Is it really 2 months since I was in Marbella?? Time certainly flies quicker the older you get. So what happened in Marbs? Not a lot compared to last year tbh. Instead of a party of nine, it was just the two of us this year, Graham Phipps and myself. Consequently, a lot less alcohol was consumed, no fights broke out, and we left with our reputations intact. The downside was there was no trophy brought home and no cashes were made. I'd rather take the chaos + trophy anytime. There were a few scary moments, and they all involved Graham at the wheel. He decided it would be a good idea to hire a car for the week. Our 1st trip to the casino, which is by the harbour in Puerto Banus, ended with us in the nearby mountains, I kid you not!! Somehow we made it through the week, though next year, I think we'll stay in the H10 hotel by the casino, and no car hire will be required.
I took a few weeks off from live poker after Marbella, after all there's not a lot to play whilst the world series in Vegas is on. All being well I'll pay my 1st visit to it next year.
I had a weeks break in Benidorm in July, it was my first time there, and I wouldn't hesitate to go back. People often say it's like Blackpool. Well Blackpool doesn't have 35c temperatures everyday, such a variety of restaurants, especially the quaint Tapas Bars in the old town, oh and of course a 70 year old stripper!!
The end of July saw the GUKPT arrive in Leeds. The 1st few levels brought great success and I was north of 130k with 2 levels left of the day. I was running hotter than a vindaloo, but I paid for it in a spectacular 30 minute stretch. 4 times I got it in on the flop a big favourite, and 4 times the shorter stack outdrew me, and I ended the day with a below average 51k. I turned up for day 2 and found Tom Middleton to my right, 'great' I thought. But he was no bother, it was the chap 3 to my left who was. I found AA in the cut off to his BB, I decided to min raise + a bit, hoping for a re-raise. There wasn't one, and the flop was K-3-2 rainbow. He checked, I potted it, and he called. I put him on a draw, and when the 6 came, I thought it might be trouble. He bet out, and I just called. The river was a blank, and he put a chunky sized bet in. I tanked, muttered that he probably turned 2 pair or hit his straight, then called. The straight it was, a good player would have got away from that. That left me with 15 bb's and soon after I got involved with the same chap. I decided that after I had checked the river, it was a good idea to rep the nut flush when he put a small bet in. Not a good idea, as he was in fact holding the said nut flush. So that was the end of GUKPT Leeds for me.
Susan by now had landed in Leeds and was busy spending the money she had hoped I was winning. We went for a bite to eat in the early evening before heading back to the casino. We met up with a few other failures including Mike Hill, Dom Mahoney, Jeff Kimber, Dave Maudlin, Dan Charlton, and Mark 'Sharkey' James to name a few, and we went into town for a few drinks. As the night progressed, I saw some moves bust that I never thought I'd ever see, but what a laugh!!
I decided against playing the UKIPT in Bristol, as its torture to get there from Newcastle. By the time I'd have arrived there, I could have flown to Barcelona and be sat down in the city's casino.
I've been roped into joining Leigh Wiltshire's team in the Dusk Til Dawn Team Challenge. Paul Haycock is in the team too, so we need to run like god. That said, Paul won the on line micro event the other night, so ensuring we have qualified for the live final in October. Which reminds me, it's very frustrating that I can't play the UKPC 6-Max next week, but you can't be in two places at the same time. I held off booking up for Magaluf and Barcelona, hoping to do what I did last year, in playing the 6-Max before flying off to Majorca for 5 days before playing the EPT in Barca. But when no dates were forth-coming, I booked up for the full Estrella/EPT festival which starts next weds. So they'll be no sharing the final table with Leigh and Paul this year.
One bit of good news. I was twiddling my thumbs watching TV the other week when Mr Phipps messaged me to say he was playing a satellite for an EPT Barcelona seat. I won my seat to the event last year, so wondered if lightening would strike twice. Well it did, 172 entries, 5 seats available, yours truly snuck one, €5085 saved!! That's 2 from 2 in EPT Barca sats now, I'll quit them while I'm 100%, as the few others I've tried for in Deauville and Malta were total failures. I think they are by far the hardest seats to win by on line satellites.
So that's me on route to Magaluf. 5 days by the pool before heading to Barcelona. Susan and Louise are staying in Magaluf for the full week. I'm sure they'll be partying hard as soon as 'the boring one' leaves town. Here's hoping I go a bit deeper than the min cash I managed last year.
Ps... Arrived in Majorca to torrential rain and thunderstorms, 20c in Newcastle, the run bad continues.
