Poker Blog - Len

Brendan Byrne was going to be our first heads-up player and he was matched against Gyorgy Kiss of Hungary in a must-win match as the points at the top looked like this:

France   25
Hungary   24
Ireland   23

He went on to win his heads-up match coming back from an initial disaster [both players with same pair making correct calls and Brendan pipped by Kiss’s kicker]. It was a great performance.

At this point we seriously considered pulling Pampers out of his heads-up match as it was going to be against Jurgen the German – the guy he had roasted with his A5. Jurgen was clearly out for revenge and this could become a factor. However Pat was on a rush and we shouldn’t change at this late stage – in fact I’m not sure the rules would have allowed for it. We were now joint leaders with the French but knew that the French would now get their 2 points courtesy of the Dutch no show. It started badly – Pat hit top pair, but Jurgen hit a set. A huge amount of chips went in and Pat was probably at a 1 / 4 disadvantage. He played back and a double up would have seen him take the lead in the match but it wasn’t to be and Pat had lost his first points.
So day 1 ended thus:

France   27
Hungary   26
Ireland   25
Germany   19
Scotland   17
England   13
Wales   9

We then hit the bar with a vengeance. Looking for a change of scenery, we headed back to the Irish Team Hotel – which shall remain nameless. Brighton is the capital of gay culture in the UK and I decided to embrace this by drinking Pernod and black – which turns pink. Pampers, Brendan, John and Colin stuck to beer. We had a great night of philosophical debate discussing everything from the US elections to fate, probability and whether we could get Colin to pull the fake ginger at the bar [for any Cockney’s out there I refer to Ginger in the non-rhyming sense]. Pampers was threatening to spoon me as we were sharing a room and I got the double bed. He was on some contraption that was designed for a nine year old.

I lead by example and decided to retire to the room first. Actually I was just hoping to get to sleep before Pat arrived as he warned me of his snoring. However being a light sleeper I was still awake when Pat arrived back after trying to persuade Debbie the blonde hairdresser that she should persuade Joe the PE teacher to marry her; after all she was 35 now and desperate. Pat slipped into his bed with the Spiderman quilt cover and went to sleep.

How do you describe Pat’s snoring? It was like a pair of male Rhinos humping. In fact the snoring was so loud and unusual that I was in fits of laughter. Then it went quiet for about ten minutes and Pat started mumbling – it was even stranger and more comical and slightly demonic. Pat had promised to spoon me – and we were in Brighton – I had been drinking Pernod and black and Pat had been giving me the eye all night – could it be??? I opened my eyes to see Pampers standing directly over me – I was so shocked I flung the quilt at him and yelled; he was startled and yelled back. We were both yelling and then Pampers moved away from the bed and headed towards the toilet. I calmed down realising that he was in some kind of sleep or alcohol induced trance.

Then I heard it – the second worst sound you can hear in a hotel room when you are sharing with another male – Pat was pissing…but not in the toilet – no. Not even in the bathroom. He was peeing on the floor and on the door of the room. I called to him, “Pat you’re pissing on the floor!”  Pat called back, “No it’s alright, I’m pissing on the door.” Well stop it I said. I had visions of a lake of urine greeting us in the morning. Thankfully this particular hotel chain use very absorbent carpeting, so unless you were looking for the Yangtzee you wouldn’t find it.

Pat of course knew nothing about this until I explained it to him the next morning. We did what we could with the spare towels got ourselves cleaned up and fed and decided not to mention it again. Yeah right… I was texting everyone I knew and they’re making a commercial on it as we speak – Pat O’Callaghan is being sponsored by Pampers at his next tournament.

The problem now was could the team play with hangovers. We’re Irish – of course we could.

[Part 1 in a three-part report on how the paddypowerpoker.com sponsored Irish team got on at the APAT European Team Championship last week in Brighton]

Let’s face it, sometimes writing poker articles is like watching Ros Na Rún with the sound turned up, a lot of noise and effort but nobody really gives a damn except the people involved. Who cares that so and so’s aces were cracked, or that this one made a great laydown, or that one made a great call. I don’t have that problem whilst reporting back on the APAT European Team Championship. It’s more a question of what can I leave out and censorship. It must be something about Irish Teams playing in England that brings out the best in us, as there is no shortage of material. So let’s give it a bash anyway.

