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?)
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
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?
Friday, June 23, 2006
Ozzfest
23 JUN 06
Dave is one of the floor personnel at the Muckleshoot. He’s always professional and friendly. A couple days ago, I finally got my seat in the 10/20 game while waiting for the 20/40 to open up. Dave comes over to me and asks to talk to me for a second. It turns out that they were opening up the 20/40 game, but I was the odd-man out. Unfortunately, most of my 10/20 game would be headed over to the 20/40, and I would be left to find a 4/8 game. Would that be okay?
Sure Dave. No problem.
I’ve said this before, but I try to be friendly to everyone. Working in a poker room opens you up to tons of abuse, and I won’t be a part of it. Felicia often talks about it. I was quite taken aback by the fact that he even asked me.
I was even more taken aback by what happened next. Right after I get my 4/8 seat, Dave comes over with 2 free comp VIP tickets to Ozzfest at the White River Amphitheater for June 29th (next week). He even gave me the VIP parking pass.
Wow.
I was truly speechless. I never asked for anything, and there it was. Dave, let me say again – Thanks! You are a helluva guy.
Unfortunately, I can’t go to the concert. I suppose I could sell the two tickets, but that seems disingenuous. I might give them away at work, but is there anyone out there who will be in the South Seattle area next week that might be interested?
If there is a lot of interest, I might turn this into a contest. Let’s see who can come up with the most outrageous (non-monetary) offer.
So, who wants to go to Ozzfest?
Dave is one of the floor personnel at the Muckleshoot. He’s always professional and friendly. A couple days ago, I finally got my seat in the 10/20 game while waiting for the 20/40 to open up. Dave comes over to me and asks to talk to me for a second. It turns out that they were opening up the 20/40 game, but I was the odd-man out. Unfortunately, most of my 10/20 game would be headed over to the 20/40, and I would be left to find a 4/8 game. Would that be okay?
Sure Dave. No problem.
I’ve said this before, but I try to be friendly to everyone. Working in a poker room opens you up to tons of abuse, and I won’t be a part of it. Felicia often talks about it. I was quite taken aback by the fact that he even asked me.
I was even more taken aback by what happened next. Right after I get my 4/8 seat, Dave comes over with 2 free comp VIP tickets to Ozzfest at the White River Amphitheater for June 29th (next week). He even gave me the VIP parking pass.
Wow.
I was truly speechless. I never asked for anything, and there it was. Dave, let me say again – Thanks! You are a helluva guy.
Unfortunately, I can’t go to the concert. I suppose I could sell the two tickets, but that seems disingenuous. I might give them away at work, but is there anyone out there who will be in the South Seattle area next week that might be interested?
If there is a lot of interest, I might turn this into a contest. Let’s see who can come up with the most outrageous (non-monetary) offer.
So, who wants to go to Ozzfest?
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Analysis
22 JUN 06
First off, sorry I didn’t get around to posting this yesterday. Patient care got in the way. Secondly, great job! I did not play the hand very well, as you guessed.
Anon and Maigrey: Pre-flop – if I raise here, I eventually take down this pot. By calling, I become another sheep hoping for cards. On the flop, you are correct again. My overcards are probably dead if they hit (poignantly put in CAPS by Maigrey that if I raised pre-flop, I wouldn’t have this cool hand to analyze). On the turn, Maigrey and I both think the raise was correct, but I can’t argue with Anon’s logic. It turns out that if I capped the turn, I would have won the pot. Quick question for Anon – did you really mean that you would fold to the 3-bet with the nut-flush draw?
Finally, checking on the river was the only choice. The SB (the 3-bettor) is a very good player and would have made a crying (but correct) call on the river.
Anon was closest to the guess, but alas, no bounty this time. I’ll try to think up another challenge prior to the WPBT.
6s 4s took the $870 pot with two pair and a baby flush draw. Dammit, where was that river spade???
Baaaah!!!!
First off, sorry I didn’t get around to posting this yesterday. Patient care got in the way. Secondly, great job! I did not play the hand very well, as you guessed.
Anon and Maigrey: Pre-flop – if I raise here, I eventually take down this pot. By calling, I become another sheep hoping for cards. On the flop, you are correct again. My overcards are probably dead if they hit (poignantly put in CAPS by Maigrey that if I raised pre-flop, I wouldn’t have this cool hand to analyze). On the turn, Maigrey and I both think the raise was correct, but I can’t argue with Anon’s logic. It turns out that if I capped the turn, I would have won the pot. Quick question for Anon – did you really mean that you would fold to the 3-bet with the nut-flush draw?
Finally, checking on the river was the only choice. The SB (the 3-bettor) is a very good player and would have made a crying (but correct) call on the river.
