Bust in about 15th in the Main on here last night. Forget the hand, but do recall it was a standard spot for me to 3-bet, and I walked into a better hand.
For people who love PLO8, you should note that it is growing in popularity. Played a SCOOP on the big site yesterday-$11 buy-in, $40k guaranteed. Trebled my starting stack, then watched as someone who should never have been in the hand pre-flop, on the flop or on the turn, get the 1 card that turned my scoopio into poopio. Strangely, I like the way that happens in PLO8, whereas PLO just doesn't hold the same appeal.
Information is an important part of poker. however, it is becoming a lot harder to come by.
By "information" I am not referring to HUDs. To me, that is just cheating. Much like fox-hunting, I understand why people feel the need to do it, it's just that the world is a better place when it is banned.
I mean the info about players that people like me have used for motivation. On Sky, we have had 2 superb motivational tools in the past. @GaryQQQ ran a brilliant thread on here for years. Externally, @aussie09 used to run a superb site on similar lines. As an example, feel free to look at my September 2016 thread, and see how such sites can provide clear targets. I know ultimately poker is (for many) about the money, but poker generally seems to have underestimated the appeal of such sites.
This is true elsewhere, also. 2 years ago, "pocketfives" ran a comprehensive site tracking and scoring results from a variety of sites. Now, most people have left or rarely visit, and it no longer tracks any (non-US) MTT with less than 100 entrants. "Sharkscope" now puts hurdles in the way of accessing info (although the "number" rating remains, which is a good piece of info).
Poker sites need to concentrate far more on such information. That and keeping forums.
Yeah I agree with this totally. They really should abolish HUDS too.
Have you played many other SCOOPS apart from the PL08? I have been following it a bit on stars and a bit on Twitch and it would be really cool to do a SCOOP grind one day.
I have played a couple low events but they just run so late.
Yeah I agree with this totally. They really should abolish HUDS too.
Have you played many other SCOOPS apart from the PL08? I have been following it a bit on stars and a bit on Twitch and it would be really cool to do a SCOOP grind one day.
I have played a couple low events but they just run so late.
i hadn't intended playing anything on SCOOP. I am 56 (yes Tony, only 56), and the length of the tournies, and size of field, are sub-optimal for me. I also run terribly on Stars-it is the only site where I am a losing player (think I am -2% over a decent-sized sample).
The reason I played a few was simple. The big site gave me some free tickets
Hey Phil how goes it? I have just been gorging on your diary for the last half hour, it's a bit like catching up with 8 series of GOT, that is my next challenge this summer!
Good to see after many years you are still successfully grinding MTT's.
Now how do we avoid talking about football without me admitting that things have changed in North London. It's an impossible discussion to have with most football fans on Social Media, but I have always felt that both yourself and TommyD are two of the more measured fans on the "dark side". With the obligatory banter thrown in ofc!
Win the CL and our bragging rights for the last 30 years will be hard to uphold tbh.
As for Arsenal, I have just purchased an Azerbaijan Visa. It was relatively painless compared with some countries and took less than 24 hours. Looks like we are going to Baku then next week. In preparation I found a list of five things not to do over there:
1. Don't blow your nose in front of others – this is considered extremely rude.
2. Don't speak badly of the President or his family.
3. Don't mention Armenia – Azerbaijan’s bitter enemy in Nagorno-Karabakh war.
4. Don't smile at locals in the street – it’ll most likely not be reciprocated and will be considered inappropriate.
5. Don't kiss in public. A display of affection by couples might be tolerated in Baku, but can also be frowned upon.
Seems like a fun place ehhh!!
That aside, what was going on in UEFA's minds when they decided to pick what surely is a city that is not within the confines of Europe. They allow Australia into the Eurovision Song Contest, so no doubt we will be travelling to the MCG for a European final in the not too distant future!
Anyway, always love it when you open up your life to a short but interesting read.
Still haven't got round to GoT (though read the books). Currently wading through a "Spooks" box set-well worth a watch.
