After the stint of traveling in June, I lost the urge to write that had returned to me only weeks before. So its been some time and, quite honestly, this one is kind of forced. I need to get some things off my chest.
First of all, the Legends of Poker series is underway at the Bike right now. All month long, there will be plenty of action there. I got some of it last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. It was pretty interesting as I played rather poorly in many spots and ran card-dead yet my overall results were the same as they usually are. Two winning sessions and one losing one leaving me in the black.
The first night, I was at a table that ran both loose and tight with occasional bouts or lunacy. Normally, I end up under the bus against players like that but I was lucky enough to have Q-Q hold up against A-Ks when the guy moved all-in over the top of me for my remaining $350. I had raised to $40 in a stradled pot and he found big slick from the stradle. I put him on just that and called, resigned to only be a small favorite. Then I woke up to A-A in the small blind (another stradle on) after the button had raised to $30. I made it $90, he called, I lead out with $150 on the flop and he folded. Those were the only significant hands of that session which ended at 2:30am +395. I'll take it.
The next night, pretty much the same for me except the table was pure action! There was hardly ever a hand that wasn't raised and reraised preflop. And it wasn't because everyone was wild and loose. Some took their shots but most of the time people had huge starting hands. I liked that spot so I joined in the banter and waited to find something good to go with. I ended up finding 5-5 in the small blind against a raise to $20 that had been called by to late positions. I called, followed by the big blind. The flop was Ts-7s-5s. I only had about $280 but decided to check and hope someone bets. Sure enough, the 1s bet $100 as he was likely to do if he caught any piece of the flop. But this time he looked extra cagey as if he had a huge hand himself. Then the 3s called and it folded around to me.
From the 1s's demeanor, I had to consider him having flopped the flush. But then I put the 3s on a big spade, probably the A. So I'm either ahead right now or need the board to pair. But I wasn't going to fold. I had a chance to more than triple up with this hand and finally get something going. I moved all-in and the 1s went into the tank. After a bit, he decided to call and the 3s quickly moved all-in over the top with enough to cover the 1s. With a little more thought, the 1s folded. The 3s declared he had "the nuts" and showed As-Qs. I said, "Potential nuts," and tabled mine. I was neither surprised nor disheartened as I had already accounted for this situation. It was quick and painless...T on the turn and I took it down. I was able to work my stack up a couple hundred more afterwards but that hand made the night. I cashed out at 3:00am +615.
Oops. Its past 8:30pm. I need to hit the road and finish this later.
SEEYa
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Friday, July 06, 2007
Back Home. Gotta Go.
So much to write about after 5 days in Vegas. I don't have the energy right now, though. Made the long drive through the desert midday on Wednesday. Damn it was hot. I would have waited until night to make the trek but wanted to try and make a 4th of July party at a friend's house in Simi. Unfortunately, I was too damn tired to do anything but sleep and cool down for a few hours.
Yesterday was also spent recuperating and rehydrating. I finally feel better today, just in time to leave again tomorrow...this time to NY.
When I get back, I'll catch up on Vegas notes including some hand histories. Then I'll be behind on any NY stories. So be it. But maybe I can find some down time in NY to write a bit.
One quick note...I did get to hang out with Brando and his friends. They were cool. We all had a great time on our first night in town. We went 'til the sun came up. More on that for sure.
SEEYa
Yesterday was also spent recuperating and rehydrating. I finally feel better today, just in time to leave again tomorrow...this time to NY.
When I get back, I'll catch up on Vegas notes including some hand histories. Then I'll be behind on any NY stories. So be it. But maybe I can find some down time in NY to write a bit.
One quick note...I did get to hang out with Brando and his friends. They were cool. We all had a great time on our first night in town. We went 'til the sun came up. More on that for sure.
SEEYa
Friday, June 29, 2007
YBM,S
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
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 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
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