I Just Want A Yakburger Damn It!

Yes I'm Still Here.

2007-05-17T05:41:00.000-04:00

Had Girlfriend's children and a friend from England staying with me over the last mont so a bit busy. Will update soon.

A Note on Iraq

2007-04-22T10:59:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the recent delay. Sometime paradise is to compelling to blog!

Before I return to bloggin about the joys of Thailand, a note of seriousness.

PREFIX for those who claim the 2nd Iraq war was "illegal" and other such stuff.
Iraq violated the terms of the cease fire agreement at the end of the 1st Gulf War. In fact, they violated the terms on a daily basis.Without all the drama of WMDs and whatever else it's that simple: The 1st war NEVER ended and a state of conflict continued to exist between Iraq and the allies form the 1st war.

Also, once The UN Security council authorized force in the 1st war they cannot stop the primary parties from continuing the fight without a direct revocation of that authorization. Colin powell giving speeches and presenting what in hindsight looks like dubious evidence of WMD production was all a show and completely unnecesary from a legal standpoint. It was necesary from a political standpoint in that The Bush admin. was trying to muster public support and using the corrupt institution of The UN as an available avenue.

That covers those who like to throw out propaganda phrases,"illegal war," instead of argument.

Prior to the war, I was in favour of the invasion. Not for grand political reasons or grand religious reasons. I was in favour because I saw with my own eyes the absolute face of evil one day (around 2000/1) in the Iraqi/Kuwait desert. That face WAS Saddams Republican Guard. Thieving, coldblooded, murderers. So I supported the invasion but was still uneasy in that I wasn't sure Bush and co. had a plan for after the military victory. Now my fears have come to their worst realizations.

Now back to the topic (justifications for a war which was already entered into 4 years ago aside):

I agree with some that the "war" proper was already fought and won. US Forces are now engaged in a police/nationbuilding/stabilization role for which they are neither trained nor equipped.

US Military forces, Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen are the Best trained and equipped military force that humanity has ever seen. They are the best at what they are trained to do. (This is said with much much respect for numerous British Forces I also had the honour of working with. They just dont have the same scale of force) BUT, one needs to ask the question, "What are they trained and equipped to do?"

They are trained to kill. It's that simple.
If you want a simpler answer: They are trained to put ordnance on target.
And guess what, they are great at it. Whether it be the pilot dropping a laser guided bomb or the Marine rifleman in a small unit firefight, they do that job exceeding well. Why? Because the treasure and experience of ou nation was put behind them in the training and equipment.

Now what are they doing?
Learning on the fly to conduct counter insurgency?
This is a job suited for either guerrillas or Special Forces NOT GI Joe regular army/marine.

Policing a nation which either can't or won't police itself?
This is a job for dedicated, experienced peacekeepers or POLICEMEN.

Building a nation?
This is a job for politicians and diplomats NOT soldiers/sailors/marines/airmen.

Taking crash courses in IED defusement?
This is a job for dedicated EOD (explosive ordnance personell) trained workers.

Occupying a restless nation which is becoming more and more hostile to our prescence?
This has never been either something our forces are either good at or wish to do.

So where does that leave us? Well it leaves the military holding a giant bag (dropped in their laps by politicians with minimal forethought) containing a giant [censored] sandwich and expecting them to take a bite every single day.

When I hear talk from the left about "End your illegal occupation! End your war of aggression!" all I hear is blah blah blah with no readily available solutions or plans.

When I hear talk from the right with their "Don't cut and run!" "Stay the course! "We're winning!" "It's getting better!" "One more push!" all I hear is blah blah blah blah with only poor or self decieving solutions.

IOW Both sides smell like they are full of BS and we have still left our troops in the middle with the [censored] sandwich.

I don't proclaim to have all the answers for extracting ourselves from this horrid situation. I have some suggestions though.

1) Stop the feckin talking points meaningless political BS from both sides.

2) Have realist military and political leaders (from every spectrum) examine it in a nonbiased light. (Yeah yeah I know, that's what the Baker Iraq commision was supposed to do) Oh yeah and lets try to do it right this time.

3)Lets start asking soldiers/marines/sailors/airmen for their suggestions. (Not another fecking general or admiral with a career at stake but [censored] groundpounders.)

4) Stop generalizing this situation as either a grand "crusade against radical Islam" OR an imperialistic enterprise of the evil USA. (See point 1)

5) How about a gradual withdrawal from the populated areas of Iraq to the Southern Borders (ports and oilfields). Create one, or several, very large military base(s) and let Iraq sort themselves out. We can maintain our strategic prescence protecting the oilfields and maintaining a bulwark against any Iranian forays into Iraq. We would still be there but NOT fighting in the streets everyday for a nebulous cause against both our enemies and supposed friends.

Sure this idea has some problems but it seems to accomplish several key objetives:
A) We haven't "cut and run" for those who abhor such thoughts.
B) Our force would be supremely adept at defending a base stronghold (not within a city) aainst all attackers in open territory.
C) We still have a significant military force in place to guaratee ours and much of te world's strateic interests in the region.

Thanks for reading and if you only take one thing away from this, please start the process of rational discussion vice pointless namecalling and propagandizing on both sides.

Motorbike--Climb--Falls--Dam: A trip report in Pix.

2007-04-05T09:04:00.000-04:00

My villamate, my gf and I ride on over to Khatu Falls (prominently marked on the Phuket Map) to discover not quite what I expected. At the bottom there is what appears a bubbling brook with a couple of wading areas. After asking about, it seems it doens't really become a "falls" until well into the rainy season (starting in bout a month). Still some pretty scenery was found.

Children frolicking in the wading pools at the bottom.

We discovered an upward spiraling stairway into the jungle and decided to see if there be any sights to see higher up. After around a 400meter climb upwards (a bit tiring I must admit) we found the uppermost part of the "falls" deep into the jungle.

30min climb to find a dry bed. Bah!

Having come this far, we decided to crack on into the jungle proper (the stairway had long since ended) to see if we could at least get a nice view. Another 25mins of near vertical jungle climbing and we reached Kathu MTN summit.

The weary yet triumphant MadYank, climber.

After the climbdown, we had a nice Thai meal at the local food shack then proceeded on bike to Bang Wat Dam to see if Dam really meant Dam.

Upon finding the dam (nestled way down a back road right next to a lush country club golf course), we were greeted with some very nice vistas (read excellent destop background pics)

Enjoy! And standby for the Wat Chalong Trip Report.

Muay Thai in Phuket Town.

2007-04-05T09:03:00.000-04:00

(Pics to follow later once I get the right USB cord to DL off Puk's camera)

Muay Thai down in Phuket Town, PK, (having been warned that most if not all of the Patong boxing rings were at least semi fake, we ventured into a far more "Thai oriented" area).Long and annoying negotiations with different taxi drivers to get us from Patong down to PK. Eventually settle on an overpriced taxi (1000THB) to bring us there wait for us then bring us back. I'm sure we could have arranged better, but we left it a bit late (1hr before the boxing started).

Sos, after a 20min drive in the taxi, (sheet, after 2 weeks in Phuket I'd almost forgotten what it's like in a car, I've been tooling aroud on my motorbike for what seems like forever.) we arrive at the boxing arena (Sawit Gym/training camp/boxing stadium). Puk got out and tried to buy the tix for the three of us at Thai discount prices but to no avail. She got the 50% Thai discount, but my villamate and I had to pay full Farang Fare of 1200TB for ringside seats (900THB for outer ring seats). As we entered the arena, we realized it's smallish and no one checks the tix anyways so we could have bought outer ring and just moved to rigside if we wanted to (as most farangs were ringside and The Thais had outer ring seats). Seeing this, we promptly sat down right on the edge of the apron and awaited the show.

Looking for a little side action (we gots a little gambool in us) but both completely clueless on the form/favorites of the 9 bout fight, we decide to have a tiny 50THB wager on each fight with me taking all of the red corner fighters and my villamate taking all the blue corner fighters. NOTE even this random method can have painful gambooling repurcussions. On a 9 card fight I managed to lose 500THB???? (As the fights wore on I started getting in a deeper hole as most of the red fighters were going down by either decision or KO so I kept going for the dbl and treble wager on the next fight and still losing).

Onto to the fighting action. The first bout was listed on the card as a 50lb weight class. Prior to the emergence of the figters we were speculating on how old the competitors could possibly be at just 50lbs. Well, we were awarded a fierce battle atween what seemed like two 5 year olds. Red had a fierce "50 cent stare" and blue looked timid but had a definite height and reach advantage. After the opening ceremonies (which were similar for each fight) of a ceremonial dance center ring and a trace of the ropes with brief prayer in each corner) the action commenced. These 2 kids fought as hard as any 2 Brooklyn street fighters I can remember growing up. Red turned out to be a bull rushing brawler with strong punches but he could not hold up to the more technical and skillful kicking ability of blue. Thus, blue won by decision.

After the fight, I was reflecting on both the brutality and beauty of the spectacle of 5 year olds in such a contest. Their discipline and determination was startling for some so young and yet twas still a bit disturbing watching little kids "kickin the sheet" out of each other.

The next three fights moved on with slight rises in weight class and age. One of the hardest battles was atween what seemed two 14year olds who fought so fiercely that my villamate remarked "The winner must get to lose his virginity tonight!" Of course, red won this fight wit a crushing kick/punch combo to the head that sent red spiraling to floor in a KO and requiring smelling salts to reawaken.

The 5th match shall be known as the sick OUTDRAW! Having doubled the stakes on this fight of 16yr olds, red was opening a big ole can of ass whuppin on blue through 2 rounds. The whuppin was so intense, we were both shocked Blue managed to stay standing in the 2nd round after absorbing so much punishment. Well, it seems Blue had been adopting a solid "rope'a'dope" stategy and at the stat of the 3rd round, red was visibly tired and blue KOed him in the 1st 30 seconds with a devastating series of kicks to the head.

Onto the next interesting fight...45lb weight class! What? 45lb? Tis it possible? Yep! Cus they were 6 or 7yr old GIRLS! LOL! These chicks fought as fierce, if not fiercer than the young boys. After three rounds, and not a single incident of standard catfight hair pulling :), blue, of course, won by decision deepening my 1st foray into Muay Thai betting.

As the main event rolled around, I was in the hole for about 250THB and decided to "get out of it" on the last fight. I was confident that any farang named, Olaf, from Estonia, weighing in at 200lbs, had to have a decent shot against a local Thai journeyman. my villamate graciously accepted the dbl or nothing bet and the fight commenced. Olaf had about a 7inch height advanage and easily the same advantage in reach. The Thai fighter also looked a little old and possily out of shape. The first 2 rounds went as expected with Olaf's superior power, reach, and kicking punishing the Thai fighter. At this point, I'm thinking "yeah HA! I'm out of it!" Unfortunately, Olaf ran out of gas shortly into the 3rd round and the fiht went to decision with the Thai guy winning on decision after out boxing him for te last 2.5 rounds. BAH! So I got to pay the full 1000THB taxi fare.

We had the taxi drop us off at Bangla Road back in Patong to continue the birthday merriment. We eventually wandered into the back of "Soi Disco something or other" for a few drinks whilst watching the bar girls a dancing. The mix was 10% hot, 50% doable, 20% meh, and 20% Yuck/ladyboy.

