Wave Surfing

I guess I am hooked to this one. Earlier this week I opened an eToro account and they gave me $100 bonus on top of $500 I deposited in there. All I need to clear the bonus was invested a total of 40 lots. Well! I cleared it in 2 days. I withdraw my initial deposite, and still have like $100+ in it. I am on a freeroll right now.

It has been a wild ride in the last couple of days. Looking at the chart when the US$ rally and slide against all other currencies, the chart looks like the wave in the ocean. I am not a financial expert, and I have not much idea about Forox. My one and only strategy is from the experience I gained form playing Baccarat. You have to follow the trend. No matter the wave is high or low, you need to surf along the wave, and not getting too greedy. I started off investing low with high leverage ( $25 or $50 with 200X or 400X leverage). Watching my balance swing $2 to $4 up and down on each pip nearly gaving me a heart attack.

Since I am starting low with high leverage, all I could lose in one trade would only be $25 or $50 (depends on the lot I am buying). In one session, US$ had a strong rally, I invested $50 with a 400X leverage, buy US$ against JPY. I ended up profiting $200 within 2 hours. I closed the trade, but if I stayed in for next 4 hours, I could easily triple my profit. Anyway, I am happy with the gain, but I has been very stressful. More stressful than swimming with sharks in $1/$2 PLO at PS. In PS, you know you have the nuts on the flop and you could act accordingly, but in here, I still figuring out which currency is the Nuts or Aces. I got a feeling, I am in a high stake Baccarat table at Crown, and the whole table is cheering the Banker or Player to come. WAVE SURFING is too exciting, I think I am hooked.

A true professional player mindset

Went to swim yesterday TWICE with Superman. In the first session, I double up early with KK. Raised to $20 and got 1 caller. Flop K xx with 2 clubs. The guy lead out for $20, I put him on draw/ K / or set. I re-raised to $60 and he shoved. I called instantly and he had flush draw. My trips held up. I didn't have much hands and Superman as usual, ATC everything under $15. He busted at the end.

After dinner, we went back to the Pond again coz the Master was there. I watched the Master played a bit on the rail but he was struggling. He was down to like $70. I knew he had no more bullets, so I made him an offer. I will stake him the same amount at the table and we go 50/50. The Master had a long thought and said wait until he built up to like $100. OK for me, but soon after he triple up. There were 2 seats open at his table and he BAGGED me to sit in there. No problem!

I donked away my first bullet, then re-buy. Nothing much going right to me, and soon after Superman also joined our table. The table was wild, a guy from Sydney was outrages. You can tell straight away he is a MOPS. The highest form of MOPS, MAFIA MOPS. After a few orbits, this hand came up.

Master open raised to $10. I sat next to him and I re-raised to $20 with my KQ. From what I knew from his pattern, he had either small pair, sthooted connector or Sthooted Ace. Hopefully we can drive someone out, plus making the pot a bit bigger. No one can call 2 raises without at least a pair, or AK, AQs AJs. Higher pair will shove, and we had everything under control. Unfortunately, everyone folded. So me HU with the Master! Flop Q J 6 with 2 spades. All of the sudden Master shoved all-in for $75. Should I fold? Why shoved? Normally I would bet $25 at most on the flop, if he called, I am willing to check it down. One thing for sure, I knew he didn't have AQ, KK or AA. QJ is a possibility, or 66 flopping a set. Most of the time my KQ would be in front. If he had one of those hands, I'm willing to pay him off. Most likely he could have KQ, Q 10 or draw. Why should I let my hand go when I am in front? After a lot of deliberation, I called. He turned over Ks 10s. Turn was spade and I lost.

Was I upset? Not at that time, but I was extremely disappointed afterwards when he said this to me. " When I shove, I hope you would go away! I have a big draw, no way I am folding." By the way correct me if I am wrong. You know I am going to play soft with you, so everytime you shove, I must fold. If that's the case, I have no chance in winning. Secondly, I hit and you were on draw, so you try to semi-bluff me out. Are you trying to rob me knowing that I will be soft against you? If I had AK or AJ sort of hands, I will lay it down. What happen if I have AA KK or flopping trips? Should I still lay it down?

I busted soon after. On the way back, Superman asked me a question. "Why would the Master go so hard at you when only you 2 in the pot? He only had a draw." I told him I don't really know the answer. Maybe I can be pushed around, but one thing for sure, he wanted the pot. He wanted the money inside, and he was desperate.

So for $75, I have learnt a valuable lesson. The lesson about the "True professional mindset!" No matter what game or sport you play, it is not a game. You are in the battle field. You should try to kill all you opponents in order to succeed. Try to play soft against you mates will result you in failure. You should fight for every chips in the pot. If you see a soft spot, you should pull the trigger. Playing friendly against your mates are just Wishful Thinking on my parts. Since the Master had such a big draw, no way he was going to fold. You can put a gun in his head, he still wouldn't fold. Put a gun in his GF's or his son's head, he might ask you to pull the trigger, so they won't see him shipping his stack into the pot. That's the true professional mindset, you always go for the kill. Whoever is on your way, they should be executed! I don't call it professional, but I call it " The Dark Side Of Human Nature."

