Carbon Poker Blog » Brick & Mortar

CarbonPoker Players at the PokerNews Cup

Comb Over-Under — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:15:23 +0000

Thanks to some great play at CarbonPoker, we’re happy to announce our team of players that will be representing us at the PokerNews Cup.

All five of these are Satellite Poker Tournament winners who will be going to a live event from online action. It’s every online players dream, and these five will be proudly sent to Melbourne, Australia for the October 2 Main Event.

The PokerNews Cup is an Australian Tourney that features nine events from September 27 – October 5th. With buy-ins that range from $100 + $15 to $2,000 + $200 (all funds in AUD, mate), you can expect a range of players, and some top-notch talent.

This is all taking place at the Crown Casino.

The CarbonPoker Players:

impser
xxMTVxx
las2as
jerem1986
Forouzandeh

The Main Event:

PokerNews Cup Australia Main Event
$2,000 + $200 Buy-in
October 2 – Day 1A @ 12:10 pm
October 3 – Day 1B @ 12:10 pm
October 4 – Day 2 @12:10 pm
October 5 – Main Event Final Table @ 2:10 pm

Good luck to all those great players. If you want your shot at live event glory, check out when the next Satellites are taking place at our Satellite Tournament Schedule.

Kelly’s Comeback at WSOP Europe Makes Newcomer Dunlop Flush

BungalowOfCards — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:05:30 +0000

You can’t blame Fabien Dunlop for getting a little overzealous.

Having come out of relative obscurity to play to the Main Event Final Table of the World Series of Poker Europe, Dunlop was looking great going into the heads-up showdown, holding nearly a 3-1 advantage over his savvy competition, J.P. Kelly.

Presumably sweating bullets composed entirely of smaller sweat bullets, Dunlop was caught with a weak kicker early in the heads up play, allowing Kelly to suddenly double up and establish parity between the two players.

Dunlop and Kelly exchanged blows for a while, with the final major exchange coming in a nightmare scenario for Dunlop, as his suited J-2 of diamonds were thoroughly dominated by Kelly’s K-8 of the same suit. When diamonds came on the flop the dream was truly dead, and only moments later Kelly was trying on jewelry.

Kudos to Dunlop for an impressive run—passing players like Chris “Jesus” Ferguson, who bowed out at 15^th—and even more impressive £84,512 win, but especially to Kelly who has now won a WSOP bracelet on both sides of the Atlantic this year, after winning in a $1,500 Pot Limit Hold’em tournament in Las Vegas this year.

Casino in Atlantic City Fined Over Beer Fraud

CarbonPoker — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:25:47 +0000

There are a few things that you just don’t mess with: mucked poker hands, somebody’s sister (when they’re around), and beer.

A casino in Atlantic City was just hit with a $5K fine for running the same beer into “Miller Lite” and “Miller Genuine Draft” kegs. For shame, Resorts Atlantic City. For shame.

This isn’t the first time that the casino did this either. Back in August, they had similar complaints over a Coors and Coors Lite.

Really? I don’t even understand how this could benefit the casino. Is it a scheme to get more carbs into their players? I’m a little lost here. Furthermore, how did anyone even catch this? As far as I’m concerned, the difference between Piss and Piss Lite is pretty negligible.

Vitaly Lunkin Wins $40K No-Limit Hold’em at 2009 WSOP

CarbonPoker — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:41:20 +0000

Vitaly Lunkin could sleep on a bed made entirely of his 2009 World Series of Poker winnings – from just one event.

With the $40,000 price tag, the $40K No-Limit Texas Hold’em event is packed with big names, bigger swings and a $1,891,012 payout to go with the gold bracelet. This is Lunkin’s second bracelet after he won the $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em title last year.

Outlasting some of the biggest names in poker, Lunkin was up against some sharp players in the final table. Isaac Haxton (chip leader coming into the final table), Noah Schwartz, Ted Forrest, Greg Raymer, Lex Veldhuis, Alec Torelli, Justin Bonomo, Dani Stern all had a shot, but fell to the Russian.

In the heads-up showdown, Lunkin eventually took out Isaac Haxton with pocket aces and an all-in push against Haxton’s bottom pair with a flush draw. Haxton took down $1,168,566 for his troubles, so I think he’ll be fine.

Our WSOP coverage will go all month long as we track the 2009 winners, losers and top stories at the Rio.

Shuffle Up And Deal!

