3 December 2008 (The Youngs') "JJ takes the top spot, but there's not a point in it."
Game 1 – 10 players - (1st Lee, 2nd Dave, 3rd Barry)
With Barry only 4 points ahead of our 2007 Champion JJ, who was only 2 points ahead of 2006 Champion Lee, the atmosphere was tense as 10 players sat down to play poker.
The maximum turnout was a surprise, given that both Jude and Mark didn't receive the usual confirmation email from Lee. Dave was less subtle telling them both to "Get the fucking hint."
Early conversation centred on what possible prizes players could provide for the MDA Charity Poker night. Barry offered his pussy clothes, Betty & Wilma, which Jude politely declined. Mark continued the theme, offering a Phillip's Intimate Massager. There was much more enthusiasm for this suggestion from Jude, although not for the poker tournament. Who can blame her, Dean is away a lot?
The 2 of them clashed with A7J on the flop, leading Jude to go all in. Mark thought for a long while until calling with AQ. Jude's A8 was outgunned, even more so when a Q on the turn gave Mark 2 pair to knock her out (10th). Jude went home to dream about her intimate massage, although she will have to wait for Mark to deliver it.
Barry celebrated when Scott knocked one of his challengers out. J93Q on the board led to an all in from JJ, who had J8. Scott had him sewn up, having slow played his straight (K10), knocking J out (9th). Once again it seemed that Bea jinxed JJ, who has yet to win a game in her presence.
IJ went all in with A10, but experienced only fear when Scott called and turned over A4. True to his recent bad luck, Scott hit a 4 and knocked IJ out (8th).
In a monster hand, Shaz went all in, a total of £6.75. Holding Aces, she was delighted when she got 3 calls: Baz, Mark & Dave. Mark bet a fiver when 4K5 came on the flop, which scared Dave & Baz off. Mark had KQ, giving him top pair, but Shaz's Aces were good, quadrupling her up. What a time to get rockets.
Having turned up almost 3 hours late, Dan (frostbitten from the long wait in the car) played his only hand blind. He had Q3 which was no match for Dave's JJ, which tripped up to knock Dan out (7th). Dan mused at how his brief appearance may have given Barry (who had a lot of chips at this stage) an extra point, as he made it a 10 person game. Everyone agreed that it would have been better if he'd stayed in the car.
With JJ out of the running, Lee put himself in a terrific position to take the top spot, tripling up at Sharon & Mark's expense. Sharon's A4 was not enough to beat Lee's K5 which tripped up, and knocked Sharon out (6th).
Scott followed, his A2 falling behind to Dave's J9, which hit a 9. Scott out (5th).
Dave took another scalp, when Mark went all in with Q8. Dave called with AK which held up, knocking Mark out (4th).
Lee made it interesting, knocking Barry out (3rd) when he hit a straight. Barry's 3rd place gave him a point, which would put him on equal points should Lee win...
Heads up began at 22:59, with speculation that Dave might throw it away just to topple Barry. Dave reassured Baz that he didn't like Lee or hate Baz enough to do that.
Within 6 minutes we had a winner: Dave went in ahead with Q8, but Lee's Q7 hit 2 pair to claim victory and equal points with Barry, who clung on to the top, having won more games.
Well done Lee!
Game 2 – 7 players - (1st JJ, 2nd IJ, 3rd Lee)
The second game was a swift and serious affair, getting started at 23:21, everyone keen to see which of our top 3 would end the night ahead.
Dave was the first casualty, going all in with K7, which Dan called with AJ. Dave had hit a 7 on the flop, but Dan was ahead having hit an Ace. A king on the turn gave Dave 2 pair but he knew this would not be enough and had his coat on already. Sure enough, an Ace on the river gave Dan trips and sent Dave home (7th).
Baz followed Dave in putting his coat on after going all in. But the night was not over for our champion and not just because he was driving JJ home. He hit the nut flush and tripled up, relieved that he wouldn't have to sit and wait for JJ to potentially top the table and then chauffeur him home.
JJ increased his stack, knocking Scott out (6th) when his AK held up against Scott's K9.
IJ opened the door for Lee or JJ to knock Barry off the top of the table, his Aces beating Baz's AK to knock Barry out (5th). There were cheers all round, but Barry insisted he didn't mind giving his chips to IJ as long as he won.
Slowly the realisation sunk in to our table leader and he admitted he was pretty certain that he would not be top by the time he went to bed.
IJ's run of phenomenal cards continued, his AJ turning into trip Aces on the flop, to destroy Dan's Ks. With Dan out (4th) Barry had to watch JJ & Lee battle it out to take his much coveted position.
JJ ensured that it couldn't be Lee, his AJ holding up against Lee's J9. Lee went out (3rd) without a point to take him ahead of Baz.
Heads up started at 1:00 and was over in 10 minutes. IJ got Aces again, but foolishly slow played them, allowing JJ to hit a straight and claim victory.
JJ collected 5 points for his win, setting up a table closer than we could have dreamed of...
At the end of the most exciting poker night all year, we have a new table leader. Having spent longer at the top for more months than any of us care to remember, Barry's reign came to an end in our first game of December.
Lee's win in the 1st game & JJ's in the 2nd, puts them both on level points with Barry, but JJ has crept ahead, having won a single extra game.
With all 3 of them sure not to miss a single one of the remaining 8 games, the scene has been set for a nailbiting climax to the poker year.
Will we crown a new champion on 30th December, the final game of 2008, or will last year's champion retain his title?
It truly is all to play for...
Conversation topics of the week:
JJ told us all about taking Judah for his first trip to the pub, to watch an Arsenal game. This raised the question of whether it was bad to make Judah were a kippah (yarmulkey for the Manc boys) to the pub? Mark was worried that Judah night get beaten up & what about JJ? Don't worry, JJ reassured us, "I can outrun Judah."
There was some nostalgic chat about Doylies - whatever happened to them?
Jude re-established the Jayson Fish curse: she had brought around some lovely new fish for the Youngs' tank. We think this was to say thanks for looking after the Jayson fish, which had spent their stay Chez Youngs' fishtank wiping out all of the local population. Sadly, Lee had left his fishtank heater on and fried the new arrivals, leaving hideous dead fish debris all over the tank. Someone observed, "You think fish are easy pets, but they are not."
Continuing the pet theme, in answer to the question "Have you acted?" Baz replied"No, I'm dogging." At least I hope that is on the pet theme...
With Barry only 4 points ahead of our 2007 Champion JJ, who was only 2 points ahead of 2006 Champion Lee, the atmosphere was tense as 10 players sat down to play poker.
The maximum turnout was a surprise, given that both Jude and Mark didn't receive the usual confirmation email from Lee. Dave was less subtle telling them both to "Get the fucking hint."
Early conversation centred on what possible prizes players could provide for the MDA Charity Poker night. Barry offered his pussy clothes, Betty & Wilma, which Jude politely declined. Mark continued the theme, offering a Phillip's Intimate Massager. There was much more enthusiasm for this suggestion from Jude, although not for the poker tournament. Who can blame her, Dean is away a lot?
The 2 of them clashed with A7J on the flop, leading Jude to go all in. Mark thought for a long while until calling with AQ. Jude's A8 was outgunned, even more so when a Q on the turn gave Mark 2 pair to knock her out (10th). Jude went home to dream about her intimate massage, although she will have to wait for Mark to deliver it.
Barry celebrated when Scott knocked one of his challengers out. J93Q on the board led to an all in from JJ, who had J8. Scott had him sewn up, having slow played his straight (K10), knocking J out (9th). Once again it seemed that Bea jinxed JJ, who has yet to win a game in her presence.
IJ went all in with A10, but experienced only fear when Scott called and turned over A4. True to his recent bad luck, Scott hit a 4 and knocked IJ out (8th).
In a monster hand, Shaz went all in, a total of £6.75. Holding Aces, she was delighted when she got 3 calls: Baz, Mark & Dave. Mark bet a fiver when 4K5 came on the flop, which scared Dave & Baz off. Mark had KQ, giving him top pair, but Shaz's Aces were good, quadrupling her up. What a time to get rockets.
Having turned up almost 3 hours late, Dan (frostbitten from the long wait in the car) played his only hand blind. He had Q3 which was no match for Dave's JJ, which tripped up to knock Dan out (7th). Dan mused at how his brief appearance may have given Barry (who had a lot of chips at this stage) an extra point, as he made it a 10 person game. Everyone agreed that it would have been better if he'd stayed in the car.
With JJ out of the running, Lee put himself in a terrific position to take the top spot, tripling up at Sharon & Mark's expense. Sharon's A4 was not enough to beat Lee's K5 which tripped up, and knocked Sharon out (6th).
Scott followed, his A2 falling behind to Dave's J9, which hit a 9. Scott out (5th).
Dave took another scalp, when Mark went all in with Q8. Dave called with AK which held up, knocking Mark out (4th).
Lee made it interesting, knocking Barry out (3rd) when he hit a straight. Barry's 3rd place gave him a point, which would put him on equal points should Lee win...
Heads up began at 22:59, with speculation that Dave might throw it away just to topple Barry. Dave reassured Baz that he didn't like Lee or hate Baz enough to do that.
Within 6 minutes we had a winner: Dave went in ahead with Q8, but Lee's Q7 hit 2 pair to claim victory and equal points with Barry, who clung on to the top, having won more games.
Well done Lee!
Game 2 – 7 players - (1st JJ, 2nd IJ, 3rd Lee)
The second game was a swift and serious affair, getting started at 23:21, everyone keen to see which of our top 3 would end the night ahead.
Dave was the first casualty, going all in with K7, which Dan called with AJ. Dave had hit a 7 on the flop, but Dan was ahead having hit an Ace. A king on the turn gave Dave 2 pair but he knew this would not be enough and had his coat on already. Sure enough, an Ace on the river gave Dan trips and sent Dave home (7th).
Baz followed Dave in putting his coat on after going all in. But the night was not over for our champion and not just because he was driving JJ home. He hit the nut flush and tripled up, relieved that he wouldn't have to sit and wait for JJ to potentially top the table and then chauffeur him home.
JJ increased his stack, knocking Scott out (6th) when his AK held up against Scott's K9.
IJ opened the door for Lee or JJ to knock Barry off the top of the table, his Aces beating Baz's AK to knock Barry out (5th). There were cheers all round, but Barry insisted he didn't mind giving his chips to IJ as long as he won.
Slowly the realisation sunk in to our table leader and he admitted he was pretty certain that he would not be top by the time he went to bed.
IJ's run of phenomenal cards continued, his AJ turning into trip Aces on the flop, to destroy Dan's Ks. With Dan out (4th) Barry had to watch JJ & Lee battle it out to take his much coveted position.
JJ ensured that it couldn't be Lee, his AJ holding up against Lee's J9. Lee went out (3rd) without a point to take him ahead of Baz.
Heads up started at 1:00 and was over in 10 minutes. IJ got Aces again, but foolishly slow played them, allowing JJ to hit a straight and claim victory.
JJ collected 5 points for his win, setting up a table closer than we could have dreamed of...
At the end of the most exciting poker night all year, we have a new table leader. Having spent longer at the top for more months than any of us care to remember, Barry's reign came to an end in our first game of December.Lee's win in the 1st game & JJ's in the 2nd, puts them both on level points with Barry, but JJ has crept ahead, having won a single extra game.
With all 3 of them sure not to miss a single one of the remaining 8 games, the scene has been set for a nailbiting climax to the poker year.
Will we crown a new champion on 30th December, the final game of 2008, or will last year's champion retain his title?
It truly is all to play for...
Conversation topics of the week:
JJ told us all about taking Judah for his first trip to the pub, to watch an Arsenal game. This raised the question of whether it was bad to make Judah were a kippah (yarmulkey for the Manc boys) to the pub? Mark was worried that Judah night get beaten up & what about JJ? Don't worry, JJ reassured us, "I can outrun Judah."
There was some nostalgic chat about Doylies - whatever happened to them?
Jude re-established the Jayson Fish curse: she had brought around some lovely new fish for the Youngs' tank. We think this was to say thanks for looking after the Jayson fish, which had spent their stay Chez Youngs' fishtank wiping out all of the local population. Sadly, Lee had left his fishtank heater on and fried the new arrivals, leaving hideous dead fish debris all over the tank. Someone observed, "You think fish are easy pets, but they are not."
Continuing the pet theme, in answer to the question "Have you acted?" Baz replied"No, I'm dogging." At least I hope that is on the pet theme...
26 November 2008 (The Youngs') "It's getting tight at the top"
Game 1 – 9 players - (1st Mark, 2nd Lee, 3rd Julian)
There was a late start to poker this week: despite the chips being laid out at 20:20, play didn't start until 20:50.
Excitement arrived shortly afterwards though, when Julian and Mark clashed with 10s & Qs. They ended up going all in and Mark hit trip Qs to double up and gain an early chip lead.
The night looked like it might only got better for Marky, when he casually suggested to Jude that they should shag in her new sauna. Sadly, Jude turned him down on the basis that "it would be too hot."
Late arrival IJ got mullered by Lee when his Ks were beaten by Lee's 10s which tripped up.
Jude & Sharon returned us all to the joys of last week's conversational highlights: the swimming instructor. Jude was upset because she didn't get a place swimming. However, do not fear: she is still letting the kids go, despite the poor quality of the aquatic tuition, because at the end of the day, she's getting a babysitter.
Having thoroughly discussed the babysitter/swimming instructor situation, Sharon exited first when her Qs came up against Jule's Ks. This time there was no tripping up and Sharon went out (9th).
A controversial mystery arose regarding last week's Royal Flush money. It did not arrive at the Youngs' this week and the Borehamwood Boys, who were heads up in last week's 2nd game, were not forthcoming about its whereabouts. JJ and Baz admitted talking about taking it and JJ was fairly sure that Barry took it, although he didn't actually see him pocket the cash. Baz denied everything, claiming he couldn't remember taking it. However, he revealed his true desperation when he wanted to call Dean as a witness. Under duress, Baz finally 'had to accept' that he took it and said he would refresh the pot next week but he still didn't think he took it.
Dan went all in with 8s, which got unlucky against JJ's J9. JJ hit a 9 and knocked Dan out (8th).
Despite the close proximity of JJ to him at the top of the table, Baz declared that he was totally chilled and not stressed at all about the 4 point gap. However, he did admit to being unhappy that Dave & Bea were not there as JJ only picks up chips in a Bea free atmosphere. Baz aired his suspicion that JJ may have paid Dave more to stay away than Baz offered him to play...
Ultimately, Baz was relegated to the sidelines, where all he could do was hope and pray that JJ & Lee came acropper. Jules knocked him out (7th) with A10 against Baz's A5.
Baz didn't have long before he could start to relax: JJ re-raised Jules all in. Jules called with AQ and hit an Ace to overcome JJ's 10s. JJ went out (6th) to Barry's delight. JJ was stoical: "I'm a 2nd game specialist."
Suddenly, Jules was a monster, an impressive comeback from his early position with only 10 chips left.
IJ went all in with Q4 which Jules had to call with 75. Confirming IJ's run of terrible luck, Jules hit a 7 to knock him out (5th).
At this point details are sketchy as your blogger had to go visit his brother. The best the remaining players could do is as follows:
Jude (4th)
Jules (3rd)
Lee (2nd) - thinks he tripled up at one point.
Mark (1st)
Game over 23:38.
Well played Mark!
Game 2 – 7 players - (1st Lee, 2nd Mark, 3rd Julian)
While waiting for the smokers to finish up, the non-smokers player a few hands of open poker, demonstrating conclusively that shit hands always win. JJ was delighted as after years of derision, his strategy of backing shit hands is finally proven.