Went back home, felt so disappointed. Donk away my $30 in Full Rig, the guy hit a 1 outer when I had him crushed on the flop. My Top set, vs his middle set, and he spiked his 1 outer on the turn. I were really on tilt at that time, went to play BJ at Bodog, and lost another $50. Took some stupid bet at Partybets and lost another $70. Took $60 bet in MLB at IAS and this morning the Dodgers/Cubs went Under 8 and won some back.

With $112 at PS, I sat down in a 25c/50c NLH table and won like $10. Donk $24+ in 2-7 low ball, then put my last $100 in 50c/$1 PLO. Surprisingly I killed the table, and built my stack to $240. Busting 2 mushroom stack on the way and they all left. So the night finished with a bit of joy for me. Before I went to bed, I also opened a eToro account (Forex and Commodities trading). Deposite $500 in it, and this morning they are giving me a heart attack.

The Ultimate Poker Exhitbition!

FINALLY the Master have time to give me some poker coaching. I have been waiting for 4 months now, and today, I know what poker is all about. I always thought I have transform myself from a worm into a fish. Although a shark is also consider as some kind of fish, but what I saw today was nothing but amazing! Calling the Master a shark is an understatement. He is not a shark! He is simply a DOLPHIN!

It all starts in the afternoon. Each of us put in AUD$50 (US$ 83 in total) in PS and he drove first. At first, he busted early in a $10 SNG. At the same time he also had $30 in a 25c/50c NLH cash table. That's where the Master specialized in. It doesn't matter if the table is full of sharks or not, the Master will crush his opponents just by a single click in his mouse. I have read many books that said if you have a good hand, you must bet in order to build the pot; or slowplay it waiting for a check-raise. The Master did it in the opposite way. He would just bet small on the flop, checked the turn most of the time, but by the river, his opponent will shove their whole stack to the Master. That's the next level of poker, that ordinaries like myself will never achieve. That's what he calls "Delay Slow Play". Without a bright poker mind, you will never understand how it works (at least I don't). Today I realised how to win big pots. For me to win big pots, I need to have coolers going my way. Like set over sets, A high flush vs straight flush, boat vs quads etc. For the Master, he will give his opponents an opportunity to bluff big at the river. You need to give action to get any action. A lot of times, Master will call the flop, donating 50c to the community for further action. He gave the table a false image as a loose calling station, and he can be run over. So people will keep betting into the Master when he has the goods. At the end, his opponents will shove the river. So the Master will win an all-in pot by clicking the "call" button. That's how you craft a "meta-game", the highest form of poker. Below are some of the hands Master won. So Spectacular, truly Amazing!




The AQ guy raised to $2.50 pre-flop, got 1 caller, then the Master made it $7.50, both called. Master had no hesitation, shoving on the flop, the guy instant called with AQ. Like many Crown experts would have said, " Hmmm! I have up and down with 2 overs. So any Ace, King, Queen or 8 will do. So I have a total of 14 outs. We multiply 14 times 4, so I am 52% favorite to win this hand with 2 cards to come. The pot laying me good odds, so I must call!" If that's the case, I think we got lucky there.
..



This hand was a limp pot, Master raised to $2 on the button, SB called plus 2 limpers also called. After the flop SB bet $5, Master flat called. SB checked the turn and the Master bet $10. SB check-raised all-in and the Master called. That's how you win big!



..



Master called a $2 raise from QQ and hit his middle set. Already $10 inside and Master second last to act. After the flop, all checked to the Master, and he told me, "I am sure some big hands is floating around out there!". At first I was thinking he must be talking about himself. Then he made a teasing bet of $3 on the flop, got only 1 caller. Turn full-boat, checked to the Master and he

bet $7.50. Like all idiots around the world, they just love shoving into the Master with their over pair. Check-raise all-in is a very powerful move, but not so powerful under 2 circumstances.

1) Against the Master.
2) When the guy had something close to the nuts!

..


If you think the Master is a flop rack, then you are definitely wrong. His read is nothing but flawless. He can read his opponents like a book. Faster than the Messiah or Sam Fishy reading a Bible. Limp pot and Master raised to $2 with AK on the button. Got 3 callers. Standard c-bet on the flop and got 1 caller. Check/check on the turn, and the fish shoved all in on the river. Master called with AK high. Afterwards he told me that's an easy call. He got everything under control. "Piece of cake!"

He totally played in 3 tables today, each time bought in for $30 and managed to leave the table with $100. Money flowing into his stack makes him feel boring. Then he let me drive in the PLO. I didn't let him down and managed to win another $15. Then Master teased me a bit, asked me the Magic Question that I always asked him. I really want to know "Why are you so good?" I want to know your secret of success. This time you asked me the same question without giving me your answer. OK! Here's why:

1) I know you
2) I learn from you
3) You INSPIRE me
4) I play and practice a lot
5) All these years of practicing, I think I have reached 30% of your poker ability.


