I won, but have no money in my wallett!

About 2 weeks ago I said I won't be swimming at Crown for a month, but today is special occasion. (My birthday). I went there in the afternoon around 4:00pm and joined Superman over there. I walked pass the poker room but it was a bit quiet. So I went upstairs and play some pokies, chuck $20 here and there and I broke even. Superman pop up at 5:15pm. He told me he has some feelings in poker. So I joined him at the same $2/$3 NLH table.

It will only be a short session, because we've booked a table for dinner at 7:30 at Richmond. So the most we can play would be like one and a half hours. Before we sat down at the table, we've make a deal. We split all the winnings 50/50 with him. I have no problem with that. Due to the fact he has been running good at PS recently, plus I am not too fuzz about it. I accepted the deal.

We sat down at the same table, next to each other. As usual the table was loose. No one willing to fold after they put $3 in. I was going to play tight, as Superman behind me would be my designated LT hitter! As usual I bought in for $200 (so as him). I didn't play a hand in the first 2 rounds. Then called $3 in a few pot, but fold to a raise like $18 to $20 preflop. My stack was down to like $180 without playing a hand. At the meantime Superman already bust his first buy-in. He called a $20 raise preflop with Ac9c, board came 9 high rainbow. Initial raiser shoved all-in and he called (his whole stack). Initial raiser had JJ and held up. He told me he had A9 and thought the guy was bluffing with AK (It happens a lot on PokerStars he said). So I lend him another $200 (I lend him the first buy-in as well). Now in the BB, this hand came out.

Limp pot, I had K 10 off in BB. I checked. Flop went QdJd6c. Not too excited with my open ended straight, with many players in the pot already, plus out of position. I guess I need to play it aggressively. So I check! (ATC) Everyone checked behind me. Turn 9s. Now I have the nuts. Still valurable to flush draw, no way I am giving any free cards. Only $20 inside the pot, I tossed in $15. Only a gimp in MP called me. All other folded. River 3h. I still have the nuts. As no one showed any strength thru out, I value bet $25 on the river and got called.

On the very next hand in SB, I got Qh 9h. Also limp pot, 4 callers, I called for $1, Superman want to raise but elected to check(He had AQ, he told me after th hand's over). Flop 8h 5s 2h. With my flush draw + 2 over, I bet $10 and see whats going on. Superman folded, the same Gimp paid me off in the last hand called, and also an Asian Phil Lark. Phil Lark was on the button and was thinking about raising. From the previous few rounds, I saw him making a lot of bets and small raises, bullying the table around. From the last hand, I only bet when I have the nuts, I think its what in his mind as well. So my table image is nothing but a Rock! ABC type! So he just called as well. Turn was a 7d. I sort of making a $25 continuation semi-bluff block bet. Gimp folded. Phil Lark called. River 10c. I totally missed and stucked with Q high. As Phil Lark didn't raise me on 2 previous street, I decided to bluff at it, so I bet $55 on the river, and he folded. I didn't show my cards, but Superman had a sneak peak about it. He said to me, " YOU BASTARD!"

Then I called $3 in the next hand when I was on the button, folded on the flop. Still in the same round, I got AK off UTG. I limp $3, I knew Gimp in MP will raise coz he is on tilt, hopefully get a few callers and I could shove. (I learned this play from Master Gee). As I expected, Gimp pop to $13, all folded to Phil Lark, he re-pop to $25. All folded to me, why raised so small? So I took the aggressive route by calling (ATC again). Gimp called, others folded. 3 way action! Flop Kh 8h 2d. I checked, so did Gimp. Phil Lark bet $25. The first thing popped up on my mind was the hand against Lucktard Fat Mama. Please don't tell me AA vs AK on K rag rag flop again! Also AA with Ah, AhQh, AhJh were all within his range. No way I am folding right now, so i just call. Gimp folded. Turn Ah. Very interesting card. I checked and see what he will do. Now he bet only $50. Now I believed I almost had the best hand. Only losing to 88. Very rare losing to AA or KK when I had AK and 2 pair on the turn. If he had one of those, nothing I can do, same as 888. I was 99% certain he had no flush at all. With Ah and Kh on the board, what can he re-raise with pre-flop? QhJh? No way!

So I knew he was making a continuation bet on the flop, and now he hit something. So I put him in like AK (same hand as me, but I think he would bet more on the flop), JJ, QQ, AQ or AJ with 1 heart. I knew I am in front and he might be on a draw with an Ace. Still, only losing to 888. Can't just flat call right now, and no more free crads. Out of position also a problem, so I re-raise all-in for $235 total! Phil Lark was steaming, he said," Why would you shove right now with the nuts?". So I knew he didn't have QQ or AQ. Only JJ, 88 or AJh. He was staring at me the whole way, so did I. My hands were shaking vigorously, worse than what I usually gave to my little brother down there. He thought I was bluffing, so he called. River Jd. One of the card I absolutely hate to see, coz it is within his range. Showdown, I turned over my AK, and he had AsJh. Spot on!

Then the very next hand in BB got pocket 10s. Stack close to $600. Gimp raised to $15 as usual. Next guy flat call (he is quite solid), as well as Phil Lark. I called as well. Flop 2h 3h 8s. I bet $20 on the flop and see whats going on. Gimp flat called, next guy pop to $60, Phil Lark folded, I called, to my surprise, Gimp also called. Turn Ac, now I check, ready to fold, but all check as well. River another heart. Not going to bluff this time against 2 players, and went check down. Last player had JJ, Gimp mucked, and I showed my 10s. Stack down to $510+. After that they asked for time charge, and 4 players leaving. Almost 6:30pm, so me and Superman left the table as well.

