Stephen Fry, supergeek.

I recently stumbled across actor/presenter Stephen Fry's new blog. It really isn't what I would have expected. It is nearly all tech related. He owns a load of Macs, and also runs Ubuntu, Red Hat and Yellow dog linux distributions. He talks knowledgeably about the history of PDAs and smartphones, he compares the Palm OS to Pocket Windows, and writes scathing reviews of new media playing phones. As a result of the blog he's even been given a tech column in the Guardian.

His latest post is a review of a clockwork mp3 player!

Mansion Update

My free $20 is now up to $65. Shortly after my previous post on the subject, my bankroll started dribbling away alarmingly - I couldn't hit a flop, and my bluffs weren't coming off. However, over the last week things have changed.

It started, strangely enough, with me losing a full $10 buy-in at the 0.05/.10 cash tables within 5 minutes of sitting down. Now, normally if I lose a buy-in I stop playing, to limit my losses, however, this time, I didn't. I bought straight back in again, and with half an hour I had won my $10 back plus another 10. Most of it came from two people. The table nearly broke up, and for quite a long time there was only 3 of us playing. One guy kept buying in with just $1, I presume to minimise risk, but I just kept taking that dollar off him, and he'd buy in again. I think that happened at least 6 times. The other guy at the table had around $15 at the start of this session, and I took most of that.

I am staying away from the SNGs. I just can't seem to make any headway there at all. The cash games, whilst providing less opportunity for one big win, allow me to steadily grind away, taking two steps forward, one back, without the tilt provoking bad beats which finish you off in a tourney.

If I get the bank roll up to $100, I'll probably step up a level. At the level I am playing now it is a matter of playing ABC poker. Don't get too clever, because it can go straight over the heads of a lot of the people at the table, They just keep calling, and they'll catch something on the river. Of course whenever you get dealt AA in the big blind, everyone folds pre-flop.

Another door opens...

Back in January I wrote about the company I have worked for since I graduated 16 years ago being taken over by a large public company, and how I applied for, and narrowly missed getting, a General Manager's position at another site within the group.

Well now the General Manager's post at the site I work where I work is becoming vacant. It's sad in a way, because it means someone I've worked with for the last 12 years is leaving, but, it's an opportunity for me. I've been told by two other managers at the site that I should apply (people that report to the GM), also by some of the people that report to me now. Perhaps part of that is "Better the Devil you know!" but it is encouraging.

My CV didn't need much updating, since I'd done that in January, so the day after the vacancy was listed, my application was in. Closing date isn't until the end of the month, so I will be stewing for a while yet.

The £100 PC

Actually it's $199, and only available at Walmart in the States, but, this is a great package. It does it by running Linux rather than Windows. It doesn't need all the power just to run the operating system, so can be built from cheaper components. From the reviews on the website, it's won some converts to Linux. It has sold out online, but if you're in the US and want one, you might be able to pick one up in store.

Bad beats and royal flush draws.

Kat and Burnley Mik both been on the wrong end of a bad beat (Mik have you upset someone in another life, that is one hell of a run?).

Meanwhile, things have been going well for me over at Mansion. The $20 the gave me a few days ago is now $46, just from playing the $0.05/0.10 no limit cash tables. Hands like this certainly help!

*** Blind Bet Round *** :
rastaralle2 : Post Blind ($0.05)
-tordy- : Post Blind ($0.10)
TonyV1885 : Post Blind ($0.10)
Dealt to Hero: Ah
Dealt to Hero: Jh
*** Pre-Flop *** :
david-jr : Call ($0.10)
LECSO7373 : Fold
Lisa_K38 : Fold
jonna92 : Fold
TonyV1885 : Check
PeTiKe22 : Call ($0.10)
Hero: Bet ($0.35)
nmseg72 : Call ($0.35)
rastaralle2 : Fold
-tordy- : Fold
david-jr : Call ($0.25)
TonyV1885 : Fold
PeTiKe22 : Call ($0.25)
*** Flop *** : Qh 10h 8d
david-jr : Check
PeTiKe22 : Bet ($0.25)
Hero: Raise ($1.50)
nmseg72 : Call ($1.50)
david-jr : Call ($1.50)
PeTiKe22 : Fold
*** Turn *** : [ Qh 10h 8d ] Ks

david-jr : Check
Hero: Bet ($7.35)
Hero: All In ($7.35)
nmseg72 : Call ($5.65)
nmseg72 : All In ($5.65)
david-jr : Call ($3.70)
david-jr : All In ($3.70)
Dealt to Hero: Ah
Dealt to Hero: Jh
Dealt to nmseg72: 10s
Dealt to nmseg72: 4s
Dealt to david-jr: 6h
Dealt to david-jr: Kh
*** River *** : [ Qh 10h 8d Ks ] Ac


