Saturday 4 August 2007

Blue Taurus

A big congrats to Russ on your superb win tonight in A1 class.
After years of trying and a few near misses Russ has finally given us our first winner in top grading company :)

Just thought i would share my joy with you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday 2 August 2007

June and July

Not posted for ages due to not playing to much Poker.
June came and went with not much happening and the first half of July started quietly.
Having had a 5/6 week sabatical (mainly playing F1 on the new PS) i came back to poker on the Crypto network and boy did the rest do me good.
I only played for 6 days and 12 Mtt's later i had managed to make 5 FTs (no wins) but two 3rds in the 11.00pm $5k GTD and a 2nd in the 1.00am $2500 actually made me my most money ever in a single month :)
Again no targets for August but to play when the mood takes me (sticking hopefully to my new theory).

August also brings the start of the new football season and down at Villa Park we have seen the arrival of a couple of former West Ham players in Reo-Coker and Harewood.
Probably make our squad a little bit better but we will need more than that if we are gonna challenge for a Uefa Cup spot.
My main Pre Season tip at this moment in time is for Stevenage to win the Conference (Chal get on !!!!!!!!!)

Mixed fortunes on the Greyhound front with another one (Bobby) having had to be retired after only 2 races !!!!!!!
Russ is running at the top of his game though 10/40 and has made it into top grade :)
Fivo deserves a mention because he is running consistently at the moment.
Busy day on Friday in store, we have 5 runners, 2 Bags and 3 evening, fingers crossed there might be a winner or two between them ;)
A belated well done to the Savva/Morton combination for winning a third straight English Derby when Westmead Lord made all, well done

Still not moved house yet, hold ups and delays aplenty (sore point really)

Thanks for reading and i promise i will update more regulary

GL all
Neil

Friday 8 June 2007

Catching Up

Poker has taken a back seat since i last posted, decided to take it easy (probably until the end of this month).
Had some good results in May despite not winning a MTT, 3rd in the NTX was probably my best. Yet still made 13 FTs which was pleasing due to the fact of not playing as much.
No targets for June, just play when the mood takes me, made 2 FTs so far this month, the second being in one of the new HeadHunters on crypto. They are really good fun and if you haven't played in one i would highly recommend giving one a bash.

On the Greyhound front we had a mixed month in May with 2 wins and a DQ (clearing trials granted) :) . Marvin won his first race for us ( on his 10th start - about time) this month and is running on Saturday night along with Janey and Fivo. Will be disapointed if we can't manage a winner between these as they all look to have decent chances.
Glad to see that the connections of Westmead Hawk decided to call it a day with their Superstar and good luck to him now he continues his Stud duties.
That brings me nicely onto this years Greyhound Derby which got underway at Plough Lane tonight with Phoenix Paddy setting the early standard winning Heat 11 stopping the clock at a very respectable 28.46

Down at Epsom and both the Classics produced a decent story as we saw Authorized and Frankie Dettori win the Derby with any ammount in hand bringing with it Dettori's first win in the Big race, also a special mention to Baggies fan Peter Chapple-Hyam who is definately back with a bang now he has returned to our shores.
On Friday we saw a very emotional Henry Cecil after his filly Light Shift had won the Oaks. Henry has struggled to find good horses in the last few years and he has shown he is still capable of producing the goods when the right ones come along.
Royal Ascot is just around the corner and i will wait till then before having another punt on the horses.

Still awaiting a date for the move into our new house, no chain but they don't rush themselves do they !!!!!!!

OK thats all for now, thanks for dropping by and Good Luck to you all
Neil

Monday 21 May 2007

Good Sunday but still no Win

Had a great night today on the tables but could have been better !!!!!
Started off by entering a couple of Sats, first one to the $11k on Betfair.
8 places up for grabs but i bubble in 9th, still $55 back for that position - not the end of the world.
Other Sat entered was for Eyes Wide Shut and qualified fairly comfortably.
Played 8 other MTTs and ran well in most of them.
Managed 2 FTs but frustratingly finished Second in both of them having had the chip lead at some stage of both tourneys :(
Made the money also on crypto in the $2000 GTD after finishing 19th for a little profit. Had a flying start before being card dead for a long time and got caught trying to nick a few pots.