Yes-things have changed in relation to the North London v South London dynamic. But the Woolwich Wanderers have improved a lot during the season. Even your goalie (named Bernd Bread before Xmas cos everyone thought he was toast) improved immensely. Strange how the wheels fell off at the end-I thought you were certs for 4th and might even revive St Totteringhams day. I think we will be better than you for the next 2-3 years, but you are rebuilding, and a lot of the dead wood is going.
You have to be favourites for the Europa League-not a lot between you, but you need it so much more than them. I think the CL should be in Madrid-but Baku? Never.
Your record in Europe is awful. Reached the last 16 of the CL 15 times, with only 1 losing Final and 1 losing Semi from that 15. How Spursy is that?
Hopeful we will win the CL, but Liverpool are a fine side. Mind you, so were Man City, Ajax and Dortmund.
Take care. Next time I am in London we must meet up.
Still haven't got round to GoT (though read the books). Currently wading through a "Spooks" box set-well worth a watch.
Yes-things have changed in relation to the North London v South London dynamic. But the Woolwich Wanderers have improved a lot during the season. Even your goalie (named Bernd Bread before Xmas cos everyone thought he was toast) improved immensely. Strange how the wheels fell off at the end-I thought you were certs for 4th and might even revive St Totteringhams day. I think we will be better than you for the next 2-3 years, but you are rebuilding, and a lot of the dead wood is going.
You have to be favourites for the Europa League-not a lot between you, but you need it so much more than them. I think the CL should be in Madrid-but Baku? Never.
Your record in Europe is awful. Reached the last 16 of the CL 15 times, with only 1 losing Final and 1 losing Semi from that 15. How Spursy is that?
Hopeful we will win the CL, but Liverpool are a fine side. Mind you, so were Man City, Ajax and Dortmund.
Take care. Next time I am in London we must meet up.
Here is a story for you Phil, and shows the lack of TV that I watch these days. Before the semi final home leg versus Valencia a group of us was sat in a bar along the Holloway Road for our usual pre match beers. Anyway, there was a commotion when two lads recognised Line of Duty actor Adrian Dunbar was in the restaurant. It turns out Adrian is a big gooner and season ticket holder, cue several selfie pics. Seems like there's another 5 series that I need to catch up with there!
With regards to European records, you have made the classic mistake of being too CL centric. Arsenal won the old Cup Winners cup and Fairs Cup, I accept that 2 CL semi finals and 1 Final in 20 odd years is pretty poor though, especially with the team we had in the period from 98-2004. Regardless 5 European finals in 25 years isn't awful.
I cannot contemplate a Tottenham victory in the final, living not 3 miles from their ground life would be unbearable for me. Perhaps taking my boxsets abroad somewhere is an option until the gloating dies down, something that Spurs fans are very good at!
No doubt you are looking forward to the Cricket World Cup, I did have a ticket for the India vs Pakistan game in Manchester but for one reason or another I won't be going now. The tickets were an eye watering £150 each, and apparently there were 400,000 applications from both sets of fans. I think England must start as favourites with home advantage, but both India and Australia cannot be discounted. The Aussies seem to have their "cheats" back in the fold after serving what seems to be quite a short ban.
It would be good to catch up when you next come over to the "the big smoke", although I have to say I never caught the live poker bug. Must be due to the miserable regs down in Stratford!
Still haven't got round to GoT (though read the books). Currently wading through a "Spooks" box set-well worth a watch.
Yes-things have changed in relation to the North London v South London dynamic. But the Woolwich Wanderers have improved a lot during the season. Even your goalie (named Bernd Bread before Xmas cos everyone thought he was toast) improved immensely. Strange how the wheels fell off at the end-I thought you were certs for 4th and might even revive St Totteringhams day. I think we will be better than you for the next 2-3 years, but you are rebuilding, and a lot of the dead wood is going.
You have to be favourites for the Europa League-not a lot between you, but you need it so much more than them. I think the CL should be in Madrid-but Baku? Never.
