Nuts On The Flop

Poker stories from an Irish player...tournament reports, thoughts and goals

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Vegasnights End of Month - €50 + €50 26/02/2006

As I am a big fan of Nick's tournies and knew there would be a few of the boardies there, I drove out to the Angler's Rest for the 1pm start, after a very late night and suffering from lack of sleep. There were 63 runners in total, buying in for €50+10, with the option for 1 re-buy or top-up for an additional €50+5. The starting stack was 4k, with 5k for the re-buy / top-up. The blind structure was great, 30 minute blinds, starting at 25/50 and didn't skip any. I arrived a little late and was put on the 8th table, most players were of poor quality. One hand I remember from the first level is being dealt KK (dealt by myself, it was self deal until the final table), making a nice big 4xBB raise to deal with one limper and the blinds. The BB was an extremely agressive player, I have played with him a few times before in the SE and he has always paid me off. He flat called in the BB (maybe he didn't believe the button raise), the limper folded. The flop came down 679 with two spades, he checked, I bet 500 and he called. The turn was another 9, and he insta-pushed. He was a player who had the tendency to push when he had to nuts, so I had to very regretfully fold, showing my KK. He smiled and said, great fold, happens to us all, flipping his A8 spades...'I had the straight'!!!! Hmm, no, you didn't, you actually had the straight DRAW and nut flush DRAW. He made the same mistake later, with a less beneficial result.

This knocked me back a bit and I had to struggle to avoid tilt. 5 minutes later I was back on track, and by the time our table was broken up 40 minutes later, the villain described above had kindly doubled me up twice, giving me the table chip lead. Other than a single occasion on the second last table, those was the last times I was all-in and covered until I was eventually knocked out.

My new table was the strongest by far of the remaining 7, containing: Ollie and Big Dragon, two tough competitors. I was to Ollie's left, and two to Big Dragon's right, and really wanted to get off the table to target the weaker players. I got my wish fairly quickly, and was off to table two, with a nice mix of tight passive players and loose maniacs. I slowly but surely chipped away at the big stacks on this table, to build an above average stack. One player was extremely drunk and extremely clueless, he had a massive stack after calling three players all-in holding 67 and hitting a house. Everyone at the table knew he would give it all away, we were all fighting for a piece of it! I took 10k off him when I picked up AA on his BB, he called any raise, so when I saw a raggy flop and he checked into me, I pushed, happy to take a small chunk and avoid being outdrawn. I knew that, with the players I was facing, many small pots were a less risky way to build a stack than getting involved in a few big pots.

An hour after the break I was moved to table 1, again, a mix of players here, some good and some not so good. The structure was so gentle that there was tons of play. I constantly increased my stack without going to showdown, as I got a lot of respect during post-flop play. The only scare came for me when I raised with A10s in mid-position, the SB called, the flop came down 10 5 5 rainbow, he checked and I pushed for about 25k. He called, and I was sure I was in trouble - however, he had always bet when ahead so what was he on? He had me covered, and flipped 10....3 off??? What was he thinking? Out he goes and into the top few big stacks left go I!

Culchie and Big Dragon were playing well on the other table, but Culchie fell victim to some strange play and was knocked out on off the bubble in 11th. I had a healthy stack on the final table and decided to play tight until the shorties were knocked out. One of the players was quite drunk and fairly obnoxious, which is never a nice combination on a poker table. Another was a loudmouth who yapped on about his play during any bit of dead air! Big Dragon was knocked out in 6th, so the final 5 were guaranteed at least €300, with 1st place getting €2100. I had my sights firmly on that 1st place spot. However, I got involved with the big mouth, and was knocked down to 2nd shortest stack. Next hand I was dealt KQo on the SB, and as usual the yapper on the button raised into me. As usual, he starting talking, warning me about calling his raises and so on. The flop came down K44 rainbow and I checked, as I was reasonably sure I was ahead. He bet 20k and I insta-pushed for my remaining 60k, knowing he could be making the move with a very wide range of hands, from AA all the way to J10...unfortunately, he was actually holding AKo and I was going home with only €300!

I heard the remaining four (including two very poor players IMHO) made a deal for €1000 each, and played for the remaining €800 in the pool. Argh.

Monday, February 27, 2006

SE Double Chance - €75 22/02/2006

Only 30 or so turned up for this event, being a big Champions League night. Luckily, the SE is well equipped with plasma screens, so we got to follow Chelsea's defeat by Barcelona while we played. I started off on the weakest of the three tables (some excellent players around on the other tables), and despite an early setback or two, had a decent stack going into the break. One particularly agressive player doubled me up early on, always a pleasure!

