Amateur Poker Association & Tour
Poker Forum => General Discussion => Member Blogs => Topic started by: ThinkerJE on February 28, 2010, 18:25:19 PM
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I hate to miss an APAT National event but this year I happen to be out of the country when the Vic hosts the UK Championship.
However I will be in LAS VEGAS for a week of poker and other gambling related activities.
Not sure if this will be a regular blog or if I will do a full trip report when I get back. However all the gory details will be posted here for your enjoyment.
Only 6 weeks and 5 days to go.
NO BAD BEATS: VEGAS BABY!!!
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Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
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Only a week to go, getting excited now...
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I"m excited for you James
What tourneys are you planning on playing?
What steaks are you planning on eating?
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There is a WSOP circuit event at Ceasar"s Palace that week with daily side events. Also the Venetian has another one of its amazing deepstack festivals. Both have good structures and hopefully will have plenty of runners.
First stop on Friday is Toby Keith"s for a fat steak, then plenty of Miller and Pai Gow, Friday night in Vegas so plenty of sights to be seen...
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Go for it Baby!!!
I was just about to post saying sorry you can"t make the Vic.
Have a James Whale of a time, i sooooooooooooooooooooo jealous ;D
Se you soon
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Not long to go now, just need to get through one last day at work then fly to Vegas at 11.25am Friday morning.
Tomorrow is going to drag so bad...
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Get drunk - suprising how fast the day goes ;D
Have a wonderful time......
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I hope the volcanic ash has cleared in time!!
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I hope the volcanic ash has cleared in time!!
+1
my missus is stuck in Germany with 20 schoolkids - should be fun trying to find a hotel for the night :( ::)
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Things not looking good for tomorrow...
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I hope the volcanic ash has cleared in time!!
+1
my missus is stuck in Germany with 20 schoolkids - should be fun trying to find a hotel for the night :( ::)
Things not looking good for tomorrow...
What"s all this then?
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NVM, just read online...
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Still waiting to get the official word about my flight tomorrow, big odds on it is cancelled, need to figure out what to do now...
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Still waiting to get the official word about my flight tomorrow, big odds on it is cancelled, need to figure out what to do now...
you could come to London and join us :)
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Still waiting to get the official word about my flight tomorrow, big odds on it is cancelled, need to figure out what to do now...
Gutted for you - what a bummer
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Still waiting to get the official word about my flight tomorrow, big odds on it is cancelled, need to figure out what to do now...
James, will your travel insurance pay up? Heard from someone today his insurance declined to pay as the cancellation was due to an act of god!
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Still waiting to get the official word about my flight tomorrow, big odds on it is cancelled, need to figure out what to do now...
James, will your travel insurance pay up? Heard from someone today his insurance declined to pay as the cancellation was due to an act of god!
If you booked by credit card - you haven"t received the goods so they will have to refund - insurance companies stink
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Still waiting to get the official word about my flight tomorrow, big odds on it is cancelled, need to figure out what to do now...
James, will your travel insurance pay up? Heard from someone today his insurance declined to pay as the cancellation was due to an act of god!
If you booked by credit card - you haven"t received the goods so they will have to refund - insurance companies stink
Will get either full refund or a later flight from Virgin and just lose the first nights rate on my hotel room (and we be able to claim that back).
Not really bothered about that, gutted I cannot go, and not sure if I will be able to go Saturday or maybe re arrange for next week.
Still waiting for Virgin to confirm that the flight is definitely cancelled before I can make my next move.
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Still waiting to get the official word about my flight tomorrow, big odds on it is cancelled, need to figure out what to do now...
you could come to London and join us :)
Looking more likely by the minute
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Still waiting to get the official word about my flight tomorrow, big odds on it is cancelled, need to figure out what to do now...
James, will your travel insurance pay up? Heard from someone today his insurance declined to pay as the cancellation was due to an act of god!
If you booked by credit card - you haven"t received the goods so they will have to refund - insurance companies stink
Will get either full refund or a later flight from Virgin and just lose the first nights rate on my hotel room (and we be able to claim that back).
Not really bothered about that, gutted I cannot go, and not sure if I will be able to go Saturday or maybe re arrange for next week.
Still waiting for Virgin to confirm that the flight is definitely cancelled before I can make my next move.
Harrah"s canceled my reservation and gave me a full refund, excellent customer service.
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BBC website
Most restrictions on UK airspace will stay in place until 1300 BST on Friday because of ash from a volcano in Iceland, air traffic controllers say.
But some flights may be allowed after 0100 BST from Northern Ireland and several airports in Scotland.
The volcanic eruption has caused flight cancellations across Europe amid fears the ash could cause engine failures.
Air traffic control service (Nats) said its next review would be at 0230 BST but the situation was "not improving".
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Virgin have confirmed that the flight tomorrow has been cancelled; will probably look to re book when flights are finally allowed to leave (no sure when that will be)
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So fecking sorry -- wow
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I"m gutted for you James - truly gutted. Get yourself to the vic and take that comp down!!