Play kicked off at 23:56, with the atmosphere tense. Only 4 points separated JJ & Baz and if JJ won and Baz didn't get any points, we will have a new table leader...
Lee built an early chip lead, wining a pile of chips off Dan, who's £2 re-raise cost him dear when his flush came up against Lee's full house.
Demonstrating his loss of concentration in perhaps the knowledge that his era was coming to a close, Baz amused himself playing the piano on his gayphone.
He then went all in with 4QK hearts on the flop. Dan called, flipping over AJ hearts and creating one of the tensest moments we have had at poker. With 2 cards to come, he had the best chance in a long time of pocketing the Royal Flush pot (minus the £8 Barry had accidentally pocketed). While Dan was not ultimately successful, Baz was truly beaten, his AK top pair no match for Dan's nut flush. Baz was knocked out (7th) leaving the field open for Lee or JJ to narrow the gap.
IJ went out next, going all in with KQ against JJ's KJ. Both had top pair on the flop and the only thing JJ could hit was one of 3 Js. True to IJ's recent form, he hit it knocking IJ out (6th).
There's now a bit of a gap in the details but Lee has supplied the following about the final 3:
The same 3 as in the first game.
Julian went out 3rd again.
This time when me and mark were heads up I had a lot more to play with.
Lasted about 20 mins and ended with me checking a flush I had hit on the flop allowing mark to go all in with top pair.
Game over.
So well done Lee: the net closes in on our beleaguered table leader. His safety net gone, one more week and Baz's reign might be over...
So Baz's lead at the top is now perilously thin. Still only 4 points ahead of JJ, who picked up no points this week, but now also only 6 points ahead of Lee, who is also making a late comeback. Although Barry enters December our table leader, the race is now well and truly wide open.
Meanwhile, as he frequently reminds me, Mark is making progress. His 8 points this week take him within 5 points of Sharon his closest rival. Knowing Sharon, she will not want to be overtaken with so few games left to play in 2008.
There was a late start to poker this week: despite the chips being laid out at 20:20, play didn't start until 20:50.
Excitement arrived shortly afterwards though, when Julian and Mark clashed with 10s & Qs. They ended up going all in and Mark hit trip Qs to double up and gain an early chip lead.
The night looked like it might only got better for Marky, when he casually suggested to Jude that they should shag in her new sauna. Sadly, Jude turned him down on the basis that "it would be too hot."
Late arrival IJ got mullered by Lee when his Ks were beaten by Lee's 10s which tripped up.
Jude & Sharon returned us all to the joys of last week's conversational highlights: the swimming instructor. Jude was upset because she didn't get a place swimming. However, do not fear: she is still letting the kids go, despite the poor quality of the aquatic tuition, because at the end of the day, she's getting a babysitter.
Having thoroughly discussed the babysitter/swimming instructor situation, Sharon exited first when her Qs came up against Jule's Ks. This time there was no tripping up and Sharon went out (9th).
A controversial mystery arose regarding last week's Royal Flush money. It did not arrive at the Youngs' this week and the Borehamwood Boys, who were heads up in last week's 2nd game, were not forthcoming about its whereabouts. JJ and Baz admitted talking about taking it and JJ was fairly sure that Barry took it, although he didn't actually see him pocket the cash. Baz denied everything, claiming he couldn't remember taking it. However, he revealed his true desperation when he wanted to call Dean as a witness. Under duress, Baz finally 'had to accept' that he took it and said he would refresh the pot next week but he still didn't think he took it.
Dan went all in with 8s, which got unlucky against JJ's J9. JJ hit a 9 and knocked Dan out (8th).
Despite the close proximity of JJ to him at the top of the table, Baz declared that he was totally chilled and not stressed at all about the 4 point gap. However, he did admit to being unhappy that Dave & Bea were not there as JJ only picks up chips in a Bea free atmosphere. Baz aired his suspicion that JJ may have paid Dave more to stay away than Baz offered him to play...
Ultimately, Baz was relegated to the sidelines, where all he could do was hope and pray that JJ & Lee came acropper. Jules knocked him out (7th) with A10 against Baz's A5.
Baz didn't have long before he could start to relax: JJ re-raised Jules all in. Jules called with AQ and hit an Ace to overcome JJ's 10s. JJ went out (6th) to Barry's delight. JJ was stoical: "I'm a 2nd game specialist."
Suddenly, Jules was a monster, an impressive comeback from his early position with only 10 chips left.
IJ went all in with Q4 which Jules had to call with 75. Confirming IJ's run of terrible luck, Jules hit a 7 to knock him out (5th).
At this point details are sketchy as your blogger had to go visit his brother. The best the remaining players could do is as follows:
Jude (4th)
Jules (3rd)
Lee (2nd) - thinks he tripled up at one point.
Mark (1st)
Game over 23:38.
Well played Mark!
Game 2 – 7 players - (1st Lee, 2nd Mark, 3rd Julian)
While waiting for the smokers to finish up, the non-smokers player a few hands of open poker, demonstrating conclusively that shit hands always win. JJ was delighted as after years of derision, his strategy of backing shit hands is finally proven.
Play kicked off at 23:56, with the atmosphere tense. Only 4 points separated JJ & Baz and if JJ won and Baz didn't get any points, we will have a new table leader...
Lee built an early chip lead, wining a pile of chips off Dan, who's £2 re-raise cost him dear when his flush came up against Lee's full house.
Demonstrating his loss of concentration in perhaps the knowledge that his era was coming to a close, Baz amused himself playing the piano on his gayphone.
He then went all in with 4QK hearts on the flop. Dan called, flipping over AJ hearts and creating one of the tensest moments we have had at poker. With 2 cards to come, he had the best chance in a long time of pocketing the Royal Flush pot (minus the £8 Barry had accidentally pocketed). While Dan was not ultimately successful, Baz was truly beaten, his AK top pair no match for Dan's nut flush. Baz was knocked out (7th) leaving the field open for Lee or JJ to narrow the gap.
IJ went out next, going all in with KQ against JJ's KJ. Both had top pair on the flop and the only thing JJ could hit was one of 3 Js. True to IJ's recent form, he hit it knocking IJ out (6th).
There's now a bit of a gap in the details but Lee has supplied the following about the final 3:
The same 3 as in the first game.
Julian went out 3rd again.
This time when me and mark were heads up I had a lot more to play with.
Lasted about 20 mins and ended with me checking a flush I had hit on the flop allowing mark to go all in with top pair.
Game over.
So well done Lee: the net closes in on our beleaguered table leader. His safety net gone, one more week and Baz's reign might be over...
So Baz's lead at the top is now perilously thin. Still only 4 points ahead of JJ, who picked up no points this week, but now also only 6 points ahead of Lee, who is also making a late comeback. Although Barry enters December our table leader, the race is now well and truly wide open.Meanwhile, as he frequently reminds me, Mark is making progress. His 8 points this week take him within 5 points of Sharon his closest rival. Knowing Sharon, she will not want to be overtaken with so few games left to play in 2008.
19 November 2008 (The Jaysons') "Charlie wastes Scott's gift but JJ has his sights set on the top"
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12 November 2008 (The Youngs') "JJ makes it 3 out of 4"
Game 1 – 7 players - (1st Shaz, 2nd JJ, 3rd Baz)
We were down to a mere 7 players for this weeks game due to the Jaysons finally moving into their new house. IJ didn't waste anytime losing chips, raising big when he was dealt pocket Ks in the first hand. Turned out he didn't bet big enough to scare off Baz, who had top pair (Qs) and ended up hitting 2 pair to take down a very juicy pot.
The first controversy of the evening strangely coincided with Dan's late arrival. He noticed a card on the floor and implied that it was IJ's doing. However, since Dan had been for a few drinks and was being more lively than usual, his claims weren't taken very seriously (are they ever?)
This incident however did provoke discussion about why Dan is always late? Is it a poker strategy to ensure that he has some chips left or a laziness strategy to ensure he never has to lift a finger to help set up? He defended himself saying he was in the pub, consuming aforementioned drinks, and then popped round to see how the Jaysons were getting on. This all begged the question: "Don't we play poker on Wednesday nights?" and if we do "why is Dan making all sorts of social calls instead?" I should also mention that there were some present who were convinced that he was waiting around outside for the last hour, as he does every week...
Mark got paid nicely with Aces, betting just the right amount (£6) to get a call out of JJ, who was feeling generous after his double win last week.
Sharon went all in (£10.75) with 5s, which IJ excitedly called with Aces. Baz called but then folded after IJ raised post flop. The same flop soon wiped the smile of IJ's face once the cards were shown: jammy Shaz had hit 1 of only two remaining 5s to make trips and double up. Sharon was rather pleased with herself and all players consoled IJ with the knowledge that had he gone all in pre-flop, Barry would have folded, saving £10.75. Every cloud...
If Barry was upset, he wasn't showing it. He hummed & whistled the new Girls Aloud tune all evening, at one point playing the original on his gay-phone.
A few hands after losing with Aces to Sharon, IJ received Aces again. JJ had gone all in and IJ again gleefully called. JJ turned over pocket 10s, once again needing to hit 1 of 2 cards, which he did, tripping up to knock IJ out (7th).
Losing twice with Aces to trips in one game may seem to be about as unlucky as it gets, but in our game, where nothing is taken as read without being extensively debated and argued, this fact was never going to be universally accepted.
The dispute came shortly after when Lee went all in with £7.25, which Dan & Mark called. They both professionally checked it down until the river, when Mark made a bet, which Dan folded. Lee had deuces, but the two pairs on the board gave Mark the pot and knocked him out (6th). What followed was a protracted argument between Lee (pissed off after being knocked out allegedly unluckily) and Dan (pissed after a couple of shandies in the pub). The gist of it was that Lee claimed he was unlucky to lose with 2s, while Dan said "He fucking wasn't." Dan was clearly inciting a sore Lee, under the influence, but even sober JJ agreed. Eventually, they agreed on "It was unlucky the way you lost" NOT "It was unlucky that you lost."
Spot the difference? No one else could but we were universally delighted that they'd shut up. Besides, does anyone think that Lee's defeat, unlucky or otherwise, was anywhere near as painful as IJ losing twice with pocket Aces??
JJ finally sent Dan, worn out from arguing, out of the game. JJ's 7s held up against Dan's K3, knocking Dan out (5th).
JJ then called Presty's bluff, re-raising all in after Mark raised a pile of each. Mark slouched off the pot.
All of a sudden J looked like a very strong contender for a third consecutive win, putting him in with a serious shot at retaining the title. Baz was looking wary, eager for a chance to knock his newest threat out of the race.
Sharon provided the opportunity, going all in, which both JJ & Baz called. After 6 8 J 2 7 came on the board, no one bet and Sharon won the pot with A5, tripling up at the Borehamwood cashpoint.
JJ edged ahead, knocking Mark out (4th), after he went all in with J5. JJ's AQ held up and turned him into a chip monster, sending shivers down Barry's spine.
Grabbing his last chance to recapture the initiative, Baz went all in with A10. Sharon called with KJ, as did JJ with A8. 10 2 K on the flop brought an all in from Shaz, who had top pair, which JJ sensibly folded. Sharon knocked Barry out (3rd) leaving him with no points, and only the hope that Shaz would be strong enough to extinguish JJ's newly discovered form.
Heads up started at 22:50 and was over in 17 minutes.
The last hand saw Shaz's Q10 turn into a glorious heart flush, to beat JJ's J6, which had hit a J.
Well done Sharon - your win has left JJ grasping a point but no third victory. But it also gave Barry breathing space for now...
Game 2 – 5 players - (1st JJ, 2nd Lee, 3rd Barry)
Barry demonstrated his skillful reading of Dan & JJ in the first hand of the second game, which started at 23:15. Dan had K9 "ever so slightly better than" JJ's K8, taking the hand, but Baz read them as if they were his favourite Dan Brown.
The 2 of them went at it again, this time Dan with A9 and J with 5s. JJ hit a full house to beat Dan's trips and double up, but Baz would have hit a straight and been mullered. If only we were playing hindsight poker.
There then followed a tea spillage incident, which placed a stain on the cloth, the blog notes and the chair, as well as on IJ's reputation. For all the inconvenience caused: a heartfelt apology.
Q J 3 5 A on the board brought an instant all in from Barry, perhaps pre-meditated. JJ was convinced that Baz had nothing but just couldn't call. Baz told us later that he had trip 3s. JJ claimed he was ahead pre-flop, so he probably had his usual shitty pocket pair.
Dan went all in with QK, which Lee called with 5s. Dan had given up on the hand and the game, but hit a K on the river to double up and battle on.
IJ put an end to his optimism, knocking Dan out (5th), 910 holding up against 5 7.
Lee doubled up at Barry's expense, a rare occurrence of AK holding up.
AK soon returned to its old form, enticing an all in from IJ. JJ called with 2 3 & hit 2 pair. IJ out (4th) Fucking AK.
The top 3 spots in the table battled it out for a while, Lee & JJ eager to gain some ground on Baz, who was desperate to hold on to his lead. JJ was fat with chips, while Baz was just fat, but he did manage to swiftly beat Lee down to an irrelevant pile.
Lee dug deep into his legendary reserves, doubling up with 8s against JJ's K6, but it was JJ who made the decisive move. He knocked Barry out (3rd) with A9 against A7, securing a heads up between 2nd & 3rd in the table.
It began at 23:40, with J's 2nd in the first game putting them on equal points (99), meaning a narrowing of Baz's lead to 8 points was the only guaranteed outcome.
They went for it in the first hand, JJ with K6 and Lee with 5 2. JJ won at 23:41, giving him his
third win in 4 games. JJ observed that it would have been 4 out of 4 if Sharon hadn't have hit that lucky heart to give her a flush in the first game.
Well done JJ - an awesome result, which puts you within 8 points of our revered table leader, who gets no burger and no points from his 2 thirds.
2008 Poker Rankings Table:
Barry's once mighty lead at the top of our table has been reduced to an imminently catchable 8 points, after 2 weeks of enviable results from last year's champion.
JJ has stormed ahead of Lee, who makes it into 3 figures, and has his Borehamwood buddy firmly in his sights.
December promises to be a nervous month for Barry.
Meanwhile, Sharon's first game success sees her gaining ground on Dave, who may need to put in some appearances before the end of the year if he is to remain ahead of her.
Conversation topics of the week:
Discussion topics covered Laura White's exit from the X Factor and the contestants in this year's I'm a Celebrity.
Think everything else of note has been covered...
ij
We were down to a mere 7 players for this weeks game due to the Jaysons finally moving into their new house. IJ didn't waste anytime losing chips, raising big when he was dealt pocket Ks in the first hand. Turned out he didn't bet big enough to scare off Baz, who had top pair (Qs) and ended up hitting 2 pair to take down a very juicy pot.
The first controversy of the evening strangely coincided with Dan's late arrival. He noticed a card on the floor and implied that it was IJ's doing. However, since Dan had been for a few drinks and was being more lively than usual, his claims weren't taken very seriously (are they ever?)
This incident however did provoke discussion about why Dan is always late? Is it a poker strategy to ensure that he has some chips left or a laziness strategy to ensure he never has to lift a finger to help set up? He defended himself saying he was in the pub, consuming aforementioned drinks, and then popped round to see how the Jaysons were getting on. This all begged the question: "Don't we play poker on Wednesday nights?" and if we do "why is Dan making all sorts of social calls instead?" I should also mention that there were some present who were convinced that he was waiting around outside for the last hour, as he does every week...