Things tightened up considerably after the break, despite the sharp increase in blind structure the SE is infamous for. After another hour we were down to the final table of 9, with only 4 getting paid. I had a middling stack, and nursed it for the next 30 minutes while the big stacks took out the shorties. I pushed when I had the cards or when I had position. With 5 to go, I was by far the shortest stack, while a decent enough regular seemed to have a good 70% of the tournament chips. I would usually suggest a mini-deal at this stage, so that the bubble would get their money back, but I knew none of the players left would go for it, I was odds on to be knocked out and there was little enough in the prize pool as it was. The big stack was bullying the table, and I hoped to get cards during one of his bully attempts to double up and start a comeback. Blinds were 1k/2k, and I had 7.5k left. The big stack raised to 6k from UTG, I looked down at KQo and in went my chips...then the big blind pushed with about 20k, and I knew I was in real trouble. The big stack called, flipped KQs, while the big blind had a dominating AKs...ouch. A K on the flop and an A on the river saw me bubble and go home without a compensating wad of cash.

15 live tournaments played in 2006 and 6 finishes in the money, this was my first bubble of the year.

Monday, February 20, 2006

Shorthanded Freezeout - €30 19/02/2006

I played in Oscar's €30 FO yesterday afternoon, a fun way to spend your Sunday afternoon. The format varies from shorthanded, to shootout, to full-handed, and I have had a good bit of success here and there making it to the money.

There were 8 tables starting off yesterday, with either 6 or 7 per table, so about 50 runners in all. It is a self-deal tournament, and I volunteered to deal for the table - faster than passing the cards along each hand, with some players very inexperienced. Also I like to sit on the high chair :) We start off with 4k in chips and blinds of 25/50, with a 30 minute clock. During the first few hands, I dealt myself KK on the BB (hope it didn't seem suspicious) and with two limpers raised it to 200 to go. One caller. The flop was dealt 228 rainbow, and I fired off a bet of 300, which was called. The turn was a 7, and bet another 500, called again. My opponent was fairly inexperienced, and I reckoned I was ahead, he either had a mid-high pair or Ax. The turn was a slight scary 8, I bet another 1k, if he had A8 I would pay him off, but that's poker. He called with 44 for a smaller two pair and I was off to a nice start.

An orbit later I was in the BB again. Two limpers, the SB competes and I check with 74o. I deal the flop: 742 rainbow. Well well, doesn't this look nice! Checked around to me and I make it 300 to go, can't even think about slow-playing this, I've been caught so many times stupidly slow-playing a 'big blind special' and getting caught on the turn or river. Immediately, UTG raises to 650...hmmm. Does he have a set? I don't think so, but he does have me covered, so I decide to be careful and flat call his raise. The turn was a 9, and we both check. The turn was an ace, I check and he bets 1k, which I call for two reasons...he was possibly playing with Ax (x being a picture card) and trying to steal it despite missing the turn and river and secondly, I wanted to see what he was playing with! He had A7. I completely messed the hand up, making mistakes on each street. I *should* have re-raised / pushed after his raise on the flop. He said later he would have called (holding TPTK) but I don't think so.

A few hands later I was in the SB and completed after 2 others limped, the BB checked and the flop was Q8x rainbow. I had 87s. I made min raise and only one of my opponents called. The turn was a lovely 8...I checked, as did he. The river was a rag, and I bet 300. He immediately min-raised me...he is a strong player so I simply called. He had Q8 for a house...we both had sneakily checked on the turn :)

I was in trouble now, less than 1500 with the blinds up to 75/150. I pushed on the button with A7o, the BB called with A2s (claimed he couldn't but call, for 60% of his stack), a high flop and turn ensured a split pot. A few hands later I pushed with 55, was called by the chip leader with AQs, a Q on the flop sent me home after a little more than an hour played.

So far this year - played 14 live tournaments, cashed in 6. Will include a proper listing of my finishes and cashes in a later post.

Thursday, February 16, 2006

Mid-week Double Chances - Fitz 14/2/06 & SE 15/2/06

Two tournament reports, two nights on the trot I played Double Chance freezeouts.

On Tuesday (Valentine's Day!) I played in the €50 Double Chance in the Fitzwilliam. There were 6 tables, about 55 or so players I would say. And, for the first time I can recall in my poker playing experience, I was the first player out! And the Double Chance is supposed to guard against bonehead plays by giving you, well, a second chance!

