This Game Does Funny Things To You

Check out this screenshot. This happened to me last night. I have nothing to say... lol.

Screenshot

Dumb Luck

So, I decided to take part in PartyPoker's $5000 freeroll on Wednesday night and I was surprised at how fast the action was. I was expecting it to be quite slow with not nearly as many people showing up that signed up, but our table was actually full of active players. The funny thing was, that they were far to aggressive so me and a player a few seats away from me just started knocking them off like crazy.

One of the first hands we played, a guy goes all in after the initial betting. A guy calls him with pocket 10s. The guy that initially went all in, had pocket Ks. Flop comes 3 - 10 -7. Next two don't help him either with an 8 - Q. Must've been like 2 hands into the tournament and he was already gone.

Next couple hands down, a guy got a bit over zealous and went all in on his 3 - 10... lol. And guess what he lost to? a Q high. I couldn't believe some of these all-ins.

Later on, after we'd had a nice cycle of players come and go I was sitting comfortably 2nd in chips. Another guy with pocket As goes all in. The guy opposite me, who was leading in chips at that point calls him with a 9-10 suited. Flop comes down 8-J-Q. I couldn't believe it... this guy was definetely wearing the lucky horse shoe today. But I didn't realize just how lucky he was until the next hand...

I was dealt a 10 - Q club suited. After some initial betting, re-raising... it was me sitting at 2nd in chips and the guy that was 1st in chips left in the pot. I could tell this hand was gonna make or break one of us. Flop comes down 3 - 5 - J CLUBS! The guy throws down 500 chips and I immediately go all in with the flush. He calls and we throw down the cards and he's got three of a kind... 3 Jacks. 4th street comes up, 4 of hearts. The river shows it's ugly head and guess what it is?... yup... the last Jack.

F***

Ah well, it's a shame I had to go out on a hand like that, but I guess overall I had fun. I'm gonna try one of the satellite tournaments next week I believe, hopefully I'll have a bit better luck then.

Intro- Thomas Xavier

Hi.

Im Thomas Xavier and frequent 888.com's casino generaly in the caribbean poker tables due to the quick thrill factor and also because i have little to no patience.

James recently introduced me to vcpoker.com and so far i like it. So if you want a game i can be found at the hold'em tables in particular ''haunted gold'' or any of the $2/$4 dollar stake tables.

I have only been playing online for 2 months but when in France (I study in the UK) i gamble at the local casino's.

Preparation Pays Off

I decided to hit up PartyPoker.com for a bit of preparation for the $5,000 freeroll tournament I'm in tomorrow, and it paid off, in a nice way.

I decided to just try some low profile $25 buy-in NL Hold'Em. Things started off kind of strange. I folded the first two hands(being dealt 2/3 offsuit and 5/6 H), but it was the guy that was sitting opposite me(in theory) that made it strange. The first flop came, 10 - J - 4, and he simply checked. Other two players threw in 50cents and he called. Next card, 5. He suddenly bets 4 dollars, and one guy calls him. Last card: 8 of hearts. He goes all in. The other guy calls him in an instant. What did the guy opposite me have? a Q - 2 off suit. He didn't even have a flush draw, lol. The other guy won the pot with a pair of 10s. Fantastic.

So, he buys back in, he's down $25 at this point. Next hand I'm dealt pocket Kings. Guy opposite me makes a 5 dollar bet before the flop, so I figure he must have a nice hand, so I just call and wait for the flop. K - 2 - 3. Awesome. I make a 5 dollar bet and he raises me 10. I go all in and he calls me. The rest of the cards come up A - 8. We flop the cards down and what does my man have? A - 2 OFF SUIT. I killed myself at this point... guy is now down $50 within about 10 minutes of playing, I could hardly believe it.

I stayed at the table for about another 30 minutes, but people started dropping out after I started taking their money. The guy opposite me ended up losing again, but he quit after that... down $75 in total. I switched tables to a 6 man table, and ended up coming ahead $137.17($162.17 American total). Not bad for a $25 buy-in and a couple hours work.