Mark got paid nicely with Aces, betting just the right amount (£6) to get a call out of JJ, who was feeling generous after his double win last week.
Sharon went all in (£10.75) with 5s, which IJ excitedly called with Aces. Baz called but then folded after IJ raised post flop. The same flop soon wiped the smile of IJ's face once the cards were shown: jammy Shaz had hit 1 of only two remaining 5s to make trips and double up. Sharon was rather pleased with herself and all players consoled IJ with the knowledge that had he gone all in pre-flop, Barry would have folded, saving £10.75. Every cloud...
If Barry was upset, he wasn't showing it. He hummed & whistled the new Girls Aloud tune all evening, at one point playing the original on his gay-phone.
A few hands after losing with Aces to Sharon, IJ received Aces again. JJ had gone all in and IJ again gleefully called. JJ turned over pocket 10s, once again needing to hit 1 of 2 cards, which he did, tripping up to knock IJ out (7th).
Losing twice with Aces to trips in one game may seem to be about as unlucky as it gets, but in our game, where nothing is taken as read without being extensively debated and argued, this fact was never going to be universally accepted.
The dispute came shortly after when Lee went all in with £7.25, which Dan & Mark called. They both professionally checked it down until the river, when Mark made a bet, which Dan folded. Lee had deuces, but the two pairs on the board gave Mark the pot and knocked him out (6th). What followed was a protracted argument between Lee (pissed off after being knocked out allegedly unluckily) and Dan (pissed after a couple of shandies in the pub). The gist of it was that Lee claimed he was unlucky to lose with 2s, while Dan said "He fucking wasn't." Dan was clearly inciting a sore Lee, under the influence, but even sober JJ agreed. Eventually, they agreed on "It was unlucky the way you lost" NOT "It was unlucky that you lost."
Spot the difference? No one else could but we were universally delighted that they'd shut up. Besides, does anyone think that Lee's defeat, unlucky or otherwise, was anywhere near as painful as IJ losing twice with pocket Aces??
JJ finally sent Dan, worn out from arguing, out of the game. JJ's 7s held up against Dan's K3, knocking Dan out (5th).
JJ then called Presty's bluff, re-raising all in after Mark raised a pile of each. Mark slouched off the pot.
All of a sudden J looked like a very strong contender for a third consecutive win, putting him in with a serious shot at retaining the title. Baz was looking wary, eager for a chance to knock his newest threat out of the race.
Sharon provided the opportunity, going all in, which both JJ & Baz called. After 6 8 J 2 7 came on the board, no one bet and Sharon won the pot with A5, tripling up at the Borehamwood cashpoint.
JJ edged ahead, knocking Mark out (4th), after he went all in with J5. JJ's AQ held up and turned him into a chip monster, sending shivers down Barry's spine.
Grabbing his last chance to recapture the initiative, Baz went all in with A10. Sharon called with KJ, as did JJ with A8. 10 2 K on the flop brought an all in from Shaz, who had top pair, which JJ sensibly folded. Sharon knocked Barry out (3rd) leaving him with no points, and only the hope that Shaz would be strong enough to extinguish JJ's newly discovered form.
Heads up started at 22:50 and was over in 17 minutes.
The last hand saw Shaz's Q10 turn into a glorious heart flush, to beat JJ's J6, which had hit a J.
Well done Sharon - your win has left JJ grasping a point but no third victory. But it also gave Barry breathing space for now...
Game 2 – 5 players - (1st JJ, 2nd Lee, 3rd Barry)
Barry demonstrated his skillful reading of Dan & JJ in the first hand of the second game, which started at 23:15. Dan had K9 "ever so slightly better than" JJ's K8, taking the hand, but Baz read them as if they were his favourite Dan Brown.
The 2 of them went at it again, this time Dan with A9 and J with 5s. JJ hit a full house to beat Dan's trips and double up, but Baz would have hit a straight and been mullered. If only we were playing hindsight poker.
There then followed a tea spillage incident, which placed a stain on the cloth, the blog notes and the chair, as well as on IJ's reputation. For all the inconvenience caused: a heartfelt apology.
Q J 3 5 A on the board brought an instant all in from Barry, perhaps pre-meditated. JJ was convinced that Baz had nothing but just couldn't call. Baz told us later that he had trip 3s. JJ claimed he was ahead pre-flop, so he probably had his usual shitty pocket pair.
Dan went all in with QK, which Lee called with 5s. Dan had given up on the hand and the game, but hit a K on the river to double up and battle on.
IJ put an end to his optimism, knocking Dan out (5th), 910 holding up against 5 7.
Lee doubled up at Barry's expense, a rare occurrence of AK holding up.
AK soon returned to its old form, enticing an all in from IJ. JJ called with 2 3 & hit 2 pair. IJ out (4th) Fucking AK.
The top 3 spots in the table battled it out for a while, Lee & JJ eager to gain some ground on Baz, who was desperate to hold on to his lead. JJ was fat with chips, while Baz was just fat, but he did manage to swiftly beat Lee down to an irrelevant pile.
Lee dug deep into his legendary reserves, doubling up with 8s against JJ's K6, but it was JJ who made the decisive move. He knocked Barry out (3rd) with A9 against A7, securing a heads up between 2nd & 3rd in the table.
It began at 23:40, with J's 2nd in the first game putting them on equal points (99), meaning a narrowing of Baz's lead to 8 points was the only guaranteed outcome.
They went for it in the first hand, JJ with K6 and Lee with 5 2. JJ won at 23:41, giving him his
third win in 4 games. JJ observed that it would have been 4 out of 4 if Sharon hadn't have hit that lucky heart to give her a flush in the first game.
Well done JJ - an awesome result, which puts you within 8 points of our revered table leader, who gets no burger and no points from his 2 thirds.
2008 Poker Rankings Table:
Barry's once mighty lead at the top of our table has been reduced to an imminently catchable 8 points, after 2 weeks of enviable results from last year's champion.JJ has stormed ahead of Lee, who makes it into 3 figures, and has his Borehamwood buddy firmly in his sights.
December promises to be a nervous month for Barry.
Meanwhile, Sharon's first game success sees her gaining ground on Dave, who may need to put in some appearances before the end of the year if he is to remain ahead of her.
Conversation topics of the week:
Discussion topics covered Laura White's exit from the X Factor and the contestants in this year's I'm a Celebrity.
Think everything else of note has been covered...
ij
5 November 2008 (The Jaysons') "JJ buys the burgers for Barry Obama after historic double win"
Game 1 – 9 players - (1st JJ, 2nd Lee, 3rd IJ)
Bonfire night poker action started at 20:40 minus Dave & Bea, who was terrified of the fireworks and couldn't be trusted not to run around and disturb the game (Bea that is, not Dave).
The first casualty of the night came on the 4th hand after one very bad decision from Dan: where to sit. He had arrived a few moments after play began & so took the seat that had not been a blind, saving himself 1 whole chip.
Pre flop, IJ just called, despite holding pocket Qs figuring that Sharon would inevitably raise. This she did, holding pocket 2s and Dan called with pocket Js.
6 Q J on the flop brought a raise from IJ of £3, a fold from Sharon and a re-raise of £3 from Dan, thinking his trip Js were good. IJ re-raised £3 again, knowing his trip Qs were ahead & Dan took the bait, going all in. IJ duly called and when the turn & the river brought no relief, Dan exited (9th).
Dan blamed his early exit on a false sense of security due to the lack of a pre-flop raise from IJ, but everyone else knew it was his foolish decision to take the seat with 25p more chips that ultimately cost him his whole stack. After threatening to go home, due to having to catch a relaxed mid-morning train to Bolton the next day, Dan went upstairs and watched the football.
It turned out that the seat decision wasn't critical, as the alternative chair was taken by the other latecomer, Mark, who soon joined Dan in the lounge.
With AA74 on the board Baz raised and Mark re-raised all in. Barry eagerly called, turning over A2 to give him trip Aces, destroying Mark's K7. Mark out (8th).
IJ wasted some of Dan's chips, committing the cardinal sin of giving them to Barry. 2 Qs came on the flop after some monster raises, followed by a check from IJ. Baz capitalised on IJ's display of weakness & went all in, despite having nothing but AJ. IJ folded his AK, which would have split the pot, scarred by the memory of what AK had done to him in previous weeks.
A split pot came to our table leader's rescue against Charlie. A47 on the flop produced some serious raises until they both went all in, revealing that they had the same hand, A8.
Unluckily for Charlie, his pocket 6s in a following hand, came up against JJ's pocket rockets, knocking Charlie out (7th).
AK punished IJ yet again, after Jude's pocket 9s tripped up to double up and decimate IJ's stack.
IJ then went all in blind, praying for a couple of hearts when 439 of hearts came on the flop. Baz re-raised Lee, who was not scared of Baz's bravado and went all in. After considering it for a while, he folded saying "His heart says one thing but his head says another."
Turned out it was all about heart: Lee turned over J6 of them, but miraculously, IJ turned over his unseen hand to display Q5 hearts, producing a higher flush out of nowhere. Would you believe it?
Barry had folded an Ace of hearts, but since no 4th heart came, it turned out that his head had been right. (A shechianu was said by all to mark such an auspicious first.) By the way, JJ was holding K of hearts. Unbelievable.
The two top places in our table clashed heads again, when Baz went all in with A8 hearts. Lee, holding deuces, told us that he knew Barry was going to go all in and he had told himself if he did, then he would have to call. So he called and it proved to be the right move. Lee hit a full house, knocking Barry out (6th).
With no points to further his table lead, Barry was consoled by Dean, who took him on a tour of the new house. Barry, amateur boxer and fanatical gym goer, insisted on driving the 200m journey. He was roundly condemned for his disgusting carbon footprint & the fact that he is a total lazy bastard.
Lee consolidated his position as chip leader, winning a monster hand against Jude. 7K2J was on the board and they both hand had been chucking their chips in like there was no tomorrow. Lee took the hand with a J, beating Jude's A2, but if a club had come on the river it would have been a very different story.
Lee didn't have time for hindsight, knocking Jude out on the next hand, when his AK spades hit an Ace to beat her 67 spades. Jude out (5th).
Sharon went all in with J6 and A7Q on the flop. JJ called with 57 and his pair of 7s held up to beat Sharon. She went out (4th) complaining that she had been 4th for about 4 bloody weeks now.
With 3 players left, Lee was the clear chip leader, with JJ second and IJ hanging on for dear life. JJ raised a pile of each pre-flop, which Lee called. IJ saw a chance to sneak 2nd when JJ went all in after KJ4 came on the flop but Lee folded it saying that it was the way JJ had said 'just' when counting out his all in that made him suspicious.
Sharon revealed her desire to reveal rather more of herself asking if anyone else got the urge to shout out what the cards are, when looking at a player's hand, once knocked out. She said it was like when you know you shouldn't do something but you really want to. She gave the example of how she often felt the urge to raise her top and flash her tits when she is out in the street.... Players agreed that it would be better if she flashed at the poker table, rather than calling out people's cards.
IJ claimed his tenner and little else after going all in with 10s. JJ called with Qs which held up knocking IJ out (3rd).
Heads up between 2nd and 4th in the table got going at 23:25, with JJ admitting that he wasn't very confident. In every hand they'd been up against each other so far, Lee had got the better of him and taken him off the pot.
Confounding his own pessimism, JJ turned it around taking the lead and then victory at 23:36 after Lee went all in with J3. JJ called with A10. Lee hit a J on the turn but JJ hit an Ace on the river to win the game. Lee said he'd had enough and so called with his J3, which gave JJ his first first game win in a long while. Well done JJ!
Game 2 – 6 players - (1st JJ, 2nd Charlie, 3rd Barry)
Our second game started at 23:49, with players returning from the Jaysons' almost completed new house full of excitement about the prospect of playing future games there. Acording to Barry, it will be a pleasure to go out early in the 1st game Chez Jayson as there are so many distractions there. Frankly, it is always a pleasure for the rest of us when Barry goes out early in any game.
Shortly after kick off, Dan won his first hand of the entire night at midnight.
Charlie & JJ went up against each other, with JJ gently 'carressing' Charlie's balls, evaluating their size and strength. With 2 3 4 on the flop, JJ re-raised Charlie, who called. When an Ace came on the turn, Charlie bet again but JJ squeezed hard, going all in, producing a squeal & a fold from Charlie. JJ smiled with satisfaction, as Banko d'Charlie was declared open again for business.
Baz got annoyed with Lee, who he accused of talking IJ out of calling his £3.50 raise. Dan pointed out that Lee was merely reminding IJ of the memo.
Charlie & JJ resumed their fondling, with JJ making a Jackson special £7.25 raise. With steam coming out of his ears, Charlie raised all in. His move was widely commended as the only response to JJ, and Charlie sat back and watched JJ squirm.
With 2 6 6 3 7 on the board, JJ had trip 6s and had to call. Charlie flipped over pocket 3s, giving him a full house. Redemption for Charlie, who's style of play and nervous hands combined to fool JJ into calling, although Charlie claimed it was his skillful fake procrastination.
JJ lost more chips, this time to Barry, who was chasing 2 pair and hit them on the river. Idiotic play from Baz, but it paid off.
In a monster hand, Charlie, Dan and Lee all went all in. With the stakes high, Barry raised them still higher, offering Charlie a tenner if he took them both out, as long as Barry won the game. Generous offer though it was, Charlie didn't take it. But he did win the hand, after both he & Dan hit trip Jacks, Dan with a K kicker, Charlie with an Ace. Trip Js fucked Dan for the 2nd time that night, devastating his chip stack and giving Charlie a very healthy pile.
Dan won some chips back off JJ, with 8QQ on the flop, he went all in with 10s, beating JJ's 4s.
JJ then saw action against Lee, who re-raised all in his pre-flop bet. JJ's Qs held up against Lee's AK (the cursed hand) to double JJ up and leave Lee with 3 red chips.
Lee went all in next hand with Q8, as did IJ with AJ. Baz called with J10 but IJ's hand held up, winning the pot and knocking Lee out (6th).
IJ then followed soon after going all in with KQ, only to be called by JJ with AQ, which held up. IJ out (5th).
Baz continues:
JJ continues:
Not sure where you left, but three-way it was me, Barry and Charlie. Barry had most of the chips and Charlie and I were fighting it out for 2nd.
Barry got fleeced repeatedly by both of us and ended up finishing 3rd.
Heads up, I won a few early hands to give me a decent lead before disaster (aka Charlie) struck.
I held top pair of Queens and Charlie had hit 2nd pair (6's). I trap checked and Charlie due went all-in. I called and was delighted when it turned out that our other cards were both 7s. I think you know what's coming. Charlie hit one of 2 outs on the river to make trip 6's.
Steaming big time, I still had a few chips and put them to good work surprisingly clawing back the lead with a series of difficult to call all-in bets.
The final hand saw my top pair against Charlie's 2nd pair, but this time it held up, bringing my first double win since President Barry's great idea to pay for my burgers. So it's Borehamwood burgers on me next week!
--------------------------------------
So well played JJ - a fantastic double win & a burger size increase to Barry's waistline!
2008 Poker Rankings Table:
JJ's first double win in years rockets him up to 3rd place in the table, steaming past Dan. Only his 2nd place in Game 1 preserves Lee's hold on the second spot, but JJ is challenging hard.
Barry is still 12 points clear and at least a week away from a serious challenge, but with less than 2 months to go, his grip on title is getting increasingly sweatier.