I was seated on a very agressive table, which didn't bother me too much. During the first few hands I picked up AJo in MP and made a 4xBB raise. The BB was the only caller. The flop came down Q rag rag rainbow, he checked, I made a pot sized bet and he folded reluctantly. Almost every hand was raised, particularly by a young English fellow in seat 1. Ten minutes later I find KK UTG. As it was such an agressive table I decided to take a chance and limp, hoping for a raise. No such luck, and there were five limpers, including the English lad, who was on the button (really expected a raise out of him). Flop came down 973 rainbow. The blinds checked and I raised to 400 (into a pot of 250). The player immediately to my left pushed all in for about 1700. Then the lad on the button pushed! I should have laid the cowboys down there and then, but wishfully hoped I was up against a straight draw and A9, and called. The button had JJ (why didn't he, an aggressive player, raise on the button with jacks? with so many limpers?) and the villian had 97o for top two pair. No help for button or I and I needed to call for my 1500 top-up. A few hands later I found 10 10 in the BB, a solid player raised to 200 or so pre-flop, he was called by the English chap, and I immediately pushed, saying 'no more slow play for me!'. The original raiser called and the English lad folded - it was a race, AKs vs 10 10, a K on the turn and the river did me in and sent me home with less than 30 minutes played!

On Wednesday, I played in the €75 Double Chance in the Sporting Emporium, a lovely card club in the centre of town, owned by a billionaire and really nicely set up. There were only 5 tables to begin with, a little less than 50 runners. I had a great start, on the second hand I had Q7o on my BB with three limpers, flop comes down Q73 rainbow. Excellent! I checked and it was checked around. The turn was another 7, giving me the house. I couldn't let it go for free any more and threw in a 1/3 pot bet, which was duly called by the button. I really hoped for an ace on the river to help him out, but it was the final 7! Giving me the stone cold ones. I threw out another value bet, which he called - he mucked when he saw my 7. What a flop, turn and river - it kept getting better for me! I doubled up a short while later when my AJ dominated an A rag after the money goes in on an Ace-high flop.

The table had two beginners and one over-aggressive player, so there were loads of chips to win. Unfortunately, a young player immediately on my right was raking them in, as I had to be content with a small pot here or there. Finally, a few orbits later (blinds 50/100) I found a hand to make some chips with: AA under the gun. Despite being burned the night before limping UTG with a monster, this again was an agressive table and I thought I'd risk it. Success, a player in MP went all in for about 1600. He was called by the button, who had me well out-chipped (he must have had 8.5k, while I was ahead of average on 6k). I decided to give him some attractive pot odds to continue - he must have had a nice big hand! In retropect, this min-raise after limping UTG screamed MONSTER, I'm very surprised he called. Flop came down all ragged, with a club flush draw. I bet out again, 1500, which he called. I was very much pot committed at this stage, so pushed for my remaining 1300 or so when another rag appeared on the turn. He called with JJ, other all in had K10s I think, no help for them on the river, and I more than double up to about 13k, one of the tournament chip leaders before the break.

After the break the young player on my right won a massive pot, knocking an over-aggresive older player out, and taking the tournament chip lead by a mile. He must have had 25k when the average was less than 6k. Our table was broken (down to three now), and we moved to the same table, but I was off after a few minutes to seat 1 table 1, which had a familiar face in Mark 'Pokertroll' McMahon in the seat to my left with a decent stack. There was another player in seat 9 with a huge stack, he had been hitting every flop according to the others. Anyway, I tightened up at this table, gaining the image of ultra rock, only showing my big hands with I pushed people off pots or took the blinds. Mark is a tricky player so I avoided getting into pots with him when possible. I knocked out Keven Farrelly when I raised on the button with AQo (blinds were 300/600, I raised to 1500), he instantly pushed with 5.5k and I insta-called, knowing I was ahead. He had K7s, out he goes. I then sat on my 16k stack until the final table of 9.

Only six were being paid, 1400 for 1st, then 800, 500, 300, 200 and 100 for the next five. Three would be leaving the final table with nothing. Two stacks were shorter than mine, with two big stacks as well. I immediately capitalised on my rock image, winning the blinds (now 400/800) twice in a row by raising pre-flop and showing AK once. A few hands later when the blinds had increased to 500/1000 I was in the BB, a very strong player who I slightly out-chipped raised to 4000 in MP. I had AQo and pushed, knowing he had the discipline to lay it down to a rock like me, even if he had tens or jacks. He dwelt for ages and folded, showing AQo as well, and asked me 'did you have jacks?' 'Yep' I replied...a minute later he muttered 'you did in your bollox' to my smile and everyone elses laughter.

