, so my aim is to get established enough that I can do this.
I will play in as many significant events as I can and will try to qualify for as many of those as possible.
This year I would like to take part in at least one EPT, UKPT, GBPT, APAT and WSOP event!
Objective 1) – Cash in a major live event.
My first realistic target is the EPT in Deauville (France) in February. My first EPT event and my first significant tournament in Europe.
It is vital for my poker future that I am able to switch my success from online to live poker and also vital that I do not put myself under excess pressure to do so with silly statements like I just made!
As soon as I know exactly what I am doing with my career, I can see how many live events I can try to qualify for. Needless to say any success achieved in Deauville will greatly enhance my prospects of playing more.
So what about online, I have won every tournament on the Littlewoods site except one, the Sunday night £40k, in fact I am still to make the final table.
Objective 2i) – Make the final table of the £40k
Objective 2ii) – Win the Sunday £40k
I am hoping that this will not continue to elude me!
It is vital for me to keep improving and learning at this game, as the influx of new people continue and they continue to get better. So what can I set myself as objectives, well I have to improve at each area and that includes MTT, STT and Cash games, therefore I need objectives in each.
Objective 3 MTTS) - To win 10 online tournaments in 2007
To Final Table in 40 online tournaments
To cash in 20% of all tournaments played
To achieve a profit of £40k
Objective 3 STTS) - To achieve a sharkscope profit of £5k
To move my sharkscope ROI to 5%
To move my £20 & £30 sharkscope ROI into positive territory
Objective 3 Cash) - To achieve a profit of £5k
To make a profit of 500 big blinds at each level I play
.15/.25 - £125
.25/.5 - £250
.5/1 - £500
1/2 - £1000
2/5 - £2500
Objective 4 Qualifiers) – These are vital for my plans in 2007, I must play in more live events.
This list will be a ridiculously tough target to achieve and I will have to play occasionally on unfamiliar sites to achieve it however these are my aims.
Feb – EPT Deauville
Mar – Asian Poker Classic *
Mar/Apr - Monte Carlo Millions
Apr - Paddy Power Irish Open *
May - GBPT Nottingham
Jul - WSOP
Aug - UKPT Luton
Sep - EPT Barcelona
Nov - CPC (or equiv)
Jan - Aussie Millons
The two that are have asterisk may not be achievable purely through work reasons.
Objective 5) Defend our Bad Beat dream Team title.
Quite simply I am captain and therefore it is my responsibility to ensure success for the team and defend the title we won last year.
Winning is the only measurement here.
These objectives will be added to throughout the course of the year, but for now they are plenty.
My next objective is to find a flat screen HDTV to spend my winnings from last night on.
Take care
ClintonO
This years objectives revolve around live poker, something I do very infrequently and at the moment am no good at! Well I bubbled in the $500 at St.Kitts in 2005, so there is a bit of potential, but so far no good!
At the moment if you look me up on the internet on poker pages or the Hendon mob web sites, you will see no record of me, how is that possible I hear you ask!? (lol!) Well I have never cashed in a big live tournament.
Now I could happily stay online and continue to make great strides, but I can not refuse a challenge. This year I want to set myself up for the 2008 live scene.
I am very excited by the Grosvenor and Gala (separate) poker tours and want to take part in them. To play the complete tour I will have to wait until 2008, so my aim is to get established enough that I can do this.
I will play in as many significant events as I can and will try to qualify for as many of those as possible.
This year I would like to take part in at least one EPT, UKPT, GBPT, APAT and WSOP event!
Objective 1) – Cash in a major live event.
My first realistic target is the EPT in Deauville (France) in February. My first EPT event and my first significant tournament in Europe.
It is vital for my poker future that I am able to switch my success from online to live poker and also vital that I do not put myself under excess pressure to do so with silly statements like I just made!
As soon as I know exactly what I am doing with my career, I can see how many live events I can try to qualify for. Needless to say any success achieved in Deauville will greatly enhance my prospects of playing more.
So what about online, I have won every tournament on the Littlewoods site except one, the Sunday night £40k, in fact I am still to make the final table.
Objective 2i) – Make the final table of the £40k
Objective 2ii) – Win the Sunday £40k
I am hoping that this will not continue to elude me!
It is vital for me to keep improving and learning at this game, as the influx of new people continue and they continue to get better. So what can I set myself as objectives, well I have to improve at each area and that includes MTT, STT and Cash games, therefore I need objectives in each.
Objective 3 MTTS) - To win 10 online tournaments in 2007
To Final Table in 40 online tournaments
To cash in 20% of all tournaments played
To achieve a profit of £40k
Objective 3 STTS) - To achieve a sharkscope profit of £5k
To move my sharkscope ROI to 5%
To move my £20 & £30 sharkscope ROI into positive territory
Objective 3 Cash) - To achieve a profit of £5k
To make a profit of 500 big blinds at each level I play
.15/.25 - £125
.25/.5 - £250
.5/1 - £500
1/2 - £1000
2/5 - £2500
Objective 4 Qualifiers) – These are vital for my plans in 2007, I must play in more live events.
This list will be a ridiculously tough target to achieve and I will have to play occasionally on unfamiliar sites to achieve it however these are my aims.
Feb – EPT Deauville
Mar – Asian Poker Classic *
Mar/Apr - Monte Carlo Millions
Apr - Paddy Power Irish Open *
May - GBPT Nottingham
Jul - WSOP
Aug - UKPT Luton
Sep - EPT Barcelona
Nov - CPC (or equiv)
Jan - Aussie Millons
The two that are have asterisk may not be achievable purely through work reasons.
Objective 5) Defend our Bad Beat dream Team title.
Quite simply I am captain and therefore it is my responsibility to ensure success for the team and defend the title we won last year.
Winning is the only measurement here.
These objectives will be added to throughout the course of the year, but for now they are plenty.
My next objective is to find a flat screen HDTV to spend my winnings from last night on.
Take care
ClintonO
Happy New Year to All
Firstly, a happy new year to one all. I wish you all the very best for 2007. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and as always please feel free to add your comments and share your views.
Its 2007 and this is now my 3rd year playing poker, ok so its only really just over 18 months but it sounds like I am more experienced!
2006 was a massive year for me on the poker front and something that is still very much a hobby, I can only see becoming a bigger part of my life.
Looking back at last year, there are so many highlights. On a personal note and for the benefit of my game, there was nothing better than meeting and getting to know some of the finest players I share the online felt with. Being able to talk, listen and learn from the likes of 007apr, ThierryH and Sun_Deshi has added so much to my game and to them I am very thankful.
I have got to know some wonderful people through this game, I managed to meet up with many in St.Kitts, but hope to meet up with the rest of you at an event soon.
My 2nd highlight was watching my wife discover the game that I love and then do something that I have not yet managed to do and that is cash in numerous events. Both in Vegas and St.Kitts she kept the kitty money topped up! Whilst I am sure she will never get a taste for online play, it is great to have someone who generally wants to get involved and enjoys the game.
So what else, my 2nd World Series was a short lived but amazing experience, I so love Las Vegas so! St.Kitts the 2nd time around was brilliant, meeting so many great people.
Winning my CPC and my EPT seats on the same day was special. As was my other two CPC seats and winning the Bad Beat Tournament for the Singapore Poker Classic. Appearing on the radio and in many newspapers, my features in the Littlewoods Full House magazine and my article in the WPT magazine (Their first ever Rookie of the Month!) Not to mention the £25k that has come my way! All in all, a simply life changing year.
However now is not the time to look back and relax, far from it, it is now that I must look forward and decide how much of my life this game will become.
I have been seriously tempted during the latter part of 2006 into doing more within the industry, but now more than ever I am coming up to some big decisions.
December was a very quiet poker month for me. I missed the start due to being in St.Kitts and with my family and work commitments, I kept my poker play down to the lowest level of the year. In fact there were more days where I did not play that when I did.
At one point before Christmas I honestly believed I had forgotten how to play the game and as a direct result of not playing my confidence was starting to dwindle.
Christmas with my family was perfect apart from the lack of time to play, plus no wireless or even broadband at the inlaws was never going to make it easy.
So with no poker to play, I found some time to read, I have a vast library of poker books to which I yet again added to and found one in particular a real inspiration. This was Phil Gordons little blue book.
Now I had read his first book ‘Little Green Book’ and it just seemed to demonstrate that Phil hit a hell of a lot of sets and I found myself thinking this is not realistic and was quite dismissive of the book, he also seemed to be overly loose and aggressive and as much as I want to develop my game, I am simply not going to play this way.
That said there was enough in the book to keep me interested in reading his ‘Little Blue Book’.
At one page in the book it simply dawned on me that he actually played an incredibly similar game to me, it was not about playing any two cards, his game was about gears, changing both up and down. This is how I have been successful at this game. At this point my confidence shot up without even playing a game.
For those of you who like me find Dan Harringtons books to be their poker bibles, then let me please recommend Phil Gordons Little Blue Book as something you should add to your collection, it now has pride of place next to Action Dan on my shelf.
Last year I had a great start to the year, I had won the £15k at the end of Dec (27th) and then the following Tuesday won the £15k again – Jan 3rd, after my first day at my new job.
Well last night I decided to make my first game of the year the £12k. 244 runners, 1st Place and £3416 in prize money. The absolute perfect start to the year.
The trick – Confidence, controlled aggression and changing gears.
I started with 2000 chips and I was up to 6000 chips by the first break. I managed to double up in level 3 when my pocket Aces turned into quads and I got called all the way down to the river by 2nd pair. Thank you!