The Master is running hot at the moment. So we decided to go for a SWIM. We went to Nandos and I paid up all the Nandos bets that I lost to him. We sat down at the same table, I got nothing going. All of the sudden I picked up pocket 10s. Master was sitting to my right. After 2 limpers, Master made it $18 to go. I called with my 10s, so did the limpers. Flop 8h 7h 4s. Checked to the Master and he fired $55. I knew I must be beaten, so I folded. Only 1 limper called. Turn 3c. Checked to the Master and he shoved for $117. The guy called, river 5s. Master turned over QQ, and the guy had 4h 5h. Calling pre-flop with 4h5h was debatable, but he was going nowhere after the flop.

I plan to keep playing till the time charge. The table was full of pricks. The "45" guy asked the whole table whether he made the right call or not. Blah Blah Blah Blah! I told him, its your money and we are at the casino. So its all your decision. He kept on talking for another 5 minutes. If that's not annoying enough, the guy in Seat 5 with a red/white Holden HSV cap is another instant classic. That guy has been watching too much poker on TV lately. He must be thinking he is Phil Mellmuth. He acts like Phil, talks like Phil but plays like a maniac. I just don't have any hand to confront him as he was sitting behind me. Somehow my arms are not long enough, otherwise I would give him an elbow up his nose. Then a Malasian Lady ga-ga took Master's seat next to my right. His body perfume was so strong and unique, I couldn't breath at all. This table is like a jungle! After I won a small pot and I left straight away.

Master Buck said today on facebook that Slowvari is a tram with 2 gears and he is a Ferrari with 8. So I wonder what does the Holden HSV fits into? By the way, whats the point driving a Ferrari with no gas in it? Or is it a Ferrari body with Hyundai engine? We would all want to know!

With the Master's superior poker skills, we all know that he will win in a long run. Over the years he has won numerous battle, conquering thousands of opponents/MOPS, breaking all sort of barriers and created millions of MASTERPIECES. Today in PS, he showed me that I am still a worm, just a bigger one. Somehow we all know no matter who you are. At the poker table, you can never beat a LUCKTARD. The Master will be back big time! Sure he will!

Want to swim but I forgot to bring my flippers!

Yum Cha with Mr.Invincible yesterday near the Pond. He said he wanted to try swimming. But I told him "NO!". Not only he doesn't have any flippers, but in fact he is a "worm". So he scrapped the idea and we hang around in the craps table. I don't normally play that game, but what I saw was everyone loved to bet on the "Win" line. No idea what their strategy was, but the game just didn't interest me at all. Went "shopping" around the casino and dropped $150.

Tonight Superman called me for a swim. Went their around 8:30pm, chucked a lazy $30 in my favorite pokies machine, hit $350. Then Superman sat down on a $2/$3 table, and I went to have a smoke. At the meantime, put another $20 in a machine, got back $150. When I was ready to swim, I saw Superman walked out from the table. He told me he played less than 2 orbits and his stack reached $650+. He double up in the very first hand with A 8, flop 2 4 8. One guy tried to bluff him with Q 9, shoved on the flop. With his top pair/top kicker, he called and A 8 held up. Then he had A 5, all checked on the flop, turn A, and he called a big turn + river bet. The guy tried to bluff him again with nothing. Soon after, he dealt pocket 10s. The Q 9 idiot raised $20 pre-flop, Superman called. Flop Q 2 2. The hyper aggressive never stop betting professional wannabe Sook shoved again and Superman called. He turned over 99, and Superman took down another pot.

At the end, I didn't swim tonight. We shopped around upstairs and Superman donked away all his winnings. Right now he thinks he should stick to poker. He reckons all those Steps SNG have help him a lot. So I give him another Prop bet. I will let him play my account, using 1500 FPP. All he has to do is to win 2 STEP 4 tickets for me. If he wins any, then I go and play those big buy-in tourneys and we go 50/50. If he fails to win any, then he has to shout me for dinner. If he wins 2 or more, not only we will split the tourney's winnings, but I will shout him to any 5 stars brothel of his choice for an hour! The stake is high, and the GAME is on! Lets see what he can do!

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I felt like another swim Friday night, but I played well in my first round match against the Gimpsland State Champion. So no swim for me! The conditions in RACV were top notch. On Friday, I arrived 5 min late and got penalized 1 frame. After a few shots, I found my cueing straight away. Potting everything and level at 1-1. In the next 2 frames, R.Tibbs showed that hes not a Gimp, making 45+ and 50+ in the next 2 frames and went ahead 3-1. In the fifth, I had a solid frame and won easily. In the 6th, it was very scrappy but my long potting got me over the line. In the decider, it was very close. There was some controversy as the referee didn't call Foul&Miss on my opponent, on the last red. He missed it by like 6 inches+ off 1 cushion, but the ref had been calling it everytime through out the match. Where's the consistency? At that time I cracked it! R.Tibbs pot a good long red and sat nicely on the colour. All he need was up to the brown. He pot the pink, then yellow and then fluked the green. Then he choked on the brown. After that I managed to pot out and won on the black ( OK! I fluked on the blue).

This morning I played my coach Slowvari, but I lost 4-0 to him. I played very average and didn't have much chances. My long potting were OK, safety play was good but my positional play was nothing but crap. I couldn't control the cue ball within half table, so I didn't make any breaks. Deserved to lose 4-0.