We were soon down the 7 and I suggested we take 100 off 1st for 7th, but one player shot it down (he had a big stack). A minute later I suggested 50 off 1st and 50 off 2nd for 7th and they agreed - I said it would help speed play up on the bubble, but truth be told I suggested it as I didn't want to go home with nothing, and felt like gambling against the (now three) big stacks. Wouldn't you know it, the player who had objected to the first mini-deal was out a few minutes later when the biggest stack took him (the 3rd biggest stack) and a short stack out, the big stack had AQs, the objector had KK and the short stack had Kx, the A on the river did them in. A few minutes later a player with a very decent stack put it all on the line with 44, pushing pre-flop and getting called by the chip leader who had 99. Crazy action.

After the mini-deal, there was 1350 for 1st, then 750, 500 and 300. I am due a big win with the way I've been playing recently, but thought 1st or 2nd would be difficult to acheive with the huge difference in stacks, CL had at least 100k, next (the same young player, very good, I had been sitting beside on the 1st table) had about 45k, I had 15k and the short stack (who laid his AQ down to me earlier) had 6.5k. The two bigger stacks generally avoided going head to head, concentrating on knocking us out. I made a big mistake when the short stack went in on my BB, I had K3o, I should have called, definitely as by knocking him out I would increase my minimum payout by €200. I doubled him up with a weaker hand an orbit later, and was out in 4th when I was all in against the two big stacks and I was outdrawn on the turn as they checked it out. A profit of €220, ok but I really should have done better, and am quite annoyed with myself today.

I'm due an outright win in one of these mid-week tournaments - in the meantime, after 13 live tournaments this year I have cashed 6 times, so I'm well up on the year and have a bank roll for the next few months, playing twice a week.

Sunday, February 12, 2006

Vegasnights Team Event - €20 11/2/2006

There was a lot of interest in this event, as boards.ie, the message board that was instrumental in furthering my initial interest in the great game of poker, was fielding two teams, the mighty poker collective Fistful of Shamrock (FOS) and the thrown-together-at-the-last-minute minnows called the Boards Stupid. The event cost €160+16 per team, 8 to a team, so nominally €22 a person. However, upon getting out to the Anglers Rest pub in Chapelizod, we counted and counted twice, but FOS had only 6 players - roryc (our capitain), iago, musician, karlh, dub13 and myself. Still, confidence was high, I expected most of us to make the final table. After all, there were only 134 runners! Points for the team event were only awarded to the final 18 players, while the final 9 would be paid.

I started out on table 1, a nice bunch of players, two or three of whom knew what they were doing, and one or two who were just out for a laugh on a Sunday afternoon. We started with 5000 chips, blinds were 25/50, with a nice and easy 30 minute clock. Great structure, making for a lot of play. I took down a few big pots right off the bat, flopping the nut straight and slowplaying it against an inexperienced player, taking 2/3 of his stack in the process. I also took down a nice pot when I limped with 97s and a player holding TPTK on the flop didn't bet enough, giving me the odds to chase my flush, which I hit. He then couldn't let go of top pair, which was nice. I motored up to over 9k within an hour, but took a big hit with AKs just before the first break, and was down to 5.5k. At this stage only 4 of the 6 FOS representatives were left, iago had been knocked out first hand of the tournament, while muso was out last hand before the break. roryc and karlh had nice healthy stacks of around 15k each, while dub13 was struggling a little on around 4k (I think). The Boards Stupids were showing their quality, I think there still were all 8 of them in the game at this stage.

The stacks on my table (table 1) were larger than average at this stage of the tournament, as so many had been knocked out on this table, and after the break the bloodbath continued, small stacks were moved to the table and were knocked out with great gusto. I went completely card dead for two hours, robbing a pot or two when I could, but basically maintaining a stack between 6k and 9k as best I could. Karlh and dub13 were knocked out during this period, so only roryc and myself were left flying the flag for FOS. The Boards Stupids still had 7 players remaining with 40 or so left in the event! Culchie and the rest of the lads were right on track for victory.

As the blinds increased, so did the urgency to make a move and double up. I was all in numerous times with my 7k stack during the 300/600 and 400/800 blind levels, but no-one would call. I finally got a caller when I moved in with 77, he had overcards that didn't hit, and I was in relative safety again. An orbit or two later I doubled up again with 10 10, there were less than 30 left and I had around average stack at this stage. All of the weak players were gone at this stage, so play was a lot more cagey. There were two players on my table from poker.ie, both of whom were very good. One was quite agressive, in a controlled way, and was dominating the table. I was waiting for a chance to go over the top of his 3xBB raises, but never found the cards! There also was a very good player from vegasnights on my immediate right, he had a very big stack and was tough to play against.

