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RiverStars.com actually started life as a website for our little homegame. We still hold games though not as regularly these days. I now use the website for updates and reports on my poker playing and to re-publish some articles/forum posts I made elsewhere. Kind of like a blog but not as regular, a bit like our fabled homegame really.

The Homegame -

All the old homegame reports are still available below. Games were held in Bishops Stortford, Herts, UK. Most were tournament structure and not normally more than £20 Entrance fee.

GAME REPORTS -

Riverstars Game 8 -30/07/05 - By Steve White

All hail Matthew Barley! Winner of both games in one of the best turned out Riverstars nights ever!

We had 8 players for both games -

Matthew Barley, Matt Cozens, Iain Gooderham, Ricky van damm, Sue Campbell, Tall bloke (name...er next time I talk to him/matt) for the 1st game replaced with Darren Barley for the 2nd game, Steve Wren, Steve White

Results- Game 1

1st - Matthew Barley

2nd - Steve White

3rd - Matt Cozens

Game 2

1st - Matthew Barley

Some hands from game 1 -

Matt Barley was all in vs Matt Cozens (cozens was chip leader at the time and we were 4 handed) Barley had AK Cozens had A8. Flop went down xx8 and Barley started to throw his toys out the pram "Bloody knew it! F@cking 8 on the flop" turn was no help but in true RiverStars style the River was a King and Barley won. I have not seen somebody's mood transform to pure joy like that since my first girlfriend pulled down my pants. Barley couldn't stop smiling, laughing, bragging and rubbing salt in the wounds!

Earlier I raised it up and Steve wren went all in. I had to call with a couple of bullets and Wren turned over JJ. Good for me and the flop didn't help Wren so he was out.

Cozens made a huge fold as well towards the end of the game. Barley raised up the pot and cozens thought for ages but passed. It turn out that Barley had raised with JJ and Cozens folded TT. Does Cozens know something about Barley that we don't?

I made Barley rebuy twice at the start of the game but can't remember the hands - It didn't stop him winning anyway!

Game 2 -

I was knocked out first and went home to bed so I don't have any hands to talk about. The killer hand for me was QQ vs Darren with AK and Rick with AK. They hit a King and split the pot.

Riverstars Game 7 -12/04/05 - By Steve White

Two games played, a £10 NLHE and a £20 NLHE (double chance!)

Results - Game 1

1st - Steve White £40

2nd - Richard Wheatly £20

Game 2

1st - Rik £60

2nd - Steve White £60

Report - 5 players, some dodgy rebuys, some dodgy calls and a result for the Bookie - Richard "The Bear" Wheatley on the Chelsea game.

Is that enough for a report? I guess not. Well lets break it down like this -

Bookies - No-one likes a winning bookie. Richard "The Bear" Wheatly saw Chelsea take the lead with 20 mins to go and knew it was going to cost him a monkey. Dejected and head in hands he watched on (poker took a back seat just to see the last 20 mins of the Chelsea/Bayern game). Then in true "the bookie always wins" form saw Bayern take back the lead and put a large sum firmly back in his pocket!

Dodgy rebuys - I crashed out the second game and had already had my second chance.... as it was still early the table agreed to let me rebuy! They wanted my extra £20 but I ended up staging a gallant recovery and splitting the winnings!

Dodgy calls - Rik decided to call Sues preflop raise with a 7s5s and hit two spades on the flop. He then called another raise and hit the Flush. Sue was down and more or less out. Then a couple of hands later Sue went all in with a low stack, Rik called, Matt went all in with a large stack (but not a large as Riks!) then Rik had a big dwell up and decided to call with.........K3off! "WTF?" the table cried! Sue had rags but matt had 88. Of course the very first card down on the flop was a King and Matt/Sue were out in one hand. (leaving me and Rik to take the dosh!)

Was Rik's move inspired or just bad play? Well, we all know the answer to that one. Matt definitely knows the answer and Rik thinks he knows the answer.

What a great game!

"Comment from Matt - I say that call is a bad as shagging your best mate's girlfriend. Might feel good at the time, but you are sure are going to regret doing it!"

Response from Rik, "Good game, shame Matt is a bad loser, I like to play dirty! Sometimes!"

Response from Matt "Yeah, so your boyfriend says!"

Riverstars Game 6 -02/03/05 - Report - By Matt Barley (via Text message!)

