A look back at the highs and lows from our second leg in Edinburgh
The PokerPlayer UK Tour is picking up pace! Thanks to all those who made their way to Edinburgh last weekend, we think you’ll agree it was as good if not better than our opening leg in Bristol. But for those of you who couldn’t make it north of the border, here’s a full round up from our friends at MyCasino.co.uk and blogger Peter Drakes.
Shaky start
The local crowd at Edinburgh was very vocal and packed full of solid, aggressive players. Unlike Bristol, where about 80% of the field qualified online, over half of the entrants at Edinburgh were direct buy-ins for the full amount.
Yours truly, just so we are under no illusions, went out before the first hour. Yes, abysmally, my K-K failed to stand against A-Jo when an Ace hit on the flop, busting me down to 3,400. Barely two hands later I was sitting pretty with A-Ko, and went all-in versus the same guy who, as it turned out had K-Q and hit his Queen on the turn.
Kezay’s krushed
Much to my chagrin PokerPlayer’s Keir ‘Kezay69’ Mackay was still in the tournament early on and doing reasonably well (surprisingly), his training from sharkstaking.com seemingly paying off. Alas, no force on earth could help his K-Qs when he ran into the two big stacks holding A-Q and pocket rockets. His all-in shove was mistimed to say the least, and he left in 55th place to much back-slapping and sighs of relief from his table.
Kudos also goes to Raymond Stevens who, as well as finishing on the bubble and boosting his online account by $100, was the winner of a ‘PokerPlayer Table skin’ for knocking out Keir.
Bubble time
Ben Pennick, the winner from Bristol, was also not faring too well. The tight style of play that had served him so well in Bristol meant he was getting beaten up in Edinburgh. But after some good comebacks he ultimately left with his head held high in 19th place, not quite in the money, but a strong showing nonetheless.
Unlike Bristol (where players were screaming to chop) it hasn’t even occurred to the hardened warriors of Edinburgh to talk about a deal and Alan Matheson was first to go once the bubble burst, earning £200 for his afternoon’s work. I was busy typing the updates on Facebook as the players sat down, next thing I knew he was walking to the cash desk…
As midnight rolled in we were down to the final 6, and after some epic power-plays (four showdowns in 45 mins – after two of which someone exited) the exits just kept on coming.
Final fight
Alan Steer, the second of our online qualifiers on the final table, ran his J-8 into A-J and had to settle for fourth place and £970. Not a bad return for winning on of PokerPlayer’s $5 satellites. Down to the final three and Brenda Sheerins was looking like a third place exit with 10-10 v J-J, until the turn showed a ten, allowing her to double up and get back in contention.
Shortly after 1.30am local lads James and Shaun got tangled in the best hand of the night. James’ all-in sent Shaun into the tank, and after a long hard think he announced “I am pretty sure you don’t have Aces or Kings, so I’ll call. One way or another I’ll see you in the bar”. His K-4 on a dangerous looking board was good enough to beat Jame’s twos thanks to a King on the turn.
Next hand James was all-in against Brenda and his k4 lost out to her k9 by virtue of the weaker kicker. Excellent play James, who I hear may be joining us in Leeds on the 23rd July.
Brenda’s bonus
Heads-up was swift, and the final hand saw Shaun all-in with K-7o against Brenda’s A10o. A ten on the flop sealed it for Brenda, who wins not only the coveted PokerPlayer trophy and her ticket for the Grand Final in Birmingham, but left Edinburgh with a whopping £4,870 in her pocket. And to think, she won her seat in a PokerPlayer freeroll.
Congratulations Brenda!
Once again our thanks to Tournament Director Jon Baker and the rest of the staff; the cardroom team at Edinburgh including card-room manager Igor Zydek, the kindly folks at PokerPlayer magazine and of course all of our players for their contribution, entertainment and sportsmanship.
It also has be mentioned, the fantastic spirit and heart from all of the players, even at this level, a really professional attitude and philosophy which really impressed all of us.
For more on how you can join us in Leeds this July, click here
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