Anon was closest to the guess, but alas, no bounty this time. I’ll try to think up another challenge prior to the WPBT.
6s 4s took the $870 pot with two pair and a baby flush draw. Dammit, where was that river spade???
Baaaah!!!!
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Welcome to the Dog Days of Summer
21 JUN 06
First day of summer. Longest day of the year. Time to reflect – on a hand, of course.
So, I took my next big step and sat into a very loose 30/60 game. I got up about $1000 early when I turned a set on two separate hands, only to bleed in back to a couple calling stations.
I would like help on the following hand. I’m on the button with Ks Qs. Five (!) limpers get around to me.
Question #1: Do you call, raise or fold?
I called. Six of us see a flop of:
4h 6d 8s
The blinds check and an MP player bets and gets called twice before it gets to me.
Question #2: Call, raise or fold?
I called with over cards. The turn is the Ace of spades, giving me the nut flush draw. It’s checked around to the original bettor, who bets. The two other MP players fold.
Questions #3: Call or raise? Obviously, folding with the nut flush draw is not an option here.
I raised. It gets 3-bet by the small blind. MP calls.
Question #4: Re-raise or call? This question was heavily debated at the table after the hand.
River is a blank. It’s checked to me.
Questions #5: Bet or check. This was even more heavily debated.
Bonus question: What won? If you get this right, I’ll have a special prize for you if I see you at the WPBT event at Caesar’s on July 8th.
First day of summer. Longest day of the year. Time to reflect – on a hand, of course.
So, I took my next big step and sat into a very loose 30/60 game. I got up about $1000 early when I turned a set on two separate hands, only to bleed in back to a couple calling stations.
I would like help on the following hand. I’m on the button with Ks Qs. Five (!) limpers get around to me.
Question #1: Do you call, raise or fold?
I called. Six of us see a flop of:
4h 6d 8s
The blinds check and an MP player bets and gets called twice before it gets to me.
Question #2: Call, raise or fold?
I called with over cards. The turn is the Ace of spades, giving me the nut flush draw. It’s checked around to the original bettor, who bets. The two other MP players fold.
Questions #3: Call or raise? Obviously, folding with the nut flush draw is not an option here.
I raised. It gets 3-bet by the small blind. MP calls.
Question #4: Re-raise or call? This question was heavily debated at the table after the hand.
River is a blank. It’s checked to me.
Questions #5: Bet or check. This was even more heavily debated.
Bonus question: What won? If you get this right, I’ll have a special prize for you if I see you at the WPBT event at Caesar’s on July 8th.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Why on Earth?
20 JUN 06
Yesterday was the reverse of normal for me. Did great at 10/20 but not so hot at 20/40. Certainly got lucky on several hands. Got beat by a two outer for a $400 pot only to turn around and suck out a $250 pot with a two outer.
The point of today’s post is advice. As noted previously, I have several HUGE tells. Ryan has been using them to great advantage, as evidenced by his play with 2 3 soooted where he KNEW he had the best hand with his bottom pair, 3-kicker. I know that sounds silly, but I believe him.
Anyway, I’ve been working on improving my image so I’m less readable. I guess it’s been working because I’ve been on a hot streak, but at what cost? Part of my game is talking people into making bad decisions. But, like any tool, it must be used judiciously. It’s very effective against good players. But, to be honest, it’s not so great against very good or great players, and it’s almost useless against calling stations.
After pressing Ryan, he finally agreed to point out these facts to me as well as confirming several of the tells that I already knew about. I’m sure there are one or two tells that he’s keeping to himself.
The question is, why on Earth would he give me this valuable information? He will continue to play against me, so why would he want to help me get better? I think it’s because he’s simply a nice guy. Well, if I cash big in this year’s WSOP (and that’s a mighty big “IF”), I’ll tip him well the next time I see him. He wouldn’t expect it, but sometimes good things happen to nice people.
Yesterday was the reverse of normal for me. Did great at 10/20 but not so hot at 20/40. Certainly got lucky on several hands. Got beat by a two outer for a $400 pot only to turn around and suck out a $250 pot with a two outer.
The point of today’s post is advice. As noted previously, I have several HUGE tells. Ryan has been using them to great advantage, as evidenced by his play with 2 3 soooted where he KNEW he had the best hand with his bottom pair, 3-kicker. I know that sounds silly, but I believe him.
Anyway, I’ve been working on improving my image so I’m less readable. I guess it’s been working because I’ve been on a hot streak, but at what cost? Part of my game is talking people into making bad decisions. But, like any tool, it must be used judiciously. It’s very effective against good players. But, to be honest, it’s not so great against very good or great players, and it’s almost useless against calling stations.
