Mellor's Blog

The Cash League Final

2008-12-01T12:54:00.003Z

Spanning over four months, this cash league was always going to be big. Troy, Sam and all the rest hads 500+ hours for a monster stack, but the average stack was 10k which left plnty of play left plenty.
I however was below average, 6,750. But I was happy that the combination of large stacks and the fact that the field was hold'em deep I could get the required double ups in omaha, I just had to wait.
It didn't take long, broadway on a non-pair or flush board. Paid off.
Top house (quad blocker), paid off in two spots.
Quads, paid off in two spots. Every hand I get paid off in was in omaha. At the second break I have 66k. Well up the top.

Then it ends. No good no more.
A run of great hands, I raise, called. I miss. Everytime. Everything I have misses and I go down to 25k.
I pick up AAKJ double suited. I raise. Called. Flop is K high. I bet, the guys shoves. Its 9k into 30k. I call. He has a lone K. No straight or flush draw. Turn is a king, no change. River is a 4, which fills him up. Down to 10k.
Ninja shortie mood, steal blinds, push double up. Average stack, 19 players left. Finally we make it to last two tables. I've 70k (average).
I make top set in omaha, pot the flop and fold when the flush card hits.
Next hand, I get it in with Norman (who blew a huge stack), I raise the button with A 10 hearts. Norman pushes from the BB, its not much more I call. He has 67 hearts. 7 hits, I miss. Few more rounds, I get it back up, and norman has lost his lead again. I push with J10, he calls with 8 5. I flop a pair, turn two pair, but the river straights the board. Next hold'em round. I raise from mid-position with 66. And agsin its norman who calls, I'm begining to think its me. None of these raises had him priced in. Any way, the board is 2 3 5, I push, he has 2 4. Wtf, its defo me. I show my 66, and he calls for a 4. "Two pair no good, its the gutterball"
The 4 hits making my straight. I finally win a all-in spot. When I'm up against 2 outs.
Four limpers into my BB, I have AAJ9. I pot to 16k, one caller.
Flop is 449. I pot it for 36k. Called again. The player has 16k behind into 108k.
Turn a K. 16k in, Called. She has KKxx. No straight or flush. Yes, that was a 2 outer for almost the chiplead.
It's not about winning races, its about winning when you are miles ahead.
I run bad, and take €1000.

Fear and Loathing in Killarney

2008-10-06T17:19:00.006+01:00

It was early saturday morning when we embarked on the road to Killarney. I picked up my accomplace, a little late as expected, and hit the road. I hadn't eaten that morning, as usual, and somewhere around the far side of kildare I started to regret that decision. I turned up the radio to drown out the sound of my rumbling stomach, the intricate soundings out french duo Daft Punk were on hand. The tone was set.

The N21 rolled out before us and we made it to the Glen without needing to stop. I didn't want to sit in the restuarant with a bag, and let all the sharks know I was an out of towner, so checking in first appeared to be the best option. The girl at the desk was quite helpful, but easily confused. Her bewildered look when I asked if the room service had grapefruit still puzzles me. Taking my key, I was pleased to find out I had a ground floor room, in and out in 2 minutes, we arrived at a table for two in the restuarant. I think a good meal is essential before any bout of concentration, and in hindsight a greasey steak sandwich was probably not the greatest choice.

One hour and counting, the starting blocks appear on the horizon, and creep up upon me instantly. Cards are in the air while I'm walking around the hall, does anybody have an ipod charger. Normally, I am happy to play along audioless, and i'm normally the one people wish to drown out. But these poor bastards are truely insufferable. please stop talking to me and let me ignore you in peace.

The cards themselves didn't show up, my starting table was likely the softest I've been at in recent months. King high is pretty enough for 3 barrel call down. The action is ludacris, sadly I only manage a sinle pot but increase my 15k to 19k with the broadway straight. Moved table, get paid by AK on a K high board (some chips donated by Yuletired, thanks). The systematic literal folding for two hours straight was pretty mind numbing.
Button raise with AJs, sb re-raises (been at each other last three hands). I call AKJ flop, he bets, I ship, snaps with AA. Busto.

Now the fun begins, I was less than happy with busting, but not one to dwell I met with a dutch friend named Heini at the bar to cheer myself up, I almost always feel better around her, it's a snakes and ladders affair though. As the night wore on, our love hate relationship ebbed and flowed, quicker and closer, as we generally do; only to ignore each other in the morning. While i'm not about to publish all the details here. Generally a sick night followed, with many of the creeps and degen BBV regs appearing in the bar. Names omitted in a last ditch effort to maintain the shredded dignity that goes along with the live poker scene.

As an aside to festival cash games, 60% shots at 800BB PLO pots are sick.

Saturday night was a polar opposite, wound up at a 21st 40 miles away, no poker chips in sight and the only cards to be seeen had Happy Birthday splashed accross the front. I didn't bring one, as I had no idea who this girl was. Nor had I a clue who any of the rest were, bar the token invite. Severely out-numbered, it's looking up........
Anti-climax indeed, heavy din, and a thundering crash, its all over.

I awake, in a strange house. Countless miles away from my room, my room with three empty beds. I doubt I was missed. After staying to make sure somebody helped eat the mountainous breakfast spread, we were off.

Rinse and repeat, to the cash table. A short grind later, I leave for the long drive home. Even stephen, exhausted but not broken.
Good show.

Donkaments.....It's that time of year

2008-09-25T17:42:00.000+01:00

I have really been lacking with the updates lately. As have most people, Keith epic fails at blog posting. I will try to get better (blogging and poker)
Tournament season is upon us it seams. Killarney, The IPO and The WinterFest back to back in october. Not to mention the BCOOP (Boards Championship of Online Poker) which got underway this week. Event one was a flop for me, but hoping to shine in the stud games, (#2 Stud Hi/Lo is tonight), reason being I've gotten into playing the 8 game mixed STTs on Stars.

A few months ago I mention I wanted to concentrate on tourneys for the comming year, so here's Octobers outlook;

Killarney €550 - 750 runners
I quailified for this online via laddies in early august. Package deal including the room, so pretty happy that his is going to be a almost free weekend. Transport to be decided (train looking good), and obviously cash action optional (most likely sick it up at some point). A week to go and its just about sold out. I don't have much to say about it right now, once Neil releases the players list, seating etc, I can comment on my table, interesting draws and so on. I'll probably blog entry before I go, and one when I return.

The IPO
The first annual IPO last year set out to be the biggest european tourney ever. The record was the 2007 Irish Open at about 605 mark. The IPO broke the 1000 people mark.
This year it is confirmed bigger and better. Same fee, but less reg means a bigger prizepool, kudos Stephen and Jeff at pokerireland. More entrants, at time of writing, they are at 1100+ and rising. Expect it to break the 1200 sellout point by Saturday (the 27th, so I don't think BCB will win that bet of his, mine was null and void). and finally this years IPO is in a nicer venue, the Regency airport hotel, which is a huge plus, the fucking RDS does my head in.
Despite all these massive pros, I have decided not to play in the event. My loss.........maybe
I didn't enjoy the event last year, self deal was a diaster (which won't happen this year due to two start dates), and the whole thing got very crap shooty by the 4th level. While having two start dates and fully dealt tables will help this. The standard of play will be mind numbing. Simple pots taking 5 minutes, donkeys checking and re-checking if they have the nuts once the board 4 flushes. An overall grind to sunday, only to get angle shot on exit. Its not a reflection on Stephen or anyone at Poker Ireland (ok, maybe Jeff), I just think that events of this size (1000+) need very long levels to keep the play in place. Which sadly isn't feasable at a reasonable buy-in. I could play this, at face value, purely for shits and giggles. But after a long and hard think. I feel bu €150 is better spent on a killarney side event when I bust first hand of day two.
Best of luck to all that play.

