Charity challenge update.

Repost from my Charity Challenge page...please let me know if you want more info on this.

The year is coming to an end and I'm wrapping this challenge up. With a little bit of luck, some grinding, and playing some different games, I've pushed the bankroll for this challenge up to $4050.26. What's more, I preemptively took out the goal donation amount of $2500 and donated to my favorite charity. So, technically the challenge is over but I made a goal for myself to hit 5K by years end. I'll get there for sure now. I'm moving to bigger games tomorrow and I'm hoping to crush both of them. If I do, I knock this challenge out of the park in a way I didn't even expect to do. Wish me luck tomorrow. If I do something big I'll post it then. Until then, Challenge yourself to challenge the need.

Repost from my charity challenge page: frustrations and rants.

I've been focused a bit more on my charity challenge page as of late. It's poker related so here is my last somewhat ranty post on giving to charity. I'm going to repost those here until my challenge is done and I can focus on this again. Enjoy.


I want to apologize for a bit of a delay in my last post. To be honest with you, I've lost motivation a bit since this site isn't quite having the effect that I wanted it to. Over the past month or so, I've been literally begging for people to donate to one of my favorite charities with the incentive that I'd match whatever was donated. To say the least, it is one of the most trying things I've ever done. I totally understand that times are hard and people are tight with money but I don't think people understand how happy it makes me to see them donate the smallest amount to something that means a lot to me. It really has crushed me every day that has gone by with no donations. Perhaps I'm taking it too personally but it does hurt when people don't give what equates to two coffees from Starbucks (I was asking people to donate $10).


I have found myself looking back and thinking of why I don't donate to things or have not donated in the past and some of the excuses that come up are:

* I don't have the money to help- Although this is a very valid excuse, it doesn't take a lot to make a big difference in peoples lives. There is never an amount that's too little. Believe me after asking people to donate, every dollar literally made me smile.
* I don't care about the charity- Extremely valid and I would NEVER donate to something I didn't believe in, EVER.
* Someone else will donate if I don't- This is very very untrue. I have heard that all charities are having a harder time this year in collecting donations that are essential for them to stay afloat. If you believe in something, it has to be YOU that does something. You can never expect anyone else to do what you think should be done while you watch.

I'm sure there are other excuses, some valid and some not, but the bottom line is that it is always easier to turn your head when you see someone in need. It's easy to think that someone else will help or think about the time that you were down and no one helped you. I challenge each of you to do something hard once a year, not for the good feeling that it give you but because it's the humane and right thing to do. If everyone does something small we can make a big difference.


OK, enough with my frustrations and on to something positive. I'm currently in Biloxi playing in a World Series circuit event (or 2). I've decided that if I make a final table I'm donating 10% to charity. So, think good thoughts and until the next post.... Challenge yourself to challenge the need.

WBCOOP is around the corner

I almost forgot, WBCOOP is just around the corner too. If you don't know about it, check it out:

WSOP Circuit events

For those of you that don't know, there have been some pretty amazing changes made to the WSOP circuit event schedule this year.  In case you haven't read they have instantiated a points system, a national championship that will only include 100 players and have a million dollar prize pool (when else will you get that chance), televised regional championships, and (drumroll please) STANDARDIZED STRUCTURES!!  Yes, they have totally revamped things and this is leading me to play a full series when it comes to Biloxi.  Well, I'll be playing as much of a series as I can missing the first couple of days of play.  My question to you is, has anyone played in any events this year and how do they compare to the past years?  Feel free to post here any experiences or message me directly.

Next blog I'll update my charity challenge  status and fill you in on exactly the events I'll be playing. Until then.. Good luck in everything that you attempt.

Witchdoctor anyone?

If anyone knows a witchdoctor that can lift a curse please send them my way because if this sh*t happens again in the coming week I may just quit poker altogether...I don't play THAT much...this shouldn't be this common.

All the money went in on a 4-bet of course.  Nothing wrong with his bet and I've been destroying him the whole game...but seriously.This is the money round for the FTP 4K heads up guarantee... pretty standard really.

Other notable hands of the day:  AA got beat all in pre in a heads up match by A8...dry flop then running 8s.  Like I said... I'm a bit tired of this so if anyone knows how to change luck, let me know.  Otherwise the poker world will have one less player for a while.  OK, enough whining but wanted to give you guys a look into my poker life...this sums it up this month and last.  Good night.

My challenge, being away, and getting back

As you may have all noticed, I stepped away from this blog a bit.  It's not because I haven't been playing cards or haven't been blogging for that matter because I've been doing both. I've taken on a new challenge and been blogging about that over the past 5 months.  To sum it up, I've been working on a charity challenge.  I 'found' about $20 in my bodog account.  It must have been from a bonus or something because I thought I took everything out of there.  My goal was to build that $20 to $5K by the end of the year and donate half of that to my favorite charity.  Between to real job and other things that have been going on I haven't had a lot of time to work on the challenge but I'm up over $1K.  I have a feeling that variance is beginning to fall on the good side of things and that I'm going to be able to wrap this challenge up by years end.  If you're interested check out my other blog at http://challengetheneed.blogspot.com/ .  I'm going to begin updating this blog again on a regular basis again and hope to have something good to blog about after thsi weekend of poker.  My focus is going to be on qualifying for a handful of the WCOOP events.  In the next blog I'll talk about my results in the SCOOP and what my best tourney has been this year...it's a surprising one to me.