After pressing Ryan, he finally agreed to point out these facts to me as well as confirming several of the tells that I already knew about. I’m sure there are one or two tells that he’s keeping to himself.
The question is, why on Earth would he give me this valuable information? He will continue to play against me, so why would he want to help me get better? I think it’s because he’s simply a nice guy. Well, if I cash big in this year’s WSOP (and that’s a mighty big “IF”), I’ll tip him well the next time I see him. He wouldn’t expect it, but sometimes good things happen to nice people.
Friday, June 16, 2006
In a Fog
16 JUN 06
Carrie and Tina were either in the same class as me or one grade behind. I was in the 8th grade - a high school freshman in upstate New York. Dad decided to have a boys-night out, so he and I went to the best hangout for Dads with sons not-yet-old-enough-to-drink. We headed straight to McDonalds.
I remember this incident because it was a defining moment in my life. Dad and I are starting to dig into our fries (while playing Match! – to see who could pick out the largest fry at random). Carrie and Tina sat down one table over. I think I may have acknowledged them, but that’s about it. They proceeded to eat their ice cream and Dad proceeded to stare at me rather quizzically.
What? Is there something on my face?
Our conversation got muted and I knew enough to know that I was supposed to notice something, but I didn’t know what. It wasn’t until we got outside that dad finally burst.
How did you not talk to those girls? They were putting on a sex show for you, for crying outloud! The way they were tonguing those ice creams and giggling. Did you not notice that?
Huh?
So many questions. How did I not notice? Isn’t that they way I eat ice cream? What’s a sex show? Is my dad a pervert?
I’m very good at the esoteric stuff, but sometimes when something is screaming in my face, I tend not to notice. I guess I’ve always been like that.
***
So, I just got back from a wonderful trip to Barksdale AFB in Louisiana. I got the unbelievable privilege of promoting my sister to the rank of First Lieutenant. I didn’t even get too much crap for being an Army guy on a Air Force base. Actually, I was welcomed with open arms. Very cool.
So the night before, my sister takes me to downtown Shreveport to the local casinos. Sam’s Town has no poker (huh?) but El Dorado is spreading $1/2 and $2/5 NL. I didn’t bring a bankroll with me, so I did a “short buy” of $100 into the $1/2 game and had my sister sit right behind me.
Folks, there is nothing like the act of teaching to make you a better student. As I started to talk to my sister about the playing styles of each player, I began to realize that I need to make these mental inventories EVERY time I play. Maybe I’ve gotten complacent because I usually play with regulars, so I think I know them. I don’t know.
What I do know is that after I categorized each player to my sister, I proceeded to run over the table. I knew who would lay down and who would call. I could tell the good from the very good (an important distinction) even better than the good from the bad. I could predict the play of the short stacks and even knew who would re-buy vs. who was done when they got broke.
I guess it’s not dissimilar to McDonalds in 1979. It’s always been right there in my face. I just need to pay attention.
I’m thinking of flying my sister up here so she can sit behind me every time I play.
Carrie and Tina were either in the same class as me or one grade behind. I was in the 8th grade - a high school freshman in upstate New York. Dad decided to have a boys-night out, so he and I went to the best hangout for Dads with sons not-yet-old-enough-to-drink. We headed straight to McDonalds.
I remember this incident because it was a defining moment in my life. Dad and I are starting to dig into our fries (while playing Match! – to see who could pick out the largest fry at random). Carrie and Tina sat down one table over. I think I may have acknowledged them, but that’s about it. They proceeded to eat their ice cream and Dad proceeded to stare at me rather quizzically.
What? Is there something on my face?
Our conversation got muted and I knew enough to know that I was supposed to notice something, but I didn’t know what. It wasn’t until we got outside that dad finally burst.
How did you not talk to those girls? They were putting on a sex show for you, for crying outloud! The way they were tonguing those ice creams and giggling. Did you not notice that?
Huh?
So many questions. How did I not notice? Isn’t that they way I eat ice cream? What’s a sex show? Is my dad a pervert?
I’m very good at the esoteric stuff, but sometimes when something is screaming in my face, I tend not to notice. I guess I’ve always been like that.
***
So, I just got back from a wonderful trip to Barksdale AFB in Louisiana. I got the unbelievable privilege of promoting my sister to the rank of First Lieutenant. I didn’t even get too much crap for being an Army guy on a Air Force base. Actually, I was welcomed with open arms. Very cool.
So the night before, my sister takes me to downtown Shreveport to the local casinos. Sam’s Town has no poker (huh?) but El Dorado is spreading $1/2 and $2/5 NL. I didn’t bring a bankroll with me, so I did a “short buy” of $100 into the $1/2 game and had my sister sit right behind me.
