Friday & Portugal!

Another day at the poker office today, and I must have managed a record number of tournies. In total played 26, mostly SNGs - 6 tabling, but also managed to fire up one 33k gtd MTT where I cashed in 89th spot and picked up a few KOs too. I did end up pushing with K9s when I probably didn't need to. I guess blinds were getting high and I thought it was a reasonable position given the stacks. All adds to the experience I guess. I did manage to crawl back to my peak by the end of the day, nothing special, but I seem to be in good form, and free again to play more MTTs.

Nearly forgot to mention that I met up with one of the PFU guys last week for a beer. Laudy was in town on business, so we caught up after our team PFU brief meetup in Birmingham a few months back. Tried to get Cheesies out the house too, but with his crazy hours he ended up sleeping right through. Next time :) There's talk of a proper PFU meetup at somepoint, we'll have to see if it ever happens! Would be a good laugh though.

In other news, Portugal is now firmly in the pipeline. Jamesie and Darren have booked their flights, and suspect I will along with Toobad book it up tomorrow. Mezza is coming too, but getting a later flight, but should be a wicked birthday weekend away. Just have to try and find somewhere to stay now.

More poker with TPC tomorrow. It's been a nightmare trying to find a Saturday where everyone is free, but we've managed to get 5 of us together. Unfortunately no Pickers food, so we'll have to resort to the tried and tested Nachos. Yet another opportunity to take the boys money and dominate on a bit of Fifa. Not sure if I'll be able to tempt Mezza into playing though after the tilt he went on after tonights losses.

Lots of Poker!

Yay, the keyboard and mouse arrived today. I know they should be nothing to shout about, but I'm happy with them all the same. More importantly it's freed things up, so I can put the monitors together and make the setup all a bit more groovy. Not the best of pictures but hopefully gives you an idea:

So what's been happening on the poker front recently? Well, to start with I've been experimenting with a lot of multitabling - usually 6 tables at once. There's been a lot of yo-yo'ing going on, but I'm convinced that's more to do with running a bit bad than anything else. I feel I'm actually playing quite well, and on the verge of a decent upswing :) At the same time I'm getting more used to more tables - it's definitely the way forward. Hopefully now the setup is sorted I can move things on.

The Session is now hotting up with just 2 weeks left. I had another decent result this week, managing to scrape into 4th after grabbing 2nd spot the week before. That's now pushed me up to 4th in the overall leaderboard, but the way the scoring works it get's tougher each week to make any headway. There's still an outside chance of scooping the top spot, but I think I'll at least have to win one of the next 2 weeks to manage it. At the same time there's still a big challenge from the chasing pack, and quite a few that can steal ahead so I'll have to ensure I'll bring the A-game.

Other than that I played in a few MTTs recently too. Most notably was the Monday night 888 Challenge, where we were down to the last 24 and had Dan and PK still in and representing PFU admirably. I had my A-game on the go, happened to pick up AK where I raised it up and got called by the BB. Flop comes A-high, BB checks, I raise, he shoves, I call. As hoped he turns over AQ. Not sure I need to tell you the rest but he hits his 3-outer on the river and I'm down to peanuts and out the next hand. It was the difference between having a 71k stack and sitting pretty in 4th spot, or having 0k and being out. Poker sucks sometimes! As I said before though, feeling good about my game still, hopefully I'll get more chances to bink something soon.

WSOP has just kicked off in Vegas, so hopefully everyone will be buzzing about poker over the next month or so. Not forgetting the World Cup kicks off next week too! The sun is out too and I'm sure we've got a heat wave on the way - I have a feeling it's going to be a great summer!

Oh yeah!

It's been a bit obsessive recently with the amount of research I do looking into buying the right thing. You wouldn't believe the amount of choice out there. First you have to decide how much you are going to spend, then you have to try and work out what you can get for your buck, then all the comparisons take place, followed by the indepth reviews. You then start to come up with a shortlist, do more comparisons and reviews, until finally you pick the one you are going to go for. Then just as you think you are done you then spend an age trying to work out where you're going to buy it from. Price, reputation, and speed of delivery all come into the equation before you put it all together and eventually click the button. Well, I did exactly that and a few days ago they arrived, and I must say I'm a very happy chappy

I bought 2 of these babies - BenQ G2420HD 24inch Widescreen Monitors. They had good reviews and were also a decent price point at @£166 from oyyy.co.uk. I'd never bought from there before, but apparently they are becoming quite big these days. They also use DPD for delivery who seem really good with a tracking system that let's you know when they'll arrive to within an hour. Very impressed all round.

So I've got them connected to my laptop, one on VGA and the other on HDMI. I can't really notice the difference at the moment, but they are both looking good. The only problem I have at the moment is that I still have to use the laptop for the keyboard and mouse, which means the laptop screen kind of gets in the way if I put both monitors together. So I've got them split either side and don't feel like I'm properly set up just yet. That's soon to change though, as I've spent the last week looking at mice and keyboards! This has lead to even more indecision than choosing the screens, and even had to take a trip to PC World for some road tests. Yes, I know this all sounds very sad, but I honestly stuggle lol! Anyway, I finally decided on a combo set, and pleased with the choice:

Logitech Cordless Wave with LX8 mouse - Managed to get this through Amazon, so hopefully it should be here in a few days.

