Work/Life Balance is crucial!

Hi All,

Not much to report from the past week; I got absolutely zero volume completed online and only played two live tournaments; one at Crown casino and the other in South Australia. It's Christmas time and the celebrations started a little bit early for me this year.

 I played the MegaStack Satellite at Crown on Saturday, as I predicted it was a very hyper turbo tournament that soon becomes push botting poker (push/fold), even with a 30K start stack. I really love these tournaments, they are high in variance but a bag full of fun. I played ABC poker all tournament and could not win a coin flip and any hand where I got it in as a four to one favourite, but I could get it in as a monster underdog and suck out every time!

I had a ball in this tournament and hope Crown can include something similar at least once a month! This tournament drew over 550 players and it really was great value for money! My outgoing hand saw me with $200K with blinds at 8000/16000 and in UTG +1, I look down at 77 and decide that I don't want to raise fold here so prefer to stick it all in pre. It all folds around to the BB who sighs, leans back, picks up his cards and waves them around. He is tanking for a good two minutes and at one stage I see a Queen and presume he has AQ. After another thirty seconds he sighs and throws his chips in and tables QQ. 

I'm not exactly happy about it but have a laugh when he says "I thought you were super strong and I really was going to fold" my response is along the lines "Mate, no issues with you struggling, but if you fold QQ there you should give up on poker and take up another hobby, something like knitting should suit you!" Stay classy Garth! Anyway I smile, shake his hand an exit the tournament in about 90th position.

The next day sees me down at West Adelaide Football Club for the 888PL AM ME satellite. And as usual I load up on a JD and Red Bull before the tournament. I seem to enjoy the hospitality there a lot more than I should when playing in a "big" tourney. Unfortunately I bust half way through a tourney after having the softest table of calling stations ever. I just could not bust out a hand and was rivered and outflopped everywhere. Not much to report on this tournament and it was by far the most frustrated I have felt in quite awhile.

SIDE NOTE: just a little update on ethics, if a player is all in (say with A3 Suited) after busting a move and runs into a bigger hand (say AA) then PLEASE do not tell the ALL IN player that you folded the same hand as them. It is rude and will generally incite a rather angry reaction from most players. Always leave an ALL IN player to believe they have the MAX OUTS. Also if someone is all in or is contemplating a call for their tournament life I strongly suggest you shut up! 

As you can see I was a little frustrated by the actions and comments of a few during the tournament but I must remember not to tap the glass! Sorry to those players who I may have been rude to and a big congrat to Big Black Triton who shipped the ME seat. I know he has been working hard on his game and it was great to see him bounce back from his runner up position in last weeks Satellite!

 I think in part my terrible play and lack of results could have something to do with the "let's go have a couple of quiet bevvy's" curse that the 888PL OPS Team suffer from. We were all together last week and decided on Thursday night to settle on a Chapel Street bar and have a few quiet beers to round out a hectic few weeks. We had all agreed to make it a quiet night and be home before midnight (I had also been warned by the CEO to ensure that all my crew where in fine form the next day). As usual someone mentions the magical word and before we know it, it is three am and we have two guys riding the procelain bus and the rest of us are covered in some strange powdery metallic dust!???? Needless to say most of us backed it up the next day at the FHG Christmas Party!

See the key to a good life is great work/life balance, as most of my friends will know, I am absolutely deficient in creating this in my life and will generally work at 110% for 28 days straight then decide to roll one months worth of "socialising" into one weekend!

So after the past weekend's dismal failure I decided it was time for me to relax and perhaps chill out a bit. As usual, when in Adelaide, I decided Sunday night would be spent with two very special friends who will remain known as DT. DT and I like to go out on Sunday's in the city and DT (as a team) provide far more entertaining times than most, as such it was another night that will go down as righting the life imbalance! But by far, oh so worth it!

It's December 22nd and I still haven't started my Christmas shopping, as usual it will be left to the last minute as I zoom around trying to decide on presents for my close friends and family. I thought you all should have a glimpse into the life of Garth outside of work! Please address all complaints to info@888pl.com.au!

In all seriousness, have a wonderful Christmas, may Santa bring you all the joy and happiness you fully deserve! Stay Safe and I look forward to recounting my Aussie Millions campaign stories in the New Year.

Best Wishes,

Garth Kay.

P.S: Even though my Satellite campaign has been a dismal failure I have banked a few $$$'s playing online so will be buying directly into a few AM events!