Conversation topics of the week:
This being the last ever game to be played at the Jaysons' temporary residence, there was lots of chat about the new house, which has taken a long time & a great deal of stress to finish.
Poker players were disturbed to learn about the antics of Jude's Grandpa who, aged 95, drowns squirrels and then disposes of their bodies in the refuse. 'I love Grandpa, he's very cute' Jude reasssured us. However, she admitted that when they were kids, they never dressed up as any fury animals, just in case...
Sharon and Jude bored us all silly with an inane discussion about some swimming instructor. They defended their right to discuss the matter as they had asked Mark and Charlie (who were sitting in between them) if they minded and they had said they didn't. 25 minutes later they regretted their politeness. To cut a very dull conversation short: the swimming instructor is shit
but he's convenient andthe kids might not learn to swim, but that's a price the working Mums are prepared to pay for their convenience. Maybe you'll understand if your married, cos I certainly don't.
Last week's debate about whether Charlie gets any respect at work was briefly reprised in the second game with Dan challenging Charlie to produce a single email from a person who respected him at work. Charlie politely declined.
Finally there was brief consideration of whether Barry's son was more or less likely to play for England than Barry was to become England's manager?
that's all for this week folks!
ij
Bonfire night poker action started at 20:40 minus Dave & Bea, who was terrified of the fireworks and couldn't be trusted not to run around and disturb the game (Bea that is, not Dave).
The first casualty of the night came on the 4th hand after one very bad decision from Dan: where to sit. He had arrived a few moments after play began & so took the seat that had not been a blind, saving himself 1 whole chip.
Pre flop, IJ just called, despite holding pocket Qs figuring that Sharon would inevitably raise. This she did, holding pocket 2s and Dan called with pocket Js.
6 Q J on the flop brought a raise from IJ of £3, a fold from Sharon and a re-raise of £3 from Dan, thinking his trip Js were good. IJ re-raised £3 again, knowing his trip Qs were ahead & Dan took the bait, going all in. IJ duly called and when the turn & the river brought no relief, Dan exited (9th).
Dan blamed his early exit on a false sense of security due to the lack of a pre-flop raise from IJ, but everyone else knew it was his foolish decision to take the seat with 25p more chips that ultimately cost him his whole stack. After threatening to go home, due to having to catch a relaxed mid-morning train to Bolton the next day, Dan went upstairs and watched the football.
It turned out that the seat decision wasn't critical, as the alternative chair was taken by the other latecomer, Mark, who soon joined Dan in the lounge.
With AA74 on the board Baz raised and Mark re-raised all in. Barry eagerly called, turning over A2 to give him trip Aces, destroying Mark's K7. Mark out (8th).
IJ wasted some of Dan's chips, committing the cardinal sin of giving them to Barry. 2 Qs came on the flop after some monster raises, followed by a check from IJ. Baz capitalised on IJ's display of weakness & went all in, despite having nothing but AJ. IJ folded his AK, which would have split the pot, scarred by the memory of what AK had done to him in previous weeks.
A split pot came to our table leader's rescue against Charlie. A47 on the flop produced some serious raises until they both went all in, revealing that they had the same hand, A8.
Unluckily for Charlie, his pocket 6s in a following hand, came up against JJ's pocket rockets, knocking Charlie out (7th).
AK punished IJ yet again, after Jude's pocket 9s tripped up to double up and decimate IJ's stack.
IJ then went all in blind, praying for a couple of hearts when 439 of hearts came on the flop. Baz re-raised Lee, who was not scared of Baz's bravado and went all in. After considering it for a while, he folded saying "His heart says one thing but his head says another."
Turned out it was all about heart: Lee turned over J6 of them, but miraculously, IJ turned over his unseen hand to display Q5 hearts, producing a higher flush out of nowhere. Would you believe it?
Barry had folded an Ace of hearts, but since no 4th heart came, it turned out that his head had been right. (A shechianu was said by all to mark such an auspicious first.) By the way, JJ was holding K of hearts. Unbelievable.
The two top places in our table clashed heads again, when Baz went all in with A8 hearts. Lee, holding deuces, told us that he knew Barry was going to go all in and he had told himself if he did, then he would have to call. So he called and it proved to be the right move. Lee hit a full house, knocking Barry out (6th).
With no points to further his table lead, Barry was consoled by Dean, who took him on a tour of the new house. Barry, amateur boxer and fanatical gym goer, insisted on driving the 200m journey. He was roundly condemned for his disgusting carbon footprint & the fact that he is a total lazy bastard.
Lee consolidated his position as chip leader, winning a monster hand against Jude. 7K2J was on the board and they both hand had been chucking their chips in like there was no tomorrow. Lee took the hand with a J, beating Jude's A2, but if a club had come on the river it would have been a very different story.
Lee didn't have time for hindsight, knocking Jude out on the next hand, when his AK spades hit an Ace to beat her 67 spades. Jude out (5th).
Sharon went all in with J6 and A7Q on the flop. JJ called with 57 and his pair of 7s held up to beat Sharon. She went out (4th) complaining that she had been 4th for about 4 bloody weeks now.
With 3 players left, Lee was the clear chip leader, with JJ second and IJ hanging on for dear life. JJ raised a pile of each pre-flop, which Lee called. IJ saw a chance to sneak 2nd when JJ went all in after KJ4 came on the flop but Lee folded it saying that it was the way JJ had said 'just' when counting out his all in that made him suspicious.
Sharon revealed her desire to reveal rather more of herself asking if anyone else got the urge to shout out what the cards are, when looking at a player's hand, once knocked out. She said it was like when you know you shouldn't do something but you really want to. She gave the example of how she often felt the urge to raise her top and flash her tits when she is out in the street.... Players agreed that it would be better if she flashed at the poker table, rather than calling out people's cards.
IJ claimed his tenner and little else after going all in with 10s. JJ called with Qs which held up knocking IJ out (3rd).
Heads up between 2nd and 4th in the table got going at 23:25, with JJ admitting that he wasn't very confident. In every hand they'd been up against each other so far, Lee had got the better of him and taken him off the pot.
Confounding his own pessimism, JJ turned it around taking the lead and then victory at 23:36 after Lee went all in with J3. JJ called with A10. Lee hit a J on the turn but JJ hit an Ace on the river to win the game. Lee said he'd had enough and so called with his J3, which gave JJ his first first game win in a long while. Well done JJ!
Game 2 – 6 players - (1st JJ, 2nd Charlie, 3rd Barry)
Our second game started at 23:49, with players returning from the Jaysons' almost completed new house full of excitement about the prospect of playing future games there. Acording to Barry, it will be a pleasure to go out early in the 1st game Chez Jayson as there are so many distractions there. Frankly, it is always a pleasure for the rest of us when Barry goes out early in any game.
Shortly after kick off, Dan won his first hand of the entire night at midnight.
Charlie & JJ went up against each other, with JJ gently 'carressing' Charlie's balls, evaluating their size and strength. With 2 3 4 on the flop, JJ re-raised Charlie, who called. When an Ace came on the turn, Charlie bet again but JJ squeezed hard, going all in, producing a squeal & a fold from Charlie. JJ smiled with satisfaction, as Banko d'Charlie was declared open again for business.
Baz got annoyed with Lee, who he accused of talking IJ out of calling his £3.50 raise. Dan pointed out that Lee was merely reminding IJ of the memo.
Charlie & JJ resumed their fondling, with JJ making a Jackson special £7.25 raise. With steam coming out of his ears, Charlie raised all in. His move was widely commended as the only response to JJ, and Charlie sat back and watched JJ squirm.
With 2 6 6 3 7 on the board, JJ had trip 6s and had to call. Charlie flipped over pocket 3s, giving him a full house. Redemption for Charlie, who's style of play and nervous hands combined to fool JJ into calling, although Charlie claimed it was his skillful fake procrastination.
JJ lost more chips, this time to Barry, who was chasing 2 pair and hit them on the river. Idiotic play from Baz, but it paid off.
In a monster hand, Charlie, Dan and Lee all went all in. With the stakes high, Barry raised them still higher, offering Charlie a tenner if he took them both out, as long as Barry won the game. Generous offer though it was, Charlie didn't take it. But he did win the hand, after both he & Dan hit trip Jacks, Dan with a K kicker, Charlie with an Ace. Trip Js fucked Dan for the 2nd time that night, devastating his chip stack and giving Charlie a very healthy pile.
Dan won some chips back off JJ, with 8QQ on the flop, he went all in with 10s, beating JJ's 4s.
JJ then saw action against Lee, who re-raised all in his pre-flop bet. JJ's Qs held up against Lee's AK (the cursed hand) to double JJ up and leave Lee with 3 red chips.
Lee went all in next hand with Q8, as did IJ with AJ. Baz called with J10 but IJ's hand held up, winning the pot and knocking Lee out (6th).
IJ then followed soon after going all in with KQ, only to be called by JJ with AQ, which held up. IJ out (5th).
Baz continues:
dan was all in with AQ (1 big blind raise) - I called with J7 and hit 2 pair - Dan out in 4th
I was out in 3rd with J4 to Charlies J10 after a J on the flop gave us both a pair. Charlie went on to hit a straight. Baz out in 3rd
JJ continues:
Not sure where you left, but three-way it was me, Barry and Charlie. Barry had most of the chips and Charlie and I were fighting it out for 2nd.
Barry got fleeced repeatedly by both of us and ended up finishing 3rd.
Heads up, I won a few early hands to give me a decent lead before disaster (aka Charlie) struck.
I held top pair of Queens and Charlie had hit 2nd pair (6's). I trap checked and Charlie due went all-in. I called and was delighted when it turned out that our other cards were both 7s. I think you know what's coming. Charlie hit one of 2 outs on the river to make trip 6's.
Steaming big time, I still had a few chips and put them to good work surprisingly clawing back the lead with a series of difficult to call all-in bets.
The final hand saw my top pair against Charlie's 2nd pair, but this time it held up, bringing my first double win since President Barry's great idea to pay for my burgers. So it's Borehamwood burgers on me next week!
--------------------------------------
So well played JJ - a fantastic double win & a burger size increase to Barry's waistline!
2008 Poker Rankings Table:
JJ's first double win in years rockets him up to 3rd place in the table, steaming past Dan. Only his 2nd place in Game 1 preserves Lee's hold on the second spot, but JJ is challenging hard.Barry is still 12 points clear and at least a week away from a serious challenge, but with less than 2 months to go, his grip on title is getting increasingly sweatier.
Conversation topics of the week:
This being the last ever game to be played at the Jaysons' temporary residence, there was lots of chat about the new house, which has taken a long time & a great deal of stress to finish.
Poker players were disturbed to learn about the antics of Jude's Grandpa who, aged 95, drowns squirrels and then disposes of their bodies in the refuse. 'I love Grandpa, he's very cute' Jude reasssured us. However, she admitted that when they were kids, they never dressed up as any fury animals, just in case...
Sharon and Jude bored us all silly with an inane discussion about some swimming instructor. They defended their right to discuss the matter as they had asked Mark and Charlie (who were sitting in between them) if they minded and they had said they didn't. 25 minutes later they regretted their politeness. To cut a very dull conversation short: the swimming instructor is shit
but he's convenient andthe kids might not learn to swim, but that's a price the working Mums are prepared to pay for their convenience. Maybe you'll understand if your married, cos I certainly don't.
Last week's debate about whether Charlie gets any respect at work was briefly reprised in the second game with Dan challenging Charlie to produce a single email from a person who respected him at work. Charlie politely declined.
Finally there was brief consideration of whether Barry's son was more or less likely to play for England than Barry was to become England's manager?
that's all for this week folks!
ij
29 October 2008 (The Youngs') "Unlike the Gooners, Baz holds onto his lead"
Game 1 – 10 players - (1st Jude, 2nd Dan, 3rd JJ)
The evening was looking like it could prove an expensive one for Dave even before play started at 20:32. Frustrated by her protective neck funnel, Bea managed to steal a £20 note, escaping into the lounge to munch on it at her leisure. Luckily for us, Dave rescued it before it was no longer legal tender.
Shaz was in her usual aggressive form, getting her chips in the mix early on in a hand against Dave. His 2 3 had given him 2 pair on the flop, but Sharon's A7 hit a better 2 pair on the turn. Somehow the 2 of them avoided chucking all their chips in the middle, which was lucky for Shaz as Dave had hit a full house on the river.
Sharon won some chips back, doubling up at Charlie's expense, who went all in on the river representing a flush. It was poorly timed performance from Charles, as Sharon had hit the nut flush.
Charlie was comforted by Bea, who seemed to have taken a real liking to him. She jumped onto Dan's empty seat, next to Charlie, whenever she could & played with him until Dave shooed her off the table. She was very excitable all evening and kept on interrupting the game, leading Dave to speculate as to whether he could still come to poker in future. This could be a hasty conclusion, as she should be better behaved once her stitches are gone and she can get a bit more exercise. If not, she'll just have to learn how to deal...
Dave got a hand going with a £2 pre-flop raise, which Charlie re-raised all in, an extra £4.25. Sharon called and Dave folded. It looked close, with Chaz holding A10 and Shaz holding AJ, but Sharon hit another nut flush, to knock Charlie out (10th).
IJ swiftly followed, re-raising JJ's £6 raise all in with trip 6s. JJ called with top pair and a flush draw and the jammy bastard hit the flush, to knock IJ out (9th).
Dan got revenge for IJ, doubling up against JJ in an incredible lucky escape, his 2 10s hitting one of only 2 possible cards to beat JJ's pocket Aces.
Dave exited next (8th) when his 5s fell victim to Sharon's AQ, which hit an Ace.
Sharon took Mark out next, her AK holding up against his A9. Mark out (7th).
Barry didn't last much longer, his compulsory all in with 6 7, losing to K9. Unfortunately, he hasn't recorded who beat him, but he was out (6th).
Lee trap checked Dan, his 5 6 hitting 2 pair to Dan's A6, 1 pair. The move backfired for Lee though, as Dan remained in the hand and hit an Ace, knocking Lee out (5th) with a higher 2 pair.
Jude quietly became a monster chip leader, doubling up against Sharon when her A9 hearts hit a nut flush to beat Shaz's 5s.
In a monster hand, Dan propelled himself into a heads up race against Jude.
Sharon went all in (8s).
JJ went all in with A10 (£2.50 raise).
Dan considered it for a while until calling with J9 ("It's a value bet.")
J9K2K arrived on the board, giving Dan 2 pair and knocking both Shaz & JJ out. It was quickly established that Sharon was 4th and JJ 3rd, but this didn't stop Sharon protesting, as she had a better hand than JJ. it was pointed out to her that this was irrelevant, as she had less chips than J and could not have knocked him out. Sharon was still not happy about the fact that JJ's £2.50 of chips won him a tenner. JJ was philosophical: "I suppose I should be pleased with third."
Dan, who had the worst hand, went into heads up at 22:52 well behind Jude.
The action only lasted 8 mins, Jude winning the final hand with A6 against Dan's loose K4, all in. Jude hit trip Aces to take a well deserved victory at 23:00.
Well done Jude!
Game 2 – 7 players - (1st Charlie, 2nd Dan, 3rd Lee)
Barry got Charlie's second game off to a great start when the second game kicked off at 23:05. He couldn't lay down his trips, despite being sure Charlie had him beat. Charlie had hit a straight and collected a large chip stack, declaring that he no longer needed to play any more hands for a while and would sit back and wait for the other players to knock each other out.
He didn't keep his promise for long, betting big against JJ, to increase his chip lead.