I took my big risk after 2 hours, I had 9k in chips and pocket queens for the 3rd time. (I had previously folded them twice, once to reraises (KK and AQ) and once when AK hit the flop)
We had a limper under the gun, who I knew was going to reraise, I put him on AK as soon as he did it. He pushed all in as soon as I raised with my Queens, which convinced me it was AK, my queens held up and I was just short of 20k and into the top ten.
I had two more coin flips before the final table, none of them tournament threatening (around half my stack). I lost one and won one.
At the final table it was all very close and I was sitting in 8th with 35k, there was no runaway leader and two short stacks (16-19k). I arrived on the big blind, but my disappointment was short lived when QQ arrived also and knocked out one of the short stacks. I actually ended up knocking out 7 of the final table!
My chip count fluctuated a little, I called an all in button raise from the other short stack with A7 and lost to J5, but then doubled up with KK versus 66 against the guy who eventually finished 2nd.
It was a tight scrappy final table, with everyone so closely stacked in chips. The game itself was getting on for 5 hours. The last 6 however was under 10 mins!
I limped in the Small Blind with AJ hoping the BB to raise, he duly obliged with T8 and was out 5th when my Ace hit the flop. From this point I just built a stack and used it effectively, raising at any sign of weakness.
The heads up saw me in front with a big lead 360k to 130k and it lasted just three hands. I took the first two with raises. I was then dealt 67 clubs. He just called from the small blind, I am more than happy to see what the flop is. Tc Kh 8c. A Great Flop! Flush and inside straight draws. 13 outs if he has anything. I checked and was happy to check raise, but he also checked. The turn was a 9h. I have my straight, okay it’s the dumb end, but I am certain he would have raised with QJ preflop.
I check for the third time, surely inviting a bet. He bets 8k into the 18k pot, I raise to 24k, he is immediately all in. I have the straight, nine outs to a flush if somehow he does have QJ, but I cant see it. He most probably has two pair T8, T9 or 98. A king he surely would have raised preflop, unless he is slowplaying a monster.
I call and he has KK, he was dealt and flopped a monster and was slowplaying. The river was a deuce and the title was mine. To be honest after the flop came down, I was never getting away from this hand and only a big raise preflop would have got rid of me here.
So a fantastic start to the year, by the time I make it to bed at 2.30am, I have just won £3,400 and yet I am getting up for work in less than five hours. Why oh Why! It’s definitely time to sort my life out!
I will write again soon!
ClintonO
Its 2007 and this is now my 3rd year playing poker, ok so its only really just over 18 months but it sounds like I am more experienced!
2006 was a massive year for me on the poker front and something that is still very much a hobby, I can only see becoming a bigger part of my life.
Looking back at last year, there are so many highlights. On a personal note and for the benefit of my game, there was nothing better than meeting and getting to know some of the finest players I share the online felt with. Being able to talk, listen and learn from the likes of 007apr, ThierryH and Sun_Deshi has added so much to my game and to them I am very thankful.
I have got to know some wonderful people through this game, I managed to meet up with many in St.Kitts, but hope to meet up with the rest of you at an event soon.
My 2nd highlight was watching my wife discover the game that I love and then do something that I have not yet managed to do and that is cash in numerous events. Both in Vegas and St.Kitts she kept the kitty money topped up! Whilst I am sure she will never get a taste for online play, it is great to have someone who generally wants to get involved and enjoys the game.
So what else, my 2nd World Series was a short lived but amazing experience, I so love Las Vegas so! St.Kitts the 2nd time around was brilliant, meeting so many great people.
Winning my CPC and my EPT seats on the same day was special. As was my other two CPC seats and winning the Bad Beat Tournament for the Singapore Poker Classic. Appearing on the radio and in many newspapers, my features in the Littlewoods Full House magazine and my article in the WPT magazine (Their first ever Rookie of the Month!) Not to mention the £25k that has come my way! All in all, a simply life changing year.
However now is not the time to look back and relax, far from it, it is now that I must look forward and decide how much of my life this game will become.
I have been seriously tempted during the latter part of 2006 into doing more within the industry, but now more than ever I am coming up to some big decisions.
December was a very quiet poker month for me. I missed the start due to being in St.Kitts and with my family and work commitments, I kept my poker play down to the lowest level of the year. In fact there were more days where I did not play that when I did.
At one point before Christmas I honestly believed I had forgotten how to play the game and as a direct result of not playing my confidence was starting to dwindle.
Christmas with my family was perfect apart from the lack of time to play, plus no wireless or even broadband at the inlaws was never going to make it easy.
So with no poker to play, I found some time to read, I have a vast library of poker books to which I yet again added to and found one in particular a real inspiration. This was Phil Gordons little blue book.
Now I had read his first book ‘Little Green Book’ and it just seemed to demonstrate that Phil hit a hell of a lot of sets and I found myself thinking this is not realistic and was quite dismissive of the book, he also seemed to be overly loose and aggressive and as much as I want to develop my game, I am simply not going to play this way.
That said there was enough in the book to keep me interested in reading his ‘Little Blue Book’.
At one page in the book it simply dawned on me that he actually played an incredibly similar game to me, it was not about playing any two cards, his game was about gears, changing both up and down. This is how I have been successful at this game. At this point my confidence shot up without even playing a game.
For those of you who like me find Dan Harringtons books to be their poker bibles, then let me please recommend Phil Gordons Little Blue Book as something you should add to your collection, it now has pride of place next to Action Dan on my shelf.
Last year I had a great start to the year, I had won the £15k at the end of Dec (27th) and then the following Tuesday won the £15k again – Jan 3rd, after my first day at my new job.
Well last night I decided to make my first game of the year the £12k. 244 runners, 1st Place and £3416 in prize money. The absolute perfect start to the year.
The trick – Confidence, controlled aggression and changing gears.
I started with 2000 chips and I was up to 6000 chips by the first break. I managed to double up in level 3 when my pocket Aces turned into quads and I got called all the way down to the river by 2nd pair. Thank you!
I took my big risk after 2 hours, I had 9k in chips and pocket queens for the 3rd time. (I had previously folded them twice, once to reraises (KK and AQ) and once when AK hit the flop)
We had a limper under the gun, who I knew was going to reraise, I put him on AK as soon as he did it. He pushed all in as soon as I raised with my Queens, which convinced me it was AK, my queens held up and I was just short of 20k and into the top ten.
I had two more coin flips before the final table, none of them tournament threatening (around half my stack). I lost one and won one.
At the final table it was all very close and I was sitting in 8th with 35k, there was no runaway leader and two short stacks (16-19k). I arrived on the big blind, but my disappointment was short lived when QQ arrived also and knocked out one of the short stacks. I actually ended up knocking out 7 of the final table!
My chip count fluctuated a little, I called an all in button raise from the other short stack with A7 and lost to J5, but then doubled up with KK versus 66 against the guy who eventually finished 2nd.
It was a tight scrappy final table, with everyone so closely stacked in chips. The game itself was getting on for 5 hours. The last 6 however was under 10 mins!
I limped in the Small Blind with AJ hoping the BB to raise, he duly obliged with T8 and was out 5th when my Ace hit the flop. From this point I just built a stack and used it effectively, raising at any sign of weakness.
The heads up saw me in front with a big lead 360k to 130k and it lasted just three hands. I took the first two with raises. I was then dealt 67 clubs. He just called from the small blind, I am more than happy to see what the flop is. Tc Kh 8c. A Great Flop! Flush and inside straight draws. 13 outs if he has anything. I checked and was happy to check raise, but he also checked. The turn was a 9h. I have my straight, okay it’s the dumb end, but I am certain he would have raised with QJ preflop.
I check for the third time, surely inviting a bet. He bets 8k into the 18k pot, I raise to 24k, he is immediately all in. I have the straight, nine outs to a flush if somehow he does have QJ, but I cant see it. He most probably has two pair T8, T9 or 98. A king he surely would have raised preflop, unless he is slowplaying a monster.
I call and he has KK, he was dealt and flopped a monster and was slowplaying. The river was a deuce and the title was mine. To be honest after the flop came down, I was never getting away from this hand and only a big raise preflop would have got rid of me here.
So a fantastic start to the year, by the time I make it to bed at 2.30am, I have just won £3,400 and yet I am getting up for work in less than five hours. Why oh Why! It’s definitely time to sort my life out!
I will write again soon!
ClintonO
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Not Ignoring my Blog
I have to apologise for the lack of blogging taking place but I really am trying to do write as often as possible
I have been attempting for 2 days to scan in my article from page 12 of the WPT magazine (now that is a claim to fame - the article not the fact I can't scan), but for some reason, my scanner will only talk to me in German on my new computer. Whilst I have basic German knowledge, I still cant get it working! So you will just have to wait. Soon I promise! (Please let me get it to work)
On the poker front, I am in major creativity mode at the moment and am currently looking at forming a poker team with my good friend Andy Reynolds (007apr). I hope to have this up and running in the new year and I am very excited about it. More details to follow as soon as I get the green light. I have been learning Paint Shop Pro and reading how to build websites! (Getting in the way of the poker)
The acutal playing side, it is a case of mr nearly man. I have made the money in 3 consecutive nights in the £8k (until tonight!) as well as the money in the £40k on Sunday, so slow but steady progress.
I have got big plans for the blog in the near future, so please do not turn off now!
I will also be running a team in the new Bad Beat competition, Dream Team II and after winning the last one, a win is the only option!
My team is the perfect mix of loose and tight and I feel that we are ready to take on all comers!
