Born 30 something years ago into a card-playing clan in the North of England: the low-roller's poker odyssey has taken him from the school common-room via down-trodden Midlands' casinos, smoky Cotswolds pubs, celebrity Soho drinking spots and of course the ubiquitous world of cyberspace to the home of poker itself, Las Vegas. Join his search for juicy take-downs, great pot odds and the occasional back-door straight as he goes for glory.
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Friday, August 15, 2008
Must Do Better
Yes, this is me apologising to you for not writing for far too long. The navel has been gazed, the smoking has continued with no quantum of solace, UNTIL.....08 08 08 a momentous day when an Olympic decision was made to put it to bed once and for all. The result is I'm feeling great, still playing poker but less addictively and more effectively. This week I've been watching videos near Henley, spending time with a man called Barry who's no longer with us but his legacy lives on - www.barrylong.org will give the curious an idea. I've played poker twice this week, once from the comfort of my car as thunder, hail and rainbows saw me play perfect Omaha for just under an hour - the result: I lost $500 with equanimity. Luckily I had just received my monthly rakeback of $550, so $50 profit...or not.....I flop the nut flush, he has the straight flush, I'm shafted and so it went on. Unphased I returned to the tables later that evening after another hour with Barry with my mind set on some righteous payback - the alternative was celebrating a birthday with a thousand teenagers at the house in which I'm staying half-an-hour's drive away in Oxford. Back on the Omaha tables I made my $500 back and signed in for a Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Low Eight or better tournament, $75 to enter with eighty-five other runners.....Three hours later we were down to the bubble....ten players left with nine getting paid ($150 upwards). I'd been playing well and was leading by a fair margin.... One hour later we finally eliminated a player to get to the final table. I'd played well but no longer had the lead..... Twenty minutes later I'd regained the lead by which time we'd knocked out six of the nine players. Third would win $840, 2nd $1140, 1st $1920. This is the most important stage of any tournament - you have to convert these - my ratio at this stage is good and one hand later the point was proven. I dealt with the last two offenders in one fell swoop, very satisfied if not somewhat cheated as I'd bypassed the whole heads-up phase of relentless bluff-glorious bullying. Still I was not complaining. I'll give you the hand in due course for those wanting an education in the vagaries of Hi-Lo action. Right now it's bed and Barry again tomorrow. Thanks to you loyal readers who've been checking for updates. Bob, your jigsaw is next...I've done all my other orders and have saved the best for last. Andy great that you've enjoyed the diary so far - thanks for your comment too it means a lot to hear especially after my muppetry in Vegas and the ensuing blues that has been my diet for a few weeks now. 08 08 08 has dispelled all that - JOYOF6 is back: check my home-page for clarification. James and all you others I can promise you there's more in store.....adios amigos.
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