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This weekend, the final table plays out on Fox Sports for the 2007 Aussie Millions. While I did "accidentally" cheat and watch two weeks ago, I had not planned to watch this event until I could watch it start to finish. I have pages and pages of notes that I took while I was there. As many know, originally I was to go there to cover the event for Poker.com on the Aussie Millions Blog. However, what we will call "technical issues" prevented proper coverage. I took pages and pages of notes, of which I've went over once since my return. I'm really wanting to break them out, but not until the entire Aussie Millions plays out on television. I'm really wanting to watch this cover to cover.
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While I did mention that I "accidentally" cheated and watched two weeks ago, I plan to purposely cheat and watch the final table on television. I remember the buzz on the floor the day of the final table. Tina and I, along with several other of the poker.com crew (Scott and Lenora, Ben, Cornelius) went down to the main floor to watch the final table. The table was actually in the TV room on the other side of the casino.
I met several familliar faces on this day - while the final table was playing out. Ellen from Poker Analysis, the owners of SharkScope - to name a few.
There was such excitement on the floor as this table played through. I was really pulling for gobboboy to come through and take this tournament down. Gus ended up being too much for him though.
After the tournament, the Crown through one hell of a party. I hung with Tina, the Collins and the Allens for the majority of the party - mostly helping Tina score photos with as many of the pros as possible. I kept introducing her to Pauly, trying to sell her on the fact that Pauly is a doctor.
Speaking of Pauly, he and I had a nice talk that evening. While he has a job that is a dream to most of us, it was then - at that very moment (at the reception) that I realized that while doing what he is doing is one sweet gig, there's a whole lot of work involved in what he does. Covering an event of that magnitude, whether with a staff or flying solo, is not an easy task. 16-18 hours plus in actual work is put in daily - many times without breaks, without food, and sometimes feeling like nothing is going right.
It was... and still is quite overwhelming to think about my time there. I do not typically watch poker on television. I enjoy the game, how cereberal the play is, and the social aspect that poker brings. I also enjoy the challenges involved in playing. I never really got into the spotlights or the glamour of the game, however. So, while I was not star struck by being in the presence of many of "the pros," I was in awe over the magnitude of the event. I still cannot properly put into perspective that which Oz was.
I'm thinking/hoping that when I do finally sit down to watch the entire Aussie Millions, I'll begin to process my experience in Oz.
Mike
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs2.5 License.
2007/05/10
| [+/-] |
Aussie Millions Final Table This Weekend on FoxSports |
2007/02/16
| [+/-] |
Wrap-up of the Aussie Millions and CheckRayz Stuff |
A bit ago, I wrote a wrap-up piece for the Aussie Millions and submitted it via email to the Poker.com staff. Unknown to me, it published in the Blogger Poker Tour Blog. So for anyone wishing to read the Aussie Millions Wrap-up I wrote, click away. Additionally, I've placed a copy of this writing on my new Poker Writer Poker Blog. This blog is a new project (one of several) I am working on, which you'll surely here more about in the upcoming days and months. Click to check out the Aussie Millions Wrap on the Poker Writer Blog.
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Now that I'm a few weeks removed from Oz, I've been reflecting a good deal on my experiences. Now that I know exactly what I am up against... I will be at other toruneys in the future in some capacity - whether it's covering them independantly, covering them for a poker room or news outlet, a player host for those unable to travel to certain venues, and/or as a player. Whichever way, I intend to be a presenece.
Moving on... CheckRayz has been on "vacation" for a bit (read: I've been busy and playing phone tag with poker room reps). Expect a schedule for both February and the beginning of March early next week.
Have a great weekend,
Mike
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs2.5 License.
2007/01/26
| [+/-] |
Gobbo thoughts |
I had planned to maintain some sort of order for my Aussie memories postings. I'd like to skip ahead and talk about an individual I got to know a bit while in the land of Oz. I had what I consider the pleasure of meeting a young, up and coming poker player while in Australia named Jimmy Fricke. Jimmy had first been pointed out to me by Ryan Fisler, while we were in the Auckland, NZ airport. He mentioned something about Jimmy, PCA, Dave Williams and some sick hand. Later, at the Crown, Jerry had mentioned the same. Given the buzz surrounding this kid, I had to meet him.
Before I write any more, however, a few disclaimers...
