Amy Trodd's Poker Diary 4/12/07

Sorry for the paucity of diary entries of late, this is due to the lack of poker I have been playing. I took a non-poker related holiday visiting my brother in New York for Thanksgiving. I was keen to try and find the underground poker clubs, which I had imagined to be just like from Rounders with Jon Malkovich meeting me at the door, sadly I did not find these; massive relief to my non poker playing boyfriend and brother. Instead I enjoyed the festivities of the Thanksgiving parade, ice skating on Central Park Ice rink and taking advantage of the Black Friday Christmas sales!

Came back last week and got straight back into it, I was delighted to see $200 sitting in my Poker stars account.  I managed to spin this up to $500 playing the odd SNG and I won a 27-seater SNG. The $500 quickly disappeared after playing a few $100 SNGs after a few too many glasses of red wine on a Sunday evening – not a good idea! I’ve now left the measly $58 to spin up another day.

Gutshot ‘Powerhouse Sporting Club’ have now brought out a new schedule which suits me a lot more, less of the ridiculous crap shoots and some more decent games; Monday is now a £100 f/o, Wednesday £75 f/o and Saturday a £150 f/o. Click here to see schedule. Popped down to Gutshot last night for the £100 f/o, got there early to enjoy some of the regular banter and to take advantage of the free wi-fi which I can now enjoy on my new iphone!!

I managed to play atrociously which I can solely blame my new toy, being too concerned with downloading the new series of America's Next Top Model and not concentrating on the game. I was also excited about being moved to the ‘celebrity table’ to my direct left I had Martin Fowler from Eastenders, who, along with the majority of the soap-loving British public have watched him grow up.  He was nothing like Martin.  Obviously having a ‘celebrity’ doesn’t help my game one bit. Directly opposite me was Douglas Henshall, who’s known for the lead role in the new TV series Prime Evil, I wasn’t as ‘star struck’ as I’ve played him many times but never the less I still didn’t manage to play it cool and turned into a giddy school girl.

 Blinds were up to 300 – 600, with a stack of 4k, I moved all on the BB with Ace 8 suited when a player raised 3 times the BB in mid position. He called and showed A J. Silly play by me really, obvious I was beaten and even though I was short stacked I should have folded and waited for a better spot. I was never going to push him off the hand.  Oh well, another mistake to learn from I guess.

Writing these diary entries has led me to reflect on my poker career, and before New York I had a few days where I really doubted my poker ability. What depresses me the most is that I have been playing for 4 years now and I know many players especially at Gutshot don’t take me seriously. The one problem I encounter the most is the boredom factor.  I feel I can play well when I want too but there is suddenly a point when I get bored and just donk off my chips.  Last night’s tournament is a classic example; although I was short stacked, why would I want to throw my money into a pot where I know I’m beaten and I can’t push the opponent off the hand?!... I need to rethink my poker strategy….