Folks, there is nothing like the act of teaching to make you a better student. As I started to talk to my sister about the playing styles of each player, I began to realize that I need to make these mental inventories EVERY time I play. Maybe I’ve gotten complacent because I usually play with regulars, so I think I know them. I don’t know.
What I do know is that after I categorized each player to my sister, I proceeded to run over the table. I knew who would lay down and who would call. I could tell the good from the very good (an important distinction) even better than the good from the bad. I could predict the play of the short stacks and even knew who would re-buy vs. who was done when they got broke.
I guess it’s not dissimilar to McDonalds in 1979. It’s always been right there in my face. I just need to pay attention.
I’m thinking of flying my sister up here so she can sit behind me every time I play.
Monday, June 05, 2006
More Ups and Downs - and a Request for Help (Take 2)
5 JUN 06
Editors Note: My apologies to anyone who came to my blog over the last two days. I had a post here (including a reply from Seattle John) and Blogger ate it. I'm attempting to re-post now. Wish me luck.
Had the best single night of my poker career playing 10/20 – quadrupled up. Big deal.
What I want to blog about today is a perplexing hand at 20/40. It has me curious on so many levels, that I really want some input.
Yes, Ryan. I’m talking about you.
In late position, I raise with Ad 10d. At this point, I had a pretty solid table image and only showed down winners or big hands. Ryan was a late comer to the game, and was playing his usual tight aggressive style. In fact, he only played about one hand for every three I was playing.
Ryan was in the blind and called. I’ve blogged about this before. If there is no one in the pot, calling a raise from the big blind is almost a no brainer. You are getting 4.5 to 1.
Ryan and I are heads up. The flop comes down with something like J 8 2 with 2 diamonds. Good draw for me. Ryan checks, so I lead out. Ryan smooth calls. Right away I’m nervous, but okay. Let’s see the turn.
The turn is a non-diamond but puts a second club on the board. Ryan bets right out, and I raise. Here is where I need some help. Ryan re-raises!
Okay. I know I’m beat right now, but I have the draw to the nut flush, so I call. The river misses me. I check with a plan on folding to a bet, but Ryan also checks and flips over 2c 3c for a pair of 2s and a nice pot.
Time for some critical review.
Ryan played the hell out of this hand. He wins on so many levels:
- Maybe he read one of my screaming tells that I was still drawing.
- He knows I’m capable of folding, so maybe he thought he’d win the pot right there with the re-raise.
- If you re-read the statement above (I know I’m beat right now), you see I was playing level 1 poker – what’s in my hand? Who cares what he’s holding?
- My calling the re-raise should have made him extremely nervous. Why didn’t I pick up on that? Surely he would have folded if I bet the river.
Or would he? At this point, it’s almost worth an extra $40 to show the table that you are willing to be aggressive with the second worst hand in poker (don’t let anyone tell you 7 2 off-suit is the worst hand. It is, but only pre-flop. At the river, 2 3 is the worst).
Anyway, kudos to Ryan for a great play. I finished the night down only a little thanks to a real donkey play with 8 3 of diamonds – otherwise I would have been down a lot more. Only two or three more big wins, and I’m taking a shot at the 50/100 game, so watch out Seattle John!
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
I'm Registered!!
I have registered to play in the PokerStars World Blogger Championship of Online Poker!
This Online Poker Tournament is a No Limit Texas Holdem event exclusive to Bloggers.
Registration code: 1983207
AC Recap
30 May 06
What an incredible trip to Atlantic City!! I haven’t been this excited about an educational opportunity since sex-ed in the 7th grade. And the class didn’t disappoint.
For those that don’t know, I’m a radiologist. I read CT scans, MRI’s and x-rays for the US Army (at least for the next 2 years – but that’s for a different post). I was recently asked to take over cardiac imaging, and I was thrilled to accept.
But, that meant learning the ins and outs of the heart. Traditionally, the heart has been left to the cardiologist. Radiologists sort of danced around the “big light bulb” in the chest. Before the days of cardiologists, radiologists “owned” the heart, but we let it slip away in a relatively uncontested turf battle.
Well, guess who’s back in town!!
If all goes according to plan, everyone wins – the radiologist, the cardiologist, and most importantly, the patient. Based on what I learned at this course, cardiac imaging may go from something I do occasionally, to the majority of my daily practice. This is a prospect that is both daunting and exciting. My command is nervous that we don’t have the technical staff to support this, but I don’t care. I’m doing it because it’s the right thing to do, and it will save lives. Let them figure out the details.