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First, anything I write here is my thoughts... and my thoughts alone. They don't reflect the thoughts or ideas, to the best of my knowledge, of anyone else. Second, unless I specifically quote someone, consider that I am paraphrasing from my memory. Do not, in any way, shape or form consider this particular work to be an interview, a gossip column, nor something that I've quoted. This is simply my thoughts being spoken here at my Poker Pub Poker Blog.
One may wonder why I feel the urge to fly disclaimers like this on my own blog...
A friend pointed me in the direction of a two plus two thread that forced me to change things up just a bit, with respect to the ordering of my posts. Now, historically speaking, I've read two plus two from time to time, but I've steered clear of posting there. While I hold no ill will or feelings towards any individual or group there, I'm just not comfortable with the community there and do not find myself a good fit at that particular venue.
Anyway... to paraphrase the issue at hand, 2 incidents took place during or shortly after the Aussie Millions:
1. "Gobboboy" or Jimmy ended up in a big hand with "Shaniac" (whom I also met while in Oz). Shane got his money in while best and Jimmy improved, sealing the deal on the suckout with all the money in the center. Shane went to the rail, and Jimmy had made a comment, something along the lines of "ship it."
2. Jimmy was informally interviewed by a friend on his friend's blog, where he was openly critical of specific opponent's play.
Above issues aside, which for the record, that 2+2 thread has seemingly resolved itself. It was asserted that Jimmy came off sounding like a douchebag, and very disrespectful and maybe even as if he was "better than everyone else."
From what I saw of Jimmy, his ego is very much in check. He presented himself as a courtious, polite, and fun loving guy. He was definitely not "full of himself." In fact, for the effect he had on the majority of the players he encoutered and the onlooking "railbirds," I'd say he was quite humble - truth be told.
Hell, I spoke to him after his big day 1 - specifically in regards to the table where he sat next to "the croc" and had busted Wille Tan and Jack Lee in one hand. We discussed the reaction of both the players and the rail. It really seemed as if not one person at that table liked his playing style, his ruthless and seemingly blind aggression. To me, it seemed as if he had tilted the entire tournament and even people looking on were wanting to hop the rail, buy in and bust him.
It was truly an amazing reaction, especially considering that one of the players, right before the break had belittled Jimmy for making what he considered a "bad call" and was talking mad shit on him. When he knocked Willie and Jack out at once, you could sense the frustration on everyone's face. Suddenly, he has chips; not that he hasn't been raising havoc on the table before, but now... Now the monster is awake and well fed. Not one person was happy, be it player or rail bird.
I ask Jimmy what he thought about that, after day 1 is behind, and he laughs it off, claiming that's not at all how it was. "Really, you think so?" he asked.
I told him there was not a doubt in my mind. I applauded his composure, noting that as a 19 year old kid, let alone any man, he held himself very very well during the whole time I observed his play. "Wow", "Holy shit", and "Absolutely amazing" were pretty much the only three phrases that came to mind that would do any justice to what I witnessed.
I asked him how long after he takes this tourney down is it going to take for him to write his book. He laughed me off, citing that he's "really not that good" and that he can name off several others there that are far more qualified than he is to write a book.
We joked about a quote that had been rumoured around the poker room to one of the pokernews people, where he had been quoted as saying he was going to win the tournament, from what he's has seen of the level of competition down here. We laughed together and made a few joking comments, and then he brought it home and said something along the lines of "no, seriously, there's a lot of good players left and still a long way to go." He also cited, "but I have been practicing for Australia. I like the outback, which is Australian" implying he feels comfortable in his "native environment."
Again, all the while; a fun loving, joking, yet humble tone.
I continued to follow Jimmy throughout the tournament. His second place finish was surely something special in my opinion. He seemed to really enjoy what he was doing, but not at the expense of others (from what I observed).
I strongly suspect I was not the only one who felt this way. It seemed that a few of the people on the rail who were at first jeering the kid were now 100% behind him, supporting him all the way. To some people, Scott and Lenora in particular, he came off very polite, well mannered, and as a great all-around guy!
After his second place finish, I bumped into one of Jimmy's friends at the after party. I was hoping Jimmy would be making an appearance. I had previously been willing to bet he'd show, even if for only ten to fifteen minutes. He in fact did. We went and found him, I shook his hand, gave him mad props and made sure he knew he had so much to be proud of. Then I asked for a picture with him. When I first went to Oz, I had said the only picture I wanted of me and any of the pros was with the Fossilman. Now Gobboboy joined those ranks.
