And here we are. Back in Merrie Olde England again.

Took a few days to get the train back on the tracks here after leaving LV. I always used to be proud (proud???) of the fact that my body clock was so smashed after years as a poker player that I didn't "get" jet-lag. A full time job has changed that I think, and I was all over the place here for my first few days back. Anyway.

Trip-wise, short as it was, it has to be considered a success. Multiple days not withstanding, I effectively only played seven events in total, of which I cashed in two, chopping one three ways, and coming 12th in the other. Going out with around $9k in buyins, cashing for over $7k, and having $2.5k+ left in the bankroll unspent isn't to be sniffed at in a small sample size. All of the investors have now been contacted with the final numbers for the trip. We had several rolls of the bones, and essentially came out around even, with a few stabs at something pretty meaningful along the way. Some people are taking a return, most are pressing up the monies in the next poker outing, which will most likely be the WSOP in 2017, when I will aim to play some bracelet events, and possibly a number of DSE/Wynn guaranteed prize pool tournaments with multiple days and big fields. 

I was a tad sidetracked in my downtime on this trip. I was helping with a house move/closing whilst visiting, and I also had a pretty limited window in which to catch up with my friends here. On the plus side I made some very nice new ones, and got a fair bit of stuff accomplished outside of poker whilst here. I kept my ongoing fitness quota up a bit, and didn't go off the rails with the tasty but terrible deep-fried diet that often goes hand in hand with these trips. I even managed to cook some pals a proper Indian curry one night. I'd not sought to be a gym bunny or anything, but in the run up to this trip I had been on a diet, I'd started running again, and had shed around 1.5 stones (21-22 lbs) before getting here. In the past if I ever felt bad about my weight or general demeanour, I only needed to look around a poker room to remind myself that things actually weren't quite so bad.
​
Maybe due to the work routine, or maybe just getting old, when I busted out of something I was normally home in bed pretty quickly to recharge for the next day. Sounds weird maybe, but two weeks here still feels like a very short trip for me, especially when I'd been used to staying for six to eight weeks previously. One of the few real upsides to playing full time poker before was being able to (largely) choose my own hours. For me the UK and Europe poker scene is just about dead, or at the least is not nearly as attractive to play as it was five years back. It's not exponentially harder to play I feel, it's just a lot bleaker with less money up for grabs, for more work, and more miserable faces, which is why I turned my back on it.

The US always holds a special place in my heart as I've played and done so well in poker here over the years, and had some great experiences here. The people are generally also just nicer. Being here whilst the election was going on was certainly an eye opener for me when it came to people's opinions and mindset. At times it was genuinely scary to listen to, whichever dreadful candidate they favoured. I hope they will be OK, as it's not going to be an easy road ahead. Hey, the UK has already ruined most of our country already, it's about time someone else had a chance :o)

That's all she wrote. Back on the proverbial treadmill for me for a while. Thanks for all the feedback on the site and the kind words whilst I was out in battle. Until next year, be lucky, and try to be nice to one another. Try to remember, it's not the end of the world, it's just a game, with cards, people to beat, and little bits of plastic to accumulate. Nothing more. If you regularly get bent out of shape, feel the need to rip into others, or have a shitty attitude, then maybe it isn't for you.

Late update today as I was uploading a vid, which is painfully slow.

Feeling fresh and ready for it as we kick off the $25K guaranteed event. There are 106 players at present and 96 remain, though folks can buy in or rebuy for another 90 minutes at present. The arm in the pic belongs to the lovely Mila, from Russia. She's very sweet, and has given up trying not to smile now when I speak to her.

The table is kind of wild. Older Asian (I hope the lovely individual who has a problem with me using the word "Asian" is reading this) lady is hyper aggro. She gets the money in with AK versus AA and the aces flop a set against her. Of course that's no good, and she makes Broadway to smash the aces to bits and go up to 25k. Shortly after she plays a 52 draw aggressively against a set of kings and gives most of it back. That's one steamed plate of Broccoli right there now.

You are allowed a single $100 add-on for 5k at any point, and I take it early to get my 10k starting chips up to 15k. I splash around and hit 17500, and down to 1400, then back to 15 again. Always good to get your feet wet.

I'm looking for good early spots but the standard (comparatively) isn't great, with people overplaying big cards and stacking off pretty light. I don't learn my own lesson of course. I play a pot with 8h7h, and the flop comes out Jh 9h 5s, giving me the monster that is a double gutshot and a straight flush draw. I bang it hard on the flop and again on the turn when he checks showing weakness. I miss everything as it runs out J952J, but am forced to bet 4k on the end to try to steal. sadly the guy with J10 off wasn't folding and my 15k dips to 7200, which is a royal pain in the ass.

I find some love, when I look down at two black Kings. Crazy lady looks like she wants to raise so i limp and pray I'm tuned in properly. A few people limp for the 200 blind and as predicted she makes it 1400. I stuff the 7k in and hope she calls, but also not, the way she's running. Everyone folds and she calls tabling QJ of spades. Eek.

