U.S. Poker Championship on ESPN

Didnt play any poker on Wednesday. Decided to take the day off from the game and let the brain relax a bit after the trip to A.C.

Instead, I pulled up the tivo and watched the last 2 hours of the U.S. Poker Championship on ESPN. He took play in Atlantic City at The Taj. It was actually a good watch.

I still can't believe that D'agostino pissed away his stack and chip lead the way he did at the final table. Unbelievable. I mean, he finished in 6th place when he shoudl have at least finished in the top 3 by my best guestimate (if not win the thing outright). And his behavior when he lost all those checkers to Hoyt Corkins was uncalled for. I dont know how I would have reacted to that. I guess it was a good thing he pushed his chips to the middle and not towards Hoyt. And to reach over and count another player's chips. That really caught me off guard.

I really did appreciate the play of the CEO, Agliolara. He played a good match when it came down to heads up. Congrats to him for becoming the Champion. I have to hand it to Cassidy as well. That young kid and D'agostino will be some forces to reckon with in the future.

Good show. I highle recommend watching this one. Especially the final table.

I've already put it on my calendar to be there for the 2005 event.

Big Syd

Last Night at The Taj...

Last night, The Borgata's evening tournament sold out before I got downstairs to register. So, I hopped in a cab and hightailed it over to the Taj for their 6:30 Tourney. Get there and the line is out the door. I made the cutoff though. They capped it aroung 300 something players.

Anyway, last night was not my night my night. I mean, the Poker Gods made sure I understood that last night was not my time to shine.

First, I get a good deal of my chips in the middle when I flop a King high flush. Only to be outdone by a frikkin Ace high flush.

Then, the hand that sent me back to The Borgata. I'm in the small blind and I catch 67h. About 4 or 5 callers ahead of me. I call the big since I'm figuring a lot of them are on drawing hands. Big Blind checks. Flop comes down 567 rainbow. OK. Here we go. I'm sitting with about 6-7 big blinds in chips. I push all-in. Big Blind pauses and then calls. everyone else folds. We turn up. He shows 95o. WTF? The turn card a 4. The river an 8.

Good Night.

-Big Syd

Having a Good Time in Atlantic City...

Drove up to Atlantic City on Sunday for a few days of poker. I'm really trying to get my game plan together for the Foxwood trip. The plan is to play as many tournaments as I can while here.

Sunday night, I hit the poker room at The Happy Place (aka The Borgata). My plan is to win enough cash to pay my Buy-Ins for the tourneys. Come to find out The Borgata has cancelled its Monday tourney as has the Trop for spring break. So, it look like I'll be playing the 6:30pm Tourney at The Taj on Monday.

Anyway, I play cash games all night at The Borgata and do well. Well enough to win my buy-in for Monday. I run into Alex928gts and PDoggie in the poker room as well on this night. MD-Poker represent! I also run into Bob. Bob is the gentleman I split with a few months ago when I did well in The Borgata tourney. You may recall he is from Upper Marlboro.

Anyway, on Monday, I play the Taj tourney. $100+$20 Buy-In. 225 Players. 1st place is about $8600. I finished in 40th place. Not bad conswidering the cards I got on this night. I'm pleased with my play and feel very confident that a big one is on the way.

After I busted out of the tournament, I decided to take a mental break and went to see Robots at the new IMAX theater in The Quarters at The Trop. Let me just say, The Borgata has forced all the casinos on A.C. to step up there game. The Trop is the only one to even come close to competing and they are doing a damn good job.

Tuesday, Morning, I jump in the Borgata Tournament. $40+$10 Buy-In for T1000 in chips and $40 Rebuys and a $40 Add-on of T2000 in chips at the end of Level 3. Well, I didnt need to do a buy-In since I ran my chip stack up to T3000 at the end of the Re-Buy level. I added-on to give me a stack of T5000. I was feelig good til this I had one bad hand which sent me into a dive and I never recovered. The board paired on the River in one hand and A guy went all-in on me after I lead the betting all the way to the river. I'm pretty sure he caught a set when the board paired. I folded and lost a good deal of my checkers in that hand. I stole the antes and blinds a few hands but was forced to go all-in later on with AJ and I was up gainst 1010. THis guy catches a 10 on the river to take me out. As you can see, The 10s were after me.

I still had a good showing though. I'm ready for the evening tourney at The Borgata. I'll report back later.

Big Syd

Friday Night Poker (3/25)

Really wasnt in a poker mood Friday night. A bit tired from staying up late Thursday night til 2 or 3 in the morning and then going to work on Friday. I did, however, muster up some energy to play a freeroll on BoDog Poker. It was a $2000 FreeRoll put on by the folks at Covers.Com. Covers is a sports handicapping information site that I use for good info when betting footbal, basketball, etc.

