14 June 07
I’ve been keeping a secret.
Okay, it’s not the biggest secret, and most of my readers are already aware.
Here it is.
If you are even the tiniest fan of poker, you have read Big Deal and are aware of Bigger Deal. Furthermore, you must know about the incredible collection of new “bloggers” over at Bigger Deal. It’s kind of an impressive line up including Anthony Holden, Al Alvarez and Lee Jones.
I normally don’t recommend other blogs unless they really have something to offer that is new or different or important.
Bigger Deal is all of this and more. Talk about raising the bar! Plus, I got a little ego stroke after leaving a comment on Holden’s post about poker songs:
Comment from Anthony Holden
Time: June 14, 2007, 4:18 pm
Uh-oh, looks like Dr. Chako beat me to it…
That’s right – Holden was talking about me. It’s like being acknowledged by royalty. Well, maybe not, but it’s cool to me in that “big, dumb fan” kinda way. Head on over and check it out.
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Shut Up and Deal
22 MAY 07
I’m re-reading Shut Up and Deal by Jesse May. The pages are literally falling out of the book. This is due to a combination for poor book binding and the fact that I’ve read this damn book 4 times. It’s a good story and an interesting read, mostly because it’s written as if someone was speaking into a tape recorder. If you can get past the loose style you find two things:
It’s a good read.
It’s a GREAT instruction book.
Here is the partial review from Amazon:
May's speedy, coming-of-age debut unfolds in the insular, all-male world of high-stakes professional poker, where staying in the action is everything and money is just a way of keeping score. Narrator Mickey, who joins the pro circuit at the age of 21, is surrounded by a large cast of eccentrics with stereotypical nicknames like Vinnie the Greek, Fresca Kid and Uptown Raoul.
I know that calling this an instruction book seems silly, especially given that instruction was not the intention. There are plenty of other books that talk about how to play specific hands and calculating pot odds. What’s different here is that you get to hear how a professional thinks. You learn about identifying leaks, whether they be in the “pit” or in your own generosity. You learn that all pros get broke and what they do to recover. You learn about what it takes to make it in this world. It’s dirty and raw and exciting and gut-wrenching and surreal and you just want more.
I’ve tried to do some research on the author, Jesse May. The book is written in the first person perspective of Mickey, the protagonist. If you click the link above, you go to the Wiki entry on Jesse, which says that he actually played in a televised episode of Late Night Poker under the pseudonym of Mickey Dane. Apparently, Jesse is now (or at least was) the host of said show.
I played a little medium stakes poker at the Borgata and the Taj in Atlantic City, and I had a copy of the book with me. Several players spotted it and said they not only knew Jesse, but that he played in there occasionally. I wish he was there to ask him how much of the book was personal experience and how much was made up.
If it was mostly made up, then it’s one helluva tale. If it’s all from first hand true experience, it’s even better.
I’m re-reading Shut Up and Deal by Jesse May. The pages are literally falling out of the book. This is due to a combination for poor book binding and the fact that I’ve read this damn book 4 times. It’s a good story and an interesting read, mostly because it’s written as if someone was speaking into a tape recorder. If you can get past the loose style you find two things:
It’s a good read.
It’s a GREAT instruction book.
Here is the partial review from Amazon:
May's speedy, coming-of-age debut unfolds in the insular, all-male world of high-stakes professional poker, where staying in the action is everything and money is just a way of keeping score. Narrator Mickey, who joins the pro circuit at the age of 21, is surrounded by a large cast of eccentrics with stereotypical nicknames like Vinnie the Greek, Fresca Kid and Uptown Raoul.
I know that calling this an instruction book seems silly, especially given that instruction was not the intention. There are plenty of other books that talk about how to play specific hands and calculating pot odds. What’s different here is that you get to hear how a professional thinks. You learn about identifying leaks, whether they be in the “pit” or in your own generosity. You learn that all pros get broke and what they do to recover. You learn about what it takes to make it in this world. It’s dirty and raw and exciting and gut-wrenching and surreal and you just want more.
I’ve tried to do some research on the author, Jesse May. The book is written in the first person perspective of Mickey, the protagonist. If you click the link above, you go to the Wiki entry on Jesse, which says that he actually played in a televised episode of Late Night Poker under the pseudonym of Mickey Dane. Apparently, Jesse is now (or at least was) the host of said show.
I played a little medium stakes poker at the Borgata and the Taj in Atlantic City, and I had a copy of the book with me. Several players spotted it and said they not only knew Jesse, but that he played in there occasionally. I wish he was there to ask him how much of the book was personal experience and how much was made up.