Went back home, but too tired heading to The POND. A couple of days ago, PS sent me a gift. They really miss me! I deposited $50 and mucked around, managed to triple up within 20 hands in 25c/50c PLO. Then donked away $20 in the other table but that's fine for me. Busted my FullRig account but that's OK, I got nothing in it.

Superman has been running hot lately. He used 63 FPP and turned it into W$530 at PS. After that he sold all his $W for US$470. First he used 3 FPP and won a STEP 1 ticket thru MTT. Then he also used 60 FPP and won another STEP 1 ticket thru SNG. He managed to roll all the way to STEP 4 using those 2 tickets. Instead of playing in the STEP 5, he registered into some $215 satellite and won a seat in a $530 WCOOP EVENT. Obviously he had no intention to play in it, so swapped to $W and took the cash. As far as I know, he already busted in a $109 NLH tournament and lost $100+ in cash table ($1/$2 NL) in 1 hand. His Pokerrng was working, he had 78off and the software showed the board will have 9 10 J. So he called the button raise from the SB and flop 9 10 10. He check/call button's flop bet and J on the turn (no flush). He checked raise shoved on the turn and button called with 9 10. DDDRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!

Willis season starts next week. First match will be against Master Gee's team with KO Master, Grand Master, Sam Fishy and Neverlose in it. Should be interesting! More interestingly, Daniel Sklansky's B grade team has been named King's Full. Good Luck to them, and I hope they do well. Otherwise by the end of the season they will be stucked with just King High!

Wed Night Swim

Back from Albury, I would like to have a swim. Daniel Sklansky called me up on Monday, but I didn't go. How can I go there without the guidance from the Master? So I made a preposition to him. I will stack him $200 to go, I will cover all the loses, and I will only take 50% of the profit whatever he wins. I gave him the deal twice, on Monday and on Tuesday again, but he refused both times. Somehow the Master, with his superior ability, always look at the bigger picture. I know he should be playing in the $20/$40 NLH with "Strudel". No point swimming around with little fishes. Many people say these things at The Pond recently and I think it is true.

" We are all poker citizens."
" Some dress like aliens, some play like barbarians."
" At the table, The Master will always be the hero, and others are all villains"
" He can read people like an Liberian!"

" There's a place called The Pond, and its at Crown."
" When Master fires at pots, his chip power will take it down!"
" Don't mess around with him, or you will be acting like a clown,"
" When the Master show his cards, he will take you and your stack to Chinatown!"

Sorry Master! I don't have that much money yet. One day I will, take my word on it!

Anyway tonight I can't wait anymore. I went there with Superman and we are going to chop it half/half. My night went very quiet. We both sat down on a new table, with a couple of guys bought in with a mushroom stack. First hand I got AK sthooted. Several limpers, I pop to $18, got 1 caller. Flop 4 6 9. MP checked to me and I fired a c-bet for $35 and took it down. I didn't play a lot of hands and my stack stayed about the same. Had 8h10h on the button, limp pot. BB all of the sudden pop to $20 pre-flop. Only 1 caller and I called as well. Flop Ad 6d 7d. I stared at the BB all the way and I spotted he didn't like the flop. UTG limp/call the raise and he checked as well. I put him on nothing, and I fired $45 on the flop with 10 high and they both folded.

Then took 2 hits and my stack dropped to about $100+. At first, limp pot, I called with Ah8h. Flop A 4 5. Turn 10 river Q. I called UTG bet $15 on the flop, $25 on the turn and $25 on the river. He showed AJ. Nice play! Then had Kd 10d in SB, limp pot. Flop Q 6 4 with 2 diamonds. I lead out for $10 and test the water. 1 called and button raised to $30, I called, all folded. Turn 8s. I check, and button bet $50 and I folded. He showed Q but he said he had 2 pair.

Then I slowly building up my stack. Had 66 in CO, MP raised to $15, I called and 4 callers. 6 way action. Flop 3 QQ. Checked to me and I bet $30 and took it down. Later had 10 J, another raised pot, flop 89J. I fired $30 and they all folded. Then had Jh 5s in BB. There was an idiot limp with QQ. Flop Qs Js 7s. I bet $10 on the flop and he mini raised to $20. All fold and I called. Turn another spade. Went check/check. River blank. I check but at the meantime I said," I check in the dark and see what you do!" He checked as well and showed QQ. I won with my 5 high flush.

I didn't have much hands tonight. Had KK once on the button, family limp pot, and I raised to $2 and they all fold. I "strudel" to $6 UTG, button pop to $20 and I looked and found JJ. I re-raised to $70 and he folded. He said he had 2 overs, so must be KQ. After 2 hours, I left with $240+, so a minor profit.

Superman had a roller coaster ride tonight. ATC a lot, stack from $200 up to $250 and down to $54. Then in SB he open shoved all-in with QQ, limp pot but got no callers. Then his upswing began! He hit runner runner flush 3 times and slowly build back up to $150. Then he busted a mushroom with A 2. Limp pot, Flop A 9 3. Checked to him in CO, he bet $15. BB called. Turn 2, he bet another $20 and BB check-raised to $70. He called. River J. BB all-in for $4 and he called. BB had 6 9 off, and Superman won with his 2 pair. Now his stack about $250.

