We were finally allowed to take Belle home after what felt like a really long 8 weeks...
Karl and I had been pretty good at doing our research on how best to look after and making she grows up to be a happy and obedient dog. Some one in Blackpool was telling Karl that he's trained his dog to leave the room when it needs to fart, how cool is that?! I thought we had prepared for the worst but I actually struggled more than I thought. We put her in her crate with a comby bed, full bowl of water, lots of toys and newspaper but she spent the majority of the night crying and howling. Needless to say it was a pretty sleepless night, even when she went quiet, I convinced myself she had drowned in her bowl of water. Managed to get a couple hours of shut eye, woke up at 5 a.m and spent an hour lying next to Belle in a crate. I need to be a bit thicker skinned i think...
Belle on day one at the new house
Checking out the new crib...
Belle's first game of Upwords, Karl needs all the help he can get..
Following on from my top 3 youtube videos and if you liked the Sophia Grace rendition of Nicki Manaj's Super Bass then you have to check this out, it's her and cousin, Rosie, interviewing stars on the Red Carpet.
Been a busy few weeks for me non-poker wise. Karl and I moved in to our new home, all went very smoothly and loving the extra space. In just 3 weeks time two will become three. If you follow me on twitter or friends with me on facebook then you’ll already know about Belle. She’s our new French bulldog, literally can not wait to bring her home from the breeders. Isn’t she a cutie?! I have a feeling she’ll be one spoilt dog.
So as you can imagine not had a lot of time for Poker but managed to fit a trip up to Blackpool for the GUKPT Main Event this weekend past. Think this is my 4th GUKPT Main Event, yet to run deep in one so hoping this was my time.
Day 1 went well for me, loved my table and got a decent run of cards. Was dealt Aces three times, twice I had a player jam over my raise, the other a player called my all-in with Queens. They held up all 3 times, not more you could really ask for on a day one, pretty sure I did a good job at maintaining the Girl stereotype of sitting around waiting for Aces :). Was happy with the way I was playing and picked some spots carefully to help build my stack.
Day 2 was on the more slightly frustrating side, was on a tough table with some big stacks. I was always around the 20 Big Blind mark, majority of the time it had been 4bet by the time it got round to me, giving me no hope of getting a shove through so had to wait for the cards. My run of J3 T6 62 64 just wasn’t gonna give me the double i needed. Got my all in through with 67 suited on the Big Blind over a cut off open. Blinds went up and my stack dwindled to just under 20 Big Blinds. Find A8 in the high jack, i have a little too much to shove but definitely can’t raise/fold my stack, so had to go with it. I did hesitate a little once the Big Blind put me in, I knew i was in trouble but had to go with my original plan and at worse i’m 30%. My A8 was no match v Rupinder Bedi’s AT and I was out in 38th. Bit of a bummer but, hey ho.
Heading up to Derby this Friday for the Genting Poker Club Derby then no plans after that. The Las Vegas Team Challenge III also starts next week which is always fun playing.
Very exciting promotion kicking off in December on Ladbrokes Poker so keep your eyes peeled.
As if buying a house and car wasn't enough, we thought we'd top it off with buying a dog. I've wanted a French Bulldog for a while now but they're not the easiest dogs to get your hands on. I read some where that there are only 1,500 French Bulldogs born every year in the UK and the price reflects that... but how could you possibly put a price on this little face? >>>>>
She was born only a week ago in North Wales and next week, once she's opened her eyes, Karl and I will make the trip to go and meet her.
We're pretty set on the name 'Belle', wanted something pretty and french so Belle seemed fitting. I'd always wanted to call my french bulldog 'Napoleon' and put bow-ties on him and dress him in bomber jackets but i couldn't possibly to do that to this lovely lady...
We're not allowed to take home until early December which gives us plenty of time to read all the forums and watch youtube clips on puppy training. Didn't take us long to find out that apparently french bulldogs have a pretty intense flatulence problem so that'll be fun...
Just back from the Irish Poker Festival in Killarney. Shame the weather wasn't as nice as it was over in England but we didn't let that dampen our spirits and although I rather be playing instead of working, we all had a great time. Obviously I'm bias but there is no atmosphere quite like one at a Ladbrokes Poker Tournament and I hope everyone who went agrees. As mentioned previously my role in Killarney was to look after the blog and video crew. You can find the blog here, all the videos here. Below are two of my favourite videos from the trip...
A few people asked for me to send them photos, the photos i took weren't the best quality as I wanted to avoid using flash and only required low res pics for the blog. However, I'm still happy to send them to people if they see some on the blog and would like a copy.
