Smurphs Poker and Life Waffle

February - Disillusioned- pressure pressure pressure

2010-03-03T17:05:00.005Z

Well, February poker wise, myself and Martin headed over and played in the UKIPT in Manchester, I had no joy in the Main Event, played poorly to be honest, played a bit of cash, most of the side events and had no joy. Had a few beers with a few of the Irish over there... The events were well run in the end, and the dealing standard was much better than I expected... did however get the clock called on me, by a little shi*t who wasn't even in the hand of one the side events.... Grrrr made me mad.... I was on a decision and had only thought for about 2 minutes....

The Casino was nice, the area it was in was a bit dodgy, so there was taxi's got or else the free shuttle bus... The hotel was lovely, and the breakfast options were absolute top class, but to be honest there was no atmosphere around. Meh.

Work
It has been an absolute disaster this month. 2 lads that I have worked with for over 15 years have been given notice, and i'm gutted for them. There is huge pressure on at the moment, and I am really beginning to feel it. Feel like my life is on hold, and i'm just terrified. I know that I should be glad that I still have a job, but it's like i'm not living.. Just going from week to week and tried to dodge the dreaded chat...... Will there be an end to this.... who knows????

Because my head is not in the right place at the moment I have become completely dissillusioned with the whole poker thing at the moment, I was in the fitz a few times over February, and just didn't want to be there. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the club, it's just me.

Weightloss...
The beginning of the month it was a disaster, but I have started to do walks in the evening to clear my head, and I find it brilliantly, it also helps me sleep, which I was having a bit of trouble doing, so down a bit this month, at least it is going in the right direction.

God- I hope March is better

January - Snow/Swimming and Wodkas

2010-01-29T11:01:00.003Z

UIKPT - Manchester
January could not have started better.... Picture the scene it's New Years night, and the plan of action was that myself and Martin would head into the Fitz for the schalps madness... Freezing temperatures, snow and our estate looking like an Ice rink changed my mind. I had played a few of the $8.88 re-buys on Stars for a package to Manchester, so decided to give it a go again.... You fairly well have to run like God, ship any half decent Ace, put pressure on the short stacks if you are lucky enough to get chips, and pray a little, my nerves were in tatters when we reached the package bubble. there were 3 packages worth $2,200 to cover flights, hotel and expenses.. 4th was $450 or something to that effect. Anyway bubble burst, and large vodka taken to calm the nerves.

Then Martin gave the 9.30 p.m. game a spin, and would you believe it he wins a package as well, another batch of large Vodkas needed.

He was all with 2.5 big blinds with K6 V KQ.... have no fear 6 6 x board... and he didn't look back after that, few class comments in the Chat box between himself and Paul Marrow

Paul (CHIP LEADER) shipped into the 2nd chip leader, with Ad4d V
pocket Queens, but have no fear in typical Marrow style the flop comes
Ac 4c x x x yepee yahoo

2010 is shaping up nicely roll on February for the Game..........

Double Monday depression
Going back to work in January is like a double whammy of depression. You system is in flitters from all the gorging over crimbo, you clothes should be arrested for trying to strangle you, and you are suffering from major dt's after talking yourself into not drinking during the week. The office was like a fridge, because some gobshit forgot to set the timer for the heating to come on. brrrr.... Then the week consisted of some serious snow shower, ice - 10 degrees, lol the end is nigh.... well not quite but it was amusing. I felt like I needed a medal for just getting to work, never mind actually doing some work..

highlight of week was pouring Luke warm water to clear the window, then driving, on the M50 and it started pelting snow. The windscreen had not warmed up enough, so the snow stuck upon impact... after 2 minutes, I couldn't see anything, had to pull into hard shoulder of M50 (which had not been gritted), skidded to an eventual stop, used Visa Card to scrap the ice off window, got into car and contemplated taking up smoking again (it's only been 6 years).. Although, the driving conditions were bad, you actually got used to driving in the snow. Below was the funny bits of the week.

Griffith Avenue -

POKER
Friday 15th January
Decided to venture to Portlaoise to play in the CPT Game as I had a €100 voucher for the last longest lady lol... myself and Martin headed down to the Heritage Hotel in Portlaoise, I wasn't sure about the numbers, but it got a very respectable 61 runners with a €9050 in the prize pool with over €400 added by Ladbrokes. I actually managed to get my stack to 25K before the break and with the Add on I had 40K which was way more that my last outing to Dundalk. I also won 2 tee shirts at the break , 1 Ladbrokes and 1 Celtic poker tour, which was fun. I got knocked out eventually 21st or 22nd, and Martin went in 18th. Very enjoyable night and the lads ran a very good show.

Saturday 16th January - €125 game in the Fitz
Myself and Martin headed into this, I actually hadn't played the Saturday game in ages. My table was very funny, I was stuck with Stewie to my left and bob Battersby to my right, we had some laugh though. Anyway Bob was doing the usual, massive over raises taking small pots, then he min raised under the gun, everyone folded and he shows 9 3 off suit and chuckles.. lol... so then to the first hand of note.. Stewie was telling me how he loves 34 suited/unsuited he just loves playing it, blinds are 75 150, and Bob tries to raise to 350 utg, but is called up for a string bet, so it is 300 to go, I look down at 4h 6h and call, along with 6 other people (welcome to the fitz).

Flop comes down 3x 5x Kh rainbow, bob bets out his obligatory 500, I flat call, as does Goren in the SB and Terry. Turn is my bingo card 2h giving me the nuts with a flush re-draw. Goren bets out 1K, Bob does the obligatory dwell up and folds, I raise to 2.5 K and he ships all in, I call and he turns over A4 for the lower straight, no redraw. Then Bob announces "I had a good hand there ya know, neither of you should have been in the pot" My mind is screaming "don't min-raise if you don't want us in the pot, but I nod in agreement...

Shortly after the break, bobs stack is down to 2.5k and he ships in from the sb, blinds are 100 200, and Look at Ac7c and make the call, he turns over AdJd and chuckles.

flop comes down 10 7 2
7 on the turn, and bob is down the stairs like a gazelle muttering about luck and bad play...

So I am motoring along nicely when this russian guy gets moved to our table, he has about 50K and the blinds are only 300 600 at this stage. and proceeds to donk of half his stack in quite spectacular style

(I have 27K so doing fine)... Anyway I'm in the BB and there is a few limpers (including Mr Russia), I check my option with Q 10 offsuit..
flop comes down Q 10 2 ,
I check as does everyone around to Terry on the button who bets 1.5K, I flat
and so does a women called Bernadette, then Mr. Russia raises to 5K.. Terry dwells and folds, I announce all in, then Mr. Russia says "All in" out of turn as Bernadette is really thinking hard about calling my all in. She eventually folds reluctantly, I turn over my Q 10 for 2 pair and he flips over AK for a gut shot straight draw

I had one of those moments where I say what I'm thinking, and straight out of my mouth comes "What the f*ck are you doing??" lol,, No gutshot jack on the turn or river and I'm up to 56k.... and while I'm stacking my chips (which takes quite a while ) Bernadette tells me that she had 9 10 for the gut shot straight draw as well

I lose 20K in the next few hands with QJ v QK on a queen high board. I make it to the final table, and am struggling the whole way, to pick up any hands, and anything raises are being snapped off, eventually out in 5th for a couple of hundred. Really enjoyed the game, and with 40+ runners a week, it really is going from strength to strength

Voodoo Club Friday 22nd January Charity Game
Decided to head into play this, I haven't been to the Voodoo club in quite a while so I was looking forward to it. Willow had twisted my arm (mentioned it in passing) that she was heading to Ryans beforehand for 7 p.m, so my mind was made up and I left the car behind and headed in. It was great to Catch up with people, and there was quite a gang in Ryans. Joe the show, Willow, Eamonn..Jim Smith...The game itself was a non event really, I was at a table with Willy and Mick Stephens, good craic, but card death and mistimed moves resulted in an early exit. not to worry there was always Mythical to be played and a few trips to Ryans... Played a bit of cash and made a bit of a profit. The club had a good buzz about it and im delighted that it appears to be going from strength to strength.

JP Poker Deepstack game Molloy's Pub Saturday
Headed in and played in this. The head wasn't really right for it. Tried to order a bowl of soup at the break, as there were signs that they were serving food. The Girl behind the counter said that "We've stopped serving food because it didn't work out"mmm wonder what happened, did people annoy them by ordering stuff, meh. Waited til the main break and got a chicken sandwich and bowl of fruit at the break from the local Centra. Although the guy behind the counter thought I was trying to rob the place, well it seemed that way by his reaction when I asked if I could get a coffee "Too late for stuff like that, he barked".. double Meh... The game itself was a constant struggle, and I eventually ran my AJ into KJ and we know the rest. Brilliant game, unreal structure and ran smoothly as ever.

Fitzwilliam End of Month Tournament
You can register online for all Fitzwilliam tournaments now, and details can be found on this thread. I have been doing alot of swimming and gym work this week, and was a bit wrecked, but talked myself into heading into play in this. It got an amazing crowd of and the place was absolutely buzzing, with 151 runners , generating a prizepool of €37,750. My starting table was a bit mad, the raises were ridiculously large, and example being blinds 25 50 , raised to 500.... and I was completely card dead, in fact the best hand I had was AJ, no pocket pairs, not even bleedin pocket 2's and my best hand was also my exit hand (AJ no good V A2 sooted) aI felt that the last few E.O.M. tournaments that I have brought my Z game so tonight I was determined to concentrate and basically not do something moronic, but alas card death and empathy ended my run. The cash game then saw me running Kings into Aces and a flopped set of 6's double sigh. I changed tables and managed to get myself out of the monstrous hole that I had dug for myself... (lucky),

Gym/Swimming
I reckon that if you could lose weight by putting you gym/swim gear in you car I would be 7 stone but like many things in life, it's just not that simple..... I headed back to my weight management Clinic the first week in January and I had put on a good bit of weight over Christmas.. (well most of December so I had a good run at it), so it was time to knuckle down. don't get me wrong, I enjoyed every minute of it, and actually worked quite hard at having a few drinks most nights, over the month of December.

I went swimming 4 nights in 2nd week of January, it was very tough, but I managed to work myself up to doing 30 lengths of the pool without stopping.

The 3rd week I incorporated some gym work into it. Started with 30 minute walk on the thread mill followed by the swim and jacuzzi. I will probably add in a few things each week, but there is no point in killing myself initially, so the month of January ended up good for me. I lost most of the weight I had put on over Crimbo. Yes it was tough, but at least I don't have to get my clothes arrested for trying to strangle me....

Anyway I have set a realistic goal for myself, and split up my weight loss into groups of 7 IIbs at a time..... blah blah blah, it must be January, cause Smurph is shit talking about weight loss again.

Anyways on another point, many moons ago in a faraway land I printed a recipe for Butternut squash soup, as below

Butternut squash & Red Pepper soup I know strange, but it is gorgeous.
I know your going blah blah blah but try it out, its really nice.
You basically peel it and chop it. There are seeds in the middle like what you find in melon.
Anyway the recipe.
1 Butternut squash
1 large onion
2 red peppers
2 Knorr vegetable stock cubes

Peel and chop the onion, butternut squash and the red pepper and put into a saucepan of boiling Vegetable stock (about 1.5 pints) (made up of 2 Knorr stock cubes) bring to boil and then simmer for 15 - 20 Min's (until the butternut squash is soft).
Whack in a blender to blend, finished.
It is really sweet tasting and no fat in it at all.

But now I have found a way of making it even nicer, roast the Butternut squash and red peppers in the over for about 25 minutes, make up the stock and cook the Onions in the stock for about 10 minutes. add the roasted vegetable, and whack the lot in a blender, and you have even nicer soup, cause the roasted vegetable taste comes out. I know....... sad cow......(but don't knock it til you've tried it)

Anyway enough of this waffle, all I can say about January is Thank Christ it's over, now roll on February, and roll off the weight

December - I HATE CHRISTMAS - NO REALLY I DO.....

2009-12-30T15:44:00.005Z

The Run into Christmas
After the Fitz festival I took a break from Cards, well about 2 weeks to be precise, it also coincided with my back and neck giving me a bit of grief... few trips to the Chiropractor and the best invention yet Bio freeze. I had been in the Fitz playing Wednesday night through to Saturday night, and I was wrecked, and a bit sick of cards to be honest.

Friday 11th December- Office night out
As there was no Company Christmas party this year (just happy to have a job to be honest), we arranged that the gang in the office head for a Meal and pay ourselves. I decided to bite the bullet and recommended Chaiyo in Baggot Street, as I had been there before with Martin and we both thought it was a great little spot. It is also owned by Frank Murphy, a regular Poker player from the Fitz, and in this climate it is good to support people you know, and Frank is really one of the nice guys....

There were 7 of us and we had a brilliant night, it was the great to just go out and have a few drinks with the people you work with, the was only one rule, no talk of the recession, this was strictly adhered to, and anyone who mentioned it was not allowed a drink for half an hour, so strangely enough there wasn't even a peep about it. Frank came over and joined the group for a while, and got us all a drink on the house, nice one Frank...I decided to stop off at the Fitz on the way home cough cough, spun €150 up to €750, lol drunken poker, lol, head in tatters on the Saturday, there wasn't enough Alka-Seltzer in the world to help me

So in the Immortal words of Tommy Cooper
" I'm on a Whiskey diet, I've lost 3 days already"

Would you Adam and Eve it the following week, the boss phones me and arranges for an impromptu night out at Cruzzo's in Malahide for all the staff, we were all absolutely delighted by the gesture it was completely unexpected.... Nights out like these work out much better than something that is planned for months, but I'm afraid it was rinse and repeat with the Alka-Seltzer the following day.

Christmas shopping day - shudder
It started out like a military operation, myself and Martin headed to Blanchardstown, full of vigour and enthusiasm, but Christ by 12, the will to live had drained out of the both of us, and we started to develop flu like symptoms lol. The day started at 9 a.m. and we were finished by 4 p.m. , we had walked Blanchardstown shopping centre, then to liffey valley, then Dunne's in Charlestown and finally, to kill us off completely a little trip to Musgraves....

Christmas Day - It went really well, went down to Martins Mam and Dad, who live in Newbridge now, and had a really relaxing day. Got some lovely presents, and had a good time (shockingly) because I don't do Christmas very well.

Fitz End of Month Game St. Stephens Night
The numbers were down on this, which was to be expected with people away for Christmas etc., but it still got 70 + runners which is not too bad. Played like a handbag, and then some Geebag , sorry person took my bleedin coat..... Grrrrrr.... it wasn't even that nice.... ah well....

Celtic Poker Tour Game Dundalk - Monday 28th December

Decided to head to this, the structure looked good, and there is always a good mixture of players. It was €120 with 1 re-buy of €50 10K starting stack + 1K bonus chip + 15K for the top-up 7K guaranteed. I knew it was under new Management, and I recognised the 2 lads involved with it. Wasn't sure about the numbers but it got 82 runners in the end, there wasn't many people I knew at it, Damien Kent, but I recognised a few faces. There were a lot of northern aggressive players there, but I seemed to be getting a lot of respect with my raises etc., which made a nice change lol. I didn't start too good, when my AK ran into quad jacks on a J 10 Q board, J on turn, sigh, so I got my re-buy early, but still managed to have 23K at the break. The usual food was on the break, deep fried this, wedges etc., not good for the waistline.... but it's Christmas so I have a few chicken thingies.... also I was starving.....

After the break, I got a great run of cards and got my stack up to 56K easily, only to run my AJ into set of 7's on an AJ7 board... I recovered from this.. I found that there was alot of limping into pots, as there was alot of players who "liked to see a flop" with a wide variety of shitty hands, I did a few buttton raises to punish said limpers, there were a few stubborn ones, but generally my raises got respect.... I then entered the phase of the game, the familiar phase, where I go card dead, and a really aggressive young player got moved to my left, with a mountain of chips.... If in doubt he just went all in,

I somehow managed to get to the final table, a place I haven't been to in a while, so it felt great. I also got a voucher for €100 for being the last women left in the tournament, lol..... silly prize but I took it all the same. I was critically short stacked at the final table, but a few all in's and I was back in the game. The chip leader Peter McGowan, was to my left which meant that people generally left my blinds alone which was great. I got a double up when my 6's naturally crushed pocket Jacks.... You have to get lucky at least once... and the players started to fall thick and fast. I ended up heads up against Peter with 800K V his 1.4Million in chips, there were a few hands, of raising and folding until I picked up JQ and raised, he shipped and I thought heads up it was a standard enough call, He had A10 and that's all she wrote.

I got €1,950 + a ticket worth €250 for the 25K Guaranteed game at the clonmel coursing festival, and a teeshirt... It felt like Christmas again, but I was absolutely shattered, it was 5.00 a.m. when I headed back home on the M1.... I was delighted to actually play well for a change and to make a final table, had nearly forgotten what the feeling was like. The other strange thing that happened is that I actually enjoyed playing the game, a feeling I haven't had in such a long time.

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS

This is the time of year I usually write down my new years resolutions, but to be honest it just depresses me when I look back at it... so I'm not going to bother my hole.... so there...

Happy new Year one and all, and remember, treat people nicely at the Poker Table.... even if they crack your Aces with 5 8 off suit ....

An Update, it's been a while

2009-12-01T12:49:00.006Z

PERSONAL
Well what have i been up to.... To be honest, nothing much. My weight loss has entered that stubborn stage, you get so far, and then it refuses to budge. In fairness my intake of alcohol over the last few weeks hasn't helped much. I decide enough is enough basically and have increased my training schedule, so hopefully I will see big changes soon, need to get some pounds off before we hit the Festive binging.

POKER

Fitzwilliam Festival

Super Satellite - Wednesday 25th November
Decided to head in and play this. It was a€50 + €5 buy-in for 3K in chips, unlimited re-buys
for first 3 levels + top up of €50 for 5K in chips.
My stack was down to 400 in the second hand. Practically everyone at my table limps into me on the Button and I join the limpfest with 8c 10c
Flop comes down Jh Qc 4c So I have a flush draw and gut shot straight draw. everyone checks, I check to get a free card
Turn is beautiful 9d. I check, guy utg bets 400, other guy folds,
I re-raise to 1600 he instacalls....mmm
river is 10 d and he goes all in... great balls of puck
I call to be shown K J off suit , nice catch sir.

I'm down to 400 in chips, but am determined not to re-buy, and get that back up to 1,650 by the Break, get my top up and come back with 6,650 and blinds starting at 100 200, so plenty of play. There is an English guy to my right who I kind of recognise, but don't know his name, but realised after the break that it was Paul Parker, I had seen him at a few of the festivals. He said that he had started getting the Fitzwilliam monthly Newsletter by email and heard about the festival so was coming over to play in it. He is a very funny guy, who was also introduced to the Chief, who arrived at our table, with a big stack announcing that "we were all ABC players, and ya need kahunas and aggression to win in this game".... lol the face on Paul Parker with a couple of the Chiefs famous comments, was priceless.

I eventually knocked the chief our when I made a dodgy call with As7s from the BB, when he shoved for 9,300, blinds are 400 800 and im sitting on about 42K at this stage, he had lost a big race previously, and was pushing everytime it was folded to him, I was up against Qc9c
I flopped top pair with the nut flush draw and got my flush by the turn..

I never really was in any kind of trouble after that and easily secured a ticket, unfortunately I knocked out the guy on the bubble with AA v his AQ all in pre-flop, unlucky for him.
There were 9 tickets at €540 and 10th was €440 in tournament credits.
When we got 10 handed it was decided that we all put a tenner to the kitty to make up the final ticket, no problem there.

Fitzwilliam End of Month Game
was in two minds whether or not to play this, as there is was a hectic day ahead of me in work on Friday, but I headed home got a bit of a sleep in and then headed myself and Martin headed to the game. I was expecting a bigger than normal crowd because

(A) it was part of the Fitzwilliam Festival and
(B) the 10K starting stack would add a little bit to it.

All previous records were broken, and 158 people playing in the tournament, WOW. The place was full to the rafters, the staff did an amazing job feeding and watering everyone. I had Tom Hanlon on my left for most of the night, which was pretty shitty to be honest, very nice guy, just way too good a poker player...The game itself was pretty standard for me, got no hands, get short stacked push and fold mode hits in, out in 30ish place.... meh.

Friday night Scalps Game
This game got 68 runners, pretty much rinse and repeat from the Fitz E.O.M. game, I had the worst timing ever, if I picked up a decent enough hand, I raised and then got re-raised by Dara O'Kearney, I folded 88 face up and he kindly showed me jacks. Guy to my right thought it was a good fold, but to be honest, Dara knows im a tight enough player, and he is not re-raising light there. Anyway guy to my right, is a fitz regular, northern guy, was playing a psp while playing in the tournament, how sick is that, I played a hand really badly against Rob Taylor that did the damage, and because I'm such a nice person, I decided to ship my remaining stack over the line with KQ and run into his Aces, again great timing Colette......

Main Event
The Main Event got 113 runners, which was fantastic, and I was delighted for everyone involved, however I certainly was not delighted when I saw my starting table, I had Michael Muldoon on my left, Dermot Blain was also there, and Goran to my right... The main event, was a complete non event, I had utter and complete Card death, hung on until I decided that Rory brown didn't have a King on a K 8 2 board, and shipped by Ad8d.... again perfect timing Colette, because nop he didn't have a king, he had 2 of the feckin things.......and got quad kings on the turn, doh.....

Was going to head in on Sunday, but to be honest I had been in the Fitzwilliam every evening since Wednesday, so the wine and XFactor results show won.... Oh on a side note went to see
Law Abiding Citizen on Sunday morning, that's 108 minutes of my life I won't get back.... Utter and complete shit...

So it's the 1st December, and we head into the Festive Season,
GOD I HATE CHRISTMAS
there I said it, in big bold bleedin letters, I absolute detest it.....the only good thing is that 2010 cannot be as bad, can it?????

September - Sunshine/Swimming and Wodkas

2009-09-30T16:22:00.004+01:00

PERSONAL
I'm in fully countdown to my holidays... God September dragged by, I mean it was the longest month ever, I was really under a lot of pressure in work, and sometimes it's hard to switch off at the weekend... It is something that I am going to have to work on, or elseI'm gonna go go stone mad ted. Don't get me wrong, I'm delighted to still have a job, especially working in a Construction Company in this economic turmoil with the future looking so uncertain for everybody.... I wonder will we all look back at this in 2-3 years and have a good laugh about it,mmmm I very much doubt it. I have been working on my fitness a bit more, even though my back has been giving me a bit of trouble, so it has been good.I'm down another few pounds which is brilliant, can really feel it now in my clothes, and my energy levels are much better.

POKER

4th September - Schalps game in the Fitz
Myself and Martin Headed into play in this - Good crowd 70 + runners. Had a nice steak (with salad of course), god they do the nicest steaks and at a good price too. Gave my stack to Jude with AK VJJ all in pre-flop... The flop started well with A A 2 blank on turn and badda bing Jack on river, lol .. I went downstairs but was not really in the humour for cash, and Martin got out of the Omaha game, and we headed home, because the vodka was there mmmm vodka, as the great comedian Tommy Cooper once said "Im on a vodka diet, ive lost 3 days already".

19th September Christopher Connolly Memorial Trophy - Voodoo Club 7.00 p.m.
I had been cutting down big time on playing cards, because I felt I was getting a bit bored with the whole thing, but I certainly had to go to this in the Voodoo Club. It was a very worthy cause, and have alot of time for the Eamonn and Willow. We headed in a bit early and had a bit of food in one of Franks (a fitz regular) restaurant's Chaiyo in 100 Baggot Street. There was an early bird special for €18.50 a head for a good selection of starters, main courses and dessert. which was really quite excellent value. I had the Red Thai Curry which was hot hot hot.... butDelicious .. We headed into the Voodoo Club, Martin got to the final table, but alas I never really got going in the game, but not to worry, there was always Ryan's Bar, next door, so after a few Vodkas I hit the cash tables, but never really got above my initial buy-in. The numbers were a little disappointing but I think that is the sign of the economy at the moment, numbers are down everywhere. We had a great night, and the staff were excellent as usual.

Fitzwilliam E.O.M. Tournament Thursday 24th September

Headed in to play in this, I was interested to see if the numbers would be effected by the Arthur Guinness Day, it was down a bit, but not too many. My table had a maniac on it who raised big every hand, called re-raises if he limped, couldn't get a handle on him at all, and he was of course turning up monsters like K5 clubs and such like. Ollie boyce was at my table as well, which usually ends in tears for one of us, but this time, Mr. Maniac did the damage, sigh. I played some cash for a while, and what do you know, Olly's at my tableas well, lol . I managed not to go broke with set over set, and anytime I flopped a set, my opponent stayed with anything from a 10 high flush to a Jack high flush and always got there on the river, I left the table €300 up, which I was happy with, but if one of my bigger hands had held up I would have been + 1K for the night. Martin had a bit of profit in his cash game aswell. Headed home about 1.30 a.m. I actually enjoyed playing cards tonight, so am really looking forward to Killarney.

Friday 25th September - schalps
Bubble girl for this, out in 10th , when I couldn't improve with AK V 77 all in pre-flop sigh....
I actually announced that I reckoned I would be the bubble with 17 left.... just got the feeling

Saturday 26th - €125 game Fitzwilliam
I came 2nd in this for €900 euro happy days, I called the chief down with King high which was good, got a good tongue lashing by him for calling, but I thought he was taking a stab at the pot, I was right, hero calls are great.... As the chief is giving me a bit of grief a french player (lol) decided to come to my rescue, and said that it was a great call etc., etc and then the chief and the french guy have a bit of verbals,

two hands later I get QQ in ep and raise to 350 (Blinds 50, 100) the chief throws out 300 (Not seeing my inital raise), and has to call my raise, but cannot re-raise.
Flop comes down Qh 9H 8d, I bet out 600, he calls, turn is As, I bet out 1,200 he smooth calls,
At this stage I reckon well if he has K 10 he would have told me before this so I put him on a flush or straight draw, river is a brick and I bet out 3.5k, he mumbles that he played the hand so bad, and let me catch up on the turn.... and calls and turns over KK . when I showed my hand the french player starts slamming the table announcing at the top of his voice "well played, great play" trying to rile the chief. The french player then says to me that he knows my face from somewhere. I asked him if he played the IPO last year, he did, so it was probally the guy who slowrolled me double lol....

Few hands later the french player min raises (is a minraise always Aces) and I look down at 9 7 sooooted and call. Flop comes downa beautiful 6 8 10 with 2 hearts, I check and he bets twice the size of the pot (lol) I shove and he instantly calls showing 2 black Aces.... He went away happy, because the previous hand he had knocked the Chief out. By the time the blinds were 300 600 I had 26K from the starting stack of 7.... I went completely card dead after that though and had to pick spots to get chips, I eventually got heads up but could not come back from a 4:1 chip defecit, €900 for 2nd was good though, and it was great to get to a final table again, felt I played better than I have in a long time, so hopefully coming into a bit of form for Killarne

Im heading down to Killarney in the morning, to play in the Ladbrokes Killarney Game, and I can't wait to be honest... When I get back from my Holidays I will do up a report, hopefully we will both get a good run in the game.