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Thats a real P****er, Get down to the Vic, it has to be destiny!
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Looks like i will be at the vic tomorrow its not vegas but not a bad substitute
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Played the vic, not vegas but enjoyed the tournament and drinks with the boys. Still no flights, need to find a spot to re arrange when they finally start to take off. Could be tricky as May is packed and then the world cup starts in June, hopefully this will all blow over soon...
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ooops http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8631144.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8631144.stm)
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I run so bad...
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Still waiting to get the official word about my flight tomorrow, big odds on it is cancelled, need to figure out what to do now...
James, will your travel insurance pay up? Heard from someone today his insurance declined to pay as the cancellation was due to an act of god!
I sincerely hope they don"t actually use this phrase in insurance policies? (And if they do I hope they use a capital G!)
Since some would have us believe that this, supposedly, omnipotent sky fairy is responsible for everything, everywhere, they could use this defence at will.
I mean, come on, what kind of benevolent master of the universe would get flights to Vegas cancelled... just absurd!
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Airspace open, trying to re book flight now...
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Cannot get a flight until the back end of May at the earliest, so have had to cancel. Really gutted, but looking to re arrange for the deep stacks & mega stacks in June/July.
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Not a good situation but all the more sweeter when you get there
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Cannot get a flight until the back end of May at the earliest, so have had to cancel. Really gutted, but looking to re arrange for the deep stacks & mega stacks in June/July.
I"m there June 10 - June 23, along with Rich (warbwastard), if he can get his dander up and his mojo working in time.
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Back on, fly out Monday 24 May for 11 nights, CANNOT WAIT!!!!!
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RESULT -- GL James
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Just off, driving down to Gatwick for overnight stay before flight tomorrow morning.
Fingers crossed all goes smoothly, been looking forward to this so much. Will try to update regular (subject to internet connection) in the usual Thinker style.
NO BAD BEATS - trying not to get excited till I finally get to LV
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Have a safe trip James.
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have fun
and.....
try winning something this time ;) ;)
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Twilight check in is the best, just need to turn up at departures at 10am tomorrow with no annoying queues (and a lie in). Room service and online cash tonight to keep me amused. Beginning to think I may make it this time...
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Twilight check in is the best, just need to turn up at departures at 10am tomorrow with no annoying queues (and a lie in). Room service and online cash tonight to keep me amused. Beginning to think I may make it this time...
The Darts are off tonight because of a huge power cut in West london. Seems all flights are cancelled until Wednesday
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Finally here in Las Vegas!!!
Very quiet last night as it was a monday, sure things will get a bit more lively as the week progresses. Was really tired after the flight but forced myself to stay up till 11pm playing pai gow (and up $200) and drinking beer.
Refreshed after a good sleep and off to find a 1-2 cash game that looked really soft when I saw it yesterday, tournaments begin tomorrow at caesars
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Had a monster 10 hour cash game session yesterday for a $146 profit, not a great hourly rate but good fun all the same and more importantly played some good poker. Off to Caesar"s for the first megastack event today, although I was tipped off yesterday that these have been made into rebuy events this year (probably as they cannot compete with the venetian). This may change the whole dynamic of the event as you can re enter for the first 6 levels (4 hours)!!!
Will see how it goes before deciding if I play any more of them (Venetian starts Friday and Binion"s tomorrow), definitely won"t be re buying though, I will be treating it as freezeout.
Pai Gow bankroll took a hit yesterday, had a sick run of 7 pai gow"s in a row.
Americans eat so much, I know that I am hardly Cheryl Cole but I ordered breakfast yesterday and could not finish it all!!!
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Just back and cold drinks have been taken so bear with me, but 1st megastack event had 143 runners and a certain person has made the final table with 478,000 chips, play continues 2pm later today (vegas time, 4.30am now), decent cash banked and 1st place of just under $10k to aim for.
NO THINKER BLOW UP!!!
Off to sleep now, big day tomorrow...
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Oh forgot, full details to follow, too tired (ie drunk) to do now...
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(http://blondepoker.com/forum/Smileys/default/popcorn.gif)
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have fun
and.....
try winning something this time ;) ;)
glad to see you took my advice!!
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Glad I read back a page to find out you were in Vegas ... was beginning to worry about you turning into Ger (being drunk at noon on a Thursday) :)
GLGLGL Mate! Get it won!
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Okay megastacks event 1 at Caesars Palace, $340 buy in, 20k starting stack and a 40 mins clock.
Only 143 runners after the 4 hour re entry period that was a bit disappointing, although it is still early days.