If it was mostly made up, then it’s one helluva tale. If it’s all from first hand true experience, it’s even better.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Cardroom Supply
7 DEC 06
The following is a paid review!
My buddy Stefan just bought a $2000 poker table. I’m jealous. He’s a solid player and should make more than enough on that table to pay for that table. Despite what you may think, I don’t have money dripping out of various orifices, and I can’t bring myself to drop a couple grand on a nice table.
Yet.
That’s why it was a pleasant surprise when I was asked to do this review. Cardroom Supply has a very nice website and some really nice products. I was impressed with the quality of their front page. It seems easy to navigate and the products seem (at least in the photos) to be of high quality. I’ve been looking at various products on eBay and these seem quite similar. While prices on eBay may be better, you never know what you’ll get. Not so with Cardroom.
Once again, I was a little disappointed with how slowly their page loaded when I clicked on Weber's Elite Texas Holdem Table. If I’m not mistaken, this is quite similar to what my buddy bought. They have a wide variety of selections as evidenced by this:
The table is is avialibale [sp] in a 72", 82", or 96".
The following is a paid review!
My buddy Stefan just bought a $2000 poker table. I’m jealous. He’s a solid player and should make more than enough on that table to pay for that table. Despite what you may think, I don’t have money dripping out of various orifices, and I can’t bring myself to drop a couple grand on a nice table.
Yet.
That’s why it was a pleasant surprise when I was asked to do this review. Cardroom Supply has a very nice website and some really nice products. I was impressed with the quality of their front page. It seems easy to navigate and the products seem (at least in the photos) to be of high quality. I’ve been looking at various products on eBay and these seem quite similar. While prices on eBay may be better, you never know what you’ll get. Not so with Cardroom.
Once again, I was a little disappointed with how slowly their page loaded when I clicked on Weber's Elite Texas Holdem Table. If I’m not mistaken, this is quite similar to what my buddy bought. They have a wide variety of selections as evidenced by this:
The table is is avialibale [sp] in a 72", 82", or 96".
As they say, the tables, “are made to order, using solid oak legs and proven construction techniques to produce beautiful furniture of tremendous strength and durability. The designs reflect a blend of functionality, practicality and natural beauty.”
Tables are custom made to each order and take 2-3 weeks for delivery. I may be checking for a special delivery when I get back from Vegas.
Friday, December 01, 2006
Internet Poker Forum
1 DEC 06
The following is a paid review!
You gotta love a Must Read from someone named Dorkus Malorkus. He gives "A brief guide to Cardschat forum events" on the freeroll page of CardsChat AKA the Internet Poker Forum. In a set up much like other forums (2+2, RGP), CardsChat is another place for poker players to discuss hands, philosophies and bad beats. They have posts like:
PokerStars is going Huge!
and a Private Forum called
Top Secret Forum for Loyal Cardschaters
My problems:
- I can’t load the site from work.
- The site loads slowly
- Much of the information comes from overseas players who aren’t restricted. Thanks for rubbing it in guys.
There is the usual stuff like, “Verbal abuse is everywhere online,” from JimboJim, with followups like this from Sammyv1, “Sticker, [abuse] is out of hand. I had someone verbally abuse me just last night. I went back at him a little bit, but not with too much aggression. He was using the old "Your mamma" insults and the "sexual preference" insults. The play I made that he was angry about was: I called a re-raise with 9-9 on the button. Well, I hit a 9 on the flop and he had AA. Yes, he got bad beated and maybe my "call" was a little weak, but the whole table was Super-Agressive. So, yes he has a gripe cause he lost with AA, but we all do (many times in fact).
Bottom line, I’m not certain the site adds any value to me personally, but it seems quite popular. There were over 30,000 posts in the Poker General Forum, so they must be doing something right.
I’d certainly recommend checking them out. What you do after that is up to you.
The following is a paid review!
You gotta love a Must Read from someone named Dorkus Malorkus. He gives "A brief guide to Cardschat forum events" on the freeroll page of CardsChat AKA the Internet Poker Forum. In a set up much like other forums (2+2, RGP), CardsChat is another place for poker players to discuss hands, philosophies and bad beats. They have posts like:
PokerStars is going Huge!
and a Private Forum called
Top Secret Forum for Loyal Cardschaters
My problems:
- I can’t load the site from work.
- The site loads slowly
- Much of the information comes from overseas players who aren’t restricted. Thanks for rubbing it in guys.