Roll on multitabling :)

Tired evening!

Well I think I'll wrap up for the night on the poker front. Not played too many games, just a few MTTs, all of which didn't really work out. Played the 33k on Full Tilt where I seemed to be ticking along before running KK into AA, played the 888 Challenge where with the blinds getting big went for the button steal only to of course find TT in the blinds more than happy to call me. Play a couple on Stars, one where my KQ push found of course AA, and then another where I had an early setback QQ loosing to KK, before finally repopping an active button raise allin with AQs only to find this time he has lucked upon AA - boo. So a night of running into big hands, it seems. Not a lot you can do, really. I'm dealing with variance rather well lately and didn't bat an eyelid or was very much surprised at any of these. Par for the course, I'll just keep plugging away.

I am having slight domestic with KK recently though. Had some sicko beats all over the place with it, too many to list here. Essentially if I have them, I'll get sucked out on, and if someone else has them they will win regardless if ahead or not. I'm not at a stage where I'll vow never to play them again, but it is becoming rather laughable the amount it is happening recently. Even Mezza has witnessed it, and may have even caught the virus! KK is definitely on makeup, let's put it that way.

Other than that, not much to report. Played 5-a-side earlier in my continuing quest to get a bit fitter. Joined a new gym a few weeks ago, and that's been going well along with really enjoying it. Haven't been up the range though this week because of it all, maybe will dedicate some time at the weekend.

Right, I'm off to do some more research on monitors. I really want to get this dual screen setup on the go, and quite like the idea of some retail therapy. Maybe a new chair too. I'm so picky and indecisive though we could still be here at xmas!

Feeling it...

Last Friday was a bit of a disaster session. Fired up quite a bit of poker, but couldn't seem to win anything. Playing badly or just unlucky? Always the question that's hard to answer sometimes, but the EV adjusted line in HoldEm Manager seemed to think that I was on the receiving end of more than my fair share of beats.

This carried on to Saturday where I met up with Mezza and Toobad at the casino for a bit of live action. You would have thought for the rake you pay you might at least get a dealer, but it ends up I volunteer on my table to deal after seeing some French tourist on my right looking like he'd never picked up a pack of cards in his life. I don't mind too much, but remind me if I ever do it again to make sure someone else does the shuffling - hate that part! So anyway, was a bit card dead all evening, not managing to deal myself a decent hand hurts when everyone else is turning over Aces and Kings. Was managing to hold on with my short stack, when Mezza comes over to announce he is out - some flip he didn't win apparently. It's around this time I'm shoving a few hands to pick up the blinds, and potentially looking to get back into it. That's until some loose guy raises in early position and I look down at the best hand I see all night - QQ. I push my stack knowing I'm going to be ahead, but also that he's gonna call. He turns over Ac10c. I think he flops a flush draw, but whilst praying for no club on the turn, I missed that he'd picked up the gutshot as well and hit at the same time I hit trips. Boo - I was out. It was late by then, so we left Toobad to it, who has some fish-like qualities that's at home in a place like the Gala. Of course we get the text message the next day to say that he's only gone and binked it - £600 first place! Stingy as he is though, wouldn't even agree to give us our buyin back.

Things have been looking up the last couple of days though, as I've been grinding my way back to peak with some $20-$30 SNGs. They really are a reliable way to make money, but it's always the question - is it enough?! Not sure if I mentioned but I've been playing much more MTTs recently, so will likely be back on them tonight (along with the PFU Session), I just need to make sure I keep supplimenting them with SNGs until I bink some more big ones.

I'm feeling good about my poker recently and doing my best to ride the variance. I'm starting to read more and look at my game more, so hopefully I'm improving. We'll see!

I'm Baaaacckk

I don't think you're a true blogger unless you go awol for crazily long periods before returning to post what's been going on. Adds to the mystery, don't ya think? :) No? Ok maybe not, but I'm back and hopefully can keep it going. No idea if this was on anyone's reading list before anyway, but it's a good place to vent the ups and downs of poker and life.

Soooo... Where to start? Well first things first, I didn't disappear because I'd gone broke at poker. Actually been doing rather well at the tables since my last shout. I've hit a number of mini targets I've been aiming for in terms of money, and have since been splashing around a bit trying to find the best format. First up was multi-tabling more SNGs usually around the $20-$30 mark, also dabbled into a bit of small stakes cash to see how that panned out, but the latest thing for me is more MTTs. They require a bit more time, but the end prizes if you can bink them are certainly worth it. I came 3rd in one of the early Rush MTTs for $1700 which set me up and gave me some confidence to keep going. Had a few final tables since, and a few more mini-cashes. Also been close to some big scores, but lost a flip or a big hand to put me in position. That's poker though, and now more than ever I'm dealing with variance very well. Played in a few FTOPs and SCOOPs as well recently, but nothing of worth to report there. Had fun in the one of the dual 888 Challenges the other day where I went out in the first hand of both tournies - Epic! The first one I had KK vs QQ vs JJ allin preflop, only for a J to hit the turn - boo. The second one though was slightly more my fault when I got excitable with Ac10c only to flop a flush draw and two overs. Little did I know that the other two players in the pot had both flopped sets and one then went on to hit quad 9s after all the money had gone in. It was actually quite funny!