Then he won a big pot with KJ off. He limped UTG with KJ, flop Kh 10s 7h. He bet $20 on the flop, button raised to $50, all folded and he called. Turn 4c. He check-called $100 bet. River Ah, potential straight and flush on the board. Went check/check. Superman showed KJ, and the guy mucked! Now his stack at $450+ and we left moments later as they asked for time!

Not a bad swimming session and Superman had his missiles on target! Now back to snooker for me!

National Championship

This week Australian National Championship at RACV, and the draw just released. In my first match I got an un-known player named R.Tibbs. At first I thought he was related to D. Dibbs from Yarraville. Out of curisosity, I searched his results, later I found out he is the 2008 and 2009 Queensland State Champion.

I should not search him at first. As the Messiah said, "REPUTATION" playes a big part in snooker. Right now his name is inside my mind. So I am 1-0 down already before the match even started. The good thing is, he is from Queensland. If the Messiah is the former Queesland State Champion, then the standard would not be that good. So I might have a chance.

According to some prop bets, here are some interesting ones.

1) Will Slowvari show up this week?
2) I need 2 frames start against R.Tibbs
3) Alex Blender vs D.McKay. Match time Over or Under 3 hours.
4) J.Minici vs B.Nunan
5) J.Gorski vs P.Darby
6) GHB vs G.McNeil. Greame's aggregate score in 4 frames Over or Under 50 points.
7) B.Harris vs Justin Tsang

Second Round Matches

1) Humphrey Bear vs Sausage
2) S.Cain vs Blender
3) MVP vs Ted.

Albury review

As a snooker player, the Fred Osbourne Snooker Classic is a must attend tournament. This year is a bit of a disappointment. Although the tournament was well run, and the organizer had done a great job, but the condition was nothing but CRAP. All the tables had been re-stretched, but those clothes probably been used for the last 4 years or more. The pace was quick, but got nothing in it. Almost impossible to screw 3/4 of the table because the cloth is so worn out, it doesn't grab.

They also moved the room downstairs. That's the worst decision ever made by them. The new room is so compact, low ceiling and very hot inside. Most importantly it has lost the atmosphere and the "Grand" feeling you used to have in the old room. The new room is nothing special, similar to any snooker room in your local RSL joint. Having been to this tournament for the last 6 years, I would have to say this year is the worst.

According to my matches, I played like a genius first up against Kiwi. Demolished him 3-0 within an hour. I were potting everything and he only scored 8, 8 and 14 points in 3 frames. Against the GHB, I played like a spastic. Perhaps too much pressure because 5 bowls of wonton noodles was on the line there. And I lost 3-0.

I also had other bets for the weekend. MVP gave the crowd a huge fist pump after he beat Tim Ng 3-1 (which cost me a feed of Yum Cha), but Dazz beat Bully for 2 feeds. So I am 1 up against Bobo. Me and Mr.Invincible had other bets as well. I had Rudy in his first match against McGee, giving 2 frames starts. Rudy won 3-0 and brought home the bacon. I also had Stuart Duncan against GHB and he won 3-1. Micheal Sharp also brought home the goods as he beat KY. The only bet I lost was Nathan White, he lost 3-2 against Bacon and Eggs. Overall I won YC$50.

I went up there with Rudy and Donahue. For 3 1/2 hours when I was driving, Donahue was talking all the time in the car. There's only 3 subjects in his conversation. God, Jesus and how he used to practice with the pros in England. When he was not talking, he was reading Bible. All of the sudden he will yell out something like," Hey, Rudy! Is this fascinating?" Then he will read out something from the Bible, Blah blah blah............ Lucky me Sam Fishy not there. What a start to the trip.

After I lost to the GHB, I were not going to play in the plate. Time to get pissed! Friday night at the Club was OK, but Sat night was DEAD. We really missed Master Gee, KO Master, Keith and Happy Andrews. KO Master normally will keep the bar busy; Happy Andrews and Keith will be there at the TAB; Master Gee will do his specialty entertaining the crowd. Sat night I ended up watching the Crows lost to the Pies with Dazz, dropping another bowl of noodles in the process to the Master. Later in the night, Rose, Mr.President, Jamesy and Tazz joined in. Stratos was missing and he was working in his room for some banks. Just wondering which bank he works for? The next day we got the answer. Not ANZ, not Commonwealth, Westpac etc. but the great bank called "SPERM". It is a tough job my friend. Wonder how much he gets paid for the first shot. Will the price fluctuates in his second? What happen if there's a hair in it? Wonder if he can pump a litre! All I can say is, life's tough in recession! Although we only had a small group, but I was fun. Mr.President was so drunk, he gave Dazz and Tazz a series of "French Kisses". I got the photos in my mobile, if anyone interested in it. I might do a private sale. Otherwise I will put it up on e-bay.