​She bricks everything and I'm back on 15k ad starting over. She rebuys.

I make the first break on 14k. I'm not going mad today on this table. There's easily enough money left in the tank to splash around a bit and bloat each pot, but that doesn't mean you have to do it. 21 minutes left to rebuy if needed, I've dipped to 11500, but I'm biding my time.

Nice Dutch guy on my right is building slowly. Most people are overplaying their hands and I feel like we're both waiting to get paid right now. Different game once the rebuy period ends.

Argh. Car crash television.. I was hoping not to have to get into this but the hand kind of played itself. I flop bottom two with 76 on an A67 flop multi way with a bet and a call ahead of me. I play it fast as there's draws out there and a lot of players. I push for 9k to win about 6, and Holland calls me tabling....A6. Shit. The best two pair wins and I have to rebuy for $200. Ho hum.

I've already had the single add on, so am on 10k and lose 1200 of it seeing a QQJ flop with 99. Shortly after I am in the blinds with 62, and the flop comes 346 heads up. The other guy is short and jams for 3900. I reluctantly call and he shows K4, hurrah, I'm winning.

Until he catches a king and knocks me below 5k.

Last hand for rebuys, and being below 5k I have the option, so I take it for another shell to put me around 15k again as the rebuy period ends. 99/120 left. I think the standard isn't amazing so I'm digging in. The Asian woman plays ay two suited or slightly connected cards and plays them aggressively. She's on 25k or so but I would expect her to either win this thing or implode very quickly. More likely the latter as she only has the one gear.

I just refused a shot when a beard who could easily be a young Michael Moore jammed 8k on my big blind and I look down at AQ offsuit after everyone else has folded. I have 13k and to call and lose puts me in a really ugly spot this early. I'd rather jam with 5 high and give myself two ways to win than call and have to just win the hand at showdown. This is a fundamental of tournament poker that a lot of people either don't understand, or don't want to understand, and a reason why you often see awful players amass huge stacks early. They will say "well, I had AK/AQ/55 etc...I had to call, what else can I do with this hand?". Question asked, question answered. I could agree with them of course, but then we'd both be wrong.

The older Asian woman just wanked away a 40k stack in fine fashion, and is out. Just like that. On a 589 flop her 98 ran into the flopped straight with 76. I'd far rather she had won as she was always going to go broke, but now she's gone and the line up is unremarkable.

New players fill up the table, and I lose a small one with 99 when a king and a jack flop and a newcomer advertises his hand. Keep tight and move on. 86 players left.

Just had another pot with Michael Moore. This time I raised with AQ and he jammed. This time After my raise I'm not folding as I have too much committed. He shows AQ as well and we chop.

Sigh. Better than losing.

Mr Moore and I play a THIRD pot. Guess what? He jams again. This time I limped JJ, and snapped his 99 off. He's crippled down to 3k and I'm back up to 18 again :o) He busts shortly after.

There was a minor lull whilst my laptop/tablet charged up. The surface is a great piece of kit, but if you want something with great battery life then it sucks.

I've seen nothing while the device was charging, and my stack has eroded from 18k down to 11k. Not fun at all.

52/120 remain, we're at 600/1200/100. I find AK and jam against two players. They both call the 9500 bet. Sigh.

They check it all the way and I feel like they are collectively trying to bust me. An ace hits the river, but i was winning anyway...they both have A 10, and I am back to 29k with average chips at 39k. Not great, but better.

The guy on my table who busted the Asian lady is TERRIBLE. Of course I'm never going to say or even insinuate that at the table, but he clearly has little idea about pot odds and situations. He just looks at his own hand and plays it like a bull in a china shop. Not a dig, it's his money. But he's spreading it round when he plays a pot and I'd like him to be my double up ticket as I've seen him turn over some really questionable holdings. He just called off 20k preflop with QJ.

Our table broke, I'm moved to a whole new line up. 42 left, and I've dipped to 18k as we are at 800/1600/200. I whittle down to 14k and get into a pot blind on blind with a woman on my right. She has a few chips and raises me to 4k preflop. I feel it's a steal but with 97 I'm not loving it. I call anyway as I have 1600 in and it flops 873. She bets all-in and my chips are in the middle before hers. She flips over K9 and I fade the horror and am rewarded for a good read by doubling up to 30k or so. Shortly after I win another and get to 40k, maybe my peak on the day. An older guy moves to my left and I make it 3500 with 77. He jams and if I call it leaves me with about 11k. I let it go. Those situations I was talking about earlier...

Five minutes to the dinner break, and there are 32 left. Today has mainly been about avoiding trouble spots. Soon it'll be gear change time. For the moment I'm on 36k and lying in wait.

Back from dinner and I lose a hand with A10 vs AJ and dip to 27k. Blinds are now 1k/2k/300 so I'm not ideal as the average is around 70k. I can't really steal on this table, but will play aggressively if I get the chance to hit a flop.

