My second trip to Luton

Fatboydim

I found myself in Luton on Tuesday night – flights from Galway and Knock- and with nothing better to do [Other than staying in my hotel room in Elstree] I decided to give the £10 rebuy event a go. I didn't expect much as it's only a £10 game and it's advertised as a Rookie night. My only previous time playing in Luton was during the British Open.

Well things have moved on a pace since then. The staff are - as they were before - very friendly and pleasant. This was self deal but staff were on hand for rebuys. They had since my last visit installed plasma screens. These keep everyone informed of the state of the blinds, clock and rebuys. As the tournament starts you look up your name on the screen and it tells you what table and seat number you are [how we could have done with that in the Merrion] Then when you arrive at you seat you have a receipt with your name on it that you use for rebuys [this feeds into a machine the staff use and records each rebuy on the system] All very impressive indeed. As for the standard of play it wasn’t bad at all. Yes my AA did get busted by 74os but at starting chips of 1k and 90mins rebuys you are going to have people taking risks. But I managed to amass an above average stack without resorting to a rebuy at all. 73 players started and the prize money was in excess of £3000. So top prize was I believe around the £1300 mark. Down to the last three / four table and approaching midnight I decided I either wanted enough chips to go on to challenge for the top three or I wanted to be busted out [I had an early morning flight home] So I started pushing… inevitably I busted in around 25th I think. Some very good players on my table with one player having just pocketed £100k I think in a big tourney.

The only small sour point was on a hand where I intended to raise [this was pot limit] I counted out the pot and then instead of saying “I raise" I said “I call and raise” - The player I was raising argued that it was now a string bet. I asked for a ruling as in most tournaments here in Ireland if the intention to raise is clear as it was in this case [I asked how much was in the pot and counted it out] then the raise stands. I asked for a ruling and was told it was a string bet… To which I answered fine and was happy to accept that … But the ruling was that as it was a rookie night my raise could stand. – So that’s one to discuss.

All in all a very good experience. I recommend it.

The Troll

Fatboydim wrote:

The only small sour point was on a hand where I intended to raise [this was pot limit] I counted out the pot and then instead of saying “I said “I call and raise” - The player I was raising argued that it was now a string bet. I asked for a ruling as in most tournaments here in Ireland if the intention to raise is clear as it was in this case [I asked how much was in the pot and counted it out] then the raise stands. I asked for a ruling and was told it was a string bet… To which I answered fine and was happy to accept that … But the ruling was that as it was a rookie night my raise could stand. – So that’s one to discuss.
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I wouldnt accept that ruling. You either call or raise. Not both.

bohsman

One of the first things you learn in the freeroll, if you say "I call and raise" its a call as its the first thing you say

Again in the freeroll it should also be allowed to stand as it is a rookie night but some of the pro freerollers are looking to take advantage of the rules so they often get their way

Fatboydim

Don't forget that this is a self deal pot limit tournament. Whilst I would normally agree - the fact was that all night long the players were saying match the last bet and then calculate the pot. If a dealer was there the mistake would not have been made. In some ways I would have been happier if the ruling was that it was a string bet and that I could only call. As I think the other player thought I was pulling a stunt... But it was merely my inexperience at PL events. But everyone on that table knew I was raising and I think I also had the added hassle of dealing the hand.... On balance though I think it should have just been a call as the other player was being penalised.

califano

probably better to have said "I'll see your 100... and i raise you a 100":D

Dub13

bohsman wrote:

pro freerollers

First time I have heard this term...:D

Anybody want to sponsor me into the freeroll

5starpool

rounders123 wrote:

probably better to have said "I'll see your 100... and i raise you a 100":D

All very mississippi river boat circa 1830ish. Should probably add a 'sir' to the end of it.

I seen someone on one of the speed poker heats on the poker channel doing the same thing when they were down to 2. First time he literally did string bet without saying anything, and the TD warned him but allowed it. Next time he said 'I'll call you all in', which in a tournament of that nature with a decent bit of money in it is criminal. And it was allowed!!!! The intention was abviously to raise, but still, even if you win a ticket to that you should be expected to adhere to the same standard of rules as the rest. Even the commentators referred to his 'unorthodox' method of going in and didn't like it.

Makes me itch with frustration when you see that happen.