Anyway, while I was in NJ, I stayed at the Borgata. It certainly had a Las Vegas feel. I got a chance to head to the boardwalk and see the “old” AC – the one I remember. The interlocking crosshatch of the wooden boardwalk and the sound of the ocean really brought back memories.
I remember coming to AC with my dad back in 1984. I was 17, and I had the old paper NY driver’s license. A little scratching with a paperclip and some careful artwork with a sharp #2, and I was no longer born in 1967 – it now said 1966. Suddenly I’m 18 and strolling through the Taj like, well, like a 17 year old.
I had flop sweat.
I walked up to a blackjack table with my dad, and I think I may have even placed a bet before I got kicked out. I still have a young face – I don’t know how I thought I was going to get away with sneaking into a casino when I looked 12.
Now, fast forward to last weekend. I got to stroll along the boardwalk with none other than the famous Lady Falcon. What a gracious hostess!! We met up in the Taj Mahal, and after playing only a few hands of 10/20, the table broke, giving us the opportunity to chat and stroll. I was still overwhelmed by the flood of memories from being there, but I hope I help up my end of the conversation. My buddy Mike showed up too soon, and the Lady and I parted ways. It was a great short visit, and I hope to get invited to one of her famous home games the next time I’m on the East Coast.
(And don’t worry Ms. Falcon, I won’t tell anyone about that horrible suckout with my 35 sooooted at the NL game).
What an incredible trip to Atlantic City!! I haven’t been this excited about an educational opportunity since sex-ed in the 7th grade. And the class didn’t disappoint.
For those that don’t know, I’m a radiologist. I read CT scans, MRI’s and x-rays for the US Army (at least for the next 2 years – but that’s for a different post). I was recently asked to take over cardiac imaging, and I was thrilled to accept.
But, that meant learning the ins and outs of the heart. Traditionally, the heart has been left to the cardiologist. Radiologists sort of danced around the “big light bulb” in the chest. Before the days of cardiologists, radiologists “owned” the heart, but we let it slip away in a relatively uncontested turf battle.
Well, guess who’s back in town!!
If all goes according to plan, everyone wins – the radiologist, the cardiologist, and most importantly, the patient. Based on what I learned at this course, cardiac imaging may go from something I do occasionally, to the majority of my daily practice. This is a prospect that is both daunting and exciting. My command is nervous that we don’t have the technical staff to support this, but I don’t care. I’m doing it because it’s the right thing to do, and it will save lives. Let them figure out the details.
Anyway, while I was in NJ, I stayed at the Borgata. It certainly had a Las Vegas feel. I got a chance to head to the boardwalk and see the “old” AC – the one I remember. The interlocking crosshatch of the wooden boardwalk and the sound of the ocean really brought back memories.
I remember coming to AC with my dad back in 1984. I was 17, and I had the old paper NY driver’s license. A little scratching with a paperclip and some careful artwork with a sharp #2, and I was no longer born in 1967 – it now said 1966. Suddenly I’m 18 and strolling through the Taj like, well, like a 17 year old.
I had flop sweat.
I walked up to a blackjack table with my dad, and I think I may have even placed a bet before I got kicked out. I still have a young face – I don’t know how I thought I was going to get away with sneaking into a casino when I looked 12.
Now, fast forward to last weekend. I got to stroll along the boardwalk with none other than the famous Lady Falcon. What a gracious hostess!! We met up in the Taj Mahal, and after playing only a few hands of 10/20, the table broke, giving us the opportunity to chat and stroll. I was still overwhelmed by the flood of memories from being there, but I hope I help up my end of the conversation. My buddy Mike showed up too soon, and the Lady and I parted ways. It was a great short visit, and I hope to get invited to one of her famous home games the next time I’m on the East Coast.
(And don’t worry Ms. Falcon, I won’t tell anyone about that horrible suckout with my 35 sooooted at the NL game).
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Hiatus Interruptus
To the two readers I have left:
I appreciate your patience while I'm away. I promise you a post by Tuesday that will hopefully cover my excursion to Atlantic City, including a recap of playing with the lovely and talented Lady Falcon.
For now, I leave you with this thought: Those that don't learn from their own mistakes are what we in the poker community refer to as "fish."
Excuse me whilst I go clean my tank.
I appreciate your patience while I'm away. I promise you a post by Tuesday that will hopefully cover my excursion to Atlantic City, including a recap of playing with the lovely and talented Lady Falcon.
For now, I leave you with this thought: Those that don't learn from their own mistakes are what we in the poker community refer to as "fish."
Excuse me whilst I go clean my tank.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Hiatus
19 MAY 06
Little hiatus coming up as I try to leave my mark (but not my cash) on Atlantic City. For now, a few answers to Tripjax’s questionnaire.