They had almost 300 players to participate. However, I didnt do well since I was more focussed on hooking up my son's brand new iPod Shuffle with some music. You would have thought I got a new toy the way I was excited about his new toy right along with him (I already have the 40 gig'er).

Anyway, busted out early (200 something place) and decided to jump in a Satellite for the Full Tilt $50,000 Guaranteed Tourney on Saturday. Didnt play bad poker. 47 entris (top 5 get seats and 6-8 got money) and I finished in 25th place. Got caught up in a bad hand and just blew it. I was sleepy and wanted to watch TV and that really had a lot to do with the way I played.

So, I busted out. Turned on the tube and finished watching some of The 2004 US Poker Championship from The Taj Majal in Atlantic City. Fell asleep watching it.

Zzzzzz Zzzzzzz

-Big Syd

NEPC: PayPal Purchse Made easier...

To help simplify things for those that would like to purchase a share via PayPal, I am adding a form for your purchase. PayPal is very secure and allows you to use your credit card or bank account to complete your purcahse.


Click Here to Make a Purchase via PayPal


Note: Share purchase limited to 1 share per person unless other arrangements have been made prior to purchase. A $1 PayPal Service Fee will be added to your purchase price per share.

A little something different...

I really didnt feel like making the drive to Bumper's tournament tonight. So, I was all prepared to get some much needed rest this evening (who am I fooling) when I get a call from Scott telling me he's playing in a tournament in Greenbelt (which is not far) and has a real low buy-in ($25 + $5). What the hell. I go just to see some tourney hands and get a lil play in.

I get to UAEGreg's place and the apartment is packed with folk I dont know nor have I played with them (I ended up knowing about 4 players: MixedBruh, TerpFan, UAEGreg, and TheMerck). 3 Tables, 23 players. T3000 in chips. Nice setup. We draw for seats and I end up at the table with MixedBruh and TerpFan. That was not my plan. The plan was to sit at a table of fish that I knew nothing about and then would know nothing about me. I would blow past them and then see the good players at final table. WRONG.

No big deal. I can play this table. I know how MixedBru and TerpFan play. I can hang. I play a few pots and lose. So, I shifted gears and tightened up til I caught The Ladies (QQ). Played them with the raise and took down a pot. Oops. UAEGreg busts out first at the middle table and guess who has to move to his seat? Yep, me. No biggie. I get over there and hold my own until we break down to two tables. I make it to 20. and then end up right back at the table I started with.

Anyway, I'm kinda tired now. So, I'm gonna expedite this. I make the final table with a nice stack. However, this guy from one of the other tables comes over with 2 big racks of chips. Had to have at least the chips of about 8 players. lol Well, this dude has no clue how to play. But yet he has everyones chips. I'm about 2nd or 3rd in chip position at the final table. Mr. Big chips never folds a hand nor does he check when he gets to the final table. He showed cards a few times and was playing the worst hands and was catching cards left and right. So, if you got into a hand with this guy, you had tobe willing to go to the river and you could not bet him off a pot.

Well, we get down to 5 players (Top 4 finishers get paid) and I'm dealt JJ. Time to make a move. What the heck. I onlyplayed $25 to get into this thing. I play this hand. I raise. Big Chip calls. Flop comes down with all low cards. I bet about 3/4 of the pot. He calls. What the hell does this guy have. I cant shake him. Turn comes down. I go all-in. He calls. I showdown JJ. This fool shows down 55 and caught a 5 on the turn. BAM!!! I'm out on the bubble in fifth place and I'm mad enough to put my fist through some drywall. Oh well. It was fun playing. I got the practice that I wanted. I'm just trying to fine tune somethings before going to A.C. this weekend and Foxwoods the following weekend.

I'm tired. I'm going to bed. Good night.

Big Syd

NEPC: Share Purchase Options by PayPal...

If you would like to purchase shares, you may do so in person by contacting me to make arrangements. You may also use PayPal (bigsyd at gmail dot com) to send your purchase amount as well. However, if you choose to use PayPal for payment, there is an additional service fee of $1 to cover the cost of PayPal's services.This is in addition to the $17 per share. The final charge will be $18 for 1 share when using PayPal. If you dont want to pay the PayPal fee, you need to get the money to me in person before next Friday.

NEPC: Share Purchase Addendum

I guess I should have stated this in my initial post. Me giving pieces of action on my play in the NEPC is not even about the money for me. It is something I am doing to add more fun and excitement to it all.

As soon as I put the word out, the demand was huge. The thing is, 1 or 2 people wanted to buy all the shares off the top. However, I really want to give a lot more people a chance to get in on the action. Therefore, I am limiting the number of shares that can be purchased to 1 per person for now. If there are unsold shares by sometime next week, I will make those shares available for purchase at that time.