I wish all pre tournament rituals started off with a facial and massage followed by a cream tea and a freshly baked scone but unfortunately this was a rare sisterly bonding trip before she went off to Freshers week in Nottingham. Just the thought of freshers week and her doing similar things I did 8 years ago feels me with dread. She was telling me her first night out was Baywatch themed, I was quietly relieved when she mentioned her outfit was more Mitch Buchannon than C.J Parker.
So back up to Birmingham for the second time in two weeks although this time in my new car so I was actually looking forward to the drive. I no longer need to lean forward when going uphill. Something I didn’t account for is how much more I will be spending in petrol. I don’t miss my Polo but boy, it was alot more economical.
Was looking forward to playing the Player Championship in Star City, the £150 Buy-in Event with £10,000 added saw nearly 300 players enter. All players started with a 10k starting stack with 45 minute levels. I was happy with the way I was playing, picking my spots carefully and the run of nice cards early on helped build up my stack a little. Late in to level 3 I found Aces in a dream spot and got it all in against AdKd. Not much fun when you’re 4% dog by the turn though and was back home for my favourite pastime – X-factor and takeout.
So if I live past today (long story) then I’ll be heading to Killarney on Thursday as planned. No other Poker plans once I’ve come back, will play online to qualify for some events, but with moving house now only a month away I’m sure i’ll be kept busy up until Christmas, then off to Florida for Christmas in the sun! Can. Not. Wait.
Remember to follow updates from the Ladbrokespoker.com Irish Poker Festival in Killarney click here.
Just a reminder that tonight is your last chance to qualify for the Irish Poker Festival in Killarney. Tonight at 2020 UK Time Ladbrokes Poker will be guaranteeing 15 seats to the Main Event worth €550 Each, there's also a daily feeder in to the Last Chance at 1850 UK Time.
The 3 day Main Event sees all players start with 20k starting stack, hour long levels and guarantees a €250,000 Prizepool. I wish i could play :(, instead I'll be working with the film crew, doing my best professional photographer impression and doing the odd live update or two. So if you're eager for your five minutes of fame then be sure to come say hello in Killarney. You can follow all the Live updates from the Irish Poker Festival on twitter @ladbrokes_poker and online here. So be sure to be sure to add them to your favourites now.
It’s been a pretty massive week. We've had our offer accepted on a lovely 3 bedroom house near to where we currently live. It all feels proper grown up and it’s all a bit scary. People say buying a house is one of the most stressful times of your life, thankfully i’ve managed to keep my anxiety levels intact and steer clear of all the boring mortgage, solicitors and survey marlarky and concentrate on the more pressing matters like picking wallpaper for the feature walls and watching gardening tips on youtube...
If that wasn’t enough, i just purchased myself a little Black BMW One Series. The plan was to part to exchange my little Polo, which would of been fine if they hadn't run some extensive checks to find out that it was in fact stolen. Who would of thought it, only been driving around in a stolen car for the last 5 years and never once been stopped!
Poker wise. I played the English Deepstack over the weekend, although I made day 2 it was a bit of a struggle through-out. Kept finding myself in tricky spots, out of position and kept missing flops. Was a really entertaining table though which always helps when the Poker isn’t going your way. Managed to treble up towards the end of the Day 1 with 7 4 off but still came back the next day with half the average which thanks to the amazing structure was still around 20 big blinds.
Despite that Day 2 was short, managed to double up to average stack then lost with QQ < K9 and AJ < 77 and eventually reshoved my 20bb stack on the button v mid position open with Th8h but walked straight in to Kings on the big blind.
I’ll be playing the Player Championships next week at Star City in Birmingham. Was a great event last year and it’s not often these days that you get money added to the prizepool in live events. However, needless to say now with the responsibility of a mortgage I will have to be a little more careful with my Poker Bankroll for a while. I won’t be able to afford to lose so my aim from now will be to qualify for Live Events online with the many satellites on offer.
The Irish Poker Festival taking place in Killarney is just around the corner. I’ll be there, not playing unfortunately but will be there helping with the live blog and working with the film crew. Looking forward to seeing lots of you there and if you haven’t already won a seat then on Thursday is the last chance and we’re guaranteeing 15 main event seats!