The Team
Clinton O
SUN_DESHI (The £12k master)
ThierryH (Autumn Windfall Champion)
HEFFERNAN (recent 7th place in the Asian Tour)
JPK (six pack superstar) - check out his link on my site
Strokeit (Major factor in the last Dream Team win)
FISHMAC (2nd in the £8k as I type this)
~Retard~ (1st in the £8k as I type this!)
This tournament starts in the new year.
I have also been building a 2007 poker calendar, so that I can work out which events to play live next year.
The introduction of the Grosvenor and Gala UK Poker Tours are fantastic news for the UK Poker Industry and I will definitely be paying them a visit.
At the moment I have pencilled in the Luton event in August in the UKPT (Grosvenor) and Nottingham in the GBPT (Gala) in May.
My number one aim for 2007 on the playing side is to cash in a major tournament. It is going happen, I will detail my full objectives towards the end of the month.
The EPT in Deauville, which I am so looking forward to, has been extended by a day, so more holidays are needed, work really does interfere with my hobby! LOL!
Right now where was that scanner.
I will be back soon!
ClintonO
I have been attempting for 2 days to scan in my article from page 12 of the WPT magazine (now that is a claim to fame - the article not the fact I can't scan), but for some reason, my scanner will only talk to me in German on my new computer. Whilst I have basic German knowledge, I still cant get it working! So you will just have to wait. Soon I promise! (Please let me get it to work)
On the poker front, I am in major creativity mode at the moment and am currently looking at forming a poker team with my good friend Andy Reynolds (007apr). I hope to have this up and running in the new year and I am very excited about it. More details to follow as soon as I get the green light. I have been learning Paint Shop Pro and reading how to build websites! (Getting in the way of the poker)
The acutal playing side, it is a case of mr nearly man. I have made the money in 3 consecutive nights in the £8k (until tonight!) as well as the money in the £40k on Sunday, so slow but steady progress.
I have got big plans for the blog in the near future, so please do not turn off now!
I will also be running a team in the new Bad Beat competition, Dream Team II and after winning the last one, a win is the only option!
My team is the perfect mix of loose and tight and I feel that we are ready to take on all comers!
The Team
Clinton O
SUN_DESHI (The £12k master)
ThierryH (Autumn Windfall Champion)
HEFFERNAN (recent 7th place in the Asian Tour)
JPK (six pack superstar) - check out his link on my site
Strokeit (Major factor in the last Dream Team win)
FISHMAC (2nd in the £8k as I type this)
~Retard~ (1st in the £8k as I type this!)
This tournament starts in the new year.
I have also been building a 2007 poker calendar, so that I can work out which events to play live next year.
The introduction of the Grosvenor and Gala UK Poker Tours are fantastic news for the UK Poker Industry and I will definitely be paying them a visit.
At the moment I have pencilled in the Luton event in August in the UKPT (Grosvenor) and Nottingham in the GBPT (Gala) in May.
My number one aim for 2007 on the playing side is to cash in a major tournament. It is going happen, I will detail my full objectives towards the end of the month.
The EPT in Deauville, which I am so looking forward to, has been extended by a day, so more holidays are needed, work really does interfere with my hobby! LOL!
Right now where was that scanner.
I will be back soon!
ClintonO
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Back online
Apologies for the lack of posts since my return from St.Kitts.
I had a great time, but still came away dissapointed that I have not cashed in a major live event.
Since my return, I have played a little online, making a final table in the $4k and £8k as well as winning one of the BadBeat Poker in Goa tournaments.
I am doing a lot of thinking this month about how I make the most out of this game that I so enjoy. I have a few plans up my sleeve as I consider my future and how much time I should devote to this game.
In the meantime my Littlewoods Poker Table has changed. Image attached.
We have also seen some good news on the Cryptologic software, with William Hill signing a new contract and Dusk till Dawn Poker joining.
I will be back soon!
ClintonO
Friday, December 01, 2006
Caribbean Poker Classic Day 7
I thought I would try one more live game in the $300 No limit.
After spending the first 5 levels moving between 2k and 4k in chips (starting stack 3k), I decide to make my move.
The aggressive player under the gun raises again and I move all in with my pocket eights.
He thinks for a while and says I cant believe I am going to call this and does, with 62 hearts.
I was not thinking, wow a fantastic double up, but how I am going to lose to this!
The board comes down AKJ, with 1 heart. The turn is a second heart, the river a third heart. I am out to a flush!
Forget anything anyone has said about online badbeats, live is by far the worst!
I have decided to call it a day for live events on this trip, I have been totally card dead all week and when my chips have gone in, 3 out of 4 I have lost with the better hand, the other one I was behind and stayed that way.
The live game is so different to the online version, with egos and images taking over on the table.
There is much more bluffing and rebluffing live, I would have loved to have some cards as I could have got a lot of chips.
I do need to adjust my game, especially when I dont get any cards at all.
I have spent a long time on my online game and now I really need to develop my live style, there are no fundamentals wrong, but I definitely need more experience to improve my confidence.
I am going to work out a programme of events and goals for the 2007 over the next month. I have a definite ability at this game, but I am questioning myself so much after this weeks events.
I have the EPT in Deauville in February as my most immediate target. Two months of stretching my game ahead.
Online - the crypto software has completely changed! So another review ahead!
ClintonO
After spending the first 5 levels moving between 2k and 4k in chips (starting stack 3k), I decide to make my move.
The aggressive player under the gun raises again and I move all in with my pocket eights.
He thinks for a while and says I cant believe I am going to call this and does, with 62 hearts.
I was not thinking, wow a fantastic double up, but how I am going to lose to this!
The board comes down AKJ, with 1 heart. The turn is a second heart, the river a third heart. I am out to a flush!
Forget anything anyone has said about online badbeats, live is by far the worst!
I have decided to call it a day for live events on this trip, I have been totally card dead all week and when my chips have gone in, 3 out of 4 I have lost with the better hand, the other one I was behind and stayed that way.
The live game is so different to the online version, with egos and images taking over on the table.
There is much more bluffing and rebluffing live, I would have loved to have some cards as I could have got a lot of chips.
I do need to adjust my game, especially when I dont get any cards at all.
I have spent a long time on my online game and now I really need to develop my live style, there are no fundamentals wrong, but I definitely need more experience to improve my confidence.
I am going to work out a programme of events and goals for the 2007 over the next month. I have a definite ability at this game, but I am questioning myself so much after this weeks events.
I have the EPT in Deauville in February as my most immediate target. Two months of stretching my game ahead.
Online - the crypto software has completely changed! So another review ahead!
ClintonO
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Caribbean Poker Classic Day 6
The main event!
The day started with a Television interview with the comedian Norman Pace, before settling down the big event.
Level 1
I get pocked 8s and Js in the first five hands, after playing for four hours last night with not a single pair.
My 8s are beat, but my Jacks are good.
I play a very loose open game in level 1 and end up with 17000 from my initial stack of 15000.
Level 2
Pocket Kings! Not seen these all week!
One limper, one raise to 650. I decide to call. Flop Q97 all diamonds. I bet out 900 and get immediately called. I do have the K diamonds, turn is a an Ace. Check - Check. He is scared of the ace also, is my read. River is a J. Lots of problems now. He bets 1000 and I call. He also has Kings!
I end the level 16500.
Level 3.
Totally card dead, I tried some moves with pocket threes and 78 suited and nothing happens.
14500
Level 4.
I call a couple of raises, perhaps normally I would have reraised, I am finding myself calling more than I would normally do. Yes there are more chips in play, but I am playing too weak.
After a raise to a 1000 and a call, I move in with 5000 with QT. They both fold. Thats better.
I get Ace Jack, but after a raise I have to bail out as there is too much action. Chips now 13200
Level 5
I lose 2000 chips with AQ to AK and then get moved and another 1000 when my JT suited does not hit.
My first two hands at my new table I decide to change my stance, and raise with QJ and QT and win uncontested. I am now set for my some calls when my good cards arrive.
11000
Level 6.
I am starting to struggle, I am at a very aggressive table and am getting nothing. I try to defend my blinds with 88 and 55 and get beat by KK and AT.
I go to the dinner break with just 8000
Level 7
The blinds are coming round thick and fast, some cards please!
I raise with 77 and A7 to keep my stack at between 7 or 8, I am just fighting for every chip.
8700
Level 8.
The furthest I have got in a major event, and there are only 80 people remaining.
I am so card dead, I reraise all in with TJ and he does not call.
I have witnessed one guy get AA,KK and QQ - 11 times (yes eleven) in the last two levels.
On average I have seen an Ace once a level!
The end is upon me, in the last hand before the final break of the day, I raise with 99, my best hand in four hours and the chip leader the man with all the cards calls.
He had just beaten a guy who held 28 on a 7228 board, when his 66 gains another 6 on the river!
The flop for me comes 723 and I have no choice but to commit my chips, he turns over Queens - yes again! I am out of my seat, as I know Queens are the end. A further 2 and a 3 do not help me and the Caribbean Poker Classic is over for me.
I have KK once in 8 hours and JJ once, aside from AQ I have not seen a hand.
This was an interesting learning experience with a starting stack of 15000, which I have never played with before.
I am dissapointed as I believe I could have played better. I called too many hands, when raise or fold were the real options. I tried to make sure I was active to not appear too tight.
I still need a lot of work on my live game and have two months to get it sorted before the EPT event in Deauville.
I still feel I am due a whole heap of luck in a live event somewhere down the line, but right now there is more work to be done!
Thanks to everyone for all your support and I am sorry that I could not bring home the title I so wanted. Maybe 2007 will be one for me.