I do apologize for this oversight on my part.

Good Luck to everyone.

Big Syd

New England Poker Classic: Selling Shares

This year, I will be playing in some of the events at the New England Poker Classic. These events will take place at Foxwoods. After some thought and consideration, I have decided to offer shares of my play in two of the events

The two events are the $500 + $65 Buy-In No Limit Holdem event on Sunday, April 3, 2004, and the $1000 + $100 Buy-In No Limit Holdem event on April 4th. As of right now, these are the only two events that I will definitely be playing in and making shares available.

I am offering 1% shares at the price of $17 per share. This figure is based on my Buy-In fees for the two events totaling $1,665. Each share is valued at 1% of this total. In return, you will receive 1% of any winnings I receive in these two events for every 1% share you purchase. (Example: Lets say I win $3000 in the $500 Buy-In event and I win $5500 in the $1000 Buy-In event for a total of $8500 in total prize money. For every 1% share that you purchase, you would receive a return of $85 from your $17 investment). Of course there is risk involved as well. If I do not make any prize money in the two events, there will be no return on the investment and the $17 share will vanish! (Note: It is common in poker for players at the final table to make money deals which could be different than the actual payout structure determined by the Tournament Staff. If I should be involved in any deal struck, the payout will be based on the money received from the deal. Not the amount that would have been).

At this time, I am only offering a total of 20 shares or 20% of my play. All shares must be paid for by April 1, 2005. If you would like to purchase shares, you may do so in person. You may also use PayPal (bigsyd at gmail dot com) to send your purchase amount as well. However, if you choose to use PayPal for payment, there is a service fee of $1 per share to cover PayPal Fees. This is in addition to the $17 per share. This fee will be added on to amount that you send via PayPal. If you dont want to pay the PayPal fee, you need to get the money to me in person before next Friday.

Oh. If you are wondering where the extra .35 came from in the share price? Well, I really don’t want your coins. I prefer you dollars. lol I could just call the .35/share an administrative fee. Instead, I am going to take all of the .35 cents and feed them into a slot machine. Any winnings received off of this play at the slot machine…Yep, you guessed it. I’ll give you 1% of the winnings per share.

I’m no poker pro nor do I consider myself to be the best there is at this level. But I am pretty confident in my playing style and poker skills and I do believe I am capable of not just making it to the money in these events. I really believe I’m capable of winning them outright. Let me pull out my top gun game and Lady Luck do her part and we’ll all be saying Mo’ Money, Mo’ Money, Mo’ Money.

Good Luck to all of us!

Big Syd

CLICK HERE to purchase a stake using PayPal

Poker-Free Day, Well, Kinda-Sorta...

Didnt do much, on Wednesday, as far as poker. Used it as a rest the mind day of sorts. Well, kinda-sorta. I did play a few rounds on Wilson's Tournament Texas Holdem Software at the office. I like to keep the mind sharp and when I dont play poker, I feel like I'm slipping and losing some of my skills.

I also did some poker reading. Trying to get caught up on my CardPlayer magazines. Just got a new one in the mail on Tuesday and I'm not finished the last one I got. Speaking of CardPlayer, for the first time since I began subscribing, I actually received an issue on the same date as published on the cover. Yep, I got the March 22 issue with Layne Flack on the cover on Tuesday, March 22. Unbelivable considering I usually get my issues about 3-4 weeks late. Havent figured out if its a postal issue or a CardPlayer issue. I'm going to call CardPlayer when they they all get back from The Party Poker Million Cruise.

Speaking of Party Poker Million, I just found out Paul Darden made the final table and the final 6 for TV. This is one guy I have been following for a while now. Good job Paul. Now take it down! Also, last year's winner, Eric Lindgren (a Full Tilt Poker Pro), is out and did not make the final table. Dont worry Eric. I'm sure you'll make many more final tables in the near future.

Well, its a new day. Will probably play some Wilson's Tournament Hold'e at work, read-up on my Card Player and check out this demo-cd of Poker Academy (http://www.poker-academy.com) that came with the latest issue of Card Player. Will probably play Bumper's tourney tonight and/or get some play in on Full Tilt.

On Friday, BoDog is having a special $2000 Freeroll for Covers.com users. I plan to play in that. Kicks off at 9:15pm on BoDog Poker. I may play some satellites on Full Tilt tonight for their weekend guarantees. However, I'm going to Atlantic City on Sunday. So, I may just pass on the guaranteed tourneys this weekend.

Well, thats enough babbling for now.