I had to give him $150 as part of the deal. Then we hanged around at Crown upstairs. Superman donk away all his money(All of them were from me!). Then we went to dinner. Supposedly he was going to shout me for dinner, but I ended up paying it. Then we went back to Crown, coz still a bit early (only 9:45pm). We picked up Carl on the way, and headed back to Crown. Superman reckons his mojo is back, and asked me for another $100 (plus something from Carl). He sat down in another $2/$3 table,with 1 bullet. I had a side bet with Carl that he wouldn't last till 11pm. He survived, and I had another side bet with him that he wouldn't last till 12:00am. Superman ended up busting at 12:20am.

Both me and Carl reckons it will be quick and looking forward for some jiggle-jiggly actions later on. But we ended up standing on the rail watching Superman play for 2 hours. Both of us felt tired and my back was hurting me. So we went home. Most importantly, I got no money left in my wallet. Why?

Celebrity fill in

I don't usually play snooker pennant on Monday night. Kevin Stone called me up last week and ask me to fill in for him. As you know Lance Pennall Classic is on this weekend, it never hurt to have a match or so in pennant. I was playing at #1 in the A reserve grade tonight. Normally the standard in the A reserve aren't that high, even at #1, I don't expect to have a tough match or so. When I saw the team sheet, the opposing captain told me they also have a fill-in for them as well. After I saw his name, I start shitting on my own pants! Fortunately I was wearing dark pants, and the room was dark as well, so no one can see the skid mark on my back. "WTF is he doing in here?"

There are only 4 guys in Australia I will fear in snooker. Steve Mifsud, Shawn Budd, Master Gee and this guy. Neil Robinson, he can go back to England and lick his own sausage. MVP is scary coz he can breast feed his 2 daughters. Princess of Princes, well I just need to worry about my back side when ever I am on a shot and he is standing behind me! Slowvari and Aaron, I don't fear slow defensive players. Why I fear those players? Neil is a professional, he will kill you off with just 1 bullet and so can R.I.P. These 4 guys are all good long potters but second grade assassins. They are so fetish in nature, they love slapping you around before finishing you off. When you think you played a good safety shot, all of the sudden, BOOM! Pots a long one, making 50 to 60. Giving you a sniff, before making another clearance.

This guy I played tonight was one of the best break builder in Australia snooker scene. His name Andrew Hicks! First frame I had 12 points (but 11 points were from fouls), next frame I scored 14 points. Final frame I won on the black, when Andrew felt guilty, rolled the black towards the middle pocket. So I lost 2-1.

Will go Crownish tomorrow with Superman. Hopefully will have some positive news to come!

Snookering!

Thanks to Telstra, I have been offline for several days. Since Tuesday, I had called them several times everyday and all I experiencing was an ongoing process about trouble shooting, (done it at least twice a day) as well as practicing for "Spelling Bee". Everytime I told them my login name, some how we just can't understand to each other. Why do those operator had to make things so complicated? Instead of referring "A for apple, B for boy, C for Chapel", why make life so hard for me? " A for astronomical, B for brucellosis, C for cretaceous." OK! You win! You are too academic for me! With such a high level of intelligence, wtf you are doing as an operator?

Up until Sat, Telstra still haven't resolved the problem. I went to Telstra shop that afternoon. Somehow the salesman had serious attitude problem. I was so piss off. OK, I just went next door and became an Optus customer.

Lance Pannell Classic is next week. I will play Alex Alibaba in my opening match. So its time to start practicing. Cueing ok right now, although not making many big breaks, only 40s and 50s. The positive sign was that I manage to pot a long one, got into position and pot most of the loose ones. I won my math 3-0 vs David Pitt in pennant on Wed night. All 3 frames was very scrappy, but I made 2 good clearance to pinch 2 frames.

Had a hit with Binh Fri night, but somehow he ditch me. We played 2 frames, I gave him 20 starts and I won both frames. After that, the Princess of Princes arrived. F**k! I hate that guy. He is one of those guys always smiling at you, pretend friendly, but on the other hand he will talk a bunch of BS behind your back. A guy like him will make MVP looks like a great guy. Master Chan always talk BS, but he hardly creates and spreads gossips around (he just BS how good he is). POP, Marco and L.E.H. forms a perfect company. Somehow they have the same personality, common interest and to a certain extent, they might have a love affair towards each other. "The Princes Love Triangle!" Maybe one day MVP should make a movie out of it. He will be the script writer, director and the cameraman. He might join in the fun as well. What a fantastic foursome it will be. By the way, me and POP played 3 frames. I beat him 3-0. It was hot and muddy at Princes and the #3 table was very slow. I also saw the Professor of Snooker (Bacon + Eggs) giving "Snooker History 101" lessons. Telling his student (on the next table) how Jimmy White used to play and practice. Talking about Steve Davis's 6 and 3/4 inches bridge. It was just too much to handle, and I left soon afterwards.

Finally back online

Finally back! I hate Telstra. Been offline for about a week, so fed up.

No Internet

No internet at the moment. Can't do anything right now, as I am at an internet cafe. Hopefully can back online soon.

Bow to Squizzy again (but it hurts)!

Played in Stars tonight. Just want to get my winning feelings back. So I played in one of those $1.10 turbo 2X SNG. I were running good. My pocket 10s held up against pocket 7. And My pocket 7 won a race against AK (short stack). I also bust my third opponents with my AQ vs his A6. Built my stack to 5k+, so I decided to fold my way to the cash. Short stack start busting each other out and I took down my 90 cents profit! Oh what a feeling! I won! High 5 anyone?

Grand Master took down a $2.20, 180 players SNG. I heard he was short stack entering the final table. Somehow within 6 hands, he became the chip leader. Bullying his way and took it down! Well done Grand Master!