Players were dropping like flies by the 500/1000 level, and I was in trouble again. A double up later and I was in better shape, but a long way behind the chip leaders on 70k+. During the next blind level, 700/1500, a pivitol hand occured. I was either SB or BB. A strong player in MP raised to about 6k, the player with the big stack on my right went all in, and I looked down to see QQ. This was my chance to triple up, I honestly expected to be ahead of both of them (the big stack's overbet screamed 'don't call' to me) and needed to make a move to safely make the final two tables. I called, the original bettor flipped the rockets and the big stack flipped the cowboys. ACTION! A big crowd of railbirds immediately materialised. Nick the tournament director was on the mike commenting. AA vs KK vs QQ - not something you see everyday! No real surprise all the money was in before the flop. The flop came down...I see a bit of paint...wait, it's a J damnit...there's a rag...wait...more paint...its a Queen! GET IN THERE MY SON! A rag on the turn....paint on the river! The big stack's arms goes up, he sees his king...no, he's wrong! It was another J :) I triple up to over 80k, AA takes the side pot, all three players are alive! The guy with the rockets looks as sick as a dog.

Then we're on the food bubble, Nick organised food for the final 19 players. Food twice for a €2 reg! What a great tournament. After five minutes stuffing our faces, back to the action, and we are down to the last 18 players. There are 4 from Boards Stupids left (culchie, docfarrell, rounders123 and careca, all excellent players) and just myself and roryc from FOS. We can still do it, but need the others to be knocked out before the final table, and we need to get big results ourselves.

Both culchie and docfarrell are on my table when we are down to 16 (two tables of 8), and both are knocked out before the final table. I motor along nicely on this table, never risking too much of my stack, while picking up a few pots here and there. It didn't take too long to get down to the final 9 players, as the blinds were quite high at this stage (3k/6k).

On the final table: roryc and !, rounders123 and careca, and 5 others I didn't know (including the big stack who had been on my right representing vegasnights). For FOS to win the team event, rounders 123 and careca had to go out 8th and 9th, and roryc and I had to take 1st and 2nd...just to win by one point! I had 99k and roryc had 88k, and so we needed to apply the pressure to the remaining Boards Stupids to take the trophy. It wasn't looking likely, and was all over as A.N. Other went out 9th. Much cheering from the slightly-the-worse-for-wear Boards Stupids railbirds! Fair play to them, they certainly deserved it, what a great performance. Now it was all about the money and individual glory.

Rounders123 started to dominate the table, it was his birthday and he could make other players cry if he wanted to! Big raises, bigger reraises, he was the chip leader with over 200k and damned if he didn't use it well. Still, roryc and I were alive and taking down pots when we needed to. We were down to 4 after another hour of play, Nick freezing the blinds at 4k/8k for a long while so there was some play. At this stage I really, really needed to leave to get to a social engagement in town, and as the payout for the remaining 4 was something like €300, €370, €450 and €700, I wanted to make some moves to either go home or knock someone out. I'm a little hazy on the actual hands, but rounders123 button raised to 25k or so on my SB, I had AJ and immediately pushed. He dwelt for a long while and called with A9, and I doubled up to approx. 150k. Roryc now started to accumalate chips, playing his usual controlled agressive game. The guy from vegasnights had a decent stack but took a back seat for about twenty minutes, as roryc and I took turns butting heads with rounders123. I again doubled up again him when he raised on the button to 30k, I pushed all in for about 100k, he took a good long while and called me with a small pair. Good call, but a K appeared on the flop and crippled him, he was knocked out a few hands later. It was a bit of tough luck, as he played a blinder and I was sure he was on for victory when he was dominating the table. If the blinds hadn't of been frozen he probably would have done it.

Three handed, roryc was the chip leader, with myself and the vegasnights guy in decent shape. It was well after 11pm now and I still had to make it home, change and head into town to meet people! I HAD to make some moves. I lost half my stack calling on of rorys raises when holding Kx, there was a Q on the flop and I had to lay it down when he bet the flop. A few hands later rory raised 20k on the button again, I called from the SB with Q8. The flop was 854 rainbow, and I immediately pushed with 60k left. Rory auto-called with 87s, looked like another double up for me, but he caught his 6 on the river and I legged it outta there as fast as lightning with €370 in my pocket, more than 15 times the buyin :)

I made it home to Rathmines in 15 minutes and was in the pub in town 15 minutes after that, throwing the taxi man a nice big tip for getting me in so quickly!

