31 AUG 06
Folks, I am proud and humbled to tell you that I had my very first story published this month in the online magazine Truckin’.
Dr. Pauly, you continue to amaze me with your outstanding writing. Thanks for including me with this bunch!!
Friends, you can get to the August '06 issue by clicking the link below.
Truckin’
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Enriching Your Life
30 AUG 06
Post #2 Today.
I’ve been playing guitar for over 30 years. I cannot do this.
You can thank me later.
PS. Does anyone know what scale he’s using about ¾ the way into the song?
Post #2 Today.
I’ve been playing guitar for over 30 years. I cannot do this.
You can thank me later.
PS. Does anyone know what scale he’s using about ¾ the way into the song?
Money at 4/8?
30 AUG 06
This is something I spoke with Seattle John about. He insists there is money to be made at 4/8. The more I play, the more I disagree. I play 4/8 only because it’s something to do while waiting for a 10/20 or 20/40 seat, and I get to work on my reading skills cheaply. I never go into it believing I’m going to be profitable. I also never (well, almost never) allow myself to lose more than $100 at this level.
Last night, I get a seat at 4/8. I regular 10/20 player sits across from me. She has the distinction of being more aggressive than me (?) and she’s about my skill level, perhaps even better. I’ve seen her make some great calls and great reads, especially against me.
That’s when the drunks showed up.
All four of them sat in a row in seats 4 through 7. They were clearly together and having a ball. I looked over at Karen (Kathy? Erin?) in the 3 seat and pretended to wipe drool off my chin. We both started cracking up.
I went on a rush that included a great read (calling with bottom pair and a missed draw into an aggressive bettor to my left) and a huge pot when I flopped a set of kings to someone who flopped AK. That pot was capped 6 ways preflop.
I took my $300 profit over to 10/20 where the table was especially bad, but I figured, what the heck. More of the same nonsense (7 way flops more often than not), and I find myself back below $100 when I look down at pocket kings. I get felted on the turn and one of the idiots bets into me. I said a bad word (evoking a horrible look from one of my favorite dealers), yet was quite pleased when my over pair beat his overpair.
Two hands later, I have my $300+ profit back, and I hit the door running.
The experiment continues…
This is something I spoke with Seattle John about. He insists there is money to be made at 4/8. The more I play, the more I disagree. I play 4/8 only because it’s something to do while waiting for a 10/20 or 20/40 seat, and I get to work on my reading skills cheaply. I never go into it believing I’m going to be profitable. I also never (well, almost never) allow myself to lose more than $100 at this level.
Last night, I get a seat at 4/8. I regular 10/20 player sits across from me. She has the distinction of being more aggressive than me (?) and she’s about my skill level, perhaps even better. I’ve seen her make some great calls and great reads, especially against me.
That’s when the drunks showed up.
All four of them sat in a row in seats 4 through 7. They were clearly together and having a ball. I looked over at Karen (Kathy? Erin?) in the 3 seat and pretended to wipe drool off my chin. We both started cracking up.
I went on a rush that included a great read (calling with bottom pair and a missed draw into an aggressive bettor to my left) and a huge pot when I flopped a set of kings to someone who flopped AK. That pot was capped 6 ways preflop.
I took my $300 profit over to 10/20 where the table was especially bad, but I figured, what the heck. More of the same nonsense (7 way flops more often than not), and I find myself back below $100 when I look down at pocket kings. I get felted on the turn and one of the idiots bets into me. I said a bad word (evoking a horrible look from one of my favorite dealers), yet was quite pleased when my over pair beat his overpair.
Two hands later, I have my $300+ profit back, and I hit the door running.
The experiment continues…
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Two Tournaments
29 AUG 06
And two wins.
Well, technically it was a first and second place. It should have been two first places, but my opponent in the second tournament called for all of her chips with overcards when I had a pair, and she hit. Please make that call every time!!
I’m finally getting around to watching older episodes from season two of High Stakes Poker on GSN (DVR is way cool). Last night I watched the sick hand between Gus Hansen and Daniel Negreanu where they both flopped sets and Gus turned the quads (which also gave Daniel the full house). Gus betting into Daniel with the made quads was unbelievable. No one on the planet keeps their money in that situation.
Doyle Brunson made a Level 12 move earlier in that same game that most people missed. On a paired board he makes what looks like a continuation bet, but in effect he was deliberately pricing his opponent into calling for the flush draw. This move should be highly suspicious, but only to an expert player. It says, “Please draw to the flush, because I already have the full house and I dearly hope you hit.” It was level 12 because Doyle didn’t have the full house. He just bet it like he did. It would never work against, say, the moron who called off her chips with overcards (see above).
Well, I was impressed. Maybe I’m giving Doyle too much credit?
Nah.
PS. I might be begging for a Vegas trip during the week of October 15th. There is a big radiology meeting on High Clinical Field MRI. Anyone gonna be there?
And two wins.
Well, technically it was a first and second place. It should have been two first places, but my opponent in the second tournament called for all of her chips with overcards when I had a pair, and she hit. Please make that call every time!!
I’m finally getting around to watching older episodes from season two of High Stakes Poker on GSN (DVR is way cool). Last night I watched the sick hand between Gus Hansen and Daniel Negreanu where they both flopped sets and Gus turned the quads (which also gave Daniel the full house). Gus betting into Daniel with the made quads was unbelievable. No one on the planet keeps their money in that situation.