Due to the crap conditions, many players were struggling. Uncle Glen, Mr.Invincible, Aaron, Brother Paul, Ben Judge. They all played like a B graders. On the way back to Melbourne, finally Donahue changed his subject. He was talking to Rudy about techniques. How the Pros play in England, Rudy's weakness and the correct mindsets. As all the big guns were playing so crap, he reckons he should be playing in the finals. The reason Uncle Glen and Mr.Invincible could go all the way to the semi because of their "REPUTATION". He said "Reputation" plays a big part in the game. Having a good reputation, your opponents will fear you; they will be playing with a lot more pressure. As the result, they can't perform up to their standard. They will choke at the crucial moment. So all the big guns with REPUTATION don't need to perform up to their standard, but they can bluff their way to the next match. Very interesting in fact!

We got a SMS from BOBO and the final will be Budd vs Mr.Invincible. We try to pick the winner and we all went with Mr.Invincible. Here is why:

Donahue: Reputation!
Rudy: No one in snooker history can defend the title in their first attempt. (Hendry, Davies didn't). No back to back winners at Fred Osbourne winners board. (Don't know about that!)
My reason: I got no choice! My mind said Shawn, but my heart said Steve. From Master Gee's word of wisdom, Mr.Invincible is DUE!

We all know what the result is. Congratulation to S.Budd winning the 2009 Fred Osbourne Classic!

Albury Prop Bets

I couldn't sleep last night afer the PLO bust-out. Still thinking about the hand I played. Bit of a cooler. I thought about it for so long, I would still play my hand the same way. Anyway, it's all over now. Move on to snooker.

Albury this weekend, and I have a chance to win my Noodles back! After I dropped 5 bowls of noodles to Master Gee at Kings Cup, I need to win it back. I am getting 5 to 1 if I beat the Great Has Been in my second match (Only if I win my first rounder). Had a hit today against Slowvari and I took $15 off him. I beat him 4-1 but I got a start. We would like to play for longer, but unfortunately he had to go. We only played 5 frames but it took 3 hours to finish. Tomorrow will have a hit with Mr.Invincible. Not expecting much, but want to see how I perform.

Fred Osbourne is a big tournament, just like Kings Cup, some prop bet is a must. I am getting 5-1 against The Great Has Been from Master Gee (Noodle bets). At the same time I also have some other bets with BOBO. We've looked at the draw, and there are several matches we would like to have a bet on.

1) Dazz vs Bully
Very hard to separate those 2. Bully more consistent, but if Dazz playing well, he is capable to do a lot of things.

2) Tim Ng (Wu) vs MVP
Battle between the Princes Boss. The former against the current. No way I am taking MVP, he can stick his short butt up his ass.

3) Jason Magee vs Rudy
A very dangerous match for Rudy. Jason is a local player, and he knows the table well. He also beat Dean O'Kane a couple of years ago in the same tourney. If anyone running a book, he will be like $4 to win HU. Definately over price! No way I am betting against Rudy. He is the SiSook. (SiSook is the same level as SiFu, but the later is a bit better.)

4) Chris Calabrese vs Donahoe
Very hard to split between these 2, all depends on which Chris is going to show up. I would love Chris to win, so I can hear all the whinges Donohou going to say after the match. By the way, SiSook called me last weekend and asked me if I would mind sharing the room with his friend as well. I told him its all good. Later I found out he friend is Donohoe. So I am stuck with him for the whole weekend.

Here is my Quadrella. Rudy + Chris + Dazz + TIM NG.

Wish I have no idea!

PLO tourney tonight. Buy-in $230, but Superman bought 1/2 of it for $100, and I won $50 on pokies upstairs. So it only cost me $80 to enter. I always feel good in my PLO play. The structure was OK. $5K start bank, second chance format ( $2500 + $2500). My table was full of unknowns, the only recognized player was Sam Khouiss. I started with $5k chips, expect the table will be loose even with blinds started with $25/$25. My strategy was to double up or bust in the first 2 level. I need a stack, and need it early. I saw a lot of flops early on and missed all of them. Stack hovering around $5k. Then lost half of my stack with As Js 9 10. Flop AA4. Blinds only $25/$25 (First level). I got check-raised on the flop from the BB. Turn 2s, I picked up a sort of meaningless flush draw. BB shoved all-in and I called. River Qs, I made my flush but his A 4 held up.

In the next level, I managed to double up. Had QQK10. Flop Q JJ, Sam bet $100 on the flop and I smooth called. Button pops to $750, Sam folded, I shoved and he called with AKJ. Sam said he had the other J and he picked a tell on me. Then won another $2k pot with JJ in the next level. Blinds $50/$100. Family pot. Flop 77K, Sam bet $100 again and I called, so did button. Turn another 7, all checked. River 4. Checked to the button, he bets $400. Sam folded and I called. Button showed 66, and I won with bigger boat.

Managed to fold the second nuts on the turn with my KhQhxx. Blinds $75/$150. I were UTG and called with KhQh 10 9. A lot of callers, flop 2 8 6 with 2 hearts. SB bet $500, I called. Several callers behind me as well. Turn Jh, very likely my flush no good with 3 callers behind me. Checked to the guy on my left and he bet $1650, we all folded. 2 hands later in the SB, had KKxx. Folded to the button raised to $450. I called and BB called. Flop K xx with 2 clubs, I had no clubs at all. I expect the button the bet, so I checked. We all checked, turn another club. No point betting right now, but we all checked. River board paired. I value bet for $1000, BB called, button folded. I won with Kings full.