I get my chance.

I raise with J 10s and get one caller, flop is 89J rainbow. Not perfect but pretty decent. My opponent bets 6k and I jam. She calls...

Showing AA. Cute.

Brick brick and that's that. I maybe had a rush of blood there. i bust in 30th place. With more chips I don't go so crazy, but I'm not going to agonise too much. I was proably shortest chips on the table, and if that one wins then I can get busy. As it doesn't, I can get packing instead. Exit Kevin.

Everyone is pretty deep and I don't want to bleed chips. I raise once with AJ and get almost min-raised by a guy with just a little more behind. It screams strength and I go away. 5 or 6 handed I may go with it but 9 handed I want to keep my stack intact for now. Shortly after the same guy makes a huge overbet preflop on my big blind and I fold again. I've gone from 200k down to 130k or so. Still 8 players remain.

​I exercise some discipline for an orbit or two, then finally find KK and raise, fully expecting a three-bet from somewhere. I duly get it from AQ for 60k and I fade the ace and bust a player. Down to seven and I'm back up to 200k again.

Another guy busts and we're down to six. One player asks about a chip chop (paying out the remaining prizepool according to each players chip count), but I decline, saying I might consider it if say...three handed. there may not be a ton of play by that time, but with just over $5,000 up top, truth be told I'd rather go for the outright win if the situation is favourable.

Ten minute break, we will return at 6k/12k/1k. I'm still on around 200k.

One of "those" hands just came up that you need to win. This time I made the call with 10 10 vs AJ for over half my stack and it ended up good when AJ missed everything. I've hit 300k and we're now four handed after I bust him. Time to start rowing for home for real now.

Finally I'm in my element. I steal a few with hands like 32 off, 63s, and A3, but I also get away from the big overshove, which looks like everyone else's play here. If we play for long enough, I think I have the edge to close this out. I really think live poker is all about feel, and is why I have good results live and gave up playing online years ago. The two forms are about as different as can be.

Easing up slowly and trying to keep applying pressure. The guy on my left is quite useful, but the other two are fairly open. I'm still ducking and diving, but the stack I have is generally either maintaining or growing.

Two of the guys are practically begging for a chop. Because of the money involved I'm declining. I'd rather play it out if possible and I feel I just need a decent tail-wind to finish this thing. My chips have dropped back a bit but I'm still trying to apply the pressure.

Trying to wrap this up but the guy on my left keeps coming over the top of my raises. Frustrating stuff. I'm feeling like no-one wants fourth place. I'm about to start pulling the trigger as there is 42k in the middle every hand now.

We all trade chips for a while, and it goes round in circles. Finally we are three handed, and they are still angling me for a chop. First is $5,477, and third is $2,296. An even chop gives me $3,769. Finally I agree, as almost each hand is just a massive flip, and there isn't enough play now as we hit 12k/24k/3k. I'll take the result, with second place on paper based on chips, tip a little bit out to the dealers and floor, and show a nice result on the day. Back to try again tomorrow in the $25k guarantee :o)

Today's event is preceded by a few bits of news, in no particular order.

1) I found my missing cellphone
2) Something coming up in the UK means I now have to return on 13th Nov instead of slightly . This means I now cannot play the Venetian $600 Bounty event which is a three dayer, or the final Venetian $300. This puts a cramp in my schedule somewhat, and I was also looking forward to this event.
3) I will play tomorrows $200 rebuy event at the Wynn instead as it's a one day tournament, and possibly a one day event on Saturday also.
4) Everyone who has shares will as always get a breakdown email once the trip is over. As it stands we all have money left in the tin from unplayed events/unused re-entries, and also a return from cashing in the $1100 DSE.
​5) I forgot the giraffe today. Maybe not a huge deal but I feel naked without it.

Now that's out of the way...

Today's one day $340 table is pretty sedate. I recognise Anthony Alonzo and a couple of others from previous Deepstacks. Anthony just busted 33 vs AA. There are no massive movers and shakers in this line up. Of course, amassing a huge stack is the plan, but we'll see how it unfolds once I get the feel of everyone. Currently 125 players and I'm on 17k from starting stack of 18k.

It doesn't go according to plan when I find KK vs AA and we throw in some chips on a 348 flop. I lose chips but don't implode and my 17k drops to 9k.

Well that was painful.

I just raised with AsQs, flop came Q34 with 3s4s. I led out on the flop and got called. Kc on the turn and I bet 3500 out of my 8k stack. He calls. River is the Ad, making me aces up. I bet 3500 and my opponent raises me all-in for the rest. I call and he tables 52 offsuit for a rivered straight. Ugh. I've no problem with the hand, but he called the whole way to hit, which was a bit ugly. Ho hum. Re-entry time.
​

I get moved to a new start table next to a large guy wearing sandals with badly kept toenails. I try not to gag, but luckily I am quickly moved to a third table containing the hot Brazilian girl I was playing with a few days previously. She quickly finds a flopped set of eights versus top pair top kicker and gets a super easy double up with the other guy drawing dead on the turn. What a wonderful life.