As I write this latest chapter, we are already deep into October, where has the year gone? I'm on route to Malta for the second time this year. I hope the weather is better than it was back in March, unseasonably high winds and rain prevailed then. Although the poker was a loss, I remember drinking a toast to Jimmy Walker as he completed his 72nd hole that more than made up for it. Coincidently I enjoyed a rather large Mixed Grill last night due to last weekends antics in California. Those who follow the golf will get that. Those that don't, let's just say I'm free rolling this week.
So far I'm ahead on the year, mainly due to a 3rd placed finish in Monte Carlo. Whatever happens between now and when Santa comes bearing gifts I won't go into deficit, so my one ambition for the year will be achieved, happy days.
Since I last wrote on route to a brief holiday in Majorca before landing in Barcelona, I've not played much Poker. No particular reason for it, other than I knew I was going to be playing a lot in November. I'm playing the whole IPT/EPT Malta festival. I'm home for less than 24 hours before heading to Nottingham for the WPT Main event. I snook a seat for that through finishing 3rd in their 1st monthly High Roller event, finishing behind an EPT Prague High Roller winner, and recent EPT Barcelona runner up. It's not easy this poker malarkey!! Then the weekend after the WPT, I'm heading to Blackpool for the GUKPT. I'll be pokered out after that stint. I've nothing else planned before I go to Prague on the 6th of December for 10 days, then that will be it for the year. Tentative thoughts have been mentioned between myself and Mike 'Da Bookie' Hill about going out to The Bahamas for the Caribbean Festival in early January. But we've agreed to hang fire and see how we both run between now and the end of Prague 1st. I really enjoyed watching the highlights on TV from last years festival, especially those involving the 'original' Ronaldo, and Sergio Garcia. As Garcia hasn't won on the PGA Tour again this year, no doubt he'll be there with his pal again, and I've a bone to pick with him. (The Festival coincides with a golf tournament that only the previous years winners on the PGA Tour can play).
Work has slowed down again which is the norm for this time of year. Hopefully it picks up again after Xmas. I've made one or two bad business decisions the past few months, but I live to tell the tale - just.
So back to Barcelona, wow, it never disappoints. It's by far and away the highest attended event on the EPT calendar. I changed hotels this year, meaning the trip to the casino was walkable if I fancied it. It was also next door to a weird little bar managed by a man called Frankie, what a character. Anyway most nights ended with me and Mike tapping away to Johnny Cash, or something similar.
I played and min cashed in the Estrella Main, just the 3500+ entries, unreal!! I played like a right tool in the EPT Main event. I was on the same table as a local who I'd bumped into in the Estrella. He was 'at it' the whole time in that event, and kept getting caught. I just wrongly assumed he was up to the same antics in the EPT main, and so kept getting involved with him, only this time, he kept having the goods. When he eventually bust me 1/2 way through Day 1, he was up to 80,000. He never made Day 2, that summed him up.
One amusing story from the main event, I looked up and saw someone who resembled Gerard Pique of Barcelona walk by, behind him was someone who looked even more like Naymer Jr, followed by enough security staff to man a G-8 Summit. Is there any need?? They both obviously like their poker, as they kept bouncing out of tournaments and playing another. Pique was so keen to play the whole week that he told a referee's assistant that he'd sha@@ed his mother when disagreeing with a (correct) offside decision the previous week, so getting himself a 3 match ban.
I didn't play much else through the week, but had a couple of fun nights out. One was with Mike and 2 Geordie boys over for the Estrella event, Chris Howden and Stevie Heron. We spent half the night looking for an Irish bar, and when we found it, they kicked us out after one drink as it was too quiet to stay open.
Another night included myself, Mike, Fraser McIntyre and Simon Deadman. Now Deadman being Deadman was dead sensible, and was on the water and left after our meal as he had Day 2 of the main event to look forward too. Us other 3 were either not good enough to make day 2, or too sensible to buy into it. Ok, one of us is a tight jock. Our bill came to over €300, and €200 of that was the wine bill. After a couple of girlie shorts, I left them to it and staggered back to the hotel on foot. I saw Fraser 2 days later and he was still suffering.
The last couple of days of the trip were spent chilling, eating paella, and not playing poker. Steve Warburton did The Brits (and himself even more so) proud by finishing 2nd in the main event, so picking up just shy of 1 million €€€'s, very nice!! I enjoyed watching the final table on line, very entertaining it was. This time next year......
I played a fun team event at DTD the other week. We didn't stand much of a chance tbh. 2 * Leeds fans, 1 * a Walsall one, and a southern softie, not a good combo. We talked a good game over breakfast beforehand, adding up our live winnings over the past 2 years, but we didn't walk the walk I'm afraid. I'm obv' looking for a new team next year ��.
