MAD MARTY DOWN UNDER
 
Having been here nearly a week now I’m feeling ready to play poker. I missed defending my 2005 omaha title as I’ve been feeling run down the last few days, putting it down to jet lag and not realising I was actually ill. So instead of resting I had been to the gym every day, putting in an hours swim before an hour on the treadmill. Today I was just beginning to feel the benefit until the players in the Australian Open began training next to me.
 
Despite not playing much poker I’ve been kept busy doing commentary on the live web casts of the feature final tables. www.crownpoker.com.au
 
Yesterday’s final of the AU$1,100 rebuy no limit event really proved how valuable experience can be. WSOP bracelet winner, amongst other titles, Gary Benson, began the day with a massive chip lead and looked on course for a clean sweep before doubling up his nearest rival with AK v KK. Unaffected by this set back his moves were timed to perfection to bring him heads up against 21 year old Cody Slaybaugh and with a slight chip lead. Before long all the chips were in the middle on a board of A23. Cody showing A5 against Gary’s A9. With the turn a 5 young Cody sat back down but was left shaken with the river a 4 for a split pot and Gary showing no emotion. The young Cody played on not making any mistakes. Having slow played QQ pre flop all the chips now went in the middle again on a board of 789. gary showed 93 and again Cody must have thought his good play was to be rewarded. After the turn was a 9 and the river no Q Gary took the title a good few hours later and not in the way most had predicted from the start.
 
Watching so much final table action  and now feeling physically and mentally fit I can’t wait for the main event, only 3 days away.