Amateur Poker Association & Tour

Poker Forum => General Discussion => Member Blogs => Topic started by: ThinkerJE on January 14, 2008, 22:45:22 PM

Title: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: ThinkerJE on January 14, 2008, 22:45:22 PM
Booked it, will be packing it and I am off to Vegas again on 29 May 2008 for the WSOP.  Will be updating in a similar fashion to last year.

This year fellow members of the Solihull home game crew will also be making the trip and we will be attacking the WSOP head on.

CANNOT WAIT!!!
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: kinboshi on January 14, 2008, 22:49:14 PM
Not another bloody vegas diary thread....


























...only joking fella, hope you and the others have a great time and look forward to reading about your exploits.
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: Mr Tubbs on January 14, 2008, 23:49:19 PM
Hi J
Hope you scope the lot while in vegas.Its jeldon"s mate stood with you most of sunday(sorry about that)
Could you tell your closet GOONER friend he would of been right to call when si
had middle pair k"s on final table ace on flop i said i"d let him know.
You said you would of folded!jus started reading your vegas blog quality(only 7 months late) can"t wait to read your 2008 blog in 2009
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: MAIR on January 15, 2008, 02:04:42 AM
Wow I will look forward greatly to your reports from there.  I fair enjoyed your last one.

:)
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: lukybugur on January 15, 2008, 10:15:27 AM
Yep, same here! I eagerly await the 2008 post ...

For anyone who hasn"t read the 2007 post, FYI it"s here http://www.apat.com/forum/index.php?topic=98.0

Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: nosey-p on January 16, 2008, 12:12:18 PM
Cannot wait James

And maybe you will get an APAT Award as you should have got last year. :o


Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: Ant1966 on January 16, 2008, 13:18:27 PM
Nice one James.

I hadn"t read any of your posts about your trip to vegas last year but have just spent my dinner hour reading through them....great read.Especially as i have seen ThinkerJe on posts and in APAT on line tourney"s but never knew who you were! (you joined my table at Cardiff briefly before it got busted up) you were far end to me, i was sat next to the eventual winner.

Brought back some great memories of my trip in 2006.....When i was sat in the Bellagio playing in the 2pm $540 f/o on my 40th Birthday! All going sweet until i ran my AJ into AQ and bubbled for the final table! :(

I can"t believe you found the time to post while in Vegas....and to that i take my hat off to ya!

Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: Swinebag on January 16, 2008, 15:24:44 PM
Cant wait for your report. That thread last year was fantastic. You reported last year about constantly getting short stacked and just missing out on the cash. A year gives a great time to reflect/practise/improve and I"m sure we"ll be reading about multiple cashes this time. good luck.
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: jon_garrett on January 20, 2008, 19:11:42 PM
Closet Gooner friend here. Cheers for info "tubbs". Thought it was the stop and go.

James, I"ve added a link on my blog to this one just in case anyone wants to read two lots of thoughts.....

Looking forward to it already.
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: APAT on January 20, 2008, 19:41:33 PM
Really looking forward to this again.  I"ll also be posting a banner directly to your diary from the APAT home page James.

(http://lh3.google.co.uk/www.apat.com/R5Ojp3v8wHI/AAAAAAAAKHQ/xu7WkIExoL4/Thinker_Banner.jpg)
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: tumblet on January 20, 2008, 19:50:53 PM

Really looking forward to this again.  I"ll also be posting a banner directly to your diary from the APAT home page James.

(http://lh3.google.co.uk/www.apat.com/R5Ojp3v8wHI/AAAAAAAAKHQ/xu7WkIExoL4/Thinker_Banner.jpg)


Better be good now.. !!  ;)
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: lukybugur on January 20, 2008, 19:52:34 PM
lol, nae pressure ...  :)
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: ThinkerJE on January 29, 2008, 21:45:01 PM
Okay, flight booked 29 May direct from Manchester.  Also on the flight will be fellow SHGC (Solihull Home Game Crew) members Jon G (4th APAT Luton) & Sharp (APAT cashes at Dublin & Walsall).  Its a ten hour flight and no doubt we will pass the time playing 17 card chinese poker.  I am officially the world"s worse chinese poker player (even worse than Hellmuth) so I may have done my entire bankroll before I touch down at Mccarran.  Plan is to pre register for the big $1,500 NLHE with 2 day 1"s that starts at the Rio on the Saturday (should be a monster prize pool).  Staying at the Circus again, it was great last year and is so much cheaper than other hotels (great value for money and more to spend on buy ins).  Cannot wait for this trip to begin and looking forward to sharing my experiences and random thoughts with you again.

Jon G is spending 8 weeks in Vegas for the WSOP and I have him to make a final table at least (or even a bracelet).  You can follow his progress on his blog.

http://www.jongpoker.blogspot.com/

Shameless plug I know, but he has put a link to this thread on it.

Anyway will up date nearer the time on how the bankroll is looking and what my poker schedule will be.

NO BAD BEATS - Vegas won"t know what has hit them with the SHGC in town!!!
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: Spursman on February 07, 2008, 21:12:34 PM
What has APAT done, brought big tournament poker to eager and keen amateurs. Let them find out that they can step up and face the big boys with confidence.......

If there are any doubters out there about what the value and ethos of APAT is cannot be left in any doubt. Des's idea of poker for poker players must make him proud to see members showing in major tournaments across Europe and the world.

Sorry you Northern boys aren"t gonna be on your own, there are going to be any number of members out there at various times during the series, even playing the main event.

I"ve got three events lined up, O8, PLO and HO, there are players in the stud, other Omaha and of course various vanilla holdem games. Back up events at the Golden Nugget and Binions are also being scheduled, so there is every opportunity that we"ll cross chips at a table somewhere.

Des get your finger out and produce some sort of Commemorative APAT shirt so we can recognise each other, maybe get Blue sq. to put a few dollars in so we can buy each other a drink or three perhaps? Mine and Terry"s are XXL, Danny 3XL? Pottsy and co XL"s and large maybe. Get it done in enough time so we can order them personalised.

Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: APAT on February 07, 2008, 21:17:17 PM
Thanks Jim.  Mary has done a lot of work on this and there will be embroidered shirts available in plenty of time for Vegas - and you will be able to personalise them.
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: Chipaccrual on February 07, 2008, 22:34:36 PM

Thanks Jim.  Mary has done a lot of work on this and there will be embroidered shirts available in plenty of time for Vegas - and you will be able to personalise them.


Sounds like there are a number of members at the Virgin Poker Festival in Newcastle aswell.  Not as glamorous, but as long as we don"t annoy the sponsors.

Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: APAT on February 07, 2008, 22:42:54 PM
The Virgin Festival was created due to the success of APAT, so I don"t think Joe or team would mind any APAT references at the event.
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: Waz1892 on February 08, 2008, 08:50:14 AM
I asked about this for the 1st festival but was shunned or ignored!!!   ;D..but then again my bankroll is proberly too low to be of concern to the APAT.... ;)..just messing!  :P
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: foxy78 on February 15, 2008, 15:17:05 PM

Thanks Jim.  Mary has done a lot of work on this and there will be embroidered shirts available in plenty of time for Vegas - and you will be able to personalise them.


That would be good to have, im planning to go back again this year & take part in the $1500 buy in event
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: ThinkerJE on May 19, 2008, 00:38:37 AM
Okay, only 10 days till I go to Las Vegas and I cannot wait. 

A few last things needed to be done, but apart from that I am all set.

Also I have just qualified for APAT Dublin on Sat 14 June.  So I get back Fri 13 about 10am then have a home game on the evening then an early flight to Dublin on the Saturday morning.  Will be a crazy weekend...
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: Paulie_D on May 19, 2008, 06:41:16 AM

Thanks Jim.  Mary has done a lot of work on this and there will be embroidered shirts available in plenty of time for Vegas - and you will be able to personalise them.


Ahem....[taps foot]

(http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/4;10726;442/st/20080606/e/Vegas%2C+Baby%21/dt/4/k/ef9a/event.png)
(http://www.TickerFactory.com/)
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: ThinkerJE on May 25, 2008, 12:58:26 PM
The countdown continues...

3 days, 20 hours, 56 mins & 35 secs until take off...
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: APAT on May 30, 2008, 16:33:37 PM
Thinker will have arrived in Vegas by now, so hopefully we will be hearing his "no bad beats" mantra shortly.  I"m so jealous!
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: ThinkerJE on May 30, 2008, 17:39:44 PM
Ok we have arrived in Las Vegas and it is still the most amazing place in the world.

I have not really had a chance to get that excited about the trip this year, as I have had things to deal with back at home and as this is now my second visit.  So it has sort of crept up on my without me thinking about it too much.  A last minute underwear crisis on Tuesday was averted thanks to a 2 for 1 sale at Marks & Spencer and on Thursday morning at 5.15am Jon picked me up to travel to Manchester airport for the direct flight to LV.  This year I am not on my Jack Jones as fellow Solihull Home Game members Jon & Martyn have also made the trip out to the world series.  I am out here for 2 weeks, Martyn is here for 10 days & Jon is staying out for the entire WSOP, all 8 weeks in total (so sick).  APAT legend Simon "Mr Final Table" Auckland is also on his way out here in mid june so between us we hope for some good cashes and maybe more (beware of the bok). 

So we continue to Martyn"s then make the uneventful (ie no delays) journey to Manchester airport arriving at 7am.  We check in for the BMI flight to LV and proceed to departures.  A coffee and bacon buttie occupy half hour or so, but we still have 90 minutes till take off.  A load of ladies dressed as police officers descend to the bar area and proceed to get the beers in at 7.30am (my kind of women).  Jon & Martyn are not impressed but they got my attention.  Now after that brief distraction the only thing to do is to get the cards out and begin the 17 card chinese poker marathon that would continue until we land in LV.  Without getting too techinical the object is to make 2 five card poker hands, a 3 card poker hand & a 4 card badugi hand.  We tend to play a tournament format rather than a cash per point game.  So the winner is the player with the most points after 9 rounds, with 1 point for each winning hand against each player and a 1 point bonus if you scoop him.  This is such a sick game and I am not sure why we always end up playing it, as I hate it at times.  However on this occasion it provides me with my first holiday cash!!!  A sick last hand sees me scoop Martyn and overcome a 3 point deficit to win $5 (Jon points out that it is not a Vegas cash as we are still in Manchester), but I will take it all the same.

We then board the plane and there is a slight issue in that Martyn is seated 15 rows behind myself & Jon, however we are hoping someone will switch, but it seems unlikely as the plane is full.  We take off and I discover that Jon is a little uncomfortable with flying (well only the take off & landing part, he is fine once we are in the air).  This really surprises me as Jon is the most logical and rational person I know, so I do what any other friend woud do in the circumstances, take the mick and humiliate him for his silly fear.  I don"t have a problem with flying, if it is time to go then so be it.  Once in the air Martyn informs us that there are 2 empty seat next to him.  This is a right result and is also slightly bizzare as there are not that many empty seats on the entire plane, so for 2 to be free next to him was weird.  We continue to play chinese poker for the whole of the 10 hour flight and Martyn was probably wishing those seats had been occupied as he ended down $35, I was up $10 and Jon up $25.  The flight itself was okay, not much leg room and BMI are not in the same league as Virgin.  Food was pants, but then that is a given and you have to pay for beer (it was free with Virgin).  The air stewardess don"t smile and seem miserable all the time then as we were leaving the plane one of then bokked us by asking if we were going to win lots of money.

We got a taxi to Circus Circus and checked in.  A quick freshen up and we decide to take a wander down the strip.  The plan is not to play any poker today but to register for the 2 day $1,500 event at the Rio.  It is really hot now as it is mid afternoon and looking around I notice that alot has changed since last year.  The Frontier has been knocked down (but the sign is still there for some reason), the Wynn Encore has appeared aswell as Donald Trump"s tower.  I am really feeling good now and the tiredness has gone as we take in the sights of the strip.  This is Jon"s first visit so myself & Martyn are acting as sort of tour guides, pointing out all the main casinos and attractions.  We head to Ceasar"s to get a beer, and I am delighted to see that the pu$$ycat casino is still situated next to the poker room.  They only work on the weekends so may have to check them out tonight.

Next we move on to the Rio to register for the WSOP event.  Jon & Martyn get sorted out with reward cards and then we all drop $1,500 at the registartion desk to play in the WSOP no limit hold em event.  We have all chosen to play on the Sunday and it starts at 12noon so an early night will be in order to be on the top of our games.  The Rio is not that busy as the WSOP doesn"t officially start until today with the $10k Omaha World Championship.  However star spotting sees David Gray (not the babylon guy, the poker player), Kristy Gazes (looking mighty foxy) & Chris Ferguson (minus the trademark stetson).  This may become a regular thing as the three of us turn into complete marks and list any famous poker pros we see or encounter across the felt.  We have to draw the line and have agreed to admire from afar and under no circumstances will we be asking for photos or autographs (way too geeky).

