​Waxing lyrical at 37,000 feet

The epilogue bit of the trip comes to you via flight VS 044 from McCarran to London. Back to normality, or civilization, or something.

It's funny or fitting or ironic or something else (standard?) that the final event I played at the Wynn ended with me spiraling out close to the money. If you can't accept you won't win or cash in every poker tournament you play then poker probably isn't for you, and I learnt that a long time back and though the end result is the same financially as if you'd shovelled it all in on level one and lost, you have to always try to give it your best shot. 

Also, in my exit from the Wynn I actually had the worst hand when it all finally went in. Not commonplace for me but it happens. I'd always rather give myself two ways to win the pot when possible, and being the bettor obviously accomplishes this. In my more flairy days I'd be splashing around with some proper napkins, so maybe I'm getting sensible in my old age.

It very much feels like I've left as the party is just getting into it's swing with the WSOP this year, which is weird. Time constraints and the dreaded J-word meant although it'd be lovely to turn a three week trip into my normal two month one, for me this time it just can't be done. Most people (I think) work for 20-30 years doing some kind of employment, then gravitate more seriously on to poker after this. Not one to be conventional, I've done the reverse and after playing poker for 20+ on a serious basis, years I've got myself a job and am giving that a spin. In a lot of respects it's not even about the money. It's just about doing something different for a bit. I think I've shown over the events that I played this trip that I'm still more than capable of getting a deep run, even if it doesn't always convert into a full blown win. Also whilst I still maintain one day I'll possibly live in Las Vegas and get more back into full time playing, for me the UK scene is largely a waste of time and a chance to rub shoulders with many people that I'd simply rather not, so right now these trips are where I get my action, and that's just fine. It does feel weird not playing the main though. Ho hum.

There's a good chance that October /November will be the next outing. Most of the return I personally got from this trip will just be put into mothballs for the next campaign, and I've already had a number of emails from stakers asking for the same, which is fine. Changing dollars to pounds and later back to dollars again is pretty daft for English investors, especially with our current UK situation, so sometimes just leaving it in the tin is the best call. When it's a sizable lump and not just a few hundred being paid out that's quite possibly another matter. Everyone who had a bit to come back knows they always have the option to cash it out anytime. For me personally and for now, leaving mine in the bank lays the groundwork for the next time, and hopefully the next trip is the one when we ping another first. and a five or six figure return.

As always I'd like to thank the people who get in touch and leave some overwhelmingly positive feedback for the updates and my inane drivel. Most of whom I know and have had a share in the past, but some who just read the site from around the world. I don't do this (update) stuff to try to stay awake at the table, nor am I trying to monetize the website and turn it into some kind of cash cow as a big retirement plan. I do it because the stakers in particular, or sometimes just the casual observer generally seem to enjoy it, and it lets me give people a bit of bang for their buck even if the bucks don't always materialize. There are only so many ways you can write down "I ran jacks into queens" or suchlike when playing poker, but in amongst the hand histories and my pithy observations I hope the odd paragraph raises a smile from time to time. That's kind of the point of it.

Next stop possibly October. Watch this space.

Rocked up to the old Wynn poker room today for their one day $550 event. Currently 202 players but around 400 are expected. Nothing of note thus far other than 66 getting all 15k starting stack vs a KK that couldn't find a fold on a 276 flop. Obviously his bad play was rewarded with a king on the river. What a fun game.

​30 minute levels so we're already on the second one. I think this will play pretty fast but I'll just play nuts and bolts for now.

​It's certainly an entertaining start. Two guys have thrown in a 5k chip by mistake when they meant 500. Much merriment ensued.

One guy just sat with mirrored shades, and a WSOP hoodie, and want's to dwell every hand and say nothing. Some people make it too easy.
​

Thus far I'm plodding in starting stack, bemused at the table talk. Poker players find the oddest things to fixate on, and are almost always convinced they are always right. Most of the things on which they are debating are of zero importance to anyone. God bless the free world.

First break and I'm down to about 13k after losing with a pair and flush draw to a pair with no flush draw. Meh. When we return its 25/150/300.

We've just hit 50/200/400 and quite honestly there's little to report, I've gone up and down by a few thousand but mainly the focus of the rest of the table has been petty squabbling over nothing. "You can't be on the phone, he showed him, so I want to see the hand (obviously to immediately discover how he's playing)/ etc etc. poker players are such BABIES about everything, especially when they don't get there own way. I've certainly enjoyed my time in Las Vegas whether I won or lost, but I don't miss a lot of the people. Some are nice and well meaning but the overwhelming majority are douchebages, and not people with whom you'd ever want to associate in the real world. Sorry, but that's the truth, and a big part of why I got a job and drastically cut down on my playing.