As Steve White was out early and went home (BOO HOO!) I sent this text on the last hand…

Final hand of game two finished with Richard Wheatley all in for his last 7k with QT called by Sue Campbell sitting quietly with AA in the hole. Sues Aces held up…!

Results - Game 1 NLHE £10 -

1st Richard Wheatley £45

2nd Matt Barley £25

Game 2 NLHE £20 Rebuys for first 60 mins -

1st Sue Campbell £100

2nd Richard Wheatley £60

3rd Darren Barley £20

Riverstars Game 5 -25/01/05 - Report - By Steve White

Sorry guys didn't write it down, can't remember the results. Richard Wheatley did very well though and took most of the money home. Matt Barley brought along a new player in the shape of Ian Goodaham, a work colleague. Ian Played cautiously but competently, I'm sure we'll help him to improve his game….! Fun and education is the whole point of Riverstars after all.

Riverstars Game 4 -21/12/04 - Report - By Steve White -

We had a new boy in the shape of Richard Wheatley (no, not from Countdown I said Wheatley!) join us for this game. First impressions were that he knew what he was doing and was very unlucky not to take any winnings away. I hope Richard can come along again as we could use some more betting tips from him!

The Cozen brothers played loose and fast and, er lost. Rick played like a man possessed. Well possessed with some monster hands at the very least. Rick come 2nd in the first game, well done laddie! My nemesis (in his head) Matt Barley made 2nd in the 2nd game. Shame it was a winner takes all game then and Matt refused to deal!

So who won the beans? Well, ME! That's right both games No.1. What a great night! See you all next time…

Results - Game 1 NLHE -

1st Steve White

2nd Ricky Thompson

Game 2 NLHE -

1st Steve White

2nd Matt Barley

Riverstars Game 3 -16/10/04 - Report - By Matt Barley -

In the first game Matt Barley was bang on form. He took out Darren, Rick, Steve White, Sue and his own mother before agreeing 1st place with a ma-hoosive chip stack. The most outrageous hand being Rick's AA's being gunned down by Matts BB limp with T5off. Matt Barley hit 2 pair and Rick went home. The noobs (Ian Armstrong and Mark Thomas) were tighter than a pair of Kat Dealy's jeans, both holding their own well. This was proved in the second game. The main highlights being, Matt Barley hit two pair with AA in his hand and a flop of AA7........Steve White stayed in the hand with a pair of 3's, treating Matt's devious play with the contempt it often deserves. Fortunately for Steve the hand finished quite cheaply for about 4k of chips. Matt eventually got his come-uppence when he went all in with a pair of 3's to try to take Mark out of the game only to run into a pair of T's.

Results - Game 1 NLHE £10 rebuys for first 60 mins -

1st - Matt Barley - £80

2nd - Ian Armstrong - £40

3rd - Mark Thomas- £40

Game 2 NLHE £20 free rebuy or add on -

1st - Mark Thomas - £50

2nd - Ian Armstrong - £50

Riverstars Game 2 -15/09/04 - Report - By Steve White

Getting players to turn up was never going to be a problem or so I thought! Out of the 7 confirmed, only 4 showed. Ouch. 3 let downs on the night. I'd charge 'em but they may never come back. The next game will be on a Saturday so we will see how that goes. Please if you say you're coming - TURN UP!

Results - £20 NLHE 1 free re-buy OR add on -

1st= Sue Campbell £70

2nd= Steve White £10

3rd = Matt Barley

4th = Del Coggin

Riverstars Game 1 -18/08/04 - Report - By Steve White and Matt Barley

The 'official' Game 1 of the riverstars.com poker club was played last night. There was some good action and new boy Ricky Thompson held his own well.

Memorable hands of the night -

Steve Wren Vs Steve White. Steve flopped the nuts-flush and couldn’t have called Wrens all in bluff any faster. Fortunately Wren had won a few pots and wasn’t out. (Yet)

Matt Barley 97h vs Ricky Thompson KK. Matt tried to steal a big pot and Rick had hit trip Ks (Matt had to take re-buy)

Ricky Thompson 33 vs Steve Wren 42d. Steve all in against Rik with trip 3s. Wren had 42d for a very low Flush. (Rick out of Game 2)

Steve White Q9o vs Matt Barley AK. Steve was short stacked and looked to push for a reasonable pot. Called by Matts AK, Steve hit a T on the river for a Straight.