So I’ve been back from Vegas for nearly a month and it’s been a bit of a rubbish time, back to reality after 3 weeks of being in Vegas always hits me hard. But after a month of moping about I decided I needed to snap the hell out of it and realise life outside of Vegas really isn’t that bad. :)
Not a huge amount has gone on Poker wise for me this month, I’ve only played 3 times live since my return and a couple of times online. First live event was down the International for the £200 Freeze out, was still jetlagged, decided that sleeping from 3pm till 2am the night before wasn’t the best idea, not putting me in the right frame of mind so that obviously didn’t turn out well.
Was really looking forward to the GUKPT Luton, initially was going to play the Main event only but they’ve decided to have both starting times on the Friday and I would have only been able to play Thursday. So thought i’d play the £500 side event only. Looking forward to playing, first time back in Luton since my victory and in the same starting seat... it’s a sign yeh?! Well, only if the sign was ‘don’t bother entering and go home’. I won only one hand the whole two hours I lasted. Ended up getting my 30bb stack in with Ah3h v the guy directly on my left with same stack. Third time he 3bet my open since i sat on the table, 1st time i let him have it and 2nd time he folded to a 4bet from the blinds. This time i shoved and he called with AJ. Pretty bad shove by me in hindsight as i don’t really have any fold equity but having seen him 3bet/fold with the stack previously i thought i could get it through. GG ME!! Always seems to be the case for me, every-time i look forward to playing i have the most miserable Poker Playing experience ever.
I won’t even go in to details of my Poker Playing escapades the day after, far too dull and short lived. Next event in the Poker diary is the English Deepstack in Birmingham but that’s not for another month so sure i’ll pop down to the International at some point for the weekly £100 Freezeout, may play a little online aswell.
An exciting time for me non-poker wise this month, catching up with friends and enjoyed a couple of night’s out. Went to my cousin’s 30th Birthday party the other night, we had to go as the name of a song. Karl and I came up with a good’un that didn’t require a huge amount of effort... take a guess!
Also unbelievably Karl has decided that living with me really isn’t too bad after all and we’re now house-hunting for a place of our own! All pretty exciting, just in the midst of getting the mortgage sorted, started looking at some houses, found one we really like but unfortunately Karl had difficulty fitting in it. Still searching for that special place (with exceptionally high ceilings).
Email competition@ladbrokes.co.uk with the answer and I'll pick 10 lucky winners who will get a FREE ENTRY to the iPad2 Freeroll on Sunday 4th September.
Only played 2 events since then $1,500 Venetian Deepstack. The $350 Deepstack and the $1,000 Caesars Main Event. Both events didn't go very well, never really got a stack going in either, busted out the $350 with AK beaten by QQ and all in blind v blind with A8 v. KK in the Caesars.
After the Caesar's Event decided to give Poker a rest and enjoy everything else Vegas has to offer. Eaten in some awesome restaurants included Botero at the Wynn Encore, the Effiel Tower Restaurant at Paris (which has one of the best views of the strip in my opinion) Tao at the Venetian, (amazing food but pretty tilting service) and Morels at the Palazzo.
I'm not a huge clubber back home but the clubs here in Vegas are something else and even non clubbers can not resist. Been to XS at the Wynn, Pure at Caesars and the new club called Marquee at the Cosmopolitan which is probably one of the most incredible clubs I've ever been too. All incredible nights with great company.
It's my sixth time in Las Vegas and before this trip I had never been to a show. So far this trip I saw a hypnotist comedian, The Blue Man Group and Cirque Du Soleli's Criss Angel Believe. Completely different shows and were all entertaining but wouldn't say were any particularly mind blowing. Criss Angel's Vegas show is nothing in comparison to the bigger stunts you may of seen of his on TV, understandable of course but still a bit of a let down. Still 4 days left in Las Vegas and we're planning to see two more - 'Absinthe', which completes highly recommended and 'The Price is Right' Gameshow! Loved 'The Price is right' as a kid and if you know me, you know I'm a bit of a gameshow enthusiast...
In between all the amazing meals, shows and night's out I've also had time to climb Red Rock again, do some MAJOR shopping and put some dedicated time catching some rays at the pool. Only four days left so will try and catch the two shows above, try out the rest of the restaurants on our list and railing JP Kelly who's down to the last 142 in the Main Event!!
I was starting Day 2 with 57,000 and going back to the 1k/2k level, there were 50 players left and they were paying 27. The hour long blinds meant there was no rush to double up but definitely didn’t want to just blind away holding out for the money and hope to build up my stack.