Until then.. Good luck in everything that you attempt.

Why poker players like winning but hate losing

As I proceed in this little experiment that I call poker something is starting to disturb me.  There isn't any poker player that likes losing as it is counterproductive to the goal of the game.  The problem that I'm starting to find is that I dislike losing (to the point of hatred) so much more than I like winning. This is an issue that's getting worse and worse with me over the past month.  Perhaps it's because I'm talking more and more horrible beats and have been hit w/ decks that have been stored in liquid nitrogen this entire month but the motivation that my wins have don't have nearly the effects of the losses that I take.  I've talked through this issue w/ a  number of players that I play w/ and have come to this conclusion.

When you're a solid player and you win, the world is just right...nothing special happened, you're 70% hands stood up, no 2 outters to knock you out deep...the game worked out the way it should have.  On the other hand, when solid players get knocked out it's generally get sucked out on in other player's bad plays.  Essentially, you get beat by players that are worse than you...and of course that stings. 

No, I'm not being cocky w/ my evaluation and I spoke w/ a number of players to come to this conclusion.  I guess to sum it up... it hurts a lot more to lose when you're a good player...and winning doesn't make up for it because you're SUPPOSED to win.  It's funny when I think about that concept crossing my mind...like good players are owed something.  We all let these stupid ideas get in our head and mess with us.  Now that I see what the issue is, I'll wear my beats w/ pride and stop Helmuthing about them.  If you can't tell, I'm hating variance right now. As always...Good luck in everything that you attempt.

The beatings will continue until morale improves

Although the no one can honestly tell you where this tongue in cheek one-liner comes from it has always been one of my favorites.  If I were to guess where it came from (disregarding where others think it came from) I would guess Pirates.  No, not those Somalian clowns in John boats w/ a couple of RPGs, but real Pirate of old days.  The humor in this statement comes from how backwards it is.  When we think of it in regards to poker is that really the case though.  Oddly enough, I think poker is one of the only things where this is accurate.

Here is how players generally waste their bankrolls.  First they take a couple of bad beat(ing)s.  That's variance...Aces get cracked, your flopped straight gets four-flushed.  It happens, I know it and any other player in the game knows it, from time to time the odds get turned on their head and you take a run of horrible beats.  I have (and still do) from time to time allowed this to kill my morale and put me on tilt.  When this happens you get stuck in the cycle, second guessing yourself, taking less than profitable shots, and ultimately taking more beatings which then adds to the tilt factor. 

Every poker player should learn this saying and keep it in mind when they find themselves going on tilt because the only way to stop the beatings is to stop and improve your morale.  If this means time off from the game, so be it.  If you can get out using positive affirmations, good for you.  Whatever it takes just remember, things don't change themselves...The beatings will continue until morale improves.

Next blog will likely be about what Florida and California are trying to do to get a piece of the rake and destroy the free enterprise of poker...to make some coin.  Until then.. Good luck in everything that you attempt.

Another HUGE Sunday Schedule

I'm not sure how they keep doing it but Pokerstars and Full Tilt have created another HUGE sunday for all of their players.  Full Tilt is running FTOPS and bringing back their Big Little tourney series ($2 buy-in for $200K guaranteed prize pool) while Stars is running some sick promos for dealing their 40 BILLIONTH hand.  So, this all leads to the following Sunday schedule for me this week.

12:30    Tilt- $200K Big-Little tourney

• 4:00 update:  Out of this...destroyed went out w/ a coinflip QK vs JJ deep stacked...odd.

1:40      Stars- $40K points buy-in tourney

•   4:00 update:  Freeroll style ko for me... guy donk-shoves JQ after my AK raise for full starting stacks...I'm out.

2:00      Tilt- $800K FTOPS Knock-out event

• 4:00 update:  Hit one flop all day, doubled up on it.   Got knocked out w/ a coinflip 77 vs AK shortstacked.  that's 2 coinflips and a dominating hand that I go out on.

2:00    Tilt- $42K Guarantee

• 4:00 update:  Battling on this one.  5600 w/ average at 10K...Need to make a move.
• 5:00 update:  Still battling.  Stack at a hair under 10K w/ average at just under 20K  Nothing huge to speak of.

2:30      Stars- $1 mil $40 buy-in event

• 4:00 update:   16.5K w/ 15K average.  Owned every hand that I've played but man, they still wanna shove   preflop so much...odd.
• 5:00 update:  12.5K w/  25K average.  Half the average seems to be the theme this hour.  Guy donked it in w/ a straight draw after calling 1/3 of his chips preflop w/ JKo out of position.  I have top pair top kicker and nut flush draw...called him down easy and he caught.  Been grindin since then.  Will make a move this hour.
• 7:00 update:  Sitting on 86K w/ average at 80K.  5K players left.
• 8:00 update:  Nothing showing up for me.  Stack at 80K w/ average  202K.  Was above average for most of level then got crushed on a flip.
• 9:00 update:  Went out early this hour.  Pushed in short stacked w/ AK and ran into KK...recurring theme today.  Finished in the 1600s... another small small cash.  Here's hoping the final table today will be in the FTOPS event.  I'll take that trade.