Matt Barley AK vs Steve Wren Q5 Matt had hit a K on the flop and doubled up from a small stack.

Sue Campbell 99 vs Steve Wrens 88. Sues cards held up for a double up.

Sue Campbell J9s vs Steve Wren AA. Sue went all in to steal blinds and some small action and ran in to pocket As, a flop of QT left her with 8 outs and the 8 gave her a straight to double up again.

Matt Barley A5 vs Steve Wren J2. Steve hit a low pair 2s and needed to go all in to survive. Unfortunately with the board showing 532 a 3 and a Q were no help and Wren was on his way home.

Results -Game 1 NLHE £10

1st= Matt Barley £20

1st=Steve White £20

3rd Ricky Thompson £0

4th Sue Campbell £0

Game 2 NLHE £20 1 free re-buy OR add on -

1st= Matt Barley £50

1st=Sue Campbell £50

3rd Steve Wren £0

4th Steve White £0

5th Rik Thompson £0

HOME GAME RULES

Homegame Rules shown here courtesy of Ali at www.cheeseypoker.co.uk

Here are some basic rules that the homegame will run by:

Management always has the final say in rulings.

Players will draw for seats at the beginning of each tournament and will be moved as required by management when merging tables. Once tickets are drawn and seat is designated, NO changes can be made. Absolutely NO swapping tickets to be on a different table.

If a player is required to move to balance tables, the big blind in the next hand will be the one moved. The player to the left of the player that was moved off of the table is then required to post the big blind.

The player to the left of the dealer shuffles and the player to the right of the dealer always cuts.

Cards must always be cut onto the cut card provided which must remain at the bottom of the deck until the hand is over. A cut of the deck must be no less than 3 cards at the top or bottom of the deck.

During the deal, if any card goes off of the table, it is a miss-deal.

During a deal, if any card becomes exposed and is seen by another player at the table, it is a miss-deal.

During a deal, if a card is accidentally entirely flipped over by the dealer whilst being dealt, the deal continues around the table in turn until completed. The next card on the deck is then given to the player who had the card flip over on them. The flipped over card then becomes the burn card for that hands flop.

Burn and turn at the same time. Do NOT deal the flop and then burn the next card (leaving the turn card exposed).

If the dealer burns and turns the flop prematurely, the burn card stays the same and the 3rd, 4th and 5th cards from the bottom of the deck become the new flop.

If the dealer burns and turns the turn or river prematurely, the burn card stays the same and the 3rd card from the bottom of the deck becomes the turn/river.

In the event that the player on the small blind is eliminated, the button moves to the empty seat and becomes a "dead button". The next two players in turn post the blinds as normal. No player at the table should miss putting in a small AND big blind in turn.

In the event that the player on the big blind is eliminated, the next hand will have a big blind only.

A player cannot be dealt into a hand if they join the table on the button or the small blind. They have to wait until the button passes them before they can be dealt a hand.

Acting out of turn is not allowed and is taken as a "moody".

If you bet/raise/check before it is your turn to act, your initial action stands.

If a player announces bet/raise, it is not correct to pass your cards before that player has announced how much their bet/raise is. Your folding could in turn make the player to your left fold etc. The bettor/raiser has then gained information on what is going to happen and his/her bet/raise could change accordingly.

Folding pre-flop on the big blind is considered a fold. If you forget that you are on the big blind and you fold your hand - it remains folded.

If you are one of two players left in a pot and you throw your cards into the muck then your hand is considered dead. The pot will be awarded to the last player to have not folded/mucked their hand whether it was winning or not.

It is your responsibility to protect your cards whilst in a pot. If they are mistakenly thrown in the muck by you or accidentally taken by the dealer, your hand is dead. PROTECT YOUR HAND!!

If you say "call and raise" it is taken as just a call. No string bets are allowed.

All bets/raises should be announced before the chips go into the pot. No throwing chips in without announcing what you are intending to do.

All verbal declarations are final. If you announce "All in" or "Raise Pot" etc, you must carry out the action.
Show one show all, cards and people. The showing all cards rule does not apply if there is no showdown.
Showing your cards when someone else is yet to act is a fold.

If you are not in the hand, do not comment about the hand.

A clock can be requested by any player in the hand, the clocked player then has 30 seconds to act. The clocked player must then make a decision.

Splashing the pot is not allowed and is considered inappropriate. Other players in the hand need to see how much you are betting/raising and can't tell if you splash the pot.