So there we are, here's hoping this Malta gig goes better on the felt than back in March. I'm staying for 2 weeks, as my better half comes out on Sat 31st, before we fly back the following Tuesday. I've told her I won't be able to meet her at the airport as I'll be on the final table in the main event. I got that look that women give when they know u are talking utter bull sh@t. ��
As I've just played my final live event of the year I thought I should catch up and close the diary for the year, maybe even close it for good. I'll come back to last nights fun and frolics at the end.
It seems a very long time ago since I last wrote on the way to Malta in mid October, but when I think back, a lot has gone on since, so this may drag on for a while, apologies ��.
Poker wise, Malta mirrored my last visit in March. The poker gods weren't on my side, in the main, my fault. I decided to late reg the main event, not a good move. I ended up with top British pro's Billy Chattaway and Carlo Citrone, along with a couple of other very good regular circuit players. I didn't make the dinner break, non believing a player (again) after he'd been caught 'at it' several times earlier on. The few side events I played I didn't fare any better barring one where I did make the f/t, but only 6 were paid, someone had to finish 7th didn't they?? ��. My exit hand summing up how I run in Malta. All in pre with AJ v A4 and a 4 in the door doing for me. My enemy, a young Romanian lady who I've had regular clashes with over the past year. Very friendly, but extremely aggressive.
The good news very much like back in March, came from the golf course. I was on Dubuisson at 50/1 (and then again 100/1 after his very average 1st round) and Aphibarnrat at 40/1 to win in Turkey, and they came 1st and 3rd. It more than paid for the week. Oh and the other good news was that Susan came out for the last 4 days of the trip, so we had a mini holiday after the poker was finished. One thing I learned from that was be prepared to be crushed if you ever use Malta's public transport. At €1.50 per 2 hours, there's no wonder everyone uses the bus service, very much like Prague that I'll come to later. Makes you wonder where all the money goes that The British Public put into our transport system. I stayed in The Corinthia for the trip, and although it was a 20 min trek to the venue, it was worth it, a lovely hotel, albeit expensive compared to its sister hotel in Prague.
We flew back from Malta on the Tuesday afternoon, and it was a quick turnaround for me, as Wednesday morning I headed off to DTD in Notts for the WPT Festival. I'd grabbed a main event seat through a high finish in a previous tournament in the summer, so that was nice.
Although I was in on the cheap, I didn't make use of it and exited before the close of play on Day 1. I hung around and played the 8-max side event, a good move as it happened. I made the f/t in a decent position, and Paul 'Action' Jackson aside, there were no 'names/faces' amongst the other 7. We were down to 6 when Paul suffered a bad beat from the chip leader who was hitting everything and destroying the table. When we were 3 handed he had 75% of the chips, myself and the other chap more or less level. I chipped away at his lead, and then found AQ in the SB to his BB. I limped knowing what he would do, he didn't let me down. So we were all in pre, my AQ v his A2 that would have flipped things around and put me chip leader. But a 2 on the flop did for me bringing groans from a few mates railing... Oh well it was a 16k bink instead of a probable 40k one.
The following week brought Blackpool for the GUKPT jamboree there. The usual weather accompanied the festival, howling winds and torrential rain. I parked my car on the sea front car park outside the Casino. My hotel was opposite so it was just easier to leave it there for the entire weekend. I hadn't had time to check in etc when I landed, and it must have looked like a scene from a comedy sketch as I carried my clothes on their hangers, fighting a head on gale and driving rain at 3am, I was ready for take off and being dumped in the Irish Sea.
It was a fun packed weekend, plenty of alcohol and poker ensued. I got myself a healthy stack in the main event, and lost a very big pot towards the end of day 1. Annoyingly the recipient gave them away again in a 3 way all in just before play ended when it was obvious he was miles behind. I bumped into Sky Poker regular RSPCA on the Saturday, good to see him playing a live event.
After Blackpool it was time to take a break, I don't know how these young uns go from venue to venue, week in week out. I like the comfort of my sofa and TV too much.
Whilst having the sabbatical on my sofa, it was nice to see Rory recover from his faux Pas, pre The Open earlier in the year and win the R2D title, so clinching a fun year long running acca. And Kisner's win in the USA the same weekend put a cherry on the cake.
The last w/e of November saw me making final arrangements for the last road trip of the year to Prague. This was made complicated when I made a last minute decision to late reg' an online satellite for the main event. I was the 49th and last entry, and by this time only 23 were left in it. 2 hours later I was the last man standing, and only then did I discover it wasn't just a seat I had won, but €€€ for flights and a free stay in The Hilton where the event was being staged. I was already committed to staying in The Corinthia with Mike Hill, and Susan was coming out with me on the 6th for 4 days. The package inc the hotel stay, only started from the 10th, the day the EPT main started. Not wanting to mess around with the arrangements I booked flights and gave the hotel package to my parents, and my Xmas present to them was taken care of.
