Amateur Poker Association & Tour

Poker Forum => General Discussion => Member Blogs => Topic started by: ThinkerJE on April 06, 2009, 21:52:12 PM

Title: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: ThinkerJE on April 06, 2009, 21:52:12 PM
Yes Thinker fans, back by my own inflated ego, the award winning ThinkerJE in vegas blog will commence at the end of June 2009.  This year "Mr APAT", Simon Auckland will be with me on my annual visit to sin city.  Therefore at least someone on the trip is likely to cash!!! (and most probably win a bracelet...)

We fly out on June 19th for 2 weeks of poker and gambling in my favourite place in the world.

NO BAD BEATS - Only 74 days to go (not that I am counting)...

Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: APAT on April 06, 2009, 21:53:43 PM
Best news I"ve heard in ages.  People who have not read Thinker"s Vegas blog previously are in for a real treat.
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: ThinkerJE on April 06, 2009, 21:57:55 PM
Funny you should mention that Des, Thinker virgins can check out my previous adventures in the following posts;

http://www.apat.com/forum/index.php?topic=1057.0 (http://www.apat.com/forum/index.php?topic=1057.0)

http://www.apat.com/forum/index.php?topic=98.0 (http://www.apat.com/forum/index.php?topic=98.0)



Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: lukybugur on April 06, 2009, 22:00:01 PM
Woot Woot! Lookin forward to it J
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: janc on April 06, 2009, 22:56:06 PM

Woot Woot! Lookin forward to it J

me 2
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: duke3016 on April 06, 2009, 23:01:41 PM
Previous ones were must reads -- this will be also -- looking forward to it
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: Swinebag on April 06, 2009, 23:16:36 PM
74 days to go!!

So you must have planned what tourneys you are both (is it just the 2 of you?) playing.

Please reveal!!
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: tumblet on April 07, 2009, 02:30:26 AM
read the title and i got excited..

fantastic news.. and good luck.. you cant not ship it with Simon with you

Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: kinboshi on April 07, 2009, 10:29:57 AM
You"ve been to Vegas before James?
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: ThinkerJE on April 08, 2009, 18:54:43 PM

74 days to go!!

So you must have planned what tourneys you are both (is it just the 2 of you?) playing.

Please reveal!!


Just the 2 of us booked up at the moment, although others may join us.  Mainly planning to play the deepstacks at Ceasar"s, the structure is really good and they get plenty of runners.  I also have my eye on so other variants at Binion"s, like HORSE and Omaha.  The bankroll doesn"t stretch to the WSOP at present (and they are poor value for money in my opinion anyway), although I may take a shot if I get a decent cash between now and then.
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: ThinkerJE on April 08, 2009, 18:57:47 PM

You"ve been to Vegas before James?


Funny you should mention that Dan, thinker fans can read the award winning blog from last year via the link below;

http://www.apat.com/forum/index.php?topic=1057.0 (http://www.apat.com/forum/index.php?topic=1057.0)
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: mike saban on April 19, 2009, 22:12:23 PM
Just read last years epic, a very entertaining read and will be keeping ana eye on this, this time around. Enjoy your trip.

Mike
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: Jax Wild on May 28, 2009, 10:27:05 AM
nice James ... not going this year, but did go out to Vegas las year as qualified for main event thru pokerstars.  After reading your blog and experiences, i also went and played a couple of tournaments at caesers while i was there. Could have cashed but had AA cracked by 44 with only 6 places to the money bubble!!  - Good luck, have fun !!!!!
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: Jon MW on May 28, 2009, 11:01:20 AM


74 days to go!!

So you must have planned what tourneys you are both (is it just the 2 of you?) playing.

Please reveal!!


Just the 2 of us booked up at the moment, although others may join us.  Mainly planning to play the deepstacks at Ceasar"s, the structure is really good and they get plenty of runners.  I also have my eye on so other variants at Binion"s, like HORSE and Omaha.  The bankroll doesn"t stretch to the WSOP at present (and they are poor value for money in my opinion anyway), although I may take a shot if I get a decent cash between now and then.


If you do cash enough to have a spin in a WSOP tournament you should go for one of the non-holdem events, they"re really easy.   The smaller field sizes means you"re more likely to play against a big name and it means there is less of a slog to get through a few thousand luckboxes - particularly if it"s a limit rather than pot limit game.

Good luck with all the events you decide to go for.
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 06, 2009, 17:25:30 PM
only 12 days, 17 hours, 34 minutes and 16 seconds to go...

watch this space...
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 18, 2009, 15:24:02 PM
It is finally here.  We fly out at 11.25am tomorrow from Gatwick.  We have booked a overnight and parking deal 5 minutes from the airport so will be travelling down tonight.  Good news is the bar is open until midnight so the holiday will officially be able to begin.

Can"t wait to get to vegas and hit the tables.  I feel my game is as good as it has ever been at the moment, so if I can get a bit of luck along the way it should be a crazy 2 weeks.

APAT legend Simon Auckland is my poker partner during this trip and I am haggling for a 10% stake in his action (absolute no brainer the way he runs), negotiations to take place on the flight.

Looking at the results from Ceasar"s so far the number of runners seems to be way down on last year.  Perhaps they are waiting for the dead money to arrive, but I hope there is plenty of action to be had.

No sure about the WSOP.  I could play in one of the $1,500 crap shoots but it may be better value to play a deepstack instead (but you can"t win a bracelet or a life changing sum).  Will see how the first few days go and then make a decision then.

Will try and update every few days in the usual ThinkerJE style.  That being detailed hand analysis, no bad beat stories, general observations of LV and much drooling over the pu$$ycat dancers.

Ok, off to finish packing and then to pick Si up on the way to Gatwick.

Next update will be from Las Vegas!!!

NO BAD BEATS - Las Vegas, still the best place in the entire world!!!
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: Mikeyboy9361 on June 18, 2009, 15:46:18 PM
Have a great time!
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: Chipaccrual on June 18, 2009, 16:08:26 PM


APAT legend Simon Auckland is my poker partner during this trip and I am haggling for a 10% stake in his action (absolute no brainer the way he runs), negotiations to take place on the flight.



Good planning.  He has nowhere to go, negotiations should be straightforward for you James.   ;D


Hope you have a great time guys.
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: nosey-p on June 18, 2009, 17:05:24 PM
Let the fun begin
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: Dewi_cool on June 18, 2009, 17:14:30 PM
Drinking updates please
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: Swinebag on June 18, 2009, 17:45:19 PM
good luck. Have fun. I predict a thinker cash this time round

surely 10% of simon means he gets at least 25% of you  ;)
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: duke3016 on June 18, 2009, 17:46:18 PM

Drinking updates please

(http://djforum.free.fr/smileysmileysmiley/v2/surprises/surprises.smileysmiley.com.54.gif)
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: lukybugur on June 18, 2009, 18:25:38 PM
As above. Hope you have a great time, experience good variance and come back with a bracelet and and shiiteloads of cash  :D
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: ForthThistle on June 18, 2009, 18:54:33 PM
Have a fantastic time James.


Watch out for those Dolls..    ;D ;D ;D ;D :o :o :o :o

GL and TID...
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: Waz1892 on June 18, 2009, 19:46:10 PM
All the very, very best
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: duke3016 on June 20, 2009, 16:44:27 PM
(http://www.parrottimes.com/forums/images/smilies/bump.gif)
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: MJS on June 22, 2009, 21:10:08 PM
Come on Thinker.  You"ve been there 2 full days now and we"ve heard nothing.  I"m expecting you to have cashed at least once already!

How are the dolls this year?  Gutted I"m not with you this time, get it won!
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: Jax Wild on June 24, 2009, 16:21:57 PM
now, james did take his laptop ............. didn"t he ?????

???
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: duke3016 on June 24, 2009, 16:28:39 PM
(http://members.cox.net/jeepsg4/gifs/ShowLetter.gif)

Has he been arrested or has he been waylaid by some ladies of the night
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 26, 2009, 21:10:52 PM
OK, firstly many many apologises for no updates last week.  The internet at Harrah"s wasn"t working so I could not get online.  However I have now moved to the Imperial Palace and as you can see I am now online.  I have also taken extensive notes on the action so far and will be updating as much as I can today so that we are bang up to date for the rest of the week.  We are not playing any tournaments today as it is moving day for both Simon and myself.  Plan is to head down to the rio later to buy in to the wsop for tomorrow.
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: CrizzyConnor on June 26, 2009, 21:32:46 PM

Plan is to head down to the rio later to buy in to the wsop for tomorrow.


I smell some early week success???

Can"t wait to read...
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 26, 2009, 21:39:12 PM
Thursday 18 June

We travelled down to a hotel 5 mins from Gatwick on the Thursday night.  Fairly uneventful evening.  A few beers in the "bar", which was advertised as opening late but shut bang on 11pm.  Basic scampi & chips was just eatable, this place was so faulty towers.  The rooms were very basic but it was cheap and I get to leave my motor there.  We crash around 11pm to get some sleep as needed to be up around 8am to get to the airport, flight due to leave at 11am.  Good news is Pakistan are through to the 2020 cup final, as I am on them at 13/1 to win it.

Friday 19 June (England)

Get to the airport around 9am.  Damm I hate Gatwick, then I forgot to print of my confirmation email and so have to queue to get a copy from the ticket desk.  Si is much more organised and we finally get checked in and get through security.  Off to weatherspoons for a greasy breakfast, I am not expecting much from the inflight meals so this may be my last decent feed for half a day or so.  More queuing at the departure gate and then we board the plane, still no events of any interest to report.