CarbonPoker — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 02:24:00 +0000

Well, it’s Flight 2 of Day 1 and the Crown Casino poker room is buzzing with excitement. The first day’s play saw several of poker’s biggest names hitting the felt, including the likes of Joe Hachem, Tony “The Croc” Argyros and constant gentleman of the tables – Mr.Tony G. This was very welcome news for the entire Carbon Team as everyone had chosen to play the second flight and get that much needed rest after their many hours in the air.

It almost looked like one our youngest team members, DperfeitoC, was going to miss the start of the event due to mechanical problems which kept his flight delayed by 24 hours. But thanks to Melbourne’s finest cab driver, we were able to whisk him through customs and on the gaming floor with all of 3 minutes to spare.

Now, you might be wondering why our regular blogger Jason is not reporting on today’s action. Well, after he managed to fluke his way to the final table in an earlier satellite, Jason actually won himself a seat to the main event. Great for him, but unfortunately now your stuck with my less than elegant blogging.

Speaking of Jason… Being that today is only his second ever poker tournament (Tuesday’s satellite was his first) I was expecting him to ease in to the game and not really contest to many pots early on… How wrong was I! The very first hand of the day saw Jason in the big blind, with only the small blind calling.

Flop: 5h 6d Ac
- Small Blind bets $200
- Jason just smooth calls
- Turn: 4s
- Small blind bets $200
- Jason calls
- River: Jh
- Again the Small blind bets $200
- Jason re-raises to $600

After a slight hesitation the SB released his hand and our little rookie Jason, politely showed his 78 for the eight high straight. Must be his lucky ugg boots working their magic!

As for our other players, Gunner7 and DperfeitoC pulled seats next to each other as well as poker pro Lee Nelson. Hopefully, our guys can use Lee’s own words of wisdom against him and send the “Kill Phil” author packing.

More updates to follow!

A Scene Of Interest

CarbonPoker — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 01:09:00 +0000

You might recall the scene described in the previous post where hangers on and fans for hire were plying Australian online pro player Mark Vos with alcohol. Well usually under such social pressure to drink, they inevitably crack. While he undoubtedly finished reasonably well in the Tony G bounty tournament, his run with the ladies was well less than spectacular. So to put it in terms you can understand…

Vos having won some huge pots at his table was probably feeling rather confident and when the cute reporter in the red dress passed his table, He must have felt like he had the nuts there too and moved all in for the lay down. Picking her up and twirling her so her skirt flung up a flash of skin for all those nearby to see. A word of caution from a pit boss and the drama was averted for now.

Round 2 – after previous efforts were thwarted by meddeling casino head honchos, Mr Vos now out of the tournament and no doubt on a raging tilt, decided once again he had the nuts to make the call and moved all in. The first obstacle – the observer barricade was quickly folded by a leap and then the unsuspecting young girl playing a cash game was accosted by the drunken red head on tilt. Thinking his pick up and twirl maneuver was a sure fire way to win her over he proceeded to do just that. Catching the eye of a junior pit boss, who immediately made the call and also moved all in, the pretty brunette quickly folded in the front of such stakes and it was now heads up. Pit Boss vs Mr Vos. While asking Vos to leave in a distinctly firm but polite fashion, words were exchanged as Vos was sent reeling on the back foot. The argument was that if any other player did that they would have been dragged by the scruff of their neck out to the pavement by burly steroid abusing security. This was true, and earned many kudos from onlookers, such behaviour was a disgrace and frankly deserved such treatment. However then the floor managers had caught wind of the ongoings and intervened, more on Mr Vos’s side, desperately trying to save their high roller.

That was basically the end of the incident, but it did illustrate a worthy point. Such behavior isn’t tolerated at the tables, and how much money you have shouldn’t really matter. Congratulations to the Pit boss who was doing his Job and doing it well.

Today sees flight 1 of the Main Event commence and I will have plenty of updates as the day progresses

The Tony G Bounty Tournament – Poker News Cup

CarbonPoker — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:02:00 +0000

After milling around for a few hours anxiously anticipating the start of the next event, Im rewarded with two things. First my press pass has finally arrived, and second this place is livening up. Its going to be an interesting night. The Tony G bounty event is structured with a bounty being assigned to each table randomly. The bounty is 500 cash. If the player lasts to the final table they get to keep the 500. It makes for an interesting game. Tony G, the pro who has sold his name to this tournament arrives and the press are milling about. Sqauds of reporters, photographers and bloggers mill around aimlessly all reping poker branded clothing and all with eyes focused on the cute reporter interviewing the sold out pro. This girl means drama, Im not disappointed, but more on that later.