Your record in Europe is awful. Reached the last 16 of the CL 15 times, with only 1 losing Final and 1 losing Semi from that 15. How Spursy is that?
Hopeful we will win the CL, but Liverpool are a fine side. Mind you, so were Man City, Ajax and Dortmund.
Take care. Next time I am in London we must meet up.
Here is a story for you Phil, and shows the lack of TV that I watch these days. Before the semi final home leg versus Valencia a group of us was sat in a bar along the Holloway Road for our usual pre match beers. Anyway, there was a commotion when two lads recognised Line of Duty actor Adrian Dunbar was in the restaurant. It turns out Adrian is a big gooner and season ticket holder, cue several selfie pics. Seems like there's another 5 series that I need to catch up with there!
With regards to European records, you have made the classic mistake of being too CL centric. Arsenal won the old Cup Winners cup and Fairs Cup, I accept that 2 CL semi finals and 1 Final in 20 odd years is pretty poor though, especially with the team we had in the period from 98-2004. Regardless 5 European finals in 25 years isn't awful.
I cannot contemplate a Tottenham victory in the final, living not 3 miles from their ground life would be unbearable for me. Perhaps taking my boxsets abroad somewhere is an option until the gloating dies down, something that Spurs fans are very good at!
No doubt you are looking forward to the Cricket World Cup, I did have a ticket for the India vs Pakistan game in Manchester but for one reason or another I won't be going now. The tickets were an eye watering £150 each, and apparently there were 400,000 applications from both sets of fans. I think England must start as favourites with home advantage, but both India and Australia cannot be discounted. The Aussies seem to have their "cheats" back in the fold after serving what seems to be quite a short ban.
It would be good to catch up when you next come over to the "the big smoke", although I have to say I never caught the live poker bug. Must be due to the miserable regs down in Stratford!
Line of Duty? Just watch it. All of it. Brilliant. I watched the first 5 series on a boxset. Gripping. Best villain? Series 1. Best episode? Last episode of Series 3. Now I know Dunbar must be a villain
I'm not being CL-centric. 2 trophies? And 1 of them the Fairs Cup? Desperate. Even Spurs have 3 major European trophies. Look at who you have played this year-pretty much got a bye to the quarter-finals
Spurs fans won't gloat. Much. Most of us secretly like being the perennial nearly men. Though I suspect it just MIGHT get the odd mention at a game.
Completely agree about the cricket. Think South Africa just might be in the mix, too.
Would love to come to London soon. Got to get that boring trip to Vegas out of the way first
Still haven't got round to GoT (though read the books). Currently wading through a "Spooks" box set-well worth a watch.
Yes-things have changed in relation to the North London v South London dynamic. But the Woolwich Wanderers have improved a lot during the season. Even your goalie (named Bernd Bread before Xmas cos everyone thought he was toast) improved immensely. Strange how the wheels fell off at the end-I thought you were certs for 4th and might even revive St Totteringhams day. I think we will be better than you for the next 2-3 years, but you are rebuilding, and a lot of the dead wood is going.
You have to be favourites for the Europa League-not a lot between you, but you need it so much more than them. I think the CL should be in Madrid-but Baku? Never.
Your record in Europe is awful. Reached the last 16 of the CL 15 times, with only 1 losing Final and 1 losing Semi from that 15. How Spursy is that?
Hopeful we will win the CL, but Liverpool are a fine side. Mind you, so were Man City, Ajax and Dortmund.
Take care. Next time I am in London we must meet up.
Here is a story for you Phil, and shows the lack of TV that I watch these days. Before the semi final home leg versus Valencia a group of us was sat in a bar along the Holloway Road for our usual pre match beers. Anyway, there was a commotion when two lads recognised Line of Duty actor Adrian Dunbar was in the restaurant. It turns out Adrian is a big gooner and season ticket holder, cue several selfie pics. Seems like there's another 5 series that I need to catch up with there!
