Ladbrokes Tops Charts
June 30, 2008
Ladbrokes, hit the weekly topspot in the amount of hits for the week ending the 14th June in the UK, I don’t know why I am bothering writing this, as I know for certain it’s not the most popular poker room in the UK. But it seems a lot of websites are reporting this fact, but ommiting to say why it made it to the topspot???
The reason, it got there IMO is the fact that the week ending 14th June was going to be Ladbrokes billionth hand and new look website. The WSOP freeroll, and the satellites to the WSOP. Not the fact that the software is the best, or the players are the softest, and every other reason why players decide to play sites. NOPE it could be to do with the $300,000 package for the billionth hand, that swelled the numbers up to a crazy amount of players, and a $14,000 package freeroll to the WSOP. Maybe I am being a bit tough, as used to like the site years ago, but the figures are not neccessarily what they seem at first.
I have yet to try the new look 3D or the flash version so can’t really comment, but when i do I will be reporting back.
Summary of Virgin Poker Festival
June 30, 2008
This weekend saw the 3rd Virgin Festival, which comprises of Poker, Wii Bowling, and lots of alcohol.
259 runners qualified online for the Main Event Live tournament, held at Dusk Till Dawn in Nottingham, 10,000pts 30 min clock 2 day event. Other events included a scalps tournament, an STT’d qualification MTT, DTD’s regular £50 FO which Virgin added 50,000 air miles for the winner. Virgin also put bounties on a couple of heads, to include a Hot Air Balloon trip, Rally Driving Days etc.
The Main Event was won by PuntersLounge member Stephen “MadDuke” Docherty aka Scaramoosh on Virgin.
The 50,000 Air miles and the £50 FO winner was blondepoker member Douglas “Jizzemm”Lindsay.
The STT Challenge was won by Garry Wilson, and the Terminator comp was won by Dafydd Jones.
The forum team event was won by EatMyStack, however yet again UKPL wasn’t invited to play the team event, even with our record at team events, maybe it is designed to give others a chance.
UKPL did have a little success however with 2 members Jon Titley (JonT) and Julie Holloway (Jools) getting deep in the main event, despite entering day 2 both short stacked.
Jools (who gained entry via the Golden Ticket route) came a respectable 10th place for £465
And JonT played out of his skin and was unlucky to finish 7th for £1,160
UKpokerinfo salutes you both!!!
Virgin also announced the date and Venue for their 4th Festival, somewhat controversially it will be held at Loose Cannons, in London on 28th 29th September. (at exactly the same time as the WSOPE), numbers won’t be as high as at DTD (due to size of venue) looking at a cap of 210 players.
Qualification for this event has already begun on some forums.
RIP John Bonetti
June 30, 2008
At the age of 80 and after being diagnosed with prostrate and spinal cancer in 1993, a legend gets rivered for the last time this week.
Known for being lets say, colourful with his language during his poker play (in fact his most famous F bomb penalty he wasn’t even at the table), and his dislike of Poker dealers, yet a complete gent away from the tables, this old timer managed to cash in 32 WSOP events since 1985, of which four of them were top spot, for bracelet events.
Brooklyn born in 1928, into a good old Italian family. He achieved a great status in the poker world for being a complete all rounder, check these results John Bonetti’s poker record taken from THM
It is reputed that Mr Phil Hellmuth, a good friend himself, took his persona and general poker advice from Bonetti as they entered the Poker Arena at around the same time, and as such turned out the player that he is now. There is no argueing against his results, and so passes another poker legend, I am sure he is sat down already with Chip Reese waiting for the table to fill up.
People ask me why I dislike Hold’em so much, it’s not that i dislike hold’em, it’s just there is more to poker than 2 cards and a flop, proven by a record like this.
RIP John Bonetti
Commentary and Fatigue
June 29, 2008
OK let me start by saying this WSOP I haven’t been paying particular attention, for a number of reasons. Although the fields may be bigger than last year, somehow the Buzz has gone for me? Harrahs is just a piss taking machine IMO.
However due to an interest in one particular local player, I tuned in to watch bwins coverage of event 46 ($5000 NLHE 6 handed) and was totally hooked. (Before I start moaning, can I just say how refreshing it was to see non pro’s, non sponsored, no nonsense poker.
The first hand I watched, was Richard Lyndaker’s double up with trip 9’s against Tom Lutz’s Aces, after winning this hand he seemed to lock up as the table fought it out. Within the hour we were heads up.
COMMENTARY
Heres where it all went a bit Pete Tong! Ok to start with the action was a bit slow, but the farce of a commentary team (Steve Dannennman and Howard David) tried the usual fill-in chat. What a load of croc!!