Hopefully I can do the same tomorrow night.

Deja F-U

So i'm playing a satellite for tonight's $7,500 guaranteed (rebuy).

Main buy-in is $27 + $1.

Satellite is $3.15 + $0.32.

A-7 diamonds in the hole. Flop came 2-A-7. He Raises 160. I re-raise 160, he re-re-raises 160, i raise him the minimum once more. He raises 840, I raise all in. He shows a pair of twos in the hole.

At this point i was scared. The turn flopped a 7. YES! FULL HOUSE. Bye-bye to him.

Next hand, 4 people go all-in, pre-flop. K-Q, K-Q, A-4, 9-10. One person takes all with a pair of aces. Three gone in one hand. 5 left, the next one goes all in and loses to a straight. Fun being a spectator. Four left, and it's still level 1!!! 20/40! Absurd.

At this point i'm still being dealt crap cards left right and centre, while listening to an acoustic sheyrl crow song. Another one goes out, and it's three left. These two either side of me are the most boring crap players i've ever seen, ever. Raise, fold. Raise, fold. I was the only one giving any action.

I was getting nothing but crap cards. Then I get dealt a 10 J offsuit, the best cards i've had in the last 40 mins. I call. a 10-7-2 comes up on the flop. I'm sure neither of them has a 10. Frankly i'm tired of these two idiots, so I go all in. For once they both call. Me and another guy are eliminated by the guy with the most chips. With what hand?

Wait for it.........



A set of twos.








F***

'All in'

It was Fig's first time in a Casino and he was a little nervous. It was only my second time, but i'm Mister Confidence, so no problems there (although he says I was nervous when I met his fiancee).

On the way to the cardroom you pass the roulette and craps tables, and the PC betting game things, whatever they are. The female croupiers and bar staff are absolutely stunning! Walking past the roulette table I stopped to watch this guy betting. I had no idea what he was doing, but he was betting on like 70% of the table, so I stopped to watch. It landed on 36, which he had no chips on, and the girl sweeped all his chips into this hole on the side of the table.

Madness.

Anyway, so we get to the cardroom area, and people are sitting and standing all over the place talking about poker, so naturally we eavesdrop on some poker stories, hearing bad beats about a guy who went all in with ace king suited only to lose to some idiot with an ace 5 offsuit. We register for the tournie and then wonder what to do with ourselves for the next 20 minutes. So we decided to fire off questions at the cardroom staff!

The cardroom was were selling card protectors for £5, and I managed to nab one left over from the european championships (i'll put a pic up later). Talk about a tool for intimidation!

Armed with my shiny weapon of mass deception, I headed for the table I was drawn on, Table King, seat 7. When we were all ready to go there were only 5 people at my table, which kind of worried me. With only 1,000 chips I didn't really want to start at a short table. Luckily they moved us onto other tables, and I ended up in H 7 instead. I was sat next to this guy with glasses. He was a nice chap, and would go on to 'take me under his wing' for the night. And boy did I need it.

When the tournament started I realised we had no assigned dealer! And when it was deal time, the person on the left of the 'dealer' would shuffle, the person on the right of the dealer would cut the pack, and then the 'dealer' would deal. When it came to my turn to shuffle, I asked the person to my left to shuffle, because "I can't shuffle to save my life". With him shuffling, the guy to my right noticed my card protector. The side up was the side that said 'THE VIC'. He picked it up and had a look, then turned it over to read 'European Championships'. At first he looked startled and slightly taken aback (he was probably thinking 'shit', just what I wanted), but then he must have realised he looked scared so regained his composure and said 'that's very nice!' in a kind of 'I'm not scared of you' sarcastic manner, although he clearly was.

I could have gone along with it and pretended I was some hotshot poker player, but it was my first tournament in a Casino so I thought I could do with making some friends at this point, so I said: "yeah....cost me 5 quid", and that got the ball rolling! I was quite clumsy to start off with, even dealing the cards. The guys knew it was because of my first time, but when I got into the swing of things and was forcing people to fold, the guy to my right took a long hard look at me. I know he was wondering if I was hustling them.