23,000 at 1st break (end of level 3)
Playing good solid poker. Call a raise on the button with AQ and 4 to a flop QJ2 which the raiser bets and I re raise to 700 in position. 2 callers and all check the turn J, river A and the original raiser bets 1,500, I put him on AK and call to win a nice early pot (good read). I raise the button with KK and BB calls. Flop A76 and it goes check check, turn 7, check check again, river 2 and he checks. Figure he does not have an ace and bet 350 for value, he calls and mucks, value betting is an area of my game that has definitely improved and this was a good spot. Crazy table in general, trying to keep out of trouble, started 6 handed and one guy has knocked 3 out by end of level 2 and is up to 80k. Example hand was only the 3rd of the tournament on a board 975,3,6 betting goes crazy post river and an all in shove by 99 is called by A4!!!!! Mad 45k pot at 25-50 with no one holding the nuts, mad, the 99 guy (who was french) went off on one, I still don"t understand how it did not go check check.
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30,500 at 2nd break (level 6)
Make call in BB with 44 and 4 players see a 456 (2 spades flop). I donk bet 2,200 hoping to get raised but original bettor just calls. Turn 6 to house me up and it goes check check. River 4 for quads and I bet 3,500, he chuckles to himself before calling and mucking a 6. I call in SB with AT (spades) and 3 see a flop 237 (2 spades), raiser leads out and I semi bluff check raise to take it down 10k pot without showdown then moved tables. Raise UTG with AK to 2,200, a flat from mid position is followed by BB shove for 20k, I fold and mid calls (JJ) vs TT (king on flop but still good fold). 2 hands later there is a raise from mid position and a 3 bet from the button, I"m SB with AK again and fold again, no need to gamble (he showed jacks). Still playing solid on a loose table, need to get grooving as blinds go up, 83 players left in.
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39,500 at dinner break (level 9)
44 players left (18 get paid). No hands. Major conflict and the first time I was all in as follows. I raise with AJ (clubs) and get one caller who has position on me. Flop QT7 (1 club) and I c bet 5k with my middle pin draw and he calls. Turn 3 clubs and I move all in for 22k with nut flush draw hoping to take it down and sensing weakness in his flop call. He tanks and finally calls (damm need to hit). He has 78 (clubs) and is ahead with bottom pair but I have 16 outs to win and the magical Q clubs on river wins a 60k pot. Hate his play, I think my play was aggressive but I was right about him being weak, he probably thought his flush draw would be good and decided to gamble. Then I donk off a quarter of my stack with a case of bad timing (or bad play - you decide). There is a raise from mid position from an active player and a flat from the button. I squeeze from the BB (K4 off although cards don"t come into it) thinking I can get them both to fold. Mid shoves the lot and I dwell for the cameras before folding and claiming a mid pair and not wanting to race at this stage (I lie good). Then get blinded away on active table managed to pick up blinds with QQ but no other hands.
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95,000 at 4th break (level 12)
25 players left (18 paid). The button makes a min raise and the SB calls, great value for me in BB with JT and call. Flop 789 rainbow and SB shoves all in for a massive over bet (he has me covered), I dwell to entice the button before calling. Button quickly folds and SB shows QT and no jack means I double up, happy days, you have to love when someone shoves into you when you holding the nuts (this is not the last time this happens in this tournament). Then next orbit the same guy bets half his stack UTG and I am in next position with KK, I raise to put him all in and he tanks (phew no aces then). He finally calls with QJ (???) and a flop AK7 gives him 4 outs but no suck out and I win another nice pot. He actually only had 2 outs as another guy folded TT after my 3 bet. I raise in SB with QQ and BB calls (he always defends so no need to slow play). Flop 7A7 (not great) and I check and he bets and I call. He may have an ace although I think he would have re raised pre flop, more likely a medium pair, and my call looks fishy. Turn 3 and it goes check check. River Q to house me up and I value bet 15k, he states he "has no idea where he is" and folds (don"t think he had an ace). The river was nice although I was planning to value bet the river anyway regardless as I was sure I was ahead. Blinds just gone 2k/4k (500) so well in this, nothing stupid now, no thinker blow up.
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198,000 at 5th break (level 15)
14 left and we are IN THE MONEY!!!
Very cagey now as we approach the final table, major double up hand was all in pre flop QQ vs AK (which held). Then there is a mid raise and I wake up with AA in SB. I posture a bit then flat to trap and entice a squeeze, BB shoves all in, mid folds and I snap call, AA vs KK (so sick) and it holds to win a monster pot. Still playing good, picking my spots, final table the next goal.
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478,000 at end of day 1 (halfway through level 17)
I go to the final table 2nd in chips and in very good position. Managed to find some spots to pick up chips without showdown. UTG shoves for 100k and I wake up with QQ in SB. It holds against AJ. Playing really aggressive, 3 betting a lot and not getting called. Other major pot occurred when the chip daddy raised UTG and got a flat from mid position, button 3 bets and I find AA in BB (deck smacking in the face again) and I 4 bet to take it down. Could not call here as did not want multiple action, but the raise also gives my hand away, still a nice pot to take down. Really pleased with my play on day 1 and I have chips going into the final table and still plenty of play to be had structure wise. Normally I am short stacked so determined to put them to good use. Final table starts at 2pm so beer and pai gow until 4.30am seem like the only natural preparation to take (I could not sleep anyway, still way too wired).