*** SUMMARY ***
Pot: $22.10 | Rake: $1
Board: [ Qh 10h 8d Ks Ac ]
LECSO7373 lost $0
Lisa_K38 lost $0
jonna92 lost $0
TonyV1885 lost $0.10
PeTiKe22 lost $0.60
Hero bet $9.20, collected $22.10, net $12.90 Shows [ Ah Jh ] (a straight, Ace high)
nmseg72 lost $7.50 Shows [ 10s 4s ] (a pair of tens)
rastaralle2 lost $0.05
-tordy- lost $0.10
david-jr lost $5.55 Shows [ 6h Kh ] (a pair of Kings)


It's a lovely feeling when you're all in on the turn, the cards show, and everyone else is drawing dead. Of course, the decision to go all-in would have been much less stressful if the King on the turn had been a heart but, as that was in one of the other guy's hands, that wasn't to be.

I looked back at my history on Mansion from last time I played here, and I did well then too. For some strange reason I withdrew my roll and moved it all to Pokerstars! I think I'll see how far I can take my free $20. Next stop $100!

Money for Nothing..

.. but no chicks ;)

Mansion have given me $20 to go back and play on their site. It's probably 12 months since I last played there. I had a reasonable amout of success, but I eventually withdrew my roll and moved it to 'Stars.

Never one to look a gift horse in the mouth, I've re-installed the Mansion software, and am giving it a try.

There's a new, clean looking user interface, but, unlike Pokerstars, the size seems to be fixed. The range of games is also more limited than 'Stars. Anyway, I'll give it a go, and see if I can turn a profit.

Maudie's new home

Maudie has moved her blog to www.pokerperspectives.com. Drop in a say hi.

Wandering Monsters

Any of you guys play MMORPGs or D&D? Take a look at this Encounter table.

Don't you love it when this happens?

A lesson I've learnt the hard way - beware of the paired board!

sparkie545: posts small blind $0.02
conngent: posts big blind $0.05
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to stephenrhall [9d 9s]

>>000'>J: folds

marquelyn: folds
FlitzeAAA: raises $0.10 to $0.15
TheOne2006: calls $0.15
astralfunk: calls $0.15
ionut_steaua: folds
stephenrhall: calls $0.15
sparkie545: folds
conngent: folds
*** FLOP *** [3h 8h 8d]
FlitzeAAA: checks
TheOne2006: checks
astralfunk: checks
stephenrhall: bets $0.35
FlitzeAAA: folds
TheOne2006: calls $0.35
astralfunk: folds
*** TURN *** [3h 8h 8d] [4c]
TheOne2006: checks
stephenrhall: checks
*** RIVER *** [3h 8h 8d 4c] [9h]
TheOne2006: bets $13.19 and is all-in
stephenrhall: calls $3.57 and is all-in
*** SHOW DOWN ***
TheOne2006: shows [Ah Th] (a flush, Ace high)
stephenrhall: shows [9d 9s] (a full house, Nines full of Eights)
stephenrhall collected $8.11 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $8.51 | Rake $0.40
Board [3h 8h 8d 4c 9h]
Seat 1: ionut_steaua folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: stephenrhall (button) showed [9d 9s] and won ($8.11) with a full house, Nines full of Eights

Inspiration

I try to set an example to my children, to encourage them to strive to better themselves, to do their best at whatever they attempt.

Yesterday the tables were turned.

I took the kids cycling in Grizedale Forest. It's the first time that we've done that sort of thing together. To be honest, I haven't done any serious cycling for years. In my early teens I would think nothing of cycling 50 miles; today I wouldn't want to think about such a distance.

Towards the end of the day, we're slogging up a hill. My son has already given up and is walking, and I'm seriously considering joining him. I look up the hill to see how far there is to go, and, ahead, I see my 8 year old daughter, moving her bike up the hill through the force of her own stubbornness. At that point I can't get off and walk. She's going through the pain of moving that bike up the hill, with 6 gears less to go at than me, and a lot less strength and experience (though admittedly an awful lot less excess weight too!). I drag myself and the bike to the top of the hill, and then thankfully call for a rest to wait for my son, heart bursting with pride in my little girl.