I liked that. Maybe I will next time.

I realise now I must play 'lazy' when online, because it seemed I wasn't paying enough attention to the action before the flop, but I think it was just going too fast for a first timer*, because once as the big blind I folded instead of checked, but they let me off because I was the newbie.
* First timer in a Casino.

I brought my online play to the table, and had a lot of fun in doing so. I was tight, then loose, then tight again. I got AA in the hole and two people raised before me, I was in middle position. I raised all-in and 3 called, BAM lots of money to me. I guess it went to my head, because next found i had a fair hand, and was loosely raising and calling and didn't stop to think about what my opponent might have, and he took a chunk of my chips, which put me on the backburner, but I didn't go on tilt.

I won two further pots with a set of 8's each time, further along the line. I went all-in with one, and did a biggish raise with the other. I love going all in, the only thing that comes close to the fun I have going all in, is having lots of chips, and raising someone their exact amount of chips, with the clear intent of eliminating them from the game.

It was rebuy for the first hour, but I promised myself that rather than rebuy, i'd just come and play in next week's tournament instead. So I lasted the rebuy hour, and then half an hour more until this hand. I was dealt JJ, and was low on chips, so even though I knew it was a weak hand to go all-in with, I did so anyway, and was called by the guy opposite me, holding KK.

I was out.

It was a great experience, I met some nice guys who all learned my name (but I learned none), and I look forward to playing there again!

Best thing about Casinos? Free orange juice and sandwiches!

The morning after the night before

Enter the Fig

Well, we went, we saw and we live to fight another day!

After meeting up with Hak, we went onto the casino, total newbies to the scene. We registered for the tourney I drew table E seat 4. Well what can I say, the atmosphere was smoky but I had fun, oh my god, my plan as skecthy as it was, burnt into the smoky thin air when the game got going, seasoned pros on my table. Intimidation started to set in, I couldn't focus, first I was dealt only a £1000 in chips, £100 x 8 and £25 x 8 This threw me off totally, only being told half an hour before by Hak it was unlimited re-buys for the first hour, next the cards flopped onto the table, only ever use to online play and watching late-night poker I was under the impression that we would have someone to do it for us. I was wrong, I felt obligated to shuffle, my hands fell to pieces.

I have to say that whenever I have a 1000 left, I usually find myself on the way out. To start with 1000 was a new experience. The game started with 25/25 blinds. first hand a pair of tens, sweet I couldn't believe it, I try and remain composed and call. Another person raises, others fold, i call his 200, flop 2, 8, 2 two pairs no f***ing way. I check, he raises 500, crap, i look at him, my spider sense tingling, I announce, "I'm going to regret this, but I fold" I felt gutted, he showed me his cards as compensation, rocket pockets ppl! A, A. The only bright move I make all evening, I did win 1 round, but that was all.

Mr x to the right of me dealt, first hand in, fold after a raise. Mr y to the right also a newbie and first tournament, lets just say that beginners luck was on him he played a Qc and 3s Ks Kd Qs fell, he called the raise, 9s he called again, Js, no one is none the wiser at this stage, he goes all in, he says, "I'm going to regret this i'm going out" he showed me his cards and I concurred. I felt a higher spades was on the table, 3 people left, Mr U, pair two pairs Q's and K's Mr x, Q's and 9's, Mr U - spades flush, he raked in over 1,500.

Next round, dealt a K and 7 off suit, 600 chips left, I fold on the raise, the flop goes down, K, K, 7
I wanted to be sick, I was dealer, I guess its a good thing i didn't call, since my shuffling was something left to be desired.

After folding 5 times in a row, I felt that the hand I was in was worth playing, straight in with a raise A, J suited. But the game skips my move, and I'm lost! Mr Y says, "put your cash in or if i move it becomes a dead hand"(after apologising, and being told that I can stop play if it happens again) he re-raises, an american chap, says too bad and asks if i had an Ace, unaware I was still in the game, I give him a stare and he apologises, I was impressed he could tell, but I had fallen apart by this time. Mr x plays everyone else folds, I must go all in to call, and so i do. Blam. pair Aces on the flop, but not enough, lose to 2 pairs.