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651,000 at next break (end of level 20)
Final table, 6 players left, good seat draw with big stack to my immediate right. Only major hand saw me raise UTG with AQ, mid stack ships the lot from mid position and I tank before finally making the call. AQ vs AJ and it holds. Playing good, not many showdowns, trying to keep away from chip daddy, 3 short stacks clinging on, the other 3 of us are picking on them all the time. Good standard of play and lots of room with the structure, won"t get silly for a couple more levels yet.
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The tournament ends halfway through level 22 with yours truly finishing 2nd for $7,074. Well pleased with the result, my best cash ever in Vegas (and the cause of lots of form filling but it is well worth it).
No major hands, duckin n divin, avoiding the big stacks until I raise 88 on button and SS calls in BB with A5, pair holds. Then 4 handed, UTG shoves with KJ and wake up yet again with AA in SB, it holds and we are 3 handed. 1 monster stack and I am in 2nd with SS having 7 BB"s. I shove the SB with QJ after the chip daddy folds, BB finds AQ but I manage to suck out on a KT2,9,3 board and we are heads up. I have about 40% of chips as we begin but donate some on the next hand. I call in BB with A3 and we both check the 663 flop. Turn is another 6 and I check call 100k. River T and I check call 200k, he shows QT for a better house. Probably played it too weak should have raised either pre flop or bet the flop, anyway he has a 2-1 chip lead now. I make it 90k from button with A8 and he calls, flop AT7 rainbow and he checks and I bet 120k, he raises to 240k and I think. Bigger ace (unlikely as he would re raise pre flop), no real draws except 89 or 2 paint cards, a ten is very likely as he wants to find out if I have an ace and win it there. I figure I am ahead and put him on a ten and shove all in. He snap calls, my read was half right, he did have a ten, but he had a seven to go with it. No help on turn or river and I finish 2nd. Not too disappointed still a top result.
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As a side note the guy who finished 3rd was Alex Dovzhenro (ie the QJ vs AQ suck out). I really liked his play at the final table and it is easy to see why, check out his record;
http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=2244 (http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=2244)
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Just after 9pm Vegas time and I"m off out to party, beer and pai gow tonight, more poker tomorrow, probably, maybe, depends when I get back later...
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Well played James, great result and report.
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As a side note the guy who finished 3rd was Alex Dovzhenro (ie the QJ vs AQ suck out). I really liked his play at the final table and it is easy to see why, check out his record;
http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=2244 (http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=2244)
He can play a bit then!!!
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Great result, WP! And great report.
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He he - (I wake up with AA - rinse and repeat)
Nice one
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Clearly not drinking enough... if he can remember all that detail. :o
But well played anyway.
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Drinks have been taken, wow vegas is the best place to party, and it is not even the weekend, roll on tomorrow...
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how on earth do you remember all that detail?
great result and cash.
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weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
ship it to the thinker
nice one James, delighted for you!!
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Friday, Venetian Deepstack $350 buy in and 651 runners with a 1st prize of over $42k!!!
Went down to Caesars to play the megastack but only 18 people had registered so went to the Venetian instead where there were a few more than that.
Did not last long past the first break and I was out around 457th halfway through level 5. Lost half my stack when a made a move with a flush draw on a french guy who had flopped a set. Then when down to 2,800 with 150/300 (50) blinds there were 2 limpers, I find As 9s and shove squeeze, all in behind then first limper is all in. Up against JJ & AA and no miracle means I"m out.
Great tournament, poker room is great, structure brilliant, prize pool amazing for the buy in, will be definitely playing more of these over the next few days.
Headed back to IP to play 1/2 NLHE cash. Finished the 5.5 hour session down $180 with the following being the turning point. I manged to get a guy to commit all in for a pot of over $350 holding AA on a board T83. I had TT but the ace on the turn killed me. Played good again and if that hand holds would finish the session well up again.
Then more pai gow and beer. Woke up Saturday feeling very rough, planning on not drinking today.
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Great trip report so far (as always) and great cash, just don"t spend it all on strippers ;)
Go shoot guns or something else more worthwhile :D
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Saturday, Venetian Deepstack $350 buy in, 426 runners, 12k starting stack and a $27k 1st prize.
11,075 at first break (end of level 3)
No real hands. only JJ to take down the blinds. Murdered a third of my stack trying to see flops and connect with a monster but no luck. Had to make a couple of river bluffs to get me back to near starting stack. Less runners today as there is a $1k event on at the rio, also sitting next to a guy who uses the bullet that shot Wild Bill Hickok as his card protector. A relative of Captain William R. Massie (who had the bullet lodged in his left wrist after it had exited Wild Bill"s cheek) we got the full history of how he came to use the bullet as his card protector. A top poker story and history lesson at the poker table.
