Look for this bizarre yet creatively entertaining spot to break August 18th in Germany and maybe wider, plus possibly YouTube?
I'm the Cop.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
WINNER WINNER, Chicken Dinner~~Red Hot Poker Tour Season 11: Tournament of Champions!!!
Wow, what an absolute incredible climax to a fantastic season I've had. http://www.redhotpokertour.com/index.html
Going back to March 28th when I won the Season 10 Regional championship, and trip/buyin to WSOP 2008, where I won $36,000 for being 10th out 2,693 entrants in event #52, I then won the Season 11 World Poker Tour sponsored RHPT Online championship for "AnyTime" points, I won the HBO Region over the course of the season, and then further won the HBO Regional 16 top players shootout championship, securing me a place at the Final Table for the SEASON 11 Tournament of Champions competing against the 7 other RHPT Regional champions.
And wouldn't ya know it, if I didn't win that as well!! WOW. It was no easy feat either.
There was some pretty heavy competition and really outstanding play that culminated in my taking down the HBO event by defeating Marilyn V (SweetMe) then onto the FINAL TABLE and heads up with Wayne D (RedHotAce) from London for about 2.5 hours over something like 100 hands....a marthon baby...and it was sick how it ended! Wayne you are a terrific player, and this game could easily have gone either way.
I got hammered by Ed C (Edman) from Windsor when my QQ ran into his KK that took me down to about 3,200 (64,000 in play among the 8 players, but by that time I think there were only 4 left). I was able to survive and claw my way back to see ZEKEN (Sean S) bust out with a 10 high flush calling into Wayne's allin move with the 'Aces full of nines' boat, and then Ed also lost out to Wayne shortly thereafter leaving the 2 of us headsup, and I will add, Wayne had a sizeable lead. About 53,000 to my 11,000. It was a seesaw battle let me tell you!
I was able to take control when I got caught with an allin reriase move pushing my 85 into the middle and Wayne called with his apparent favorite hand, Ah9h. I hit the 8 and doubled up large to take the comanding lead away from Wayne.
Then Wayne to his credit was able fight his way back to take the lead, when I really thought I had him on the ropes and couldn't find the guts to call any of his aggressive plays. As a result his strong play kept him right there and gave himself a good chance to win.
I asked for another short break near around 1:15am, after starting the FT at 8pm, and after returning I woke up with a pocket pair and pushed allin, Wayne stalled. I turned to the crowd who understandably were getting fatigued and said half kiddingly, "well it's what you want isn't it?" Wayne folded.
Very next hand Wayne shoved allin. I said, "So that's how it's gonna be is it Wayne? I shove, you shove, I shove huh?" and folded.
And the final hand which cam on the very next deal: I said "OK then. If I do it, I don't think you've got the guts to call" (clearly my stratey was to get him to call, and sure enough Wayne did have the guts and courage to make the call (which deep down I hoped for, and as we all know the adage,'be careful what you wish for, it just ight come true').
Wayne had KJ and I showed AK. I was happy to say the least.
Flop came down QJ3. Dammit! Wayne was now ahead hitting his J and his family and friends were excited. I was calm but behind. I need the A for bigger pair, or 10 for the straight.
The turn as a King. Double dammit! Wayne now has 2 pair to my one.
I still needed either the Ace or a Ten. And since the Ace is a god, the Ace of diamonds fell on the river and my 2 pair beat Wayne's two pair. I thought he had me covered in chips, but knew it was close.
The count down happend and I was in fact ahead by only 800 and the game was over!
Who knows what's in store now, the hope is for a seat at the $10,000 World Poker Tour's LA Celebrity invitational Poker Classic in March 2009. We shall see.
Going back to March 28th when I won the Season 10 Regional championship, and trip/buyin to WSOP 2008, where I won $36,000 for being 10th out 2,693 entrants in event #52, I then won the Season 11 World Poker Tour sponsored RHPT Online championship for "AnyTime" points, I won the HBO Region over the course of the season, and then further won the HBO Regional 16 top players shootout championship, securing me a place at the Final Table for the SEASON 11 Tournament of Champions competing against the 7 other RHPT Regional champions.