Overall very pleased with my game at the mo. Still no win yet this month but i think 12 FTs now(already above target) and i have been playing slightly less.
With a little luck i am sure the win is not too far away ;)

Down at Hall Green Russ won on Friday BAGS to take his record to 7/29 for us :)
Have a decent chance with one on tuesday, will put it on the forum ;)

Westmead Hawk continued his comeback on Saturday night at Wimbledon, he just managed to get up in the shadows of the post to beat Pagoda Tabert.
I love the 'Hawk' but surely he can't win this years Derby and i would love connections(if they keep him in training) to just aim him at the top Staying Races, but unfortunately i don't think that will happen .

Thanks for popping by and Good Luck to you all
Neil

Thursday 17 May 2007

NFL at The New Wembley

The NFL arrives on our shores in October when London will host a regular season game between the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants.
With the Dolphins being my team (have been a fan since the mid-eighties boom when C4 first starting showing live games) i was eager to get tickets for the big game.
They went on sale today and yes i was lucky enough to purchase 2 tickets for me and my son Simon.
Having been over to the States to watch Miami play at Dolphin Stadium three times it will be interesting to see what sort of atmosphere of the day will be. The yanks make a whole day of it over there with Tailgate partys going on from way before game time right up till Kick Off.
Anyways with tickets now secured i can't wait until 5.00pm October 28th :)

On the Poker front that elusive first win of the month still awaits but i have had a couple of decent results in the bigger Buy In tourneys most notably when finishing 3rd in the NTX £2000 Special on crypto Monday night :) , busy at work next couple of days so probably not back on the multis till late Saturday night.

In the meantime Good Luck all and as ever thanks for reading
Neil

Monday 14 May 2007

Final Tables Yet Still Frustrating !!!!

With 7 FTs already in May, no wins, a 2nd being the best it looks as though its been a good month so far. Frustrating it has been (showing a loss), many Sats to bigger tournys and the odd straight Buy In. Once in can't seem to do anything right either picking wrong moments to steal, overplaying middle PPs or just simply being outdrawn.
On the bright side those 7 FTs keep me feeling fairly confident.
One thing i must do is to keep off the Omaha Cash tables !!!!!!!

The Premiership came to its conclusion today, With UTD wrapping up the title last week it was the fight for survival that most people took interest in.
West Ham at Old Trafford and Sheff Utd hosting Wigan for that final relegation spot.
The Hammers and Tevez pulled off an unlikely win and Wigan took the points at Bramhall Lane, ironically old boy Unsworth's Penalty winning the game therefore sending Sheff Utd down.
I have nothing against Sheffield United but Mr Warnocks none stop moaning about officials, teams resting players and the West Ham affair (which will probably run and run) i have one thing to say -
Your team and squad were simply not good enough, a few weeks back you were almost safe but maybe complacency set in and you were punished. rant over :)

Archie is going the right way and he landed his second race for us on the Bags on Wednesday so this Pup will be in A6 action some time this week.
Going to be at Hall Green a lot in the near future as all of the new dogs have trialled in now.
GL to them all :)

Thanks for taking the time out to look me up and Best Of Luck to you all
Neil

Friday 4 May 2007

April Results

A very pleasing month with my target of 2 wins and 15 FTs reached with a day to spare :)
The end total was 4 wins ,15 FTs and throw in a Live 3 way chop on my only visit to the casino :)
With work commitments i shall lower my expectations for May with say again 2 Wins and 10 FTs. Hopefully 1 of those wins could be at a slightly higher level than normal ;)

On to the dogs now and in April we had 3 wins and a lot of near misses. A couple of our bitches came into season and the new dogs have virtually trialled in.
Indeed Fivo has his first race for us tonight ( i love it when the new ones have their first races, exciting times)

House hunting better be over !!!!!!
After putting in 2 offers on houses and having those accepted, the missus then decides she no longer wants to move there for various reasons ( you know what women are like)
So a third offer went in on another and as yet this is the one we shall be moving into in the near future.

On a Final note i do not usually bring Football on here but i feel i must give credit to my team Aston Villa who at the beginning of the month looked destined for a relegation battle.
Since we played Everton at home on the Monday night and we were dreadful first half, lucky that we went in only 1-0 down. Second half i thought we played really well and got a much deserved goal to share the points.
Unbeaten since then and three consecutive away wins has moved us into mid table safety.
You never no but if Randy throws some money at us during the summer and Martin spends it wisely we may even challenge for a European place next season (Did i really just type that) !!!!!
Randy got a good deal at the recent NFL draft for the Browns so heres hoping :)

Onto May and Very Best Of Luck To All Readers
see you at the tables and on the forum