They've paused the clock during level 4 whilst they break a bunch of tables. I'm still around start stack, but looking for spots to play some decent sized pots if possible. Not trying to force the action because everyone is playing pretty ABC, but if I can hit a funky flop versus a big pair then I'd almost certainly get paid.

​Just raised with JJ to 2400 preflop and got four callers! Flop 22A and now a guy want so bet all-in for 20k. Marvellous. Next.

​Break time. 11k. not pushing it but not catching anything either.

Whittled down to 8k and decided enough was enough. Took a flip and flooped a set with 66 vs QJ. Back up to 17k, hopefully better times are now to come.

Just ran a small bluff on the river into two players to get myself up to 22k. Still no super easy chips around.

Table move number four... another new line up and I arrive to see the familiar face of Alan Cunningham, who is keeping something of a low profile. We exchange greetings, having played together a lot in the Wynn last year and also in the WSOP. He's tough to play against.

​Just as I type that...he busts. He went down to 10k and shoved preflopwith KQs, got a pretty horrible reshove from a woman with AJ suited who stuffing 28k, and then a third all in from 1010! He hits two kings and she rivers a flush. Ugh. Her having the chips is better for me than him having them.

Just as we hit level 7, I'm on 16k. Blinds are 250/500/75. I just lot a small pot against the woman who made the horrible AJ shove. I missed everything on the river but honestly couldn't think of an amount I could bet that would lift her off her ace high or king high. I was right, KJ offsuit  and she wasn't folding if I'd bet so I just saved my money instead. 145/22 remain.

Just took another hit when I had QQ ran down by a flush draw when I bet every street. 11k. Frustrating times...

Back to 10k again and one more level to re-enter if I can't get going. A couple of players on here have big stacks and want to dance about. The woman player is dreadful and is calling off hand after hand. I'm pretty desperate to get in a pot with her before she spacks it all off to everyone else. One of the flair players on the table just shipped 20k all in preflop with 33. That was the end of his tournament.
​
I go up and down, up and down a few times, finally finding 10 10 and limp-reraising all-in for 9k. AK calls me and flops trips, and rivers quads. End of shell number two.
​

Third and final bullet in this thing, and yet again another bunch of guys and gals to try to outwit. Re-entry is now closed so I'm starting level 9 after the break on 18k. Outside for some evening air.

Back from the break and the "it isn't my day" syndrome is beginning to kick in a bit. I just lost with QQ against two pair eights and sixes, and then got JJ, raised and the whole table folded. 13k and not loving life.

Final numbers for the day are 245 players, of which 135 remain. I'm going to need to just play a big hand hard the way this is going.

Small raise and a call and I find AK and jam. Everyone folds. Not exactly legendary stuff, but it'll do as I don't want to be bleeding chips.

​French guy on my table jams AK next hand for about 12k and is called by....10d8d. The 10 8 has about 30k and nothing invested. Of course he rivers a ten to bust the guy. 

I just raised with KQs in the cutoff and the big blind who has a lot of chips calls. Flop Q23. He leads out for 3200 and I have about 10k. I smell a rat and fold whilst talking to him about how he flatted a big hand in the blind. He shows me AQ. I may have no chips, but at least my instincts are still working.

Instincts frequently just land you in the shit.

I just found AsKs and limped, feeling the button looked like raising (the guy who earlier had 10 8). I'm right and he makes it 3100. I don't have the wiggle room to go crazy, so I just ship the 10k and wait. He calls and tables AQ offsuit. Happy days, three outs.

Flop 477. Good stuff.

9 on the turn, back to 20k+. Fantastic.

No. Queen on the river. I'll have no chips instead of 20k+.

That wasn't a good day. No momentum, a few entries, and it just wasn't happening. Some people just get gifted chips, but if it's not your day then...well it isn't your day.

Get me out of the building. Wynn tomorrow.

Final day of the $250 day ones. I woke up not sure if I was still in the middle of the awful experience I was having last, where I dreamed that America just put a total moron in charge of the White House. I woke slightly hazy but at least it wasn't real...right?

​My first table is pretty sweet. A lot of fairly predictable ABC players at the table. I want to gamble today. I haven't been super conservative on the trip, but it's just worked out that I haven't had to re-enter much, which is a good thing but leaves some wiggle room to get flairy today if the chance to get chips arises. My 15k is quickly up to 22k.

​First break...25k. Good enough.

I'm swashing and buckling, and have talked my way up to 41k. It's been a comedy show so far this morning, with my somewhat skewed election commentary. One guy was enjoying some witty repartee with me and showing me a few bluffs whilst he pushed me out of pots. The mood and conversation changed when I value-towned him twice. It went distinctly quieter, and his big to small stack busted out shortly afterwards. I'm on around 38k and playing a lot of pots.

​300/456 left today  as we hot 300/600/75.