1. What is the biggest mistake people make at a NL table? – Not pouncing on weakness.
2. What is the biggest mistake people make at a Limit table? – Poor table selection
3. Why do you play poker? – Best rush since playing racquetball – better, even.
4. If you weren't playing poker, what would you be doing? – Saving lives.
5. What is your favorite poker book and why? – Instructional – Lee Jones (the first book I ever read about poker). Entertainment – Either Positively Fifth Street by James McManus or Shut Up and Deal by Jesse May
6. Who is your favorite poker player and why? – Possibly Sam Farha – he’s fearless. He can play any two cards (and usually does) and will outplay you, no matter who you are. Close behind are Daniel Negreanu, Phil Ivey and Annie Duke.
7. Which poker player do you dislike the most and why? – Saying Hellmuth is too easy. Probably Gus Hansen because he has spawned too many maniacs.
8. Do your coworkers know about your blog? – No, and I hope to keep it that way.
9. What is the most you have won in a cash game or MTT (both live and online)? Live - $1200+. Online – Probably $200, but I stopped playing online about 6 months ago.
10. What is the most you have lost in a cash game or in one day total (both live and online)? Live $1100. Online $1600.
11. Who was your first poker blog read? Dr. Pauly – still the first poker blog I read every day.
12. What satisfies you more, your aces holding up for a big pot or a bluff working for a big pot? - I never bluff, so…
13. Why do you blog? – It satisfies a creative itch, and gives me an outlet for my huge ego.
14. Do you read blogs from an RSS reader like bloglines or do you visit each blog? – What’s an RSS reader?
15. Would you rather play poker for a living than do what you currently do for a living? – No. I love being a doctor. Poker will always be just a hobby.
16. Do you wear a tin foil hat on occasion? – I own several, but would never admit to wearing them.
17. If you had to pin it down to one specific trait, what does a great poker player have (or do) that separates them from an average player? Courting risk.
18. Is Drizz the coolest person on the planet for naming his baby Vegas? – Without a doubt.
19. What is your primary poker goal and are you close to accomplishing it? – Be a steady winning player. Not there yet.
20. What is your primary online site and why? – Used to be Pokerstars, when I cared to play online.
21. What site do you dislike and why? - None. I love everybody.
Little hiatus coming up as I try to leave my mark (but not my cash) on Atlantic City. For now, a few answers to Tripjax’s questionnaire.
1. What is the biggest mistake people make at a NL table? – Not pouncing on weakness.
2. What is the biggest mistake people make at a Limit table? – Poor table selection
3. Why do you play poker? – Best rush since playing racquetball – better, even.
4. If you weren't playing poker, what would you be doing? – Saving lives.
5. What is your favorite poker book and why? – Instructional – Lee Jones (the first book I ever read about poker). Entertainment – Either Positively Fifth Street by James McManus or Shut Up and Deal by Jesse May
6. Who is your favorite poker player and why? – Possibly Sam Farha – he’s fearless. He can play any two cards (and usually does) and will outplay you, no matter who you are. Close behind are Daniel Negreanu, Phil Ivey and Annie Duke.
7. Which poker player do you dislike the most and why? – Saying Hellmuth is too easy. Probably Gus Hansen because he has spawned too many maniacs.
8. Do your coworkers know about your blog? – No, and I hope to keep it that way.
9. What is the most you have won in a cash game or MTT (both live and online)? Live - $1200+. Online – Probably $200, but I stopped playing online about 6 months ago.
10. What is the most you have lost in a cash game or in one day total (both live and online)? Live $1100. Online $1600.
11. Who was your first poker blog read? Dr. Pauly – still the first poker blog I read every day.
12. What satisfies you more, your aces holding up for a big pot or a bluff working for a big pot? - I never bluff, so…
13. Why do you blog? – It satisfies a creative itch, and gives me an outlet for my huge ego.
14. Do you read blogs from an RSS reader like bloglines or do you visit each blog? – What’s an RSS reader?
15. Would you rather play poker for a living than do what you currently do for a living? – No. I love being a doctor. Poker will always be just a hobby.
16. Do you wear a tin foil hat on occasion? – I own several, but would never admit to wearing them.
17. If you had to pin it down to one specific trait, what does a great poker player have (or do) that separates them from an average player? Courting risk.
18. Is Drizz the coolest person on the planet for naming his baby Vegas? – Without a doubt.
19. What is your primary poker goal and are you close to accomplishing it? – Be a steady winning player. Not there yet.
20. What is your primary online site and why? – Used to be Pokerstars, when I cared to play online.
21. What site do you dislike and why? - None. I love everybody.
How to NOT Play a Short Stack
18 MAY 06
In the larger game of bankroll management, $100 left of a $700 buy-in is still YOUR $100. It’s also part of the larger bankroll sitting at home in your sock drawer. Giving it away with hands like Q2 sooooted and 42 off-suit, when nearly every hand is capped 4 or 5 way preflop should be viewed as an assault on the larger bankroll, not just the chips in front of you.