And wouldn't ya know it, if I didn't win that as well!! WOW. It was no easy feat either.
There was some pretty heavy competition and really outstanding play that culminated in my taking down the HBO event by defeating Marilyn V (SweetMe) then onto the FINAL TABLE and heads up with Wayne D (RedHotAce) from London for about 2.5 hours over something like 100 hands....a marthon baby...and it was sick how it ended! Wayne you are a terrific player, and this game could easily have gone either way.
I got hammered by Ed C (Edman) from Windsor when my QQ ran into his KK that took me down to about 3,200 (64,000 in play among the 8 players, but by that time I think there were only 4 left). I was able to survive and claw my way back to see ZEKEN (Sean S) bust out with a 10 high flush calling into Wayne's allin move with the 'Aces full of nines' boat, and then Ed also lost out to Wayne shortly thereafter leaving the 2 of us headsup, and I will add, Wayne had a sizeable lead. About 53,000 to my 11,000. It was a seesaw battle let me tell you!
I was able to take control when I got caught with an allin reriase move pushing my 85 into the middle and Wayne called with his apparent favorite hand, Ah9h. I hit the 8 and doubled up large to take the comanding lead away from Wayne.
Then Wayne to his credit was able fight his way back to take the lead, when I really thought I had him on the ropes and couldn't find the guts to call any of his aggressive plays. As a result his strong play kept him right there and gave himself a good chance to win.
I asked for another short break near around 1:15am, after starting the FT at 8pm, and after returning I woke up with a pocket pair and pushed allin, Wayne stalled. I turned to the crowd who understandably were getting fatigued and said half kiddingly, "well it's what you want isn't it?" Wayne folded.
Very next hand Wayne shoved allin. I said, "So that's how it's gonna be is it Wayne? I shove, you shove, I shove huh?" and folded.
And the final hand which cam on the very next deal: I said "OK then. If I do it, I don't think you've got the guts to call" (clearly my stratey was to get him to call, and sure enough Wayne did have the guts and courage to make the call (which deep down I hoped for, and as we all know the adage,'be careful what you wish for, it just ight come true').
Wayne had KJ and I showed AK. I was happy to say the least.
Flop came down QJ3. Dammit! Wayne was now ahead hitting his J and his family and friends were excited. I was calm but behind. I need the A for bigger pair, or 10 for the straight.
The turn as a King. Double dammit! Wayne now has 2 pair to my one.
I still needed either the Ace or a Ten. And since the Ace is a god, the Ace of diamonds fell on the river and my 2 pair beat Wayne's two pair. I thought he had me covered in chips, but knew it was close.
The count down happend and I was in fact ahead by only 800 and the game was over!
Who knows what's in store now, the hope is for a seat at the $10,000 World Poker Tour's LA Celebrity invitational Poker Classic in March 2009. We shall see.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Red Hot Poker Tour Season 11 Championship is this Saturday July 26th
As the leader in the Hamilton-Burlington-Brantford-Oakville region, I will receive a starting bonus of 2,500 chips + as the leader in the AnyTime Points category of our online sponsor, the WPT, I will get another 500 chip bonus all over and above everyone's starting stcks of 4,000. Doesn't guarantee me anything, but is nice to have a lead going in. I already have 10% of all the chips....only 90% more to go!
This is an incredible event as the winner of the 16 player regional game will then compete against the winners of the 7 other 16 player Ontario regional championships to make a Final Table of 8 players. The ultimate winner of that, will receive the $10,000 (US) entry in the WPT LA CELEBRITY POKER CLASSIC to be played in LA in March 2009. Anything the player is lucky enough to win there, is theirs to keep; just as I was fortunate enough to win $36,000 at this year's WSOP!