An unstoppable whirlwind, Charlie put his first pair of Aces of the game to good use, going all in against JJ, who called with KQ. Chaz's Aces tripped up, knocking JJ out (7th).
There was some discussion about how Lee copes with his wife's constant moaning. She had spent most of the first game complaining about when was he going to take the succah down. "Welcome to my life" was all Lee could say to the other boys. Charlie sympathised saying that it was hard for him too coming home to get told what to do, after getting respect all day at work. Dan observed "I find it hard to believe that you get respect at work."
This led to some conversation about how great Barry's job would be if he was a Durex Analyst, instead of a lowly Murex Analyst. Baz shared his fantasy with us all, involving him testing out condoms on nubile young virgins (women not men, apparently). He could even provide reassurance that he would never take a sicky...
Having told us all that, Barry went all in with KJ (£3) which Mark called with A3. Mark hit an Ace to send Barry and his fantasies home (6th) without a single point from the evening, keeping the door ajar on the title race. Sitting behind an enormous chip mountain, Charlie cruelly thanked Barry for sparing him a big blind. Baz was gracious, saying Charlie was welcome, as long as he won, preventing Dan or Lee from closing the gap.
With both Borehamwood boys gone, the remaining players settled in to enjoy the game.
Charlie consolidated his chip lead, putting his second pair of Aces to good use. IJ went all in with 8s. Mark called with J8 suited but Charlie's Aces held up, knocking Mark out (5th) and IJ (4th).
Backup blogger Dan continues:
2008 Poker Rankings Table:
With no points for Barry or Lee this week, there is no movement in our top 2 spots. Dan's 2 second places drags him back into the race, only 4 points behind Lee, but Barry is still sitting pretty on a 14 point lead.
Elsewhere, Jude and Charlie's wins take them above Dean, but still some way from Mark and Sharon.
Conversation topics of the week:
Most of the attention for the early part of the evening was not on the conversation or the poker but on the spectacular North London derby which Spurs won, thrashing Arsenal 4 all.
There was some early chat about the week's surprise snowfall, which stopped Charlie from getting out of his drive, IJ getting into his car and Jude opening her dustbin.
Dave raised the Russell Brand/Jonathan Ross controversy, stridently stating his disgust at how they cold upset a 78 year old grandfather. Everyone else felt that the whole thing was overblown, but the best remark came from Sharon who suspected that it was all a publicity stunt by the Satanic Sluts.
Jayson family update: Jude informed us that in a move worthy of the great Judas himself, Sol Campbell, Jonah has decided to dump Spurs and support Arsenal. Meanwhile, Asher dresses up as a girl....
Jokes & news of the week:
Thanks to Dave for this:
The RSPCA have acted swiftly after last night. If you see any Arsenal fans walking a dog please call the RSPCA hotline immediately on 4-2 4-3 4-4 as they are not very good at holding on to leads!
These are the 2 you tube videos I was going on about last week - well worth viewing, especially the Ben Afleck one:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=j_pFTAY7MF8&feature=related
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YXI5IMcy2eE&feature=related
that's all folks!
ij
The evening was looking like it could prove an expensive one for Dave even before play started at 20:32. Frustrated by her protective neck funnel, Bea managed to steal a £20 note, escaping into the lounge to munch on it at her leisure. Luckily for us, Dave rescued it before it was no longer legal tender.
Shaz was in her usual aggressive form, getting her chips in the mix early on in a hand against Dave. His 2 3 had given him 2 pair on the flop, but Sharon's A7 hit a better 2 pair on the turn. Somehow the 2 of them avoided chucking all their chips in the middle, which was lucky for Shaz as Dave had hit a full house on the river.
Sharon won some chips back, doubling up at Charlie's expense, who went all in on the river representing a flush. It was poorly timed performance from Charles, as Sharon had hit the nut flush.
Charlie was comforted by Bea, who seemed to have taken a real liking to him. She jumped onto Dan's empty seat, next to Charlie, whenever she could & played with him until Dave shooed her off the table. She was very excitable all evening and kept on interrupting the game, leading Dave to speculate as to whether he could still come to poker in future. This could be a hasty conclusion, as she should be better behaved once her stitches are gone and she can get a bit more exercise. If not, she'll just have to learn how to deal...
Dave got a hand going with a £2 pre-flop raise, which Charlie re-raised all in, an extra £4.25. Sharon called and Dave folded. It looked close, with Chaz holding A10 and Shaz holding AJ, but Sharon hit another nut flush, to knock Charlie out (10th).
IJ swiftly followed, re-raising JJ's £6 raise all in with trip 6s. JJ called with top pair and a flush draw and the jammy bastard hit the flush, to knock IJ out (9th).
Dan got revenge for IJ, doubling up against JJ in an incredible lucky escape, his 2 10s hitting one of only 2 possible cards to beat JJ's pocket Aces.
Dave exited next (8th) when his 5s fell victim to Sharon's AQ, which hit an Ace.
Sharon took Mark out next, her AK holding up against his A9. Mark out (7th).
Barry didn't last much longer, his compulsory all in with 6 7, losing to K9. Unfortunately, he hasn't recorded who beat him, but he was out (6th).
Lee trap checked Dan, his 5 6 hitting 2 pair to Dan's A6, 1 pair. The move backfired for Lee though, as Dan remained in the hand and hit an Ace, knocking Lee out (5th) with a higher 2 pair.
Jude quietly became a monster chip leader, doubling up against Sharon when her A9 hearts hit a nut flush to beat Shaz's 5s.
In a monster hand, Dan propelled himself into a heads up race against Jude.
Sharon went all in (8s).
JJ went all in with A10 (£2.50 raise).
Dan considered it for a while until calling with J9 ("It's a value bet.")
J9K2K arrived on the board, giving Dan 2 pair and knocking both Shaz & JJ out. It was quickly established that Sharon was 4th and JJ 3rd, but this didn't stop Sharon protesting, as she had a better hand than JJ. it was pointed out to her that this was irrelevant, as she had less chips than J and could not have knocked him out. Sharon was still not happy about the fact that JJ's £2.50 of chips won him a tenner. JJ was philosophical: "I suppose I should be pleased with third."
Dan, who had the worst hand, went into heads up at 22:52 well behind Jude.
The action only lasted 8 mins, Jude winning the final hand with A6 against Dan's loose K4, all in. Jude hit trip Aces to take a well deserved victory at 23:00.
Well done Jude!
Game 2 – 7 players - (1st Charlie, 2nd Dan, 3rd Lee)
Barry got Charlie's second game off to a great start when the second game kicked off at 23:05. He couldn't lay down his trips, despite being sure Charlie had him beat. Charlie had hit a straight and collected a large chip stack, declaring that he no longer needed to play any more hands for a while and would sit back and wait for the other players to knock each other out.
He didn't keep his promise for long, betting big against JJ, to increase his chip lead.
An unstoppable whirlwind, Charlie put his first pair of Aces of the game to good use, going all in against JJ, who called with KQ. Chaz's Aces tripped up, knocking JJ out (7th).
There was some discussion about how Lee copes with his wife's constant moaning. She had spent most of the first game complaining about when was he going to take the succah down. "Welcome to my life" was all Lee could say to the other boys. Charlie sympathised saying that it was hard for him too coming home to get told what to do, after getting respect all day at work. Dan observed "I find it hard to believe that you get respect at work."
This led to some conversation about how great Barry's job would be if he was a Durex Analyst, instead of a lowly Murex Analyst. Baz shared his fantasy with us all, involving him testing out condoms on nubile young virgins (women not men, apparently). He could even provide reassurance that he would never take a sicky...
Having told us all that, Barry went all in with KJ (£3) which Mark called with A3. Mark hit an Ace to send Barry and his fantasies home (6th) without a single point from the evening, keeping the door ajar on the title race. Sitting behind an enormous chip mountain, Charlie cruelly thanked Barry for sparing him a big blind. Baz was gracious, saying Charlie was welcome, as long as he won, preventing Dan or Lee from closing the gap.
With both Borehamwood boys gone, the remaining players settled in to enjoy the game.
Charlie consolidated his chip lead, putting his second pair of Aces to good use. IJ went all in with 8s. Mark called with J8 suited but Charlie's Aces held up, knocking Mark out (5th) and IJ (4th).
Backup blogger Dan continues:
Lee 3rd when his low pair was beaten by the 4th club on the board to hit on the river flushing up Charlie’s lonely King.
Heads up lasted about 10 minutes
Charlie was a massive leader going in and although Dan clawed his way back to about 40% of the chips a couple of key hands almost saw him off before he was forced to go all in with 45 off suit which got what it deserved.
Well done Charlie – game over by 1am.
2008 Poker Rankings Table:
With no points for Barry or Lee this week, there is no movement in our top 2 spots. Dan's 2 second places drags him back into the race, only 4 points behind Lee, but Barry is still sitting pretty on a 14 point lead.
Elsewhere, Jude and Charlie's wins take them above Dean, but still some way from Mark and Sharon.
Conversation topics of the week:
Most of the attention for the early part of the evening was not on the conversation or the poker but on the spectacular North London derby which Spurs won, thrashing Arsenal 4 all.
There was some early chat about the week's surprise snowfall, which stopped Charlie from getting out of his drive, IJ getting into his car and Jude opening her dustbin.
Dave raised the Russell Brand/Jonathan Ross controversy, stridently stating his disgust at how they cold upset a 78 year old grandfather. Everyone else felt that the whole thing was overblown, but the best remark came from Sharon who suspected that it was all a publicity stunt by the Satanic Sluts.
Jayson family update: Jude informed us that in a move worthy of the great Judas himself, Sol Campbell, Jonah has decided to dump Spurs and support Arsenal. Meanwhile, Asher dresses up as a girl....
Jokes & news of the week:
Thanks to Dave for this:
The RSPCA have acted swiftly after last night. If you see any Arsenal fans walking a dog please call the RSPCA hotline immediately on 4-2 4-3 4-4 as they are not very good at holding on to leads!
These are the 2 you tube videos I was going on about last week - well worth viewing, especially the Ben Afleck one:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=j_pFTAY7MF8&feature=related
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YXI5IMcy2eE&feature=related
that's all folks!
ij
22 October 2008 (The Youngs') "Stupid Fucking Memo"
Game 1 – 8 players - (1st Barry, 2nd JJ, 3rd Shaz)
As play kicked off at 20:35, there was a quick check around the table to be certain that everyone had got the memo: no one was to give any chips to Barry. His memo read slightly differently: 'lose'.
Barry claimed to have suffered a bout of temporary amnesia, supposedly not remembering his victory last week, asking innocently who won last week's first game? Nobody fell for it & it only served to ensure efforts were re-doubled to prevent him winning yet more points.
IJ highlighted the fact that he had learnt nothing from the hiding that he had received with AK last week. He bet big against Mark (his adversary from the last game) but came a cropper when Mark's A10 hit 2 pair, handing over a healthy pile of chips and starting him on the swift road to destruction.
JJ was back to his old tricks, re-raising with 4 5. The shocker was that he was actually ahead, winning chips from Lew.
Sharon showed us all her rebellious streak, defying the rule banning the singing (or humming) of 'You raise me up." Despite the rule being a longstanding one, Sharon insisted that since there was never a vote on any such rule, it must be invalid. She didn't even care that should someone put the rule to a vote, it would inevitably get passed. Baz helpfully pointed out that even if it was voted on, it would still be broken.
At this point, Shaz had had enough & was starting to feel picked on by IJ. He was being really mean about her rule breaking, despite her showing how nice she is by not making the tea round until he arrived. She declared that she would not forget his meanness, but she might be able to forgive him, should she get a good write up in the blog. So, the challenge is on...
Shaz & Marky then ensured that IJ's rudeness did not go unpunished. With few chips left, he went all in blind (3 9) and was knocked out (8th) by both of them hitting 2 pair, Marky with the better one.
The two of them were at it again shortly afterwards, fighting over a monster pot, raising & re-raising like their lives depended on it. Sharon's pocket Ks had trippled up, which Lee said he knew immediately from the glint in her eye. Mark wasn't so wise, reluctantly calling with AK, pair of Ks. Everyone agreed that it would have been impossible to get away from the hand but once again Big Slick cost a lot of chips. Marky's chip stack was decimated, while Sharon was sitting pretty on a well deserved massive pile, every one of which was earned by her superior playing skills.
Lee knocked Lew out, calling his all in with QK, which held up against Lew's K5. Lew out (7th).
Discussion briefly turned towards consideration of whether Dan is the nearest thing we have to Dave. The evidence presented included his storming out last week, only to have to come back sheepishly as he had forgotten something. What about JJ? He has responded to bad beats in a violent and unpredictable manner in the past, whereas Dan is more of a walker outer.
Mark, unable to shake off the red mist of tiltdom, went all in with J7, which was dominated by Barry's AJ. The better hand held up, knocking Mark out (6th) and handing Barry more chips, in flagrant disregard of the memo's specific instructions.
Lee, who as current runner up in the table, should have known better, also ignored the memo. He went all in with AK, despite the bad luck dripping from that evil hand. Barry's pocket Js tripled up to claim yet more chips.
As ever, Lee was not to be written off and somehow magicked up his usual pocket Ks on demand. Dan called with pocket 3s, doubling Lee up.
Lee then continued his regular weekly routine of clawing his way back into the game, knocking Dan out (5th), A7 against 2 3.
Despite the demands of his day job & a High Court action, it turned out that Lee had read the memo: he went all in with Qs, and took a dent out of Barry who called with A10.
Addicted to action, Lee went all in again, falling for the curse of AK. JJ called with 2s (a good hand for J) and consistent as ever, AK cost Lee almost all his chips.
Down to 6 chips, our relentless fighter went all in with AJ. His delightful wife called with 3s, which held up, knocking Lee out (4th).
Keen to capitalise on the antipathy against him, Barry raised a pile of each with Qs. Our very own Wonder Woman displayed her assured poker style, re-raising all in, with AJ. Barry called and to universal disappointment, his hand held up.
The wise and ever resourceful Sharon went all in with J9. JJ foolishly called with the deceitful AK. Sadly for Sharon, AK won a hand the first time that evening, knocking her out (3rd). Third place doesn't do justice to her performance, a classic demonstration of the guts and glory, that have become her trademark. Perhaps we should propose paying third place in an 8 player game, when Sharon comes third?
The first Borehamwood Heads Up in as long as anyone cared to remember started at 23:29. JJ looked like he might save the table from an Isaacson landslide, going all in with Q7, well ahead of Barry's Q6. The board rescued Barry, splitting the pot to loud protests from all.
The narrow escape was the spur he needed and despite a tremendous fight from JJ, Baz was not to be beaten. JJ tried his luck with deuces, but Barry did a Lee and pulled out pocket Ks, to double up and take the lead.
A split pot then came to JJ's rescue, his A6 totally dominated by Bruiser Baz's A10, but it was only delaying the inevitable.
In the final hand, JJ went all in with 8J, which Barry called with 9s. J's hit a J, to give us all hope, but Barry hit a sneaky flush, to take victory at 23:45.
Well played Baz - your 2nd win in 2 weeks has cemented your grip on the top spot and set a very high bar for the chasing players.
Stupid fucking memo.
Game 2 – 7 players - (1st Lee, 2nd JJ, 3rd Mark)
Second game kicked off at 23:52 with Dan proposing the question: "Is there any point in Dan playing a 2nd game?" Opinion was divided between those who thought there was no point in Dan playing a second game & those who thought there was no point in Dan playing either game.