My stack slipped down to 40,000 with around 40 left, although I had 20 bigs I was one of the shortest stacks, there were some really big stacks on my table using their chips aggressively. Danish guy on my right was opening around 70 – 80% of hands. I managed to double up to 100k when I pushed all in on SB with 78 suited v Danish guys open on button. He called with AT but the two 8’s on the flop helped…
Waiting for the bubble to burst was pretty horrendous, it lasted over 2 x hour long levels and my stack slipped from 100k to 65k. The big stacks were using their stacks aggressively and I simply wasn’t getting any hands to play back with. 27th place received $4,300 and 28th would leave with nothing so understandably the short stacks were holding on…
One guy on my table was opening a lot and playing aggressively like he was one of the big stacks but only just had me covered, he opened UTG +1 for the 4th time on my BB so thought it was about time I made a move. I had just over 20bb so enough to get him off a hand… Moved all-in with pocket 3’s and he snapped me off with AK. Unbelievably my 3’s held up despite the board pairing on the flop and I doubled up to 130k. Not long after the bubble burst, I was guaranteed $4,300 and it was time to relax!
I was literally getting no hands, I 3bet shoved against aggro players with any decent cards I was getting to keep me from blinding away. Once the bubbled burst players were busting left, right and centre and before I knew it I was down to 2 tables. I was sitting on 10 – 20bb but no one wanted to give me any action. Eventually when we were down to 13, blinds had just went up, I was down to 11bb and shoved on the button with A7. Actually thought I would double up this hand but I unfortunately the Big Blind woke up with a bigger Ace. Finished 13th and won $6,390. The pay jump went up to $8,500 when down to 12 and there were shorter stacks so was a little annoying but I can’t be too upset about it. I wasn’t getting any hands, never really got a chance to run up my stack so I guess I should be happy with the cash and the new Michael Kors watch I bought with it. Bit of Vegas bling :-).
Can’t believe I’m already half way through my trip, it has flown by!
After the Ladies Event I decided to not to play the Big $1,000 WSOP and instead use that money to try and sat in to the Main. I played the $550 Mega Sat which brought in a massive field. Started with 4,000 chips and 20 minute clock. I was involved in a big hand when I flopped gutshot Royal Flush draw, ended up missing and bluffed on the river for all my chips. He made a hero call and I was out of that pretty quick, a pretty horrendous play by me and was really pissed with myself the rest of the day.
The next day I decided to use the remainder of the $500 and use it to try and sat in the Single Table Route. I funded my trip to Vegas last year by playing the Single Tables, of course you need to put in the volume but I was just hoping to spin this $500 up. Everyone else on the table was playing the correct SnG strategy so they definitely weren’t as soft as I had remembered from last year. We were 5 handed and everyone had around 10bb. Shoved with A3 on the button and was called by a stronger Ace. Main Event 2011 Dream over.
The next day I had always planned to play the $1,500 Venetian Deepstack. I wanted to make sure I get one of the Venetians in to my Poker Playing Schedule so if gives me a chance to play a proper tourney with a decent structure. Although on the morning of day 1 I felt a little deflated by Poker especially after my play in the Mega Sat thought I should just give up altogether! At least I had Vegas to entertain me if I had another early exit.
The event bought in around 296 entrants, each starting off with 20k in chips and hour long levels. My starting table was super aggressive, the three most aggressive young European guys on my left. Felt massively out of my comfort zone, all the three guys were calling all my opening raises and the guy 2 to my left kept 3 betting to isolate me. During the break I purchased a share-size bag of starburst and dished them out on the table, no help and they continued to bash me up…
First big hand on my starting table, I had pocket 3h 3d in the cut off and opened, button called and the young guy in the big blind also called. Since the guy on the big blind joined the table, he called all my raises and min-raised all of my continuation bets which I folded to every time.
Flop Ts 6s 5s
Big blind checked to me and I made a continuation bet of around ¾ the pot. The button folded and big bling min raised again, I decided to just flat here and either bet on turn or raise his turn bet. If he fired back then I just give up.
Turn 3s
This changes things slightly, I now have ten cards which could see me winning a massive pot. I want to control this pot from getting too big on the turn and missing. He checks on the turn and I check behind.
5h
Absolute dream card, he’s never going to put me on my hand here and I could easily get paid off with any spade. He checks again and I bet just over full pot, half my stack. He dwells for ages and eventually calls. Weeeeee!
I was so card dead Day 1, I built up my stack by taking down small pots or 3betting aggressive players position who were opening a lot. I was moved tables so many times, you really do realise what a disadvantage this can be. Again, luckily the structure was on my side and I was able to sit tight and observe the table before getting stuck in.