Doyle Brunson made a Level 12 move earlier in that same game that most people missed. On a paired board he makes what looks like a continuation bet, but in effect he was deliberately pricing his opponent into calling for the flush draw. This move should be highly suspicious, but only to an expert player. It says, “Please draw to the flush, because I already have the full house and I dearly hope you hit.” It was level 12 because Doyle didn’t have the full house. He just bet it like he did. It would never work against, say, the moron who called off her chips with overcards (see above).
Well, I was impressed. Maybe I’m giving Doyle too much credit?
Nah.
PS. I might be begging for a Vegas trip during the week of October 15th. There is a big radiology meeting on High Clinical Field MRI. Anyone gonna be there?
Monday, August 28, 2006
Managing Expectations
Editors Note: I wrote this on Saturday, but Blogger wouldn't let me post it (even after, like 10 attempts). I since had a nice turn around, which I'll post about tomorrow.
26 AUG 06
Blogging on a Saturday. I just had to get this out while it’s fresh.
My experiment had a little set back last night. In fact, I’m amazed I still have any money left. As a way of highlighting what happened (in a not-so-cleverly-disguised bad beat story), my trips ran into full houses three times in two hours. All to the same guy.
This is reminiscent of the quad story when I first started playing 10/20.
In this case, the dude limped all three times. I flopped trips each time and he either turned or rivered his small pocket pairs. That’s right. He stayed in on boards with all face cards when he held pocket 2s, 5s and 6s.
You expect to lose money in these situations, but I KNOW I lost more than necessary because of tilt. In fact, there were at least 5 big bets that I didn’t need to make. $100 down the drain unnecessarily.
Why did this happen? I didn’t manage my expectations. I woke up this morning singing the Kenny Rogers line, “every hand’s a winner,” You know the rest.
If I went in expecting to lose a few big hands, maybe I’d be able to see more clearly. No one DESERVES to win just because they have a made hand.
26 AUG 06
Blogging on a Saturday. I just had to get this out while it’s fresh.
My experiment had a little set back last night. In fact, I’m amazed I still have any money left. As a way of highlighting what happened (in a not-so-cleverly-disguised bad beat story), my trips ran into full houses three times in two hours. All to the same guy.
This is reminiscent of the quad story when I first started playing 10/20.
In this case, the dude limped all three times. I flopped trips each time and he either turned or rivered his small pocket pairs. That’s right. He stayed in on boards with all face cards when he held pocket 2s, 5s and 6s.
You expect to lose money in these situations, but I KNOW I lost more than necessary because of tilt. In fact, there were at least 5 big bets that I didn’t need to make. $100 down the drain unnecessarily.
Why did this happen? I didn’t manage my expectations. I woke up this morning singing the Kenny Rogers line, “every hand’s a winner,” You know the rest.
If I went in expecting to lose a few big hands, maybe I’d be able to see more clearly. No one DESERVES to win just because they have a made hand.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Are You Kidding Me?!
25 AUG 06
I am tired today. Why, you ask? Because I was up until after 1 am sweating my wife in a Party Poker freeroll tournament.
Roll that one around in your brainstem for a bit.
It was one of the most frustrating things I’ve ever watched. The way she plays makes me nuts. Limping from the button with pocket pairs in an unraised pot.
Every time.
She also limps with AK and AQ.
In fact, she only raised preflop twice that I saw, once with pocket Aces (Wow. So brave).
Her restraint; however, was incredible. She folded QQ preflop to a maniac I’m sure she had beat and she (correctly) folded KK post flop when she correctly read a moron on Ace-rag.
The stats are mind boggling.
16,400 players to start. That’s not a typo. Over sixteen THOUSAND players in this thing.
Top ten get paid REAL CASH.
Everyone else? Bupkis. Nada. Zilch.
She took 7th. $40 for zero investment. Try calculating THAT ROI, Mr. Sklansky! Un-friggin-believable.
Congrats, babe. I’m going to take a nap.
I am tired today. Why, you ask? Because I was up until after 1 am sweating my wife in a Party Poker freeroll tournament.
Roll that one around in your brainstem for a bit.
It was one of the most frustrating things I’ve ever watched. The way she plays makes me nuts. Limping from the button with pocket pairs in an unraised pot.
Every time.
She also limps with AK and AQ.
In fact, she only raised preflop twice that I saw, once with pocket Aces (Wow. So brave).
Her restraint; however, was incredible. She folded QQ preflop to a maniac I’m sure she had beat and she (correctly) folded KK post flop when she correctly read a moron on Ace-rag.
The stats are mind boggling.
16,400 players to start. That’s not a typo. Over sixteen THOUSAND players in this thing.
Top ten get paid REAL CASH.
Everyone else? Bupkis. Nada. Zilch.
She took 7th. $40 for zero investment. Try calculating THAT ROI, Mr. Sklansky! Un-friggin-believable.
Congrats, babe. I’m going to take a nap.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Happy Birthday, Son!
24 AUG 06
My son turns 9 today. He gets to choose where we go for dinner. I have a hunch he’ll pick Sushi.