At our first bar, my villamate kept getting propositioned by an energetic somewhat cute 30something woman with an amusing surprise. When she opened her mouth, she was missing almost her entire row of upper teeth. Needless to say this was "offputting" for both of us, though Puk did find it quite amusing. At this bar I managed to lose something like 7 straight games of connect 4 to the head bar matron (LOL trying to beat a professional connect 4 player). After 2 drinks we moved onto the front of the soi to "Sharky's Bar," where all the dancers were dressed in schoolgirl outfits.

Once we landed at Sharky's Bar, my villamate and I commenced drinkin and Puk went for a walk to get some food from the street carts. She returned about 40 mins later with a cake and candles and we had a little bday song and party there with the bargirls chowing down some cake! One of the bar matrons took great enjoyment in speading icing all over my villamate's face!.

Summary: Muay Tai (at a real arena/gym outside of the heavy farang traffic areas) was deffo a good night out depsite being on the V expensive side for Thailand. It's worth one trip just to experience the spectacle and ritual. Bangla Rd....Well it's Bangla Rd on a Friday night, LOL!

I'm Back Folks! Oh Yeah! and I'm in Thailand!

2007-04-03T05:48:00.000-04:00

Some piccy pix of my home in Phuket.

FInally Found a Vid of My Monte Carlo Millions Knockout

2007-01-24T14:10:00.000-05:00

BAH! Swede Got me!

It's around Minute 4 of this video.

Cure for Pain

2007-01-19T11:35:00.000-05:00

Morphine

Poker in a Picture

2006-12-14T23:53:00.000-05:00

Every other Hand feels like this.

Lawyers Lawyers. Lawyers Everywhere!

2006-12-10T00:07:00.000-05:00

Sexual Consent

OK Folks. I'm Back!

2006-12-06T18:37:00.000-05:00

Let's start with a fairly decent interview with WSOP 2006 Champion, Jaime Gold.

Interview

Somewhat Out of Action

2006-11-03T21:48:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the "radio silence."

I've been dealing with a personal family illness issue.

Hungry For Victory!

2006-10-23T22:33:00.000-04:00

After a nasty foul from behind by West Ham player, Mascherano, Tottenham Striker, Jermaine Defoe, made a jestful biting gesture which has since caused quite a stir.
(Credit to Nemesis for finding this lovely sequences of pics)

P.S. The Tottenham claims the victory 1-0, gaining a much needed 3 points.

Double Footballing Joy!

2006-10-21T18:44:00.000-04:00

Jeff Samadzija wakes up the echoes in Notre Dame Stadium

Gomez and the 77th minute winner

1st DC United take the away leg against The New York Red Bulls on a lovely 2 man attack between Jaime Moreno and Christian Gomez who scored in the 77th minute to seal a 1-0 win.

Then, a nailbiting comeback win for Notre Dame in "the other football". Trailing 17-13, with 61 secs left in the game, no timeouts and starting from their own 20 yard line, ND went the distance with 3 passes. The final pass was a 45 yd touchdown grab by Jeff Samardzija in which he broke 2 tackles and ran to the house with 20 seconds left. ND win 20-17

D.C. United Commence The Playoff Run.

2006-10-21T14:20:00.000-04:00

They start their attack at The New York Red Bulls for the "away" leg of the matchup.

DC stumbled into he plyoffs after dominating the regular season. Lets see if they can regain their winning form and overcome the Bruce Arena (Of failed Team USA fame) managed NY team.

Neteller Fires a Warning Shot To It's US Customers

2006-10-19T19:54:00.000-04:00

It appears Neteller (my absolute e-wallet of choice), a UK publicly traded online payment company may start blocking US customers from depositing into gaming sites.

Neteller Press Release

Buisnessweek Tackles the shady way online punters may be forced into using less secure online money movers.

Forcing Players Undergroud

George Will Make a Good Few Points

2006-10-18T21:36:00.000-04:00

Syndicated US Columnist George WIll Tackles the Internet Gambling Bill. I've copied the entire article rather than link it for the simple reason that it speaks reason.

By George F. Will
Newsweek
Oct. 23, 2006 issue - Perhaps Prohibition II is being launched because Prohibition I worked so well at getting rid of gin. Or maybe the point is to reassure social conservatives that Republicans remain resolved to purify Americans' behavior. Incorrigible cynics will say Prohibition II is being undertaken because someone stands to make money from interfering with other people making money.

For whatever reason, last Friday the president signed into law Prohibition II. You almost have to admire the government's plucky refusal to heed history's warnings about the probable futility of this adventure. This time the government is prohibiting Internet gambling by making it illegal for banks or credit-card companies to process payments to online gambling operations on a list the government will prepare.

Last year about 12 million Americans wagered $6 billion online. But after Congress, 32 minutes before adjourning, passed its ban, the stock of the largest online-gambling business, Gibraltar-based PartyGaming, which gets 85 percent of its $1 billion annual revenue from Americans, declined 58 percent in one day, wiping out about $5 billion in market value. The stock of a British company, World Gaming PLC, which gets about 95 percent of its revenue from Americans, plunged 88 percent. The industry, which has some 2,300 Web sites and did half of its business last year with Americans, has lost $8 billion in market value because of the new law. And you thought the 109th Congress did not accomplish anything.

Supporters of the new law say it merely strengthens enforcement; they claim that Internet gambling is illegal under the Wire Act enacted in 1961, before Al Gore, who was then 13, had invented the Internet. But not all courts agree. Supporters of the new law say online gambling sends billions of dollars overseas. But the way to keep the money here is to decriminalize the activity.

The number of online American gamblers, although just one sixth the number of Americans who visit real casinos annually, doubled in the last year. This competition alarms the nation's biggest gambling interests—state governments.

It is an iron law: When government uses laws, tariffs and regulations to restrict the choices of Americans, ostensibly for their own good, someone is going to make money from the paternalism. One of the big winners from the government's action against online gambling will be the state governments that are America's most relentless promoters of gambling. Forty-eight states (all but Hawaii and Utah) have some form of legalized gambling. Forty-two states have lottery monopolies. Thirty-four states rake in part of the take from casino gambling, slot machines or video poker.

The new law actually legalizes online betting on horse racing, Internet state lotteries and some fantasy sports. The horse-racing industry is a powerful interest. The solidarity of the political class prevents the federal officials from interfering with state officials' lucrative gambling. And woe unto the politicians who get between a sports fan and his fun.

In the private sector, where realism prevails, casino operators are not hot for criminalizing Internet gambling. This is so for two reasons: It is not in their interest for government to wax censorious. And online gambling might whet the appetites of millions for the real casino experience.

Granted, some people gamble too much. And some people eat too many cheeseburgers. But who wants to live in a society that protects the weak-willed by criminalizing cheeseburgers? Besides, the problems—frequently exaggerated—of criminal involvement in gambling, and of underage and addictive gamblers, can be best dealt with by legalization and regulation utilizing new software solutions. Furthermore, taxation of online poker and other gambling could generate billions for governments.

Prohibition I was a porous wall between Americans and their martinis, giving rise to bad gin supplied by bad people. Prohibition II will provoke imaginative evasions as the market supplies what gamblers will demand—payment methods beyond the reach of Congress.

But governments and sundry busybodies seem affronted by the Internet, as they are by any unregulated sphere of life. The speech police are itching to bring bloggers under campaign-finance laws that control the quantity, content and timing of political discourse. And now, by banning a particular behavior—the entertainment some people choose, using their own money—government has advanced its mother-hen agenda of putting a saddle and bridle on the Internet.

I've Been Listening toThis Song ALL DAY LONG

2006-10-14T21:10:00.000-04:00

It seems the first full weekend of migration from Party to PokerStars was destined to abuse me.
After 3 sessions of beatings I surrender to a break.

So It Is Written. So It Shall Be Done!

2006-10-13T15:29:00.000-04:00

Bush signed the Port Security Bill (with the internet gambling enforcement rider) into law today resulting in this little beauty from PartyPoker.

The President of the United States has signed legislation that now causes PartyGaming to have to cease taking wagers from U.S. customers. We will also suspend accepting deposits from U.S. customers and examine potential offerings to U.S. customers that would be within the new law. This will not affect the Play For Free games and your Account will remain accessible. Non-US players and all Play for Free games will not be affected. If, like us, you think this new law is unfair and unjust, have your say now at the Poker Players Alliance.

On The Good News Front

PokerStars have officially come out with a business as Usual response to the new law.

Death by Gutshot (Am I a Cockbastard?)

2006-10-11T23:49:00.000-04:00

Tis said that death by a gutshot wound is a quite painful demise. Well I experienced this exquisite pain twice last nite at the MCPL Pub League.

With 24 runners in the tournament I didn't really play a hand in the first few minutes but I did witness a few notable movements.

1st: "Like a Rhinestone cufflink..." (Isn't there song about that?)A very well dressed guy talked another player out of calling with his AQ on a A 10 6 6 board only to show the folder his massive A 2. During the whole should I stay or go decision process I added into the fray, asking the gentlemen where he got his cufflinks because I thought they looked quite nice (they were shiny and MadYank likes shiny thingys). His reply was "Thanks, I think I got them at target." My response "DOH! Thanks for embarrasing me!" After this exchange the AQ holder decided to seek fortunes in other pots.

2nd: "These any good?"
A hand developed between "Rhinestone cufflink guy" (heretofore referred to as RCG), a new player who had limited/no live game experience, and a league regular.

Preflop:
New guy calls.
Regular raises.
RCG re-raises.
New Guy calls.
Regular Allin.
RCG Call.
New Guy call.
Flop 5 3 10
New guy check
RCG check
Turn: 10
New guy check
RCG check
River: 6
New guy check
RCG check
Showdown:
Regular: AdKd
RCG: 88
New Guy: JJ are these any good?New Guy rakes in a massive pot

3rd: Death by Gutshot (Ok. double gutshot)
The next hand I'm in the Big Blind with 56offsuit.
Preflop
New Guy calls
Button raise to 100 (blinds were 25-25)
I call
New Guy calls.
Flop: 5 3 6
"Yum Yum" says me. lets go for ye ole check raise here.
New Guy checks.
Button bets out 200.
I raise to 700.
New Guy thinks briefly then calls.
Button moves allin for a total of 1875
I move allin for a total of 2125
New guy thinks longer this time then calls.
Button produces AA
I show my top 2 pair
New Guy turns over 97offsuit.I immediately proclaim "He's got a Gutshot!"
Turn: 8
Instant Gutification glory for new guy
River: Big Fat Blank
And new guy has chopped 2 more heads including mine.Oh the joy and irony of getting whacked by a gutshot whilst wearing a gutshot Shirt.

Next on the agenda
Whilst finishing my pint, I got to chatting with Greg (Ze Tournament Organizer) about the joy and agony of Omaha in all it glorious forms (Pot Limit, Limit, High Only, Hi-Lo). Once the lovely Claire has busted out tof the tournament and a table has broken we set about to play a friendly Pot Limit Omaha tournament with 5 of the other "bustees."I most graciously baptized our table as the "loser's lounge"It rapidly came to a fiery end. It seems that PotLimit Omaha played by some who barely understand the game and wih no money or points at stake can get a bit reckless. Thus, this little exercise took all of about 12 minutes to finish.