Pretty tired by now so head back to Circus for a bit to eat.  It is now around 7.30pm local time and we decide to crash in order to be fresh for the poker on Friday.  I don"t plan to sleep right away but as soon as I sit down I am dead to the world.

So it is now 9.30am and we have arranged to meet for breakfast around 11am.  Plan for today is to play some poker.  We are taking a trip to downtime to play the $150 NLHE at Binion"s.  We felt this would be a good introduction to Vegas poker and a chance to play at the legendary Binion"s Horseshoe.  I played alot of these event last year and was really impressed so I am really looking forward to it.

Will post details of how we get on later this evening.

I hope you all enjoy this blog and any comments are appreciated.

As always I will sign off with my catchphase, so till the next time;

NO BAD BEATS - even if you are playing 17 card chinese poker...
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: lukybugur on May 30, 2008, 17:55:19 PM
Excellent! More please ... (just when you get a chance) ;)

Best of luck out there!
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: APAT on May 30, 2008, 18:10:22 PM
Great debut post for trip two.  Best of luck James and pass on our good wishes to Jon and Martyn also.  

There has to be a couple of good results on the cards (no pun intended) given the ability in this trio (with Simon to follow)!
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: Waz1892 on May 30, 2008, 19:21:41 PM
awesome read.....cant wait for more...
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: Bodddders on May 30, 2008, 19:38:41 PM
Here we go again. Looking forward to reading about your exploits, best of luck!
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: Mr Tubbs on May 30, 2008, 21:14:11 PM
Great read J good luck to you all may the poker gods be with you :D
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: nosey-p on May 31, 2008, 09:03:31 AM
Great read, just as good as last year. Good luck

Des, you can stop the competition for the best blog  ;)
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: ThinkerJE on May 31, 2008, 10:15:10 AM
Ok just got back to the hotel room via 2 hours at the video poker machine (managed to break even and get 5 beers in that time, so a good result).  Today was all about the Binion"s Poker Classic and event 3, $160 NLHE.

Nothing much has changed about downtown LV and fremont in particular.  I still feel it is the poor relation of the glitz of the strip and it still has a dirty, seedy feel about
it.  That said, Binion"s still get the hairs on my back to stand on end, so much history, so much relevance to the poker world, I really love playing poker in this place.  Another difference I noticed from last year is that they have added a Poker Classic wall of fame with the photos of all the winners from last year in pride of place, a very nice touch from Binion"s.  It is clear that they are trying to establish their classic series in its own right, and once again the dealers and organisation was top class.  Now to the tournament.

287 runners for this event with 30 minute blinds and a decent structure.

16,600 @ first break (end of level 3 with 5k starting stack).
I have bruises on my boat when the deck hit me.  The 2 main hands were as follows.  I am in the SB with QT and there are 3 limpers, so I make up (blinds 25-50) and the BB checks his option.  Flop is T T 2 rainbow and I check hoping for action behind.  All check and the turn is a 7 (2 spades on board now).  I have to bet now to try and get some return on my trips, I bet 200 and the button raises to 500.  I know I am ahead and call hoping to get him to bet again on the river.  Blank on the river and I check to the button who bets 500.  I raise to 1,500 and he reluctantly calls before mucking his cards.  A good read and a noce pot early on.  Then comes the hand where I got most of my chips.  The blinds are 50-100 and I am UTG with 66, I limp in and 3 other players limp in behind me.  The SB makes up and the BB checks.  Flop if 6 Q K (with the six & queen of hearts).  Now I know I am ahead as anyone with QQ or KK would have raised pre flop, but I don"t like the flush draw so I bet out 300 and get a flat call from mid position.  Then the button raises to 800, so I want to make them pay to hit their draws so I re raise to 3,000 and the flat caller moves all in.  The button gets out of the way and I call the extra 2,000.  He has Kh4h for top pair with 2nd nut flush draw and I need to avoid a heart.  The set holds and I am up to 15,000 half way through level 2.  An AK later and I am up over 16k at the break.  Happy days, no need to do anything stupid now.

21,450 @ 2nd break.  Just staying out of trouble really, with only 2 hands worth a mention.  I raise with 77 in mid position and get a caller from the seat next to me.  Flop is Q 5 2 rainbow and I bet out and get called.  Turn 4, I bet again and get called.  River is a 6, I fire a third shot and he folds claiming he had AK.  Not sure about this, he may have had 99 or TT but I took fown a decent pot all the same.  The other hand occured after the introduction of the antes (blinds 100-200 with 25 ante).  UTG raises to 600 and all fold round to me in the BB with KJ.  It is an easy call as it costs only 400 more into a pot of 1,150, I need to be wary of AK, JJ which have me dominated but still an easy call.  Flop is A T Q with 2 hearts.  I check the nuts and he bets 900, I call.  Turn is Kd, putting 2 diamonds on board, I check again intending to drop the bomb when he bets.  He bets 2,000 and I raise to 5,500, he goes into the tank for 2 or 3 minutes before folding.  I may have lost my customer there but there was already plenty in the pot, with 2 flush draws and a chop if he had a jack.  Not sure what hand he had, but he was pretty solid and therefore I assume he had AQ or AK and made a top fold.  Apart from that not much happened.

26,900 @ 3rd break (only 49 left now, with 30 paid, I am just above average chips).
Again no dramas or incidents, just picking up blinds in position, in fact I had no showdowns during the entire 3 levels.  Blinds 800-1600 with 200 ante when we go back, so I am in good shape but one hand could change all that.

Cannot find a situation to get chips in and so within a few orbits I am becoming short stacked.  I raise in cutoff with 55 and have to fold on the flop when a solid player bets out.  I did make one successful move when in the SB, all fold to monster chip stack on button who limps.  I have Qh2h and decide to make up, BB checks, flop if A 6 5 rainbow, I check expecting button to bet and then fold.  However BB & button both check and I sense weakness.  I plan to move in now and the turn being the 6h (giving me a flush draw) means it is a no brainer.  I push, 2 insta folds and a good read.  I finally go out in 32nd (just short of the money) when the following hand happened.  All fold to me on button with A T off,  my stack is 19k with blinds 1k - 2k with 200 ante.  I raise to 6,000 and BB moves all in and has me just covered.  I hit the tank and think it through, I only have 13k left and he may think I am on a button steal, I may even be ahead although he has played pretty solid throughout.  After a dwell I call and he has 55.  We are off to the races, although I fall at the first when the flop brings a 5 sending me to the rail.  In hindsight I made a small mistake in that I should move all in pre flop, as that will give me more fold equity.  He may call anyway, but that puts the decision on him for most of his chips.  If I do bet 6k then it should be an insta call as I should not put a chip in the pot unless I am prepared to stick the lot in. 

Not a bad first effort in LV 2008.  I felt good about my game and the decisions i made.  Missing the money does not matter to me as I was looking to win the whole thing anyway (and the fact I have a blatent disregard for money anyway, you can"t take it with you).  I hope I can continue this form into the next 2 weeks.

Jon & Martyn did not get the cards or flops that I did and manged to grind their way to level 6 or 7 before having to push their short stacks and running into better hands.  I am sure things will improve during the rest of the trip.

I was pretty drained after the event (5 & half hours of concentration) and so we headed back the Circus for a few beers and a de brief.  Jon & Martyn hit the sack early (not together) but I was still hyped so played some video poker for a couple of hours.  5 beers later I cashed out for the same amount I had put in the machine and called it a night.

Other things to happen today;  I managed to give myself a new name when asked what my first and last name were when registering at Binion"s.  For some reason I answered "Yes, Please", I assumed the TD would ask if I wanted to register for the tournament, appartantly he didn"t, made me look like a t1t and gave Jon & Martyn a laugh.

Also the prize for who is the first to get asked if they are Austrailian goes to Jon Garrett, thanks to an American lady on the rail, it was only a matter of time.

And finally, I was not able to get my pu$$ycat fix this evening, this will definitely be put right tomorrow, a full, in depth report will follow (with pictures if I can get away with it).

So thats about it.  Plan for tomorrow is breakfast at 10am, follow by the 12noon deep stack tournament at Ceasar"s Palace (same structure as the APAT events).  Report to follow.  Then onto the Rio for the WSOP on Sunday.

NO BAD BEATS - Play to win, not to cash...

Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 01, 2008, 16:37:00 PM
Got up late and didn"t get to breakfast until 10.20am.  Then we got the bus to Ceaser"s to register for the 12noon tournament.  $330 NHLE with 10k starting chips and a good structure with 40 mins blind levels.  There were 89 runners in total and Martyn & Jon managed to be seated on the same table, with Jon in position to nick Martyn"s big blind.

9,600 at first break.  There is lots of play earlier on in this event with 25-50 starting blinds and the deep stacks, it allows you to play some poker.  I was looking to take flops in position with a range of hands in order to hit and monster and get paid early.  Unfortunately this did not happen and the only hand worth a mention was when I raised to 150 in mid position with As Js.  SB & BB both call and the flop is Kh Qs 7c.  The BB leads out for 250, I put him on a king or queen and decide to call hoping to hit an ace, ten or take it away from him on the turn.  SB folds and the turn is Ad, BB bets 500, I think I am ahead now but want to control the size of the pot and just call.  River is 7h, and BB bets 500 again.  I think about it and decide that my ace is good and I call, he show Ks Td and my read was good.  The other big hand on our table happened in level 2.  I raise in 2nd position with Jd Js and get called by the next 2 players.  Then the next guy moves all in, the guy after him moves all in and then the guy after him (big chip daddy) moves all in!!!  Blinds get out of the way and my jacks don"t look so good now.  I fold as do the next 2 players (99 & AK) and its 3 way all in action.  As Ks vs 8s 8d vs Kd Kc, the kings hold and 2 players are eliminated.  I could have lost a lot of chips in that pot as the board was 9 high at the river.

13,400 at the 2nd break (end of level 4).  Staying out of trouble at a very loose table.  100-200, 2 limps and I raise to 1,200 with As Ks and get 4 callers!!!  I bet 3,500 on a flop of Ac Kd Ts and get no action and take a nice pot.  Then the short stack moves all in on the cutoff and I find As Ks on the button and move all in to isolate, he has Kd Js and the best hand holds and I gather some more chips.  I made one laydown during this level, when UTG min raises and I find Th Ts on the button.  Something smells funny and so I just call, the blinds get out the way.  Flop is 7d 6s 6h, UTG bets 1,000 and I call.  Turn is 7h and UTG bets big (7k or so), I trust my read and put him on jacks or better and fold.  He may have had an ace but I think he had me beat and I am pleased with the laydown.

15,100 at 3rd break (end of level 6).  Again just keeping out of trouble and only 2 hands worth noting.  Blinds 300-600,  I am in SB and there are 5 limpers in front of me.  I am a short stack at the table and I have decided after the 4th limper to move in with any two in order to pick up the dead money.  I look down at 2s 3h, don"t bottle it now, I move all in and they all quickly fold.  My table image gave me alot of fold equity and I manged to increase my stack by 40%, again a good read on the situation and I was pleased I didn"t bottle it when I saw the cards.  The other time I actually had a hand, 5h 5d on the button.  There are 2 limpers and a raise from the cutoff in front (he has been active and raising with alot of junk), I move all in and take a nice pot when he folds claiming he had sevens.  I don"t believe him as he would have called with that, he may have had ace rag, but I won the pot all the same.  Need to double up soon as 600-1,200 when we go back with 100 ante.  Time to get funky.

So I strut my funky stuff, moving all in when I saw an opportunity to win the pot.  Then I find my hand Kh Ks in 2nd position and raise to 4,500.  Guy two to my left moves all in for 7,900 and I call.  He has Ah Jc and an ace in the door sees me down to 8,000 in chips.  Next hand UTG I see an ace and move all in and take the pot without a showdown.  Now I really start to get funky.  All fold to me in SB, insta all in BB folds deuce three.  SB limps to my BB, i check the wilson (7s 4h) and when he checks to me on a 5h 8s 9c flop I push and he folds again.  Then the exit hand.  At the end of level 7 I exit in 30th when I find Ts Tc in mid position.  Player in front raises, I push and get insta called (damm he must have an overpair right?).  No its Ts Tc vs 3h 3s, flop is 3d 3c 6s, not sure what the turn was, but it wasn"t a ten and therefore I am out.

Really pleased with my play yesterday, I made good reads on opponents (a part of my game that is getting better all the time) and got my money in good twice only to lose a 70/30 & a 80/20.  If I can keep this up I am sure I will go deep in a tournament soon, maybe at the Rio later today.