On my 4th table move of the day I had a rush of semi decent cards, was opening a lot and winning some small pots. We were playing 8 handed and I was dealt Aces UTG + 2. One caller in the Big blind and we saw a flop of Q T 2 rainbow. I made a continuation bet and he put me all in. I had like 30ish Big blinds at the time and despite little information he was clearly a very aggressive player and I’m never folding here anyway. I was up against AQ and my Aces held.
It was coming closer to the end of Day 1 and I was on about 20 big blinds, made some moves on what was then on my 5th table, reshoving on some late position openers praying this wasn’t the first time they opened all day. They all got through and I finished the day with 57,000 and only 50 players left.
27 paid and $100,000 up for first place. Had no idea we already this deep and so close to the money. Sleepless night was on the cards for me, I’m not the best sleeper at the best of the times but when I make a day 2, I lie awake going over all the hands I’ve played and my plan for tomorrow…
Arrived on Wednesday evening, Karl and I went straight out to get some food, then headed over for some cocktails at the Bellagio and it was there were I was introduced to my latest addiction, PaiGow Poker. Woke up Thursday and was very ill thanks to the 3 glasses of complimentary wine. Karl was playing the PLO hi lo 8 or better and I wasn't sure what to do with myself especially with such a severe hungover.
Then Liv called me and asked me whether i fancied going hiking up Red Rock which is situated 30 minutes of Vegas. Definitely not usually top of my list of things to do on a hungover but thought it would be something different and how better to get rid of a hungover than sweat it out by climbing up a 800 ft rock?! Only one mild freak out 2/3s of the way up but apart from that was one of the best things i've ever done. Karl doesn't know it yet but I'm planning on climbing the even bigger on before i leave.
Third full day in Vegas (1.6.2011) and luckily I wasn't planning on walking much. I was playing Event 50 the Ladies $1,000. 3,000 Starting Stack, 1 hr clock and blinds start at 25/25. This structure is a bit of a crap-shoot and ideally you want to get a chip stack going early on. My table seemed pretty solid, especially for a Ladies Event, couple of weak players but 7/10 seemed like all competent players. I won 2 small pots within the first 20 minutes to then went down to 2,500 when I lost minimum w/ AT on T22K9 Rainbow board against KJ.
Unfortunately I didn't even make it to the end of the first level. Was all in with Aces on a board of 46JT, i knew i was behind more of the time by the turn but I had more than half of my chips in the middle and I couldn't find a fold. What was more frustrating was she had only hit her 2 outter on the Turn. Ah well...
The last two days of consisted of BBQs, a meal out at China Grill at the Mandalay Bay and last night went to see a Hypnotist comedian, which was ok but I'm sure there are better shows. Decided against playing the big $1,000 on the weekend and instead put it towards satting in to the Main Event. I'll let you know how i get on! If I don't win a seat then i'll be playing some of the Venetian events.
Been fairly busy since my last post, holidaying in St Lucia and Florida and we a weekend excursion to Slovenia. St Lucia and Florida was supposed to be a strictly non poker holiday but we still managed to get through 300 hands of Chinese poker and Karl managed to win a $5k vegas Package for just a $1 investment. Week paid for in the Palazzo this summer yes please! No poker in Florida for obvious reasons - this meant even more time for over-eating. Ribs FTW.
I played 4 tournaments since GUKPT London. First was the BlackBelt Live held at the Vic, although when i first arrived i thought I had accidently stumbled in to a beginner’s karate class. On my first table I was sat opposite Karl which is always fun, spent a few hours 3betting him before eventually being moved tables and running my 25bb stack into AK with my 66 nearish to the bubble.
When we got back from holiday we headed down to the Palm Beach for the Big Game. Was told about how bad all the players were and what great value the tournament was. Apparently it wasn’t just me who heard about this incredible value...had GUKPT Winners, EPT Winners, World Heads Up Champions and a WSOP Main Event Final tablist all on my table. Didn’t seem to be going my way when I called a min-raise in the blinds and got it all in with middle set v. an over pair for the board to hit runner runner to chop it up. Eventually got my 25bb stack in with AK suited v Kimber’s QQ and headed home.
After my win at Luton I’m second in the D4 leaderboard, so worth me trying to play the other events in my attempt to take over the current leader (guy who won the Austrian Deepstack). We flew out on Thursday and planned to play the Main Event on day 1b on the Friday. Was looking forward to playing and with the 50k in chips and hour long levels it gives you plenty of play... also allows you to get carried away with Jack high in the first level....:( Really didn’t go my way, didn’t play my best and the event came to a close when I made a squeeze with my 28bb stack on the BB with AJ v UTG +1 opener, 3 callers. Was called by the original raiser with 99 and the 9 on the flop sealed my fate.