In the next level, blinds $100/$200, I ran a huge bluff in the SB. Stack about $7K. Had Ks 5s 4 8. UTG +1 called, all folded, I called in SB, BB checked. Flop 2s 3s 10. I bet $400 on the flop with my up and down + 2nd flush draw. BB folded, UTG called. Turn 5h. I still have nothing, but I lead out with a $1000 bet. Hope he would folded. I would folding if he pops me back. He only flat called. River Qd. I stuck with a pair of 5, but I put the guy either on a draw or 1 pair, I bet pot for $3000+ and he folded.

Sam had a huge stack after the first level, about $20k in front of him. But he ran into 3 sets and down to only $1125 in chips. My stack down a bit and now about $8000. Blinds $150/ $300. All folded to Sam and he shoved $1050 (POT) blind. Folded to me and had 10 J Q 6. I put him all-in, and he turned over AQQK. Flop K 10 x, turn 9, river blank. I busted Sam Khouiss with the MIGHTY TUNA!

Then I won a small pot with nothing on the button then changed table. Now my stack about $9K+, and my new table was full of old Sharks. Everyone had about $20K in front of them and the best player would definitely be Peter Greek the Gimp! Now blinds $200/$400, in the BB I made a huge call to chop the pot. I had 237J in BB. Flop A 2 5 with 2 clubs. I had no clubs in my hand. All checked on the flop. Turn 4d. I checked again, don't really knows what's going on. If too much action behind me, I would folded my straight. Checked to the button and he bets $1800 (Pot). I called, all of the sudden MP shoved all-in ($9000) and had me covered. Button folded and I called. He had the same hand but no flush draw, so I were free-rolling him with any 6. River 7c and we split the pot. Now stack about $12K.

For the rest of the level, I simply card dead and didn't play much at all. Now stack about $10K. Blinds went up to $300/$600. With my stack right now, I have to play very tight and can't afford to see a lot of flops. Then I got Kh Qh Kd 4d (double sthooted Kings) UTG. I raised to $2000. Folded to MP and he shoved for $3K+, all of the sudden Peter Greek the Gimp re-pop to $7500. Blinds folded and I took my time. Don't think he is bluffing at all and must have AA. I can't call the bet and leave myself like $2K behind with the blinds coming in the very next hand. So either fold or shove. I put him on AA, so I folded faced up. He showed AAJ5 with AdJd. So it was a good fold from my part. He had me covered with diamonds as well. Unfortunately the K was on the flop and I would have won if I stayed in there.

I WISH I HAVE NO IDEA AT ALL! How many people would shove instantly with that hand? I need to double up. I need chips to do all my moves. With a close to mushroom stack, I am handcuffed. I can't do much, but either shove with AA or ride with my bg draws. Most importantly I can't see a lot of flops. If I suckout on him, people will just call me an LT. That's it! I don't mind coz I want to be a lucktard. I would rather be lucky than good. After that hand the table broke again.

I moved to a new table with my $9000+ stack. The chip leader at the table had about $80K+ stack. Now blinds gone up to $400/$800. With about 12 BB left in me, I have to play tighter than a NIT. I won 2 small pot, once on the flop with 9 10 J 7, flop 2 9 10. The other one was SB vs BB confrontation. I were in BB with junks. Flop Q 9 3. SB checked and I bet $1500 with a pair of 3s. He folded and showed A788. Two hands later I made another huge call. I consider one of the best call I have ever made in any PLO tourney.

Blinds still $400/$800. Limp pot, I called on the button with A 10 9 3 double sthooted. I had about $10K stack. Flop J 9 3 rainbow. All checked to me and I bet $3000 with my bottom 2 pair. Blinds folded and UTG re-raised all-in and had me covered. All folded to me and would cost my stack to call ($5700+ to call). I thought for a long while, and I put him on draw. So much money inside, tough decision on my part. Bottom 2 pair is not a good hand to go all-in. I could be drawing dead as well. He might have a big wrap or a set. Apart from 33, I will be drawing dead. I put him on draw, but too much money inside, I decided to call. I trusted my instinct. He flipped over QQ 4 7 for an over pair only. Turn 6 river A. My hand held up and stack close to $24K. Mixed reaction at the table. Some called me a donkey (expected), some called the guy an idiot re-raised with QQ. Only 2 people reckoned I made a good call. I won the hand, and that's the most important.

After 1 orbit, now my stack about $22k. There were 26 players remaining and I were still a bit below average. Dealt Ac Kc 10s 6s. I decided to limp and hope to see a cheap flop. All folded to SB, the chip leader at the table, loves to bully people around, he called $500 more. BB checked, 3 way action. Flop 10c 6c 4s. All checked to me and I bet pot $3000 with my top 2 + nut flush draw. SB called, BB folded. Turn 9s. SB bet pot for $9000. I only have $18k behind me. Did he had 7 8? My read told me he had the nuts, but I got plenty of outs. Did he had 78 with 2 higher spade? I don't think so! I guess he would bet smaller, something like $6k and milk me for more. Is he bluffing? Maybe! 9 10? Maybe. Set? No! He will check-raised me on the flop. I put him on 78. So I need to exercise my options.