A few things you should know about Tony G. Mr G has a host of prominent cashes in the WSOP and WPT, has won over 2.8 million in tournaments and has a habit of abusing fellow players at the tables. There’s well over 100 entrants in the tournament, probably closer to 200, 2fast443allin is defiantly going to have is work cut out for him. With Crowns Poker room packed with players milling around awaiting the start, I figured it was time to do what all good upstanding members of the press corps do at times like these: drink.

Heading over to the bar I spot a few familiar faces from yesterdays final table, stopping to chat with a few. Its great to see new friendly faces and its a good thing that a large majority of players are here to have a good time and because they love this game. Despite some of the uptight attitudes and fun sucking leeches that are scattered across the tables. Keep the fun in mind folks!

A few minutes and the match is underway. Me and my fellow hosts are sitting at the bar nursing beers, well raised above the action. We have a good view, and can clearly see the action on a dozen or so tables. Those other press donks running around like worker bees dont know where its at. I see 2fast443allin pick up a few blinds, and small pots early on. Mark Vos, a well known pro is also causing a stir. He is quickly amassing a substantial chip stack along with a collection of empties. Fans and hangers on bring him more wine, to the dissmay of the Pit Boss. I make note to keep an eye on Mr Vos.

Back to 2fast443allin, and theres a reasonable pot sitting in the middle with heads up play. 2fast443allin leads out after the flop, his up against a calling station he cant shake. The turn and the river fall both followed by sizeable bets that are called. Show down time.

2fast443allin flips his cards and reveal pocket 7’s, with a 7 on the board from the flop he has a set. Up against his opponents top pair. He wins, a nice stack that has put him well in the lead.

Over at Mr G’s table theres quite a commotion, the press corps come running like flies from the woodwork. Tony G is all in with pocket 9’s up against A 2 off suit. An Ace one the flop and Mr G is on his way. Interesting…I would have thought a tournament branded with his name and he would have played a little more cautious.

Blinds are up at 200 now, and from medium position 2fast443allin leads out with a bet of 400, 3 callers and the pot stands at 1200. The flop comes a J 7 8, and 2fast443allin leads out with a bigger bet : 800.

1 caller. The turn a 10. Another bet: 800. Fold. 2fast443allin takes down a sizable pot and expands his chip lead.

Another pot a little later on and 2fast443allin takes it down with a set of 9’s against a set of 4’s. The tournament is several hours old now and down to less than half. Tables are shuffled and 2fast443allin find himself moved around.

an hour later and still sitting tidy, he calls the bet to see the flop. Holding A 2 suited, the flop comes and he has a a straight draw, a flush draw and a straight flush draw with an Ace. Odds are looking good. All in is called and with outs like that 2fast443allin is forced to call. Cards are flipped and his up against pocket Jacks, the turn and the river come but bring none of the many outs. Unlucky, and this event is over for 2fast443allin. Better luck tomorrow.

Meanwhile the tournament has moved along and pro Mark Vos is causing a bit of a scene…(more coming soon & loads of pics!)

The Second Sattelite

CarbonPoker — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:01:00 +0000

So with the stress of playing off my back, it was a pleasure to sit back and simply watch the poker action yesterday. After meeting one of our esteemed players earlier yesterday and having a good chat about all things poker over a few drinks I was anxious for the afternoon to come and the poker action that it promised.

First up was another $70 super satellite. Liam was keen to better his performance from the previous day and registered along with 2fast443allin, one of our players who picked up a Poker news Cup package from last months Live Seat Grandfinal. There was 70 odd players in the field and like yesterdays tournament, money seemed to be of little importance as players splashed out on rebuys like they were fast going out of fashion.

Liam caught an unlucky hand early on in a 7 was all in to get busted out. However rebuys were still on so despite the bad luck he wasn’t out yet. Soon the blinds were up and players knuckled down with firm resolve. A few interesting hands, ooh’s and ahh’s and curse words floated round the half dozen or so tables that made up the event as one by one the field got whittled down. Both 2fast443allin and Liam were busy building reasonable chip stacks before luck brought its curse again.

First to feel lucks tough bite was Liam sitting in mid position, with a reasonable stack. Picking up a AQ in the hole and turning A 10 6 on the flop – Top pair, with a solid kicker. This was looking good. Liam leads out with a big bet, opponent raises, Liam comes over the top with a re raise, all in. After only a brief moment to consider options, Liam makes the call. Cards are turned his up against KJ – a gut shot straight draw. Though odds are firmly in Liam’s corner.