Martyn was about 35th and Jon was about 25th.  He went out holding pocket tens aswell, not a good hand for us as we both went out with it in Scotland.  Both played well and were happy with their play.

We hit the bar and took in the sights of Ceaser"s.  It was Saturday night and the pu$$ycat casino was in full swing.  Simply fantastic, I love this place.  I could not get any decent pictures but will continue to try and pledge to have something for the lads (or ladies) before the end of the trip.

Bus back to the Circus followed by Video Poker for an hour (not very good this time) and more beer then I hit the sack around 11pm in order to rest up before the WSOP event on Sunday.

Today is Sunday and we meet for breakfast at 9am before heading to the Rio for the 12noon start in $1,500 NLHE event (day 2).  Really looking forward to this as I am really pleased with my game at the moment and feel that if I can win some races then I could go deep.  No big mistakes yet and no thinker blow out so that is a good thing.

Will update later tonight when we get back from the Rio.

Till the next time...

NO BAD BEATS - he had to flop quads, at least give me a sweat!!!
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: APAT on June 01, 2008, 17:05:59 PM
Brilliant James...really loving the blog.  Good luck later today bud, there"ll be a big old beer in it for you if you cash!
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: Mikeyboy9361 on June 01, 2008, 17:21:17 PM
Great reports, good luck today. Sooooo jealous!!
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: Mr Tubbs on June 01, 2008, 18:23:30 PM
Great read again take it down today gl
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: lukybugur on June 01, 2008, 19:10:48 PM
GL @ The Rio. I look forward to reading the report.
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: jacklevel06 on June 01, 2008, 21:03:50 PM
Great report james hope i can rember half as much when my turn comes to go to vegas. :-\
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: lukybugur on June 01, 2008, 21:32:46 PM
I was thinkin that too. Maybe he has a Gus Hansen dictaphone tucked away somewhere.
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: duke3016 on June 01, 2008, 22:07:59 PM

Brilliant James...really loving the blog.  Good luck later today bud, there"ll be a big old beer in it for you if you cash!


Does that men if he cashes he"s paying  ;D cos if you"re buying I"m gonna be there with News International

Great read -- loving it
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 02, 2008, 16:53:17 PM
Ok its Monday morning now and this is what went down at the Rio.

First off the place is mad.  People everyone.  Jeffrey Pollack is there doing a corporate speech before cards in the air (not a patch on Tikay, so pc) and he says that this is the biggest tournament outside of the main event and the 4th biggest ever.  3,929 runners turned up over the 2 days and with only 3,000 in starting chips things were bound to get off to a fast start.  Poker stars were everywhere, either playing in this event or playing or railing the $10k PLHE final table which was all star.  In no particular order, sighted at the Rio were;  Greenstein, Williamson III, Parkinson, Lieu (looking gorgeous), Morrsion (sat on Martyn"s table), Black, Scotty Win, Hellmuth, Traniello, Harmon (sat down at my table then realise it was the wrong one, phew), Luske, Laak, Antonius, Bloch, Libert, Sexton, Tilly, Goodwin, Zolotow & Thater (who was sitting next to me and busted out within 30 mins).  Right star spotting out of the way, Jerry Yang gets the tournament started with the iconic phrase "dealers, shuffle up and deal".

3,425 at first break (end of level 2).

Bit of a crazy start, 3rd hand in mid position I raise to 150 (blinds 25-50) with 99 and get called by the player immediately to my left.  Flop is 743 rainbow and I bet 250 and get called.  Turn is another 7 and I bet 500 and get called again.  Now I assume he has a seven and I am beat and so I prepare to check the river and probably fold if he bets.  However a 9 on the river allows me a value bet of 800 and gets called.  He mutters something before mucking his cards.  So I am up to 4,500 early doors.  A good start.  Then there are 3 limpers into my SB and I make up with 78off, the BB checks (the guy I rivered the 9 against).  Flop is 874 rainbow and I check hoping someone will bet.  They all check and the turn is the 10, I bet out 200 and the BB moves all in.  All fold to me and it is only 900 more to call.  I think that I may be beat, although he may have a ten and think that I am trying to pick up the pot.  I call and he shows 56 for the flopped straight, nice hand, back down to 3,200.  The only other hands worth a mention were when I limp in middle position with 22, 3 callers.  The blinds check a K77 flop to me and I sense weakness and bet 250, all fold and I win the pot, a good read and a nice bet.  The other was QQ on button, I raise to 400 and BB calls.  Jack high flop and bet of 600 takes it down.

4,775 at 2nd break (end of level 4).

Another crazy session.  A short stack moves all in on the cutoff for 1,100 (blinds 100-200).  The SB flat calls.  I wake up with KK in the BB and push all my chips into the midde.  The SB starts to think (great no AA) and finally folds, and its AQ vs KK, the kings hold and I win a 3,500 pot.  Now a mistake (yes I am human and do make them).  I raise in mid position with 55 and get called by the loose chip daddy on the BB.  He checks a 864 rainbow flop to me and I fire 650, he calls.  He checks the turn 2 and I check behind (I want to keep the pot small).  River is another 8 and he bets 1,200.  Now I go into the tank and replay the hand.  His range is huge pre flop, but his call on the flop does not mean he has hit.  He may be floating the flop in order to bluff a later street.  He could have a 6 or 8 or simply king high and has to bet to win it.  My read is that he is making a play at me and I make the hero call.  He turns over 87 and wins a nice pot.  I am pleased I had the guts to back my read and make the call, however my read was way off on this occasion, back down to 3,500 now.  Another big hand occurs 2 hands later.  There is 1 limper and I make up the SB with JT, BB checks.  Bingo flop of 789 (what is it with me and flopped straights) and I check.  BB bets 300 and limper calls.  I raise to 1,300 and BB folds, limper moves all in, insta call, he had slow played QQ and my flopped straight takes down a nice pot.  The only other hand was a raise with AQ to no action and to take the blinds and antes.  A mad 2 levels, and the mistake I made with 55 was compounded when I flopped the straight.  If I fold the 55 on the river I have 1,200 more chips to take off the guy with QQ.  Blinds & antes are starting to bit now so will need an early double up to take the pressure off.  Jon & Martyn are both already out, Martyn was card dead and made a great pre flop laydown with JJ when guy had AA but could not get going.  Jon got up to 6,000 at one stage but got done twice when he was dominating AQ and busted just before the break.  That meant I won the last longer bet we had and another $10 was heading into the thinker bankroll.  This will be doubled if I make tomorrow.

However $10 does not become $20 as I bust out 15 mins into level 6.  I have had no cards for the last hour and have been moving in when I felt I could take the pot.  My exit hand is hardly worth talking about.  I have jut been moved to a new table and have only 3,075 left (blinds 200-400 ante 50).  There is 1,100 in the pot and I am looking for any playable hand to move in with from any position.  I push with JT in 3rd position and get called by an uber stack behind.  He has KK and I am gone.  Disappointing end to the event.  I feel I had plenty of opportunities to get chips but 1 major mistake and a few other mis steps meant I never got above 6,000.  The starting chips in these $1,500 events mean that you need to get chips early in oredr to be able to play.  There is lots of action in level 1 as players take chances to double up.  Some big stacks develop early which puts even more pressure on the short stacks.  Not sure how good a value you get for your $1,500 in these WSOP events and I am tempted to play more of the megastacks events at Ceasar"s, for a third of the buy in you get 12,500 starting stack and 50 mins levels.  This allows more play early on and suits my game much more.

Its about 6.15pm when I am busted and the 3 of us get the shuttle back to Ceasar"s and sign up for the 7pm $150 NLHE.  In hindsight I should not have played in this and just gone to the bar to watch the pu$$ycats.  I only last 35 mins (5,000 starting chips at level 1 25-50) which is so bad it is unbelieveable.  This is how I donled my chips off.  I raise in mid position with QT of diamonds (1st mistake, I do not normally play this hand early, never mind rasie with it).  The button and BB both call.  Flop is Ts Tc 8s and BB bets into me.  I raise another 1,000 on top and he calls.  The turn is 5s and BB bets 2,000 into me.  I have 3,200 left and go into the tank.  Why would he bet the flush?  If he was betting the draw and hit it, surely he would check to me again?  So he must be trying to push me off the hand, I move all in and are crushed when he flips Ks Qs.  That was a really bad call.  I should lay that down and I still have plenty of chips with the structure and 40 mins levels.  Another bad read, but what I should ask myself is what am I actually beating.  He may have AT, KT, 88 or the flush.  Bad play and I am annoyed with myself.  Martyn lasts longer than me (not difficult in this tournament), but goes out when his push with a spade draw fails to hit the flush.  Jon was still in and going well when we left around midnight, with 38 players left he had well over average chips.  $6,000 for 1st and cashes to 9th, so hopefully he took it down (that cannot be a bok as it should have finished by now).

Myself & Martyn had to console ourselves in the bar, talking over the hands of the day and generally bitching about how poor the WSOP compared to other deeper stack events in LV.  All the players know this in advance and still 4,000 odd stump up $1,500 to play, everyone wants one of those bracelets and that is the only place to get them.  The first megastack event at Ceasar"s attracted 384 runners yesterday, which was a great turnout and I feel that we will be playing alot more of these events over the next 2 weeks.

Other random thoughts and things that went down in LV.  I found a great chinese place that does the best special fried rice ever.  Miller light is still very alcoholic (I thought the light bit refered to less alcohol but it actually about calories or something).  Video Poker is not loving me on this trip (probably paying back the grand I won last year).  Table minimums for the pu$$ycat casino are $25 a hand (you definitely pay for the pleasure).  Money attracts beautiful ladies (that can be the only reason why old, fat guys have the most gorgeous creatures on their arm).

STOP PRESS - Jon has just phoned to say he chopped the $150 NLHE at Ceasar"s at 3.30am for around $2,600 ish.  Top result and the first proper cash of the tour.

Plan today is breakfast at 10am then the 12noon megastack at Ceasar"s.  Jon may not play as he is knackered, but myself & Martyn will be trying to go deep.

Thats about it till the next time;

NO BAD BEATS - Trust your read on a player, but DO NOT make stupid calls!!!

Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 02, 2008, 17:11:02 PM
(http://www.thinkerje.co.uk/custom/a.JPG)

The infamous pu$$ycat casino I keep harping on about...
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: lukybugur on June 02, 2008, 19:38:19 PM
Another great read and it"s just got better now that we"re gonna start gettin photos! :o
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: APAT on June 02, 2008, 19:55:29 PM
Top read again James and proof if ever it was needed of how difficult it is to succeed in such enormous fields.  Top result by Jon so that should give the group confidence to push on.  We"re rootin" for you all.
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: George2Loose on June 02, 2008, 21:43:49 PM
Great read! Keep it up.

Agree- not much value in the 1500 buy in"s considering the value u get for the GUKPT and GBCPT events for the same sort of cost. However playing in the WSOP must be a buzz!
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 03, 2008, 08:05:38 AM
Its now 22:45 local time and we have just got back to base after another day in LV.  Jon took a day off poker today to buy a new hat and recover from his exploits of last night.  Myself and Martyn both anted up for the megastack event at Ceasar"s starting at 12noon.  Its $235 NLHE with 7,500 starting chips, a good structure and 50 minute levels.  548 runners turn up and we are off right on time.

7,900 at 1st break (end of level 2).  The 25-50 starting blinds and deep stacks allows me to play alot of hands on what turned out to be a very passive table.  In fact I end up doing something I never do and that is being the table enforcer.  My normal style is to sit tight and see what happens.  However I quickly realise that this passive table could be an opportunity to get chips early at little risk.  This involves playing alot of hands, calling raises in postion with questionable holdings and then betting when I sense weakness.  Hopefully my loose image will also enable me to get paid when I pick up a monster.  How come then you may be asking, did he only have 400 more than he started with at the first break?  Well there were 3 hands in particular, 2 laydowns I had to make and one bad call (the only mistake I think I made all day).  I raise in id position with 99 and get one caller on the button$.  Flop is J92 rainbow and I bet out around the size of the pot.  This is called and the turn brings a Q.  I don"t like this card (he may have KT) and even less when matey bets into me.  The size of the bet is only about a third of the pot and I decide to call and see the river.  The river is the 8 and he bets again, now I have to release as he must have a ten (probably something like AT or T9 or he might have got me on the turn with KT), I make the laydown and a good decision.  More difficult if the river is a blank, my read is that he had me on the turn but it would be tough to fold a set as he would need to have that exact hand, so the 8 saved me from a tough decision.  The other laydown was when I raised in early position with A2 of clubs (how aggressive is that!!!).  One caller from the SB who checks a A79 (2 hearts) flop to me and I bet around pot size and get called.  3h on the turn is checked to me and I check behind as I want to keep it cheap now, he may have hit his flush or have something like AT and have me out kicked.  The river is As and he bets out.  My A2 is not beating much now as he either has a flush or a better ace, either way I am beat so I lay down 3 of a kind again.  The bad call involved me limping on the button with Js 9h, and 4 players see a cheap flop of AT9 (all spades).  All check to me and I fire out a bet that is called in one spot.  Turn is J and it is checked to me.  My spidey sense is working overtime and I feel this may have helped my opponent so I check behind.  The river T counterfits my 9 and he bets 600 into me.  I am struggling to put him on a hand as I have little information about his play.  My initial read on the turn is that I may be beat, or he may just have the king of spades and has missed his draw.  I call and he did have the Ks but he also had the Qc for the turned straight.  A bad call as again I am not beating much with my hand but it only cost me 600 so it did not do too much damage to my stack.  One positive hand involved me calling an UTG raise on the SB with 77.  The flop is Q64 and I check and it is checked behind, now I have found that the Americans like to check the flop when they have rasied pre flop, even if they hit their card, so he may have a queen.  Turn is the 7 (bingo), I check again and UTG checks again, I wanted him to bet the turn but he didn"t go for it.  The river is a 6 filling my boat and I overbet the pot, betting 1,000 into a 650 pot.  It works a treat as he calls and mucks (I think he had TT or JJ and did not put me on the queen).  I am really enjoying the play in this tournament and the fact that you can make creative plays without damaging your entire stack.

