At Norm and Bev’s Charity doo last week I can across a new gadget for all multi table poker players. It costs about the same as a decent mouse.

If you are used to playing X-box or play station this is the tool for you.

Wish someone would design something like this that could safely be thrown at the wall.

Day 39

Saturday 11th of July

Got trashed with Sirus1 (Lee Hope), Daddymac (Rich Sinclair) and others in the irish bar at new york new york. Celebrating their cash in the wsop

Day 40

Sunday 12th of July

Stayed in bed then joined Kev Leona and friends in the Asian restaurant in the Wynn. Went back to bed.

Day 41

Monday 13th of July

Played the 5k main event at the Venetian. Struggled to get going and floated around with my starting stack of 25k all the way to level 6.

The blinds at 300/600 I then get it all in with JJ v QK. Flop is A J 7, a 3 on turn obviously a ten on the river. I say well done and well played (followed by the odd profanity). Go get lashed with Kev and Leona in the Palazzo.

While taking my frustration out on the craps table Kev is sent over to bring me back. He joines me in a mini syndiacte instead and we win 13k between us.

Hmmmmmm starting to feel a little better…………………………..

Thursday 9^th of July

Basically spent most of it in my room feeling sorry for myself.

I decided to play cash for the rest of the trip but after going to the Venetian and throwing away $1500 I realised I was in no mood to play. I think I will take a break and use the rest of the trip as a Holiday.

Went for Dinner with Kath and Enzo (Kila’s Auntie and Uncle). And had a quiet night.

Day 38

Friday 10^th of July

With the departure of the Ladbrokes staff it is left to me to help the remaining Ladbrokes players. We all met for breakfast and I arranged diner at Buzio’s in the Rio for the Lunch break. Ladbrokes were generously picking up the bill.

I discussed a few hands that had led to my demise with Nebuchad and I felt much better when he said I hadn’t done too much wrong.

Poker is different from most games. If you are good at golf or snooker your scores tell the tale. At poker results are not necessarily skill related. Sometimes the only way of knowing you can play is when your fellow players tell you.

By the dinner break we had unfortunately lost Yobenike and Emotivator, but the rest were going well.

I joined Kev and friends at the Palazzo and we had a few more drinks. Simon Zach was having one last gamble on the roulette and after a nice little win he has paid me into the Venetian $5000 on Monday with a 50/50 split.

Hmmmmmmm the trip may not be wasted yet.

Day 39 

Saturday 11^th of July

I was joined for breakfast by the remaining Ladbrokes players. Unfortunately Nebuchad had failed to get through. He is without doubt an immense talent and I am sure it is only a matter of time before he starts to produce some very big live results.

Joining me were Icepack, Daddymac, and Sirus1. I believe both Kidungar and Inorriiiss were also still in. The bubble will burst today and with 22k for those making the money I know the pressure was on. I just wish I was joining them.

By the dinner break all the players had unfortunately been knocked out. However I am very pleased to say all made the money and a great achievement by all.

Sirus1 and Daddymac joined me and Kila for many many a pint in the Irish bar at New York New York. Needless to say tomorrow will be another write off.

Last post for now.

With the exit of the Ladbrokes qualifiers it feels that my trip is nearly over. Thanks to a very Generous Simon Zach I will be playing the Venetian main event Monday, however I am taking a rest from blogging until my return to the UK. Thanks for all the people who have been reading over the last 5 or so weeks. Shame there was no happy ending but heres hoping I have a story to tell upon my return.

All those attending Norm and Bev’s charity event, I will see you there.

SKAL

It may not have come across in last blog but………

Admittedly I played one hand obviously bad. (FFS if you repeat that to me after admitting it,  I may swing for you.) The nasty re-raise with the 66. Of course this was mistake, and without a doubt a skalie moment.

In my defence (not that i should need to give one, but I feel obliged, due to the support) it was the only hand he could call with. I am a cock for not spotting it earlier and vanity played a part.

However I had a good stack left and cannot honestly say one way or the other whether it was coolers or bad play that saw the rest go. I wish I knew. If i knew I had played badly I could do something about it.