Friday 19 June (Flight)

Flight was boring, managed to beat up Si at backgammon.  But he had his revenge at Chinese poker to the tune of $20.  10% swap deal is agreed for events in which we both enter.  This is a no brainer for me and I cannot wait to get my 10% when Si picks up his bracelet.  Plane ran out of alcohol way early so it was pretty dry for the 2nd half.  Thw rest of the time was mainly mp3 based, chilling and trying to rest up, it is going to be a big 2 weeks ahead.

NO BAD BEATS - 10% of nothing is still nothing...
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 26, 2009, 21:41:17 PM
Just got text from Si to meet up so will continue to catch up when I get back later tonight.  I plan to have an early night ahead of the wsop tomorrow, but then thta is real tough to do in Las vegas.
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: jacklevel06 on June 26, 2009, 23:32:41 PM
Thank god your both still alive .We were getting worried. Win it all gentlemen.
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: CrizzyConnor on June 27, 2009, 14:56:11 PM
Can"t wait to read more...
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 27, 2009, 18:13:50 PM
Friday 19 June (Las Vegas)

We finally arrive in Las Vegas after what seemed a much longer than 10.5 hour journey.  Damm I love Las Vegas.  Every time I get here I still get chills about the place.  As soon as I don"t is time to stop coming I think.  We taxi to our hotels;  I am staying at Harrah"s for a week (got a great comp as it only cost me $85) and Si is in the penthouse suite at Caesar"s Palace (he only got it as Hugh Heffner is out of town this week!!!).  The rewards of being a platinum card holder I suppose (people laugh when I flash my gold card) and also very cool that he can watch tv in his mirror when taking a shave.

We pop down to the poker room to check out the action and find that Caesar"s have changed their megastack"s events due to low numbers and player feedback.  All events are now $340 buy in with 15k starting stack and 50 mins levels.  This suits us fine and they are now getting over 200 runners everyday which will make for some nice prize pools.  They are also paying out all prizes in cash (instead of the 10k main event seat idea that died on its arse).  We are not playing poker today so instead head out to eat.  Cue a fat meal at Toby Keith"s bar & grill, wow this was nice, I had the biggest steak ever, cooked to perfection, which I simply could not finish (and I don"t miss too many meals).  The service is also top, the ladies are dressed as cowgirls (think Jessica Simpson "boots are made for walkin" video), very easy on the eye, they got a nice tip.  Also had a few beers, the Miller Lite is back and better than ever, the first of many over the next few weeks I think.

After I recovered from the mega feed and was able to move again we headed over to the Imperial Palace and Simon introduced me to Pai Gow.  Wow I love this game and it is my new favourite thing to do after busting from tournaments, so addictive and a lot of fun.  The dealer goes on a sick run and I do some dollars, but Miller Lite is flowing and the table is buzzing, fun being had by all.  The cocktail girls at IP have the lowest cut outfits I have seen for a while, and the only qualification you need to do the job is to be blessed in clevage department.  I turned round too quick once and nearly lost both eyes as the Mitchell brothers came racing towards me.  Excellent!!!

I finally crashed about 11.30pm after being up for about 22 hours.  Hotel at Harrah"s is excellent, lots of room and a comfy bed.  Plan is to play the Caesar"s megastack at noon tomorrow.

NO BAD BEATS - Pai Gow rocks!!!
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 27, 2009, 18:16:27 PM
Ok, we are still catching up but need to meet Si in half hour to head to the rio for the wsop $1,500.  More updates later today, unless I am otherwise engaged...
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: Waz1892 on June 27, 2009, 18:30:12 PM

Ok, we are still catching up but need to meet Si in half hour to head to the rio for the wsop $1,500.  More updates later today, unless I am otherwise engaged...


super reading once more..and good luck tonite..I seem to remember last year we had some pics?!  ;)
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: lukybugur on June 27, 2009, 18:34:55 PM
Quote
The cocktail girls at IP have the lowest cut outfits I have seen for a while, and the only qualification you need to do the job is to be blessed in clevage department.  I turned round too quick once and nearly lost both eyes as the Mitchell brothers came racing towards me.  Excellent!!!


Quote
penthouse suite at Caesar"s Palace


Quote
The service is also top, the ladies are dressed as cowgirls (think Jessica Simpson "boots are made for walkin" video), very easy on the eye


This thread is rubbish without pics.
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: Swinebag on June 27, 2009, 18:38:29 PM

Quote
The cocktail girls at IP have the lowest cut outfits I have seen for a while, and the only qualification you need to do the job is to be blessed in clevage department.  I turned round too quick once and nearly lost both eyes as the Mitchell brothers came racing towards me.  Excellent!!!


Quote
penthouse suite at Caesar"s Palace


Quote
The service is also top, the ladies are dressed as cowgirls (think Jessica Simpson "boots are made for walkin" video), very easy on the eye


This thread is rubbish without pics.


Agree, this thread is finally beginning to deliver after its fans were kept in the dark for a while.

But, we need snapz!!!
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: duke3016 on June 27, 2009, 18:53:02 PM
(http://www.curevents.com/vb/images/smilies/worth.gif)
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: CrizzyConnor on June 27, 2009, 19:33:39 PM
Good read, looking forward to the updates...
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 28, 2009, 22:43:47 PM
Saturday 20 June

177 runners turned out for the $340 megastack at Caesar"s Palace and the first shock is that Simon goes out after only 25 mins of level 1 when his QQ runs into KK on a jack high flop whilst playing 6 handed.  He hits the pai gow tables and I continue the poker grind.  Structure is great with 15k starting stack and 50 mins levels, plenty of play early on and a surprising amount of exits.

25,325 @ 1st break (end of level 2)
The major hand when I managed to get most of these chips was when I raise to 275 with Ac Qc and get 4 callers to a flop Ah 4c 5c giving me top pair, good kicker and nut flush draw.  I bet out 1,100 and there is a flat call behind, then short stack moves all in for 8k.  Now it is most likely I am behind here probably 44 or 55, he could have a worst ace or worst flush draw or just be making a move to squezze the pot.  I go into the tank and I am not bothered about the flat caller I don"t think he will call.  The short stack also just lost a big pot and made be tilting so overall I decide I am either ahead or have lots of outs if behind.  I move all in to protect and caller quickly goes away.  On there backs and he turns over the one hand I did not consider Ad Ks.  Why he did not raise pre flop with multiple callers I don"t know, I release my AQ then, anyway I have outs.  Queen on the river knocks him out and wins me a big pot.

23,600 @ 2nd break (end of level 4)
Not played many hands.  Under no pressure with current chip stack.  Playing really tight and creating a good image.  The one time I did raise the table could not fold fast enough.

17,100 @ 3rd break (end of level 6)
No hands again, but still got a good image.  A small mistake when active player raises to 1,500 and I call in BB with Qc Jc.  Flop is A 9 T, I check he bets and I call with my up and down draw.  Turn ace, check, check, river 7.  I bottle it and check, fearing he may be slow playing an ace.  He checks behind and shows the dolly parton for a pair of 9"s.  With my image if I bet the river or turn he surely folds.  Blinds 400,800 with 100 ante when back so starting to come under pressure with about 8M.

17,100 @ dinner break (end of level 7)
Folding alot.  Only major hand when active guy raises again and I find AA on the button.  I smooth call 3k of my 14k remaining as I want to double up fully and may not get called if I push.  Flop K J 9 rainbow, he checks I bet 3k and he folds, he said he had QQ but most likely a bag of bolts.  If he did have queens then a ship pre flop would have worked but I took a chance to try and double up.  I need to get full value for the premium hands i receive.  600,1200 with 100 ante when back, need to get busy now.  Chilli cheese dog and fries for dinner, very nice and free as you get a $10 voucher when entering the tournament.  Also catch up with Si who is doing his nuts on the table games, early days though.

OUT 54th 23 mins into level 9
No hands, used iamge to move in a few times with an ace to no action.  Exit hand as follows;  Blinds 800, 1600 with 200 ante, I move in in mid position for 12,800 with 44.  Crazy lady behind first limps then when told I had raised decides to call anyway!?!?!  44 vs AJ, ace in door and I am gone.  Pleased with my patience and play in general, needed to double up and when called about in as good a shape as I could be.  I sulk away (I hate getting knocked out of any tournament) take a peek at the pu$$ycats, who seem rather subdued this year.  Perhaps I am getting old but they don"t seem to be making the same effort as in previous years.  I head over to IP to meet up with Si at the pai gow table.

The next 12 hours fly by as the beer flows and good fun is had by all.  Saturday night in vegas is certainly party night as loads of people come in for the weekend.  We get chatting to a couple of crazy ladies who are fasicinated by my english accent.  They keep asking me to say words then proceed to laugh to themselves.  I try to point out how american english is not proper english and that how tyre is not spelt with an i and colour has a u in it but I don"t think they got it.  Bless them, they weren"t the brightest girls in the room but they were very easy on the eye and good fun to hang out with.  One of them was an actress who had played a hooker who got murdered on CSI (apparantly, I did not recognise her), who was very petite but was obsessed with the size of her ass (or arse as I corrected her).  Americans are so vain.  Other people come and go and I proceed to get completely smashed as the cocktail girls Elaine and Rhonda keep bringing me drinks (I am a good tipper apparantly).  I finally call it a night (or morning) about 7am and head back to get a few hours before the megastack at noon.  It could be a long 2 weeks...

NO BAD BEATS - wrong end of a coin flip, no complaints.

Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: lukybugur on June 28, 2009, 22:48:19 PM
Excellent! (not the result)  Keep it coming.
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: THEGUY84 on June 28, 2009, 22:57:38 PM
great read! cant wait for the next instalment! I can wait till vegas now.....
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 28, 2009, 23:20:27 PM
Sunday 21 June

I wake up at 1pm with a massive hangover and feel completely rubbish.  I am tempted to just crash for the day but I am in vegas to play poker so rush to get ready and get to Caesar"s before 2pm.  199 runners for the $340 megastack and a decent prize pool up for grabs.