Squizzy was playing 3 tournys. ($4.40 ,180 SNG and 2 freerolls) As he is running so good right now (btw he is also good, no doubt about it!), I decided to stalk him a bit, hopefully I can pick up a trick or two. I also chat with him on MSN, so hopefully I could get some idea how to think like a PRO. In the $4.40 SNG, I finally learn something. Squizzy was in the BB with pocket 9. Blinds 50/100, multiway limp pot, Squizzy decide to check his option. Flop 9 9 8. SB check, obviously Squizzy going to slow play his quads(very common play, all the books I have read said you must slowplay it). Check to MP bet 200, button folded, SB folded. In this situation, I know I lot of people will stall a bit, using up there time bank, pretending they have a tough decision to made. It is a pretty common trick, especially online. Squizzy did something totally different. Instead of stalling and pretending, he just disconnected himself from his Internet. Log back in again, and his time bank hit to like 4 sec remaining. He click the Call button. Turn was 6. Squizzy check again, and so did MP. River Q, I wonder if Squizzy would do the trick again, but this time Squizzy lead out for a big bet and MP folded. Why not fired the second barrels? I guess with 15 sec to act, plus only 4 sec left in his time bank, he couldn't log it back in time.

Unfortunately he couldn't cash in the $4.40 SNG, busted out in 34th place. But he qualified to Phase 2 Poker Star Cast TV freeroll, the winner will go on to a reality TV series, host by Joe "The Sook" Hachem himself. Gook luck Squizzy! Maybe you are the next Sook in the making!

Now it is the BIG ONE! Phase 2 of ANZPT-Melbourne. 120 players in it, the winner receive a package + USD$500. Squizzy was top 5 in chips along the way, and chip leader entering the final table about 45k in chips. There was a Lucktard, sat directly yo Squizzy's right. He busted 4 players along the way with nothing but junks. Cracked AK with 72 sthooted, river straight with 6 8 off. All of them flat called opened shoved pre-flop. Squizzy simple let the LT did all the hard work and now down to final 3 players, he was short stack with 18k chips. Open shove by Squizzy (3 times in 7 hands) and each time got no callers. Now stack around 33k.

Now the LT mini-raised, Squizzy open shoved with A6 off in BB. LT called with KJ. Board 9 high and Squizzy double up. Now he is almost chip lead (66k), only trailing the LT by 4k and the short stack had 44k. In the very next hand this came up.

Blinds 1500/3000 with 300 ante. Squizzy in SB with Js 6s. LT flat called on the button. Squizzy called in SB, BB check. Flop 6d 6c 8c. Squizzy checked, BB also checked. LT bet 23k on the flop (only about 10k inside). Squizzy check raised to 46k. BB shoved all-in for 40k+. LT flat call. Turn 9s. LT check/call Squizzy's all-in. LT showed KK (nice play sir), BB had 88 for flop full-boat (nh). Squizzy took the side pot with trips. A bit of a cooler, 3 handed, 3 way all-in on the flop with trips. Still ok, as he didn't lose much in that hand thanks to the side pot.

Two hands later Squizzy busted the LT and his mushroom stack out with 3 5 off vs his Kh 4h. Now HU. Squizzy had about 50k in chips vs 126k+. He managed to win a couple of pots, and built his stack to 60k. Only 2-1 defecit. Unfortunately for him, he dealt KJ on the button, SB flat call his raise with AA. Flop K 10 3. All the money went on the flop and Squizzy picked up a GS on the turn but the helpless 3 on the river seal the deal.

Squizzy bust out in 2nd place and received nothing out of those BS. It is a bad feeling! Just like Megan Fox or Jessica Alba ask you to eat their Pie, but unfortunately both are on period. Ouch! It hurts! It really hurts!

ChowHi

As you know my mission from now is to be a lucktard. The best way to learn to be one is to learn from them. If you want to learn from them, you better learn from the best. So where can you find the biggest lucktard in this world? Here is the answer: Pub/Free Poker!

Last night at Potters (an local pool hall in Dandenong) had poker night. $20 entry, you receive a free T-shirt plus a drink voucher. $1000 total prize pool, capped at 100 players. Not bad value if you just want to have a night out. Master Gee works over there behind the bar, so obviously he was playing there last night. So did Lady Master, Slam Dunk Master and great Grand Master. Even Mini-Master (Tim, Sean's brother) joined the action as well.

If you haven't played in one of those tourney before, here is the structure. We started with 3000 in chips, blinds started at 25/50, and blinds half double up every 15 minute. Self dealing (no dealer on the table), 15 min you might play max of 10 hands. There weren't enough plays in each level. Sitting back and playing tight won't be ideal. So you will see a lot of all-in fest along the way. No way you can keep up with the blinds without doubling up in the first few levels. Bluffing is waste of time, coz people will call you with bottom pair. The best way to accumulate chips is to call an all-in bet with anything. I saw a LT called her whole stack in SB with J9 off when there was already 2 shoves in front of her. J9 vs AA vs A3 sthooted. And she triple up her stack. I played good in the first hour and my read was spot on. After the first hour I built up my stack to 6700. Somehow I was a bit worry coz Wishing Thinking is a must in this game. If you fold when you are behind, you don't give yourself any chance to get lucky. You will never get the feeling when you spike the 2 outer on the river. So I need to change gear!