We arrived in Prague on Sunday the 6th to almost balmy weather conditions. The Corinthia in Prague was a step up from the one in Malta imo, and at 1/2 the price!! I bust the Eureka main early on the Monday which I didn't mind. I'd promised Susan that once I'd bust that, I was hers until she went back home on the 10th. So we spent a couple of days shopping and sight seeing, making full use of the cheap metro system, the equivalent of £3 for an all day pass.
As Susan left on the Thursday my parents arrived. I'd checked in the previous day and had given the room away that night. Scottish good kid Mudasser 'Macka' Hussain and a mate were short of a bed for one night only. I don't think he could believe his luck when I told him I had a spare bed for the night. They had sorted themselves and the room was A1 by the time my parents arrived so all was good.
Again the main event was a no no. It's no good getting in for €215 then not capitalising, I ran KK into AA in the 1st level. Tbh, I should have played it better and got away from it. When you 4-bet a solid pro', and he 5 bet jams, what can he have?? Fold man!!!
I fared better in my 1st side event, I came 7th in a field of 150+ for €8,300. Then I played an event at The Corinthia which had staged some WPT and Unibet events. One of which was taken down by the biggest 'fish' in the UK circuit. Non other than my good buddy Mr David 'Pasta Fish' Burghardt, well done to him. The event I played was the GrandLive Main Event. It attracted just short of 300 runners, and by day 3 we were down to 30 runners. By the time we were down to 12 I had a bang on average stack of 550,000 at 6/12k. I was in the SB and I had AK, nice so I thought. Early raiser to 29k, active button made it 90k, I then re-popped it to 200k, effectively committing myself. The initial raiser folded, the button shoved on me, I obv had to call. He had KK grrrr!!! ����. No help meant I was left with peanuts and I was soon on the rail, albeit €4,600 richer. It was there for the winning so I was very frustrated, I could have flatted the 90k and seen a flop then check folded, but hey ho.
The following night I had a meal with the parents, they were enjoying their holiday, so all was good on that front.
On the last day I played the last event of the festival, my 6th event of the trip. It was full of 'sickos' and somehow I navigated myself into the money. With 18 left, the field still included Deadman, Gellich, Schemion and Cimbolas to name a few, and I'd already received my 1st ever 'Timex' stare, - I just laughed -. 13 wasn't my lucky number, I looked down and saw QQ, 1st to act shoved with 15 bigs, Deadman before me tank folded, I re shoved and we were heads up. He had K9 off, nice I thought, K on the turn wasn't so nice and crippled me and I never recovered, 13th it was for another €4,600.
3 cashes out of 6 events made for a nice finish to the year, just a shame I didn't turn one of them into a top 3.
The journey home was both smooth and quick and it was time to ready myself for Xmas.
I played on line for one night, taking in 2 of Sky Pokers main UKOPS events. I managed 7th in the H Roller, Dave Maudlin came 8th. There was just 1 more live event to play and that was just a fun/drinking event played in memory of local poker celebrity CT Law. I didn't know CT, but had heard of him. Oh my, what a turn out!!! I'd probably fail to fill one table if an event was staged to celebrate my life, he had 120 and a reserve list!! Much alcohol and shenanigans later everyone had had a blast. I shared a taxi home with Jeff Kimber, just the £70 ��.
So that's it, I've survived a full year playing the live circuit. Many ups and downs, and fantastic memories to treasure. From the epic journey to Deauville, helicopter landing in Monte Carlo, misery in Malta, failed defence in Marbella, bedlam in Barcelona, to the pleasure of Prague, I've really enjoyed the journey.
What next?? There's more shenanigans in store next weekend when it's the Kavanagh Cup 2. Now there's a man who defies logic. Derek was given months to live over a year ago, but he wouldn't have it. He's kicking the a@@ out of Cancer, confounding the experts, we all look forward to seeing him next year at The Kavanagh Cup 3.
Which brings me to to some less fortunate people, many of you who will read this will know of someone else who is battling the horrible C, mine and I know everybody else's thoughts are with him and his family at this time. There's 2 other Facebook friends of mine who have lost their battle very recently, my thoughts are with their families too.
After The Kav Cup next weekend I'm in Luton at the end of the month for The APAT Team Championships. Obviously one team struggled to fill its quota ��.
As for the near future, I'm committed to going to Dublin in February for the UKIPT/EPT and again at Easter in March for the Irish Open.... After that, who knows, I may retire gracefully or carry on. I need to sort work out. I've 1 or 2 offers in the pipeline, both in and out of Green Energy. What will be will be.....
Brilliant read Neil, and by far the best 'poker' diary on here.
Really hope you continue with it in 2016. It is the only chance some of us recreational players get to live the dream of the live circuit. Plus your stories that go with these trips are also good to read about.