Neil

Saturday 14 April 2007

Live Poker and Grand National Tips

Well like i said, not much online Poker been going on since last post.
Wednesday was my day off work this week so i planned a morning raid on Hall Green Dogs and the afternoon was set fair for a rare Live game of Poker.
3 runners at HG yielded two 3rds and a 5th. Only had 2 bets all morning, unfortunately both losers.
Onto the Casino in West Bromwich for the Live Comp. 3.30pm start £10 entry , £10 buy ins and add ons. Nice afternoon comp which attracted 30 runners with 1000 starting chips.
Kicks off on a table where i only knew a couple of faces. Plays tight until i got dealt 45 hearts, small raise so i called to see the flop. 4 way flop 36K, everyone checks, turn 7 checked round to me until i put a small bet in, instantly raised for the rest of my 600 chips. He had slow played his K and was drawing dead on the river. Nice start for me first hand played and more than doubled up.
We had a lunatic on our table who decided to sponsor the comp by having 12 buy ins, which meant there were plenty of chips on our table.
Not wanting to gamble to much i sat pretty tight, playing only about 7 flops in total until the buy ins ended. KO poker starts and people start taking less gambles. Then the Blinds go up and the shortstacks start pushing. Soon we were down to the last 12/13 and thinking of a FT.
FT made pretty comfortably with 6200 chips, not lots but a managable stack. Still work to be done as only top 5 make the money and blinds set at 300/600.
Early doors on FT i raise the pot with 99 and everyone folds so i take the blinds.
Waiting for my moment to make a move, with 8 left i get dealt JJ on SB. With 3 flat callers i push for all my chips, only 1 caller who turns over KQ. JJ holds up to take a nice pot :)
Quickly we make it to the final 5 and we're in the money. Shortstack soon goes so 4 left.
Guaranteed £100 now and not having had a buy in things were going well.
Played 4 handed for a while totally card dead blinds started to take its toll. 2 players had big stacks, the lady and i had much less. I see my first Ace for ages and decide to push, Lady calls other 2 fold. With me All In and she only having 500 chips left after calling me it would be curtains for one of us. She turns over JJ v my A7 luckily for me the Ace came on the turn and she was crippled.
Down to the final 3 and i am still very much short on chips.
Waiting to pick my moment the other 2 get involved in a couple of pots, winning one each.
Blinds now at 800/1600 me SB. Button calls (very strange call as he either passes or raises) i make it up and BB checks.
I have K10
Flop 10,7,2.
I check as does BB , button bets 2000, i think for a while (thinking of his strange call preflop) i reraise another 5000 BB gets out and the button sets me in. I have top pair decent kicker and no draws out on the flop i am convinced he has a big pair !!!!!! After taking my time i reluctantly pass, he doesn't show just takes the chips. I have left myself damaged with 7000 chips left and Blinds sky high.
A few rounds of Blind stealing by all followed until i get QQ in BB. SB raises 2k with 2k, i raise again he calls. I have only 2300 chips left ( i count them out as the flop is dealt) not even looking at the flop i say All In, i look up and see Q,5,4 on the flop he calls with 87, the Gutshot doesn't come and i double up.
Very next hand i get KK on the button and raise the pot SB passes and BB reraises me, i push for the lot again,he takes a while to think, then he says hes got a small pair and passes, he doesn't show. One more hand is played and after a quick chat we decide to chop it up as there is only 4K difference in chips between all 3 of us.
Not a bad afternoons work as i take home £265 :)

Grand National tomorrow so a busy day at work for me, for what its worth i shall be backing Simon, Monkerhostin,Longshanks and Bother Na
I have a few quid to play with because Russ did us a good turn tonight by winning his 6th race for us @ 4/1 , his first at A3 level :) :)

Finally i hope to be back on the tables on Sat + Sun, in the meantime be lucky
Neil

Monday 9 April 2007

So Far So Good

So far April's poker has been very good.
I am well on my way to achieving my monthly goal of 2 wins and 15 FTs.
With 2 wins already in the bag, win 1 a $5 mtt and win 2 a $10 mtt and 7 FTs things are going pretty well.
Would like to win a biggy though, think i will play a lot more satellites to try and qualify for the bigger events.
One thing i must remember to do is not to overplay AK (copy 100 times)
Things will probably slow down a bit over the next week as work will unfortunately get in the way :(

Our 3 runners at Hall Green came 2nd, 4th and 6th (sounds better than last) , Charlies 2nd was a pleasing result because it was her first run back after injury. Only bet was Russ who came 4th.

Birthday greetings to my son Simon who will be celebrating his 21st on Monday.