Sitting at around 12k. Not connecting with much but biding my time. Screen shows 314 players so far of which 225 remain.

Back from break and the final number was 393 entrants. Prize pool is being calculated and I'll let you know the numbers when it pops up.

Not sure what's going on with my hair in that video. Never mind.

Still on 17k. We're at 100/400/800.

Catapulted myself up to 32k when I jammed AdQd on a board of As 9d 3d 5h, and got a called all in by AJ offsuit with no river miracles.

At this point I have to go on record by saying that quite literally the MOST retarded thing I've seen in a Las Vegas poker room is two kids who are both wearing mirrored sunglasses trying to stare each other down in a hand. I actually burst out laughing.

I've maintained a healthy radio silence for a while as I was emailing all the shareholders with news of their returns and how they can get their loot.

The good news is I'm still in this thing, and if I end up cashing (unlikely I know, yes) then all my figures will then be wrong and I'll have to resend a bunch of mails and recalculate the numbers. Clever huh? Well, it's kept me out of trouble anyway.

119 players left of the original 393.

59 spots get paid. We're currently on level 11 at 200/600/1200, and I have 29k.

Kid on my table who had the JJ vs me earlier is sitting on a horseshoe. He's a good player anyway, but is running great. He just got it in with Q4s against AQ on a QQ2 flop, turned a four to make a boat, and was ahead even when the two paired to also make the other guy queens full. It's nice when you run like that. For now I'm still just stealing when I need to and waiting as people bust around me.

We were six handed for a bit, and they just broke another table so we're full again. 117 left.

Dinner break. 31,600.

Poker is a game where you're always learning. On the break I learnt that you shouldn't try to eat Chinese crispy pork belly in 35 minutes when dining alone, as I now feel sick.

Luckily I managed the obligatory Del Boy cocktail to steady the old nerves a bit.

​I lost JJ vs AA when we return, but I played cagey so managed to lose 9k and not all the marbles.

88 players left and we're at that wonderfully painful part where I need to start rowing for home if I'm going to have any chance of making the money, let alone cashing for something decent. People tend to overvalue hands here and especially on this table, so I'll likely have to play a hand fast and hope for a fold or action with less. Average chips is about 67k so I'm under 50% of that. Considering I've been pretty card dead and the table's been very active I'm not unhappy with the stack, I just need some love now when it matters.

Shortly after this I raise with 66 and get moved in. Sigh fold.

An aggro big stack presses my big blind on the next orbit for 2.5x the blinds when it's folded to him on the button. I dwell for 10 seconds, pretend to look and just shove blind. He fidgets about and then mucks.

A couple more uneventful orbits and I'm whittling down again. I'm not getting so low I get called with nothing, so when it's folded to me in the hijack, I find Q 10 suited, and shove around 18k (we're 300/1000/2000). The big blind calls with AQ off and I get no love. In wonderful poker pain style I bust about 25 off the money. Good luck everyone and exit Kevin after 8 hours.

We have it a final shot. I had plenty of deep runs and luck both good and bad, which is he way it should be. For now I'm done and have to get ready to ship out.

Today (Friday) ended up being the day of running errands, catching up with a few stray bodies, and (twice) being Kevin's Mccarran Airport taxi service for friends, with one pick up for a new arrival in our fair city this afternoon, and one evening drop off for another who'd decided that enough was enough and that it was time to get the hell out of dodge and regain some sanity. All good and happy to help. I wouldn't wish 30 minutes with a Las Vegas cabbie on anyone.

Tomorrow is a Wynn Classic $550 one dayer which I'll play as the last stab/shot/etc for this trip. These events have been very well attended with a $100k guarantee, but with so much choice in town during WSOP time, I've just had little or no chance to get over there to see Aaron, Ryan and the boys, all of whom always do a superb job. Tomorrow I'll give the boys a spin.

Budget wise, excluding returns for investors, there's only $200 left in the tin for this trip As a little thank you to the ever faithful, I'll put up the other $350 of the buy-in myself, but everyone with shares is still on for the same percentage as they were in the other events. Some people like the rambling/comedy/torture of the updates I post, some like a decent sweat as I plough through the levels, some just want to know the final number at the end of the trip. All are appreciated nonetheless for their faith and messages, so we'll have a final punt tomorrow and try to make it a good one.

Off tonight to see Jim Jefferies live at the Mirage. The stuff I've seen in the past I like, especially "Gun control" as seen below. I'd recommend a look.