I always say I would rather play my chips off that take badbeats.

WHY?

Because you learn nothing from badbeats. If you fuck up at least you learn summut. You may do it again, but generally less often. Just learn, eventually the shit kicks in.

I wish I had some bad beat stories to tell but the fact is;

1) I was not playing as well as I can

2) sometimes its the way it goes.

3) I will be fucking back!!!!!!

Fuck em all, I’ll get ya in the end!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day 2 of the main event and 2900 return. I was 21^st (someone told me) overall after all 4 day 1’s. I was pleased to see no large stacks on the table and was feeling confident.

Blinds are 250/500 and a guy in 2^nd position raises my big blind to 1200. This seems a little fishy and when it’s folded to me I look down and see pocket jacks. He has around 30k and I want to see where I am so make it 3500. He instantly pushes and I throw them away. (I later find out he’s French. He re-raises me later with KJ and runs into somebody’s queens, who knocks him out. I had A 9 and wudda got em both, doh! I wonder whether I should have called, but in retrospect I am sure I was 50-50 at best.)

I limp in with 54 of clubs and the button raises to 1300. It is obvious he hasn’t seen my limp when the blinds fold and I make the call. The flop is 3 6 J with 1 club. I check and he bets out 2500. He has around 18k back so I make it 9k to call with the intention of calling his all in. He does indeed go all in with AJ and I make the call. A two on the turn and he’s drawing dead. He films the whole thing on his mobile phone, pretty sure it will end up on youtube at some point.

On my table was an old guy. Normally you would expect the older generation to be quite steady and tight. They have been around a long time and really don’t want to risk all gambling. Beware of the wolves in sheep’s clothing, this guy made Tom Dwan look like a bigger rock than Womble. When he was re-raising early on I assumed he was hitting cards. It was apparent he was at it a lot when people looked him up and he quickly folded.

Up to about 170k and the blinds are 300/600 someone makes it 1700 and I re-raise to 5800 from the small blind with AQ, he calls. The flop is J 9 7 all spades. I have the Ace of spades and I consider betting out but check instead. My opponent had over 100k and I didn’t want re-raising off this nor did I want to make a big move. He bets out 9k and I call. The turn is a Jack of clubs and we both check. The river is a blank and I have to fold to his river bet. A set back but no disaster.

I then call an 1800 raise with 66. Two more call and we see a flop of 3h 7h 7d. It’s checked to me and I bet 6k. The button calls and the initial raiser makes it 17k. Now I am pretty sure the button has a heart draw. He had shown his eagerness to re-raise with made hands so I was sure he would fold. The other guy could be trying to find out where a big pair is. I am sure the only hand than can continue to a re-raise is pocket 3’s. I make it 30k more to go and indeed the button folds. (He later told me he had nut flush draw) The other guy moves all in and it’s around 45k more to call. I obviously can’t call. I am down to 107k. Still a great stack but feeling a little hurt. The guy eventually informed me he had pocket 3’s. Oh well, at least I got something right.

It’s the diner break and I am glad to get out of there. I am tempted by a bag of “Jack links Beef Jerky” (one of this years sponsors) but I had tasted it on the first day, you need to be very, very hungry for this stuff. The bag said new and improved flavour; god knows what it tasted like before.

I get aces soon after I return and with the blinds 400/800 I make it 2500 to go. Only the big blind calls and the flop is Kc Jc 8d. He checks and I bet 5000. He calls and the turn is an ugly queen. He checks as do I. The river is a harmless 6 and he checks again. I value bet for 7k and he calls. He mucks his cards and I am starting to feel better with around 125k.

This was to be the last I hand I would win. A succession of missed draws were taking there toll. I was picking up nothing. Three times more I pick up pocket 6’s and see a paired board each time. I try to take all but one down and fail every time.

I am trying not to get involved to much and pass AJ twice in position to a raise, yet I keep getting hands in the blinds like 99 and 10J suited. The raises are never enough to not price me in. To make it worse I keep catching enough to leak more chips. The 10 J suited was Qs Kc 8c flop. I call the flop bet and the turn is the king of spades giving me an outside royal flush draw. I obviously miss the lot.