16,300 at 2nd break (end of level 6)
Raise UTG with TT, 1 caller in SB. Flop Q73 rainbow and he checks, so I bet 1,600 and he puts me all in, have to fold. 2 limpers in front, I raise it up with AJ to pick up dead money and get 4 callers (!!!). Flop Q92 and I give it up. There is a raise UTG and 2 calls before I find AK on the button. I 3 bet and UTG is all in. Back to me and I would only have about 2k left if I call and lose. Its 5k to call into a 10k pot and after a dwell I call and he flips AK for a chop. Down to 7,500 now and I raise to 1,100 with 44. 2 callers behind and I"m out of position on a 4KJ rainbow flop. I check to look weak and both check behind. Turn 6 and I check again. Matey bites and bets 4k, I move all in for 6,400, he calls with QJ and is drawing dead. Double up. Very loose table, very aggressive with some marginal play at times.
22,700 at 3rd break (end of level 9)
No hands, blinding away. Major suck out. Down to 9,100 (400/800 ante 75) I shove Ac Jc from mid position and get called by KK behind. Flop A x A and I am back in it. Then the same guy shove his remaining short stack and I am forced to call in BB. A6 vs J6 and a jack on the flop felts him and adds to my stack. 128 left with 45 paid.
19,800 at dinner (end of level 10)
No hands, picked up blinds once but blinded off apart from that. 800/1,600 ante 200 when back so need to get going. 95 left.
OUT 74th 30 mins into level 12
Exit hand. Down to 15k (1k/2k ante 300) shove AT off in mid position and get called by 55, no help on board and I"m out. Earlier I made a bad call. After a button limp I make up the SB with K5 and solid BB checks. Flop KQT and all check, turn 4 and all check again. River ten and solid BB bets 4k, I call and he has JT. Of course he had a ten. Bad call there and I was really annoyed with myself. What is he betting that I can beat? (as he would not bluff to pick up pot as he is not that type of player), answer not much. Down to 11k at that stage and on a very busy table there is always action in front. Need to find a spot and it finally folds to me in the cutoff and I shove 93 hearts and BB calls with KJ, 3 on flop doubles me up but need to wait for a hand to make my next move as they know I am capable of shoving nothing now. I raise with AJ and solid guy from earlier flats, all in behind and I fold (more worried about solid who folds AK face up...)
Played ok today, made a couple of mistakes and sucked out loads but still could not make the money. Disappointed to go so deep and yet not push on like I did at Caesar"s.
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Sunday, Venetian Deepstack, $560 buy in with 404 runners and 15k starting chips
21,350 at 1st break (end of level 3)
Trying to keep pots small and stay out of trouble. Make up in SB with 86, 4 players to flop A86, I check and call the button"s bet. Turn is another 8 and I check and the button bets again, I flat with my boat. River brick and I value bet and get called, button mucks, a good start. Raise UTG with As Kd and get 1 caller and 3 diamonds on the flop. I check and call his flop bet. Turn is another diamond giving me the 2nd nut flush flush and I check again and call another bet. I think I am good and not really worried about him having the nuts, although a big bet on the end would be tough. River black king and I check, he checks behind and mucks the queen of diamonds, another nice pot. Then the main pot involves me 3 betting to 1,100 in mid position with Ah Ad and getting called by UTG. Flop K42 (2 spades), UTG checks and I c bet 2,600 which is called. Turn 6c (2 clubs now) and UTG checks again, I value bet 4k and it is called. River 4c and UTG has checked in the dark. Backdoor flush got there plus any 4 made trips so I just flip my aces to win a 9k pot. Might have missed a value bet on the end as UTG must have had a big king to be calling pre flop and on 3rd & 4th streets but I was happy to scoop the 9k pot. Playing solid on a crazy table, this hand was simply untrue. Guy just sits down after being moved from another table with 22k and limps UTG (100/200). All fold to BB who raises to 800, UTG is all in for 22k like a flash (got to love deepstack poker). BB tanks and UTG tells him AK is no good (and gets a warning as the Venetian does not allow any hand discussion whatsoever). They both start to needle each other and finally BB calls!!!! (and has UTG covered) BB has AK vs KK of UTG, an ace hits the flop and he goes off on one Hellmuth style. I watch and hate the play all round. I hate the monster shove with KK as you should really only get action from AA and why waste a premium hand like that??? I hate the AK call more as UTG must have a pair at least and why race a 22k stack with blinds 100/200??? Why these players bother with a deepstack tournament is beyond me, they might aswell go and play the turbo.
20,950 at 2nd break (end of level 6)
I find KK and get re raised and 2 streets of action on a brick board to win a 6k pot at showdown. Picking spots and managing to win the pot without showing a card. No other big hands really, picking up lots of pocket pairs but not flopped a set yet. Keep patient and solid 249 left with 45 paid.
16,600 at 3rd break (end of level 9)
Card dead and a crazy action table means it is difficult to get into the pot first. Blinded down to 10k and shove AQ in early position, shorter stack is all in behind, AQ vs AK queen on the flop for another suck out. 600/1,200 (100) when back so need a double up soon.
