Double Trouble

I turned up at The International last Tuesday night with one objective – to play SCRABBLE (and win). We’ve had some great matches at the club, in fact, with several tough poker players showing they are multi-talented.

I have a good record but lack of practice was a factor, and the field looked dangerous. Fair play to Sam Acheampong who was one of the first to put his name down (not his actual name – that doesn’t go in Scrabble) despite being a little outmatched.

Thing is, you never know with Sam. Maybe he could bink this thing as well (nb: BINK does go). I was a little wary when I drew him in the first round.

Sam, in fact, nearly didn’t play despite coming to the club specifically for the tournament.

Actually, when I arrived, I found him playing the £25 Deep’n’Steep. Apparently when he got through the door, he had forgotten why he’d come and clicked “auto-register”. Still, he assured me he’d probably still be available for the 7:30 Scrabble ;)

I resolved that there was no way I would attempt to play both, especially since I was planning to take down the Scrabble. However, I spotted Neil (definitely one of the favourites) at Table B.

This was enough of an excuse – and I was in. My seat was directly to the left of Sam !

There is a report on the Scrabble itself in the International Forum.

This blog is going to be about my attempt to do the Poker-Scrabble double on the same night.

I only had time to play half an orbit before I went off to organize the draw and then play my first round. This was enough time, though, for Sam to divest himself of his tournament duties (6-2 offsuit, how did he miss ??).

My table was broken whilst I got on with my match, and when I came back to play one hand 30mins later, I had to fold to a big 3-bet behind me from a solid player.

The table asks me what Acronym I’m playing today – I can’t think of one, so I say “SCRABBLE”.
One orbit later I came back and found my stack diminishing – down to 6k at 150/300. Playing only about 2 hands an hour, you don’t get too much choice in hand selection so this time I decide to over-limp in EP with 4-3o. The same player 3-bets again. I think “FIP” and call the extra 1,000. The dealer points out it’s actually another 400 on top of that. OK, I call.

Flop: 7-4-3. Check, ship, call. Kings no good sir !

30mins later I get to come back for another hand. I am on the Big Blind and with 7,800 at 800/1600 I figure it’s going in, but I find a fold to an UTG raise. I fold my SB as well.

Now I have only 5,400 and now I face a MP shove from an equally short-stacked player. I find A-5 and it has to be a call. The Big Blind thinks for a bit and decides he has to call.

J-4 for the initial raiser, A-5 here and 3-3 in the blinds.

That's not too bad ....

Flop 4-6-2.
Turn J.
River: 3 !

The BB takes a moment to realise I have scooped with a straight. Having trebled up, I get up to continue my Scrabble semi-final, but there are only 90 seconds til the break so I play one more – pocket Aces !

I end up all in pre vs 87s – I have to sweat an open ender on the turn but finish the level on 36k !

I see with amazement that there are only 19 players left – I’m thinking I may actually be final-tabling both comps.

Unfortunately, the “steep” part kicked in and having raise-folded one hand, I pushed with ATs (I only had 28k at 1,500/3,000 blinds), called by AQ. Queen high flop wasn’t great although the dealer gave it a go with a King on the turn. Somewhat surprisingly no Jack came and I fell in 15th.

Neil, meanwhile, did go on to make the final table and chop the comp. He would have had an excellent shot at the double but unfortunately he ran into Ade in the Semis and lost despite scoring not far short of 400 himself.

So, I have learnt the meaning of another word:

SCRABBLE, I now realise, stands for: Sometimes Call Recklessly And Bink (Be Lucky) – Easy !