Determined to go out first in both games & prove his own poker worthlessness, IJ told Lee he intended to give him loads of chips. When his AJ hit top pair he duly did give Lee a healthy stack, because Lee's AQ had hit 2 pair.
Last week's chat about how gay Barry's iphone continued during the second game. With its vanity mirror function & girly ring tune, many players were of the view that it is indeed the gayest item ever purchased.
Lee's ipod added to the homosexual tone of the evening, belting out gay hit after gay hit. Lee seemed to take perverse pleasure in pointing them out to us. He even suggested that he could just imagine two blokes rogering each other to one track. None of the other players had such a fertile imagination though...
IJ got royally fucked by Lew, who hit a flush on the river, beating IJ's straight.
IJ then completed his 2nd early exit of the night, re-raising all in (£2.25) with 10s, after JJ raised £6 with Qs and Lew called. JJ's Qs held up knocking IJ out (7th).
"It's been a good night" he said.
"Don't lie" Lee replied.
Thanks to alternative blogger Dan for this update:
In a slightly controversial hand the blinds had been put in incorrectly and there was some argument about whether the hand could continue or we should re-start it.
I had raised two piles of big. JJ thought he had folded having not cost any money and Barry folded what he thought was small blind and Lewis was about to fold what he thought was his big blind.
Actually it was JJ who was small and Barry who was big and Lewis who was first to act.
Mark was 3rd
2008 Poker Rankings Table:
So Barry's 2nd victory in 2 weeks ensures he continues to dominate the table. Only Lee's 2nd game win keeps Baz to an impressive 14 point lead. With less than 10 weeks left of the season, Lee, Dan & JJ have some serious work to do to prevent Barry from getting his grubby hands on the title, that he has wanted for 3 years now.
Conversation topics of the week:
Match Attack has made an unwelcome return to our poker game. The new footie season is well under way and the boys have started collecting cards, on behalf of their sons. Wary of what is to come over the next few months, Shaz bans all conversation about Match Attack & any bringing of the evil cards to poker. "Save it for your children" she advised.
There was some debate as to whether the South African smarties that Sharon bought in Yarden could really be kosher. Dan was not convinced.
That's all for this week folks.
ij
As play kicked off at 20:35, there was a quick check around the table to be certain that everyone had got the memo: no one was to give any chips to Barry. His memo read slightly differently: 'lose'.
Barry claimed to have suffered a bout of temporary amnesia, supposedly not remembering his victory last week, asking innocently who won last week's first game? Nobody fell for it & it only served to ensure efforts were re-doubled to prevent him winning yet more points.
IJ highlighted the fact that he had learnt nothing from the hiding that he had received with AK last week. He bet big against Mark (his adversary from the last game) but came a cropper when Mark's A10 hit 2 pair, handing over a healthy pile of chips and starting him on the swift road to destruction.
JJ was back to his old tricks, re-raising with 4 5. The shocker was that he was actually ahead, winning chips from Lew.
Sharon showed us all her rebellious streak, defying the rule banning the singing (or humming) of 'You raise me up." Despite the rule being a longstanding one, Sharon insisted that since there was never a vote on any such rule, it must be invalid. She didn't even care that should someone put the rule to a vote, it would inevitably get passed. Baz helpfully pointed out that even if it was voted on, it would still be broken.
At this point, Shaz had had enough & was starting to feel picked on by IJ. He was being really mean about her rule breaking, despite her showing how nice she is by not making the tea round until he arrived. She declared that she would not forget his meanness, but she might be able to forgive him, should she get a good write up in the blog. So, the challenge is on...
Shaz & Marky then ensured that IJ's rudeness did not go unpunished. With few chips left, he went all in blind (3 9) and was knocked out (8th) by both of them hitting 2 pair, Marky with the better one.
The two of them were at it again shortly afterwards, fighting over a monster pot, raising & re-raising like their lives depended on it. Sharon's pocket Ks had trippled up, which Lee said he knew immediately from the glint in her eye. Mark wasn't so wise, reluctantly calling with AK, pair of Ks. Everyone agreed that it would have been impossible to get away from the hand but once again Big Slick cost a lot of chips. Marky's chip stack was decimated, while Sharon was sitting pretty on a well deserved massive pile, every one of which was earned by her superior playing skills.
Lee knocked Lew out, calling his all in with QK, which held up against Lew's K5. Lew out (7th).
Discussion briefly turned towards consideration of whether Dan is the nearest thing we have to Dave. The evidence presented included his storming out last week, only to have to come back sheepishly as he had forgotten something. What about JJ? He has responded to bad beats in a violent and unpredictable manner in the past, whereas Dan is more of a walker outer.
Mark, unable to shake off the red mist of tiltdom, went all in with J7, which was dominated by Barry's AJ. The better hand held up, knocking Mark out (6th) and handing Barry more chips, in flagrant disregard of the memo's specific instructions.
Lee, who as current runner up in the table, should have known better, also ignored the memo. He went all in with AK, despite the bad luck dripping from that evil hand. Barry's pocket Js tripled up to claim yet more chips.
As ever, Lee was not to be written off and somehow magicked up his usual pocket Ks on demand. Dan called with pocket 3s, doubling Lee up.
Lee then continued his regular weekly routine of clawing his way back into the game, knocking Dan out (5th), A7 against 2 3.
Despite the demands of his day job & a High Court action, it turned out that Lee had read the memo: he went all in with Qs, and took a dent out of Barry who called with A10.
Addicted to action, Lee went all in again, falling for the curse of AK. JJ called with 2s (a good hand for J) and consistent as ever, AK cost Lee almost all his chips.
Down to 6 chips, our relentless fighter went all in with AJ. His delightful wife called with 3s, which held up, knocking Lee out (4th).
Keen to capitalise on the antipathy against him, Barry raised a pile of each with Qs. Our very own Wonder Woman displayed her assured poker style, re-raising all in, with AJ. Barry called and to universal disappointment, his hand held up.
The wise and ever resourceful Sharon went all in with J9. JJ foolishly called with the deceitful AK. Sadly for Sharon, AK won a hand the first time that evening, knocking her out (3rd). Third place doesn't do justice to her performance, a classic demonstration of the guts and glory, that have become her trademark. Perhaps we should propose paying third place in an 8 player game, when Sharon comes third?
The first Borehamwood Heads Up in as long as anyone cared to remember started at 23:29. JJ looked like he might save the table from an Isaacson landslide, going all in with Q7, well ahead of Barry's Q6. The board rescued Barry, splitting the pot to loud protests from all.
The narrow escape was the spur he needed and despite a tremendous fight from JJ, Baz was not to be beaten. JJ tried his luck with deuces, but Barry did a Lee and pulled out pocket Ks, to double up and take the lead.
A split pot then came to JJ's rescue, his A6 totally dominated by Bruiser Baz's A10, but it was only delaying the inevitable.
In the final hand, JJ went all in with 8J, which Barry called with 9s. J's hit a J, to give us all hope, but Barry hit a sneaky flush, to take victory at 23:45.
Well played Baz - your 2nd win in 2 weeks has cemented your grip on the top spot and set a very high bar for the chasing players.
Stupid fucking memo.
Game 2 – 7 players - (1st Lee, 2nd JJ, 3rd Mark)
Second game kicked off at 23:52 with Dan proposing the question: "Is there any point in Dan playing a 2nd game?" Opinion was divided between those who thought there was no point in Dan playing a second game & those who thought there was no point in Dan playing either game.
Determined to go out first in both games & prove his own poker worthlessness, IJ told Lee he intended to give him loads of chips. When his AJ hit top pair he duly did give Lee a healthy stack, because Lee's AQ had hit 2 pair.
Last week's chat about how gay Barry's iphone continued during the second game. With its vanity mirror function & girly ring tune, many players were of the view that it is indeed the gayest item ever purchased.
Lee's ipod added to the homosexual tone of the evening, belting out gay hit after gay hit. Lee seemed to take perverse pleasure in pointing them out to us. He even suggested that he could just imagine two blokes rogering each other to one track. None of the other players had such a fertile imagination though...
IJ got royally fucked by Lew, who hit a flush on the river, beating IJ's straight.
IJ then completed his 2nd early exit of the night, re-raising all in (£2.25) with 10s, after JJ raised £6 with Qs and Lew called. JJ's Qs held up knocking IJ out (7th).
"It's been a good night" he said.
"Don't lie" Lee replied.
Thanks to alternative blogger Dan for this update:
In a slightly controversial hand the blinds had been put in incorrectly and there was some argument about whether the hand could continue or we should re-start it.
I had raised two piles of big. JJ thought he had folded having not cost any money and Barry folded what he thought was small blind and Lewis was about to fold what he thought was his big blind.
Actually it was JJ who was small and Barry who was big and Lewis who was first to act.
Confused? Well most people (except me) were so I agreed to lay down my AK and re-deal. In hindsight folding my AK was probably a good thing given the luck it has had this week. I re-dealt and looked down at AJ. I repeated the two piles of red raise and this time Barry went all in (a small re-raise). I called and he showed A6. The other two aces came on the flop/turn but no 6 to spare Barry. Barry out 6th.
Before I could even leave Lew was out when his middle pair on the board ran in to Mark’s pocket rockets. Lew out 4th
Mark was 3rd
JJ 2nd
Lee 1st won it with trips when both fairly even
2008 Poker Rankings Table:
So Barry's 2nd victory in 2 weeks ensures he continues to dominate the table. Only Lee's 2nd game win keeps Baz to an impressive 14 point lead. With less than 10 weeks left of the season, Lee, Dan & JJ have some serious work to do to prevent Barry from getting his grubby hands on the title, that he has wanted for 3 years now.Conversation topics of the week:
Match Attack has made an unwelcome return to our poker game. The new footie season is well under way and the boys have started collecting cards, on behalf of their sons. Wary of what is to come over the next few months, Shaz bans all conversation about Match Attack & any bringing of the evil cards to poker. "Save it for your children" she advised.
There was some debate as to whether the South African smarties that Sharon bought in Yarden could really be kosher. Dan was not convinced.
That's all for this week folks.
ij
15 October 2008 (The Jaysons') "Mark returns and takes no late night prisoners"
Game 1 – 8 players - (1st Barry, 2nd Lee, 3rd IJ)
Post yom tov play got going at 20:45 without the England-Belarus game on in the room. This seemed to disappoint the ladies more than you'd expect, as revealed in early discussion about whether David Beckham still has a role in an England shirt.
Sharon informed us that "As long as he keeps changing his shirt at the end of the game, he has a role." Jude agreed despite the boys' protestations that they shouldn't be treating a man like an object.
Invigorated by Beckham fantasies, the girls went up against each other, both with full houses. Sharon's turned out to be a better one, but somehow they both managed to avoid putting all their chips into the pot. "Amateur night" was one player's unkind observation but in truth they were probably just distracted by the thought of David getting the baby oil out...
In a later hand, Sharon raised £2.50, which Dan re-raised £3.50, only to be re-raised by Charlie all in (another £8.50). Sharon folded, but Dan called and flipped over AQ. Charlie wasn't fussed: he was holding Aces which held up to double him up.
Sharon would have won had she called which led to speculation as to whether that was Charlie's best ever move in poker? Had he not gone all in, Sharon would have probably called and eventually won. But what if she had put some more chips in and then folded at the flop? Could he have got some more chips out of her?
Thankfully, Jude rescued us from this pointless hindsight poker by getting real poker re-started, going all in after a £3 pre-flop raise from Charlie. In a pattern that was to be repeated with comforting regularity, Charlie folded. Lee called and his 10s held up against Jude's 7s, to knock Jude out (8th). (Quick return to hindsight poker: Charlie would have won the pot if he'd have backed up his raise by calling.)
With 2 3 5 8 on the board, Baz went all in after Sharon re-raised his bet. Shaz thought about it for a long time. Her instincts told her to fold. She had hit trip 3s and it would have been the greatest lay down of her life, but it was not to be. Egged on by the boys, who pointed out how many outs she had, she called and ran into Baz's diamond flush. He doubled up, bringing groans from all the players with an eye on the leader board. Sharon was decimated and fuming.
She re-raised Lee all in on the next hand or so and he called. Lee had AJ which held up against Sharon's QJ. There was to be no getting lucky at her husband's expense this week for Sharon, who went out (7th).
Minus the girls, the boys got on with the serious job of preventing Barry getting any more points. Dan was not proving to be too much of a threat this week: he had thrown away most of his chips early on but still refused to die. He called Mark's all in with J7. Mark's A10 got unlucky, doubling Dan up to Barry's dismay. Our other title contender Lee conceded that he didn't mind Dan surviving or even doubling up again, as long as it was at Barry's expense...
Dan & Mark went at it again, this time Dan with A9 & Dan with K5. Mark got the better of Dan this time, hitting 2 pairs on the flop and doubling up. Dan, virtually wiped out, was still not out saying "I did the right thing, but what the heck? It was evens at the start.."
Without even the blind to call his own, Dan went all in with J9 against IJ's AK. Would you believe it? He hit 2 pair to triple up, although somehow IJ still managed to win some chips.
Clearly intimidated by Dan's lingering presence, Baz raised Mark 2 piles of red with AK. Mark went all in with his K7, which was not enough to beat the Baz. Mark was out (6th). To the great irritation of himself and all the other players, Mark had committed the cardinal sin of giving Barry more chips. He obviously didn't get the memo.
Meanwhile, Dan was still in. He was becoming the new Lee, clinging on to dear life until he got the hand he needed to make his move. Dan said he couldn't be the new Lee as he had not yet got Ks...
....Freakishly, Dan was then dealt pocket Ks and went all in against Lee, who had A9. Dan's Ks won and he doubled up.
IJ did his bit for the table, making a dent in Barry's monster chip stack, with 9s against Baz's 5s.
Charlie then had a good chance at continuing to damage our table leader, calling Baz's all in with AQ. But Barry's 8s held up, giving him even more chips and knocking Charlie out (5th).
Barry increased his pile yet again, finally calling time on Dan. In a JJ like piece of luck, Barry's 2 3 hit a 3 to overcome Dan's A4 and knock him out (4th), leaving the strategy of denying Baz chips in tatters. After demonstrating survival skills worthy of Andy McNab, Dan finally bowed out, passing the baton of responsibility for restraining the Isaacson over to IJ & Lee.
IJ displayed early promise, demonstrating that Baz was mortal. His Qs helped him double up against Baz's 8s, but it was to be shortlived. Lee ensured the burden of stopping Barry in his table topping tracks was to be solely his, knocking IJ out when his KQ hit a Q to beat IJ's A10.
With IJ out (3rd), a tense heads up between 1st and 2nd place in the table started at 23:25. The stakes could not have been higher: a victory for Lee would cut Baz's lead to a mere 5 points. A win for Barry would extend it to a healthy 13.
It is fair to say that while the chip stacks were even, the crowd support was not. Everyone present, minus Barry but even including Eric Clapton on the radio, was routing for Lee.
Barry proved that you don't get to be table leader since May for nothing. He had maintained his lead for almost 6 months & he was not going to let it slip away with less than 3 months to go.
After 20 minutes of drama, Lee went all in with Q9, which Baz called with A10. He hit an Ace and claimed victory at 23:43.
Well played Barry - the group hostility against you may be making you stronger as you claim, but it is too enjoyable to try something different quite yet....
Game 2 – 6 players - (1st Mark, 2nd IJ, 3rd Baz)
Without the pressure of restraining an unstoppable Barry, a more relaxed second game started at 22:52.