I get 99 on the button and call a raise. The flop is 8 high 2 hearts. I re-raise the continuation bet, he calls. The turn is the ace of hearts and I need to pass to his bet.

Blinds at 400/800 the cut off makes it 2000 to go. The button calls and for 1200 more I decide to see the flop. It come 3 8 9. The raiser bets 4k and the button passes. I call, and the turn is a 4. I call an 8k bet. The river is a queen, I check and he checks. He has k9. Not great play by me, I was not reading things well. It felt more likely he was bluffing than flopping top pair.

The day was running very similar to yesterday. I start very well and then hit a brick wall the difference today would be things never turned back around.

With around 68k left the blinds at 400/800 and a running ante there is a raise of 2300, 2 people call and it’s just 1500 to see a flop. I have J4 of diamonds and I call. It’s a 10k pot and I hope to flop a miracle. I have no intention of losing anymore chips even with top pair. The flop is Jh 8d 4h. I have top two and back door flush. I check and the initial raiser bets 6k. The button calls and I make 20k to go. The raiser folds and the button asked what I have. It’s Tom Dwan’s great grandfather again. (not really, but who knows) I say 47k, he declares all in. Now I don’t like it but surely he’d raise the other guys bet with a set on this board. He doesn’t want flush draws getting in cheap here. I decide it’s more likely he has a draw or over pair and my 2 pair is good, so call. Unfortunately he has pocket 8’s and they stand up.

That is it for this year. Still here till the 16^th so I will be playing cash and a few events at the Bellagio. My diary will continue till then.

This is a customer announcement

Due to unforeseen circumstance Skalie’s blog will not appear for day 37. Probably due to a fierce hangover.

Normal service will return in a couple of days.

First some post main event. From day 34.

After the main event finishes for the day it’s a quick drink at Hookers b……. I mean Shutters bar in the Rio. The queue for taxi’s was obviously obscene so it was worth waiting a while, besides its become tradition to swap badbeat stories and find out how others are still doing.

Katharine was there and she assured us she wasn’t working. Marty Wilson wins the BadBeat story of the night. Not that there is a prize but I he did tell enough people about it. In fact he repeated it several times the following night too. Actually he ain’t shut up about it so to appease him I will post it here. I am sure it won’t be an accurate portrayal of what happened, these stories often get mixed up when relayed. Anyway no doubt Marty will alter it several times before he’s bored of telling it.

A guy raises and Marty re-raises with pocket sixes. Guy calls. The flop is K33. Guy bets and Marty raises. Guy calls and turn is a blank. Guy checks, Marty Bets, guy calls. River another 3. Guy checks Marty moves all in and has Guy covered. Guy turns over his hand and said “I can’t be winning”, showing AK. “You have aces”, he said. The dealer passes the pot to Marty and Marty throws his cards to the dealer. At which point Guy says “CALL”. They ask for a ruling. The pot is awarded to Guy but he receives a 1 round penalty. Marty obviously upset as everyone felt that Guy had folded.

(The Guys name was not Guy, don’t think so anyway as he was Chinese, I just used guy as a convenient pseudonym.)

Kila, Marios, Norm and Bev had been drinking at O’Shea’s and I got a taxi over to meet them. Dragging Mick McClosky and the Devilfish with me. (Later joined by Steve Mills and the boys). Needless to say this wasn’t the Fish’s kind of establishment and he soon left for the Bellagio for a nose bleed high stakes Omaha Game.

Day 35

Nick Gibson called and said he was in Caesars playing the $1000 deepstack. I met him and decided to play some 2/5 cash. His main event had not gone so well and had in fact turned him back onto the cigarettes. (Damn things, need to give em up myself)

Took a few beats and coolers and finally called it a day 700 down after getting it in with the nuts. I had 89 on a boars of 3c 6s 7c 5c board only for the river to bring in the jack of clubs. I thought I’d won for a second till someone pointed out my opponents 96 were both clubs too. “Oh you lucky bastard!” I said. Though to be fair he had a big hand. Best to get the beats over today I suppose.

