Virgin Blogger Freeroll

I have gained entry into a freeroll for bloggers on Virgin Poker tonight starting at 7.30 pm BST.

70 entrants and a first prize of a trip to Las Vegas including accomodation and entry to a tournament at the World Series of Poker in July 2006 ! There are also 250,000 V-Points to be shared amongst those placing 2nd-7th which can be exchanged for flights.

Report on the freeroll will appear here shortly .......

....... 54th of 72 so not exactly a great result although was handily lying in top 6 after first break. 15 minute blinds so the players sitting-out were going to take a while to shift and with the blinds on 50-100 and a sit-out on the big blind I was the first raise to what I think was 300 from mid position with K 10 os. Were other sit-outs before the small blind so thought having to add 250 would see him fold, but instead he went all-in for 3400. Don't tell me how but I knew it was a bluff and I could afford to call (it would leave me on 3000 approx). But at the end of the day I did only have K 10 so it wouldn't take much to beat me ....... so I folded ....... and he showed something like 57os !!!!!!!!!!!

The all-in I did not mind and it worked for him. If I had been brave I would probably have won but no guarantee. What I did object to was the show. I might show a hand once a month but only if I want to encourage a player (and usually someone I know) and show they have made a good fold. I would never show as a brag or to rub someone's nose in it - but as it turned out that was a good move for him too because I let it annoy me and only a few hands later he took most of my chips when his 55 beat my A4 (both 4 and 5 on flop unfortunately !).

Show a hand without being called to do so and you are giving everyone at the table, not just those who were in that pot, free information. Poker is about paying to play and to see my hand.


The other MTT I played tonight was in the Champions League series on Sporting Odds. 13 rounds in May with top 20 in each scoring points (and top 10% winning cash - $3.30 entry) with the points winner (best 5 scores count) getting a $1000 seat to a live tournament and $500 spends. Was again handily placed in top 6 when dealt 44 in the BB (600). One raise to 1800 and a call so decided to let the pair go (although I could afford the call to see the flop). So I folded only to see a 4 on the flop. The players still in had KK and JJ with neither getting a third from the board. If I'd have played I'd have put them both out and stopped one of them knocking me out a few hands later when he was holding AA for the second hand running !

I am sure I have folded 44 several times but one other time I remember doing so I had to watch as a 4 came on the turn and river !! These decisions can be very tough sometimes but you can't let it get to you. Pre flop the 44 fold is a good decision against KK and JJ. In hindsight, the mistake in my situation was not paying to see the flop. I was the last to act and could have afforded it.