Fables of A ESOP

At the Gutshot in Clerkenwell at the moment, the self-styled ESOP (European Series of Poker)festival is running.

So far they've run a £100 and £200 NLH Freezeout, and a £150 PLO freeseout as well as some satellite events. The main event is today's £500 NLH freezeout (2-day event). Many, many chips and a long clock are going to make for a tough test.

I'm playing, and looking forward to it greatly. I really hope to make day2 - I have booked a hotel for tonight - I hope this is seen by the poker gods as good karma rather than over-optimism.

I believe the field of players is likely to be very strong so I will need my A+ game to stand a chance. I am also a bit concerned that because I am so keen to go the distance, it might cramp my aggressive style resulting in a worst-of-both-worlds outcome. We'll see.

On the topic, though, I must mention that my former colleagues Valer and Oli played in the £200 NLH on Thursday and noth did very well. Oli bubbled in the end, I think, but Valer came back from < 1 Big Blind to hold the chip lead at the early stages of the final table.

He did not manage to make the very most of this, but did come 5th for £1,400. Very impressive, and he's on quite a roll at the moment (he won the last of the Bear tournaments, readers may recall).

Of course there can be no more Bear poker tournaments as the firm ceased to exist on Friday.

I will let you know how the ESOP goes ....