I'M ON HOLIDAYS - YEPEE - YAHOO - YEPEE - YAHOO - YEPEE - YAHOO

I'M ON HOLIDAYS - YEPEE - YAHOO - YEPEE - YAHOO - YEPEE - YAHOO

Team Championship of @Poker in Citywest

2009-08-24T09:38:00.006+01:00

The Fitzwilliam Card club very kindly paid for a team into this event, and what a team

Colette "the Smurph" Murphy
Pat "smiley" Vickers
Stewy "what you gonna do"
Jimmy "Iceman" Wan
Paddy "The Dyson" Hicks
Barry "Cool Glasses" Donavan

I had arranged to meet the gang on Thursday in the Fitz, to get teeshirts and talk team tactics, eh which lasted about 5 seconds, lol. The structure for this event was very impressive, and it had Jp McCann's stamp all over it, so we met on Friday at 6.30 p.m. Martin came out and took a picture of the motly crew. To be honest I struggled the whole way through this tournament. Paddy Hicks unfortunately went early when his two pair was cruelly beaten by a flush on the river, followed rapidly after the dinner break by Barry Donavan. I was at a tough enough table, with a maniac super super super aggressive player. He raised practically every pot, and I fell into the trap of trying to play pots with him, but when you run good and crack KQ and KJ with K4 for 2 pair etc., there is no contest really. I eventually got shortstacked and got my KQ all in Versus Jacks, so team Fitz were down by 3 by day one, sigh.

The remaining lads did the Fitz really proud, and Jimmy Wan made the final table going out in 6th. Stewie went out cruelly 77 V A2 all in, 2 2 9 Board and pat Ran Ac7c into an aggressive player with pocket 10's..

It was a great event, first big team event that I played in and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Roll on next years event, once again a big thank you to the Fitzwilliam Card Club for putting a team in.

Vera - What a Lady

2009-08-20T11:59:00.008+01:00

Vera Duffy's Birthday Bash Sporting Emporium

Myself and Martin headed into this. After last years Event , we were hoping for a less contraversy at this one. It was really great to see the Sporting full, met up with a few faces we hadn't seen in a while. My starting table had the obligatory "All in on the Venetian", with the Re-buy's at €10 a pop, it was going to be fast and furious... I managed to have 8 re-buys and a top-up , which strangely enough im actually quite proud of. I somehow managed to luckbox my way to 11K stack by the break including my top-up.. Martin was motoring along aswell so happy days all round. Managed to get my re-buy money back in the 2 Kaluki games on the break, so I think I was completely break even by the end of the night.

The game obviously changed after the break and turned into quite and interesting game of cards. Martin was knocked out in a terrible cooler hand where he flopped a set of 8's and his opponent, turned a higher set....

The turnout for the tournament was very good
113 runners.
444 Rebuys/Top-ups.
Total Prize pool : €8,700 (€2,000 added by Vera's husband Kevin).

1st Prize : €2,000.

Our table got broken up and I got moved to one with alot of chips... I was hovering around the 18K mark, with blinds at 800 1600 I raised to 4K in mid position with 78soooted as you do and a player ships his 10K stack over the line.... "hand in cookie jar moment"... I was getting 2.5/1 on my money, and reckoned I definitely had live cards and called, he turned over pocket kings...

2 6 8 flop
8 on the turn and I luckboxed myself out of that jam... I worked my stack nicely from there up to 70K when I get crippled, trying to be cute. Guy to my right raises to 5K in ep (blinds 1k 2k), I look down at pocket Queens and flat call, another calls and so does Tom Kitt on the Button.
flop comes down 8c 9c 2x,
Original raiser checks
I check
Player bets 8K, Tom Kitt re-raises to 18K, original raiser folds and I re-shove and tom calls with bottom set, and I pass over 50K to him, sigh... I could have re-raised the initial raiser but felt that I would be nearly turning my hand over as a monster, anyway took my chance and got crushed.... At least my chips went to the eventual winner.

My exit hand the very next hand I look down at Ah Kd and push my 25K over the line and get inst-called by Ad 5d... at least the dealer made it relatively pain free for me and had me drawing dead by the turn... ah well...

Great night of poker, few glasses of wine, good fun and a bit of banter....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VERA

* NB Joan Vickers Fundraiser *

2009-07-30T09:39:00.011+01:00

FRIENDS OF THE LATE JOAN VICKERS INVITATIONAL POKER EVENT

If anyone reads this blog (not really sure how many), but that is irrelevant, please please if you can, come along and support the Joan Vickers Invitation Poker tournament, on Saturday 8th August at 7.30p.m.

This fundraising tournament if for the Family of Joan Vickers. Joan died under tragic circumstances earlier this year and the money is badly needed, to help her children, come along play some cards, have a few beers.....

Update on the Event.
Myself and Martin headed into play in the tournament. It didn't get the numbers that I was hoping for a dissapointing 29 Runners, but the Voodoo put on a great tournament, good structure, but I did leave with a tad bit of sadness in my heart about the turnout, but as the saying goes, every little helps.

We split the night between running to the pub next door for a few vodkas and playing the game, which resulted in me bringing my Z game to the event, and luckboxing my way to 4th.

I actually thought I was going to win it, when I had a guy all in with A10 v A9 for 80K pot at final table, but alas he spiked a 9 on the river.

Then I called a ship A9 sooted v pocket 4's,
I picked up even more outs on a K55 board, but the 4's held up and i was busto

It would have been nice to win it for Joan... but that's poker...and again a big thank you to all the people who made the effort and turned up.

**Warning* Contains alot of self Praise

2009-07-28T09:30:00.030+01:00

Whats the Story morning glory....

Well to tell the truth I had been feeling a little pokered out.. Too many tournaments, too short a time in between. I have been concentrating on losing weight and drum-roll.....

I have lost a stone... yes 14 pounds yepee yahoo, thank christ.

I have been whinging and moaning and whinging and oh yeah moaning about my weight for years now, until eventually I became sick of listening to the same old record. Has it been tough, hell yes it has. Anyone who says "It's just a small lifestyle adjustment", is taking utter and complete tripe. It was hard feckin work, and I had to cut out alot of stuff, mostly Alcohol during the week.... I know poor me. I swapped Wine for Vodka, and beer for Vodka, cut down big time alcohol cut down on alcohol consumption during the week, also on my Carbohydrate intake and did more walking/swimming etc., It's not brain surgery, but I feel so much better in myself. Roll on (or off) the next stone, yepee yahoo

Now let's have a nice dose of reality for a second. I need to lose about 2-3 stone more, but to have the first stone gone, is like the best feeling ever, nearly as good as getting runner runner for the straight/Flush...

On other news, well there is none to be honest, grinding away at mundane things called life. There is a little air of optimism around work which is helping with the humours of the Boss people, but their humour is a bit like the weather, blows hot and cold,

POKER
Played a few of the Bruce poker tournaments, they are twigging the structures at the moment, and it is always good to see organisers of events taking feedback on board and changing it accordingly.

I played in probably the best run tournament in a long time on Friday 3rd July Poker Room Celbridge Main Event and I would recommend that TD's take note.....Buy-in was €220 and it was a 30K starting stack with an hour clock, for the first day and going to a 2 hour clock on Day 2 and 3 (ie the same structure as the W.S.OP.)

First off I have to congratulate

A. the staff of the Poker Room who made the event run exceptionally smoothly, I didn't have one dodgy dealer at all and the atmosphere in the place was electric, and

B. BigbadPat from boards, who really put in a great effort getting a boardsie list together for the main event, and putting up all the links for the nearest Hotels/transport to The club etc., etc.,

DAY 1
The club itself reminds me a bit of Joe O'Neills club in Drogheda and certainly puts the customer first. Anyways I waffle a bit, so to my starting table, random draws my hole, lol, seriously this was probably the toughest table I have ever sat down at.... and for the beginning of a tournament it was ridiculously tough.

Table 2
Seat 1. Random player (played in the Satellite with him,
likes to see alot of flops)
Seat 2. Jay Renehan
Seat 3. Lloyd O'Farrell
Seat 4. Mick Stephens
Seat 5. Moi
Seat 6. Mick Osbourne
Seat 7. Unknown Player
Seat 8. Stewie (regular Player from Fitz), me nemeses
Seat 9. Unknown Player

Did the Jackie Skelly's Swim/Jacuzzi first and arrived at the club shortly after 7.00 p.m. and went down and had a drink with Fran Egan, Joe O'Neill and Sean Gregory. Absolutely delighted to see Joe up and about after his recent illness.

With a 30K starting stack, you would think that there is no way someone is gone in level one, unless it is

(A) set over set or
(B) Aces V kings, but nope

Richie Lawlor gets an early Christmas present when all the chips go in the middle with his Aces up against AK (the guy thought he was just trying to rob the SB BB which were dead stacks, so he decided to defend them, and get all his stack in over the line with AK, WOW.

Our table spent most of the first two levels moving chips around, nothing too significant happened, not huge hands to speak of.
My first big hand arrives at the 150 300 level, I'm in the BB and there is a standard raise in lp by Jay Renehan to 800, I look down at pocket Jacks and decided to smooth call here (with the stacks so deep there is no need to play a big pot preflop yet).
flop comes down J Q 8 rainbow
I check and Jay bets out 1,500
I smooth call.
Turn is a 7 and I bet out 3K which Jay calls very quickly..
river is another 7 to pair the board. I bet out 4.5 K, and Jay thinks for a minute or so and calls,
I show my house, and by the look of disappointment on his face I reckon he had Kings or Aces here. The 7 on the river was a good card for Kings or Aces as it counterfeits and JQ 2pair combo...

I then get Aces a couple of hands later against Stewie which hold up on an A 8 10 board. I did quite a big turn bet and he hesitated before calling, so I put him on a draw of some kind. A blank on river, meant my bet wasn't called. By the dinner break I had gotten my stack up to 52K and was happy enough with my play. It was a very interesting table and there was some great poker being played. I hadn't played at the same table as Lloyd in over a year and there was some good banter being thrown around. Mick Stephens was beside me, and I think is he a great laugh, in a hand he has the best poker face ever, but my Christ between hands, when he is listening to some of the beauties of comments from players about how they played a hand this way or that, he is all over the shop. The poor guy was in bits with his wisdom teeth... there is nothing as bad as that kind of pain.

Next hand of note is blinds are 200 400 and stewie limps in in early position along with a few other players. I look down at AhQh in the BB and re pop to 2,800 pre-flop, Stewie insta-calls and everyone else folds.

Flop comes down 4 5 5. I do a Continuation bet of 5K stewie calls
king on the Turn check check.
J on the River, and I bet 12K, he hmm's and haas and say's "I can't stay here all night, you might aswell have the chips" and Calls, I announce Ace high and he turns over 3h 4h.......
SIGH.....

I proceed to go stupidly on tilt...... and lose another couple of pots playing stupidly to be honest. At this stage we get a new player in seat 1 Fergus, (babymaker6 from boards)
Blinds are 300 600
Fergus raises to 1,800 in ep,
Lloyd calls and I call from the Button with pocket 10's

Flop comes down 5s 5c 2s and Fergus bets out 5.5K
(which is the first pot size bet at our table really),

Lloyd folds and my initial reaction is to fold. I know Fergus is a very tight player, and is trying to protect something. I check my stack and I have 18K behind so I'm not calling, it's either a fold or all in... I somehow manage to talk myself out of folding and ship. Fergus calls after a bit of thought with pocket queens.... Donkey push by me, and I certainly didn't deserve to spike the 10 on the river, but sometimes the poker gods decide to kick someone in the nuts ( sorry Fergus) and I'm right back in the game. Fergus takes it on the chin, few deep breaths later and he is back in the game.

I pick up AK in EP an orbit later and raise, get 2 callers and Lloyd ships for 18K (I think) from the sb, I re-raise all in to isolate and he turns over Jh 6h and my AK holds up. I know he has a wide range of hands for shipping here and is 100% correct with the money in middle, but also I can fold quite alot of my raising hands here, but unfortunately he found me with a hand that I was willing to go to war with.

Our table breaks up shortly after this and I get moved upstairs to OllyK from Boards table. It was a great table to be honest, and raises were getting through no problem. Blinds are 400 800 at this stage and I raise in Ep with AhQh to 3.5K and Olly re-raises to 8.5K, I ask how much he has behind and he says 18K approximately. I decided to see a flop.

Flop comes down A A 2, I check and he pushes, I of course call and he has kings,
I get my Queen on the river to make sure. We finish play at 4.30 in the morning and I finished on 88K, absolutely shattered... Got home as martin is heading out to work.

DAY 2
Play resumed back at 4.00 p.m. and joy oh joy it was a 2 hour clock. there is a table re-draw and I have Tony Baitson (flushdraw) and maybe 2 other players that I know. First hand I look down at AsJs and raise in ep to 3.5K called in lp position by unknown player. Flop comes down Q J 3 rainbow, I bet out 5.5k and he immediately re-pops to 18k meh I fold... Then I get moved before the orbit is finished
my new table

Table 4
Seat (1) Mick Dixon
Seat (2) Ben Price
Seat (3) Michael Doran (wexford Mafia)
Seat (4) Rob Taylor
Seat (5) J.P (best Tournament director in Ireland (sorry John)
Seat (6) Eddie the Eagle
Seat (7) Lorcan Dooley (wexford Mafia)
Seat (8) Moi

It was the first time I had played at the table with Lorcan Dooley (mate of Mick Doran and Richie Lawlor) and he was certainly the most impressive player at the table by a long shot. He took quite an interest in my Sb and I had to snap off a few of his raises, I knock out Eddie the Eagle quite early when his Kx7 x didn't improve V My pocket 10's pre-flop.

My table although it is tough, I manage to find a few spots, and made a hero Call V JP with AJ which was good versus his Kx on a 7810 7 2 board..., I end up getting my stack up to 130K. There is no really big hands at our table, basically because everyone involves knows how ridiculously deep stacked everyone is...... until this hand.

Rob Taylor Raised in early position , Lorcan Dooley quickly pushes his stack of 110k all in,
Rob did think about this for a good 3 - 4 minutes before calling for his tournament,
Lorcan turned over AA ,
Rob shows QQ .
Flop comes K47 Turn J river 7.
Rob goes out in 19th position.
We then lost a player on the other table and our table is split up....

our new Table looks like this
Seat (1) Moi
Seat (2) Damian Kent (Damo72 boards)
Seat (3) Can't remember
Seat (4) Gordan Cowan (gorrr72 Boards)
Seat (5) Dianne Hunt (ladyDi Boards)
Seat (6) Femi Fakinle (undertheradar Boards)
Seat (7) Robert Grendon (cesc & me st boards)
Seat (8) Jp McCann
Seat (9) Lorcan

Myself , JP and Lorcan are moved to the same table, which has Femi (monster chip leader), and Robert Grendan (another big monster stack, played beside him the night before at OllyK's table but he had tightened up something wicked) Diane is also at the table, after brilliantly nursing a short stack for most of the day.

I barely have my arse on the seat when this hand comes up.

JP , raises under the gun to 3.5K
I call in ep with QhQc, (didn't want to play a big pot preflop yet), another player calls
then Robert Grenden, makes it 15k from the BB , Jp pauses and pushes all in, for 60K.
I look up and Robert isn't even checking out how much JP has gone all in for, he is staring straight a my chip stack. I read this as monster, meh and folded
Robert called and threw over AA , ( I mentally pat myself on the back)
Jp shows 10J Clubs ,
Flop 9 k 6 Turn 9 River 8
Jp's gone in 18th

Few hands later, I raise in EP with 10h 10d to 4.5 (blinds 600 1,200) Femi calls on the Button
Flop comes down 10c 3c 6d, I bet out 8k he calls.
Turn bring the 4c... mmmm
I bet out 11K and he picks up about 60K more and re-raises. I eventually give it up, and lose about 25K in that pot, he says "I reckon you had a set, and I felt the board would pair on the river, so I wanted to take the pot now", wish I had that feeling I might have called lol.

Things aren't going great and the next few of my raises are being snapped off. I then lose the biggest pot of the lot when I make a call on the river for an 80K pot with pocket fives V Lorcan, He says nice call I have a pair, and shows 6's.... I did 2 things horribly with this hand.

(a) I should have gone with my instincts and re-raised him on the river, I just felt that he was weak, and, there is no way he would have been able to call

(b) I should have thought more about my hand, it had absolutely no showdown value at all, meh maybe it's results based thinking but honestly I really did think he was weak, you live and learn.

I'm now on about 80K and wondering wtf has happened. Then I get involved with the rock at the table Gordan Cowan (gorr72 from boards) on a 8d 5d 3d 3x 4d board, im in the BB with Ad2h so I river the nut flush/straight and run head first into his Quad threes, nice hand sir..

We eventually get a break and when the dust settles im on 41,800 and am in no illusions as to what I have to do, get busy or die trying, blinds are 1K 2K I think, I do a few positional pushes which get through, I then manage to get Gordon to call my re-raise all in with a Weaker Ace

His A8 v My AQ
but the board double pairs on the river for a split pot, big buckets of puke.... then alas my exit hand
I push with AhQd, and when it is re-popped by Dianne, I know im toast, but pray I have 2 live cards,

bu nop Dianne has A-K of diamonds.

The board reads 7-8-7-6-10 and im gone in twelveth at 5:00 a.m. in the Morning, and im fairly dejected. After a bit of reflection though I realise that I made a bad mistake in 1 hand, got my chips all in bad once in another hand (sorry Fergus), so overall happy enough with my play. I was actually delighted that we got a really tough starting table, because it makes you focus more about your game, and you don't fall into the "fancy play syndrome V random players" that sometimes im very very guilty of. The tournament had a brillant structure, hours hours hours of play, played like a cash game to be honest at times.

Had a brain fart level, which was the serious dent in my stack, then played my short stack ninja poker well,
Hopefully word of mouth on this will get around and it will be a bigger crowd for the next game.

Thanks to the Poker room Celbridge and the staff, top class dealing as usual.

Now I want to play in the real W.S.O.P.........

Thursday 3rd July Sporting Aquarium Double Chance Tournie
Decided to play in this tonight as I haven't been to the Aquarium in yonks. The main thing that puts me off is the fact that you could be half an hour trying to find parking, never mind the fact that my parrallel parking would bring tears to a glass eye, after nearly running over a big red No parking bollard accross from Leinster house (don't ask!!) I eventually get parking. Im already on tilt before I even set foot inside the door, first person I meet is Glyn, and I give him the long awaited bottle of Rum I promised him.

My starting table, had Mick Stephens, Glyn (elstuntman), Tom Kitt beside me and Tess, who I haven't seen in yonks, she was in flying form, and almost immediately had Mick stephens on tilt, I played like a muppet, somehow managed to hang on until 10th, and managed for the first time the whole night to get my chips over the line good A5 V J5 (we know the rest), and gone on the final table bubble. Good banter and 39 runners was a good crowd.

Friday 11th July, Fitz Schalps madness
Decided to play in this, although with the kind of day I had in work, it took all my will power not to go drinking, headed in and there were 60 + runners, which was good considering the Vodoo Casino had it's opening night, headed upstairs, Martin was heading in after work and joked, "don't be gone when I get there"... I laughed so hartily, little realising that is exactly what was about to unfold.

First level 25 50 and I look down at pocket Queens on the button, stand 5 - 6 limpers so I make it 600 to go, folded around to Fitz regular female player on my right and she calls.

Flop comes down 2 4 6, she checks I bet out 800 and she ships, I call and she turns over A 6, "I put you on A Q or something like that mmmmmmm I slowly bit my lip, while my brain is screaming back, is that why you called me pre-flop with A 6....

Turn is an A, gg nh wp....... Re-buy

Level 2, Same player does a raise, I look down at AsQs and ship, she calls and has AK, and im toast. Martin had just arrived, so his preminition was spot on. We both look at each other and decide, lets go. Went home ditched the cars and headed around to the local pub the "Autobahn", for a beer, which I really enjoyed, we hadn't done that in so so long it was unreal.

Saturday 12th July Voodoo Club Opening Weekend
Headed into play the €110 5K = 5K double chance game. The club looked great, I know a few of the backers behind the club, and really do hope that it does well. It has a really good feel about the place, although they could lose the stuffed birds, but that's another story. We decided to leave the cars at home and have a few bears. At the back of the club is the entrance to Ryans pub which has a great little atmosphere, lot's to look at in such a small space. My starting table had a high percentage of english players and only one other player I knew, he was immediately to my left, I got my stack up to the dizzy heights of 15K after the break, only to do a donkey call with pocket 7's and run into pocket kings, sometimes I play poker so so so badly. Played a bit of cash, Omaha for a change, and gave €500 to Chris Dowling on a call on the river, so did the sensible thing and headed home. I hope the club does well, but it is a very tough market out there, and I really doubt that the Dublin poker scene can sustain 4 Casinos in such a close proximity, but only time will tell.

Monday 14th Fitz Monday night game with Added Money
As part of their July summer promotion ther is €1k in prizemoney being added to the Monday night Tournament in the Fitzwilliam Cardroom for the month of July, so myself and Martin headed into it
It is a €75+5 No Limit Holdem Freezeout, 6K starting stack
Blinds are 3 x 20 Minutes
then 25 minute blinds after the break.
It got 96 runners last Monday, tonight there were 101 runners, no recession round here ....
The night didn't get off to a great start when I decided to play cash and get all my €300 tank in over the line with AA V QQ, we all know the rest, ping Queen on the river.
I actually managed to last to the Break which is a mini victory for me, im running quite bad...meh,

Friday 17th July,
Decided to try out the 10K Deepstacked game in the Vodoo Club
It got 12 runners - very dissapointed, but the game was great, donated my stack to Tom Murphy with A 9 on an A 2 J A 5 board, (he had house of 2's), there was no sign of a cash game, so I headed to the Fitz, which was packed out the door with 70+ runners in the scalps games.... DOH....

Friday 24th July the Waterford Masters €40K Guaranteed
Headed down to play this after work, Martin was supposed to pick me up at 5.00p.m. from work but there were 2 crashes on the M50, and he didn't get to Parkwest until 6.15 p.m., but we got down there about 8.30 p.m. The hotel and booked 2 Rooms for 1 night instead of 1 room for 2 nights, although after having a look around the room, I was happy enough getting a B&B for the following night.

The poker room had a good atmosphere about it, but christ it was warm, my starting table had more Dubs on it than the Scalps game in the Fitz on a Friday night, once again JP was there, along with a few more regular faces, Rory Brown (spencerjames) and Albert Kenny. The first few hours were interesting to say the least, with Rory getting a sick beat with runner runner for a straight against a turned set of eights.... yuck... I had decided to try and play a bit tight, and try to work a stack up, played AQ horribly on a AK9 board against a rock of a player, meh..... I got moved with about 10minutes to go at the end of the night, over to the table of death, where I didn't play many hands until the end of play. Retired to the bar happy enough with my play, but under no illusions that my new table was going to be tough, but there were people who could fold a hand which is good.

Day 2.

Table 5
Seat 1. Moi 24,300
Seat 2. Paul Quinn 15,875
Seat 3. Unknown 7,600
Seat 4. Cat O'Neill 19,125
Seat 5. Paul Smallwood 41,550
Seat 6 Unknown 64,900
Seat 7. Keith McFadden 5,500
Seat 8. Nicky Power 37,750
Seat 9. Fionn Sherry 13,550
Seat 10. John Ward 3,950

The day started bad about 5 minutes into the startings level and I pick up KK in early position and do the standard raise, called by Paul Quinn,
flop is 9x 7s 2s , I do a Continuation bet, he calls,
turn is 4s, I check he bets, I fold showing the kings and he shows Flopped set of 9's, sigh

Couple of hands later I raise up with pocket Queens, called by Cat O'Neill, in BB
flop K x x
Check check, turn is 10,
she check I do a three quarter pot bet she calls,
check check on river, and im shown K J double double sigh.

my stack is now at the 17K mark and to other people at the table I might be tilting a bit, but im actually okay, but wouldn't mind winning a hand. so to my exit

Blinds are 300 600 and Cat O'Neill raises to 1800 in lp (Cat would be a very solid player, who is well capable of moves, a player that I would call tight aggresive)

I look down at 8s8c, and flat call from the sb.
Flop comes down 2x 5d 7x rainbow,
I check and she bets 2.5K, I flat call....
Turn is 8d, I bet out 6K

and Cat immediately goes "you've hit your set haven't you, sick sick sick".

From her reaction I wasn't sure if my action literally turned my hand face up.... or if I should have gone for the check raise nutmeg on the turn, anyway she shakes her head a bit and calls.

river is Jd, for some reason when she did the chit chat on the turn, I was trying to figure out how I was going to get paid on the river.I felt that because she had said my hand out loud, I was supposed to push the river with a set obviously, and by checking the river I would make my hand seem weaker,

so I checked, and she pushed, I obviously called and was shown a set of Jacks....

I got lucky on the turn, and done on the river.... that's poker, I really wasn't too sure about my play here and posted the hand in the Hand History section on Boards for reaction....
you can check out the Thread here

I phoned Martin who had been knocked out a little bit earlier, and he was having a drink down the town. I headed down there and spent the afternoon playing Killers and pool with JP, Johny Weafer, Brian and a couple of other lads,

Myself and Martin had something to eat and then headed back to play the
Side event which was the €150 Freeze Out –
Buy In €150 + €20
Starting Stack 10,000
30 Minute Clock.

I cracked Chris Cookes Aces with my AK, after playing AK the previous hand like a muppet, but fear not retribution was at hand when my AsQs was done by 8 9 offsuit of BigMickG, who went onto win the tournament.

We headed back to B&B, exhausted in the buckets of rain......
Thanks to the Waterford lads, the Fox O'Keefe and of course Bruce poker for organising a great weekend of cards, only gripe was that the room was way way way too warm.

PARTY POKER WOMENS POKER OPEN III

2009-05-27T11:27:00.008+01:00

So Anyways,picture the scene, It's Wednesday afternoon and im in work looking out at the rain pelting off the car roofs, thinking up all kinds of excuses why I really don't need to go to Jackie Skelly's for a swim, when my mobile rings, english accent on the other end of the line kinda recognisable, but im not too sure. "Hi Colette it's Paul here", funny because I know at least 6 pauls through work from the U.K. so I go "Hi, how have you been keeping", hoping he will give me at least one other clue.

"How do you fancy playing a Poker Game next Monday and Boylepoker will pay you in"..As the penny drops I realise ahhh Paul Spillane, and reply "yeah sure where, thinking Dublin, maybe Drogheda, Dundalk area?",

It's over in London we want to put you into the Party Poker Women's World Open III, then for some reason I tell him I have to get back to him with work etc., etc., and see if I can get cover. I take his mobile number and then spend the next 5 minutes banging my head off the table, you absolute twat..... Gift Horse and mouth and all that.