We felt a bit unfullfilled after the brevity of that idea so we decided to fire up another tournament, but this time make it LIMIT Hi-LO. Well it lasted a lot longer and much schooling was done on what the heck qualifies as a low and which is better than others. One particular hand, I bet on the rive with some semi nuttis hand only to be called a "Cockbastard" by Greg. I immediately announced "Cockbastard has been declared!" He then called stating "I wasn't going to call, but once I annouced cockbastard, I had to"

Not far later, Greg promptly dispatched me with a Gutshot draw, to which I could only return the favour and announce "Cockbastard" and then wish all a goodnight.

PS
I then went home and promptly (OK after 4 hours) finished 5th in a Limit 7 Card Stud HiLo Tournament on PokerStars. :)

Gone in 16 hands...

2006-10-09T11:25:00.000-04:00

My stay in the PokerStars Million guarantee was brief and flameful. On hand 16 I raised with AdKd to 120 (blinds 15-30) and received one caller (on the button) in the form of a scandi who had been playing crazy in the fisrt 15 hands.

The Flop was 10d 6d 2c.

I bet 220 into the 285 pot and the button raised to 720. I thouht for 20 secs then moved all in with my remaining 2200 chips with my overcards and nut flush draw. He called rapidly and he had AhAc. MARVELOUS. No diamond for me and I was history.

When they said "Repent!." I wondered what they meant.

Something Pokerish?

2006-10-08T04:17:00.000-04:00

After a long road of rather mundane pokering I finally final tabled in a tourney again.

$2K for a chop in the $30 Deepstack NLHE on Pokerstars.

10 Hours to get there. If we hadnt made a deal, I imagine it might have gone anther 2-3hrs.

The structures in these is brilliant in that it allows a tremendous amount of patient play. The early stages still have a lot of players who eject themselves by verplaying marginal hands into monsters but hey, there is profit to be made in them there nutters.

My normal formula is to to call small and then snap up HUGE pots from these players with clearly limited deepstack experience. This, ideally, leads to a very comfortable stack by the end of the 2nd hour allowing absolute patience and much play.

The major drawback is, of course, they take a looooooooooong, loooooooooooooooong, time and it can be frustating to bubble after 6 hours play.

OK then. I'm off to rest. I Imagine I may play the Stars $215 today. I have a feeling that $140K score is heading my way today :P

Security or Privacy?

2006-10-07T11:00:00.000-04:00

A recent agreement between the US DHS and The European Union over airline passenger data has some Europeans in a huff.

Their concerns revolve around data protection and personal privacy.

1st) The new agreement DOES NOT increase the amount of data shared. It simply formalizes theexchange mechanisms and ensures more stringent requirements upon US Government agencis and any sharing

Data Sharing Agreement Reached

2nd) This data was ALREADY being shared, shortly after the Sep 11 attacks.

3rd) Where does the line between security and privacy exist? In normal life, I am highly in favor of coming down strngly on the privay side. Now when the question turns to Air Travel wherein 300-3000 lives can be put at risk by a terrorist or group of terrorists then clearly security must probe quite a bit farther.

4th) The details

name
address
country of citizenship
payment method (including credit card information)
passport details

These are all quite reasonable bits of information to ask for regarding foreign passengers coming ino The USA. All of thse bits can be bounced against watch lists and produce red flags which when added up generate a risk assessment of particular flights or passeners.

5th) Right vs. Privilege

Remember, for NON-US Citizens, entry into the United States is a PRIVILEGE NOT a Right. Just as entry to any other sovereign country is the same. If you do not wish to fulfill the required entry requirements (including providing the required information) it's simple, don't come to The USA.

Finally. The real truth abot Zidane's Headbutt.

2006-10-07T09:53:00.000-04:00

What happened to Materazzi?

Zidane Vs Materazzi The Movie! - video powered by Metacafe

Bloodletting

2006-10-05T19:55:00.000-04:00

I'm Feelin a bit ghoulish after a few wicked outdraws.

OK Then!

2006-10-04T01:06:00.000-04:00

It seems youtube remove "The Little Green Bag" Video below. BAH!

So I give you Morphine!

Anyone Seen My Little Green Bag?

2006-10-03T10:02:00.000-04:00

More Music for the people.

Yak Ja Rong Dung Dung

2006-10-02T10:30:00.000-04:00

And Now for Something Completely Different.

Thai Singer, Palmy.
The song is called "I Want to Shout It Out Loud"

Feeling down? Listen to this a few times it's fairly uplifting!

A Day of Infamy for Online Poker in The USA

2006-09-30T06:54:00.000-04:00

The US Senate has passed An Internet Gambling Bill which primarily goes after banks and financial institutions for any "Internet Gaming" transactions.

Assuming that Bush signs the bill (a probability of 100% since it's a rider on The Port Security Bill), the internet poker players will soon be taking a huge hit.

Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement (Look at pages 213-244)

Kill The Bird?

2006-09-29T07:47:00.000-04:00

Found this Lying About The Net

So you don't know how to kill two birds with one stone? Don't worry, you are not alone. Well you are, but there's not a lot I can do about that. What I mean to say is that we've all been there, even you. It's only natural and human to want to kill as many birds with as few stones as possible. It's nothing to be ashamed of, as long as you keep it to yourself and tell no one.

I bet you were wandering in a field one day, just idly carrying a big stone, like I was yesterday. Then you saw these two birds, just sitting there, waiting to be killed. Of course, you looked around for another stone but the field was stoneless, was it not? You were then forced to use the one stone you had against those birds and so in a mad blind moment of frustration you just hurled that stone, didn't you, only to find that it missed both birds and went straight through the window of a tractor. Then the police got involved and your life was ruined for ever, like mine was - am I right?

Well, you should have read this first then.

The benefits of killing two birds with one stone are, mostly, that you save on stones. The practice, therefore, ought to be only prized in societies where birds are common and difficult to kill but stones are extremely rare and valuable. Yet it remains a part of common parlance even in our society and we've a massive surplus of frozen chickens and there's stones just laying about all over the place for free! Which just goes to show that the whole science of economics is irrelevant when it comes to killing...

500,000 Good Things Happen to A Good Woman!

2006-09-24T19:43:00.000-04:00

Well Done Vicky!

It would appear that my superfunking has worked. Victoria Coren won The London EPT and 500,000 pounds.

OK Perhaps The US Navy takes itself a touch Too Seriously

2006-09-24T09:33:00.000-04:00

The Best 6 Minutes in Cinematic History!

2006-09-24T09:08:00.000-04:00

The Dead Parrot..

2006-09-24T04:06:00.000-04:00

An interesting take on the ole Monty Python "Dead Parrot" Sketch

Dead Friend

For those who prefer the original

Dead Parrot

Holy Funking Batman!

2006-09-24T02:52:00.000-04:00

( Vicky looking only mildly concerned after running her 88 into AA only for a lovely 8 to hit the flop)

It would appear that my positive wish for Vicky Coren has proven most powerful! She has made it to the final day of the London EPT. With only 12 players remaining, she has a decent stack and a fince chance of hitting the final table of 8. 1st Prize is 500,000 sterling so I'll say it again...

GO VICKY GO

Islam and Christianity The Battle

2006-09-24T00:41:00.000-04:00

Yet another Humorous Debate (No threats of actual death)

John Stewart Show

Good Luck Vicky!

2006-09-23T06:34:00.000-04:00

(Vicky drops a devlish grin after trebling up with 666 to survive)

It would appear that Pokerstars held the London EPT despite The Madyank not being in attendance. (Shocking really isn't it? :) Well they cracked on with some slightly lesser known yanks including, Phil Ivey and Barry Greenstein.

Anyway, Vicky Coren is still in after day 1 and I wish her the best of luck.
(Really? After looking at that smile, how could you not wish her well?)

Kaho Jai Mai Thai Coup?

2006-09-20T05:27:00.000-04:00

A bloodless military coup has occurred in Thailand (Land of Smiles).

Whilst The Prime Minister was attending a UN conference in New York, his chief miliary rival General took control of the government wih the blessing of The King and apparently many of The Thai People.

For an "on the ground" look at whats going on in Bangkok check out Stickman

And Yet They Continue to Prove The Pope's Point Whilst Bashing Him...

2006-09-17T20:04:00.000-04:00

The Picture sort of sums up the peaceful response to the pope

Surely someone aside from me, must see the absolute irony of the parade of Islamic leaders condemning the Pope's remarks and warnign of WAR!

Angry Response

Hani Pahas in the London-based Arabic-language daily newspaper Al-Hayat, wrote

“the pope’s comments may lead to war; we fear that the pope’s statements may lead to a war..."

Hello people! The pope mentions Islamic violence and prominent Muslims think the best response to prove him wrong IS VIOLENCE or threats of violence!

One Last Bit On Religion

2006-09-17T03:14:00.000-04:00

I Leave you to the inspired words of the very wise George Carlin.

Carlin on Religion

Back to The Files of The Bizarre

2006-09-16T18:43:00.000-04:00

It would seem a Pennsylvania woman is facing charges related to heating a fake penis full of urine in a convenience store microwave oven.

May I heat My severed Penis Here Please?

Please Don't Offend Those Who Desire to Kill You....

2006-09-16T14:38:00.000-04:00

Muslims Burn The Pope in Effigy

It would seem that The Pope's recent speech regarding Islam has offended many Muslims. In this speech he was attempting to draw closer relations with Islam but perhaps unadvisedly used and old quote coupling Islam with violence. This has apparently pissed off the Muslim world.

Here is the quote from an obscure medieval text reording a debate between Byzantine emperor and an educated Persian:

"Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."

This quote ired Many Muslims and calls for an apology were shouted from many clerics.

The Vatican spokesman, Federico Lombardi, countered with

"It was certainly not the intention of the Holy Father to undertake a comprehensive study of the jihad and of Muslim ideas on the subject, still less to offend the sensibilities of the Muslim faithful."

Further, Father Miguel Ayuso Guixot, head of the Vatican's Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies, stated that, he feared the Pope's words had been "misinterpreted". He added: "The Pope has worked tirelessly for inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue and for tolerance."

Apparently this appeasement was not enough for many.

In Beirut, Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah, one of the world's top Shia Muslim clerics, said: "We demand that the Pope apologizes personally, and not through Vatican sources, to all Muslims for such a wrong interpretation." An influential Iranian cleric branded his remarks "absurd". Ahmad Khatami told worshippers at Tehran University: "The Pope has insulted Islam."

OK What to make of this?

Perhaps I am off, but I find it rather disingenuous for major Islamic leaders to shout their disturbance from the rooftops regarding the Pope's comments whilst they simultaneously remain near silent on the numerous violent attacks perpetrated on behalf of or in the name of Islam. How can we take seriously ANY indignation from these leaders?

Where is he angry condemnation from Muslim Clerics when another bomb goes off?

Where is the angry condemnation from Muslim Clerics everytime Osama or Al Queda releases another video detailing their murderous plans in the name of Allah?

Where is the angry condemnation from Muslim Clerics when another kidnap victim is beheaded in Allah's name and then sanctioned as justifiable by An Egyptian Cleric?

Sorry, but in my book, until these "Muslim Leaders/Clerics" stop talking out 2 sides of their mouths their credibility is SHITE. IM not sorry that, I refuse to accept any further hypocritical public bullshit from these doubletalking, selfserving "pillars of The Islamic Community." These are the same people who claim the the West's war on terror is actually a war on Islam. Uh, pardon me, but didn' Islam declare war on the west? Sure, one could argue that it is fringe members/radicals unassociated with mainstream Islam, BUT, until mainstream Islam starts denouncing these terrorist with the same vehemnce and righteous indignation as they denounce and old Catholic priest, then once again they sanction it and are responsible for it.