By the time I got down to Brighton on Saturday the weather was filthy. I had been over in London Thursday and Friday for a meeting at The Bill – can we really blow up Sun Hill police station again? – Friday night was spent on family business, which I won’t go into – but I was ready for action once I met up with Pat O’Callaghan and we found the bar at the Grosvenor Casino. The other teams had already registered into the event and of course they had to come looking for us. Des Duffy happens to be a Mayo man in exile, so he knew where to look.  I’m not going to let the side down by declaring who was on the soft drinks at this stage and who was on the beer but as John is now living in Portsmouth I think he’s let his standards slip – that’s all I’m saying.

Registration over the event was ready to kick off – however the team from the Netherlands had to withdraw at the last minute – for a moment Des had to explain to me that the Netherlands were in fact Holland and not a team of monkeys sent over by Michael Jackson – I was upset because I wanted to see what genuine Dutch Courage was like. Of course it was a real shame that they couldn’t make it, and as the match draws had already been made it meant that points for heads-up matches went to France and Germany who got two points each [as they would have played the Dutch].

The format for the weekend was to play 2 X 4 S’n’Gs. 5 points for each win down to 1 point for a fifth place. Then there would be 2 X 4 heads-up matches. With 2 points awarded per win, and only 2 players from each country selected. My plan was that first out for the Irish and last out for the Irish would play these heads-up matches. I was concerned that no player should feel the pressure of going out first, and I wanted aggression from the outset. Of course Pat “Pampers” O’Callaghan was to take this to a new level, but more about that later. The last event would be an MTT with all players taking part and points awarded from 1st place [16pts] down to 16th place [1pt] So the maximum any individual could score would be 28 [If they played a heads up match] The maximum a team could score would be 102 [Which would mean winning every S’n’G, both heads-up games and finishing 1,2,3,4 in the MTT]

Brendan was first out for the Irish but got a point. His A3 raise UTG called by Jean Michel Ballocchi of France on the SB. Flop AJ3 – Brendan knew where he was and suspected his opponent had Big Slick – so pushed and got called. A King on the turn sent Brendan to the rail.

John Murray went out in 4th place in his first S’n’G, but I didn’t get the hand details. However it was another two points. I was probably watching Pampers O’Callaghan luckbox his way to a double up when he somehow got it all in pre-flop against Thomas Schaff of Germany who held KK. Pat wasn’t worried though, he had KQ of clubs and duly filled a flush when the turn and river came club, club.

Colin O’Prey also went out 4th in his first S’n’G – but again I didn’t get the details and neither did anyone else because Pampers was once again at it calling an all in with 22 and finding his opponent had him with pocket tens. Pampers wasn’t worried however as he knew a 2 was coming and he didn’t even have to sweat for it. It was in the window and poor old Leigh Wiltshire of Wales was O’Callaghaned. Pampers went on to beat Marton Kovalovszki of Hungary heads-up to take the full five points.

Time for the second round of S’n’G’s after a fine buffet supplied by the Grosvenor, Brighton, and a few more pints to settle the nerves. We were in a good position and team spirit was high.

John was first out for the Irish this time. John had A8 and was called by Franck Viollet of France with K7.  Board came down 7 5 6 Q 10. Once again I’m not sure what the action was because Pampers was at it again with the sure-fire knowledge that his A5 was going to beat Jurgen the German’s AK [All in preflop of course]. Even the King on the flop didn’t dampen Pat’s certainty that a bad beat was inevitable. Jurgen Bachmann may even have smiled at the Irishman when he apologised in advance for the beat that was going to come his way when a five of clubs hit the turn. He wasn’t smiling when the river brought another five, reducing the German to a chip and a chair. He looked crushed and Pat didn’t have the heart to high-five me in front of him as it wouldn’t do to see a German cry. So Pat was dangerous with chips and we had another point in the bag from John.

Brendan finished 3rd in his second S’n’G earning us three points, by which time both Colin O’Prey and Pamper O’Callaghan were heads-up against their respective French opponents Cedric Billot and Jean-Michel Ballocchi. Colin came second for 4 points and Pampers was now on a 100% record winning his second S’n’G with some of the worst, best and luckiest poker I’ve ever seen. It couldn’t last.

Paul Testud would get a $100 bounty… if it was online… but instead he’s on his way to possibly cashing in the EPT with my chips.

Another frustrating day of poker, card dead for most of the first two sessions.

I won the first pot of the day ironically by raising on the button with KJ it went uncontested by the blinds.