My work colleagues roar laughing at the fact I didn't say yes immediately, so I ring Paul back and say yes yes yes of course I'll go. WOW, he also say's that they will pay for Martin's flight etc., over so happy days..... yepee yahoo,

I meet up with Ciaran Corbett on Friday night at the Bruce Poker Tournament in Dundalk, and he gives me the gear to wear in the UK... I decide to try and have full concentration at the Bruce Poker game, to practice for Monday, that went fairly well to form and the engine was still warm in my Car as I headed back to Dublin, I dropped mad "Paddy the taximan" off at the fitz and headed home

Sunday 24th May 2009
so we fly over with Ryan air and get a Taxi to the Waltham Abbey Marriott Hotel where we meet up with Padraig Parkinson who is quite impressed that I had already got my 2nd Vodka into me (calm the nerves)....

Monday 25th May 2009
My nerves are fairly well in flitters at this stage, we get picked up at the Hotel and brought to the 3 Mill studios in east London. Im brought into makeup and then have an interview with Party Poker (I had to hid my Boylepoker logo which I thought was bad, but couldn't really say much). Then there is a 45 minute delay before we are eventually brought into the Studio. It looks like something from a Star trek movie, all bling bling and lights. Once the game started I settled down a littel, but my hands were still shaking a bit. My table was as follows

1 Lise Vigezzi partner of Pascal Perrault
2 Colette Murphy
3 Cecilia Nordenstam
4 Hina Modha wife of Rajesh Modha (winner of Labrokes Poker Million 2006)
5 Patricia Li
6 Rotjana Thomson

the Format was 100K starting stack and blinds starting at 1k 2k and going up every 21 hands.
Lise Vigezzi, got off to an agressive start and was raising quite alot, I on the other hand was getting nothing, tried raising in the sb to 6k (blinds 1k 2k) with 5s6d... call from cecilia Nordenstam Qc9c... QsAs5d... I check folded to a raise from her meh. Next hand of note I raised with 3s3d and took the blinds, phew I won a hand, gold medal for me....

I relaxed into the game a bit more, although the game itself there were very few flops being played, raises were getting through....

Lise Vegizzi raised in the cut off to 5K, I smoothcalled with AhQc... so does Hina Modha in the blinds
Flop comes down 2s 6h As
check from modha,
lise bets 12k and I raised to 28K both folded

Next hand of note lise limps in the Sb and I check my BB with 7h5h -
Flop is Qh9dAs and goes check check...
6h on the turn and Lise bets 2k,
I re-raised to 8k as I had a flush and straight draw
Beautiful 8c on the river... Lise checks and I bet 12k but she didn't bite

Now to the worst hand that I played - yuck
Patricia Li raises to 7k utg, (she had been very quiet) its folded around to me in the Sb and I look down at Ad8d and call... so does the BB cecilia Nordenstam
flop comes down QcQdAh...
I check, Cecilia checks and Li bets 12k, and I fold - horribly play by me. I felt that she was really strong though and got a bad feeling about the hand (but calling with A 8 and folding on an AQQ board is pretty spewy play) found out later she had 7's - you live and learn

blinds move up to 2k 4k and I have 110K + and feel okay, but the play is fast and I feel that im playing a bit too tight maybe.

I get As10s and raise utg.
Cecilia next to act re-raises to 25K
its folded around lise's BB who reraises to 50K, I do a little dwell and fold and Cecilia moves allin and Lise calls
Cecilia has two black queens and Lise has AdQh, the queens hold up and Cecilia becomes big chip leader.

Blinds move up to the 3k 6k level and I am seriously card dead and am finding it difficult to pick my spots. Also there is no player gone, and I drift back down to 75K, there is a raise utg and I look down at pocket 10's and move all in, no callers and I get some badly needed chips.

Just when it looked like we were never going to lose a player, 3 go in quick succession,
1st gone was Rotjana Thomson who was short stacked and had to push
Next gone was Lise Vigezzi who ran her pocket 7's head first into Pocket Aces

so were 4 handed with stacks as follows
238K Hina Modha,
224K Cecilia Nordstrem
95K Moi,
43K Patricia Li

Patricia Li goes out fairly quickly and we are 3 handed and the serious bubble begins. I am critically short stacked, I raised on the Button to 25k with Kd9c and Cecilia re-raised to 100K, she looked supremely confident and I folded

I pushed the next hand with A 6 and took the blinds blinds now go up to 7K 15K and I need a double up pronto, I push my stack from the sb 8s7s...
cecilia says that maybe she might have to call, I enquire whether she wants a chip count, trying not to sound too panicked, knowing damn well im way behind her range, she eventually folds - phew. I then push next hand with J10 and get no callers,

It's folded arounf to me and I get a walk, nearly look at my cards and decide not too, thank god I didn't because apparently I had POCKET KINGS in the BB, AAAAArrrrrrgggghhhh
2 hands later I move all in on the button As5d...
cecilia with Ah9h... calls... modha behind folds red sixes with a big grin...
flop comes downAc2c10h
5c yepee 2 pair "Go on ya good thing"
River is the 9c!!!! Ouch, great balls of puck.

And im gone on the bubble, did post game interview, and headed to the Green room where Martin was, felt the only hand I played really badly was the A8 one, but you live and learn from these. I certainly would play the game completely different the next time, and would be way way more aggressive in position. Martin said that it was nerve wrecking watching it in the Green room,

Checked out the other heats and was delighted to see that Cat O'Neill won her heat and is in the final. she is playing this afternoon and you can get live updates here , Go on Cat one time and all that jazz. Headed back to the hotel and went on the beer, I was full of what if's for an hour or two, but just put it behind me, back to the reality of work for me and daily slog on the M50 sigh

I felt like a superstar for a day and cannot thank Paul Spillaine and boylesports enough for putting me into the tournament,

JP'S Poker Masters 2009..

2009-05-14T09:31:00.031+01:00

Thursday 7th May - Super Satellite
Although I already had won a ticket with Bruce Poker at the Maynooth game, I always get nervous the night before a festival (I know lol), so I decided to head out to play in this. The structure was quite reasonable for a Satellite game
€75 & €10 Reg,
2 Rebuys or 1 Rebuy and a Top-Up €50
Starting Chips 3k,
Early Bird 500 (1st Level Only)
Rebuy Chips 5k
20 Min Blind for 6 Levels,
Followed by 30 Min Blinds.

Thing didn't go according to plan early on, and my flopped sets kept running into gutshot straight draws. I had only 6K after the dinner break, but fear not I got 2 double up the first level after the dinner, and was up to a quite healthy. 28K, then this hand happens.
Blinds are 400 800 and it's folded around to the Button who makes it 5K to go (quite a standard raise by him). Im in the Sb with pocket 10's and decided to just flat call because I don't want to play for my tournament out of position preflop with 10's.

flop comes down a lovely A 10 5 board,
I check, he bets 6K I flat call,
Turn is J I check he checks,
River is brick and I bet out 9K, he calls and mucks when I show my hand.

This hand gets me 50K, but the poker Gods aren't finished with me quite yet and I get dealt pocket kings 3 hands out of the next 7 got my stack up to 105K and basically folded to a ticket. In fact at one point at my table I had 105K and the nearest stack to me was 40K....Someone mumbled about me not playing a hand (nop, if I had a book I would have started reading it)... My chips were not going back into circulation, unless I had Kings or Aces (knocked out BIGBADPAT from boards with said kings)
there was a bit of handbags at 40 paces when we got to bubble, basically if everyone gave €28 we would all get a ticket, 1 guy objected, another guy offered to pay his €28 for him, he still objected), don't know the in's or out's of it, I just wanted to go home, in the end common sense was restored and we all gave €28 and everyone got a ticket....
got the cash alternative, so happy enough. Room has a great set up about it,
Got home at 4.00 a.m. , after doing a bit of a sat nav detour dropping Vera home (let's just say we took the scenic route), a bit cream crackered when the alarm went off at 8.00 a.m. for work,, uugh....

Friday 8th May - Main Event
Well the first part of the day in work was good, but I died a death in the afternoon. I checked out the Rate for staying in the hotel and booked a room for the night. Left work at. 5 p.m. and was unconcious asleep before 5.30. set the alarm for 8.00 p.m. up showered and headed down to the poker room feeling refreshed, very relaxed and ready for action..

My starting table, was complete random players except Noel Hayes in Seat 1,
I was in seat 10. I got off to a great start, and quite easily got my stack up to 21K, by the first break and motored ahead to 28K when I flopped a set V top pair top kicker,

After the Dinner break. I had a brainfart session where I paid a guy off on a double paired board with the flush, meh. I lost concentration, and one mistake followed the other. I finished the day on 22,825 and was coming back on day 2 with blinds at 300 600 so plently of play. There was going to be a complete re-draw for seats, which I was a bit dissapointed with as I was happy enough with my table, there was some serious loose play and big hands would definitely have been paid off.

Day 2
My Table re-draw looked like this
Table 15
1. 0306 Tony Brennan 28750
2. 2302 Paudie Kelly 14350
3. 2106 Mark Kenny 34200
4. 1906 Mark Mc Keever 70650
5. 1406 John Dunleavy 23525
6. 1203 Tom Flynn 30375
7. 1310 Colette Murphy 22825
8. 1910 James O Dwyer 34200

I was 2nd lowest in chips and the Big chipstack was Mark McKeever, I had played in a couple events with hime, but didn't really know anyone else's name. I realised that our table would be the first to be broken up. Anyway this hand came up.. Blinds are 300 600 and Mark McKeever makes it 1,700 on the button (standard raised), I look down at Ah Js and flat call from the BB.

Flop comes down A 10 8, I check knowing that he will continuation bet 80% of the time here.
he bets out 1,700, I re-raise to 4.5K, he asks how much im playing behind, and smoothcalls.

Turn is a 2 and im fairly happy here to push, which I do and he instacalls
and tables A 2 for 2 pair . No miracle cards for my and im gone. Fairly gutted to be honest, I think I told him I had a decent hand on the flop, ah well cest la vie,

Played in the €300 game, played bad, and also got free leesons about the game, from a an english player to my left. Note, if a player asks you your hand after a pot, you might actually be telling porky pies about your holding, so there is no need for the "you played the hand very badly so" comments lol... I actually gave the said guy all my chip with JJ V QQ on a Jack high flop with 3 hearts (he had the queen of heart), and got his flush on the turn and the Queen on the river just to make sure.

Not to be put off I headed to the Fitz and played in the €125 game which got 3 tables, and I came 3rd in it for €700 which helped ease the pain. The Fitz Cash league was on and there was 60K up for grab WOW. There was a deal when they got down to 12 for 3.5K each or something like that.

Well done Bruce Poker

2009-04-27T12:18:00.006+01:00

Bruce Poker Live Tour Moyvalley Golf Club - April 25th/26th

The Bruce Poker Pub Final weekend was on in the Moyvalley Golf Club last weekend and the Saturday Game caught our eye

€100 + 20
10k starting stack
10 - 15% of the field paid as usual
Fully Dealer Dealt
Blind Levels 20 min, all levels included

so I set MoyvalleyGolfClub&Hotel into my Sat Nav and we headed down. The Hotel was beautiful and the card room was absolutely buzzing. They got over 165 runners, which caused a bit of panic early on but eventually the game got going about 8.45 p.m. They had alternates for the first few levels. The idea of the pub league was brillant and there were people going around with teeshirts for all the different pubs they qualified from etc.,

I struggled the whole way in this game and eventually made a donkey call with AJ on a J33 flop when i was check raised all in.... yep he had queens. I headed over to the cash area which was lively to say the least. I sat down at a 1 2 pot limit game. Was hovering on around €150 of a profit and to be honest it was a tame enough game. Martin was motoring in the side event, so I was happy to relax and play cash.

Then all hell breaks loose on an Omaha table, shouting and roaring and a few handbags at 40 paces. JP tried 3 times to calm the people down involved, so in the end it was decided to close the table. Our game had dwindled in numbers a bit, and we had only 5 players. With that 5 of the players of the closed omaha table came over to our table. They immediately wanted the game changed to NL holdem, no-one objected. It was the start of about 2 hours of madness... One player in particular kept raising to 25 blind preflop, then shipping his tank over the line (€400 odd), and turning over the likes of 2 6 offsuit and K 7 and laughing...

so my first big hand. I raise to 25 in the Cut off with Ad Qd and he ships over the line for €340.... I reckon im ahead of his range and call. he actually has a hand Jacks, but an Ace on the flop and a turned flush brings me the pot. He mumbles about my call, and I just said "listen if you keep show crap hands, you are going to be called light", in fairness I would have called with alot less than AdQd.

Then as if the table isn't lively enough Phil "the bomber" Harris arrives at the table, he is in flying form and in in gamble gamble humour. The table is actually great crack. So then my next big hand. Im on the button with 9d 10d and it is raised to €20 by player in mp. About 4 of us call.. Flop comes down 9c 10c 3 h. Its check around to the player and he bets 100... I call, every else folds. Turns is a 5h and he bets 250.... I dwell a bit and flat all, magic 10 on river and he says all in and ships his remaing €500 over the line I instantly call and turn over the house... At this stage im up to €1,300 for €150 so happy days.

Next hand Phil Harris gets involved with player at table (the Pocket Jacks man from above)... By the end of action the board reads Kd Qs 3c 4d 10h. Phil goes all in and the other guy says call. Phil turns over Qh 4h for 2 pair (the other guy waits for about 2 mins does a bit of verbals with phil, and then turns AsJh for the nuts and says "I think im ahead"... This is the same guy that had caused the omaha table to be broken. Initially I thought that phil had taken it quite well, but soon realised he was clearing his throat for the onslaught. The guy was screaming saying that he didn't realise he had the Aj for the nuts,,,, eh wrong answer. Anyway there was screaming and roaring again and offers to take it outside, and promises of riping peoples heads clean off their shoulders, etc., etc., so our table was shut down.

I cashed out for €1,100 profit but definitely felt that there was more money to be made. Went out to see how Martin was doing. He ended up finishing 6th, when he mad a correct call with K 9 against a shove from a guy who had J 9... horrible Jack on the flop and he was gone. Although he was dissapointed he was happy enough with his play. It was nearly 8.30 a.m when we got home. Wrecked tired but really enjoyable night was had.

Sunday 26th
Martin was working on Sunday so I decided to head back down to Moyvalley for their 2nd gamep

€100 + 20 4 p.m.
One rebuy or topup allowed @ €50
10k starting stack, 15k for rebuy or topup
Blind Levels 25 min

I probably should have stayed at home. It got 101 runners. I was too tired for this, I played good poker at times and then tried to push the action a bit and lost momentum. I eventually pushed with AcJc (lol my new nemisis of a hand) and ran into AQ of the table rock... Have to say the venue was the nicest I have been in for a poker tournament, and that part of the country is lovely.

Bruce poker have some great games coming up and none juicier looking than this.

JP MASTERS GAME - RED COW 7TH - 10TH MAY €100k GUARANTEED

JP Poker Masters 2009
Sponsored by Bruce Poker.Com
E100,000 GUARANTEEDSchedule of Events:

Thursday 7th May 8pm - Super Satellite - Est 20 Tickets to Main Event
E75 & E10 Reg, 2 Rebuys or 1 Rebuy and a Top-Up E50

Friday 8th May 7pm - JP Poker Masters Main Event - E100,000 GUARANTEED 3 Day Event
E750 (E75 Reg Included)
Starting Chips 15k
60 Min Blinds for 10 Levels followed 90 Min Blinds
1 Table SnGs E75 & E5 Reg from 2pm

Saturday 9th May 6pm - Supporting Tournament - Est E50,000 2 Day Event
E300 (E30 Reg Included)

Sunday 10th May 3pm - Pot Limit Omaha - Est E15,000
E250 (E25 Reg Included & E25 Scalp )

Sunday 10th May 6pm - Supporting Tournament - Est E20,000
E150 (E20 Reg Included)

They also have their €10K guaranteed games as follows:-

Friday 22nd May Crowne Plaza Dundalk - €120 buy-in for 10K chips with €50 re-buy or top-up for 15K in chips

Friday 29th May Glenroyal Hotel Maynooth - €120 buy-in for 10K chips with €50 re-buy or top-up for 15K in chips

Can't wait for JP's Masters game as it looks like it is going to be a great weekend of cards.

Joan Vickers (Rest In Peace)

2009-04-21T15:41:00.012+01:00

Words cannot really express how people feel when they get news of such a tragic, horrific death. I have know Joanne though the card circles of Dublin for over 20 years, she always had a smile on her face, played the game in the true spirit it should be played in. I remember playing 5 card draw with her in the Cara Community Hall, Raheny, that's where I was introduced to Texas Holdem and a strange game called Kalooki, which herself and Fiona O'Reilly played.

She will be sadly missed around the poker community, and my heart goes out to her children during this tragic time. Joan you were a fighter to the end, and I hope you have peace wherever you are.

Irish Open

2009-04-15T12:39:00.024+01:00

Thursday 9th April, Super Satellite-
As part of the package we were booked in from Thursday until Tuesday so I decided to play the bingo game that is the super satellite rather than go to the pub... I spent €600 total and got my stack up to 75K and then folded practically every hand until the ticket (left it a bit scary with only 1.5 Big blinds left), but hey, what the hell.. €3,500 in the back pocket. Martin didn't want to play the main event as he has been on painkillers, with dodgy ribs. We had a few beers at the bar and went to bed

Main Event - Friday 10th April 2009
What a dissapointment it ended up being. My table was very tough.. Neil Channing, last years winner, Rory Rees Brennan (although he looked unwell), and Paul (Pabloh) from Boards to my right, Jason Tompkins ( young guy who came 2nd in the Deepstack GJP tournament earlier in the year)I had gone up and signed up for the Paddy Power Sole Survivor and got my sweatshirt and teeshirt. I was extremely nervous for some reason, don't know why, but I just needed to relax a bit more. first hand of note is the 50 100 level and Paul raises utg to 350, I call with AcJc, flop comes down Ad 4c 7h, he bets out 800 I call, Kc comes on the turn, he bets out 1.5k, at this point I have top pair and drawing to the nut flush, I call, river is a brick, he bets out 2.5K, I called. The river call is pretty pathetic, im not beating anything, he is not going to be trying a 3barrell bluff so early in the tournament. Im down to 6,200. The next level is pretty shitty, any of my raises are getting snapped off, and already i feel like it's going to be a shitty day.

at the The 75 150 I have raised twice with AK and got check raised on a small flop..... aaarrrghhhh...next hand there are 2 limpers to my sb and I look down at 2 black Aces and raise to 700, everyone folds, tits..... at least I pick up a pot, and im at 3,800 at this stage, and it's the last hand before the break.. Rory Reese Breenan opens utg for 350 and gets 3 callers, Im on the button and look down at pocket jacks and make it 1200, Rory makes it 2,800, and I ship my reamining stack over the line and im up against KK and no donkey miracle for me. gone before the first break... Gutted. After getting my early setback I never settled, no excuses just poor
play, Paddy Power sole Survivor, lol I didn't make the first break

Headed to the bar and myself and Martin were having a few beers with Damien Kent and Steven and Denis (they were soooteed, ex dealer from the Fitz). He was talking about a game on in a hotel in the Curragh, run by WAD Events it was a €115 freezeout with a 15K stack and 30 Minute clock, sounded great, and it certainly beat venting out on the Cash tables (the rake was a bit scary too), so we made the road trip to the Strand house Hotel on the Curragh. There were 156 runners for this...

My strategy for this game, was to relax and enjoy the game and drink plenty of Vodka, then I realised it was self deal, shit. I never play self deal games, they usually put me on monkey tilt.. But if in Rome, as the saying goes, and to be honest my table was pretty good at dealing so there was not a problem, and in fact we had very few misdeals.

The only bit of advice I would give the organisers, get dealers in and even more people will come. The room was spacious enough and had a good buzz about the place, and people were there just enjoying themselves, having a few beers and playing cards, what more would you be doing on a Good Friday. Anyway played my big cards strong and got a few jammy pots, one where I flopped a flush and a guy shipped his 18K over the line drawing dead with Qh9h on an all spade board. I made the last 20 and was above average in chips when a deal was suggested to take 100 of top 5 prizes to pay 16-20 people, it was 3.30 am in the morning, and I usually wouldn't agree to this, but kept the mouth quiet, as I would have been the only objector, martyr im not.. The prize structure was as follows:
1. €4900
2. €2500
3. €1300
4. €1000
5. €800
6. €720
7. €650
8. €600
9. €500
10. €450
11. €430
12. €300
13. €300
14. €250
15. €200
16. - 20th €100

I got really good run of cards and made it to the final table 3rd in chips, I managed to knock out all the players up to heads up play and felt invisible, A deal was offered heads up but I wanted to go for the win, ended up 2nd for €2,500 which was brillant. Definitely if they can get this dealer dealt, it would be one to look out for. Eddie Walshes better half Jemma, came 2nd in the Ladies event in the Irish open, so well done her, so we headed back to citywest with Damien still trying to figure out how I luckboxed my way to 2nd place lol, while himself and Martin were getting slapped around the Cash tables. We had breakfast and went to bed (kind of reminded me of Vegas).

Saturday 11th april - Omaha game -
I sat down, I watched 2 scandi maniacs potting blind for all the re-buy levels, I had 1 re-buy, I left, I drank loads of beer and played the cash.

Sunday 12th april - Ladies Event 99 runners + €1,500 event - 209 runners
Decided to play the Ladies event, as I had never played in one of these before, I didn't last to the end of level 2, lol.... blinds are 50 100 and few limpers, lady on Button makes it 200, I call in the SB with pocket 2's.
flop comes down 2 8 9 rainbow, I check and its checked around to her, she bets out 200 (into a 1K pot), I re-raise to 850, meanwhile 2 other players in the hand didn't see my re-raise and had already put out their 200 (confused yet???) I sure was.
One of the other players folds, but one calls, original raiser folds.
Turns is Jd, I ship as there is enough in the middle at this stage to take, but nope she calls and turns over Q 10 for the nuts, mmmmm nice catch, and im at the bar in double quick time, 2 vodkas later and im in the cash game, and work up enough to play in the €1,500 event.

My starting table has Paul Smallwood, Paul Spillane, a good lag english pro to my right, and Dan Harrington on my table aswell. To be honest I was a little bit star struck, I mean he is the reason im playing cards.. I move my stack up nicely, picking my spots well and am on about 9K, when this hand happens.
Blinds are 100 200, and I make it 600 utg with pocket 10's
Dan Harrington calls in lp
flop comes down 10h 8h 2d, I bet out a weak looking continuation bet, he stares me down for about a minute and folds... soul reading for the win, Dan Harrington gets knocked out shortly after this, and a lula scandi gets moved to the table, with a Paddy power bag tied on his head, sort of like a hat kinda thing, and he has a laptop on his legs, and is multi-tabling, online while playing this game.. what next.... Anyway Donal the TD spots it and he is told to turn the laptop off... could you imagin if it was allowed, there would be 3 hands played a level...

Our table gets broken and im moved to another tough table. there is a tighty mctight player to my right, Charlie Harvey from the fitz in seat one, zeik tuite from Cork at the table and 2 french players.....

My stack is hovering around the 12-14k mark, and then this hand happens.... tight player to my right raises to 1,200 utg (blinds are 200, 400) I look down at QcQh and re-raise to 3,600 its, folded around to charlie Harvey who ships for 15K..... original raiser folds... I fold my Queens face up after a long think.

Maybe folding was too nitty, but showing my fold, was atrocious play... and I became a marked player for it, I got a few raises snapped off, so I had to change my thinking big time, and I started snapping off a few myself.

So I struggle and strugge with 12-15 big blinds all night, and then we get down to the last hand... blinds are 500 1k with a 100 ante, I look down at pocket 6's utg, and raised to 3.5K leaving approximately 12K behind. folded to the button who pushes.... sb bb fold..... do I take my chance or fold and come back tomorrow with 10 Big Blinds.... took my chance and called, was up against AK, Ace on the flop and im toast. Aaaaaarrrgh, I went out in 54th. There would have been a table draw and maybe a small chance to get a bit of momentum going. If's and but's...

Really enjoyed the game, but folding the Queens face up was the worst thing I did the whole weekend....

Went to the bar and had a chat with Paul "bling bling" Marrow, I have never seen a man to wear so much bling in all my life, he had a lavender suit, shirt with real diamonds on them, and 2 different coloured shoes, as you do. He is one of the funniest guys to talk to, the place was buzzing.

Monday 13th April - Charity Event- 150 runners
Played this game really badly, got my chips in the middle so bad it wasn't even funny, I cracked KK with AJ, my KQ split a pot with KK (I got runner runner straight) so when I eventually did get my chips in the middle ahead, I knew I was doomed, and My top 2 pair were never going to hold up against a flush draw. Phil Baker (who finished 9th in the main event) did the charity auction at the break and he was absolutely amazing, a natural.. Everyone seemed to enjoy the weekend, and im delighted that there 150 runners for the charity event,

Once again Paddy power put on a great event, fair play to them. I would just love it if they made the Main event 15K starting Stack and the side event 10K starting stack next year, it would just be the icing on the cake.... Roll on next year, hopefully I'l qualify again and not be so nervous.

2000th post on Boards.ie

2009-04-07T14:59:00.008+01:00

I post regularly on Boards.ie Website poker forum and to mark my 2000th post i said the following

2000TH POST
Well, I was trying to decide whether to write something profound, knowledgeble or amazing, and then I realised that I am none of the above and never had great writing abilities.

So what to write about in my 2000th post.

POKER
How do I feel my game has progressed, it hasn't really. I find sometimes if I am playing in tournaments, that things are going on around me, i see people making moves accumulating chips, and I feel more like an observer, rather than a participant. I haven't yet sat down at a game, and felt 100% good about my play, I don't know if this is a confidence thing or what. In my opinion a players state of mind going into a tournament is a huge factor. If your confidence is down, you second guess yourself, and see trouble all around you. I feel that I haven't taken full advantage of the cards I get.

How would other people perceive my play?
= Weak tight nit - who telegraphs big hands a bit too much.

On another note, I was on the players Committee in the Fitzwilliam but due to work changes etc, and time constraints i won't be playing as much cards over the next few months, so I have stepped down from the Committee.... I will still put up posts about upcoming events etc., and it will remain my "home away from home"

WORK
It's tough working in the Construction sector at the moment with the recession, and you are always looking over your shoulder, wondering if the company will survive. I was working during the last recession of late 80's early 90's, the big difference is that I was younger, more innocent and way more optimistic about things lol..

I'm afraid it's the "keep the head down and try and get through it" kind of feeling for the whole country. I am finding it hard to leave work behind me at 5.30 p.m. which is causing a fair bit of stress. I need to learn to "turn off" so to speak, because it is affecting my health. I find that I am having a couple of drinks here and there to wind down, and that isn't good for your overall physical or mental health.

LIFE
Life in general is great, no holidays booked yet, but I'm determined that were going to go somewhere completely different this year....(better mention that to Martin lol), sometimes I don't realise how lucky I am to have someone like Martin around, to have the same interest in poker etc., he keeps me grounded, and always makes me smile, cue rosmatic music in background, all together now awwww....