I've seen a ton of flops and keep missing everything. Back to 27k. Not great but this is a superb table to get chips and get paid in the right hand. I am going to keep hammering and hope it hits home, if it doesn't I'll take another stab.

Up to 31k. I keep asking the floor to bring us a hot girl as a new player, they keep sending young guys with tattoos, bad jewellery and attitude problems. One just busted to a grinning woman in the blinds who had 72 and flopped two pair. The right people around the table have chips as we reach the colour up break. I'm on 28k, which is OK.

​

Return from the break, and lose a pot immediately with JJ vs 66 when he turns a set. I then flop a flush draw against top pair and make a big overshove. He decides he can't find a fold and then makes runner runner for a boat just to rub it in. My 28k is now 8k, and registration is closed just to add to the torture.

We've just gone 600/1200/200 and there are 220 players left from 503 starters. I need a double pretty fast, but my persona on this table means I'm going to get called. Not a great spot.

I found my spot and shoved. The girls in the blinds had 99 and AJ offsuit and decided it was worth getting 18k each in preflop. I end up with two live cards that brick out and 99 gets the lot.

Again, I guess the positive it it was cheap. No re-entries, and I feel I'm playing well and my timing is good. I just keep losing the big flip when it's required to catapult me up to 50-60k and into cruising mode. Not bitching, just observing. Scrub today and buy in for tomorrows $340 Superstack, rest up and come out blazing in the morning.

"So tell me...exactly how many of these things have you won again?"

So that's my cover blown then.

Mike, a guy who I've played with in these things a few times over the years recognizes me and puts the question out there. The rest of the table's collective ears perk up like a dog when he hears the word "dinnertime". We have a few laughs and he owns me the first hand out and shows me 52 off. Next hand out he gets aces and I don't pay him off for a min raise against my big blind. All fun and games :o)

Liking the first table here a lot. People are talking, listening to my bullshit and we're all splashing about and playing plenty of hands. First level and I'm up and down but still around start start stack.

Full table now, and no easy money to be had. One spot who is calling too many hands. I just ran a bluff into two spots and showed them 23 off to soften them up a bit. My stack is still around 15k but at least they're confused now.

I just took a flip with a young Lex Luthor lookalike who looks like he wants to gamble. I want to get a decent stack going in this thing. My QQ is good versus his AK off and I move up to 32k as we hit level 4 and the antes kick in.

​First break, I'm on 27k.

Back from break and I'm not catching any cards. Super hot and very friendly girl called Cici moves to that table and we get a few laughs with my normal bullshit together. The table breaks and now I'm stuck with a bunch of unsmiling, non-talking guys. Wonderful.

This table is a bit tougher to play. Talking of course, is part of my game whether it be the odd word or non stop. No one here wants to say a word, and that's not ideal for me. Screw down and just take the odd spot. I'm still on around 25k as we hit 400/800/100. 180/304 left.

Just found aces in the big blind when a short stack jammed and I busted him. Sadly he only had around 3k.

Shortly after I call what looks like a spazz out all in from a guy with absolutely no sense of humour. I have 55, and he flips over....K3. he catches a king and puts a fair sized dent in me. I'm back to around 19k.

No one on this table has a particularly huge stack, and I think the play is grabbing steal spots when possible or just ABC hand driven stuff, little else. Time will tell.

Just had a less than ideal situation. Or an OK one depending on how much you like money.

I was planning to gamble a bit as we reached the end of the re-entry period. I have the 15k start stack, and it's not ideal to be swinging with. With four minutes to go, a pot comes up with a four way preflop all in. I have J2 offsuit and whilst I'm not scared to gamble, I'm not  total moron either so I fold.
The dealer who I know, is a nice guy, but is also not the world's slickest at pitching cards or working out pots. To my dismay it takes him almost the full four minutes to work out who wins what, and he pushes the final pot with just three seconds left, so we get no more hands in which I can gamble. The upshot is, I start level 9 on 15k. We're at 500/1000/100, and 143/318 remain.

People dropping out thick and fast. I make a small raise with AJ and the Frenchman on my left jams. If I call and lose I'll have about 1400 left. I don't mind taking the big flip, but as said before, I'd far rather be the one shoving than calling, so I let it go and wait for a better spot.

I feel like I find the better spot when I jam 11k on a J73 flop with J 10. The guy with KJ doesn't fold, and neither does the one with 77. Out on level 10 again, after a frustrating table move. Minimal collateral damage, so exit and get ready to rip back into it on day 1C. 

Off we go once again dear reader.

After yesterday's cash in the $1100, I was too late to reg for the next scheduled event which was a $300 rebuy. Instead I had a nice meal, hung out with a pal, saw (another) movie, and managed to misplace one of my phones, which is somewhat inconvenient. It's still on the missing list, so let's hope the little rascal resurfaces soon.

Plodding on the first table with a few familiar faces sat around me. This should be a popular event, currently this early we have 167 players already.