14,150 @ 1st break (end of level 2)
Did not buy in until 5 mins before the break so I had been blinded down for 2 levels.  Si made it in for the start and is in good shap with 17k, I feel ill.

10,075 @ 2nd break (end of level 4)
2 limpers in front and I call with 99 on the button.  5 to the flop A 2 7, all check to me and I bet to pick it up, I caller.  Turn queen, check check, river ace he bets 1,500.  Try to put him on a hand, unlikely he has an ace or a queen and finally think he may have called the flop bet with a 7 so call, he shows QQ and I muck fast.  Bad read but he played it tricky and I thought I was ahead.  Also I re raise with AA and get 1 caller.  I bet the brick board and he folds.  I need to get action with my premium hands as I don"t get them that often.  Still feel ill, nose running like a tap.

19,550 @ 3rd break (end of level 6)
Played alot more hand these 2 levels, made re raises with AA and Ak to take decent pots and made a nice squeeze play.  Active player in mid position raises and gets 2 callers.  JT off in BB, I move all in and they all fold.  I actually got up to 25k but took a 5k hit QQ vs AK just before the break.  Just moved tables but in okay shape, still feel ill, actually it is getting worst.  Si is out after his flopped set loses to a turned flush, which means more time at the tables, probably not the best for bankroll at the moment.

28,000 @ dinner break (end of level 7)
Double up hand.  In SB QT make up, BB checks.  Flop Q 9 8 rainbow, I check he bets 3k, I move in for 13k and he insta calls (doh!!!).  Then he says "I am drawing" (hoorah!!!), QT vs 76, turn Q, river T.  Full house beats his straight and I am in good shape just below average chips at dinner.  I feel sick and try to eat something but can"t.

92,100 @ 5th break (end of level 9)
Guy who has raised and folded to re raises the last 2 hands again raises UTG this time.  I move all in with KK behind thinking he will definitely call his time as he will think I am making a move against him.  He tanks and folds again.  Then very tight lady raises in early position, I know she will have a hand AK minimium and I find AA next door.  I re raise expecting her to push.  She does and I snap call.  AA vs AK and it holds.  Then 2 orbits later the same lady moves in for 15k I call with JJ.  JJ vs AT and it holds again.  Then raise on button with KQ, BB shorty goes all in for 3k more, call.  KQ vs TT, queen on river takes another pot.  Still got good image as I am only showing good hands.  Also instincts are good despite feeling ill, raise 77 and get re rasied by solid player, quick fold, he shows aces.  Double average stack at moment, don"t do anything stupid.

97,500 @ 6th break (end of level 11)
Not played many hands.  Used position and image to pick up blinds and antes, good image, get respect when i move a chip, hopefully can use this later.  36 players left (18 get paid) still above average stack, no stupid mistakes.

150,000 @ 8th break (end of level 13)
All fold to me in SB with 9d 7d and I make up.  BB checks and flop is Jc 6d Tc, check check, turn 8d completing my straight and giving me an up and down straight flush draw.  I bet 5k BB shoves and I snap call.  He is dead with T4 off and I win a 45k pot.  Then UTG raises to 22k and SS shoves for 36k, I"m behind with KK and move all in.  UTG tanks and folds AK.  KK vs 66, it holds and 20 players are left and I am in good shape.  2 tables left and we agree to chuck in $30 each so 19th & 20th get $300 each (no brainer).  One more level to play tonight and I am very tired and trying not to blow up.

139,000 @ close of day 1 (end of level 14)
17 left and we are in the money.  Last hand of the night with blinds 4k, 8k with 1k ante, active scandy raises cuttoff and I find A5 in BB.  I push and he tanks and folds KJ.  He asks if he can see my cards and I say choose one to turn over.  He turns over the ace, then proceeds to turn over the 5 aswell!!!!  Bloody scandies!!!  Absolutely made up to make money and day 2 and with $8,100 first prize it could be a good pay day.  Very tired so head back to bed as we are back at 2pm on Monday for day 2.

NO BAD BEATS - A cash in Las Vegas!!!
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: Honeybadg on June 28, 2009, 23:25:25 PM
... I like this piece of info the best ... "One of them was an actress who had played a hooker who got murdered on CSI" ... what a party line ... what are you meant to say to that?

What did you say to that?

Great tournament report ... ul exit ... hate it when players do things like that ...

L
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: Honeybadg on June 28, 2009, 23:33:34 PM

Sunday 21 June

I wake up at 1pm with a massive hangover and feel completely rubbish.  I am tempted to just crash for the day but I am in vegas to play poker so rush to get ready and get to Caesar"s before 2pm.  199 runners for the $340 megastack and a decent prize pool up for grabs.

14,150 @ 1st break (end of level 2)
Did not buy in until 5 mins before the break so I had been blinded down for 2 levels.  Si made it in for the start and is in good shap with 17k, I feel ill.

10,075 @ 2nd break (end of level 4)
2 limpers in front and I call with 99 on the button.  5 to the flop A 2 7, all check to me and I bet to pick it up, I caller.  Turn queen, check check, river ace he bets 1,500.  Try to put him on a hand, unlikely he has an ace or a queen and finally think he may have called the flop bet with a 7 so call, he shows QQ and I muck fast.  Bad read but he played it tricky and I thought I was ahead.  Also I re raise with AA and get 1 caller.  I bet the brick board and he folds.  I need to get action with my premium hands as I don"t get them that often.  Still feel ill, nose running like a tap.

19,550 @ 3rd break (end of level 6)
Played alot more hand these 2 levels, made re raises with AA and Ak to take decent pots and made a nice squeeze play.  Active player in mid position raises and gets 2 callers.  JT off in BB, I move all in and they all fold.  I actually got up to 25k but took a 5k hit QQ vs AK just before the break.  Just moved tables but in okay shape, still feel ill, actually it is getting worst.  Si is out after his flopped set loses to a turned flush, which means more time at the tables, probably not the best for bankroll at the moment.

28,000 @ dinner break (end of level 7)
Double up hand.  In SB QT make up, BB checks.  Flop Q 9 8 rainbow, I check he bets 3k, I move in for 13k and he insta calls (doh!!!).  Then he says "I am drawing" (hoorah!!!), QT vs 76, turn Q, river T.  Full house beats his straight and I am in good shape just below average chips at dinner.  I feel sick and try to eat something but can"t.

92,100 @ 5th break (end of level 9)
Guy who has raised and folded to re raises the last 2 hands again raises UTG this time.  I move all in with KK behind thinking he will definitely call his time as he will think I am making a move against him.  He tanks and folds again.  Then very tight lady raises in early position, I know she will have a hand AK minimium and I find AA next door.  I re raise expecting her to push.  She does and I snap call.  AA vs AK and it holds.  Then 2 orbits later the same lady moves in for 15k I call with JJ.  JJ vs AT and it holds again.  Then raise on button with KQ, BB shorty goes all in for 3k more, call.  KQ vs TT, queen on river takes another pot.  Still got good image as I am only showing good hands.  Also instincts are good despite feeling ill, raise 77 and get re rasied by solid player, quick fold, he shows aces.  Double average stack at moment, don"t do anything stupid.

97,500 @ 6th break (end of level 11)
Not played many hands.  Used position and image to pick up blinds and antes, good image, get respect when i move a chip, hopefully can use this later.  36 players left (18 get paid) still above average stack, no stupid mistakes.

150,000 @ 8th break (end of level 13)
All fold to me in SB with 9d 7d and I make up.  BB checks and flop is Jc 6d Tc, check check, turn 8d completing my straight and giving me an up and down straight flush draw.  I bet 5k BB shoves and I snap call.  He is dead with T4 off and I win a 45k pot.  Then UTG raises to 22k and SS shoves for 36k, I"m behind with KK and move all in.  UTG tanks and folds AK.  KK vs 66, it holds and 20 players are left and I am in good shape.  2 tables left and we agree to chuck in $30 each so 19th & 20th get $300 each (no brainer).  One more level to play tonight and I am very tired and trying not to blow up.

139,000 @ close of day 1 (end of level 14)
17 left and we are in the money.  Last hand of the night with blinds 4k, 8k with 1k ante, active scandy raises cuttoff and I find A5 in BB.  I push and he tanks and folds KJ.  He asks if he can see my cards and I say choose one to turn over.  He turns over the ace, then proceeds to turn over the 5 aswell!!!!  Bloody scandies!!!  Absolutely made up to make money and day 2 and with $8,100 first prize it could be a good pay day.  Very tired so head back to bed as we are back at 2pm on Monday for day 2.

NO BAD BEATS - A cash in Las Vegas!!!


Great stuff - baited breath ...
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 28, 2009, 23:49:56 PM
Monday 22 June

I feel alot better today.  Brought some drugs to sort out my flu like hangover and managed to get some sleep.  Still can"t eat anything but I am sure I won"t waste away.  Si is playing the megastack at noon and my day 2 starts at 2pm.  I am guaranteed $1k and the prize pool is very flat with only $200 between 17th and 7th, the top 3 is where the money is and with my stack I plan to be aggressive and seek opportunites to get chips to take it down.

OUT 17th on the 1st hand of day 2.
Blinds 4k, 8k with 1k ante, my stack is 139k.  Early position raise to 33k, I find AK on button and ship the lot.  He calls.  AK vs AA (cooler).  No miracle, gone.  The hand played itself.  Under these conditions I am not playing AK any other way.  There are only 2 hands I don"t want him to have and he had one of them.  I am not folding.  I am not raising to 65k and then folding to an all in.  I could call but what if I miss the flop?  Absolutely gutted as I felt that the remaining players were quite passive and that if I got chips I could go really deep.  I stagger over to Si and tell him the news, then over to the cage to get the money.