Kicked off today at 3pm as advertised. Three stacks of 200k+ on my table which is less than ideal. Tons of players in this thing still, som many that the screen still says 2400 entrants. Some tables are eleven handed, and they are still accepting alternates!

Crazy stuff. I'll be screwing down and doing very little for the time being. Blinds are 300/1k/2k.

My 46k is now 40k. Two orbits of the table with nothing spectacular so surrendered the blinds and antes.

Found a hand on the button with which to raise. Two red soxes. The big blind with over 120k calls.

Board runs out Ac Kc Qh 10c, and the big blind wants to bet 20k. Sigh fold.

My stack is getting eaten into pretty quickly and blind on blind I get raised by the woman on my right. I look down at 5d4d. I call the small raise and the flop comes JJ3 with two diamonds. She bets again for 5k and I call on the draw.

The turn is a five, giving me two pair and still a flush draw. I have about 18k left. She bets a weak 5k again and I decide she's full of it, so I shove. He calls like its the most natural thing in the world with AK off suit...

Blank on the end and I'm back up to 55k. She's grumbling like she got unlucky or something.

Blinds up. 400/1500/3000.

A weird table today. Chatty but semi hostile at the same time. It's always funny when one player or dealer doesn't like the patter, tries to out-funny me with predictable remarks about not being able to understand what I'm saying, or the Civil war or some crap. They always laugh at their own jokes and they always end up getting burned and ripped to bits. Very odd, and not really what I like but if that's how it's got to be so be it. I move the button and say "button moved" THREE times, and the dealer still says "well I didn't hear you", speak English. Ho ho ho. Weird how the guys who can't do their job properly (he did three misdials and somehow blamed the players for them) always have some kind of attitude.

First break and I'm on 44k.

I never want to do the ranting thing, and to be fair at the table I never would or do. But it must be said that the OVERWHELMING majority of poker players are utter douchebags. The "small-time pros" are the worst by a country mile. They ask the waitress for two or three drinks and tip a dollar, they complain about everything, from not being able to see a tournament clock properly, to the lighting, to not having food service at their beck and call within 2 minutes of asking for them. They stand in corridors or sit with their cronies endlessly critiquing hands and explaining how the game should be played, and whining about how some donkey got lucky, and they all seem to think they are the centre of the universe. Generally I cannot bear these people. I'm not one of them and never will be. Don't bleat when you lose and don't act like a boorish twat when you win and start giving out lessons. Fro all the boom in poker so many of these people seem to have learned so little, and I guarantee you most delude themselves about both their success and their own ability being way above everyone else who is talking and thinking just the way they are. Very sad.

Sorry. Went off on a tangent there. Listening to music on the 20 min break and colour-up to avoid hearing the poker stories all around me.

Back from the break and I raise to 8500 with 66. My neighbour moves me all in for the rest and I don't even think I'm close to flipping so I give up. If I'm going to get the money in it'll be me putting the chips in first.

Down to 22k, blinds and antes are brutal now if you have a shorter stack so I need to get busy.

I get my chance to do this when there's a limp and I squeeze out AQs. Not perfect but with my stack I'll take either winning what's out there or getting action from one player.

I make it 21k, leaving myself 1000.

My neighbour cuts out a stack and looks like he's like to raise but just calls. Ok, so he has a monster.

A third player now jams about 45k behind. I'm liking my AQ less now but it's already in there so let's go. I toss in the 1k and my neighbour completes and tables KK.

The other player shows 10 10. Ok, he'd put nothing in to begin with. We're all different!

Just an ace then.

Flop comes A28. Lovely.

King. Sigh.

3 on the river and that's that.

The ten seat pipes up "I folded a king". Thanks buddy.

That was my pot to put me comfortably on about 75,000. So I got lucky to hit the ace, then got one outed and no money. Welcome to tournaments. Screen shows the final numbers were 2,656 players and I've just busted about 560th. Probably not far from the money.

Can't or won't grumble. There's no point. Thanks for the sweat, messages and texts made me smile. Next post coming once I get out of here and figure out what I'm doing.

Back as fresh as a daisy for the early flight of the $600 event day 1B. Yesterday showed it was a great event as always with lots of play and people willing to spack off. It just wasn't in the planets for me and I became one of the spackers after a bit too much punishment.

My new tablet has a photo effect feature which is why the edges of the picture of today's and yesterday's buy-ins above are "burnt". I figured if I'm torching $1200 it might be an appropriate bit of editing!

