Wow. Well now the dust has settled I can finally post something half way coherent about last night.
Firstly thank you very much for all the positive messages I've had since the bink both here and elsewhere. I'm made up so many people have posted An extra special thank you to a fabulous rail who were respectful and banterful during the whole final table. It was a troll free zone, a rarity when it comes to Internet Poker, which just goes to show what a great community we have here on Sky. Yes you get the odd silly billy, but trust me, the percentage here is exponentially smaller than any other site.
As far as the Freeroll goes, a few points stand out. Yes I ran super hot. There were three flips early doors which all went my way, also I did some key holds. From memory I never won a hand where I got it all in behind, but in tournament poker that's the least of your worries. What I managed to do, along with flip well, was not get unlucky much when someone else got it in behind. I know most people say you have to win your flips to win a tourney, in my opinion you have to hold your 80/20s & 70/30s to win. For the most part I did.
Secondly I think I played decent stuff as well. I started as one of the big stacks and both me and Ryan (the biggest stack) soon realised that the field had gone majorly nitty. We were practically taking it in turns to get in pots and bully pots off of people. The 2k and 3k stacks seemed, in my opinion at least, to be waiting for really good spots. I think a few of us with the larger starting stacks really took advantage of this, giving us a platform to FT off of.
Finally the HU was a titanic battle which could have gone either way. The chip lead must have changed at least a half a dozen times and speaking from the heart, I felt I was the underdog from the start. Hats off to Launder, he had my head spinning. I can't wait to see what hands they choose to show on Sunday when they show the FT, I really would like some analysis of the whole thing as well as the HU, personally I think it will be fascinating to watch. Then again as I binked the flight, suite and seat, I would say that.
Thank you all once again, time to get back to the grind.
Yeah good point Tommy. Some of the small stacks just played it like a normal MTT, not an (effective) winner take all where just getting it in and hoping with 10-15 bigs was really what they should have been doing.
I was not pleased that you was plonked right next to me on the opening table! Althought I can't think of any major pots we played actually...
So many heroes going to Vegas this year with Sky, you are lucky that you won't be seen as the old guard going as Jakally will be there to cover that role. Other than the main event obv, what are you looking forward to the most?
Yeah good point Tommy. Some of the small stacks just played it like a normal MTT, not an (effective) winner take all where just getting it in and hoping with 10-15 bigs was really what they should have been doing. Posted by scotty77
I was initially surprised to read this, given that it was the priority club members. But then I thought that maybe some of them are just pure cash grinders (as I expect most club members are) and therefore not experienced at complex satellite play. What do you think?
New member on the site who has been watching 865 for a long time before taking the plunge to poker.Good luck in vegas and maybe one day when my bankroll allows I might even get to mix it with you on the tables.
Ok got a few things to post so I'm going to split them into a few entries. I'm going to be wrapping up the Vegas stuff in a bit and answering some of your questions on the Freeroll etc as well. But to start with more important things.
Barry's death has affected me somewhat. Never met him in real life but chatted with him on the tables and forums quite a bit. i have already posted in his tribute thread and i do not want to trivialise that by changing this into a poorer version of that. However I feel that Barry was one of the most important posters here, especially in the early days. Life is so precious, snuffed out more sudden than a candle light in the wind.
I have already told a few people of my intention to do the following although the charity has now changed. I have qualified for the Blackpool Bounty Hunter SPT. Even before Vegas and Barry i was intending to donate any bounties I won on that day to charity to pass on the karma. Now after the sad news I have decided to donate any bounty prize to Barry's favourite charity as detailed by Alison in that thread (Shopmobiiity Sheffield I believe). It may be nothing, it could be a grand. Doesn't matter, I'm running this anyway and I invite anyone who fancies it to join me.
Ok, on to a lighter moment. You may or may have not seen the highlights from my Vegas Luckboxing on Sunday. They showed highlights of the final table. From the hands shown I was getting a hammering right up until the end, pretty reflective as I was, from 5 handed until the end, mainly winning lots of small pots which of course aren't going to be shown. So after big pot after big pot went away, mainly in HU, I got this text from my mother just before the end of the show.
'R U sure u won'
Cheers Ma and when did you start all the text speak?
I'm a bit late with this, but massive congrats Tommy. TID in Vegas! :-) Incredibly sad news about Barry, a great loss to the forum and community. Gl in Blackpool, hope u take loadz of bounties! So how do you think the last day of the season will pan out for top4? And will Chelski win in Euro? Don't think my folks will eva lrn da txt spk lolz. Posted by JingleMa
I think my team, Spurs, have lost their chance for 3rd now. I think we'll finish 4th and I will suddenly become German for a bit. Scared about Chelsea, sometimes you just think someone has their name on the cup.
In Response to Re: Many Rivers To Cross. A Diary. : I think my team, Spurs, have lost their chance for 3rd now. I think we'll finish 4th and I will suddenly become German for a bit. Scared about Chelsea, sometimes you just think someone has their name on the cup. Posted by TommyD
Lol, that's it Tommy - stay pessimistic like a true Spurs fan! (Me2).
Yeah, we'll do an Everton and Chelski will do a Liverpool 05 - it's written in the stars.