I wander around for a bit and try to eat again, still can"t.  Enter the 7pm tournament at Caesar"s, 6k starting chips with 40 mins blinds 165 runners take part.

OUT 165th 25 mins into level 1.
UTG raises to 150 and 2nd position calls.  SB raises to 600 and I find QQ in BB.  I make it 2,000 to go and UTG calls, the rest fold.  Flop 988 rainbow, I move all in and get insta called by KK.  Goodnight vienna.  If he pushes pre flop I fold but I cannot get away on that board.  If I think about it a bit longer could have AA or KK there, but he may have AK or JJ also.  So total poker play lasted 30 mins today, Si is still in the megastack and going well.  I head over to IP to play pai gow, Si will join me when he busts so hopefully I don"t see him for the next 5 hours.  I am feeling pretty down so decide to have a beer (big mistake).  Rhonda & Elaine are on and remember my drink from the other night so keep them coming into the early hours of the morning.  Damm I love pai gow, great game to play and have fun with the table and dealers.  More bad news as Si joins me around 1am as he busts in 28th from the megastack.  We stay and consume more drinks, and play pai gow till 7am (again!!!).  Si is actually more sensible and crashed around 5am as we are going to play the venetain tomorrow with noon start.  They are getting crazy runners (over 900!!!) with a first prize of $72k!!!  I return to my hotel room and decide to push right through and not sleep, but pass out around 8.30am.

NO BAD BEATS - busting out of tournaments is bad for your liver...
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 29, 2009, 00:12:17 AM
Tuesday 23 June

Wake up at 2pm and feel utter rubbish.  Damm missed the noon start.  Text from Si saying it is rammed and so assume he is playing.  Finally drag my ass out of bed and head to the venetian to try and find him.  Can"t see him so assume he either did not enter or has busted already.  I text him to say I will be playing the 7pm Caesar"s and will catch up with him then.  Try to get some food down, very difficult again, no pai gow or drinking tonight.  Plan is Caesar"s then straight to bed when I bust as plan to go downtown to Binion"s to play the HORSE event on Wednesday.

Turns out Si did not register at venetian as the queues were too long so he joins me and 198 other runners in the 7pm Caesar"s tournament.  $160 buy in and a good structure with a decent payday for a final table finish.

3,700 @ 1st break (end of level 2)
Playing hands in position, I raise with 44 and get re raised behind.  I call to hit set and flop is A Q 8, it goes check check and the turn is a king, check check again.  Now I have him on JJ TT 99 and the river 2 means I can pick the pot up.  I bet 800 and he calls with 99 (hero call).  Later analysis shows he is a complete calling station but I did not know that at the time.  In lots of pots but can"t hit a flop.  Si in good shape up to 14k after AA & KK gets paid (how does he do that???)

3,600 @ 2nd break (end of level 4)
No cards, raise with AQ but have to release when I miss the flop.  Moved in a few times to take blinds but 300,600 when back, need to double up soon.

6,300 @ 3rd break (end of level 6)
Double up hand, SS moves in early, I find 99 behind, automatic with chip stacks.  99 vs KQ holds and I take a nice pot.  Moving in when I can and not been called yet.  Antes kick in next level and I am now under 3M so need to stick them in first and hope it holds.  Si still in good shape and under no pressure with 28k.

OUT 45th 14 mins into level 7
Moved in every time I could get in pot first (cards don"t matter at this stage), got it through once got called the 2nd time.  Not in too bad shape as my T6 vs 44, flop 4 and I have 500 chips left.  All in blind next hand and all out.  Si has over 30k now and going well.  Never got chips in this tournament and had to get funky alot earlier than I would have liked but the structure changing very quickly after a slow start.  I leave Si to win it and head back to hotel for some sleep as I am absolutely knackered.  Don"t get drawn to the pai gow table and rest up before going downtown to Binions tomorrow.

NO BAD BEATS - need to get chips early in the 7pm tournamnet.
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: CrizzyConnor on June 29, 2009, 01:21:44 AM
Really enjoying the read once again, looking forward to more!
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: lukybugur on June 29, 2009, 08:08:07 AM
Entertaining as always. Better luck with the cards JE.
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: janc on June 29, 2009, 10:36:25 AM

Entertaining as always. Better luck with the cards JE.

+1
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: MAIR on June 29, 2009, 13:42:52 PM

Entertaining as always. Better luck with the cards JE.


+2
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: Waz1892 on June 29, 2009, 15:47:16 PM

Entertaining as always. Better luck with the cards JE.


+ 3...now the reports are coming in think and fast
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: mike saban on June 29, 2009, 16:07:04 PM
great read, good luck in the next one.
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: ThinkerJE on June 29, 2009, 18:02:42 PM
Wednesday 24 June

Wake up early around 9am and feel alot better after a good nights sleep.  First good news of the day is a text from Si saying he chopped the $160 Caesar"s at around 6am for $2,900.  A top result all round, me as I get 10% and him for his table debts.  I am heading downtown to play the HORSE at Binion"s and really looking foward to playing something other than hold em.  Get some breakfast down, still can"t eat that much but at least I can eat now.  Then get the "deuce to downtown" where they have put the prices up since last year, it is now "$3 one way, $7 all day".  First impressions of downtown are that it is still the poor relation of the main strip.  However Binion"s has undergone somewhat of a image change.  It has a much younger feel to it with girls in bikini"s dealing blackjack and a upgraded poker room.  It is also alot busier than last year.  I have a couple of hours to spare before the 2pm start and head over to the Golden Nugget to play pai gow.  Managed to turn $50 into $100 and also checked out their pool which is very nice.  The Nugget is definitely the best casino downtown and they have been getting huge numbers for their poker series, as have binion"s.  This is shown as 234 runners turn up for their $200 HORSE event, which is amazing for a mixed event.  7k starting stack and 30 mins blinds and the limit format means lots of early action and few early exits.

5,325 @ end of level 3.
Bleeding chips trying to hit flops in hold em and omaha and missing badly.  Razz was no better, although I was down to 3.5k at one stage but won a nice pot before the break with a made 76 on 6th street.  The limit format means it is difficult to make moves but I have a good table and I am really enjoying it (and to be honest using it as prep for the APAT World HORSE event in August).  Stud next. 

5,100 @ end of level 6.
Rolled up jacks that turned a house on 6th street won a nice pot in stud high.  Also hit 2 pair on another hand and I am up to 8k now.  Then give some back in stud h/l as I start off with nice drawing hands but fail to hit and have to release.  Trying to play for both pots in the h/l games is tough, especially as the aces don"t seem to be coming my way.  Picked up QQ twice in hold em to take blinds, which are starting to get huge compared to stack sizes.  Omaha h/l next and need to win a pot before the stud games with antes and bring ins.

OUT 133rd 20 mins into level 8.
Big hand in omaha.  I have AAK4 and 5 see a flop of T82 rainbow, I bet and get 1 caller.  Turn J, I bet and get called.  River Q giving me the nuts.  So I bet and get raised so I put her all in and she calls with a set of 8"s and a busted low draw.  Exit hand came in stud high.  A5 in pocket and 2 showing means I bring in.  A raise behind and I call.  5 on 4th street gives me 2 pair against my opponents K4 showing.  I bet and get raised which commits me as I only have 2 bets left and there is lots in the pot.  I stick the lot in and he shows 44 for trips.  I have outs but miss and are sent to the rail.  Really enjoyed the tournament and felt I played ok.  Probably played too many hands and I am short of experience in the h/l games so need to play more before August.  Jump on the bus back to Caesar"s and hope to catch late registartion for the 7pm tournament.

152 runners turned up for it and I only got there 20 mins before the end of level 2, which saved me from an early exit at least.

5,500 at end of level 2.
Mainy been blinded away but won a small pot when I finally hit a flop in the BB.

6,300 at end of level 4.
Raise with AK and get 1 caller.  Flop AKx, I bet and he folds.  Raise in position with AQ and get min re raised by tight old guy in BB, so fishy and fold, he shows kings.  Usual story, 300-600 when back and only 9M so need to double up soon.

15,500 at end of level 6.
Double up hand.  UTG limps, I find AA in mid position and make it 2,100 to go.  All in behind for 5k, UTG thinks and folds.  AA vs KJ(!?!?!), KT9,2,9 board and I am up to 11,800.  Then I raise early with QQ and SS goes all in behind, chip daddy BB also calls.  Board KJT,4,2, checked all the way QQ vs AT (ss) vs A5 (BB), I win nice pot of 5,500.  Also find JJ and take the blinds.  Good shape now, good table image, 47 players left, antes kick in next level.

OUT 27th 23 mins into level 8.
No hands and always action in front means I blind away for 3 orbits and do a third of my stack.  I am down to 9,800 with blinds 800-1,600 with 200 ante, I see an ace in late position in an unopened pot and move all in.  BB calls A8 vs K7(!?!?!?), king in window, all she wrote.

Played well, cards dried up at the wrong stage, can"t believe BB called me with that filth but this tournament has it fair share of fish in it.  No drinking tonight and so head back to hotel to get some rest before the megastack at noon tomorrow.

NO BAD BEATS - K7 off???
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: CrizzyConnor on June 29, 2009, 20:02:37 PM
Great read once again...  :D
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: MJS on June 30, 2009, 08:03:47 AM
Great news on the cash buddy!  A slightly unorthodox method of preparation for a poker tournament but hey, if it works.

Have you decided to play in the WSOP this year? You did mention it earlier in your blog...

Horrible call by the K7 off guy, was he priced in or something?  Maybe it was one of those "its my favourite hand" morons that can"t even spell poker.  A little bit like my J10 guy in Dublin.  Nevermind, don"t tap the tank!...

Anyway, keep it going and hopefully the cards/luck will come your way.
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: APAT on June 30, 2009, 08:09:49 AM
Great to see the blog up and running and as entertaining as ever.  GL for the rest of your trip James.

