Bust and Breakthrough

It was a somewhat eventful weekend. I spent most of Saturday nursing a Black Label hangover. But I was fine by that evening in time for poker at Paulywood Park. No. That has nothing to do with Dr. Pauly. I don’t know him. Paulywood Park is the name coined by Kid Crash for our friend Paul’s home and monthly games held there.

Until a couple months ago, we played every other Saturday at Paul’s: $20 buy-in NLH tourneys (2 or 3 each night depending on how many players stuck around). At its height, the tourneys drew 40 people. When it was slow, we still had over 20. Now that’s damn good for a home game. Now we only play on the last Saturday of every month. Apparently, the wife wasn’t too thrilled about the frequency of poker night.

But I think its better now. We play with a $50 buy-in, begin an hour earlier, and start with 5000 in chips instead of the previous 1200. It’s a format suited to better overall poker. We also still get in 2 tournaments. I managed to win the inaugural $50 tourney in January. I’m also very happy with my play in the other three that we’ve had so far even though I did not cash in them. In fact, this last Saturday, I was one off the bubble in the first game and out on the bubble in the second. I’m not proud of being the bubble boy. Its just an indication of my longevity even when I don’t win. I didn’t allow myself to get short stacked in either run. I just happened to run my decent hands (like A-6s) into better hands (like A-Js…thanks a bunch, Kid.)

In addition to playing well, I had a blast. I was blurting whatever silliness entered my mind and I had a great audience. Everyone was laughing along. I think that actually helps me play my best…When I’m having a good time and don’t have to clam up around a bunch of rocks hiding behind whatever won’t slide off their heads.

One of the most enjoyable parts of the night was an apparent breakthrough for Kid Crash. He has already blogged about it so I’ll just say that he cashed in both tourneys and played great in doing so.

On Sunday, I decided to submit a claim with my insurance company for the damage to the Firebird. Monday morning was street cleaning so I had to get it moved. Since it isn’t drivable in its current state, and the police had not yet assigned a detective to my case, I had to move things forward on my own (with the help of State Farm.) So I woke up at 5:30am today (Why!?!) so I would have enough time to call AAA and get a tow truck over to move the car before 8am. Believe it or not, that went smoothly. My plan is to get it fixed and waste no time in selling it and buying a new bedroom set. Then I can focus on the Mustang.

Coming soon: Pool, my mom’s birthday, and Lebowski Fest.

SEEYa