The WinterFest
Quick IWF update, I suck.
I have failed so far to sat into this. I may give the big one a shot tonight. But, unless its ten runners. I'm afraid i'll be dead money. Purely contributing to BCB IPO payout fund.
Hopefully, I can sort this out. Will play the super sat though.

And finally, I recently was given a comp of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. And, I'm hooked. This book is excellant.
I always knew it was quite good, and wanted to read it since I saw the film. But, as always, the book > the film. I'd recommenf it to anyone, but beware, it will likely bring out the degenerate in you.

"We had two bags of grass, seventy- five pellets of mescaline, five sheets of high powered blotter acid, a salt shaker half full of cocaine, a whole galaxy of multi- colored uppers, downers, screamers, laughers... Also a quart of tequila, a quart of rum, a case of beer, a pint of raw ether and two dozen amyls. Not that we needed all that for the trip, but once you get locked into a serious drug collection, the tendency is to push it as far as you can"

Round up, round up

2008-08-25T20:58:00.003+01:00

This will be a short post. Well at least I think it will. I never realy plan these things out and just attempt to (as Gary clark puts it) talk freely.

Went to Citywest for Vera's birthday bash. Quite a few runners. Too many infact. The free entry, while it encouraged lots of people, a €50 buy-in would of resulted in a quaility over quantity field.
Most of my citywest action was intially focused on the table games. And was quite the swingy adventure. Down at Blackjack. Sicko dealer. I start with 7,4 to an exposed 7. Double down please. Ping a King, Bingo. Gets to the dealer, Peals a 4, then a 10. push. The first of many runner runner 21s for the dealer.
Change to the hot blonde (dealer) table, instantly back in the black.
Lets try roulette. I spin up, I spin down
Reload. imporve to €100
€100 on black, Keith Rooney trys to talk me out of it explaining how its a losing bet. I had to laugh, how is it a losing bet, if it hits black I win a €100. Red.
Walk away.

Return and repeat. I need karma, Sammy sticks the case 40 on black with me. Black, robusto. Dump the €100, and spread the board, three winning spins dumping €50 each time sees me showing profit for the night when the forth spin misses.

Jump into omaha. Blinds 1/1 Sit in with €300.
Straight draw flush draw. All-in. Hit the straight. Double double.

Then, a sick hand.
I've AKT9 in the BB. UTG+2 raises to 6, 6 see a flop.
Flop AKK
Turn a J, manage to get all in 4 ways. Two stacks of 300+ and 200. Other has my 550 covered. PF raiser has AA, god knows what the others had. Some how I take the side to have only lost 100 or so.

Win a few, then this
I've QQ8x in the BB. Its made 5, 3 players call. I call.
Flop is Q93
I check (the table has be betting alot with draws and such, but little or know raises on the flop (unless made 5 card hands),
its checked around.
Turn an 8
Not good, I check. MP bets 40. SB makes it 120 (he has 300 or so behind)
I fold, not happy.

But dispite these set backs, the AKK the biggest i'd played (bar tourney final tables with more on the line), I managed to leave the table a reasonable winner. Just shy of 800.

Currently focused on quailifying for the Irish Festival. Bought into the weekly final last week and started wekk, made a ridic move rep'ing the flush. Set calls.
This week I said I'd enter via the daily route. I ticket bubble tuesdays sat. I should of tightened more. I take a ticket on thursday. Its kicking off right now.
Here goes.

Update:
I decided to hold back on posting this until the optimum moment. posting it early surely results in angering the poker gods, wishing for luck etc is bad form.
So under the guise of an update, heres the wish me luck part.
its the second break, i'm 13 out of 27 remaining (72 started). Have been dealt good starting hands early. KK twice and AA, but failed to see a flop twice, and the secong i didn't go past the flop. Online tellbox obviously.

Going for Gold

2008-08-09T16:52:00.002+01:00

Well, its that time again, another Olympiad has past and Beijing 2008 kicked off in impressive style. The events have kicked off today, with a few green stripes appearing. So, in a quick run down, I'm posting my tips of the games.
Ireland has won medals at 7 the last 8 games. Granted the gold last time was taken away, and Michelle Smith was disgraced (She however did retain her medals). So. I like to hope that we can pick up something this year.

So we have a 54 strong squad in china. Most made the A grade (Ireland's Olympic council decided to only send A grade to be a competing nation), with three exceptions, two swimmers and a runner who each just missed the A times.
Out of the 54, I reckon we have two who might be in a medal position.

Historically, Ireland's best Olympic event is boxing. With 9 out of 20 medals in the ring. So my first medal pick is John Joe Nevin at Bantamweight. 40-1 to pick up any medal. Also, the captain Ken Egan is in at 8-1 to pick up a medal, although this is a poor price due to his easy draw in round one.

Derek Burnett was a hopefull, as he is the only irish team member to have beaten everyone of his oppondents at soome time. A poor first round has seen him slip.

Following on from last year, I think we can save facr with a win in the showjumping under Dennis Lynch.
So thats it, only real hop is with Lynch and Nevin. Fingers crossed.

Poker
I played the Weds €40 freezeout in the jackpot. 59 runners. I took it down for €920 and a ticket to a winterfest sat. Overall I was happy with how I played, got it in behind twice, obviously sucked out. But even with the good old 20/20 hindsight. I wouldn't change how I played.

Next in poker, I'm hoping to quailify for Big Slick's Irish festival in Kerry this october. So, i've spend a week gettingused to laddies software and will shortly try a few sats.

I know that the general poker world loves stories of degeneracy. Sadly, its been a quite week. Are the poker loons start to cop on, have they started to quiten down, or is this the calm before the storm. I like to think it's the latter.

The Tuesday Trauma

2008-07-31T17:34:00.000+01:00

PLO \pee-el-oh\, noun:
1. Disease; symptoms include extreme urges to gamble, 4-Bet any ol' spanners to get the loot in pre-flop and shout "chips" out loud
2. A card game invented by Lucifer himself when he decided that Hold'em just didn't have enough variance

So everybody knows of the Monday madness in the jackpot. Its the €10 entry with unlimited €5 rebuys. Well, it just got worse. Duke has decided that the sickos should get a fix on Tuesday as well. Which resulted in a round of each, Hold'em and PLO, tourney with the same unlimited €5 rebuys.

The inaugural tourney was last Tuesday, and a fair few turned up. Rag2Gar, KillMe002, Bohsman, Trish and the annoying guy from the jackpot, about 4 of the Jackpot dealers jumped in and the field ended up coming to 25 runners. The rebuy stages were essentially all-in madness. I was fortunante enough, in the first two hands I played out, to get it in with a straight flush draw in PLO and hit (straight), then stack a player in hold'em with a boat. From here I was table chip lead and wasn't all-in during the rebuy stages. Although, lost a few pots against the "new" 2500 stack and finally a large one with AA to finish up with 12k during at the break.

Pretty uneventful until the final table, standard stuff, ship it in with the nuts, any 4 cards will call in PLO. And hope you stay ahead. I came to the final table a shortish 23k (35-40k average, but that was mostly in two stacks). Second round, my button, first PLO of the final table. 6 limpers into me, (thats everyone), I pot it with AKQQ double suited, 6 players see a flop.

Flop 4 6 Q........Folded to me I push, called by 66xx, he has only the case 6 to win and it never comes.

The tourney ran quite late, and around 3ish, we burst the bubble. Prizes; 325, 210, 125, 80, 45

More than a few needed to make top three to show profit.

4 handed, blinds 3k/6k. UTG pushes for c.40k. Button shoves pretty quickly

I have 77 and just under 60k, but 6k of that was in for BB. I dwell and fold, putting the button on a PP. I was right he had 44.

In hindsight I should of called as even if I lose to the button I still take 3rd, but winning has me as chipleader.

Anyway, a gut-shot and flush hitting latter, i'm busto for third.

An enjoyable but late night.