BOARDS POKER FORUM
The poker forum has certainly gotten bigger over the last year or two and I always feel a certain bit of pride when I see an Irish Poker player or a boardsie doing well.

who will ever forget
Marty "The Rock" Smith winning W.S.O.P $10,000 PLO

& the winning Ladbrokes Poker Million, where there were 4 Irish players in the top 4, wow just wow.

or, lest we forget John "D4" O'Shea final tabling a W.S.O.P. Event, with his dodgy visor

Rory "I'm too sexy for my shirt" Reese Brennan winning the I.P.C.

but there is another aspect of Boards I don't Like.... The "I'll play you heads up for bank rolls mentality"... I suppose there is a little bit of arrogance needed to play poker, but I feel this is gone a little to far, but that's me I suppose.

Due to work, and trying to get healthier etc., I will be playing much less tournaments during the week and with so much choice around I will have to pick my weekend games wisely, so I might be me around the poker rooms as much

Good luck to everyone playing in the Irish Open this years, lets hope for more success from Irish Players, que chance to use my favourite picture

ROLL ON THE IRISH OPEN - YEPEE -

to sign off all I can say is smile (it helps the recession thing a bit) and try to treat people at the poker tables the way you would like to be treated,

You can follow the thread and replies here.....

Smurph

March Madness at the Jackpot

2009-03-30T11:15:00.017+01:00

Friday 27th March - Jackpot March Madness
I was really looking forward to this event, especially after my early exit form the Fitz E.O.M. game. I hadn't been to the Jackpot in over 3 years I would say, so I decided to give the March Madness a spin. It certainly looked alot better than I remember it, great atmosphere in the place. Registered, and headed to Ryans pub where I met Barney, Bernie and their brother Hugh, we had great fun, and headed over to play the game. I got off to a flyer and had my 7K starting stack up to 13.5k by the dinner break, to ensure I didn't have any of the fine chinese on offer, I headed over to ryans for a few more vodkas, with Willow and her son keith. I had seen him dealing a few tournaments around the place, but had never played at the same table as him. He is a nice young fella, with a good sense of the game, he obviously got that from his mam. He had over 40K stack and was asking me what way I would play it. I felt like saying your talking to the wrong person here, I very rarely have a big stack of chips early in a tournament. I just said to play his normal game, try not to develop limpitis and feel he has to be in every pot etc.,

When we went back I found the tournament alot tougher, and I lost a few races 10's V AK etc., but kept picking my spots, I did get down as far as 7 big blinds which I pushed my J10 offsuit into AJ, but no fear J 10 x flop got me sorted out, and this helped me to get down to the final 2 tables. I had 22K in chips and the blinds were 600, 1,200 and I raised to 5K in lp with KdQd,
ciaran Corbett raised allin, and after a bit of a dwell I called, my stack dictated this as I felt if I fold, im left with 18K and blinds were going up in a few minutes. Anywas I was up against pocket 3's so I wasn't in too bad of shape

flop comes down 9d 10d 4s
turn is 3 but no fear dealer put up Jd on river to complete my straight flush

My stack got back up to over 50K and I took down a few more pots, raising the blinds uncontested, although I wouldn't have minded a few calls, so then my exit hand in 12th happended as follows.

blinds 1K 2K and Kieran Corbett raised to 8K in ep.... chip leader at the table goes all in..... I look down at 2 black queens and said call.

Kieran Folded, and the guy nearly started crying.... Ah B*llix he goes, I thought I could get you to fold... and turns over AK... the pot was nearly 160K
flop comes xxK
Ace on turn
Coat and bag sorted by the river. Had a great night, happy enough with my play, definitely feel a little bit more confident with it at the moment.
Ended up that the guy who won with the AK hand went onto win the tournament.

Saturday 28th March Ireland 1 Bulgaria 1
All I can say about this Match is muck, utter and complete muck
Sky Sports Match report is certainly more flattering than I could possibly be

Sunday 29th March Team Event
the Team Event was on Sunday and I was asked if I would like to be on Team Fortune, which I was delighted with. I headed into town, and hedged my bets and went into Ryans at 3.30 p.m. only to find my team mates deep in strategy, whether to buy another pint before going accross to the Jackpot.... lol.... The Tournament was a 6K starting stack and 25 minute clock, 60% of the prize pool was going to the team event and 40% going to the Individual prizes, you had a floating player i.e. 3 of your teams points matter so first gone didn't effect the team too much. I started well, getting AQ AJ AK 10's etc., and doing standard raises, which got through. I had Rob taylor on my right, but didn't really know many of the other players at the table. Recognised one guy who is a dealer, and was quite active early on. I was still hovering around 6K when this hand happened.

Blinds 100 200 and I raised to 600 in lp with pocket 9's guy on button calls.
flop comes down 8d 9d Jc,
I bet out 900, and he re-raised to 2K... The flop was scary enough, flush draws straight draws etc., I decided to put him a decision and shipped my remaing stack over the line. He thought about it for a while and eventually called. I was up against my dream hand
8c 9c... blank 4d on the turn meant he was drawing dead 8 on river..
He said he put me on an over pair..

so by the break im up to 14k and flying. Checked out how my team mates were doing, not too good. Bridie hand flopped a set in hand 3 and got it all in v a straight draw, and the guy gets his straight on the River, she had 600 chips left, and had gotten that up to 1,500. Barnie had 2.5k and hugh was gone... not to worry,

When we went back after the break, Alan Gibbins got moved to my table and he was a raising machine. I tried to snap off a few raises but that didn't stop him... then Padraig Parkinson gets moved to my left, but he was short stacked a bit thank god,

I called his all in holding Ak v his pocket 4's
flop 10 J 2 Q on turn
and Padraig was in Ryans by the river card

Then Tadgh "The Metal Man" got moved to my left although his Metal man tee shirt was in the wash and wasn't been worn until the Irish Open. He had only been at the table an orbit when this hand happens
Blinds are still 300 600 and Alan gibbins does his standard raise to 2,100.
I call in the sb with AcQc
Tadgh does his standard dwell/stare and flat calls.

Flop comes down Qd 3c 8c - nice one. I check
Tadgh shoves all in for 3,800 and Alan calls. Now what to do, just flat call and check the turn or push here, I decided to push because alan could have a wide range here....he dwells up and folds eventually, tadgh turns over Qh 6d... and I win the pot, and knock tadgh out.

blinds move to 400 800 and I have a nice stack of 20K plus so im motoring.. Im in the BB and a guy raises to 3.5k utg... it's folded around to me and I look down at AsAc. i check the guys stack and he has about 25K so has me covered. I decide to peel a flop because I might lose my customer.

flop comes down K 4 3 Rainbow I check and he checks. Turn is a 5. I bet out 8K and he raises all in, I called and he turned over pocket 4's for a flopped set. Felt a bit unlucky here, if I re-raised pre-flop he is going away, but hindsight is brillant. Went over to Bridie, she was still in and had 13K plus. Went back over to Ryans and the place was buzzing with poker players all having a couple of drinks. I had a few beers with willow and then headed home. Checked the results the next day they were as follows

team event

1st boyle poker 3000
2nd team mafia 2000
3rd devilfish 1000

individual prizes were as follows

1st dave byrne 1100
2nd bridie gribbin 700
3rd nicolas newport 600
4th rob taylor 500
5th maurice buckley 400
6th veronique gourdon 250
7th pete murphy 200
8th paul spillane 150
9th rebecca mcadam

Can't believe Bridie got 2nd place, after her comeback from being down to 600 chips.... Well done girl. I will hopefully post up a few pictures of the weekend (C/O barney's camera and willows camera).
Had a brillant weekend and the Simon community was the biggest winner here, and I heard that
the charity made 10k.... nice one

Photos - C/O Barneys Digital Camera

"Right after this photo we can sneak over to the pub again.... deal"

Team Photo, all together now smile

Wow look, Sean Gregory can jump 10 foot high for €20 bet... lol

The 2nd place finisher in the Invidual prizes goes to
drumroll
drumroll

Bridie Gribbin... well done girl

FITZ END OF MONTH TOURNAMENT

2009-03-26T12:10:00.023Z

Fitzwilliam E.O. M. Tourney 26th March 2009

I had made a conscious effort to have the right frame of mind going to tonight's game, as I have played dreadful stuff in this the last few months. work went well, quiet enough and I headed over to Jackie Skellys for a swim and Jacuzzi. I haven't been there in a while, due to flu, dodgy stomach and pure laziness.... got to the club bang on 8.30 p.m. They were hanging out the rafters, 114 runners which meant 10K first prize wow. My starting table for the game was tough enough, Rory Brown, sean Prenderville and a couple of other good players aswell, so chips would be har to come by. Apparently there is supposed to be a recession but that was not apparent by the 114 runners for this.

I was gone by Level 2,
Blinds 50 100 and a limper in ep.. I raise to 500 in Lp with KsKh folded around to the limper who ships their whole tank over the line 5K + and I called because
(a) im no Rob Taylor
(b) im in the Fitz

im up against AQ
Flop brick
Turn gives player a straight draw but 3 spades on board and I have Ks
Alas the Ah appears on the river and im gone

Gave 2K away easily to Sean Prendeville pocket 9's earlier against pocket Jacks.

donked away some more money in Cash games

Kind of dissapointed in a way because I was really looking forward to the game, but I want AQ to push here all day every day and twice on Sundays.

There was a comment made to me at the table about getting into this tournament free which I thought was a little offside.

A player was on a decision for their tournament life after Sean Prendeville raised all in.. About a minute had passed and another player at the table called "clock".. I said that I thought it was bad form to call clock on someone when they are on a decision for their tournament life.

The answer I got back was "Well €270 is alot of money to people who have to pay into the tournament, unlike other people who don't"..

I didn't think there was any need for that to be honest, yes I get paid into the E.O. M. Tournament along with the other members of the Players Committee in the Fitzwilliam,it is something that is widely known, and is certainly no secret, but that has no relevance on whether calling clock on someone after a minute is right, but everyone to their own.

Im playing the Charity game in The Jackpot March Madness weekend and am really looking forward to just chilling out and having a couple of drinks before the game, it's shaping up to be a great night..

WOW WHAT A WEEKEND - JUST WOW

2009-03-23T12:20:00.009Z

Friday 20th March 2009 Bruce Poker Tour
So the Bruce Poker Tour was hitting the Glenroyal Hotel in Maynooth, and myself and Martin had decided to head to this. The structure was good and the starting stack of 10K for €120 with 15K for a top up for €50 meant that they could be some serious play involved. Tight is right was the plan of action as I punched the hotel into my Sat Nav and headed to Maynooth.....they got 146 runners
My starting table had Fran Egan, Brian from Green Joker Poker and a few other faces that I recognised. I managed to play like a baby for the whole time until the break and had my buy-in alreadyand was down to 14K, in fact if I had played any worse I would have thrown myself out of the tournament ...

When I came back from the break the blinds were 300 600 which left me with over 20 big blinds so loads of play. I did notice that people seemed to panic too quickly and wanted to take spin up or go home, people with 20K plush stacks which seemed a little odd to me. Over the next two levels I actually hit flops and made bog standard decisions at the right time and got my stack up to over 40K which I was delighted with.

The next couple of hours are a blur, mainly because of being wrecked tired.... I had moved tables a couple of times and kept the head down, picked on a few short stacks when I felt the time was right, and got well paid with Kings V AJ on a jack high board. There was some serious banter going on at the tables, Phil "the bomber" harris was in flying form as was Ken Powell... 2 of the biggest hands of the tournament happened for me against Ollie Boyce

The First hand I had been moved back to his table, where he had 800/900 K stack and was using it very well. He is an extremely aggresive player and can put players on decision for their tournament at will
Blinds were 8K 16k and I was playing about 450K
I make it 50K to with AdQd, from lp, ollie called from the BB..
Flop comes down 3d 8d 9h..
he checked I bet 100K and he announced all in..
I decided my two overs and flush draw was way enough here and I called. He had kh 4h. and I got my flush on the turn.
This was one of those hands where he could get me off alot of pots. so I got a massive double up just before we got to the Final table.

The final table had Phil "the Bomber harris" myself, Ken powell, Ollie boyce Kieran Taggart (Dit_Tag). I had Ken, Ollie and Kieran as my major threats and the chip leader was on my left hand side. I had never seen him before and only was at his table for a short while, but he was using he massive chip stack to good use.
It was the first final table that I have been at in a long time that I had a huge chip stack (approx 950K) odd at the start of play. The Final table started with blinds at 10K 20K with 1K ante...

so to the 2nd hand of note against ollie again.
Blinds were 10K 20K and he makes it 70K for EP... It is folded to me on the button and I look down at AdJd... and Called.
flop is A 8 9 rainbow. He checked and I bet out 100K and he says "all in".. for about 400k.. I called and he had set of Aces.....

I took a hit in my stack but still had about 450K so I wasn't out just yet. Before if something like this happened to me I would panic especially doubling up the most dangerous player at the table, but I regrouped and decided this wasn't going to get to me.

Ken Powell was very unluck to go out in 10th Place when his Jacks ran into Queens all in pre-flop. He played a blinder, especially after getting his Kings done by A9 with 3 tables out.... for a 200K plus pot all in pre-flop... oh the other guy got runner runner straight

3 players followed that in quick succession and Ollie eventually went out in 6th place. He mad a few calls, based purely on the odds he was getting. I called an all in with AQ V pocket 8's and got my stack back up to nearly 800K.. I then knocked out Marie Mooney the only other woman at the table. She played a great game and had been nursing a short stack forever. We got down to 3 handed fairly quickly and there was alot of all button pushing going on... Eventually Chris Fitzpatrick got knocked out in 3rd and it was heads up.
there was 3.4 million in play and I had 1.8 Million so there only 200K in the difference in our stacks. With blinds at 40k 80K I asked if he wanted a split down the middle. It was 8.45 a.m. in the morning and to be honest I was absolutely shattered.
We took €3,875 each + €750 ticket for JP's Masters Game (after leaving tips for dealers)

Fair play to Bruce Poker and the staff for putting on a Great game and I cannot wait for the Masters game in May with te €100k guaranteed it is sure to be a great weekend. didn't get home to near 10.00 a.m. and was absolutely wrecked, but HAPPY

Saturday 21st May 2009 - COME ON IRELAND
What a day, so much to do/see/play......
I was actually really nervous today about the Wales V Ireland Match......
Warren Gatland was mouthing off a bit trying to turn up the heat and the
Irish Independent article during the week pretty well sumed it up

I had decided I was going to play in the Touch Ireland Charity Game
in the Fitzwilliam card club at 4.00 p.m.......There were over 70 runners,

The kick-off for the rugby Match was 5.30 p.m. so tension was high in the Card Club.

Martin meanwhile had won the freeroll for 3 Irish open Tickets with Poker Ireland
so he headed off to the Crowne Plaza, and I headed to the Fitz.... God I was absolutely wrecked and managed to run my kings in Aces of rory (hicloy) from Boards, but rushed over to Larry Murphys to watch the last 20 minutes of the game. congratulations to Teresa (a fitz regular) who was part of the 4 way split in the charity game,

I didn't think it was possible to see so many people nearly cry with happiness but the outpouring of joy when we won the match was brillant. I cannot really put into words what it meant so I will leave it up to the experts at the irish Independent to do it justice.

I had put up a youtube Video of the final minutes of the Ireland Wales match but the IRFU have removed it from youtube so the picture below really sums up the feeling of a Nation when Wales missed the penalty

February - Rugby, Soccer, Swimming, Fitz Madness

2009-02-23T14:37:00.001Z

Tuesday 3rd February- F*ckin Snow/traffic
So left work at 5.00 p.m.
had cunning plan to go swimming, let all the plebs sit in cars and I would swim, have a jacuzzi, relax then head home with no stress home.

Left Jackie Skellys Parkwest at 6.30 p.m.
9.00 p.m. I got to within 200 yards of the slip road exit for the M50 at Palmerstown. Then 2 big Garda jeeps, bully everyone out of the way with sirens going like ninety - they stop and put out a big flashing sign "ROAD CLOSED" f*King joking.

so I have to drive straight, take the exit sign for liffey valley with cunning plan to get on M50 at the roundabout at the clarion hotel. Articulated truck is jacknifed on roundabout, sigh.

I have to drive back past liffey valley shopping centre past Liffey Fitness centre, onto the Ballyfermot road, where I sit in car and get pelted by little f*ckers with snowballs... At this stage I have lost the will to live and seriously consider driving over one of the little feckin ankle bitters, but hold myself back by doing breathing excercise, which cause dizziness because I haven't eaten since 1.00 p.m. at it is now 9.30 p.m.

I get home at 9.50 p.m. could have made it at 9.40 p.m. but I stopped off to get DRINK, DRINK DRINK.....

have a bottle of wine, go to bed, close my eyes and suddenly my alarm goes off and its time to do it all over again........

I hate this country........ I really really really do....

Thursday 5th February
Went for a swim across the road to Jackie Skelly's. up to 40 lengths now, so delighted with myself. I am going to have combine the gym and the pool because I stayed the same weight in WW this week which I am a little bit disapointed with to be honest. Played the satellite for the Deepstack game in the Redcow. This week has been a nighmare getting to and from work. I really honestly believe that French Players are the biggest slowrolling trollops ever..... the collusion at my table was as blatent as I have ever witnessed
Example
Not exactly sure what way the betting went preflop, but the Bearded french guy did a small raise and was called by Shaven headed french guy
Flop comes down Kd 2d 2x
Bearded guy bets out 500, French Shaven Guy calls
Turn comes 4d, they both start talking in french.
Bearded guy checks, Shaven guy bets 500 into a pot now approximately 1,600
Bearded guy Folds Ad kc face up, the other guy show Qd 7d

How could the bearded guy fold,
He was getting 4 to 1 on the call, and folds top pair with nut flush draw!!!

The Shaven french guy slowrolled Tadgh in a hand and then did an even worse one.
He turned over a Q on a QQ988 board and waited for the other guy to show his Queen and then he turns over his 2nd card the 9 for a better house

Im beginning to dislike slowrollers more and more

Anyway I gave all my chips away to one of the French guys mentioned above. sigh. Have decided to play the €500 game on Saturday, great structure with 10K starting stack and 40minute blinds so hopefully I will get more into the game

Friday 6th February - Schalps game in the Fitzwilliam
Had come 3rd in this last week so I was really looking forward to it, after a trip across the road for a lovely swim I headed in for the Schalps game. I lasted 2 levels lol. My 2nd buy-in of chips went in the strangest of fashions. Blinds are 50 100 and a guy raises to 500 in MP, I look down at two black aces and announce call and throw in a red 1K chip... guy to my left says call and throws in 150 in chips.. Dealer explains that it was already raised to 500, he mutters something and calls. Immediately I just know it's gonna be a car crash.

Flop comes down Ks Qd 9h rainbow. Initial raiser checks I bet out 1200 and guy to my left calls. turn is 8s... I ship my remaining 2.5k over the line and he mumbles that he has to call because the 8s has given him sooo many outs??

I turn over my AA and he turns over 6s 10s, so he has a double belly buster straight draw and flush draw.... 7h on river seals my fate. Thought his bet on the flop was dubious to say the least but there you go. Went down and played some cash, and ran equally as cold. After losing my inital buy-in of €200 I decided to call it a night. Sometimes you just know its not gonna happen, and thankfully I have enough cop on nowadays to leave.

Saturday 7th February - Ireland 30 V France 21 Six Nations Thriller
Im not going to pretend that im completely up to speed on the Irish Rugby squad so below is a write up that was done in the Irish Independent which I feel was brillantly written.

Team mates congratulate Gordon D'Arcy, scorer of Ireland's third try. Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Saturday February 07 2009

Ireland edged an enthralling RBS 6 Nations clash at Croke Park to claim a rare victory over France that underlines their status as genuine title contenders.

Jamie Heaslip, Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy ran in brilliant tries as the Irish registered their first triumph against Les Bleus since March 2003, a sequence spanning seven Tests. O'Driscoll's try was particularly pleasing with the Ireland skipper showing the acceleration and finishing ability that seemed to be on the wane in recent seasons. Lions selectors will certainly have enjoyed the score and a key moment in the match that could yet signal a return to form for the 30-year-old. Man of the match Heaslip will have done his own chances of making the tour to South Africa no harm with an athletic finish from a similar position that emboldened Declan Kidney's men. Ronan O'Gara chipped in with 15 points as the Irish, justifying their status as match favourites, landed a crucial early blow in the Six Nations title race. So often the stumbling block, France were swept aside in a clinical final quarter that saw Ireland display cool heads to claim a precious scalp. Further satisfaction could be taken from the knowledge this was a dangerous French side that threatened to overhaul their rivals in a breathless encounter that gripped Croke Park. Number eight Imanol Harinordoquy and winger Maxime Medard crossed, the former rounding off a brilliant passage of play, while the boot of Lionel Beauxis did the rest for Les Bleus. Strong early running yielded a penalty for O'Gara and Ireland were also able to take comfort in their early defence with Sebastien Chabal flattened by swarms of tacklers. France were being harried at every turn but Julien Malzieu and Clement Poitrenaud, attacking from a scrum in their 22, almost wriggled through as the initiative changed hands. Ireland survived a five-metre free-kick and France continued to press with a quickly-taken line-out that saw Chabal exact revenge with a bulldozing run. And Chabal was involved when France surged ahead with a magnificent try in the 13th minute. Harinordoquy punched the first hole in Ireland's defence when he steamrollered over O'Gara, who had obviously been targeted as the weak link. A clever kick from Malzieu continued the move which openside Thierry Dusautoir was on hand to rescue by gathering the ball and feeding Yannick Jauzion. Possession was recycled to Chabal out wide on the left and the Sale lock combined with winger Medard to send Harinordoquy over. Beauxis converted but O'Gara landed a second penalty shortly after to keep Ireland snapping at their heels. Ireland surged ahead in the 34th minute with a try that nearly matched France's for brilliance. Kearney and Tommy Bowe made the initial inroads but it was Heaslip who did the telling damage, accelerating into space and weaving his way to the line where he fended off last-ditch tackles from Poitrenaud and Medard. O'Gara converted but there was still time before the interval for Beauxis to land a drop goal. The second half was two minutes old when Ireland stormed further ahead with O'Driscoll showing vision and acceleration to cross under the posts. Quick line-out ball was fed to O'Driscoll who, from a near standing start, raced between the narrow gap separating Beauxis and Jauzion before wrong-footing Medard to score. O'Gara converted to put Ireland 10 points ahead but France struck back seven minutes later, Beauxis chipping out wide for Medard to cross in the corner. Les Bleus were clinically reeling their opponents in, Beauxis sending over his second drop goal as a grandstand finished beckoned. But in the final quarter, it was Ireland who emerged the dominant side. D'Arcy, on for Paddy Wallace, side-stepped his way over from eight yards out in the 66th minute to put them back in control. Beauxis and O'Gara swapped penalties in the final five minutes, but the home fans had already begun celebrating a famous victory knowing Ireland's lead was unassailable.

- Duncan Bech, PA Sport

Wednesday 11th February, Ireland V Georgia World Cup Qualifier, Croke Park.
Well the auld saying "Freeze the balls off a brass monkey" came to mind as I sat in the absolute freezing weather watching a bunch of overpaid gobsh*ts passing the ball aimlessly around a pitch.... Give me a GAA match anyday meh meh meh. The first Half was absolute Dire tripe of the highest order. Then in the 2nd half we got a very very very dubious penalty, but hey take whatever you can get. It's like going all in with AcKc V AdKd and hitting your flush, you are a little embarressed but get over it when you are stacking the chips lol. Final score 2-1 to Ireland....

I thought it was going to be one of those nights, we had a few.
Remember our dismal 0-0 draw against Liechtenstein in the European championship Qualifier game in June 1995 and our stunning 3-2 Victory against the part time footballers of Malta in September 1999..........Im still convinced the guy serving us breakfast at our hotel was the Maltese Goalie.

Yes we were lucky, blessed even with the penalty, but they need to re-group and move on. Maybe it's the kick in the hole the team needs before their Match V Bulgaria in March.

Friday 13th February - superstitious or what - Fitz Schalps madness
This was a non event really, started well and then did a squeeeeze play and ran into KK and AA lol, ah well. There was a guy at my table who had the worst tell ever, it was actually quite amusing, he would do the heavy breathing when he had a good hand and actually blow out air, Lazare from boards was at my table aswell and we both had a good laugh about it at the break.

Saturday - Valentines day - all together now AAAAAAWWWWWW.
To be honest I probably hate Valentines day as much as I hate Christmas day and that's saying something but this time, we decided to make and effort and went siam thai restaurant in Andrew street, and had a lovely meal, coctails, vodka and wine..... mmm..... and guess what, shock horror gasp, I had a great night. It had been such a long time since we both went out for a nice meal. I cannot recommend the restaurant enough and the staff were really friendly. Price was reasonable aswell.

Sunday 15th February
Was supposed to go into the Fitz for the Irish Open Satellite but unfortunately my neck siezed up, so im in for a few days of pain and trips to the chiropractor I feel. poor me, yuck bags

Friday 20th February
No gym or swimming this week, but 3 trips to the Chiropractor to get my neck back into some sort of shape. Really dissappointed with my weight loss (or lack thereof over the last 2 weeks), but keep the head up. Work has been very stressful the last few weeks aswell, which is really affecting my concentration outside of work. I need to let it go and forget about it in the evening time, easier said than done, my poker has gone to shit aswell, pushing at the wrong spots, over complicating things, refusing to do the most simple of folds. Need to get my act together soon. I got some good news work today, we are bringing over a few people for the Ireland V England rugby on Saturday 28th February, and my boss is bringing me to the match and to L'Ecrivian Restaurant restaurant on the Friday Night, and Thorntons Restaurant on the Saturday for lunch, before the match, so im over the moon with that, although I will have to bleedin starve myself next week.

Went across to Jackie Skellys after work and did a tentative 20 lengths of the swimming pool, and relaxed in the Jacuzzi. Then headed into the Fitz for the Schalps game. Had no luck in the game itself, then played some cash. Did okay in the Omaha game and also played a little pl holdem aswell. Stayed too late and didn't get home til 7 a.m. which is so unlike me. Saturday was a non event, sleeping and vegetating around. Suppose that is what weekends are for.

January, Swimming, Wiifit & Irish Open Package..

2009-01-19T09:34:00.001Z

JANUARY - PROBABLY THE LONGEST MONTH OF THE YEAR MENTALLY
I hate January, lots of resultions, withdrawal symptons from all the alcohol and rich food that you have stuffed down your gob. This year with the way Christmas fell we had a really long break, the negative part of that was the dreaded first full week back in Work. God it was the longest week ever, not that im complaining because I am delighted to still have a job, and there are so many people facing into a very uncertain future.

Wednesday 7th January - back to Weight Watchers
So I did the dreaded walk of shame and headed back. I was up 3IIbs which considering I drank every day over christmas and twice on Sunday I was quite happy with that, thank god I did a little bit of swimming over christmas. I also had the weekend in Galway for the IPC just to kill me off totally.

Thursday 8th January -
Went back to Jackie Skellys for the swimming. I have got myself up to doing 3 sets of 10 lenghts at a time and walking 4 lenghts of the pool in between the sets to catch my breath. I haven't been going to the gym itself so next week I will try to get doing the two of them.

