Author Topic: Above the weighted average  (Read 85048 times)

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Curlarge

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Re: Above the weighted average
« Reply #30 on: September 20, 2012, 12:50:02 PM »
I was just reading Phil TC"s excellent blog and his account of his first APAT event and I thought I"d share mine as well.

I frequent the G Casino in Luton, as most of you know, on average once a week, and on 18th November 2009 I signed up for the £50 NLHE game on the Wednesday.

There was an abnomally large field that night (around 80 runners) and I can remember thinking that quite a few of them weren"t speaking English. Now this is not an uncommon occurence at Luton, as we do attract our fair share of Latvian car washers and Polish handymen, which along with a number of locals who struggle with the Queens version of the language, make for an eclectic mix at the best of times. ;)

One guy in particular had me wondering where I had seen him before (it turned out to be Bruno Rilho from Portugal) as he looked familiar for some reason. Long story short, I busted about 2 tables out, as usual, but upon exiting I asked Niall the card room manager, he has the best name ever for a cardroom manager (anagram of All In), if he knew why there wer so many players there that night.

He informed me that over the next 2 days, there was a tournament called the APAT European Team Championships and this would be followed by a 2 day individual tourney to find the APAT European Amateur Champion. These guys had mostly arrived earlier that day and we going to represent their country and then themselves at the weekend.

As I had never heard of APAT, I looked it up on "Tinternet when I got home and saw some pictures of the various participents in the Team event. I noticed that Portugal had entered a team, and the penny dropped.

Their captain, the aforementioned Snr. Rilho, had played in a tournament in Vilamoura a few weeks earlier in October that I had also played in. In fact as fate would have it, we sat next to each other for most of day 1, which was pretty amazing, as the seat assignments were determined by each player picking a table and seat position from an enormous chimea/urn looking thingy at the entrance to the card room. What were the chances? I had folded top pair, top kicker twice, to the same guy, who showed a set both times, and Bruno had said "nice lay down" on both occasions, hence me remembering him.

Anyways, I managed to get a seat in the ECOAP 2009, through the seat exchange and turned up at Luton on the Saturday for my first "big" tourney. As I walk into the main casino area I see the Portuguese team standing near the bar, so I go over and say hello. Bruno recognised my and we chatted about the Vilamoura event and the team event before moving over to the card room for the ME.

Up until this point I had been playing in a local pub league, along with Susie P, Omar Khan, Gary Allen, Frank Moszkal and Rex Mault to name but a few (now) APATers from the Elite Amateur Poker League, where we played 2 games a night with 3000 chips and a 7/8 minute clock.

Therefore the APAT structure seemed like an eternity com[pared to this super turbo format, but amazingly, and despite sitting next to a certain "slightly" squiffy "Delboy" for about 7 hours (he was on my right fortunately), I managed to make day 2, knocking Bruno out along the way (it still annoys him today ;D).

I remember getting home around 3am absolutely buzzing with excitment and found it hard to get to sleep, but managed to get a few zeds in before heading back round the M25 and up the M1 for day 2.

Again long story short, I make my first (and as it turns out, my ONLY) final table, where I am joined by, John Murray, Alan (cant remember his surname), Stu Ward (the eventual winner), Delboy, Stu Fordham, Matt McInnley and Silke from the German team, plus one other guy who I don"t know in seat 9.

https://picasaweb.google.com/www.apat.com/APATEuropeanAmateurChampionshipDay2#5407013570568334386

I actually finished 9th, when I shoved my short stack "all in" with  5d 5s on the button, after 3 players had limped, but Stu Fordham called, having limped with  Jc Jh. Game over.

I was thrilled to have got this far and my affair with APAT started then and there. I am the only player to have played every live event since Dublin 2010, and I see no reason not to continue this further. The players (yes you lot) make these events and I look forward to every one wherever there are held.

Long may this continue. ;D ;D



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Paulie_D

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Re: Above the weighted average
« Reply #31 on: September 20, 2012, 14:52:49 PM »


I am the only player to have played every live event since Dublin 2010



Pah! A feeble claim!

I think (I"m old and the memory fades) I"ve only missed a handful* of UK APATs since its inception and overall less than 10.

I"m hardcore, I am. There are definitely probably better attendance records than mine...but I"ll lay claim to being the top 10!
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pables

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Re: Above the weighted average
« Reply #32 on: September 20, 2012, 16:39:05 PM »
I have not been on as many apat weekends/events as quite a few of the guys,  but I can honestly say .....................

I don"t remember much of what goes on!


