Twenty Twenty
Gary Clarke, 10/03/10 | Print this article
The more alert readers will notice that it has been 3 months since my last article. Having wrote a piece once a month throughout 2008 and 2009, myself and Stephen have agreed to make this bulletin quarterly for 2010.
On the subject of 2010, what a marvellous year it appears to be. Much neater looking than 2009. And many poker players in Ireland will be hoping that an even number year can yield much better results (this author included). In my penultimate article last year, I spoke of how I had mismanaged 2009 chasing big dreams and burning my bankroll in the process. I was hoping to put a lid on expensive satellites and most of all move down a few levels in 2010. Thankfully, so far this year I have done just that. I’ve cashed in 3 tournaments out of 4 for over €3000 net (which is 3 more cashes than last year!). I along with many others will be hoping 2010 can continue to pay the $$$.
While pondering over a bowl of Raisin Wheat’s the other morning, I overheard an economical analyst on the radio. He was being grilled about the economy (naturally). For ten minutes he waxed lyrically about ‘economic devastation’ and other such SKY style superlatives. His tirade ended with a prediction: it would be 10 years before the Irish economy would prosper again. Heck, in 10 years time Annette_15 will be in her 30s!
So 10 years we must wait for the juicy cash games. 10 years before we see high value tournaments and 10 years before any novice could possibly think about playing middle stakes poker again! Gosh, 2020 seems like a long time away, I’m not sure I can wait! The truth is, we don’t have to wait. Sure, the games on the internet have got tougher. Sure, less people are willing to ‘donate’ €500 to a poker tournament than before but that doesn’t mean hard working Irish poker player’s can’t prosper this decade.
Benny Binion once said “tough times make tough people” and I guess now is the time to get strong and hardy. While browsing Amazon recently, I found a plethora of new poker publications. It’s quite refreshing when you read some new concepts and may I suggest the two volume ‘Winning Poker Tournaments One Hand at a Time’ as the latest addition to your essential readings. It is the first manual I’ve read which delves into the advanced strategies which have long been an exclusive tool of the successful online players solely.
It’s not just about improving your game however. It’s easy to get tunnel vision when playing poker in Ireland and it has long been a niggling problem of mine. Getting comfortable in your surroundings is not optimal for your bankroll and game selection is the absolute key at the moment. Not just online, game selection in live games is also vital. This may mean moving to the Fitz from the Jackpot for a better mid week cash game, or moving from an Emporium tournament to JP’s Friday night game. Pursuit of the best game in town is crucial.
It’s amazing to think almost one quarter of the year has elapsed and it’s been a slow start on the Irish scene. The European Deepstack in Ballsbridge held through to its name this year more than any other year with 80% of the participants (including the winner) coming from abroad. Although the Irish have been knocking on the doors at the European Poker Tour’s with (new PokerStars Pro) Jude Ainsworth, Mick Graydon and Dara O Kearney all competing on the European stage regularly these days. Let’s hope 2010 can finally produce our first Irish EPT winner.
If we don’t get an EPT winner we sure as hell better get an Irish winner of the Open. Held from the 2-5 April, this year’s event returns to the Burlington Hotel after a 2 year stint at Citywest and promises to provide another cosy six figure prize for the winner. With only one Irish man in the top 20 of the betting for this year’s show-piece with Paddy Power, the bookies think the trophy will be going abroad once again in 2010. If the fields for Irish tournaments continue to be filled with foreign names you would have to agree with them. Perhaps this will be the year that one of the talented young Irish players breaks through to challenge? Maybe that’s the bet worth having. Hindsight may be 20:20 but 2010 could well be the year that a future Irish poker star is born.
Gary Clarke can be contacted at gary.clarke@pokerireland.ie
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