My live playing debut. Manchester SPT here we come.

pompeynic

So, as the title says, I will be making my "live" poker playing debut at the Manchester SPT.

I was lucky enough to win my place in a freeroll, and, despite being old enough to know better, I am excited,but also a little bit nervous. 

I thought I would start a little diary, so I could record how things go, and, also ask some questions before I go.

Some of the questions might seem dumb or obvious, but what the heck, I would rather ask and be sure than to assume.

I am really looking forward to meeting Tikay, and hopefully some of the other people I have seen on Sky poker over the years. 

First up on the silly question front, Dress code.

Can you wear jeans or shorts? Trainers or walking boots?

Tony , in his reports from Vegas, has often mentioned how the AC can be overpowering in casinos. Should I pack a jumper or hoodie? I do not know how good my poker face is going to be , but, I will not be bringing sunglasses or hats to try and cover up my ugly mug.

I will post more questions as I think of them, in the meantime if anyone else wants to ask a question on this thread please do.

Tikay10

Ha, great news, well done, look forward to seeing you Nick.

Tikay10

The aircon problem is specific to Las Vegas - it won't apply in Manchester.

Dress code? Just be sensible, anything goes really, though that excludes ripped jeans & similar nonsense. "Shorts" or jorts would not be advisable, either. I'm assuming you have more class than to wear a football shirt, as that would not work either. (I hope). Trainers would be fine, I think.
 
As a basic rule, as long as you don't turn up dressed like DontTelMum, you'll be fine.  

Tikay10

As an aside, it used to be the case that at The Vic, in London, trainers were banned.

Also, if you turned up in a t-shirt they'd turn you away, too. Collared shirts only.

A friend of mine, Ian Oldershaw, got turned away one night as he polled up in a T Shirt. He had won a £500 seat, so being refused admission was going to be expensive. Also, in those days, if you were not seated when the first hand was dealt (even if you had won a seat) you were automatically barred from playing.

So he rushed into the only shop nearby which sold clothes, which happened to be a Woolworths which had a children's clothing department.
 
Now Ian was a big sort - think Plump Percy & add some - bur he managed to get a collared shirt on, in a manner. It would not "do up", in fact it never met in the middle, so we were exposed to acres of his hairy & mooby chest.
 
But it was collared, so they let him in.

Truly.    

pompeynic

Thanks for that Tony,

I love the story about your friend, I certainly would not want to  be rushing around Manchester in search of clothes, hence the question.

I am travelling up by train on the Friday, funny part is it takes one hour fifty five minutes to get from Portsmouth to London, but, only two hours and three minutes to get from London to Manchester.

My next question is this, If I am delayed by our ever reliable rail network and arrive after the four PM start time,

Are my chips in play? Or do they only become available when I sit down?

pompeynic

I was also wondering, are we six or nine handed tables?

Jac35

Hi nic

Chips won't be in play until you arrive 

Pretty sure it's full ring

Any chance you could play a cheap tourney before Spt?

No matter if you can't. People will be helpful.

Look forward to seeing you there

I'll be the one having a row with someone or rowing with myself if no one is around

pompeynic

Hi Jac.

Thanks for that, looking forward to meeting you and many others.

Is it true that the Bromleys, who, I thought, seemed really nice when they appeared on the TV channel, bring homemade cupcakes? If so , I would like to, graciously ask, if I could have one, as I have an extremely sweet tooth.

pompeynic

Apart from the obvious, what would people say are the main differences playing nine handed.

gerardirl

Love this post, good man Nic. Well done on qualifying!

Ger

Essexphil

In Response to Re: My live playing debut. Manchester SPT here we come.:

Apart from the obvious, what would people say are the main differences playing nine handed.
Posted by pompeynic

People play a little tighter
It is a little more relaxing, as you play less hands
Position is a little more important
MattBates runs like a normal human being

SR23

Good luck, good luck. 

Echoing what my hero Jac35 mentioned, it's not a bad idea to have a whirl at a live tournament - or live cash - beforehand, just to get a feel for things. I'm sure the last and only time I played at Portsmouth Gunwharf - you're from Portsmouth, right? - they had super low buy-in (30 bigs max?) cash games running early evening which seemed nice and friendly and soft and a good opportunity to get used to the live environment. 

But no dramas if not. Just try to act in turn and not fake tank. 

Donttelmum

In Response to Re: My live playing debut. Manchester SPT here we come.:

The aircon problem is specific to Las Vegas - it won't apply in Manchester. Dress code? Just be sensible, anything goes really, though that excludes ripped jeans & similar nonsense. "Shorts" or jorts would not be advisable, either. I'm assuming you have more class than to wear a football shirt, as that would not work either. (I hope). Trainers would be fine, I think.   As a basic rule, as long as you don't turn up dressed like DontTelMum, you'll be fine.  
Posted by Tikay10

You what!

HAPPYNIGE4

Hi Nic,

Great post, just what this is for. We are all here to help , and to make sure everyone has a wonderful experience. The team at Sky are always at hand to help you , and of course advise on protical .