Turn 2

River…Q

Liam was busted. Pleasantries of the sinister variety were exchanged with little tact as I watched on from the barricade, hoping that Liam would hurl a string of Hellmuth worthy abuse at the victor. Unfortunately for my entertainment he kept his composure.

Seated a few tables away, 2fast443allin was still going strong, playing tight, stealing blinds and growing stack well. However after lasting an hour or so longer than Liam, his stack had dwindled a touch, though still in competition, the cards came – a good hand. All in was called but luck didn’t hold. Either way this was the first part of a long day of poker. 2fast443allin still had today’s main event – the $115 Tony G bounty tournament starting in only a few hours.

Poker News Cup Day 1 – My First Live Poker Tournament.

CarbonPoker — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:51:00 +0000

On arriving at Melbourne’s Crown Casino I am first struck with two thoughts – 1. This place is lush, and the second, being on acid in this place would be wack. Lights and colors flash at me from ever angle, this place would also be bad for an epileptic. Every way I look, slots, tables, gaming machines and bars seem to stretch on for ever. A few facts on Crown – It is the largest Casino in the southern hemisphere, attracts close to 200,000 visitors daily and has a license to operate 2,500 slot machines and 350 gaming tables.

So after wandering through the casino twice trying to find the poker room, I eventually stumble across it after numerous failed attempts at directions from burly low iq security guards. The poker room expands a 100 or so meters and ever spare inch is packed with poker tables. First up are 2 dozen or so poker pro tables – the electronic tables where each player has a screen which they play off aswell as a giant screen filling the center of the table to display the play actions, at the moment these sit empty, the action focused further along on the two dozen or so cash games being held in the center of the room. I watch for a few moments, the diversity of players is quite profound. There are youths covered up in hoodies and wrap around glasses packing earphones, old gents sporting experience and style, tattooed bikies, asian punters and average joes. I’m on the look out for pros, and I spot one guy wearing a sponsored hat and sitting on a substantial chip stack – note to self, watch out for this guy in the tournaments.

Time to get my self into the action, along with fellow staff Liam and Snoop (im still not sure what his real name is) we register for the $70 super satellite. 2 hours to kill till the action starts, I’m off to explore this place…

Two hours later i find my self back at the poker room and searching for my seat. A tinge of apprehension grips my gut and I honestly cant help but feel that im more than out of my league. While I’ve played my fair share of home games and clocked up my hours playing online, there’s something bigger and more real about a live game at a casino. Though everyone’s smiling and cautiously melding in with fellow players, the smiles are thinly vieled – everyone’s out for blood.

‘Shuffle Up’ shouts the tournament supervisor and the play begins. Im sitting in early position and my strategy is to play tight. This is a tournament and if I can win my solid hands and avoid bleeding chips I might do alright. After the first dozen or so hands and numerous all in calls my strategy is well literally screwed. There’s something I hadn’t accounted for – Re-buys. Now I thought rebuys at $50 a pop would have been used sparingly, after all we each just forked out $70 for entry. However players are splashing out cash on rebuys like theres no tomorrow. One player moves all in with 3/4 off suit, his up against AQ or something similar (my memory fails me for precision), he busts out, a double rebuy – $100 next hand. Two hands later he is all in again something a little better this time and he does have the other player covered. Still, he loses half his stack – thats $50 wiped away right there. Im confused by this play as I know he is a very good player – after overhearing table conversation he made 6 cashes at this years WSOP. (note to self – try to avoid hands with him in them). Finally the blinds creep up – it takes agonizingly long at 30 minute intervals. My chip stack bleeds, second hand in I peer down at KK – the famed cowboys. A substantial raise preflop 350 – more than 1/3 of my starting stack. Two callers, and an ace on the flop. I check. A bet. I cant play this. I fold and curse my luck. I’m now short stacked. I play tight. Very tight. Which makes me and oddity at a table and tournament where loose play seems to be the new new black. I pick up a few good cards here and there, folding some, moving all in on another. My luck holds as AQ suited takes down the pot. Im now back up to just under starting stack. Another all in 20 minutes later and my luck holds again. Finally the blinds move up and the buyins and add ons are called to an end. But not before some very loose play particularly by the aforementioned semi pro. It seems to me that play up until this point has been almost a no brainer. It hasn’t really counted for anything as everyone bar me adds on and cashes up in chips. Once again i’m short stacked, and with no money to add on my chances of making it seem rather bleak. Though I am only in this tournament to get a feel for the event im reporting on, I’m not a super serious poker player like most of these people. However that’s likely to change soon…