With regards to European records, you have made the classic mistake of being too CL centric. Arsenal won the old Cup Winners cup and Fairs Cup, I accept that 2 CL semi finals and 1 Final in 20 odd years is pretty poor though, especially with the team we had in the period from 98-2004. Regardless 5 European finals in 25 years isn't awful.
I cannot contemplate a Tottenham victory in the final, living not 3 miles from their ground life would be unbearable for me. Perhaps taking my boxsets abroad somewhere is an option until the gloating dies down, something that Spurs fans are very good at!
No doubt you are looking forward to the Cricket World Cup, I did have a ticket for the India vs Pakistan game in Manchester but for one reason or another I won't be going now. The tickets were an eye watering £150 each, and apparently there were 400,000 applications from both sets of fans. I think England must start as favourites with home advantage, but both India and Australia cannot be discounted. The Aussies seem to have their "cheats" back in the fold after serving what seems to be quite a short ban.
It would be good to catch up when you next come over to the "the big smoke", although I have to say I never caught the live poker bug. Must be due to the miserable regs down in Stratford!
Line of Duty? Just watch it. All of it. Brilliant. I watched the first 5 series on a boxset. Gripping. Best villain? Series 1. Best episode? Last episode of Series 3. Now I know Dunbar must be a villain
I'm not being CL-centric. 2 trophies? And 1 of them the Fairs Cup? Desperate. Even Spurs have 3 major European trophies. Look at who you have played this year-pretty much got a bye to the quarter-finals
Spurs fans won't gloat. Much. Most of us secretly like being the perennial nearly men. Though I suspect it just MIGHT get the odd mention at a game.
Completely agree about the cricket. Think South Africa just might be in the mix, too.
Would love to come to London soon. Got to get that boring trip to Vegas out of the way first
Remember Mark? Surely that is smugness personified Phil and there are loads more like him! I will always give you slack though as I said.
Lets not start counting trophies though, or I might start going back to 13-2 . Lets face it the PL/the old First Division is the trophy the managers want to win. Just ask Pep!
The Fairs cup was an old version of the UEFA cup, which your lot also won. The likes of Ajax, Inter Milan and Juve were in the competition in the year we won it. We also came back from 3-1 down against Anderlecht to clinch the trophy at highbury after a dramatic 3-0 win. I was too young to remember, and can only feed off the stories from older gooners.
It's a travesty that we have to qualify for the CL via a second rate route. But that's how things are these days, and Mr Wenger allowed us to slip for far too long. This is my Fifth European final, and we have lost the last 4 so the omens are not good!
With regards to the cricket, SA will always be a tough nut to crack but I think India and England are better certainly on paper. I am intrigued by Jofra Archer who has been picked this morning for the squad. Not often we have a bowler who has blistering pace like he does.
Good luck in Vegas if you are making the trip out there this year.
Oh yes, I agree that India & England are more likely to win, & may well do so, but at the prices, South Africa rep the best value imo, & I have a little piece of paper already with "10/1" on it.
I'm a huge Kohli fan, I adore watching him, so if India go all the way I won't complain. England? I'm a bit meh about England (cricket) teams, but it'd be a real shot in the arm for domestic cricket if they win it.
Still haven't got round to GoT (though read the books). Currently wading through a "Spooks" box set-well worth a watch.
Yes-things have changed in relation to the North London v South London dynamic. But the Woolwich Wanderers have improved a lot during the season. Even your goalie (named Bernd Bread before Xmas cos everyone thought he was toast) improved immensely. Strange how the wheels fell off at the end-I thought you were certs for 4th and might even revive St Totteringhams day. I think we will be better than you for the next 2-3 years, but you are rebuilding, and a lot of the dead wood is going.
You have to be favourites for the Europa League-not a lot between you, but you need it so much more than them. I think the CL should be in Madrid-but Baku? Never.
Your record in Europe is awful. Reached the last 16 of the CL 15 times, with only 1 losing Final and 1 losing Semi from that 15. How Spursy is that?
Hopeful we will win the CL, but Liverpool are a fine side. Mind you, so were Man City, Ajax and Dortmund.