I have the utmost respect for Jimmy Fricke as a player and a person. The sky's the limit, my friend. Keep on smilin, and keep on raising!
Mike
--- Said photo will be posted as soon as my data cable returns from Australia.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs2.5 License.
2007/01/24
| [+/-] |
coffee and the poker.com freeroll in Aussie |
Our first full day in the land of Oz, and Jerry and I run around town to try to find some decent grub for breakfast. For those of you keeping score, Jerry was the winner of the Blogger Poker Tour Grand Finale. We finally find this restuarant to sit down and do breakfast. The food was great for the most part. The coffee, however, was really lacking.
I'm not sure what it is about the land of Oz, but it takes an act of God to get a real coffee around here. Now, let me explain what exactly I mean by "real coffee." I'm old school... I just want a regular, plain old black coffee. Nothing spectacular. No milk, no cream, no creme, and surely "I would not like any sugars." Just straight up classicly brewed black coffee. I believe there is only two people in the land of Oz who can make suitable coffee of this nature... Hannah from the Crown and the airlines, which is scary as all hell. Anyway, after breakfast, Jerry and I opt to head back to the casino, because we have this "feeling" that the poker.com festivities "might" be starting sooner than expected.
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As if we're prophets, we get back to the hotel and we're T minus fifteen minutes and counting from the freeroll's start. Are we good or are we good? We straggle down to the poker room and find our spot. The crown had two tables for us, which worked out well considering we had 20 players with the poker.com crew. At the same time, freerolls from Prima, tilt, and other rooms were taking place.
We start off with 2K in chips, blinds elevating every ten minutes. We're off to a seemingly smooth start. Third hand in, a player is ousted from the tournament. I breath a sigh of relief, as the first one out is not your's truly. Then comes the big hand. I'm in the small blind with 9s-7s. Action folds to the button (Druce), who limps. I call, and the BB ("Dr." Scott) checks. The flop comes 2-9-6, with one spade on the board. I bet 1/2 the pot. The BB folds and the button min raises. Feeling as if this is a steal attempt, I reraise to all-in. He insta-calls and turns over AA.
I'm so not worried, however, as I know a suckout card is coming very soon... and by very soon, I mean on the turn, which I then hit my two pair. Aces fail to improve and I stack the man. Fortunately, he was the chip leader at the time, so he was able to weather the storm.
Shout out to Tina, "the Queen of Hearts," who was also playing in this tourney and a table away. 
Play continues, and we consolidate to one table. I suspect I am first or second in chips. A successful hammer drop later, and blinds increase right at the same time there's a fourth dealer change. This time we get the most moronic dealer I've ever seen in my life. I'm not one to dealer bash, but this dude was BAD. By bad, I mean he sucked... horribly. He took it upon himself to fast forward the tourney three blind levels, and change the format to five minute levels. Did I mention I was coming into the big blind here?
My M now sitting at roughly 4 (as the chip leader, mind you), and this comfortable tourney has now turned into a bingo match. I'm truly not happy. The field begins to drop, part of which due to the blind structure, and the other part due to the dealer's gross inability to count chips. Of the seven times he was needed to count chips to make sidepots, he fell short of this seemingly basic goal six times. Hell, even the floor manager at one time was trying to help him and she failed to help this guy. Once, he tried to take all of my behind chips, even though I had the two all-in's covered, which for the record, the second of the two alleged all-ins were not fully all-in, but he took it upon himself to decide she in fact was.
We're down to five players, top three get paid. With the blinds so high now, that it becomes a game of foldsmanship. It's in everyone's best interest to try to fold their way into the money, as the chip leader's M is roughly 3. The move of the night comes when the chip leader moves all-in. The Big blind was all-in to begin with, due to blinding out. I sat under the gun and would have been all-in come the small blind. So, he folds, leaving his M under 1. Big blind is all-in, manages to double up. Next hand is a SB-BB battle, which I win. Bam, I hit the money. I blow out in a blaze of glory one hand later to cash in third place.
The tournament was a good time, though the dealer really tried to rain on our parade. The day continued on with Shane, Jerry and I taking a walk around town, chatting and looking for stuff to buy. Then we hit the poker.com drunken dinner, which is a whole 'nother story in itself.
Mike
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