NO BAD BEATS - just a damn fine read.
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: ThinkerJE on July 01, 2009, 21:10:01 PM
Thursday 25 June

I did get to bed early and there was no drinking so I feel refreshed as I head back to Caesar"s for the noon megastack.  234 runners and a nice prizepool yet again.

15,800 @ end of level 2.
I am trying to play more hands in position with the blinds low to hit flops and hopefully win a nice pot.  An example of this is when I see a flop with KJ on the button, it checks to me on a jack high rainbow board and I bet out to find out where I am.  I am quickly raised and re raised and have to fold (flopped set vs 2 pair).  I limp into a multiple pot with Ah 2h on the button.  5 see a flop of 8 4 3 rainbow and all check.  The turn is the 2 and all check again.  The river is another 2 giving me trips.  Now I think I am winning and wondering how to get a value bet called.  Then this happens.  1st to act bets out and then get re raised by solid mid position guy.  Wow, the first player could be trying to pick the pot up or he may have a 2 as he was the BB and got in for free.  The raiser on the other hand is tottally different.  What can he be raising with?  If he had a set he must surely bet before his boat arrives on the river.  A worst 2?  Why would he be playing something like K2 in that position.  After a while in the tank I decide the only hand that makes sense is A5 for a rivered straight.  So I suck it up and fold.  BB calls and mucks as raiser shows A5.  I am well pleased with my read and made a really good fold.  I am well on my game today as I make another good read in the following hand.  There is a raise in mid position from solid guy and I call in SB with 88.  Flop is 933 and I check, he bets and I call.  I put him on 2 overs and a continuation bet.  Turn is Q and it oes check check.  River is 7 and I check, he bets 1,100.  Into tank again.  Decide to trust read and that I still have the best hand so call.  He mucks and says good call.  Top play again, poker sense working well today. Still a long grind to go.

13.450 @ end of level 4.
1 limper and mid raise to 525.  Me in SB with JJ and decide to play small ball and just call.  3 to the flop TT3, and all check.  Turn 7 and I bet out 1,500 and raiser calls.  River K and afetr I check he bets 1,500.  He is a tricky player who I am struggling to put on a hand.  He may be floating with AK and hit the river or he may have a worse pair and be trying to pick up the pot.  He may even have a ten.  I am not sure but think my hand may be best alot of the time in this situation and call.  He shows TT for flopped quads!!!  Down to 11.5k.  UTG limps, I limp with Qs Ts and tight lady behind limps on button.  5 to a flop 9s 4s Jh, BB bets 350 and UTG flat calls.  I decide to squeeze to 1,100 with straight and flush draws then the lady sugababes it for 7k more and I have to fold and are down to 10k.  I think the move was right just bad timing.  Limper in front and I find JJ again.  Don"t want to over commit and so call.  Flop 6 7 8 and limper bets I call.  Turn 7 limper bets again and I call.  River K and it goes check check.  He mucks (probably had an 8).  Win a 3k pot, probably should raise pre flop but I hate jacks.  The table has gone very passive.

13,200 at end of level 6.
I made a move on a guy with KJ and he pushed back at me and so I had to fold, leaving me only 6k in chips.  Blinds 300-600 (75 ante) UTG raise to 1,800, JJ (again) in mid position all in for my 6k, off to the races JJ vs AQ they hold and I am back up to 14k.  Apart from that card dead, need to get busy as the blinds increase.

14,300 at end of level 7.
SS moves all in for 11k, me on BB with Ah Qh.  In tank and call leaving me only 2k behind.  AQ vs 55, I flop an ace to get up to 23k.  Then no cards and blind away.  My river bluff gets picked off and I do 2,500 trying to pick up a 5k pot with goo.  Very much need to get bust now, looking for spots to double up.

OUT 66th 43 mins into level 9.
No hands.  Down to 10k now.  Always action in front so cannot get my chips in first.  Exit hand UTG A8 move in for the lot, called in mid position.  A8 vs TT, no suck out and I am gone.

Played well today at times, just needed a double up at the right moment to get back into it.  Off to play pai gow and then pack as it is moving day tomorrow.  Not sure how Si did in this one but he is out as we spend a few (???) hours at the pai gow table before a relatively early night (3am ish).  Need to check out at 11am.

NO BAD BEATS - trust your reads
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: ThinkerJE on July 01, 2009, 21:19:34 PM
Friday 26 June

No tournament poker today.  Had to check out of Harrah"s at 11am and move next door to Imperial Palace.  Apart from a few queues the process was seemless and I was even able to check in early without having to wait.  Also I am finally on the internet and can update this blog.  I also don"t know what is going on in the world, I am so lost without the net.  Si is also moving from Caesar"s to Bills (ie slumming it for the 2nd week) and after we are done we jump on the shuttle to the rio to drop $1,500 on the wsop event tomorrow.

We both buy in and get assigned seats in the Miranda room.  We came over today to avoid the queues tomorrow and because the NLHE events have been selling out.  This is my one treat a year to myself.  This is what I work for, the shot at a bracelet and life changing amount of money.

We find the pai gow table at the rio (rude not to) and I managed to double up over the next 2 hours before we dine at the world buffet.  We also queue jump on Si"s platinum card and the choice of food is simply awsome.  It truely is a world buffet and I get my first proper meal in days that I actually enjoyed.  Then back on the bus to the strip and more pai gow at IP.  However I am not drinking and decide to crash around midnight to get some rest before the noon start at the rio for the $1,500 NLHE event.

WSOP tomorrow, cannot wait.

NO BAD BEATS - does getting a free bus to the rio to buy into a $1,500 event seem a little strange?
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: jon_garrett on July 01, 2009, 21:25:43 PM
Nah, I loved that shuttle bus last year!!!
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: lukybugur on July 01, 2009, 21:34:26 PM
We"re all rootin" for you both tomorrow. Good Variance Guys!
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: Chipaccrual on July 01, 2009, 21:56:43 PM

We"re all rootin" for you both tomorrow. Good Variance Guys!


This could appear the dumbest post I have ever written, but here it goes.

Surely James" post above, refers to the WSOP event they were entering last week, and he is just catching up on the blog ?

On the 26th (bottom of page 2), he actually posted about it being their moving day and then off to buy into the WSOP event.

So, by my calculations, the event is over and they will be on their way back end of this week.

Or have I got this very, very wrong and am likely to be up for some dumb award at the end of the year ?


Feel free to quote this is you like, if incorrect, I will just delete all records of me ever typing this.   ;D
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: Swinebag on July 01, 2009, 22:09:08 PM

am likely to be up for some dumb award at the end of the year ?


whilst this is true, it is not for this Leigh. James must have played his WSOP event. He just hasn"t blogged it yet
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: CrizzyConnor on July 01, 2009, 23:14:44 PM


We"re all rootin" for you both tomorrow. Good Variance Guys!


This could appear the dumbest post I have ever written, but here it goes.

Surely James" post above, refers to the WSOP event they were entering last week, and he is just catching up on the blog ?


Guessing it"s over and if there was any sort of cash there"d be another thread about it in General section though...
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: ThinkerJE on July 02, 2009, 02:19:55 AM
Saturday 27 June

Over to the rio for the $1,500 NLHE event.  Noon start and we both made sure of an early night and some good sleep in preparation for the big one.  Quick bite to eat at the sports deli and then to the tables.  Nearly 2,800 runners for this event and 4,500 in starting chips with an hour clock.

5,400 at end of level 2.
Played no hands in level 1, setting up my tight image and not wanting to get involved with junk on an action table.  Raised once and took the blinds without any trouble.  Only other confrontation was when it folds to SB who makes up, me in BB J3 off and I check option.  Flop J 9 2 all clubs, SB bets and I call with top pair.  Turn ace, check, check.  River 3, SB bets 400 and I call.  Easy call in that spot, cannot raise on dangerous board.  He shows 9 3 for worst 2 pair and I pick up nice pot.  Keeping it solid and simple, now need to find Si which is tricky with 4,000 people all on break at the same time.

5,700 at end of level 4.
I raise with 99 and get re raised to 1,200.  I call to hit set and double up.  Flop AK3 and I am done with the hand, check check, turn Q, i check he bets i fold.  Said he had KK for flopped set, did not want to turn a 9 there.  Down to 3,600.  UTG limps, me with JJ in mid position limps behind and active guy raises to 550.  I call and get a magic rainbow J32 board.  I check and he bets 1,200, I call.  Turn 7 and he puts me all in, I cannot get my chips in quick enough and he shows 44, rawing dead.  Up to 7,200.  I raise the button with AT and have to release to a bet on a brick board.  3 more rounds without playing a hand ante me down to the break.  Si is grinding away with 4,400.  Antes kick in next level 100-200 with 25, so just over 10M.

OUT 1,170th 30 mins into level 6.
UTG raise to 775, I have JJ on button and call.  Big stack on BB moves all in.  UTG folds and I tank it.  He could be making a move and I have the best hand, but not by much if at all.  I reluctantly fold and UTG said he had KQ, BB had jacks also (no reason to doubt him).  Down to 3,500 and looking for a double up hand.  UTG raise to 1,175 and I find AA on the button.  This is my double up hand.  But I want to max the value and he may fold if I push here with my image (although mayb not as he has chips and will be more or less priced in anyway).  I decide to call and hope he bets the flop.  Flop 2 6 8 and he puts me all in.  Insta call and he shows 66 for a flopped set.  Damm, 2 outer required which doesn"t happen and I am sent to the rail.  I think the same happens whether I push or play it the way I did.  Only if I push I get my chips in 80% favourite, this way I was a 95% dog when I called.  Damm it sucks getting knocked out of the wsop.  Don"t feel I did too much wrong.  With this structure and starting stacks you need to find a big hand early to double up and take the pressure off.  In no time there are some very big stacks floating around that can take shots to knock you out without any damage to themselves, so it is a constant struggle to survive.  The fact I outlasted nearlt 2/3 of the field shows this.  Is it value for money, probably not, but it is the only way I will have the chance to win a bracelet and a life changing amount of money.  I will be back next year no doubt.