ClintonO!
The day started with a Television interview with the comedian Norman Pace, before settling down the big event.
Level 1
I get pocked 8s and Js in the first five hands, after playing for four hours last night with not a single pair.
My 8s are beat, but my Jacks are good.
I play a very loose open game in level 1 and end up with 17000 from my initial stack of 15000.
Level 2
Pocket Kings! Not seen these all week!
One limper, one raise to 650. I decide to call. Flop Q97 all diamonds. I bet out 900 and get immediately called. I do have the K diamonds, turn is a an Ace. Check - Check. He is scared of the ace also, is my read. River is a J. Lots of problems now. He bets 1000 and I call. He also has Kings!
I end the level 16500.
Level 3.
Totally card dead, I tried some moves with pocket threes and 78 suited and nothing happens.
14500
Level 4.
I call a couple of raises, perhaps normally I would have reraised, I am finding myself calling more than I would normally do. Yes there are more chips in play, but I am playing too weak.
After a raise to a 1000 and a call, I move in with 5000 with QT. They both fold. Thats better.
I get Ace Jack, but after a raise I have to bail out as there is too much action. Chips now 13200
Level 5
I lose 2000 chips with AQ to AK and then get moved and another 1000 when my JT suited does not hit.
My first two hands at my new table I decide to change my stance, and raise with QJ and QT and win uncontested. I am now set for my some calls when my good cards arrive.
11000
Level 6.
I am starting to struggle, I am at a very aggressive table and am getting nothing. I try to defend my blinds with 88 and 55 and get beat by KK and AT.
I go to the dinner break with just 8000
Level 7
The blinds are coming round thick and fast, some cards please!
I raise with 77 and A7 to keep my stack at between 7 or 8, I am just fighting for every chip.
8700
Level 8.
The furthest I have got in a major event, and there are only 80 people remaining.
I am so card dead, I reraise all in with TJ and he does not call.
I have witnessed one guy get AA,KK and QQ - 11 times (yes eleven) in the last two levels.
On average I have seen an Ace once a level!
The end is upon me, in the last hand before the final break of the day, I raise with 99, my best hand in four hours and the chip leader the man with all the cards calls.
He had just beaten a guy who held 28 on a 7228 board, when his 66 gains another 6 on the river!
The flop for me comes 723 and I have no choice but to commit my chips, he turns over Queens - yes again! I am out of my seat, as I know Queens are the end. A further 2 and a 3 do not help me and the Caribbean Poker Classic is over for me.
I have KK once in 8 hours and JJ once, aside from AQ I have not seen a hand.
This was an interesting learning experience with a starting stack of 15000, which I have never played with before.
I am dissapointed as I believe I could have played better. I called too many hands, when raise or fold were the real options. I tried to make sure I was active to not appear too tight.
I still need a lot of work on my live game and have two months to get it sorted before the EPT event in Deauville.
I still feel I am due a whole heap of luck in a live event somewhere down the line, but right now there is more work to be done!
Thanks to everyone for all your support and I am sorry that I could not bring home the title I so wanted. Maybe 2007 will be one for me.
ClintonO!
Caribbean Poker Classic Day 5
The $500 no limit proved to be another dissapointing affair.
With only 24 players left, I moved all in with AK and was called by AQ, the inevitable happened and a Q hit.
I still cant get this elusive Cash in a major tournament, heres hoping for the main event tommorrow.
ClintonO
With only 24 players left, I moved all in with AK and was called by AQ, the inevitable happened and a Q hit.
I still cant get this elusive Cash in a major tournament, heres hoping for the main event tommorrow.
ClintonO
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Caribbean Poker Classic Day 4
A quiet day today, sitting around the pool, was the order of the day.
I played one STT and finished 3rd after a lost coin flip and having my A6 called my the mighty A3.
Rachaels career earnings continues on the up with another cash finish and $300 more!
Congrats again to Tony Cascarino who won the $1000 game last night and the first prize of $28k.
A very impressive run of results.
The time has now come for me to prove myself as a poker player!
I am playing in the $500 game tonight, where a cash finish is the only acceptable outcome!
ClintonO
I played one STT and finished 3rd after a lost coin flip and having my A6 called my the mighty A3.
Rachaels career earnings continues on the up with another cash finish and $300 more!
Congrats again to Tony Cascarino who won the $1000 game last night and the first prize of $28k.
A very impressive run of results.
The time has now come for me to prove myself as a poker player!
I am playing in the $500 game tonight, where a cash finish is the only acceptable outcome!
ClintonO
Monday, November 27, 2006
Caribbean Poker Classic Day 3
My first MTT of the week, ended in an early exit.
The last hand of level 3, I picked up AK diamonds on the Big Blind. One limper, an oversized raise from a Danish guy, (2nd the night before in $200 NL) who had raised at least half the pots in the first hour and a half.
I moved all in and he instantly called for all his chips with 55.
Flop was QdJd6h, giving me more outs than I could count, the turn was another Jack, giving me even more outs in Queens and Sixes, but I still continue my quest for a coin flip win in a live MTT event.
I had a pleasant afternoon though, sitting at the bar with the great Crypto players including ThierryH, 007apr and Oranges.
Congratulations to Littlewoods sponsored player Tony Cascarino who came 2nd in this $300 no limit event.
Once again I have to congratulate the best poker player in the family, who from two $100 STTs manage to come 2nd in one and win the next, making a nice $700 in the process. I am hoping to borrow some of this to enter the $500 NL on Day 5!
A rest day for me today, I don't fancy the $1000 this afternoon, a little too rich for me!
I have the UK Betting beach party to go to, so that should keep me busy.
I am going to send my wife Rachael to win us some more money!
Oh yes she knocked me out again for the 2nd day running, when only 3 players left!
ClintonO
The last hand of level 3, I picked up AK diamonds on the Big Blind. One limper, an oversized raise from a Danish guy, (2nd the night before in $200 NL) who had raised at least half the pots in the first hour and a half.
I moved all in and he instantly called for all his chips with 55.
Flop was QdJd6h, giving me more outs than I could count, the turn was another Jack, giving me even more outs in Queens and Sixes, but I still continue my quest for a coin flip win in a live MTT event.
I had a pleasant afternoon though, sitting at the bar with the great Crypto players including ThierryH, 007apr and Oranges.
Congratulations to Littlewoods sponsored player Tony Cascarino who came 2nd in this $300 no limit event.
Once again I have to congratulate the best poker player in the family, who from two $100 STTs manage to come 2nd in one and win the next, making a nice $700 in the process. I am hoping to borrow some of this to enter the $500 NL on Day 5!
A rest day for me today, I don't fancy the $1000 this afternoon, a little too rich for me!
I have the UK Betting beach party to go to, so that should keep me busy.
I am going to send my wife Rachael to win us some more money!
Oh yes she knocked me out again for the 2nd day running, when only 3 players left!
ClintonO
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Caribbean Poker Classic Day2
Day 2 - The Boat Trip.
The Littlewoods trip was a journey on a gorgeous boat, a bit of snorkelling, a bbq on the beach and all in all a great time.
One game of poker with the legend Tony Chessa and skalie of bad beat fame, unfortunately my Jacks ran into kings and it was game over, but not before I took down a legendary pot with a complete bluff!
I also got my new Littlewoods merchandise, I will get a photo on the site shortly, but a Littlewoods football top, with ClintonO on the back and number 7 (my number!). Im Liking it.
I promise to play poker tomorrow and will be entering the $300 at 2pm my time.
I did have a sit and go warm up tonight, only to be knocked out by my beautiful wife, it just shows there are no friends on the poker table!
ClintonO
The Littlewoods trip was a journey on a gorgeous boat, a bit of snorkelling, a bbq on the beach and all in all a great time.
One game of poker with the legend Tony Chessa and skalie of bad beat fame, unfortunately my Jacks ran into kings and it was game over, but not before I took down a legendary pot with a complete bluff!
I also got my new Littlewoods merchandise, I will get a photo on the site shortly, but a Littlewoods football top, with ClintonO on the back and number 7 (my number!). Im Liking it.
I promise to play poker tomorrow and will be entering the $300 at 2pm my time.
I did have a sit and go warm up tonight, only to be knocked out by my beautiful wife, it just shows there are no friends on the poker table!
ClintonO
Caribbean Poker Classic Day1
Day 1
Not much to report as delays at Gatwick and Antigua, meant that it was a twenty hour day.
It was nice to meet up with some of the guys, I finally met the legend that is 007apr.
The highlight of the day was on the plane and the guy next to me was reading an article written by me! Very weird feeling!
There was also a number of people mentioning that they would like to meet ClintonO! I obviously kept it quiet! Fame at last though.
ClintonO
Not much to report as delays at Gatwick and Antigua, meant that it was a twenty hour day.
It was nice to meet up with some of the guys, I finally met the legend that is 007apr.
The highlight of the day was on the plane and the guy next to me was reading an article written by me! Very weird feeling!
There was also a number of people mentioning that they would like to meet ClintonO! I obviously kept it quiet! Fame at last though.
ClintonO
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
STTS - The answer?
As you are all aware I have been struggling with my Single Table Tournaments.
My best results in STTS have been in £10 or £50+ games.
My MTTs results are far superior, due to the length of time that you have to play the game.
Today, they have increased the starting stacks in STTS from 1000 to 1200 on tables of £30 plus and from 1000 to 1500 on £50 plus. This I was hoping was the answer to my prayers.
Two games tonight at the £50 level. Two wins! WAHOO! Its far too early for anything conclusive, but so far I like it!