After the break, I moved to a new table. 2 seats to my right was, who else? Slam Dunk Master. With all the bragging rights on the line, you never know how desperate I were trying to bust him. With blinds 100/200, I limp UTG+1 with 22. Everyone folded to the CO, mini raised to 400. Everyone then folded to SDM in the BB called extra 200. Flop 7h7c8c, SDM checked, and I checked as well. CO bet 400, absolutely weak bet, probably had 2 overs. Slam Dunk master smelled weakness and shoved all-in. Before I acted, CO tossed his card into the muck (once again my read was spot on). Now I only have to worry about Slam Dunk Master. Did he had an 8 (maybe), 7 (unlikely), a pair in hole (maybe), Flush Draw (very likely), Straight draw (unlikely, don't think he would call with 9 10 pre-flop), bluffing (maybe). So I did a bit of table talk, mentioning how much I want to bust him ( I had him cover). He gave me a corky look and smiling at me along the way. Now I know he was either bluffing or on flush draw. Playing with him so many times in home games, I know he would freeze like a statue if he has a big hand. So I called with my pocket 2. He flipped over AQ off. 7 on the turn, 6 on the river. Bingo! I don't read him like a book. Never! Instead I read him like a porn. All it takes is a few sec, and my mojo will automatically kicks in. Easy as that!



Then I changed table again. The table had a bunch of fat chicks. Won a mid size pot with 88. Blinds 200/400, MP pop to 800, I re-pop to 1400 on the button. Flop A 10 5. MP check, I bet 1800 and took it down. Now I have close to 10k in chips. Then in SB, blinds now 300/600. I got Qd10d. Multiway limp pot, I called for extra 300. all of the sudden BB shoved all-in for 1300 in total, everyone called, so did I. Flop Ad Jh 3d. All check to the Fat chick on the button, bet 2000, I called with my FD+GS. Turn 6h, I check-call 3000 bet. With such a big pot, and a bit of WISHFUL THINKING, calling the bet was easy. River another 6, and I check/fold. Fat chick had AJ and raked the pot.

Now she really got into my head. Not because I think she is hot (No way! I am not a Gramma Cunucker), nor I am interested in her cow size tits ( Sorry, I am not a farmer and I don't need any milk for my coffee yet!). I really gave her credit that she put me on a flush draw. What impressed me the most was that she managed to use the F* word and occasionally the S* word at least once in every 5 words that came out from her mouth. That's IMPRESSIVE!

Blinds 400/800, UTG limp, that cow wannabe limp, I open shoved with my AJ for 2800. Evryone folded to the button also shoved. All folded, showdown. AJ vs QQ. Flop A 10 4 turn 8 river 4. Now my stack about 8200. Now the conversation started heating up. UTG said she also have AJ (OK!), but the cow wannabe said she had A8, and started whinging how lucky I were and she should have won that pot. I simply lost count how many F* words that had come out from her filthy mouth. " Call me!", as I said, but she would never have my mobile number.

Now she has gone a step further. Not only she has got into my head, she really got into my skin. I try to stay cool along the way. In fact if she really want to get into my skin, I will rip her skin off. I am not going to use it to make any sort of leather belt, whip or shoes. But I think her skin has the perfect roughness, a bit finer than the sandpaper which I normally use, which would be good for shaping my snooker cue tip.

Her F* words exhibition went on for the next 5 min. At the same time, she also showed the whole table about her self proclaimed $100k crystal (diamond) ring. Now I know she doesn't only want to be a dairy cow, but she want to be one with BALLS! She impressed me so much, now I know what kind of person she really is. If Paris Hilton is perfect example to the definition "Bimbo", she would fit perfectly to the Chinese version of "CHOWHI". It makes sense as she is a cow wannabe, I simple throw in a "H" in the middle as a bonus.

I didn't play a hand in the next round. Now stack down to 7k and we off to another break. After the break, blinds 500/1000, I dealt AQ UTG. I played a bit sneaky with this hand coz ChowHi in the BB. I pop to 2500, leaving 4500 behind. The guy next to me re-pop to 6000, everyone fold I shoved for extra 1k. He called. My AQ vs his Ah6h. Flop 568 with 2 hearts. No help in the next 2 cards and I busted at 24th place. Only Lady Master survived the onslaught and was still in. Everyone else within our mop had busted out already. Perhapes Lady Master is the biggest LT within our mop. So from now I will try my best to get her to be my poker mentor!

Form guide vs Pot Odds

Mr. Suzuki. A good friend (TAB friend) of mine called me up in the afternoon, gave me a tip on a race (horse) at Morphettville in Adelaide. I have no idea whose riding it, and I certainly not care who trains it. Mr.Suzuki hardly call me up and give away any tips in horse racing. He has done it before, this is the 3rd time he has given it to me ever in the last 8 years. I remember the first time, that horse paid like $11 on tote, and it came 2nd losing by a nose. The next time, the horse paid like $20 and won by 7 lengths. If someone on the street giving tips to you every single week, I usually ignore them. With Mr. Suzuki's tip so highly reliable, I punt $150 EW thru my IAS bookie.

When I check the odds, I was a bit surprised. It pays $14 fixed odds, $18 in super price with $4.80+ in Place-tote. It didn't shake me off, coz all it took me was just a click on the button. As I am a very generous person, no where stingy and loves sharing the goods with my friends, I made several calls. Master Gee didn't answer the phone, so did Fat Banana and Peter M. Only Grand Master and Superman picked picked up the phone.

As I look thru the form guide, I said to myself, how can this horse win or even come close. It is a listed race, 16 runners, run 2000m (SA derby prelude) and not racing against donkeys and camels. We are at gate #8. Maybe some other horse in the field might only have 3 legs, but I truly have faith in Mr. Suzuki.

Now the race is ready, red light's up, gates open. Start racing! My pick got boxed in behind the pack, and my horse was parked 2nd last after 400m (OK!). Still 2nd last after 1000m (No big deal). With 800m remaining, still 2nd last ( Move it up faggot!) Somehow he heard my instruction and start moving up. Running cross the bend and with about 500m remaining, my horse was like 10 wide but clear ( Don't be a pussy! Whip!) Into the straight, with less than 300 remaining, the winner already kicked 3 lengths clear. My beloved jockey now starts show boating his supreme riding skill with a sequence of windmill whips. It was so spectacular, more entertaining than Esfrandiari's chip tricks. The horse responded perfectly and dashed like an arrow. Unfortunately with 50m remaining, no way he could catch the winner. We have to settle for 3rd. Not a bad result, as the Place tote pays $4.81. In my opinion, the jockey rode it so bad at the start, no wonder he deserve to be a midget for the rest of his life.

