That is my contribution to the poker lexicon. YBM,S stands for "You been min-ed, son!" Online or off, its perfect for both mocking and celebrating one of the weakest plays in NL poker, the min-raise. (When I say it is weak, I am mostly referring to an open-raise pre-flop.)
On the poker front...I finally got out and played a real game last Friday at the Bike. It was the usual 5-5 NLH ($300-500 buy-in) game. Nothing of major note occurred. I played tight and aggressive while looking to get some shots at three very soft players. I got my piece of one of them when I raised in late position with A-K and was called by 3 players including one of the softies who had limped in (as he did with most hands). The flop was Ac-Tc-Ad and Softy, first to act, lead out for $100. I only had about $340 but had him covered (about 300 tot). I loved that he had bet into me but was faced with determining the optimal play. Can I get more out him if I just call or should I move in right there so he might put me on a pair lower than Ts? I couldn't solidly put him on an Ace. If I could, the decision would be easy. Instead, I decided to move in to protect against possible club draws behind me and hope Softy could talk himself in to calling.
He thought briefly while shaking his head but did make the call. The turn and river didn't appear to help him and I turned up my hand. He showed A-5o and I took down a nice pot, about $700. Over the next couple of hours, I worked my stack up over $800 with small pots. After 4 hours of play, I decided to call it quits as two of the soft players had been busted and left and the remaining players were way too tight/trappy. So I booked my first good win in a while: +480.
Away from the felt...My friend, Joanna, is in town with three of her girl friends. I took them to Q's in Santa Monica on their first night where they met my friends Mike and Brian. On Thursday, I joined the girls at Magic Mountain. I hadn't been there in many years and was a bit hesitant. My worry was too many people and long lines. There was some of that but it was still pretty fun. And damn! They have a ton of rides now. Way more than when I was a kid. I don't think its possible to hit every ride in one day. We only made it on six thanks to more than 2 hours in line for "X". We all agreed the best ride (of those we went on) was Tatsu. I love its tag line: "Fly at the speed of Fear." As the Samurai would say, "Bitchin'!".
I was thinking about meeting up with Jo again tonight at Universal City Walk but I decided to pass since I will be going to Vegas with them tomorrow. As it stands, it'll be five days in the desert with four British women. I may have to cut it short by a day at least, if you know what I mean. Just kidding. I am expecting to have a lot of fun with some poker peppered in.
Now I'm going to do something I normally wouldn't...tell about a new girl I met. After four days on antibiotics last week, I decided I was well and would risk quitting so I could meet some friends and drink. I met up with Fred, Kristy, Scott, and Carolina (known to SMC as "Worlds Collide") at El Torito. After that, I went to another friend's house with Fred and Christy expecting to drink and play corn hole with the usual unsingle people who have no single, attractive female friends.
I was caught off guard when Christy introduced me to a married woman who asked if I was single. My reaction lead her to think I wasn't looking and the subject went nowhere. Then I saw a blonde chick in a Tenacious D shirt and asked if that was who she was talking about. Yep, that's Gretchen. So I took it upon myself to strike up a conversation. It went so well, we ended up talking until everyone else started to leave. The party was over but Gretchen was up for more hanging out back at Fred's house. Long story short, she's really fun and cool. We're going to try to get together next week. That may be another reason to cut my Vegas trip short. I hope it works out in spite of writing about it before it happens.
Side story...I felt fine on Sunday, other than a hangover, but started to feel my throat getting sore again. I decided I could try getting back on the antibiotic since I still had six days worth left. It might still work. The only problem was that I wouldn't be able to drink when I took out Jo and her friends. That was painful but the thought of being healthy and ready to do some serious drinking in Vegas helped me through.
I took my last pill a little while ago. I'm so looking forward for some Guinness tomorrow.
I was thinking about writing about Chris Benoit because I'm a big wrestling fan. But maybe another time.
SEEYa
Friday, June 29, 2007
Friday, June 22, 2007
pokito
Over the last three days, I've been playing micro-limit on UB since I'm on the bench right now and had $5 in my account. I have played micro in the past as an exercise in playing tight...tight/smart poker when the amount has no meaning really helps develop patience. This time around, I have been playing in the background while getting other things done on the compy. The results have been good. There still aint much in the account, but its growing.