Carrying on: Further Proof that the BBC still has Head firmly implanted in own ARSE

In their article on the controversy, they take a faily critical viewpoint quoting Jesuit Scholar, Father Thomas Reese, an authority on the workings of the Vatican, told the BBC news website of his concerns: "The Pope's worst decision so far has been the exiling of Archbishop Fitzgerald," he said in an interview in April this year. "He was the smartest guy in the Vatican on relations with Muslims. You don't exile someone like that, you listen to them.

"If the Vatican says something dumb about Muslims, people will die in parts of Africa and churches will be burned in Indonesia, let alone what happens in the Middle East. "

Um, excuse there? So, what you are saying is that the Pope's obscure quote IS applicable today! If I read that correctly, if the The Pope says something Muslims don't like, people are going to DIE somewhere!

Lets take another look at that offending quote:

"Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."

Hmmmm starting to ring a bit true......

Follow on Note:

To protest the Pope using a refernece saying Islam could be violent, some Palestineans did what? Oh yeah, some acts of violence!

Palestineans Attack 5 Churches

Stab Your Competition?

2006-09-13T16:44:00.000-04:00

It would seem that a young American at a small University in Colorado, decided the only way to get more playing time was to stab the starting player in the leg.

Leg Stabber

Could this technique work in poker? Not that I'm advocating it, but I wonder why it hasn't been tried in poker yet , especially with the exponentially growing prize pools.

I noticed at the WSOP main event this year that on the last 3 days of play, the eventual winer, Jaimie Gold, had a mounting entourage and security escort. On the last 2 days of the event he actually had a full team of 4 professional secuirty escorts just to the pisser. Was he worried about the 2nd chip leader having him "whacked out"? Or was he just being paranoid and creating his own "cult of exclusivity"?

I had a very brief meet with him in the Bodog lounge during a break and the next to last day and seemed affable enough. Of course, it did also seem that everyone with a pen or a camera was chasing him for an interview or soundbite.

The motivation must surely be there for desperado players hunting for that extra million. Just imagine that you are the clear 2nd chip leader in a massive tournament. If you somehow had the chip leader "indisposed", you winning chances, thus EV, must surely jump dramatically. Would the WPT or WSOP cancel or delay a final table in search of or deference to a missing or injured chip leader?

ONCE AGAIN. I do not advocate this idea as a tactic for use. I'm just wondering why it hasn't happened yet. Perhaps the lesson to take away is to hire you own squad of secuirty the day before you apprach a final table with a chip lead. Even if there is no treat you can at least ward off the 22 year old Internet Heros employed by cardplayer.

Bizzaro World

2006-09-11T21:20:00.000-04:00

Here is a video documentry collating a series of Arab figures denying any Muslim involvement with 9/11.

Documentry

Soften The Hositlity.

2006-09-11T17:58:00.000-04:00

This applies in poker AND in life.

ON this day (5 year anniversy of the attacks of SEP 11th) I like this article by Barron Vangor Toth.
I think that perhaps we could also translate these ideals to life beyond the poker table to realize better profit AND sanity both on personal and national levels.

To those who would target Americn Civilians for their own sick beliefs I say a categorical "F**K YOU!"

That said, however, perhaps we as Americans should take more of a role in assuring that our government stops acting on the world stage with an image of a "Drunk 15yr old with a loaded Gun in his hand"

Anyway, read this one if only for the poker truisms.

Soften The Hostility

Harrah's Screws The WSOP Pooch and Their Trousers Fall

2006-09-10T04:57:00.000-04:00

Harrah's Tournament Staff Screwed Royally at Only The Most Important Tournament of them All, The WSOP Main Event.

Read this indepth discussion of how $2M in EXTRA chips entered the The tournament.

How To Screw Up The WSOP

Return of Football (American Style That is)

2006-09-10T00:15:00.000-04:00

Both my teams won this weekend.

1st The Pittsburgh Steelers beat The Miami Dolphins on Thursday night and then the best of all, Notre Dame Routed PennState today 41-17.

The Ultimate in Poker SELF TORTURE

2006-09-07T18:00:00.000-04:00

PokerStars is now offering SUPER deepstack NLHE tournaments.

10K starting chips with a 30 min clock.

The Kicker?

$1 buyin.

Would you like to spend the next 15 hours to compete for a 1st prize of $222?

Rest Mode

2006-09-07T12:45:00.000-04:00

I am back on The East Coast of The USA.

I plan to rest for a few weeks before I make my next move.

I still have a bunch of Vegas/WSOP stories in writing. Stanby for further updates.

Dangerous Poker

2006-09-03T13:56:00.000-04:00

It seems a waterborne poker run went horribly wrong.

Tragic Poker Run

Had Enough of Vegas

2006-09-03T13:52:00.000-04:00

I'm Heading back to the East Coast for some downtime.

From The "Not So Smart FIles"

2006-08-23T21:00:00.000-04:00

A guy charged with Drunk Driving showed up at his sentencing hearing drunk.

Umm, where do these people come from?

Just A Few Beers

Gambling is Just Like Crack...

2006-08-23T20:39:00.000-04:00

Or so sayeth the Daily Mail.

Beware the Nasty Fruit Machine

Skin for Your Skins

2006-08-23T20:27:00.000-04:00

Apparently There is a new site with funky artwork for the major pokersites.

Cheack it out for yourselves.

ArtPoker

Ride the HORSE Baby!

2006-08-23T07:41:00.000-04:00

MADYANK is the reigning $40 HORSE Champ on Poker Stars

Dealer: Starting new hand: #6021000187
Dealer: rotate posts the ante 2000
Dealer: madyank posts the ante 2000
Dealer: Dealing 3rd Street
Dealer: madyank opens with lowest card [6c]
Dealer: madyank brings-in low 3000
Dealer: rotate calls 3000
Dealer: Dealing 4th Street
Dealer: rotate opens betting round
Dealer: rotate checks
Dealer: madyank checks
Dealer: Dealing 5th Street
Dealer: rotate opens betting round
Dealer: rotate bets 20000
Dealer: madyank calls 20000
Dealer: Dealing 6th Street
Dealer: rotate opens betting round
Dealer: rotate bets 20000
Dealer: madyank calls 20000
Dealer: Dealing River
Dealer: rotate opens betting round
Dealer: rotate checks
Dealer: madyank bets 20000
Dealer: rotate calls 20000
Dealer: madyank has a straight, Eight to Queen
Dealer: rotate mucks hand
Dealer: Game #6021000187: madyank wins pot (130000) with a straight, Eight to Queen
Dealer: Starting new hand: #6021002550
Dealer: rotate posts the ante 14 and is all-in
Dealer: madyank posts the ante 2000
Dealer: Dealing 3rd Street
Dealer: rotate opens with lowest card [8h]
Dealer: Dealing 4th Street
Dealer: Dealing 5th Street
Dealer: Dealing 6th Street
Dealer: Dealing River
Dealer: rotate has a pair of Sevens
Dealer: madyank has a pair of Tens
Dealer: madyank:
Dealer: vgg well played
Dealer: Game #6021002550: madyank wins pot (28) with a pair of Tens
Dealer: rotate finished the tournament in 2nd place
Dealer: madyank wins the tournament - congratulations!

Is This Art?

2006-08-19T03:29:00.000-04:00

Naked Woman With Pig

Another Story of My HU

2006-08-18T21:29:00.000-04:00

This time on CardPlayer.

WSOP Charity

And all that Razz!

2006-08-18T20:43:00.000-04:00

PokerStars have recently Added Razz, HOSE, and HORSE cash games.

Guess what?

Most of the players are horrid!

Learn the games folks and take your money.

More proof that being a multi dimensional poker player makes you a better poker player.

Naked Magic

2006-08-18T20:12:00.000-04:00

For those of you who enjoy naked French Magic

Ursula

Thanks to Mick for this Gem.

Winning at The Wynn

2006-08-17T12:59:00.000-04:00

I've played the last few days at the $1-$3 NLHE cash game at The Wynn for the last few days.

At times it has seemed too much like work, but at other times it has been quite amusing.

I started last nite deep in the hole and then rapidly dug out out and hit the front after flopping sets and getting ridiculous action from players who couldn't rlease AA. WHAT A COUNTRY!

Notes:
1) The $1-$3 game is uncapped. Early in my session last nite a guy sat down with $11k. It was amusing in that every time he wanted to set smeone allin he just threw a $5K stack into the middle of the pot.

2) Old time grinders stil clearly have problems adjusting to NLHE cash. They mostly fall in love with their AA or KK or top pair.

3)The Wynn has a quite nice poker room, but much like The Bellagio room (post renovation), I think the lighting levels are too low.

4) It's hotter than hot in Las Vegas right now!

Plundered at Treasure Island

2006-08-14T15:59:00.000-04:00

Spent an afternoon at Treasure Island getting "explored" by other players.

KK into AK NO GOOD.

KK into JJ Good.

Everything else into anything NO GOOD!

Retreat to the hotel room for some online exploits.
Boring! Everything I won in cash parlayed into tournaments and found no result.

NOT Leaving Las Vegas

2006-08-11T17:21:00.000-04:00

I've decided to stick around for about another week to shake the cash game tree for a little more profit. Without the distraction of the 5 ring WSOP circus I should be able to focus a bit more.

Yum Yum! Why is the standard in these small NLHE games so poor? Hmmmmm. I don't really care as long as it stays poor :P

Solid Gold

2006-08-11T17:08:00.000-04:00

For 5 days straight Jaime Gold dominated the biggest and most important poker tournament in the world.

His form didn't change at the final table and he sailed to victory knocking out 7 of his last 8 opponents.

Well done.!

I'm Still Here!

2006-08-10T05:28:00.000-04:00

Sorry folks for the radio silence.
I've been attacking the cash games for long stretches with success.

I have been cataloging numerous amusing stories and experiences.

Standby for further posts.

More Pics of Me During Record Challenge

2006-08-04T15:10:00.000-04:00

Me at The 26hour Mark. (Notice the model presenter by my side :) )

Brighton, UK Player, Paul Parker takes me on.

Some Notable mention Of a Marathon Madman

2006-08-04T15:03:00.000-04:00

PokerNews has a few bits about my attempt. Thanks to Earl Burton who followed my atempt over the 3 days and offered encouragemet.

Dedicated Article to Record Attempt

Paragraph 5 Notice of Record Beaten

74 Hours and 4 Minutes!

2006-08-01T22:44:00.000-04:00

I did It! I just woke up after a 20+ hour sleep.

Thanks to all the supporters especially the Gutshot Staff.

Derek Kelly
Donna S.
Jake Whitcher
Scott Kenyon
Jim Banks
and various others

I shall produce a more detailed account later.

World Record Attempt Starts

2006-07-28T11:18:00.000-04:00

In 4 hours I commence my record attempt.

I shall endeavor to post regular updates here.

Sleeplessness is Nigh!

2006-07-26T18:07:00.000-04:00

I am entering a 2 day self imposed rest period in Preparation for my World Record Attempt.
Yesterday I played $1500 WSOP tourney. I may play a little bit of cash today but other than that I intend about 12hrs of sleep.

Orleansing The Poker

2006-07-24T20:55:00.000-04:00

Gratuitous Old Pic of Me From Monte Carlo

Spent Yesterday punting about The Orleans Poker Room.

