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I did not want to play poker today as I felt like I wanted a break before the main event and the only WSOP event was a fixed limit shoot out which I found about as attractive as a splinter in the ***. I went to the Wynn for dinner in the seafood restaurant with Paul Zimbler and Roberto “will you show me if I fold” Romanello, the dinner was adequate and they persuaded me to go to The Bellagio to play the $1000 event, which I did not really fancy but I had little better to do. On the table behind me, within 5 minutes of the start, there was a dispute in which one player needled an opponent by calling the clock on him and an argument ensued in which the much larger of the two explained that if he was told to be quiet that was ok but, if he was told to shut his mouth “THEN WE HAVE AN ISSUE”.On my table we had a known American player (Randy something, that’s his name rather than the start of a joke) who had a flash in the pan success in a WPT a few years ago (the other top American pro’s regarded him as “the value” when they were at the Monte Carlo Millions) and he was playing a ridiculously over active game and generally needling the other players at the table with his, not abusive or threatening but, general toss talk. He was making various snide comments and claimed he had not played poker for a year, I told him it seemed like it was longer which everyone else seemed to enjoy.Early on one player raised, he called and the pre-flop raiser bet 300 into a 400 pot on a flop of J67 to which Randy moved all-in (blinds 25/50 and starting stack 10000). The bettor managed to call with his set of jacks and Randy failed to find the necessary improvement with his Q6.He was now down to about 3000 (having won pots early on with excessive flair to enable him to survive his creative Q6 all-in move) and after two limpers for 50 decided an all-in bet of 3000 was justified in order to pick up the extra 175 chips already in the pot. The next player called and the player after moved all-in for 10000 “historically” called (this is my personally developed next term following “instant call”, then the time shortened “insta call” and the now popular and presumably shorter time to call “snap call”- you cant get a quicker call than “historically” calling before your opponent has made the bet you are calling so I believe that means I am cool though it is a bit of a mouthful so maybe “hista” call will work for the cool dudes that talk a good game-please use this in place of “insta” or “snap” as I need something to claim as a success from this trip).The hands were all-in randy 45 off suit, first and subsequent “hista caller” AK (no yank folds AK pre-flop period) and the second all-in player QQ. The AK hit an ace for the side pot and Randy hit a straight to treble up. He then made the mistake of needling a huge UFC fighter to the extent that Randy raises to 300 and the UFC guy moves in for about 12000 and Randy “hista calls” with his pocket sevens which is beating the pocket fives of Goliath. He then makes some snide comment after the hand and is advised that there are other places outside poker and he needed to leave the casino in order to get home so he had better watch his mouth.His snide comments stopped immediately and when the Goliath moved all-in he said something which included the “F word” and called (now you can call someone a wan*** or a C*** but use the word F*** in any sentence and you get a penalty). One of the players tried to get the floor to have Randy penalized and prevented from taking part in the hand. This process was immediately thwarted by Goliath who not surprisingly was pleased to get the call as he flipped his aces over and doubled up. Randy was out shortly afterwards which was probably a good result for him as had he continued to needle the Goliath he may have ended up not playing poker for longer than a year.My game was short as I flopped the nuts with 89 on a 6c7c10d flop only to have an opponent bet into me I called and re-raised on the turn (off suit 5) in a cunning plan I re-raised an amount to make it not sensible for him to call with a flush draw but he saw through it and called anyway and hit a flush on the river. I may have to try a less subtle approach so maybe next time I give someone a ridiculously bad price to hit a river flush (I over bet it as I had run so bad and wanted to take the pot despite holding the nuts – that’s what running bad does to you), if they look like they are about to make a bad call I will run over and punch them in the face and explain the situation to them.Simon Zach then came down and was going to the Rio to play in the gibbon mega satellite for the main event so when facing a late position raise to 600 followed by a call on the button I moved all-in for 4200. The raiser folded and the in-between caller mustered a great call with JQ which formed 2/3 of my straight hitting two pair on the flop.I went to the Rio with Simon and stood longer in the queue than I was in the game. At least I fitted in well as I played like a gibbon and ended up on the rail like the gibbons usually do, apart from the occasional lucky one than then gets plaudits for playing creatively. At least I went out to a quality hand when I moved in with one pair and a flush draw somehow called by the nut flush which turned into a Royal flush on the turn. I had a 10% saver with Simon, so hopefully he will win a seat and I will get my money back, which I do not deserve but I will take it. Finally, a very big congratulations to Marty Smyth for winning the World Championship $10000 Pot Limit Omaha Event. He is a truly world class player and one of the nicest people you could wish to meet and deserves all the success that come his way.
About actionjack
In terms of online poker, under the infamous moniker ‘actionjack’, Paul was desribed by the “Voice of poker”, Jesse May as the most winning tournament player in the history of Ladbrokespoker.com.
In addition, he has won many online tournaments on all of the major sites and is generally regarded as one of the most successful online tournament players in Europe.
In terms of live poker, Paul’s greatest achievement was second place in the Monte Carlo Millions, losing heads up to Phil Ivey, but receiving $600,000 for his efforts. Included in that game, was one of the most reported and discussed hands in poker history, and put forward as one of the best televised hands of poker ever seen.
Paul also achieved notable success, winning the 1000 euro event and finished runner up in the world heads up event during the same week in Barcelona.
Paul has enjoyed tournament success all over the world and has now amassed over $1 Million in tournament winnings.
Paul has appeared on many televised poker tournaments and is often interviewed on TV, as a player and expert.
Paul regularly featured as the Poker Godfather (teaching online players how to improve) in The Poker Channel’s top-rated TV series.
Paul’s articles are much in demand, and are regularly published on many leading web sites, from industry ones to the BBC and is a regular contributor to several popular poker magazines.
Paul has guested on several radio broadcasts on poker related issues, including BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 4’s ‘Word of Mouth’ series.
As a very experienced live and online poker player Paul has now taken the position of Director of Poker for DTDpoker.com and hopes to use his experience to ensure that DTDpoker.com customers are well looked after, respected and accommodated in terms of their thirst for poker.