13,800 at 2nd break (end of level 4).  Not played many hands over the last 100 minutes.  Had to change gears and tighten up when some uber stacks with an attitude showed up at my table.  The only re raise I put in was with QQ after 3 limpers (wanted it to look like a steal) but got no action.  Then I changed tables and the major hand (and decision) occurred.  I raise in cutoff to 1,300 (blinds 200-400) and button moves all in for 6,000.  If I call and lose I am left with only 1,100 or I can fold and have 5,800.  I don"t have too much information about my opponent and have a big dwell.  I finally conclude that it is likely he has a pair and I am willing to take the race to double up and get into contention.  I call and its 66 vs AK,  king on the flop sends matey to the rail and me p to 13,800.

17,100 at 3rd break (end of level 6 and dinner break).  Everyone still left in gets a $10 voucher which I put to good use at the chinese place in Ceasar"s (fantastic special fried rice).  This is unfortunate for Martyn who got busted about 5 mins before the end of the level, most of his stack when his kings got busted by a rivered flush.  I have been trying to pick up pots without risking too many chips.  I raise in early position with QQ and get 2 callers.  A king high flop is not to my liking, but checking it down to the river is and I win a nice pot.  Another hand invloves me calling a small raise in position with 88.  Flop of KQ9 is checked to me and I check behind.  Turn is a 8 and raiser bets out and I smooth call.  I know I am ahead as he is a solid player who would not have raised with JT, I have him on AK or AQ (as I said earlier the septics like to check the flop, even if they hit, I think it is because they play more limit hold em and the tactic is to check the flop in order to make the big limit bet on the turn).  The river is the Q and he checks to me, he must have AK now, I bet 3,500 and he folds AK, a good fold by him, he put me on a queen though, so a blank and I get paid more.  I have to release 88 when a bigger stack moves all in after my initial raise, not the time to gamble in that spot.  No other major hands, just using position, ie cutoff raise with A9, SB calls.  Flop 553, SB checks, I bet and take down another nice pot.  Blinds are 600-1,200 with 100 ante when we go back so only about 6M so need to double up early and then I will be in good shape.  I am playing well and feeling good at the table, making good decisions.

I bust out in 190th place just 15 mins into level 7.  I raise 3,500 with Ac Tc and have to release when someone goes OTT.  Then the blinds go through me and within 7 hands I am down to 10,900.  There is 2,800 in the pot before the cards are dealt so I need to get busy.  All fold to me on cutoff with Ad 6d and I move all in.  SB calls with AK and no 6 or flush sends me to the rail.  Disappointing end to a great tournament, with a great structure, lots of play and a $30k first prize.  This in my oppinion is much better value than the WSOP events at the Rio.  Interesting to talk this hand over with the boys, Martyn would do the same thing I did, whereas Jon would have folded and waited (he would rather do it with suited connectors or similar as a rag ace is too easily dominated by any hands that will call you).  I take his point but I feel fine about the decision, my stack dictates the move in that spot and I would move in with any 2 there, it just happened to be ace rag.  It is 8k to call so the only hands to look me up will be AK, and pairs TT & above (in my opinion) and it just happened that the SB had one of them.  I need to get my chips dancing in order to buy me time to find a double up hand.

Top tournament, really enjoyed it.  I felt I played much better today and made the correct decision most of the time.  The plan is to play the megastack tomorrow, this time you get 12,500 starting chips with the same structure, so will be room for even more play early doors, cannot wait.

I joined Martyn & Jon in the sportsbook as they were watching the ice hockey playoffs.  I do not get ice hockey at all.  Firstly you cannot see the puck thing, so it just looks like a bunch of blokes with beards playing tick on ice (apparantly players don"t shave during the playoffs for fear of the ice bok).  Also there were no fights (I thought this was compulsory at ice hockey games) and no players smashing through the glass and into the crowd (like they always show on those sports bloppers shows).  Also it is American and therefore cannot be a draw, so they have sudden death overtime, first team to score.  This went on for ages and I think they more or less played another entire game during overtime.  It went on so long that I feel asleep in the sportsbook and was awoken and promptly told off by an uniformed enforcer guy.  Apparantly as well as not using your mobile phone in an American sportsbook, you cannot fall asleep also.  Another point to note is that the NBA finals start on Thursday and you cannot have a bet on this in Ceasar"s (or any casino owned by Harrah"s) as someone in the company is also part owner of the Boston Celtics.  I guess what I am trying to say is that (Baseball aside, I quite like that) all American sports are stupid!!!

Thats about it for today, quite tired after concentrating in the megastack so just about to hit the sack.  Plan for tomorrow is breakfast at 10am then the mega stack at 12noon.  I have also decided to abandon the 2nd WSOP $1,500 event that I am bankrolled for and use the cash to buy into more megastack events at Ceasar"s or deepstacks at the Venetian.  I think these are much better value and suit my game alot more.  A life changing win or bracelet won"t happen but I will definitely get more bang for my buck.

Till the next time;

NO BAD BEATS - Megastacks are the future, I"ve tasted it!!!

PS - thanks for all your replies and words of support.
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: tumblet on June 03, 2008, 11:36:27 AM
Great read keep it up..
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: lukybugur on June 03, 2008, 11:47:57 AM

keep it up..


shouldn"t be a problem with the pu$$ycat dolls just 20 metres away ;)
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: troubled joe on June 03, 2008, 13:16:21 PM
Excellent stuff.  Helping to pass a typically dull day in the office and making me more determined to build up a Vegas bankroll (long, long way to go) or at least qualify for more APAT deepstacks.

Good luck for the rest of the trip.
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: The Auck on June 03, 2008, 23:50:14 PM
Lovin" the reports.  I"m assuming you"ve learnt short hand or are carrying a dictaphone.  Give my regards to the boys and don"t burn yourself out.  Good to hear you"re taking in the beers even if it is over a video poker machine (give them 2 a dig in the ribs from me!).  Take something down......even if it costs $69 and arrives in your room!

Remember: leary = trouble!

Take it easy! Si
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: Waz1892 on June 04, 2008, 09:17:23 AM
more great stuff..good luck in the deep stacks..vegas is awesome, soo jealous..but reading is like being their..kinda off..

How do you remember all the detailed hands..etc?
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: Ant1966 on June 04, 2008, 13:15:36 PM
Exellent reading James.Good luck.
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: Jon MW on June 04, 2008, 13:39:32 PM

...
How do you remember all the detailed hands..etc?


It is impressive isn"t it.

I took a notepad with me last year - but

(a) I still didn"t have time to write notes that detailed and
(b) I don"t think he"s doing it that way anyway!

Keep up the good work Mr Memory.  :)
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: billyho10 on June 04, 2008, 13:44:03 PM
.......or mibbe he is actually just spending his days drunk watching and excessively tipping the pu$$ycat girls and just making it all up when he crawls back into the hotel!!!!  ::)

lovin the reports either way  ;D
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: George2Loose on June 04, 2008, 20:18:53 PM
I keep checking back for updates! Compelling reading.

On the subject of recall I think the greatest players have it. They can remember betting, stack sizes, positon and hands off the top of their head.

I think Thinker has that same type of recall. Are you writing the hands off the top of your head?
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: nosey-p on June 04, 2008, 21:02:35 PM
Does that mean he is a great player?  :o
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: Swinebag on June 04, 2008, 22:01:34 PM
I can remember similar hand details to James and agree that whilst great players can do it, can also testify that the converse is not neccessarily true :(
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: friendly fish on June 04, 2008, 22:53:08 PM
J, its a drunken matt. Check out TJ at the mgm if he"s still there.  That"s Tom Jones to pokeher-fiends.  he"s the ********.  thrust thrust.  check out the chille noddles in new york new york. If you call the odeon hjotline +1 you can have 2 girls in your room in 30 mins.  god"d luv the LV life.  check out the rough as ***** dina north of LV, lozellls seems like GLC album 2.   I am v. jealous - mainlt cos I"m im doing silly hours and smokin too much.  Keep up the diary, you"ll may be famous 1 day.......
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: friendly fish on June 04, 2008, 23:03:52 PM
...Ps gud luck to you J+m.
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: George2Loose on June 05, 2008, 00:46:02 AM
I spose what I was trying to articulate was that if you want to be a great player, recall is important
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 05, 2008, 08:42:39 AM
Ok latest news from LV.

Tuesday - Ceasar"s $340 megastack NLHE (12,500 starting chips and 50 minute clock).  498 runners for yet another top Ceasar"s event.

12,300 at first break (end of level 2).  Trying to play more hands and get chips early with little success.  I have had to fold some less than premium hands when I have been re raised pre flop.  I also have had to fold when representing an ace on the flop when I had 78 suited.  Hands that went a liitle better include a raise with Ts 4s in cutoff with 1 caller.  Flop JT5 (2 hearts) and I bet 250 and get called.  The turn is another 5, I bet 600 and he folds.  I put him on a draw and tried to make it too expensive to call, I pick up a nice pot.  I limp UTG with 55, the button limps and the SB makes up.  BB checks and the flop is JT5 rainbow.  I check my set and the button bets 300, SB calls, BB calls.  I raise to 1,300 and all fold.  I thought one of them might come along for the ride but pick up another nice pot all the same.  Finally all fold to the button who limps.  I am in SB with K4 and make up, BB checks.  Flop K48 rainbow and I check, button bets 300 and I call.  Turn is K and I check, button bets 700 and I call.  River is 3 and I check hoping he fires again, however he checks and mucks and I take another pot.  I have a loose image and I hope that I can take advantage of this when I pick up a big hand in the next level.

Unfortunately I do not make the 2nd break as I bust out with 15mins to go in level 4.  Most of my stack was lost due to bad play by myself in level 3.  I raise to 600 in mid position with J9 and get one caller.  Flop is 8T4 rainbow, I bet 1,000 and it get raised to 2,500.  I put him on a ten (AT or KT maybe) and decide to call, either to hit my straight or bluff on a later street.  Turn is 6, I check and he bets 3,000.  I have 9,000 left and I go into the tank.  I can move all in to represent an overpair or call to hit the straight or bluff the river.  I could just fold at this point, but I want to get chips.  I call and the river is another ten.  This is a horrible card.  Now I cannot bluff the river as he will not fold trip tens, so I have to give the hand up.  I check, he moves all in and I fold.  So I have done 50% of my stack in one hand.  This is bad play.  Thinking it over later I should either move all in on the flop (with 8 outs if I get called) or fold to the re raise or if I miss the turn, that would leave me with at least 9k still in chips and plenty of play.  This was a bad decision and is something I need to learn from.  Now I have to tighten up and wait for a double up hand.  I still have time but cannot mess around with silly hands now.  A few hands later the cutoff limps and so does the button, the SB makes up and I find AT on BB.  I consider the raise but decide to check and conceal my ace.  Flop is ATK rainbow and I check looking to check raise, but all check behind.  I am wary of QJ as that is a limping hand, but I will do chips if it is out there as I cannot let this go with my stack.  Turn is 4, I bet 500, cutoff calls and button calls.  River is another ace and I value bet 1,200 and the button calls.  I played this well in the end to get the river bet called and I am back up to 8,500.  Another setback when after 2 limps I find K8 on SB and make up, BB checks.  Flop K97 and I check (probably should bet out here rather than call a bet), solid player bets and I call.  Turn is 2 and I check again, matey fires again and I have to put him on a better kicker and have to fold.  Then the exit hand.  There is a raise from 2nd position to 1,200 and a smooth call from cutoff.  I am already looking for the squeeze opportunity when I wake up with TT on the button and move all in for 6,200.  Original raiser folds and the cutoff calls.  AK vs TT and an ace on the flop sends me to the sportsbook.  Disappointing that I needed to take a 50/50 at this stage of the tournament, I should have preserved my chips better so I was not in that situation (the J9 play was particulary bad).

