Apologies are in order for the lack of recent updates.

A better writer and probably a better poker player than I once called poker "A hard way to make an easy living".

Boy, was he was right!

I was so buoyant after the near miss at the WSOPE, I felt the big score was just around the corner. Tristan had promised dinner at the Chef’s table at Petrus when one of Team Withnail hit a final table and I had allowed myself a long perusal of the online menu. That was Bad karma for sure.

In the three events since, I’ve suffered more pain than an unwanted ginger stepson.

No-one likes a badbeat moaner, and indeed not all my misery was down to misfortune. In Amsterdam, I badly misplayed a hand against two aggressive young Scandis. Fight fire with fire! I wilted under their aggression and went out with a whimper.

I can't take any blame for my demise at the WPT Bellagio. I played some great stuff, changing gears and picking my spots beautifully. Then three bad beats (2 two outers and a three outer) in quick succession sent me scuttling to the rail. I should have been chip leader half way through day 3. Instead I was ensconced in the bar with Withnail and the Novice, licking our collective wounds.

Australia was a fantastic trip. Cricket at the SCG, Racing at Caulfield and Tennis at Flinders Park. The sightseeing was fantastic, the poker a nightmare. I’d hardly got comfortable in my seat before I’d parlayed my 20,000 starting stack into 90k in chips. The average was showing at 25k. I could go to my room and have a kip, have a relaxing massage (if only Mr Channing would let someone else use one of the girls!) or have a nice swim in the Crown's beautiful pool. But no. I eschewed this choice, decided to try and win the tournament during level 5 and literally gave my chips away. It was embarrassing, distressing and disappointing.

I've had a couple of weeks to dwell on all this and I'm coming back determined to put the record straight. Those Uruguayans don't know what's about to hit them!

The Coach