Although it's not exactly the same cos it's not @rse in the CL Final so u neva know!
Oddest hand I've had in a while. Not often you get donked into by two different people on two different streets. By the river and facing a less than 1/100 pot bet I just wanted to see cards. What would you do throughout the hand? TBH I think it is really close to a fold on the turn. Only history and how small the bet is made it a call for me.
Congrats Tommy. I was in the mini last night on your table where you and Solack were trying to bounce each other out with short stacks.I had the big stack but made sure i kept clear of you two. only to later throw it away with all-in call with 88 v AA.(the cat is still limping!) I put "congrats Tommy" in chatbox but youprobably had chat off. All the best in vegas and i look forward to your blog on the events. As a novice on site, i've asked advice from you on occasion and you've always come through. You are a good example for other members both success AND, more importantly, attitude-wise. Your posts are informative but light-hearted too. I appreciate that. I was a maths teacher too for 20+years so where you get the time from to play as well as do your job really does amaze me. Maybe it may reduce when the OFSTED inspection is announced, eh? All the best...cheers!!
Congrats Tommy. As a novice on site, i've asked advice from you on occasion and you've always come through. You are a good example for other members both success AND, more importantly, attitude-wise. Your posts are informative but light-hearted too. I appreciate that. Posted by profman15
Comments
Firstly thank you very much for all the positive messages I've had since the bink both here and elsewhere. I'm made up so many people have posted An extra special thank you to a fabulous rail who were respectful and banterful during the whole final table. It was a troll free zone, a rarity when it comes to Internet Poker, which just goes to show what a great community we have here on Sky. Yes you get the odd silly billy, but trust me, the percentage here is exponentially smaller than any other site.
As far as the Freeroll goes, a few points stand out. Yes I ran super hot. There were three flips early doors which all went my way, also I did some key holds. From memory I never won a hand where I got it all in behind, but in tournament poker that's the least of your worries. What I managed to do, along with flip well, was not get unlucky much when someone else got it in behind. I know most people say you have to win your flips to win a tourney, in my opinion you have to hold your 80/20s & 70/30s to win. For the most part I did.
Secondly I think I played decent stuff as well. I started as one of the big stacks and both me and Ryan (the biggest stack) soon realised that the field had gone majorly nitty. We were practically taking it in turns to get in pots and bully pots off of people. The 2k and 3k stacks seemed, in my opinion at least, to be waiting for really good spots. I think a few of us with the larger starting stacks really took advantage of this, giving us a platform to FT off of.
Finally the HU was a titanic battle which could have gone either way. The chip lead must have changed at least a half a dozen times and speaking from the heart, I felt I was the underdog from the start. Hats off to Launder, he had my head spinning. I can't wait to see what hands they choose to show on Sunday when they show the FT, I really would like some analysis of the whole thing as well as the HU, personally I think it will be fascinating to watch. Then again as I binked the flight, suite and seat, I would say that.
Thank you all once again, time to get back to the grind.
Only just seen this!
So pleased for you Tom! You thouroughly deserve this, and the very best of luck in Vegas
New member on the site who has been watching 865 for a long time before taking the plunge to poker.Good luck in vegas and maybe one day when my bankroll allows I might even get to mix it with you on the tables.
Run good in Vegas.
Pat
Barry's death has affected me somewhat. Never met him in real life but chatted with him on the tables and forums quite a bit. i have already posted in his tribute thread and i do not want to trivialise that by changing this into a poorer version of that. However I feel that Barry was one of the most important posters here, especially in the early days. Life is so precious, snuffed out more sudden than a candle light in the wind.
I have already told a few people of my intention to do the following although the charity has now changed. I have qualified for the Blackpool Bounty Hunter SPT. Even before Vegas and Barry i was intending to donate any bounties I won on that day to charity to pass on the karma. Now after the sad news I have decided to donate any bounty prize to Barry's favourite charity as detailed by Alison in that thread (Shopmobiiity Sheffield I believe). It may be nothing, it could be a grand. Doesn't matter, I'm running this anyway and I invite anyone who fancies it to join me.
Ok, on to a lighter moment. You may or may have not seen the highlights from my Vegas Luckboxing on Sunday. They showed highlights of the final table. From the hands shown I was getting a hammering right up until the end, pretty reflective as I was, from 5 handed until the end, mainly winning lots of small pots which of course aren't going to be shown. So after big pot after big pot went away, mainly in HU, I got this text from my mother just before the end of the show.
'R U sure u won'
Cheers Ma and when did you start all the text speak?
I was in the mini last night on your table where you and Solack were trying to bounce each other out with short stacks.I had the big stack but made sure i kept clear of you two. only to later throw it away with all-in call with 88 v AA.(the cat is still limping!)
I put "congrats Tommy" in chatbox but youprobably had chat off.
All the best in vegas and i look forward to your blog on the events. As a novice on site, i've asked advice from you on occasion and you've always come through. You are a good example for other members both success AND, more importantly, attitude-wise. Your posts are informative but light-hearted too. I appreciate that.
I was a maths teacher too for 20+years so where you get the time from to play as well as do your job really does amaze me. Maybe it may reduce when the OFSTED inspection is announced, eh?
All the best...cheers!!