3:30      Stars- $250K guaranteed

•  4:00 update: 3900 stack w/ average at 3900.  Got called down all in preflop by a guy holding AT.  I don't need to say what I had but for full stacks you can be sure he was destroyed.
• 5:00 update: 10,230 stack w/  7760 average.  Guys shoving w/ no hand no draw over my traps.  I try to get fancy and cover the hole w/ sticks and branches and they just jump in before I have a chance to disguise.
• 7:00 update:   133K w/ 83K average.  1100 players left.
• 8:00 update:  Bumped out this hour.  Got short stacked and had to put em in w/ 44, ran into KK and didn't improve.

4:22      Tilt- $200K double deuce

• 5:00 update: about 4K chips w/ average at  3750.  Nothing great happened just been chipping up slowly.
• 7:00 update:  Couldn't get anything going here and busted out.

6:00    Tilt- $1.5mil FTOPS deep stack event

• 5:00 update:  I think I just got knocked out of this before it started.  The  way things have run out today I wouldn't be surprised :-)
• 7:00:  First hour was a bit slow for me, everyone hyper aggressive though.  This should be fun. 4800 chip stack...down slightly. 
• 8:00:  Let the hyper-aggs bet into me for 3 streets w/ Top pair top kicker to catch back up to average then doubled through player overplaying overpair... was an FTOPS champ, perhaps I can have his avatar after this...here's to hoping.
• 9:00:  Since it's the last game of the day I can be a bit more live w/ updates so here goes the hour:
• Moved to what appears to be a super-active table on the verge of being donkish.  The first hand that I got into I flopped a set on the 9-Q-K flop.  With a flush draw out there when it was bet into my I had to raise it up.  I got not one but 2 callers.  I assume 1 is on the flush draw and I put the early better on KJ.  When the T hit the turn he obliged to verify that by shoving 3/4 the pot which I couldn't call w/ 4 to a straight out there.  He then proceeded to talk trash, saying "Welcome to OUR table" and goes on and on about how could you put me on AJ there.  To be honest, I'm starting to think there's more of a possibility of that now.  so, first hand at the new table, guy hits a gutter on me...uh oh.
•  The same guy in the hand got in w/ an overpair for WAY too much vs my 2 pair.  After fading the 4flush then getting called down w/ K9 vs my AQ and someone playing a middle pair way too fast I'm up to 27K which equates to top 50 right now.  Here's to hoping I continue to climb.
• Ended hour w/ 27.5K w/ average at a little under 12K.  1977 Runners left.
• 10:00:  Locals and village idiots are getting restless.
• The locals are getting restless this hour.  I've seen Full Tilt pro after full tilt pro get bumped out.  
• I take down a large pot w/ JJ when a player tried to rep a big hand on the river w/ TT.
• Very next hand w/ player above, I'm dealt KK and limp in w/ it.  Another player limps and that player raises 4X and I limp-raise to 4X that and he shoves for 12K chips w/ ATs.  no flush draw on the board on the flop so I'm stoked.  A on the turn and I'm crushed.  That's right.  The guy got in for a full stack w/ AT knowing there was no fold equity for me.  At least I'm owning.  It'll come around soon.  Here's to hoping it will anyway.
• Raised it up w/ AQ and allowed active bluffer to bluff every street for value.
• At then end of the hour up to 25K w/ the average at about 21K.  Currently 308th out of 1111.  Here's to hoping I can get some traction during the next hour.
• 11:00:  Staging the biggest comeback ever and playing at the 'special' table
• Well, I've got to be proud of myself for getting another idiot to ship 2/3 of his stack w/ AJ.  Holding QQ it gets raised 3X from early/mid by really active player.  I raise 5X of that w/ QQ and he calls it down for most of his stack.  Ace and 2 rags come out and we get the rest out for him to turn over AJ.  Twice this tourney they have gotten in w/ 3 outs vs my big pps and come out ahead.  Deep stack plays late in the game and they are praying for a flip at the best.  Is this really an FTOPS field?
• After being down to 272 chips after that hand I'm battling back.  Up to about 10X BBs.  One more double up and I'm back in this.  It sucks to watch the idiots who sucked out on me spread my chips out across the table...pitiful.
• Doubled up through the guy who shoved in 4 hands in a row.  Picked up QK and made an easy stand from the bb.  He showed Q6o.  Up to 16K now.
• I got KK and got em in but no action.  Was hoping for it to be my double up to really put me back into the running.
• Although this isn't surprising at all it's worth a note.  The guy that 4-bet shoved me w/ ATs preflop for a full deep stack above was knocked out before making the money...surprise surprise.
• Ok, I guess this is by far my biggest comeback.  I just cashed after 2 redic beats and being down to 272 chips.  Gotta get them in there pretty quick once we get back to play.
• 12:00: Name of the game is double up
• Nothing happening.  My 1 all-in was not called...down to 8800.  Guess I'm getting in there this round...Here's to hoping I stand up.
• Got KK on the button and the UTG player got them in there w/ ATs and I held up against the 3 outter.  Took the blinds next hand and am up to 20K.  Need one more double up and I'm back in this.
• Nothing happening at all and I'm down to 11K again after a couple of hands seen but no hits. 
• No one wants to play w/ me.  I'm pushing w/ 5X bb and not getting called....grrrrrr.  Need some action.
• Got someone to play w/ me on the hand before the break.  I doubled up w/ 77 vs TQs...scary board and scarier river but the 7s stood up.  Stack up to 36K w/ averages at 71K.  329 remaining.  Here's hoping to double up one more time and getting back in this thing.
• 1:00:  Game hasn't changed...still double or nothing
• Looking for a solid hand to double up on as the players at my table are going psycho.  Perfect situation for me.
• Took the blinds on a hand I wanted some action w/ and am back to the same stack I had before the 2 suckouts....long road back and long one ahead.
• Stack down to 20K after some weak plays.  Payouts up to $750.  Time to do work to get to a 5-6 digit score.  Less than 270 left and a long road ahead.  Here's to hoping I can stay on course.
•  Got all in w/ AK and got no action.
• Game down to 180 runners and I'm dead last...again.  I've been in the bottom 4 -10 for the last 2 hours.  Perhaps I can stay in the bottom 4 until there's 4 left.  Then I'll make my move and take it down.  Need to double up ASAP when we get back.  11K stack when the average is 130K.  Need 3 double ups and I'm in contention....perhaps AA back to back to back here?
• Roll call for the Full Tilt pros that were in this match...*cricket* *cricket*.    Oh wait, Isaac Baron is killin it and he's the only one left.  At least I outlasted Chris this time...in the tourney he hosted.   Here's hoping for the 3 in a row double up move after the break.
• 2:00
• Second hand...first double up down.  AK vs TT and I won the flip w/ an A on the river.  Here's to two more.
• Doubled up when I was allowed to see a cheap hand w/ 78s 8T5 w/ 2 spades come out and I get em in there and catch the flush on the river...Up to 40.  Here's to hoping I can keep it going.
• Shoved em in w/ AQ and got no callers... down to 130 now which means pay jumped up to 4 digits.  $1200 so far, here's to hoping I can add some 0's to that.
• Odd, I got moved to a new table and people still don't want to play w/ me.  Got in and no callers.  Need to double up 2 more times then I'm in contention.  Here's hoping that happens and I can start making some moves.
• Had to get em in w/ TJ vs AK. After catching the T I couldn't hold.  K on the river.  Out in 116 out of 4682.  Had to do something.  I couldn't stand running in the bottom 4 much longer.  Next time we'll hold up on those 3 outters and take this down.  Here's to hoping for that.GN all.

