4 sleeps to Vegas

I’m in Kilarney for the latest UKIPT and as I write this I’m hosting….live…at any point I may have to break off and be nice to a poker player so apologies if this gets interrupted.

The event’s been a big success which is a relief as scheduling any event against the series – especially with a 1k buy in – is a risk. But with 250+ runners and a 1/4 million euro prize pool it’s been an exciting tourney so far.

Of course the whole world now knows how vibrant and what a high standard UK poker has reached as the UK players are busy murdering the WSOP. Their hit rate compared to the amount of players in the field has been astonishing and obviously theres some run good involved but they’re all top players. Special kudos to Pras and Rich Ashby gods among men!!

I’m off to Vegas in 4 sleeps which hasn’t sunk in yet as I’ve been running round trying to get work done and life sorted. However when I’m on my way to Gatwick I’ll get that special pre Christmas feeling…..

By the way why have people started saying ‘the proof is in the pudding’ rather than the proof of the pudding is in the eating….??

Is football becoming a solved game?

I’ve been watching two amazing sporting events this week – the NBA finals and the World Cup and I’ve been startled by how similar the sports are starting to look.

The level of skill in the NBA games has staggered me. Also the evenness of the teams – the Lakers and Celtics – and their long standing hatred of each other has made it an awesome series. I’ve loved watching Kobe Bryant who, in ability terms (although not accomplishment yet), might be the best player of all time. And Rondo of the Celtics a new superstar whose smoooootttthhhhhh! The games have been close, exciting and beautiful to watch.

Watching the world cup has been a different experience. The occasion is amazing, as is the atmosphere but the football (whisper is quietly) is absolutely dire.

Hopefully it will pick up but I’m worried for ‘the beautiful game’. The problem is two fold – first the athleticism of the players has massively improved in the last 20 years and secondly the tactical awareness of teams has come on enormously. Coaches have discovered that if you have two rows of 4 (or one of 4 and one of 5) that fall back without the ball and the players are athletic and disciplined it’s possible to make it incredibly hard for the opposing team to break you down.

This is why football is starting to look like basketball with teams immediately withdrawing when they don’t have the ball and relying on fast break counter attacks and set plays for their goals.

The only antidote to this seems to be the fast ball movement of exceptionally gifted teams like Barcelona and Spain. But as Inter showed this season and Chelsea last – athleticism and organization nullifies it.

I think a new innovation is needed. People want to watch skill, attacking play and goals. If the trend to athleticism and organization continues football will become less popular. It may need a rule change – something radical like 10 men a team or bigger pitches – I don’t know. But watching well drilled long distance runners restricting space is not why football became the world’s favourite game.

On The Rail #34

After just 15 events welcome to the On The Rail official WSOP preview edition! Kara and Nick shoot the breeze about the world’s most important poker festival, give their predictions, personal hopes and discuss the main talking points this year. One of them is poolside in Vegas, the other is in the rain in London and Nick is not bitter; just happy for his friend.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (41.4MB)

On The Rail Podcast #34 Released

Dear On The Rail Member,

For a limited time you’ll have exclusive access to the newest edition of the On The Rail podcast.

After just 15 events welcome to the On The Rail official WSOP preview edition! Kara and Nick shoot the breeze about the world’s most important poker festival, give their predictions, personal hopes and discuss the main talking points this year. One of them is poolside in Vegas, the other is in the rain in London and Nick is not bitter; just happy for his friend.

You’ll need a password access it on the site, this month it’s : keith

Click here to listen:

http://www.ontherail.co.uk/podcasts/on-the-rail/on-the-rail-34/

That’s it for this edition of the newsletter, as ever, lets us know what you think about the podcast by posting comments on the site.

Best,

Nick and the team @

www.ontherail.co.uk

On The Rail Podcast #33 Released

Dear On The Rail Member,

For a limited time you’ll have exclusive access to the newest edition of the On The Rail podcast.

Join Nick and Matt to celebrate the UKIPT Nottingham and Matt’s continued stay as long term guest host. There’s an interview with top UK lady player and Nottingham local Maria Demetriou plus we launch our World Series of poker play-along-at-home game…bonus!

You’ll need a password access it on the site, this month it’s : storm

Click here to listen:

http://www.ontherail.co.uk/podcasts/on-the-rail/on-the-rail-33/

That’s it for this edition of the newsletter, as ever, lets us know what you think about the podcast by posting comments on the site.

Best,

Nick and the team @

www.ontherail.co.uk

On The Rail #33

Join Nick and Matt to celebrate the UKIPT Nottingham and Matt’s continued stay as long term guest host. There’s an interview with top U K lady player and Nottingham local Maria Demetriou plus we launch our World Series of poker play-along-at-home game…bonus!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (58.0MB)

WSOP fantasy fun

Kara Matt and I are playing a WSOP fantasy game and you may want to play along.

It starts from event 4 for us – for you guys it starts from any date from when you post picks

I’ll rustle up some Stars goodies for anyone that beats us 3 with a team posted here in a comments section or on at eat my stack with a verified start date obviously (no points count from events over a day in progress)

The points system is easy

1 point for a cash

4 points for a final table

10 points for a win

All points doubled for the Main and 20 points for a November nine

You must pick:-

1x Over 35 year old

1 x player without a braclet

1 x female player

1 x U K player 

2 x wild cards (anyone)

Our rosters are:-

Nick:-

Matt glantz

Isaac Haxton

Vanessa Selbst

Chris Moorman

Justin Bonomo

Elky

Matt:-

Jeffery Lisandro

Andy Bloch

Vanessa Russo

Roland de Wolfe

Daniel Negreanu

Philip Horatio Ivey

Kara:-

Andy Bloch

Shaun Deeb

Annette Oberstad

Praz Bansi

Eric Baldwin

David ‘Bakes’ Baker

Good luck if you play!