Friday 9th January
Myself and Martin headed out to Jps Game in Molloys pub in tallaght for the satellite for the Green Joker Poker Deepstack Festival. It was a €1,500 buy-in so unless I get a ticket there is no way im paying that amount of money for it. I called a raise to 600 in sb with 6h 7h (there were a few callers) and I got the magic flop of
8h 9h 10 ching ching... check check check back to the original raiser who bets out 1.5K
I ship my remaining 7.5k on top of his bet over the line, and he says the immortal words
"I know you have nothing I call" yepee and turns over Ah Js
Turn is Qs "well played sir.

Martin was still in the game so I headed to the Fitz for a steak and salad, mmmm. He got knocked out in 10th, after making a great comeback
Played a few hours of cash in the club. It was absolutely packed out the door 10 cash tables going and 90+ for the tournaments. wow..

Sunday 11th January
I had bought Martin & his son tickets for the Man Utd V Chelsea game in Old Trafford for christmas and they headed over for the match. Martin is a Chelsea fan, so he was very very quiet at the match. The final score was 3 - 0 for Utd, and they looked seriously impressive.
This is a photo of the pitch being watered (they drowned it apparently) before the match.

They said that the atmosphere was brillant at the match, although all the chanting was about Man City

I went to the gym and did the swimming. Nothing much else happened. Played an online Satellite for the GJP Deepstack Festival and had no joy. Gave all my money away with the monsters 8's V Aces lol.

Monday - Wednesdy 11th -14th January
They were just normal straight forward days work, gym for my swim and home for Noodles and healthy stuff. So my weigh-in was tonight. God I was nervous. I lost 3 IIbs..... yepee yahoo, over the moon, absolutely delighted. There was a family who had joined the previous week and they all lost weight aswell, a stone in weight between them. I was absolutely thrilled, went home and did half an hour on the Wiifit board (no point in me trying to explain it, but it is great fun).... I am now a champion downhill ski jumper, slalem racer, and pretty mean huala hooper aswell..
One of the receipes in the WW (weightwatchers) was for the following

Butternutsquash & Red Pepper soup I know strange, but it is gorgeous.
I know your going blah blah blah but try it out, its really nice. I was such a twat I had to ask where the Butternut sqush was in Tesco's -it looks like this.

You basically peel it and chop it. There are seeds in the middle like what you find in melon.
Anyway the receipe.
1 Butternut squash
1 large onion
1 red pepper
2 Knorr vegetable stock cubes

Peel and chop the onion, butternut squash and the red pepper and put into a saucepan of boiling Vegetable stock (about 1.5 pints) (made up of 2 Knorr stock cubes) bring to boil and then simmer for 15 - 20 mins (until the butternutsquash is soft).
Whack in a blender to blend, finished.
It is really sweet tasting and no fat in it at all.
Also while trolling though stuff looking for a list of W/W points etc., I came across this litte Gem
Basically on the left hand side of the page she has listed out all the bad points for all the fast food joints etc., and a few receipes etc., So it should be good

Thursday 15th January
Work was busy busy busy, but good, can't believe it's only the 2nd week back in work. Headed over to Jackie Skelly's and did my swim, really struggled to do the 30 lengths, but managed it in the end. I felt like shit, achy joints and just generally feeling like crap.. Went home, played a $50 freezout satellite on PPPoker for their 250K guaranteed game on Sunday night and won a ticket - so $50 investment for a $320 dollar ticket. Felt like utter crap so went to bed early

Sunday 18th January
Well I had won a ticket into the 250K guaranteed game on at 7.00 p.m. on Paddy Power Poker, and decided to give the Irish Open Satellite a go which started at 8.00 p.m. What a night. My nerves were in tatters and to be honest when we got down tothe final 6 with 5 packages I nearly pucked.... Myself and Martin were screaming at the screen when 2 players went to war with AK V AJ (the AK guy was all in)... I know it is a terrible thing to do but we were screaming Jack Jack Jack we need a feckin Jack.... It duly came on the river, thank you Paddy Power Poker, so I qualified for the Irish Open PPP Sole Survivor

The strange thing is that I had played my first ever Celtic Poker Event and had made it to day 2. I had driven back down to Clonmel Park hotel today and got my 25K stack all in with Pocket Queens V AcKc and a king on the flop sealed my faith.

I would like to thank the dealer for putting the King on the board, otherwise I wouldn't have played the Irish Open Satellite.

I am sooo excited it is unreal, what will I be like by the time the Irish Open comes along...unbearable....

IPC Championships - Galway

2009-01-05T12:36:00.000Z

Irish Poker Championships Galway
Headed down to the Irish Poker Championships solo as Martin had to work over the weekend. He called me the C word as I waved him goodbye on Thursday (and it wasn't Cow). Gave Pat Vickers a lift down and we headed off about 2.... I checked into the Radisson and the room was superb, I had forgotten how good the hotel is. Arrived down changed put face on and headed to the Eglington. It was on the way there that I realised I had packed everything. swim gear clothes kitchen sink, but no fuck*ing jacket. Galway is cold at the best of times but January would take the skin off you.. Noel Hayes thankfully was on hand to give us a lift. Registered for the satellite and headed off for a bit to eat with Rob Taylor and Cat O'Neill.

We went to the eglington. it was packed to the rafters, I never got going in this and played like a handbag to be honest. Headed back to the hotel, stayed drinking in the residents bar til all hours

There is always a good buzz about the IPC Events in Galway, the joe soap players mixing with the professional, and the bling bling players as I call them, none come bigger that The Devilfish. He was up signing with the band on the Friday and Saturday night (the band were excellent), you would nearly forget that you were down to play a game of poker. I of course forgot about his and managed to stay drinking in the residents bar so long that I managed to go have breakfast before I went to bed, great training indeed.

Main Event

I got up at 12 noon and got my swim gear together and wento to the Leisure Centre/Spa attached to the hotel. It was fabulous, mosiac tiles everywhere, I managed to do 30 lenghts of the pool and sat in the steam room and jacussi for way too long. 2.5 hours later I surfaced feeling wrecked. Not a great start. I had to lie down for an hour... the the penny dropped. I was massively dehydrated. 5 pints of water later and I was ready to head to my table, table No. 38 seat 3. The only player I knew at my table was Pat O'Callaghan (carrigean) from Boards, he looked as bad as I felt, we were both wreck. I managed to give him 3K with Aq on an A 8 4 board (he had a set of 8's)... His bet on the river stank of a set, and I was raging with myself for calling. How can I sum up the day. well i was getting brillant cards and kept running into Sets. ie Raise in lp with AJ soooted flop AJ7 run into set of 7's what's a girl supposed to do... I was down to 900 chips twice, yes 900 chips and managed to finish the day on 7,775 in chips, with blinds 300, 600 coming back on day 2 I would have to hit the ground running. To say I ran well is an understatement, one example of this is when I got my stack back up from 900 to 4K for the 2nd time, I raise to 1K utg blinds are 200 400 (i have aces), guy puts me all in with pocket jacks. I stand up because it is the first time I have been all in while being ahead, he laughed.

flop comes down KKJ I collect my gear. Blank on the turn and the miracle King on river to conterfiet his jacks, how sick is that. Sam (JBravado) from boards kept saying that he had a good feeling about me all day lol.

Retired to the bar where I met Jessie May. It was so strange having him say "Hiya Smurph" to me... he then said that he reads Boards.ie nice one. Padraig Parkinson was in his usual flying form, there was a great bit of banter going on. Paul Spillaine was there and we had some great laughs.

Day 2

Play was resuming at 2.00 p.m. and when you are as shortstacked as I was you need to be in your seat and ready for action. I table had one player with a mountain of chips, the rest of us were in the shove or fold mode. I was the most aggressive player at the table which was strange and managed to get my stack up to 16K when this hand happens. Johnny Weafer had been moved to my direct left, yuck, although he had about 8k... I raised to 2.5K utg with AQ suited and he pushed for 8K.. I thought about it long and hard and eventually called he had kings, no miracle Ace for me and I was dead in the water. That set me back again and with ever increasing blinds I eventually pushed J9offsuit into Johnny Weafers AK. I was disappointed that I didn't get a good go at it on day 2, but them's the breaks. There was an incident later on in Day 2, heading into day 3 that has been well talked through on boards In This Thread so im not going to say too much about it except that I think Poker Events handled a very tough situation very well and the biggest winner overall was the Charity Event. Well done Fintan, Donal and Party poker.... great decision

Cash Games

I played cash games for most of the evening while drinking Coors light mmm I love Coors Light. I ran very well in the cash games, although mainly because nobody believed me.

Example I raised to 30 on the button with pocket kings, as you do. blinds 1 2 live 5 straddle, and get 2 callers.

Flop comes down K 4 2 rainbow,

guy bets 100 into me.

99.9% of the time I flat call here, but feck it it was those kind of games,

I min-raised him which he took personally and shipped his €700 tank over the line, proudly turning over pocket 10's..

A few more players joined out table, a local guy from Galway who made me look like a stick insect.. he was a big guy with an even bigger smile.. Anyway its late in the night and the table is having the crack. Next thing a Dublin player gets in at the table (well known in the Circuit) Im not going to name names, there is no point anymore, anyway he starts mouthing off that if any player at the tables finds out their "Net Worth" he will play them heads up for bankrolls.. He then starts to spouting on that he is " by far and without any doubt the best player at the table, if not in Ireland"... Yes he was drunk, but why does he have to be from Dublin, it just drives me mad.

anyway the Galway guy to my left did an "Incredible Hulk" impersonation and said something along the lines that "If that Feckin Jackeen isn't removed from the room that he would Rip his head clear off his neck"... I departed the table post haste (carrying my provision of Coors light" of course). Anyway Marble head was thrown out, but the game split up shortly thereafter. The guy usually plays much higher stacks that €1 €2, and I would say a €2, €5 would probably be the smallest game he plays, well feck off and play heads up for bank rolls, and houses or whatever online..... meh

Sunday

Played the €550 game and got Micky Wernicked.

I raised on the Button with kings to 700 blinds 50 100 with a few limpers, Mick calls,

Flop comes down 2 6 7 rainbow, he checks

I bet 1,800 he calls.

Turn is a 9, he puts me all in I call and he turns over 8 10 for the straight, funny how I didn't see the straight there, sigh.

I headed off as the Chips saga was still in full swing. Who needs to watch telly to get the drama, when its happening right there in front of you. lol.

It was a great weekend and I well covered myself with my cash winnings, so happy all round.

New year resolutions

2008-12-19T16:42:00.000Z

********************************************************
2009 goals

POKER

1. Qualify for the Irish open -

2. Qualify for the WSOP

3. Win a €500 + tournament

4. Try to be nice to Bob Battersby

NON POKER

1. lose Weight, and stop whinging about it, make a bigger effort this year ***** most important goal of the year - everything else pales in comparison

2. Go on holidays to a Country ive never been to

3. Try not to get so stressed out in work, remember lifes too short

4. Prepare the spare Room for the overnight parties when IKEA opens

5. Try to find a place to learn Sign Language

6. Keep in touch with non poker friends more.

Unfortunately the new years resolution for next
year are a bit of a rinse and repeat for me.........

It's far from "Gucci" ya were reared

2008-12-10T10:40:00.000Z

The PokerRoom Tallaght

Had been having one of thos Manic Tuesdays where everything I did turned to sh*t. I was checking out boards during lunch and spotted This

Martin had mentioned it over the weekend and to be honest I thought it was a bit of "If it sounds too good to be true it probably is", but we gave it a go and what do you know I won ~~Martins Christmas Pressie~~ the Gents Gucci Watch.

It was our fist time at the poker room. Have to say that Ross and the staff are certainly trying hard to get a regular stream of players to the club, and fair play to them. The room itself is well laid out, clean, nice tables and a good standard of dealers.

The Atari Expo, well its bad, but lets not dwell on the negative. There was complimentary beer, soft drinks, pizza laid on for the break and all this for €5 reg fee.

1st prize was choice of
€1200 gucci gents watch (beautiful) or a
€1200 tag Heuer watch, + 8gig pre pay I-phone €498 or 80% cash equivalant.

2nd place is guaranteed a 50" H.D Ready L.G T.v, super T.v with free view and high gloss black case stunning t.V

When we got to the final table I had 36,500 in chips (blinds are 800 1500) so I wasn't in dire trouble. Chip leader was a bit mental (sparky was his nickname) he would regularly go all in blind and had about 78K, Ross (Mr. Poker Room) had 65K. Other player at the table I knew was Hyzepher from boards.

They opened a betting book for the final table and I was 4 to 1 (wtf), lol

1st hand of the table, Mr. Sparky went all in and showed KJ suited (mmm).
2nd Hand I get 2 red Aces utg, limp into pot.

Hyzepher goes all in for 25K followed by player beside him for 20K approx, unfortunately Sparky folded, I instacalled and was up against AJ and pocket 4's

My hand holds up, next hand I get AhKh and knock out another player and Im on over 90k and cruising.... A few interested spectators are happy as a pig in sh*t because they have money on me at 4:1 lol.

We get down to 3 handed fairly quickly when Ross takes out Sparky with A9 V A4, Sparky went all in on the button and Ross called him in the SB.

I had 80K
guy to my left has 65k
Ross has 120K +

The guy on my left is itching for a deal, and im after the watch. so we agreed on the following

I get Gucci Watch picture below mmmmmm
Guy to my left gets €600
Ross gets the balance....

The Cavan Poker Open

2008-12-07T14:09:00.000Z

Friday
I arrived down a little bit frazzled after the journey, between the traffic and the "rally of Ireland" type of roads; I needed a drink to settle my nerves. My room was cold, very cold, and there was an awful smell from the water in the shower (I had to run it for about 10 minutes)... Clean room otherwise etc.,

Went down and registered, Met Mick who had a big welcoming smile and gave me a big hug and said "welcome to the Cavan Open". He had been let down by 4 or 5 dealers and it became apparent that my table (No. 19) was going to be self deal, there was no chips on my table and I was given a silver case to put help put out the stacks (thank god im an honest person, cause I could have headed off with a load of chips lol). We had one of the new fancy tables with red velvet on them. A really nice table but it was very big for each person to be dealing. I offered to deal and play, which the table agreed to.

It wasn't an ideal situation but I felt that it would speed up the game a bit because you would be lucky to get 8 hands in the 40 minute levels. My game did not start very well, I turned the nut straight twice and because im a charitable person I paired the board on the river to give first player Quad 2's and the 2nd player a house... I couldn't even blame the dealer lol

I had my buy-in buy the end of level 4 so my cunning plan of tight is right did not work very well at all. Mick was very apologetic about my having to deal and eventually we got a dealer (Janice) I think was her name, and from what I saw of the other dealers, she was certainly in the top 3 dealers. I was dealing for 4 hours in total, Mick very generously game me a voucher for one of his other games, although there was no need, I had volunteered to do it (thanks Mick)

My new table was full of the "Any picture card will do" merchants. I eventually finished the end of the night on 27K (I had a stack of 112K to my right and 127K to my left) but I felt like I needed a medal for making day 2.

There was a few of the Dublin regulars had made the trip down. (the clamper had a nice stack, Sammy was there with troy and another guy who I don't know) A few bottles of Coors light and a very frustrating cash game. (kk no good v 46 lol) I went back to my fridge room for some sleep (I actually slept in a tracksuit)

Saturday
I decided to head to Cavan town for the drive, forgetting that most of the roads hadn't defrosted. The view from the Crover House Hotel was absolutely stunning, with a spectacular view over Lough Sheelin. Really is a beautiful part of Ireland.

After nearly ending up in the back of a tractor and sitting in the Dunnes Stores Car park for 30minutes in Cavan town looking for a parking space, I drover back to the Hotel.

The game started back at 4 p.m. with blinds at 800 1500 I needed to be in my seat by the start of play. Got Aces twice during the day and only got the blinds, queens 3 times and only got paid off once, meh. Got my stack up to 57k the highest peak I hit. I eventually pushed my pocket 4's into pocket Aces and that's all she wrote.
I got knocked out 60 something or other, then had to play "Dodge the Ditch" with the frozen ice rinks of roads then when I hit Navan the game changed to "spot the Road" as the freezing fog set in. I was never as glad to park the car up at my house; a few vodkas later I was fine.

The game itself had a few rules which I have never seen in my life. The musical chairs one was ineresting. When players got knocked out the new player was not put into the empty seat no. wherever the button was, the seat had to be made free to the right of them, so everyone at the table had to move around

The string betting rule was completely non existent, and so was speech play.

As for the Cavan Poker Open, would I go back again, The answer is yes, once they had dealers, (for a €500 game it is essential to have dealers on each table), although I realise that Mick was let down by a lot of dealers which is a shame.

I would change the musical chair rule with new players coming to the table, I know it has probably always been used up in Cavan but I have never seen it anywhere else. Also some of the dealers were doing the old style of shuffling the cards, which doesn't separate the cards, although I don't know if these were only stand in dealers...

I would also change the Cash chips (I have a case of them at home). The rake seemed very reasonable, although I don't know how Mick broke even, as with the lack of dealers there weren't many cash games going.

Well done to Mick and gang for running the game. Any news on final table and winners etc.,

The Fitz, The Hamster & Dionne

2008-12-02T13:02:00.000Z

The Fitz Festival
I had worked up Credits to play in this Festival, so had a free entry into the Main Event. Alot of work went into it by Marq and fair play to him and all the staff in the Fitz for putting on a great weekend. It is a terrible pity that it clashed with the Macau Winter Festival in Cork, but as the saying goes there ain't enough weekends, somethin was bound to clash, although personally I feel it was bad form of the Macau anyway....

Thursday E.O.M. Game
I had been determined to do my swim and Gym after work, and headed across to Jackie Skelleys. Really enjoyed the swim and felt great heading into the Fitz. I had a days holiday on Friday so for a change, I could stay very late mmmm.... My starting table was a good combination, Adam Fallon was to my right with the Clamper next to him. To be honest and frank I played like a muppet, never got going and was gone before the break, after donating most of my stack to the Clamper... Was going to play some cash, played a bit of omaha and then headed home. Head wasn't right. I got news that an Uncle of mine had passed away so I was going to be heading to Clare on Saturday.

Friday 28th Nov Top Gear - RDS
I had bought Martin a VIP trip to Top Gear for his Birthday (I know I spoil him too much lol) and of course I had to get a ticket for myself aswell, no point in him having all the fun. It mean't that we were going to miss the Schalps (Unlimited re-buys) madness in the Fitz, but we would get over it, oh look were over it. I had 2 aims for the night

1. To check and see if the hamster was really as small as he looked - Answer - yep
2. Was Jeremy Clarkson really that tall - Answer - yep

It was great fun. but the RDS was f*ckin freezing. I mean like Fridge Freezer cold. We had way way to much free wine before the kick off and the show itself was a mix of explosions, fireworks, a football match and alot of fun.

I had to head to the Funeral in Clare on Saturday which involved alot of driving in freezing fog. I can honestly say that the majority of drivers in this Country are fuck*in idiots on the roads, If the speed limit is 120 kph it doesn't mean that you have to drive at that speed while flashing the cars in front of you to get out of your way, even though the visiblity is fuckin zero..... Arsewips.....

I didn't get to play in the main event of the Fitz Festival but was delighted to hear it got 60 runners, and also the fitz gave out 5K in Single Table satellites on the day of the game. I played in the Omaha event on the Sunday night, got the bubble, which is fairly standard for me.

Dionne Warwick VicarStreet
I was wrecked after the weekend and to be honest it was really the last thing I wanted to go to. I just wanted a night in front of the telly. Went to the show and it was brillant. The crowd were all singing along and I left with a big huge smile on my face. She was awesome, a true professional, with a nice bit of wit aswell. In these depressing times we all need a bit of cheering up, and she was just what the Doctor ordered.

Finally I thought you would like this Video for the Dawin awards 2008 (hope it downloads, im a complete donkey when it comes to video downloads)

Bruce Poker Festival Green Isle Hotel

2008-11-17T15:23:00.000Z

JP teamed up with Bruce poker to supply us with a great weekend of Poker, the tournament details were as follows:-

Tournament Details Friday 14th Nov -

€10,000 Guaranteed & €5,000 and €2,500 Trip to Las Vegas Added
Reg 7pm
Game 8pm
Buy €120 (€15 Reg Included)
1 Rebuy or Top-Up €50
Starting Chips 5kRebuy/Top-Up 7k
Blinds 20 Min for 10 Levels followed by 30 Min
Dealer Dealt

Saturday 15th Nov -

€25,000 Guaranteed & €5,000 and €2,500 Trip to Las Vegas Added
Reg 2pm,
Game 4pm
Buy €250 (€30 Reg Included)
Starting Chips 20k
Blinds 30 Min for 10 Levels followed by 45 Min
Same Blind structure as this years WSOP main event
Dealer Dealt

Sunday 16th Nov -

€5,000 Freerole & Trip to Man Utd Champions League Game Added
Reg 1.30pm,
Game 2pm
Free In
1 Rebuy or Top-up 50 (no Reg)
Starting Chips 3k
Rebuy / Top-up 5k
Blinds 20 Mins
Self Dealt Until the Final Table

Sunday 16th Nov -

Est €10,000

Buy In €120 (€15 Reg Included)
Reg 6pm,
Game 7pm
Starting Chips 10k
Blinds 20 Mins
Dealer Dealt

I won a Satellite for the main game on the Saturday and decided to play the Friday night game, aswell to get a feel for the place, try and get an idea of the standard of play etc., It was the usual mix of players, some good, some bad and some atrocious. it was my first time in the Green Isle Hotel and it was a nice place and as usual JP ran a very smooth tournament. There was bounty on Nicky Power (sponsored player for Bruce Poker), which added a little spice to proceedings.

Friday Night Game
My table had only 2 players I knew both to my right. First guy was Damo Kavenagh who for some reason has a very loose agressive image at the table when in actual fact he is nearly the opposite. It is always a pleasure to have him at the table, he really enjoys the game, likes the bit of craic at the table. Beside him was a guy called Gary, who I had only played at a table with once or twice, but he is super super super aggresive, he would make Thomas "The bomber" Nolan look like a tight nitty rock of a player.

The game started with gary raising every 2nd pot and building a big stack. I decided to play tighty mctight and then lost 2.5 k to pocket kings on a 10 high board with air.... sigh. I have found that in tournaments recently I panic when I lose chips early on, so I was determined not to do the same, by the time we got to the break I had playable enough 15K stack. Over the next few hours I have worked my stack up to 80K by picking the right spots and putting people on serious pressure, then one brain fart and my stack is decimated

I played JJ horrendously (is there a good way to play JJ) and lose a 50K pot to pocket kings, then go on monkey tilt and my 8 10 is no good V pocket 9's (rigged I tell ya) out in 30th add at about 3.30 a.m.

Saturday Main Game,
Donal (semibluff) from Boards was on my table for the whole day and put on a masterful display of poker. I sat there like a complete tight nit because I got no cards, none whatsoever over the day. I had Bridie on my left hand side, christ we had a ball of a time chating. Her brother Barney who obviously had shares in Guinness was making sure that the quota was used for the day and was absolutely rubbered by the Dinner Break, so much so that he couldn't remember which table he was at.

I hovered around 9 - 11K for most of the day and then got my double up when My Jacks (at last) held up against AK.

The chips went in the middle preflop and the flop comes out
10 J Q rainbow,

I don't even notice the straight as im in pure shock that I have flopped a set.
The dealer politely paired the board on the turn to give me the pot...

Then Mr. Bruce Poker himself arrives at the Table, and announces that there is a bounty on his head, but the dealer politely gave him Aces twice Queens twice and AK 3 times in the next 15 minutes, so there was no chance of anyone knocking him out.

I gave him all my stack when I checked raised all in with yep you guessed it with JcJh on a
Ad 5c 7c 10c board drawing completely dead. He had top set with the Ac

Sunday Freeroll
I went out on the bubble, dealing myself when I slow played
Ad5d on a
Kh5c5h board,
and shipped my remaining stack in on the 2h turn and was insta called by Jh10h.....

Sunday €120 game
Realising that I have now turned into a charity instead of a poker player, I gratiously donated my whole stack to Denis (playable hand) drawing dead on the turn to his flopped straight....

I will be donatiing at the following venues over the coming weeks, roll up roll up the chips will be a flying.
Fitz Cash League
Fitz Festival
Cavan Poker Open

I think the best way to play pocket Jacks is to fold them..... the should have a warning with them "Proceed with Caution"....

Swimming/Dumbells and a bit of Poker

2008-11-11T10:33:00.000Z

Monday 3rd November

Darkened the door of the gym, did 20 lenghts of the swimming pool, followed by 15 minutes in the jacuzzi because I hadn't the energy to have a shower. Re-Joined Weight Watchers last week and christ it was as depressing as I expected it to be.....

Mental note to self, leave the bleeding chicken balls and coctail sausages alone at the tea break of poker tournaments, ya stupid fat cow....

Goal for November is to lose some weight, any amount, the problem is that I keep thinking about all the weight that I have to lose instead of just taking it a 11b at a time, also deep at heart im a lazy cow, which does not help matters much.

Tuesday 4th November

Headed across the road to Gym after work, did 30 minutes walk on thread mill then 10 minutes on this cross trainer thingy. It is a strange machine where you nearly feel dizzy when you are on it... not sure i'll ever get used to it. headed home for some healthy food and then myself and Martin headed into the Fitzwilliam for the €55 Double chance game.

I ended up splitting it 3 ways for €600 each and we left €175 for dealers. I actually enjoyed playing the game, hit flops, played quite well for a change, and yes made the tea break yepee.... There was a €270 game on in Malahide but it would have been nearly €550 out of the one househould and to be honest it's way to much, also October has been full of festivals and I just wanted to play a donkament (if that makes any sense)

Thursday 6th November

I read on Boards that a crowd call Poker Nights were running a Satellite for the Bruce Poker Game in the Green Isle Hotel. The structure looked great so I phoned Martin bout it aswell and we both decided to head along. I did the gym first and actually really enjoyed it (shock horror gasp).

The Satellite schedule was as follows

€50 Entry + €10 reg 8K starting stack 20 minute blinds. No running antes

I decided that the "tight is right" strategy for this game was the best policy.

There was alot of family pots going on and raises were not getting through. I was going to build up a tighty Mctight image and use it to my advantage later on. The poker gods however had other ideas and I actually got dealt great cards, pocket Aces twice which held up (amazing I know). I was never in trouble with my stack and had a healthy 38K going to the final table.

There was 3 Tickets up for grabs and 4th got €150.

My ticket was secured within 5 minutes of the final table..

I raised to 3.5 K with pocket 5's in mp (blinds are 500 1K) Big Blind (35K stack) calls.

Flop comes down A 2 5 rainbow.

He checks I bet out 6K and he announces "all In" I called and he turned over A 3 offsuit...

No suck out and Im hovering on 80K or so.