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner.......THIS IS IT!
This is an incredible event as the winner of the 16 player regional game will then compete against the winners of the 7 other 16 player Ontario regional championships to make a Final Table of 8 players. The ultimate winner of that, will receive the $10,000 (US) entry in the WPT LA CELEBRITY POKER CLASSIC to be played in LA in March 2009. Anything the player is lucky enough to win there, is theirs to keep; just as I was fortunate enough to win $36,000 at this year's WSOP!
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner.......THIS IS IT!
Audition *** PokerStars (as the dealer)
Coming off the great WSOP event (10th place finish of 2700 entrants) it was crazy that I'd walk into this audition.
Would honestly have preferred to be a player than the dealer for casting purposes....however it has moved into production now and with no call, I'm resigned to ahving missed this one, too bad.
Lots of Pro players in Toronto to shoot a campaign as i've seen Daniel Negreanu's blog mentioning it several times this past week. Oh well. Better luck next time and good things come to those who wait, right?!
Would honestly have preferred to be a player than the dealer for casting purposes....however it has moved into production now and with no call, I'm resigned to ahving missed this one, too bad.
Lots of Pro players in Toronto to shoot a campaign as i've seen Daniel Negreanu's blog mentioning it several times this past week. Oh well. Better luck next time and good things come to those who wait, right?!
Audition for "Hamburger Helper" Dad and CALLBACK
July 15th:
Stereotypical family portrait around the dinner table enjoy the day's events.
Got in again...and this we had to eat (or got to eat!). Thanks for lunch Mann Casting!
Standing by......
Stereotypical family portrait around the dinner table enjoy the day's events.
Got in again...and this we had to eat (or got to eat!). Thanks for lunch Mann Casting!
Standing by......
Audition for "MediFacts" and GERD (i.e. heartburn)
Went in via Crystal Casting back July 11th....good little spot.....
standing by...
standing by...
Audition for "EXTRA" gum -- German TV market
Went in for the role of "Cleaner" back on July 8th.
No word on it until call backs on July 21st and they wanted to see me again but this time as the Cop. Awesome. Went well I think and was genuinly fun.
Then late that day, called to ask me to come in again the very next day, again as the cop. Cool.
That was yesterday, so will await word now.
standing by........
No word on it until call backs on July 21st and they wanted to see me again but this time as the Cop. Awesome. Went well I think and was genuinly fun.
Then late that day, called to ask me to come in again the very next day, again as the cop. Cool.
That was yesterday, so will await word now.
standing by........
Friday, July 4, 2008
WSOP Event #52 over---WINNER WINNER Chicken Dinner!
I pushed all my chips in with QQ and got called by A6c. He flopped the nut flush and I was suddenly out of the tournament and financially $36,000 richer! (Less of course the IRS's cut)
2,693 players, I finished 10th!
Suh--weet.
Where do I begin?
How about the biggest hand of note before that one that busted me out.....I found pocket 3's and called a preflop raise of 2.5x the BB. Flop came down 23K all diamonds. I flopped a set & bet out 150,000. He pushed allin and I called. He rolled over Q9 diamonds and I need to pair the board to win. Didn't happen and I lost 379,000 chips. I lost only 2 hands the entire day, both flushes, both to the same guy who would ultimately take down the bracelet and $635,000. Good on him.
A big hand of note prior to that: The Russian Czar on my left, asked me "...is this it?" I sensed he wanted me to shove. I did. Before my fingers tips had fully grabbed my stack, he called and slammed down his KQ. I completed my shove, counted out 293,000 and then wished him good luck as I turned over my AK. He hit his Q and I was suddenly behind. I advised him that the Ace was a God, only to be disappointed by the turn's 7d, and I repeated to him and the entire room with much encouragement, that "THE ACE IS A GOD!" and sure enough the Ace of hearts made an appearance. I then excitedly released a boisterous, "This IS it!"
Other notes:
I busted Mimi Tran.