I did manage to back a winner at hollywood park using my mother"s tried and tested technique for picking winners on the horses (ie by the name of the horse).  "Chubby" romped home by 5 lengths and I was $100 better off.  This was spent wisely on Miller Light and Chinese food before I sat down to play the 7pm $150 NLHE tournament at Ceasar"s.  5,000 starting chips and 40mins levels, 140 runners and I was trying to emulate Jon"s achievement by taking it down.

4,500 at 1st break (end of level 2).  I am on a crazy table.  There is a crazy lady who is raising every pot and betting every flop.  And she is doing this whilst having a massage at the table.  This is gross.  Now I know that I am a few pounds above my fighting weight and so I am fine one to talk but this was a large lady.  The sight of his gurth being moved from side to side made me feel a little sick.  I had to look away.  Why do players need a massage at the table anyway?  Its like eating at the table, I cannot stand that either, we are here to play poker not eat or get relaxed.  Rant over.  Anyway I have stayed mainly out of trouble, re raised with QQ to no action and had JJ twice, the first time having to fold on a AQ7 flop and the 2nd time having to fold to a re raise and re re raise all in (they had 44 and AQ, crazy crazy table).  Finally the lady does not raise and it fold round to short stack SB who makes up.  I look down at KK in BB  (why did she choose this hand not to raise?).  I decide to take a chance and trap so check.  The flop is K42 rainbow and I am praying he has 42 or anything.  He checks, I check behind hoping he bets the turn.  He checks, I bet 50 and he folds, damm.

Once again I do not make the 2nd break as I am out just 30 mins into level 3.  This time is nothing to do with my bad play and I just get unlucky.  Still 4,500 and on the BB.  Short stack on button moves all in for 1,900, SB calls.  I find KK again and move all in, SB huffs and puffs and calls, I have him covered by 600.  Its KK vs 77 (SB) vs AQ (button).  Flop 897 turn Q and river 2 and I am down to just 600 chips with 100 in the SB next hand.  I would be in good shape if the kings hold but thats just how it goes sometimes.  I have to fold SB to UTG raiser who has not played any hands (she was both very tight and very fit and had QQ).  All fold to me I look at 1 card, the Ah and lob the 500 chips in, BB calls with K6.  I say that I have only looked at 1 card and show Ah before exposing my other card, the Ac (great).  They hold and back up to 1,100.  Cannot find another spot to get chips in with first and have to let the blinds go through me.  Finally it fold to me on the button, I stick them in with 9d 6d and SB moves all in, BB calls.  I am not in a good spot, 96 vs TT vs JJ.  Jacks hold and it is goodnight from me.  Not much I could do about this tournament, at least I didn"t donk off half my stack this time.

The good news is that the pu$$ycats work on Tuesday"s so I get my fix before returning to the Circus for some more Miller Light & video poker.  Despite getting 4 of a kind twice I still cannot return a profit on this trip yet (not that that will stop me trying).

Wednesday - Ceasar"s $235 megastack NLHE (7,500 starting chips and 50 minute clock).  425 runners for this event and the worst of the trip so far foe me.

0 chips at first break (end of level 2).  I bust out on the last hand before the break, details of that to follow.  The bad play comes before that.  I did 2,500 in chips within the first 20 mins.  I started out trying to be aggressive but soon found out there were some uber hyper aggressive players to my left.  They kept re raising me and I had to release when I had rubbish or when I missed the flop (which was all of them) when I had a playable hand or draw.  Nothing other to note except I was down to 5,000 and had not won a single pot.  So I tighten up and don"t play a hand for the next hour.  I find AK off UTG and raise to 300 and get 1 caller.  I bet 500 into a king high flop to take my first pot.  Now to the exit hand.  There are 4 limpers and I find Ad Kd in late position and promptly raise to 650 (4,000 behind).  The blinds fold and the 2nd limper re raises to 2,700.  All fold and I go into the tank.  It is all very strange and I am trying to put him on a hand.  I don"t think he is that strong and with my chip stack as long as he doesn"t have AA or KK I am 50/50 to double up to over 9k.  After a dwell I move all in and I am surprised there is no insta call.  He says that I know he is pot committed and after a short think he calls.  JJ vs AK and a jack on the flop busts me in level 2.  At the time I am not sure if this is bad play or not.  I talk it through with Jon at the break and he would have done the same.  What is most disappointing is that I have had to take a chance like that this early in a deep stack tournament.  I need to stop bleeding chips early on and getting short stacked.  It is fine to play certain hands in position in order to try and flop a monster and get chipped up, as long as it does not do too much damage.  But this has not been the case as I have never built up a big chip stack early (except for Binion"s and that was because I hit some hands).  In the tournament tomorrow I plan to revert to my old style but then play even tighter than that in the first 3 levels.  The aim is to play solid and preserve my chips till I find the best situation to put them in the pot. 

Martyn & Jon are still in so I am on my jack jones.  I head to the sportsbook to watch baseball and bets on the horses.  Another winner "Devilish Denue" and another $75 added to the thinker bankroll.  They also give out free beer vouchers when you place a bet.  This is fantastic and if they did this in the UK I don"t think I would be able to leave the betting shop at lunchtime and go back to work.  Jon busts out next hitting top 2 on a flop when someone else hit a set.  Martyn busts just before the start of the ice hockey which is improved viewing this evening as I can see the puck this time.  I am ribbing Jon throughout as his team are playing and despite a tight finish they win stanley"s cup.  Cue various wooping and hollering from various septics in the sportsbook.  Total strangers are hugging and high 5ing each other, its all a bit american really.  Then we head to the food court for fish & chips (well fish & fries really) which was very tasty before heading back to the circus to blog.

Other things from today was that I was seated in seat 10 and next to the most gorgeous dealer in LV so far.  Not sure what her name was but she was of Bulgarian origin and smelt lovely.  She was a Sandra Bullock lookalike and big football fan (she called it football and not soccer, so the yanks have not got to her yet).  She loved it when she found out I was from England, appartently she loves England and the English.  Her favourite player is Berbatov and he is going to sign for Man Utd in the summer (you heard it here first).

Plan for tomorrow is the megastack again, this time a plan to be super tight and preserve chips and put them to better use.  Jon may be off to the Rio to play the WSOP 6 handed event, but he has not made his mind up yet.

So thats you all up to date.  Hopefully I will make the neccesary adjustments to my game and put in a better performance tomorrow.

Till the next time...

NO BAD BEATS - Don"t bust out in level 2 of a deep stack


Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 05, 2008, 08:48:04 AM


...
How do you remember all the detailed hands..etc?


It is impressive isn"t it.

I took a notepad with me last year - but

(a) I still didn"t have time to write notes that detailed and
(b) I don"t think he"s doing it that way anyway!

Keep up the good work Mr Memory.  :)


My memory is not that great.  What we do is note down the key hands from the session at each break and then touch up the details when we get busted.  It helps a lot to talk through the hands and how they played out, and find out what the boys would do in the same situation.  Hopefully we all learn from this and are in a better position to deal with a similar situation in the future.
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 05, 2008, 08:49:11 AM

Does that mean he is a great player?  :o


no
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: Antilles17 on June 06, 2008, 00:24:59 AM
James - Super read mate keep it coming.  Sounds like you"re all giving it a good go, serious amount of poker going on, amongst the beer, women, sports and betting.  You lucks gits!  Best of luck for the rest of the trip.  Say hello to Mart for me. 

One good thing about the states - I bet Big Brother hasn"t just started over there!


Matt
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 07, 2008, 13:32:36 PM
OK latest news from LV.  Although please bear in mind it is 4am local time and cold drinks have been taken.

Thursday Ceasar"s $235 NLHE 605 runners.  Another fantastic turnout for yet another top Ceasar"s tournament.

5,700 at first break (end of level 2, 7,500 starting chips).  Not alot of hands.  I am playing alot tighter today.  I am also on the same table as Jon.  A hand developed early on.  There are 6 limpers into my BB which is Qd 4d and I check.  Flop is 527 rainbow and all check.  The turn is the 6d (putting 2 diamonds on board) and Jon bets 200.  I call with my flush draw and hit the river with the 8d.  I bet 450 and Jon folds his set of 5"s face up.  The only other hand of note involved me having Jd 3d in SB, which I m ake up and BB checks.  Flop is J24 and I check (probably should bet this flop), he bets and I call.  Turn is 5s (2 spades on board now) and I check, he bets and I call.  River is 9s and I check again, he bets 400 on the end and I think about it.  He may have a better kicker but I decide to call and he shows 3s 4s for a nice hand.  Apart from those I have mainly stayed out of barny and ried to play alot more tighter and conservative.

I bust out 40mins into level 3 when the following hand occurred.  There are 2 limps in front of me and I find Ac Kd on the SB and raise to 800.  Both the BB and the button calls.  Flop is Ad Jd 7d and I bet 1,500, the BB folds and the button raises to 4,000.  Now I know I am behind.  He either has a made flush, a set of 7"s or AJ, and I am behind to all of them.  However I do have the re draw to the nut flush.  I move all in and get called by a set of 7"s.  No help on turn or river and I am out before the start of level 4.  I don"t think I can get away from that, without Kd it is an easy fold but the re draw to the nut flush makes the decision a lot harder.  I get a rub down from Jon as he announces to the table that I owe him $5 from the last longer bet we had, I pay up and head to the sportsbook pronto.

3 winners on the horses eased my poker pain.  "Cockadoodle", "Orange Street" & "Pretty Lucky Lady" (@15/1) all won and added over $200 to the thinker bankroll.  Also when you place a bet you get a free beer token.  I managed to get 7 of these tokens on Thursday and the Miller Light was flowing by the time the Basketball started in the evening.  Perhaps I should stick to the horses?  The cocktail waitress in the sportsbook was very impressed with my aftershave.  I inform her that it is "Paul Smith" and she comments it must be a british thing.  She loves the smell and british guys in general.  I am flattered and thank her for the compliment and she makes sure the beer is available when required.  We settle down to watch the NBA playoffs before heading back to the Circus.  I am not tired and so play video poker for a couple of hours.  3 beers later and a nifty up, I retire for the evening.

Friday Ceasar"s $340 NLHE, 528 runners.

8,000 at the first break (end of level 2, 12,500 starting chips).  A major pot occurs the very first hand.  I am UTG with 55 and limp for 50.  5 players see a flop of 3c 5h 6h.  The SB bets 2,000 (into a 200 pot), he says he thought they were 100 chips.  BB flat calls behind.  I hate the borad for my set but I decide I am in front and the 4,000 in the pot will be nice to pick up.  I move all in and the 2 both fold.  So I am up to 16,500 after the first hand.  Another interesting hand occurred a few hands later.  There are 4 limpers and I make up in the SB with 36 off.  BB check and the flop is K 5 K and all check.  The turn is the 2 and I bet out my gutshot and get 1 caller.  River is the 4 (to complete my straight) and I value bet 450, then matey raises to 950.  I am wary of the full boat with pocket 5"s or 2"s so I just call and win a nice pot whe the lady shows a king.  Then I take a hit.  This is bad play from me and I do have my stack in one hand.  There is a raise UTG to 200 and 1 call behind.  I am in the SB with Ac Ad and raise to 700, UTG calls and other caller folds.  Flop is 9h 7h 3d and I bet 1,000 and get called.  The turn is 8h and alarm bells start to ring.  I check and he bets 2,500.  Now I am trying to put him on a hand.  TT or JJ seems most likely and I don"t think he would bet the flush so I call.  River is Q, I check and he bets 3,900.  Now I ask myself what has changed since the turn.  He may have hit a set of queens or I could still be ahead with my aces.  I call and he shows Ah Jh for the nut flush.  The bet on the turn totally got me and he won a nice pot.  I have done halve my stack when I did not need to.  This is bad play from me, I should have folded on the turn when the third heart came. 

11,100 at 2nd break (end of level 4).  I was down to 4,200 whne this hand happened.  I raise in early position to 1,200 with 1 caller behind.  Flop is AK7 and I see that the caller is interested so I move all in for 3,000 and get insta called by AQ.  It holds and I am back up to 9,000 now.   The only other hand to note was a raise in mid position with AA to 1,100.  BB re raises to 3,200 (with only 6k back), now this is a solid player and I put him on a big hand.  I think he will call so I move all in and after a dwell he passes JJ face up.  I am playing really solid and have a great table image, I hope I can use this later on.