I just literally shut up shop. played only QQ KK AA. Myself and Martin ended up getting tickets so I cannot wait for the Bruce Poker Game on the 14th November

Friday Night Scalps Madness

Headed in to play in the Friday night Scalps game. My table was a strange one, because players were being knocked out at an incredible rate and their replacements had huge stacks, so our table played almost like a deepstack tournament instead of the usual "All in or fold" scenario. I played well enough but made an error of letting a guy in cheaply to catch his flush on the river, shame on me.

The club is starting to take shape, with some nice new pictures up on the wall. I had dinner in there tonight. Tried for the healthy option Salmon with salad which was absolutely top notch and only €11.. Played cash to try and get my hours up for the Cash league on the 22nd November.

Sunday 9th November James Bond "Quantum of Solace"

Went to see this today, was a little bit disappointed in the film to be honest. Yes there was the usual things blowing up, fight scenes, sexy new gadgets etc., etc., and a hotel built with apparently gas cannisters, but Bond was moody.

James Bond is way too cool to be moody, it's just not him. There wasn't any scenes of him coming out of the water in his swim gear which was also hugely disappointing.

Casino Royale was a much better film hands down, although the poker scenes were just lol.

nearly crashed the bleedin car

2008-11-03T11:48:00.000Z

Why you ask, well I tell you why, CHRISTMAS F*CKIN DECORATIONS UP ALREADY,

yep.... This house was spotted yesterday 2nd November 2008, and a house all lit up proudly... Christ I hate Christmas, but to start it on the 2nd November give me a break.....

We'll be lucky to get a McDonalds happy meaal and a few butter vouchers from Work......

Bah Humbuy Indeed

Thought you all might like this nice video I got last Crimbo... enjoy

Satellite Queen yepee - yahoo

2008-10-22T10:51:00.000+01:00

Well to be honest I hadn't given much thought to playing in this. Being away on holidays for two weeks and the IPO last weekend, but I spotted the I.W.F Last Chance Saloon and played the $14 re-buy tournament and snagged a ticket into the grand final on Tuesday 21st October. I had planned to go into the Sporting Emporium satellite but obviously played this instead. Managed to get a ticket. One hand I nearly folded Kings pre-flop, meh im no Rob Taylor, but this was definitely a spot to do it in. Ended up short stack had AA and the other stack had QQ, My kings won the side pot, but I lost a couple of thousand in the hand. If it smells of Aces, it generally is Aces.....

I am soo excited, yes the field is going to be tough, but that is what you want, to try and play poker with better players, it can only improve your game, and sure there will be loads of Internet Donkey qualifiers like myself.

Details of the Festival are here and I feel as a tradition it is necessary for the photo below

Well there is no point in starting a new post as I didn't last long enough to warrant it. I brought my D game with me,,,,, D is for DONKEEEEEEEEY EEEEEEEEE AAAAAAAAAA.. No point in trying to say that I was unlucky blah blah blah, truth is I got shortstacked, panicked and got knocked out once again before dinner break.... I did run set into set, and my value bet on the river was only called because of the 3rd diamond, thank god.. but then I tried the worst bluff ever holding a bag of mollix and was called by pocket 10's sigh....... I ran into nicky power who had just lost a big pot and was in the same boat as me, short stacked early on, but that is the difference, he didn't panic and continued playing proper poker and im delighted to see he is coming back for the final day action, where as I decided everyone on the table was out to get me, picking on the short stack, and I was defended my BB & SB "TO THE DEATH I TELL YA"... When I play bad im fairly well atrotious. Fear not, my whinging is almost at an end, and im going to play the €500 event today, yes I may be the value, but I have to prove to myself that I can play cards...... update to follow (hopefully not too short)....

Update lol on a board of Ah 10h kc 2s Jh I ran my Qh7h into Kh8h.. Ah well,

Recession - Depression - Confession

2008-10-21T15:18:00.001+01:00

Recession
Well it's true no point in trying to say that it doesn't exist, because yes it bleedin well does. It's official we are in a recession.... not that you would believe it if the cash games in the Ladbrokes Killarney Winter Festival were anything to go by..There was money flying about left right and center. Myself and Martin had been down in Castlegregory for a few days, chilling out relaxing going for rosmatic strolls on the beach in storm force 10 winds, that type of thing. There was european Windsurfing championships on so that was great fun to watch, while washing the sand out of your eyeballs. Had a few beers and brillant steaks in Spillanes bar in the Maharees, and we were staying about a 15 minute walk from it. Travelled up around Conors Pass to Dingle and had a great day in Dingle.

Headed to Killarney for the Festival, arrived on the Thursday. bit disappointed in the hotel room to be honest, it seemed a bit dated. Although we booked a Double room, we had more like a suite, with a room with bunk beds, and a seperate sitting room off it. Went for a swim in the leisure centre which was great, and relaxed us.

Met Niall Kelly who gave us a tour of the arena.... wow..... actually, wow doesn't even come close to trying to explain the set up. There was a players area upstairs which had pool tables, and darts and a bar and food..... and you could overlook the whole tournament area... To be honest it blew my mind.

Satellite
Played in the Satellite and had to manage my short stack for hours and hours eventually busting out 10 from the tickets, fear not as there was moxy load of Coors light with my name on them, and I played some cash. God i ran hot and worked my €200 buy-in up to €700 at the €1 €2 games and then had a go at the 2 5 No limit game. and got my €700 up to 2K, then moved to the omaha table.

For the first time in god knows how long I actually had a moment of clarity and realised that I was the value at the table, big time, and left the game, without playing a hand.... well done you.

Cashed out and then sat back down in a 1 2 game with 200 and got it up to €700 before I reluctantly left at 6.00 a.m. in the morning lol.

Hand of note was in the 2 5 game, where I raised in MP to 25 with Aces,
got the obligitory 5 callers.
Flop comes down 3 6 Q rainbow

This old guy pushes €270 over the line leaving himself €150 behind. This guy would raise with any pair and definitely pocket queens pre-flop, in fact I think you would need to get the paddles out to resuscitate him if he had pocket queens.

it's folded around to me and in the end I put him all in, he inst-calls and turns over 4 5 offsuit for the up and down straight draw. He misses and mutters that I was "lucky" and leaves the table.

Anyway that is the way some of the action was going. Having the cash area away from the tournament area was a good idea, if a bit squashed.

Main Game
Well the morning didn't start too great as it was up for breakfast and then back to bed to nurse both of our hangovers. The Main game started great for me and I had my stack up to 26K by the first break and gone by the dinner break.... sigh.....

I started a Boards Thread about the hand that did most of the damage as I thought it was quite interesting hand which could have been played alot of ways, and I still am not sure about it. When you get knocked out early of a big game you have a sense of failure about it. Don't get me wrong if I feel the time is right i will put my tournament on the line and feel happy about my decision.

My exit hand was the worst as I was steaming over the hand previous and im long enough playing this game not to let stuff like that get to me, but alas it did this time.

Side Games
To be honest the side games were a bit of a blur... I had written some notes and lost them, but to give a synopsis it went something like this

Played tight, got shortstacked pushed lost a race, rinse and repeat. I

t was great to catch up with a load of people over the weekend and I have to say myself and Martin had a ball.. Kerry is a beautiful county and there was some craic over the weekend.

There was however alot of slowrolling which I detest.
Denis (ex dealer from the Fitz) got slowrolled for his tournament life in the main event, He got shortstacked and pushed all in with 9's..he was called and the person in question said something like "I think your ahead" and then turns over the pocket Aces. Slowrolling is just really bad etiquette.

Depression
When you have been away at a Poker Festival like that it is like coming down from a high, the buzz, atmosphere etc., and it is like a form of depression. The poker Dt's so to speak. I was on my 2nd weeks holiday from work though and that certainly helped alot.

Myself and Martin went over to Berlin for a couple of days. God it is a brillant City, with a great buzz about it and the food and beer is very reasonable. We stayed near the Kurfürstendamm which is the shopping district so to speak of Berlin, and we did the whole touristy thing, the open top bus with it's 15 stops... we had a ball of a time. It was like having two mini holidays so I felt like I was away from work for yonks.

Confession
I have to say that I haven't been going to the gym as much as I should. I did use the leisure centre in Killarney twice and did a good bit of walking when we were in Castlegregory, but it's all gone pete thong since we came home.. I also feel that my game has gone backwards instead of improving, but that's my own fault, I am falling into bad old habits of limping into pots, and generally not paying enough attention to the players, stacks, etc.,

2008-09-15T12:23:00.001+01:00

Console Charity Game Saturday 13th September 2008 Fitz

Myself and Martin headed into this. The above charity does a tremondous job helping families cope with suicide. There was also a Christoher Connolly memorial trophy and medals presented to the Winner and Final table people. The club was full to the rafters and Willow & Eamonn Connolly were there along with extended family members. Everyone was a winner on the day, and a special thanks have to go to Christy Smith, Jim Smith stephen Doyle and the Poker Room Ireland for ensuring the event was smoothly run. The Fitz played a great part aswell having dealers and food at the break, although some of us partaked of the liquid refreshments of Larry Murphys (im sooo glad we left the cars at home)

Some of the poker pro's came out to show their support Padraig Parkinson & Liam Flood were there along with a host of others. The game had a great structure to it and the tickets cost €140 split down as follows:

€5 to dealers
€35 to Charity
€100 to prizepool
with 90 runners it generated a great prizepool aswell
We had great crack at my table. Eamonn Connolly was at it and a few other people I recognised along with a mix of people who were in a Casino for the first time. I somehow managed to get my stack (Vodka enduced cunning plans are great) up to 24K by the dinner break.

I decided that it was better to go for a liquid dinner and have a few more drinks with Barney ,owner of the Fortune rooms card club in Cookstown, his sister Bridie, and and Des (Doc O'Farrell from Boards). Eamonn was taking loads of photos, so here are the crew drinking away. I know Eamonn has been playing in a while but he folded QJ to me on a Q 10 2 board on the river. I had flopped a set of 10's so he knows when there is danger about. then He does a great squeeze play to punish a few limpers and raises all in and shows a complete bag of spanners (2 3 offsuit lol).... He certainly has no fear at the poker table, thats for sure. I somehow managed to get myself to the final table by playing super aggressivly, especially when it came to the bubble time and we were at 2 tables of 5. I went to the final table with 95K..., I had drifted back a bit, when I raised on the button to 15K blinds are 3K 6K at this stage with Ah4H and a guy pushes for 30K, I was priced into call but not happy.

I eventually went out in 8thplace after a squeeeeeeeeze play

There were 4 limpers to my bb with blinds at 4K 8K,

which left 52K in the pot.

I have 56K behind and announce "AW IN" with 6h 9s

folded around to 2nd last guy, he dwells for ages, gives me the "I know what your up to look" I smile back he eventually calls with pocket 8's (brave enough call i thought)

Anyway I was going for 1st and with 2 players at table with 250K stacks plus I needed to go for gold,€500 and a few "you went all in with those cards", but I was happy with my decision.

Paddy "The Dyson" Hicks came in 2nd and the winner was David Crowe, Although I don't know David, apparently he is a regular at Jim Smiths (poker Ireland) games so it was great that someone Eamonn and Willow knew from playing with won the Trophy.

Great atmosphere in the place, nice to meet up with people we hadn't seen in ages.

Well done to the main winner "Console"

Well done to all involved

Aces Cracked left right and centre

2008-09-09T11:14:00.000+01:00

Saturday 6th September I.P.C tour hits the Fitzwilliam

Headed into the Fitzwilliam to play in this game. My confidence is good, my humour is good. The IPC has some great memories for me, I came 5th in 2007 and 20th in 2008. It is going to be in the Raddisson SAS Galway again, a beautiful hotel, with great swimming pool and leisure facilities.I had gone into the fitz and played the satellite for the big game on Thursday and snagged a ticket on the cheap costing me €100 so was happy with that (there was 4 tickets generated in Satellite which wasn't too bad. I wasn't too sure about the turnout of this but decided to be optimistic. there was 67 runners which was absolutely brillant.

My table had Johnny Weafer Scott Gray and yes you guessed Ed (glowingmind) on my right hand side. 10K stack 45 minute clock, could you ask for more.Started very badly when I lost 2.5k to Scott grey with river 2pair V his flopped set.

Then this hand comes up.
Blinds are 75, 150 and Im in the bb with pocket 8's,
Johnny weafer raises to 450 in Mp, other random player calls, I call (pot 1,425)
flop comes down 8c 10c 2h mmmm lovely
I check, johnny weafeer bets out 900 flat called by other player.
Whats my plan of action here? ,
any comments on my play would be appreciated.
I have flopped middle set, although the flush draw is worrying me a little...
Do I take a chance and see another card for 900?? (pot at moment 3,225)
I decided to raise as I put johnny on perhaps an over JJ +
and the other guy on the flush draw.
I raised to 2.5K Johnny folded and other guy went into the tank......
for about 4 minutes.....
he eventually pushed and I put my remaining stack over the line,
he had pocket 2's for bottom set.
Johnny weafer said that he had pocket queens.

The question here is am I turning my hand face up by check raising on that kind of flop mmm Answers on a postcard please.

Im up to over 19K by the time the dinner break comes along and go accross the road for a pint with Scott Gray. I owed him a couple of drinks after the Party Poker event in Galway in January, where he asked me what I wanted to drink, I said a bottle of Budweiser (he got me 4 as the barman looke like he might be closing the bar), It closed 2 hours later lol.... I found out a while ago that Scott went to college with my boss (of 22 years) and knows him very well, Ireland is indeed a very very small Country. He is what people nowadays call a "Seasoned pro".. Anyone who could keep paying the bills, family etc., etc., from poker during the late 80's early 90's when there was nooo money around has earned alot of respect in my eyes.....

Himself and Padraig Parkinson are going to the Console Charity Event in the Fitz on Saturday 13th September, so I think it is one of those events where you leave the car at home... 2 pints of Budweiser later we headed back for more fun and frolics.

Then I get moved table. I have norman (cheery happy Bus Driver lol) on my SB and a fitz regular on my left. Next to him is Seamus and exceptionally competent omahal and holdem player and I not a happy bunny about him being there at all. Cat (Rob taylors better half) is also at the table, so it's not the best table in the world, although there are no easy tables in a €300 plus tournament anymore, then this hand happens

blinds are 200, 400 and its folded around to Norman in sb who completes
I check my option with Qc4c
flop comes down Ad qh 2c rainbow,
Norman checks I check,
turn is 2s
Norman checks I bet out 500 he calls,
River is a beautiful Qd,
Norman bets 2K, I say all in and he inst-calls and mucks when I show my hand,
(he said he had an Ace)...
Im now up to just over 30K and flying it.

I get no hands of any importance until I lose 11K to a LenCollins Son (who made the final table. The blinds are 300, 600 and im in the BB with KJ off suit,
Lens son limps
(he has been limp re-raising all in or just going all-in)....
I decide to check my option.
Flop comes down K 10 7 rainbow,
I bet out 1.5 and (yes you guessed it) he ships all in for 11K.
I am 100% sure he would have just gone all in with pocket 10's,
not sure about 7's definitely with AK,
KQ not sure, ahhhhhhh what to do,
I eventually call, after nearly calling clock on myself
he turns over KQ, ah sh*t....

Im down to 20K here but still over 20 bb's so not too bad.....

blinds have just gone to 400 800 when Big MickG (eventual winner) gets moved into my left hand side. Very very very very good competent young player, big big big online player with Pokerstars and has been stringing together very impressive live wins aswell.

This level nothing too much happens, I keep my stack steady, and am on about 23K.
Seamus has worked up a big 40K plus stack and is running over the table a bit to be honest. Mick G has about 15K so we both need to get busy.

Blinds go up to 500 1K and this hand happens,
It's folded around to me on the button,
I look down at 2 red Aces (mm lovely) make the standard raise to 3.5K and

Mick ships in for 15K,
I insta call and he turns over AcKc
"Ah shit he goes, sick, what you doing with Aces on the button smurph"
I know, says I
Then he asks "did anyone fold clubs"
to which the dealer replies "why don't we see" lol !!!

flop comes down 8c 5c 3d........ sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach
yep 6c on the turn im toast....

That's poker, take it on the chin and move on.

Next hand 2 players limp in and I ship my remaining 8K over the line, with K 10 suited,
called by pocket 5's and I get no help and im gone.

Gutted, but in fairness I have cracked Aces loads of times, and all you can do is try to get your money in ahead. I knew that Mick would put the chips to good use and he eventually took the game down, he would definitely be worth putting a few bob on with the bookies for the game in January.

Friday 5th September - Fitz Schalps madness
Work was beyond ridicolous today, I go drowned while trying to get from the car to the office, never mind the day. I had such a bad day in work I actually had a smile at the end of it. sometimes in the face of adversity all you can do is smile.

Went into play in the scalps game. It is by far my favorite game, maybe it's because it is on a Friday and I don't have to be worried about 3hours sleep and trying to do a days work. Table has a few of the usual suspects on it,

then I spot Ed (glowingmind) from boards in seat 1.
Last time I played a game with him was in the Sporting Emporium and he snapped off a few of my button raises, his timing was spot on and I had to fold.

So anyway this hand happens
I raise to €250 in mp (blinds are 25 50 and there is 1 caller already) with 7h7d
He re-pops to €750 it's folded around to me and I call.
Flop comes down 6 9 10 rainbow. i bet out 900 and he goes all in for 3K.
decisions decisions decisions.
I decide im in a gamboool humour and call
He turns over pockets Aces doh,
don't worry I say, I have another 4 outs.
yep you've guessed an 8 on the turn.
Yes I got very lucky, and yes it is a donkey maneavour, but sometimes you have to gambool lol....

Anyway Ed is moved from our table shortly afterwards (thank god) and I use my stack to pick up alot of chips.

by the food break im on 12K, I top up and come back with 16K...
The next 2 levels are very strange. I run into the exact hand twice.
Im in the BB with 10 3 offsuit and there are a few limpers and I check my option
(pot 1,200)
flop comes down 10 3 2 rainbow,
I bet out 500 and guy in mp goes all in for 4K...
I call and he has bottom set.

The 3 hands later the exact same hand happens, strange or what?
it was against a different player, but jasus.
Anyway the blinds catch up rapidly and it turns into push or fold mode for me.

Eventually we get to the final table with blinds 2.5 5K and im among the shortest stack with 45K.

Ollyk from Boards is over playing some cash and i head over to him, with a smile on my face and announce that im going to win the tournament (even though im short stacked)....

Final table starts well

1st hand I get pocket 9's raise to 15K take blinds.
2nd hand I get pocket 8's raise to 15k take blinds.

so im up to 60K plus Guy to my left who is wearing the "princess leah" headphones and trying the Sammy Farha look with an unlit cigarette hanging out of his mouth announces
"you raise again and im going all in"....
I reply "better make sure I have Aces so"

2 hands later sure enough, I get pocket Aces and raise to 15K
he announces loudly "all in"
while flicking his scalp chip in the middle and not bothering with his chip stack
I insta-call and turn over the aces to the amusement of the whole table.
He has AcJc,
Jack high flop ensures a little bit of a sweat but nothing too serious.
My stack is over 100K mark and im flying it.
We get down to 3 players quite quickly and

Ed (glowingmind) who is to my right has a massive chip lead at this stage
Ive 100K + he has 260K
and other guy has 70K odd.

Then this hand happens, he completes the sb and I check in BB with Jd5s
Flop comes down J J 5 (blinds are 5K 10K at this stage)
check check,
Turn is K and he bets out 30K
and I go all in
he calls with K9 and now im over 200K and he has about 160K

I knock out the guy in 3rd and we get heads up.
there is less than 8 bb in our 2 stacks so we flatten the prize fund to the following
1st 2K + €270 ticket
2nd 1,600 + €270 ticket
€160 for the dealers.

Heads up only lasts about 15minutes
my Jacks V his 3's all in pre-flop.

Pity because I would have loved to practice a bit more heads up play. I suppose the internet is the place to do that. there was 90+ runners tonight and we did not finish until 5.30 a.m. so I was shattered going home but very happy. Confidence restored, maybe I can play this game after all....

August - Cork, yoga, rain & More Rain - sigh

2008-08-01T16:40:00.000+01:00

***************************************************
GOALS THIS MONTH -

IMPROVE AS A POKER PLAYER -
TRY NOT TO GET TOO STRESSED OUT IN WORK
***************************************************

Saturday 30th August Donkey Poker Tour Championships

Decided to go to this because I have to say they get 10 out of 10 for the name alone. Well it certainly lived up to it's name and there was some interesting play to say the least.... I love the way the took the EPT logo and just changed it to DPT, well done lads.

When i sat down to the game I didn't notice that there were 10 stacks on the table, the button was started in seat 8, seat 9 + 10 were dead stacks.
Im in seat 1 and post my BB (doh), so I accidently play my first hand blind... with the monster 8c9c
7 players to flop which comes,
7 10 J rainbow flop.
I bet out 300 and get 5 callers.
Turn is a 10, so I check, everyone checks.
Brick on river and I bet out 1.5K, one caller who turns over pocket queens
(he hates the first hand and didn't want to bet out)

Anyway I have a rollercoaster ride, 2 hands killed me on the river, where I could have 80K plus but instead im struggling with 14K, hand below is example of one of the hands

I turned a flush, only for the board to pair on the river and give the guy a house of Aces (If I had pushed the turn he would never have folded his set)

Anyway the biggest donky McDonk eventually gets me. His image so far is that he he calls with any 2 cards, never believes any bet, from anyone,
Im on about 14K at this stage, blinds are 300, 600 and I decide that Im going to limp re-raise. I limp utg with pocket 10's and it goes back to King of the Donks who makes it 2K, I re-raise all in my 13,400,
he instantly calls and turns over Ah4h sigh.
Flop comes 2h 5c 8d mmm okay so far
turn is 6h s*h*i*t
and yep river is a 3c......
The trip was an experience to say the least. limping everywhere and then minraising by the button, no perception of positonal play, pot control... etc., The 25K starting stack was the only thing that saved me from going out earlier.

Thursdy 28th August 2008.

I have kind of a bug all week, feeling shitty, kind of letargic, I wasn't throwing up or anything but I did not feel like myself at all. Anyway no gym because of bug, but tonight went home and did an hours walk. Felt wrecked after but happy. Quick change and headed into the Fitz EOM Tournie, It was the usual full to the rafters job. My table compared to some was relative easy enough. Played tighty mictight and headed into the break with 200 chips short of starting stack. Flopped set twice and did continuation bet but got no callers meh.

After the break I got a guy to fold a straight when I bet 3K into a pot on the river representing a flush, he folded but was visibly steaming (think he thought I was going to show my hand) Next hand he is in the big blind (blinds 100 200) and I do the standard raise to 800 in MP with pocket jacks, and he announces all in and f*cks his chips in the middle (5,300) At this stage there is steam coming out of his ears. I know he definitely doesn't have KK QQ or AA here, because he does the old nutmeg minraise with monster hands. I think about it quite long and hard and decide the worst im up against is AQ AK, and hope I up against lower pocket pair and call.

He turns over AK, and were off to the races.

Flop is A102 Followed by fistpump,

King on the turn, two fist pumps by him. River no help and im down to 3K.

3 hands later Pat Vickers raises to 900 on the button, im in the BB and see pocket 9's and shove, he instacalls and turns over AQ

Flop is K J 3

Turn is 10 to have me drawing dead, gg wp etc., etc.,

Decided that I was not really in the form for cash and headed home. Again a great tournament, but you definitely need to win your races and I ain't no Usain Bolt, cause I can't win one bleedin race at the moment...

Sunday 24th August, 2008

Just like to make a note that it did not rain today, shock horror gasp, cold but no rain, yepee

Wednesday 20th August - Vera Duffy's Birthday Bash in Blinkers Casino

Did the gym and swimming after work, and then headed straight to . Vera's Birthday Bash In City West I had missed this last year but i believe it was a great fun and event ended up with a legendary boards thread by BCB What Move Seats, Me.....Never Well what can I say about the night. It was jammed packed to the rafters with people. The wine and beer was flowing plus a bit of cards, what more could you ask for. The staff of Blinkers were absolutely run off their feet, and they did a brillant job. There was 260 + players. Our table started off well with 7 all in blinds lol. I had won €160 playing cash beforehand so allocated 80 eurodollars, which I spent in the first half an hour. I bought in and topped up so had 7K coming back, and also there was a bounty put on me, so the whole table decided they wanted my head lol. Knocked out shortly after, KJ soooooteeeeed and ran into Queens, lifes a bitch. I headed home about 2.00 a.m. Martin ended up coming 5th for €800. Alan Gibbons split it with some other guy. Hats off to Veras husband for throwing some party, and to the legend that is Vera Duffy, what a lady. Side Note
There was only one small annoyance that I didn't really want to comment on, but here goes. At my table there was a guy complaining about the Band Playing "er lads, I hope dat bleedin band arn't gonna be playing all nite, dey have me head wrecked" He was then ordering 3 glasses of beer from the waitress and not giving her any tips, none whatsoever. I also saw him with a fistfull of sandwiches a while later. Maybe it's the nature of the game I don't know but for fuck sake, there was free food, drink a band, and money added to the prizepool, have some respect people and TIP THE WAITRESS AT LEAST FOR YOUR FREE BEER YOU STINGY GITS....

That is all

Saturday 16th August

We went for a swim and Steam room in the LeesideLeisureCentre which is complimentary as part of staying in the Gresham Metreopole hotel. Had a great swim and then went back to the hotel, dublin tops on all ready for the Dublin V Tyrone Match. It was horrendous to say the least. Worst display ever for the Dubs. Im not taking away from Tyrone, who I feel were hungrier at every position on the pitch and fully deserved the win, and good luck to them. It was devestating. If you teams plays well and still loses then you can hold your head up but to play as badly as dublin did, it was absymal.

Went into the Macau and played the Satellite for the WSOPE Ticket in September. Got off to an absolute flyer knocking Thomas "The bomber" nolan out and Roy "the Boy" Brindley and getting my stack up to 33K. the lost in in 3 hands when I moved tables. Again is was with 8 9 suited on a K 8 8 board and the other buy has 8 10, and that is a 25K pot.......mmmmm

Then AQ v JQ for a 10K pot , J J 3 flop.

then my last 9K with KhJh v Jd Qs
K 7 2 flop
Q on turn,
Q on river, bye bye moi.

We decided to go drinking in the Metreople and had a great bit of craic with Paul Spillane and Ciaran Corbett (Jim Beam& Coke Man). Paul is such an enthusiastic man about the game of Poker and together with stephen they are hosting the Boylesport.com International Poker Open from 17th - 19th October €150 entry incl €15 reg fee. He talked me into opening an Account and registering for the event which I will do whenever I sober up. We had a great night of drinking...

Macau Festival Trip Report (CorkDictionary )
God we have both been so looking forward to this and eventually its arrived. We drove down, settled into the hotel, im typing this from the hotel room, My stomach is in knots, hand scenarios are racing my head, feel good about my game , anticipation is killing me, Roll on 7 p.m.