***
My poker experiment continues. The only highlights are:
I’ve had my pocket Aces cracked 4 consecutive times.
I’ve had three consecutive winning sessions.
That is all for now.
My son turns 9 today. He gets to choose where we go for dinner. I have a hunch he’ll pick Sushi.
***
My poker experiment continues. The only highlights are:
I’ve had my pocket Aces cracked 4 consecutive times.
I’ve had three consecutive winning sessions.
That is all for now.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Experiment
22 AUG 06
By now, you’ve all heard of Chris “Jesus” Ferguson’s experiment where he played online poker and turned $1 into $20,000.
Dr. Chako’s experiment was very nearly the reverse. Yay for me.
So now, I’m trying something different. I took $20 into the local fish tank, a place called PJ Pockets. I played super tight (including folding pocket 10’s and AK pre-flop), and turned the $20 into over $100.
Yesterday I took a portion of that and bought into a $35 three-table hold ‘em tourney at Freddie’s at Fife. A three way chop for first place gave me $320. I was the chip leader (I think), with 30,000 in chips, but the blinds were 3000/5000, so it’s really a crap shoot at that point and these tournaments always get chopped. I kind of wanted to run it to see if I could win, but since there was more luck than skill at that point, the chop was the wisest choice.
Side note, after the 6th person busted, we decided to let places 4 and 5 get their money back. #6 dude heard this and got really pissed. “What about me?” he asked.
Screw you, buddy. You should have played better poker.
I could do no wrong in this tournament. My first hand I raised with 5 6 and the flop was 5 5 5. I never looked back.
Anyway, my plan is to take that $20 and turn it into a bank roll. I’ll have to do this around my new business schedule, which is more successful than I imagined.
That said, would you believe my little corporation has to pay close to 50% in taxes? I knew I should have been a Libertarian (or was that librarian?)
By now, you’ve all heard of Chris “Jesus” Ferguson’s experiment where he played online poker and turned $1 into $20,000.
Dr. Chako’s experiment was very nearly the reverse. Yay for me.
So now, I’m trying something different. I took $20 into the local fish tank, a place called PJ Pockets. I played super tight (including folding pocket 10’s and AK pre-flop), and turned the $20 into over $100.
Yesterday I took a portion of that and bought into a $35 three-table hold ‘em tourney at Freddie’s at Fife. A three way chop for first place gave me $320. I was the chip leader (I think), with 30,000 in chips, but the blinds were 3000/5000, so it’s really a crap shoot at that point and these tournaments always get chopped. I kind of wanted to run it to see if I could win, but since there was more luck than skill at that point, the chop was the wisest choice.
Side note, after the 6th person busted, we decided to let places 4 and 5 get their money back. #6 dude heard this and got really pissed. “What about me?” he asked.
Screw you, buddy. You should have played better poker.
I could do no wrong in this tournament. My first hand I raised with 5 6 and the flop was 5 5 5. I never looked back.
Anyway, my plan is to take that $20 and turn it into a bank roll. I’ll have to do this around my new business schedule, which is more successful than I imagined.
That said, would you believe my little corporation has to pay close to 50% in taxes? I knew I should have been a Libertarian (or was that librarian?)
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Cruisin’ on a Wednesday Afternoon…
17 AUG 06
Before I get to poker on the high seas, I have to relate this story. My family and I are driving yesterday when AC/DC comes on the radio. My wife and I are singing (loudly):
'Cause the walls were shakin'
The earth was quakin'
My mind was achin'
And we were making it and you -
Shook me aaaaaall niiiiiiiiight long
Right when we finished “shakin’,” from the back seat my 8 year old son asks, “ what’s a World Wide Chicken?”
I guess you had to be there.
***
I’ve decided not to get into the gory details about playing 5/10 on the Royal Caribbean cruise ship. I can sum it up in this short quip:
8 way flop. Turn brings 3rd spade. River brings 4th spade. Four players still left in the hand. Bet. Call. Call.
Moron #4 GOES INTO THE TANK. For like, 2 minutes. He’s really conflicted here. I’m thinking, he obviously has the second nut flush, but what about the two callers ahead of him? He finally calls and shows:
Wait for it…
Top pair, no spade.
If I stayed at the table, I would have eventually paid for the cruise, but instead I did a very positive EV thing and got away from the table with more cash than when I sat down and had a great time.
Tomorrow – pictures!!
(If Blogger let’s me post ‘em.)
Before I get to poker on the high seas, I have to relate this story. My family and I are driving yesterday when AC/DC comes on the radio. My wife and I are singing (loudly):
'Cause the walls were shakin'
The earth was quakin'
My mind was achin'
And we were making it and you -
Shook me aaaaaall niiiiiiiiight long
Right when we finished “shakin’,” from the back seat my 8 year old son asks, “ what’s a World Wide Chicken?”
I guess you had to be there.
***
I’ve decided not to get into the gory details about playing 5/10 on the Royal Caribbean cruise ship. I can sum it up in this short quip:
8 way flop. Turn brings 3rd spade. River brings 4th spade. Four players still left in the hand. Bet. Call. Call.
Moron #4 GOES INTO THE TANK. For like, 2 minutes. He’s really conflicted here. I’m thinking, he obviously has the second nut flush, but what about the two callers ahead of him? He finally calls and shows:
Wait for it…
Top pair, no spade.