I'll post any awesome cashes when I'm done.  Until then Good luck in everything that you attempt.
 

FTOPS Event #1

 Tonight is the kickoff to Full Tilts FTOPS 2089 (or whatever they are up to now).  I've decided to do a semi-live update during the event because it's pretty difficult to do a true live update.

At break 1 I've chipped up to 6715 from the starting 5000 chips.That's slightly above average and there were no huge hands to speak of.    I've been coasting somewhat and made some chips calling down a big bluff on a not-slightly-scary board w/ top pair. A good first hour to the event.  So far everyone is surprisingly soft.  Lets hope it stays that way for a while.  During the second hour of play, we get this.  I've seen this before, disconnection issues when big tourneys spin up.  No good Full Tilt.  

During the second hour of play I made a somewhat stupid move getting in w/ 56 on a 578 board and continued betting when the 9 came out...the mistake came when I called his somewhat small raise.  I should have pretty easily put him on that inside straight draw...worst card ever for me but hey, I didn't get felted, and that's more than I can say for many... it still hurt though.

Second break and I got picked apart pretty bad due to that horrible move described above.  I'm back down to 3545 and the average is twice that.  Need to start making some moves to get back into this thing.  I just figured out that I must have the appearance of an absolute fish at the tables tonight.  At the other game I was playing at I reraised all-in w/ AK vs an early raise, only to get called then reraised (two different people from the original raiser).  I figured I'm dead here...no, there was a 4-bet and a 5-bet w/ guys holding 44 and 55.  Seriously, I'm getting no respect whatsoever tonight but that was a perfect situation to triple up but alas, no coin-flip win for me.  So, now I'm only focusing on the FTOPS event.  I'm sure I'll post fireworks during the next break update.  Here's to hoping at least.

Third hour of play:  Some really odd play this hour that has led to a quick double up to 7800 chips.  Once I had an average amount of chips I chipped up little by little until I flopped a set of 4's and am up against a guy playing a flush draw lie it's the nuts and doubles me up to a bit over 18K.  After chipping up to 25K against a guy shoving the inside straight draw w/ me holding top pair top kicker I was moved to a table w/ Steve Brecher just in time to spot him 5 betting w/ 96o for a serious amount of chips.  After the hand he said he misread his cards and he must have been telling the truth because it was embarrassing.  He then said he was getting eye surgery soon...good thing sir (sadly I think he thought he had 999 on the flop and eye surgery won't help dyslexia...I don't think).  At the third break I have 25K and the average is a bit under 12K.  Other than Steve, there are 23 other red pros left of the 40 that started.

Fourth hour of play: No spectacular hands showing up in the first half hour but there is an interesting situation brewing.  The guy directly to my right has been beating on me every round, stealing my blinds, this will end badly I'm sure.  Then it happens, I raise it up w/ AQ from mid and ol shove-em steve from above jams in over my raise.  After seeing him jam in the last three hands that he played w/ 69, KJ, and AJ I have to take the shot w/ half of my stack to get my buy-in back for knocking him out and he turns up KK...no miracle for me and I'm down to 11K again.  He then goes on to overbet QK and call someones all-in and catch out and just up the aggression to stupid levels w/ borderline at best hands.  Time for me to chip up so I can take another shot at him later.  Right now, time to get back into this though. Last hand before the break I'm dealt 88 w/ a bit more than 3 big blinds.  The hand was raised UTG by the player who raises every hand, then reraised by a mid player and shoved on by ol Steve again.  The second raiser calls him w/ AQ and he shows up AA.  W/ me holding 88, I got one back on him when the 8 hit the flop.  I sweat the 4 flush and triple up.  Stack at 13K w/ the average at 25K.  1117 runners left and I'm somewhere at the bottom of that pack.  Seems to be the theme of this one...time to make a move during the next hour.