14,500 at dinner break (end of level 10)
No hands, no spots, blinded down, find AQ again and shove to no action, 800/1,600 (200) so very short now, 110 players left.
OUT 93rd 7 mins into level 12
Very annoyed with myself for my bad play in letting myself get so short on chips. I had a tough table and no cards but I should have manufactured a spot the level before my exit, even shoving blind UTG would have been a better option. I was down to 5k with 1k/2k (300) blinds & antes and I am really mad with myself by now. UTG raises and big chip daddy 3 bets from mid position. I figure that no one will give him action so I chuck my last 5k into the pot and hope to quadruple up against just one player, I have not looked at my cards. Everyone else folds and my 23 off is up against 99 no suck out this time (which would not have been deserved anyway) and I am gone. I was so pi$$ed with my play, I never let myself get that short and even in the unusual circumstances I should have got grooving earlier. I definitely won"t be letting that happen again.
Have a couple of drinks when I finally calm down before more pai gow losses and an early night before the next Ventian deepstack on monday.
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Monday, Venetian Deepstack, $350 buy in, 768 runners, $49k first prize and 12k starting stack
5,375 at 1st break (end of level 3)
Lost 3/4 of my stack on the following hand. Raise in early position to 250 (blinds 50/100) with 55 and button 3 bets to 700 and I make the call. Flop 2c 5h 7h and I check my middle set and call his bet of 1,100. Turn is 6h and I check, he moves all in for 6,500 (monster overbet). Wow was not expecting that. Tank, don"t have him on a flush (why bet so much?) or a straight (only getting called if you are beat), overpair with big heart is very possible and in the end thats what I put him on, either AA or KK with a heart. So I call and he shows.......
Kd Jh !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just the jack high flush draw then. Of course 9h hits the river and I am down to 3k. It was a good call and a good trap on the flop to get him to bluff into me drawing pretty thin. Still made me feel sick. Although the deepstack structure allows time to recover and my 3k stack is still playable. Down to 2,500 I raise early to 400 (75/150) with JJ and get 4 callers. Flop QT4 rainbow and I shove my remaining chips, 1 call behind then a re raise behind him. I must be dead and heads up vs AQ I suck out again with a jack on the river. Not too displeased with the play, perhaps pushing into 4 players was a touch optimistic but if the AQ 3 bets pre flop we get it all in anyway, and with only 1 over card and my chips I could not afford to fold this spot.
OUT 550th 23 mins into level 5
No hands down to 2,825 with blinds 150/300 (25) and I am looking for a spot to push first. Find Ah 7h in cutoff and shove, called in BB by 66 and no help from board felts me, fairly standard play all round at that stage.
The early flush loss rather knocked the wind out of my sails today and could never really recover from that hit. Venetian has $1k buy in tomorrow so back to Caesars for another megastack event.
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Great reads James.
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You really are.......................................a shining star :) :) :)
So pleased for you James......now let"s have another one. ;)
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Tuesday, Caesars Palace Megastack, $235 buy in, 482 runners & 15k starting stack
32,900 at 1st break (end of level 3)
Monster field due to lower buy in and $1k event at the Venetian. 2 major hands got the chips both against the same guy. I raise in mid position with 77 and he min re raises me in the SB. I figure this smells of a bigger pair and I call to hit my set. BINGO flop JT7 rainbow and he bets 700 into me and I call. Turn 8 and he bets 2k and I call again (99 is possible which has just made the straight but I think it is more likely he has QQ, KK or AA). River ten to comple my boat and he checks to me. Now I know I am ahead and I need to find the right value bet to be called. I make it 3,500 and he calls and shows KK. Nice pot, knew where I was all along and managed to get paid on the end. Later on the same guy raises in late position and I 3 bet to 1,900 in SB with AK, he calls. Flop AQ4 rainbow and I lead out for 2,300, he thinks for ages and finally calls. The dwell got me thinking as AQ is definitely in his range so I will need to be careful. Turn is a ten and I check to control the pot and he fires 3,300. Now I have picked up a middle pin draw to go with top pair top kicker which may be the best hand still as the dwell followed by a quick fire on the turn felt weak, like a float or a worse ace, so I call. River 2 putting 3 spades on board and I check and he moves all in for 2,200. I don"t like it as I cannot beat much now but have to call for such a small amount (to win a big pot) and I fear he may have AQ. He mucks and quickly exits and the AK is good. Weird hand, if he had a worse ace then he overplayed it and could still have chips left at showdown therefore I think he had either a queen or complete air and did not put me on a big ace. Anyway his chips were gratefully received. Good stack and table image, no need to do anything silly at this stage.
39,500 at 2nd break (end of level 6)
No major hands, not getting involved much, playing quite tight & solid. Call in position with AQ and see a flop 662. I call the c bet from matey and catch a queen on the turn. It goes check check and the river is a ten, he leads out and I call to take a nice pot (he had nothing and I was ahead all the way). Well above average chips and in good shape.
