Players Championship

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.

This is your last chance peeps...

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.

BIG Week

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!

Thanks to Blonde Poker Forum for the photos

Follow Amy on twitter @Amy_T