I told them i was leaving after 30mins of play, they said I could rebuy, but I declined, This was the first £30 tourney I did, I was told i didn't do bad for my first tourney but it felt like I was learning the game for the first time, people shuffling their chips, more intimidation, and I couldnt believe it was working, I didn't feel like losing more money, I headed straight to the bar.

We are planing to go again but for the beginners tourney, which costs £10, I don't mind gambling my money away within limit, but £30 straight in cold, with no practise is unwise.

I went to find Hakfest afterwards and all he says is, "your out already?", I reply disheartened "There was this guy", he laughs.

I wandered around for a while and came across the super stud tables, I watched for a bit, Hak was done after an hour and a half, I believe. We then got some free playing cards and pin, oh and the tea and orange juice is free!

I'm going to practise big time, and brush up a bit more, now I know what to expect I can prepare. As for winnning well not yet, but improving my game is the next step.

-Fig-

Intro - BrazenSix

Hey,

Figured I'd throw up my intro post here and get to know a couple of my fellow contributors.

I'm Matt, a 21yr old from Ontario, Canada and have been playing for about 2 years now. I strictly play NL Hold 'Em and have since I started. I can't really remember what got me into the game. I think it was starting college and taking part in our weekly Hold 'Em poker nights. We used to play with a max bet when we started out, but quickly moved over to NL and have stuck with that ever since. Unfortunately though, I don't play as much in our weekly games anymore because there are to many people at college that will not play if I'm involved. I've won far to many tournaments, that they will flat out not play me anymore. Kind of discourgaing, but at the same time I guess I kind of take it as a compliment. I enjoy watching just as much as playing anyways.

As well as weekly poker nights, I've taken up playing at casinos in my general area. Just getting into it, but it's been pretty enjoyable so far. Lots of really good players out there. It's one thing to play with friends, but when you're playing at a table full of complete strangers, it really adds another level to the game. It's hard to find a friend or two that wants to chance that much of their real life hard earned cash, but so far I've been lucky and have found a couple old friends that are into it. Besides, I'd be lying if I said seeing an older gentleman lay down $1000 in crisp bills right beside me wasn't intimidating.

Online, I frequent Ultimatebet.com and PartyPoker.com. Not into these as much as playing in real life, because it's just not the same. Entertaining still, but there are many missing elements when you play online.

Anyways, I guess that's about it. I'll bring you some stories of my casino nights whenever they happen.

Matt(B6)

The day before Tomorow

Well, I thought I'd just write a bit here about tomorows NL Hold 'em Tourney at the Grosvenor Victoria Casino.

Hak assures me we will get lunch before hand, and that he'll get my drinks when he comes out early (haha dead money)

I'm a bit anxious as this will be my first time at a real table, and so i'm eager not to mess up and annoy my fellow players. I also must resist the urge to look at their cards! (Bad Fig!)
The worst part is I haven't had much time to play this week, But i'll view that as when a runner rests before the race.

Well I'm glad i have been able to share my pre-tourney nerves with you, I wonder if this is how it is for the professionals? I'm sure Hak will let you know how we got on.

-Fig-

A funny story

What Fig is referring to below, is the Poker night we had at his place. The first of many, I hope!

We were just playing for chips, and not any money. So my attention span was 0% after the first five seconds of the tournament, and I decided I'd take this chance to play looser than a cow's posterior. And take photos of poker chips. And mock Damian's brother some more.

It came down to the last two, myself and Damian's brother's friend, Adrian. He himself was a serious poker player, he's looked up instructional documentation and whatnot, and clearly thinks he's god.

He isn't. I am.

Third place had just been eliminated and it was down to the two of us. It was to be a battle of egos, and bragging rights.

Or not.

First hand I was dealt was a K-10 offsuit. I immediately went all-in, and he (with the bigger stack) called. I flipped over my cards, and he looked extremely worried as he turned over a Q-2 offsuit.