You must show both of your cards to be eligible to win any portion of the pot. The cards speak for themselves.

Keep cards and chips visible and on the table at all times.

Largest denomination chips should be visible to all players and should not be hidden behind larger stacks of smaller denominations.

A player is allowed to request a chip count from any player in the hand during his/her turn.

In the event of a break, all chips MUST remain at the table - do NOT remove chips from the table.

When the tables need to be cleared to make way for evening meal the chips will be counted, noted down against each persons name and then distributed back to each player when the game re-commences.

Heads up play: Small Blind is ALWAYS the dealer button. In the event that one of the last 2 players has to put in the big blind twice, then they have to put it in twice.

Any deal made between the final few players in a tournament, must be made aware to management so that it can be recorded for input into the standings

It is the players' responsibility to call out violations of the rules at which time management will make a ruling.

Management = Steve or Matt

In addition to the game rules above -

1st, 2nd and 3rd win cash prizes (4th gets initial re-buy back ONLY if we have 10 runners or more per game).

Prize Structure agreed on the night but typically 50%/30%/20%

Deals are allowed. The players involved ONLY determine prize split. Any points will be awarded on chip count at time of the deal.

If you are coming and arrive late but phone ahead, your blinds can be placed and your cards folded.

The Players

Steve "yt" White - Owner/Webmaster for Riverstars.com. I have won (and cashed out…) over £3000 online since April 04. Best wins include 2 online MTT for $2400 a piece. I also placed 3rd at Luton Casino in a £10 MTT for £650. Poker for me is an active hobby - I have a real job and my poker 'bankroll' (if you can call it that) is around $200 a month although when (if!) I get up to $1200 I normally cash out the $1000 to spend! I'm not nearly as good as I think I am…. and to prove it, lose most of the Homegames! However Matt Barley's generous 'contributions' to my bankroll do help to feed my children.

Steve@riverstars.com

Matt Barley - Riverstars founder member along with myself. Homegames are played at Matts house. Matt started playing poker in 2003. Since then he has lost a considerable amount of money on Pokerstars and nearly all of it to 'bad beats'… He takes losing reasonably well, but has been known to use very strong language when a Fish on a draw puts him out of a tournament. He is a good Tournament and live action player and frequents the money if he can get through the early stages. Just keep Matt away from the online cash games and everything will be fine…

Matt@riverstars.com

Richard Wheatley - A Bear of a man who knows a thing or two about poker as well. Quite Hairy. Pro gambler by trade although poker is not his primary game. His tales of huge bets left us in awe... Is taking home the beans at most of our games. Has played in the Luton casino festival £500 game but didn't make the money…

Rikky Thompson - Wet behind the ears but that never stopped him out playing Matt Barley on the opening night. Has quickly gone from noob to winning player. Just started on Pokerstars lets hope he makes some dough.

Ian Armstrong - Played tight as a ducks ahem. Works for Tesco! Ian Armstrong and Mark Thomas have their own homegame, which I hope to visit one day.

Mark Thomas - Played tight as a ducks ahem. Works for Tesco! Ian Armstrong and Mark Thomas have their own homegame, which I hope to visit one day.

Derek Coggin - Wide-boy, wheeler-dealer, window-fitter. Is always seen with a bankroll that could beat a donkey to death with. Cash donor to the rest of us!

Steve Wren - Self styled Poker God and DevilFish Fan. Plays junk hands like they are AA. Did quite well on it too! If only he had the patience to add to his game he might win some money…

Sue Campbell - Matt Barley's better half. Likes to play on Pokerstars herself (sue1978) and has done reasonably well. Almost always makes the money on the home game. Likes vodka and wants to be a Plumber.

Darren Barley - Matt Barley's Brother. Wild and outrageous plays make up his game. Comical bets in ridiculous situations are his forte. This does mean you can't read the b'stard and have no idea what he holds. I must reluctantly admit he is a good player (I'm not bitter at all, honest!).

Matt Cozens - Sometime plays loose but more recently has tightened up. Yet to win here though.

John Cozens - Skint brother to Matt Cozens. It has been suspected for some time that these two brothers have a 'System' know only to themselves. Shame the 'System' involves them losing a lot of cash.

Ian Gooderham - New to poker but seem to be playing just fine. Hasn't won any money yet but just needs to loosen up then the cash will flow.