I have to say hello to MUFF2WIN who wanted a mention on my blog, I said only if he beat me heads up! Well I am very generous, so even though you lost (he he!), you get your mention!
I would also like to say thanks to Aztec for posting earlier. It is always interesting to see how other people get on. Especially when they have different strengths or skills to me. If I can help in anyway with your MTT record please let me know.
I am not planning to over do it in the next couple of days, so that I can hit the caribbean fresh!
ClintonO
My best results in STTS have been in £10 or £50+ games.
My MTTs results are far superior, due to the length of time that you have to play the game.
Today, they have increased the starting stacks in STTS from 1000 to 1200 on tables of £30 plus and from 1000 to 1500 on £50 plus. This I was hoping was the answer to my prayers.
Two games tonight at the £50 level. Two wins! WAHOO! Its far too early for anything conclusive, but so far I like it!
I have to say hello to MUFF2WIN who wanted a mention on my blog, I said only if he beat me heads up! Well I am very generous, so even though you lost (he he!), you get your mention!
I would also like to say thanks to Aztec for posting earlier. It is always interesting to see how other people get on. Especially when they have different strengths or skills to me. If I can help in anyway with your MTT record please let me know.
I am not planning to over do it in the next couple of days, so that I can hit the caribbean fresh!
ClintonO
Monday, November 20, 2006
A game of Luck
I had an interesting comment on the blog today from Liam.
Is poker more about luck than skill?
This very question is something that is at the very heart of the whole issue regarding the playing of online poker in the US. So this question is being debated all over the world.
For me it totally depends on the situation.
If you have committed all your chips with 77 and your opponent has AK. You have almost exactly a 50/50 chance of winning.
At that precise moment you will either win or lose - a probablity of 100% or 0%. (Okay there is a slight possibility you could have a split pot, but the odds are huge!) Versus what is as we have said a 50/50 chance.
For that one hand you are either very lucky 100% result vs 50% probability or very unlucky 0% result.
However over time this and given enough situations this will balance itself out.
The skill in this game though is about putting yourself in situations whereby the probablity of winning is great versus the risk involved. I do not look to put myself in 50/50 situations. I may often give my opponent the choice if he wants to go 50/50 with me, but I want my chips in first.
You also only have to look at why the worlds top players are just that, because they are consistenly successful. Liam makes reference to Dan Harrington, well he achieved two successive World Series of Poker Final Tables, that for me proves that this game is based on skill.
Characteristics for a being a Great Poker player.
Discipline - Knowing when to walk away. Managing your bankroll.
Patience - Waiting for the right opportunities, where you have the right odds.
Confidence - Believe in your abilities. Courage/Conviction
Ability to learn - If you not still learning, you are falling behind
Strategy - Changing gears, how to play hands/levels/players/tournaments
Numerical Ability - Know your odds
People Reading - who you can bluff, who will call you all day.
Realism - You can't win everytime, if your not prepared to lose, your not prepared to win.
Luck - Well it helps! Pocket Aces may be between 80&90% to win preflop! Not 100%.
Luck plays its part in my opinion, but there is no way I would be playing this game if I did not think I had an edge and my records to date are proof to that very fact.
Cheers
ClintonO
ps 14th in the Sunday £40k last night, my best ever performance. My 7s were busted by AK. Now thats just bad luck! LOL!
Is poker more about luck than skill?
This very question is something that is at the very heart of the whole issue regarding the playing of online poker in the US. So this question is being debated all over the world.
For me it totally depends on the situation.
If you have committed all your chips with 77 and your opponent has AK. You have almost exactly a 50/50 chance of winning.
At that precise moment you will either win or lose - a probablity of 100% or 0%. (Okay there is a slight possibility you could have a split pot, but the odds are huge!) Versus what is as we have said a 50/50 chance.
For that one hand you are either very lucky 100% result vs 50% probability or very unlucky 0% result.
However over time this and given enough situations this will balance itself out.
The skill in this game though is about putting yourself in situations whereby the probablity of winning is great versus the risk involved. I do not look to put myself in 50/50 situations. I may often give my opponent the choice if he wants to go 50/50 with me, but I want my chips in first.
You also only have to look at why the worlds top players are just that, because they are consistenly successful. Liam makes reference to Dan Harrington, well he achieved two successive World Series of Poker Final Tables, that for me proves that this game is based on skill.
Characteristics for a being a Great Poker player.
Discipline - Knowing when to walk away. Managing your bankroll.
Patience - Waiting for the right opportunities, where you have the right odds.
Confidence - Believe in your abilities. Courage/Conviction
Ability to learn - If you not still learning, you are falling behind
Strategy - Changing gears, how to play hands/levels/players/tournaments
Numerical Ability - Know your odds
People Reading - who you can bluff, who will call you all day.
Realism - You can't win everytime, if your not prepared to lose, your not prepared to win.
Luck - Well it helps! Pocket Aces may be between 80&90% to win preflop! Not 100%.
Luck plays its part in my opinion, but there is no way I would be playing this game if I did not think I had an edge and my records to date are proof to that very fact.
Cheers
ClintonO
ps 14th in the Sunday £40k last night, my best ever performance. My 7s were busted by AK. Now thats just bad luck! LOL!
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Warming up for the Caribbean
With just a week to go until the Caribbean Poker Classic I am pleased to say I am still in form.
Whilst my STT game continues to need work, my MTT game is still going strong.
Last night I won the $3k added and the first prize of $4k+.
I now find myself in 38th in the Leaderboard and wishing I had the time to play more than 33% of the games!
The $3k added was a real rollercoaster ride, losing 3 big preflop hands when I had bigger pairs and getting lucky once, when a 9 on the turn helped me take out 2 players when I was getting short.
To the reach the final table, I needed my Tens to beat Ace Jack, which I am pleased to say they did and also AK to beat T6, which again went as scripted.
I entered the final table 4th in chips with 47k. The ranges were 15k to 89k. With nine of us still left. At this point the finishing places matter when it comes to prize money. $280 for 9th to $4k+ for first.
When we got down to six I thought it was all over. Dealt that beautiful sight of AA in the small blind, with 42k in chips. The button moves all in with 30k. I have to beat JQ, to put myself in a really strong situation.
Flop is 8Q6, turn 3, river another Q! SICK!
Chips counts are now, 66k,83k,64k,67k, 61k and me on 12k. Ouch.
Its any two cards from me now on in. (Q9 x2, A5 x2, AQ, A6, 55, 99) are all used to raise, reraise etc and I fight my way to 60k without a showdown.
A major bluff goes wrong on we are down to 5. puppet35 now has 160k and amazingly I am in 2nd with 51k. The others have 46k,48k and 49k.
The player I respected the most on the final table, 007apr then went to work. Doubling up through puppet, knocking out Laur3000 in 5th, puppet35 in 4th and Ric_ard in 3rd.
I was very happy to be in the final two after, the beat with the Aces.
The chip count was 007apr 305,441.50 versus myself at 48,558.50. An absolutely huge task, but nothing to lose.
40 hands later it was all over, I had won!
Just the sort of performance to give me a confidence boost ahead of the big tournament coming up shortly!
ClintonO
Whilst my STT game continues to need work, my MTT game is still going strong.
Last night I won the $3k added and the first prize of $4k+.
I now find myself in 38th in the Leaderboard and wishing I had the time to play more than 33% of the games!
The $3k added was a real rollercoaster ride, losing 3 big preflop hands when I had bigger pairs and getting lucky once, when a 9 on the turn helped me take out 2 players when I was getting short.
To the reach the final table, I needed my Tens to beat Ace Jack, which I am pleased to say they did and also AK to beat T6, which again went as scripted.
I entered the final table 4th in chips with 47k. The ranges were 15k to 89k. With nine of us still left. At this point the finishing places matter when it comes to prize money. $280 for 9th to $4k+ for first.
When we got down to six I thought it was all over. Dealt that beautiful sight of AA in the small blind, with 42k in chips. The button moves all in with 30k. I have to beat JQ, to put myself in a really strong situation.
Flop is 8Q6, turn 3, river another Q! SICK!
Chips counts are now, 66k,83k,64k,67k, 61k and me on 12k. Ouch.
Its any two cards from me now on in. (Q9 x2, A5 x2, AQ, A6, 55, 99) are all used to raise, reraise etc and I fight my way to 60k without a showdown.
A major bluff goes wrong on we are down to 5. puppet35 now has 160k and amazingly I am in 2nd with 51k. The others have 46k,48k and 49k.
The player I respected the most on the final table, 007apr then went to work. Doubling up through puppet, knocking out Laur3000 in 5th, puppet35 in 4th and Ric_ard in 3rd.
I was very happy to be in the final two after, the beat with the Aces.
The chip count was 007apr 305,441.50 versus myself at 48,558.50. An absolutely huge task, but nothing to lose.
40 hands later it was all over, I had won!
Just the sort of performance to give me a confidence boost ahead of the big tournament coming up shortly!
ClintonO
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
The Rest of Crypto
I will come back to the remainder of the cryptologic sites, but here are what they look like.!ClintonO
Around the Grounds - 3) William Hill
William Hill is another member of the Cryptologic software.
There is nothing much to add about them compared to the other sites, they appear to do less added tournaments than the other crypto sites, although do give a £25 month match bonus.
My account on here is Clint1307.
William Hill do have 3 sponsored professional players. 'Smokin' Steve Vladar, Julian 'Yoyo' Thew and 'Badgirl' Xuyen Pham.
The table is a nice blue and has improved since my last visit.
I am going to have a game shortly and see how I get on!