First topic they entered into was the Main Event Final being delayed for 4 months. The first thing opposers say is “what happens if someone dies in the waiting period?” (Fair enough question) but the solutions by these 2 moronic, experienced poker players were nothing more than speculative gobbledegook.
1st Solution by the less experienced Howard “Maybe a member of their family can take their place”
Solution from Steve “Maybe there could be a television competition, whereby the main prize could be to take the empty seat”………….. What the hell?
I had already spoken to Charlie Ciresi (The Main Tournament Director of the WSOP) about this, and he was anti the delay to start with, but is now fully in favour of (I am still sceptical BTW). My first question was exactly the same as everyone elses “So Charlie, what happens if someone dies, whilst waiting the 4 months?”, he replied by stating the odds of that are so huge, but then gave me the answer I already knew. The players chips will remain at the table and will be anti’d out.
Anyway back to the commentary, luckily Jeffery Pollack (WSOP Commissionaire), must have been watching the coverage, because he came into the studio to rectify the stupid commentators suggestions.
Next gripe is the constant advertisement of new book coming out later this year, also the website of SD, which he kept on stating to email him if we didn’t like the commentary (Email sent btw)
Next Gripe is about 80% of everything they said was completely wrong, corrected by the other (or producer) then a discussion covering own back
Next Gripe is all of this was going on whilst major hands are in play, interupted by the other commentator asking “did he call then?” and getting all excited, when if he had been paying any attention whatsoever he would have heard the words ” I fold” this went on all night.
Next Gripe is the complete disregard of the actual game, and saying things like “Just Call, and lets get this over now” and “Can’t we increase the blinds to $500,000 $1 million until we get a winner” and “this is getting really boring now, wake me up when it’s over”
Next Gripe is self opinionization, ” I would have won this six times over, if i was playing”
Next Gripe is the calling of cards by the commentators, who the fuck are they, just glad they don’t have anything to do with actually running a competition.
FATIGUE
I would just like to say, how personally i found this the best final i have ever watched, despite the clowns in the back chatting their bollox.
I found it intregueing to watch a loose passive, against a semi aggressive player, and watch them go through ALL the emotions, elations dissappointment, tiredness, losing concentration, picking themselves up and tilt. 200+ hands of normal (no bullshit) poker.
Joe Commisso should have had it in the bag early doors after playing exceptional aggressive poker, but lost a hand that he was 60% favourite to win and losing a 7 to 1 chip lead and his confidence. After it seemed that Richard Lyndaker, had simply given up.
Joes posture was very uncomfortable, and seemed to be aggetated by having to lean over to get his chips into the pot and collect them. The 18″ rail wasn’t doing the short arse any favours either. Richard however perked up and was sitting bolt upright. For some reason though Richard was not being very aggressive at all, and picked strange moments to min raise, just to get reraised by Joe, then pass. The strangest thing to me however was the questionable calls by Joe when Richard eventually changed gears.
13 Called All-ins, 10 of which the bad hand won, six hours of changing styles of poker made for a great spectacle, yes maybe a little tedious for some, but if i can get a copy of this event would be a great training tool for anyone who wanted to raise their end game, as every emotion was covered, including insanity.
But Congratulations To Both 22 year old Richard Lyndaker who will now be able to buy his house, and to the winner Joe Commisso who can now emigrate to Australia.
On a side note, I was actually routing for Lyndaker as somehow Commisso reminded me of Jamie Gold (which is annoying) even to the point of having an annoying twat spectating behind him advising him!!
DTD Regular on Final Table WSOP
June 28, 2008
Event 46 at the World Series of Poker is due to air on http://www.bwin-wsoplive.com/ @ 23.10 CET
On this Final Table of the short handed (6 max) the fourth chip leader is non other than Dusk till Dawn regular Sam Trickett. 805 entered the $5000 NLHE short handed event and we are down to the last six players. Sam has average chips in 4th place and guaranteed $120,693, but I am sure he will be aiming for the $911,855 top prize and the illusive WSOP Bracelet. It’s about time the English get a little success as we have not faired too well this year so far.
Chip counts as follows
Brit takes the Maui Jackpot
June 27, 2008
Douglas Simmons, after playing poker for a couple of months has taken down Titan Pokers Maui Jackpot of $36,000. Maui jackpot games are 10 man sit and go’s $5 entry $1 reg, and the way to win seems just so simple. Win 5 Maui jackpot games back to back to claim the prize …… EASY!!
Mr Simmons said the target can be achieved by anyone if they put their mind to it …… if only. I had a 7 game streak once when these first came out involving 1 win, 1 second, 4 wins and a second, but hey, I am a fish :).
