Sunday, October 4, 2009 - Liv Boeree
The past week has been mostly spent in and around Leicester square for the WSOPE, which despite the fact that I didn’t get to play the main event, I still found reasons to go down there. Probably the biggest of these was the players lounge opening which contained a certain little game that is very close to my heart – table football. I probably shouldn’t mention this as I’m gonna kill all my future action, but blimey do I love hustling in that game. Noone ever suspects a thing when you start playing for small stakes (10 – 20 pounds per game), lose a few to them and then suggest double or quits, and with most poker players loving a bit of gambling action they jump at the chance. Next thing I know, we’re playing for a hundred a game, multiple times. I even got two players to play me two on one, and give ME odds! By the end of the night I’d made close to a 1000 pounds!!
Aside from this degeneracy, the other fun thing this week was a trip down to my parents’ house with a bunch of my poker playing friends including team UB pro Michael Binger. Everyone had seemed desperate to get out of the city and see some of the real England so I made sure they got the full experience including a bit of horse riding, a bit of some half rugby/half american football weird game we made up and then some prop betting on who could hold the electric fence the longest. Michael won that one rather convincingly! The day ended with a proper English dinner at the local country pub – would could be better?
Tags: Amsterdam, Michael Binger, Poker Poker Poker, ub, WSOPE
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Thursday, October 1, 2009 - Liv Boeree
Well this week hasn’t been remarkably different from the last one except for instead of bubbling, I bombed out of the one tourney I played nice and early. This was event 1 of the WSOPE, the £1k buyin that got you all of 3000 chips and left you basically one hand to play with, which in my instance was Aces vs someone’s 10s which spiked a ten leaving me making friends with the bartender and seeing how many peanuts I can throw into a bowl while waiting for my friends to also bust the event.
So since then I’ve been doing what any self-respecting Londoner poker player would do when the WSOPE circus gets into town and that’s party party party (something I do even better than bubbling). Lots of the UB crew are in town including Brandon Cantu, Michael Binger and Phil Hellmuth, and we’ve been pretty busy showing London just how it’s done. We’ve partaken in an orgy of prop-betting and drunken cash games at the Barracuda (my head still hurts from that one) and even hired out the private booth at the USA Sports Bar (because you Americans can’t bear to take on our proper sports). At this bar Phil filmed a rather entertaining video which I will promote by saying that someone gets topless… for those of you who can’t resist the promise of nudity here it is: http://www.twitvid.com/122FD
FD Who said poker isn’t glamorous?
Tags: Brandon Cantu, London, Michael Binger, Phil Hellmuth, Poker Poker Poker, ub, WSOPE
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Friday, September 18, 2009 - Michaelbinger
It has been a busy week since I last wrote! I’ve embarked on a 5 week multi-purpose/multi-destination trip. First stop was a 4 day vacation in the Hamptons. It was nice and relaxing… had massages, hung by the pool, some online poker. From there I spent a few days in NYC hanging out with friends. Good times. I went sailing for the first time last Thursday… out in Long Island Sound. A friend that I met in Guyana on the volunteer mission I did with Victor Ramdin this summer… Craig, a doctor from NY… has a 37 foot sailboat. It was very windy and wavy, which makes for exciting sailing! Seemed like most of the time the boat was at a 45 degree angle. It’s tough to steer the boat in a straight line in those conditions…
From there I went to Philly for the wedding of my good friend/agent/manager Eric Brewstein and Michelle. I was a groomsman so had to show up a day early for the rehearsal. The wedding day itself was spectacular… there were two weddings: First a Catholic ceremony appropriate to the brides family. After that a Jewish ceremony for Eric’s family. The party afterwards was amazing. I tore up the dance floor all night, which is scary because I usually never dance! But the band, the atmosphere , and the company was that good.
Anyway, this Sunday I played some online tournies and cash games, including the $530 buy-in on Ultimate Bet, which I final tabled and took 7th place.
I am going to film a poker show called Inside Deal for ESPN this week and then off to Raleigh to see my Mom and family. It will be great to see everyone as I haven’t been home since Christmas.
From there to the Borgata for the WPT event, then London for the WSOP Europe, and finally Aruba before getting home in October.
For now I’m off to bed…
Michael Binger
Tags: Aruba, espn, Inside Deal, Poker Poker Poker, ultimatebet, WPT, WSOPE
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Friday, September 4, 2009 - Michaelbinger
Hi all!
I’m writing this from 30000 feet! Flying Virgin America from Vegas to NY. Great airline… I decided to splurge for first class since they have wireless onboard and I figured I could pay for the upgrade through online poker winnings. 4 hours into the flight and I’ve shown a nice profit. Success! I played some of the no limit tables on Ultimate Bet with the bonus for winning with 2-7. Quite fun, except when you find yourself bluffing hundreds of dollars chasing that bonus 
.