STOP PRESS! PLAYED 1 WON 1 - Maybe I will be back!
ClintonO
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Around the Grounds - 2) UK Betting
UK Betting is a member of the cryptologic network along with Littlewoods. They are linked to a number of sports and betting sites, including Sportinglife.com and totalbet.com.
THE TABLE
The table is very simliar in layout to Littlewoods, the only real difference is the colour. You do however get a massive logo in the middle of the table. It looks slightly more crowded with tables next to everyones seat, but ultimately it works fine.
WHO AM I?
I have a ClintonO account on here.
EXTRAS
UK Betting run a $2k gtd monthly tournament for all new players that month.
They have also started running Payday tournaments which is two tournaments each weekend, that are between £5 & £10 to enter and they are between £1k & £2k guaranteed.
The one on Sunday had 71 players and paid out 50 places!
BONUSES
UK Betting run special hand bonuses at certain times. eg get two red aces on a Saturday and win £20.
WEBSITE
Further information on UKBetting can be found at http://www.ukbettingpoker.co.uk/
CASHIER
UK Betting have their own cashier that works across their casino and sportsbook.
THE PROS
Simon 'Aces' Trumper used to be the sponsored player at UK Betting, but they parted company earlier this year. I am unaware at this time of anyone being sponsored.
OVERALL
Its a nice site and for me a decent place to play if anything ever went wrong with Littlewoods. Although I didn't win my STT I played tonight!
ClintonO
Monday, November 13, 2006
Around the Grounds - 1) Littlewoods Poker
Finally, as promised, we are going to go around the grounds to see just where we can play online poker these days. I have been far too busy for my own good over the last two weeks, that I have not played as much poker as I would like or even had time to update my blog. (I know, I apologise profusely! I also know that if I don’t deliver that Kai – ‘Menace’ will be kindly reminding me!)
I am going to start with my home site of Littlewoods Poker (no, not just because its easiest!), but this is where I spend 99.9% of my online Poker time.
Littlewoods are part of the cryptologic network, which houses some of the following big household names. William Hill, Inter Poker, Sun Poker, UK Betting, Classic Poker and Poker Plex.
It is currently undergoing a couple of changes, we have said goodbye to Ritz Club online, who have changed owners and moved to the playtech software and also Betfair, who have moved to their Poker Champs software.
Initially this has seen a decline in numbers on the site, as the Betfair players have been checking out the new site, however there has been a considerable recovery in the last week.
DTDPoker (Dusktilldawn) and Betsafe (Scandavian site) will be joining the ranks shortly and the future looks to be quite healthy. This however must be put into context, with the current consolidation in the poker industry; there are no guarantees (e.g. Ladbrokes & 888.com, Playtech and Tribeca).
THE TABLE
For me the table is the best of the cryptologic tables. It looks very professional and distinctive with its dark purple colour. They have made good improvements over time and it has a nice feel to it.
THE LOBBY
Easy to use and understand, no complaints here.
WHO AM I?
When I play here, you will always find me playing as ClintonO. Although the top earner in live events in my household, can occasionally be found playing as LittleJ.
GAME AVAILABILITY
All the basic games are found here with Holdem, Omaha and stud all available. You can also find the rather unique game of Holdem Blackjack here. I vow to one day improve my skills at the other disciplines of poker, but for the moment, I have a long way to go with No Limit Holdem.
TOURNAMENTS
Its been all change recently on the tournaments front as the site has moved away from guaranteed tournaments, in favour of added value. The main weekly tournament remains. The £40k guaranteed on Sundays at 8pm. This tournament has varied between £35k & £50k over the last year. I have yet to finaltable in this tournament and this remains one of outstanding targets. It is a £120 entry fee, but can be entered via qualifiers.
The main daily tournament is the $4k added, which is currently generating a prize pool of around $27k. The entry fee for this tournament is $109. The site runs plenty of other tournaments, $2k, $3k and $4k added, as well as guarantees from £500 to £4k.
Every two weeks the site runs a $25k or a $50k added tournament for loyal players. This can be
generating 500 MPPs (My Player Points). For STT/MTT players this can be achieved by playing $1666 worth of tournaments over a two week time frame, as this includes any finals that you may have qualified for, achieving this is not too difficult for an average poker player. Any missing points can be made up in the cash games realtively easily.
Other tournament formats include, Winner Takes All or and Double Shootouts.
LIVE TOURNAMENTS
Currently Littlewoods are running qualifiers for any European Poker Tour (EPT) season 3 event excluding Monte Carlo. I have qualified for the EPT French Open in February 2007 via this tournament.
They also have been running qualifiers for the Caribbean Poker Classic in St.Kitts, which I have also won a seat for. (11 DAYS TO GO!)
The Caribbean qualifiers finished last night, however the EPT qualifiers remain. There are two weekly finals. The E440 on a Saturday and the E132 on a Sunday. There is 1 seat guaranteed in each and money over E6600 is paid out.
The CPC is in its 3rd year and I will be detailing my progress on my blog whilst I am there.
The EPT is a welcome addition to the Littlewoods schedule. Although I am hoping they start the WSOP qualifiers earlier this year.
SINGLE TABLE TOURNAMENTS
These are available in six seater, six seater thunders and and ten seater formats. These have 12, 6 and 10 hands per level respectively.
I have had a constant battle with my STT stats and have finally put myself into positive territory (albeit small profit).
I do believe that if I treated this properly I could do very well, but I need to stop using them as fillers.
The format is that you start with 1000 chips and blinds start at 7/15.
EXTRAS
Currently the site has been offering players the chance to qualify for the CPC via their MPP's. Also there is currently a roomwide leaderboard tournament in progress.
I have simply not had the time to play in these events with work & other commitments. However I still find myself in the top 150 players, which is needed to secure a prize (albeit $100 at the moment). Maybe I will try and have a surge this week at gaining points.
I am very happy to say that two of my interviewed players are leading the way in the leaderboard tournament with a week to go.
Mihay - ThierryH is in the lead
Pete - Oranges is in 2nd place.
Both of these guys I will be meeting up with in the Caribbean.
Littlewoods also runs freerolls for certain events from time to time.
Finally Littlewoods have a link with aworldofpoker.com, who run tournaments with them on regular occasions.
BONUSES
Littlewoods give all players a £50 match bonus for joining, as well as £25 every month for generating a certain amount of rake.
There is also rakeback available to players who generate a certain amount of rake each month.
If you leave me a note, I can sort up to 30% Rakeback for you. Alternatively join Littlewoods via my link opposite.
There is also a Bad Beat Jackpot, which can be won during cash games.
WHATS MISSING
Search Facility/Locating Players
Observer Chat
Screen Sizing
CASHIER
The cashier used is through Ecash, it is quick and effective. For those who use the casino, you only need the one account.
WEBSITE
For further details logon onto to the website address in the links section.
THE PROS
Littlewoods are currently represented by the Legend Tony Chessa and the top footballer and reigning CPC Celebrity/Pro Champion Ton y Cascarino.
OVERALL
The site to play on-line poker! However I am going to try to cover a site per day, for a while! (I will try!)
The other crypto sites to follow shortly.
ClintonO
Monday, October 30, 2006
Caribbean Crazy!
This week my aim is to do a feature on the different sites that are available for all of us to play this wonderful game of poker. However, I keep getting distracted!
These wonderful Caribbean Poker Classic double shootouts are the reason!
For the third successive week, I have won myself a seat! Saturday night I added another $11.3k to the bank.
I have to pinch myself as to what has been achieved in this month of October.
3 x Caribbean Poker Classic seats (2 cashed in for $22.6k)
1 x European Poker Tour Seat for Deauville.
1 x Asian Poker Tour Seat (not attending due to work commitments) - The best of luck to all my team mates who are going.
November is a key month, as I try to cash in a major event for the first time. I am really on top of my game, I just hope I can keep it going through November and have a big performance in St.Kitts.
Right onto the review of the sites!
ClintonO
These wonderful Caribbean Poker Classic double shootouts are the reason!
For the third successive week, I have won myself a seat! Saturday night I added another $11.3k to the bank.
I have to pinch myself as to what has been achieved in this month of October.
3 x Caribbean Poker Classic seats (2 cashed in for $22.6k)
1 x European Poker Tour Seat for Deauville.
1 x Asian Poker Tour Seat (not attending due to work commitments) - The best of luck to all my team mates who are going.
November is a key month, as I try to cash in a major event for the first time. I am really on top of my game, I just hope I can keep it going through November and have a big performance in St.Kitts.
Right onto the review of the sites!
ClintonO
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
CPC - The Final 3
I apologise for the delay in finishing this off - its been one hell of a week.
Right 3 players left - Blinds are 800/1600 - antes 200. Tjifen 73k, medicin 61k & I have 5k.
Hand 149 - (Qh6s) In the small blind - medicin folds and I have to push all in, thankfully Tjifen folds
Hand 150 - (AA) At the time I think - why couldn't I get this while I had a chance! I get Tjifen to go all in with KT and the rockets hold - I am now up to 16k.
Now that I have a few chips, its time to go up a few gears and play some power poker.
In the next 25 hands, I raise, reraise, call & then bet out, whatever I can do to accumulate chips.
By Hand 175, I have moved to 41k without a single showdown. Tjifen has 75k and medicin 24k.
Here we become heads up, Tjifen moves all in with 88, medicin calls with QJ and the snowmen hold.