That was the best hand I saw in the first level. I picked up a small pot with 23 on the BB when the SB and table chipleader completed. We saw a 953 flop two spades. We both checked. A three came on the turn, he checked and by this time I thought a check would lead to a bet on the river from him, which I planned to re-raise - except the river came a nine. Now I was concerned that he may have two pair with the nines and fives. I knew he didn’t have better than that on the flop - or a nine. He bet 2300. Which because of my low stack was quite a lot to me. I suspected that he had a busted flushdraw and eventually called. It was the right call.

I made a few attempts at raises with suited connectors but both times I got re-raised. Once I folded - The second time I went to raise and my thousand chip got stuck behind the line. So it was deemed a call. The player next to me Andreas Hoivold raised to 3k. It got folded back round to me. I felt that I couldn’t keep folding to a re-raise and decided to call. The flop came 692 rainbow. I pushed all in and had Andreas covered. I hoped he had AK AQ and would fold. He called for his 9k with pocket kings, they held. I was now down to just over 6k. With the blinds at 800 / 400 and running antes of 100 that was soon down to 4.4k when I found KQh in the small Blind and an uncontested pot. I pushed my 4400 in it was 3600 more to Andreas and I got him to call me blind. He called and turned over 83off. Neither of us hit a pair and King high took it down. I then got AQ the very next hand and pushed all in again. No callers but 2k in blinds. So I was now on 12.8k. I got JQoff the next hand… I considered playing it, but felt that it would be called if I pushed all in and would be too weak to raise or limp with it given my stack. So I folded. The flop came 8 9 10 I would have had the nuts against a pair of Aces and Paul testud’s 6s as it was they ended up splitting when the board ran a straight to the jack.

The reason I can recall all of these hands so well is because I played so few. My median hand was 74off.

So on to my next hand … Still sat on around 11k I made it 2700 to go from early position with A 10 - It looked like a monster at this stage. Paul Lecky pushed all in on the button for 15k - perhaps I should have called. But Paul and I know each other well and I know at best this is a race - and at worst I’m dominated by AK, AQ. AA or KK. I fold face up and he shows me nines.

So it’s back to waiting for a real hand. I’m down to 6k when the button raises and I find AJ in the Small Blind. I go all in and it’s folded to the button who calls with KQ. The flop comes J rag rag all hearts, a king on the river and I think I’m out of it. My opponent has the King of hearts - but an 8 of hearts on the river gives me the nut flush.

Having survived that I then get 99 on the button and push all in for circa 12.5k Paul Testud is Big Blind and it’s up to him as Andreas has folded. He thinks for longer than I would expect with AK. But he was always going to call. An Ace on the flop sends me to the rail.

And that is all Fatboy wrote.

I’m on table ten seat six. The same table and seat my friend Danny McHugh started in yesterday. Danny nd I swapped ten percent of each other before the tournament started. He went out on pocket tens yesterday. My most significan’t hand was the A4 where I represented the trip tens on the 10 10 4 flop. So my prediction. I’ll finish tenth.

What a pleasant phrase that is… yes Dimmy’s bowels are playing up again. The nerves are jangling and the maid is eyeing me with suspicion. But so far no major accidents. Hopefully that will hold true on the poker table today. I’m not in that bad a position, better than I expected to be. Unless the draw changes I am on a table with no monster stacks. One player on 40K three on circa 25K Two of us on circa 17K and two shorties on around 5k. But today it gets serious and there’s bound to be more pushing. If the cards don’t come I’ll have to use my wits. But I have a feeling that today may be my day. Paddy McCloskey is the only other Irishman at my table, three Scandies, one German, one French and one American.

Yesterday was spent drinking and relaxing mostly. This ended up in Cool Hand Lukes with us playing a “Friendly” one one Omaha game. The friendly part being that we were only supposed to buy in for €50. Eddie and I started singing Elvis numbers and did our impressions of Louis Armstrong and Boney M amongst others. Padraig was so impressed he went to the pub, Jessy couldn’t stop laughing and Willow and Eamon kept raising the pot. In the end Des Doc Farrell and I walked out small winners. So maybe things are looking up after all.

Bounty:

For obvious reasons I will not be playing my bounty tonight. But it will be going ahead at the usual time of 19.00 with Mrs Dim filling in for me. She’ll be playing under my name so you still have to look out for Fatboy… But it won’t be easy this week as we all know who wears the trousers.

