888 POKER OPEN 2008

888 Open V
Heat 10
SEAT 1 Jon Askey 6/1
SEAT 2 Andy Greekfish 4/1
SEAT 3 Dale Hoy 9/2
SEAT 4 Jon Magil 4/1
SEAT 5 888 qualifier Kimmo Louhelaimen 6/1
SEAT 6 Paul Zimbler 3/1
So this was the line up and those were the odds.
I have not played in many TV events over the years as I was not a big fan of them since they add no added prize money but things have changed over the years and some of them are ok.
I was not originally in this event as it was sold out and I was 1st on the reserve list.
With consistent phone calls and emails to make sure if there was a seat I would get it I started to visualize and mentally prepare for my win.
WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE…………….IT CAN ACHIEVE.
I have been doing a lot of self development work since I got back from Las Vegas. I have been doing a lot of cosmic ordering and visualizing for what I want and believing in all that I do.
I finally got a call on Wednesday letting me know that the Devil Fish had to pull out and that I have a seat in heat 10 on Friday. He went on to tell me the format and when he said if you come second you will play the turbo on Sunday I stopped him to let him know I would not be coming second and I only needed to know when the semi final was and also the final. He laughed but I guess he must hear that a lot.
I was over the moon but not surprised as I knew I would have a seat in 1 of the heats cant explain it but when you know something you know it and do not think about it anymore, it just happens.
So my plan was to wake up early go for a run then drive up to Kent where they film it all.
If you know me you will know this is not an easy task as I am not a morning person or a running person but I know it will be good to stimulate the mind. The night before I needed to see a friend and managed to get into bed about 01:30 setting my alarm for 07:30. I woke up pushed snooze then snooze again and finally managed to get out of bed only to see the grey clouds and feel the cold.
The run was off not surprisingly and I jumped into the shower and prepared for my day ahead.
The heat was to start at 11:00 and I needed to be there by 09:45 and being 65 miles away having to do the M25 I preyed that I would not get stuck in serious traffic.
I got there on time and put on my BETFRED sticker.
After make up I was taken for the interview and then meet the rest of the players in my heat and off we went.
There were a few confident players but I did tell them all before it started that they were playing for a place in the turbo heat which was a heat for all the second place finishers in the heats to try to get into the semi finals.
The seat draw was great for me although in the old days of late night poker there was a curse on the end seat but saying that we used to play 7 handed.
I started with the button and raised the first hand to send a message out. I was there to play as a win was the only result in my mind. 2nd place meant playing a turbo heat which is a gamble in itself so I may as well gamble to win the heat and directly go through.
I got off to a great start and played good.
S the blinds increased the level of play increased and the Finish player Kimmo on my right found gears I didn’t think he had. I knew there that my prediction from before the heat began which was that I would end up heads up with Greekfish was not going to happen and that I would be heads up with this kid.
Before the heat begun I wanted to make a bet on myself but I was told I was the favorite at 3/1. I was not surprised to be favorite but 3/1 was a short price in my mind. I have not played TV event for years and I have never won a 5 handed heat on TV: I also knew that I would be the first out or the winner which I guess Neil Channing also knew as I believe he made the book.
Back to the heat. I started playing to poker and firing on all 3 streets only to get called and thinking if this carries on I will look a complete fool and also be out the competition very soon.
I played a few hands weirdly but then I made a great play with 5 high against the Fin on my right. I had already bet 3 times into him and he had called me so I thought the set up had to work the third time. The flop was AKT the turn was T and the river was 6 after he checked again to me on the river I said to him you must have a King. How much will you pay me? 20K? I then bet out 25K he thought for ages and looked at me and said “you cant be doing this a third time” He then folded PHEWWWWWWWWWWW……Of course I never showed and from there I went from strength to strength.
I was raising a lot in this heat and not having to show many hands. My chips were up and down which is normal for me. I found JJ and raised as normal Dale called me and the flop was 8 high. I bet out and he moved all in. I thought for a minute and said I am here to win and I cant see that I am behind so I call.- He turned over 89 and I managed to double up.
A few hands later Dale made a raise I looked down to see KK. I always think about which way I should play this hand as I like to trap if they have smaller pair but what if AK then I will prob not get anymore chips from them unless I am lucky to see a King high flop. I also do not want to loose to a 3 outer but you need to take these chances and play the Math.
I did take my own advice and I re-raised He called me with AJ I think and I managed to survive again.
Dale was left with 8K in chips and I was now over 200K and getting back into the game.
Next hand he was all in when the blinds were 5K 10K and I made it 20K with 66. I know that we could knock out a player and I should let the small blind in but I want to win the heat and also start a small side pot incase I hit. Dale had T5 and a 5 on the flop and a 5 on the river and he was back in the game with 21K. The next hand he trebled up to 63K.
Greekfish was playing well and also giving a lot of chit chat. I think it was a great table for the banter as there were 3 of us giving it a lot of chat… part of the game.