We met up with Norm and Bev and to discuss the forthcoming event at their house and then went for diner at Smith and Wollensky’s with Steve and Jeannie. Joining us tonight was Kath and Enzo from Italy. Kila’s Aunty and Uncle.

Norm and Steve argued over which wine to order and most of us ordered a steak. Our table was called the chef’s table with a view of the Kitchen through the large glass wall. Basically we could see them washing the pots.

Not the best steak of the trip but still pretty good and with the night was as great as the company.

Steve entertained us with stories he’d heard from well known celebrities. One was when Michael Parkinson was invited to Elton Johns boat in Australia. He’d………………….hmmmmm better not repeat that.

The other was when some Liverpool football players were at a hotel in…………………Ok maybe I shouldn’t say that one either. However they were ever so funny, and slightly cruder than I expected from Steve Davis I can tell ya!

Monday 7^th Of July

It’s day 1d of the WSOP Main event. And today I play.

Woke up early and just could not get back to sleep. Decided to join Steve for breakfast in the Augustus café downstairs before heading over to the Rio.

With a 30,000 starting stack and two hour clock there would be plenty of play. You cannot win this thing on day one so there is no point trying. My goal is just to make day2. I would stay tight and only play premium hands. I won’t mix it up or get jiggy.

YEAH RIGHT!

Early on in the level 1 with the blinds at 50/100. I raise to 300 with pocket 10’s. The button calls and the small blind re-raises to 1000. I call and so does the button. We see the flop of 10 7 7. Lovely, I knew I’d start getting my sets sooner or later. The raiser bets out 2000 which I flat call as does the button. (Slobber!) The turn is an 8 and it’s checked to me. I wipe the saliva from my chin and bet out 5000. Just the button calls. The river is a queen. Not a great card but I’d have to be very unlucky if he’s holding QQ. I bet out 7000 more and he calls. He mucks his hand and said well you either had it or you didn’t. I couldn’t ask for a better start.

There is a raise to 300 and with a few chips behind I decide I’m gonna see some flops. (like that made a difference) The board is Kh 9s Jd and its checked to me. I take a free card and the turn is a tasty looking 9d. However a bell was ringing in my head. What hand would not bet out at this flop. The nut straight maybe, or even a set. The guy was no rock. Indeed he was the re-raiser from the hand listed above. He bets out 400 and I just call. The river is a 3 of diamonds and he immediately bets 2000. Now I may be ahead but frankly I doubt it. The diamond on the river didn’t seem to register on him. If he didn’t already hold the nuts surely it would slow him down. I could easily be chasing a flush draw, after all he has no idea how tight I am. I pass quickly showing the 9 and said, “your full house is good.” He thought about showing and then mucked his cards. Whether I was right or not, and I am sure I was, if I’m not happy in a hand I am going to fold. Nobody else on the table knew either if it was a good fold either. I like to think this would let know I was reading the game well, making them nervous about taking me on. Today at least. )

I  pick up pocket kings and raise to 300. I get one caller. The flop is 9 T 3 with two diamonds. I bet 500 and get re-raised to 1300. I call and the turn is the 6 of diamonds. Worried he may have made the flush I check and he checks behind. The river is the 2 of diamonds. I check and he bets 2000. A made flush would probably bet the turn so I figure he was bluffing when raising the flop. He was but he has the jack of diamonds and had hit runner runner a flush. DOH!

A new guys joins us late and he immediately gets busy raising constantly. With the blinds and 100/200 he makes it 550 in my big blind. I call with Q9 off suit. The flop is Kh 9d 5h. I check and he bets 1000 which I call. The turn is 2 of clubs. I check he checks. The river is the ace of hearts. I check and he bets out 4000. A big river bet. Now the ace brings 3 to the flush. My reasoning is this players style would mean he would almost certainly bet the turn if he was drawing to hearts. So I don’t think he has the flush. I on the other hand look as if I may be chasing hearts so I doubt he bets if the ace has hit him. I conclude I am ahead and make the call with 3^rd pair. He huffs and puffs and throws his cards in.