Take care. Next time I am in London we must meet up.
Here is a story for you Phil, and shows the lack of TV that I watch these days. Before the semi final home leg versus Valencia a group of us was sat in a bar along the Holloway Road for our usual pre match beers. Anyway, there was a commotion when two lads recognised Line of Duty actor Adrian Dunbar was in the restaurant. It turns out Adrian is a big gooner and season ticket holder, cue several selfie pics. Seems like there's another 5 series that I need to catch up with there!
With regards to European records, you have made the classic mistake of being too CL centric. Arsenal won the old Cup Winners cup and Fairs Cup, I accept that 2 CL semi finals and 1 Final in 20 odd years is pretty poor though, especially with the team we had in the period from 98-2004. Regardless 5 European finals in 25 years isn't awful.
I cannot contemplate a Tottenham victory in the final, living not 3 miles from their ground life would be unbearable for me. Perhaps taking my boxsets abroad somewhere is an option until the gloating dies down, something that Spurs fans are very good at!
No doubt you are looking forward to the Cricket World Cup, I did have a ticket for the India vs Pakistan game in Manchester but for one reason or another I won't be going now. The tickets were an eye watering £150 each, and apparently there were 400,000 applications from both sets of fans. I think England must start as favourites with home advantage, but both India and Australia cannot be discounted. The Aussies seem to have their "cheats" back in the fold after serving what seems to be quite a short ban.
It would be good to catch up when you next come over to the "the big smoke", although I have to say I never caught the live poker bug. Must be due to the miserable regs down in Stratford!
Line of Duty? Just watch it. All of it. Brilliant. I watched the first 5 series on a boxset. Gripping. Best villain? Series 1. Best episode? Last episode of Series 3. Now I know Dunbar must be a villain
I'm not being CL-centric. 2 trophies? And 1 of them the Fairs Cup? Desperate. Even Spurs have 3 major European trophies. Look at who you have played this year-pretty much got a bye to the quarter-finals
Spurs fans won't gloat. Much. Most of us secretly like being the perennial nearly men. Though I suspect it just MIGHT get the odd mention at a game.
Completely agree about the cricket. Think South Africa just might be in the mix, too.
Would love to come to London soon. Got to get that boring trip to Vegas out of the way first
Remember Mark? Surely that is smugness personified Phil and there are loads more like him! I will always give you slack though as I said.
Lets not start counting trophies though, or I might start going back to 13-2 . Lets face it the PL/the old First Division is the trophy the managers want to win. Just ask Pep!
The Fairs cup was an old version of the UEFA cup, which your lot also won. The likes of Ajax, Inter Milan and Juve were in the competition in the year we won it. We also came back from 3-1 down against Anderlecht to clinch the trophy at highbury after a dramatic 3-0 win. I was too young to remember, and can only feed off the stories from older gooners.
It's a travesty that we have to qualify for the CL via a second rate route. But that's how things are these days, and Mr Wenger allowed us to slip for far too long. This is my Fifth European final, and we have lost the last 4 so the omens are not good!
With regards to the cricket, SA will always be a tough nut to crack but I think India and England are better certainly on paper. I am intrigued by Jofra Archer who has been picked this morning for the squad. Not often we have a bowler who has blistering pace like he does.
Good luck in Vegas if you are making the trip out there this year.
I will see your "Mark" and raise you a "Terry". That said, I have usually found your fans a lot nicer than your club.
Ask a Spurs or Arsenal fan about the sort of dependable, unspectacular player, and you will see what I mean. "Sammy Nelson"?. you'll immediately get people saying what a dependable left back he was. Not Sansom, not Cole, but gave his all.
"Steve Sedgley"? Any Spurs fan will say that, while not the most gifted player, he would play anywhere for the team, and give his all.
Now try most Chelsea fans with "John Bumstead". Similar sort of player. But I get a lot of blank looks from Chelsea fans. Not all, obviously-but you see what I mean.