Alcohol steadies the nerves  :D
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HOLDorFOLD

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Re: Above the weighted average
« Reply #33 on: September 20, 2012, 23:58:59 PM »
Can I lay claim to be the only apater to travel half the world for an APAT tourny only to miss it  ???

Beats my previous record of being late for every tourny (barring one) ... having no concept f time really is a pisser sometimes  :-\
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Curlarge

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Re: Above the weighted average
« Reply #34 on: September 21, 2012, 09:45:18 AM »

Can I lay claim to be the only apater to travel half the world for an APAT tourny only to miss it  ???

Beats my previous record of being late for every tourny (barring one) ... having no concept f time really is a pisser sometimes  :-\


The record is yours chikka and unlikely to be beaten unless we go to Australia...........now there"s an idea ::) ::)
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Curlarge

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Re: Above the weighted average
« Reply #35 on: September 21, 2012, 09:48:22 AM »



I am the only player to have played every live event since Dublin 2010



Pah! A feeble claim!  Maybe

I think (I"m old yes and the memory fades prolly) I"ve only missed a handful* of UK APATs since its inception and overall less than 10. But have you been to every live event since Dublin 2010????

I"m hardcore, I am. There are definitely probably better attendance records than mine...but I"ll lay claim to being the top 10!  what the whole top 10  :D :D
APAT Season 6 statistics
APAT Live Events 8, Attended 8, Final Tables 0, Cashes 0, Ranking Points 0, Having a word with myself 1.

Curlarge

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Re: Above the weighted average
« Reply #36 on: September 21, 2012, 09:56:28 AM »
Well today dawns with the exciting prospect of a trip to Gerland which for those that don"t know is "up Norf" somewhere.

The delights of The Aquarium await tonight (loins are girded) in the company of Ger x 2, Carl, Paulie, Susie P, Mr. & Mrs. Sharples (still hurts to write that ;)) and a few of the locals who are venturing to the Algarve with us in 6 weeks time.

But first an unexpected trip to the dentist. I ****ing hate the dentists. :o

I had a terrible experience as a kid an have been petrified ever since. Hopefully things will go well, but I have my doubts.

See you all over the weekend at some point. Travel safe.
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AceOnTheRiver

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Re: Above the weighted average
« Reply #37 on: September 21, 2012, 09:58:06 AM »




I am the only player to have played every live event since Dublin 2010



Pah! A feeble claim!  Maybe

I think (I"m old yes and the memory fades prolly) I"ve only missed a handful* of UK APATs since its inception and overall less than 10. But have you been to every live event since Dublin 2010????

I"m hardcore, I am. There are definitely probably better attendance records than mine...but I"ll lay claim to being the top 10!  what the whole top 10  :D :D



get a room lads...

Speaking of which, where are you staying this weekend?
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Fatcatstu

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Re: Above the weighted average
« Reply #38 on: September 21, 2012, 15:37:46 PM »

Well today dawns with the exciting prospect of a trip to Gerland which for those that don"t know is "up Norf" somewhere.

The delights of The Aquarium await tonight (loins are girded) in the company of Ger x 2, Carl, Paulie, Susie P, Mr. & Mrs. Sharples (still hurts to write that ;)) and a few of the locals who are venturing to the Algarve with us in 6 weeks time.

But first an unexpected trip to the dentist. I ****ing hate the dentists. :o

I had a terrible experience as a kid an have been petrified ever since. Hopefully things will go well, but I have my doubts.

See you all over the weekend at some point. Travel safe.


And stu and Phil x
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Curlarge

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Re: Above the weighted average
« Reply #39 on: September 21, 2012, 21:57:22 PM »


Well today dawns with the exciting prospect of a trip to Gerland which for those that don"t know is "up Norf" somewhere.

The delights of The Aquarium await tonight (loins are girded) in the company of Ger x 2, Carl, Paulie, Susie P, Mr. & Mrs. Sharples (still hurts to write that ;)) and a few of the locals who are venturing to the Algarve with us in 6 weeks time.

But first an unexpected trip to the dentist. I ****ing hate the dentists. :o

I had a terrible experience as a kid an have been petrified ever since. Hopefully things will go well, but I have my doubts.

See you all over the weekend at some point. Travel safe.

Well there are more APATers at the Aquarium tonight than were in Cork in 2011. I can report that reputation is not unfounded. The end.


And stu and Phil x
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Curlarge

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Re: Above the weighted average
« Reply #40 on: October 01, 2012, 20:45:16 PM »
Well here we are, Invasion Yarm week!