From now on you all can chuck the form guide away. It is misleading. Just like in poker, don't worry about pot odds. Math is idiotic! All you have to do is to trust your instinct, believe in all those Special Feelings you might have. When you spike your 2 outer on the river and rake a monster pot, your MOJO will certainly be rising. Keep on doing it, penetrating it, you will feel you are a Super Natural. As an reward, you will receive the biggest cum in your life by raking up a monster stack when you leave the table.

Lucktard Fat Mama

Master Gee said he will swim around at Crown today, so I decided to join him. Pop up there in late afternoon, sit down at $2/$3 NLH table. Played average in my first buy-in, called couple raises with small pairs and sthooted Ace, hit nothing on the flop and lost about 1/2 my stack. Then had Ac 10c in CO, UTG raise to $20, got several callers, I called for Value. Flop J Q 9, UTG bet $40, got 1 caller, I called. Turn 3 c (pick up flush draw). UTG shoved for $215, MP folded, I called for $57 priced in already. River blank, UTG had KJ.

Re-buy again for another $200. Dwindling down to $175, Maniac UTG raised to $15, I called with 6d7d, everyone called, 7 way action. Flop 10d 3d 8h. Everyone check to button bet $45. As omeone might be slowplaying a monster or not really interested in the hand, also more then $140 inside, I decided to gamble with my GS+FD. I shove for $160. All of the sudden initial raiser also shove for $400. Button flat called with 10 J. UTG showed KdQd. Damn I am drawing to an off suite 7. Turn Ac, river 8 c. Lost my second bullet.

I remember a lot of pros said if the game is good, you shouldn't leave. I felt I am playing ok. If I make a good hand or a big draw, I will always get callers. So i decided to buy-in my 3rd bullet. Shortly after, I got dealt 4d5d. This time UTG with about $97 pop to $15, 5 callers, I decided to call as I am in gambling mode. BB folded. 6 way action! $84 inside already. Flop 3 4 7 rainbow. I check on the flop, UTG shoved all-in for $82. Everyone fold to me. I am putting him on a big pair, so I figure all my 9 outs are live. Getting 2 to 1 on my money, although a bit short in odds, I decided to call with no further betting. Turn A, river 6. I scoop with 7 high straight.

Shortly after that hand, my nightmare finally starts. A Fat mama Italiano sat down on my table without a cup of cappuccino. She played so bad, as you can never imagine. In 1 hand she raised pre-flop for $25, 2 callers and fold to a $15 bet on the flop in position. Afterwards she called an all-in bet for her whole stack with 88 on a AK993 board. Then she re-buy. She called a huge pre-flop raised $45 with 55. Check-call a $80 bet on the K J 9 (2 sthooted board) flop. The raiser put her all-in on the turn and she snap called because she hit her 5. The raiser had AA and need a bucket!

The drama really starts here. As she raked up her chips, she started bragging how well she played the hand, bragging about the "Special Feelings" she has in her poker career. Doing supermodel posting on her sit. Maybe because she is running hot, so she thinks she is hot as well. If that's the case, so does Kathy Leibert and Cindy Violett. All depends on where you are from. In Greece they will call her " Malaka", in North America, they will call her " Mother Canucker!" In China, perhapes "ChowHi"(ask you friend fron Hong kong about what it really means). But I simply call her a Lucktard!

After that she ATC a lot and lost 1/2 of her $400+ stack calling all the way and fold on the river. I knew she is on tilt right now, raised on the button with 8s Js, and hit top pair on the flop, turn trips and under bet turn + river for $120+ pot. Lucktard you!

Two hands later, this comes out! I got dealt AK on the button. 1 guy limp, Lucktard fat mama (LTMF) raised to $40, I choose to call. Put her on QQ, JJ sort of hands. Even I hit my A or K, I know she would not fold. All other folded, limper fold as well, now HU. Flop K 7 3. LTFM lead out for $35. I hit my card, I pop her to $100. She called. Turn 3. She bet $60, with only $130 behind me, I decided to shove. Her range is so big, and I know she would make this bet with JJ or QQ. So I shoved and she called. River 8. She showed AA! WTF?

My AK ran into AA on K high rag flop really make me puke. To make the matter worse, she taught me a poker lesson. She said, " How do you think your AK be good in that spot?" What a Fat ChowHi Malaka Mother LT Canucker! Need a bucket desperately!

I also played in the $175 tourney tonight, but in the second round, my KK bump into AA and I raised got re-raised, then I shoved pre-flop. No help all the way! Watch Master Gee dominate the cash table. From $200 ran up to $1250+. Flopped flush with KsQs, played fast all the way, all-in on the turn and got called by As only for a massive $700+ pot. He stacked a guy with 45 on a K45 board. The guy had AK, 45 held up.

Then he stake me $200 to a table. Nothing really going on and still with $200. Fold AK UTG + 3 when Rock of Gilbrator raised. Flop K 10 3. Turn K. Rock of Gilbrator had QQ and won! Damn! 2 rounds later had Jh10h on the button. Limp pot, I decided to raised $12 for value. Got 5 callers, now $54 inside. Flop 10c 7c 3h. Everyone check to me and bet $30 with my top pair/ ave kicker. Only the Rock of Gilbrator called. I put him on a draw most likely Acxc. Cos 10c on the board, I am pretty sure my 10 is good right now. Turn another 10, now I made trips. ROG checked to me, I am representing a big pair right now, and I knew he only have 7 outs. Want to give him an impression that the A on the river would be good for him. So I try to milk him for $70. He called after a lot of thoughts. River 4c. He shove all-in and had me cover. Why not the Ace, 3c or Jc? I folded my hand face up and very nice to him he showed me Ac5c. On the very next hand I got AK, raised pre-flop to $15, got a few callers, flop K 7 5. I lead out for $25, got 1 caller. Turn J, i shoved, got called by 77 trips. Busto!