And they're off

The big event has started. I was sharing a table with Lou Saban, but got moved after one hand. Rosie has an interesting seat - left of Dr Pauly.
13 minutes in, 32 out.

Update 1
Looks like I gave Rosie kiss of death - she's out in 1311th place.

Wil Wheaton is sharing a table with BurnleyJoe. Any relation Mik?

Otis has shown up as commentator, under name of Blogger Brad!

Playing steady so far. Not taking any risks. Slightly up on starting chips.

Update 2

Playing hardly any hands. I've seen two flops, won 3 hands!

Dropped in on Acorn. He's about level too. BM Similar.

Update 3

Just had a double up on my table, AA takes down KK.
Burnley Mik down to 7000.

Update 4
AQh and I make my first raise for ages. No takers.
Limped with A3h and flop AA3! Only BB in hand. I can't get him to raise, and he folds to my raise on turn.

Update 5
ResdentEvil was all in with a flopped straight and he doubles up.
Wil Wheaton has just dropped the HAMMER!

Update 6
Pauly is out. SuffolkPunch is down at around 8000, as is BM. I'm down to 8800. Nothing I can make anything of.
Two big stacks at table. I've pushed with JJ. One big stack calls with 99. Flop gives him a 10 high straight draw. Turn and river are blank and I double up.

Update 7
BM up to 14000 as he rakes in the chips with AA and another rocket on the flop.

Update 8
First break over, back to folding. I'm being a bit of a masochist, I'm playing Britbloggerment too.

Update 9
This time its me with 99. KK on the flop. I put a couple of small raises in. One person limps along, and I take the pot. Next hand 77 not so lucky, and I lose a few.

Update 10

I raise pre flop with TT. Two callers. Flop is AK4. One instant all in. Must be AK. One instant fold from me. One insane call with AQ. It was AK. It holds up.

Dealt 84 in BB. One limper. flop is 824. Limper pushes. I easily have him covered, so I call. A 9 on the turn and another on the river, counterfeiting my hand and giving him the higher two pair. Down to 11000.

Update 11
Now outlasted half the field, but low on chips.

Last update.
Out in 655th place.

Here are the fateful hands.

Dealt to stephenrhall [Qc Jc]
biobakje: folds
IAMB67: folds
PanamaStone: folds
stephenrhall: calls 600
bbmart60: folds
bighair83: calls 600
Catalina_Day: folds
Leraner: calls 300
quintiliano: checks
*** FLOP *** [3h Jh 4s]
Leraner: checks
quintiliano: checks
stephenrhall: bets 4925
bighair83: raises 4925 to 9850
Leraner: folds
quintiliano: folds
stephenrhall: raises 721 to 10571 and is all-in
bighair83: calls 608 and is all-in
*** TURN *** [3h Jh 4s] [Ad]
*** RIVER *** [3h Jh 4s Ad] [5c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
stephenrhall: shows [Qc Jc] (a pair of Jacks)
bighair83: shows [6h Ah] (a pair of Aces)
bighair83 collected 23316 from pot

quintiliano: posts small blind 400
biobakje: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to stephenrhall [Ks Ts]
IAMB67: folds
PanamaStone: folds
stephenrhall: calls 113 and is all-in
bbmart60: folds
bighair83: folds
Catalina_Day: calls 800
Leraner: raises 4125 to 4925 and is all-in
quintiliano: folds
biobakje: folds
Catalina_Day: folds
*** FLOP *** [Td 5d 2d]
*** TURN *** [Td 5d 2d] [6d]
*** RIVER *** [Td 5d 2d 6d] [3s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Leraner: shows [Kd Tc] (a flush, King high)
Leraner collected 2348 from side pot
stephenrhall: shows [Ks Ts] (a pair of Tens)
Leraner collected 565 from main pot

World Blogger Championship

The event starts in less than three hours now. Registration is open, and entries are passed 400 and climbing rapidly.

Plenty of familiar names signed up - Dr Pauly, Mookie99, Kronsdat, ResdentEvil, Mike and Lou Saban, Hammerheid, Kattitude...... No sign of BurnleyMik, Acorn or Cloud yet. I presume they'll be along later.