After a 3 hour stay in their daily tournament (in which Jen Mason blasted my AA with 77) to no avail I moved along to the only NLHE cash game.

$1-$2 NLHE and after 8 hours I managed to win $60 (after going down about $800 BAH!)

I did put on a bit of a performance and managed to get Snoopy nearly drunk on 5 mai tais.Yum Yum!

Notable hands:
1) Bottom 2 pair strikes again.
I call a raise of $15 with 5s6s along with 4 players to see a 9c 5d 6h flop. YUM!
Original raiser bets the pot and I raise. He re-raises and I push. AFter he calls I tell him his AA is no good and to my surprise he rolls over JJ and the board blankety blanks so I scoop.

2) I raise with J8 soooooted and get 5 callers.
Flop = 9d10h2c
All check to me and I bet the pot. Only the BB calls.
Turn = Kd.
BB and I both check.
River = 7s
BB bets $100 and I raise to $250. He calls me like a shot and produces 777.
MUHAHA! I scoop with my straight.

One table away Jen sat down with $300 and within 2 hours had spun it up to nearly $1000 on a table of mad drunk English guys.

Riht I'm off to The Rio now to stat shaking the money trees again and to meet up with one "Mad Irish" Guy (Gutshot Owner extraordinaire).

A Light Day of Pokering

2006-07-23T11:08:00.000-04:00

I hd my 1st long good sleep in a week yesterday. I slept for about 15hrs and awoke to eat a big breakfast. After completing the triple S, I taxied over to The RIos to see which trees were a blowing.

After wandering about for 30mins, railing Squelch (who had a decent stack in the $5K PLHE event) I ran into Jen and Snoopy and we decided to have a fun, Single Table Sat go. LOL Either we aren't that good or the cards were well against us. I finished 10th, Jen finished 9th, and Snoopy finished 8th. The good news is that I won the Last Shorter Bet...MUHAHA

We then proceeded to have a bit of a laugh about outside in the beer/smoking garden with Brummie, Simon Nowab. After a 1 hour STS we formulated a plan to attack The Horseshoe 2AM $110 tourney.

My tourney was rather uneventful and I made my exit when I jammed my A10sooted into KK in a blinds battle. Jen went on to a 3 way chop . WOO HOO Jen. Go get em!

Whilst waiting for Jen to complete her tournament domination, Snoops and I engaged in a bit of smash ($1-$2 NLHE). Snoops leveled and I took about $400 profit away.

All in all, a quiet, but fun and profitable day.

MadYank's HU Press Release

2006-07-22T02:13:00.000-04:00

Apokerlypse Now

World Series of Poker 2006. The Main Event. Day 1A. At the very moment that the traditional “shuffle up and deal” announcement comes over the PA system, ex US Navy Submarine Officer and Gutshot player, Ron ‘Mad Yank’ Fanelli will be over on the Gutshot stand at the Rio, looking down at his first two hole cards at the beginning of a non stop, head to head, No Limit Hold’em World Record attempt. The Guinness Book of Records has the current benchmark is just over 72 hours and they will have their own people in place to verify events. The poker world will be watching and cheering the Mad Yank on, with the likes of Mad Mike Caro (the professor of poker), world renowned ‘Poker Brat’ Phil Hellmuth and Johnny ‘Oriental Express’ Chan among the many top named pro’s offering their services and willing to take a shot at the Mad Yank. How many players he’ll encounter before breaking the World Record is anyone’s guess, but one thing’s for sure…Ron Fanelli is just Mad enough to pull it off.

‘Everyone gets everything they want. The Mad Yank wanted a mission, and for his sins, Gutshot gave him one. They brought it up to him like room service. It was a real choice mission, and when it was over, he’d never want another…’

Attack of the Vicky Coren!

2006-07-22T01:04:00.000-04:00

Vicky Coren crushes $2-$5 NLHE game at RIO without even turning up...

"It's not possible" you say. But, It Tis, It Tis. For background the 7-4 is Vicky Coren's favorite starting hand. Well it just may land hard on my favs list these days.

The last 3 days of "Radio Silence" have been dedicated to straight up MegaGrind of the cash tables.

Day 1:
Hit the PLO Hard.
After going down $700 in less than 1 hour and in full gaping mode I managed to find a superduper coup and return to levels then hammer on for anther hour to book a tasty $1200 Profit. Yum Yum Yum!

Day 2:
Lessa playa some a holdem...
One of those beautiful days when I never had to reload. Sat with $500, dropped to $350 but soon got it in on a moderate gambool with a flush draw against AAA for the lovely flush to land. Yum Yum Yum.

Next Case Vicar! Call a $20 raise from the small blind with 7-4 soooooted (hello Vicky!).
Flop = 4c Qs 7s

I check, preflop raiser bets $45 and I instantly checkraise to $150.(Bottom 2 pair is strongish o the flop but highly vulnerable when slow played.) With all other players folding the preflop raiser then proceeds to put on a 5 minute act telling me how good his hand is. He then TELLS ME I have 74 and moves allin for $400 more. Hmmmmm. I had been overtly playing my "any 4" game (playing all hands including a 4 preflop for non-ridiculous raises). This game tends to loosen the table up a bit and make my hands quite unpredictable. Well in this case, I decided he eiter had AA, KK or had just given me an oscar winning performance with QQQ. Thus, I call. He then rolls over his hand and shouts out "I'm SO winning" tabling AhAd. Turn and rivr blank off and the $1000+ rolls my way and he leaves mouth agape.

Day 3
3rd Verse same as the 2nd Verse
Back to the $2-$5 NLHE game and playingmy "any 4" game. After showing a few winning powerful hands I run into 2 lovely situations.

Situation 1: I raise to $25 with AA in early position and only the button calls.
Flop = Js 3h 3 d
I fire out $55 and the button calls.
Turn = 10c

The button seemd somehow aroused by this card so I assume it must have helped him in some way. The only logical explanation is that he called preflop with J10 and had just made top 2 pair. If he had JJJ the 10 wouldn't have helped and he certainly wasn't the type of player to call with 1010 on the J high flop. So I returned to my original conclusion that he must have J10. Now he has $400 and I'd like to gt him to put the LOT in the pot. I bet $190 (nearly half his stack, which allows him to quite reasonably raise the whole $400 in) He promptly fllows my unspoken wish, I call and Voila! He produces J10 and with a river Blank I win with Aces up and he wanders away.

Situation 2:
Blessed be The Coren!
After a 10 minute walkabout for a cigarette and bathroom break I return to my table just in time to take my blind. 3 players call $5 and then another raises to $20. Folded around to me and I put in the $15 (who knows what mysterious flop could await us:) 2 Other players call and we see a lovely flop.
Flop = 9d 4s 7s (Yum Yum 2 pair)
I check as do the oter players and the preflop raiser bets $60 into arund a $60 pot. After scanning the other 2 players and reading that they hardly seem interested in this pot, I raise to $200 and await the carnage to unfold. The other 2 players fold (as expected) and the bettor thinks. And thinks, and thinks. Then he says the magic words "All IN!" (For another $300), I call, and the turn and river come J Q and he proudly tables KK. I, of course, show my 2 pair and another player wanders off into the "who the hell is that madman" pugatory. :)

In WSOP news:

The ridiculous fields continue to play on the tournaments. 500-2000 players for every event. Given y horrid showing in the $2k Event, I payed a week ago I am concentrating on the lucrative cash before I decide to spin any more $$ into the lotto WSOP structures.

More Who Are The People In Your Neighborhood
Don O' Dea
Hugh Kirton (Gutshot regular Extraordinaire)
Marc Goodwin
Squelch (Mr $262K from last month's Stars Online tourney)
Iwan Jones

MadYank Finishes 4th in Tournament!

2006-07-22T00:59:00.000-04:00

Jen Mason and I posing in front of the Wall of WSOP Champions at The Horseshoe

What a Country!

Oh bye the way it was a $110 Tournament at the Horseshoe. After Jen M. Finished her log day of WSOP updating, we headed downtown for a fun (that word outlawed by Harrah's) tournament.

After arriving late with Bhupinder (another London friend) we were deposited into tthe tourney as alternates and proceeded to enjoy. Sadly (for her) I knocked Jen out when my Q10 landed hard on a flop of 10-10-4 against her KK.

After outlasting most players, I managed to get my stack in with K8 sooooted against the BB who called with A8. OOPS!

Oh Well! Twas back to the cash.

Return of The MadYank

2006-07-22T00:54:00.000-04:00

Ok. Been radio silent (as Andy Ward would say) for the last few days. Changed hotels from the lovely Cancun Resort (A HUGE Thank You to Jen Mason) to The Orleans. Seemed to have dropped most interent connectivity in those days. Stand by for further programming to resume.

One Last World Cup Bit

2006-07-18T23:50:00.000-04:00

A Germanic-centric Video Collage

Lets Break A Record (for Charity of Course)

2006-07-18T19:45:00.000-04:00

Come July 28 (Day 1A of the WSOP 2006 Main Event), I'll be kicking off a marathon heads up quest. I shall be attempting to play over 76 hours straight to set a new Guiness World Record.

All profits will go to the Las Vegas Children's Hospital. All and sundry are welcome to take me on (Just outside the Poker Room in the Rio).

Gutshot Poker are sponsring the Attempt. Check out my Interview

The Salesman, The Snoopy, and The Sniper

2006-07-17T16:41:00.000-04:00

I spent Saturday (afternoon sleeping of course) as a relaxation day. Jen Mason, Snoopy, and I decied to have a wander bout downtown. This being Snoopy's 1st Vegas visit we had to do Binions (former poker mecca). We (after some lubrication of course) played the 2AM $110 tournament at the Horseshoe. Amusingly the structure wasn't half bad. It had about 50 odd runners but they proved too many for us. Of course I was ejected first after losing with trip queens to a case river Ace for a final table stack sized pot and then running JJ into the mighty KJoff which rivered a K. Marveloooooos! It was quite enjoyable though. Back to actually having fun in a tournament instead of being surrounded by angry aggressive players all thinking they are entitled to a WSOP bracelet (surely they must see that it is I who am entitled :)

After our ejections we wandered about Freemnt Street with Snoopy observing that each casino had a very different smell. Hmmmmmmmmmm. He does pick up some funny things. After our downtown walk-about it was back in the cab to check out some strip casinos. We landed at Ceaser's to check out their new poker room. Quite posh and modern. The staff was quite friendly and the games were ridiculously fishy.

Being as it was a bit of fun venture, we all sat down in a $1-$2 NLHE cash game. The only way to describe it is as insanity!. My 1st hand I pounded the turn with Arag on an A high board to take down a pot. With all and sundry asking where we were from I of course stated I was a Londoner. Several punters seemed in a disbelieving mood so I pledged that the next pot I won I would sing Rule Britania. Of course the next I was dealt was AA. :) UTG raised to $20
MP1 calls $20
MP2 re-raises to $80
I move allin for $235 and stand and start singing "Rule Britania".
The $20 contributors pissed off quickly and the $80 better thinks for a few minutes then calls after I do a bit of sales work. ( I start meekly telling him tat I'll show him if he passes MUHAHAHA)
No 2 outer this time and MY AA finally stands up to a KK. :)

Meanwhile, Snoopy went on a table dominating performance after winning a $800 pot with KK on a K 2 10 J board when he got QQ to call him only for a lovely J to hit the river and house him up.