If I stayed at the table, I would have eventually paid for the cruise, but instead I did a very positive EV thing and got away from the table with more cash than when I sat down and had a great time.
Tomorrow – pictures!!
(If Blogger let’s me post ‘em.)
Monday, August 14, 2006
Morons on the High Seas
I've been on a cruise (and played some poker), so I apologize for not posting. In fact, this is the longest I've been away from the blog. I'm having withdrawls.
I can't wait to tell you about this trip. It will have to wait for now. I've got to plan for like 6 hours to get through airport security.
I can't wait to tell you about this trip. It will have to wait for now. I've got to plan for like 6 hours to get through airport security.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Thanks and Stuff
3 AUG 06
It’s been a while since I said thanks to my top referrers. I have a sneaking suspicion that it’s the site owners who click on my link (as opposed to traffic on their sites that just HAVE to read about a pokerplaying Army Doctor on tilt), but I say “thankya” just the same.
Without further ado, my top referrers:
Seattle John
Drizz
Pii
Dr. Pauly
Whiskytown
Matt
Up For Poker
Since I suggested it to Huge Junk, I give you the always entertaining, Google Searches that Lead to My Blog:
"I am standing here beside myself"
"Never play cards with a man called doc"
"Never play cards with a man named after a city"
"Husband loses at poker"
"Making a move on a man" (Huge Junk, was that you?)
"You got to have hand" (Seinfeld reference)
"Doctors get very little sleep" (amen, but so do poker players – try doing both!)
It’s been a while since I said thanks to my top referrers. I have a sneaking suspicion that it’s the site owners who click on my link (as opposed to traffic on their sites that just HAVE to read about a pokerplaying Army Doctor on tilt), but I say “thankya” just the same.
Without further ado, my top referrers:
Seattle John
Drizz
Pii
Dr. Pauly
Whiskytown
Matt
Up For Poker
Since I suggested it to Huge Junk, I give you the always entertaining, Google Searches that Lead to My Blog:
"I am standing here beside myself"
"Never play cards with a man called doc"
"Never play cards with a man named after a city"
"Husband loses at poker"
"Making a move on a man" (Huge Junk, was that you?)
"You got to have hand" (Seinfeld reference)
"Doctors get very little sleep" (amen, but so do poker players – try doing both!)
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Back in the Saddle
1 AUG 06
Played Friday AND Saturday night. So there!
It was nice to book two winning sessions in a row at 20/40. The long break did me good. I paid a lot more attention, and didn’t even have to force myself to watch other players when I wasn’t in the hand. I’m certain I got too complacent when I was playing every day.
I was on the list for everything from 4/8 to 30/60. 20/40 was the highest thing they had going, and I got right in. About an hour later, they called me for the 10/20, and I passed.
Oops.
Another regular took that seat. He folds his first hand (make a note of this), and two other players see a flop of A J J. Bet. Call.
Turn J. Check. Check.
River King of Hearts. Bet. Raise. Re-raise. Cap!
Don has quad jacks with an Ace kicker and missy in the one seat rivers the Royal Flush.
Bad Beat Jackpot baby.
Missy takes home $45,000 and Don gets a cool $90,000 which they pay him in chips. My ears are still ringing from all the screaming.
Table share - $7800 (each) for everyone dealt in the hand (including the guy who took MY seat, the bastid). Oh well, I still won $600 one table over. That’s cool, too, right?
A couple interesting notes. One guy got up to go the bathroom and missed his blind. No table share for you, dude! Everyone realized that the cards would have been dealt differently if he stayed, so they each chipped in one black chip and the two big winners rounded it out to $1000. Still, it was an expensive piss.
The best news of the night – Kye (the dealer) was tipped by everyone at the table. She was cashing out at the same time I was, and her hands were shaking so bad she couldn’t count out the chips.
$14,000.
Not too shabby, and a great gesture from the players (mostly Don, I think. It’s too bad, because it was easy thinking he was a jerk. Now I may have to reassess).
Played Friday AND Saturday night. So there!
It was nice to book two winning sessions in a row at 20/40. The long break did me good. I paid a lot more attention, and didn’t even have to force myself to watch other players when I wasn’t in the hand. I’m certain I got too complacent when I was playing every day.
I was on the list for everything from 4/8 to 30/60. 20/40 was the highest thing they had going, and I got right in. About an hour later, they called me for the 10/20, and I passed.
Oops.
Another regular took that seat. He folds his first hand (make a note of this), and two other players see a flop of A J J. Bet. Call.
Turn J. Check. Check.
River King of Hearts. Bet. Raise. Re-raise. Cap!
Don has quad jacks with an Ace kicker and missy in the one seat rivers the Royal Flush.
Bad Beat Jackpot baby.
Missy takes home $45,000 and Don gets a cool $90,000 which they pay him in chips. My ears are still ringing from all the screaming.
Table share - $7800 (each) for everyone dealt in the hand (including the guy who took MY seat, the bastid). Oh well, I still won $600 one table over. That’s cool, too, right?
A couple interesting notes. One guy got up to go the bathroom and missed his blind. No table share for you, dude! Everyone realized that the cards would have been dealt differently if he stayed, so they each chipped in one black chip and the two big winners rounded it out to $1000. Still, it was an expensive piss.