Today looked to be continuing in the same vein when I sat for level one and lost 9k of my starting 30k when I flopped a gutshot straight flush draw with the QcJc, and wound up making the flush and losing to a runner-runner full house. Smiled grimly and pushed onwards and won a chunk of it back pretty quickly when I found 10 10 vs 77 and he overplayed his hand and bet out all the way.

​Currently back on about 27k. 

Still wrestling with my new bit of technology as we hit the first break. Recorded a lovely crisp HD video explaining my woes (with the TD blaring on the PA at intermittent intervals), but I believe it's such high-res it'll take about 2 months to upload, so for now you're stuck with my warbling.

22k and getting the shaft as per yesterday. I really don't want this table to break as I like the line up a lot. If I could just get a decent hand and play a pot with someone who overplays theirs!

Got my wish pretty quickly. Just raised pretty big with two red queens and the big blind defended by reraising. I fired back and asked him the question and he decided now was the time and committed the rest. He then turned over two red kings once I decided to play a big pot.

I was on 16500 at the start of the hand and I end up with 2100 left.Almost a spot where I'd rather have just been knocked out rather than crippled. I get busy the very next hand with A 10 and get a lucky double up back up to over 5k. It looks like I am going to have to win this damn thing the hard way. They're not making it easy for me.

It's certainly not proving to be an easy ride today. Not going to cry about getting bad hands because they are generally OK. I'm just finding myself getting pipped at the post or outdrawn most pots I play. Conservation time at the moment. Pretty sure I'll get played with if it goes in so I guess I may as well do it with a good hand.

Still treading water but liking the table even with my short stack. The two old boys on my left are very amiable, and are also calling stations, which is fine as long as I can show down a hand. Still languishing on 5k as we hit 50/200/400.

Feels a little like the death of a thousand cuts as I find 10 10 and lose another pot against a raggy ace when he turns aces up. I quickly find QQ with my micro stack, and the same guy who had KK against me earlier gives me a spin with 99. No heartbreak and I double back to a less than ideal 8200.

I again made a quick video on the break but I think this contraption is so much better than what I'm used to, that I need to make one in the crappiest resolution possible to get it to upload in decent time.

New robot joins the table in big sunglasses, and I see a decent spot to win a fair pot by betting most of my stack with 10 10. He has other ideas and rejams with the mighty AK for about 25,000. He misses everything and I double to about 16400. Certainly no complaints. The AK told the table afterwards "well obviously I can't just flat with AK in this spot. I have to jam." Duly noted...

​Steal another shortly after and I've gone from 2100 earlier up to a healthy (ish) 18,000. Lets try to keep it going.

​

Half way into level nine now at 100/400/800. Little of note to say. A couple of players have come and gone but we're playing much the same pace and vibe as we have been all day. Now blinds are big enough that winning pots is meaningful, but really I need another 10-12k on top of my current stack to give me the freedom to steal a few.

Woohoo! Success. Seems like a video finally got uploaded with no issues. The quality looks tons better than the iPad even on the lowest setting, even though the audio is a bit dodgy as it's windy on the strip and there's music blasting out at 700 decibels right by where I was broadcasting.

All good anyway, now you can all say you've seen me in daylight.

​Back from break and I've taken advantage of a few tight players in the blinds, and I'm up to 20k. Keep on pushing!

Boom.

Got pushed off an agonizing pot with Q 10 suited when the board ran out A 10 A 3 A, and my opponent moved me in on the river. Pretty sure I'm supposed to call it all off there and bemoan my bad luck, but it doesn't work that way. He had quads, no question. It was actually a clever bet on his part. He's unfortunate that I'm cleverer. Back down to 11k.

Shortly after, I steal one, and then an aggro guy in mirrored shades (don't even get me started) fires 2900 into the pot. I jam with 99 and he gives me action with KJ offsuit. I'm good and am back to a workable 30k. Guess I should have just bought in now instead :o)

The final level of the day and I'm on 30k at 200/800/1600. A few players on the table are being gifted chips in huge pots now. To bust out last level of the day after coming back from matchsticks would be a proper kick in the nuts after grinding my ass off. Of course if it happens so be it, but I'd be far happier with day two and  a playable stack instead.

Big gap in the edits, sorry. A combo of my battery dying, and me having to focus on what I was bloody well doing...

I'll post a vid tomorrow in the a.m. Long/short, we're in day 2. Restart at 3pm.

For now I'm about to have a well deserved bath, eat some Indochine chicken & shrimp, drink a very substantial vodka & orange, and watch some Louis CK on Netflix. I thank you.

Food in the bathroom...what could possibly go wrong?!?

​Night xx

Ta daaaa!!!