Bracelets, Deep in the M.E. and Sponsorship, congrats all round

2008-07-15T21:36:00.003+01:00

Well, first things first. Congrats to John O'Shea on a WSOP final table, and to Marty Smyth on taking down the Championship PLO event. This is the toughest field after the Horse imo. Well played sir.

The main event might be the most sought after, but this is due to the money and previous pristige. The last time a player was recognaised for being amoung the best in the world after winning the ME is debatable.

As we entered the final week of the WSOP. Most of the poker community in the world turn to Vegas to follow the Main Event. With almost 7k runners, any hopefull world champion was going to run good to take this down. When day one started, eyes turned to Pokernews for updates, a serious lack of updates this year, but PN, was clearly the best. A shed load of Boardies and other irish players ventured the tides of lady luck in the amazon room. And without them in the mix, many of us would not of bothered to follow it.

I'm not going to attempt to toss about "well done" to the many many players who put in a sterling proformance, as undoubtedly, I will miss more than a few. But, I think that an exception must be made for the two deepest runs amoung the irish.
Reggie (Cardshark) came 111th, and James (Hawkeye), who was in the top few spots for three days, and was even chipleader at one stage, came 71st. Congrats lads.

Play has stopped in the ME as they are down to 9 players. For purely marketing purposes, the powers that be have decided to pospone the FT until november. Not a smart move, with more than a few million involved, I don't think think the meantime pass without an incident. The players remaining are,
(chip count in brackets, PP odds below)

Dennis Philips (26,295,000)
4 - 1
Ivan Demidov (24,400,000)
4 - 1
Scott Montgomery (19,690,000)
9 - 2
Peter Eastgate (18,375,000)
9 - 2
Ylon Schwartz (12,525,000)
8 - 1
Darus Suharto (12,520,000)
17 - 2
David Rheem (10,230,000)
10 - 1
Craig Marquis (10,210,000)
10 - 1
Kelly Kim (2,620,000)
50 - 1

Most of the players, bar one or two, have a string of major event cashes. Its all stipulation at this stage, but if I had to pick somebody (basing it on odds, ability and results), my money is on David Rheem. The bigger stacks are more likely, but I think Rheem at 10-1 represents the best value.

Shortly before the final line up was announced, Nicky Power annouced, or rather it was announced for him, his impending sponsorship deal. Always the gent, Nicnicnic decline to name the site, saying that it was up to them to choose when to make it public. After some waiting, Bruce-Poker made the deal public. They have the best of this in my opinion. Will this mean that Nicky will stop appearing at Family Guy themed partys, most likely not.

So, after much time wasting with congrats and etc, time to briefly cover me. I few months ago, I moved to soley to cash (I was 50/50 cash and tourney). And at first, I was much happier, varience was much lower. Wins were much more freqent, but obviously not as big as the occasional deep run in an MTT. I was immediatly happier. But more an more lately I find myself glancing at the tourney tab. Seconds thoughts, no. Longing for one time, prehaps.
In live tourneys, i've ben running quite well, cashing more often than not lately. Live cash, not so well.
Online tournys, again quite well, cashed in my last 3 out of four MTTs on stars. I was all set to go deep in a 60k on stars, made the last four tables out of almost 5900 runners. Was 7th in chips, but a two outer on the river took a chunk out of me, then I lost a race AT vrs 99 to bust in 27th.
That side, I find myself enjoying tourneys more, and when you enjoy poker more, you play better. More often than I'd like to keep count of, I've been hit with a few massive beats in cash. playing in a very deep Omaha game, I get it in on the turn with a house, and not any old house, the nut house, for 800 BBs, called by trips. Spikes and over on the river. Shortly later, i get in on the flop with a big wrap and king flushdraw. Only to be called by ace FD, even removing loads of my outs, i'm still ahead. Straight on turn, flush on river. That was 300BBs, then for 500bb, flopped set over set, of course I have the bottom end. Had I won those hand, I'd be 16 buy-ins better off.

So where does this leave me. I'm not really sure. I still think I have to maintain a decent level of cash. But I also think I need a tourney based goal. One thing is certain, I am really really going to make a better effort with this blog. Even if only for myself, I am a firm believer in that these blog follies help to focus a player. In terms of poker focus, I am planning of trying to quailify for one (or more) of the large events in the coming months. Off the top of my head, I suppose i'd like to see myself in either Kerry for the Big Slick Game in October, the Paddy Power Winter Fest, one of the Dublin Festivals.
I will not be buying-in direct, so i'll try my best to quench my tourney thirst via sats.

Cash League Final - Round of each Tourney

2008-05-04T12:58:00.002+01:00

So last Saturday, the Jackpot ran its quarterly Cash league final. I just scaped in with about 65 hours. There were 98 quailifiers, and over 90 showed up. Ten tables, push some late entries, so it was pretty close to the max showing.

I show up at close to 8, starting time. Its pretty full, and when I collect my chips and go to draw a seat, i'm told that they are opening up table eight and to go to seat one, this is the last table available in the main room.
i can only laugh as I look at the remaining players entering and sitting at the table, the final line up was something like, in seat one myself, Mark McD, Conor Doyle, Dermott, Noel, Conor Bloom, Paul (Macspower), Annie (I think, Asian girl), and Dave Jackpot.

We are going to be the first to be broken, and the aim to to not lose any chips, the omaha round bothers me, seeing as for at least half the table its their game of choice, while the rest of the room struggle to pick up four cards without showing the lads beside them.

The first hand I get involved in almost spelt the end for me. (level 1, 25/25 Omaha) 3 limpers to my button and I call with QxQsJx9s

Flop (150)
5x6cQc

Dermott (UTG) bets 150, one caller around o me and I make it 750.
Utg checks my stack and raises to 2k, I push and he calls.

He shows 2c3x4x5c
Which is pretty much worst case scenerio, the wrap and the FD, I was hoping to be just ahead, instead its about 50/50 (or just in his favour depending on suits)

Turn
Queen

So I win he flip, and can sit easy on 13k for a while. And don't really get involved again at that table (bet a turned house and get no callers, QQ on board). In level 2 the table is broken and I move across the road. New table is much better, Paul moves over too, and Cormac and Gary are already sitting down, but there is some value on the table, Hector to my left for one. There's a bit of banter early on, a few comments about Hector calling every hand. Then the outburst. MP raises and I call in the SB with AQ, Hector dwells, and I say come on, we all know you are calling, put in it, and I motion to put his chip in (to be clear, I didn't and wasn't going to move or touch his chip). Well he loses it, and starts shouting in broken english, finishing, I no call, I no call, I raise, POOTT. I don't think he was tricky enough to pull aby sort of move, so I call.

Flop (5k)
A Q 5

I check and hector fires out 5k, i push and he snap folds showing 77,
Im on 20k sor so now and pretty happy.
The rest of the action on this table is mostly small spots, or me dwelling up and folding made hands and big draws, the jury is still out on the latter. The only exception is me busting both Rag2gar and Macspower (sorry lads), AAxx, with nut flush draw against Mac, and AK vrs AQ with Rag2gar, I was ahead in both so at least I didn't have to suckout.

For the next few hours, its moving tables and grinding up. Making it to last 4 tables and having an above average 35k. I don't show many hands and take most down with betting against weak players and avoid the three strong players on the table. I show down a few big hands and keep thicking over.

Controversal Hand (400/800)
4 Players see a flop and I hold QQ34

Flop (3200)
28Q Rainbow

I lead for 2,500, one caller.