Before the flop, I said "I don't care what happens, as long as I don't lose to a pair of twos". Well, I didn't lose to a pair of twos.

I lost to a set of twos.

This was the ultimate humiliation (well nearly, Fig's little sister proved to be a formidable calling station early on). Everyone was laughing hysterically at me, and they caught the episode on video-camera. I'm sure it'll end up online at some point.

What amplified the misery for me was all the trash talking I had done before. When I'm playing amongst friends, I trash talk in a fun silly manner, and I parade around with my pizza box declaring I'm going to "kick ass and take names", so when I fall, I fall HARD.

What I found most amusing though, was Adrian said "The best man won".

The best man didn't win. He made a great many mistakes, and I just could not be bothered. Fig and I are entering a £30 NL Hold'em tournament this Saturday, at the Grosvenor Victoria Casino in Edgware Road, London. I'm hoping Adrian comes along, and I'm hoping he finds himself at my table.

He'll be dead money.

Intro - Fig

Well, I was also one who lost to the Hakfest, but I blame tehHustler for that one!

I'm Damian, 23yrs old and from South London, and have been playing for over a year now. I had played 5 card stud when I was younger, but never really understood it. My second coming was in Blackpool when at the LAN we played NL Texas Hold'em. Since then I've played on-line in pokeroom.com and ladbrokespoker.com where I can really get into the real money games. Haven't really committed myself enough to stick out a tourney but i'm hoping to change that soon.

I've introduced my family to this game and hold poker nights where it can get very heated, I also have video proof of Hakfest careless all-in against a guy named Adrian.

But enough for now.

When bluffing, pray the river card is the one you need! (isn't that right Hak)

I look forward to reading about everyone else's experiences.

-Fig-

Intro - Kathy

Well hello everyone.
I am Kathy, 29, female from Greece.
I have never played poker before in my life, but I am willing to learn.
I love challenges, games, winning.
When i want something I .always. get. it.
I love the challenge poker offers as a game, so i will do my best on that.
I am really glad to be here and hope to get the most out of this.
See you all around.

Intro - TehHustler

First things first. My nick used to be TheHustler but I forgot the password to it so I registered TehHustler. I'm also phasing it out altogether, because it sucks. Mark or Marko is nice and simple and not shit.

Anyway, yeah, I'm Mark, 22, and I reside in Blackpool, North West of England (where it's cold). I started playing poker some years ago at college, but never really for money, and only ever five card stud. Thanks to the explosion of online poker sites, and thanks to encouragement from and games with friends (in real life mainly) I decided to bite the bullet and play online.

Hakfest owns me to be honest. I'm learning all the time though. Don't be afraid to lose money. Just don't lose too much... You'll find me on the 50c and $1 STT's and occasionally the freerolls when I have enough points to play them. VERY occasionally I'll have a go at ring games to make a few quid very quickly, but I suck. It's a VERY different style of play.

Hopefully, you will enjoy my posts.

Intro - Hakfest

Hi. My name is James, i'm a 20 year old Londoner, and i've been playing poker for a year.

My first game of poker was at a LAN party (a computer meet thing), and I was drunk. I teamed up with a friend Andy, and we played as one unit. It was our first time playing poker, we had learned the basic rules five minutes beforehand.

We went on to win that night. Awesome. That gave me a taste for poker, along with my extreme competitiveness. So we started playing poker online, for play money, and then started playing for real on VCpoker/UK Pokerstars.

I'm a hardcore Hold 'em tournament player, I never ever play ring games, I find they are not ruthless enough for me. I like eliminating someone from the game completely, it's like I can taste their blood on my teeth, like a cheetah killing a deer.

You can usually find me on the $3 STT tournament tables and MTTs, and when I win big on an MTT, the $5 and $10 STT tournament tables.

The Poker Journal

Welcome to the Poker Journal.

The aim of this is for friends to have a place to document their goings on in the poker world, for everyone to read and discuss. The contributors will be men and women of different backgrounds and different levels of skill, to bring lots of different angles to this, something for everyone.

Enjoy!

-Hak