Oh yes, and I finally can play UB on my MacBook! They have Apple compatible download now.
Anyhow, I am starting off a 5 week trip away from home. Headed to the Hamptons tonight. A friend rented a posh house there for the labor day weekend and invited me. Thanks D!
After that I’m going to Raleigh to see Mom and family and then NY to see friends. Then to Philly for a good friend’s wedding… I’m a groomsman. Then to Atlantic City for Borgata tourney, followed by London for the WSOP Europe. And finally… phew, let me catch my breath… to Aruba the first week of October for the UB Aruba Poker Classic. That is always great fun.
Oh by the way this week I went to Spago in Caesars Palace Forum shops for the first time… one of the best meals I’ve ever had. I was shocked how good it was.
Also, this week I’ve gotten back to working on some poker math projects. Doing some cool stuff with 2-7 triple draw now.
Best of Luck,
Michael Binger
Tags: Aruba, Aruba Poker Classic, Caesars Palace, Poker Poker Poker, ub, UB Mac, Ultimate Bet, Vegas, WSOPE
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Friday, August 28, 2009 - Michaelbinger
Hi all,
I am in, of all places, Thackerville Oklahoma. Obviously to play poker 
The Winstar Casino here has a $2100 buy-in tourney with a 3 million guarantee! They have had 4 day ones… Today is the last… Looks like they will end up with 1100-1200 players, meaning there will be an overlay of $600k-800k. That is great value, especially given relatively weak field here. Actually I am very surprised they are able to get such a large turnout for a 2k in the middle of Oklahoma…
Apparently they have been running satelites for months and to a lot of players in the region this is the biggest event of the year.
Anyway, things have started off nicely… I have triple the average stack early on. But still along way to go and the structure is fast.
Last week I was in LA for the WPT Legends at the Bike… Busted at the end of day 1 with aces versus kings preflop. I then spent a few days at the Commerce playing cash games… Wish I could say it went well, but I ended up taking one of the biggest losses in my life playing 400-800 mix games. I haven’t played that big in a while so it was painful to run as bad as I did.
After OK I am headed home to vegas for a few weeks before a heavy travel schedule in September. NC to see Mom, Philly for a wedding, AC for Borgata, London for WSOP Europe, then Aruba for the UB classic!
Best of luck!
Michael Binger
Tags: Aruba, aruba classic, Michael Binger, Poker Poker Poker, ub, WPT, WSOPE
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Saturday, August 22, 2009 - Brandon Cantu
The past few days I have been looking at my schedule for the upcoming months. I will be traveling quite a bit and look forward to seeing as much of the world as much as possible each year. Traveling has becoming one of my favorite past times and has become a traditional post World Series of Poker activity.
Last year, immediately after the WSOP, I traveled to Costa Rica and Nicaragua with my agent and good friend, Matt Palmer. As I have previously mentioned, I have stayed in Vegas since the WSOP lounging at home, playing a ton on UltimateBet.com and just relaxing. However, I now have the itch to get on some planes, play some poker and visit some destination spots.
Looking ahead in August, I will be heading to the World Poker Tour’s “Legends of Poker” at the Bicycle Casino in Bell Gardens, California on August 22nd. After winning my second WSOP bracelet this year, I wouldn’t mind making a strong run at another WPT victory. My stay in California will be about a week.
After the Bike tournament, I return to Vegas to quickly repack for the next stop, which is Portland, OR, for my 10 Year Class Reunion. Though I get back regularly with all the boys and old friends; 3-on-3 basketball tournaments, Holiday parties, some NBA games, etc., I look forward to seeing classmates who I have lost ties with. All in all, it will be good to be back in my hometown. Portland weather is perfect this time of year and will be an added bonus to reconnecting with old friends.
After a week or so back home, I will again return to Las Vegas planning to play online before heading out to London for the WSOP Europe. Two of my good hometown friends, Tony and Dave traveled with me last year. We were able to travel Europe a bit after the WSOPE and this year should be quite similar. This year I plan on traveling to Amsterdam, a destination I look forward to exploring for a few days I have free time. This year I will be traveling with poker player and friend, Allie Prescott. He and I both traveled to Venice for the WPT event and are going to continue our adventures post WSOPE.
Once the European travels are done, I will be flying directly to UltimateBet.com’s Aruba Classic, October 3rd – 10th. I am very excited for this tournament. Not only because Aruba is beautiful and that I will have friends attending, but that I am a sponsored UltimateBet Pro. It almost feels like it will be a “home game” for me. It will be nice to see some of the UB staff I met at the WSOP this summer, as well as play and visit with all the other UB Pros.
I feel lucky to have the opportunity to see so much of the world. Safe travels to everyone else that is also making the rounds the next few months. Good luck.