The best news of the night – Kye (the dealer) was tipped by everyone at the table. She was cashing out at the same time I was, and her hands were shaking so bad she couldn’t count out the chips.
$14,000.
Not too shabby, and a great gesture from the players (mostly Don, I think. It’s too bad, because it was easy thinking he was a jerk. Now I may have to reassess).
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Sleep
27 JUL 06
My mood has improved a little. I haven’t played a single hand of poker since Vegas - not sure how much longer I can hold out. This self imposed exile is starting to get on my nerves. It’s strange going to bed before 11 pm. Maybe that’s why I’ve been stressed lately – I’m getting too much sleep.
I used to be an 8 or 9 hour per night sleeper. I distinctly remember arguing with my dad about how much sleep was appropriate for a teenager. I figured it was at least 9 hours. If I had my way, it would have been “until my body wakes me up,” but dad was having none of that. We settled on 8 hours, and I remained pissed until I left home for college.
I’m still not sure what I’m going to tell my son when we have this same conversation.
Fast forward to medical school and internship. Those stories you hear about doctors getting very little sleep are all true, or at least they used to be. One month, while working in the medical ICU, I averaged 110 hours per week – 36 hours (at least) in the hospital and 8 at home before I started it all again. I got two days off that month. I actually fell asleep in the operating room once – a particularly disgusting story that will have to wait for another time.
The side effect of all this is that I now only need about 5 hours of sleep per night. Any more than that, and I begin to get ornery. Surly, even.
How much sleep do you need? How much sleep are you willing to sacrifice if the poker game is really good?
My mood has improved a little. I haven’t played a single hand of poker since Vegas - not sure how much longer I can hold out. This self imposed exile is starting to get on my nerves. It’s strange going to bed before 11 pm. Maybe that’s why I’ve been stressed lately – I’m getting too much sleep.
I used to be an 8 or 9 hour per night sleeper. I distinctly remember arguing with my dad about how much sleep was appropriate for a teenager. I figured it was at least 9 hours. If I had my way, it would have been “until my body wakes me up,” but dad was having none of that. We settled on 8 hours, and I remained pissed until I left home for college.
I’m still not sure what I’m going to tell my son when we have this same conversation.
Fast forward to medical school and internship. Those stories you hear about doctors getting very little sleep are all true, or at least they used to be. One month, while working in the medical ICU, I averaged 110 hours per week – 36 hours (at least) in the hospital and 8 at home before I started it all again. I got two days off that month. I actually fell asleep in the operating room once – a particularly disgusting story that will have to wait for another time.
The side effect of all this is that I now only need about 5 hours of sleep per night. Any more than that, and I begin to get ornery. Surly, even.
How much sleep do you need? How much sleep are you willing to sacrifice if the poker game is really good?
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Sorry ‘bout that
25 JUL 06
My apologies for yesterday’s depressing post. I was in a foul mood. Still, there was no need to take it out on you.
Go see Clerks II. If you are offended, it will make me feel better. When you are in a foul mood (like I am), all you really want is company.
If you laugh your ass off (like I did), don’t tell me about it. I want to keep this mood a little longer.
My apologies for yesterday’s depressing post. I was in a foul mood. Still, there was no need to take it out on you.
Go see Clerks II. If you are offended, it will make me feel better. When you are in a foul mood (like I am), all you really want is company.
If you laugh your ass off (like I did), don’t tell me about it. I want to keep this mood a little longer.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Reality Check
24 JUL 06
Right now it’s 12:37 pm. At 12:31 pm (six minutes ago), I told a nice young woman and her near-deaf husband that she has breast cancer. And it’s bad. She smiled and said she kind of expected it. Then, she turned to her husband and asked if he was okay. He looked stunned.
That’s when she started crying.
What were you doing today at 12:31 pm? I assure you, I wasn’t thinking about poker.
Right now it’s 12:37 pm. At 12:31 pm (six minutes ago), I told a nice young woman and her near-deaf husband that she has breast cancer. And it’s bad. She smiled and said she kind of expected it. Then, she turned to her husband and asked if he was okay. He looked stunned.
That’s when she started crying.
What were you doing today at 12:31 pm? I assure you, I wasn’t thinking about poker.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Hello from Alaska!
Sorry I've been silent for a while. Not much poker to report. Still on hiatus.
I'm blogging from the Army hospital at Ft. Wainright in Fairbanks, Alaska. It doesn't get dark up here in the "Interior" this time of year, so sleeping has been tough. I'm helping relieve another radiologist who has been solo for most of the summer. I did the solo thing when I was in Germany, and it sucks. I'm glad to be able to give him a break. Besides, a week in Alaska sure beats a stick in the eye.
Played soccer yesterday for the first time in a long time. I'm so out of shape (for an Army guy) it's pathetic. To punish myself, I ran for a half hour afterwards. That'll teach me. We lost on free kicks in overtime. My total contribution was not throwing up and helping a soldier who popped his hamstring so loudly that I thought someone clapped their hands.
I'm still on Alaska Airlines-tilt after long airport delays and lost luggage, so maybe I'll be in a better mood when I next post.
As Seattle John says, be well, and I hope you are winning.
