Hectic week but no pain, no gain

No point complaining though when you win €25k. Next up was the main, I bubbled that. I was in about 25th position with 57 left and 54 for the money and picked up 57th. Two hands I couldn't do much about cost me dearly. Rees cashed and O'Dea went on for a 2nd to scoop €265k, wp cappy.

I was so tired after the main I was just glad it was all over. I slept four hours a night for seven days, playing 10/14hrs a day and won about $55k over there, and $10k the day before I left, giving me a very nice $65k upswing.

It was the best week of poker I have ever played. I won $65k but couldn't say I ran that great. The three biggest pots I played were $23k, $22k and $18k, and despite being ahead in all three, lost them all.

I got ul at the €2k final table and 4th was not just deserves for my effort. I also bubbled the main in unlucky fashion. Still, no point complaining about stuff beyond your control. The effort tank was empty after the week so I decided to take a few days off.

Flew back and stopped by the IPO on the way home for a few hours, well that was the plan. Dragged myself out of there 13 hours later as I had to be up at 9 a.m.

The atmosphere was unreal and the banter off the charts. It was by far the most professionally run event I have seen run in Ireland. I think a few back slaps are due to the Boyle team and especially Lisa who was responsible for the overall organisation.

The next day I was up early as I was off to the K Club for the Boyle Cup. A Ryder Cup style golf competition between England and Ireland. I won my doubles match playing with Paul Spillane 7&6, while Nicky Power and Marty Smyth won theirs 8&7, so Ireland went to bed 2-0 up.

With four points up for grabs in the singles it wasn't over, although we were fairly confident it was. England ripped into us and won the singles 3-1 for a draw, Nicky Power saved Ireland's bacon. It was great, and something that will be expanded for next year I think.

It was pretty cool to get to play the two courses on the K Club after seeing them on TV for so many years. The hotel was sick nice, Nicky told me the room we were staying in was the same one Tiger Woods stayed in when he was there. I am sure Nicky was going for the wind up but I was more than happy to believe it.

Lovely day planned today, now that I have some cash I am off to buy a couch. Going to chill this evening. Not sure if I will even play tomorrow either, although I am probably to sick to abstain for five days. Oh, check out the new Card Player, some absolute name on the front.