I have managed to avoid getting bored and raising in early and middle positions with weak hands. I've also stayed away from calling raises out of position or when I would most likely have to hit the flop big to win. So I've avoided trap hands and vulnerable spots and developed a new understanding of small-ball.
In three days I have only been involved in 2 all-in pots where I was behind. In each hand, my opponent disquised his hand well. So I had good reason to move in or call (as the case was). Here are the deets:
Hand 1 --
Limped with 9-9 in middle position. One late and two early callers.
Flop: 8-T-T
Checked to me and I bet out just under the pot amount.
Player behind me calls and others fold.
Now I'm ready to shut down.
Turn: K
I checked and he bet out just under the pot amount.
Now I'm back in because he's not likely to bet like that holding a 10 and I don't expect the K to have helped him.
I raised all-in for about 4x his bet so there is plenty of fold equity.
He calls and I know I need a 9.
River: 9
He shows J-J
I win with three 9's.
player: Nice river LOL.
darsky: You disquised your hand so well. Had me right where you wanted me.
darsky: Its a good thing I know how to luckbox.
player: Please teach me.
darsky: If only I could.
player: LOL. Its cool.
Hand 2 --
Damn! I forgot the details of this hand. But it is pretty similar to the other one. Only major diff is that I checked-called my opponents all-in because it didn't make sense the way the hand played out. He did have an over-pair but I had a pair with an open-ended draw which came for me.
Same kind of chat following the hand in which I let him know that he disguised his hand very well and I'm a luckbox.
Those are the only two hands like that from about 500. I think that's pretty good.
I'm feeling great now but I have to stay on my antibiotics for several days. Went to Howl at the Moon last night and Club Vodka at the Key Club tonight. U-n-bearable! I can't drink while I'm on the Rx but I really needed to to endure the horrible singers at HatM and the always boring Key Club. But I smartly abstained. I'll have to avoid places like that this weekend.
I've stopped trying to make plans for Vegas or poker or anything in general since nothing has been working out. I'm on permanent vacation until further notice (I guess that would be 'indefinite vacation'). As for alcohol, next week, ITS ON. ITS O-O-O-ON!
SEEYa
I have managed to avoid getting bored and raising in early and middle positions with weak hands. I've also stayed away from calling raises out of position or when I would most likely have to hit the flop big to win. So I've avoided trap hands and vulnerable spots and developed a new understanding of small-ball.
In three days I have only been involved in 2 all-in pots where I was behind. In each hand, my opponent disquised his hand well. So I had good reason to move in or call (as the case was). Here are the deets:
Hand 1 --
Limped with 9-9 in middle position. One late and two early callers.
Flop: 8-T-T
Checked to me and I bet out just under the pot amount.
Player behind me calls and others fold.
Now I'm ready to shut down.
Turn: K
I checked and he bet out just under the pot amount.
Now I'm back in because he's not likely to bet like that holding a 10 and I don't expect the K to have helped him.
I raised all-in for about 4x his bet so there is plenty of fold equity.
He calls and I know I need a 9.
River: 9
He shows J-J
I win with three 9's.
player: Nice river LOL.
darsky: You disquised your hand so well. Had me right where you wanted me.
darsky: Its a good thing I know how to luckbox.
player: Please teach me.
darsky: If only I could.
player: LOL. Its cool.
Hand 2 --
Damn! I forgot the details of this hand. But it is pretty similar to the other one. Only major diff is that I checked-called my opponents all-in because it didn't make sense the way the hand played out. He did have an over-pair but I had a pair with an open-ended draw which came for me.
Same kind of chat following the hand in which I let him know that he disguised his hand very well and I'm a luckbox.
Those are the only two hands like that from about 500. I think that's pretty good.
I'm feeling great now but I have to stay on my antibiotics for several days. Went to Howl at the Moon last night and Club Vodka at the Key Club tonight. U-n-bearable! I can't drink while I'm on the Rx but I really needed to to endure the horrible singers at HatM and the always boring Key Club. But I smartly abstained. I'll have to avoid places like that this weekend.
I've stopped trying to make plans for Vegas or poker or anything in general since nothing has been working out. I'm on permanent vacation until further notice (I guess that would be 'indefinite vacation'). As for alcohol, next week, ITS ON. ITS O-O-O-ON!
SEEYa
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Sitting Unpretty
So this is where I'm at...sickish.