I out played Kenna James (who started the day at my table, Red 8 seat 1, he was in seat 4)
I sat beside Vanessa Russo for 1/2 a hand before she busted (no pun intended).
Ended day 2 with only 11,500 chips in 206th place well behind the chip leader's 230,000 count.
I busted out when antes matched the tournaments starting amounts (3,000A/12,000SB/24,000BB).
I started the day at Table 6, seat 1, I ended the day at table 6, seat 1. In between, I got moved to table 4 seat 1, back to table 6 (seat 6), then final redraw with 12 players left moved back to T6/S1.
At the end of Day 1 (1:00am) I walked the 30 minutes back to Harrah's from the RIO to unwind, get some excercise and hopefully help me sleep deeply. It worked very well indeed.
Day 2: I walked back to the RIO at 1pm to wake up and get my head focussed and body alert and blood flowing (even though with sucha small stack I had pretty much resigned to the fact I was not long for the game at that point). Wow did things change in a hurry.
2nd hand of day 2: upon seeing my hole cards I stalled. that brief moment of hestitaion was followed up with my hearing fired at me from seat 4 (by Event #10 Bracelet winner, Farzad Rouhani from Iran) as if he was mind reading, "THIS IS IT!" And when I looked up, we somehow connected with a smile and in fact I had decided that with my suited A8 (dead man's hand) THIS just might be it, and I shoved it allin.
Farzad in the BB said to me, "That is best 7 high move you are going to get away with from me all day" and folded. Suddenly I had 16,500 and 3 hands later I found AQh. Again I stalled, and with action folded around to me, I latched onto the new catch phrase and said again, "This is it!" Everyone folded to the BB who stalled himself. He counted his 70,000 chips and I asked himself if he wanted to see them (my cards). He went into a self induced rage of confusion (or something) and he kept repeating "Do I want to see them?" over and over again. He called and slammed his A-10 down and cursed himself when I showed the AQ. And BAM, I was 35,000+ and things got better as the day inched on.
Andy Bloch stopped by for a glance at the action.
Andy Black later showed himself and chatted with a few people.
Kenna James was the last celeb to stop at the rail. Seeing me still alive, I was surprised when he recognized me, winked with shot me a thumbs up!
I never revealed to anyone that I am an actor, feeling it would bring unwanted action.
My card protector was a domino.
At the Regional Championship I used the 8-8 domino and pocket 8's were the winning hand that got me to the WSOP. Fate? Who knows. Anyhow, this time through I brought the 5-5 for no specific reason. I spun my 5-5(hopefully lucky) domino as my card protector and many times when asked about its significance, had to fabricate a story.....I went the sympathy route. The actor in me took over and rather than just say somehting boring like `no reason`, it went something along the lines of, `I have 5 children, they bought me a domino gift set for Fathers Day saying the 5-5 was for luck and to remind me of them.` It was total BS I gotta admit.
Who knows if it brought a sympathy FOLD, or call for that matter at the right time.
I was surprisingly not overwhelmed by the entire experience, but rather calm and collected. I tried to recall Banjo`s recollection of his WPT event, and re-read James Reinhart`s shared one pager of hints and tips sheet. It was very reassuring having the voices of RHPT supporters in my head with me. While there were no physical RHPT supprters in the audience or at the rail, it somehow relieved the pressure. As much as I thought that might be nice, I convinced myself, it was better there were none. Perhaps I just cannot admit to myself, `Gary you have no friends!`
OK, there. I said. Sad, I know. 26 hours of play time with no friends at my side, who else am I going to chat with........certainly not my opponents...not about the hands I was or was not playing.
At one point, I think I may even have told myself, `I can do this!` I then sent that voice away, and tried to focus only the immediate hand in front me. `The future is NOW. Stay here and now` I kept telling myself.