The Session - Still involved with the PFU, and it's the 3rd series of the Session (after not really getting anywhere in the last one). Had a slow start, but did win one round, and now looking for a few results to put me in with a chance of placing. Prizes are massive this year, with 1st getting a big £1k buyin to a tourny of their choice. After that likely will be £100 prizes for runners up. There's only 5 weeks left and need to get some more points on the board, but hopefully in with a shout.

TPC - Still going strong also, and would you believe I'm in the lead as it stands, with nearly half a year gone. Mezza still my strongest challenger, but Toobad has caught the poker bug recently and has a bit more game about him. We are due for another round soon, maybe next week, so post some more about what's going on then.

Golf - Don't ask! Been going through more variance than you'd find on a game of Rush Omaha Hi Low! Working on my grip at the moment, and putting some time in up the range. Bought some gadgets to help with that too so we'll see how tomorrow's session goes with Mezza tomorrow. There's no doubt about it though, sort that bit out and Tiger will have his work cut out.

Anything else going on? Not immensely. It's that time of year where we plan to go somewhere for my birthday. Looks like Portugal is going to be the destination of choice for the end of July. Just confirming numbers and hopefully booking it all up in the next week or so. Really could do with a break. I've got maybe 35 days holiday left to take at the moment and time seems to move pretty quick. Maybe just take off a whole month to watch the World Cup - quality idea. Also been looking at enhancing the home office to add in a bit more poker luxury. A new chair, some big screens, as well as getting the TV in there is part of the plan so far. Started the research already and it's amazing how there are chairs for over £1k! Big screens are crazy money too, so it's all about finding a happy medium at the moment.

Last thing to wrap up is just a shout out for a new poker website that just started up hosted by Phil Galfond. I've spent the last day or so watching the new content, and so far it's looking like a real winner. Some quality interviews with the likes of Zigmund and the Dang brothers, with some good hand analysis too. Hopefully they keep it up. If you want to check it out www.pokerstatic.com

Maybe a chilled night of MTT poker is on the cards (pun intended!) tonight, I'll try and let you know how it goes.

La La La Manga!

I finally gone and booked it up - 4 nights and 3 rounds of golf at La Manga golf resort in Spain! I've been needing a break soo badly, and I don't have long to wait as I'm off in 11 days :) I'm going with the boy Prior, and got ourselves a decent deal. Trying to practise as much as possibly before then, so off to the range shortly. Need to fit in a few rounds in prep too. Yee haw..

Been spending the last week sorting the garden too, and it's not far off. Just a few tidying up jobs and it'll be all ready for a BBQ. Weather is a bit tosh this weekend though, so it might have to wait a week, but I did see the one that I wanted to get: Monster BBQ!

Getting back to the poker, I've started to ramp things up again. I'm back on the FullTilt trail and playing the $30 again. Doing ok since my comeback and long may it continue :) Still have my accounts on LuckyAce, Pacific, PokerStars, Carbon, and Betfair - I'll save signing up for other sites another time, but there aren't many left. Perhaps PKR and something on iPoker could work.

PFU wise, played the last game of the Session last week, and only went and ruddy won the round :) Crushed the final table knocking out at least 7 of them, just couldn't go wrong and hit the right flops. That result pushed me all the way to 2nd in the table and meant I finished about 30 points behind deserved winner Joe. I did win 3 rounds in total though, so quite happy with that, especially with my largely laughed at tight game :) Session III is definitely gonna be a looked forward to event.

Lastly, went to the casino last night with Toobad again. What an f'ing joke. At the break after an add-on I had 6.9k in chips. Came back to find I was 1k chips down! I complained but they talked to me like I was some degenerate gambler who had miscounted his chips. I was not happy chappy. Blah blah you'll just have to carry on they said. So I told them I wanted my money back for my £20 add on, which after a bit of initial resistance I got back and told them I was done with the place. I carried on with my short stack though not really caring any more. Managed to bump my stack up, but after playing a few hands on a new table I pushed AQ for about 5k. The button insta-called, and then the BB oh'd and ah'd before deciding to call her all in too. Button turns over AJ and BB turns over A6s! Of course the board turns a 6 and rivers a J, and I was on my way home. Complete waste of my time and energy. Might stick to online for a while.

Right off to hit some balls in this crappy weather (that's dedication eh!), before sponging Sunday dinner off my Bro :) Laters...