Or at least, that’s what I should have told myself last night.
Final thought: MUST re-read Felicia’s thoughts about poker psychology.
In the larger game of bankroll management, $100 left of a $700 buy-in is still YOUR $100. It’s also part of the larger bankroll sitting at home in your sock drawer. Giving it away with hands like Q2 sooooted and 42 off-suit, when nearly every hand is capped 4 or 5 way preflop should be viewed as an assault on the larger bankroll, not just the chips in front of you.
Or at least, that’s what I should have told myself last night.
Final thought: MUST re-read Felicia’s thoughts about poker psychology.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Random and Stumbling
17 MAY 06
Stolen (and abridged) from Dawn Summers, who stole it from Bunniblog:
The original quote:
“When I was in college, I developed the theory that in every class, there is one student who makes you question how they got in, and I don't mean the admissions process, I mean how did he figure out how to open the door to get into the room?”
And my bastardization:
“After years of playing poker, I developed the theory that in every game, there is one player who makes you question how they got in, and I don't mean the stake, I mean how did he figure out how to open the door to get into the room?”
Rapid and ugly gear change…
I just read this from Dr. Pauly:
And as far as reading blogs go... I almost quit cold turkey. Watching too much bad TV messes with your head. So does reading poorly written vanity projects... especially about poker. (Emphasis mine)
That’s what this blog has become. He’s probably not referring to me because I’m not even on his radar, but still…
I’ve got two options – quit or improve.
Let’s hope it’s #2.
Stolen (and abridged) from Dawn Summers, who stole it from Bunniblog:
The original quote:
“When I was in college, I developed the theory that in every class, there is one student who makes you question how they got in, and I don't mean the admissions process, I mean how did he figure out how to open the door to get into the room?”
And my bastardization:
“After years of playing poker, I developed the theory that in every game, there is one player who makes you question how they got in, and I don't mean the stake, I mean how did he figure out how to open the door to get into the room?”
Rapid and ugly gear change…
I just read this from Dr. Pauly:
And as far as reading blogs go... I almost quit cold turkey. Watching too much bad TV messes with your head. So does reading poorly written vanity projects... especially about poker. (Emphasis mine)
That’s what this blog has become. He’s probably not referring to me because I’m not even on his radar, but still…
I’ve got two options – quit or improve.
Let’s hope it’s #2.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Taking a Shot
16 MAY 06
Damn peer-pressure.
Seattle John has been telling me to take a shot at the higher limit. Lady Falcon just stepped up with great success.
Why not me?
I washed out of the Monday night tournament early. It was a $135 buy-in bounty tournament. I got pocket 10’s and Kings early and nearly tripled up. Unfortunately, my attempt to bully the table ran into several better hands, and I was out early.
The list for 10/20 was huge, but there was an open seat at 20/40. I walked over and there were several faces I recognized from the 10/20 game. They were 6-handed and even slid out the chair for me. I told them I didn’t bring a big enough stake to sit in that game.
Hello, Mr. ATM.
I post $20 behind the button. I’ll raise with almost any two cards here if I see no aggression early. Sure enough, it’s folded to me. I raise and the big blind three bets. We are heads up and I see a flop of A 6 5. I’ve paired my 6. Big blind bets. I raise. He re-raises and I call. The turn is a Queen. He checks. I bet and he check-raises me. I let it go.
I was my first hand at the table and I’m already down $160. It’s gonna be a short experiment.
I made two HUGE mistakes. Both times I capped the turn with the second nut straight. I didn’t give credit for the nuts because both times my gut shot also completed their gut shot. Once was against a drunk who preflop raised my big blind with QJ. I had A 8 and called. A nine on the turn gave me the 10-high straight, but gave him the nuts. I bet the flop because it paired my ace and he raised me with nothing and caught. I can’t put him on the hand, but I wasted a bet by capping.
The same dude also went runner-runner quads on me when I flopped the nut flush. Now THAT was expensive.
I finally settled down, caught some cards, made some big laydowns, and left up over $1000 for the night.
Jesse May wrote a great book called “Shut Up and Deal.” Mickey, his main character, is asked, "What’s the difference between the lower stakes and higher stakes?" His reply:
“Different color chips.”
There were other differences, too, but I have to do some critical thinking before I’m willing to say I’m a regular in that game.
For now, I’m just calling this a successful short-term experiment.