$10 =$1 19.00hrs PPP $100 Bounty

That was a very tough day with hardly any hands. I’m through to day two with 17,275 chips. Hopefully things will improve nd I’ll get a few hands. i had to try and do something towards the end of play today. So finding A4c UTG I limped, with the hope of seeing a flop. UTG +1 raised to 1600 - blinds 200 / 400. He was a fairly tight player from france if that isn’t a contradiction i don’t know what is. Gets folded back round to me and I decide to take a risk and call his raise. The flop comes 10 10 4 one of the tens is a club. I know I’m ehind and that a bet on the flop will only lead to a reraise. UTG + 1 makes it 3k the size of bet makes it clear that he hasn’t a ten - So it looks like a good opportunity to call the bet with the idea of making a play later. The turn comes an 8c so now I push all in for circa 9k. I’m hoping that he thinks I’m scared of the flush and that I’m pushing with a set. He goes into the tank for ages. he asks if I have a ten. I don’t think I blink. he eventually folds and I show him the bluff.

It was the only fun I had all night.

Getting down to the last four hands a short stacked scandie states he’s going to push each time. he does so on my BB and SB. i have nothing i can call with. When I get the button he is BB and I peel back 57os. it’s a hand that ideally you’d like to raise on the button or see a flop with. But I know a raise may well be called or re-raised and a limp would be no good. So I play safe and fold. The SB completes and the BB checks. the flop came 68Q a 4 on the turn. Ah well.

On Thursday i’ll have to take my chances. Still all to play for.

The player giving me grief is from Norway [of course] Otto Holt. It seems every time I raise - He calls or re-raises. The last time I had pocket nines pre-flop. At the worst it was a race so I folded. Anytime you raise now it’s 1k, so a fold is hurting. He knows he’s getting to me and I have to say he’s playing his stack very well. now if only I can get get a lock on a hand with him.

I’m on around 16k. One more level to play. it’s been hard - almost un-enjoyable poker. I think my face looks like a smacked arse most of the time.

Chip and a chair.

I’m on 9k at the dinner break. It’s been frustrating to say the least. I haven’t had many good hands. AQ a couple of times, but always in early position and had to fold it a couple of times too facing a re-raise. Got jacks but no callers. Any time I was in position and tried to raise I’d get a reraise it seemed. looks like I’ll have to tighten up even further. There is one player who seems to be running over the table and every time I catch a hand he has something better. It was the same player who caught a straight against me when I had trips. And in the cut off + 1 I looked down to see 10 10. I raised he called. Q92 flop. Two clubs. I bet and he called. A queen came on the turn that lead me to think my tens may be good. I checked. He checked. A club on the river slowed us both down. Check, check and he turned over KQ.

That player is on around 40k now.

I need some luck after the dinner break.

I’m back up to 18.5k.

managed to get my stack to 11k when I find pocket threes in early position and limp. Button, who just had to fold Jacks on a low flop when two players went all in raises to 450. I’m only one left and cll as he has less chips than I do. Flop comes 10 6 3 I check and he bets 750. I make it 2100. i have a feeling that he has the overpair. he goes all in. He has QQ. An Ace on the turn and two on the river and I’m safe.

my table is very reasonable - I only know one player - John Conroy and he’s very solid. A slightly mad Italian to my right who raised UTG 1500 the very first hand. All he took were the blinds. I got away to a good solid start and was pretty pleased with my game. A small rush saw me get my original starting stack of 15k up to 19k. I hit a couple of sets and a nut flush with my pocket queens. But then came a hand that will keep my good friend Reggie in amunition for months. I had pocket sixes in the Cut off +1 I decided to limp with them. Button called and BB raised to 275 blinds at 25 / 50 and last minute of the level. I called and so did the button. The flop came rainbow 63A one club. BB checked and I bet 600. Button thinks about it and calls. BB Folds. A 7clubs comes on the turn. I bet 1200. Button thinks about it and makes it 3200. I wonder if he has 45, two clubs or has he got two pair? Then a club on the turn that doesn’t pair the board. I check thinking if he has the straight he’s check. But he bets 5k. I’ve put him on a possible straight… I also feel he may have been heading for the flush. So it was a poor call by me. He had 45os. I felt the pot was too big not to call and I didn’t want to appear soft. I’ve been card dead since then and have now got 7.5k exactly half starting stack. So I need help.

more later.