Dead Hamster

Got a phone-call this morning from my wife, saying that the hamster was dead. This was quite a shock, as it is only two months old, and it was running around on my hands the evening before.

Of course the kids were devastated, and went to school almost in tears.

An hour later I get another call. The hamster is alive! She had gone to put it in a plastic bag before putting it in a box to bury it, and it had moved. It was breathing about once every two minutes.

Turns out that because we had moved it from the lounge to the dining room, the slight drop in temperature, along with the lights being on less, had sent it into hibernation. A quick google for hamster hibernation, and we find that we need to warm it up, give it sugary water and mushy food. The warmth was easy - just plonk it down on the laptop PSU! Much TLC later, and we have a very grumpy, but awake hamster.

Sporting a bandage

My daughter has joined a local athletics club. This involves training twice a week , with transport provided of course by Dad's Taxi. She is settling in really well, and can run far better than I ever could. The warm up last night consisted of a one mile jog before they even started training properly. She is only 8! The club has the 3rd ranked U15 800 metre runner in the country, and my daughter is wanting to follow in her footsteps.

Before training, she told us that she had a sore ankle, she had gone over on it at school. As you do, we jollied her along, told here that when she started running it would be ok, and, off she went, good as gold, completed the session, coach told her how well she had done, and then home to bed.

This morning we felt incredibly guilty as she limped downstairs, ankle sporting a technicolour bruise and swelling. So we had to send her to school with an elastic bandage and a note asking that she be excused PE.

World Blogger Championship

It's time for the Pokerstars World Blogger Championship. I didn't think they were going to do it this year, as last year it was before the WSOP, with the first prize being a seat in the main event. This year first prize is a place at the Pokerstars Carribean adventure.

Last time I finished just outside the top 100 which I felt was a pretty decent performance, but it didn't win me anything. This time a 20 place improvement wins me a duffle bag! 45th and you start to get to the real prizes.

Stardust

No, not the '70s film starring David Essex, but the book (and now film) by Neil Gaiman.

I got the book this evening, and, whilst my daughter was doing circuit training, I sat in the gym and read the first half of the book non-stop. The words leap off the page and form wonderful pictures in the mind's eye. I think it will be one of those books that I will be very sad to finish.

Hot and Cold

I managed to fit the Sunday night Bloggerment in this week. I had registered the previous week, but unregistered just before the start, as I was just too tired to see it through

I surprised myself by making it through to 5th place. Not in the cash, but considering the way my tourney play has been going recently, it was pretty good. I was card dead for most of the game, and I eventually reached the stage of having to push to stay ahead of the blinds.

I seemed very quiet, then I realised that Burnley Mik was on holiday.

I am spending most of my poker playing time in the cash games, where I am very slowly building my bank roll (need to resist donking it off again in the SNGs!) I'm trying to wait for the premium hands, and maximise what I can get from those hands. I do throw the occasional bluff in, which, as I establish a tight image, generally come off. I'm generally seeing less than 20% of the flops.

I'm hoping to be a bit less tired in the future, as, at work, we are recruiting, so some of the more tedious and repetitive work I do will get passed over to somebody new, and this should let me concentrate on the more interesting areas. As my wife is still ill (another MRI scan this weekend) I can't afford to be knackered all the time.

Bloggerment 24

Played my first bloggerment for a month tonight. Spent an hour and a half completely card dead. I saw 10 flops out of 110 hands dealt. With the blinds eating away at my stack, I finally went for it with KTo, and found myself up against Mike's pair of 8s. A flop of 6 7 9 gave us both straight draws, and made my ten useless for making up a pair. A ten on the turn gave Mike his straight and put me out in 12th.

Welcome to biakkax, getting up at 5am in Japan to play poker with us!

SCO Lose!

The redoubtable Judge Kimball has rules on the summary judgement in SCO vs Novell, over the ownership of the copyright to Unix. Read all about it at Groklaw.

This means Novell's waiver of any violations by IBM in their contributions to Linux stands, which completely pulls the rug out from under SCO's case against IBM.

Pot Committed

(with apologies to change100).

Played in Sundays bloggerment. Got myself pot committed with AQo. Ended up pushing all-in, busted out in second to last place, after running into AK sooooted.

****.

To long away from the tables. I need to get back into the groove.