The jackpot rises progressively until there is a winner, but before you start thinking about getting a few mates to sit down at the same table, be warned. When I worked for ipoker, we started investigating the player and their opponents from 3 wins out and if there is ANY connection whatsoever, the player will have his account suspended and all monies forfieted. I personally stopped 2 alleged winners (American college students, trying to get one over).
Titan are also running a promotion every Tuesday from the 1st of July until October 28th for a super satellite into the GUKPT and a $4000 package. Winners can chose whether to play Luton, Bolton, Thanet or Blackpool.
Genting New Online Poker Room
June 26, 2008
Genting (the owners of Stanley Leisure) have announced the launch of their new UK based online casino and poker room. It is said the Malaysian company is simply using this as a platform to launch into the Malaysian online gaming market.
Stanley’s has tried on a number of occasions to break the online market with disasterous consequences, but the parent company Genting (worth an estimated $17 billion) is to go live with CircusCasino.com tomorrow in light of many Asian countries reviewing online gaming at the moment. It is a completely untapped market and if it is pulled off and Asian countries accept online gaming (which is fully expected) will rival PokerStars within months.
The Beach Club Casino in Mayfair , is to hold the official launch on Thursday, next week. The software provider for the poker and casino will be Playtech, and if you are a member of any Stanley’s casino, be prepared for the launch email which should be delivered soon to a spambox near you.
The question on most peoples lips however, is, will Matt Lambourne be allowed to play on this platform?
I have found another “G” Spot
June 26, 2008
Of all places in Kent. The latest in the Grosvenor’s “G” casinos has been unveiled in Broadstairs. The cardroom capacity is 120, and will be firmly put on the map this October. They will be the host for leg 8 of the renowned GUKPT ( Grosvenor UK Poker Tour) which will include a number of events culminating in the £1000 + £60 main event.
Thanets new jewel in the crown, will be launching their new cardroom with a mini festival “Summer Nights” on the 27th of July, with their main event being a very affordable £250 NLHE Freezeout tournament.
Hotel deals via the casino, free wifi, free gifts on the lovely Kent Coast sounds like a recipe for the poker player with a family (wink wink)
Regular Weekly Schedule
Monday 8.00pm £10 NLHE Freezeout with 5,000 pts
Tuesday 8.00pm £5 NLHE Rebuy with 1,000 pts
Wednesday 8.00pm £50 NLHE with 1 Rebuy and 1 Add-on with 5,000 pts
Thursday 8.00pm £20 NLHE Deep Stack Freezeout with 10,000 pts
Friday 8.00pm £25 NLHE with 1 Rebuy and 1 Addon with 5,000 pts
Saturday 8.00pm £10 NLHE Rebuy with 2,000 pts
Sunday 7.00pm £5 NLHE Rebuy with 1,000 pts
Address:
Westwood Cross
Margate Road
Broadstairs
Kent
CT10 2BF
Telephone:
01843 585678
UK Masters Poker League
June 25, 2008
The Castle Casino in Dudley was the venue for the 1st Grand Final for the UK Masters Poker League.
The eventual winner was Oliver Jones who wins a £6000 package to Las Vegas, he has battled in his local pub since October 2007 to get to one of the four quarterly finals. Eventually 70 players are brought back to play in the Grand Final.
The very short ,short stack ( Phillip Pearsall) turned down a great deal when heads up (to his credit) but was felted three hands later.
Pub Poker is increasing in it’s popularity and casinos are the venue of choice for Grand Finals (to kind of make them legal :s ) And there is no sign in these pub poker leagues slowing down. Even Dusk till Dawn has hosted 2 Grand Finals, one for Redtooth Poker and another for Pokerdownthepub. In my opinion these leagues are the next level, whilst numbers diminish in licensed cardrooms, the local drinking hole is fastly becoming the venue of choice for the average poker player.
Top 20 Cardroom Results
June 25, 2008
Results Courtesy of aworldofpoker.com
| Birmingham | Nottingham |
| · Broadway Casino | · Dusk Till Dawn |
| · Gala Birmingham | Stoke |
| · Rainbow Casino | · Grosvenor Stoke |
| Blackpool | · Stanley Circus Stoke |
| · Blackpool “G” | London |
| · Circus Blackpool | · The Vic |
| Bolton | Liverpool |
| · Grosvenor Bolton | · Leo’s Liverpool |
| Coventry | · Stanley Circus Liverpool |
| · The Isle of Capri | Stockport |
| Manchester | · Casino 36 |
| · Manchester “G” | · Gala Stockport |
| Walsall | Newcastle |
| · Grosvenor Walsall jct10 | · Aspers Newcastle |
| Luton | Bristol |
| · Luton “G” | · Gala Harbourside Bristol |
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Charity Poker Tour
June 24, 2008
OK I am not too sure about the legality of this one, but IMO all power to them.