FOLDING.) IMPOSSIBLE! No way I am folding with my double flush draw + 2 pair on the turn. Although if I fold, I still have $18K behind, still have some moves left. Only invest $4000 so far and 22% of my stack. My chip position should still allow me to sneak into the money ($450 for 16th). If I fold this hand, I won't play PLO again!

CALLING.) Need to call 1/2 of my stack on the turn. If I miss, I still have $9K in chips. The problem is I need to post BB next hand. Plus blinds increase in the next 3 minutes. No move at all! I don't think I will get paid off if any club hits. I will have a tough time calling if a spade hits. I thought for a long while so I took the more aggressive route.

ALL-IN.) That's what I was thinking. It doesn't matter what kind of hand he had, I got a bunch of outs. I knew I got at least 9 outs, maybe 22 outs. If I win that hand, I would have like $45K in chips and sitting pretty. I could start raising in position with drawing hands and doing my moves. Getting to the final table was my aim, but I need to get lucky! I need to look at the bigger picture and it only cost me $80 for the buy-in. So I shoved and he called showing 6 10 7 8 but all reds. So I got 18 outs to win (45%) and 4 outs to tie (5%). River Jd and I'm out 26th place.

Saw Sam Fishy playing $2/$5 tonight and he was doing well.

Why the background so beautiful?

Now I am more confident about tomorrow. I played pretty well in this tourny, unfortunately my stack got cripple. My top 2 pair lost to the a chaser all-in on the turn with board As 9s 7 5. I had A 9 J J, and he had K 10s 5s 10. Stack went from $60k down to $15k. In my final hand my double sthooted K bumped into AA and AA held up. Finished 7th in the tourny. Hopefully better luck tomorrow.

$20k and a $40k pot

Went to Yum Cha with Mr.Invincible yesterday. Then went to Brunsick and had 3 hours of solo. So far so good, but after I've seen my Albury draw, I am thinking how to make it through to Saturday. My first match will be against Bill Bolton, I know he is a super heavy weight in size, but I have no idea how good or bad he is. So it is a total mystery to me. If I win, then I will be up against my team mate, "The Great Has Been". I lost to him 3-1 in the final at the Yarraville Club Championship last week. So this will be the second time I play him. Now I see a problem. If it is the first time, he might take on me lightly and I might surprise him. Hard to run a bluff against him in my second attempt. Hopefully I win my first match and gets my MOJO working. See how it goes!

Had dinner with Mr.Invincible, after that he wanted to watch people SWIMMING. Obviously we went to THE POND. We saw Toffi over there and we watched him a bit at the $2/$5 table. Behind that, there was a big game going on. $20/$40 NLH with Straddle. Everyone at the table had at least $10K in front of them. I stood there and watched for like 20 minutes, can't believe how bad some players are playing. I expected there should be a tight aggressive game, as it turned out, it was just another luck fest. Table playing 8 handed, and 2 of them were Calling Stations. ATC a lot and Neverfold. One of the Calling station has a monster stack in front of him, about $50k. This hand came up.

Straddle $80, then UTG immediately pops to $600. CS Fat Papa called, button also called, everyone folded. Flop 7h 8s 2s. UTG checked, Fat PAPA checked, Button bets $2k. UTG folded, Papa called. Turn 10c. Fat Papa immediately shoved all-in, Button went to tank and finally called all-in for about $10K. River blank with no spade. Fat Papa turned over 6 9 off, and I peeked at the button's card and he had 10s 7s. I can find a reason why the button called pre-flop, but calling with 6 9 off UTG + 1 in sandwitch position. I can't find a reason. The only reason I can see would be Fat Papa haven't had sex for the last 12 months. That's why he is obsessed with 6 9. At the same time, I think the table would love to see what his wife looks like. We might able to get some info if he loves to play pocket 8s or any Q. If he is gay, we will know he loves Jacks, Kings, 2 and 3.

Toffi was doing all-right at his table. Building his stack from $500 to $1500 within an hour. Hitting flops all night definitely helps. Walked around in The Pond and not really in any mood swimming. Saw there was a $2/$4 PLO. I watched a bit, might have a swim over there, but I changed my mind soon after. Every hand raised to $30+ pre-flop and get multiple callers. The game was played like lottery. No thanks!

Walk around upstairs, then check out how Toffi was going. Then in the big table, there was a monster pot building up. After a lot of preflop raising, I think already $6K inside already, 3 way action. Flop As Js 6d. SB shoved all-in for like $5k, Fat Papa called, button shoved all-in as well for like $18K+. Fat Papa went to tank and finally called. Turn 9, river 5 no spades. Button showed AA for top set and scooped the pot. No one knows what Fat Papa had, but SB obviously on flush draw. Still ok, Fat Papa only lost 1/3 of his stack and still sitting pretty. After that hand, we left soon afterwards.

PLO on Monday night. Hopefully I can repeat last year's performance. Then for the rest of the week I will be concentrated on snooker. National Championship next week as well at RACV. Won't see me playing poker a lot.