This has taken quite a while to input as I'm currently wrestling with a new toy in which I've invested. I am the proud owner of an ancient iPad, an ancient iPhone, an old Asus netbook and a (now) crappy Laptop back in the UK from circa 2009 running Windows Vista. Today I bought myself a new laptop/tablet/hybrid/thing tofinally move with the times. See? I'm down with the kids, I know all the jargon and stuff. It's taken me approximately 35 minutes to work out how to use the camera on it, but look! You now have an actual picture at the top of this post taken in real time :o)

The good news is that it has allowed me to take an actual photograph on the fly instead of updating the site four hours later with snaps which I've had to email myself and then download! I'm currently using my old iPad as a stand on which to rest my new Surface Pro 4 so it still serves a purpose of sorts...Oh happy times.

To be fair, you've missed very little updates wise. Most of my start table doesn't want to speak and with about two exceptions seems intent on getting at least 7000 of their 30k starting stack in preflop as often as they can. I'm in my shell right now waiting to  back into the inevitable double up which I'm pretty sure will arise when some boob wakes up witha pair of fives or better and wants to lump it all in against my Kings. That's the plan anyways!

Now on the first break after three levels and I'm still on starting stack after playing few pots and winning/losing very little. One guy on my table just gave his all-in opponent the big speech about how he was pretty sure his non-nut flush was losing, then called with it, and busted him when the guy flipped over a straight and left the table looking disgusted. Fun of poker tournaments...

Just for Jim B. I can never NEVER overestimate the importance of industrial strength deodorant, and hand sanitizer in poker rooms. You'll be in the two percentile if you're using either, trust me.

Sorry, I'm loving the novelty of being able to post pictures again as I do live updates...

Level 5 already (40 minute levels) and still on 31k or so. Table a bit less crazy now. Indian gent at the other end of the table is going for the whole sensory deprivation thing. Jet black Ray-Bans, headphones, no expression at all, no interaction. Might be better to just turn up in a flotation tank and play from there.

This looks to be a monster event that will smash the $700k guarantee. PH have added a 7pm flight tonight and there are three more flights tomorrow. Good reason to splash about and fire another shell if required but for now I'll just sit tight. The play isn't world class. Mainly a lot of guys having fun just  playing lots of pots, which is no bad thing for anyone.

Sal DiCarlo just joined the table. A veteran of events like this and a good player. He immediately wins two pots and senses everyone's playing a bit passively now. We've played a ton before but it alters the table mix a little. Now we have better and less reckless players on the table and pots are more controlled. STILL around 30k lol.

Lost a 4k pot when my AQs flopped top pair and 77 stayed in and turned a set. Minor injury.

Get it back shortly after when a laggy kid in a hoodie tried to represent a rivered flush and I had to make a river call with 43 for a pair of threes that was good. You'll be alright son.

Quite a frustrating hour or so. Been dealt quite a lot of playable hands but missed most flops and dribbled down to 23k. The Indian Robot has been hit in the face with the deck and is probably on 120k already. Not overly keen on letting the aggro players chip away without playing back at them but as we approach the next break I'll just bide my time and wait it out.

Nice kid on my left who was snap-chatting (whatever that is) went short and busted. We're now at 50/250/500 and I believe play twelve levels today. Currently on level seven. I just bluffed Sal out of a small pot and picked up about 4k. He's good enough to be bluffed. I'm not sure about some of the others.

Feels like a very weird grind this. I'm certainly hitting enough hands but also I'm connecting with zero flops and losing to straights and scabby two pairs. I'm losing hands for 2-3k at a time and have had enough of it. Need to start pushing back harder and change the momentum of the game.

Sal just got it all in preflop with KK vs J7 suited for around 35k. The J7 makes a flush on the river. nice pain.

​I'm not faring much better. I just lost QQ to a set of twos on a rag board. Down to a dismal 11k at 50/250/500.

Today was my day to be the beneficiary of the big stick around the head every hand. Found the right time to commit with 88 as I dropped to 7900. A10 off suit decided it was worth the effort and was rewarded by flopping two tens for his hard work. That sucked.

​I could fire again but honestly I think buying in for the 11am flight on day 1b and taking an early night is the better answer. I never got going today and nothing can change that so I'll focus on tomorrow instead.

Yahtzee.

I raised with J9s and got a REraise from A6. After all the dancing died down on the turn the board was showing 8 7 9 10. I made a HUGE overbet, and the one seat agonised, then called me with the low straight. Wonderful. He was drawing dead to a chop which never materialised, and I'm back to 14,000.

The perfect spot.

Dinner break approaching and I'm on a heater. Up to a very comfortable 21k and off for a 90 minute snack.

