Round 9 Preview

The Eastern Suburbs Poker Tour is back for Round 9. For the third time this season, competitors will be making there way to Johns place in anticipation of one of the most exciting rounds to date. Of course, all the action can be seen right here on theespt.blogspot.com but for now lets look at how they line up.

SAM
Current points leader and holding a 4 point margin over John, Sam's form has been a little inconsistent of late but last rounds win should give him confidence. May play a little conservative though in trying to match John and maintain his points lead. A win though would just about wrap up the series.
Prediction: cant write off the series leader, but conservative play may cost him. Biggest opponent is beer consumption.

JOHN
Sitting 4 points off the lead, John looks like the only one capable of challenging Sam. With home ground advantage he will be looking for a strong performance to close the gap. Yet to win a round yet this season, his performance have been consistent and he will be keen to take out Round 9 on home turf.
Prediction: Always a strong performer, home soil will do him well. Should do well again as long as his focus is on the game and not Sam and the championship

NICK
Has proved a worthy opponent and sits in a comfortable thrid position. Maybe too far back to challenge for the championship but a win tonight could make for a very interesting final round. Could be a lot closer but has been one of the unluckiest players this season. Thats poker though
Prediction: With luck on his side, will still be fighting long into the night

ARIF
Had Arif played more rounds he would most definately be amonsgt the top 3. Won 2 rounds early but has dropped off. Still sits in fourth though and a win tonight will certaintly put him in contention for a top 3 position
Prediction: Will struggle to find early season form and may find himself with an early night

ROB
Having won 2 rounds from just 5 starts, and a second last round on home soil, Rob has proven to be a formaiddable opponent and would definately be a chance for the title had he played every round. Knows how to play the game and wont see the 12 point gap to nick as unattainable.
Prediction: Will again be a force to reckon with

JASON
A very consistent player and would also be a lot higher had he played all rounds. Already a victory behind him, he does have the goods for another. Weaves his stuff quitely, almost goes under the radar.
Prediction: Will probably challenge early and a good chance to be there at the end

EMIL
The least careful of all with his money. Doesnt mind taking a risk. Usually doesnt pay off and thats why he is sitting near the bottom of the table. A crowd favourite though.
Prediction: Whipping injuries will force him to miss this round

STEVE
Only played three rounds but hasnt really looked like challenging the top contenders. More interested in verbally abusing Sam. Not a patient player and if things dont go his way early, sour grapes is his fruit of choice.
Prediction: Will be focused too much on verbally abusing Sam again and will fail to impress anyone

SHAUN
Like steve, only played three rounds but that doesnt tak away from the fact he is sitting bottom. Can only go up though, if only one position, adn tonight could be his night
Prediction: Havent seen enough to make any real call but may challenge into the night.


So there you have it folks. remember, all the action can be seen right here. BBQ starts at 7, drinking at 6, poker to follow.

Round 8

As the clock struck midnight to signal the start of yet another year, all were partying. Some were drinking, some were getting kicked out of pub, and some were running around pub shirtless. All, though, had one thing on their mind – when they woke up in the morning, rather groggily a certainty, they would have to focus. For new years day brought Round 8 of the Eastern Suburbs Poker Tour.

Round 8 saw the tour venture to the casa del balestrin for the first time in the season. Unfortunately only 6 competitors sat for the start of the tournament – Rob the host, season leader Sam, close rivals John and Nick, and cellar dwellers Steve and Shaun. Emil was out with a whipping injury visiting girlfriends grandparents, Jason becoming the new Harold Holt and not being heard of since heading down to Glenelg, and Arif spending his holidays at Flinders, presumably getting a head start on next years study. It meant 4 points would be the minimum won and a good time for some players to gain some ground.

Betting started slowly, a complete contrast to the last Boxing Day tournament, but it was soon apparent “Gramps” previous winning luck was not with him today. As his chip pile dwindled, it was “Monkey” benefiting with “Me Wuv You Wong Time” not far behind. “Thearley” also found himself in some slight bother with “Edgy” and "Samadoochi” steady. Gramps found himself out, losing to Edgy but decided to use one of the 2 buy-backs available and received half the starting chips in an attempt to change his luck and try and close the gap between the 2 in front of him in the overall standings. Unfortunately, not even the pizza and pavlova break could help him as Edgy again proved too strong and knocked him out, this time for good, and so Gramps became the first casualty. By now Thearley was struggling also and it wasn’t long before Edgy claimed his third scalp by disposing Thearley of his final few chips. However, not wanting to let Samadoochi obtain too big a lead in the overall standings, he used the final buy-back and re-entered the tournament. It did gain him an extra point, Monkey not using his early domination to full effect, bowing out and claiming 5 points leaving him on the outright bottom rung of the ladder, much to Edgy’s delight. By now, Me Wuv You Wong Time and Edgy”were fighting for the chip lead, Samadoochi doing steady still and Thearley again finding himself in trouble. And it was Thearley, losing to Edgy who claimed 4th, earning 6 points and a buffer between himself and Gramps in 3rd overall.

With just 3 left, Edgy started targeting his next victim. In good form, knocking out most of the other contestants, taunts towards Samadoochi were cocky and arrogant. And it was his over confidence that saw his downfall, Me Wuv You Wong Time knocking him out for 3rd. The 7 points takes him out of last but still languishing near the bottom of the standings. With just 2 left at the table, the stage was set for an epic battle. And an epic battle the crowd received. With both players knowing no fear, the all in bets were being called and chips flowed freely from one to the other until Samadoochi was able to win 2 hands in a row and claim his second tournament win of the season.

With the win comes a handy 4 point lead over Thearley in second. Me Wuv You Wong Time benefited from some of the absences from other competitors, jumping up 2 spots with his well fought 8 points. Had he not missed the first few tournaments, he would be a real contender for the season championship. But with just 2 rounds to go in the season, it looks like just Samadoochi and Thearley will battle it out for the highest honour. It would seem that unless everything went horribly wrong for Gramps in the remaining matches, he has third sown up. All positions from 4th through 7th are up for grabs and the battle for the wooden spoon between Monkey and Edgy will be just as exciting as the battle for the top. All in all, it all promises for some exciting poker in the very near future.