I don't mind losing. I felt nothing at all after I bust on my last table. As long as people not show boating or giving poker lessons, I am fine with that. Poker should be fun and poker is a game about lucktards. I am not going to swim at Crown for at least 1 month and restrain myself playing no more than $3 MTT and no cash table on Stars. Hopefully my bad luck will end by then.

Why I suck so bad?

After Squizzy impressive showing last night, also Master Gee had a good swim at Crown. I can't let them have all the Glory. Based on my wishful thinking that I have huge flippers behind my back, I decided to play a bit on Stars tonight. First, I registered in a $3.30 MTT. Dealt AK in the BB first hand, several limpers, I raised to $80, got 2 callers. Continuation bet on 4 6 Q flop, got 1 caller. Brick on the turn went check/check, and fold on the river went check/ half pot bet. Then fold in SB, called on button with 3d5d in family limp pot, hit nothing and fold on the flop. 2 hands later got 99. several limpers up front already (perhapes they are a bunch of gimps, just love limping), I made the call as I wasn't too thrill with my mid pair. All of the sudden BB pop to $100. All the gimps called, no way I am folding my 99, I called, co and button fold, 5 way action. Flop Ac Kc 9d. BB bet $540, 1 caller. About $1200+ inside and my stack about $2600+, I figured out one guy was drawing to flush. BB must have AK, AQ sort of hands, if it happens to have AA or KK, so be it! I shove all-in, BB shoved, so does MP gimp also shoved. BB showed A 10, gimp showed QcTc. 2h on the turn and 4c on the river. So I bust within the first orbit, no big deal, at least I put my stack in good. Lucktard really rules in this game!

Then play in cash table. Bought in $50 in 25c/50c deep. I prefer playing in the deep table, hate playing with a bunch of mushrooms, buying in short and shove everything up their ass pre-flop. On the 3rd hand I dealt KK on the button as shown above. UTG limp, all fold to me, and I raised to $3.50. I tend to play my KK just like QQ or JJ. Gimps will call with A2 anyway, need to see flop and play it quick. SB called, BB folded, UTG called. Flop 79J rainbow, all check to me and bet $10 on the flop. SB called, UTG folded. Turn 6, I put him all-in for $21+. He snap called and from the pic above, you all see what happen on the river.

As Barry Greenstein said in High Stake Poker, " Math in poker is idiotic!" Now I 100% agree with him. Please, I want to be a lucktard, with a bunch of imagination. Wishful thinking is a must in this game. Need to play all kind of junks. Calling huge raise with any sthooted cards or connecting cards out of position is a must. Because:

1) You can always hit,

2) The raiser could miss the flop and it always feels good bluffing him out with 7 high

3) Calling you way for future action. If you miss the flop in the first 9 times, then you are definately DUE in the 10th. Imagine how much money you would win when playing Q2 sthooted and the flop came QQ2, 222, flop flush with A and K on the board? and the initial raiser has a premium hand?

4) Your cards are not important. The flop could come anything. Imaginative representation is the key to poker success.

5) We can't let people bullying us around. Poker God will punish them by awarding us with runner-runner nuts.

6) If Thou never Fold, then Thou never Know!!! ( if you hit the river).

Bow to Squizzy

Been watching High Stake Poker Season 5 tonight, all of the sudden Squizzy nudge me on MSN and he is going deep in PS $11 tourney. There were 1200+ entries, with around 50 players remaining he is in the middle of the pack. With stack around 28k, blinds 1500/3000 with 300 antes. Squizzy made some tight fold pre-flop (folding is his specialty), and found 99 on the button. All fold to him, he open shove and SB (looks a bit solid, not willing to commit big pre-flop with AK, middle pair. Once he shove pre-flop, most likely the top 3 pairs) called. His 99 held up against A 10. His table image was very solid (just a bit looser than Dan Harrington). After that he manage to win a couple set of blinds in the next hour.

I am watching him the whole way and chat with him at the same time, hopefully I can find some secret of his poker success. He said to me, " Patience and timing are the keys!" With 40 players remaining, he was still short stack. All of the sudden he manage to double up twice. All against the same person. (Wow! He serve Squizzy better than his old man's gold VISA card). His QQ beat AK, JJ beat AK, then he bust a short stack with AA.

Still below average chip stack, about 18 players remaining, he found KQ in SB. With blinds 4k/8k with 400 antes, Squizzy sitting with 180k stack. All fold to Squizzy, he pop to 24k, Gold Visa in BB called. Flop 4h 8h Qd. Squizzy lead out for 40k on the flop. Gold Visa called. Turn 4d. Squizzy shove for 118k, as there were 2 flush draw on the board. Gold Visa snap called with 8s 9d. River Js. A massive 370k pot award to Squizzy and now BB could go Platinum.

Squizzy then used his image to perfection, maintaining his stack. No one willing to call his raise, now cruising to the final table. With around 300k, 8 players remaining he found QQ. Flop A 8 8, went check/check. Turn Q, squizzy milk the guy with 60k bet on turn and river. Next hand against the same guy, he found AK on AJ6 flop. Squizzy lead out, got raised and he shove. MP fold, now stack 637k.

Folding a lot of hands and let players bust each other. At the meantime I ask him a very serious question. " How does it feel playing at the final table?" Squizzy humbly reply, "Like about to play a snooker final. a bit nervy!", and I ask about his recent success, he replied, " need to want it more, or hate losing more". Very true!