I move to rail Si, who is still grinding with 4k.  I arrive back from the bar to find he has pushed all in UTG with AQ and the BB is thinking.  He has gazillions of chips so will most likely call.  Knowing Simon"s range he probably wants a call too.  This is confirmed when he calls and shows KQ.  A king in the door means Si too hits the rail and can join me in getting drunk.

We jump back on the shuttle to the strip and head to IP.  We are both down but not for long as it is Saturday night in Las Vegas and the place is buzzing.  We hit the pai gow table hard (and the bar) around 8pm and we are still there at 9am the next morning.  Rhonda & Elaine keep the drinks flowing and lots of people come and go to the table, the one (or two) constants being i and myself.  God knows how much I did that night.  Damm I am so drunk.  No megastacks today, will probably make the 7pm tournament at Caesar"s but even that may be a push.

NO BAD BEATS - Getting busted from wsop with AA sucks!!!
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: CrizzyConnor on July 02, 2009, 02:44:23 AM
Unlucky getting knocked out with AA but it"d have happened either way like you said. Looking forward to reading more!!!
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: ThinkerJE on July 02, 2009, 02:50:39 AM
Sunday 28 June

Wake up with stinking hangover around 3pm.  Fianally crashed around 10am but time is irrelevant in Las Vegas.  Feel rubbish and cannot eat again.  Note to self must stop drinking.  Drag myself out of the hotel room around 6pm and head to Ceasar"s for the 7pm tournament.  Meet up with Si, who is also feeling the effects of the night (or morning) before and we both register for the tournament.  Spot a familiar face at Caesar"s as TK is also playing in the tournament.  The chairman is out working for Sky Poker looking after their qualifiers in the wsop, acting as a sort of chaperone I suppose.  The camera crew are over aswell and he has some interviews with the top names lined up over the next few weeks.  We debate the standard of play (general consensus is that it is full of fish) and then the cards are in the air.

3,700 at end of level 2.
248 runners turned out for this, way more than normal and the standard of my table has been suspect to say the least.  Another familiar face is on my table as Neil Blatchley sits opposite me.  We have never met before but I explain how I play the APAT events and he explains how he is over for a month to play the wsop, and that he has a min event seat lined up.  He is a top player and I fancy he could go deep in the big one.  He also says how George is gutted he could not come over, he wasn"t able to win his seat online, whereas Neil won 2!!!  We are on a crazy table, people calling big raises with nothing and an old lady who only called the river with the nuts!!!  Neil busts early when his massive overbet all in pre flop is called by KQ off???  Now Neil had 72 off but that is not the point.  I think he just wanted out of the madhouse.  I am feeling the same at the girst break and tell Si I will try to chip up or go home.  Anyway to the major hands.  I limp early with 66 and a raise to 225 behind with 3 callers.  I call too.  Flop Q65 (2 hearts), I check, the raiser bets and all fold back to me.  Now normally I would raise here to protect against the flush, but I get greedy and call.  Turn Ac and I check hoping he has caught his ace and will bet.  He checks behind.  River 2h, putting the flush out there, but I don"t have him on it and I am convinced I am ahead.  I value bet 1,100 and get insta called by 9h 7h for the flush.  Wow what a bad read that was.  The fact he raised with it and then bet his flush draw totally did me.  He said he would have pushed if I raise the flop so I would be out, so perhaps I lost the minimum, but that is not the point.  Bad play, but if I check the end he will bet and I have to call anyway so it is the same.  How bad am I to value bet the worst hand.  This really annoyed me and I just want to get it all in now.  I was still tired from the night before and not playing my best poker.  Down to 3,200 and there is a raise UTG and re raise to 1,500 next door.  I find AK on button and ship it.  UTG folds (QQ), raiser calls AK vs KK, ace on flop prolongs my agony, lucky, up to 7k.  I limp with TT and 5 see a 8 5 2 flop with 2 hearts.  I bet and get called by flush guy from earlier.  Turn is 6c, I bet 650 and he raises to 1,350!!!  I think he may be at it and call.  River Kh, I check and he puts me all in.  Know I am beat and fold, he shows 97 again for a straight this time.  Should have folded the turn, I am playing so bad in this tournament.  I just want out of it.

OUT 185th 30 mins into level 3.
Decide to chip up or go home.  Limp to hit flops but miss all of them.  Down to 1,700 all fold to SB, and I make up with K8 off, flush guy in BB raises to 1,000, I stick the lot in and he says "Damm you only have that much left, I have to call".  K8 vs 74 flop 7 turn 4.  Thank god I am out of here.  Crazy tournament, crazy table.  Probably should not have played today, not in the best mental shape and definitely not playing good poker. 

Simon busts soon after and we play sober pai gow (not as much fun, but I managed to double up) until 11.30pm then I crash to rest up and come back strong at the megastacks on Monday. 

NO BAD BEATS - fail to prepare : prepare to fail...
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: ThinkerJE on July 02, 2009, 03:51:55 AM
Monday 29 June

Feel alot better this morning after a good nights sleep.  I am determined to play good poker today and not make stupid errors like the previous tournament.  An american breakfast (coffee and a doughnut) then onto Caesar"s for the noon megastack.  Another good field with 277 runners lining up and $13k to the winner.

11,650 at end of level 2.
Playing more hands at the early levels when the blinds are low, subject to action and position.  I call a raise of 150 in SB with As Ts and 4 see a flop Ah 3s 6s.  I check hoping raiser will bet but he checks behind.  Turn Jh and I bet 300 and get raised to 900, I call.  River 2d, check check, he says "hearts" and I win a nice pot early with my pair of aces.  Very aggressive re raise with just a heart draw, may have thought I was at it, but to re raise the turn and then not follow through the river does not make sense.  I raise the button to 300 with TT and BB re pops to 900, I call.  Flop 8 5 2 rainbow, he bets 1,800 and I mini tank before calling as he has been playing alot and it may be a continuation bet.  Turn 6 and he fires 3,600, I fold, putting him on an overpair to me (or a good bet).  I raise the cutoff with JJ and the same gut re raises to 750 and I call.  Flop K82 all hearts, he fires 1,500 and I fold.  He shows Ah Kd, which makes me think he did not have it the last time we tangled, nevermind move on, keep focused.

21,150 at end of level 4.
This was a big deciion early in the deepstack.  Active player who has been playing ever hand (really) raises cutoff to 650, button calls and I wake up in BB with QQ.  I re raise to 1,700 and the cutoff immediately shoves the lot all in (he has me well covered).  I can fold and still have 8k back which is well playable.  And normally I would have no problem folding QQ in this spot.  However against this player it was different, I tabk for a good 5 mins and think about the following.  The previous hand he raised and called a big re raise all in with A3 (vs AT) and flopped a 3.  He has also been playing ever hand, but this may mean he actually has the goods this time.  Why the big overbet?  Does he waste AA or KK like this?  AK is very likely, but so is AQ or AT.  I finally decide he is making a move on me and as long as he doesn"t have AA or KK (he can"t can he?) I am in good shape.  I CALL.  QQ vs A4 (???) and the board is no help, up to 21,600.  Good read and tough call.  I don"t like to gamble like this at such an early stage but I felt I had him enough to be worth the risk.

12,100 at end of level 6.
Completely card dead.  Only played one hand.  There is a mid raise to 1,200 and I find TT in SB and call, BB also calls.  Flop J4J rainbow, I bet out 2k to find out where I am and BB raises to 5,500, the raiser folds.  I am not beating much at this point and fold.  Down to 16k.  Then just blind away.  No cards and a crazy table, big all ins being called by utter filth.  400,800,100 when back so need to get moving with only 6M.

13,400 at end of level 7.
Moved all in with AT to no action.  Raise JJ early position to no action.  Re pop active guy all in with 88 to an insta fold.  Good image, get respect when I move any chips.  600,1200,100 when back, still only 5M.

29,000 at end of level 9.
Lady (very attractive with stunning, all be it, fake breasts) limps UTG, I am down to 7K and push with TT, she insta calls.  TT vs KQ ten on flop and a well needed double up.  Next hand KK, raise and get no action.  Next hand, early raise and I find TT again, I ship the lot and they all fold.  Up to 25k.  Raise button to 4,100 (with 33) and BB folds 88 face up.  Wow what an image!!!  Chip daddy raises button, I find AQ in BB and salt n pepa it again, he folds, up to 30k, finally getting some cards.

OUT 48th with 2 mins left in level 11.
Still no hands and surfing the short stack all the way.  Pushing when I can get into the pot first to pick up the blinds to survive another round.  Very active table, difficult to get in the pot first.  Finally ship it with A4 in early position and get called behind.  A4 vs TT, no help gone.  Frustrating day, never really had any chips and so could not play poker, just surviving the best I can.

Simon is still going strong and managed to make the money and into day 2 with around 139k.  Very flat prize structure with 22 players left, need to make top 5 to make some real cash.  He will be looking to final table tomorrow.  Another interesting player still alive (but not on Si"s table) is Paul Wasicka (who finished 2nd to Jamie Gold in the main event for like $8m).  Quite why he is playing in a $340 buy in event is beyond me, but he seemed a really nice bloke, very friendly with people who were starstruck and asking for autographs, and very popular with the ladies.  Simon had no clue who is was until I pointed him out.

We head back to IP for a couple (just a few) of beers and some pai gow.  I plan to play the megastack again tomorrow so leave Simon around 4am to get some sleep.  He gets 2 more hours in bed as his day 2 starts at 2pm.  If he can go really deep there is a big prize waiting, lets hope (10%)...