Some mighty huge stacks fell to the wayside with repeatedly identical points of view. Something along the lines of `Only the top 3 spots are worth palying for.` I felt that was arrogant and likely to be their downfall. One guy floored me when I heard him say, `I think I am the most notable guy left.` No one knew him that I could tell. That was well worth ear marking. He played like a donkey after that. I will give him some credit though, as upon hearing that, I was then moved to his table and on his right. I immedaitely doubled through him with AQ when he called with 99 and I hit the Q. 79,000 x 2. YES!
He doubled another guy for 110,000, then tilted and raised a reraiser from 45,000 to 145,000 and they folded as he fired out `MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE HAND` he said, shooting his 8-6 offsuit across the table. No one was impressed. In RHPT circles, this is known as `The Kooze`
He later lost a 200,000+ pot without showing to an allin bet on the river. His 400,000+ were gone in under an hour, when I first sat beside with my 79. and said good bye when I was at 110,00. Nice.
There are LOTS of other chip dumps that happened. I kept telling myself...`what are they doing wrong and keep doing what you are doing me because its working.` It is oddly sad to see the depression wash over a huge stack getting busted, and the regret that is evident in them.
I learned a helluva lot this week.
I had an incredible 2 day run.
I thank the Party Poker sponsor and the Red Hot Poker Tour for the opportunity.
I hope I can do it again soon, and I hope the level of the bar I have set will be surpassed by a RHPT player (me or someone else) so we all rejoice in that one day again..... soon!
Player announces.... THIS IS IT!
2,693 players, I finished 10th!
Suh--weet.
Where do I begin?
How about the biggest hand of note before that one that busted me out.....I found pocket 3's and called a preflop raise of 2.5x the BB. Flop came down 23K all diamonds. I flopped a set & bet out 150,000. He pushed allin and I called. He rolled over Q9 diamonds and I need to pair the board to win. Didn't happen and I lost 379,000 chips. I lost only 2 hands the entire day, both flushes, both to the same guy who would ultimately take down the bracelet and $635,000. Good on him.
A big hand of note prior to that: The Russian Czar on my left, asked me "...is this it?" I sensed he wanted me to shove. I did. Before my fingers tips had fully grabbed my stack, he called and slammed down his KQ. I completed my shove, counted out 293,000 and then wished him good luck as I turned over my AK. He hit his Q and I was suddenly behind. I advised him that the Ace was a God, only to be disappointed by the turn's 7d, and I repeated to him and the entire room with much encouragement, that "THE ACE IS A GOD!" and sure enough the Ace of hearts made an appearance. I then excitedly released a boisterous, "This IS it!"
Other notes:
I busted Mimi Tran.
I out played Kenna James (who started the day at my table, Red 8 seat 1, he was in seat 4)
I sat beside Vanessa Russo for 1/2 a hand before she busted (no pun intended).
Ended day 2 with only 11,500 chips in 206th place well behind the chip leader's 230,000 count.
I busted out when antes matched the tournaments starting amounts (3,000A/12,000SB/24,000BB).
I started the day at Table 6, seat 1, I ended the day at table 6, seat 1. In between, I got moved to table 4 seat 1, back to table 6 (seat 6), then final redraw with 12 players left moved back to T6/S1.
At the end of Day 1 (1:00am) I walked the 30 minutes back to Harrah's from the RIO to unwind, get some excercise and hopefully help me sleep deeply. It worked very well indeed.
Day 2: I walked back to the RIO at 1pm to wake up and get my head focussed and body alert and blood flowing (even though with sucha small stack I had pretty much resigned to the fact I was not long for the game at that point). Wow did things change in a hurry.
2nd hand of day 2: upon seeing my hole cards I stalled. that brief moment of hestitaion was followed up with my hearing fired at me from seat 4 (by Event #10 Bracelet winner, Farzad Rouhani from Iran) as if he was mind reading, "THIS IS IT!" And when I looked up, we somehow connected with a smile and in fact I had decided that with my suited A8 (dead man's hand) THIS just might be it, and I shoved it allin.