Jen (Le Sniper) remained quiet for the most part except to win her large pot when she checkraised allin for $200 on a 8c 2s 4c flop with AcQc o be called. The turn and river were blanks and her meager Ahigh was declared the Winner by her opponent. Hmmmmmm. Makes ya wonder what they call big allin raises with doesn't it.

After a few hours of fun an debauchery at The Ceaser's Poker Room we headed out (with a few very spooky looking Celine Dion commemorative $5 chips. I booked a $150 profit, Jen took a $95 upcheck and Snoop landed the BIG win for over $1000. Breakfast was on Snoop, obviously. After that it was back to the Cancun and a nice relax/sleep and a finely prepared MadYank Chicken stir fry (trying to get some healty eating in which is fairly hard in a WSOP room full of burgers and pizza).

Nevr Fold AK Soooted Preflop and 2000 Reasons For A Structural Assessment

2006-07-16T21:50:00.000-04:00

Lets start with a "Marvellous!, You'll Be Alright!, Lose It Quietly, What a Country!"

Friday was the day! The day I participated in my 1st WSOP Event of 2006. Twas the $2000 NLHE. Before I relate how the tournament went I'll start with the day's build up. I awoke at 5AM, having slept for 14hours in a recvery from my previous 28 hour playing session. This day I was to check out of The RIO and move into a friends cool timeshare just south of the Strip (Big Thanks Jen M. :) ). So, my plan for the day was to eat some breakfast then play some NLHE cash till 10AM, then checkout of the room, then register for the tournament, then Win It! Well best laid plans and all that bollocks leads to a bizarre twisty road.

I went down to the cardroom and promptly took a seat in a $2-$5 NLHE cash game. After 1 hour I was playing fairly tight and winning $300. Since it was a fairly quiet game (aside from the fact that PHW was in it) I was also playing backgammon on my laptop. (Perhaps a bizarre version of multitabling). Well along came a pot... 1 player limps from middle position and all others fold to me in the cutoff. I have AcAd. I raise to $25 from my stack of just over $800). The button re-raised to $100 (from a $1000 stack). All others folded back to me. Without much fanfare I re-re-raise to $400 (half my stack). I raised this much for several reasons. First, in general a re-raise there could be a genuine hand or a resteal. If it is a genuine hand I stand a good chance of getting action. If it is a resteal attempt we get on to the next hand with little ado and the reraiser can fold with face saved after encountering such a serious raise. Well, this one turned out a little differently. He thought for about a minute then said "I've never folded this hand preflop EVER!" I thought "Sweet. That must mean he has KK and will call" Eventually he decides to raise allin. I call.

Flop = 2s Kc 7c (YUCK!)
Turn = 9c (some hope now since I have the Ac)
River = Ks (Double Yuck)

I show my AA fully expecting him to produce his quad kings. Surprise time! He shows AdKd! He rivered me. I looked on in shock that AK was the hand he had NEVER folded preflop. Only one thing you can say "What A Country!"

Moving along ... I quickly pulled up anothr $500 and within an hour had run it up to $1250 for a $250 profit despite the AA setback. Twas 1030AM so I left the table, went upstairs, checked out of my RIO Room then made my way back to the Poker Room and registered for the $2000 NLHE WSOP tournament. After about an hour rest/wait, I made my way to Table 173. 8 of my opponents were there for the first hand. 2 hands into the tournament, a surprise shows up to fill the empty seat to my left. None other than Paul "ActionJack" Jackson. I hadn't seen him since we had played in The Monte Carlo Millions (In which he finished 2nd to Phil Ivey). We did a bit of catching up then he disappeared into the mist when his 1010 ran headlong into AA on a 9 high flop. I suffered on for another 1.5 hours until I met my bizarre demise.

With blinds at 25-50 and my stack down to 1700 I called a 150 bet in the BB with 6c7c.

Flop = 4d Kh 7s
I check, the raiser bets 100 and I move allin for 1550 knowing he has nothing. He calls like a shot and rolls over 8h6h.

Turn = 5c (Marvellous! He called a checkraise allin with a gutshot draw and received instant service)
River = Qd

I then recieved a rubdown from both the winner and another player. Oh well! The structure was ridiculous. $2000 for a tiny stack tournament means you can only make one play if you don't win your 1st pot.

The 1st Long Day

2006-07-14T08:00:00.000-04:00

The 12th-13th was a Looooong day.
Started my 2nd day with 2 more single table satellites. Chopped one and was out 2nd hand in the next one. Oh well. Profit obtained.

After single tabling for 2.5 hrs, I jumped back into the cash. The goal was to play the $2500 Shorthanded tournament on Thursday but that plan changed when I looked at the watch at about AM and was sat in a NLHE cash game that could NOT be left.
Earlier I had played in a $2-$5 PLO game that went thru stretches of boredom and high action. After a few hours, and the game in danger of breaking, all the players agreed to change it to a $5-$10 game and the table rapidly filled. Vanessa Rousso (newly sponsored pokerstars player) sat down. She was very friendly and quite graceful in both victory and defeat. Oh yeah, she is also quite pretty :). No serious hands for me in the PLO other than missing a big draw and then getting paid on a few houses.

Amusing hands
Sat into a -5 NLHE game after the PLO broke. 2nd hand I played I called an over raise from a semi drunk player with 4d5d. The flop came 10h10d7d. The initial raiser bet $45 into a $60 pot and I immediately pushed allin with $470. He thought for 2 minutes then folded QQ face up. :P MUHAHA. Hard to call the unknown man on that board.

About a round later, I called an overraise from a shortstacked woman with 7h9h in the BB. The UTG player called and we saw the flop 3 handed
The FLop came 9d8c7d.

"Hmmmmmmm!" Me thinks. I'm beating the woman's obvious overpair, now I just need to get thru the UTG guy. I rapidly figured that unless he had J10 (nut staight) or trip 9s (unlikely with me holding a 9) or 8s he would have to fold to a big bet (Not looking for too many customers with dangerous drawing flop). SO I pushed allin. He called like a shot for $400 and so did the woman for her last $50. OOOOOPS. UTG had J10 for the straight and the woman had JJ.
Turn = Kh
River = 9s. BINGO Full house and all pot to me :). What a country!

About an hour later at a different table I set a Phil Helmuth wannabe (PHW) on FULL TILT!
I raised UTG with the soooooooted Gutshot Powerhouse (5s2s). A young English guy and PHW called.
Flop = 8h 5s 3c.
Both I and English guy checked. PHW bet $45 into the $65 pot. I called and so did English guy.
Turn = 4d
HMMMMMMMMM. Now I had a pair and a straight draw. I checked waiting to see what the action might be.

English guy checked and PHW bet $145. I thought for 3 minutes then moved all in for $450. MY reasoning was fairly easy. PHW clearly had some sort of weak 8 and should be able to fold. EVen if he didn't fold I had 13 cards to hit (any 5 for trips, any 2 for 2 pair, and any 6 or A for a straight). PHW though for 1 minute then called.
River = A. BINGO stairghten up and fly right! I scoop the pot! PHW goes mental calling me a donkey and telling me how he read me perfectly and I'm just a lucky donk. SInce I had the pot I wasn't bothered and started making EEEEEEEEEEW AAAAAAAAAAAAW! noises.

This guy was clearly steaming and wouldn't stop rattling on about the hand. Over the span of the next few hours he slaughted anothe $2000 on one long extended tilt. :) MadYank still has the tilting MoJo! :)

AT about 1PM Thursday, I quit the game and headed off to bed.
Planning to possibly play the Friday $2000 NLHE tournament.
Heading down to the Poker Room to try and spin a few single tables.

More Who are the People in Your Neighborhood
Keith "Camel" Hawkins
John Duthie
Rory Liffey
The Hendon Mobsters
Padraig Parkinson
Marcel Luske
Gary McGee (The Quiet American from The VIC)
John Kabbaj
Roland De Wolfe

Welcome to The Rio sir. Now please walk 2 miles to the poker...

2006-07-12T07:36:00.000-04:00

Arrived in Las Vegas after a long but rather routine flight with a layover in LAX. Boring.

RIO...Not so Boring. Upon enetering the main WSOP room my 1st impression was that of entering a giant circus of crazed human animals. This room is the size of an 747 hangar and had WSOP tournies proceeding simultaneously. $10,000 PLO Final table. Day 2 of $1000NLHE. and Day 1 of $2000PLHE were all merrilfy buzzing away. Of course the other corners of the room were filled with cash games and nonstop 1 table satelites.

After watching a bit of the PLO final, I wondered over to the 1 Table sat area and ran into Andy Ward. I watched him finish a chop of a 1 Table then we had a quick Grab N Go lunch.

After self assesing that I was not truly tired but also not 100% I decided to have a pop at some small end single tables and then see how I felt. I played 2 single tables (finishing 4th and a Horrible 2nd with no chop discussed) All reports about these singles is true. The standard of play is abysmall on the whole.

After the 5 hands in a row of outdraws to lose the 2nd one, (My personal favorite being the last hand where my allin ith 88 was called by K6o and I lost to board of QQ1010) I thought maybe I should knock the singles on the head for the night.

Still with sme energy in me, I had a small crack at the cash action. I played in a $2-$5NLHE game for about an hour and manged to profit $10. WooHoo!

That games was boring the pants off me so I swithed to a $2-$5 PLO game. After 4 hours in that game wih only several minor interesting pots, I officially kicked it on the head for the night with a modest $250 profit.

The super amusing theme of the night was running into numerous online foes. My favorite was a 24Hr player named LOL. He and I both vividly rememer having an absolute chat slagfest with each other over a year ago in an online PLO game. That night we threatened unspeakable horros to each other, tonight we shook hands and traded jokes. What a Country!

Who are The People in Your Neighborhood?
Run into lottsa European players and friends.

Andy Ward
Neil Channing
Rory Liffey
Gary Bush
Jaime Posner
Andy Black
Johann Storakers
Conor Tate

All and sundry seemed to be having sme sort of success or another.

Right. Now it's tie for the sleep of the just. (Just arrived that is)

WooHoo! 12hrs till I'm in Vegas.

2006-07-11T00:02:00.000-04:00

Or, perhaps it's not woohoo. After reading a recent post from another blogger on The State of The Game (Thank You Andy Ward for the fine linkage) it's hard to to feel a little deflation. The blogger, Shane S., talks about his growing consternation with the whole team concept and the starstruck poker idolators worshiping at the Alter of A Big Name.

It all rings a bit true and is a bit concerning. But, where will it end? and more importantly, should it end? It's hard to say that 1 week from now, if I'm hoisting my 1st WSOP bracelet for the assorted press (Yes, Yes I know. I'll be alright :) ) that I will be able to decline a serious sponsorship offer from PokerStars or whatever site it might be. In reality it is nearly impossible to decline, in that it offers significant protection from the volatility of playing ridiculously large buy-in tournaments ridiculously often.

Oh Well. All that in mind, I'm still excited to be heading out in mere hours.

Or, Did You Really Want an Answer?

2006-07-10T19:17:00.000-04:00

What SHAL we Talk About Today II

More Structured Hand Analysis

OK This Question is posed By MEDS from BadBeat.
Has he made the correct bet AND call on the Flop in this hand.