The Kensington Close Hotel and Spa (London) is launching a Monthly £500 + £50 comp, with the registration fee going to the Foundation of Endangered Species. This comp will take place monthly leading to a grand yearly final. In addition to this they have a weekly schedule (which looks very attractive by the way) which comprimises of a nice structured freezeout every day.
Monday £50+5 NLHE freezeout starting @ 8.00pm 3000 pts, 20 minute clock
Tuesday £70+5 NLHE freezeout starting @ 8.00pm 3000 pts, 20 minute clock
Wednesday £30+5 NLHE freezeout starting @ 8.00pm 3000 pts, 20 minute clock
Thursday (One for the Ladies) £50+5 NLHE freezeout starting @ 8.00pm 3000 pts, 20 minute clock
Friday £150+15 NLHE freezeout starting @ 8.30pm 5000 pts, 30 minute clock
Saturday £50+5 NLHE freezeout starting @ 3.00pm 3000 pts, 20 minute clock
Saturday £100+10 NLHE freezeout starting @ 8.30pm 5000 pts, 30 minute clock
Sunday £20+5 NLHE freezeout starting @ 1.30pm 5000 pts, 20 minute clock
Registration fees will go towards the charity, and all competitions will be dealer dealt (hopefully )
It is located next to High St Kensington Tube station and more details can be found here
http://www.charitypokertour.co.uk/ I might have to partake in some of these events they look great, a jacuzzi, swimming pool and spa might keep the missus happy too !!!!
Speak Your Mind!!!
June 24, 2008
No holds barred, THE BEST poker forum in the world UK POKER LIFE !!!
UIGEA beginning of the end?
June 23, 2008
The UK Government and Peter Mandelson, will be sending a delegation over to the good ole US of A, to discuss the differences regarding online gaming, mainly regarding online poker. A complaint is due to be put to the World Trade Organization, by the European Union stating that online gaming companies have been discrimated against by America.
The House Financial Services Committee are due to look at Bill H.R.5767 on Tuesday and are looking to stop the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act), to discuss any ammendments that need making, and to debate the actual practiclities of enforcement. The Poker Players Alliance is also backing the HFSC and are willing it’s members to get behind them.
The US and it’s Department of Justice is being it’s natural pig headed self, and state that it’s not discriminating even though it goes against the WTO, and is reported that it is stepping up the pursual of UK listed companies including PartyGaming, 888 Holdings and Sporting Bet, and has issued subpoenas to some European Banks.
GCBPT Bristol RESULT
June 23, 2008
Neil Blatchley Wins GCBPT Main Event…Prizepool
Total…..£129,500
1st…..£40,750…..Neil Blatchley
2nd…..£24,000…..Marcus Farthing
3rd…..£16,000…..James Dempsey
4th…..£10,000…..Mickey Punn
5th…..£6,500…..Ricky Vedhara
6th…..£4,000…..Rana Gurnam
7th…..£3,200…..Jamie Reeve
8th…..£2,600…..David Maudlin
9th…..£2,400…..Trevor Pearson
1st and 2nd did a deal and split £60k, £30k each and played for another 4 grand, the trophy and the seat in the main event later this year.
WSOP ME FINAL TABLE
June 22, 2008
Broadway Festival Schedule 20th-27th July
June 22, 2008
SUNDAY 20TH - SUNDAY 27TH JULY 2008SUNDAY - JULY 20TH
£100 + 10 FREEZEOUT 3500 STARTING CHIPS - 30 MINUTE BLINDS 1 DAY EVENT.
MONDAY 21ST JULY £100 + 10 RE-BUY 2500 STARTING CHIPS-2 X 45 MINUTE BUY- IN PERIODS THEN 35 MINUTE BLINDS -1 DAY EVENT
TUESDAY 22 ND JULY £200 + 20 WITH 1 OPTIONAL RE - BUY OR 1 ADD ON 4500 STARTING CHIPS 2X 45 MINUTE BUY - IN PERIODS THEN 35 MINUTE BLINDS -1 DAY EVENT
WEDNESDAY £300 +30 DOUBLE CHANCE FREEZOUT 8000 OR 2X 4000 STARTING CHIPS 90 MINUTE D C PERIOD THEN 45 MINUTE BLINDS 2 DAY EVENT RESUMES 3 PM THURS 24 TH
THURSDAY 24TH JULY £500 +50 FREEZEOUT- 10000 STARTING CHIPS 45 MINUTE BLINDS 2 DAY EVENT RESUMES 3PM FRI 25TH
FRIDAY 25TH JULY £50 + 5 SUPER SATELLITE FOR ENTRY INTO £1000 MAIN EVENT 2000 STARTING CHIPS 2X 45 MINUTE BUY IN PERIODS THEN 30 MINUTE BLINDS 1 DAY EVENT - 10 SEATS GUARANTEED!!