16,500 at 3rd break (end of level 6).  No real hands, raised with big aces twice to take the binds then the monster hand.  UTG chip daddy raises to 2,500 and the matey next to him goes all in.  I look down at QQ and go into the tank.  With my chips there is only one thing to do, I move all in and its back to chip daddy.  he asks for a count and finally calls.  So we are 3 way QQ vs AK vs QQ (chip daddy).  There is no ace or king and I chop and pick up 7k in this hand.  Nothing else to note from the 2 levels.

I bust out in about 160th, 20 mins into level 8.  A previous hand invloved me raising in early position with Ad Jd.  Big chip daddy calls and then folds when I move in on a Qd Td 3s flop.  I am moved tables.  Limper UTG (he has done this 3 times and folded to a raise), I find Ac Tc on cutoff and raise, all fold and I pick up a nice pot.  Then the exit hand.  I have been blinded down and have only 15,800 in chips.  All fold to the button who raises to 4,800 (blinds 800-1,600 with 200 ante), I find As Qs in BB and push all in.  He says "I"m probably behind" and calls 11,000 with A 3 off.  A flop of 234, turn 8, river 2 and I am felted and absolutely gutted.  I felt I played alot better today and apart from the AA call I made good decisions all day.

I joined Jon in the sportsbook and managed to find 2 more winners (I really should stick to horses), got stuck into the beer and the pu$$ycats.  Martyn is still going strong in the tournament and I end up railing him till 2am, hence why I have had a bit to drink, as he has made day 2 with good chips (235k), and is in position to to have a go at winning it.  He has already made the cash and will be looking to go deeper when play resumes at 2am local time.  This is a top effort by Martyn and a reward for his play throughout the entire trip.

So thats about it.  The original plan for tomorrow was to have a day off and chill by the pool with beer, some chinese and then go clubbing on the evening.  However hopefully Martyn will have a final table to take care of, and so the plans may be subject to change.

Till the next time...

NO BAD BEATS - A 3 off, nice hand, well played, gl all...

Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: lukybugur on June 07, 2008, 14:06:13 PM
Quote
got stuck into the beer and the pu$$ycats


I think we"d all like to hear more about this ...  :P
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 07, 2008, 19:40:17 PM
Ok, just woke up with a banging headache, way too much Miller Light last night.  The plan for today is to have a day off poker and rail Martyn on day 2 of yesterday"s tournament.  Its starts at 2pm local time so I have a couple of hours to sort myself out and get down to Ceasar"s.  He has about 235k in chips with the average around 165k so he is in good shape.  There was one crazy hand that happened late last night (or was it early this morning).  UTG moves all in for about 40k and I am watching behind Martyn when I see he has KK.  He moves all in for 80k and looks confident.  Then another guy moves all in behind him for 120k.  W
e look at each other and are both thinking the same thing, what a time to run into aces.  Then the BB takes ages to muck his cards, not sure what he had but he was never going to call.  So its 3 way AK vs KK vs QQ (this is surely a fold with his chips).  The best hand holds and Martyn is up 200k.

I have just found out that the football has started with the Czech Republic beating Switzerland.  This is another result for the thinker bankroll as the Ceasar"s sportsbook had the Czech"s at 8/5, which myself and Jon thought was way too big so we lumped on.  I had priced them around the 4/5 mark so 8/5 was simply silly (those septics know nothing about soccer).  Add that to another nifty won on the video poker and it seems that I am winning on everything except the poker.  I am not down about it as I am generally making good decisions (a few mistakes) and getting my money in good.  I just need the cards to hold and a deep run is just round the corner.  As a change we are heading to Binion"s tomorrow to play the PL Omaha event.  This should be a lot of fun, it will be interesting to see how many runners they get and the standard of the play (my bet is on variable). 

Friday night in LV is simply mad.  The queue for the nightclub was right through the casino.  Also the suits on the door only let ladies into the club,  How does this work then, the entire club is full of ladies in low cut revealing outfits, what is the point of that if there are no blokes allowed in.  There was also a big performance from either Cher, Elton John or Bette Midler in Ceasar"s Palace.  There was lots of DJ"s and posh frocks mingling about with programmes and drinking champagne.  Those tickets must cost a bit.  Now I have always had a soft spot for Cher (as she has the power to turn back time), and Elton can belt out a good tune but Midler is just annoying.  These people have probably spent the best part of a tournament buy in to see these perform, its not for me, I"ll stick to getting out drawn for my money.

I will update later this evening on how Martyn gets on.

NO BAD BEATS - just a banging headache!!!
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 07, 2008, 19:42:03 PM
(http://www.pokerhomeleague.co.uk/custom/ms2.JPG)

Martyn and his monster chipstack at Ceasar"s Palace.
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: Mr Tubbs on June 07, 2008, 21:40:38 PM
Unlucky with the A3 what a s*** call don"t you hate people i"m behind but i call.
I also had the Czech"s at 8/5 what value thank you will hill croatia are good value also on sunday good luck martyn great read j
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 08, 2008, 10:59:47 AM
Ok just got back and yet again cold drinks have been taken so I apologise if I mis type my words.

No poker for me today, instead myself & Jon were railing Martyn in the last 4 tables of the megastack at Ceasar"s that started yesterday.  It all kicks off early with all the short stacks going all in and about 8 players getting busted within the first 20 mins.  Martyn is sitting back and letting them get on with it.  Unfortunately the big double up hand does not arrive.  He does make one incredible laydown when he bins JJ pre flop when a solid tight player has raised UTG.  Both me & Jon agreed that it is the correct fold to that player and if it had been anyone else on the table it would have been a push for sure.  Notwithstanding a couple of blind steals, by the time we get to 12 left Martyn is very short stacked.  He cannot find a spot as there is always action before him, finally he pushes UTG with K9 and gets called by AJ.  No help on the board & Martyn finishes 12th for $1,860.  A top performance to make his way through a tough field and nothing more he could do today.  Well done mate, you deserve it.

It was really interesting watching the play from the rail.  Me & Jon were trying to put people on hands and looking for any information we could pass on to Martyn to help him on his way.  At one break when we felt he needed to get busy and start to loosen up we gave him this big team talk about strategy and all that.  All the time we stressed that it was still his decision how to play.  It is very easy from the rail to say start pushing with any 2, but much more difficult to put the chips into the pot.  I think he agreed with us and I hope that we were able to help him in the tournament.  As it turned out he never had the chance to push with any 2, but I am sure he would have if the opportunity had arrived.  The good thing about our crew is that we all play with different styles and can bring different things to the table with respect to certain poker situations.  We also think alot about the game.  Discussing hands that have occurred and how best to approach certain situations that may occur during a tournament, it all helps in the development of all of our games.

After Martyn had busted we headed to the food court for a chilli dog (which was very nice, and I am curious who decided to put chilli on a hot dog in the first place, and thank him/her loads) and then decided to get some fresh air.  We headed outside the Bellagio to watch the fountain show.  The first was to "big spender" and I must say I was slighty dissapointed.  However as we were leaving another performance started to "time to say goodbye" and I must say it was magnificent.  If you every are in LV then you must check this out.  I know it is just music & water, but it had even a big lump like me mesmorised.  It is truely special.

We then decided that an evening of culture was in order and promptly headed for the bar opposite the pu$$ycat casino to drink beer and watch girls dancing in cages.  This is also very special.

The next 5 hours simply fly away as the beer flows and the topics of conversation include;  Should Martyn have started to push earlier.  Could he have done anything differnet.  Which of the pu$$ycats is the best mover.  Top 5 five Spice Girls/Movie Stars/Pop Stars/Sports Stars/Soap Stars.  All very valid discussion.

I try to get pictures of the pu$$ycats and get blanked by them all.  This is most annoying as the girls were all to happy to pose for pictures for Jon & Martyn, it must be me.

We head back to the Circus around 1am and there is just enough time for me to hit quad aces on the video poker to add another $300 to the thinker bankroll.

Plan for tomorrow is breakfast at 10am then Binion"s at 2pm for the Omaha tournament.  That should be a lot of fun.  Details to follow soon.

NO BAD BEATS - Well done Martyn.  A top performance from a top player.
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: lukybugur on June 08, 2008, 11:15:21 AM
Yep, well done Martyn. Your pals who spent the last few hours railing know all your tells now tho ...   8)

Erm, did you say the pu$$ycats posed for pictures ... ?
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: Waz1892 on June 08, 2008, 16:20:45 PM
" I am flattered and thank her for the compliment and she makes sure the beer is available when required.  We settle down to watch the NBA playoffs....  3 beers later and a nifty up, I retire for the evening. "

What happened thinker....?....We settled down....I retire for the evening....???...lol..lol...

Once again, great reading.
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: jacklevel06 on June 08, 2008, 21:25:16 PM
James a serious question.Have you left any beer for myself and mr Eccles to drink when we go out for the main event. :D
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: APAT on June 08, 2008, 22:12:06 PM

James a serious question.Have you left any beer for myself and mr Eccles to drink when we go out for the main event. :D


Would be great if Eck and yourself could keep us updated on progress once you get out there Micky.
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: jacklevel06 on June 08, 2008, 22:23:19 PM


James a serious question.Have you left any beer for myself and mr Eccles to drink when we go out for the main event. :D


Would be great if Eck and yourself could keep us updated on progress once you get out there Micky.
Des my self and james were out for a meal last night with our better half,s and we discussed this .Watch this space for .
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: JTITMike on June 08, 2008, 22:53:13 PM

At one break when we felt he needed to get busy and start to loosen up we gave him this big team talk about strategy and all that.


Well done Martyn. Top job, although I think I"ve identified in James"s blog the point in the tournament when it all went wrong. ::)
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 11, 2008, 10:17:32 AM
Ok the latest news from LV.

Sunday was Martyn"s last day and the Omaha did not start till 4pm so we had breakfast (although Jon may have wished he didn"t) and then got in some chinese before Martyn left.  I managed to lose $5 to Jon although I was to get it back from our last longer bet at Binion"s.

Binion"s Poker Classic - $160 PL Omaha (5,000 starting chips and 30mins levels)

2,575 at the 1st break (end of level 3).  I have feel really uncomfortable in this tournament so far.  I have only played omaha online before and it is must more confusing when played live.  For a start it is difficult to remember your hole cards and then what hand you have after the flop.  I have limped a couple of times and missed the flop, but apart from that I have folded alot.  Jd 9d Ah 3s on BB and no raise in front, I check.  Flop Qd 2d 7d, Ibet out to see if my flush is good and get 1 caller.  Check,check on turn & river and I lose to a higher flush.  Jon went out at the end of level 1 after only playing 3 hands.  Can"t remember the details but he took off quick sharp as he had a bad case of the eartha"s and had to head back to his hotel room.  He thinks it was a dodgy sausage at breakfast.  It has been difficult to enjoy this event as I have been worried of making a schoolboy error and doing something really stupid.  I need to find a hand to double up or go home.  Every raise or bet is the pot.  As soon as the tournament is made pot limit, people (ie septics) think that your have to bet the pot, as opposed to up to the pot.  An example is an opening raise.  In no limit this would be 3x the BB, so 150 (at 25-50 blinds), however make the tournament pot limit and an opening raise is automatically the pot 175, mad.

Bust out in 77th (185 runners in total), 25 mins into level 6.  I managed an early double up when I limp with Qs Jc Ts 9h and 5 players see a flop of Kh 7s 8c.  This gives me a massive wrap around straight draw and lots of cards to catch so I am not letting this go.  UTG bets the pot (standard) and I move all in and get called.  She is ahead with K 5 6 2 but I need any 6, 9, T, J to hit my straight.  The turn is an Ace, giving me more outs.  Any Q, J, T, 9 or 6 make my straight now and a river Q doubles me up.  I then pick up a few small pots in the BB when checked through all the streets, but I am playing really tight and hoping for AAKK double suited (it never came).  I raise the pot (when in rome...) in early position with Ah Kh Kc 9d and get 2 callers.  I have not interest in a board of Qc 7c 7s and fold when one of the callers bets out (he had a 7).  The very next hand I find Ac Kh Kd 9d UTG and limp this time.  5 players see a flop 7s 6d 2c and I decide it doesn"t look too bad and bet the pot when it is checked to me.  I get called and then the button moves all in.  The problem with my bet is that it committed me to the pot (I should have checked and not got involved unless I spiked a K on the turn, this was a mistake and poor omaha play).  I know I am losing and put him on at least 7 6 or maybe a set.  However I will be left with 1,800 with blinds 200-400 so I call and hope for a miracle.  It doesn"t happen and the 7 6 tuens a boat and knocks 2 players out.  I think I played ok.  Omaha is not my natural game and it is alot easier to play on the internet.  However I was glad I took a shot, but I never felt comfortable during the entire tournament.  I saw some really bad play though.  Players calling 3 bets with 2 pair on boards that has 3 siuts or had paired up.  The omaha experts must love these fish.