Tommorow is also the Irish Grand National and i will have a little interest in Kings Advocate.

The house hunting looks finally over, we have put in an offer and it was accepted. Probably be a while before we move in as you know what its like with all the rigmarole and everthing.

One last note - a special mention for Chalfontfan. Nick played tonight for his seat at the WSOP and he played a very solid game. Only 1 seat was up for grabs and he finished in a very respectable 4th place getting a decent cash in the process . Well Done Chal

Good luck as always to you all
Neil



Thursday 5 April 2007

April and evening openings

Well April's here and what a great month it is !!!!!!!!!
My Birthday to celebrate , my sons 21st Birthday to celebrate, Aintree and the Grand National, the Masters, NFL Draft, FA Cup Semi Finals and the Promotion/Relegation encounters etc , etc

But there is a downside to April ......Evening racing starts !!!!!!!
Even though the British meetings don't start until mid April, the betting industry decide in their wisdom (greedy fat cats imvho) to extend trading hours commencing the 2nd April.
Today was the first time i was down for the 'late' shift, not only the 'late' shift but the powers of be also introduced an earlier start time for many of our shops !!!!!!!
We now trade from 8.30am till 9.30pm , with setting up and closing down you are looking at a 14 hour day (8am-10pm) not allowing for travelling.
Today i copped for the lot, with the joys of Aussie horses + dogs this morning, then the normal programme from 10am of dogs, numbers, virtual, horses and more canine action to the delights of more Virtual, American Horses and the BEGS service later on, Oh yes and the near fight in the shop as to which Sky Channel was being shown- Man Utd, Chelsea or England v Sri Lanka !!!

On a brighter note, today was a decent day, we had two runners on the Bags at Hall Green and they managed a First @ 3/1 and a third.
Archies win was his first for us on his seventh attempt - well done Son :)

Onto the Poker and after my win on the opening day it seemed that the Poker Gods had turned against me. Having managed to get a couple of days holiday from work i decided i would play a lot, i stayed on the Betfair site having recently gone back to them. Betfair seems to have solved most of the problems they had since leaving 'crypto' and the Guarantees are very good value at times.
Playing various MTTs from a Buy In of $5 - $40 i couldn't do anything right, missing out on the money four times by the odd place here and there. A couple of ill timed gambles, stupid calls with a middle Ace and of course the odd outdraw.

A couple of hours off did me good when me and the missus went house hunting, having accepted an offer on our house it was time to get our fingers out !!!!!!!

Back at the tables in the evening i entered four MTTs making three Finals :)
I played really solid and i fancied i could win another one. Not to be though i finished 4th, 5th and 9th.
The $800 GTD i finished 4th in was the one that really got away. I had a decent Chip Lead on the FT and when we were 6 handed 3 times my AK, AQ and JJ all ran into monsters and were beaten. Then with four left i got dealt K9 on sb (other 2 had passed) i raise 3xBB and BB calls.
Flop K82 i bet the pot out, he min raises, i push with the rest 40k in total, he pauses for ages..... his stack just about covers me.......just as the timer reaches the end he calls and flips over K10 aaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrgggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh turn and river no help and gone.
He soon polishes off the other two short stacks for the win.

Off to Ludlow Races tomorrow (working) then Good Friday (day off) then three runners at Hall Green on Saturday night plus more house hunting no doubt i will be fairly busy in the coming days. I will try and sneak in the odd Multi in between :-)

Best of luck to you all
Neil

Tuesday 3 April 2007

Welcome, and a BIG hello to you ALL

Hiya
Gonna give this Blog thingy a bash, been meaning to do it for a while.
I have read a few of these in the past and i find them most enjoyable :)

Can't promise to be funny but i will tell you a few tales from the Tables (Good and Bad) with a mix of Greyhound, sports and work (the joys of being a Betting shop manager) thrown in as well.

Some of you may know me as i post regularly on the £2 (and slightly above) thread , (special mention for Mr Gatsby who takes a lot of time and effort to keep the tables updated ;) on the Betfair Forum.I am not a big stakes player i generally stick to the smaller Buy in Tournys.
My greatest Poker claims to fame (so far) are Winning the Flashmob League last year and picking up a few $$$ after winning a few MTTs, $440 being my biggest return :)

Hoping to keep my good run of form this year (3 wins and 25 FT) until the end of March up i started off April in flying style by winning a 78 runner $5 MTT on the first day :)

Thanks for taking the time to look me up and i will try to post on here regularly , but for now a big GL to you all