NO BAD BEATS - Auckland in the money again...
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: CrizzyConnor on July 02, 2009, 18:51:41 PM
Looking forward to seeing how the rest of the week goes.
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: ThinkerJE on July 05, 2009, 18:44:03 PM
Tuesday 30 June

Back to Caesar"s at noon for the megastack.  296 runners into total for another 14 hour grind (hopefully).  Si is back for day 2 of yesterday"s event and due to start at 2pm.

14,425 at end of level 2.
Completely card dead.  Not played a single hand, even in the blinds.  Meet up with Si who is feeling good about day 2.

23,900 at end of level 4.
1st hand back after break I raise with Ad Td and get immediately re popped and have to fold.  So much for my tight image then!!!  UTG I raise to 425 with KK and get 3 callers.  Flop is K 5 2 (2 diamonds) and I bet 1,100 and get 1 caller.  Turn is 7s and I bet 2,500 and caller folds showing a king.  I could check the turn but I did not want to let the flush get there.  I raise early with AQ and get 2 callers.  An ace on the flop and a pot sized bet takes it down.  Multiple limpers and I find AQ on the button, now I couls raise to take the dead money but decide I would probably get called anyway so I also limp.  6 players see a A 2 5 rainbow flop, mid position bets 600 and I call to control the pot size, BB also calls.  Turn is 8 and all check.  I now know I have the best hand.  River J and both bet to me.  I bet 1,100 for value and get called by mid position with A9.  Nice 5k pot.  Si has managed to find KK x2 (how does he do that???) and doubled up and made the final table of the megastack event.  A few more exits and he will get a decent payday.

24,500 at end of level 6.
I raise with AK and solid lady calls in SB.  Flop is A J 5 and she bets 1,000 into me.  I think I have the best hand but want to control the pot and so call.  Turn is T and we both check.  River is 4 and she bets 1,500 and I insta call.  She shows AQ and the king kicker is good.  Played that hand conservatively but she may have had AJ in that spot and if I raise she probably bins AQ anyway as she was a solid player, so not too dis pleased with my play.  Raise from active guy and a mid position caller.  Only 1k more and I call in BB with 7h 8h.  Flop is perfection, 6h 9s Tc and I check my straight and he bets 3,400, mid folds and I call.  Turn is 5h, giving me up and down straight flush draw to go with my made straight, I check and after a dwell he checks behind.  River is Qh completing the flush and I bet 5k.  He tanks and folds, probably had nothing and got the maximum.  164 players left with one more level before dinner.  Playing solid and have a good image.  Si finishes 8th in the day 2 of yesterday"s megastack and a top effort.  He picks up $2,600 for his efforts and shows why is he the deepstack specialist (and my poker hero).

33,100 at end of level 7.
15 mins of the level are lost as there is a chip dispute and they have to check the security cameras.  Nothing untoward is discovered and we carry on, but the crazy german guy involved goes on tilt and starts playing every hand.  After losing a big pot he moves in for 5k on the button.  SB calls and I find 77 in BB and also call.  Board comes AQ4,4,5 and is checked down on every street.  SB KJ, crazy german mucks and my sevens take a nice 15k pot.  Don"t play any other hands before dinner.

31,000 at end of level 9.
SS moves all in for 8k and I wake up with AK behind.  I move all in to protect my hand.  AK vs A7, river 7 killler and I am down to 23k.  UTG I raise to 3,500 with AA, mid position and BB both call.  Flop A23 (all spades), I bet 7k and mid folds, BB is all in and has me covered.  I am wary of the made flush or flush draw but no getting away from top set, I call.  To my relief he is drawing to 1 out as he has 33 for set over set.  No case 3 in this cooler hand and I am up to 48k.  I raise in mid position with KQ and get 1 caller.  The flop is 732 with 2 clubs and I know he had to have a pair to call with my image.  So when he bets I decide to give up and fold.  Down to 40k.  Raise with 66 in late position, get re raised and re re raised behind, easy fold, next time I play it will be for the lot. 1k-2k (300) when back, about 5M so short stacked (again) and need to find a spot to get the chips in. 

139,500 at end of level 11.
I push with 77 and pick up the blinds.  Then there is a raise from active in the cutoff, then another active re raises from the button.  I figure these to are having a personal duel and in the SB I look down at JJ.  Wow, this is a tough spot.  I tank and consider my options.  Against other solid players it would be a fold.  However I figured that I had the best hand as the re raiser on the button could be making that play with marginal hands like AT, AJ or even 88, 99, maybe even KQ or KJ.  I was not worried about the initial raiser, he he had it this time well so be it.  The other problem was that I was going to get called, whatever the button"s hand, I had no fold equity, so I had to be sure I was in front.  I decide it was a good spot and move all in for 28k.  Initial raiser mucks fast as expected.  Button pulls a face, looks at the pot and then mucks!!!  Wow, the table can"t believe he did not call getting over 3 to 1 in the pot (with chips behind).  I must have been in very good shape but I am happ to take the pot without showdown.  He said I must have had at least QQ in that spot and therefore he probably had Ax or Kx or some other junk.  I was pleased with the read and the nice pot I picked up.  Up to 47k.  Then SS UTG pushes for 21k and all fold to me in BB and I find 55.  It is half my stack to call and I tank again.  His range is huge but he has not played a hand and I will be racing at best.  I decide to grow a pair and call.  55 vs AT, 5 on flop seals it and I am up to 70k.  Table consensus is that it was a good call in my spot and I am pleased, up to 70k.  Then the big hand.  UTG rasies to 8k (he has raised the last 3 hands in a row) and I find JJ nd re raise to 22k.  Back round to UTG with an insta all in.  I have 50k back and it feels like AK to me.  Tank again and think that I am racing at best again, decide to risk it all again and call.  JJ vs AA (bad read that one), suck out city on flop with a jack in the door and I luckbox my way to 150k.  His active record and insta all in convinced me he did not have AA, KK or QQ and I was lucky to still be alive.  Rather be lucky than good (which is a good case for me).

141,000 at end of level 13.
Blinding away and not playing any hands (and hoping not to see JJ again).  I rasie with AT and have to fold to an all in re raise behind.  Active mid raises and button calls.  In SB I find 99 and just call, hoping to flop monster.  Flop AJ7 and I am done with the hand and so check.  I get a free turn as they both check behind (this happens alot in the US, in the UK the flop gets bet lots more and you have to pay to see the turn).  Turn is 9 and bingo I have hit my card, i check intending to re push when they bet, but they both check again (damm).  River 8 which is a bad card for me as I now lose to a ten.  I check and button bets 12k, insta call and my set is good.  Nice pot, probably would not get anymore if I bet as they did not have much of it anyway.  32 players left and play has really tightened up approaching the bubble.

87,000 at end of play for the evening (when the bubble burst).
Last 3 tables and hand for hand as we are at the money bubble.  They do things differently at Caesar"s when hand for hand.  They stop the clock and hands are dealt on each table.  If no flops are seen on any table then they take 1 minute off the clock and move onto the next hand (no matter how long it takes to complete).  If a flop is seen then they take 2 minutes off the clock (again even if it takes 15 minutes to complete the hand).  I rather like this as it gives the SS"s more chance and saves you sitting around on the other table watching the clock tick down while the hand is played out on the other table.  I think it is a much fairer way of doing things.  SS button moves all in for 39k total, I am in SB with 6k already invested and A9.  His range is huge and I can take him out, or still have over 100k left if I lose.  I call and chip daddy BB pushes all in!!!  Insta fold and he turns over the monster 44 (SUCH BAD PLAY), why bet me out of a dry side pot.  He should just call and check it down unless he hits, or even fold pre flop if he doesn"t want to get involved.  But to move all in, what if I have AA, which I play the same way, absolute madness.  It turns out the button woke up with a hand as QQ vs 44 and he doubles up.  An ace on the turn would have won it for me and burst the bubble, stupid BB play, agreed by the rest of the table (my reaction told I had an ace).  I also have to fold TT to a raise and re raise all in, but finally the bubble bursts and we are in the money.  Pleased to make day 2 but disappointed not to have more chips and will be looking to get busy tomorrow.

Absolutely knackerred and head to IP to find Si (whose bad run at the tables continues, good job he can play poker), we chill for a bit but I soon crash to refresh myself for day 2 at 2pm.

NO BAD BEATS - another Vegas mini cash, bring on a big one!!!
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: ThinkerJE on July 05, 2009, 20:10:03 PM
Wednesday 1 July

Another good nights sleep (no drinks last night) and I am ready to take on day 2 of the megastacks.  Simon has already started as he is in the noon megastack.  At 2pm we sit down to continue where we left off last night.  The pay structure is very flat with the most money in the top 5 therefore I am looking to get hyper aggressive to get chips for the final table, I will be looking to take shots when I think it warrants it and basically look to push the mainly passive septics around.