Being the sick gambler that I am, and on my jack jones as Jon could not leave his hotel room, I tried to get down to Ceasar"s to play the 7pm NLHE tournament.  I missed this by 15 mins and so had to make do with the NBA finals, Miller Light & the pu$$ycats.  I took a seat at the bar to play some video poker and asked the barman for another Miller light.  At this point I heard "Are you from England?  I hope you are not from Manchester as they are all w*n*ers" (not winners, add an a and k where you deem appropriate).  I turn round and this gorgeous lady is engaging me in conversation.  She introduces herself as Sabrina and tells me that they were alot of people from Manchester in Vegas for the Hatton fight, and that they were not very nice (drunk and loutist apparantly).  I am loving all the attention and company of this friendly and stunning lady.  Then she proceeds to tell me in graphic detail exactly what she would like to do to me and what a lot of fun we could have together.  Then she tells me how much it will cost!!!  Yes the gorgeous lady was a "pretty woman".  I did breifly think that maybe she was attracted to my quante english accent and rugged charm, but then again, being a hooker makes more sense.  I decline her offer (obviously without trying to hurt her feelings) and then shes asks if she can wait with me as her friend is meeting her in 10 minutes.  I figured that she would just try to hard sell herself to me again during this time but she totally backed off and we just talked.  It turns out she earns $5,000 a night (I am in the wrong business) and has just traded her Ferrari for a new Bentley.  Her friend arrived (equally as gorgeous) and they left to "party" with a rich arab gentleman in his penthouse suite.  That was one of the more unusal encounters of my Vegas visit.  I didn"t do any good on the video poker either, as this totally put me off my game.  I got the bus back to the Circus and played some more video poker and drank some more beer.  2 hours later I am even and quite drunk so I retire for the evening (alone).

NO BAD BEATS - Live Omaha is not like the internet...
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 11, 2008, 12:18:16 PM
I am awoken on Monday morning by the phone ringing.  Its Jon telling me he still feels rough and that he won"t be leaving his room today.  I do the neighbourly thing and head out for water and bagels to take back to the invalid (and I didn"t get a tip!!!).  After this I head down to Ceasar"s for the megastack event.

The first thing I notice on my way to the poker room is that there is a slots tournament going on.  It is hosted by the big man himself (Ceasar) and his helpful assistants (Cleopatra, comin at ya).  Not sure how you win but it involves about 100 people hitting the buttons on a slot machine over and over again very quickly.  Now this takes me back to Daley Thompson"s decathlon on the speccy 48k.  I managed to break the rubber keys on the key board playing that game, not to mention 2 joysticks.  If I could re capture the old form I would definitely be in with a chance of winning, most of the opposition were from the blue rinse bridgade anyway (taking a break from keno).

Ceasar"s $235 NLHE, 478 runners, 7,500 satrting chips and 50mins levels.

7,850 at 1st break (end of level 2).  On the 2nd hand I make up in the SB with A3 off and 4 players see an unraised flop of A 3 9 rainbow.  I am loving my digused hand and bet out 200 hoping for action.  The next guy calls and button lady raises to 500.  Now she could have a set or A9, or maybe AT or AJ in this spot.  I am wary and just call.  Then original caller raises to 2,000.  Button lady then moves all in for 7,500, and I quickly fold as it must be set over set (3"s vs 9"s right).  Matey calls and button lady has A9 for top 2 and matey has AJ for top pair crap kicker.  2 pair holds and matey has done his entire 7,500 stack at 25-50 blinds with AJ (nh, wp, gl...).  I could have done some chips if matey does not get involved, however I have only done 500.  I raise in early position to 300 with AQ and get 4 callers.  Flop is 7c Qd 4c and I bet 1,200 and get 1 caller behind.  Turn is As and I bet 2,000 nd he folds KQ and I win a nice pot.  Other than that I am playing tight and building a good table image.  There is a lady at the table with very obvious breast implants.  Despite her being of a mature standing I simply cannot take my eyes of them.  They seem to follow you around the room and it is very distracting.  I am yet to play a pot against her (they give her additional fold equity).

5,300 at 2nd break (end of level 4).  The lady with the implants rasies UTG and it folds to me in SB with Ad Qd.  She has played very solid and I am wary that I may be losing and also that I am yet to play a pot against her and the twins.  I decide to take them on and call and I am very happy with a flop of Qs 3d 9d.  I check and she checks behind (the septics always seem to check the flop when they raise pre flop, very annoying of you intend to check raise).  Turn is 5c, I bet 1,200 and get called,  River is 9s and it goes check check, she had JJ and I win a nice pot.  It is a very crazy table with lots of overbets and all in moves into unraised pots.  Matey moves all in for 4,500 (blinds 200-400) and I wake up with KK behind.  I move all in and its KK vs JJ and a jack on the flop see me down to 4k.  I am running so bad with kings on this trip, I should just fold em.  Soon after I find QQ in early position and get 1 caller to my standard raise.  I move in on a 979 flop and get an insta fold.  I have only turned over premium hands and have a good table image.  Blinds 300-600 when we go back so need to double up soon.

19,700 at 3rd break (end of level 6).  There are 2 limpers and look down at an ace in the SB.  I move all in to pick up the dead money and hate it when the 1st limper calls.  However I love it when he shows 55 and we are off to the races.  A6 vs 55, flop is KT2, turn Q, river J.  I suckout broadway and are now up to 10k.  The very next hand it folds to me and I find As ks on the button, I standard raise and BB moves all in, I insta call and its AK vs AT.  The best hand holds and I am up to 20k in 2 hands.  I still have a great table image and get no action when I raise.  I am trying to pick up the blinds once an orbit in order to survive and give me time to find a proper hand.  Blinds 600-1,200 with 100 ante when we go back, I am in good shape and need to stay out of trouble and not do anything stupid.

I bust out in 98th, 8mins into level 8.  I did not play a single hand during level 7 due to being card dead and lots action before I act.  I am down to 14k with blinds 800-1,600 with 200 ante.  Short stack UTG moves all in for 5,500 and I am next to act with 88.  I could fold but with my stack I need to get chips and UTG has a wide range of pushing hands.  I cannot call and must move all in to isolate and hope it holds.  If I lose I still have 8k to get funky with.  I move all in and the monster uber stack on the button moves all in.  I turn to UTG matey and we both know we are crushed.  Its 62 vs 88 vs KK and he knocks us both out.  I like the play and I was just unlucky to find kings behind.

I got knocked out at 6.45pm and managed to grab some food (chilli cheese dog and it was top) before reistering late for the 7pm tournament at Ceasar"s.

Ceasar"s 7pm $150 NLHE, 198 runners, 5,000 starting chips and 40mins levels.  We get underway at 7.15pm and I still have bruises on my boat from where the deck kept hitting me.

12,400 at 1st break (end of level 2).  I play 76 and get a 89T flop and manage to double up against a guy with a flopped set.  Play 88 and get a 873 flop, no action.  Play JT and get a 879 flop and manage to get 1 bet called.  Play Js 7S and get a 9s 8s 2s flop, no action.  The only setback was when I raised on button with KK, BB re raises and I decide to re pop as I hope my loose image enduces the push.  He flat calls and then bets out on a A99 flop.  I insta fold my KK face up, he definitely had an ace.  I hope my super loose image will pay off when I get a hand in later levels.

10,600 at 2nd break (end of level 4).  I have moved tables and been named the "English Maniac" by a septic with a very dry sense of humour.  The main hands involve my limping on the button with A9 with 1 limper in front.  I intend to use my position to take the pot away if I get a chance.  SB makes up and BB checks.  Flop is 2c 4s 9c and SB fires 1,000, fold, fold and I think I am winning.  He could have a flush draw or straight draw and is trying to pick up the pot.  He only has 3k back so I raise to 4k and it gets called.  He has A2off and A9 holds and I win a nice pot.  The other was a mad hand, perhaps the maddest and sickest I have ever been involved with.  There are 3 limpers and I make up in the SB with 77.  BB checks and the flop is 799.  I check and cutoff bets 3k.  I put him on a 9 and know I will get all of his chips, I could re raise but decide to call and let him bet the turn.  The turn is the sick part as the dealer shows another 9.  The one card I don"t want,  Matey nows acts out of turn and announces all in.  I tell the dealer that he is killing me and that it is the sickest turn card ever.  I fold 77 face up and I am not happy, he had a 9.  On a good note if I re raise the flop I am out of the torunament, at least I am still in.  The blinds are 400-800 when we go back and I hope I can find a double up spot soon.

I bust out in 96th.  There is a raise in early position to 1,700 and 2 calls behind.  I find QQ in SB and move all in and get a call from the original raiser.  I think I may be in trouble and he has KK.  No help from flop and it is goodnight from me.  The hand played itself at that stage, that"s poker.

I am a bit mad about the whole situation and head back to the Circus to chill out.  My original plan was for beer & video poker, however I notice laughter from the blackjack table and find a couple of ladies playing single deck $5 minimum.  I ask if there is a free seat and straight away the english accent does the business.  I joined the game and drink beer with Bridgette & her girlfriend Dinita (that is how they introduced themselves, I explained that that would mean something else in the UK but they confirmed that they both liked men).  However it turned out that Dinita was married with 2 kids and Bridgette had a mad possesive boyfriend.  At least there are some women in Vegas who will talk to me who aren"t hookers!!!  The next couple of hours were alot of fun and helped me to forget the woes of the poker table.  I ended up $30 in profit and quite drunk again.  I retire for the evening (again alone).

NO BAD BEATS - 9 on the turn, you are having a laugh...
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 11, 2008, 13:02:07 PM
Ok Tuesday, and I am awoken again by the phone, Jon is still no better and will be hotel bound again today.  Its already 10am and I have a banging head (again).  I make my way down to Ceasar"s for the 12noon megastack and my last chance to play it (as they are all 2 day events).  I have to walk past the slots tournament and that does not help my headache, all the noise and banging.  I register and grab some coffee before taking my seat for cards in the air.

Ceasar"s $340 megastack, 12,500 starting chips, 50mins levels and 371 runners.

12,100 at 1st break (end of level 2).  Card dead, won a couple of small pots from SB or BB.  Only hand of note is raise with QQ in early position and get 1 caller.  Flop KJ9, I bet out (I don"t like it much) and he insta folds.  I am playing solid and tight and hopefully image will pay off later.

4,200 at 2nd break (end of level 4).  Lost most of the chips on the following hand.  I raise in early position with Ad Ac and button calls.  Flop is Kh Jh 7s and I bet 1,000 and get raised to 2,500.  He may just have a king, a flush draw or he may have KJ or 77.  I am cautious and just call hoping to keep the pot small.  Turn is 4d and it goes check, check.  The river is 8s and I check, he fires 2,500.  I hit the tank and replay the hand.  Having seen the player I think the likiest reason for him to raise the flop was a semi bluff with a flush draw.  He knows I have a big hand and so would call with a set or KJ in order to get all my chips if I have AK.  The check on the turn fits this aswell as he is taking the free card to hit his flush.  Therefore I deduce that he has Ah Th or Ah Qh and has missed his royal flush draw.  He has bet the river to win the pot and therefore I call.  He did have a draw, however it was a double belly buster with T9 off and the 8 hit him on the river.  It was a pretty loose call pre flop and if I re raise the flop I win the hand.  I could lay it down but I read him for a busted draw and backed my read, it cost me a lot of chips.  I have raised with QQ & AK to pick up dead money when people have limped.  Another costly hand involved me trying to use my image by raising in the cutoff with A7.  Button calls and likes to play hands like AT & AJ so I am wary.  Flop is A43 rainbow, I check believing he will bet his bigger ace and I can fold as he did this earlier to any opponent.  He checks behind and turn is a 5.  I think I am ahead now and bet 1,500 to win the pot, he raises me all in and I cannot beat much so I fold.  Yet another good thinker read!!!  Think I will stick to playing the cards not the player.  300-600 when we go back and its salt n pepa time.

There is a lady on my table who looks like Arnie in Total Recall when he is disguised as the big lady to get through security.  The one when he throws her head at someone and it explodes.  It is very funny and I cannot look at her (thankfully I am seat 1 and she is seat 10).

16,600 at 3rd break (end of level 6).  2 limpers and I am in SB with 7c 6c.  I move all in to pick up dead money and get called by 1st limper with Kh Th (pretty loose call for a lot of additional chips).  However I spike a 7 on the flop and double up to 10k.  I blind down to 8,100 and find AQ on button.  All fold to me and it is big enough.  I decide to make it look like a steal and standard raise, SB moves all in, I call and have trapped him brilliantly.  Its AQ vs AK and I am crushed.  Only a board of 99A9Q saves me as we chop it.  The very next hand there are 2 limpers and I find Ah Kh on cutoff.  I raise and 1st limper move all in.  I call and its AK vs TT.  Another sick flop, TQ9, turn (even sicker) J, river A and I hit broadway to double up again.  Blinded down for rest of level.  600-1,200 with 100 ante when we go back, around 6M so need to find a hand soon.