After a short break, play resumes ,blinds are up and the teeth come out, everyone’s out to bite now. Instantly I notice the semipros play change, his stack quickly grows, he is definitely a player to be recognized with. I play well and tight. I haven’t made a call i’m not happy with yet. So I can at least be happy with that. There are a few players busted out as play continues, the river being particularly unlucky to AA several times. I win a few pots and steal some blinds, not much but at least i’ve got some chips to play with now. The player next to me moves all in, Ive been chatting to him though out the game, so I’m rooting for him. He shows 66 against semipros AA. Ouch. Things don’t look good. The flop comes 6 4 9, turn another card that doesn’t help AA, the river – A. BAM! Another dropped from the field. Later buddy.

We are down to two tables now, and I’m sitting reasonably well. I look at my cards A 8, good position and a weaker player on the big blind, I raise to 8000, 2x the big blind. Fold , Fold, All in. Damn! that’s not what I wanted – I was hoping for a quick steal of the blinds or a call at worse. The big blind also moves all in. Im covered so if I call and lose I’m out of the tournament.

The Table Argument – while deliberating on the call the player opposite me whose called the all in states “you should fold”. An argument ensues with the other all in player – an old lady with a very ornate jeweled frog as a card guard. Arguing that he cant talk about the hand in play, he retorts that talk of the cards is prohibited but he can try and influence my play in any way. Its poker and we try and do that every action we take. The table supervisor is called and this is all sorted. He is right but warned to keep comments like that down. My realization – people are very up tight in this game. Either way, while their petty debate rages on I’m considering my options – two callers, one likely has an Ace so that renders my trump card null, and my kicker is probably not as good as theirs if they are re-raising me. I fold. A good lay down that earns me kudos from several players. I was right in my call as the lady lays down A Q suited. She wins much to my dismay.

Snoops just been moved to my table and sits on a short stack, two hands later his out, later Snoop dog, A glance over at Liam on table 2 and he sits tidy with a smallish stack, but I know he ain’t out yet. Next hand im big blind and have only one caller – chip leader from the other end of the table, I have a reasonable hand and decide to play aggressive, I picked this guys tell a few hands back. He makes the call and the flop comes. I watch his reaction first: the flops not going anywhere and notice the twitch of his mouth – an ever so slight grimace. Gotcha now sucker. I check, he follows suit. If the next card is insignificant I’m betting. a 3 gets turned over, I bet 12000, he folds. A nice hand. Semi pro asked me if I had the 9. I say no; an honest answer, but I know he is wary of me now. that’s the third time he has put me on something only to be wrong.

Soon a few more players have dropped from the field, and I’ve bled some chips, I’m sitting small against high blinds. KQ suited. I’m all in, its now or never. I’m called and we turn over – AA. Ok, I had a good run, better than I expected. The flop comes as I stand up, 9 K Q. Haha! I’m still alive and just won a huge pot.

The final table comes shortly and Im still in it. Ive played well for the last few blind levels. Even folding hands that were really good as players were all in. A9 suited, KJ suited. The hand after 10th place is busted, a deal at the table is cut. If everyone pops out another $200 right then, the prize pool will be big enough to extend down to 9th place. Its a nice guarantee, for $200 now, I’m assured of at least $500. We all agree and play is continued. I don’t want the seat, as I’m lucky to have gotten this far. But I do want the cash. I last the next few bust outs till there are 6 of us left. I say I don’t want the seat and just want the cash. Its over – until another player also claims he just wants the cash. This I had not figured on. I was only playing to have some fun and try the casino poker thing. I figured all these other players were actually wanting a seat.

We play on, I’m pissed now and win two big pots, aggressively shoving masses of chips in the center. If I had known this I would have started bleeding chips to come 6th. Either way I have too bigger stack against his puny tower of chips. He moves all in and so does another player. Screw it if I’m winning a seat I’m winning it with style, i push the whole stack in, and take both out. With 5 players remaining I was sitting on an almost double the second chip stack. For my first live poker tournament Ive won A $2,200 Main Event Seat against a field of players far more experienced than me. Not a bad feat for only a $70 buy in and against a mountain of re-buys and add ons. I’m no Longer the poker rookie.

Pictures of the hero in action

CarbonPoker — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 06:43:00 +0000

Michael “miw210″ Wang