14,900 at 3rd break (end of level 9)
1k/2k (300) when back so need to get very busy. 3 hands killed my stack. I raise with 99 and new guy to my left flats. Flop J72 and I c bet which is called. This felt weak and the turn brings an ace which I represent by a bet which he calls again. Damm, river blank and I check and he moves all in and I have to fold. He just sat down so I had no read on him or his play so I had to assume I was beat (although based on later play he was a complete loon so I probably had the best had and he was making a move on me to get me to fold). It would be a serious hero call in that spot and no need to make it, he may even be bluffing with a jack to get me to fold a weak ace and I would still be beat. That hurt then there is a raise from the solid cutoff and I call on the button with 44, loon SB and tight BB also see the flop 89T which does not interest me. They all check and I take the free card. Turn 4 and I hit my set. All check and I bet 5k from the button. SB & BB both call and the river queen and tight BB leads out, he must have a jack (and may even have king jack) so I have to fold again. This is an easy fold but it still hurts my stack and any blank and I win a nice pot (this was a turning point in the tournament). The 3rd hit occurs when I raise with 99 and 3 callers see a KQ2 flop and I am done with the hand. All check and turn is 8, all check again and river is 7, button bets and all fold, he shows AJ for ace high bluff. I cannot commit anymore chips to this pot with my stack and the fact it is far too likely that there is a king or queen out there. Maybe I played it a little weak, although a c bet would mean committing to the pot which I was not willing to do at this stage. So a pretty rubbish 3 levels where my chip stack was crippled but I was still alive and in with a shot. I made a nice move when there was 2 limpers and I look down at 56 off and shove all in to pick up the dead money. Once crazy loon on left got knocked out I was able to open up a bit and shoved 85 off on the button to pick up the blinds. Need a double up really soon.
OUT 120th at end of level 10
UTG limps and I push all in for 14k with JJ, he thinks and finally calls. JJ vs 22 and jacks hold for a badly needed double up to 30k. Then moved tables and raise in early position with QQ, 3 bet behind and then short stack is all in behind him. Figure I need to go with this and shove all in, insta called, QQ vs AK vs 77 (SS) ace on flop and I am dead (77 actually tripled up with a flush, sick). No too mad about today, lost a race when I have been winning most of them all week so far, it happens. The only hand I could have played different was the 99 against the loon, don"t mind my flop bet with 1 overcard but should probably just give up when the ace comes, especially as I had no information on the looney tune. Went deep again and if the queens hold I am in very good shape again, happy with my general poker play and will give the megastacks another go tomorrow.
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Wednesday, Caesars Palace Megastack, $340 buy in, 205 runners & 20k starting stack
21,000 at 1st break (end of level 3)
No hands except AK which I 3 bet from the SB and get 1 caller. C bet on king high flop takes it down. Playing very loose, 3 betting alot out of position and calling in position to bluff at pots when I miss the flop. No been able to connect yet. Need to tighten up a bit now the blinds are going up.
OUT 167th 28 mins into level 5
Short tournament today. Murdered 3/4 of my stack when holding Td 6d in BB, UTG had limped and SB completed. Flop Ad Jd Tc and I bet 1,100 & UTG raises to 3k and I call. Maybe I should just shove her but I feel it is still too early to commit at this point. Turn is 2s and I check and he bets 5k, I call and the river is a 6 to give me 2 pair. I check and UTG bets 7k. Now I need to consider what he limped with pre flop, re raised the flop and bet 4th and 5th street with. It easy to see now that my 2 pair are no good. He must have at least AJ (although the limp would be weird), I can beat AK but that is about it. AA is another possibility with the limp UTG. Anyway I donk called and he shows AJ for a better 2 pair. BAD CALL EDWARDS! I hate my play there, I never defined my hand, I could shove the flush draw on the flop and at least give him chance to pass. I played it way too passive, I probably don"t get paid if the diamond comes anyway. If there is no river 6 I fold easy and save 7k, so why call, does he really play AK that way, maybe, whatever...
Annoyed with my play and giving up a good chip position. Now short stacked and trying to find a spot to get jiggy. Find AK and push with blinds 300/600 to no action. Exit hand, mid min raise to 1,200, I"m in BB with AT and call (probably should just shove here, too passive again) intending to jam flop. Flop AJ2 which is good that I hit my ace but bad if I am out kicked, either way I am now committed to this pot, I cannot fold top pair in this spot. I check intending to shove but he checks behind. Now I think I am ahead and when the turn is a 4 I bet 600 to entice a call which he does (probably should bet more here). River queen and I shove 3k for value and he calls with QJ for a rivered 2 pair and I"m gone. No happy with my play again, if I jam pre he may call anyway, but at least I got it in good. I should bet more on the turn as I had him beat and the shove on the end is optimistic, as I don"t get called by anything that does not have me crushed. Not my best poker today. Played alot looser than normal and the T6 hand affected me, it should not have and is something I must look to improve, I need to knuckle down and grind when things don"t go my way, not just donk off chips.
