#161: “Basque-ing in the Reflected Glory of Others”

June and July are the biggest months on the poker calendar, mainly because of the WSOP, from which I perennially abstain. This choice leaves me with no option other than to bask in the reflected glory of others as I simultaneously rail my friends deep in World Series events while grinding the hero-less cyber-felt. It’s unsurprising that this has been my best month online for the last three years and this year, despite only playing 12 legit sessions, I still accumulated a tidy profit.

The highlight of the Series was a magnificent Event #54 run by Ireland’s premier ‘triple threat’ (online, live cash and tournaments), Jason ‘Payout Structures are for Pussies’ Tompkins. He battled his way through a 3200 player field to make the LiveStream Final Table but a couple of tough spots cost him his momentum and he eventually succumbed, losing a flip to bust in 6th place.

The Main Event provided plenty of excitement, particularly from Day 4 on. My good friend Nicholas ‘Rounder63′ Carrillo hooded, rep-mined and rounder-flipped his way to a gangster 273rd place ($38,500). Fergal ‘midnitekowby’ Nealon bossed and bullied his way to 286th place ($38,500). Anton Wigg bombed and roller-coastered his way to 298th ($38,500). Adopted Paddy, Nick Abou Risk brought home a nice slice of Canadian bacon ($53K) for his 161st place finish as did John O’Shea who crush-hammered to 162nd. Rounding out the Irish cashers were Reggie Lyons (623rd) and Peter Murphy (592nd)

In other events, Rory ‘Downtown’ Brown came 13th in the Caesar’s Main Event for $13,500, Dara ‘Doke’ O’Kearney came 8th in a Rio Deepstack for $4700. Mark O’Connor took 9th in a Venetian Deepstack for $3700. Padraig Parkinson cashed in four bracelet events while Daragh ‘Mongoose’ Davey cashed in three.

The next few months will be occupied with Estrellas, UKIPT and EMOP tour events as I travel to Barcelona, Newcastle, Barcelona again, Bristol and Clontarf. I am currently in the beautiful Basque city of San Sebastian where I have already busted the Main Event (KK<A10o all-in-pre for 46bbs!!!) and online poker is ring-fenced (and thus inaccessible to me). This leaves me with no alternative but to enjoy the sun, play the side events and, yet again, bask in the reflected glory of my friends Dara O’Kearney and Fergal Nealon who have made it to Day 2 with 27,000 and 77,000 chips respectively.