Scenario
5 Players left in a $50 STT
Blinds 50-100
MEDS in BB
(MEDS doesn’t give stack sizes so I’ll have to make certain assumptions)

Assumptions:
1) Normal 10 handed STT with starting Stacks of 1000
2) 5 Players Left SO I’ll assume each player has an average stack of 2000
3) Flop is Rainbow (Meds doesn’t mention the flop’s color texture)
4) Normal Payout Structure of 1st =$250 2nd =$150 3rd=$100

UTG, MP, and Button ALL Fold.
SB calls 50 thus the pot is now 200.
MEDS in BB raises 200 to 300 with K3sooted.
SB calls the 200 raise. Pot is now 600.

FLOP: K 10 5
SB Checks.
MEDS Bets 300 (stating that he always continuation bets in this situation whether he has a monster, a moderate hand or nothing)
SB reraises ALLIN.
MEDS calls.

Turn: Q
River: 9
Final Board: K 10 5 Q 9
MEDS shows A Pair of Kings
SB shows J10 and wins with a straight.

OK I won’t get into how you got yourself to this flop with K3. Lets just say your there and you have bet 300 and now face the decision of whether to call the allin or not.

When you are facing the allin bet the pot is now 2600 (2x300 preflop +2x300 postflop + 1400allin raise)

So you are getting 2600/1400 = odds of 1.86 to 1 for your call. Thus, you need to win in this scenario 35% of the time for this to be a break even calling proposition. This being a STT which are available at all times in endless numbers my inclination is that you will call every time you are in this situation and have a +EV.

OK Lets look at possible hands you are up against

Hands that Are CRUSHING YOU
KK wins 100% you win 0%
1010 wins 98.7% you win 1.3%
55 wins 98.4% you win 1.6%
K10 wins 98.5% you win 1.5%
K5 wins 91.25% you win 8.75%
10 5 wins 75.45% you win 24.55%

Assuming that the chance of your opponent having any of these hands is equally likely
(An assumption with legs if we think that the chance of him slowplaying KK like he did is as likely as getting action from the SB with 10-5)

You win (37.7/6)= 6.3% of the time.

Other Hands Ahead of You
AKs wins 89.9% you win 10.1%
AKo wins 89.1% you win 10.9%
KQs wins 88.7% you win 11.3%
KQo wins 87.9% you win 12.1%
KJs wins 87.6% you win 12.4%
KJo wins 86.8% you win 13.2%
K9s wins 78.2% you win 21.8%
K9o wins 77.6% you win 22.4%
K8s wins 74.4% you win 25.6%
K8o wins 73.6% you win 26.4%
K7s wins 70.5% you win 29.5%
K7o wins 68.7% you win 31.3%
K6s wins 66% you win 34%
K6o wins 63.9% you win 36.1%
K4s wins 53.1% you win 46.9%
K4o wins 50.5% you win 49.5%

Assuming that all of these other hands are equally likely,
(a very aggressive assumption in that since there has been a raise preflop it tends to leave greater chances of the bigger hands being against you)
you win (393.5/16) = 24.6% of the time.

Other Reasonable Hands You are beating
AQs wins 31.2% you win 68.8%
AQo wins 27.7% you win 72.3%
QJs wins 36.9% you win 63.1%
QJo wins 34.2% you win 65.8%
A10s wins 26.3% you win 73.7%
A10o wins 21.8% you win 78.2%
Q10s wins 25.9% you win 74.1%
Q10o wins 21.6% you win 78.4%
J10s wins 25.9% you win 74.1%
J10o wins 21.6% you win 78.4%
A5s wins 26.3% you win 73.7%
A5o wins 21.8% you win 78.2%
QQ wins 12% you win 88%
JJ wins 12% you win 88%

Assuming these reasonable hands are all equally likely,
(Once again an aggressive assumption since the preflop raise tends to leave a higher chance of the better hands sticking around)
You win (1054.8/14)= 75.34% of the time.

Absolute Bluffs
(Below just supplied as example of clear bluffs)
45s wins 22.9% you win 77.1%
45o wins 18.4% you win 81.6%
89s wins 10.6% you win 89.4%
89o wins 6.4% you win 93.6%

Assume the Absolute bluffs will all land with low probability wins but some off chance of escape to a victory.
You win (341.7/4) = 85.53% of the time.

OK. Now lets decide what chance of each grouping exists.
Crushers: 15%
Other Hands (Beating You): 50%
Reasonable Hands (Your ahead): 25%
Absolute Bluffs: 10%

Doing some quick maths
[(.15 X 6.3%) + (.50 X 24.6%) + (.25 X 75.34%) + (.10 X 85.53%)]
= 40.61% win chances all things considered

OK. At the start I said the pot odds dictate that you only need a 35% win rate to break even. With 40.6%, it looks a clear call. BUT! This number is sensitive to the assumptions AND the stack sizes which were not provided. So It is better to look at that 40.6% number more as a range from 40.6% to 30.6%. Thus you are almost dead break even and your decisions should be influenced by other influences such as player history (aggressive, tight, passive, etc.)

SUMMARY
You have got yourself into a funky situation playing a big pot with KX. When you get serious action you’re not sure where you are in the hand even after hitting the flop. MY best recommendation is that if you were going to call the checkraise in the first place you should have bet a more meaningful amount on the flop to indicate to your opponent that the chances of him making you fold with an allin diminish rapidly as the size of your bet goes up.

Happy Hunting!

MadYank

Don't Play with a Cheetah? (In Response To DY)

2006-07-10T15:46:00.000-04:00

Ron,

Dominic just phoned me up. He's heard of backgammon on Party for
real money and can't understand what's to stop someone running Jellyfish to
'cheat'.

DY

1st Thing is to tell Dominic to get out of the Stone Age! "Snowie" is the latest bestest BG software, Jellyfish is old hat.

OK addressing the point: Theoretically not much stops a player from using Snowie aside from a time constraint.

There are 3 options for clock length when one plays a game. The larger the stakes the faster the clock I would use, as it takes time for Snowie to recieve the board state then run its 100,000 simulations, calculate the equities, and present the best move. If a player is working with only a 1 Minute global timer for the game he should be hard pressed to get Snowie on the case for many moves.

That Said, of course a shrewd player might gain an advantage by only using Snowie in a few “high volatility” situations to determine the best path forward or for cube decisions.

Of course saying all that, this is Party who figured out a way to block 3rd party software (such as PokerTracker and PokerOffice) from datamining poker tables that the user is not currently engaged on. Perhaps that is the holdup on raising the stakes limits. whilst Party devises an anti 3rd party BG software defence.

World Cup Final

2006-07-10T00:12:00.000-04:00

SEE THE VIDEO OF ZIDANE laying the smackdown

ZZ Glasgow Kiss

Forget Baggio. Isa alla Gooda!

2006-07-09T17:22:00.000-04:00

XXXXXXXXXXXXX Pictures Above XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
For some Reason they Don't want to come into this post

Below My Observations picked up from the start of the 2nd Half.
OK Picking up in the 2nd Half. from Savanahs. (A local pub in a former Roy Roger's restaurant)

48MIN: Corner for Italy. Well placed in the box an volleyed about dangerously in front of the goal mouth before being knocked out for a goal kick.
49MIN: Henry just denied but picks up a corner.
51MIN: awkward moment in the Italian Box as The ball sits dead uder the feet of a French Forward. Luckily An Italian defender comes up
52MIN: WHEW! French forward brought down in the box but the Argentine Ref says Play ON!.
57MIN: Viera takes a seat on the pitch then on the bench as he limps off.
61MIN: Italian GOAL. Denied by the linesmans flag.
66MIN: Weak header by the Italians goes wide.

Play seems to have slowed a bit with both sides waiting a for a clear advantage to press forward hard. Perhaps they are resigned to another 120 min battle and are trying to conserve their energy.

70MIN: Whew! Free kick from Zinedane mishandled by Buffon but still cleared out of the box.
72MIN: Luca Toni hits the pitch in the French box but NO call!
77MIN: Italian free kick barely misses the outside post wide.
80MIN: ZZ takes a hard foul on the shoulder and has to leave the pitch fr a minute.
82MIN: Corner taken by ZZ but cleared quickly.
85MIN: Henry Takes an OBVIOUS dive in the box but again the ref doesnt fall for it.
88MIN: Weak break by The Italians results in a weak shot easily picked up by Barthez.
91MIN: Weak attempt by France gobbled up by Buffon.

The French are starting to look mighty weary just as the Italians seem to have found a second wind and are attacking with vigor.

92MIN: End of regulation time.

EXTRA TIME BEGINS
98MIN: No serious threats yet. Just probibg attacks with no finishes.
99MIN: Ribery fires in a low rocket passing just outside the goal.
100MIN: Trezeguet subbed in for Ribery. Ribery looking quite winded.
102MIN: Long slow floating cross into the box quickly gatered by Buffon.
103MIN: Danger Will Robinson! A wicked ZZ header tipped over the goal one handed by Buffon.
105MIN: End of the first Extra time period.
The French seemed to have found their second wind as well.
110MIN: ZZ sent off for delivering a Glasgow Kiss to an Italian midfielder. It would appear ZZ had enough of the rough defending.

115MIN: It would seem both sides are settled into defending for the last 5 mins of extra time rather than allow a lapse lead to a goal.

119MIN: WIltord makes a break for France but is forced to take a low probability shot from off angle which sails harmlessly over the goal.

120MIN: Its another Penalty Kick Decider. OH DEAR NO Baggio this time. The good news for Italy is that France's main Penalty taker, ZZ, is OUT!

The Order of penalties is Italy then France.
Barthez looking a bit nervous :P
PIRLO rockets it IN! 1-0 Italy
Wiltord Slots into the right corner for France. 1-1
BOOM! A deceptive run up by Materazzi. 2-1 for Italy.
Trezuguet hits the crossbar! 2-1 for Italy!
EASY DAYZ! DeRossi slips it into the upper left corner. 3-1 Italy.
Abidal easily slots home. 3-2 Italy still lead.
CHA CHING! Del Piero Slotted home! Italy lead 4-2.
Sagnol keeps France alive. Italy 4-3.
Fabio Grosso Leaves no doubt with a rifle Shot past Barthez.

ITALIA ITALIA ITALIA ITALIA
AZURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRI BABY!

GO ON THE AUSSIE SARAH!

2006-07-08T22:54:00.000-04:00

Sarah Bilney is still in the Hunt in the WSOP $2500 NLHE event with just 32 players left. She is now guaranteed her 3rd money finish after only 12 events in this WSOP.

WOOT WOOT!

Previous Sarah Piece

UPDATE:
Down final 3 tables (27 players) Sarah still swinging.

UPDATE:
Down final 2 tables (17 players) Sarah still swinging.

UPDATE:
Sarah OUT in 12th place BAH! She ran QQ into KK.
Her consolation is $50,439.

Well Done Sarah!

Bye Bye Baby, Bye Bye!

2006-07-08T20:42:00.000-04:00

Oh Mommy Mommy Why do they persecute me so?

It would appear that Ronaldo desires to leave Manchester United before the upcoming Premiership season. His reasoning "Nobody stood up for me...Snff Snff!"

Now ain't that a damn shame? I can't imagine why no one defended his diving, acting and referee lobbying. Perhaps The Premiership can do without him. I'm not so sure about Man U though. He seemed to be an integral part of Sir Alex Ferguson's future team. The good news may be that Ruud Van Niestelroy (a far more productive and less objectionable player) may now stay with Man U knowing that the ballhungry look at my skillz twat (Ronaldo) is leaving.