Took the Saturday off and decided to try my luck at the €200 side event which offered a 30 minute clock and 10k starting stack. First time in my poker career i busted on the first hand. I cold 4bet on the button with KK and was immediately set in. It didn’t take me much time to decide although I would of given it more consideration if i were back home but with all the crazy Italian/Slovenian players I had seen over the previous days it made me think my KK may actually be ahead more of the time I think. Obv :( he had AA and I was kicking myself the rest of the day. If there’s any time i could of folded KK pre i think it would have been then.
Not planning to play much Poker before Vegas (will be there June 29th for 3 weeks) maybe the Deepstack at Dusk till Dawn in June but nothing set in stone yet. Need to save my bankroll for Vegas, planning on the Women’s $1k event, a few of the Venetian Deepstacks including the $1,500 on the 7th July and maybe a few other of the smaller WSOPs – see how i do!
Thanks to the Irish Poker Board forum for the photos
You can follow me on twitter @Amy_T for updates on my progress.
Managed to win myself a seat to the London GUKPT worth £1,500. Luton proved to me what a light weight I actually am, took me a while to get over it, felt pretty drained after 3 days of playing. Of course I’m absolutely delighted with my win and still totally overwhelmed with all the messages so Thank you! Week and a half later I feel rejuvenated and was really looking forward to what would be my 3rd GUKPT Main Event.
Started off with 15k in chips, hour long clock and first level 25/50. 30 Minutes left and I was involved in a fairly chunky pot with a guy directly to my right who had been raising a few hands up. I re-raised his 175 pre to 425 with AhQh and he called. Flop came 7c 8s Qd. He bet out 1k which I called. Turn came 2c. He then bet out 2.5k. With not a lot of information on this player I should probably give him the benefit of the doubt and fold, I convinced myself otherwise, he’s unlikely to be bet out so strong if he flopped a set, can’t put him on two pair so thought he could possibly have KQ/QJ. I called the 2.5k, hoping that he’d slow down on the river so I wouldn’t have to put so many chips in with just one pair. It wasn’t the case and he bet 6k on a 3d river. I called all the way, I had to go with my read earlier. He also looked ridiculously nervous, which could mean one of two things really, he has the nuts or he’s bluffing. I weighed it all up, if my read was off I’d have 5k left which meant I’d have to grind my way up. I called and he instantly mucked. Best start I could have hoped for.
Blinds 75/150 and I have 30k and it was here I got involved in my next big hand. Have KK in cut-off and raise to 425. Guy in SB Makes it 1200 and I 4bet to 3255 and he calls, he has about 8k behind. I hadn’t been too out of line, so no reason for him to think I was at it. Flop came 33J. He checks and I put him all-in. He tanks and then calls with AJ and his Ace hits on the turn. Obviously I think he played the hand absolutely hideously, but if he’s going to call my 4bet with AJ and hits his flop then I guess he has to go with it. Surely he has to know he’s crushed the whole way, I had a sign on my forehead saying “I have a big pair” (no comment please). He said whilst raking the chips that he’s not going to hang around, if he’s going to bust out he wants to enjoy his St Patrick’s Day. He has to know he’s behind and he’s committing tournament life suicide, ironically..he just happened to have the luck of the Irish…
The next two levels were very swingy and my chipstack remained between the 11k and 15k mark. Won two reasonable pots when I slow played Aces and got paid as much as I could and the other I flopped a set of queens but managed to get one caller and lost him on the turn.
Blinds 200/400 and I had about 15k. I was dealt AJ off on the cut off and made it 1125. Both Button and my ‘AJ’ Nemesis called in the small blind. Flop came 3 T J rainbow and it was checked to me. I bet out 2.2k. Button folded (who by the way was Laddies’ regular HappyMaxy, jolly nice chap and pleasure to meet) and the Small Blind set me in. Thought for a while, the only hand I thought he could have which was beating me would be JT giving him 2 pair but he was likely to have QJ/KJ. I had committed 25% of my stack, so could of got away but the way he’s been playing and the fact I can put him on more hands that I can beat, I called. He had KJ…
…King of the river obv.
After Luton I knew I was due some bad luck, it’s just frustrating when you play well and make the right calls and it doesn’t go your way, especially when it’s against the same person. He didn’t play the KJ hand as badly as the AJ and it’s fair enough, he can play like that if he desires, at the end of the day I got my all my chips in when I was an 80% favourite in both hands and this time it didn’t go my way. Just have to hope 8 out of ten times it does.