In the first significant hand, Dan raised a whopping £10 after 3 10 Q flop. Mark smelled a rat and called. An ace on the turn saw them both check, with the betting resuming after an insignificant 4 came on the river. Mark bet £8 and Dan, after some protracting deliberating and chip counting, called. He turned over pocket Js, saying he knew he was behind but just had to see what Mark had. Sure enough, Mark's QK, gave him top pair and a monster pot. He had correctly read the big bollocks bets from Dan as a lame attempt to get him off the pot. Dan, massively weakened, didn't deny it.
In another massive pot, J 10 8 8 Q lay on the table after some healthy raises and re-raises. In stark contrast to the girls' full house hand in the first game, Baz and Mark ended up with most of their chips in the pot. Both of them had straights, but Baz's AK gave him a high straight and the chips, while Mark's A9 gave him the low straight and a headache. Baz was roundly condemned from the other players as a total cunt, with the notable exception of a lonely Charlie who commented 'Well played.' Such naivety was put down to the resemblance between Barry's foolhardy calling with nothing and Charlie's traditional style of play.
Re-introducing his unique tactic of the £1 pre-flop raises, Charlie kicked off a massive hand between Mark, with an awesome straight flush & IJ, with a nut flush. IJ was lucky to finish that hand with any chips at all, but Mark's elaborate performance before raising was a clear signal that he had the hand of love, although IJ assumed it was a mere full house.
Back in the action, Mark called Dan's all in. Dan went in ahead with big slick, but Marky's AQ hit a Q to knock Dan out (6th).
Charlie saw some action, doubling up with Js against Mark's 9K, but then bottling out of calling IJ's £8.25 re-raise a few hands later, despite having raised a fiver.
The game was peppered with sexual innuendos, delivered by our very own Mr Garrison, Bazza Isaacson, who saw penises every time someone put in a pile of black chips.
At 00:50, our host Dean arrived, having spent the last hour on his own in his new, unfinished house. With only a month to go before the Jaysons move in, Dean told us at times he had believed it might never happen.
Lee raised an intimidating £10 pre-flop, only to be re-raised a further tenner by bulldozer Preston. After Lee's inevitable all in, Mark turned over Aces, intimidating Lee's AK right back. The Aces held up, knocking out Lee (5th) confirming that the luck and the chips were only ever going one way. Barry told us he would be quite happy to get 2nd, now that Lee was
out, but no one was listening.
Charlie's last stand was an all in with J4, which IJ called blind with A3. The better hand held up and Charlie exited (4th).
In another hand that delighted Barry, IJ and Mark went all in. IJ's AJ held up against Mark's A10, inflicting a near fatal wound on Mark, who was down to 2 piles of chips. Barry revealed that he didn't actually want to win, as it would invoke the Borehamwood Burger rule...
Mark evened the chip stacks up again, going all in with Q8. IJ merrily called with AK, but Mark's luck was rock solid, bringing him a Q to take the chips.
Barry then gave him a load more, folding Mark's re-raise with 2 6 J K on the board, leaving him with dregs.
He went home after calling IJ's all in. Mark called with AJ, but IJ's Qs held up to knok Barry out (3rd) and take the pot.
Going into heads up at 01:58, that hand had given IJ a massive chip lead, while Mark, having not played for weeks and not won for more, determined not to lose. He doubled up in the first hand, after his QK hit a K on the river to beat IJ's A2.
Mark went on to reverse the chip deficit but IJ came back again.
That was how it remained until 2 hands confirmed that no one was going to deny Mark the points, with a lot of raising and folding in between.
IJ learnt the hard way that AK is not called Big Slick for nothing, getting them twice, to cost him both hands and the game.
In the first, Mark called IJ's all in with K6. Domninated by IJ's AK, Marky hit 2 pairs to take the chip lead.
At 02:20, IJ took the fatal decision to slow play his 2nd Big Slick, in a short-sighted attempt to trap Mark, who had been consitantly folding his raises. Mark saw a free flop with a meagre 4 7, which turned into a mighty straight on the river. His expert slow playing, despite the lateness of the hour, convinced IJ who went all in with top pair, taking his 2nd second in as many weeks.
Well played Marky, a sprited win earning you 5 points, a whole 3 more than Spurs have acquired all season....
2008 Poker Rankings Table:
So his impressive first game victory cements Barry's grip on the top of the table. He strides into 3 figures with a monster 105 points, giving him a decisive 13 point lead over 2nd place Lee and at least a week of safety. Well done Barry, it is far from over but at least for one week you can sit back and enjoy the abuse.
Extending his lead over Dan to 3 points will be no consolation for Lee, who has a lot more work to do to take a second title.
IJ's point changes little, but Mark's late night win narrows the gap between him and Sharon to a surmountable 6 points.
Conversation topics of the week:
Early discussion centred on the question of should you cherish your children's dirty nappies?
Inspired by the Youngs' yom tov lunch, conversation moved on to whether crunchy peanut butter crumble violated the golden rules of good crumble?
If you think that was pointless, things got worse, when Barry insisted on contemplating whether Charlie could mathematically win the title, assuming he played all the remaining games?
I'm not sure that Charlie is the player that Barry needs to worry about, but then on the evidence of recent weeks it's not terribly clear that any of the actual contenders are going to cause him much stress either.
Jokes & news of the week:
Tottenham finally win a game:
that's all for this week & apologies for the spelling, can't get the spellcheck to work for some reason....
ij
Post yom tov play got going at 20:45 without the England-Belarus game on in the room. This seemed to disappoint the ladies more than you'd expect, as revealed in early discussion about whether David Beckham still has a role in an England shirt.
Sharon informed us that "As long as he keeps changing his shirt at the end of the game, he has a role." Jude agreed despite the boys' protestations that they shouldn't be treating a man like an object.
Invigorated by Beckham fantasies, the girls went up against each other, both with full houses. Sharon's turned out to be a better one, but somehow they both managed to avoid putting all their chips into the pot. "Amateur night" was one player's unkind observation but in truth they were probably just distracted by the thought of David getting the baby oil out...
In a later hand, Sharon raised £2.50, which Dan re-raised £3.50, only to be re-raised by Charlie all in (another £8.50). Sharon folded, but Dan called and flipped over AQ. Charlie wasn't fussed: he was holding Aces which held up to double him up.
Sharon would have won had she called which led to speculation as to whether that was Charlie's best ever move in poker? Had he not gone all in, Sharon would have probably called and eventually won. But what if she had put some more chips in and then folded at the flop? Could he have got some more chips out of her?
Thankfully, Jude rescued us from this pointless hindsight poker by getting real poker re-started, going all in after a £3 pre-flop raise from Charlie. In a pattern that was to be repeated with comforting regularity, Charlie folded. Lee called and his 10s held up against Jude's 7s, to knock Jude out (8th). (Quick return to hindsight poker: Charlie would have won the pot if he'd have backed up his raise by calling.)
With 2 3 5 8 on the board, Baz went all in after Sharon re-raised his bet. Shaz thought about it for a long time. Her instincts told her to fold. She had hit trip 3s and it would have been the greatest lay down of her life, but it was not to be. Egged on by the boys, who pointed out how many outs she had, she called and ran into Baz's diamond flush. He doubled up, bringing groans from all the players with an eye on the leader board. Sharon was decimated and fuming.
She re-raised Lee all in on the next hand or so and he called. Lee had AJ which held up against Sharon's QJ. There was to be no getting lucky at her husband's expense this week for Sharon, who went out (7th).
Minus the girls, the boys got on with the serious job of preventing Barry getting any more points. Dan was not proving to be too much of a threat this week: he had thrown away most of his chips early on but still refused to die. He called Mark's all in with J7. Mark's A10 got unlucky, doubling Dan up to Barry's dismay. Our other title contender Lee conceded that he didn't mind Dan surviving or even doubling up again, as long as it was at Barry's expense...
Dan & Mark went at it again, this time Dan with A9 & Dan with K5. Mark got the better of Dan this time, hitting 2 pairs on the flop and doubling up. Dan, virtually wiped out, was still not out saying "I did the right thing, but what the heck? It was evens at the start.."
Without even the blind to call his own, Dan went all in with J9 against IJ's AK. Would you believe it? He hit 2 pair to triple up, although somehow IJ still managed to win some chips.
Clearly intimidated by Dan's lingering presence, Baz raised Mark 2 piles of red with AK. Mark went all in with his K7, which was not enough to beat the Baz. Mark was out (6th). To the great irritation of himself and all the other players, Mark had committed the cardinal sin of giving Barry more chips. He obviously didn't get the memo.
Meanwhile, Dan was still in. He was becoming the new Lee, clinging on to dear life until he got the hand he needed to make his move. Dan said he couldn't be the new Lee as he had not yet got Ks...
....Freakishly, Dan was then dealt pocket Ks and went all in against Lee, who had A9. Dan's Ks won and he doubled up.
IJ did his bit for the table, making a dent in Barry's monster chip stack, with 9s against Baz's 5s.
Charlie then had a good chance at continuing to damage our table leader, calling Baz's all in with AQ. But Barry's 8s held up, giving him even more chips and knocking Charlie out (5th).
Barry increased his pile yet again, finally calling time on Dan. In a JJ like piece of luck, Barry's 2 3 hit a 3 to overcome Dan's A4 and knock him out (4th), leaving the strategy of denying Baz chips in tatters. After demonstrating survival skills worthy of Andy McNab, Dan finally bowed out, passing the baton of responsibility for restraining the Isaacson over to IJ & Lee.
IJ displayed early promise, demonstrating that Baz was mortal. His Qs helped him double up against Baz's 8s, but it was to be shortlived. Lee ensured the burden of stopping Barry in his table topping tracks was to be solely his, knocking IJ out when his KQ hit a Q to beat IJ's A10.
With IJ out (3rd), a tense heads up between 1st and 2nd place in the table started at 23:25. The stakes could not have been higher: a victory for Lee would cut Baz's lead to a mere 5 points. A win for Barry would extend it to a healthy 13.
It is fair to say that while the chip stacks were even, the crowd support was not. Everyone present, minus Barry but even including Eric Clapton on the radio, was routing for Lee.
Barry proved that you don't get to be table leader since May for nothing. He had maintained his lead for almost 6 months & he was not going to let it slip away with less than 3 months to go.
After 20 minutes of drama, Lee went all in with Q9, which Baz called with A10. He hit an Ace and claimed victory at 23:43.
Well played Barry - the group hostility against you may be making you stronger as you claim, but it is too enjoyable to try something different quite yet....
Game 2 – 6 players - (1st Mark, 2nd IJ, 3rd Baz)
Without the pressure of restraining an unstoppable Barry, a more relaxed second game started at 22:52.
In the first significant hand, Dan raised a whopping £10 after 3 10 Q flop. Mark smelled a rat and called. An ace on the turn saw them both check, with the betting resuming after an insignificant 4 came on the river. Mark bet £8 and Dan, after some protracting deliberating and chip counting, called. He turned over pocket Js, saying he knew he was behind but just had to see what Mark had. Sure enough, Mark's QK, gave him top pair and a monster pot. He had correctly read the big bollocks bets from Dan as a lame attempt to get him off the pot. Dan, massively weakened, didn't deny it.
In another massive pot, J 10 8 8 Q lay on the table after some healthy raises and re-raises. In stark contrast to the girls' full house hand in the first game, Baz and Mark ended up with most of their chips in the pot. Both of them had straights, but Baz's AK gave him a high straight and the chips, while Mark's A9 gave him the low straight and a headache. Baz was roundly condemned from the other players as a total cunt, with the notable exception of a lonely Charlie who commented 'Well played.' Such naivety was put down to the resemblance between Barry's foolhardy calling with nothing and Charlie's traditional style of play.
Re-introducing his unique tactic of the £1 pre-flop raises, Charlie kicked off a massive hand between Mark, with an awesome straight flush & IJ, with a nut flush. IJ was lucky to finish that hand with any chips at all, but Mark's elaborate performance before raising was a clear signal that he had the hand of love, although IJ assumed it was a mere full house.
Back in the action, Mark called Dan's all in. Dan went in ahead with big slick, but Marky's AQ hit a Q to knock Dan out (6th).
Charlie saw some action, doubling up with Js against Mark's 9K, but then bottling out of calling IJ's £8.25 re-raise a few hands later, despite having raised a fiver.
The game was peppered with sexual innuendos, delivered by our very own Mr Garrison, Bazza Isaacson, who saw penises every time someone put in a pile of black chips.
At 00:50, our host Dean arrived, having spent the last hour on his own in his new, unfinished house. With only a month to go before the Jaysons move in, Dean told us at times he had believed it might never happen.
Lee raised an intimidating £10 pre-flop, only to be re-raised a further tenner by bulldozer Preston. After Lee's inevitable all in, Mark turned over Aces, intimidating Lee's AK right back. The Aces held up, knocking out Lee (5th) confirming that the luck and the chips were only ever going one way. Barry told us he would be quite happy to get 2nd, now that Lee was
out, but no one was listening.
Charlie's last stand was an all in with J4, which IJ called blind with A3. The better hand held up and Charlie exited (4th).
In another hand that delighted Barry, IJ and Mark went all in. IJ's AJ held up against Mark's A10, inflicting a near fatal wound on Mark, who was down to 2 piles of chips. Barry revealed that he didn't actually want to win, as it would invoke the Borehamwood Burger rule...
Mark evened the chip stacks up again, going all in with Q8. IJ merrily called with AK, but Mark's luck was rock solid, bringing him a Q to take the chips.
Barry then gave him a load more, folding Mark's re-raise with 2 6 J K on the board, leaving him with dregs.
He went home after calling IJ's all in. Mark called with AJ, but IJ's Qs held up to knok Barry out (3rd) and take the pot.
Going into heads up at 01:58, that hand had given IJ a massive chip lead, while Mark, having not played for weeks and not won for more, determined not to lose. He doubled up in the first hand, after his QK hit a K on the river to beat IJ's A2.
Mark went on to reverse the chip deficit but IJ came back again.
That was how it remained until 2 hands confirmed that no one was going to deny Mark the points, with a lot of raising and folding in between.
IJ learnt the hard way that AK is not called Big Slick for nothing, getting them twice, to cost him both hands and the game.
In the first, Mark called IJ's all in with K6. Domninated by IJ's AK, Marky hit 2 pairs to take the chip lead.
At 02:20, IJ took the fatal decision to slow play his 2nd Big Slick, in a short-sighted attempt to trap Mark, who had been consitantly folding his raises. Mark saw a free flop with a meagre 4 7, which turned into a mighty straight on the river. His expert slow playing, despite the lateness of the hour, convinced IJ who went all in with top pair, taking his 2nd second in as many weeks.
Well played Marky, a sprited win earning you 5 points, a whole 3 more than Spurs have acquired all season....
2008 Poker Rankings Table:
So his impressive first game victory cements Barry's grip on the top of the table. He strides into 3 figures with a monster 105 points, giving him a decisive 13 point lead over 2nd place Lee and at least a week of safety. Well done Barry, it is far from over but at least for one week you can sit back and enjoy the abuse.Extending his lead over Dan to 3 points will be no consolation for Lee, who has a lot more work to do to take a second title.
IJ's point changes little, but Mark's late night win narrows the gap between him and Sharon to a surmountable 6 points.
Conversation topics of the week:
Early discussion centred on the question of should you cherish your children's dirty nappies?
Inspired by the Youngs' yom tov lunch, conversation moved on to whether crunchy peanut butter crumble violated the golden rules of good crumble?
If you think that was pointless, things got worse, when Barry insisted on contemplating whether Charlie could mathematically win the title, assuming he played all the remaining games?