My throat has continued to feel sore. Today, I finally went to a doctor (an ENT) and he put me on an antibiotic. That means I can't drink for the next ten days while I am taking it. In the meantime (during the meanwhilst?), I will be hoping to feel better so I can finally go to Vegas. Broken record, I know. But I'd rather not drive 330 miles only to sit in a hotel room feeling like crap or head right back. It would be a mistake to play poker if I was in bad shape.
Right now, I feel just fine so I'm hopeful. Since I'm still here, though, I will probably end up going to see Knocked Up with some friends tommorrow. I might even go to Howl At The Moon with my sister. That might suck without the benefit of alcohol but its still an option. Of course, the Bike is running its "Mini Series of Poker" right now so there should be some action. That might become the plan for Thursday. I've got to do something.
The Mini Series is a pretty nice idea that they have been doing for at least a few years now. Its runs at the same time as the WSOP and is made up of the same events as the WSOP but with small buy-ins. I won't be looking to play in any of those. The cash games should be sort of fat along side the tourneys.
I've been thinking alot lately about gambling in general, not just poker. The green felt jungle has been drawing me back. I really want to get back to playing more pool. I'm about three balls short of my peak which was three or four years ago at least. I have only been playing, at most, once a week for the last two years with my APA team. While I have lost some shooting touch, I have found my defensive skills conversely improving. My mental game is strong. Its the only thing that has kept me at a high competetive level. Now I see how much better I can be. And while there isn't much action to be found in pool rooms anymore, it would be a nice complement to the poker grind (when I'm all the way in).
For tonight, I'm going to hit the gym for the first time in two weeks. Damn!
SEEYa
My throat has continued to feel sore. Today, I finally went to a doctor (an ENT) and he put me on an antibiotic. That means I can't drink for the next ten days while I am taking it. In the meantime (during the meanwhilst?), I will be hoping to feel better so I can finally go to Vegas. Broken record, I know. But I'd rather not drive 330 miles only to sit in a hotel room feeling like crap or head right back. It would be a mistake to play poker if I was in bad shape.
Right now, I feel just fine so I'm hopeful. Since I'm still here, though, I will probably end up going to see Knocked Up with some friends tommorrow. I might even go to Howl At The Moon with my sister. That might suck without the benefit of alcohol but its still an option. Of course, the Bike is running its "Mini Series of Poker" right now so there should be some action. That might become the plan for Thursday. I've got to do something.
The Mini Series is a pretty nice idea that they have been doing for at least a few years now. Its runs at the same time as the WSOP and is made up of the same events as the WSOP but with small buy-ins. I won't be looking to play in any of those. The cash games should be sort of fat along side the tourneys.
I've been thinking alot lately about gambling in general, not just poker. The green felt jungle has been drawing me back. I really want to get back to playing more pool. I'm about three balls short of my peak which was three or four years ago at least. I have only been playing, at most, once a week for the last two years with my APA team. While I have lost some shooting touch, I have found my defensive skills conversely improving. My mental game is strong. Its the only thing that has kept me at a high competetive level. Now I see how much better I can be. And while there isn't much action to be found in pool rooms anymore, it would be a nice complement to the poker grind (when I'm all the way in).
For tonight, I'm going to hit the gym for the first time in two weeks. Damn!
SEEYa
Thursday, June 14, 2007
As Joe Hachem Would Say
Mothaaa........
It appears forces may be aligning against me. I can't seem to get anything going my way. After writing last night, I realized I had already been awake for 22 hours. Add 4 hours of driving and an immediate session and I would be tired before I even got started. So I decided to get some sleep and start my way to where the action is in daylight hours.
Set my alarm for 10am. Kid texted me at 9:51am. I woke up and went back to sleep until the alarm sounded and I awoke again. As I usually do when I don't have to get up, I went back to sleep. An hour later, I woke and found my throat was soar once again. Disappointed, I thought some more sleep might help....not really...I just had no desire to face the day if it meant I wasn't well enough to travel.
I ended up sleeping on and off until 3pm. My throat still hurts a little and that has me concerned. Its been the same way for a week. I feel fine throughout the day but not-sa-gud after sleeping. Its not that I "feel" sick, its just that I haven't been totally right for a while.