Fifth hour:  and the surprises just keep coming...at the start of the fifth hour I have the 'pleasure' of having Chris Ferguson sat beside me.  Now I'm pinned between Chris and Steve.  This should make this thing fun. I put the chips in over a mid raiser w/ A9s and he tanked before calling w/ TJ.  I faded the 6 outs and doubled up to 25K.  Some up and downs throughout the hour and my big hand was a bit too obvious. On the bubble I had AQ and I rased a moderate amount and got called only to see AQ flop.  All I could hope for is AJ or AK but he had JJ (so he says).  The turn then killed any chance of action w/ another Q hitting.  I think he bets there if that doesn't happen but it did, then to top it off the A hit the river.  I couldn't even get a tiny bet out of him then.  Chris was super-tight and Steve was shoving about every 5 hands.  Odd for a guy w/ a $200 target on his back to do but perhaps it's reverse-reverse psychology and he has me snowed.  The money bubble burst this hour and runners once again started dropping like flies.  I'm gonna need to take advantage and double up there soon.  Then I'll be in the running (kinda).  Break update: I have 15K and the average is 51K (eek), 547 remain.  7 red pros remaining and 2 are at my table.  Figures I don't have any chips to play w/ them.  Here's to hoping that changes in the next hour.

Sixth hour: No cards really came and Chris Ferguson took me out w/ a coin flip in 402 place.  He had AK vs my 44...A on the flop and I couldn't improve.  I guess I can't hope to be beat by a better player.  Bitter sweet for sure.

Saints are marching

As everyone knows, today is Superbowl Sunday and to be honest it's got to be one of the biggest games in history.  Who can't help but pull for these Saints with all of the stories of giving and hope that have come from this team.  Here's to hoping that the Saints show up tonight, but honestly how could they not, they are the life of New Orleans and those fans give back to their team more than any other team I have ever seen.  They'll show up and make their Who dat nation proud.  I don't think I can sum it up any better than Dave from Action Sports Investment did here in one of his first blogs.

Who dat say those Saints can't win?  Not me and not anyone in New Orleans...not one person.

Thanks for PokerStar's coverage and I'm officially not the devil

I'd like to start by apologizing to my readers regarding my lack of excellent reading material only weeks after I publicly vowed to write more.  I've been on leave taking care of a bit of a family emergency that came up working some odd hours, putting in very little time at the tables, and even less (no) time into updating my blog, and I suck for that.  Although I was certain the blog gnomes would do it, I got on today to see that nope, they didn't.  I suppose I'll stop feeding them now that they have quit working for me.  So, onto the writing of the blog entry:

After my win at the first event of Pokerstar's Blogger Championship of Online Poker, Brad Willis from Pokerstars  Blog team did a nice bit of investigation into me and wrote up a nice article on me for their blog.  He did a wonderful job clarifying that I am in fact not...the devil.  Thank goodness he did that.  In all seriousness, Brad was nice enough to contact me and got me to take a look at the article prior to posting it.  I guess he wanted to ensure that I didn't look like a total toolbox like the other guy he posted a blog about. Just kidding 'Chad', it looks like you get tons of action there in Vegas, so congrats to you.

As for tourneys after that in this series I got an $11 entry ticket where I got my AK busted w/ a deep stack vs the caller w/ J4 I believe.  It was awesome.  The guy had a real shot at this thing and said, that's OK, I'm happy w/ 11$....oooops, thank you dealer, I'll spread this wealth across the table.  Then I made the final 20 I believe in the main event bringing in another $215 ticket.  All in all, like I said in the previous blog, it was a fun series and I'm looking forward to the SCOOP events that I'll be playing in.  I'll finish this off with the final bit of introduction that Brad made in his blog... my picture.  As you can see, no (visible) horns.  Next time I'll talk a bit about my second place in FullTilts Turbo Fidy...My first time playing it and I love it, $3500 for 2 hours of play.

Until then: Good luck in everything that you attempt.

Taking down the World Bogger Championship of Online Poker, Event #1

We just completed the first event of the World Blogger Championship of Online Poker and since the title already ruined what could be a good rollercoaster ride of a story, I won it and the $1050 ticket to the SCOOP event of my choice.  I was very surprised and happy that it didn't turn out to be just like any other freeroll.  All of the players in the game played really well and made it a good time.  Although I didn't get a chance to Blog during the event I did try to lighten the mood up in the Twitter room for the event.  I hope everyone enjoyed my posts.  I'll go through my posts and sum up what was going on the entire time (because I lost some of my hand history from the tourney and can't review it all).

#WBCOOP. Playing in my first blogger tourny on Stars. I suspect it will be interesting. I'll post interesting hands here.

When the tourney started I honestly had no idea what to expect.  Like I said above, I was happy to find that it wasn't a shovefest like most freerolls.

#WBCOOP I'd like to retweet the dealers last deal. Just doubled me up.