I'm blogging from the Army hospital at Ft. Wainright in Fairbanks, Alaska. It doesn't get dark up here in the "Interior" this time of year, so sleeping has been tough. I'm helping relieve another radiologist who has been solo for most of the summer. I did the solo thing when I was in Germany, and it sucks. I'm glad to be able to give him a break. Besides, a week in Alaska sure beats a stick in the eye.
Played soccer yesterday for the first time in a long time. I'm so out of shape (for an Army guy) it's pathetic. To punish myself, I ran for a half hour afterwards. That'll teach me. We lost on free kicks in overtime. My total contribution was not throwing up and helping a soldier who popped his hamstring so loudly that I thought someone clapped their hands.
I'm still on Alaska Airlines-tilt after long airport delays and lost luggage, so maybe I'll be in a better mood when I next post.
As Seattle John says, be well, and I hope you are winning.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
WPBT 2006 Trip Report
12 JUL 06
Yet another incredible WPBT. Huge thanks to April for setting this up. I can’t imagine what you went through to pull this off. We all owe you a huge debt of gratitude. And kudos again for the speakers. One of my complaints last year was that the speakers were out of control and droned on too long. Not so this year. The stories and readings were brief, entertaining and appropriate. Howard Lederer was angry and topical, but what a great forum to talk about the politics of poker, especially given recent legislation. Roshambo with Phil Gordon was hysterical. Was anyone surprised that Veneno won heads up?
Random thoughts from Vegas:
I stayed downtown at the Golden Nugget. I was in their newly renovated North tower. It was… nice. I guess. I will forevermore stay on the strip, if for no other reason than it took almost an hour on the “Deuce” to get from the Nugget to Caesar’s Palace.
Random conversation heard on the Deuce. I was sitting in front of a father/son combo. The son (Timmy) sounded like he may be 5 or 6.
Timmy: Dad, what kind of birds do you like?
Dad: I don’t know, Timmy. I guess I like colorful ones like parrots or fast ones like falcons.
Timmy: No Dad. I meant do you like alive ones or dead ones.
Pause.
Dad: I guess I prefer the live ones, Timmy.
Timmy: I like the dead ones.
Dr. Chako gets off the bus.
Random cool occurrences:
I got a hug from Veneno. I belong, baby.
I played one table over from Shannon Elizabeth at the Venetian. Geeaahh.
I played a live game with Heather. As I said below, sorry I stormed off. Like I’ve said before, I’m prone to tilt. BTW – on that hand you said I had a huge tell, I was semi-bluffing with middle pair, weak kicker. Sorry.
My friend Dr. C won 10th place in the blogger tourney. She didn’t know until afterwards the quality of players she was up against.
Okay. I’m a geek. I admit it. Still, it meant a great deal to me that both Dr. Pauly and Otis remembered me (and even remembered my name)!
I got to shake hands with the thricely confirmed Bobby Bracelet. I called him over to my 2/5 NL table at MGM and we chatted briefly. It wasn’t until I saw him at the tournament that he noted that I was playing next to Laura Prepon from That 70’s Show. He laughed about it because he thought I was calling him over to introduce him to Laura, but in fact, I just wanted to shake the hand of the famous Playboy Mansion dweller. Who cares about some overly aggressive actress (she actually played decent poker), I met Bobby, dammit!
I shook hands, met or saw all my blogger heroes, including Speaker, Al, Iggy, Felicia, Grubby, Dawn Summers, Sir Waffles, Bill Rini, Pii (who started to my right in the tourney and placed 2nd), Joaquin (who started to my left), Michael Craig (seen here with Jennifer Harman courtesy of ccexplore, who is moving to Pokerworks, which is blocked on my hospital computer), DoubleA’s, Linda Geenen (also at Pokerworks and therefore blocked), and Amy Calistri.
Franklin (at least I think it was Franklin. His last post says he wasn’t planning on going to the WPBT Summer classic) got the stethoscope bounty, and F-Train won the thing. Well done to all the finishers.
I wish I spent more time playing donkey poker with bloggers as opposed to throwing my money at morons in the NL games. Only once did I get my money in with the worst hand, and now the BR is going to need some serious nursing before I’m ready to crash the tables again. Don’t worry; I’ll be back.
It just might not be until the next WPBT.
Yet another incredible WPBT. Huge thanks to April for setting this up. I can’t imagine what you went through to pull this off. We all owe you a huge debt of gratitude. And kudos again for the speakers. One of my complaints last year was that the speakers were out of control and droned on too long. Not so this year. The stories and readings were brief, entertaining and appropriate. Howard Lederer was angry and topical, but what a great forum to talk about the politics of poker, especially given recent legislation. Roshambo with Phil Gordon was hysterical. Was anyone surprised that Veneno won heads up?
Random thoughts from Vegas:
I stayed downtown at the Golden Nugget. I was in their newly renovated North tower. It was… nice. I guess. I will forevermore stay on the strip, if for no other reason than it took almost an hour on the “Deuce” to get from the Nugget to Caesar’s Palace.
Random conversation heard on the Deuce. I was sitting in front of a father/son combo. The son (Timmy) sounded like he may be 5 or 6.
Timmy: Dad, what kind of birds do you like?
Dad: I don’t know, Timmy. I guess I like colorful ones like parrots or fast ones like falcons.