My Table,

Table 2 Seat 6,
My table was right down the back of the Macau and it was roasting hot. I had rob Taylor(eventual winner), who I know is a great player and quite willing to lay down big hands, so I was glad to have him at my table. I tried to play tighty Mctight and kept my stack in and around the 15 - 17K mark, got pocket Jacks 3 times and had to lay them down on when I got serious heat on King and Queen high boards. Then I got moved to the table beside me, Table 3 seat 8. It had Michael McCool and Galway Mick (sickpuppy) from Boards at the table. at this stage i have drifted back to 13K and this hand comes up.

Blinds are 75 150 and guy in ep raises to 550

Mick McCool calls and so do I from the button, it goes back to Galway Mick and he goes all in for 6,200, Mick McCool calls and I dwell up.

I have been playing such patient poker but don't seem to be getting anywhere. This was definitely a push or fold moment, but for some reason I called. (I know shudder shudder, brainfart moment)

Flop comes down 5 7 8 rainbow and Mick McCool goes in for his last 7K, I folded and he turns over pocket 9's to take the pot. (other player had A 7) It was a brainfart play by me and there was absolutely no need. The Mick starts the "God you played the hand terribly smurph", the worst ive ever seen you play a hand"... What was going through my head was (Actually no Mick, im quite capable of playing much worse than that)

Im down to 7K now and pissed off. The dinner break came thank god.

Martin on the other hand had been knocked out first from the tournament in the cruellest of fashion. He raise in ep with Queens, 4 callers,

flop comes down Q 10 3 rainbow, he checks other players check
Turn is 3d,
Then the betting starts and wham bam, all the money in the middle, with his opponent having pocket 3's for turned quads, yuck.

I came back from the dinner break with more hope and optimism. blinds were 100, 200, and im in the BB with KhJh. couple of limpers in the pot and I check my option.

flop comes down Kd8dKs It is check around to guy on button who takes a stab at the pot betting 700, SB raises to 2,100 and I push my remaining 5K over the line, he calls and tables kQ to have me out kicked, yuck, im gone.Pretty gutted to be honest. I definitely played the AK hand terribly and will have to learn from that and move on.

Sunday 10th August 2008
Came 2nd in the tournament tonight for €650.00 in the Fitz game . Delighted the way I played, picked my spots well, and actually I wish Padraig Harrington was on the telly all the time. Players made it so obvious whether they were playing a hand or not, quick look at cards, and turn around and resume to watch telly if not playing. If they had a monster hand they would swing back around and suddenly get interested in the card game.

Saturday 9th August - Fitz Cash League + monsoon weather
Myself and Martin headed into play in the Cash League final. There was 32K in prize money up for grabs which was great. Then on Saturday afternoon the poker gods decided to narrow the field a bit by giving Dublin monsoon weather for 2 hours or so, which mean't that M50 closed, blanchardstown, port tunnell and areas around croke park were flooded. The kick of time was 6.30 sharp but they held it back til 7p.m. to kick off and let people in for the first 2 levels, which was good. There was 30% of the field that did not make it because of the weather. I only barely scrapped in and had 5.5K starting stack, which I managed to get up to 17K in 4 levels before losing a race with pocket 9's V AK for a 35K pot. There was a great buzz about the place and the Fitz still ran their 125 freezeout and "Round of Fish" game, and when the dust settled and the deals were done there was 11 cash tables running. Won some money playing omaha, and martin did very well in the Cash Game aswell.

Tuesdy 5th August,
Bend and breath and stretch and bend and breath and stretch further, and collapse and wheeze and bend a breath........ that fairly well sums up yoga for me at the moment. As for pilates, ouch, my rib cage is killing me after. Spent 20 minutes in the jacuzzi just sitting there after the 2hours of bending and stretching, because I honestly felt that I had no energy left even to have a shower. Im going to be sooo sore tomorrow

Sunday 3rd August,
Played in Jps Deepstack Game in new Casino in City West. Decided to use this game as practice for the Macau Festival in a couple of weeks. 15K starting stack and 30 Min blinds, not bad. Well in the first 3 levels the following things happen

Pocket Kings cracked by pocket 2's
Pocket Aces cracked by 6 10 soooteeed
Pocket Queens cracked by 8 10 offsuit
lovely, but I still had 7K left and blinds were going to be 150 300 upon resumption of play. No need to panic, even though all around me had bick stacks. work my stack up to 11K when this hand happens,

Im in Sb with 11.5K
Jude in BB with 10.5K (fitz regular, who has been very very active, had his stack up to 58K, down to 6K, up to 42K)
blinds are 300, 600, folded around to guy in Mp who does standard raise to 1,800
I call with pocket 3's jude calls.
Flop comes 2 5 6 rainbow (pot 5,400)
I Check, Jude checks original raiser bets out 2K,
It seem like a feeler bet to me, quite weak so I decided to represent a strong overpair to board and use my tighty mctight image, and pushed for my remaining 9,700 chips
Jude instacalls - shudder
folded around to raiser and he folds.
I turn over my 3's and jude turns over 7 8 for the open ended straight draw and 2 overs. mmm
He misses everything and is gone and im up to over 23K and feeling good. That's really as good as it got and unfortunately the blinds caught up with me. lost a few races along the way, but it was a great tournament.

Saturday 2nd August
Went into Arnotts for the 50% sale today. These kind of sales should come with a health warning. It is something that you need to go into training for. We could both feel our will to live slowly being drained from our bodies. Ireland in a recession, don't be fooled. Had a look around the ilac centre aswell. First time ive been in it since it's been done up , looked great, nice and bright and clean. It was always the cheap relation to Stephens Green shopping centre, but not anymore.

Cards wise myself and Martin decided in a two pronged attack. I would go into the Sporting €200 + €20 game and he would try the Fitz €120 + €5 game. Game had 28 runners, small but the Sporting is slowly but surely coming back. our table read like a boards home game, Pabloh, myself the "Swar" the "rigger" and "RockRory" there were very very few so called easy chips to be had. I never had any more that half the average chips at any stage during the night, and when we got the the final table I became completely card dead. This unfortunately is a lethal combination, because when you pick up a hand, raise you get no callers. If you limp in it looks more suspicous so it's like a "double edged sword". The player to my immediate right was running like god, and his stack was getting better and better, so most hands were raised before it even got to me. there were 4 prizes
1st €2,400
2nd €1,650
3rd €1,000
4th €559

Dom (5starpool) Paul (Pabloh) and myself were the final table boards representatives. Paul had a very good healthy stack, but ran into a couple of hands and didn't race too well, his pocket 10's didn't hold against AK all in.

When we got 5handed it was suggested that some money be taken from 1st and 2nd to give 5th money back. Guy at the end of table objected so fair enough, but the poker gods decided that he should be punished... He raised to 5K on the Button, guy to my right makes it 15k button guy flat calls.

Flop comes down A A 5 rainbow, guy to my right checks, and other guy goes all in for 70K.
He did not look happy, was trying to look calm but his jumper was doing the riverdance. Brave move. In the end the guy on my right called with pocket jacks and was up against K J and player gone.

So the bubble was burst, followed quickly by another quick exit and we were 3 handed, myself, Vinny (older guy, regular at JP's poker game) he had an 80k stack for most of the final table and guy to my right (we'll call him linford Christy, cause he ran soooo well) it. wasn't too long until we were heads up.

blinds are 800 1,600 and Vinny makes it 3.5k to go under the gun (alarm bells ringin immediately), linford calls and I fold my usual bag of Shit....

Flop comes down 8 8 3, vinny checks and Linford annnounces all - in , vinny insta calls and turns over pocket Aces.

Linford has 9 3 offsuit, but fear not, bing bong bang, 3 on the turn to send vinny packing (he was not a happy little bunny).
So we go into heads up play and I have 45K out of the 224K , which gives Linford a 5:1 chip lead and blinds 800 1600 I need to get busy.

Get it all in with Q9Soooooteeeed against Q8 but alas it was a split pot
Then next hand get it in with k 10 clubs V K J offsuit, and his hand holds up, alas the great comeback was not to be.

Great structure to the tournament, I was the short stack at the final table but only once went below 12 bb's......Well done to Alex & John, for putting on a great game. We are absolutely spoilt in Ireland with very well structured, well run tournaments.

Friday 1st August 2008
I am still very disappointed the way I played in the Fitz EOM game last night, + the gym weigh-in just really really pissed me off. I also had a very very tough day in work, where I got the address of a church wrong in Southampton for a funeral my boss was attending, (how many United Reform Churches are there?) so I was in a bit of a "poor me" humour. Usually this would be counteracted by a lorry load of drink and a chinese, mmmmm chinese, but nop I actually went to the gym. Did the workout and 20 lenghts of the pool. Changed and headed in for the scalps game... The got the usual 70+ runners and riders, played terrible poker donked my chips away and played some cash and omaha. Won couple of hundred so it was a good night in the end. The Fitzwilliam cash league final is on Saturday next 8th August, I must check and see if I have enough hours.
Asked Ronan who many hours he had and his answer was a staggering 525 hours, wow, so he will be starting with 52,500 chips, lol. I will say that there will be alot of people qualified as the cash tables have been out the door the last couple of months. Never played in one of these, but I imagine the blinds will be fast and furious. Maybe if I run like god, I might squeeze into the money, even if I lose there's always the Saturday Round Of Fish Game

lol......

July -Driving Rain, Dummies & Dumbells

2008-07-01T14:11:00.000+01:00

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GOALS THIS MONTH -
KEEP PLUGGING AWAY AT GYM
PLAY BETTER POKER - SIMPLE AS
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Summary of July

they say picture paint a thousand words so here are 2 to sum up the Month of July

Weight Loss / Poker Playing Abilities

No need for further comment really

Thursday 31st July - Weigh-in - Drumroll, fingers & Toes Crossed

So I started my yoga/pilates classes on Tuesday, 2 hours of breathing and bending exercises, it was really really good and I could felt wrecked but happy afterwards. Wednesday morning however was a slightly different story and I was like a robot walking around. My joints and muscles were aching, but a good aching, like I had actually achieved something. Decided to go to the gym on wednesday aswell to try and work the aches out. They say the best thing to do when you are stiff and sore from exercise is to do a walk, so I attacked the threadmill with attitude and did a bit of a swim. Went to the gym tonight aswell. Even though I had let it slip in the middle of july, but decided to bite the bullet and do the weigh-in.

The scales show that I have no weight loss this month, but I have definitely toned up, but to be honest im bitterly dissapointed. I have started to feel it in my clothes so that's not bad. Just have to carry on regardless.

Went into the Fitz End of Month €270 game. Really quite tired and dissapointed, so maybe not mentally in the best form. Starting table was soooo tough, I had John swarbigg (soul reader), Dermot (skinny red headed guy, big omaha player), Dom I Played like a muppet to be honest and was lucky to be in the tournament after level 3 to be honest. Our table got split up with me holding about 18K and I got moved to a new table, when this hand camed up.

I had 18K blinds 500, 1K with a 100 ante, I raise to 3.5k in Mp with JdJs,
folded around to Dara O'Kearney on the Button and he re-pops to 8K.
After a bit of thought I had 2 options, push or fold, smooth calling was not an option I felt, I pushed, he called and turned over pocket kings, sigh.

Flop is 8 high rainbow,
but I get a Jack on the turn, and this brings me up to nearly 40K with antes and blinds etc.,

I then proceed to completedly donk my chips away in spectacular fashion. I raise to 4.5K on the button couple of hands later with Ac5c, bb pushes for 11K, so unfortunately I had to call, getting the odds and all that, he had Queens. No point in going into the other hands really because to be honest, it is only a rinse and repeat of donkey plays, bad timing, lack of pot control etc., etc., etc.,
Sunday 27th July 2008 - Sunshine, Vodkas, and winning online.

Well Ive used this photo twice in a month but it really does need to be used for this one. Martin won a ticket for the Irish Poker Classic Festival In Macau Cork on Green Joker poker tonight. So that's the both of us winning tickets, yepee, yahoo go on ya good thing. I was so happy for him. It was nerve wrecking heads up. Again it was a ticket for 1st and zero for 2nd. We broke out the vodkas to celebrate. Roll on 15th August, hopefully one or both of us run deep.

Saturday 26th July 2008 - JP's Deepstacked game.

Went to Blinkers Casino in CityWest for JP's Deepstack game €220 20K starting stack 25Min clock, great structure. The venue was in a word beautiful. i really hope this takes off because JP has done so much for organising great value Tournaments around Dublin. So how did it go, well gone by level 2, I know 20K starting stack for f*ck sake.

I raise in lp with 800 with As Kd and get 2 callers, flop comes AdAc8h its checked to me and I bet out 1.5 k and get one caller, turn is a Q, he checks and I Check. River is a J and he checks, I bet 4K and he announces all-in so it is 10K back to me. I could have folded, and still had a very workable stack but nop I called and he turns over pocket 8's for a flopped house. Bad play by me, simple as. Checked on boards later to see that the Running man Mr. Dara O' Kearney was coming back tomorrow for the final table, along with a few other familiar faces, Damo Kavenagh and Dave (king of the speechplay) Masters, good luck to all of them

Thursday 24th July

Skipped breakfast this morning in work, well let me explain, because like most other things in life, it's just not that straightforward. I left my lunch behind me a home, sitting there on the counter, sweating away in the heat and humidity, lovely.... Anyway in work about 10 o'clock and im hungry. So I check out the freezer and Mr. Chirpy chirpy bleedin chirpy from the Accountancy Practice has bought some batch bread and has it in the freezer.... mmmmm batch bread with spread and jam mmmm jammmmm. So I proceed to try to rob 2 slices, but the bread slices are stuck together like a rock, so i take it whole lot out of the freezer, and proceed to watch as the bottom falls out of the slice pan and it falls on the floor. I bend down and pick up the slices of bread, stand up and smack my head of the now swinging open freezer door, co I looked something like this .I decided that maybe it was a sign that I shouldn't be robbing slices of batch bread. I binned the lot, went over to the shop and bought some bleedin fruit and oh yeah (new batch bread for Mr. Chirpy McChirpy)... Upon leaving work I was sitting in my Car making up loads of excuses as to why i shouldn't go to the gym, but in the end I went, yepee. Did my workout, and boy it was very very very warm. The swim was really good and i felt great afterwards. Decided to go and play in the Thursday night €95 €5 double chance freezeout in the Fitz for a change (4K with 4K) . Martin has been working lates this week, so I could have some dinner aswell. I had the Salmon with a salad, it was actually quite good. Well the cards started off great. Raised on button with AsJc to 700 (blinds are 50 100) and Norman (smiley guy fitz/Jackpot regular cough cough) and Paddy "the Dyson" Hicks came along.

Flop comes Ac 8c Jd, check check I bet out 1k, both called,
turn is 2d, check check I be 1K, both call mmm
River is 2h, check check I bet my remain 1,300, Norman calls, paddy folds.

My hand holds up and im up to over 10K nice one. Nothing much happens til the break and im sitting on 14K after the break.. Then it went downhill from there. our table got broken when paddy hicks got knocked out. I got moved upstairs.

Get AdAs and make it 1,100 to go in EP, blinds are 150 300, Eamon O'Reilly Calls
Flop comes down 9s 2h 2c, I bet out 1.5k Eamon calls,
Turn is 8h, it went check check (why did I check, I have no idea)
River is 3h, I bet out 3K and he calls and tursn over Jh9h for the rivered flush

Nice hand, well played. shipped my remaining stack with AcKc with 6 limpers to me on the Button. one of limpers and pocket 5's and called.

Monday 21st July

Went to the gym after work, did my circuit and swim, god it was humid. I was in a sweat in the changing rooms never mind after my workout. Its funny that while in the gym I have noticed that some people don't sweat they glow, their hair never looks out of place and they just f*ckin well glow, well not me... I look like someone about 10 seconds away for croaking it. Big red/purple sweaty onion looking blob of mass wheazing in the corner, yep thats me. Managed to do 10 lenghts of the pool with stopping, then nearly fainted, so maybe suss out the breathing a bit more. Signed up for PilatesClass in the gym on Tuesday nights, so hopefully it will help to strenghten my lower back and neck, fingers crossed. Headed into the Fitz tonight, (I was offered a bit of coaching from one of the regular €100 omaha players, so let me think about it, God yes)...... I found it really really good. We went though the basics, starting hands etc., etc., so I definitely have a few things to work on over the next few weeks.

Sunday 20th July

Went to Stephen McCleans €115 freezeout in the Carlton Hotel, Dublin Airport. There were 136 runners, so considering the Dubs match and the Golf that was a great turnout. The room was a much better room than the one in the Fairways hotel. Great buzz about the place, the food in the hotel was very good, they had a choice of salady stuff as well as carvery, so I had a nice Salad with a big F*ck off slice of hot ham mmm. stephen staggered the Dinner break, so there wasn't a big queue for the food. Very impressed, went out in 23rd (18 prizes sigh), all my chips went to Olliboy from Boards, so hopefully he put them to good use. Went home opened up a nice bottle of wine and watched the highlights of the Golf. I was watching bits and pieces of it during the day. Dublin Footballers hammered wexford in the football, it was more of a hurling score than a football one. The only problem is that now the hype will start about the team again.....

Friday 18th July

Update on the week so far, went to the gym once this week, boo hoo, stupid lazy fat cow..... There you are whinging and moaning about your weight and you go once, cop on woman, just cop on. bought those JML storage baggy thingies and put away all my clothes that don't fit me (there were a fuck*n lot of them), so now i have a wardrobe full of empty hangers and the clothes that fit me. Not going to weigh myself til Thursday 31st July 2008, come on girl get the finger out.

Went to scalps game tonight, didn't do any good, played Omaha Game, won €200 overall so clawed my buy-in money back from the Scalps game. Martin ended up splitting the scalps game between 4 of them €1,500 each at 5.30 a.m. in the morning. I left at 5.00 a.m. because I was absolutely shattered. Delighted for him. There were 88 runners so there were 2 tables on the balcony, then there was 3 €50 omaha tables on the go. Unreal the amount of people. apparently the club is getting 90 + runners at its Tuesday night game.

Saturday 12th July - €120 + €5 Freezeout Fitz

Went back to the gym today, took it nice and handy, didn't want to kill myself. I was on such a roll, but i still have the to keep the momentum up, come on girl you can do it. Came back and checked out boards to see how the 2 boardsies are doing in the WSOP Main event and wow there doing great. Details here and on pokernews here . By the reporting they are playing brillant stuff.

Headed in and played the Fitz €125 game, never go going really, played some cash and flopped set of Jacks on a J 7 2 board, up against set of 7's and Mr. System (russian player with squashed nose who keeps saying "the system it works",) who had pocket Aces. Case 7 on river, so I decided to do the sensible thing and go home. James McManus Was chip leader for most of the session in the WSOP main event but finished down a bit on 2.4 million or so. He has had an interesting trip to say the least..

Friday 11th July (Scalps & Yamaha)

No gym this week which is depressing. Bosses mother passed away so was down in Mayo monday and Tuesday, pretty tough week in work and economy wise. Had to go twice about my neck..... arrrggghh

Went in the Fitz for the scalps game. no joy but I won €900 in the €50 omaha game which I was delighted with. Heard the sad news that Cool Hand Lukes was closing tonight. I did go in there about 3 - 4 times, but in fairness I never much liked the building when it was the Merrion. I know Luke is a true professional and he will bounce back from this. There was a bit of handbags at 40 paces in Farewell To Cool Hand Lukes Thread saying about supporting Lukes etc., What we should be thinking about at this time is about Luke and staff who are out of a job and not trying to thow mud left, right and centre. I would have felt like a bit of a hypocrite going in tonight but im sure I will bump into Luke in the future and I honestly do wish him well.

Sunday 5th July,

headed up to Dundalk for the €115Freezeout run by stephen and Derek. 121 runners this month. out in 22nd, after playing short stack ninja poker for hours and hours and hours.

Friday 4th July

no gym, boo hoo, neck is f*cked, went for a massage on it after work and the only words to describe it is ouch ouch f*ckin ouch, really pissed off about it... Went into the Fitz ended up splitting the Scalps game for €1,500 each and a 270 ticket so nice one.

Thursday 3rd July

Even im getting a bit bored doing a daily update, so I will change it to weekly from next week. If I ever decide to change my mind and publish it, I don't want it to bore the tits out of people, not that many people read my blog to be honest. My neck is very sore today so shock horror gasp, im not going accross the road tonight. I phoned up and booked my seat on "Noahs Ark", as it hasn't stopped raining all day. My neck has seized up completely and im so pissed off about it. I think that I was using one of the machines wrong, or maybe its because im a crock, poor me

Wednesday 2nd July

Opened Boards this morning to find that Marty Smith has won the $10K PLO game ($859,549). Tom Hanlon finished in 7th Place ($134,302), congratulations to both guys on a brillant display. Here is his Interview after winning the Bracelet. A true gent of the game and quite an unassuming kind of guy, which makes for a refreshing change. Good luck to you sir.

Nothing much else to report. God i'd love a Snack box now, with curry sauce mmmmm curry sauce.... washed down with a lorry load of beer, now wheres the salad....

Went accross the road to Jackie Skellys, my muscles were quite sore today so I took it easy. Just did a swim, 20 lenghts, weighed myself...... no weight loss, sigh

Tuesday 1st July

Checked out the poker forum on Boards and find that Marty Smyth and Tom Nolan have reached the final table of the $10K Plo game which is on tomorrow, the post is on boards here . I have a great feeling a gold bracelet coming to Ireland, fingers & toes crossed for them. Mad busy in work today, headed over to the gym, managed to do the whole circuit this time, and also 16 lengths of the pool so yepee. Decided to change my weigh in days to a Wednesday, so if im bad I have Monday and tuesday to get the act together. No cards til Friday, so nothing else to report. Had a can of beer last night when I went home after the gym, I know im a mad plaster altogether. It was the nicest can of beer ever mmmm budweiser....mmmm. Tasted like more but I said nop...

June - gym bags, sore muscles and a bit of cards thrown in

2008-06-16T16:31:00.000+01:00

Monday 16th June 2008
Went to write a report on the Waterford Festival and I came accross this

http://bodogwaterfordopen.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2008-06-14T03%3A47%3A00%2B01%3A00&max-results=15

The picture was taken of me in Waterford, granted it's not the prettiest picture of me in the world, and yes I am fat, but guess what so are alot of people. I am trying to lose weight, and have joined Jackie Skellys in Parkwest, but that is neither here nor there. At the end of the day we all have feelings but people feel they can post anything they like about people. these keyboard warriors hiding behind their Anonymity, well f*ck them. Im a better person than them.

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Anonymous Poster

Jesus that woman just keeps getting fatter and fatter. She's got bingo wings like Hulk Hogan!How on earth her husband rides that is beyond me.
June 14, 2008 10:29 PM
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Monday 16th June 2008-
So as of today I am updating this blog for my own personal records. Maybe in a couple of months when I feel better in myself i'll publish this, but for now these ramblings are for myself... Had a little cry about the anonymous post, and said "your not going to win sunshine, and headed over to JackieSkellys gym in Parkwest... I did my circuit and my swim which was 10 lenghts of the pool and Steam Room.

The picture above is going to be my baseline. I'll keep a weekly record of my weight and take a Monthly photograph, hopefully in a couple of months i'll see the difference.

Tuesday 17th June 2008

Feel a little better about things today. It's amazing how things can get to you. Went accross to the gym again after work, a little better armed this time, with Bottle of Water and ipod shuffle at the ready. Pushed myself a little harder. Im getting my re-assessment on Thursday and he is going to add in some machines. I actually find the gym quite relaxing. It takes me about 1hour to hour and a half depending on how bad the M50 is. so im home about 6.45 on normal days. I go accross to gym, do my circuit and swim, and fly home after. nice one. Back is achy but amazingly my neck seems to be holding up. Well done me, keep chin up.

Wednesday 18th June 2008

Work was good today, got alot done, checked boards and found out that Dagunman from Boards(John O'Seah) had made the final table of the $2,500 6 handed WSOP event, and I was absolutely delighted for him. Wow a boardsie making the final table. I don't know John well, just play beside him at the odd tournament or so, he plays the bigger cash games around town etc, etc., Went accross the road after work again, but I definitely hit the wall this time. I was shattered, so the gym was a bit of a dude, I managed to do 10 lenghts of the pool and collapsed into the jacussi. Headed home, watched Russia destroy Sweden in the european championships, then downloaded the final table of the 6 handed event to watch John in action. He appeared to be completely card dead, and check raised a guy all in with 2 4, unfortunatley the other guy had the monster As 9S on an Ad 2s 5s board, so he was always calling. $100,000 payout softens the blow.. well done sir.

Thursday 19th June 2008

Work was desperate, pressure pressure pressure, which made it all the better for going accross the road. It was either the threadmill was gonna get it or the bottle of vodka, luckily for me the gym won out. I had an assessment by the very attractive David Skelly mmm..... well you can dream, can't you.... He added in some machines for me to do. i actually felt good doing the circuit... The swim I managed 10 lenghts not bad considering I was fairly wrecked after the gym. Went home and watched Germany fairly well destroy portugal.

Friday 20th June 2008 - Fitz Scalps Game
Well first week of the gym over, they say the first few weeks are the worst. hopefully over the next Month I will notice a difference in my clothes. I am sorting out my wardrobe, only hanging up what Fits me at the moment. There is nothing more depressing that trying on a pair of jeans you could fit into a couple of months ago but won't close now, yuck yuck yuck.....

Headed into the Fitz tonight after the gym, fairly wrecked. Played particularly badly and gave all my money to Mick Duffy even after he min raised me and announced that he didn't want an Ace on the flop. sometimes I play sooo badly it beggers belief. Headed home because I wasn't really in the humour for playing cash. Felt kind of sick to be honest.. Maybe I went to the gym too much for my first week. Ah well.

Saturday 21st June - Fitz fun'n'frolics

Went to the gym today for a swim, sauna and jacuzzi. god I felt great after it. Myself and Martin headed into the Fitz for the €125 freezeout, there were 4 tables for this... This tournament is going from strength to strength which is great to see. I tried a little move representing a set of 2's from the BB but alas the other player wasn't listening. Decided to play in the "Round of Fish" game lol. It is a €15 mult-re-buy round of each game. Martin loves this tournament but I don't, so needless to say I split it for €400. So I had a profit of €200 for the night, nice one. There were alot of "Sporting Emporium" regulars in the Fitz tonight, which doesn't bode well for the S.E. The fitz however was packed out the door.

Monday 23rd June 2008
Yesterday I ate and drank what I wanted. you have to splash out once a week, otherwise you would go mental. So today as I am writing this I have a manky hangover, but here is where the test is. I can talk a great strategy for losing weight and getting fit, but putting your gym bag into your car amazingly doesn't make you lose weight you have to go to the f*ckin gym.....Headed accross, but I only did a swim, boo hoo me. The weighing machine was broken, so maybe that was an omen no to be weighed sigh.... Did 16 lengths of pool and then a jacuzzi... not too bad.