I will be there Friday evening am buying in as missed out on the Sats and freerolls , so a very well done on getting your seat.

Live play is far more enjoyable than playing in your pants on the sofa on line . 9 handed will give you far more time to judge your moves , players, and plays. Just make sure you say to the dealer before you move any chips what you intend to do. I.E Raise, call , all in etc, JUST MAKE SURE THE DEALER HEARS YOU .

Anyway, just remember, its all about having fun and meeting new peeps that you only see on line. 

Run well .

pompeynic

Many thanks to Essexphil, SR23 and Happynige for their replies.

I am really looking forward to going now, sorted my hotel room and have decided to be optimistic and booked until Monday, just incase I luckbox getting through to day two.

I did say I would ask silly questions ......

Min raise, as I am a keyboard warrior,  I have been a little lazy,and, have let the pushing of buttons or sliding the marker to work out bet sizes,

I am wondering exactly what that  term means?

If the blinds are say 100 200 is a min raise 2 x 200 ( the BB ) or have I got that wrong?

As you go through the streets, the pot grows, I know, are there any rules on how much you must bet?

I just do not want to look silly on the day.

Bromley023

In Response to Re: My live playing debut. Manchester SPT here we come.:

Hi Jac. Thanks for that, looking forward to meeting you and many others. Is it true that the Bromleys, who, I thought, seemed really nice when they appeared on the TV channel, bring homemade cupcakes? If so , I would like to, graciously ask, if I could have one, as I have an extremely sweet tooth.
Posted by pompeynic

It is indeed true, and I can confirm that it would not be an SPT without Bromley cakes!!

Flavour, as yet, undecided!

hhyftrftdr

In Response to Re: My live playing debut. Manchester SPT here we come.:

Many thanks to Essexphil, SR23 and Happynige for their replies. I am really looking forward to going now, sorted my hotel room and have decided to be optimistic and booked until Monday, just incase I luckbox getting through to day two. I did say I would ask silly questions ...... Min raise, as I am a keyboard warrior,  I have been a little lazy,and, have let the pushing of buttons or sliding the marker to work out bet sizes, I am wondering exactly what that  term means? If the blinds are say 100 200 is a min raise 2 x 200 ( the BB ) or have I got that wrong? As you go through the streets, the pot grows, I know, are there any rules on how much you must bet? I just do not want to look silly on the day.
Posted by pompeynic

Yeah in that example a min raise would be 400.

Continuing that example, regardless of what size the pot might grow to, the minimum you'll be allowed to bet is 200 and the maximum will obviously be your whole stack.

Good luck and if you're there on the Friday I'm sure we'll bump into you.

unknown_username

Get down to your local casino mate. A cheap torn midweek just to iron out  do  and donts would be best. Get there early have a chat with torn director who will go through casino rules. String betting etc

As for dresscode anything with trains on will get you a friend for life

StayOrGo

Congratulations Nic.

ENJOY That's the most important thing.

Have fun!

G

Enut

In Response to My live playing debut. Manchester SPT here we come.:

So, as the title says, I will be making my "live" poker playing debut at the Manchester SPT. I was lucky enough to win my place in a freeroll, and, despite being old enough to know better, I am excited,but also a little bit nervous.  I thought I would start a little diary, so I could record how things go, and, also ask some questions before I go. Some of the questions might seem dumb or obvious, but what the heck, I would rather ask and be sure than to assume. I am really looking forward to meeting Tikay, and hopefully some of the other people I have seen on Sky poker over the years.  First up on the silly question front, Dress code. Can you wear jeans or shorts? Trainers or walking boots? Tony , in his reports from Vegas, has often mentioned how the AC can be overpowering in casinos. Should I pack a jumper or hoodie? I do not know how good my poker face is going to be , but, I will not be bringing sunglasses or hats to try and cover up my ugly mug. I will post more questions as I think of them, in the meantime if anyone else wants to ask a question on this thread please do.
Posted by pompeynic

Congratulations Nic I am sure you will enjoy it.

There is no need to feel nervous the transition from online to live play is not that tough (he says having played live precisely twice now!) I went along to a local casino to have a practice and it was fine, certainly at an SPT I would expect most players will be helpful and understanding if you do make an error. I recommend that you clearly state your intention if you intend to call or raise just so there is no doubt. I saw even the 'experienced' players (you know hoodies, earphones, no communication skills, that sort), make errors in Vegas, even had the dealer get it wrong once and I only played for 4 hours! 

Dress code I would recommend wearing the loudest jacket you have as it seemed to work for John Hesp.

Don't worry about the aircon, the problem in Vegas was the difference between outside (40+) and inside (20ish). I'm guessing there isn't much chance of 40+ in Manchester.

I hope you have a ball and run well too.

 

YouMad

I guess this is probably casino dependant, but does anyone know if you can bring your own food and drink to the venue, to consume whilst playing?