Being 4pm now, I have a few hours to assess the situation. I might get out of here around 8 or 9 o'clock. If not, I might just wait until tomorrow and go the opposite direction heading for Santa Barbara. I haven't been to Chumash in ages and its a hell of a lot shorter drive. Plus I can hang out with Kid Crash while I'm up there. Then I can go to Vegas on Monday as I had planned this week. I already made sure I haven't forgotten plans or a gov't mandate so I won't have anything but health standing in my way (OMG! Kissed!).
What the hell is wrong with me? That's the second time in a week that I have kissed something via this blog. FYI, to "kiss" something is to give it the kiss of death. Its a natural ability that not everybody has. Joe, Lewis, SMC, and I (aka: LSD) all have it. I think its strongest in Joe and me probably because we are the most negative. And for those of you wondering why I would write something if I realize it is a kiss, there's no avoiding it. For the people like me, all it takes is thinking it. That's as good as saying or writing it. Its already out there and nothing can change that. For instance, I was once driving solo from San Diego to L.A. and was cruising along when I thought about the fact that I had not hit any traffic. SCREEEECH. As I sat in traffic the rest of the way, I suddenly thought, "Well at least its not raining." Guess what happened next. Within a couple seconds, the first drop hit my windshield.
Anyway, I'm saying I might be responsible for my current situation.
SEEYa
It appears forces may be aligning against me. I can't seem to get anything going my way. After writing last night, I realized I had already been awake for 22 hours. Add 4 hours of driving and an immediate session and I would be tired before I even got started. So I decided to get some sleep and start my way to where the action is in daylight hours.
Set my alarm for 10am. Kid texted me at 9:51am. I woke up and went back to sleep until the alarm sounded and I awoke again. As I usually do when I don't have to get up, I went back to sleep. An hour later, I woke and found my throat was soar once again. Disappointed, I thought some more sleep might help....not really...I just had no desire to face the day if it meant I wasn't well enough to travel.
I ended up sleeping on and off until 3pm. My throat still hurts a little and that has me concerned. Its been the same way for a week. I feel fine throughout the day but not-sa-gud after sleeping. Its not that I "feel" sick, its just that I haven't been totally right for a while.
Being 4pm now, I have a few hours to assess the situation. I might get out of here around 8 or 9 o'clock. If not, I might just wait until tomorrow and go the opposite direction heading for Santa Barbara. I haven't been to Chumash in ages and its a hell of a lot shorter drive. Plus I can hang out with Kid Crash while I'm up there. Then I can go to Vegas on Monday as I had planned this week. I already made sure I haven't forgotten plans or a gov't mandate so I won't have anything but health standing in my way (OMG! Kissed!).
What the hell is wrong with me? That's the second time in a week that I have kissed something via this blog. FYI, to "kiss" something is to give it the kiss of death. Its a natural ability that not everybody has. Joe, Lewis, SMC, and I (aka: LSD) all have it. I think its strongest in Joe and me probably because we are the most negative. And for those of you wondering why I would write something if I realize it is a kiss, there's no avoiding it. For the people like me, all it takes is thinking it. That's as good as saying or writing it. Its already out there and nothing can change that. For instance, I was once driving solo from San Diego to L.A. and was cruising along when I thought about the fact that I had not hit any traffic. SCREEEECH. As I sat in traffic the rest of the way, I suddenly thought, "Well at least its not raining." Guess what happened next. Within a couple seconds, the first drop hit my windshield.
Anyway, I'm saying I might be responsible for my current situation.
SEEYa
Qvick Vpdate
I approached the 101 FWY at 7am and decided to go right. Unfortunately, Vegas is to the left. I went to jury duty and, as always, sat around all day for nothing. The only highlight was a young woman in pink. She was the only thing worth looking at. Everyone else was really tough on the eyes. Then I saw a baby with one eye at Starbucks. It looked like she was born without a right eye rather than losing it later. She was really cute anyway.
After only 4 hours sleep and a long day of sitting around and reading, I'm kinda tired. Its now almost 3:30am Thursday morning and I'm ready to hit the road. But I'm not sure I can stay awake for that long drive to Vegas by myself. It goes by fast with someone to talk to.
An option is to get some sleep and leave before midday. But its supposed to be 103 to 107 degrees along the way and I'd really like to avoid driving in that...out of respect for my Bullitt.
I'll make up my mind in the next 15 minutes. Either way, I will be in Las Vegas today.
SEEYa
After only 4 hours sleep and a long day of sitting around and reading, I'm kinda tired. Its now almost 3:30am Thursday morning and I'm ready to hit the road. But I'm not sure I can stay awake for that long drive to Vegas by myself. It goes by fast with someone to talk to.