Blinds now 12.5k/25k with 2500 antes, 5 players remaining. Stack got blind to 420k, table very aggressive. All-in poker at it best! A lot of KK vs AK, QQ vs KK confrontation. All fold to SB mini raised, Squizzy smell something and fold.

As game gone short handed, Mike Sexton and Vince van Pattern said you need to open up your game. There are some truth behind it, but it seems Squizzy has tighten up even more. Why? Is it because folding is the best weapon in this situation? or if Mike and Vince are that good, they will be WPT champion, instead they just wishing everyone's card be live and pots be monster?

Blinds now 15k/30k with 3k antes. Looks like the only way squizzy can win a pot is thru a walk. Now stack 240k after folding for 45 min, Squizzy open shove and got no action. Bugger! Fold the blinds and now on the button, open shove with Ac4c, SB shove with AhQh. Flop 9 10 K K 8. Squizzy finished 5th for $642.

Consider last week he only had $4 in his account and play only $1 SNG, now he manage to run it up to $701. It is quite an accomplishment. Once again, Why are you so good?

My other Buddies!

Everyone need friends in their life. Time to introduce my buddies to you!


King of Spin. My snooker mate. He plays every shot with side.

Fat Banana. A 5ft 200 lbs monster! Nothing to be associated with mushroom. (Really?)

Tony Lee. We call him " The Number 1 Eye From Asia". This guy can pot, big time. Currently reside in China and said he has retired from snooker. Perhaps trying to make the Chinese Archery team?

CiFu. You might think he is good in snooker, but he is a driving instructor as well as a soccer coach. He has won every trophy in C grade. Plays like Peter Ebdon, he makes Robbie Foldvari looks quick at the table.

Ricky Gov. He is good in poker. Playing mid-stake online all the time (and doing well). Instead of letting him take all my money, I rather choose to kick his ass on the snooker table.

Robbie Foldvari. My snooker coach and former World Professional Billiard Champion. He holds a bunch of record in Professional snooker as well. Some people would be proud of it.

Casper / Marc. Love playing snooker with them. I call them hot stove. Everytime I play them, I will be on fire.

Vinny Calabrese. A young snooker player from Sydney. Voted as "GIMP of the Year" by BSANSW forum. Will head back to England later on. Wish him all the best!

Alex Blender. A really nice guy, President of NSWBSA. He has put in a lot of times and effort to Australian snooker. Unfortunately the biggest tight ass in this world.

Superman. A 6ft 330lbs monster. Doesn't play snooker at all. A pro wrestler by looks, but a pimp by nature. Always have fun when he is around.

Others: Uncle Glen, Bobo, Steve Mifsud, Bully, Peter Man, Manny S., Justin, KY, Ben Leung, Thorpy, Alan Croft and the list goes on...........

I think I need a break!

Today is Easter Monday, woke up afternoon, every where's closed. Only place open would be Fish Pond. Had lunch over there, then as usual I can't resisted the temptation. Once again I swam around at $2/$3 tables. Normally I only carry 2 buy-ins at most ($400). Sat down, the biggest stack was about $1000, with a few healthy stack along with 3 short stack. I bought in for $200 (max allowed). In the first 15 min, nothings going on. Stack down to $180+. Then pick up a small pot and lost a few pots hitting either middle pair or nothing at all. Stack down to about $160, then this hand came up.

There were 2 limpers up front, 1 fold, next in raised to $13, 1 call, I was in CO with AJ off. I decided to call. Button called, SB fold, BB called, limpers called. Flop J 6 2 rainbow. Everyone check to the raiser who bet $20. Absolutely weak bet, and I figure my AJ was good. I decided to raise to $50. Button fold, BB called, UTG folded, raiser folded. Turn another 2. BB all of the sudden shove all-in for $64. With all the money on the table, I made a crying call. River K. BB showed J 2 STHOOTED for Full House. What the fuck was going on in here?

I top up for another $150 as my stack was down to $35+. In the next 2 rounds, I played extremely tight ( I fold all the hands!). Then in the BB I dealt K5 off. Limp pot, I check my option, $20 inside already, as 7 players see the flop (very common in these fishy games). Flop 5c5h9h. WOW! I flop trips, must be BBS (Big Blind Special). I check, as I felt my K kicker is good enough. UTG+2 lead out for $20, 1 caller, I raised to $60. One of them must be on a draw. All fold to UTG+2 all of the sudden shove all-in, MP fold. I snap called. If he had 99 or A5 good on him. Turn 7d, river 4h. He showed Ah8h for flush. Another LT in the making!

I was absolutely sick! Didn't want to go to the ATM, as I felt I am an ATM. I realized BBS could stand for a lot of things. From Big Blind Special ( most other players will refer to ), for me it must refer to Bugger! Bull Shit!

Went home afterwards, then had dinner with Fat Banana ( my snooker buddy), hit some balls with him. Felt good on the table, potting well although not a lot of breaks, but I can feel I am getting there. I guess I need to spend more time in snooker in the next few month, coz all those ranking tournaments are coming up. Need to get away from those poker craps!

After snooker, I called Master Gee and I went to his place. What else? We played on Stars again. Master Gee is truely amazing. He played a $11, 2 tables SNG and came 2nd. We should have won that SNG, during HU we had a 2-1 chip lead, our JJ were no match against 22 and the LT spiked a deuce on the river. We small ball our way to the chip lead again, then we lost consecutive pots all-in pre-flop with A4 vs 33, than JQ vs A6.