Its heads up - ClintonO 40k vs Tjifen 100k
Heres the hand by hand state of play. (Blinds are up to 1200/2400 for the duration)
176 - Tj folds - 41-99
177 - (5s3d) I fold 40-100
178 - Tj rasies, (Qs2d), I fold 37-103
179 - (Key Hand). I have (AdJd) a relative monster heads up and decide to call and hope for a raise. The raise comes to 9600 - 4 x BB. This was a bigger preflop raise than normal, which suggests to me he is not holding a premium pair, as I only called. He has a hand but wants me to go away now. I am not going to get much better than this, I am a long way behind, so I am all in.
He thinks and then calls with A9. A Jack on the flop decides the issues quickly. I am now in front! 74-66
180 - Tj raises, (9c4c,) I call. Flop Kc7s3s. He bets I fold. 69-71
181 - (A7), I raise, Tj Folds. 71-69
182 - Tj Folds. 73-67
183 - (8s5h) - I fold. 71-69
184 - Tj raises, I call (Kd Jh) Flop 8c6d4s. He bets I fold. 66-74
185 - (33) I raise, Tj folds. 69-71
186 - Tj raises, (6s,9d) I fold. 66-74
187 - (Qc7c) - I call Tj checks. Flop Kc9c6s. I have the flush draw
Tj bets the flop, I call. Turn (5h) Tj bets, again I call. River 5s. I miss my flush and am left with Queen high. I am certain he has hit par of the flop, as he usually bets when he does and the fact that he has bet twice convinces me of that. He does not have a King, as he would have raised, but he probably has a 9 or a 6. A bet on the river and I am done. He bets, I fold. 59 - 81.
188 - Tj folds. 60-80
189 - (QT) I call. He checks. Flop 7T7. I bet he folds. 63-77
190 - (Key Hand 2) - I am dealt (Qd7d) the same hand that cost me two hands ago.
He puts in the minimum raise and I call. Flop 9d8s7s.
I check the flop, he does likewise. He either missed the flop or has JT. Turn (Qc) I hit 2 pair.
I check and he bets - he may have hit a queen, or if he has JT he has decided not to give me another card. I have to reraise to find out where I am. I do and he calls. This call tells me he does not have the straight, he does not have his hand yet. If he has a made straight then he does not want to risk me getting lucky and should put me all in. His call tells me I am in front.
River (4c) that helps no-one. I decide to bet big, I did this early in the game and he went into tilt mode as he thought I had bluffed him. I bet the pot and he folds. He commented in the chat box (nb) (nice bet), which I believe told me he had something maybe the queen or even AK, but he is doubtful as to me having a winning hand. I have put him in tilt mode! 78-62
The final hand
191 - (QQ) I and dealt my new favourite hand, my old nemesis - the ladies! If I have put him in tilt mode, then with any half decent hand, he will raise and I can move over the top. I call and he checks. He does not have a good hand.
Flop Kc4d2h. He bets 2.4k. He certainly does not have the King, he does not have the pair and there is no obvious flush draw. He has hit a bit of the flop, or might just be trying to take it off me. I call
Turn Kd. He bets 4.8k. I know he does not have a King, he may have a flush draw, but I would have expected a bigger bet, but he might have. I believe at this point he has a 4 or a 2, but more likley he has a four. He has bet twice now, he does not put me on a King or a pair. I call hoping to take more money on the river.
River 2c. All draws have gone. He bets 7.2k. What does this mean. Any King or 2 and I am beat. I have already ruled out a King. If he has a 2, would he have bet and not tried a check raise. I am probably likely to bet if he checks as that to me would suggest he has given up on the pot, plus I have already called two bets. He may have missed everything and is just seeing if I have missed also.
I believe that at this point, his chances of having a 4 is 70%, nothing - 20%, that winning two - 10%. I am 90% certain I am in front, I decide I am going to overbet again and then if he has the 4, there is a chance he may call as he thinks I am bluffing again.
I move all in. Here you may ask, why I risked all bar 16k of my chips, when surely he wont call with anything other than a 2. That is a valid point. I have though twice put in overbets that he has folded to. In both previous situations the next hand following a big overbet, he has been all in, once betting all in, the other calling an all in. Both times he was behind when the money went in and ending up winning.
He may also call me if he thinks I am bluffing, but as I dont put him on much, this is unlikely. What I really want here is for him to think I am bluffing, but he cant call me as he has nothing and go further into tilt mode.
He does call and I suddenly think my 10% chance I estimated, whereas badly wrong. He turns over 45. He did have the 4 and put me on a pure bluff.
I am off to St.Kitts for the 2nd consecutive year. The ladies are have come good again!
Two seats in a night - What a night.
I got this text message from the main man at Littlewoods after my EPT win - The legendary Bruce Martin.
'Well done for EPT final. Get yourself a cpc seat and that would be a fantastic night'.
I followed his orders and what a fantastic night!
ClintonO
Right 3 players left - Blinds are 800/1600 - antes 200. Tjifen 73k, medicin 61k & I have 5k.
Hand 149 - (Qh6s) In the small blind - medicin folds and I have to push all in, thankfully Tjifen folds
Hand 150 - (AA) At the time I think - why couldn't I get this while I had a chance! I get Tjifen to go all in with KT and the rockets hold - I am now up to 16k.
Now that I have a few chips, its time to go up a few gears and play some power poker.
In the next 25 hands, I raise, reraise, call & then bet out, whatever I can do to accumulate chips.
By Hand 175, I have moved to 41k without a single showdown. Tjifen has 75k and medicin 24k.
Here we become heads up, Tjifen moves all in with 88, medicin calls with QJ and the snowmen hold.
Its heads up - ClintonO 40k vs Tjifen 100k
Heres the hand by hand state of play. (Blinds are up to 1200/2400 for the duration)
176 - Tj folds - 41-99
177 - (5s3d) I fold 40-100
178 - Tj rasies, (Qs2d), I fold 37-103
179 - (Key Hand). I have (AdJd) a relative monster heads up and decide to call and hope for a raise. The raise comes to 9600 - 4 x BB. This was a bigger preflop raise than normal, which suggests to me he is not holding a premium pair, as I only called. He has a hand but wants me to go away now. I am not going to get much better than this, I am a long way behind, so I am all in.
He thinks and then calls with A9. A Jack on the flop decides the issues quickly. I am now in front! 74-66
180 - Tj raises, (9c4c,) I call. Flop Kc7s3s. He bets I fold. 69-71
181 - (A7), I raise, Tj Folds. 71-69
182 - Tj Folds. 73-67
183 - (8s5h) - I fold. 71-69
184 - Tj raises, I call (Kd Jh) Flop 8c6d4s. He bets I fold. 66-74
185 - (33) I raise, Tj folds. 69-71
186 - Tj raises, (6s,9d) I fold. 66-74
187 - (Qc7c) - I call Tj checks. Flop Kc9c6s. I have the flush draw
Tj bets the flop, I call. Turn (5h) Tj bets, again I call. River 5s. I miss my flush and am left with Queen high. I am certain he has hit par of the flop, as he usually bets when he does and the fact that he has bet twice convinces me of that. He does not have a King, as he would have raised, but he probably has a 9 or a 6. A bet on the river and I am done. He bets, I fold. 59 - 81.
188 - Tj folds. 60-80
189 - (QT) I call. He checks. Flop 7T7. I bet he folds. 63-77
190 - (Key Hand 2) - I am dealt (Qd7d) the same hand that cost me two hands ago.
He puts in the minimum raise and I call. Flop 9d8s7s.
I check the flop, he does likewise. He either missed the flop or has JT. Turn (Qc) I hit 2 pair.
I check and he bets - he may have hit a queen, or if he has JT he has decided not to give me another card. I have to reraise to find out where I am. I do and he calls. This call tells me he does not have the straight, he does not have his hand yet. If he has a made straight then he does not want to risk me getting lucky and should put me all in. His call tells me I am in front.
River (4c) that helps no-one. I decide to bet big, I did this early in the game and he went into tilt mode as he thought I had bluffed him. I bet the pot and he folds. He commented in the chat box (nb) (nice bet), which I believe told me he had something maybe the queen or even AK, but he is doubtful as to me having a winning hand. I have put him in tilt mode! 78-62
The final hand
191 - (QQ) I and dealt my new favourite hand, my old nemesis - the ladies! If I have put him in tilt mode, then with any half decent hand, he will raise and I can move over the top. I call and he checks. He does not have a good hand.
Flop Kc4d2h. He bets 2.4k. He certainly does not have the King, he does not have the pair and there is no obvious flush draw. He has hit a bit of the flop, or might just be trying to take it off me. I call
Turn Kd. He bets 4.8k. I know he does not have a King, he may have a flush draw, but I would have expected a bigger bet, but he might have. I believe at this point he has a 4 or a 2, but more likley he has a four. He has bet twice now, he does not put me on a King or a pair. I call hoping to take more money on the river.
River 2c. All draws have gone. He bets 7.2k. What does this mean. Any King or 2 and I am beat. I have already ruled out a King. If he has a 2, would he have bet and not tried a check raise. I am probably likely to bet if he checks as that to me would suggest he has given up on the pot, plus I have already called two bets. He may have missed everything and is just seeing if I have missed also.
I believe that at this point, his chances of having a 4 is 70%, nothing - 20%, that winning two - 10%. I am 90% certain I am in front, I decide I am going to overbet again and then if he has the 4, there is a chance he may call as he thinks I am bluffing again.
I move all in. Here you may ask, why I risked all bar 16k of my chips, when surely he wont call with anything other than a 2. That is a valid point. I have though twice put in overbets that he has folded to. In both previous situations the next hand following a big overbet, he has been all in, once betting all in, the other calling an all in. Both times he was behind when the money went in and ending up winning.