An option is to get some sleep and leave before midday. But its supposed to be 103 to 107 degrees along the way and I'd really like to avoid driving in that...out of respect for my Bullitt.
I'll make up my mind in the next 15 minutes. Either way, I will be in Las Vegas today.
SEEYa
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Feelin' Better
I woke up feeling better today. I think I'm healthy again. Unfortunately, I have to report for jury duty on Wednesday. I have group 038. They called 003 through 029 for today so I knew my group would come up. Sure enough, I just called the notifaction line and got the bad news.
I have been thinking about just not going. I mean, come on, what are they going to do? Until now, it hasn't been a real option since I have been sick. But now I'm thinking about it. If I do go to JD, best case will be hanging around for one day then hitting Vegas on Thursday. Worst case, I get selected for a jury. Then who knows. But I doubt I would be chosen as I have a background in insurance claims investigation. They apparently don't like taking people who have a solid understanding of the law and contracts. So, even though I don't do that work anymore, I'll still tell them that I do.
I haven't made up my mind yet. Sin City could be in the cards for tonight or Thursday. I am really dying to play and, hopefully, make some money.
SEEYa
I have been thinking about just not going. I mean, come on, what are they going to do? Until now, it hasn't been a real option since I have been sick. But now I'm thinking about it. If I do go to JD, best case will be hanging around for one day then hitting Vegas on Thursday. Worst case, I get selected for a jury. Then who knows. But I doubt I would be chosen as I have a background in insurance claims investigation. They apparently don't like taking people who have a solid understanding of the law and contracts. So, even though I don't do that work anymore, I'll still tell them that I do.
I haven't made up my mind yet. Sin City could be in the cards for tonight or Thursday. I am really dying to play and, hopefully, make some money.
SEEYa
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Its Not a Sport But...
I'm happy to say that I have not recently had to hear the whole "is poker a sport" discussion. Its always been a pathetic subject as far as I am concerned. Its not a sport. But there are elements common to poker and sports.
This occurred to me today as I watched the French Open tennis finals between Nadal and Federer. Damn those guys are great! And (spoiler alert), althought it didn't come down to a fifth set, they each had moments of being in control of the match and their opponent. The momentum swung several times. That's a huge aspect of athletic competion. When one side has a big lead, they can slow things down, playing safer to protect the lead. But that opens the door for the opponent to take an aggressive stance and turn things around.
It can work the same way in poker. Whether in a tourney or cash game, it comes into play. You hear about people being able to change gears during play usually when describing some winner's "skills" in confusing his opponents. Its not just about playing the same type of hand in different ways so nobody can put you on it. I think the true skill is knowing how to find a spot where you can take control of the course of play (momentum) then maintain that.
Many times, I have started a session slowly, just waiting for a playable hand to get things going. I've noted in the past how important it can be to win the first hand so you don't have to play from behind, as far as stacks go, from the get go. So its easy to play when your picking up cards, hitting draws, and have alot in play. But when its not going that way, someone else is certainly rolling and raising and you're usually playing from behind in every hand. Its hard to push back in those cases and make things happen for yourself.
I recently found myself in just such a spot in our home game. In the first tourney of the night, I started off hot at a passive table. I was able to take the lead in many pots and take down several without making hands. The result was a 2nd place finish. In the second tourney, play was significantly different. Several different players with different styles than my first table of the first tourney. Mainly, there were more calling stations. I didn't win any of the first 4 hands I played and found myself needing to reevaluate my approach. I was going to have to tighten up and take advantage of the players who would most likely pay me off while avoiding them when I didn't have a made hand. That's what I call "Folding Into First." Play became uneventful for me and the next thing I knew, we were three-handed and I had the chip lead. I had picked up some momentum when we got to the bubble and kept it going. The result was another 2nd place finish. The same good result thanks to knowing when and how to switch things up.
Its Sunday night and my plan has been to go to Vegas tomorrow. Oops. I forgot that I was summoned for jury duty this week. Luckily its in Ventura county where they assign you to a group number and have a phone system to let you find out if your group has to report the next morning. My group is 038 and Monday is groups 001 through 003. I have to call in each evening this week to find out if my group is selected. I might not have to report at all. I'm still going to Vegas, though. When I leave will all depend on how well I feel and the jury duty. My plan is still to hit the road tommorrow but now I'm going to leave at night so I'll have already been able to find out about JD. And I'm still not 100% healthy either.