Turn
5 completing rainbow

I bet 9k, He announces pot. And pushes half his stack over the line. He as about 45k, I have 60K
I announce re-pot andpush my stack over. Now here is where it gets messy,
He pushes the remainder of his stack over the line (bar a 500 chip)

I (in error, apparently) took his whole stack over the line as i call, and I flip my hand over. He see it and stats to backpedel, saying he never called, he thinks about it and says he was folding, 11k behind, and a 80k+ pot in front of him.
Now if he didn't actually call, he can fold, my mistake. But I am pretty certain, as are alot of the table, that he did call. Forward motion, etc.
A ruling is called and the dealer says he didn't push his stack over, and MickSte spoke up saying he did, the ruling goes in his favour. The ruling didn't bother me, but the dealers discription that he didn't have his stack over did, to make it worst, after the table was split she sas to me that she had seen his whole stack bar a 500 chip.

Last 18, I start running over the table. Get it up to 120k to be chip leader with 12 left.
Ray, the tightest player in Dublin, meanwhile folds his way to 2,5BBs, he pushes twice on my BB and I double him up.

I omaha, I bet pot on a 99Q5 board with 55, one caller. Not a great player, he'll pay me off here. River 9, typical. He bets pot and I think, Paddy the table mouth, starts running off about what I had, I said I had a house on the turn and he doesn't believe me saying that I still win with, liar etc. I laugh and fold, saying i'm beat. Player shows KK.

I swing down to 60K and up to final table. 9th place €1k

Its getting all-in time now and the bad players on the table clash, two players go home, two build stacks. Another clash and a player gone. I get it in with top and run into lots on hands, losing to Ste chamers with a straight draw.
I'm gone, 5 players left,they deal for 3k each, and 6k for massive chip leader Ste.
I get paid €1.9k*

Was a good night, and at 6.30am, I was happy to go to bed.

*On monday I get a message saying that I was overpaid, so I owe money to the Jackpot. Still, a wins a win

The run contines, and last night I take down a €10 game with friends.
Hopefully, it continues

Swim a Mile wth a Smile

2008-04-22T20:40:00.002+01:00

First, some charity.
You might not think it to look at me, but when I was younger I swam quite a bit. I gave it u have way through secondary school, and have long want to get back ito it. This weekend, I'm getting my chance. I decided to put to my name down for a charity mile swim, to raise money for child cancer research (a pretty worthy cause imo). So this saturday, i'll be taking to the water for the first time in a few years.
Wish me luck,

I managed to get oneive game in last week.
It was a pretty successful. Of sorts.
I made the final table, (only 16-18 runners), as the chip leader. I had only played a few hands, but I got paid off each time.
But, thats were the good news ends, onthe final table I literally could not win a hand. Alot of the table was quite short, and I found myself on the bubble rather rapidly (4 paid places). I now had half my stack from the beginning of the final table. The shortie was very very short, like 4 BBs.

Cue lots of me folding and not being able to stay ahead. Eventually coming 4th.

Congrats to Keith Rooney for taking it down, but I was disappointed that such a poor player came second (deck, face, smack).
And also, Keith, if you happen to read this. I think your call on my busto hand is pretty bad.

Anyway, onwards to the cash league final, I only have about 55 hours right now, so i'll put in a few on friday, to prehaps clear 70 odd.

Running hot, in the non-poker

2008-04-10T17:38:00.000+01:00

First off, while its not news to anyone, I have to say congrats to Gary Clarke. He took down a 56 or so runner $500 euro tourney to net himself a WSOP ME package. I'm not going to get into the details of how it went down, but lets just say its controversial at least. Its available on boards but it a long read.

Also, congrats to me for running hot in a non poker gambling lately,

I had three horses backed in the English national, who finished 1st, 2nd and 4th respectively. To follow up, in a raffle last night (yes raffles are gambling). €10 in tickets netted me the top prize, a designer lamp worth €1,400. That's a whopping 13,900% ROI. I don't know where I will put it yet, its pretty big.

Unfortunately the poker front is not so shiny. After a streak of winning live sessions, I've dipped. 4 or 5 losing sessions on the trot now. I've decided to give it two more sessions before the cash league final and depending on the results of that, re-evaluate. Possibility put in a better effort online, I hope to get back on track as this week a few boardies donated some HHs as I lost my pokertracker DB.

And finally, a non-gambling piece. I'm planning on swimming a mile for charity (child cancer research) the day after the cash league final. If you know me, you will know I'm not exactly in shape so it won't be easy, all support appreciated.

Live Poker is Rigged!!!

2008-03-20T22:01:00.002Z

A drunken Mellor strolls into a drunken jackpot. The 1/2 table is agro, assholes getting mouthy over nothing. Lots and lots of whining going on.
I call a raise preflop, 4 see a flop. I make top pair and bet.
Two callers and a BB all-in.
I go into the tank for 30 secs , top pair is gold in the Jackpot, especially on Saturday night.
I'm a little uneasy. The dealer calls clock, a little shocked I ask who called clock and he replies that he did. Now, I wasn't very happy about this, a dealer should not call clock (especially after 30 secs). I tell him I'm not happy, I take my minute and reluctantly fold. Hand not shown.

After the above injustice, the pokers gods felt it right to repay me.
Shortly later I am dealt AsQs in LP.
3 limpers, I raise to 12
Four callers,

Flop
Ks 10s 8d

3 checks, player to my right bets pot, I call, ep calls, two folds

Turn
2s

Ep checks, player to my right bets pot, I call (leaving about €25 behind €400+ in pot)

River
Js

My first ever Royal flush, and he says go, your all-in then.

The table closes, and I make a few euro on the next, then that closes.
New table. Not much happens and i'm up slightly, but very active, and very chatty, a few players are distracted my simple talking shite.

I raise my button after 3 limpers, Chinese guy in the BB calls, and one other.
I hold Ah5h

Flop
Js 3s 4s

Chinese guy bets pot, fold from the straggler
I call.

Turn
2s
(in case somebody thinks this is just a nut flush, look close, its a steel wheel, straight flush A to 5, two SFs in an hour or two)

Chinese guy checks, I bet pot which has him all-in.
He is thinking, the third heart obviously slowed him down, I'm thinking he wanted a free card to pair the board. He looks at me and says;
"You got flush"

"Of course I do, fold, you're drawing dead"

He calls in defiance, with the I've got outs mentality that I love. likely not believe the mouthy guy (me)
I flip the straight flush over before the river, I want his money, but I don't want him to think a paired board is a winner for him.

I left that night, up 3 or 4 buy-ins (full ones not the $50 buy-ins mind)
I'd like to thank both the poker gods for smiling and the rude dealer for upseting the balance.

Back on the Blog track.

2008-02-22T16:55:00.002Z

Just like Mike Myers returned to kill, Rocky returned to the ring, and Rambo returned to the jungle. I have returned to the rail and felt.
I took a break after christmas, partly because my laptop gave up, and partly because I was in a rut. I game had stopped improving, well actually I stopped trying.
Too often I found myself in the Jackpot at a table of players what were laughable, and I couldn't take it serious, thus removing any edge I had or think I had. I find myself too tight in these games, hanging on to an average stack throughout only to burst the bubble with AK when the chip leader has to call with 78s. lol donkaments indeed.

I plan on making an appearance next week, either the Jackpot or Lukes DC game. (open to suggestions too). Hopefully the short break will allow me to focus on a game a little better. In related poker news, congrats to Gary Clark (found here) on a second place finish in the GJP ME. With a nice BR behind him expect Gary to get underway on the road to being a top tourney blogger. Congrats also to Lloyd and Mark Mc Donnell also, both made the final table and a nice prize. I hope to enter at least one large event before the summer, so hopefully I can chart my progress to entry here.

In the non-poker world, I've been keeping a keen eye on the 6 Nations betting, each week sticking up my picks on a boards thread. All bar one prediction were handicap bets, as I believe this is a profitable market. so far I am two for two in my bets of the week (France, and Wales in turn). and I was 2 out of 3 last in in all matches. This week I and picking france in the handicap, but all my betting money is going on a nice new market over at Pady power. Any team to win both halves @ 8/13 in both the Walves v Italy, and Ireland v Scotland games. Lump it on the double at over 3/2 (€100 euro returns €261). Banker

Good luck in the weekend gambling Bloggers, (what ever you method of choice happens to be),
And I may see you on the felt early next week, (although few would notice)

I'm running out of ideas for here.