-Big Syd

Big Syd's Poker Night (3/22)

Once again, Big Syd's Poker Night returned to Big Syd's Place. I finished in 8th place which meant No Money for Me I have never gone as card dead as I did tonight when we got down to the final table. I mean a complete drought. Busted out when I went All-In with KJo and ran into AQo. Queen on the flop. Anyway, thanks to all that came out. I think everyone enjoyed the changes that I implemented. Here are the details from tonight's game:

100 + 10 Buy-In NLHE
20 Players (2 Tables)
Starting Chip Stacks: T3000 (T60,000 in play)
Game started at approx. 8:20pm and Ended at approx. 12:15am

Winners:
1st - James T.
2nd - Capt Kerry
3rd - Adam P. (ImAHustla)
4th - Adam S.

Details for next week's game will be announced shortly. Stay tuned.

-Big Syd

RGP Challenge (3/21): I Stunk Up THe Place...

Well, I played the Monday Night RGP Challenge tonight and I really stunk up the place. Actually, thats not completely correct. I started off real hot. Took down the pot in about 3 or 4 hands and then Bam. I hit a brick wall.

I limp with K10. Flop comes 10-junk-4. Blinds are 20-40. Guy in Mid-Position overbets the pot with a bet of 240. I call with my flopped top pair. Turn comes another 10. He bets out 400 something. I raise it to 800 something with my trip 10s. We see the river. River is a blank. He bets about 400 I think and I called. He shows pocket 4s. His boat (Fours full of 10s) takes down my trip 10s. I think I'm left with about 400 or so after this hand. 2 hands later, I find myself all-in with A10 when the same guy flops a straight draw and gets the straight on the turn.

I was out early. 57th out of 65 players tonight.

No more poker for me tonight. I think I'm still drained and exhausted after finishing 5 places away from the money in last night's $100+$9 NLHE event on FTP. It took some serious work to get there. I guess you cant win them all.

Getting ready to hit the bed. Have to get some rest to be ready for a long night with my live weekly game I host.

Big Syd

I'm back!

Ladies and Gents, I guess you've been wondering where the hell Big Syd has been. Well, I haven't been anywhere. I just started slacking on my Blog. However, the poker hasn't stopped. I'm still playing on a daily basis. Probably about 85% MTT (online and live) and about 15% STT (Sit-N-Gos).

I've been pretty much pleased with my poker play lately. I've gotten a few money finishes and a number of bubbles lately.

Primarily, I've been playing exclusively on Full Tilt Poker. I like the structure of their tourneys there and I am beginning to learn who the regulars are and how they play. Most recently, I played in there $200,000 Guaranteed Tourney as well as their $50,000 and $75,000 guaranteed. I've recently sat and played at tables with Hoard Lederer, Chris Ferguson, Andy Block, Kristy Gazes, Rafe Furst and a number of other Full Tilt Pros. Kinda adds another level of excitement to it all.

Also, lately, I have been playing in the Monday Night RGP Challenge game on Full Tilt. For those not familiar with RGP, it is the Rec.Gambling.Poker Usenet Newsgroup and we have a number of weekly private games. I have been playing the Monday night game for the past 3 or 4 weeks and I love it. Made a final table. But bubbled on the cash. My day is coming. lol

Locally, I've still been holding my weekly game on Tuesday. However, my poker buddies, Scott and Scotty have been giving me a much needed break by hosting the game at their cribs. So, I've been able to chill out a bit myself. But the game does return to my place this week with a few changes. For one, I upped the Buy-In by 100% and I limited the number of players to 20 instead of the 24-27 that I have been hosting. This should allow for a less chaotic tourney with about the same prize pool as before. We'll see how it goes on Tuesday. Also, it looks like I'm going to start rotating the location of my weekly game between my place and Scott and Scotty's. We will see how this works out for a while. Also, with the exception of last week. I have been playing Bumper's Thursday night game on a regular basis. I cashed in that game the last time I played. When I go in focused, I usually do well in his game. We shall see if I can make it again this week.

In other news, I have committed to playing the New England Poker Classic this year. It takes place at Foxwoods. Tentatively, I will be playing the $500 and $1000 Buy-In NoLimit Holdem Events. May try to play some satellites and win my way into the $5000 buy-In Main Event. We shall see. This all goes down starting April 3. Wish me luck.

Last, but not least, I just want to inform everyone that I am now a Full Tilt Poker Affiliate. I figured since I play there pretty much exclusively, I thought I'd recruit some of my folk to come play there as well. I really do like this online poker room and have no problem telling others about it. More about this in an upcoming post.

Well, that's about it for now. I hope this entry has helped to bring you up to speed with my poker going-ons. If you have any questions or comments, drop me a line at bigsyd at gmail dot com

I'll talk to ya soon.

Big Syd