SUNDAY 27TH JULY £100+ 10 FREEZEOUT 3500 STARTING CHIPS - 30 MINUTE BLINDS 1 DAY EVENT.
SATURDAY 26TH JULY £1000 + 60 MAIN EVENT 15000 STARTING CHIPS -45 MINUTE BLINDS 2 DAY EVENT RESUMES 3 PM SUN 27TH.
ALL COMPETITIONS START AT 8PM LAST REGISTRATION AT 7.45 PM ALL EVENTS CLOSE AT 5 AM.
Basic Mistakes @ DTD
June 22, 2008
Dusk till Dawn seems to be falling into the same trap as the local casino cardrooms. After holding for 8 months reasonable competitions with great structures, some bright spark decided that rebuys were an answer to filling their cardroom up. I have noticed that the £40 PLO comp was cancelled due to lack of runners, along with their £200 FO that started 30 minutes before a £50 FO *mad imo*! Also the numbers have drastically reduced on Sunday Nights since they have made it a regular £100 rebuy.
I haven’t seen any official confirmation anywhere, but rumours have it that the Sunday £100 Rebuy will now be changed back to a £100 FO, the Tuesday £50+£50+£50 will be returning. But God knows what they will do with the Omaha comp or the £200 FO. If they have any sense they will make a bigger gap than 30 minutes between comps so punters can play both, my personal opinion is that the Omaha should be a limited rebuy max 2 and a top-up.
The smaller freezeouts seem to be where the masses enjoy playing, but do they want big numbers or high rakers for cash games …….. that is the question??
The potential is absolutely fabulous there, but I don’t feel that the people in charge are exploiting what can be a huge HUGE success.
When I first heard that there would be a legal dedicated cardroom, with a great capacity, I was expecting the place to be the training ground for Brits for ALL events at the WSOP, even holding a similar prestigeous event in this country, but they appear to be missing the boat.
GCBPT Day 1b
June 22, 2008
26 players return to join the 28 from day 1a later today for the big cheese!
Final Counts - Day 1B Lam Trinh 152500
Trevor Pearson 87600
Mike Williams 78800
Michael Punn 76100
Farzan Javad 75300
Neil Blatchley 53000
Raymond Slater 53000
Nick Scott 49200
Marcus Farthing 48800
Richard Lewis 48800
Adam Newby 47900
Mike Cummings 47900
George Stewart 45800
James Gilbert 43000
Anthony Connway 40800
Richard Cole 35000
Nick Ferro 33400
Dave Woods 31600
Lee Richardson 29200
Ceri Rees 24900
Scott Morrison 24900
Tony Corrolla 19300
S Loghlin 19100
Jon Young 18300
Harpit Gurnam 15400
Gabrielle Dagostino 9700
Ram Vaswani
June 21, 2008
Ram Vaswani of the infamous Hendon Mob, has been chip leader of the $10,000 Omaha Hi/lo event at the WSOP all day and finishes the Blue Ribbon event ahead of the field, with the GOB himself ( Mike Matusow) , breathing down his neck in second place. 235 players stumped up the $10k, and they are now down to the wire going into the final day.
18 players left
Day 1a Chip Counts at GCBPT
June 21, 2008
28 players remaining:
Rickie Vedhara 104,100
Jamie Reeve 91,900
James Gawen 82,900
John Taramas 77,900
David Anstice 75,900
Scott McCarthy 72,400
Peter Wigglesworth 60,100
Brenin Williams 53,500
David Maudlin 48,100
James Dempsey 44,900
Matt Dale 42,700
Roy Milton 39,800
Chao Li 39,600
Neil Sillick 36,400
Frank Flanagan 35,600
Andrew Gibb 32,300
Steven Johnston 31,700
Owen Lock 30,700
Steve Milton 28,300
Ashley Brown 26,500
Paul Munday 26,100
Julian Thew 25,700
Paul Loughlin 25,000
Graham Pound 24,900
Peter Leeper 21,200
Stefan Borrman 20,300
Scott Henry 19,300
Mark Cawthra 12,200