2008-01-06T00:51:00.000Z

Coming up with titles can be slightly annoying.

Anyway, to the poker. I haven't played live in a while, so no exciting stories there.
Online, has been a little boring, I've got in almost 6k hands the last few weeks, showing a profit, but its not near as big as i'd like. Alot of it is just down to varience. To highlight this, my biggest loser is AA. Win rate is down, and the pots I lost were the big ones. All-in preflop alot, and 2 outered. Out of all the hands I lost, very little of the the money went in behind, and when it did it was on the river when I was committed (river card was a 2 outer). If I had won those hands, I would be doing alot better.
At least, i'm getting it in ahead and happy with it.

I plan on playing some live game during the week. So any suggestions here.

Santa Special at the Jackpot

2007-12-20T23:28:00.000Z

Before I throw up a brief run-down of the goings on at the Christmas Special in the Jackpot, a update on my online poker runnings of late.
I decided to try grinding it up again. As soul crushing as it can be, it can also be an excercise in two of the most important poker skills that must be learnt, bankroll management and tilt control.
www.bonuswhores.com have a decent affiliate deal with Titan for low limit players. 100% up to $200, but it clears 3x quicker than the better sites on ipoker for offers (GJP is commonly regarded as the best). I started off ok, 2 or 3 tabling and I ran pretty good at first, 10BBs/hr. Bit a cooler I couldn't get out of reversed that and I found myself in the red. Its to normal now, but after a little more than a week amd a half, im even. I hope to run out a few weeks for a decent profit, plus the bonus on top. Then switch to another site and bonus (200% up to $200 on VC, or 100% up to $500 on GJP).

Now to the highlight of the week, The Jackpot Xmas special.
It got 63 runners. And the mood very light and as soon as they started handing out santy hats it looked like the night would be a laugh. Of course, the santy hats were soon put to shame when Gary Clark stuck to his word and came dressed as a Polar Bear, wp Gary.
A truely sick hand unfolded early of Set vrs Set vrs Set all-in on the flop. It didn't stop there, QQ pre-flop, set of flop, villain turns a straight with J10. Board didn't pair and i'm down to 400 (I actually thought he had me covered was was leaving). The blinds are 50/100. So I ship the next hand, 3 callers and 9 10 makes a pair and its good. Very next hand AQ two callers and i'm good again. Over the next hour or so I try repeatedly to double up, of about 6 times I pushed, 4 times no callers and I win the blinds, twice a caller with the same hand and split the blinds.
Then finally Gary doubles me up and is left short, couple of hands later I am KK on the SB. Folded to Gary who pushed, Keith calls, I push Keith folds. Gary shows JQ, of course he hits trips. So, i'm short, push K2 from the button, and hit trips against AJ, sorry Keith.
Between now and the final table I raise over weakness or in LP for the blinds and make a good job of it too and take 50k or so to the FT.
The payout structure was very top heavy, with 6th-9th getting maoney back. So I was aiming for 4th+. Some players were getting quite drunk as it was almost 3am and Duke had provided free beer.I was sitting tight, waiting for a hand, while I did this, the various 3 shorties went all-in a couple of times, everytime the shortie survived. Creating a new shortie, who then survives his all-in.
So we are down to 8 and I have 10 BBs, I can't wait anymore (alot of the table is fairly happy to fold to the felt). Chipleader raises to 12000 UTG (BB is 4000). He has done this in 3 of the last 5 hands. I re-raise all-in for 45k with AQ on the SB, this is almost half the CLs stack. And I'm happy to take dowm the 16k in there. He insta calls and before he flips over his hand i'm hoping its JJ and a race. I was half right as he happily shows KJo , my AQ is no goodof course, with a J on the river.
If I had of won that hand I was chipleader or there abouts and would of fancied my shot at taking it down for 2k+, instead I has to contend for money back after 6 hours of poker.

LOL Donkaments indeed

Quick Update For the Avid Fans

2007-11-26T21:44:00.000Z

I played the tuesday satelite main event sat last week. And to be honest, I thought I should of easily got a ticket. the standard was really bad, at my starting table there was one player I would of rated as decent (a boards regular), one who appeared to understand position, and one who appeared to be able to fold a hand. The other 5 were terrible serial limpers, and they were sitting to my immediate left, which was a shame as I would of been far happier in seat 7 instead of my seat 1.
I didn't play many hands, and the ones I did were uneventful, 5 limpers to my BB, I raise to 4 or 5 BBs with KK, all limpers call, I open push a low pot as a pot BB, he raises to 3 BBs, i insta raise to 9BBs with 5 8 offsuit, and he folds, some makes a comment about my monster hand being obvious etc, its great being an unknown.
The next hand I get AK on the SB, flat call a raiser, his range is wide here as he shows up with muck alot, K high flop, I check raise he folds,
I lost a small amount twice when I called a raise in LP only to have an EP limper push behind. 5 limpers to my button, big raise with AK, limper pushes, I call and 55 stands up. I go home.
I was a little disappointed with leaving as the standard was so poor, even the boardie at the table surprised me, raising in EP into all the weak looseys, and showing up with trash.

to be honest I really wanted to play this, and by reports it was a great game. Congrats to the boardies who made the final table, (Lucky) Lloyd O'Farrell, (Norwich Fan) Rob Taylor who choped the tourney 3 ways for €16k and (Big City Banker) Noel Hayes who was 5th for €4,660. There should be some reports up on all blogs by now.

Elsewhere, im looking for a new satelite to concentration on for the next few months, but first I need to stop playing live on auto-pilot and give live players less credit for things like the ability to lay a hand down, and not being able to call without a big hand. As they appear to be my current favourite method of exit, huge bluff when I have a very tight image, only to be called by a player who suffers from "miopia cardia", which manifests as an inability to see past the two cards in your hand.

Anyway, i'm going to leave the quote out today, two much of a bad thing and all that.

Ciao

Swing when you're winning!!!

2007-11-14T12:16:00.000Z

Straight off my previous post on how November started on a good run for me, I just into a second week cooler. I was decent cards and playing well, but still losing, highlights include AA running into a set against a unknown player, 22 vrs AJ vrs Ah3h on a 2hAxJx6h, set no good as river flushes. This was for a 400 big blind pot. A couple of other bad situations. Then I jumped into PLO to remove tilt and lost most of a buy-in. At the end of the weekend I was down c.4 buy-ins. The set of twos pot annoyed me a little as if I won I was breakeven, and because the flush was such a bad call. But I am aware enough to know this is variance and I really do want the flush draw in that pot every time.

A little disheartened after the weekend, by head was certainly elsewhere (I was apparently spotted sleep walking about the house on Saturday night). But I controlled the weekend tilt chi master style and 2 tabled two short sessions on Monday and Tuesday night to claw back 3 buy-ins. And this was after the following kick in the teeth pot.

I raise AJ in EP, MP calls, button calls

Flop is AJ5, villain bets, button folds, I call.

Turn is an Ace, villain bets, I raise, flat calls.

River is a 5, magic. His ace is going bust.

I bet, all-in

He flips AJ for split second nuts. Meh 300 big blind pot and we lose on the rake. House always wins.

I'm going to make the weekly venture into the €45 game in the jackpot tonight, although I may give it up soon. The field is approaching the €20 game and the €400 is no longer added. Its a long way away from the first night it ran, when the field was at top class for the jackpot and the buy-in. I am a firm believer that to be come a better player you must be surrounded by players that are better than you, and inversely surrounding yourself by players worse than you will only drag you down.

Are we human because we gaze at the stars, or do we gaze at them because we are human?