Playing the London Masters Next week at the International, have a pretty good track record in the £200 NL Holdem Tourney so it has to be done.
I won a seat to the Palm Beach Big Game final Sat for £25 which I played on Thursday Night, came 2nd winning £400. Decided last minute to put it towards buying myself into the English Deepstack Championship in Luton. Played the same event in Slovenia, great structure and thought I’d give it another go.
First day went well, new table of fresh male faces enabling me to take advantage of the whole “I’m a girl, I play tight passive” for the 1st few levels. Managed to win every hand I was involved in bar one in the first few levels. Got my stack up to the high 80ks. Lost fairly biggish hand when I opened in the HiJack with AA, both button and BB called. Flop came 8 9 T Rainbow. Checked to me, I bet and BB went all in. At the point it was a fairly big call with well over 100BB in the middle. He had flopped a straight with his 67 suited. Against any other player on the table I would of folded but he was going on about how he was a cash player and how he was there to gamble, I should of laid it down regardless, even if it were against 1 pair and a draw I probably didn’t need to get involved.
My luck improved from there when I somehow got a guy to all call my all in with a set of Kings against my Ad8d on KdQd7h board…I got there obv. Towards the end I turned in to the ultimate card rack, just before the end of the day I was dealt Aces back to back and got paid off the second time against the chip leader who had kings. I finished the day with 430k as overall chip leader with 100k more than more than 2nd place.
Day 2 didn’t start well when my stack was cut down to a 3rd when I hit top set against a guy who rivered the straight. Even though I was left with the average stack it just felt like it was all over. Could imagine the updates; ‘Can you believe it we’ve lost our chipleader after massive blow up’. Day 2 was a bit of a grind, I managed to double my stack when I was on the BB with J2 off on a JT3 rainbow board v KQ. I wouldn’t usually be involved with J2 off and I made a mistake, I thought it was a minraise instead of x3 and Pat Murray was also involved directly to my left. When the raiser with KQ bet out on the flop of 85k, and Pat smoothed called, I thought I’d hope my Jack was good and get what was in the middle with an all-in push of 400k (about 30bbish at the time). I was called by the up and down straight draw. Luckily the Jack on the turn, cut down his outs and when the river bricked I was back in the game.
Interview Late during day 2
When we got down to 20ish players I thought I’d take advantage of the bubble and my stack size (25bb – 30bb) and get in to 3 bet shove mode. I successfully managed this and got it through at least 5 times, picking up blinds, antes and more. I finished the day with 875k, fourth in chips with only 10 players to get through.
Game plan was to play similarly to how I played the money bubble, take advantage of people holding out for the final table. Thankfully it wasn’t even necessary as we lost 2 players with in the first 20 mins into the level.
I was one of the lower chip counts to start off with, the blinds and antes were eating up my stack and I dropped down to just half a million when the blinds were 20,000/40,000. I found pkt 8s UTG and went all-in with it to then be snapped called by Aces, I hit a miracle flop of Q 8 Q and with no ace or queen on the turn and river and I had doubled up to over a million but still needed to be aggressive to give myself a chance. A few hands later I was in the SB with A9 off and the hijack opened to 85,000. He had played fairly tight aggressive and knew I could push him off with any marginal hand that he didn’t want to gamble with. It took him a while to call with AK. Once again the Poker Gods were on my side and I hit one of my 3 outs to double up to over 2 million.
Next time I was UTG and dealt QQ, guy directly to my left moved all in and had me slightly covered. We had sat next to each other the day before and every time he went over the top of me he showed me a massive hand. Despite this, I can’t fold like a nit, QQ short handed with only 30BB is pretty mega and reluctantly called. He had KK. I got up off my seat for the 3rd time, bag on shoulder. Flop came 5h 7c 9c Turn 6c River 8c. Couldn’t believe my luck, I thought I was lucky to split, it was then pointed out to me that I had the Qc and had won with a flush, result! I’m not usually that slow but this time I thought my luck had really run out.