I ran in to a huge hand early, making the nut full house Ts over Qs, vs a smaller full house and got doubled up.  A cooler hand for the other player really.

#WBCOOP Good time for a break. I'm getting moved around more than a mob boss in witness protection.

From time to time in the tournament (and other little games I was in), I was shuffled around from table to table making it hard to get a read on people.  I hope Stars isn't trying to promote FullTilts Rush Poker setup.  This occasion was at the first break.

I'm apparently at a table with a monkey,a horse,that annoyingly smart guy who won all that money at Jeopardy,and of course..The moon.#WBCOOP

 I love the avatars that people select.  I think I played with president Obama twice tonight....and Lil Wayne...again.

#WBCOOP I think a shark at my table just growled...is that natural?

  I don't think this requires explanation... Nope, definitely doesn't.

#WBCOOP. 1 Free scoop ticket secured... Checking out Baskin Robins' menu as I type. What flavor to get w/ my ticket? 

Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP)...This was kinda like a play on words...it's one of my 'things' that I do to make 'humor'...because this one FAILED so badly I used it for the rest of the tourney.

#WBCOOP. Again w/ the changing seats every other hand. Tables breaking up too fast after bubble. Seeing more table dancing than Tiger Woods.

See comment above...no, not that one, nope, not that one either, or that one....yep that's the comment.  It's funny how it's never too soon for cheating golf pro jokes.

#WBCOOP Bah, dropped out of 2nd place. Spewing chips worse than Mary-Kate Olsen shooting a Doritos commercial.

In her defense, I don't think Mary-Kate was ever bulimic but it's not as funny if I selected someone who actually is bulimic...yeah, think about it, I'm right.  Lionel's daughter was my backup target for this one.  In regards to poker, I was in a good spot and playing pretty well.  The other runners were also playing pretty solid too.

#WBCOOP Up until now this has been a pretty solid tournament.In the past orbit it just got really odd...guy just 4 bet w/ ATo...and won.

Then there was this guy.  I do have to say that he was running good.  Which I guess generally means that you're playing like crap.  I ran horrible the whole tourney :-).

TT vs JJ...I guess two outs was more than I would have had w/ JJ vs JJ... Back to 180K. UL for Cordlette though. GG. #WBCOOP

 This sounds much worse than it is since both all-in's preflop were for only 2X my original 3X bet and I had a commanding chip lead at the table.  I was def. priced in.  I guess I can take my previous comment back...I ran good in this hand.  I had TT...1 allin had JJ and the other had A4.  T hit the flop.

Made the final table of the first #WBCOOP tourney. Time to work for that $1050 Scoop ticket. Good trip to Baskin Robins.

It took 6 hours to make this final table but it fell apart pretty quickly.  At this point everyone was guaranteed a $215 ticket and whoever was the most handsome would be awarded the $1,050 ticket.  Note the Basking Robins thing again...FAIL #2.

Secured event 1 of the #WBCOOP...Time for that trip to Baskin Robins. $1050.. GG all.

Basking Robins comment #3.  I think it worked this time, what do you think?  It was an up and down battle when it got heads up and I would have been embarrassed if I lost this one.  Went in  with a 6 to 1 chip lead and he almost evened it up at one point.  The Final Hand was a pretty close one and kevin070 played great.  Heads up lasted almost 50 hands.

That about sums it up.  Lesson learned.  Say good things about your poker site and you'll do well.  I'm surprised I didn't open up any paid tourneys during this entire freeroll.  I think I'll play tomorrows WBCOOP event as well so I can lighten up the twitter room a bit.

Until then: Good luck in everything that you attempt.

Pokerstars World Blogger Championship of Online Poker

OK, I give in, changes are coming to my blog

I've gotten a number of e-mails from friends who are officially and unofficially following my posts and I've decided to make a couple of changes.  So, starting today:

• I've opened all of my posts for comments
• I'll be posting more than once a week and will discuss more hand histories
• I'll figure out how to post pictures to spice this up
• I'll find a way to post my bankroll and goal progress in an easy to find location (once I set goals).

So, changes are coming.  Keep following.

Go SAINTS

Congratulations Saints on the big win tonight!!!  Sucked to have to hold my breath like that but they pulled it off.  One more to go.  TID New Orleans!!!

Transitioning Poker Sites- Stars is the clear choice

Up until last year, Bodog has been one of my favorite sites. This was because it's where I started and it was well known for having some seriously soft games and overlays in almost all tournaments that they had there. Even since the transition of ownership this has been changing more and more. Over the past year, this has led me to start transitioning to Full Tilt to play most of my games. As part of my end-of-the-year evaluation/ yearly planning I'm trying to figure out what site I will spend most of my time at and have come to the conclusion that Pokerstars seems to be the clearcut winner. I haven't played too much in the past but have consistently played the weekly 1/4 million game and have come 3 outs away from final tabling that tourney. I went out in 13th and picked up 800$ to build my bankroll but feel that I missed out in a 27K payday. It's time to focus on that site and get that 27K back.

Why pick Stars? The obvious thing is that they give back to the players more than any other site does. They have the absolute best promotions and we as players appreciate that. So, as I move forward, Bodog is out, other than the occasional game that I may play for some backers that I'm talking to. I'll focus primarily on Stars and play my normal Full Tilt tourneys and a sit-n-go here and there. I'm still making my goals but I can assure you that Stars will be a big part of them. Shall I shoot for supernova status? Small chance of that but I'll look at the time requirements for that and if it's a possibility I'll push to do it.