I'm not sure that Charlie is the player that Barry needs to worry about, but then on the evidence of recent weeks it's not terribly clear that any of the actual contenders are going to cause him much stress either.
Jokes & news of the week:
Tottenham finally win a game:
that's all for this week & apologies for the spelling, can't get the spellcheck to work for some reason....
ij
7 October 2008 (The Poker Suite) "Baz holds on but JJ & Shaz take the points..."
Game 1 – 10 players - (1st Sharon, 2nd Baz, 3rd Dan)
Bea got all excited by Charlie's playful antics, as the first game kicked off at 20:47. Dave warned that Bea may look like she was enjoying the game but Charlie may not appreciate it should she bite him. Charlie desisted, since his attempt to arm Bea and then fire her at JJ was not having the desired effect.
Julian vanquished some of his early exit ghosts, winning a huge early pot from Scott. With 4 9 9 Q on the table, Jules re-raised Scott all in. Despite several earlier aggressive raises, Scott laid it down which was proved a wise move as Jules revealed he was holding A9.
Jules' early good fortune continued, getting paid with Aces by Dave's Js.
Jules then ensured he was not out first this week, calling Scott's all in, with J87 on the flop. Scott was holding A6, but needed to get lucky against Jules' lucky 9s, which held up.
Scott exited (10th) sparking a debate about what he should do next. He was considering going home and getting his laptop and then returning to do some work, while waiting for the 2nd game. Other suggestions included making Sharon's chicken for yom tov and hanging around to amuse the remaining players. Baz summed it up: "Enjoy the banter and stick around so we can take the piss out of you." Rather surprisingly, Scott declined this kind invitation and went to play Golf on the Wii instead.
One of only 2 challengers that could threaten Baz's domination of the table, Lee was down on his luck, with only a small chip stack to play with. Scott ruefully observed that he'd write off any other player in Lee's position, but Lee is far from dead. Lee confirmed what we had all long suspected "I got myself into this strategic position and now I'm ready to play."
But it wasn't to be for Lee: 7 10 2 on the flop brought a £6 all in from him, with 10 6, top pair. Sharon called with AJ and hit an Ace, to kick a thoroughly pissed off Lee out (9th). As he left, Lee declared that he was fed up with being knocked out by Shaz getting lucky and hitting cards. Dave helpfully informed us that he had a hand before the flop and still had one afterwards, but it couldn't beat certain hands. Not sure why this was relevant but he had 6s.
Dave then showed he was not all talk, going all in with J7, with QJ9 on the flop. JJ called with top pair, QK, but a lucky 3 of clubs on the turn gave Dave a flush, doubling him up.
Charlie was on aggressive form, raising £2 pre-flop, which JJ & Baz called. The flop was 2 6 J and Baz took the pot with a pathetic 3s, depleting JJ and leaving us wondering what on earth Charlie was doing?
JJ's game came to an end when he went all in with 10s, a raise of £6. Jules called with A9, hitting trip 9s. Nines were golden for Jules again, kicking J out (8th).
Charlie followed soon after, going all in with A7, which Dave called with JK, which hit 2 pair. Charlie left (7th) to join the Wii golf experience, passionately exclaiming "How slightly irritating."
Dan, who was moonlighting from Accenture as Debbie McGee, our gorgeous dealing assistant, hit a straight on the flop and tactically slow played it, allowing Baz to hit a diamond flush on the river and get paid nicely. The tactical error was to come back to haunt Dan a few times that evening but as he said "Poorly played, but them's are the chances you take."
IJ went all in blind (although this was not straddling, Dave helpfully informed us) with K7. Dan called with A7, which held up, kicking IJ out (6th).
In the very next hand, Dan went all in with A9, which Dave called blind (see earlier straddling point) with 6 4. Dan hit an Ace to knock Dave out (5th).
At this point, Sharon, Julian and Dan all went to the toilet together, leaving Barry to contemplate how he could beat Dan. While a win would be great, coming ahead of Dan was vital to maintaining his lead....
K 5 A 3 on the board, Jules went all in with A9. He looked in good shape when Sharon called with K6, but she hit a club flush on the river to deny Jules any points. Julian out (4th).
Sharon then helped Barry breath easier, dismissing Dan after her pockets 4s tripped up, beating his A8 all in. Dan's exit (3rd) gave Barry a chance to extend his lead as heads up started at 23:25.
However, with Sharon a two to one chip leader, Barry had a mountain to climb. 3 hands later, it was clear that he had left his climbing boots in Borehamwood. In the final hand he went all in with A4, which Sharon hurriedly called with AK. Her hand held up to take victory at 23:27, restricting table leader Baz to only 2 precious extra points.
Well done Sharon!
Game 2 – 8 players - (1st JJ, 2nd IJ, 3rd Baz)
The second game kicked off at 23:45 & IJ won big, while he was making the tea. Someone showed him his hand (AQ) and then called out the flop to him, K 10 J. With a straight on the flop he won a big hand off Charlie (pair of Kings) before he even sat down at the table.
Jules returned to earlier form, calling Dan's all in with Qs, despite 10 A 3 7 on the board. Dan had hit 2 pair (A10) and Julian was first to go home (8th).
IJ continued his earlier success against Charlie, who went all in with Qs, with 3 7 A on the flop. IJ called with A6 and sent Charlie home (7th).
Scott followed soon after, re-raising Dan all in with AJ. Dan called with deuces, which held up. Scott out (6th).
Lee was decimated by 2 hands. He called Barry's all in with A6, the best hand he'd seen in a while but Baz's A8 held up. JJ finished him off after his 3 4 hit 2 pair (only JJ!) beating Lee's Q9. With Lee out (5th), Barry only had to worry about Dan...
...but not for too long as shortly after Dan went all in with A6, which JJ called with K8. JJ hit an 8 and knocked Dan out (4th).
With both his rivals out, Barry had a fantastic opportunity to further extend his lead at the top of the table.
He went all in with AQ, which J called with 6s. Baz hit a Q on the river to double up, creating outrage in J who claimed this has has happened to him 3 weeks in a row now: he does really well at the start of the game and then ends up 3rd.
3 8 K A on the board, a still steaming JJ went all in, having hit a sweet 2 pair (A 3). Baz called with top pair (Ks) but JJ went on to hit the nut flush and double up nicely. Suddenly, it looked like this week might break JJ's curse...
Baz then helpfully went out 3rd. His all in with K9, ran into IJ's Aces.
At 01:53, IJ went into heads up with about a 2:1 chip lead over JJ, who should have been swiftly defeated. However, some tough hands and some sneaky slow playing from the Jackson overwhelmed IJ. In the 2 hands that swung it, JJ doubled up with Ks against IJ's 9s, and then claimed victory at 02:07 with Qs against A5.
Well done JJ - no third place for you this week...
2008 Poker Rankings Table:
So Barry's 2nd is enough to keep him at the top, 1 point away from the hundred. Lee is now 9 points away, but still within one week of replacing Baz.
Dan remains in third place, continuing his perpetual flirting with Lee, while JJ's 2nd game win takes him 8 points from Dan.
IJ extends his lead on Dave to 9 points, but he is now a massive 19 points away from JJ.
Another successful week for Sharon sees her move within 12 points of Dave, a move that would bridge the gap between the top and bottom halves of the table.
Conversation topics of the week:
The lowered tone of the 2nd game arrived early this week, as conversation about Barry's mother led to Dave informing us all about a girl on Jerry Springer who had all her teeth removed so that she could give her man a better blow job. Now that is dedication.
Bea got all excited by Charlie's playful antics, as the first game kicked off at 20:47. Dave warned that Bea may look like she was enjoying the game but Charlie may not appreciate it should she bite him. Charlie desisted, since his attempt to arm Bea and then fire her at JJ was not having the desired effect.
Julian vanquished some of his early exit ghosts, winning a huge early pot from Scott. With 4 9 9 Q on the table, Jules re-raised Scott all in. Despite several earlier aggressive raises, Scott laid it down which was proved a wise move as Jules revealed he was holding A9.
Jules' early good fortune continued, getting paid with Aces by Dave's Js.
Jules then ensured he was not out first this week, calling Scott's all in, with J87 on the flop. Scott was holding A6, but needed to get lucky against Jules' lucky 9s, which held up.
Scott exited (10th) sparking a debate about what he should do next. He was considering going home and getting his laptop and then returning to do some work, while waiting for the 2nd game. Other suggestions included making Sharon's chicken for yom tov and hanging around to amuse the remaining players. Baz summed it up: "Enjoy the banter and stick around so we can take the piss out of you." Rather surprisingly, Scott declined this kind invitation and went to play Golf on the Wii instead.
One of only 2 challengers that could threaten Baz's domination of the table, Lee was down on his luck, with only a small chip stack to play with. Scott ruefully observed that he'd write off any other player in Lee's position, but Lee is far from dead. Lee confirmed what we had all long suspected "I got myself into this strategic position and now I'm ready to play."
But it wasn't to be for Lee: 7 10 2 on the flop brought a £6 all in from him, with 10 6, top pair. Sharon called with AJ and hit an Ace, to kick a thoroughly pissed off Lee out (9th). As he left, Lee declared that he was fed up with being knocked out by Shaz getting lucky and hitting cards. Dave helpfully informed us that he had a hand before the flop and still had one afterwards, but it couldn't beat certain hands. Not sure why this was relevant but he had 6s.
Dave then showed he was not all talk, going all in with J7, with QJ9 on the flop. JJ called with top pair, QK, but a lucky 3 of clubs on the turn gave Dave a flush, doubling him up.
Charlie was on aggressive form, raising £2 pre-flop, which JJ & Baz called. The flop was 2 6 J and Baz took the pot with a pathetic 3s, depleting JJ and leaving us wondering what on earth Charlie was doing?
JJ's game came to an end when he went all in with 10s, a raise of £6. Jules called with A9, hitting trip 9s. Nines were golden for Jules again, kicking J out (8th).
Charlie followed soon after, going all in with A7, which Dave called with JK, which hit 2 pair. Charlie left (7th) to join the Wii golf experience, passionately exclaiming "How slightly irritating."
Dan, who was moonlighting from Accenture as Debbie McGee, our gorgeous dealing assistant, hit a straight on the flop and tactically slow played it, allowing Baz to hit a diamond flush on the river and get paid nicely. The tactical error was to come back to haunt Dan a few times that evening but as he said "Poorly played, but them's are the chances you take."
IJ went all in blind (although this was not straddling, Dave helpfully informed us) with K7. Dan called with A7, which held up, kicking IJ out (6th).
In the very next hand, Dan went all in with A9, which Dave called blind (see earlier straddling point) with 6 4. Dan hit an Ace to knock Dave out (5th).
At this point, Sharon, Julian and Dan all went to the toilet together, leaving Barry to contemplate how he could beat Dan. While a win would be great, coming ahead of Dan was vital to maintaining his lead....
K 5 A 3 on the board, Jules went all in with A9. He looked in good shape when Sharon called with K6, but she hit a club flush on the river to deny Jules any points. Julian out (4th).
Sharon then helped Barry breath easier, dismissing Dan after her pockets 4s tripped up, beating his A8 all in. Dan's exit (3rd) gave Barry a chance to extend his lead as heads up started at 23:25.
However, with Sharon a two to one chip leader, Barry had a mountain to climb. 3 hands later, it was clear that he had left his climbing boots in Borehamwood. In the final hand he went all in with A4, which Sharon hurriedly called with AK. Her hand held up to take victory at 23:27, restricting table leader Baz to only 2 precious extra points.
Well done Sharon!
Game 2 – 8 players - (1st JJ, 2nd IJ, 3rd Baz)
The second game kicked off at 23:45 & IJ won big, while he was making the tea. Someone showed him his hand (AQ) and then called out the flop to him, K 10 J. With a straight on the flop he won a big hand off Charlie (pair of Kings) before he even sat down at the table.
Jules returned to earlier form, calling Dan's all in with Qs, despite 10 A 3 7 on the board. Dan had hit 2 pair (A10) and Julian was first to go home (8th).
IJ continued his earlier success against Charlie, who went all in with Qs, with 3 7 A on the flop. IJ called with A6 and sent Charlie home (7th).
Scott followed soon after, re-raising Dan all in with AJ. Dan called with deuces, which held up. Scott out (6th).
Lee was decimated by 2 hands. He called Barry's all in with A6, the best hand he'd seen in a while but Baz's A8 held up. JJ finished him off after his 3 4 hit 2 pair (only JJ!) beating Lee's Q9. With Lee out (5th), Barry only had to worry about Dan...
...but not for too long as shortly after Dan went all in with A6, which JJ called with K8. JJ hit an 8 and knocked Dan out (4th).
With both his rivals out, Barry had a fantastic opportunity to further extend his lead at the top of the table.
He went all in with AQ, which J called with 6s. Baz hit a Q on the river to double up, creating outrage in J who claimed this has has happened to him 3 weeks in a row now: he does really well at the start of the game and then ends up 3rd.
3 8 K A on the board, a still steaming JJ went all in, having hit a sweet 2 pair (A 3). Baz called with top pair (Ks) but JJ went on to hit the nut flush and double up nicely. Suddenly, it looked like this week might break JJ's curse...
Baz then helpfully went out 3rd. His all in with K9, ran into IJ's Aces.
At 01:53, IJ went into heads up with about a 2:1 chip lead over JJ, who should have been swiftly defeated. However, some tough hands and some sneaky slow playing from the Jackson overwhelmed IJ. In the 2 hands that swung it, JJ doubled up with Ks against IJ's 9s, and then claimed victory at 02:07 with Qs against A5.
Well done JJ - no third place for you this week...
2008 Poker Rankings Table:
So Barry's 2nd is enough to keep him at the top, 1 point away from the hundred. Lee is now 9 points away, but still within one week of replacing Baz.
Dan remains in third place, continuing his perpetual flirting with Lee, while JJ's 2nd game win takes him 8 points from Dan.
IJ extends his lead on Dave to 9 points, but he is now a massive 19 points away from JJ.
Another successful week for Sharon sees her move within 12 points of Dave, a move that would bridge the gap between the top and bottom halves of the table.
Conversation topics of the week:
The lowered tone of the 2nd game arrived early this week, as conversation about Barry's mother led to Dave informing us all about a girl on Jerry Springer who had all her teeth removed so that she could give her man a better blow job. Now that is dedication.
Sharon started to read Lee's text messages from his phone that he had carelessly left on the poker suite after he went out. She reassured us all that it was only from Paul and that she wouldn't read any messages from his mistress. The question was then asked as to how she knew Paul was not Lee's mistress. While she couldn't be sure, Sharon pointed out that if Lee was going to have an affair it would not chose Paul. Sharon would be fucking insulted if he did.
Dave suggested that if either Young were to have an affair, it was much more likely to be Sharon. Before she could deny the accusation, Sharon split all her chips all over the table and turned red in the clearest tell we've seen around the poker table for a long time.
Finally, there was an attempt to identify the following poker players:
Most aggressive - Sharon
Easiest player to read - Barry (when he protested and asked how come he was top of the table if he was so easy to read, he was informed that he outdrew everyone more)
Luckiest player - Baz
Most obvious tell - JJ (he used to have a vein in the side of his head that throbbed when he had a big hand, but he had it surgically removed because it was costing him too much.)
Jokes & news of the week:
Thanks to Barry for this transcript of a great example of media management:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/oct/03/newcastleunited.premierleague
and on that note, this video is very funny:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7vRWOZpkdE
thanks to JJ for these Monkeys working in a Japanese restaurant.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7654267.stm
that's all for this week,
ij
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