He may also call me if he thinks I am bluffing, but as I dont put him on much, this is unlikely. What I really want here is for him to think I am bluffing, but he cant call me as he has nothing and go further into tilt mode.
He does call and I suddenly think my 10% chance I estimated, whereas badly wrong. He turns over 45. He did have the 4 and put me on a pure bluff.
I am off to St.Kitts for the 2nd consecutive year. The ladies are have come good again!
Two seats in a night - What a night.
I got this text message from the main man at Littlewoods after my EPT win - The legendary Bruce Martin.
'Well done for EPT final. Get yourself a cpc seat and that would be a fantastic night'.
I followed his orders and what a fantastic night!
ClintonO
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Stop Press - Sorry I meant 4
A few of you may remember me talking about the Dream Team competition on www.badbeat.com.
Well basically we have been playing for the last 20 weeks in online competitions, this was then followed by a live final this weekend. The chips you started with were based on your performance in the online games
Our team went to London on Saturday and duly won first prize!
The prizes 6 seats to the Betfair Asian Poker Classic in Singapore in November.
This poker lark has seriously taken off over the last week!
However in order to keep my job! I have decided to give this one a miss (It is also the week before the Caribbean Poker Classic) and let other members of the team go. I have to make do with another $3k prize money.
4 seats in a week. Simply unheard of!
CPC final 3 write up tomorrow I promise!
ClintonO
Well basically we have been playing for the last 20 weeks in online competitions, this was then followed by a live final this weekend. The chips you started with were based on your performance in the online games
Our team went to London on Saturday and duly won first prize!
The prizes 6 seats to the Betfair Asian Poker Classic in Singapore in November.
This poker lark has seriously taken off over the last week!
However in order to keep my job! I have decided to give this one a miss (It is also the week before the Caribbean Poker Classic) and let other members of the team go. I have to make do with another $3k prize money.
4 seats in a week. Simply unheard of!
CPC final 3 write up tomorrow I promise!
ClintonO
CPC stop press!
I promise I will continue my story of the cpc final tomorrow!
In the mean time, I just won another CPC seat!
Thats 3 major seats won in just one week!
This time it is no seat but $11k in cash!
Unbelievable, what a week!
ClintonO
In the mean time, I just won another CPC seat!
Thats 3 major seats won in just one week!
This time it is no seat but $11k in cash!
Unbelievable, what a week!
ClintonO
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Best Poker day ever - The CPC
In total direct contrast to the EPT, I crawled into the final table!
With just 11 left and very short stacked I had 2.7k and AT. Blinds at 150/300 and the next nearest player on 8k. The loose margar007 raises to 1800 and I decide that now is the time to move as we are only 6 handed. He has KJ and the first card out is an Ace.
Shortly after we reach the final table.
Seat 1: Vaginal (21k)
Seat 2: danielsan (7k)
Seat 3: Margar007 (12k)
Seat 4: Tjifen (26k)
Seat 5: Blueno005 (14k)
Seat 6: medicin (12k)
Seat 7: UTOPIA (9k)
Seat 8: Cresus2 (24k)
Seat 9: DaRigger (10k)
Seat 10: ClintonO (6k)
I am firmly in 10th place! Blinds are 150/300 antes 25 and we are 3 hours 15 mins in.
Hand 5, sees me with AQ and once again Margar007 is doing the raising, this time to 1500. Once again the all-in moved is applied. Margar calls with QT. The board pairs the queens and the aces and I am up to 11k and back in the game.
The game is fairly tight as this point and we reach hand 23. Blinds 200/400 antes 50. I am on 10k and look down in the big blind with AA!
Everyone folds and I am thinking typical no action. Then DaRigger in the small blind moves all in. He turns over AJ. The board brings a Jack, but nothing more - we are down to 9 and I have 17k and am up to 5th place.
It is hand 52 before we lose any more players, blinds are now 400/800.
Margar007 goes all in preflop for 7k and has two callers.
UTOPIA moves all in for 8k on a 738 flop and is called by medicin.
Margar has AJ, UTOPIA QQ and medicin AK. Turn is a 6 river K.
By hand 53 we have
medicin 49k
Tjifen 20k
Blueno005 17k
vaginal 17k
Cresus2 16k
ClintonO 11k
danielsan 10k.
I have played stole a few pots, but also folded AJ and 88 to big reraises.
Hand 60, I have AQ and raise to 2400. Tjifen moves all in and with 8k back I cant fold now. He turns over AT and the A7786 board doubles me up to 22k.
Hand 63 Tjifen takes out Danielsan in a race AK vs 77 and hits a straight. 6 remain
Hand 69 Cresus2 takes out Blueno005 with 77 against AT after both players hit a piece of the flop 27T.
Hand 88 blinds at 600/1200. medicin takes out vaginal with AJ vs QQ. We now have 4.
I am still playing catch up. Cresus2 (49k), medicin (43k), ClintonO(25k) and Tjifen (24k), but i now have a real shout.
Its all change by Hand 103. I have K8 in SB and call the bet. Tjifen checks. Flop 8AK. I check my two pair, Tjifen who is now chip leader bets 3600. I reraise to 8400 and he quickly moves all in for 51k. I have 13k left and I am certain I am in front so I call. He had K5 and I take the pot.
Incredibly I am now in 1st place with 46k! Others 45k, 30k, 19k.
Hand 119 Tjifen takes out Cresus 2 the money goes in on the turn. Board Q43T. He holds Q5 against A4.
By time we get to hand 146,Tjifen has been bullying away and is on a massive 79k, I have 35k and medicin 26k.
I see AK. medicin min raises to 3200 and I reraise to 8000. He then moves all in. I cant fold here, I am in front or its a race. I have to go for it. He turns over AA, my heart sinks.
The board brings a T and Jack, so a queen will save me, but no.
A couple of hands later I have just 5k. I move all in on button and Tjifen with 73k folds. I move to 7k, Tjifen 72k, medicin 61k. Can you believe that in 50 hands time I will have won my seat!
The story continues tomorrow!
ClintonO
With just 11 left and very short stacked I had 2.7k and AT. Blinds at 150/300 and the next nearest player on 8k. The loose margar007 raises to 1800 and I decide that now is the time to move as we are only 6 handed. He has KJ and the first card out is an Ace.
Shortly after we reach the final table.
Seat 1: Vaginal (21k)
Seat 2: danielsan (7k)
Seat 3: Margar007 (12k)
Seat 4: Tjifen (26k)
Seat 5: Blueno005 (14k)
Seat 6: medicin (12k)
Seat 7: UTOPIA (9k)
Seat 8: Cresus2 (24k)
Seat 9: DaRigger (10k)
Seat 10: ClintonO (6k)
I am firmly in 10th place! Blinds are 150/300 antes 25 and we are 3 hours 15 mins in.
Hand 5, sees me with AQ and once again Margar007 is doing the raising, this time to 1500. Once again the all-in moved is applied. Margar calls with QT. The board pairs the queens and the aces and I am up to 11k and back in the game.
The game is fairly tight as this point and we reach hand 23. Blinds 200/400 antes 50. I am on 10k and look down in the big blind with AA!
Everyone folds and I am thinking typical no action. Then DaRigger in the small blind moves all in. He turns over AJ. The board brings a Jack, but nothing more - we are down to 9 and I have 17k and am up to 5th place.
It is hand 52 before we lose any more players, blinds are now 400/800.
Margar007 goes all in preflop for 7k and has two callers.
UTOPIA moves all in for 8k on a 738 flop and is called by medicin.
Margar has AJ, UTOPIA QQ and medicin AK. Turn is a 6 river K.
By hand 53 we have
medicin 49k
Tjifen 20k
Blueno005 17k
vaginal 17k
Cresus2 16k
ClintonO 11k
danielsan 10k.
I have played stole a few pots, but also folded AJ and 88 to big reraises.
Hand 60, I have AQ and raise to 2400. Tjifen moves all in and with 8k back I cant fold now. He turns over AT and the A7786 board doubles me up to 22k.
Hand 63 Tjifen takes out Danielsan in a race AK vs 77 and hits a straight. 6 remain
Hand 69 Cresus2 takes out Blueno005 with 77 against AT after both players hit a piece of the flop 27T.
Hand 88 blinds at 600/1200. medicin takes out vaginal with AJ vs QQ. We now have 4.
I am still playing catch up. Cresus2 (49k), medicin (43k), ClintonO(25k) and Tjifen (24k), but i now have a real shout.
Its all change by Hand 103. I have K8 in SB and call the bet. Tjifen checks. Flop 8AK. I check my two pair, Tjifen who is now chip leader bets 3600. I reraise to 8400 and he quickly moves all in for 51k. I have 13k left and I am certain I am in front so I call. He had K5 and I take the pot.
Incredibly I am now in 1st place with 46k! Others 45k, 30k, 19k.
Hand 119 Tjifen takes out Cresus 2 the money goes in on the turn. Board Q43T. He holds Q5 against A4.
By time we get to hand 146,Tjifen has been bullying away and is on a massive 79k, I have 35k and medicin 26k.
I see AK. medicin min raises to 3200 and I reraise to 8000. He then moves all in. I cant fold here, I am in front or its a race. I have to go for it. He turns over AA, my heart sinks.
The board brings a T and Jack, so a queen will save me, but no.
A couple of hands later I have just 5k. I move all in on button and Tjifen with 73k folds. I move to 7k, Tjifen 72k, medicin 61k. Can you believe that in 50 hands time I will have won my seat!
The story continues tomorrow!
ClintonO
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