​I'm talking it up as I know the audience, and I've bluffed a few and caught some good cards. My 15k start stack is already up to 34k. Good stuff.

Proof that sometimes talking and winning with shitty cards beats being a robot and waiting for good ones. Just found KK and lost a small pot to A8 offsuit. Lovely.

Table vibe has changed a bit. I'm still chatting away and getting a few laughs. Just added to my stack with AhQh versus a girl who pretty obviously had AK and it flopped AdQd5s. She bet out and I raised huge. She then tanked, and said to me "I don't understand the bet". I had to stop myself from laughing out loud. Finally she called and I busted her. I love playing poker here.

I've peaked at 42k, and then dropped back to 37k after a stubborn hick made filthy trips versus my top 2. Tom Kitt from ireland and Dan Bland from England are now on the table too.

Or they were.
​Tom busted Dan AK vs 77. Levels are 30 minutes here so pretty fast. We just hit level 7. I've screwed down a little now as the line up is more solid. Again Ryan Laplante joins my table as a new entry. I've semi-bluffed my way back up to a healthy 48k. Average is 23k and currently player count is 175/273.

I'm on a heater. Have caught quite a few good hands and am also riding my luck and playing a lot of pots. I just busted a short stacked Ryan when I flopped two pair versus his JJ. On around 65k and building. I just mucked AQ to a 15k shove after raising to 2k. With deeper stacks I might dance around more but right now I'd rather raise with nothing than call with it.

​Next break. 63k. Out for some sunlight. 155/282.

Level 9 and registration is now closed. Final number for today was 299 players. I've squeaked in using just the one bullet for the day, but the structure and chip stacks around me show that a lot of people are now going into lemming mode, overbetting or shoving pretty light to either bust or build a stack. I've enough chips at 500/1000/100 so I don't need to be spewing off, so for now I'm content to let everyone else kill each other, and just play properly for the time being. A refreshing change I hear you cry.

​Seen some scabby play on the table, and am trying to avoid it. Just played one pot versus a serial non believer in the blinds. I couldn't make him put his A6 offsuit down and it cost me about 9k. Sigh.

​Just hit level 10 at 600/1200/200. I'm on 50k or so. Average is 40k and there are 112 players left.

Sigh. Just lost a huge pot with AK vs 99.
I limp, Tom Kitt makes it 5k to go with 26k or so behind. I jam to take the flip or get a fold. He decided to call and the flop comes out Q 10 5. Nice. Four more outs if a jack hits.
Turn pairs the 10. More outs. I need and ace, a king, a jack, or a queen to win.

​I get a three...and I'm chopped down to 19k. Those are the ones you need to win. Ho hum.

Shortly after I go from Hero to Zero, when I have A5 on an A24 flop. I get it in versus AQ and brick out. I was going great and then got smashed to bits, that's the way it goes sometimes. On to 1B. If I play how I did today then I'll be happy enough. I just needed the result I never got, and sometimes...quite often in fact, that's just the way it goes.

​Motored on over to the V for the 11am start for day 2. Not my ideal stack but with 30+ big blinds I'm not too fussed right now, still a long way to go. Two bust outs already so on me plod.

New players on the table and I think I have the chip leader on my immediate left on around 300k.
​Which is fun. I think the cool kids call that "being polarized". I call it bloody inconvenient.

I just flopped bottom pair (54s) and a gutshot on a 478 board. I went away to the chunky flop bet. I think some of the experts would get busy there, but long term plays like that aren't for me with this stack at this stage. On around 50k.

​35 players left, 24 pay.

I have the 12pm $300 rebuy event today pencilled in on my trip schedule, and if the worst happens here of course I'll be playing it. For now I'll focus on trying to win this damn thing.

Chip leader on my left just got aces and added another 120k or so to his stack. What a tough life he's having. Level just went up to 1200/2400/400.

Nice kid, Lawrence from my table yesterday is here, but short. He jams his last 40k with 77, and the chip leader busts him with JJ, flopping a jack for good measure. Sometimes it's your day and all you need to do is turn up and get paid. Sorry to see Lawrence go, more people like that are needed at live poker tables. 31 left and it's getting expensive. Time to start rowing for home.

Just had a dance with the Devil in a blind vs blind scenario. Small blind raised me and I flatted with A9. Flop A23. Lovely. He bets 5k and I call. Turn King, he bets again and I stuff it in, he looks pained and finally calls me with....A2. Shit.

"Don't worry", I tell the table. "I always chop these."

​3 hits on the river and we chop aces and threes with a King. Huzzah. 29 players left.

I'm on 40k or so and the bubble approacheth. I'm not someone who tries to cling on into the money and then have no chips once I get there, but I'm not on a suicide mission either. Basically with this stack if the hand comes up I go with it, if it doesn't, I don't. Pretty simple stuff.

​A four way pot on a 924 flop and a beard decides to bet out. I've limped 1010 and I stick it right up him...he quickly folds. Shortly after i get it in with AK versus AK and we chop. I'm back to 55k again.