Comments
Is it really 2 months since I was in Marbella?? Time certainly flies quicker the older you get. So what happened in Marbs? Not a lot compared to last year tbh. Instead of a party of nine, it was just the two of us this year, Graham Phipps and myself. Consequently, a lot less alcohol was consumed, no fights broke out, and we left with our reputations intact. The downside was there was no trophy brought home and no cashes were made. I'd rather take the chaos + trophy anytime. There were a few scary moments, and they all involved Graham at the wheel. He decided it would be a good idea to hire a car for the week. Our 1st trip to the casino, which is by the harbour in Puerto Banus, ended with us in the nearby mountains, I kid you not!! Somehow we made it through the week, though next year, I think we'll stay in the H10 hotel by the casino, and no car hire will be required.
I took a few weeks off from live poker after Marbella, after all there's not a lot to play whilst the world series in Vegas is on. All being well I'll pay my 1st visit to it next year.
I had a weeks break in Benidorm in July, it was my first time there, and I wouldn't hesitate to go back. People often say it's like Blackpool. Well Blackpool doesn't have 35c temperatures everyday, such a variety of restaurants, especially the quaint Tapas Bars in the old town, oh and of course a 70 year old stripper!!
The end of July saw the GUKPT arrive in Leeds. The 1st few levels brought great success and I was north of 130k with 2 levels left of the day. I was running hotter than a vindaloo, but I paid for it in a spectacular 30 minute stretch. 4 times I got it in on the flop a big favourite, and 4 times the shorter stack outdrew me, and I ended the day with a below average 51k. I turned up for day 2 and found Tom Middleton to my right, 'great' I thought. But he was no bother, it was the chap 3 to my left who was. I found AA in the cut off to his BB, I decided to min raise + a bit, hoping for a re-raise. There wasn't one, and the flop was K-3-2 rainbow. He checked, I potted it, and he called. I put him on a draw, and when the 6 came, I thought it might be trouble. He bet out, and I just called. The river was a blank, and he put a chunky sized bet in. I tanked, muttered that he probably turned 2 pair or hit his straight, then called. The straight it was, a good player would have got away from that. That left me with 15 bb's and soon after I got involved with the same chap. I decided that after I had checked the river, it was a good idea to rep the nut flush when he put a small bet in. Not a good idea, as he was in fact holding the said nut flush. So that was the end of GUKPT Leeds for me.
Susan by now had landed in Leeds and was busy spending the money she had hoped I was winning. We went for a bite to eat in the early evening before heading back to the casino. We met up with a few other failures including Mike Hill, Dom Mahoney, Jeff Kimber, Dave Maudlin, Dan Charlton, and Mark 'Sharkey' James to name a few, and we went into town for a few drinks. As the night progressed, I saw some moves bust that I never thought I'd ever see, but what a laugh!!
I decided against playing the UKIPT in Bristol, as its torture to get there from Newcastle. By the time I'd have arrived there, I could have flown to Barcelona and be sat down in the city's casino.
I've been roped into joining Leigh Wiltshire's team in the Dusk Til Dawn Team Challenge. Paul Haycock is in the team too, so we need to run like god. That said, Paul won the on line micro event the other night, so ensuring we have qualified for the live final in October. Which reminds me, it's very frustrating that I can't play the UKPC 6-Max next week, but you can't be in two places at the same time. I held off booking up for Magaluf and Barcelona, hoping to do what I did last year, in playing the 6-Max before flying off to Majorca for 5 days before playing the EPT in Barca. But when no dates were forth-coming, I booked up for the full Estrella/EPT festival which starts next weds. So they'll be no sharing the final table with Leigh and Paul this year.
One bit of good news. I was twiddling my thumbs watching TV the other week when Mr Phipps messaged me to say he was playing a satellite for an EPT Barcelona seat. I won my seat to the event last year, so wondered if lightening would strike twice. Well it did, 172 entries, 5 seats available, yours truly snuck one, €5085 saved!! That's 2 from 2 in EPT Barca sats now, I'll quit them while I'm 100%, as the few others I've tried for in Deauville and Malta were total failures. I think they are by far the hardest seats to win by on line satellites.
So that's me on route to Magaluf. 5 days by the pool before heading to Barcelona. Susan and Louise are staying in Magaluf for the full week. I'm sure they'll be partying hard as soon as 'the boring one' leaves town. Here's hoping I go a bit deeper than the min cash I managed last year.
Ps... Arrived in Majorca to torrential rain and thunderstorms, 20c in Newcastle, the run bad continues.