I'll keep everyone posted. Until then Good luck in everything that you attempt.

Risks, Haymakers, and All-ins

The post below is another reprint from my previous blogs which I'm almost done picking apart.  This one def. fits here and I hope that you can get something out of it.

"
I've decided I'm going to start w/ a quote every blog from now on.  Not always motivational, not always deep, but they will generally summarize how I feel as of late.  Quote 1 from Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr (Lil' Wayne):

"I swear to everything when I leave this earth, its gonna’ be on both feet never knees in the dirt"

So, for my opening blog I'm going to provide a connection between life, boxing, and poker.  I've heard someone say that once you begin seriously playing poker (I'm sure it applies to many other games of skill as well though) that you use the knowledge that you gain from the game theory in all aspects of life and use all life experiences to make adjustments to your game.  I agree with this 100% and think it's a win-win for anyone who studies the game.

In life, most people are what poker players consider grinders, those who work and work and work to keep a small edge on the game and slowly move up.  What's wrong with that? Nothing if you think about the long haul, but the truth is, grinding is hard work.  Think of a boxer who keeps moving and moving, jabbing and landing well-placed shots.  He's working to the bone to keep a small edge on his competitor while many times he's up against people working less than half as hard as him.  If you keep winning, what could this hurt, right?  In poker, boxing, and life, the grind will wear you down and drive you crazy.  If you never take a shot at a big win, swing a haymaker, or take a big risk, you're risking a lot more than you think.

Let's think on the other end of this spectrum, the power-fighters, the bombs (unpredictable hyper-aggressive poker players), or the genuine risk-takers.  Although it's not a grind, the swings of this personality/lifestyle can do more than drive you crazy, it can drive you to lose everything.  There are generally two types of people that fall into this category, those that thrive off of it and those who are pushed to it.  For those that thrive off of it, this can translate a small edge into an incredible advantage (think Donald Trump, Mike Tyson/Kimbo Slice, or a handful of poker pros), and when they do lose, they know how to take the hit and move on.  For example, Trump has filled bankruptcy more than everyone on Madoff's 'contribution' list combined.  We can only hope that Kimbo can pick up and move on after that pitiful showing vs. Petruzelli.  On the other hand, if you find yourself driven to this state, take note that you are a danger to everyone, including yourself and are generally hanging on by a thread because you aren't used to taking these hits.  Backing yourself into a corner and finally deciding to fight out is the worst strategy no matter what your approach to life is.

Given the pitfalls of both approaches the balance is found in...well... balance.  To be a true success, whether it be in boxing, poker, or life, you have to mix a high level of finesse with well-calculated aggressive moves.  This mix will ensure that you don't get burned out by the grind.  It allows you to survive and make progress while giving you the opportunity to take you shots on your own terms.  It reduces that chances that will get backed into a corner that you have to fight out of and in the case that you do, you have some experience with the higher stakes.

So, keep grindin’, but allow yourselves to take your shots.  Don't let anyone or any situation push to out of your comfort zone but step out and extend it on your own terms.  Sometimes you have to step up and take the chance, swing that haymaker, push all the chips over the line.  The only real risk in life is never taking a risk.  I guess to summarize, there's a 'poker saying' that fits here.  'You can't win what you don't bet'.

The question is, have you risked anything today, this week, this year?
"

I hope you got something out of this and as always: Good luck in everything that you attempt.

Putting life into perspective

So I haven't made a lot of time to play cards lately but this evening I got into a couple of little tourneys.  At the exact same time I got dealt AA on both tables.  Not to get hung up on the math, the odds of that happening are about 1 in 50,000.  I managed to get both players to get all their chips in preflop.  Of course I'm stoked about this when I see the 22 on one table  and the 67 on the other.  the 67 turns into a straight on the river and the 2 spikes on the flop on the other hand.  I lost both.  I understand the math and I can't even figure out the odds of that happening.  So, this got me thinking back and looking at my latest run of tournaments.  Luckily I keep detailed stats of my play and the hands that beat me in a tourney and realized that it really sucks to be me.  The only phrase that comes to mind when I think of poker lately is 'FML'.  Sidenote, as I'm writing this I just got all-in 3 times.  Ace-Queen vs Queen-King to be chipleader...K on the turn.  Then Ace-Jack vs 10-10.   That's a coinflip so it's OK if I lose sometimes (would be nice to not lose EVERY time though).  Then theres Ace-Queen vs JJ.   A jack comes on the flop.  Again, I'm not gonna get into odds but the phrase is FML. 

As I do when things go as south as they have w/ poker I started thinking about people who really have a reason to use that phrase, and although I've gone through some tough stuff in my life I don't deserve to use those three little letters that have become so popular to throw around lately (e.g.  I got a pimple...FML).  Then I found a site that is just awesome.  It allows people to add stories that only happen if you have the luck of someone who was Hitler in a past life.  People then vote on whether the poster deserved what they got or if their life truly sucks.  Although I think everyone should check it out: http://www.fmylife.com/, here are a couple of my favorites so far.  It really puts the day to day into perspective.

"Today, I was outside, peeing on a cactus. Then all of a sudden my dog jumped on my back, knocking me into the cactus. FML"

That one is obviously fake but seriously funny.

