Tuesday, November 14

Watched the final table of the $150 freezeout, which finished just after 1am this morning. Fittingly, it was won by David Kiu, a Singaporean, who hit some amazing hands to claim the $12,940 first prize. Sitting on a monster chip lead, he knocked out Marc Coupar (UK) in third place when he hit a runner-runner straight, before finishing the heads-up encounter with Brendan Walls (Ire), in about five minutes. Walls moved all-in with A-2, Kiu called with A-5, hitting a Five on the flop. He looked pretty surprised to have won, but won’t be using the winnings to buy himself into the Main Event, as he’s flying to New York on Wednesday.

After a sporadic jet-lag-fuelled sleep, I stagger into Chinatown to sample the local wares. It’s a short walk from the hotel down the river, and it’s my first proper taste of Singapore. Bustling, and full of stalls, markets and larger shopping centres, I treat myself to a bowl of noodles and then predictably get talked into buying something I didn’t know I needed – this time some concentrated chlorophyll liquid from a stall offering ‘free’ health checks using a misfiring machine to check the palms of my hand for ‘all-over fitness’. Apparently I’m ‘lacking energy’, although by way of consolation I’m pleased to discover that my ‘man organs’ are fine.

From Chinatown, back to the Meritus Mandarin, where the $300 no-limit freezeout is down to the last 23 players. 18 places play and there are still a fair few Brits left in, including Micky147 (Mike Herron), who’s currently sat on around 40,000 and well placed for a good cash finish. Chat to PokerPlayer freeroll winner ColU_FC, who’s railing the $300 and looking forward to playing in the $5000 Main Event tomorrow. He’s limited himself to one beer today, but he’s going to have another before he plays tomorrow to loosen himself up. I’ll be bringing you a full report of how he gets on, along with the progress of Grand Prix winner, Colch Kev, as it happens.

Back to the $300 and Micky147 makes the final table by trebling through when he was short-stacked with Jd-9d. He cracks someone’s cowboys when he makes a straight, thanks in no small part to the third King dropping on the flop. He eventually goes out in 8th for $1200. (I’m saying that with 95% certainty as Shelley dragged me away for 2 minutes and I predictably missed him busting out.)

With my Brit interest gone I decide to sign up for a quick sit-and-go before bed. Moving all-in with Ks-Qs, I’m moving out just as quickly when a lady shows J-Q, calls for Jacks and spookily gets two of them on the flop, before the turn and river taunt me with an Ace and a King respectively. Still, better that way round than the Jacks hitting last. Elsewhere in the huge tournament room, the Betfair people are gearing up for the start of the Main Event tomorrow. The TV table’s been set-up, and all the equipment’s in place. Some of the big name players have been milling about, ready for the historic shuffle-up-and-deal at 1pm Singapore time (5am GMT).

To be continued…

Thanks to: Beaty Koh for the liquid chlorophyll.
No thanks to: Jetlag for the weird sleep and weirder dreams.