A short stack on my table has survived three all ins. He was on a measly 13k, and on the final shove he cracked KK to now be sitting on about 70k. Stupid game.

I'm seeing some pretty questionable moves around me, but quite a few guys have a shedload of chips so they can afford to splash about. For me at the moment it's nuts and bolts and get paid if the opportunity arises, there'll be time for swinging and chimpology soon enough.

We've been on 26 players for an age and it's painful for me to endure. Steve Burr one of my buddies who deals just sat down. He's a great guy but if you have to believe in such things as players having an "unlucky" dealer, then this guy is mine. I'd rather just sit out now if possible until he leaves :o)

Ten minute end of level break, and I'm outside catching some sun. I'm one of the (very) shorter stacks. If I wasn't it wouldn't be any fun now, would it?

Back from break and it's 2k/4k/500 and the cost is starting to bite. I've been card dead and it's getting opened early a lot. I'm not liking this at all.

Something's gotta give, so let's go.

It's costing me 11k a round to play, and I have like...30. I find AsJs and decide this is the time to get going. A guy who barely has me covered, calls me and flips AQ off. I tell him. "I apologise in advance for what`s about to happen."

I flop the nut flush, and turn a Jack for good measure. Woohoo. Nice to be me. I`m back to 65k. We lose a player on a different table, and... as MC hammer once said...

A pretty quick affair and before I know it we`re in the money. I guess it pays to be patient. second event of the trip and we have a cash, and can now start being more creative as we reach 22 players.

A few rapid bustouts on the other table and a small money jump. We're down to 20 with a redraw at 18 players. For now I'm chugging on a healthier but still sub-par 60k.

A weird Twilight Zone moment just came up. We have gone to 2500/5k/500. I just found QQ and made it 9500. The chip leader makes it 25k. I fold. The table can't believe it, and a few people reading won't understand it either. I could just leave that bit out of print and move on, but I'm right. It's as simple as that.

My questionable fold has made me shorter, and shortly after I limp versus an Asian aggressive kid who makes it 11k. I jam 31k with 99 and he ponders and gives me the treatment.

"Ok, now I want you to call" I say. He asks wy, and I tell him it's because he has one overcard.
He looks puzzled and calls (he has a lot of chips) flipping over A6 offsuit. I get the full double up. Shortly after I find JJ and win another small one.

18 players left and I'm on my tournament peak of 115k. Feeling sharp.

The guy who smashed my aces to bits with JJ just came to the table, and lost with 99 vs A2. He's grumbling about outdraws, and I bite my lip rather than remind him that he's had his share of getting it in bad and winning. It wouldn't be a classy retort.

17 players left and although there are some big and dangerous stacks, but we're finally at the stage where I can use a bit of feel and flair. I raise with 52 and take one down, and another on the button to keep my stack healthy on about 90k.

Thanks to all the lovely people for messages, comments, whatsapps etc. I don't get bogged down in it much, what with updates, and trying to win the tournament and all, but it's still nice to get nice messages. Who doesn't love that stuff?

​Still 17 handed. Some weak players on the table. A 50k pot got checked all the way after the flop and 10 high just beat 7 high.

We've just hit 13 players, 4k/8k/1k blinds, and we are now at one hour levels instead of 40 minutes. I've been moved to the other table where I'm easily shortest stack. Time for the run good fairy to pay me a visit. Hopefully it isn't too late.

You all know what that means.

I found the right spot and stupidly shoved my last 32k in with 33. The guy with 10 5 offsuit wasn't folding, and he flopped a ten and rivered a five to reward his hand selection choices.

No complaints. 12th place out of 235 players for $2,876. It wasn't easy going today but I feel pretty tuned in and good about my game. Onto the next one, which is most likely the $250 day 1A tomorrow. Thanks for the words and support x

Let's load up this son-bitch and give it another go then.

This morning we are currently playing 6-handed, with mostly familiar faces at the table. A few pots of 5-8k in the first 20 minutes but I'm not seeing anything worth getting involved with yet so am letting everyone take shots at each other. I'm sure I'll get my chance soon enough.

So far 75 entrants. Our table is joined by CardPlayer owner and WSOPE former champ Barry Shulman, with whom I've played plenty over the years. One guy at the table is already short and jams with A2, gets called by KK, the board runs out 88AA3 for maximum knife-twisting pain.

I've won a few small pots, then lost two versus Shulman. I normally know where I am with him, of course he has the money to play a thousand of these things, but he tends to overbet and overplay everything in my experience, making the pots overly expensive. I get away cheap and am on 16k as we hit level 3.