"Today, I used the new expensive hair conditioner that one of my friends gave me at my bachelorette party the night before. Apparently, they all thought it would be hilarious to put Nair in the conditioner bottle, so now I am completely bald. I am getting married in 4 days. FML"

Today, I said to my roommate, "I know what you're doing, and I want it to stop.". She responded, "I'm so sorry, it was just once and we were both so drunk." I was talking about her stealing my toothpaste, she was talking about making out with my boyfriend. FML

Then there is this one.  Priceless.  I can relate to this one but not w/ the blue pill, Ally instead.  If that was true... it would be my first time really saying FML.

Today, I found out that my dad hides his Viagra from my mom by keeping it in an Aspirin container. Now I have a terrible headache and a boner. FML

So, bottom line, keep things in perspective.

Poker journal entry- Big money Sunday and chance to take down the 100K...again

I'm reviewing my poker journal as I spin up the new year and wanted to post an entry about about my second final table of Bodog's 100K.  Enjoy:

It’s Sunday, big money Sunday, big suckout Sunday.  I just don’t get it.  I’ve already gotten knocked out of the Stars 225K, when UTG limps, I shove for 12BB, he calls- Me AK vs. Him K6soooooooted.   6 in the window.  I’m still thinking I can do some big things in the other big games but Jesus, this is how it starts.  Pretty standard, time to run better, I’ll try.

Bodogs 100K-  I got knocked around at the beginning stages but luckily had some nice double ups.  My favorite was this:

Community Cards
   2 6 10 5 8 

I’m holding TT and this guy shoves OOP for about 4X the pot or so.  He flips up AJs… I really don’t get these types of plays other than perhaps they have been rewarded enough to enstill that there is always a chance in the players.  I would hope that if anyone ever sees me making a ‘move’ like that that they will pull me aside and suggest I either quit poker or get back to the basics.  I don’t foresee that happening though, I like winning too much (ahhhh winning, I remember that one time…5 hours from now that I took down the FT 200K and the Bodog 100K…that was a good time).  OK, back to current time, same guy that doubled me just doubled Hesse who is to my right and I’m not happy about that (he’s chippy now).

In the 200K haven’t been able to get anything going and finally picked up AK, raised from early, got a push and a shortstack call.  I’m thinking 50/50 to triple up.  I’m in and was right 77, 99 vs AK.  9 spikes the flop, and no AK to scoop the side.  I’m out but got in awesome.  All focus on the 100K, just doubled up there AQ vs AT.  One more and I’m a contender.  Doubled through Hesse w/ AQ vs AJ blind vs blind.  One more time and I have a shot to take this down.

Man, it really has been down to the wire w/ bubble play.  I got all in w. 8 to go w/ JJ vs another players JJ (also all in) and 66 (who was spewing chips).  Shoved w/ AK from late, no calls.  Shoved w/ AQ from sb and Hesse obliged again w/ QK.  A on the flop and I’m up to allllmost average.  The bubble FINALLY burst on this thing and when it does here….people flow out.  Then came the magic.  I doubled up and I’m in the running.

A bit of a good run and a flip here and there vs shortstacks, I led some was 3rd most of it and it’s come down to the final table.  8 more people to deal w/ then I can say I’ve won this 100K, no second this time.  Into the final table I’m 4th w/ average chips, 1 shortstack, 1 shorter than average stack, 2 monsters.  Time to navigate.

I navigated on to 4 people w/ the chip lead (not by much).  Short stack shoves I have AJ, SB shoves over him.  AJ suited 4 handed.  I should have called but I folded reshover flips JK and other guy doubles up w/ weak ace.  Then I ended up getting it in w/ TT vs his JJ.  I made a set and he made a straight.  Out in 4th.  7000.  Should have been at very least double that.  Next time 100K, next time.

 As I find more sections of my journal to post I'll put them here.  Until then:  Good luck in everything that you attempt.

This year in review- Poker and life

Sorry about taking a week off of blogging.  I was stuck in the mountains of VA when we got hit with those horrible storms.  After that I headed to New Orleans and got some time at the casino in at Harrahs there.  My girlfriend and I played some video poker, but didn't hit a royal and went home a little lighter in the pocket.  Not much poker going on there this time of year although the people that were in the room were rowdy and playing ALL night...fun group.

Since the new year is upon us, it's time to review my goals and see where I stand on last years and make a plan for the upcoming.

My goals for poker were:

• $40,000 net gain- I was slightly shy of that.  A swing of luck here and there and I could have managed this but not this year.
  
• 1+ WSOPC live tourney cash- I did this with New Orleans.  Good thing since it's the only one I played in this year.
• Triple Crown-  Yes, I thought I had a shot at this when I was making my goals...didn't happen.
• Top finisher in the doubles tourneys on FullTilt-  I didn't focus on this but thought it would be a fun challenge.  I was second-best one time and only beat out by 5 spots between the two tourneys.
• Final table one 'Sunday Major' or 'Mini-Major'-  I did this twice this year at Bodog's biggest tourney, finishing 2nd once and 4th the next time.  On the occasion that I finished second I also bubbled the final table on Pokerstars 250K Sunday tourney...13th place.

 All in all, I feel pretty good about the year even though I've been really kicked around over the past couple of months. The great thing is that the goals that I did hit in poker helped me to make some of my goals in regards to giving to charitable organizations...$6K this year.

I'm going to let Jan. play out before I set goals this year.  I'll post it once I have them set.  Until then, Good luck in everything that you attempt.