Chapter 7:- Back to Malta
As I write this latest chapter, we are already deep into October, where has the year gone? I'm on route to Malta for the second time this year. I hope the weather is better than it was back in March, unseasonably high winds and rain prevailed then. Although the poker was a loss, I remember drinking a toast to Jimmy Walker as he completed his 72nd hole that more than made up for it. Coincidently I enjoyed a rather large Mixed Grill last night due to last weekends antics in California. Those who follow the golf will get that. Those that don't, let's just say I'm free rolling this week.
So far I'm ahead on the year, mainly due to a 3rd placed finish in Monte Carlo. Whatever happens between now and when Santa comes bearing gifts I won't go into deficit, so my one ambition for the year will be achieved, happy days.
Since I last wrote on route to a brief holiday in Majorca before landing in Barcelona, I've not played much Poker. No particular reason for it, other than I knew I was going to be playing a lot in November. I'm playing the whole IPT/EPT Malta festival. I'm home for less than 24 hours before heading to Nottingham for the WPT Main event. I snook a seat for that through finishing 3rd in their 1st monthly High Roller event, finishing behind an EPT Prague High Roller winner, and recent EPT Barcelona runner up. It's not easy this poker malarkey!! Then the weekend after the WPT, I'm heading to Blackpool for the GUKPT. I'll be pokered out after that stint. I've nothing else planned before I go to Prague on the 6th of December for 10 days, then that will be it for the year. Tentative thoughts have been mentioned between myself and Mike 'Da Bookie' Hill about going out to The Bahamas for the Caribbean Festival in early January. But we've agreed to hang fire and see how we both run between now and the end of Prague 1st. I really enjoyed watching the highlights on TV from last years festival, especially those involving the 'original' Ronaldo, and Sergio Garcia. As Garcia hasn't won on the PGA Tour again this year, no doubt he'll be there with his pal again, and I've a bone to pick with him. (The Festival coincides with a golf tournament that only the previous years winners on the PGA Tour can play).
Work has slowed down again which is the norm for this time of year. Hopefully it picks up again after Xmas. I've made one or two bad business decisions the past few months, but I live to tell the tale - just.
So back to Barcelona, wow, it never disappoints. It's by far and away the highest attended event on the EPT calendar. I changed hotels this year, meaning the trip to the casino was walkable if I fancied it. It was also next door to a weird little bar managed by a man called Frankie, what a character. Anyway most nights ended with me and Mike tapping away to Johnny Cash, or something similar.
I played and min cashed in the Estrella Main, just the 3500+ entries, unreal!! I played like a right tool in the EPT Main event. I was on the same table as a local who I'd bumped into in the Estrella. He was 'at it' the whole time in that event, and kept getting caught. I just wrongly assumed he was up to the same antics in the EPT main, and so kept getting involved with him, only this time, he kept having the goods. When he eventually bust me 1/2 way through Day 1, he was up to 80,000. He never made Day 2, that summed him up.
One amusing story from the main event, I looked up and saw someone who resembled Gerard Pique of Barcelona walk by, behind him was someone who looked even more like Naymer Jr, followed by enough security staff to man a G-8 Summit. Is there any need?? They both obviously like their poker, as they kept bouncing out of tournaments and playing another. Pique was so keen to play the whole week that he told a referee's assistant that he'd sha@@ed his mother when disagreeing with a (correct) offside decision the previous week, so getting himself a 3 match ban.
I didn't play much else through the week, but had a couple of fun nights out. One was with Mike and 2 Geordie boys over for the Estrella event, Chris Howden and Stevie Heron. We spent half the night looking for an Irish bar, and when we found it, they kicked us out after one drink as it was too quiet to stay open.
Another night included myself, Mike, Fraser McIntyre and Simon Deadman. Now Deadman being Deadman was dead sensible, and was on the water and left after our meal as he had Day 2 of the main event to look forward too. Us other 3 were either not good enough to make day 2, or too sensible to buy into it. Ok, one of us is a tight jock. Our bill came to over €300, and €200 of that was the wine bill. After a couple of girlie shorts, I left them to it and staggered back to the hotel on foot. I saw Fraser 2 days later and he was still suffering.
The last couple of days of the trip were spent chilling, eating paella, and not playing poker. Steve Warburton did The Brits (and himself even more so) proud by finishing 2nd in the main event, so picking up just shy of 1 million €€€'s, very nice!! I enjoyed watching the final table on line, very entertaining it was. This time next year......
I played a fun team event at DTD the other week. We didn't stand much of a chance tbh. 2 * Leeds fans, 1 * a Walsall one, and a southern softie, not a good combo. We talked a good game over breakfast beforehand, adding up our live winnings over the past 2 years, but we didn't walk the walk I'm afraid. I'm obv' looking for a new team next year ��.
So there we are, here's hoping this Malta gig goes better on the felt than back in March. I'm staying for 2 weeks, as my better half comes out on Sat 31st, before we fly back the following Tuesday. I've told her I won't be able to meet her at the airport as I'll be on the final table in the main event. I got that look that women give when they know u are talking utter bull sh@t. ��
Arrivederci.