Brandon Cantu
Tags: Amsterdam, aruba classic, Bicycle Casino, Brandon Cantu, Bycicle Casino, Costa Rica, Legends of Poker, Matt Palmer, NBA, Nicaragua, Poker Poker Poker, ub, Vegas, WPT, WSOP, WSOPE
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Friday, August 14, 2009 - Michaelbinger
It’s been a busy week here at home… between traveling a bunch earlier in the year and then being consumed with the WSOP I have a ton of
real life obligations. So mostly I’ve been trying to get caught up in my life. I have to say it’s a nice feeling being able to see my desktop again!
Also working on getting back into a solid healthy routine… working out every day… either swimming laps or in the gym. And I’ve been enjoying doing some cooking
around the house.
I hadn’t played any poker since the WSOP until this week…. been playing a bit online. Doing well so far in the cash games (including the 7-2 bonus games on UB).
I spent a while today figuring out my schedule for the next few weeks. There are always so many travel options to poker tournaments… and as someone who loves travel and loves poker tournaments sometimes it is hard to say no.
Just in the next month I could go to Macau (APT and APPT), LA (WPT at the Bicycle Casino), Cannes (for the Partouche tournament), Barcelona (EPT), Cyprus (WPT), Atlantic City (Borgata WPT), and Foxwoods (2k Deepstack). Or I could stay at home and play online and play some of the tournies coming up at the Hard Rock Casino. What to do what to do!?!
I’ve realized that sometimes I just need a break and too much travel just wears me thin. So I decided to pass on Macau (even though I really want to go sometime soon). Instead I’m probably going to play some of the events in LA at the Bike and here in Vegas at the Hard Rock. And definitely the Borgata in Sept. And maybe Cannes and Barcelona! Damn I’m a junky. And of course at the end of September there’s the WSOP Europe in London and then straight to Aruba the first week of October!
Off to watch a movie with my brother…
Best of luck,
Michael Binger
Tags: APPT, APT, Aruba, Barcelona, Cannes, Cyprus, EPT, Macau, Michael Binger, ub, Vegas, WPT, WSOP, WSOPE
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Friday, July 31, 2009 - P0ker J0
Hey Hey Hey
Another Friday – wow the Summer is flying by. It won’t belong before the weather starts getting cooler – and we all know what that means…..Aruuuuuuuuuuuba bound! I just booked my flights yesterday so I’m on my way. This will be my 5th year in Aruba and it truly feels like a family reunion. I am so blessed to have met so many players that return each year with a smile on their face – just happy to be on one happy island. Well this year will mark UB’s 10th birthday so I am assuming there will be many opportunities to celebrate. We have a few big music folks in attendance this year too. Very exciting. I hope to see a huge turnout this year – all 0f the pros will be there and of course Mr. Hellmuth will be hosting a private VIP party in the penthouse. Be there or be square!
So Annie Duke was Washington last week lobbying for poker players around the country. She met with a number of key players in congress with the goal of educating them on everything poker. By the sounds of things, her visit (along with other key poker players) has made an impact. I guess time will tell but thanks to you Annie for stepping up and making a statement!
Before Aruba we have the WSOPE and I know many of my pros are headed across the pond to play some poker and no doubt have some pints while they are there. I LOVE England and would do almost anything to go live there. I love the people, the architecture and the history. I only wish I was headed over there myself with the guys! Oh well – cheers anyway!
Our very own Hollywood Dave played and WON the VIP tournament last Tuesday. Kudos to you HD!! This coming Tuesday watch out for the great Michael Binger to see if he can do the same!
Well I am off to the gym – wow you say?? Yes! P0ker J0 has started working out. I do need to get in shape and I do need to be healthy but most of all – I have to be able to run and catch any person seen running away with my shoes in Aruba!!!
Have a good week
P0ker J0 out!
Tags: Annie Duke, Aruba, HollywoodDave, Michael Binger, Phil Hellmuth, Washington, WSOPE
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Saturday, July 25, 2009 - P0ker J0
Ok so I know the song is Just Another Manic Monday – but I feel strongly that the day should have been changed to Friday – if only for this week. My day flew by and before I knew it, I was late with my blog. Bad bad P0ker J0!!
Well I just finished a new photo shoot with some of my pros so you will soon see some exciting new pictures on the site – showing their pearly whites! Phil – in typical Phil fashion – maintained his (what I like to call) the “point and grin” pose as well as the groovy “thumbs up and smile” pose. I am never ever bored when I’m dealing with Phil. He is truly one of my favourite people in the world (but just don’t tell HIM I said that – love ya Phil!
Did you happen to see Matt Graham play in the VIP tournament last Tuesday night at 8:00 PM EST? He almost took it down! The players really loved playing and chatting with him. This coming Tuesday look out for the whacky and crazy HollywoodDave to grace the tables with his presence – and when I ‘m talking about HD, there is ALWAYS presence!
