Rounders

I have had little chance to play poker recently (I seem to always be writing that!). Itching to play but not having the time is horrible for someone who just loves to play. I did come across the 'rounders' series of STT's on All In Poker the other day and whilst at work entered level 1 for $5.

First & Second go through to level 2 which you can also buy into for $25 + $2.50. I made it through without any remarkable hands and went straight into the level 2 game. Here the first 2 go through to level 3 and 3rd gets another go at level 2. In my first one I was third but in my repeat I made to level 3 which you can also buy into for $112+$11.25.

The next day I found some free time and played the level 3. In these you need to finish top 4 to progress to level 4 and 5th gets a knock back to level 2. Well I made it through this one although the standard of play got a lot better compared to the early levels. I would have to say the majority of the 5 knocked out at this level qualified from level 1 as they clearly didn't understand how to play to make sure you finished in the top 50%.

On returning later that evening (well early morning) from one of the tournaments I run, I fired up the PC and found a level 4 about to start. These give 5 places in the Final level. This was quite clearly full of experienced players and for the first three blind levels no-one was up or down more than 400 chips from the 1500 starting stack. Once a few players dropped below 1000 chips their blinds were constantly being attacked and inevitably players started to bust. Strangely this was the only one of the 5 I have played that did not make it to the hour mark as the five necessary eliminations were done within 20 minutes of the first.

So now I just need to be around when one of the $550 + $50 rounds starts up and I will have a shot at this payout structure:

1st $3000
2nd $1200
3rd $800
4th $500

All for just $5.50 and about 4 1/2 hours of play so far. The structure on these is much better than most STT's on the net. 1500 starting stacks with 10/20 first level and 10 min level increases, there is also a toilet/fag break each hour which is unusual in STT's.

If you want to try one of these and don't have an All In Poker account, sign up here.

My next live tournament looks like being the Pokerevents €350 + €35 in Sligo on November 25th. Until then most of my nights will be taken up running tournaments. The first big buy in tournament I am running is on Feb 5th at the Boyne Valley Hotel, Drogheda. We are guaranteeing €30,000 as a prizefund although it should be around €43,000 as it looks like it is going to sell out way in advance. There is also a chance to win a seat in the 2006 WSOP main event as the winners of the first six monthly €250 Freezeouts will play off for a seat plus travel and accomadation.