Farzad in the BB said to me, "That is best 7 high move you are going to get away with from me all day" and folded. Suddenly I had 16,500 and 3 hands later I found AQh. Again I stalled, and with action folded around to me, I latched onto the new catch phrase and said again, "This is it!" Everyone folded to the BB who stalled himself. He counted his 70,000 chips and I asked himself if he wanted to see them (my cards). He went into a self induced rage of confusion (or something) and he kept repeating "Do I want to see them?" over and over again. He called and slammed his A-10 down and cursed himself when I showed the AQ. And BAM, I was 35,000+ and things got better as the day inched on.
Andy Bloch stopped by for a glance at the action.
Andy Black later showed himself and chatted with a few people.
Kenna James was the last celeb to stop at the rail. Seeing me still alive, I was surprised when he recognized me, winked with shot me a thumbs up!
I never revealed to anyone that I am an actor, feeling it would bring unwanted action.
My card protector was a domino.
At the Regional Championship I used the 8-8 domino and pocket 8's were the winning hand that got me to the WSOP. Fate? Who knows. Anyhow, this time through I brought the 5-5 for no specific reason. I spun my 5-5(hopefully lucky) domino as my card protector and many times when asked about its significance, had to fabricate a story.....I went the sympathy route. The actor in me took over and rather than just say somehting boring like `no reason`, it went something along the lines of, `I have 5 children, they bought me a domino gift set for Fathers Day saying the 5-5 was for luck and to remind me of them.` It was total BS I gotta admit.
Who knows if it brought a sympathy FOLD, or call for that matter at the right time.
I was surprisingly not overwhelmed by the entire experience, but rather calm and collected. I tried to recall Banjo`s recollection of his WPT event, and re-read James Reinhart`s shared one pager of hints and tips sheet. It was very reassuring having the voices of RHPT supporters in my head with me. While there were no physical RHPT supprters in the audience or at the rail, it somehow relieved the pressure. As much as I thought that might be nice, I convinced myself, it was better there were none. Perhaps I just cannot admit to myself, `Gary you have no friends!`
OK, there. I said. Sad, I know. 26 hours of play time with no friends at my side, who else am I going to chat with........certainly not my opponents...not about the hands I was or was not playing.
At one point, I think I may even have told myself, `I can do this!` I then sent that voice away, and tried to focus only the immediate hand in front me. `The future is NOW. Stay here and now` I kept telling myself.
Some mighty huge stacks fell to the wayside with repeatedly identical points of view. Something along the lines of `Only the top 3 spots are worth palying for.` I felt that was arrogant and likely to be their downfall. One guy floored me when I heard him say, `I think I am the most notable guy left.` No one knew him that I could tell. That was well worth ear marking. He played like a donkey after that. I will give him some credit though, as upon hearing that, I was then moved to his table and on his right. I immedaitely doubled through him with AQ when he called with 99 and I hit the Q. 79,000 x 2. YES!
He doubled another guy for 110,000, then tilted and raised a reraiser from 45,000 to 145,000 and they folded as he fired out `MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE HAND` he said, shooting his 8-6 offsuit across the table. No one was impressed. In RHPT circles, this is known as `The Kooze`
He later lost a 200,000+ pot without showing to an allin bet on the river. His 400,000+ were gone in under an hour, when I first sat beside with my 79. and said good bye when I was at 110,00. Nice.
There are LOTS of other chip dumps that happened. I kept telling myself...`what are they doing wrong and keep doing what you are doing me because its working.` It is oddly sad to see the depression wash over a huge stack getting busted, and the regret that is evident in them.
I learned a helluva lot this week.
I had an incredible 2 day run.
I thank the Party Poker sponsor and the Red Hot Poker Tour for the opportunity.
I hope I can do it again soon, and I hope the level of the bar I have set will be surpassed by a RHPT player (me or someone else) so we all rejoice in that one day again..... soon!
Player announces.... THIS IS IT!
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