All in all a great day and an excellent tournament, great structure and fun crowd. Roryc went on to win it, a fine showing from FOS, who finished 2nd in the team event. We'll win it next time :)

Last tournament of 2005! - €300 21/12/2005

A report from Pokerevents' Winter Festival €300 Freezeout:

Right so, I thought I throw together a short report of what I remember from last night at the Westwood Hotel in beautiful Galway. The tournament was due to start at 8pm, but did not get underway until nearer to 8:30. There were 116 runners, starting stacks of 8,000. 11 tables, as far as I recall. Not a huge number of familiar faces to me, though I think BigDragon, Daitho, DeV, Fatboydim, NickyOD and Kincsem were in attendance. I only recognised one chap on my starting table, and since I went to school and college in Galway, who knows if I've ever played against him before.

I was seated in seat 9, we had a full 10 for the first hand of the night. Blinds were 25-50. I was dealt K8 hearts, two limpers before me, I called, button limped, SB and BB kept it friendly. The flop was 8 diamonds and J 4 hearts. The blinds and early limpers checked, I bet 150, the button and SB called. The turn was the magical A hearts, giving me the nut flush. SB checked, I checked, button bet 500. SB folds, I dwelt for a while and finally called. Bet 600 on the river (another heart), the button called quickly, he had a much weaker flush. Nice way to start the tournament, up to about 9500. Didn't get much for the next few levels, won the blinds here and there but it was a fairly loose table, very hard to bluff pre-flop with so many willing to call with Ax. Twice after taking down the blinds I showed my hole cards, AKo and 99 (wanted to establish a real 'rock' image with these loose players, which I did, looking back I'm not sure this was the smartest thing to do). Had to lay down AK after a big pre-flop raise and a raggy flop. AQ cost me a bit on two occasions. Went into the break (after 2 1/2 hours I think) with 7600, still 80+ runners live.

During the break I heard BigD's sad story and saw that some other boardsters were going well. Resumed at the 200-400, 50 ante level, knowing I needed to make a move in the next 30 minutes. After about 10 minutes, I found 55 in the SB, one limper. Both the BB (tight, aggressive) and limper (loose, thought he was fairly weak) had me covered, and I decided (probably without thinking it through) to push. BB folded immediately, the limper dwelt for about 3 minutes and finally called. On went the coat until I saw he had called for 2/3 his stack holding A4 spades. He found a 4 on the flop, I found another 5 and received a 17k stack as my reward. Average stack at this stage was 13k I think.

About 25 minutes later I raised to 2000 preflop (300-600 blinds, 50 ante) with AK suited. All folded to the BB, who quickly decided to raise all in. He was a good but fairly loose player, willing to take risks. I didn't put him on AA-QQ, and thinking of the range of hands he possibly had pushed with, thought I had a better than 50% of being ahead. I called, he flipped AQo, I doubled up to more than 45k. Only 50 or so runners left but they were dropping like flies now. One chap on my table, very inexperienced, had won his ticket via a boylepoker satellite and more than trepled up to a big 55k stack, he announced he was going to sit on it until the final table. As there were more than 900k chips in the tournament and many hours of play to go until the final table, you can see why some of the rest of us smiled at this.

Went card dead for the next few levels, until over an hour later at the 500-1000 blinds, 100 ante level I again found AKo, with a stack of about 37k or so (around the average). A good, agressive player with a dwindling stack went all in for about 16k. I had a definite read on him I, he had made similar agressive moves earlier in the night with KQ and QJ hands, I had a very strong feeling my AK was in front of Ax. I called, everyone else folded, and sure enough he had AJo. Winning this would really put me back in control of my tournament destiny with about 55k and a strong player gone. The thrice-curséd Gods of Poker stuck a big bad J on the flop to double him up and leave me approaching the red zone with a stack of 21k.

I wasn't dead just yet though and promised myself to get over it and kick some ass. Stole a pot or two during the next 30 minutes to maintain my stack. During the 1000-2000 blinds, 200 ante level (only about 20 players left I think), I found 99 in early position. I really needed to make a move here, so quickly decided on the following tactic: most of the agressive players at the table (some really good players) were to my left, between me and the BB. One had pulled off an audacious move goving over the top of a big pre-flop raise with J 10, almost putting the raiser on tilt by showing. I figured if I limped, chances were someone closer to the button would put in a raise to push me (the rock) and the blinds off. I would then push and either take a nice big pot pre-flop, or more likely, force a showdown where I was ahead. If I ran into a bigger hand, so be it, I needed to double up and now was the time to do it. One of the late position players limped also, and the SB pushed for 16k. BB folded. Again, I thought about what he was holded and reckoned it was much more likely I was ahead than behind, and called. The other limper folded. The SB had a look of misery on his face as he turned over KQ hearts, the flop was raggy but contained two hearts, a black ace on the turn, and there it was, a 6 hearts on the river. He lets out a mightly yell of victory, much like the ones our ancestors must have uttered after stabbing a wooly mammoth in the gonads or bashing an antelope in the back of the head with a rock. I may have muttered a profane word or three under my breath, I can't rightly recall. Without futher ado we were on break, two tables left, blinds about to go up to 1500-3000, 300 ante, and I was the tourament short stack with 4400, starting UTG. I did not have a happy break.