Head off for a walk to clear my head then had a session on the beer and pai gow (more losses) and manged to cheer myself up a bit. Last day tomorrow so need a 1 day tournament to play, so off downtown to Binion"s for their poker classic event, starts at 2pm so can have a lie in...
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great reporting and a great read.
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Fremont Street Experience - simply amazing!!!
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4IN_atkPMk[/youtube]
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Thursday, Binion"s Poker Classic, $160 buy in, 30 mins levels, 247 runners & 12k starting stack
22,475 at 1st break (end of level 3)
Faster structure today so looking to get involved earlier. Call a raise in mid position with Kd Jd and 3 see a flop 9T2 and all check. Turn 4d (2 diamonds now) and matey bets 400 and I call. River Q gives me the nuts and matey leads into me for 1,100, so I raise to 2,700 and he calls quickly and mucks without showing his hand. A good start. I raise UTG with KK and get 2 callers who have position on me. Flop Q27 rainbow and I bet 850 and get 1 caller. The turn is an ace and I check and he checks behind. This leads me to think that he does not have an ace and therefore must have a queen and wants to get to showdown on the cheap. River 9 and I bet 1,200 for value hoping to get called by a queen. He calls and mucks when I show my kings. Pleased with this read and value bet, it is a part of my game I have been working on, if I check he checks behind and I have missed out on 1,200. I raise in late position with QJ and there is a 3 bet from the button (who is a player called Bryant "BK" King, with a pretty impressive tournament record http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=34022 (http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=34022)), I call and see a flop J24 (2 spades), I check and BK bets, I re raise to take it down and he shoves all in!!! Must be beat and hollywood a little before passing and claiming I had pocket queens, he shows JJ for flopped top set (actually had him on KK or AA, but JJ works also). That cost me a few chips but I get them back and more in this next hand. In a limped pot I call in the cutoff with 8d 6d. Multi way flop A35 (2 diamonds), there is a bet which I call and solid lady in SB raises, original bettor folds and I call in position. She must have an ace minimum here although if I hit I am pretty sure I will get paid. Turn 4s and she bets 2k which I call. River 7c giving me the nuts and she pushes all in, I snap call with my top straight and win a 20k pot (she had A3 for flopped 2 pair). Playing fast and loose and have got that image. Been able to get some bluffs through but need to be careful now as the short stacks will be priced in.
13,000 at 2nd break (end of level 6)
Lost 6k bluffing into a guy who had AA and I was priced into calling drawing dead. Still trying to hit flops and make something happen but can"t get anything going, being card dead does not help either. 400/800 (100) when back so need to double up soon, 150 left, perfect 3 bet shove stack, so just need to find a spot now.
34,300 at dinner break (end of level 9)
No hands, pushed with AQ to no action. Down to 9k, push all in in early position with TT and solid lady is all in behind (and I think she probably has a bigger pair), then BB is also all in. 3 way TT vs AK (solid) vs 66 (BB). So not ideal to be up against 2 opponents but I got it in good. Tens hold (shocker!!!) and I triple up. I raise early with AK and get 2 callers on a board 567,9,2. It is checked all the way and AK is good. SS shoves the button, I insta call in the BB, JJ vs JT board comes QQTAA CHOP CHOP!!!! (so sick, counterfeited with pocket JACKS!!!). Playing good and feel in control, 76 players left, just below average chips, look for spots and do nothing silly (yet!), 1k/2k (200) when back.
OUT 46th 7 mins into level 12
Moved tables, SS UTG shoves 12k and I find 77 on the button. I call then tight lady moves all in behind (damm, know she has me), only 8k more so have to call. K5 vs 77 vs JJ, no suck out and down to 17k. No too disappointed with the play, good read on SS just unlucky lady found a big hand behind. All fold to SB who completes and I check 87 off in BB. Flop 862 and he checks, I check to disguise my strong hand and hope it sees it as weakness. Turn 9 and SB shoves and I beat him in the pot. He has 72 for a up and down straight draw and blank river doubles me up. Good play there if I bet the flop he folds, this way I maximized my strong hand on the flop. We are now into shove or fold territory and I push nothing in position to take blinds. I also miss 2 spots to pick up dead money and I am annoyed when it turns out no one was strong. GROW A PAIR & GET YOUR CHIPS IN MAN!!! Moved tables again and the new one is very active, difficult to get in first. Shove all in 31k with 89 off UTG (blinds 2k/4k (400)) and get called by AK behind. I am glad to be live but fail to hit and I am felted (and Vegas is over for another year). Enjoyed the faster structure today and felt I played well again with only a couple of mistakes.
As I wander down Fremont Street to catch the bus back to the strip the experience light show starts. I have included the video I took as it totally blew my mind. It was so loud and bright and I was glad I was in the right place at the right time to experience it.
Back to the hotel to pack for the flight tomorrow and reflect on another great Vegas trip.
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Great reports James, glad you finally got to have an enjoyable trip.