I get Q9 of spades next hand. The whole hand plays out almost exactly as the one above and again I make the call with 3^rd pair to a different player. He obviously wasn’t paying attention.

It’s 30 minutes into level 2 and I have close to 70k in chips. With the blinds at 100/200 it is folded round to the small blind who makes up the extra 100. I check with 53 of diamonds and the flop comes 3 5 7, two hearts. He bets 300 which I make 800. He thinks before just calling. The turn is a black 2. He checks I bet 2000, again he ponders before calling. The river is a black 6 and again he checks to me. I check too. This guy is in his 60’s, he is a complete calling station and totally unbluffable. I check and he flips over 63 of hearts for a rivered 2 pair, beating my two pair. It was a cooler, he had a big draw and I doubt I go away in his situation. This however starts a run of coolers. I keep flopping top pair with 2^nd kicker against top pair and top kicker. I flop nut flush draws and miss. I flop straight and flush draws and miss. I hit trips and run into made full houses. Before I know it I am down to around 37k.

I then get a little run of cards. AA but no callers. Very next hand, KK but no calls. The very next hand after that I get AK, I raise and get 1 caller. The flop is Ace high. I bet he calls. The turn is and ace, I check hoping he tries to steal, he just checks, damn it. The turn is a harmless 8, I bet and he just calls with AQ. How did he get away with that.

I then start catching cards again. I raise with 78 of spades and get a call from a guy who’s just determined to beat me. The flop is 7h 7c 6c, lovely. I bet out he calls. I pray for the 8 of clubs hoping he has the flush draw and BANG there it is on the turn. I bet small hoping for a re-raise he just calls. The river is a blank and again I bet, this time bigger. I doubt he will re-raise here regardless of what he has but a made flush wont fold. Unfortunately he just passes but I am now up to 63k and its time for the diner break.

The place is bedlam. Over 2900 played today, indeed Harrahs had to turn 800 or so players away through a lack of space. Getting to the restaurant was a nightmare. Luckily we had pre-booked. The Devilfish joined us and was very generous enough to pick up the bill.

I return to the Amazon room and the blinds are 150/300 with a running 25 ante. I soon picked up QJ of diamonds under the gun. I limp in and its folded all the way round to the small blind who makes up the extra 150, the big blind checks. The flop is Kd 10s 8d. I have an outside straight and flush draw. The small blind checks and the big blind (the calling station from before) bets out 600. I could re-raise here but if I miss I commit too much. Besides this guy is ripe to pay me off. I haven’t won a pot off him and I am so over due. I just call and the turn is the ace of hearts giving me the nut straight. He bets out 2300. I raise to 5800 and he pushes all in for another 30,000. Delicious I call hoping he has no outs. He turns over QK for the second pair and inside straight draw and can only chop. The river is a blank and I am now sitting on a stack of over 100k. CMON!

I begin to bash the table and get myself up to around 120k. I must be top 10 stacks in the room yet they still manage to find someone (Joe Saunders, seems steady, look out for him) with more chips to bring to the table. He seems to be happy to stay out of my way but this slows me down. Although we tangled in a couple of pots neither of us were going to war.

It’s the last level and the blinds are 200/400 with a running ante of 50. I then get QQ in early position and make it 1200 to go. The rock to my left makes it 3000. It is folded to me and I cautiously make the call. The flop comes Jack high. I check and he bets out 5000. He has around 25k back. Normally in this situation I’d be happy to set someone all in. I’d still be in great shape if I lost with close to 100k. However, this guy had been tight all day. I said I will fold and show you a big hand, if I do, will you turns your cards over? He agreed and I showed my Queens. He turned over his aces and I’d dodged a pretty big bullet. Phew!

I finished up on 135k and am in excellent shape for day 2b. I cannot play better than this and if I can take my form into day2 and hot a few cards I really fancy going deep again.

Sunday 5^th of July

Was obviously late to rise after the Ladbrokes party. Tried watching the Tennis final but fell asleep. Obviously missed possible the greatest match in history. DOH!

Monday is my main event day so I am planning to take things easy tonight.

The problem is Padraig Parkingson is getting married to his long suffering girlfriend Veronique. I hear it was a spur of the moment thing.