First hand back, I throw it in automatically after a cursory look at my cards (89 hearts, not bad at all), the blinds plus antes were now worth 7500 so I expected a few callers to check it down, no, all folded to the BB, the inexperienced player. He knew enough to call me on the blind, he turned over 22 quack quack. I caught an 8 on the turn and immediately was BB and in desperate need of doubling up again. I think I layed that BB down to a big pre-flop raise, likewise with my SB, but threw my chips in again on the button (can't remember what I was holding, this was after 2:30 and I was quite exhausted) and got the blinds. Doubled up again UTG with A 10o vs 10 3o and found myself on the BB with KQo and about 19k in total. Only 15 left, average stack was about 60k. However, with two big chip leaders, a stack of about 40k looked good at this point. Folded around to the button, the player who survived his AJ vs AK scare against me. He raised to 16k, the SB folded. I again thought this was the hand to make my stand with, he had shown himself to be agressive with similar or slight weaker hands, I could be dominated but that's poker. I pushed, he called with A9, the board didn't help me home I went.

Had an interesting night, I thought I played some good poker during the mid part of the tournament and with my short stack immediately after the last break (this is where my image helped). I was very beaten down after losing the AK vs AJ and 99 vs KQ battles, probably because I was in an unusually confident mood up until this point. Oh how I wished I got to that final table...

First tournament of the year - €250 8/1/2006

Below is a tournament report from the 1st played this year, the €250 freezeout, day 3 of the Irish Poker Championship:

I was late going out to City West and arrived in time to join the back of a very long line for registration. They were giving out all the seat 11s by the time I got to the top. Cards in the air at 3 (IIRC), didn't know a soul at my table. There were 258 runners. Had an uneventful first few levels, trying to identify and categorise the players at my table. Everyone seemed to know what they were doing, though two were very tight and passive.

Interesting hands from the first few levels: blinds were around 100/200, I had AKh, UTG+1 raised to 600, I flat called (tried to vary my play all day yesterday, so it wasn't as easy for them to put me on hands, as it can often be!), nice flop of KQ6 with two hearts. He unfortunately checked out of turn (which was picked up and pointed out by everyone), which left me at a loss of what to do to get more of his stack into the middle. I decided to make a big show of laughing and making a big overbet, hopefully indicating weakness and looking for him to push and 'force' me off. Well I over-thought it and he reluctantly folded, saying 'you have nothing, but it is probably better than my nothing' - it almost worked! When the blinds were 200/400 I picked up JJ twice in a few minutes, raising to 1500 each time. The first time I got one caller (the BB), the flop was ten high, I fired in a 1/2 pot bet and off he went. The second time I also got a single caller, this time one of the tight passive players, which was a little worrying, as he hadn't played many hands and was a real rock. The flop came K high, I again fired a 2/3 pot bet at it and he very reluctantly folded. The only other notable hand of the early part of the tournament was against the same player, I raised 3xBB at some point holding 99. He called, flop was something like K 10 6 rainbow. He checked, I bet 600, he called. Worrying. Turn wasn't scary, he checked, so I decided to bet 600 again, he called again. River was another rag, he checked and I knew he was worried he was behind. I hoped a big bet would win it here (I think he probably was in front, A10s, QQ or JJ, he was very tight) and make the earlier bets look like I had been milking him. I bet the pot, he thought about it for ages, staring at me, eventually folded. My heart didn't beat that fast all night!

Went into the first break with 8.5k, a little more than average. Can't remember much from the middle portion of the night, I know I stole the blinds a few times and played a few pots, getting up to 12k at one stage. Didn't go to showdown many times, the table really respected my raises. However, I didn't hit a few times with AQ and the like and only had 6.5k by the time of the second break at 10.30 - it's amazing there was over two hours of play between the breaks and I can't remember a single hand!