Thanks to a cough, I didn't sleep at all on Friday night. In fact, I gave up trying to sleep after 45 minutes and just watched TV until leaving early for the pool tournament that started at 9am. I played the worst offensive game of my life but was able to keep things interesting with some creative defense. Our team won even though I lost. I didn't have to play in the matches that evening so I skipped the event all together and played both poker toureys at Paul's house. Beforehand, Kid Crash, Kirk and I met for some beers. The combination of tired and a couple beers didn't effect my play but I know I appeared loopy as I was talking up a storm throughout the first tourney. No points, no cashes. Then I dropped a little in the side games. But it was fun. We finished up at 3:30am. That's a damn good run at Paul's. Of course, we finished with the traditional Del Taco run.
On my way home, I encountered a fool in red shorts and shirt walking in the middle of the road. I drove as far away from him as possible as I passed. I hope he was only drunk or high. But in L.A., he might have been completely straight and sane. Some people are just assholes. I made it past him and home without incident.
After 40+ hours I was finally able to sleep. Woke up at 5pm Sunday. I hope I can sleep tonight and maybe I'll feel up to snuff tommorrow.
SEEYa
This occurred to me today as I watched the French Open tennis finals between Nadal and Federer. Damn those guys are great! And (spoiler alert), althought it didn't come down to a fifth set, they each had moments of being in control of the match and their opponent. The momentum swung several times. That's a huge aspect of athletic competion. When one side has a big lead, they can slow things down, playing safer to protect the lead. But that opens the door for the opponent to take an aggressive stance and turn things around.
It can work the same way in poker. Whether in a tourney or cash game, it comes into play. You hear about people being able to change gears during play usually when describing some winner's "skills" in confusing his opponents. Its not just about playing the same type of hand in different ways so nobody can put you on it. I think the true skill is knowing how to find a spot where you can take control of the course of play (momentum) then maintain that.
Many times, I have started a session slowly, just waiting for a playable hand to get things going. I've noted in the past how important it can be to win the first hand so you don't have to play from behind, as far as stacks go, from the get go. So its easy to play when your picking up cards, hitting draws, and have alot in play. But when its not going that way, someone else is certainly rolling and raising and you're usually playing from behind in every hand. Its hard to push back in those cases and make things happen for yourself.
I recently found myself in just such a spot in our home game. In the first tourney of the night, I started off hot at a passive table. I was able to take the lead in many pots and take down several without making hands. The result was a 2nd place finish. In the second tourney, play was significantly different. Several different players with different styles than my first table of the first tourney. Mainly, there were more calling stations. I didn't win any of the first 4 hands I played and found myself needing to reevaluate my approach. I was going to have to tighten up and take advantage of the players who would most likely pay me off while avoiding them when I didn't have a made hand. That's what I call "Folding Into First." Play became uneventful for me and the next thing I knew, we were three-handed and I had the chip lead. I had picked up some momentum when we got to the bubble and kept it going. The result was another 2nd place finish. The same good result thanks to knowing when and how to switch things up.
Its Sunday night and my plan has been to go to Vegas tomorrow. Oops. I forgot that I was summoned for jury duty this week. Luckily its in Ventura county where they assign you to a group number and have a phone system to let you find out if your group has to report the next morning. My group is 038 and Monday is groups 001 through 003. I have to call in each evening this week to find out if my group is selected. I might not have to report at all. I'm still going to Vegas, though. When I leave will all depend on how well I feel and the jury duty. My plan is still to hit the road tommorrow but now I'm going to leave at night so I'll have already been able to find out about JD. And I'm still not 100% healthy either.
Thanks to a cough, I didn't sleep at all on Friday night. In fact, I gave up trying to sleep after 45 minutes and just watched TV until leaving early for the pool tournament that started at 9am. I played the worst offensive game of my life but was able to keep things interesting with some creative defense. Our team won even though I lost. I didn't have to play in the matches that evening so I skipped the event all together and played both poker toureys at Paul's house. Beforehand, Kid Crash, Kirk and I met for some beers. The combination of tired and a couple beers didn't effect my play but I know I appeared loopy as I was talking up a storm throughout the first tourney. No points, no cashes. Then I dropped a little in the side games. But it was fun. We finished up at 3:30am. That's a damn good run at Paul's. Of course, we finished with the traditional Del Taco run.