November Rain

2007-11-06T23:57:00.000Z

So new month spins around and my good run of late continues.
To set the story I need to go back to September.
I had a terrible run at online cash during September. It really was horrible. At first I starting second guessing my play, hindsight is 20/20 and maybe I should of gotten away from some of the hands. Some I was outdrawn, others I ran big hands into bigger ones, over-set, top two to bottom set etc. I ended up clearing my account and taking a break.
After a while I settled a bit and realised that the hands I lost were acceptable. I was outdrawn or if I got in in behind it was the right move, either through pot odds and EV, or simply ahead of his range.

I returned from my break from online poker towards the end of October. I wanted to undertake an exercise in bankroll management and in self control. I was never bad at either of these, I just want to prove I am able to grind up the limits. So I deposited $50, and set about grinding.

I only managed about 600 hands in October, but I played well and ran good, (18BB/100).

And as I said up above, the run continued into November. So far this week, I've played 1k hands, and as of my latest session, this 1k in November is at 35BB/100.
Of course I am aware that this is a tiny sample, and that it isn't possible to maintain that rate. But its nice to be winning. Most of my sessions have been about an hour, I don't have the time to stick in any more. My winnings since I started back playing have eclipsed the losses from September. I'm currently playing 20nl, but I hope to make the jump to 50nl soon. But, I will only be jumping with enough buy-ins for each level.

As for Live poker, I gave the SE sat a miss this week and decided to play the Jackpot tomorrow. If anyone happens to be there, sure come over and say hi.

All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure

Sporting Emporium - Tues 30th

2007-11-02T15:29:00.000Z

As I said in a previous post, I plan on playing more satellites this month. Mostly due to the fact that I am confidant of being able to beat alot of average Joes at the bubble stage in satellites (due the the huge difference in the mechanics on the bubble). For example, I have seen the 2nd chipleader shipping it with the chipleader on the bubble (40 bbs each) while there were 2 or 3 players less than 10BBs.
So armed with this precieved advantage I headed into the SE sat to the november main event. It's a €100+10 with one rebuy at €100.
This was my first time in the SE, and I was very impressed with the club interior.
But the disadvantage to this was that I didn't know who was who. The only player I recognaised my my starting table was the infamous Chief Brody. The action was quite slow for me, only playing in a few small pots to keep me ticking over above the starting stack. Meanwhile the cheif and a eastern european guy where hard at it with marginal holdings. I found it quite funny when the eastern called Chiefs betting down with J3 (J was mid pair on flop), to spike a J on the river, The Chief was very pissed at this, yet didn't blink when he got it in against Vera Duffy (I think) with K9 vrs AK on a KQ7 board, to catch running queens.

My first big had was QQ on the button, Chinese guy UTG raises to 600 (blinds 75/150), Chief calls, folded to me and I push for 3,750
The chief calls with A10 and I double. At the break I am around 7k and I top up to 12k. Only one player on the table is near me.
I take a hit with AQ, when the chinese guys calls down and bets the river when I miss.
Then I rasie UTG with QQ, flop is A high, check check
I bet the turn, he dwells and calls,
River is a blank, he is really weak here, I think only strong aces were calling me preflop, and that he would be more confidant with an ace that called
So I bet 2k, it is a decent chunk of his stack and if he loses the hand he is screwed. He thinks and calls with A9. His reason for calling preflop was because the BB was sitting out and I might of been stealing, from UTG !!!

At this stage the antes are in. And I am short. I figure most of the table won't notice the value in the pot before cards are dealt. Blinds 150/300 with 25 antes, 650 to start. I have 2k
I ship it twice with 88 and 99. I found it funny here that the player who previously called my strong raise with A9, folded A10 face up. As this time there was ar more value for me to be stealing.
Short stack goes in,
I call with 77, he wins with 8J and a turned 8
Next hand he bets half his stack (which barely has me covered)
I ship it with A8, he calls with 77
And of course in this role reverse hand, no cards come.

You have to win your races. I may or may not play next week, might give the jackpot a go and pick up the SE a week later.

As for my online play lately, i've been doing well. But not well enough. I've ran at 15BB/100 for the last 1000 hands. So, i'll need another few K hand to get a proper roll going. My idea to try grind $50 into a 1/2 roll is stressful.

All-in I feel I have been quite unlucky lately, repeatedly getting it in ahead and losing (I can't accept some but not all). But alas, I am aware the it is simply the dreaded varience.

Depend on the rabbit's foot if you will, but remember it didn't work for the rabbit.

Make-Over

2007-10-27T17:53:00.000+01:00

No, not me the blog (although I could probably do with a tidying up). Today I went out ahead and changed the blog layout and colours. For some reason, its taken me the best part of a month to notice that Gordon had the same background as me. Dunno why, it was completly obvious, but I was probably blinded by a sick run of his or similar. Other chages to the blog included that beginning of Blogs list, theres a few names in there now but I plan on adding to it. There three that are in in now are some of a few that I keep an eye on and are updated regularly (Gary doesn't so the daily anymore though, he should)

As for the pub game last night. I approached it with extremely low hopes, no expectations and an open mind. I was let down. I expected the horrible turbo 5 or 6 hands a level structure, I was ok with the shorthanded tables, and knew the standard of play was going to be the dregs of it all. But I couldn't believe my horrible bad luck. I decided to sit about until I made a decent had and ship it, most likely getting a caller. Various races included
JJ vrs 99.....9 on river
QQ vrs A10....ace flop
K10 vrs 77 and 8K on a 2JQK flop, in on the turn with 2 players, 7 on river

I was always ahead in chips getting it in so I never went bust (until the break) so at least I didnt disgrace myself with a rebuy, but it went like this for an hour and a half.
I get it in ahead, I lose, I grind it up, and repeat. When I had hands I got paid off, but if I won some of the races above I would of been chip lead contender and could of play a little properly. lol pubaments indeed
I find it quite hard to believe that I once played these games in oubs, but I still believe that last night was the worst one I ever did play.

I was tempted to go with another Bob Dylan quote sign off (The Times they are a chaging) but instead I leave you with this:

There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.

Bad display all around

2007-10-25T16:22:00.000+01:00

Played the €45 FO in the jackpot this week. The standard was pretty poor as always. I started off ok, tried to bluff a station when "my" flush got there. He has two pair and raises (my actually hand was a pair) and I fold. Still, I'm happy with the bluff as most players were going to let go. Get back up with a straight, I flat called a river raise with the straight as the board paired and I didn't think less than a house was calling a push. In hindsight I am unsure.

Moved table. And boy is this a donkey stable. Two people opposite me are involved in every hand between them (often they're both in). Such gems as A3 calling solid raises to the river. Incredibly this was split (river pair and high board). So I decide to rock up and wait for a spot.

My bb (150), I have 3500. UTG+1 raises to 550 UTG+2 (male donkey, I believed they are called Jacks) calls, folded to me.

+1's range is probably tight. I have him on a mid to high pair, or a strong Ace with the raise I'm leaning to AK and AQ, as I'm seeing AJ & A10 limp here a lot in this game

+2 has anything, any ace, most Kings, a lot of suited cards, all connectors and of course pairs.

its 400 more to me into 1325, I am holding QJ spades, I think I am getting the value (23% equity) to call so I flick the chips in.

Flop comes: 7 8 J

UTG+1 bets 800, calls

Decision, top pair, I feel im ahead of UTG+1 a good bit, AJ is my only fear, unless he has an over pair. I lean towards AK continuation bet or 99/TT with a gutshot (he checks a set here), I come over the top al-in, ( quickly dismiss UTG+" as he never has an over pair here, and will call down with all sorts of draws and one pair hands.

Both insta-call and I sigh

AJ for UTG+1

9,10 for UTG+2

So the first has my only major fear and the other flops the nuts with his connectors. Right move wrong flop.

I think I should be going back to the uber rock game for the €45 F0, its just too sick a game with the uber LAGs in town.

In the meantime, I'll have to rock up on Friday at the pub game if I don't want to spend the night complaining of sick lag pub type (apparent) players.