I always find the mindset of people in poker fascinating. Of course everyone plays for different reasons and can do what they like, but often their comments reveal a ton about their personality or their approach to not just poker, but life. A pot just came up where one kid raised and was called, the flop came 245 and the raiser bet out, only for the other guy who had 99 to jam on him. At the time there was about 1200 in the pot preflop, and after the flop the all in shove was about 5k. The first bettor reluctantly called tabling 75 offsuit, which lost. All standard stuff, but for me the interesting bit was that when the 75 looked pained, called, and flipped his hand, Barry said "in a bounty tournament that's an automatic call", like it really was the most natural thing in the world. I couldn't disagree with this logic more, though as I say everyone's opinion can be different.

Barry just went spiralling out after playing too many hands aggressively, and finally shoving with A5 off.

Almost at the first break and I'm back to 15k starting stack. 90 starters and 77 remain currently. Yesterday was a long slog but sometimes with tournaments you just have to strap in and see where it takes you. They're hard to win within the first hour, though I've seen plenty of people try.

​Break time. 17k. Off for some sun.

Back from the break and we kick off with a 3 way all-in preflop. JJ vs 1010 vs KJ offsuit. I really am playing in a different event I think...

​Just found aces and managed to not lose with them. Up to 21k.

Nothing to report, everyone's swapping a few chips around. One man-mountain who might actually be the male model Fabio hiding behind welding mask sized shades is doing his best statue impression. The guy next to me is eating combination fried rice from Noodle Asia with chopsticks, and one slightly wild guy with beer-bottle glasses I've played with before just asked the dealer "how much is it?" when the guy to his immediate right threw out 1400, and announced "fourteen hundred." Baffling I know. 72 from 100 remain at 150/300/50 as we hit level 5.

Just made it 525 with JJ, and got raised to 1500 and reraised to 3500. In the bin, and we spent 10 minutes with the 1500 player deliberating and giving it the "will you show me if I fold?" treatment.

​No. He won't. And you're folding anyway.

Investors and casual observers will be overjoyed to know we're finally making money and can all plan our retirement. I just overjammed with AK vs JJ to get my stack up to 27k, and bust a guy collecting $300 for my efforts. Start picking out colour swatches for the Aston Martin upholstery guys.

On a nine high flop with two hearts, two guys got it in with Jh10h and 4h6h. A rivered four wins the pot. I said "wow...I can't believe your dogshit beat his dogshit." Sometimes when you're being ironic it slips through the net. I believe he took it as a compliment.

Level 6 and I've hit 34k thanks to some decent timing and a few good spots. I'll settle for it right now.

38k, making a semi hero call with second pair. Crazy "how much is it?" guy wins a massive three way pot with bottom set (222), and is probably on 80k. He'll keep.

A quick selfie of me rocking the Ferris Bueller wasitcoat with a wry smile and the giraffe vying for camera space. Just prior to the break I find KK vs 99 and win a decent pot, an ace on the turn slows us both down, but gets me up to a comfy 51k. 55 players left from 115.

Funny table dynamic now. Two French guys on the table, one I have seen before and he plays pretty horribly. Another newcomer just jammed 15k with KJ, was called by 99, rivered a flush, then complained he didn't stack the other guy for the $300 bounty! Sometimes people can say things in jest but I'm pretty sure he was being serious and doesn't know quite how crass his comment sounded. lol live poker...

Still hovering round 49k as we hit level 8. Average is showing as 35k. The KJ flush guy just got his aces decimated by 22 on a Q33 flop when he checked it and a 2 turned. it was 15 minutes ago and he's still in shock.

Shortly after we see a three way all in for around 45k allin preflop. KJ off vs 99 vs 88. 999 wins and I'm still wondering what planet some of these guys are on. Really.

Ker-ching. Just busted one of the Frenchies for another $300. Just over half today's buy-in recovered. Up to 59k. 43/121 left.

​Last level before dinner and we're at 400/800/100. Table has been filled with more new players and a few of them have 80k+ stacks. New learning curve.

Just coming up on the dinner break, and 32/124 are left (reg is still open). I'm on about 60k.

Squeezed in a little food on the break although 30 minutes is far from ideal in which to eat. Volcano shrimp and a pineapple basil Mojito helped while away the time.

Off we go again and we have been joined by Ryan LaPlante, who won a PLO bracelet this year. Seems a nice kid with a good temperament. I've lost one pot versus a beard who wasn't folding his KQ offsuit. Still on 60k or so, and we have 26 players left. My table breaks and again I'm looking at new faces.  

Cute quiet girl who played 1A on my table and jammed twice and busted is here. I finally got her smiling, though it cost me 3000 chips. Sorry, but I consider it a worthwhile expense. She probably has 130k or so today so is healthier than me.
We're 10 minutes from the last level of the day, still at 600/1200/200. I'm on 58k or so and haven't seen much action since I moved tables. That's fine, I'm not spewing chips either.

I've been pretty inactive for the final level of this (12), save one hero call with ace high versus a woman who doesn't seem too abundant in the humour department going by her demeanor. We are down to 18 players and are now on the final 6 hands before bagging up for the day. I'm on 65k, which isn't at the top tier of chip counts, but is ample to move and shake with once we return for day two in the morning.