It starts for me with a not too pleasant trip to the dentist for the first of 2 extractions (next one is next Monday afternoon). Todays one is lower left and next weeks is lower right (teeth obv.  ;)). The advances in dentistry meant that absolutley no pain was experienced, which was a huge relief, although I have to report that it is smarting at the moment, but I was told to expect it for 48 hours or so. I guess a significant amount of alcolhol towards the end of the week will numb this pain and also help in numbing the other side for Mondays assault.

In other news, Europe"s Ryder Cup team provide an unbelievable feat of escapologly to win said trophy for the 5th time in the last 6 meetings. I have to say I will never grow tired of yanks with faces like a smacked arse in the sporting arena ;D

Yarm awaits, I hope to be in a fit state to report on the festivities, although don"t hold your breath.
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Curlarge

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Re: Above the weighted average
« Reply #41 on: October 14, 2012, 17:56:50 PM »
Apols for not blogging over the past week or so. Yarm was a really good time, too much beer, rubbish darts, more beer, a very good win at pool over the lovely Lucy.

Am now in Glasgow for the APAT Scottish comp, but busted early last night and beer took over. Was up at the crack of 1.30 and indulged in the all you can eat Chinese buffet for £7.45 which didn"t touch the sides ;D

Now gonna try the 6pm tourney here for a giggle.
« Last Edit: November 17, 2012, 11:45:24 AM by Curlarge »
APAT Season 6 statistics
APAT Live Events 8, Attended 8, Final Tables 0, Cashes 0, Ranking Points 0, Having a word with myself 1.

Curlarge

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Re: Above the weighted average
« Reply #42 on: October 28, 2012, 14:46:40 PM »
I was due to go to Wembley this afternoon to watch the Patriots take on the Rams courtousy of JP (tyvm) but I"ve had to crab out thanks to a literal "pain in the arse".

Now, I know what your thinking, dirty minds you lot have.

I"ve been bothered over the past few days by what seems to be a touch of sciatica, which is no fun, and it"s flared up this morning. Hot and cold compresses FTW for a few days sadly, still could be worse I guess. Hope the boys have a good day.

Also have to finalise the teams for the APAT Home Internationals at Stoke in 5 weeks time. JP and The Chief Scout are the other 2 England captains and we face a number of tough decisions before announcing the teams on Tuesday.

Should be interesting.
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Curlarge

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Re: Above the weighted average
« Reply #43 on: November 14, 2012, 17:28:27 PM »
Well here we are safely back from another overseas jaunt that was "A poker trip to the Algarve".

It was a totally uneventful weekend and nothing happened at all ;)

OK, well not quite nothing. Top 12 highlights (in no particular order) were:-

1. Seeing 15 or so APATers sitting out in the sun on Thursday afternoon on the marina, enjoying a beer and each others company.
2. O"Shea"s Irish bar, in particular Doreen and Fiona  :-* :-*
3. BJB
4. A certain "gentlemans" club :o :o
5. Dinner with Sue and Holdy at the beach.
6. Seeing all the APATers at the tables in the casino
7. Falling down the steps in our villa  :"( :"(
8. Hearing Ger laugh for what seemed like 4 days  :D :D
9. Watching The Chief Scout drink for what was 5 days ???
10. Doreen  :-* :-* (did I mention her?)
11. Seeing AJD at a bar TWICE  :o :o :o :o :o
12. Hearing the numerous tales of daring do, over the whole 5 days...........PRICELESS

It was an Epic trip, but then I think we all knew it prolly would be. Thanks for all of the kind comments, it was a pleasure.
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APAT Live Events 8, Attended 8, Final Tables 0, Cashes 0, Ranking Points 0, Having a word with myself 1.

Curlarge

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Re: Above the weighted average
« Reply #44 on: November 16, 2012, 22:10:31 PM »
Something has been bugging me for some time, and now is the time to say what it is.

Over the past year or so we have been subjected to a constant stream of ****e in the press regarding "alleged" racist comments made by sportsmen, predominantly footballers, but there have been other instances in other sports as well. This is, and always will be, totally unacceptable, in any walk of life.

The press have stirred things up to a frenzy at times which is a joke in itself and in more than a few cases, will no doubt have fuelled the fire within the public domain.

The thing that really gets my goat though, are these new groups that have sprung up. The latest of which is "The Black Lawyers Society".

If you object so strongly about being called "black", why the hell do you feel the need to you put "Black" in the title of your organisation?

You don"t see "The White Law Society" or "The White Institute of Directors" or "The White Royal College of Surgeons".

If you want "us" (non-black people) to fully support your cause then stop underling everything with the very word you object to.

Rant probably not over.
APAT Season 6 statistics
APAT Live Events 8, Attended 8, Final Tables 0, Cashes 0, Ranking Points 0, Having a word with myself 1.