I started a thread on Boards about the state of the poker forum of late. It has been full of trolls and a few boardsies were complaining about it on Saturday in the Fitz.... Decided to start the thread to get people discussing it and maybe a few ideas will stem from it.. Got some good responses, thread is here and well worth a look (although by the time I print this it will be old news lol)

Tuesday 24th June 2008

Work was good, gym was great, felt really good... neck a bit achy but it's achy anyway, so might aswell be in pain and losing weight rather than be in pain and piling on the weight. Oh yeah it was officially announced on the radio that we are in a recession (just in case people didn't realise lol)

Wednesday 25th June 2008

Work was good, busy busy busy which helps the day go bye. Think im finally over my online stalker, does it mean you have made it if you have an online stalker, mmm. Between the stuff posted on my blog, trippies blog and the photo of me in Waterford it wasn't fun. Arseholes are arseholes I suppose so I don't think they are going to change, so my policy from now on is ignore ignore ignore.... Went accross the road and noticed that the weighing Machine was fixed... Did my workout, changed into swim gear and took a deep breath and stood on the scales.... Lost 211bs, yepee

Did you know that if you lose 211bs a week you'll have 4 stone gone in 6 months. Unrealistic target but I am hoping to try and lose half a stone a month. 4 stone in total.. Reminds me of the beatles song The Long & Winding Road.... If you don't believe you can do it - then you'll fail.... anyway well done me yepee

Thursday 26th June 2008 - Fitz €270 Game

Rain rain and more rain today. Went across to Jackie Skelly's, did a really good workout. Spent a little extra time in the pool and got myself up to 16 lenghts, then the jacuzzi and sauna, felt great afterwards. Headed straight in the fitz game. I expected the numbers to be down with alot of the regulars over in Vegas, mainly people who post on Boards Poker Forum.

Some of them are blogging while over there and here are a few good ones. Dagunmans 5Starpool rag2gar SpencerJames I think we will definitely go over next year. The numbers for the Venetian and the Ceasers Palace deep stack games are huge and there seems to be alot of good value tournaments.

So there were 8 tables in total, wow... Involved in 2 hands of note. Player in Ep raised to 300 (blinds 50, 100) and I decided to flat call on the button with QQ.. Oz (ozpoker from boards) in the small blind paused for 15 seconds or so and say's raise and re-pops to 1,100..... Original raiser folds mmm what to do. I flat called....

flop comes down 3s 4d 5h...

He bets out 2,100 I re-poped to 4.2K he goes all in, I called and he has Kings, meh..... Didn't feel I did anything wrong in the hand.

Turns is 6s, wow 8 more outs, then the magic 7 on the river for a split pot. In fairness he took it really really well

My exit hand was fairly well butchered by me... Pocket jacks, yuck....... Played a bit of cash and headed home bout 2ish.....

Friday 27th June

My muscles were giving out to me for the 4 nights in a row at the gym so I decided to give it a break. Went into the Fitz Scalps game, 80 + runners again, wow.... didn't get going at all, played a bit of Omaha cash and made a nice little profit..... €1K + so I was delighted with that.

Saturday 28th June

Came 3rd in the €125 freezout for €550, nice one. This got 3 tables 27 runners, not bad considering there are alot away that would normally be playing.

Monday 30th June

Headed accross to the gym after work, down another 11b, absolutely delighted..... that's 311bs in the 2 weeks, nice one, yepee.

JUNE - SUMMARY
Well im delighted the way the gym is going, although im tired im also happy. Neck is a bit iffy but it's iffy anyway so if im going to be in pain, might aswell be in pain and trying to lose weight. Poker wise made 3 final tables but no tourney win.... enjoying playing cards. Might just play at the weekends in July and do a bit more reading. The Macau Festival in August is my next venture, so need to be more focused for that one.

Cards - Happy enough the way ive been playing although there is major room for improvement. Unlucky in Waterford, but then I did get lucky in other spots during the game, so swings & roundabouts.

Weight - Down 311bs so im delighted. If I can keep going it will be brillant. Only started in Jackie Skellys for the last 2 weeks of June so hopefully....... It's hard work though, very hard work...

Fitz €500 - Trip Report - (it's very short, sigh)

2008-06-06T15:32:00.000+01:00

So I actually won 2 tickets into this. One at a live Satellite and one online. Paddy power ran a satellite which generated 4 Tickets. The structure for this was excellent and there was a great buzz about the place.

My table had a few familiar faces Rush (who went deep in the tournament) as usual...
I made two errors and was gone, which unfortunately is the nature of cards. My exit hand was quite spectacular, with me having about 4.5K left, loads of limpers blinds are 50 100 and I make it 500 in lp with QsQd. 3 callers. flop comes down 5 8 10, Jude takes a stab at the pot betting out 800, I ship my remaing 4K, only for the BB to announce all in, sigh. I knew there and then I was doomed. he turns over 55 for a flopped set, well played sir, oh yeah it turned into quads by the river.

It's a pity I went out so early because I was really looking forward to the tournament. Martin was motoring around nicely so I played in the omaha for a while. God I was getting nothing, nothing at all, but managed to only lose about €100. think I won 1 hand the whole night.

I spotted Strewelpeter from Boards and went over to have a chat with him, and then there was an incident, involving another punter. Im not going to say very much about it to be honest because it is something that I would just like to put behind me, but it shook me quite badly, and I did get very upset about it. Now let's be honest im big enough and old enough to look after myself, (I mean I did go to ballymun comprehensive for f*ck sake) but I personally feel that I was singled out for abuse because i'm a woman.

At the end of the day I just want to go and play cards without feeling intimidated. Everybody has good and bad days and the way the economy is going there might be alot worse to come, so myself and Martin use Cards as a social outlet.

It is great to pit your wits against people, take the bad beats on the chin (the now patented beat by Egyptian Joe with his Q9 offsuit lol), but there is a level of respect that needs to be shown to people, and unfortunately with this incident it was very much lacking.

Anyway back to the Cards, Martin went out 19th. I think he played a great game. The fitz did a great job, as usual. The turnout was excellent. Running satellites for a few weeks leading up to a big buy-in event is great for the numbers. The addition of the Paddy Power satellites was brilliant and generated another 4 tickets, well done Noel Hayes.

Anyway were off to waterford, so hopefully I'll be reporting on the cards and the craic, because at the end of the day that's was everyone wants, is a bit of relaxation and fun.

JUNE - SUNSHINE, SMILES & A BIT OF CARDS

2008-06-03T10:11:00.000+01:00

JUNE BANK HOLIDAY - WOWSIE WOWSIE WOWSIE,

That's the only way I can describe the weather for the Bank Holiday Weekend, does anyone remember last years June Bank Holiday, it bucketed rain non stop for the weekend. Well this was brillant, 3 days of eating your dinner in the back Garden hot off the BBQ, and not having to drag the feckin thing around to the shed.

Friday 30th May
Went to a Birthday party in The Teachers Club in Parnell Square, and for a change I put a sensible hat on and didn't go home via the Fitzwilliam Card Club. Well done Colette, for a change. It was a great night and a great chance to meet up with people I haven't seen in ages.

Saturday 31st May
Went into the Sporting Emporium €275 Game as part of the Festival. It had 40 odd runners, and to be honest never really got going, neither did Martin. Was down to 600 in chips after losing to Ak with pocket 9's, I worked that stack up to 8K and went out after the break when I pushed with Ad10d into pocket Aces. in fairness I needed to double up or go home, and I went home. There was a good buzz about the place which is good, and I was delighted for Alex and John, who run a good show there.

Sunday 1st June
We headed up to the Fairways Hotel in Dundalk for the Poker Ireland Dundalk Hundred - 1st June - €100 NLH Freeze-out It got 137 runners, which considering the weather was a great turnout. Starting Stack 10K 30Min clock, wow for the structure. I got my stack up to 24K by the break, and was gone before the dinner break. It takes a very "Special" kind of person to do that kind of thing. I did run very badly after break, one example being

Raise with pocket 6's in lp to 1,200 blinds are 200, 400 called by BB
flop comes down 2 6 10 rainbow, he checks I bet 1,500 he calls.
turn is 5 and he goes all in for 5K, I call and he turns over 78 for a straight draw
9 on river.... mmm.

I then floped set of tens but get called to river and folded to an all-in when flush was made.

But in fairness my stack went from 24K down to 12K which was still very playable, but I panicked a bit, and tried some stupid moves, instead of tightening up a little bit and steadying the ship so to speak. Lessons to be learn't I feel.

It was a very well run tournament, great location. The fairways hotel has had a major facelift since I was last there. alot of northern players down aswell. Definitely one for the diary. Although I won't be able to play it every month, I will try and make it to as many as possible. A few of the dealers needed a bit of work, but overall standard was good. well done to Stephen and derek.

What a Weekend

2008-05-26T10:01:00.000+01:00

Friday
Friday was a bad day in work, Got the "Hairdryer treatment in work by the boss, both over the phone and face to face, just in case I didn't get the message lol. So not the best start to the weekend. Finished getting the food for the party over the weekend.

Saturday - Eurovision Party Night
We decided to have a Eurovision Party. Things didn't go to plan when the BBQ blew over due to gale force winds, but small things like that don't sway us and after a few stratigically placed bricks and we were ready to go. Had a load of people over bout 4.30 p.m. for the BBQ, got lovely Sirloin steaks from Musgraves and there is nothing better than a steak and watching the Heineken cup Final on the telly, Munster were awesome, it wasn't the prettiest game to watch but christ was it intense.

Then the Eurovision. It's alway best to watch it on BBC1 with Terry Wogan and also put the sub-titles on. The translation of the songs are the best.... Even by Eurovision standards (which are pretty bad) it was brutal, but alcohol is a great sedative, and MojoRadio on sky 0182 is a great station for songs for a party. The party was a great success and went on until nearly 5

Sunday - yuck
Thank god for Alka-Seltzer, and sleep. I was fairly well in bits, there is nothing worse than a wine and vodka hangover. You now your in trouble when your head hurts when you open your eyes, never mind lifting the head off the pillow. I had somehow qualified for the Sporting emporium league final and headed in. I really don't know why I bothered, I played like a baby and went out straight after the break. Headed home and was all set for any early night, and realised that I had qualified for the Macau Irish Classic Grand Final Satellite on Green Joker Poker, I nearly didn't play it because I thought I would just fall asleep, glad I did cause i won the ticket, YEPEE, YAHOO.....

The details of the festival can be found Macau Website, it's on Friday 15th August, a 3 day event, so I can't wait for it, not bad $20 investment works upt to €1,600 ticket...

Satellites - What's the general consensus?

2008-05-16T13:52:00.000+01:00

Tuesday 13th May
I played in the Satellite for the S.E. 1K Event on 31st May. Structure was as follows
€100 + €10 "No Limit" Hold'em Super Satellite.
1 x €100 Rebuy or Top-up.
Starting Stack : 3,500.
Rebuy/Top-up : 5,000.
Clock : 20/25 minutes.

There were only 20 runners and it generated 2 tickets, I got the bubble 3rd which was a bit of a bummer. I decided that 20% investment for big buy-in is enough to invest, so I won't be playing it

Thursday 15th May
I played in the Satellite for the Fitz €500 Game Saturday 7th June. Structure was as follows:
Buy in €50 + €5
Starting Stack 3,000
(+500 bonus for being at the table for any of the first 3 hands)
and the rebuy/add on for 4,000

There were 28-30 runners generating 4 €500 tickets (pay the reg fee of €40 ourselves)
Myself and Martin got a ticket, so it was job well done.

The reason for the Title above is how much do you invest in Satellites for bigger buy-in Events. 20% - 30% of the total buy-in.

I know sometimes in the past I nearly spent the price of a ticket trying to win a ticket. I have stopped that.

Fitz Scalps Game Friday 9th May

2008-05-12T14:58:00.000+01:00

I don't know what it is about this game, but it has been very good to me over the years. I won it the night before my first trip to Vegas, (3K) and I always remember that night. I decided to get my first Spray On Tanning. It was a very strange experience and the girl obviously felt that I should look more like Aretha Franklin. I got slagged off something wicked in the Fitz. So myself and Martin headed in last Friday night and I got to the final table short stacked. I had Pat Vickers on my right, who thew all the toys out of the pram when I asked Denise if we could repeat a blind level. He stomped outside and sat there like a child... So I headed out told him that there were tablets he could get for the "Male Menopause".. After a while he came back in and kept going all every hand, sigh.

Eventually we get 3 handed, myself a guy called Gary and Pat. The blinds were 1.5K 3K at this stage, im in hte BB with AhQh and gary limps in, Pat complets the SB and I raise to 20K, both call.
Flop comes down 6h 9h 5h, pat goes all in for 35K, I look over at Gary who is checking back to look at his cards, so I hope that he has a high heart. I ask how much, count to 10 and call, Gary folds, pat turns over 6 9 for 2 pair. My hand holds up and I knock him out in 3rd. I asked gary if he wanted to split as we were about even in chips,

We took €1,500 each left €160 in scalps chips + €100 off prize money for the dealers. I really enjoy the tournament, it had 68 runners which was great. The club was mad buzy with cash tables aswell and the €100 omaha game was in full swing. Colette Doherty made a comment about her name sake getting to so many final tables and I answered "If I could only play Omaha like you" she replied "I'll teach you", wow just wow..... Im definitely going to remind her of that. It would be great to get lessons from her.

Saturday 10th May
We had a lazy day today and decided to have dinner in the Fitz (mmm steaks are gorgeous) and played in the 7p.m. €125 freezeout. It only had 20 runners which was a bit dissapointing but sure what can you do. Martin knocked me out on the final table AK v AQ, we certainly cannot be accused of chip dumping. He ended up splitting it with Ronan for €900 odd each, so it was a great weekend for the both of us.

Nothing too much exciting happening. The weather is just superb, puts you in good humour, long may it last. I just checked back on my New Years Resolution and to say that I am failing miserably is an understatement

here they are
2008 goals
POKER
1. Qualify for the Irish open (Done - yepee)

2. Qualify for the WSOP - (nah, next year )

3. Stop overplaying medium pocket pairs (your were right Nicky) - (work in progress)

4. Win a €500 + tournament, (not even close )

5. Arrange a Boards home cash game (meh too many good cash games in Casinos, might arrange a Mythical night)

6. try to be nice to Bob Battersby (I tried, I failed, im a bad person)

NON POKER
1. lose Weight, and stop whinging about it, (lost a little bit, still whinging though)

2. Go on holidays to a Country ive never been to (going to Kerry, does that count)

3. Try not kill someone in a fit of roadrage on the M50 (have changed Route home so better)

4. Prepare the spare Room for the overnight parties when IKEA opens (not opening til 2009)

5. Learn a different language (besides Waffle) (failed miserable at spanish....)

JP's Irish Masters Festival Red Cow

2008-05-06T11:06:00.000+01:00

Saturday 3rd May
I have been looking forward to The Irish Masters game for some time now. JP Runs a great tournament, brillant structure. He has been running pub tournaments, team events, Deepstack Sunday tournaments (20K stack for €125) around Dublin over the last few years and has built up a great reputation for himself. Over the weekend I heard nothing but great praise from him by staff that worked at the festival, dealers etc., so hats off sir you did a great job.

So got my head together and headed over to play in the Main Event, 190 Runners and my table looked okay, I hadn't got any players that I recognised except Stephen (Drogheda regular) who was staying in the hotel for the weekend and was plastered (to put it midly), very amusing but non stop chat chat chat chat, eh more chat chat chat.

First level, and I get pocket Kings utg, and decided to do the old chestnut "limp re-raise". I limped along with 4 others to the SB who raises to 500, I re-pop to 2K, it's folded around to him and he insta-calls.... mmmm.

Flop comes down A 7 8 he bets out 5K, I fold showing the Kings, he shows AK.... nice hand sir.

2 Hands later I look down at Aces on the Button, I raise to 700 after 6 limpers (I know huge amount but I didn't want a multiway pot, Get called by 1 player in MP.

flop comes down K 8 5, he checks I bet out 2.5K he calls.
K on the Turn and he goes all in.
I sigh and fold (not showing my Aces) and he pops over K J Soooted nice hand sir....

Level 2 now, and im on about 9K, but still feeling okay as I feel im getting more into the game. A new player has arrived to the table "Paul" a regular cash game player from the S.E. and this hand happens. He is playing his usual loose aggresive play, in most pots etc.,

Im in the SB and I look down at Q 5 offsuit. there are 7 limpers (that kind of table) I check my option.

Flop comes down Q 5 3 rainbow (nice one)
I bet out 300, paul calls, everyone else folds.
Turn is the 5 (yepee), I bet out 600 he flat calls... mmmm
river is an 8 and I bet out 1,600
he raises to 4.K and after a bit of a dwell I ship my remaing chips over the line.

He calls while saying "do you have Quads".... I get that bit of a sick feeling in my stomach and look in horror as he flicks over pocket queens for a house. Complete cooler, but I was happy enough with my play etc.,

so I hop into the Car (the engine was still warm) and head home. Martin is working and I contemplate what to do... There is always the S.E. €200 game. I know that the numbers will be depleted but I head in anyway.

It got 30 Runners, and still a tough enough field, HectorJelly, spencerjames, Mickste to name but a few boardsies that were there. I have to say the most scary thing is when you put a bet in and look up to be greeted by the now patented "Mick Stevens stare" it would turn you to stone I tell ya.

Anyway made a move on him on the river and he is sitting to my left, looks at me for about 2mins, looks at my neck and says call.... I announce king high as he flicks over Middle pair no kicker... I was owned, sigh.

We played 4 handed for 3.5 hours, Mick Stephens, myself and "Bad Beat Joe" who amazingly never told a bad beat story at all... Mick kept him in check for the rest of us. To cut a long story short, Myself and Bad Beat Joe ended up spliting it for 2K each at 5.55 a.m. in the morning. We would have had to come back on Saturday to finish it. I had a 140K to 80K chip lead going into the heads up, but he started to claw back and we were fairly well even when the deal was done. I got the points fo the tournament league, because I was slight chip leader, so I was happy enough with that. Mick Stephens got unlucky when he called joe's re-raise all in with pocket 7's, Joe had A 9 and got the 9 on the river. He was by far the best player at the final table, and if you ever have any feelings of grandeaur about your game, just sit at his table for a few tournaments, or even worse cash games (shudder)

Sunday 4th May
So myself and Martin headed to play in the €300 side event, bypassing the Weeds which were nearly coming in the front door to say hello, in fact it brought back memories of Land of The Triffids, which scared the shit of me as a child, showing my age here. Anyway, I played like a baby, no excuses, (well maybe that I was tired). I had Ionapaul from Boards at my table and Mick McCluskey. In fairness Paul is probably kind of wondering how I even get to final tables at any event, as I have played like a donkey in the 2 tournaments he has been at the same table as me.

I raised with poket Kings (KhKd) in MP , SB and another player calls,
flop comes down Jh 5h 3h, and yes I called all he bets to the river and he shows Qh 10h

Strangely enough, Martin went out 10 minutes earlier, with the same KK v Q10 on a Q 10 3 board.

Decided to check out the Cash game scenario, and sat down to a 1,2 no limit holdem game. I sat down with €200 just to get an idead of the table, the average stack was between 250 - 300 so I wasn't short stacked by any imagination. I flopped a set of 5's and a set of 8's and got called each time by top pair top kicker. I left at 2.30 a.m up €1,100 so it was a good day.

Monday 5th May
Omaha tournament.
I decided to play in this tournament, even though I am under no illusions about my Omaha play, I would really be the value in this. It is very rare that you can play a Freezeout omaha tournament, they are usually a multi-rebuy bingo game. I ended up getting the bubble, giving BCB (noel hayes) all my chips on a 9 Q 7 board, me holding 10 J J 8, (he had pocket nines for a set). It was a rash play by me and if I had thought about if for a second, I could have gotten away from the pot. really enjoyed the game though and im glad to see Noel used my chips to good use and split the Omaha event...

It was great to see so many familar Faces at the Final Tableof the main Event, great showing for Dara O'Kearney, winner of the GJP Festival, and he was unlucky with his exit hand.

roll on the next festival, The Waterford Open in tramore

Punchestown Races

2008-04-25T12:01:00.000+01:00

First time at the Races
We were brought to Punchestown yesterday with Work, it was the Ballyboden fundraiser tent, Dinner free drink and wine, I know it's a hard aul station but sure someone has to do it.

So it's down to the Last race and im standing in que to put €20 each way on the favourite Lord Over, and there's a guy in front of me telling his friend that "Go Native"has a great chance because, blah blah blah, so I decide to put €20 each way on Go Native aswell cause it's the last race, ive had loads of wine,

It came in at 17/1 yepee....I won €377.00 on "Go Native"
and got €48 for Lord Over.... Bus back to Ballyboden for more drink and celebrations. Great day and night..... Above is the picture of me with the the winnings. yepee.....

Light at end of Tunnel

2008-04-21T10:08:00.000+01:00

So after trying out a few alternative trips I have now come out of my M50 depression. I go to work via the M50 and go home Via Chapelizod/Cabra/Finglas.... so kharma is restored. Went into the S.E. on Tuesday and played the Satellite for the Sporting Emporium €500 Game.. Obviously I forgot to leave my donkey ears at home. I played so badly it wasn't even funny.

I got my Harrington On Holdem Cash Games I & II Books delivered during the week and I am really looking forward to reading them. I have also dusted down Harrington On Holdem I & II which I am going to re-read. I definitely feel that I need to work on my play at the later part of tournaments. I get a good stack built up early on and then nearly go into auto-pilot at the business end of tournaments. I need to refresh the basics for JP's game in May.

Friday 18th April
We had drinks after work in The Boards Head for one of the girls who was made redundant. She was due back from maternity leave and was offered redundancy because there is nothing moving at the moment in the Constuction sector. It was a little scary because she was 19 years with the Company. Once again for some unknown reason the Taxi brought me home via the "Fitz".. I know amazing isn't it. I somehow managed to win €700 while munching though a Chicken Burger with garlic sauce... I know it was garlic sauce because it kept coming back to say hello on Saturday, all bleedin day. Best moment was bluffing Solicitor Kevin off a pot in Omaha holding the lone Ace of Hearts with 3 hearts on board.

Saturday 19th April
Played in the Fitzwilliam €125 game. It got 32 odd runners including 6 norweigan buddies over for a week to play cards and golf. One of the guys was a complete doppleganger for Connor (Lazare) from Boards.. It was scary, the way he played with his chips, went through hands etc., Oz was at my table for alot of the night. Got to the final table quite short stacked but managed to work it up nicely. Then I gave one of my norweigan friends nearly all my chips with pocket 9's sigh. Thought I played okay but will definitely have to work on my shorthanded play. I play too tightly. I put my remaining chips in against Oz, SB v BB confrontation.. I had 8d9d he had 4s4c. 8 on the flop but 4th spade on turn. I went out in 6th for €200. Really enjoyed the tournament.

MOODY MURPHY

2008-04-14T11:59:00.000+01:00

I have been in a mood the last week or so, I know, nothing hugely unusual there. I have been trying to put my finger on why, but I couldn't. Then I realised that im suffering from the M50 moodies. Our company moved out the Parkwest Business Park 3 years ago now, and the M50 is just getting worse and worse. All last week I had no va va voom, no spark.

So how to change, well the M50 isn't going to improve radically so I am starting to investigate different routes, and done a tour of the back roads around cabra, phoenix park, Ballyfermot etc., and hopefully this will help the sense of doom and gloom improve.

I arranged to meet up with a few friends (non poker) for a few drinks on Friday night in Mulligans in poolbeg street. God I miss going drinking after work. Because we work in a business park it's almost like a military operation to arrange a drinking session.. I drove my car into Jervis Street car park and had my arse on the bar stool by 6 p.m. nice one. It was great to catch up with people I haven't seen in far too long.

Anyway after copious amounts of Vodka I headed home via the Fitz . There were no seats in the cash game so I ventured over to the Brag table, stuck 20quid and bada bing bada boom, I duly received the most beautiful 2h3h4h BRAG, yepee.... €800 nice one. I then texted Martin who was working late to pick me up from the Club.

Saturday 12th April 2008 Fitzwilliam €120 + €5 freezeout
After nursing the most horrendous vodka hangover we headed into the Fitz to have some dinner and to play in the €120 freezeout. I can't understand why this does not get more numbers as it is without the best structure around.
7K starting stack and 30 minute clock the whole way. I know im on the players committe in the Fitz, but if you want a good value, deepstack tournament, this is the one to go for. 27 runners in this. I came 2nd for €900..
First was €1,350 and 2nd €750.
When we got heads up the "General" had 90% of the chips in play and offered me the extra €150 to split there and then. I duly accepted this very generous offer.

A storm brewing indeed.... Thanks trippie

2008-04-08T00:02:00.000+01:00

Came 3rd for the european ladies event on Ladbrokes.
Was doing okay, eventually figured out the 3D Labrokes thingy, then got a pm (thanks for the heads up, I really appreciated it) that there were some nasty comments on Trippies blog about me, and martin.. Gordon (trippie) didn't post anything bad, but some replies to his blog made some nasty comments about myselft and Martin..

Tilted me a bit.....
Im big enough and old enough not to answer Annonymous posters but for some reason it got to me.... and I did... maybe trippie got what he wanted, another controversial blog - well done sir.

Ah well lessons learn't....... maybe it's the kick in the arse I need to step back from boards from a while..... it has gotten quite septic really, people feel they can post lot's of sh*t about people because they don't have the guts to sign their name.
Rant end....

If you want to reply to this, grow a set and leave your name.... anonymous insults will be deleted....

Note:.... Got a pm from Gordon (trippie) telling me that the comments have been deleted from the replies to his blog, which im happy with.

Galway trip + the Eglington Casino

2008-04-07T11:56:00.000+01:00

Myself and Martin headed down on Friday afternoon, got stuck in desperate traffic and didn't get to the Eglington til 8.00 p.m. We were hugely impressed by the Casino, great atmosphere, very friendly crowd, complimentary Wine and Beer which is great...

Martin played in the MONSTER MONTHLY TOURNAMENT.... and came 4th. I never got going in the Ladies Event. Willow and Joan Vickers were at my table and Joan was the unlucky 4th (3 prizes up for grab). She got €500 I think so a profit was made. Willow got off to a great start but the blinds caught up to her in the end. I played in the cash game €1 €3 optional €6 live straddle No limit game. I played some unusual hands and got lucky in one pot getting runner runner for a straight...

The crowning moment was bluffing Carrigeen from Boards off a pot and showing fresh air, (I hope you made it home okay, cough cough)......

Would definitely recommend the Eglington, they have a great set-up there.

Saturday 5th - S.E. €200 game
I was first out..... sigh...
Main damage was done when I called a raise to 300 by "Full tilt Eric" in MP... I was in the BB with JdJh..flop comes down 10 J Q Rainbow, I check he bets out 600..... I Called and bet out 1K on a brick on the Turn.. he raises to 3K...
Definite alarm bells there but I didn't listen and called.. King on the River and he went all in.... I folded showing my set and he showed AK.
I didn't think he would bet out on the flop with the stone cold nuts.... WP Sir...
I eventually re-raised my remaining 2,200 on a board of 3d 4c 9c with me holding 5c 6c... and got called by the Bookie guy (Older guy with grey hair).... and missed my 15 outs twice.. He had Ac 9h...

Went around to the Fitz and split the €100 game around there, for €350... won some money in the cash game.... so all in all up €100 for the night. absolutely wrecked tired though.