Education

Oh well, the ‘big game’ on Friday that I had managed to win entry to turned out to be more of a learning experience, rather than my big explosion on Glasgow’s poker scene.

I was working till 7:30 and made the short journey to the Cincinnati Club at a brisk pace. Got there only to see Littlewoods sponsored professional poker player Tony Chessa. I had a feeling that I may be slightly out my depth here.

There were approx 70 runners; I was seated at table E, seat 3. The game started fairly well, I took the first two pots (trips and a boat) and then got suckered on a bluff when I checked out of turn. I was still confident and made a 2000 call on the river on one hand to take a healthy pot.

I was telling myself not to do anything silly and to wait it out. Yeah yeah yeah. Raise – fold was my strategy for about 5 hands straight.

I got involved in a pot when I was holding A, 10 suited and the the flop came 10, 9, 9. I was first to act so threw out a bet of 1000 (about half the pot). I got one caller. The turn came another 10. I put out a bet of 3000. Again called. I thought the player put me on a bluff and there were 2 clubs to a flush on the board so I was praying that a 3rd club hit. River indeed brought a club. I checked, hoping to come over the top, but the player checked also. I showed my 10 and took down the biggest pot at our table so far.

That’s when the deck turned cold. Could catch anything and after the break I was down to just over my starting stack. The poker pro Tony Chessa busted out, and shortly after his table was broken up. Table E inherited 2 players, both with large chip stacks. I wasn’t paying attention on the next hand after they arrived, but they both managed to have all their chips in the middle on the River. The tempo of out table had definitely changed.

I mucked, and mucked and mucked and mucked until the blinds and antes had taken a healthy chunk of my chips.

Then came the big move. Table E was broken up between the last 3 tables, so I was down to the last 30. Not bad I thought for my 1st stab at a tourney this big. I’m the short stack at the table with 9000 in chips, less than 10x the big blind. 1st hand at my new table, and all I want to is muck to get a feel for the table. I get thrown poker 9’s. I’m under the gun. Deep breath. Muck,muck,muck …..just muck it Gaffer …… “All in” …….it folds around the table to the big blind. He calls, hoping I don’t have big slick. I show my 9’s, he’s happy with his A, Q. And so he should be when there’s a big dirty Ace on the flop. I don’t improve and I’m out on my arse in about 30th place.

Oh well. Lesson learned. There’s always next time.

Success

Guess who's playing in the £80 game in Cincinnatis on Friday?

I went to the £15 satellite tournament last night with Barry from work. Started with 5000 in chips and just under 30 runners, so 5 seats available.

I was throwing chips away in the first 2 hours. None of my raises before the flop were getting any respect. I nearly went bust when, after the turn, the board was QQ77. I was holding a 7, but someone went all in before me. I took about 10 minutes to lay it down, and the guy showed the Queen ...... phew.

I got moved table (I had less than 10 chips in my hand) with about half my starting stack and managed to whittle it down to 2000 (I had a 2000 chip so I felt really silly asking for change).

I managed to claw my way back up to just over 5000 before the break. (managed to take a shorter stack out along the way).

After the break it was a final table of 10. I wasn't the shortest stack, but not far off it. Barry was there also, sitting pretty. After about 40 mins of play one of the short stacks went all in after my raise - I called with Ks Js. I thought I was behind, but the old boy turned K 4. I hit a Jack and was back up.

At the final table there was one guy who had more chips than the rest of us combined. Jamie Gold style. But how he got these chips I'll never know, because he was paying EVERYBODY off.

Barry went out in 8th place. He raised before the flop and got 1 caller. The flop came 10 7 5 rainbow. Baz checked and the caller raised all in. Barry called and showed Jacks. The boy who called the initial raise before the flop was playing 10 5. WHO THE FXCK PLAYS 10 5 ????? Anyway that was the end for Baz.

We got to the bubble and I was nervous as hell. Nobody was playing. The mood at the table changed during the last hour and a couple of the guys were moaning about it taking too long and no-one calling etc. One guy wanted to split the entry fee's between the last 7, but I wasn't into that.

The last hand of the night, I pick up the bullets and raise to 4000 (blinds were 500/1000), the once chip leader goes all-in. I call and am surprised to find I have him covered. He turns A J.

I am in. Couldn't believe it. Still don't believe it.

A night out for the boys.

The Boys from Bishy run amok in the Stanley casino, Glasgow.

That was the original title for this post, but seeing as it was only my younger brother who made any money it seemed a bit exaggerated.

My bother and I took our Old Man for a night out up the town, and hit the casino. We started in the local pub (I’ve been off the drink for over a week now so this night was a bit of a test), and left just after 8. The parting words came from Bobby G “remember lucky 14”

Being off the drink is hopefully going to aid my poker play, and reduce my waistline – a bonus for the wife.

In the casino I resisted the temptation to register for the £10 rebuy Texas Hold ‘Em tournament which is popular with a lot of Scottish players. I instead headed to the bar (Sprite for me) and took the drinks down to the roulette table where my brother had doubled up his original stake of £20 with a couple of even money bets. The three of us were the only ones at the table which was the more expensive of the 2 open, with a minimum bet of £1 for single numbers and £10 for 2-1 or even money bets (out side bets). I changed a £20 note for 20 chips and with Bobby’s words still fresh in my mind plonked one chip down on 14. My brother laughed as the wheel was spun and the ball released.

“No more bets please” I had the only chip on the whole table.

“Red 14”

This stroke of luck - £35 return for a £1 bet – set the precedence for the rest of the night. I played the roulette table for a while and then moved to the blackjack where I was able to turn £20 into £50. Moved to the 3 card poker table where I managed to do a disappearing trick with £30. Moved back to the blackjack and doubled up. I went back to the roulette table where my dad, who was down about £200 at one time, had managed to pull about even. My brother on the other hand was up over £300. This was time to pull him away from the table before he managed to donate the full amount back to the casino.

It was a good night and my dad enjoyed himself which was the main objective. I thought it was a good departure from the poker I have been immersing myself in of late.

I will be playing a small game in the boozer tonight, and if all goes well, may be able to fund a trip to the big end of month game at The Cincinnati Club.

Here’s hoping.

First?

Well it's started. I've jumped on the bandwagon and got myself a weblog.

I have still not decided on content, but no doubt it will be irrelevant and at times surreal.

The big question I will be trying to find out over the next few months is "Will poker ruin my life?" Financial ruin, ruin relationships or mental ruin ........ only time will tell.

Just now on a bit of a high after visiting Glasgow Poker club Cincinnatis for the first time. Taken along by a fellow poker addict I managed a final table place, finishing in 5th, which was 16 places higher than I had hoped to finish (only 21 players that night ;-))

I should give a more detailed account of any future play, but will leave that for another day.

Peace.