Poker in 2006

One of the many goals I have set for myself in 2006 is to make a name for myself in the online world of poker.

It was this time last year that I decided upon learning how to play and over the course of the past twelve months I have won a few and lost a lot of games. I have entered many tournaments for money or for free (they are called freerolls for those who don't know). To be honest I haven't made any money from it but I have learnt a lot and enjoyed myself.

In the summer of 2005 I had tried each and every night to qualify for a live tournament called the VC Poker Cup. The event was to be held in London during three days in early August. For those who know me; the fact that I was even attempting this may seem ridiculous and a bit far fetched.

In the last few years I have suffered from anxiety and agrophobia resulting from the loss of a relative. I became a shell of my former self within months and it has taken a long time to get over it. Eventually, I went back to work but I was still not ready for that. Even today I face little challenges trying to get back in the swing of things.

The challenge I had set myself was to qualify for this tournament. It didn't matter if I had won the event or came last. It was getting there and taking part that was my challenge to myself. I qualified to the weekly final on two occasions but ended up failing to secure a seat in the big one.

I have to wait until the summer to try for the VC Poker Cup 2006 so in the meantime I am going to try my hand at other tournaments online to get the experience in and hope that I learn enough to make that final tournament to get to that TV studio in London this year.

One of the things I have started doing is playing in a tournament on Bet365 Poker called 'Poker Night Live' at 9pm GMT. These games are played through the internet but are aired on SKY Television over here in the UK. Last Thursday I was first for a while and close to securing the $720 prize but I ended up getting a little too star-struck when my sister rang me up to tell me that the commentators were saying I was playing 'extremely well'. I guess I got a little bit cocky and ended up proving that I was a flash in the pan after all!!

Then there was a little 10 man game I had tonight. It was £3 to enter and the winner was to secure himself (or herself!) in to the grand final tomorrow night. Tomorrow evening's game has a prize fund of £10,000 and to enter it without qualifying would cost £27. Well, after tonight I don't need to fork out the £27 because I won the qualifier. I am now just hoping I do as well in this one as I did tonight.

Only time will tell!