Then we registered $11 deep stack tourney as well as $3.30 double stack tourney. Nothing went right in the deep stack, no hand no flop, nothing. We didn't make any sort of impact and bust out in the 2nd hour. In the $3.30, we managed to build a good stack in the $3.30 in the first hour. Then our AK lost to QQ, all-in pre-flop. I guess we overplayed our AK, as blinds only 60/120, we had like 9k in chips in the BB. Since the field is large, we figure the raiser was on tilt, the worst scenario would be a flip. Well, we could play a bit passive by just calling, but just hate playing those AK out of position.

Talk to Squizzy in the MSN, he managed to build his bankroll from $4 to $50+, playing only $1 SNG. I have a question for him, " Why are you so good?"

The best dog in the world

Unless you own one, otherwise you don't know how loyal they are.

Big night with Seany Gee

Master Gee called me today and would like to have a swim at Crown. We went there in the afternoon, playing $2/$3 NLH ( $200 max. buy-in, 10% rake cap at $6 + $5 per hour). I sat down on the worst table overall. I only have 2 bullets in my wallet, so I play a bit cautious. The table consisted of 2 manics next to each other, and a bunch of calling stations. Although I had position on the 2 maniacs, but the worst feeling after all was flop dead. Finally wake up with KK in middle position. One of the maniac raised UTG to $13, I re-pop to $40 with my pocket Ks, everyone fold, UTG called(putting 1/2 of his stack in and I had him covered). Flop J 10 7, UTG shove all-in for $45, I instant called. Turn another J and river blank. He showed KhJh! What a LUCKTARD!

After that I was down to $30, top-up and changed table. At the new table, same old story! I was waiting for BB and realized the table very loose and a bunch of calling station. Obviously it doesn't suite my small ball approach. Anyway, and the 3rd hand when I was on the button, got dealt KhJh. The whole table limp, I raised to $18 as i know they wouldn't fold. Hopefully I could hit something and carry on. SB flat call (expected), BB call (usual), UTG called (standard), out of no where next guy shoved all-in for $50+. All folded to me, and I called. SB called (pot odds), BB called all-in for $45 (Value). UTG also called. Massive pot already! Flop came KQT rainbow. SB lead out for $100, BB already all-in, UTG folded (surprise). With my top pair + open ended, I talked to myself "Fuck it!" So I shoved for $146 all-in. SB called. Turn 5 river 3. SB showed A9o for a missed GS and he moan missing his double gutter + and Ace ( Donkey). BB had AQ for second pair, and MP showed Qd7d (Nice hand Sir.) Scoop $490+ pot with KJ. After that hand they asked for time charge and Master Gee busted 2 buy-in already, so i decided to leave.

We went back to my place, each of us put $50(Total $100AUD= $70US) into PS and see how it goes ( We were not colluding, we played under 1 account only). Master Gee showed his true colour, ran $70 to $150 by winning a 27 players SNG and did well in 1 cash table. We decided to play the winnings only. I donk away $20 in 50c/$1 8-games, and we bust in $11 MTT. So with $49, we sat down in 50c/$1 NLH. The table was full of NITS. We managed to build our stack to $75+, then a lucktard (LT) sat down 2 seats to our right. By observing his play, we knew he is loose, chaser, floater and NEVERFOLD on the flop. Our stack were down to $70 and this hand came up. UTG raised to $4, LTNF (LuckTardNeverFold) flat called, we had JJ and decided to raise and see if UTG had anything. We raised to $14, all folded, UTG fold (which is good), out of nowhere LTNF shoved all-in for $85+ and had me covered. No way we are folding out JJ against him! We called. Flop 4c5c7d, turn 8c, river A. We had Js, LTNF showed AcKc. WTF?

After that, we went back to the biggest fish pond in the Southern Hemisphere, Crown Casino. Master Gee had his last bullet and within 2 hours, he bust again! Master Gee will bounce back with vengeance, he will! Sure he will!!!

Our Poker Mop

Here are the members of our poker mop.

Seany Gee. Simply the best player within our group ( we call him Master Gee). Aggressive is his strength. Goes on tilt would be his weakness. All you need is one suck-out against him, and he will lose his stack in the next 20 min. Unfortuntely his money won't come to your way.

Bird 147. Sean's dad, the Grand master of all. He brings ATC to the next level. Very agressive and involed in alot of hands. (Aggressive Thru Calling). His strength, Turbo SNG.

Squizzy. He is a rock! As mention by his name, it is hard to squizze a penny out of him when you have the nuts. Normally fold pre-flop, on the flop, or on the turn. Once he pass the turn, either you are in trouble or what else? Fold!!!!

Lady Master. Sean's sister, very solid.

Slam Dunk Master. Sean's brother in law. He should be an English teacher in Grade 1. He simply transfer his ABC knowledge into poker table .

Sam Fishy. The wild one. Always have huge swing whenever he plays. Try to follow his mentor's (Neverlose) footstep into the world of gambling. He is a Bluffer, his fav move: Check-raise all-in on any street with 7-2 off.

Master Chen. He is the suckout king in poker, and BS expert in life. Just love to bet. Fav line,"I have top pair", " I have a pair, and I can always hit." There are nothing call kicker in his poker mind, and an Ace alone would be worth at least an extra pair. I have make a habit busting him, but I haven't played with him in poker.

Master Buck. He doesn't play home game with us, coz there are not enough money on the table. He mostly play limit poker. Can run $100 playing $2/$4 limit into $500+. Jump to $10/$20 table and ran up to $1500+. I have seen him done this a lot. But most of the time, he would donk it away and left with nothing.

Wellcome

Wellcome to POTTING ANGLE. My name is Adriam and currently living in Melbourne, Australia. Would love to share my life/poker/snooker/sportbets experience with you. I am not a pro-gambler. I only play low-limit at Stars. On average I play something like 20 hours/week. Just a bit of fun. Occasionally I will pop up at Crown at swim around a bit. Just bust my account at PS, will deposite $150 into it again and see how it goes.