My table broke. I consider this to be pretty bad news as I had a handle on every player. Now I have a full set of unknowns to contend with... This table also has at least five BIG (over 30k) stacks to contend with so I need to re-evaluate my strategy.

This table is a lot tougher and more of a grind than the last. Directly on my left is JJ Liu's dad, who just came 5th in the Seniors for around $136,000. Nice guy and obviously no mug. The table is playing a lot tighter and I quickly find myself from 16k down to 12k.

Struggling a bit on here currently. Card dead and on a tough table as we approach the next break at end of level 5. Currently we're embroiled in a very long hand which results in a four way all in!!!
Flop 4s 7d 5d
Hands are:


5h6d
7s3s
AdQd
AcAh

JJ's dad wins a big pot with the 56 when he makes trips and fades everything else!!!
Break. I'm on 10k.

Ugh. I just busted out in 498th when my AJ reshove loses to a raiser who called with 10 10. It was a fair fight and I've  no complaints about it. The flop was 89Q so I had plenty of ways to win it and if I do I'm back up to about 18k and comfortable. It wasn't to be and though I'd rather it wasn't (again) 40 minutes from bagging up for the day, I just grit my teeth and move onto whatever is next.
​
Thanks for the messages and comments etc. always good to see people appreciate my inane rambling. Off to go home and sleep after yet another twelve hours in the trenches...

I'm currently enjoying what is now my second day off in a three week trip. Ironically I'm spending most of it working, albeit a different kind of activity to plotting up at the Rio for hours. Some stuff around the house where I stay needed doing so I became Bob the builder. Or Bob Carolgees. Or something. There are a few colourful individuals out in the ether who are somehow convinced that a trip to the WSOP for me is some sort of glorified jolly-up consisting solely of fancy restaurants, lap dances and laying around flicking your plums on other people's dime all day every day. The reality is a bit different, with most days as per the updates you've seen, consisting of playing for seven hours plus and then getting your tournament life ruined by someone who was more intently focused on the next bite of their grilled cheese sandwich than knowing whether they only had three outs and deciding to call anyway. Always nice to shred day after day doing the things we love. Happy times. Certainly no complaints. it's not digging up ditches, and the odd nice meal and chance to catch up with friends is always welcome.


I have a few errands to run today as mentioned before I play the WSOP tomorrow, and will hopefully spend some time just recharging, but for those interested or not, a brief recap on the story so far:


Events played on the trip so far: 9


Total buy ins: $10,600.00


Total amount cashed: $5,313.00

I'd have hoped for better, particularly in the Venetian event in which I went deep, and also the WSOP $2k, but you can't have everything. If I were one of the Internet dweebs with their online stats and slide rules, I guess I'd say that spending $10k and cashing for $5k so far for the trip isn't bad going, and that I certainly shouldn't grumble about things. There are easily quite enough people out there already that enjoy grumbling and stirring shit so I'll just let them do it.


It feels a bit weird for me to not be playing the WSOP main event for the first time in a lot of years. Tomorrow is my fifth and final WSOP event on the trip. A new tournament called the Summer Solstice, with 90 minute blind levels instead of the regular one hour ones. I'm looking forward to it and will be at the Rio bright and breezy and ready for the horrors of the new day. In total I probably have another 4 events or so left to play on this trip, so I'll see if I can crack on and get another cash or two and maybe close something out. One can always hope.

Liking my first table already. Sporting the Larry David "you know who wears sunglasses indoors? - blind people and assholes" t-shirt, I'm delighted to find three guys sporting sunglasses at the felt.

Despite losing 500 fairly fast from my 7500 starting stack, when a non believer calls down with 10 10 with an ace and a king on the board, I'm still feeling good and ready to try to batter them. Most are either good natured and chatty, or unsmiling/unspeaking robots. It's about 50/50.

Nice early pain and down to 3600 as we hit level two. Raise with AQ, called by QJ, bet every street on a queen high flop, and he rivers a jack for two pair. Grit teeth.

Lost another when I flop a set of twos, and he turns a set of nines. Luckily I don't stack off but it's been a brutal start with me getting turned over three times in the past 75 minutes. Not loving life right now and will likely choose to attack rather than defend if the moment comes up. Down to 1900.

I squeeze out an ace in the big blind, and a player to my left who I've see play a few scabby hands and therefore don't trust raises me to 300. I decide I'm defending if everyone else folds so I raise to 650, and tell him he probably wishes he'd limped now. He doesn't look overjoyed at the reraise but my chips are small money so he moves me all in.

I look at the other card, which turns out to be another ace, so I gamble against what turns out to be his KJ offsuit.