Now I am not going to the ceremony, I am going to the evening drinks. This didn’t stop Kev from phoning asking me to arrange the Limo.

“Get it for 3.15pm mate”

“Are you sure, 3.00pm is better in case the strip is busy”

“Ok 3.00pm”

I book it for 3.00pm and he calls and said “no, no, 3.15pm they don’t want to hang around”

OK, so I change it to 3.15pm

Phone rings again “No, no, make it 3.00pm again”

Sigh! I call back and by now they cannot find the booking. Sure they cancelled it after all the pissing about. The girl kindly rebooked a new one for 3.00pm. Not before she tried to book it from the entrance of Caesars and not the Bellagio. I was not confident that things would run smooth and God knows how many limo’s they will charge me for. I told Kev to ring me at 3.00pm to let me know all was ok. He obviously forgot.

Padraig Has his hair down all special for the occassion

One such guy was a man called Scoaff. He used to run the WSOP in the old days and knew all the famous gamblers of old. I could listen to his stories all night. Good to hear them from someone who was actually there and not the exaggerated ones we read about. Shame I cannot repeat them here. One for legal reasons and two cos I got too drunk to remember them.

Also got talking to a friend of Simon Zach’s an ex-BOXER. Turns out he lives in my mum’s old street in Blackpool. The guy who bought my mums old house has rented it out to two tagged ASBO’s, and they are causing havoc on the street. I decided to go back and talk to Scoaff GULP!

When I return to Blighty Norm and Bev are hosting a charity event in their home in aid of meningitis. While I was there I took the opportunity to harass any members of staff from online poker sites. Ladbrokes have already generously donated £1000 toward the cost of a marquis and a Killarny package.

DTD are giving us a seat to their £1000 Monte Carlo event. Johnny from 888 has pledged 10 online packages and Warren from Party poker something equivalent. Finton Gavin has kindly donated a weekend in Galway. (Great place I assure ya!) Julian Gardener will arrange a trip to Old Trafford (Can’t believe I have to write that name on this site. I thought the only way I would do that was to gloat the place had burnt down). Steve Davis is arranging behind the scene tickets to a major snooker event of the winners choice.

Marty Smyth has donated 2.5% of his poker Million entry. Now the face value of this is $500 however considering in the last 3 years he finished 1^st, 2^nd and Sixth it may gather a great bit of interest. For that reason it will be auctioned. (Marty secretly wants to know what it would get too!)

 Despite my best efforts it was 3am before I got away.

Just to let you know I finished day 1 with 135k. Way above average and rough estimates put in in the top 30 overall.

Played the best poker I can and will blog some hands here tomorrow.

Many friends and players still in but notable mention to Simon Zach on over 100k after being down to just 14k in level 4. Goes to show, dont panic and you are never out of contention.

Thanks for good wishes text messages for those with my number but I can’t keep replying to them guys. At this rate I will need to get 5th just to pay the bill.

Saturday 4^th of July

Independence day. When all the Americans celebrate their Liberation from the tyranny of the Great British Empire. They don’t know what they are missing.

There will be firework displays all over the city however we won’t get to see one. Why?

Cos is the Ladbrokes leaving party in the Shadow bar. Fireworks are cool but free booze will always win the day.

It may have taken me 32 days but I finally had a brainwave. I would not take too much money out with me if I’m drinking. Why didn’t I think of that when I got here. It worked not a craps game all night.

It was a pretty good spread with Tiger Prawns and fancy smancy dips everywhere. It was like a lardy-dar wedding but without the voulevants and chicken legs. (How the hell do you spell vol-u-vonts, you know them mini pastry things you get the mushroomy stuff in. Answers below please.)

Strangely Leona never made it out, she was pooooooly. Surprise, surprise!

So the Ladbrokes Vegas trip comes to a close again and many of the qualifiers are returning home tomorrow. I am sure they all had a great time and I will see many again next year.

As for me, my WSOP main event starts Monday and I am here till the 16^th of July. This blog will continue till then.

I won’t be drinking while I am still in it so I hope most of the posts will be poker related, sorry!