PokerQueens.co.uk

[ChrisL]

I played my first game of poker this year, in probably the most stylish venue yet for me.

I had a free night on Friday night, and after watching late night poker this week, I was up for a game.
I was considering playing here http://www.loosecannonec4.co.uk/ as that's where the Clapham lot are supposed to have moved to.
But after getting in touch with a few people, an old mate of mine was going to the Vic Casino in Edgware Road, and I decided to go along with him.

http://www.grosvenorcasinos.com/pdf/1st%20-%2029th%20February%202008.pdf

The tournament was £30 buy in, with a £6 charge. (It was free to join the casino)
This was probably a bit too steep for my budget, but I saw it as a bit of a night out. - And what a night.

They're supposed to limit the tourney to 72 player, but in the end there were 86 runners.

There's loads of space in the casino, nice tables as you'd expect, and free non alcoholic drinks and snacks to all players when you can catch their attention (I was on the beer though).

Anyway, when we got down to business, I was a bit nervous being in a new environment an all, but soon calmed down as I started to win.
And, i've never in my life had cards like I had in the first hour. Hand 3 I got pocket Aces. Slow played them, and one chap kept betting into the pot - I picked up 2 thirds of his stack. I also got pocket Kings 3 times in the first hour, and pocket Jacks once. It was crazy, even the majority of hands I was folding were flopping 2 pairs, and I reckon if i'd played every hand i'd have been in front after the flop about 90% of the time. I kept looking out for Hero Nakamora, but no, it was just me and the cards.

So but the time the first break came, I build up a healthy stack, and my only mistake was not to play more hands.

Anyway, after the break I got moved tables, tried a bit of unsuccessful bullying which dented my stack a little bit, but no major harm done.

Our table then broke up and I moved to the table that my mate was playing on. By this time the blinds were 300 600, a lot of pre flop all ins were taking place to steal the blinds. I mostly kept out of it, my mate was unluck to go out holding K 10 with 2 kings on the flop (the called had K Q).
After I surrendered my blinds for the third time I decided I needed to concentrate a bit more and play.

I got 8 10 clubs and fancied a shot so limped in to see a flop.
Flop comes up 7 9 J, with 2 of them being spades.
I had to double check my cards to make sure, and yep, i'd flopped a straight with a flush draw.
So I put in a small raise and got one caller.
Flop came A
I went all in, and after uuming and aaing, got called.
River was K
Unfortunately that River card gave a higher straight to my opponent on 10 Q, and I was out.
(or something like that. I remember he needed a King to beat me, and it came up on the flop!)

Anyway, I went out in 21st place. Quite happy with that, as I got about 3 hrs play. I stayed and had a pint with my mate, then we left just before midnight so he could catch his tube. There were still 3 players playing when I left, first prize was just over a grand - nice!

So all in all a good night. I'd definately recommend it to everyone.
I appreciate it's a bit more expensive that our usual stakes, but I really felt the extra expense was worth it.
(they also have loads of poker mags that you can help yourself to. My mate took 3!)

The punters were all proper poker players, but were all pretty friendly (though I wasn't the most popular of players on my first table). I look forward to returning, hopefully with the same good luck on the cards.

Is anyone else interested in going along to the Friday evening games?
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