OUT 22nd 2 minutes into level 15.
1st hand of day, all fold to me on the button and I see the ace of spades and move all in, no action, I show the ace.  2nd hand, active foreign guy raises and I see AQ and push all in again, he quickly mucks, I show the ace of spades again.  Then the exit hand and on reflection a mistake by me.  7 handed, I raise in mid position with KQ and the big chip daddy flat calls on the button.  Then active foreign guy in the BB re raises to 80k.  Now he has just knocked 2 people out with AQ & AA in the last 2 hands and has plenty of chips.  I played with him all day yesterday and he was the guy that folded when he was priced into call when I had JJ.  I know he is a player and likes to make moves and I feel that he may be making a squeeze play with the button calling behind.  I also wonder if he can have the goods again this hand and that if he has AT or AJ or JJ or TT I am not in that bad of a shape (especially if the button also has an ace).  In fact there are only 5 hands I am really worried about with KQ (AA, KK, QQ, AK or AQ).  I tank for a while and even feel he may fold to an all in as he did yesterday.  I decide that with the player involved if I move in I have a great chance to double up and get chips for the final table.  So I push and he calls.  KQ vs AK and no suck out sees me felted.  At the time I felt okay with the play, it is very aggressive but the active happened to have the goods this time.  On reflection I now feel I made a mistake.  I could have folded and still have 110k to play with, which was definitely playable at this level.  Also it was very likely active had a hand with the chip monster in the pot and he had to call (as he did yesterday but folded) so I had no fold equity.  Basically I stuck my chips in the pot hoping to be 50-50 at best (if he had JJ say), with an ace I am 40% at best or totally dominated as was the case.  Once I worked this out I was totally mad with myself.  I worked so hard to get into that position and then threw it all away with one stupid error.  Simon does not make this play (which is why he is an deepstack master).  I was determined to be aggressive, but this was reckless.  I hate getting knocked out of tournaments, but it hurts even more when I have messed up.  If the cards go against me so be it, but don"t screw yourself over.  This is a prime example of the thinker blow up and is something that I must address.  I do cash for $876 but this is not the point, it should have been a lot more.

Still steaming with myself I decide beer is in order so have a couple of miller lites with dinner.  I pop back to see that Si is in good shape again and I resign myself to pai gow and beer.  I am not expecting to see Si until after 2am (ie when he makes day 2) so I am dissapointed when I get a pat on the back around 1am.  He went deep again but busted (can"t remember the details, but he probably got his chips in good, as he always does).  We hit pai gow and beer hard until around 5 or 6 in the morning.  Rhonda is on hand to keep the drinks flowing, she really is a cutie, my favourite cocktail girl in LV.  She got a big tip...

NO BAD BEATS - just bad poker play...
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: ThinkerJE on July 05, 2009, 20:11:50 PM
Thursday 2 July

I have arranged to meet Si at 12.30pm at IP reception so that we can get the Deuce to Binion"s for the $500 poker classic event.  This is a one day event which is important as we fly home tomorrow and don"t want to do a hoppy (so named after a mate who made day 2 of a tournament when he was due t fly home and had to change flights & hotels etc, it was ugly).  Woke up at 12.10 feeling very much the worse for wear.  Managed to drag myself out of bed and we head to Binion"s.  Still can"t eat anything, which cannot be good preparation for a poker tournament.  We check out the Nugget before the start and it appears that Ladbrokes have their main event crew playing an event there.  There are 20 odd players in Ladbrokes gear playing on 2 tables and Roy "The Boy" Brindley is floating around.  Always on the marketing buzz the sponsors image can be seen all around.  John Magill is playing but I don"t recognise anyone else.  It looks like they really look after their main event qualifiers and I may have a bash at this next year.  I definitely fancy the wsop main event next year, so 365 days to qualify (or save up, win the lottery...).

Only 75 runners for the $500 Binion"s Poker Classic, which is disappointing as the HORSE event has over 230.  The field looks tough though including 2007 main event winner Jerry Yang (why he is playing in this event is anybody"s guess) & TV TD Mad Marty Wilson (who I think also works for Ladbrokes).  15k starting stacks and 45 minute blind levels means the structure is good and another deep finish is anticipated (well for Si anyway).

12,100 at end of level 3.
No hands (again).  Re raise with AK but get called and bet into on a 789 flop and have to release.  Call a raise in mid position with JJ then have to fold on an ace high flop.  Call the actve button raise in BB with KQ and call a bet on the QT9 flop.  Turn 5 goes check check then on the river 8 he pushes for 2,500.  He must have a ten so I fold.  Can"t get anything going and feel rubbish.

8,600 at end of level 6.
Bleeding chips having to release AK, AQ & 66 when the flops do not help (as I always get at least 1 caller).  Down to 3,700, UTG raise and a call behind.  I find Ah Kh in SB and ship the lot.  UTG re raises (damm) and caller folds.  AK vs QQ (phew...) ace on the flop saves me.  All fold to me in SB with TT.  BB is active who defends so I limp.  As if by magic BB raises and I re ship the lot.  He thinks, shows me an ace and folds.  Least I got that read right.  I am playing too passive today, calling too much, need to get aggressive (but not reckless) when back.  Blinds 400-800 (100) so only 4M.

OUT 26th at end of level 8.
I push 3 times in position to take the blinds & antes (A5, KT & J8).  I double up when I push with 44 for 8,600 and get called.  44 vs AJ, jack in the door but the flop also brings a 4 and I am up to 19k.  Duck n dive for a bit before being moved to Jerry Yang"s table.  He busts 2 hands later bluffing pre flop with 45 vs AK.  He shakes everybody"s hand and we wish him the best for the main event tomorrow.  Guy next to me says "Very nice man, don"t think much of his poker game though".  I think I have a good image and so raise UTG with Ah Jd, and get 4 callers (!?!?!).  Flop is 678 (all spades) and I am done with the hand.  We all check and the turn is Ad, I spot an opportunity and push all in.  They all fold, good read.  Chip daddy raises button and I call in SB with AT.  I miss the flop and have to release as he is solid and will have something.  I still have around 18k when the exit hand occurs.  Big chip daddy who has just moved to table raises the cutoff and the button smooth calls.  This looks weak and I am already looking to squeeze this spot before I even look at my cards.  I like to make this play when I think I can get it through and my range of hands is fairly big in this spot.  I find AJ and decide to ship the lot, I"m all in.  As long as I get past the daddy I should pick up 9k without showdown and add 35% to my stack.  Big chip daddy folds quickly to my relief, then the button pauses to think.  He announces let"s race and calls the additional 15k more leaving himself only 5k back.  AJ vs AQ no suck out and I am felted.  I cannot understand how he can make this call.  Unless he puts me on a steal, but why not re raise pre flop if you are going to call anyway (that way I bin my AJ very easily).  Fair play he got his chips in with the best hand but I cannot understand how he calls (as did the rest of the table).  I stand by the move and think I played it perfect, the guy made a good call (what a HERO).  This sucks, Las Vegas is over for another year.

Si is still in and has over 40k so I am expecting to collect another 10% before the end of the night.  I am finally hungary and head to the diner for a chilli cheese dog and large soda.  Very nice and hits the spot.  I return to the tables to see Si firstly standing, then walking away looking angry.  He has busted having flopped a flush and got it all in against a guy with top pair and the nut flush draw.  River killer knocks him out, very unlucky.  We are both down now as the trip is over, we fly home tomorrow. 

The bus ride from hell follows.  The bus is packed and takes forever between stops.  There is a drunk singing and telling jokes on loop that is just not funny.  In the end we get off 2 stops early and walk the rest of the way back to IP, it took us over an hour to get back.  We play some pai gow and sip soft drinks but we are depressed and down.  I crash around 2am and decide to pack so that I can sleep in tomorrow morning.  Check out at 11am but flight not till 16:40 so we have some time to kill tomoorow, no looking forward to that.

NO BAD BEATS - there is always next year...
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: ThinkerJE on July 05, 2009, 21:04:33 PM
Friday 3 July

Check out at 11am and leave bags at hotel so that we can wander round.  Down to the venetian for breakfast (well Si did, I am still struggling to eat) then back to IP to play the texas hold em table game (pai gow is full).  I get a sick run of bonus cards AQx2, AKx2, AA, QQx2 and others and end up $175 up and cash out at the cage.  We taxi to the airport and managed to negotiate security without incident.  Duty free and burger king later and we are ready to board.  I get stopped at random by US security and asked what I have been up to on my trip.  "Trying to play poker" I reply, have you had over $10k at any point during your trip? if so you need to fill in a form, "I wish"...

Flight back was long, bad movies and bad food including.  The drive back from Gatwick was even more difficult, I was very tired and just glad to be home.

NO BAD BEATS - Las Vegas, still the best place in the world!!!
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: Jax Wild on July 06, 2009, 11:30:49 AM
excellent as always

What was the final winnings of the trip (including 10% commissions from Si) ??

Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: lukybugur on November 23, 2011, 01:40:14 AM
Can we have another one of these please?

I had the pleasure of sitting at JE"s table in the APAT tourney and from meeting him only on the Sunday thereafter (he was ROUGH!), I would really like to hear more about the bits he DOES remember from this trip, the poker hand analysis and on whether he STILL considers Las Vegas "the best place in the world!!!"

Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: AceOnTheRiver on December 07, 2011, 19:53:54 PM

Can we have another one of these please?

I had the pleasure of sitting at JE"s table in the APAT tourney and from meeting him only on the Sunday thereafter (he was ROUGH!), I would really like to hear more about the bits he DOES remember from this trip, the poker hand analysis and on whether he STILL considers Las Vegas "the best place in the world!!!"




Hehe... on the Saturday night after Day1 of APAT Vegas James, PhilTC & I had a 14 hour Pai Gow Drinking Session. At around 7am James was a dribbling, beer spilling wreck and had to be sent home...................Twice  ;D
Title: Re: Oh no, not another ThinkerJE in vegas blog!!!
Post by: jbworldwide on December 08, 2011, 00:52:00 AM


Can we have another one of these please?

I had the pleasure of sitting at JE"s table in the APAT tourney and from meeting him only on the Sunday thereafter (he was ROUGH!), I would really like to hear more about the bits he DOES remember from this trip, the poker hand analysis and on whether he STILL considers Las Vegas "the best place in the world!!!"




Hehe... on the Saturday night after Day1 of APAT Vegas James, PhilTC & I had a 14 hour Pai Gow Drinking Session. At around 7am James was a dribbling, beer spilling wreck and had to be sent home...................Twice  ;D


After offending the love of his life; "are you pregnant?"