I tried to find that topic that Nevah started, the one about her playing another competitors poker league, but I couldn't find it. Anyway, I played with a different pub poker league yesterday. I don't know the name of the pub, but it was a day game. The NPL game was at the Wheatsheaf pub in Virginia, 6.30 rego, 7.30 start.
It was a good, poker filled day. Here's my review.
Other poker league
Venue:
Not the best looking pub, but oh my god, that menu was fantastic. I mean, $6.50 for a beef/chicken schnitzel? That's insane! And it wasn't processed chicken either, it was the real deal (I actually got a chicken burger for $5 - best five bucks I've ever spent). Sooooo good. And the staff were so nice. I mean, the waitress used my name when she gave me my meal, that was so awesome. Cheap OJ's too
Players:
24 runners. A nice and welcoming bunch, if not a little... I don't like to use the word, but bogan-ish. Hospitable enough, although when I tried to tell them when you bet out of turn in NPL it stands, they sorta blew me off.
*I've just explained what happens in NPL, after a player raised out of turn*
"He HAS to call the bet. He CAN'T raise."
"Yes I know, but I'm just saying... in NPL..."
*table looks at me funny*
I shut up after that.
But wow.. it was like a home game. Every hand we had players going through the muck, rabbit hunting, showing their folded hand to live players, telling everyone what they folded (when there was still action to go). It was crazy, so many rules were being flouted and it was like nobody cared. Maybe it doesn't bother other players, but it got on my nerves, massively.
Poker quality:
I counted maybe 4 good players in the room. The rest were your average "just playing for fun but if I have an Ace preflop I'm obviously ahead" group. I did see some very loose calls, and one really weird play. On a board of 7, 10, Q, 6, 4 (no flush) a player holding QJ checked the turn (when the Q hit) and the river. In the end it was checked down (3 other players) and the pair of Queens took it. When I asked why he didn't bet?
Guy with QJ - "There was a straight draw."
Other poker league player - "That's right you couldn't bet with that out there."
Another player agreed. I was stunned.
How I went:
Ended up 10th, from 24. I was short stack for a while, until I picked up KJc and just flat called (raised 3xBB with A10o earlier, had 4 callers). There was a bet of 600 on the flop of K Q 8, and I moved over the top for 1900 total. After a few minutes he called (he was one of the good players, by the way) and showed Q10. I took it down and I was doubled up. After that I had some chips to play with, and I ended up taking down a pot of about 4k with a 1200 bet on the river, with Q HIGH, on a board of 9, 8, 4, K, 7.
I totally bluffed him, it was awesome. He threw away a pair of 8s. I did have a busted flush draw though
Key hand:
Blinds 300/600, UTG is all in for 5000. Folded around to me, no 3. I look down at AK suited and insta call (I had 5,200). Fold, fold, its heads up. She shows pocket 5s.
Board: 5, 10, 2, 5, Q.
And she spent the next 10 MINUTES saying how she hit quad 5s against AK suited - like it was a suckout or something.
Conclusion:
Look, I had fun, but there's no way this other poker league compares to NPL. With NPL things are just run more professionally. Apart from the fantastic menu, this venue didn't have much going for it. If I ever move to that location I am campaigning for NPL to hold poker at that pub, though.
NPL, Wheatsheaf
Venue:
Damn nice. We played with the oval tables, which made dealing a bit of a problem, but everyone coped accordingly. Place was very nice and lighting no problem. Didn't try any meals but I will next week, and I've heard good things. Paul's the cook so I'm expecting some fine dining
Players:
I'm gonna throw this out there. The nicest bunch of players I've ever played with, seriously. I had met a few players in passing before, but when I was basically leading the table in what needed to be done (betting, raising, general poker etiquette) they were really nice about it and not once did I hear someone tell me to quiet down. I was being a stickler for the rules
And even when I kept winning all the early pots, everyone was happy 
Poker quality:
You know, I'd heard a LOT of bad beat stories from fellow B&Gers about the Wheatsheaf, (Todd especially
) but I'm gonna have to say, after one game... the quality was actually pretty good. I witnessed some great play, especially from this one kid - he was maybe 20? He stole some pots, tried to push players off it, moved in with the best hand.. played really well - ended up 4th.Maybe I was at the wrong table, but I didn't see any shocking plays. I heard there was 4 all ins in one hand on another table, but in my experience, Wheatsheaf players were better than the average drunk you get at the Kinger.
How I went:
Ended up 5th, from 44. I was big stack all night, won on A8c early against Zack (he called a 600 bet on the turn with the gutshot
). I was sitting pretty all night and never looked like being blinded out. Final table came down to bad luck with good cards. I didn't play a hand till we were down to 5 runners, my opp hit his 2 outer on the river to take down a massive pot.Key hands:
Blinds 200/400. I raised to 800 with AQ suited from UTG. There's an over the top all in for another 2k (I had 9k) and its folded around to me. I call. She shows KK. I hit the A on the flop. I honestly felt bad.
Later on...
Blinds: 400/800. About 25 runners left. I have 11k. 5 limpers, I limp in with 89o in the SB, BB checks.
Flop: 8 9 3. Awesome, right? Not really, they were all clubs. I was first to act and I knew that I had to get everyone holding one club to fold. I couldn't check and let the entire table see another free card, so I bet 2400 (3xBB). I'm pretty happy when I see the first four runners fold. Then the dealer (12k) raises to 4800.
Uh-oh.
Has he hit the flush on the flop? Is he drawing to another club? Maybe he has the Ace of clubs and a 9? Then I start thinking what dealer could be calling preflop with - 67 suited? A8? K10? I don't want to throw this away, I've got 3k invested. But why did he raise? He wouldn't be raising with one club, he HAS to have it.
According to JD, after "about an hour and a half," I fold. My opponent shows A6 of clubs, yep, the nut flush. I show my two pair.
Conclusion:
Awesome. Can't believe I hadn't tried it yet, being a B&G venue, and me being a B&G whore and all. My group wanted to try something different to the Willaston, we've grown tired of that lately. I definitely recommend giving it a try, I had a really good night and I'll be going back next week.