HE looked like he was going to sail it until he made to massive mistakes and donked off most his stack to the Fin on my right.
The Greekfish raised my BB and I looked down at AK I think and pushed he folded. He was looking like a man on TILT and with only about 70K left he was bleeding them away. I was of course happy with this as of all the players on the table I would have preferred to play heads up with the Fin.
Finally a hand arose where the Fin raised UTG Greekfish moved all in and then Dale went all in behind him. The Fin had to call 41K from his fair sized stack and did.
The Fin 22
Greekfish KQ
DaleAK
Flop K high was it to be fate…….
Turn 2 and it was all over we were heads up and at that point there I knew I was the winner. I diod not have the chip lead but there was not much in it and the blinds were not at to bad a level.
HEADS UP
I was giving the Fin the verbals as I knew I could and explaining to him that there was no shame coming second to me.
Heads up went on for like 70 hands which was crazy and I was playing ultra aggressive.
I took a shot at winning the heat once I took the chip lead. I raised with KT and he then moved all in. For me to call it would leave me with about 160K and as long as I was not dominated I was happy to have a shot. I put him ion an Ace or small pair and of course I would prefer to go in ahead but 60/40 is not so bad and if I lost I could still come back. I thought for ages. I know the right decision is to pass as I had the chip lead and could chip away but who knows what the future would be and with the blinds going up I wanted to end it there and then.
I did call and with an Ace on the flop I was down to about 150K
From there I was going all in most hands to steel the blinds with 64, J3 and all sorts but we managed to have 7 show downs and at one point I was down to 75K v his 525K and that was the most exciting time for me as even then I told him that I would come back and that he was not to be upset with himself and that he was not able to change destiny.
I managed to doubled through when Kimmo min raised to 30K on the button and I called with 6 8 diamonds.
The flop was KdQd3s and I thought if I check raise here he may be committed so I shoved and he called quickly. He turned over AdAc and I managed to spike a diamond on the turn and dodge a diamond on the river to take control once more.
The final hand He pushed all in for 110K and I called with Ks7d. He showed Qh 8d The flop was 762 and with a K on the turn it was all over no sweating needed and I was through to the semi finals………
I stayed to watch Kimmo in is turbo as I think he played fantastic and deserved a seat in the semi final. He didn’t make it but I did promise him I would send him money after I win the event next week.
I thanked god and my sprit guides many times through the heat and even more so before I played and after I finished.
I will let you know how many chips I finish the semi finals with and the line up for the final on Saturday.
Until then Be lucky.
Heat 10
SEAT 1 Jon Askey 6/1
SEAT 2 Andy Greekfish 4/1
SEAT 3 Dale Hoy 9/2
SEAT 4 Jon Magil 4/1
SEAT 5 888 qualifier Kimmo Louhelaimen 6/1
SEAT 6 Paul Zimbler 3/1
So this was the line up and those were the odds.
I have not played in many TV events over the years as I was not a big fan of them since they add no added prize money but things have changed over the years and some of them are ok.
I was not originally in this event as it was sold out and I was 1st on the reserve list.
With consistent phone calls and emails to make sure if there was a seat I would get it I started to visualize and mentally prepare for my win.
WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE…………….IT CAN ACHIEVE.
I have been doing a lot of self development work since I got back from Las Vegas. I have been doing a lot of cosmic ordering and visualizing for what I want and believing in all that I do.
I finally got a call on Wednesday letting me know that the Devil Fish had to pull out and that I have a seat in heat 10 on Friday. He went on to tell me the format and when he said if you come second you will play the turbo on Sunday I stopped him to let him know I would not be coming second and I only needed to know when the semi final was and also the final. He laughed but I guess he must hear that a lot.
I was over the moon but not surprised as I knew I would have a seat in 1 of the heats cant explain it but when you know something you know it and do not think about it anymore, it just happens.
So my plan was to wake up early go for a run then drive up to Kent where they film it all.
If you know me you will know this is not an easy task as I am not a morning person or a running person but I know it will be good to stimulate the mind. The night before I needed to see a friend and managed to get into bed about 01:30 setting my alarm for 07:30. I woke up pushed snooze then snooze again and finally managed to get out of bed only to see the grey clouds and feel the cold.
The run was off not surprisingly and I jumped into the shower and prepared for my day ahead.
The heat was to start at 11:00 and I needed to be there by 09:45 and being 65 miles away having to do the M25 I preyed that I would not get stuck in serious traffic.
I got there on time and put on my BETFRED sticker.
After make up I was taken for the interview and then meet the rest of the players in my heat and off we went.
There were a few confident players but I did tell them all before it started that they were playing for a place in the turbo heat which was a heat for all the second place finishers in the heats to try to get into the semi finals.
The seat draw was great for me although in the old days of late night poker there was a curse on the end seat but saying that we used to play 7 handed.
I started with the button and raised the first hand to send a message out. I was there to play as a win was the only result in my mind. 2nd place meant playing a turbo heat which is a gamble in itself so I may as well gamble to win the heat and directly go through.