We were down to four and had I had about 2.5 million. I raised to x2.5 UTG with AK, folded round to my soon to be heads up opponent in the Big Blind, who had me just covered and he announces (or screams) allin. I’m four handed and I have AK and I’m thinking about folding… His style of play is pretty unorthodox, Karl had played with him on Day 2 and said he was very passive and would bet if he had the goods. Only a round before I had seen him 3bet big from the BB with A4 against a btn raise and a call from the SB. I gave him credit for this hand and he played it well but this was a completely different situation, he’s putting me all-in, 2nd in chips which would leave him crippled. I was so close to folding but luckily I put it in to perspective, I’m here to win and I have AK suited 4 handed, I eventually made the call. I know people think it was a slow roll but it’s easy to say that when watching from afar. He had A5, it wasn’t long till my AK was a massive underdog when a 5 hit the turn. I turned my back to the table and looked at Karl and knew it was karma for all the luck I got earlier. Still with my back turned I heard a mixture of groans and cheers and looked back to see the King on the river. I couldn’t believe it, I slumped back on my chair in disbelief.
Four handed and I have over a 5 million chips, which is over half the chips in play. The guy who came 4th got very unlucky against my Italian bezzie when his AK was beaten by KQ. I knocked out the guy who finished in 3rd when he limped on the btn Aces, I checked my BB with 7 T off, hit a T high flop, he bet 150k in to 180kish pot. I just called. A ten on the turn all the chips went in and he walked.
We were heads up, it had come round very quickly and I had a 2:1 chip lead. Like many tournament players I’m not very confident with my heads up play as unfortunately it doesn’t happen often enough. We took a break and I talked through my heads up game plan. If I could pick anyone to play heads up against it would be Pino, I was feeling pretty confident I’d win and was more worried how I would react if I won and getting my photo taken. He plays passively and only bets when he has it and usually it’s all in. My game plan was to min-raise most hands and only play back if I had a hand. Early on in to heads up play I raised from the SB and he moved all in. I had A8 offsuit, a very strong hand heads up, it took a while but I decided not to get involved and I could find a better spot, he told me he had Queens, whether he did or not...
I thought that better spot had arrived when I found 88s on the SB. I min-raised, he 3 bet and I moved all in.
Nightmare - 88 v 99
The flop brought two spades giving me runner runner opportunities which I politely asked the dealer for.
Turn 4s
The Poker Gods were with me till the bitter end and the final spade delivered on the river. I am now the English Deepstack Champ with a big trophy and £25,000 richer. I looked at Pino who told me what a lucky girl I was. I was indeed but I knew it was always mine. He had better go home and tell his mother-in-law that he was beaten by a girl, which he told me was not going to happen.
I’m absolutely over the moon with the result, I had planned to be in Vegas for 2 – 3 weeks this Summer and now I can fund it. Of course I would of preferred not to have luck boxed my way to victory BUT I’m happy with the way I played, I only regret 2 hands over the 3 days and you can’t rely on pure luck to get your through a 3 day deepstack event. I’m very proud. After Luton, I went straight over to my parents who were waiting for me with a bottle of Champagne after railing me on the live feed all day. My Dad was very excited and kept saying ‘How exciting was it when you had bullet eights!’, my mum in the other ear was asking me why I wasn’t wearing a dress at the final table. Sigh.
Just wanted to say thank you to Mike Lacey and everyone from D4 events for putting on an awesome event, I will be playing more (especially now I’m at the top of the leaderboard). Thanks to Dena and everyone else at Luton Casino. Thanks to Caroline Cove and Tighty for the updates which kept me highly amused over the 3 days. They’re absolutely quality updaters, if you haven’t read them then you must - see link below. Massive thanks to my boyfriend, Karl, for railing me and helping me improve my game over the last year.
Not sure when I’ll be playing next, can’t even think about it just yet, you can follow me on twitter @Amy_T to find out what I’m up to
Day 2 was on the more slightly frustrating side, was on a tough table with some big stacks. I was always around the 20 Big Blind mark, majority of the time it had been 4bet by the time it got round to me, giving me no hope of getting a shove through so had to wait for the cards. My run of J3 T6 62 64 just wasn’t gonna give me the double i needed. Got my all in through with 67 suited on the Big Blind over a cut off open. Blinds went up and my stack dwindled to just under 20 Big Blinds. Find A8 in the high jack, i have a little too much to shove but definitely can’t raise/fold my stack, so had to go with it. I did hesitate a little once the Big Blind put me in, I knew i was in trouble but had to go with my original plan and at worse i’m 30%. My A8 was no match v Rupinder Bedi’s AT and I was out in 38th. Bit of a bummer but, hey ho.
Not planning to play much Poker before Vegas (will be there June 29th for 3 weeks) maybe the Deepstack at Dusk till Dawn in June but nothing set in stone yet. Need to save my bankroll for Vegas, planning on the Women’s $1k event, a few of the Venetian Deepstacks including the $1,500 on the 7th July and maybe a few other of the smaller WSOPs – see how i do!