I met Culchie during the break and heard his story. When the play restarted around 11, he stood behind me for a good long while and then realised the player beside me was an old school friend he hadn't seen in years! This island's a small place, isn't it? At one point I mentioned to him that I had just limped for the last time, I had around 6k and the blinds were either 300/600 or 400/800, had to make a move. Move I did, to a different table. Average stack at this point must have been about 15k, with more than half the field gone. Changing table did me the world of good - I went all-in a number of times to take the blinds (once with 98s) and finally was called for about 7.5k by a big stack on the BB, he had AJ, I had AQ and I doubled through. A few hands later I got AA for the first and only time that night, the same player raised to 5k (blinds were 500/1k I think), I reraised, all the chips went in, he turned over AQs and I doubled again to over 40k, average stack was around 21k. Ten minutes later I lost a good few chips when my AK missed the flop, but next hand found 10 10. The same player (still with a nice stack, 30k), raised to 3k, another player called, and I decided to make a move and force them to make a decision for their tournament (I had both covered), all-in I went. The poor chap dwelt for a while and called, the other lad folded, I flipped over my black tens and he sighed and turned over 99, both black. The tens held up and I had a big stack, biggest by a way on the table. I lost a few chips over the next few levels, as a short stack twice went in against my BB (he was on the button), first time he had 1.5BB so it was an autocall, his AJs held up against my K9o, the second time he was back to a respectable 15k and he caught a 9 for his lousy A9 against my magnificant AK! Knocked me back to 50k or so, but I got the last laugh, he tried it again 1/2 hour later with A8 or something, I found KK for the first and last time that night and the cowboys held up. Had over 100k in chips (average stack around 30k I suppose), lost 25k just before the next break when a very agressive player arrived at the table, he limped for 3k UTG, I had AQs in the SB, raised to 13k, Christy Smith in the BB folded (had a good laugh with him throughout the night), UTG called, I missed the flop but fired into it anyway, he called, I checked the turn and he as expected pushed on my weakness and took it down. On the break there were 35 players or so left, 21 get paid. I still had a nice stack.

Eddie The Eagle, a Vegas Nights regular, now had a monster stack (140k) after knocking two players out on another table. After the break he moved to our table, and it was very hard to play against him, he layed the hammer down with great force whenever he had anything decent. Only Christy played back at him and won a decent pot, Eddie crippled others who tried this. I moved table again when we were down to 30. Blinds were getting very big at this stage, 3k/6k and then 4k/8k. I went card dead for the next hour, and when there were 23 left I only had 25k, in dire straights. Down to 22, I was certain I was going home without a penny, there were a few others with similar stacks but I just had an awful feeling that what happened last month in Galway would happen again.

A great cheer went up from one of the three remaining tables - we were all in the cash! I was UTG, found A10o, threw it in, called by the BB with muck, double up. Lost my BB to a big raise, next hand found Ax in the SB, it was folded around to me, I pushed and took the blinds and antes. Same thing next hand, folded around to my button, I had KJo or something and pushed again, both folded (I could tell they were getting sick of this though!). An orbit later I found 88 in MP, pushed, called by one of the regular Fitz cash game players with AKo, my eights were alright and suddenly I had over 100k and in great shape, average stack was 91k but Eddie had over 300k, I was probably 2nd or 3rd biggest stack. No more post flop action, it was all pre flop with the huge blinds and antes. On my SB with blinds about 5k/10k, the button pushed with approx. 40k (he was table shortstack I think, most had 60k or so), I called with A10o (much better than most of the range I had him on), he actually had AJo and doubled up. Maybe I should have picked a different moment to get so many chips into the middle, as now I was right back in trouble with everyone else. We got to 10 players, the final table, around 4am, blinds 8k/15k. For the last 90 minutes I was like a zombie, finding it very hard to concentrate and needing long walks outside in the freezing cold to wake myself up.

On the final table I was 2nd shortest stack with about 40k, 1st hand Eddie (UTG) min raised, folded to Steve Davis in the BB, who very calmly pushed his medium stack all-in. Eddie showed (A9?) and folded. Next hand I got A9o, Eddie on BB. One limper before me, I actually started throwing my hand away, changed my mind mid-throw and instead pushed my chips in! My obvious change of mind got a laugh, shouldn't have made such a hasty decision, though I'm sure it was the right one. I knew Eddie would call with anything, it was almost an autocall with the blinds and antes. The shorter stack thought about it for a while, then pushed himself, Eddie called and the other limper folded. Knew I was up against it, Eddie has AQ and the shortest stack had 77, flop was Q10 10, no help for anyone else on the turn and river, and the short stack was out for €1,250 and I got €1,500. This was 4.30am, after 9 1/2 hours play on the clock. Spent 20 minutes de-icing the damn car and home I went.

All in all it was a long but great night for me, been a long while since I cashed properly, and I felt I played well over all, I never needed to outdraw anyone at any stage, though I admit I got some nice cards and in particular got the callers I needed when I needed them. Now I hope the remainder of 2006 goes as well for me and everyone else too, of course!