With regard to Jofra Archer, I am reminded of the Flintoff response recently, when he was asked who he would drop for Archer:-"Everyone".
Without wishing to sound TOO smug, I won the league thingy at the last UKOPS, so got a package from Sky Poker for Vegas. "Operation Luckbox" was successful.
Comments
For people who love PLO8, you should note that it is growing in popularity. Played a SCOOP on the big site yesterday-$11 buy-in, $40k guaranteed. Trebled my starting stack, then watched as someone who should never have been in the hand pre-flop, on the flop or on the turn, get the 1 card that turned my scoopio into poopio. Strangely, I like the way that happens in PLO8, whereas PLO just doesn't hold the same appeal.
By "information" I am not referring to HUDs. To me, that is just cheating. Much like fox-hunting, I understand why people feel the need to do it, it's just that the world is a better place when it is banned.
I mean the info about players that people like me have used for motivation. On Sky, we have had 2 superb motivational tools in the past. @GaryQQQ ran a brilliant thread on here for years. Externally, @aussie09 used to run a superb site on similar lines. As an example, feel free to look at my September 2016 thread, and see how such sites can provide clear targets. I know ultimately poker is (for many) about the money, but poker generally seems to have underestimated the appeal of such sites.
This is true elsewhere, also. 2 years ago, "pocketfives" ran a comprehensive site tracking and scoring results from a variety of sites. Now, most people have left or rarely visit, and it no longer tracks any (non-US) MTT with less than 100 entrants. "Sharkscope" now puts hurdles in the way of accessing info (although the "number" rating remains, which is a good piece of info).
Poker sites need to concentrate far more on such information. That and keeping forums.
Have you played many other SCOOPS apart from the PL08? I have been following it a bit on stars and a bit on Twitch and it would be really cool to do a SCOOP grind one day.
I have played a couple low events but they just run so late.
The reason I played a few was simple. The big site gave me some free tickets
I am 56
RAISE.
Good to see after many years you are still successfully grinding MTT's.
Now how do we avoid talking about football without me admitting that things have changed in North London. It's an impossible discussion to have with most football fans on Social Media, but I have always felt that both yourself and TommyD are two of the more measured fans on the "dark side". With the obligatory banter thrown in ofc!
Win the CL and our bragging rights for the last 30 years will be hard to uphold tbh.
As for Arsenal, I have just purchased an Azerbaijan Visa. It was relatively painless compared with some countries and took less than 24 hours. Looks like we are going to Baku then next week. In preparation I found a list of five things not to do over there:
1. Don't blow your nose in front of others – this is considered extremely rude.
2. Don't speak badly of the President or his family.
3. Don't mention Armenia – Azerbaijan’s bitter enemy in Nagorno-Karabakh war.
4. Don't smile at locals in the street – it’ll most likely not be reciprocated and will be considered inappropriate.
5. Don't kiss in public. A display of affection by couples might be tolerated in Baku, but can also be frowned upon.
Seems like a fun place ehhh!!
That aside, what was going on in UEFA's minds when they decided to pick what surely is a city that is not within the confines of Europe. They allow Australia into the Eurovision Song Contest, so no doubt we will be travelling to the MCG for a European final in the not too distant future!
Anyway, always love it when you open up your life to a short but interesting read.
Good to see you posting on here.
Still haven't got round to GoT (though read the books). Currently wading through a "Spooks" box set-well worth a watch.
Yes-things have changed in relation to the North London v South London dynamic. But the Woolwich Wanderers have improved a lot during the season. Even your goalie (named Bernd Bread before Xmas cos everyone thought he was toast) improved immensely. Strange how the wheels fell off at the end-I thought you were certs for 4th and might even revive St Totteringhams day. I think we will be better than you for the next 2-3 years, but you are rebuilding, and a lot of the dead wood is going.
You have to be favourites for the Europa League-not a lot between you, but you need it so much more than them. I think the CL should be in Madrid-but Baku? Never.
Your record in Europe is awful. Reached the last 16 of the CL 15 times, with only 1 losing Final and 1 losing Semi from that 15. How Spursy is that?