On my way home, I encountered a fool in red shorts and shirt walking in the middle of the road. I drove as far away from him as possible as I passed. I hope he was only drunk or high. But in L.A., he might have been completely straight and sane. Some people are just assholes. I made it past him and home without incident.
After 40+ hours I was finally able to sleep. Woke up at 5pm Sunday. I hope I can sleep tonight and maybe I'll feel up to snuff tommorrow.
SEEYa
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
OMG, I'm Back Agaiaaan!
Gosh it seems like just a year ago yesterday that I last wrote. I was thinking about it today and finally wrapped up a thought about it that began several months ago... I no longer think anyone would care to read about what's up in my life because telling the tales involve either bitching or bragging. Or at least I see how it could come across that way. When I began posting my thoughts over a year ago, the subject matter was mainly about work and that is something people definitely relate to. So even when I was pissing and moaning, I figured someone out there would relate. In fact, that was the whole point of posting my thoughts. It helped me understand that I wasn't the only one hating my job and shit like that. (you may notice I got tired or that last sentence before I could finish it.)
Well I am going to try to start writing again with no particluar goal in mind. If anything, it is interesting to go back over the things I wrote many months back just to see how or if my perspective has changed. I drafted a few things that were never posted because they were either unfinished or too personal. Looking back, there was some good stuff in those texts that I could expound upon or draw ideas from for new compositions. And I will certainly try to start writing about poker again.
I always like to read others' poker posts. One thing common among them is self aggrandizing one's own skills (not sure about that prase). People talk about their losses from major suck-outs or how they continually trounce everyone they come up against. Yet they don't play professionally or even derive significant funds from playing. Well, I do play professionally but have never stated my own superiority. That is about to change...sort of.
I haven't managed to play much in the last couple of weeks. But in the past couple months, I feel confident in saying I have been playing top notch. I started focusing on reads, trying to put people on hands whether I was in the hand or not. It has resulted in better overall play. My reads have been, for the most part, spot on. Sometimes even getting the right read on an opponent from no particular information. I think that is a side effect of paying attention. In addition to excellent reads, I've been making correct decisions. Barry Greenstein calls it the optimal play.
I feel great about myself as all this has come together. I've simply been playing terrific poker. Unfortunately, I have to admit my monitary results don't tell the same story. I guess that is the sad potential outcome of no-limit play. You can play perfectly for hours only to be drawn out on in one big hand that basically ends a long session. That's what has happened most recently. One way around this would be to play limit games. But I'm not too fond of limit Hold'em and Omaha and Stud just aren't played much in L.A. The simple fact is that NLH is where all the action is. At any hour of any day I can be in action in a NLH game in about 30 minutes whether its 10-20 or 1-2 blinds. Besides, I am damn good at it. I'm hoping I will just go on a month-long rush.
It needs to happen soon, though. I love to play and would like to continue being able to call it my profession but that can't happen until I start to pay some bills out of my table stake.
One thing I realized just yesterday is that I have been wasting my time. I have the freedom to go anywhere I want whenever I want. So I don't need to stay close to home when I could hit the road at the drop of a hat. I've been a little sick this week so home is the place to be. And I have a team pool tourney in Simi Valley this weekend so I have to stick around for that. But come Monday, I'm putting rubber to the road and heading to Vegas. The WSOP is underway so I won't have any trouble finding action all week long. Now is the time. But I'll be doing it differently than ever before.
I have always had a plan for Vegas trips including (especially) a place to stay. Not this time. I could book a cheap room somewhere but why bother, really? I already have reservations at MGM for the week of July 1 when I will be there with Joanna and her friends from England. This time, I'm flying solo so I might as well wing it for a change. And who knows. I might spend to first 48 hours in a game so a room would go waste. Or I might come up winner in the first session or two and be able to choose nicer accommodations. If all else fails, I could get a cheapo off-strip litterbox just to sleep and clean up. I checked online and there are plenty of places available. I swear there are so many hotels now, the town might not be able to sell out anymore. (kissed!)