As I've just played my final live event of the year I thought I should catch up and close the diary for the year, maybe even close it for good. I'll come back to last nights fun and frolics at the end.
It seems a very long time ago since I last wrote on the way to Malta in mid October, but when I think back, a lot has gone on since, so this may drag on for a while, apologies ��.
Poker wise, Malta mirrored my last visit in March. The poker gods weren't on my side, in the main, my fault. I decided to late reg the main event, not a good move. I ended up with top British pro's Billy Chattaway and Carlo Citrone, along with a couple of other very good regular circuit players. I didn't make the dinner break, non believing a player (again) after he'd been caught 'at it' several times earlier on. The few side events I played I didn't fare any better barring one where I did make the f/t, but only 6 were paid, someone had to finish 7th didn't they?? ��. My exit hand summing up how I run in Malta. All in pre with AJ v A4 and a 4 in the door doing for me. My enemy, a young Romanian lady who I've had regular clashes with over the past year. Very friendly, but extremely aggressive.
The good news very much like back in March, came from the golf course. I was on Dubuisson at 50/1 (and then again 100/1 after his very average 1st round) and Aphibarnrat at 40/1 to win in Turkey, and they came 1st and 3rd. It more than paid for the week. Oh and the other good news was that Susan came out for the last 4 days of the trip, so we had a mini holiday after the poker was finished. One thing I learned from that was be prepared to be crushed if you ever use Malta's public transport. At €1.50 per 2 hours, there's no wonder everyone uses the bus service, very much like Prague that I'll come to later. Makes you wonder where all the money goes that The British Public put into our transport system. I stayed in The Corinthia for the trip, and although it was a 20 min trek to the venue, it was worth it, a lovely hotel, albeit expensive compared to its sister hotel in Prague.
We flew back from Malta on the Tuesday afternoon, and it was a quick turnaround for me, as Wednesday morning I headed off to DTD in Notts for the WPT Festival. I'd grabbed a main event seat through a high finish in a previous tournament in the summer, so that was nice.
Although I was in on the cheap, I didn't make use of it and exited before the close of play on Day 1. I hung around and played the 8-max side event, a good move as it happened. I made the f/t in a decent position, and Paul 'Action' Jackson aside, there were no 'names/faces' amongst the other 7. We were down to 6 when Paul suffered a bad beat from the chip leader who was hitting everything and destroying the table. When we were 3 handed he had 75% of the chips, myself and the other chap more or less level. I chipped away at his lead, and then found AQ in the SB to his BB. I limped knowing what he would do, he didn't let me down. So we were all in pre, my AQ v his A2 that would have flipped things around and put me chip leader. But a 2 on the flop did for me bringing groans from a few mates railing... Oh well it was a 16k bink instead of a probable 40k one.
The following week brought Blackpool for the GUKPT jamboree there. The usual weather accompanied the festival, howling winds and torrential rain. I parked my car on the sea front car park outside the Casino. My hotel was opposite so it was just easier to leave it there for the entire weekend. I hadn't had time to check in etc when I landed, and it must have looked like a scene from a comedy sketch as I carried my clothes on their hangers, fighting a head on gale and driving rain at 3am, I was ready for take off and being dumped in the Irish Sea.
It was a fun packed weekend, plenty of alcohol and poker ensued. I got myself a healthy stack in the main event, and lost a very big pot towards the end of day 1. Annoyingly the recipient gave them away again in a 3 way all in just before play ended when it was obvious he was miles behind. I bumped into Sky Poker regular RSPCA on the Saturday, good to see him playing a live event.
After Blackpool it was time to take a break, I don't know how these young uns go from venue to venue, week in week out. I like the comfort of my sofa and TV too much.
Whilst having the sabbatical on my sofa, it was nice to see Rory recover from his faux Pas, pre The Open earlier in the year and win the R2D title, so clinching a fun year long running acca. And Kisner's win in the USA the same weekend put a cherry on the cake.
The last w/e of November saw me making final arrangements for the last road trip of the year to Prague. This was made complicated when I made a last minute decision to late reg' an online satellite for the main event. I was the 49th and last entry, and by this time only 23 were left in it. 2 hours later I was the last man standing, and only then did I discover it wasn't just a seat I had won, but €€€ for flights and a free stay in The Hilton where the event was being staged. I was already committed to staying in The Corinthia with Mike Hill, and Susan was coming out with me on the 6th for 4 days. The package inc the hotel stay, only started from the 10th, the day the EPT main started. Not wanting to mess around with the arrangements I booked flights and gave the hotel package to my parents, and my Xmas present to them was taken care of.