I leave again with another quote. I'll will try to theme them to the post, but I might just put up one I like.

Let fortune do her worst, whatever she makes us lose, so long as she never makes us lose our honesty and our independence

Slip sliding away

2007-10-22T22:22:00.000+01:00

It's been a busy week in work and I haven't manage to stay on top of this blog thing. Basically the guy who is running the job im on is leaving the company on friday, so alot of the work load is falling on me, much more responcability and i'll have to have more critical decisions involving big bucks, but i'll get no extra credit or cash (at least I don't think so). So the knock on effect to this is im not getting that much poker in this week.

On the gambling front, I went for a big accum bet at the weekend, with only Fulham letting me down, I know they're dodgy but it was feckin' Derby. I did manage to get a steal of a bet on the Argies to beat France.
At half time when up by 14pts
Paddy was feeling nice and gave me 5/6 on The Argies -5 pts to win
Shocking stuff paddy. -14 points would of been fair.

No new bets to announce yet.

I don't have alot of poker planned this week, small flutter about online maybe. But i want to play live on Weds. The €40+5 with €400 added is great. I had a great start to this, but last two weeks I played weren't great. Bubbled and then gone before break, although I got it in 60/40 ahead, hit trips on flop, he turns a straight and no board pair. I played three solids hands. Anmd even folded AQ on an A96 flop to a jack pot regular. For anyone who doesn't play regular in the JP any pair is the nuts, but I was fairly he had a set due to something he did.
I'll be there on weds, come over and say hi, not sure if there are any readers out there, let alone weds night student types.

On friday, I'll be playing a pub game, which I promised i'd never do again. But its a fundraiser for my dads P&P club, so its more for support than value. Gonna go rebuy mad, lag it up, and dish out runner runner to pub types that deserve it.

I feel like signing off in a nice way for a while, so here is a quote. I'm not going to say who by, to keep it interesting.

What's money? A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do

Change of Pace

2007-10-16T22:53:00.000+01:00

So, i've started my run at satellites. Currently playing a few of the cheap ECOOP sats on ipoker. My first few at low stake as I want to get used to the structure and situations of satellites. So far i've played a wide variety of types, MTTs & STTs, rebuys and freezeouts.
I feel MTTs are better as STTs normally only offer one ticket for 1st, the STTs quote agro, so there are normally a big stack or two when 5 handed, you need to run good here to take first. Also a STTs will never have an overlay. It you watch the MTT sat list you can occasionally spot one. For example, some of the ECOOP feeder sats have 4 seat to the GF guaranteed. I also prefer freezeout, as the games play tighter so it suits me better and also the levels are in general longer, the early stages of the of the rebuys are quite lag and the levels are quick.

So far I have played 4 sats, and won one ticket. Although, I was close to bubble twice. Although technically the sat I won was to another sat so I have played 5/paid for 4.
The sat I won brought me through to the final sat to a ECOOP event but failed to take a ticket. I made a bluff on a paired flop when I raised the button, only to find the BB had made trips from the rags he called with.
As I speak in currently heads up in a STT satellite, and i'm not doing well. Cards are not helping, and this guy is very agro.

In other poker news, GJP announced their feburary festival, which includes a €1400+100 event with a whooping 50k starting stack
Details found Here!!

I plan to keep plugging away at the ipoker sats, get a bit of practice in. Then make a decent run at the various live sats to big events coming up.

Edit: After a yo-yo heads up battle, I took down the STTs for a ticket into the GF sat to the ECOOP#1. Its only a $33 ticket, but I am doing this to improve my satellite game not to play huge events. Baby steps.
Hopefully, I will find myself in enough critical bubble plays and by running over the games afterwards, it will become natural.

Blog from a far

2007-10-11T17:16:00.000+01:00

So this is my first time trying this. Im posting a blog remotely by sending an email, hopefully it shows up on my page. So whats been happening lately, played the Jackpot €40+5 game last night, disaster. First hand I play I raise te button with AJ, get two calers, have played with both before and they might have me down as a loose player, which im not at all. First is loose passive, second is tight passive. Flop comes A96, check, TP guy beys out 700 into 1200 pot, I get the feeling he likes the flop but I call, LP folds, turn is a 10 and he ships it. I dwell up and fold announcing I think he has a set and lucked out with a flopped two pair, I show my ace and he tells me after wards he had a set.

I now fold every hand for 30 mins, two limpers to my BB and I raise figuring that they will get out of the way of my tight self, BB calls, flop is ace high and I bet BB calls, turn is check check and he bets 1/4 of the pot on the river, I fold and wonder how I got myself to 10 BBs

4 limpers to my BB, I push with A5, one caller with 89

flop: 556

(I announce 7 on turn and pair the board on the river)

Turn: 7

River: 3

I run bad

In other news, the bet I placed yesterday was good, I check results last night but I wasn't paid by this morning. Lunchtime today and Im still not paid, a polish match is pending, finally got it at 2ish, With my winnings I had a go on the horses, took McCoy in the 2.50 Wincanton, he was joint favourite and PPP were pushing the other fella on the main page, I got him at 11/4, he ran at 9/2 because the other fella took alot of betting, McCoy rides home first and im good.

I have a theory on PPP and irish sport, most of the money is going to be going on Irelands side, so it makes sense for them as bookies to have the odds nuged away from Ireland, ie giving them worse odds than they deserve, like offering 6/1 when 8/1 is a fair price, but the backlash of this is that the other team is offered at a better price than they deserve. For example, if you bet against Ireland in every rugby group match handicap bet, you would of win. Granted Ireland had a bad RWC, but PPP failed to adjust when Ireland failed to show up, their handicap against france was shocking considering irelands previous games.

Bear this in mind and have a look at the soccer handicaps for Ireland verses Germany

Bet no good!!!

2007-10-09T22:35:00.001+01:00

Noy much to say today, don't even know its there anyone to say anything too. Any one out there? Well the bet last night was no good again, was always a long one. Results were:

Sundsvall Win 2-0
Leyton Orient Lose 0-1
Linfield Win
Forest Green Win 4-1
Stevenage Draw 1-1
Chelmsford City
Bashley Win
Witton Albion Win

Two goals did it for me, its not too bad it's better than one off again, a loss is a loss and this way I break the trend. So I stuck another one on, its 4 teams this time, if I type their names here it might jinx it, so you'll have to believe me tomorrow if I win or not. No poker today, I looking into satellites on various networks, probably make a live run too.

Satellites and long shots

2007-10-08T21:34:00.000+01:00

So the big poker weekend has passed. It was a bit of an anti-climax for Mellor. Crashed and burned in IPO and was tempted to go the monthly game in the SE but felt that my head wasn't in it. I still enjoyed the week all the same, I got chatting to a few lads and got names to faces, Rag2gar and Valor at trhe break and FatboyDim who I dropped out to the RDS.

I did a bit of thinking about cash verses STTs and more and more im swaying towards cash. STTs have crazy varience, its a shame because I have a decent endgame in STTs when my head is in it. I don't want to drop tourny play completely. So i've decided to continue playing cashes to try build up a decent roll, but play some STTs or even small MTTs, but only certain ones. I mostly want to keep these to basicly get better at them and bring this to my live game. In my opinion to do well at tourney play you have to adapt to the changing structure, this is most important from bubble point onwards, players who dont consider this change end up with the blinds eating them up. This is of course more prevailing in the lower levels. Understanding ICM is a big part of good endgame, while reading through some tourney threads on boards I came to the conclusion that ICM is an even bigger factor in satellites as so different.