Timmy: No Dad. I meant do you like alive ones or dead ones.
Pause.
Dad: I guess I prefer the live ones, Timmy.
Timmy: I like the dead ones.
Dr. Chako gets off the bus.
Random cool occurrences:
I got a hug from Veneno. I belong, baby.
I played one table over from Shannon Elizabeth at the Venetian. Geeaahh.
I played a live game with Heather. As I said below, sorry I stormed off. Like I’ve said before, I’m prone to tilt. BTW – on that hand you said I had a huge tell, I was semi-bluffing with middle pair, weak kicker. Sorry.
My friend Dr. C won 10th place in the blogger tourney. She didn’t know until afterwards the quality of players she was up against.
Okay. I’m a geek. I admit it. Still, it meant a great deal to me that both Dr. Pauly and Otis remembered me (and even remembered my name)!
I got to shake hands with the thricely confirmed Bobby Bracelet. I called him over to my 2/5 NL table at MGM and we chatted briefly. It wasn’t until I saw him at the tournament that he noted that I was playing next to Laura Prepon from That 70’s Show. He laughed about it because he thought I was calling him over to introduce him to Laura, but in fact, I just wanted to shake the hand of the famous Playboy Mansion dweller. Who cares about some overly aggressive actress (she actually played decent poker), I met Bobby, dammit!
I shook hands, met or saw all my blogger heroes, including Speaker, Al, Iggy, Felicia, Grubby, Dawn Summers, Sir Waffles, Bill Rini, Pii (who started to my right in the tourney and placed 2nd), Joaquin (who started to my left), Michael Craig (seen here with Jennifer Harman courtesy of ccexplore, who is moving to Pokerworks, which is blocked on my hospital computer), DoubleA’s, Linda Geenen (also at Pokerworks and therefore blocked), and Amy Calistri.
Franklin (at least I think it was Franklin. His last post says he wasn’t planning on going to the WPBT Summer classic) got the stethoscope bounty, and F-Train won the thing. Well done to all the finishers.
I wish I spent more time playing donkey poker with bloggers as opposed to throwing my money at morons in the NL games. Only once did I get my money in with the worst hand, and now the BR is going to need some serious nursing before I’m ready to crash the tables again. Don’t worry; I’ll be back.
It just might not be until the next WPBT.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Early WPBT Report - More to Follow
I’m typing this from the McCarran Airport in Las Vegas. Poker was a bloodbath, yet I had a blast with all the bloggers. Congrats to my friend Dr. Maricela C. for cashing in 10th place, and congrats to Franklin for knocking me out (even though he was severely dominated) and collecting the stethoscope bounty.
I hope to post more thoughts and a trip report in the coming days.
Oh yeah – Maigrey – sorry you had to witness the huge mega-tilt when that moron called my $100 raise with pocket 4s. I should have at least said goodbye before I stormed off. I enjoyed meeting you and it was fun chatting about NL strategy with a pro.
I hope to post more thoughts and a trip report in the coming days.
Oh yeah – Maigrey – sorry you had to witness the huge mega-tilt when that moron called my $100 raise with pocket 4s. I should have at least said goodbye before I stormed off. I enjoyed meeting you and it was fun chatting about NL strategy with a pro.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
WPBT Baby!!
6 JUL 06
T minus 24 hours until lift-off.
I am standing here beside myself.
(Name the movie for an added bonus).
T minus 24 hours until lift-off.
I am standing here beside myself.
(Name the movie for an added bonus).
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Ozzfest Recap
1 JUL 06
What an experience!! Read here for a recap of how I got VIP Ozzfest tickets and what I decided to do with them. I picked a winner and he went and had a great time.
I listed the tickets for free on Craigslist, and got tons of responses. Since I didn’t want people wondering if I chose them or not, I decided to send everyone an email. Here is that email with my additional analysis – free for your reading enjoyment.
Thanks for asking about my tickets to Ozzfest. UNFORTUNATELY, if you are getting this email, it means I didn’t pick you.
The decision was MUCH harder than I expected. I got over 100 requests. Here are some of the best:
I would piss myself and stay in those pants for 3 days just to hear System of a Down for 1 minute – Clearly the most outrageous, but a little difficult to verify. Would he come to my house every day?
This may be my last chance to see Ozzy solo before I (or he) die. - Too true, but I hear Ozzy was quite up to the show.
I work in a Women's Support Shelter – There are so many things wrong with giving this woman an Ozzfest ticket, I don’t know where to begin.
My daughter’s last name is Osborne, so it’s meant to be. – This one got serious consideration and was in the top 5.
I will ride my bmx bike with no breaks all the way down to south Seattle or wherever you live. – Dude. I’m a doctor. While I think the exercise might be good, I don’t want anyone injured.
I’ll trade you an iPod for them – I actually got a lot of these offers. Can you listen to NRP on an iPod?
Today is my b’day. - Happy birthday!! No tickets!!
100 pounds of Starbucks coffee – I was called a COMPLETE IDIOT for not taking this one. Now, if it was 100 bottles of Diet Coke, I may have reconsidered.
An upright piano – Huh?
I will trade tattoos for the tickets. - Tempting, and clearly outrageous, but I’ve gone 39 years without a tattoo, I don’t think I’ll start now.