But before all that, Saturday will include the afformentioned pool tourney and the home poker tourney at Paul's. In addition to the normal payouts, we are doing a point system and small percentage from each buy-in that will go to a big tourney at the end of the year. I'm currently at the top of the points race with 24 (5 for a 1st place finish, 4 for second, etc.) and a nice lead. The points will translate into extra chips in the final tourney. I think its 200 chips/point. So I'm already going to be in great shape. If things go well in the pool tourney, I won't be able to play in the first poker tourney this week so I'm kinda torn. I don't want my team to lose at pool but I really don't want to miss any poker at Paullywood Park. And with all this going on, I already had to pass on seeing Tesla at the HOB Sunset. That sucks. I guess I could have worse troubles.
This turned into quite a post. Maybe I'll be able to make a habit of it.
SEEYa
Well I am going to try to start writing again with no particluar goal in mind. If anything, it is interesting to go back over the things I wrote many months back just to see how or if my perspective has changed. I drafted a few things that were never posted because they were either unfinished or too personal. Looking back, there was some good stuff in those texts that I could expound upon or draw ideas from for new compositions. And I will certainly try to start writing about poker again.
I always like to read others' poker posts. One thing common among them is self aggrandizing one's own skills (not sure about that prase). People talk about their losses from major suck-outs or how they continually trounce everyone they come up against. Yet they don't play professionally or even derive significant funds from playing. Well, I do play professionally but have never stated my own superiority. That is about to change...sort of.
I haven't managed to play much in the last couple of weeks. But in the past couple months, I feel confident in saying I have been playing top notch. I started focusing on reads, trying to put people on hands whether I was in the hand or not. It has resulted in better overall play. My reads have been, for the most part, spot on. Sometimes even getting the right read on an opponent from no particular information. I think that is a side effect of paying attention. In addition to excellent reads, I've been making correct decisions. Barry Greenstein calls it the optimal play.
I feel great about myself as all this has come together. I've simply been playing terrific poker. Unfortunately, I have to admit my monitary results don't tell the same story. I guess that is the sad potential outcome of no-limit play. You can play perfectly for hours only to be drawn out on in one big hand that basically ends a long session. That's what has happened most recently. One way around this would be to play limit games. But I'm not too fond of limit Hold'em and Omaha and Stud just aren't played much in L.A. The simple fact is that NLH is where all the action is. At any hour of any day I can be in action in a NLH game in about 30 minutes whether its 10-20 or 1-2 blinds. Besides, I am damn good at it. I'm hoping I will just go on a month-long rush.
It needs to happen soon, though. I love to play and would like to continue being able to call it my profession but that can't happen until I start to pay some bills out of my table stake.
One thing I realized just yesterday is that I have been wasting my time. I have the freedom to go anywhere I want whenever I want. So I don't need to stay close to home when I could hit the road at the drop of a hat. I've been a little sick this week so home is the place to be. And I have a team pool tourney in Simi Valley this weekend so I have to stick around for that. But come Monday, I'm putting rubber to the road and heading to Vegas. The WSOP is underway so I won't have any trouble finding action all week long. Now is the time. But I'll be doing it differently than ever before.
I have always had a plan for Vegas trips including (especially) a place to stay. Not this time. I could book a cheap room somewhere but why bother, really? I already have reservations at MGM for the week of July 1 when I will be there with Joanna and her friends from England. This time, I'm flying solo so I might as well wing it for a change. And who knows. I might spend to first 48 hours in a game so a room would go waste. Or I might come up winner in the first session or two and be able to choose nicer accommodations. If all else fails, I could get a cheapo off-strip litterbox just to sleep and clean up. I checked online and there are plenty of places available. I swear there are so many hotels now, the town might not be able to sell out anymore. (kissed!)
But before all that, Saturday will include the afformentioned pool tourney and the home poker tourney at Paul's. In addition to the normal payouts, we are doing a point system and small percentage from each buy-in that will go to a big tourney at the end of the year. I'm currently at the top of the points race with 24 (5 for a 1st place finish, 4 for second, etc.) and a nice lead. The points will translate into extra chips in the final tourney. I think its 200 chips/point. So I'm already going to be in great shape. If things go well in the pool tourney, I won't be able to play in the first poker tourney this week so I'm kinda torn. I don't want my team to lose at pool but I really don't want to miss any poker at Paullywood Park. And with all this going on, I already had to pass on seeing Tesla at the HOB Sunset. That sucks. I guess I could have worse troubles.
This turned into quite a post. Maybe I'll be able to make a habit of it.
SEEYa
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