We arrived in Prague on Sunday the 6th to almost balmy weather conditions. The Corinthia in Prague was a step up from the one in Malta imo, and at 1/2 the price!! I bust the Eureka main early on the Monday which I didn't mind. I'd promised Susan that once I'd bust that, I was hers until she went back home on the 10th. So we spent a couple of days shopping and sight seeing, making full use of the cheap metro system, the equivalent of £3 for an all day pass.
As Susan left on the Thursday my parents arrived. I'd checked in the previous day and had given the room away that night. Scottish good kid Mudasser 'Macka' Hussain and a mate were short of a bed for one night only. I don't think he could believe his luck when I told him I had a spare bed for the night. They had sorted themselves and the room was A1 by the time my parents arrived so all was good.
Again the main event was a no no. It's no good getting in for €215 then not capitalising, I ran KK into AA in the 1st level. Tbh, I should have played it better and got away from it. When you 4-bet a solid pro', and he 5 bet jams, what can he have?? Fold man!!!
I fared better in my 1st side event, I came 7th in a field of 150+ for €8,300. Then I played an event at The Corinthia which had staged some WPT and Unibet events. One of which was taken down by the biggest 'fish' in the UK circuit. Non other than my good buddy Mr David 'Pasta Fish' Burghardt, well done to him. The event I played was the GrandLive Main Event. It attracted just short of 300 runners, and by day 3 we were down to 30 runners. By the time we were down to 12 I had a bang on average stack of 550,000 at 6/12k. I was in the SB and I had AK, nice so I thought. Early raiser to 29k, active button made it 90k, I then re-popped it to 200k, effectively committing myself. The initial raiser folded, the button shoved on me, I obv had to call. He had KK grrrr!!! ����. No help meant I was left with peanuts and I was soon on the rail, albeit €4,600 richer. It was there for the winning so I was very frustrated, I could have flatted the 90k and seen a flop then check folded, but hey ho.
The following night I had a meal with the parents, they were enjoying their holiday, so all was good on that front.
On the last day I played the last event of the festival, my 6th event of the trip. It was full of 'sickos' and somehow I navigated myself into the money. With 18 left, the field still included Deadman, Gellich, Schemion and Cimbolas to name a few, and I'd already received my 1st ever 'Timex' stare, - I just laughed -. 13 wasn't my lucky number, I looked down and saw QQ, 1st to act shoved with 15 bigs, Deadman before me tank folded, I re shoved and we were heads up. He had K9 off, nice I thought, K on the turn wasn't so nice and crippled me and I never recovered, 13th it was for another €4,600.
3 cashes out of 6 events made for a nice finish to the year, just a shame I didn't turn one of them into a top 3.
The journey home was both smooth and quick and it was time to ready myself for Xmas.
I played on line for one night, taking in 2 of Sky Pokers main UKOPS events. I managed 7th in the H Roller, Dave Maudlin came 8th. There was just 1 more live event to play and that was just a fun/drinking event played in memory of local poker celebrity CT Law. I didn't know CT, but had heard of him. Oh my, what a turn out!!! I'd probably fail to fill one table if an event was staged to celebrate my life, he had 120 and a reserve list!! Much alcohol and shenanigans later everyone had had a blast. I shared a taxi home with Jeff Kimber, just the £70 ��.
So that's it, I've survived a full year playing the live circuit. Many ups and downs, and fantastic memories to treasure. From the epic journey to Deauville, helicopter landing in Monte Carlo, misery in Malta, failed defence in Marbella, bedlam in Barcelona, to the pleasure of Prague, I've really enjoyed the journey.
What next?? There's more shenanigans in store next weekend when it's the Kavanagh Cup 2. Now there's a man who defies logic. Derek was given months to live over a year ago, but he wouldn't have it. He's kicking the a@@ out of Cancer, confounding the experts, we all look forward to seeing him next year at The Kavanagh Cup 3.
Which brings me to to some less fortunate people, many of you who will read this will know of someone else who is battling the horrible C, mine and I know everybody else's thoughts are with him and his family at this time. There's 2 other Facebook friends of mine who have lost their battle very recently, my thoughts are with their families too.
After The Kav Cup next weekend I'm in Luton at the end of the month for The APAT Team Championships. Obviously one team struggled to fill its quota ��.
As for the near future, I'm committed to going to Dublin in February for the UKIPT/EPT and again at Easter in March for the Irish Open.... After that, who knows, I may retire gracefully or carry on. I need to sort work out. I've 1 or 2 offers in the pipeline, both in and out of Green Energy. What will be will be.....
Happy New Year!
There's some good diary threads on here, but have to say I always enjoy your posts, more than anything for their 'real poker' content.
For 2016, more not less please and forget early retirement.