1 1/2 hour heated stone massage with aromatherapy – Also very tempting, but I’m guessing no “happy ending,” so no tickets.
I will eat any thing you put on the plate as long as it is not harmful to me. – I loved this one and it was also in the top 5, but again, I just can’t see driving over there with a plate of (name your favorite Fear Factor disgusto-meal here) and knocking on his door.
I will trade u 2 tickets for the PINK concert this Sunday – Uh, maybe if I don’t like Ozzy, I’ll like Pink?
$200+ - Even though I said “no money” I got several offers for outright cash, and probably could have gotten over $300 for them. The way poker has been lately, I probably should have taken the cash.
The winner is a guy named Jamie who was willing to write me into the credits of his upcoming CD. I asked for the most outrageous offer, and that was clearly it.
He just sent me this email.
Good Morning! I'm tired, sunburned, and poor... but I had an awesome time! My friend did as well. The seats were pretty great, just above the pit level. It was so nice getting to park in the VIP area and get free water and such in the VIP tent. That was a life saver.
Ozzy was fantastic... not just a couple smiles here and there... it was the entire time he played. He still gets around and gets into the music a lot which is great to see.
I met a couple of very flirty, very attractive young ladies there too, which was nice. They even took my camera phone with them into the girls VIP bathroom area and took some interesting photos together for me.
Anyway we had a wonderful time, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
-Jamie (Proto-Leviathan)
PS: What did you think of my CD??
He gave me a “rough draft” of a CD from his band. They sound really tight and probably could have played right along with System of a Down and the other groups at Ozzfest.
All in all, a great experience. I highly recommend it to anyone with a similar situation. I got tons more enjoyment out of this than an extra $200 would have gotten me.
Now where are those damn camera phone pics?
What an experience!! Read here for a recap of how I got VIP Ozzfest tickets and what I decided to do with them. I picked a winner and he went and had a great time.
I listed the tickets for free on Craigslist, and got tons of responses. Since I didn’t want people wondering if I chose them or not, I decided to send everyone an email. Here is that email with my additional analysis – free for your reading enjoyment.
Thanks for asking about my tickets to Ozzfest. UNFORTUNATELY, if you are getting this email, it means I didn’t pick you.
The decision was MUCH harder than I expected. I got over 100 requests. Here are some of the best:
I would piss myself and stay in those pants for 3 days just to hear System of a Down for 1 minute – Clearly the most outrageous, but a little difficult to verify. Would he come to my house every day?
This may be my last chance to see Ozzy solo before I (or he) die. - Too true, but I hear Ozzy was quite up to the show.
I work in a Women's Support Shelter – There are so many things wrong with giving this woman an Ozzfest ticket, I don’t know where to begin.
My daughter’s last name is Osborne, so it’s meant to be. – This one got serious consideration and was in the top 5.
I will ride my bmx bike with no breaks all the way down to south Seattle or wherever you live. – Dude. I’m a doctor. While I think the exercise might be good, I don’t want anyone injured.
I’ll trade you an iPod for them – I actually got a lot of these offers. Can you listen to NRP on an iPod?
Today is my b’day. - Happy birthday!! No tickets!!
100 pounds of Starbucks coffee – I was called a COMPLETE IDIOT for not taking this one. Now, if it was 100 bottles of Diet Coke, I may have reconsidered.
An upright piano – Huh?
I will trade tattoos for the tickets. - Tempting, and clearly outrageous, but I’ve gone 39 years without a tattoo, I don’t think I’ll start now.
1 1/2 hour heated stone massage with aromatherapy – Also very tempting, but I’m guessing no “happy ending,” so no tickets.
I will eat any thing you put on the plate as long as it is not harmful to me. – I loved this one and it was also in the top 5, but again, I just can’t see driving over there with a plate of (name your favorite Fear Factor disgusto-meal here) and knocking on his door.
I will trade u 2 tickets for the PINK concert this Sunday – Uh, maybe if I don’t like Ozzy, I’ll like Pink?
$200+ - Even though I said “no money” I got several offers for outright cash, and probably could have gotten over $300 for them. The way poker has been lately, I probably should have taken the cash.
The winner is a guy named Jamie who was willing to write me into the credits of his upcoming CD. I asked for the most outrageous offer, and that was clearly it.
He just sent me this email.
Good Morning! I'm tired, sunburned, and poor... but I had an awesome time! My friend did as well. The seats were pretty great, just above the pit level. It was so nice getting to park in the VIP area and get free water and such in the VIP tent. That was a life saver.
Ozzy was fantastic... not just a couple smiles here and there... it was the entire time he played. He still gets around and gets into the music a lot which is great to see.
I met a couple of very flirty, very attractive young ladies there too, which was nice. They even took my camera phone with them into the girls VIP bathroom area and took some interesting photos together for me.
Anyway we had a wonderful time, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
-Jamie (Proto-Leviathan)
PS: What did you think of my CD??
He gave me a “rough draft” of a CD from his band. They sound really tight and probably could have played right along with System of a Down and the other groups at Ozzfest.
All in all, a great experience. I highly recommend it to anyone with a similar situation. I got tons more enjoyment out of this than an extra $200 would have gotten me.
Now where are those damn camera phone pics?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)