Busted 130th, 35 mins into level 8.  Apart from a shove with AQ to win a raised pot I have not been able to get in the pot first, lots of action in front, and no hands to speak of.  Down to 13,100 (800-1,600 with 200 ante), I decide I need to push with any 2 to buy me some more time.  It folds to me in mid position and I push with Qh 5h.  SB calls (solid player), I say I hope she doesn"t have AQ, but she does and I hit the rail.  Got low on chips had to move, don"t think I could have waited any longer.  Dissappointed again, especially as this was my last megastack event.

I watch the 2nd half of the NBA playoffs whilst enjoying chinese food.  I then take the bus back to the Circus with the intention of doing the gift shopping.  However the shop is shut so I take my $30 and parlay it to $100 on the blackjack table.  Then back to blog & bed.

Got a text from Jon and hopefully he will be able to leave his room tomorrow.  My last day in LV and I plan to play the razz event at Binion"s and then the 7pm at Ceasar"s when I bust out.  Must remember to pack and do gift shopping, my mum will kill me if I don"t get her a present.

NO BAD BEATS - Q5 does not play well against AQ...
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: billyho10 on June 11, 2008, 13:16:28 PM
This blog definetly deserves the best blog prize! lovin it!  ;D

and im gutted im missin out on the live NBA playoff action, although with my beloved lakers down a game it might not be a bad thing  :"(
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: George2Loose on June 11, 2008, 13:16:49 PM
When u reshoved 88 second to act, would u have open shoved had utg folded???

Personally I prefer a fold here. I would much prefer to get my money all in late position with ATC rather than 88 2nd to act.

Anyone else agree/disagree?
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: lukybugur on June 11, 2008, 13:37:56 PM

This blog definetly deserves the best blog prize! lovin it!  ;D


It truly is a great read but it"s the sheer volume and effort he"s putting in whilst "on holiday" that impresses me most.

I hope he sits at my table in Dublin - I have his game all worked out. Yeah right, who am I trying to kid?? All I know is that he IS good enough to lay down big hands and that he does think about hands logically. I wonder if he"ll be able to put me on 47s tho?? ;)
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: technolog on June 11, 2008, 18:58:00 PM

...she earns $5,000 a night (I am in the wrong business) and has just traded her Ferrari for a new Bentley...



...I got the bus back to the Circus...


That"s one helluva BAD BEAT there James!

(http://blondepoker.com/forum/Smileys/default/lachen78.gif)
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 12, 2008, 08:07:10 AM
Ok today is Wednesday and my last day in LV.  I woke up late with yet another headache and decide to have a day off the beer today (that was the idea anyway).  Bagels for breakfast as we don"t trust the breakfast buffet after Jon got a bad case of the eartha"s.  Then onto the gift shop to get all the tacky presents for people back in blighty.  I was done in record time of around 20mins.  I hate shopping anyway but this is just annoying.  Why the hell do I have to bring gifts for people when I go on holiday?  They are just useless tat with LV on anyway, like fridge magnets or pencils.  No one ever uses them or even likes them, but if you don"t do it you get so much grief about it.  Anyway, job done and then on the bus to Binion"s to play the razz event.

Binion"s $160 Razz, 5,000 starting chips and 30mins levels & 153 runners.

6,250 at 1st break (end of level 3).  I won"t go into detail about the hands as frankly it is alot more difficult to remember than in the hold em events.  The main pot I won involved me having a 6432A vs matey"s 6532A.  I made my hand on 6th street and got him to call my bets all the way.  I felt alot more comfortable at the table today than during the omaha event.  I am seated between to old stud veterens who definitely know how to play razz, so I am trying to stay out of their way and also learn as much as I can from them.  Razz is a drawing game and a card catching game.  So far I have no done anything stupid and hae caught enough cards to keep me in it.  The limit format means there are alot of players left but this will change during the next 3 levels.

4,250 at 2nd break (end of level 6).  Mainly card dead and only won a few pots by raising in position wit a low card showing.  Need a double up but the limit format and nature of the game means it is almost impossible to switch gears.  You cannot lump it in with goo as you can in NLHE.  I need to pick a hand and commit to it through all the streets and hope it holds.

6,200 at 3rd break (end of level 9).  Got my double up when down to 2,400.  There is an early raise from a 3 and I find 743 and decide this is the hand.  I re raise to isolate and all the money goes in pre 4th street.  I am in big trouble as 743 vs A23 but I suckout on the river to double up.  Then I get a big triple up when I hit 6542A on 6th street and get paid twice by players with a 7 low and a worst 6 low.  I am up over 20k now and in very good shape.  The antes kick in quickly and 2 hands erode my stack when I have to fold on 5th & 6th street when I get a king and pair up.  I have already put alot into the pot but I know I am behind and drawing dead.  Thats razz, its a sick game that deals out some tough beats.

I bust out in 32nd place 15 mins into level 12.  I am down to 5k with 400 ante, 700 bring in and 2k-4k limits.  I spike the Kc and have to bring in for 700 (only 3,900 behind).  There is a raise from a 6 high and all folds to me.  I have A4 in the hole and think about taking a gamble to double up.  I know the guy will have a draw to a 6 low but I need to get chips.  I call and catch a 3 on 4th street, he gets a 7.  All the money goes in and its A4K3,5,J,T vs 3567,6,Q,8.  I actually take the lead on 6th street but the 8 on the river seals my fate.  I am not sure if this was bad play or not.  All I know is that I had no chips and wanted to gamble heads up in order to give me more play and buy me some time.  It was not to be.

Jon was feeling alot better today and also took part in the razz event.  He was unlucky to bubble in 18th (2 off the money) when he paired when drawing to the wheel.  Top performance mate and a good tournament all round.  A nice change from NLHE anyway.

Spotted at the bar in Binion"s were "Mad" Marty Wilson & Jesse "The Voice Of Poker" May.  I have not been back to the Rio so star spotting has been few and far between lately (although Jackie Collins was seen in Ceasar"s Palace 2 nights ago, but I don"t think she plays poker), and I was surprised to see them downtown in Fremont.  All the other faces seem to hang out on the main strip or at the Rio.

So thats it, no more poker in LV for me on this trip and a grand total of $0 won.  This is obviously very disappointing but I feel I have not played that badly, I just needed to win a few races, or not got outdraw and I could have gone deep.  A full review will be done when I get back to England, after I win the Irish Championship in Dublin on Sunday (mega uber self bokk).

NO BAD BEATS - Razz is cruel & frustrating game but also a lot of fun...

Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 12, 2008, 08:12:02 AM
Thats it.  Another thinker trip to Vegas is over.  Thats for all your comments and words of support.  I will not post for a few days now as a)  I will be in Dublin this weekend and b) my internet at home is knackered.  I will post a full review of the trip (poker and non-poker related) when I have digested it and I am able to get back online.

In the meantime I hope to see some of you in Dublin this weekend, I will be the good looking one at the bar drinking Guiness after my pocket kings have been outdrawn again.

NO BAD BEATS - Las Vegas is still the best place in the world!!!
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: billyho10 on June 12, 2008, 08:30:35 AM
thanks v. much for treatin us to an interstin and entertain blog. your hand recall is just fantastic! glad u had a great holiday and thanks for sharin it with ur fellow APATers (we will be wantin to hear the seedy vegas gossip though over a pint in dublin! ;) )

we will all be nervous of your valuable daily live experience when facin u at the tables in dublin.....hopefully u havent given too much away about ur game 8)

Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: lukybugur on June 12, 2008, 08:54:32 AM
Indeed! What he said  ::)
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: Swinebag on June 12, 2008, 09:44:32 AM
A truly great read. nuff said
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: technolog on June 12, 2008, 18:34:27 PM
See you in Dublin James (http://blondepoker.com/forum/Smileys/default/thumbs.gif)
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: janc on June 13, 2008, 20:55:31 PM
What a fantastic read well done.
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: Waz1892 on June 14, 2008, 15:05:07 PM
awesome stuff..really really great read..got my vote for blog..post of the year..etc..

hand details are amazingly detailed..and great to learn from a great player not only how you play certain positions, but mainly the thought process involved

simply superb
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: APAT on June 14, 2008, 17:39:29 PM
Outstanding contributor James "ThinkerJE" Edwards competing in Dublin....

(http://lh3.ggpht.com/www.apat.com/SFPX_HP7VvI/AAAAAAAALMQ/CFmg_jftL-Y/s288/IMG_7055.JPG)

There"s no need to adjust your monitors...James really is wearing that T-Shirt  ;D
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 27, 2008, 22:32:35 PM
Ok sorry for the delay but it has been a bit mad since I got back from LV.  The flight home was delayed 4 hours meaning I got back to Manchester at 12.30pm on the Friday.  A train & taxi & 3 hours later I made it home.  Just enough time to drop off the dirty washing and a quick SSS then another train to Solihull as I was staying at Si Auckland"s in order to get the 8am flight to Dublin from Birmingham.  I was totally exhausted by then and not sure what time of day it was.  I crashed out around half nine.

We had a mad weekend in Dublin and then had to go straight to work after flying back at 6.30am on the Monday.  I felt really bad by now and had classic cold & flu symptoms.  It got worse and I had to take Thursday & Friday off work.  I finally felt better on the Sunday and then another mad week at work this week has meant I have not had time to relect on Las Vegas 2008.

Anyway, enough of all that and onto the review of my trip.

It was obviously very disappointing not to make a single cash.  I got into some good positions in a few tournaments and then managed to get my money in ahead.  It just needed a few hands to hold up and I would have made the money and then be in good shape to go even deeper.  It was not to be and was also very frustrating.  My mantra is still NO BAD BEATS and apart from one or two mistakes or mis reads I felt I was consistently making good decisions throughout the 2 weeks I was in Vegas.  I can do no more than this, if I keep making the right decisions for the particular situations then eventually I should get a break in this poker lark.

I also enjoyed playing the different variants live, like omaha & razz.  This was great experience as my play was limited to the internet before.  I felt I was able to hold my own, but my lack of experience in key situations probably cost me.  Still it was alot of fun and a welcome change from the no limit hold em grind.

The Ceasar"s megastack events were brilliant.  Great value for money, always a good turnout and run very well on the whole.  It is still my favourite place in Vegas (not just for the pu$$ycats) and I may even splash out and look to stay there in 2009.

The WSOP at the Rio is still what it is all about.  Although the tournament did not go as well as last year, I will be back again in 2009, desperate to get a bracelet or a big result.

Outside of the poker, my other gambling went very well in LV.  I was up at all the other forms I had a go at.  These include the horses (so sick as I was picking then by their names), video poker (I still love this to chill out after poker), blackjack (good fun when playing with drunk ladies) & football (well done the czechs).  I think I was about even in my last longer bets with Jon (Martyn did not get involved after we fleeched him at Chinese on the plane). 

The other good thing about this year was having 2 other members of my crew in Las Vegas with me.  Along with all the stuff like having someone to eat with or get drunk with it also helped when the 3 of us would discuss hands and plays during the breaks or when we had busted out.  It is always good to get another opinion on your play and whether you could (or should) have played it any differently.  I think it really helped me to think about my game and improved me as a player.  Martyn has also made the comment that he felt his game came on loads during the 2 weeks, culminating in his great cash in the last event he played.

So thats about it.  I had great time in Las Vegas and cannot wait to go back again.  I will be there again for WSOP 2009 and maybe before then, who knows.

I want to thank you all for taking the time to read the blog and for your comments and support.  I lost count of the number of people who came up to me in Dublin and said nice things about the blog.  I enjoy writing it and it helps me to digest and reflect on the poker I have played.  It is sort of my poker thearpy.

Coming soon, "ThinkerJE makes yet another trip to Las Vegas" (or a better title if I can think of one).

NO BAD BEATS - If you have never been to Las Vegas, get yourself there double quick, you will love it!!!
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: lukybugur on June 27, 2008, 23:44:08 PM
It was great to meet up with you in Dublin and hear all this first hand.

I"m lookin forward to the next one.
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: APAT on June 27, 2008, 23:53:57 PM
Thanks once again for sharing your trip details with us James, as with last year it was "must read" material.  
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: biffa85 on June 30, 2008, 10:33:45 AM
excellent blogging mate.

;D
Title: Re: ThinkerJE makes a return trip to Vegas
Post by: monkeyman on August 10, 2008, 19:35:17 PM
Well done on a thoroughly deserved win in the best APAT blog vote. Got any more trips planned?