Board runs out fine and I'm back to 3900.

I repop a mid position raiser in the button to 800 with AK off. The guy who rivered me earlier with QJ makes it 2k. Feels like KK or AA but either way he isn't folding if I shove so I give it up and am back to 3100.

Back from the break and back to 4k. The guy who was walking on water is now losing a few pots, though sadly not to me. He actually strikes me more as a recreational player who has a clue about the game but is moving chips about and having fun, not always with the optimum strategy. He just bet 2k into two players on the river with a flush on a KK322 board. K 10 enjoyed the Christmas present.

Despite losing a chunk of my stack, I and the table are all pretty jovial, chatting and bullshitting. Nice Irish guy to my left, decided he'd had enough of missing flops and took a race with AK vs 77. The other guy flopped a seven and that was that.

Always nice when they put me under pressure and I have to do some Jedi mind tricks to pull something out of the bag.

I find KK (hallelujah), and there's an early position raise to 450 from my neighbour. A lot of people will advocate just stuffing it in here and hoping. I'm not one of them, especially in the WSOP, where players can either sandbag aces, or call you with some funky connectors and get lucky. The button who is a Stars Brasilian team Pro also calls and the three of us see a flop.

Q Q 6. Kind of looks ok for me but the original raiser bets out. Gulp.

I try to define my hand at this point and practically min-raise to 1325. My bet screams strength, and the Stars player goes away and it's back to the original raiser.

He tanks for 4 minutes which feels like an act, then moves me in for the rest of my money. Shit.

Now I'm in a terrible spot. Call and if I'm wrong I may be drawing dead. My raise screamed strength, but his reraise looks even stronger, especially after the delayed tank which feels designed to get me to call.

Now we really get into the mind games. It's a part of poker I really enjoy, even when I'm at the bad end of the decision.

I tank and go through it mentally. I have about 2400 left and I sized my raise to look committed. He decided he didn't believe me, or had me locked up and now I have to be the hero or the donkey who couldn't let kings go on a two queen flop.

I debate with myself and try to pick up something from his body language.

I am easily capable of folding kings here, but after a little dialogue I tell him it's a good bet, but I just don't believe him. I call.

He flips over 10 10. Score one for the spidey-sense.

No dramas in the turn or river, (I actually make kings full anyway) and I'm feeling good about my read and back to a more stable 8k as we hit 25/100/200.

A kind of interesting hand just came up. I raised with 66, and the kid next to me was talking on his cellphone. The dealer who otherwise had been very competent, said nothing and then WAITED about 15 seconds for the kid to finish his phone call, and left him with a live hand! He now wants to raise it.

Now I don't want to be "that guy". I never do. These asshats that quote the letter of the rules at someone, normally to further their own ends. However in this instance I think it's pretty clear that the guys hand is dead and he shouldn't be continuing in the hand once cards are dealt and he's still talking on the phone. He certainly shouldn't be allowed to be raising. On his part it's kind of an honest mistake, but a more astute dealer would just have declared his hand dead before he even acted and it would have been a non-issue..

Anyway, here we are and heads up out of position. I decide not to be the baby at the table. I make the point, but call and see the flop of 998 with him. I check and he then throws out a small c-bet. I call.

Turn and river are both checked and comes a 7 and a Queen.

I tell him I guess I'm hoping he has AK and show my sixes. He mucks and I take it down.

Now at second twenty minute break and I'm still around the 8k mark. We have a full table which has tightened up a bit.

Level 5 marches onward and we are at 50/150/300. Selective aggression is the watchword at the moment.

The player who was on his cellphone earlier just busted in a race. Generally the table is pretty tight and solid now, but there are at least two spots who will call off with sub standard hands. Just sitting tight right now and not getting too out of line.

Back to a full table. I've dipped back to about 6k with decent hands that have missed or I've been pushed out of pots with. Not super fussed but I have to be aware of the table dynamic and may need to resteal with something less than premium to stay in business.

Last level before dinner break. Or the level of death as I've often come to call it.

I've dipped to 5300 and now we are 50/200/400 so 1100 a round to play. Time to ramp it up a gear and double up or die.

Perfect timing. Find aces and min raise to 800. Everyone folds for the first time all day. Balls.

30 mins to the end of the level and I blind shove blind vs blind. Older English guy in the big blind who I don't know gives me the speech about "I know you have a shit hand, I'm probably at least 30%" etc, etc... Then finally gives it up. Not sure what I had, I never looked.

Jam again with AK on an early raiser and he grumbles and folds. I'm back up to about 6500. Not ideal but I'm feeling like I'm tuned in.