There is the usual stuff like, “Verbal abuse is everywhere online,” from JimboJim, with followups like this from Sammyv1, “Sticker, [abuse] is out of hand. I had someone verbally abuse me just last night. I went back at him a little bit, but not with too much aggression. He was using the old "Your mamma" insults and the "sexual preference" insults. The play I made that he was angry about was: I called a re-raise with 9-9 on the button. Well, I hit a 9 on the flop and he had AA. Yes, he got bad beated and maybe my "call" was a little weak, but the whole table was Super-Agressive. So, yes he has a gripe cause he lost with AA, but we all do (many times in fact).
Bottom line, I’m not certain the site adds any value to me personally, but it seems quite popular. There were over 30,000 posts in the Poker General Forum, so they must be doing something right.
I’d certainly recommend checking them out. What you do after that is up to you.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Scrubs!
23 NOV 06
The following is a paid review!
I’m very excited – my first paid review! On the advice of fellow blogger Drizz, I signed up with the ReviewMe site and was instantly approved as a reviewer. I now get paid to write these reviews (theoretically). I’m a bit conflicted, though. Here’s what you need to know before you read further:
Since this is my first actual paid review, I’m feeling some pressure to give a good review. In this way, I may entice others to ask me (and therefore pay me) for future reviews.
This plan could backfire. What if the product actually sucks and I recommend it out of a perceived need? No one will trust my future reviews. No one will want me to review their stuff because I might say something bad.
Since I’m conflicted, I’ll choose the only option truly available. I’ll be honest.
Scrubs, also known as Scrubs Gallery sells, you guessed it, scrubs! Their byline is, “Saving Cash on Nursing Scrubs and Medical Uniforms.”
Since I’m in the Army, I don’t have to buy my own scrubs. Occasionally, I like to be a little different, so I’m plopping down all the cash I will (theoretically) earn from this review and buying something from their site. Their front page seems pretty basic and easy to use. I searched for v-neck, blue and poly-cotton (for that poly-cottony goodness) and matched with this (seen in the picture above).
I chose my size (2XL - ‘cause I like ‘em big) and proceeded to the check out. Interestingly, there were no options for smaller sizes.
Some thoughts:
The site loads slowly. I’m certain this was not due to my computer – it must be something on their end.
Many of the options were only cartoons (as opposed to actual photos of the product). Hopefully this will be corrected in the future.
So far, I give the site and the experience a "thumbs-up."
I will write a follow-up review when I receive the product.
This was fun. Thanks again to Drizz for letting me know about the ReviewMe site.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Driveway Moment
22 SEP 06
NPR has something called a driveway moment, where people will sit in their car in order to finish listening to a particularly compelling story. This morning, in the parking lot of the hospital, I had to finish listening to John Feinstein talk about the Ryder Cup and his favorite moment.
He reminded us about Payne Stewart in the 1999 Cup, when, after enduring really horrible American crowds all day, Colin Montgomery was facing a 20 foot putt to win his match. The Americans had already won the cup, but Colin’s match hung on this putt. In his last public act (Payne died in a plane crash a month later), Payne picked up Colin’s ball and handed it to him, conceding the match.
It was one of my favorite moments, too.
The driveway moment was especially funny because as I got out of my car, two other doctors, who also had been sitting in their cars to listen to the story, also got out. We all looked at each other and smiled.
Final thought: I can no longer go to Al Can’t Hang’s blog from work. I get this:
ACCESS DENIED: DATING
This is hysterical and wrong on so many levels, I can’t begin to explain.
NPR has something called a driveway moment, where people will sit in their car in order to finish listening to a particularly compelling story. This morning, in the parking lot of the hospital, I had to finish listening to John Feinstein talk about the Ryder Cup and his favorite moment.
He reminded us about Payne Stewart in the 1999 Cup, when, after enduring really horrible American crowds all day, Colin Montgomery was facing a 20 foot putt to win his match. The Americans had already won the cup, but Colin’s match hung on this putt. In his last public act (Payne died in a plane crash a month later), Payne picked up Colin’s ball and handed it to him, conceding the match.
It was one of my favorite moments, too.
The driveway moment was especially funny because as I got out of my car, two other doctors, who also had been sitting in their cars to listen to the story, also got out. We all looked at each other and smiled.
Final thought: I can no longer go to Al Can’t Hang’s blog from work. I get this:
ACCESS DENIED: DATING
This is hysterical and wrong on so many levels, I can’t begin to explain.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)