But discord in Man U's camp cn only be a good thing for the ever improving Tottenham HotSpurs. Now if we can just get half of Chelsea and Arsenal to defect, Spurs can finish top 2...Oh well! A goils gotta have dreams.

Orange County Al Qaeda

2006-07-08T20:25:00.000-04:00

It would appear that an Orange County, CA man has chosen to become a propaganda tool for Extremist Muslims. WTF? Too much of the good life now leads to growing a beard, changing your religion, and condemning your own country? Oh what has become of American Youth? Is this the new rebellious faze? Or more likely is it just another self obsessed twat trying to add some sort of twisted meaning to his vapid life?

OC Al Qaeda

In other Homeland Security News, The FBI announced that they have derailed a plan for 15-20 suicide bombers to blow a PATH train (commuter line running under the Hudson River between New Jersey and Ney York City) on the 5th anniversary of September 11th.

Train Plot Stopped

Ze Germans End On a High Note

2006-07-08T17:03:00.000-04:00

Germany pelted Portugal 3-1 in a rather entertaining contest giving the home supporters one last show in The World Cup.

Germany's run in this tournament was indicative of all that is good in football. An inspired home team of good to average quality playing above themselves in a winning and attacking fashion.

Portugal's run was bit less nice. At times they played sublime with players like Ronaldo and Figo making superb plays but all too often there play was overshadowed by unsporting behavior.

Oh well just one match left. Italy and France.

Did I mention before? GO ON ITALY!

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrinding Can Be So Soul Sapping

2006-07-08T02:37:00.000-04:00

Another 1000+ hands of poker on both Stars and Gutshot.

Another small profit shown.

Only excitement was a brief return to the Sit N Gos on Stars. Played 2 $100 STTs and finished 2nd and 3rd. BAH! I played well and cashed in both, but really for STTs its all about winning to show any kind of return longterm on these things.

I actually can only remember a few hands of note during the session.

My personal favorite was in STT #1.

I had been disconnected for 20 mins early in the STT due to a less than responsive wireless router (D-Link YOU SUCK! get disturbed by a damn cordless phone). After I returned the blinds were on the last stages of 25-50. 10 mins later and I still have barely played a hand when I raise on the button with AJsooooted. SB folds. BB limit re-raises. I PUSH. In most cases I would probably call here but worrying about whether the damn router was going to fail just in time to watch my hand get automucked on a disconnect made me go for the PUSH.

BB calls and has J4off. :) I'm playing like a rock and still hey want to take me on with J4? By some miracle of fate My AJ holds up and sets me on my way to a 2nd place finish against the table zagnut who didn't seem to have a fold button at any point in the tournament

What a country! $100 STTs and they stil don't pay attention.

Hmm must start sniffing about the $500 STTs to see if they pay attention.

On The Backgammon Front
Played another 20 or so games on the PartyGammon.

Won about $50 but starting to get annoyed.
1st Annoyance: Limit per game is still $25 (Sort yourself out Party)
2nd Annoyance: The lobby updates too slow.
3rd Annoyance: The server moves a bit slow. With only 500+ players on its crawling. CMON! You have 80K players on your poker server, you can't sort out the gammon one?

For those interested in a Backgammon lesson or generally abusing me my username on PartyGammon is: B_madyank_B

Oh well It's Vegas in 3 days!

What SHAL we talk about today?

2006-07-07T04:26:00.000-04:00

Harrington calls it Structured Hand Analysis. I call it my maths insanity forcing its way out of my brain (MadYank was once a Nuclear Engineer you know).

Here is hand that The Irish Guy (Derek of Gutshot) posed out as a question.

Tournament Last night N/L Hold’em with lots of runners
Down to the last 10 – playing 10 at the table
Next out gets €920 – 9th gets €1250 – Winner gets €17,000
Biggest stack has 220k – smallest 12k – I have about 90k
Blinds – 3000/6000

I’m in fifth position with one caller before me.
I look down and find AcAd. I make it 20k to go.
Two callers with one of them being the big stack, (on the button) and the other had me covered, (on the BB).
Flop Ah-Jh-10h First to act, (the big Stack), checks –BB pushes all-in

OK lets ignore the position discontinuity of The Big Stack and attack the issue of ALLIN guy.

We have top set here though we could be behind. Well if he has flopped a royal flush then were the never coming back kind of behind. ANything else we got chances.

OK Lets Look at The Pot.
Preflop:
SB put in 3K and folded
BB put in 20K and saw the flop
Limper Puti in 6K and folded
Button put in 20K and saw the flop
Derek put in 20K and saw the flop
Total Pot preflop = 69K

From the action described: BB moves allin (covering you) ergo the pot is now 139K (69K + 70K) (that part of his stack that you can call) if you call the pot is now 209K.

So you are being offered 1.96 to 1 odds on the pot and possibly more if the big stack chappie decides to call.

What mix of hands does the allin bettor have to have to make folding correct here?
If he has KhQh your proper fooked and win 0% of the time but I'll discount that hand (just for now) for the simple reason that he has moved in with 2 reasonable stacks to act behind him and a "raiser friendly" flop that is likely to get at least a continuation bet out of the original raiser.

Hands that are beating you on the flop
If he has KhQx (or KxQh) hes ahead with his straight But you win 33.83% of the time.
If he has a made flush Lets say 78h(I would suppose its not the Kflush (back once again to the why allin question)) hes ahead But you win 33.48% of the time
If he has KhXh you win 33.43% of the time
If he has KxQx (both non hearts) hes ahead with a straight but you win 37.12% of the time

Ok those are the possible scenarios where you are behind on the flop.

other likely hand holdings that would move allin here.
and near nut flushdraw with gutshot straight draw
KhJd hes behind and you win 63.08% of the time
AsQh hes behind and you win 62.27% of the time

Pair of Kings with the Kh
KhKx hes behind and you win 64.04% of the time

Pair and other flush draw
As9h hes behind and you win 69.59% of the time

Other Set
JsJc hes behind and you win 92.62% of the time
10s10c hes behind and you win 92.62% of the time

Open end LOW straight draw and flush draw
9h8x hes behind and you win 58.28% of the time

Crazy Brave underpair with a flush draw
9h9c hes behind and you win 70.40% of the time

OK. Those seem to be the reasonable range of hands this player could have BOTH called the preflop raise AND pushed allin on the flop.

Now we have to assign some probability to each hand grouping.
KhQh (ok I said I dismiss it but you can't can you) I'll give it 10%
KxQx 10%
KhQx (KxQh) 25%
KhXh 10%
7h8h (other made flush) 10%
KhJd (AsQh) 10%
KhKx 10%
JJ or 1010 10%
9h8x 2.5%
9h9c 2.5%

OK quick maths
10% of 0 = 0% wins
10% of 37.12 = 3.71% wins
25% of 33.83 = 8.46% wins
10% of 33.43 = 3.34% wins
10% of 33.48 = 3.35% wins
10% of (63.08 + 62.27)/2 = 6.27% wins
10% of 64.04 = 6.40% wins
10% of 92.62 = 9.26% wins
2.5% of 58.28 = 1.46% wins
2.5% of 70.40 = 1.76% wins
summing up 0 + 3.71 + 8.46 + 3.34 + 3.35 + 6.27 + 6.40 + 9.26 + 1.46 + 1.76 = 44.01% wins

You win 44% of the time based on my assumptions which conservatively put the allin bettor ahead 65% of the time when he moved allin. Personally I would put a higher weighting on the pair and draw hands, but I wanted to heavily weight the ahead hands to demonstrate that it's still a trivialy easy call here with the top set. Even if the bettor had KhQh 20% of the time and NEVER had JJJ or 101010 then you still win 35% of the time and it is now an almost EXACT mathematically correct call.

From The "Ain't That a Damn Shame" Files

2006-07-07T02:38:00.000-04:00

Christiano Ronaldo crying after Portugal's defeat in the World Cup Semi Finals.

For the background, look below at my Ronaldo Rant after the Portugal-England Match.

Arrrgh! 5th for Isabelle.

2006-07-07T00:51:00.000-04:00

It appears she went fairly card dead at a table of betting madmen. She lost a big pot on a bluff to Phil Helmuth then pushed with K3 and was called by 88. and didn't improve.

Oh well. $136,000 should be some consolation.

With 4 players left its Helmuth, Marcel Luske and 2 others. Time to switch cheering gears and start funking for Marcel.

Go On The "No Mercy"

2006-07-06T16:57:00.000-04:00

Isabelle Mercier is 4th chipped at the final table of the WSOP $5,000 NLHE tournament. For those of you who don't know her (hard to believe as shes sponsored by PokerStars these days) she is a former Canadian Lawyer, former Cardroom supervisor of The Aviation Club de Paris, and now fulltime sponsored Poker Player.

I have met her a bunch of occasions and always found her to be (unlike most poker pros) quite down to earth and lacking of an oversized ego.

Good Luck Isabelle! Go get em!

Sugar Water Espionage.....

2006-07-06T00:20:00.000-04:00

As if the world didn't have enough to wory about with North Korea Testing Long Range Missiles, and constant upheaval in Iraq, and Iran clammoring for an Independent Nuclear Power program,......Pepsi sent in spies to Coke.

If I didn' think it before, I do now. The new world disorder is upon us.

Spies Like Us

For a refreshing SugarHigh Check This Out:

SugarHigh (Click on the Videos Tab)

2000 Hands Of Poker, 89 Betfair Trades, 37 Backgammon Games, and 2 packs of Smokes Later

2006-07-05T23:27:00.000-04:00

After all that maneuvering.......I amassed a healthy $450 profit.

Sweetness. A lot of effort for a rather mundane highly boring result.

Better than losing I suppose.

Ok Sleep then more grinding.

So it is Done!

2006-07-05T18:20:00.000-04:00

France held out to seal a 1-0 victory over Portugal.
Not of course before some fine Portugeses dives and a few hairrising blunders by The French Keeper, Barthez.

France vs Italy fo Ze Final.

With The Italians playing by far the more consistent and better footbal throughout the tournament, I'd have to make them rather large favorites to hoist the World Cup.

Azurri Azzuri!

Le France...

2006-07-05T15:55:00.000-04:00

Currently Backing the arse off Under 2.5 goals on the France-Portugal Match.

In the battle of he who dives wins, Henry got the first semi-dive in 1st and thus Ze French got a penalty which was swiftly dispatched by Zidane (Any of you England penalty takers watching how to deliver those things).

Looking more and more likely that Ze French shall be colliding with the Azurri. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO on Italy!

Hope Your Not Planning a Trip to Atlantic City This Week.

2006-07-05T00:12:00.000-04:00

It would appear that The New Jersey State Legislature has not resolved a budget agreement yet. So the Guv'nor did the clearly logical thing. "Ah feck it! Let's shutdown the whole damn thing!" Jon Corzine wants to raise sales taxes (American VAT equivalent) but strangely enough those who answer to the voters are not too keen. So, Jon pulled a largescale version of the old playground "If I can't play, I'm taking my ball and NO ONE's gonna play!"

By shutting down goverment, the state casino monitors are not on duty ergo the casinos can't operate whilst the guv'ment is shutdown.

All you can say is "What a Country!"

CROUCHing Tiger

2006-07-04T12:55:00.000-04:00

OH Dear! Some funny stuff. If you haven't exploded laughing at The Crouch Bit then have a look at the next Link for some Free Flowing Football

Crouch Attacks

Free Flowing Football