Argh.

Just felt the curse of the pre-dinner break level bust out for max pain. I actually don't have a problem with how I played my exit hand. People who have opinions or just fancy having a pop feel free to chime in.

I'm one of the two short stacks on the table, and I raise in mid position to 975 with 6c4c. European lagtard three seats behind pops it to 2100 and everyone folds to me.

I can't keep raise/folding and heads up I don't dislike the hand. If I call I will have about 4600 left. Enough to make a pretty meaningful flop bet if here's any connection, or if I feel he's missed everything also with me first to speak. I call the 2100.

Flop is 225. A gutshot and no good for him unless he has connected or has an overpair right?

First dibs and all that. I move all in and his body language tells me he has nothing and can't call.

So he calls. He has A10 offsuit. Of course.

I improve with a six but he also hits a ten, and taps the table and scoops in the pot like it was the most natural thing in the world. Good luck everyone and off we go.

As I say I'd rather have a more powerful hand, but with a shorter stack needs as must and all that, and I think I took the initiative on the flop which was the right play. He didn't have a ton of chips to call off light with, but he called anyway and that was that.

Get me out of the Rio. Last WSOP shot in two days.

In view of the fact I'm playing the WSOP $1500 tomorrow, I decided that I'd swerve the Wynn in favour of the Venetian one dayer instead. It makes sense as if I went deep at the Wynn I'd have a scheduling issue. The $200k guarantee in this is also good for a one day event.

Looks like very early fireworks as I sit with my 15k start stack. The first hand two guys get the lot in preflop. They turn over AQ and AJ.  Jesus.

The AJ turns a jack and tells his opponent "that's what you get for three-betting me twice before", Classy!

Looks like it's going to be gunfight at the OK corral on here. The guy who lost with the AQ decides to jam his last 5k in preflop at 50/100 with AK, my QQ calls him and he flops a king. Puts me down to 10k. Marvellous.

A few hands after three guys again get it in preflop. This is an $1100 event remember with $300 bounies.

They flip over 66, A9 and AJ. Sixes wins the lot. Feels a bit like the twilight zone...

What a truly weird event this is...

I'm seeing loads of preflop all ins with really scabby holdings. I feel like I must have missed a meeting. Right now the best approach almost seems to be to get anything premium and take a flip against one of these balloon heads. Not really what I'd prefer but the way they are playing it may be required.

30 min levels so approaching level 4 already. Still on 10k.

Currently 25/100/200 but it may as well be 300/2000/4000 the way my table is playing. Strong hands, strong draws, get paid.

That's the game plan anyway, in contrast to the other nine seats at the table!

We're at 161 players left from 220. People spinning out for fun. 12 levels of re entry!!

Back from the break and have just seen AJ smash AA to pieces all in preflop. What a silly game this is sometimes. At least in today's event there certainly seems to be zero room for any finesse whatsoever at this stage. Right now it's survival and play your strong hands hard. 8900.

The opportunity just arose and I managed to get it in bad for once. Raised with As9s and an old guy pops it back. Flop is 9 high with two spades and I lead out to induce a raise or win it there and then. Old guy repops and I shove. He calls with JJ. Oops.

Turn is an ace so I win with aces up when the river blanks. That'll learn him. Back to 16k.

The opportunity just arose and I managed to get it in bad for once. Raised with As9s and an old guy pops it back. Flop is 9 high with two spades and I lead out to induce a raise or win it there and then. Old guy repops and I shove. He calls with JJ. Oops.

Turn is an ace so I win with aces up when the river blanks. That'll learn him. Back to 16k.

Level 6 and we're at 50/200/400. No bounties as yet. I'll settle for still being in the damn thing the way it's played out so far.

Kid who had the 66 earlier just smashed some poor woman's KK to bits with A3 when he rivered an ace. He's walking on water and is up to around 90k with about 3 bounties. Must be nice.

His run continues. He gets 5k in preflop with AK, and on an A99 flop his opponent spazzes of his last 10k with...33.

To make it even funnier the 33 guy didn't even wait to see the turn or river, he just left the building!

Missed a flop with AK and down to 11.5k.

Another player gone, the one who beat my QQ earlier. He decided to shove with A9 on a 2385 board. The preflop raiser who had 82s gave him the bad news and is $300 better off.

Just like that, I'm out on level 7.

Flop the nut straight after raising with QdJd. Jam and get called by Kc5c who rivers a flush. Head shaking stuff.

Not going to dwell on it unduly. It's how you want people to play against you. When they hit its not so much fun but it is what it is. Call it a day and rest up for the WSOP tomorrow now.