I got off to a great start and played good.
S the blinds increased the level of play increased and the Finish player Kimmo on my right found gears I didn’t think he had. I knew there that my prediction from before the heat began which was that I would end up heads up with Greekfish was not going to happen and that I would be heads up with this kid.
Before the heat begun I wanted to make a bet on myself but I was told I was the favorite at 3/1. I was not surprised to be favorite but 3/1 was a short price in my mind. I have not played TV event for years and I have never won a 5 handed heat on TV: I also knew that I would be the first out or the winner which I guess Neil Channing also knew as I believe he made the book.
Back to the heat. I started playing to poker and firing on all 3 streets only to get called and thinking if this carries on I will look a complete fool and also be out the competition very soon.
I played a few hands weirdly but then I made a great play with 5 high against the Fin on my right. I had already bet 3 times into him and he had called me so I thought the set up had to work the third time. The flop was AKT the turn was T and the river was 6 after he checked again to me on the river I said to him you must have a King. How much will you pay me? 20K? I then bet out 25K he thought for ages and looked at me and said “you cant be doing this a third time” He then folded PHEWWWWWWWWWWW……Of course I never showed and from there I went from strength to strength.
I was raising a lot in this heat and not having to show many hands. My chips were up and down which is normal for me. I found JJ and raised as normal Dale called me and the flop was 8 high. I bet out and he moved all in. I thought for a minute and said I am here to win and I cant see that I am behind so I call.- He turned over 89 and I managed to double up.
A few hands later Dale made a raise I looked down to see KK. I always think about which way I should play this hand as I like to trap if they have smaller pair but what if AK then I will prob not get anymore chips from them unless I am lucky to see a King high flop. I also do not want to loose to a 3 outer but you need to take these chances and play the Math.
I did take my own advice and I re-raised He called me with AJ I think and I managed to survive again.
Dale was left with 8K in chips and I was now over 200K and getting back into the game.
Next hand he was all in when the blinds were 5K 10K and I made it 20K with 66. I know that we could knock out a player and I should let the small blind in but I want to win the heat and also start a small side pot incase I hit. Dale had T5 and a 5 on the flop and a 5 on the river and he was back in the game with 21K. The next hand he trebled up to 63K.
Greekfish was playing well and also giving a lot of chit chat. I think it was a great table for the banter as there were 3 of us giving it a lot of chat… part of the game.
HE looked like he was going to sail it until he made to massive mistakes and donked off most his stack to the Fin on my right.
The Greekfish raised my BB and I looked down at AK I think and pushed he folded. He was looking like a man on TILT and with only about 70K left he was bleeding them away. I was of course happy with this as of all the players on the table I would have preferred to play heads up with the Fin.
Finally a hand arose where the Fin raised UTG Greekfish moved all in and then Dale went all in behind him. The Fin had to call 41K from his fair sized stack and did.
The Fin 22
Greekfish KQ
DaleAK
Flop K high was it to be fate…….
Turn 2 and it was all over we were heads up and at that point there I knew I was the winner. I diod not have the chip lead but there was not much in it and the blinds were not at to bad a level.
HEADS UP
I was giving the Fin the verbals as I knew I could and explaining to him that there was no shame coming second to me.
Heads up went on for like 70 hands which was crazy and I was playing ultra aggressive.
I took a shot at winning the heat once I took the chip lead. I raised with KT and he then moved all in. For me to call it would leave me with about 160K and as long as I was not dominated I was happy to have a shot. I put him ion an Ace or small pair and of course I would prefer to go in ahead but 60/40 is not so bad and if I lost I could still come back. I thought for ages. I know the right decision is to pass as I had the chip lead and could chip away but who knows what the future would be and with the blinds going up I wanted to end it there and then.
I did call and with an Ace on the flop I was down to about 150K
From there I was going all in most hands to steel the blinds with 64, J3 and all sorts but we managed to have 7 show downs and at one point I was down to 75K v his 525K and that was the most exciting time for me as even then I told him that I would come back and that he was not to be upset with himself and that he was not able to change destiny.
I managed to doubled through when Kimmo min raised to 30K on the button and I called with 6 8 diamonds.
The flop was KdQd3s and I thought if I check raise here he may be committed so I shoved and he called quickly. He turned over AdAc and I managed to spike a diamond on the turn and dodge a diamond on the river to take control once more.
The final hand He pushed all in for 110K and I called with Ks7d. He showed Qh 8d The flop was 762 and with a K on the turn it was all over no sweating needed and I was through to the semi finals………
I stayed to watch Kimmo in is turbo as I think he played fantastic and deserved a seat in the semi final. He didn’t make it but I did promise him I would send him money after I win the event next week.
I thanked god and my sprit guides many times through the heat and even more so before I played and after I finished.
I will let you know how many chips I finish the semi finals with and the line up for the final on Saturday.
Until then Be lucky.










