First Visit to the International Club in London.
Seems like a long time since I signed in at 1pm today.
I played the £25+5 freezeout to warm up.
Something like 24 runners - I went out in 8th (4 paid)
55 into 5KJ (all clubs) ... the big blind goes all in ... and I have to call ... 67 clubs ... baby flush push ... no help.
I then ponder my next move - there is a Super Turbo to the main event £200 freezeout.
But enough time in between to semi-donk off £100 playing £1,£1 NL
Super Turbo - 500 chips - 20 min Levels (25,25) and (25,50) then a freezeout.
AK into AA and JJ
88 loses to 66
33 loses to 67
AK loses to 53
Not my day ... once into the freezeout ... I am on the button with AK ... player to act before me pushed without looking with J8 and hits a straight ...
Mmmm.
In for a penny in for a pound so I buy in the £200+10 freezeout - 31 runners.
Initially table has two of the Gutshot pros on (Andy Achillea (who won the last one) and Ed Roger) plus Louise Duffy recently second from 121 in £100 F/O at the club, plus Charles Sanderson - APAT medalist and cashed at the world series.
10000 Chips - 25 min levels. Estimated end time 2-3 a.m.
Decided to loosen up ... hovered around the 10,000 mark before raising with 97 ... called by Andy A ... flop yields a straight draw ... which cheaply hits on the river ... to allow a check min raise to be paid ...
Loose play fully rewared soon after to make me early chip leader.
AA UTG ... Blinds 100/200 ... I raise to 625 ... flat called ... then re-raised to 2,500 by Andy A ... trivial all in ... which after soon time is called by initial flat caller ... KK ... with Andy folding.
Aces hold - and quickly to 30,000.
Card dead drift to c20,000 when I receive QQ late position ... short stack all in ... is min raised by Louise Duffy ... perhaps in retrospect I should have sussed the AA ... but I pushed ... and would have had about 5,000 left ... but Q on the flop ... takes me out in front ... I am enjoying the re-brand as a LUCKY player ...
Just before the final table I am forced off TT as an overpair which would have stood up ... but soon after 99 becomes top set and final table is reached in second place. Two short stacks - only 5 paid.
Plan is to get aggresive ... but not cards ... and Gabriel Forde assumes the dual role of Table Captain and card rack ... raising everything under the gun finally getting pushed back at when he has KK.
Soon to 7 runners and getting slightly tempted by the £462 fifth prize ... but still no cards ... so no choices to make until the bubble bursts with Andy A pushing 99 in JJ.
Money made - more scope to push - but still no cards ... and soon third with Gabriel mowing down all and sundry ...
With 2/3 of the chips in play ... looking very good for the win ... and relentlessly pushing ... finally into my AQ with Q5 ... and heads up looking good ... finally confirmed with A8 vs KQ ...
Very cagey heads up ... K3 push called by my KJ ... putting me very much in touch.
40 mins in a flurry of hands ... I dodge his aces ... he dodges my kings ... last hand finally his A8 vs 99 ... and of course I hit the 8!
Good game ... and fair play to the winner.
Pay back - £1,550 ... less fees/cash/tip for dealers/taxi home/food/drink ... +£1,040/$1570
RT +$2,935
Good standard of play - better surrounds than the old Gutshot - will be likely to play future events there.
Louis
