Odds and Ends

Wow, when was the last time i did this? Christ knows. Anyway, after a long absence from the realms of blogger.com i thought it was about time i did an update.

I've played very little poker compared to what i used to, hence this drying up somewhat, mostly down to the whole poker scene seemingly dying a death over the last few months.

Very few games offer a 1st place of over £400 these days, making for little incentive to play IMO.

As an alternative, I've found myself travelling up and down the country on a weekly basis to see the current Missus Riddler which has kept me occupied.

One day on the train to King's Cross, sat reading a copy of Nuts magazine id found on my seat, risky i know, given the content.. but my BlackBerry had long since died, so i risked the sticky fingers. Anyway, as i look around, one sight i thought was gone, never to return, was brought rushing back to the 21st century when i saw a relatively young guy on the train, dressed like a student, skinny jeans, checkered shirt, etc etc you know the sort. Now, these types of people normally choose something to stand out from the crowd, something they assume is cool, and will get them into every 19 year old girls knickers. Normally it's either a 1940s mustache, or a wooden spike through the earlobe.. but not today. This guy was sat there, looking relatively normal (for a student).. all except for the fact he was sat there with a stack of CDs listening to a Sony fucking Discman, it looked like something from the dark ages.. how times have changed. He was immediately 'pigeon holed' ('twat') and i got back to the complimentary boobage left on my seat.

Ive kept up appearances on the poker scene, but as i say, nothing compared to the degenerates i've come to associate with. One situation that did arise happened only last Sunday.

Aspers £20 Freezeout saw approximately 60 runners if i remember correctly, and i take my seat in seat 7. having been drawn in seat 1 the past 5 tournaments, that in itself is a (albeit minor) victory.

Anyway, i play nice and loose early on, showing down some awful hands to take pots from people who deserved them much more, had it not been for me in position with ATC, when at one point in level 2 there is a min-raise to 200 UTG+1. There are no fewer than 4 calls before it gets to me in the CO with 53 suited, which is more than enough for me to repop to 850. The original raiser folds after the blinds get out the way, as do most of the limpers except for 1 old timer, so we see the flop heads up.

On a Q 7 3 (all heart) flop, he fires out 1100 first to act. (into a pot of what must have been 2500+). I tank, debating between shoving right now, or shoving the turn.. i count my stack, 3350, leaving me 2250 if i want to shove the turn, which would look like a decent value bet on the turn. I decide to call, wondering if he shuts down on the turn.

Not paying too much attention to the turn card, im somewhat more concerned about him betting 2k before the turn even has a chance to land on the table. I sigh inside, knowing he's just fucked my plans right up until i see i'd actually just made two pair with a turned offsuit 5. "yeahhh im all in".

The dealer counts my chips, and i begin to wonder whats taking so long.. he turns to old man river and says "250 more".. i begin to laugh saying "this would be an awesome fold like!".. not for one second believing he was gonna do it, but to my amazement, his cards hit the muck. My mouth fell open, and i was for the first time, simply lost for words.

Had this been a major event i wouldnt have been surprised if the shouts of "collusion" were heard from across the card room. 250 more to win 9 million? "no, ill fold thanks".

Odds? Fuck the odds.. i fold.