So armed with this knowledge I have decided to only play satallites for a while, I wil be going over to PokerStars for this as I can cash in satellite wins. The only downside is that the bank are taking their getting my new card out to me, so I've no online funds at the moment (except a few quid thats in paddy power sports section). Any ideas for a scheme to earn a few $$$ for stars until I get my card up and running

In continuing my fashion of placing football bets and all but one coming in, I went for an eightfold tonight. Lets hop I can break the chain, even if more than one loser is welcome. All to win as follows:
Sundsvall
Leyton Orient
Linfield
Forest Green
Stevenage
Chelmsford City
Bashley
Witton Albion

Another Sunday Afternoon

2007-10-07T17:56:00.000+01:00

Rocking to the sound of my favourite tune, but not in the Jackpot for day two of the IPO. The IPO was a bit of a diaster for me. Nearly 1100 players in the RDS, was quite a sight, sadly the standard of play left alot to be desired.
I started off great, made a few decent plays and took down some decent pots in the first level. I took 10k starting chips to 12k quite quickly. But this is where it went downhill. I had a horrible run, nut flush draws, over pairs to the board and a table full of calling stations that wouldn't go away. Normally this is great, as when you make big hands you get paid, except here I never made a big hand. And the stations repeatedy hit. One guy called every one of my raise from the second level, and once he was in the rest called for value. To make it worse some of these lads were getting smacked in the face with the deck, flopped quads, flopped house and flopped nut flush, and this was only one player over one level.
I was getting ground down quickly and had to makea move. JJ in late position, I raise, station calls, flop is 9 high, so i push to take it down, and the station calls 3k into a 4k pot with a flush draw, turn and river are both 10s, runner runer trips and im out.
I run bad

I out a few euro on paddy power earlier, decided to have a punt on some sunday night football. So lets hope it comes through this time considering I was actually there to make the bet. So AC Milan, Sao Paulo and Santander all to win, comes in about 6-1. Or at least im hoping it comes in.

Training, drinking, Losing, Gaining

2007-10-04T19:53:00.000+01:00

So I finished up my microstation training course today. Nothing too exciting, but the "real" finish was yesterday as for everyone not from Dublin last night was their last night in the city. So after we finishing up the training for the day, we did what everyone does on such an occasion ans headed for a pint. Our venue of choice was Hogan's on Georges St, a nice bar with a good crowd early in the evening. The pints were nice, but not the cheapest mind with Heinekin @ €4.65 and Guinness @ €4.15
But we spent a nice couple of hours were spend there (6pm-12pm), then on to flannerys for another. It was at this point I decided to take a trip to the nearby Jackpot Club, as the Wed night game should of been almost over at this stage, and there was probably a decent crowd about. I spent a while talking to a few players about their night including Jeff (DitPoker), Gordon and the regulars from the Wed tourney. After a while I jump into the second table of the €1/€2 games with €170 in front of me. No major hands for a while, lose a bit when no draws make it. Lose a decent chunk to the cute chinese girl when my AK flops and ace and she has 3,7 for flopped two pair, I raised preflop and she called shortstacked, it was all in on the flop and I didn't improve. An orbit later an almost repeat hand. around €110 in front and get it half in on flop and rest on turn. I had top pair on the flop he had mid pair, turn made him mid two-pair, but the river was a magic 2 to pair the bottom of the board.
Back up to €220 but lose the lot to a set, I should of gotten away from it, I'm a clown.

I was about to head home at this stage as its about half three in the morning, but I decided to find a bank link and jump back in as for one, im better than the table, and two it will cost €20 euro to get home, and ill only have enough time for three hours sleep, none is better.
So I find a banklink after some stress and jump in €150, most of the money is in one players stack, and there are five players at the table (inc. myself). Within the first two orbits I remove two players from the table when I got it in ahead preflop against a shortstack, and when I turn the nut flush against the girl from earlier and she goes all-in.

Three handed I grind a few more chips after I fire bluff bets on turn and river a few times. I would of ended with much more if the player to my left was able to let a hand go.
Biggest hand of the night went like this.
button calls, sc calls, I rasie to €8 from the BB with A10.
SB calls, flop comes 555 and I check
He bets €10 and I call.
Turn is a 2 and it goes check, check
River is a 7, and I pause to think. I rule out any ace or a pocket pair due to his preflop play. The flop is low enough that I am happy that it missed him. I expect his range to be any two of 10,J,Q,K It I pot it he folds, if I check he checks behind alot here.
I bet out a smallish €15 and he re-raises to €70. ........Its want I wanted but I have to run through it again in my head. No pair, board missed and no higher ace. I call and he mucks before I flip over my cards, I show ace high and he flips his hand over from the muck showing KJ. I take in almost €200 here, looking back the bets could of been bigger than I have above.
He mumbles nice call but is clearly annoyed at it.
No other major pots and we stop it when the above player leave as only two of us left. I have €462 infront of me. I take the €2 left over to the roulette wheel and make €10 on two spins.

Cash-out for €470, which is €150 profit and its after 6am. There is no point going home as im in work in a few hours. So I hang around and watch a bit of the main round of each game, the Jackpot closes at 8 and I walf to work and get in early, sleepless and not quite sure how my night took the turn it did.

Shut up shop!!

2007-10-02T18:56:00.000+01:00

Not much to report on the poker front. In fact nothing, taking a short break from online poker. A 4 week break that runs out after the IPO. It just to get my head clear and droip a few habits.
Today was a very laid back training session in work for me, so I feel i'm in the right mindset to get stuck back into poker online, but I think i'll stick it out, only a few days.

I was planning on sticking a few quid on a football accumulator, but the bookies was closed for the day (hence the title). Online gambling account is empty right now so i'll have to pass on it. My selections were to be Inter Milan, Man Utd, Lyon, Sevilla, Arsenal and Barcalona all to win, all tonight at 19:45. I left out Dynamo Kiev as I feel they are a liability. I don't if I want to be right as I missed it, but i'm not into results based thinking, so i'm standing by my selection. Right now, if I was to place the bet (or able to) it just under 10/1

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

2007-09-30T14:53:00.000+01:00

I don't like Sundays, never did. It's a depressing day, the build-up to Monday (the weeks low point), getting ready to start a new week in work/school. The majority of hang-overs are scheduled for a Sunday. It's a rough day indeed.

That being said sunday has its advantages, it's a good day for online poker. Most sites running a big games, Stars has the millions, the warm up and the $11 donk fest with a 100k prizepool. Although these never have an overlay, theres various other 100k games on other sites. But this sunday is different. The millions isn't on, tonight on PokerStars is the main event of the WCOOP with a $5million guaranteed prize pool. Expect this to be a 24 hour event. I expect there to be a tourney thread following the Boardies progress in the event. Best of luck to anyone in there.

On the live tourney circut, the International Poker Open next saturday is a daring attempt at bringing large field deepstack games to the masses for a cheap buy-in (€125+25). The field just reached 709, which means two things, firstly the 100k guarantee just kicked in. And secondly it just broke the european record for a live tourney. The 2007 Irish Open held the record until today. Stephen McClean is organising the IPO and poker ireland had there sights set higher than the record, he has he aim set for full capacity at 1000.

Im in the field so expect a report here in a week.

First Post!!

2007-09-28T12:30:00.000+01:00

In the last week my lifestyle, as I knew it, changed completely. This time last year I was entering the final year of my degree, this time 4 months ago I was preparing for a summer in the states and for the last month I was an unemployed graduate. As of last Monday (the 24th), I am a working professional. I started at a top Dublin architectural company, for the first time in my life I have a salary. And today I got paid for the first time since I quit my part time job a year ago (excluding a stint in America as a piano mover).
The relevance of this, not much. But over the last year money has been tight, having to put money aside for the states and general spending money meant that I had little cash to spend on poker, one of my hobbys. I had a small amount in a PPP account that I used to play with, but only micro limits to prevent bordom. I occassionally tripped into The Jackpot for a cheap tourney, or a college game. But I couldn't afford to play any of the higher buy-in games. So now that I have a job I am hoping to have some disposable income to invest in online poker and some of the decent games around dublin.
Stay tuned for news.