World travellers that my pros are – many are headed to London to play the WSOPE and then jetting straight to Aruba for our 10th anniversary event. I think this will be the best year ever and I hope to see you all there! There is NOTHING more fun than Aruba for the Poker Classic. And yes – its true – I do often lose a pair of shoes or two, but this year I’m coming prepared with and extra stash! Thanks to P0ker H0 for letting THAT cat out of the back! Payback is a bitch H0
I am so excited to announce (press release coming out next week) that we have reconfirmed Micahel Binger as a Team UB member for a second year. He has been so busy playing in live events this past year – but look out for the coming year. He will be blogging, twittering, providing some strategy pieces (and he’s a smaaaaaaaart cookie!) as well as playing in a ton of tournaments on the site! He is currently in Guyana with Victor Ramdin doing some volunteer work in health clinics – identifying and treating children with heart problems.
Another exciting addition to the team (which will also be announced next week) is that migration of the lovely Liv Boeree from AP to Team UB. Liv has been with AP for a number of years, initially in a UK focused role; but as you know, she has taken the poker world by storm and proven herself to be an international force to be reckoned with. Her skills, talent and ability to just play damn good poker make her a perfect addition to the strong Team UB in existence today. We are thrilled to have her, and just like Mr. Binger – you’ll be seeing a LOT more of Liv here at her new home – UB!
I want to close this BLOG with a big shout out to my MVP Scott Ian!! After a gruelling tour in Europe with his band Anthrax, he was the first person to complete the P0ker J0 homework assignment I gave the team. He truly is my MVP – so thanks to you Scott!! Keep an eye out for Scott at both the UB tables, in Aruba and on tour. Busy busy guy – but still my MVP!! xoxoxoxo
Ok – I’m feeling all warm and fuzzy and that cannot last so I’m off to the gym to do some damage (and when I say damage – I mean I’m gonna hurt tomorrow!!)
Enjoy the weekend and see you back here next week!
P0ker J0
Tags: Anthrax, HollywoodDave, Liv Boeree, Matt Graham, Michael Binger, P0ker H0, Phil Hellmuth, Scott Ian, WSOPE
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Friday, January 30, 2009 - P0ker J0
Hello from the Pro Corner!
I can’t believe another week has flown by. I really must be getting old! Thank god for hairspray and back combing to keep me young. (Well young at heart – not necessarily when looking in the mirror!)
Anyway – all seems much quieter on the ranch now that UBOC is over. But the fun never ends! I now have a team of pros all gunning to head to Austria for the Poker in the Alps promotion. Without a doubt there will be more than a fair share of UB hockey jerseys running around the Alpine Palace – each with their own bad beat story. It is a really cool promotion and the pictures of the location look amazing! What I wouldn’t do for a week away in the Alps! For some reason I have pictures in my head of Julie Andrews running around singing “The hills are alive with the sound of music”. Ok I digress – time to change topics!
So a big football weekend ahead. Superbowl Sunday will inevitably keep everyone glued to their TV screens instead of their computer screens. I’m not much of a football fan – more of a Superbowl PARTY fan. Speaking of parties – the great P0ker H0 is having a Superbowl party at his bar – Players Sports Bar in Madison WI. I’m sure there will be lots of laughter, lots of beer and lots of fun! If you are in the neighborhood, drop by for a brewski! Tell him P0ker J0 sent you!
The Ultimate Poker Show will not air this Sunday in its entirety to honor the big day. Still listen in though to get the password for the Rounders Radio freeroll and $5 tournament. Don’t forget about the promotion I mentioned in my last BLOG where you could find yourself seated next to Annie Duke and P0ker H0 in Vegas in March!
Are you looking for a fresh new place to chat on the internet? If you are a poker fan with that competitive edge – why not join the UB Poker Leagues? There is now a new home for your voice to be heard. Check out the new UB Poker Leagues Forums. You’ll find many members of Team UB hanging out and chatting there.
Mark your calendars! Aruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuba 2009 is confirmed. Pack your suitcase and don’t forget the suntan lotion. Block off October 3rd to 10th on your calendar and tell your boss you are NOT available for that annoying conference call. The Aruba Poker Classic – in its 8th year – should prove to be the best ever. On the heels of the WSOPE, we expect to attract the best of the best in the poker world. P0ker J0 will even be on standby to give out autographs. (Please no nasty comments about that last offer!)
Well I think that is all she wrote for this week! Enjoy your week and I’ll see you back here – same time – same place – next Friday!
P0ker J0
Tags: Aruba Poker Classic, poker in the alps, rounders radio, Superbowl, ub poker leagues, UBOC, WSOP, WSOPE
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