Hopeful we will win the CL, but Liverpool are a fine side. Mind you, so were Man City, Ajax and Dortmund.
Take care. Next time I am in London we must meet up.
Remember what the nice Nurses said about getting argumentative
With regards to European records, you have made the classic mistake of being too CL centric. Arsenal won the old Cup Winners cup and Fairs Cup, I accept that 2 CL semi finals and 1 Final in 20 odd years is pretty poor though, especially with the team we had in the period from 98-2004. Regardless 5 European finals in 25 years isn't awful.
I cannot contemplate a Tottenham victory in the final, living not 3 miles from their ground life would be unbearable for me. Perhaps taking my boxsets abroad somewhere is an option until the gloating dies down, something that Spurs fans are very good at!
No doubt you are looking forward to the Cricket World Cup, I did have a ticket for the India vs Pakistan game in Manchester but for one reason or another I won't be going now. The tickets were an eye watering £150 each, and apparently there were 400,000 applications from both sets of fans. I think England must start as favourites with home advantage, but both India and Australia cannot be discounted. The Aussies seem to have their "cheats" back in the fold after serving what seems to be quite a short ban.
It would be good to catch up when you next come over to the "the big smoke", although I have to say I never caught the live poker bug. Must be due to the miserable regs down in Stratford!
I'm not being CL-centric. 2 trophies? And 1 of them the Fairs Cup? Desperate. Even Spurs have 3 major European trophies. Look at who you have played this year-pretty much got a bye to the quarter-finals
Spurs fans won't gloat. Much. Most of us secretly like being the perennial nearly men. Though I suspect it just MIGHT get the odd mention at a game.
Completely agree about the cricket. Think South Africa just might be in the mix, too.
Would love to come to London soon. Got to get that boring trip to Vegas out of the way first
"Think South Africa just might be in the mix, too."
At 10/1, half odds 1,2, I think South Africa are the value bet.
Lets not start counting trophies though, or I might start going back to 13-2
The Fairs cup was an old version of the UEFA cup, which your lot also won. The likes of Ajax, Inter Milan and Juve were in the competition in the year we won it. We also came back from 3-1 down against Anderlecht to clinch the trophy at highbury after a dramatic 3-0 win. I was too young to remember, and can only feed off the stories from older gooners.
It's a travesty that we have to qualify for the CL via a second rate route. But that's how things are these days, and Mr Wenger allowed us to slip for far too long. This is my Fifth European final, and we have lost the last 4 so the omens are not good!
With regards to the cricket, SA will always be a tough nut to crack but I think India and England are better certainly on paper. I am intrigued by Jofra Archer who has been picked this morning for the squad. Not often we have a bowler who has blistering pace like he does.
Good luck in Vegas if you are making the trip out there this year.
Oh yes, I agree that India & England are more likely to win, & may well do so, but at the prices, South Africa rep the best value imo, & I have a little piece of paper already with "10/1" on it.
I'm a huge Kohli fan, I adore watching him, so if India go all the way I won't complain. England? I'm a bit meh about England (cricket) teams, but it'd be a real shot in the arm for domestic cricket if they win it.
Ask a Spurs or Arsenal fan about the sort of dependable, unspectacular player, and you will see what I mean. "Sammy Nelson"?. you'll immediately get people saying what a dependable left back he was. Not Sansom, not Cole, but gave his all.
"Steve Sedgley"? Any Spurs fan will say that, while not the most gifted player, he would play anywhere for the team, and give his all.
Now try most Chelsea fans with "John Bumstead". Similar sort of player. But I get a lot of blank looks from Chelsea fans. Not all, obviously-but you see what I mean.
With regard to Jofra Archer, I am reminded of the Flintoff response recently, when he was asked who he would drop for Archer:-"Everyone".
Without wishing to sound TOO smug, I won the league thingy at the last UKOPS, so got a package from Sky Poker for Vegas. "Operation Luckbox" was successful.