Damn peer-pressure.
Seattle John has been telling me to take a shot at the higher limit. Lady Falcon just stepped up with great success.
Why not me?
I washed out of the Monday night tournament early. It was a $135 buy-in bounty tournament. I got pocket 10’s and Kings early and nearly tripled up. Unfortunately, my attempt to bully the table ran into several better hands, and I was out early.
The list for 10/20 was huge, but there was an open seat at 20/40. I walked over and there were several faces I recognized from the 10/20 game. They were 6-handed and even slid out the chair for me. I told them I didn’t bring a big enough stake to sit in that game.
Hello, Mr. ATM.
I post $20 behind the button. I’ll raise with almost any two cards here if I see no aggression early. Sure enough, it’s folded to me. I raise and the big blind three bets. We are heads up and I see a flop of A 6 5. I’ve paired my 6. Big blind bets. I raise. He re-raises and I call. The turn is a Queen. He checks. I bet and he check-raises me. I let it go.
I was my first hand at the table and I’m already down $160. It’s gonna be a short experiment.
I made two HUGE mistakes. Both times I capped the turn with the second nut straight. I didn’t give credit for the nuts because both times my gut shot also completed their gut shot. Once was against a drunk who preflop raised my big blind with QJ. I had A 8 and called. A nine on the turn gave me the 10-high straight, but gave him the nuts. I bet the flop because it paired my ace and he raised me with nothing and caught. I can’t put him on the hand, but I wasted a bet by capping.
The same dude also went runner-runner quads on me when I flopped the nut flush. Now THAT was expensive.
I finally settled down, caught some cards, made some big laydowns, and left up over $1000 for the night.
Jesse May wrote a great book called “Shut Up and Deal.” Mickey, his main character, is asked, "What’s the difference between the lower stakes and higher stakes?" His reply:
“Different color chips.”
There were other differences, too, but I have to do some critical thinking before I’m willing to say I’m a regular in that game.
For now, I’m just calling this a successful short-term experiment.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Reflections
15 May 06
When I’m running well, I’m a conceited, full-of-myself, egomaniacal sonofabitch.
No real point to this post. Just trying to be honest.
When I’m running well, I’m a conceited, full-of-myself, egomaniacal sonofabitch.
No real point to this post. Just trying to be honest.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
My Bad
14 May 06
It was my fault.
I decided to change up my game a little. Instead of my normal polo t-shirt and St. Andrews ball cap, I decided to wear a really loud Tommy Bahama-type shirt and the Full-Tilt hat I won as a bounty from the Poker Geek. My thought was “Dress loud. Play tight.”
So, it’s a ½ Kill (which is stupidly 15/25). I’m under the gun and I look down at 8 10 of diamonds. So of course I muck.
Yeah, right.
Raise!
I’m running really hot up to this point and I have most of the table on tilt. It’s re-raised and capped before it gets back to me. I call, and seven (!) of us see a flop of 2 6 7 rainbow.
Crap. Now I have a gut-shot and the correct odds to call. One MP guy bets and all 7 of us call. That’s right. There is $525 dollars in this stupid pot already before we see the turn.
9
“Train wreck on table 7! I think the 6 seat just messed himself!!”
Unbelievably, the button, who is LAST to act, bets right out. I’m first to act here, so instead of betting, I just check. It checks all the way to the button, who does in fact bet. I say, “Let’s stop the madness right now. I raise to $50.” The button says, “Do you have 8 10?” I reply, “Wouldn’t that be sweet?” I still get 4 callers.
The turn is a blank. I have the mortal nuts. I bet, and my 4 buddies come right along for the ride.
$825
Single. Largest. Pot. Ever.
It was my fault.
I decided to change up my game a little. Instead of my normal polo t-shirt and St. Andrews ball cap, I decided to wear a really loud Tommy Bahama-type shirt and the Full-Tilt hat I won as a bounty from the Poker Geek. My thought was “Dress loud. Play tight.”
So, it’s a ½ Kill (which is stupidly 15/25). I’m under the gun and I look down at 8 10 of diamonds. So of course I muck.
Yeah, right.
Raise!
I’m running really hot up to this point and I have most of the table on tilt. It’s re-raised and capped before it gets back to me. I call, and seven (!) of us see a flop of 2 6 7 rainbow.
Crap. Now I have a gut-shot and the correct odds to call. One MP guy bets and all 7 of us call. That’s right. There is $525 dollars in this stupid pot already before we see the turn.
9
“Train wreck on table 7! I think the 6 seat just messed himself!!”
Unbelievably, the button, who is LAST to act, bets right out. I’m first to act here, so instead of betting, I just check. It checks all the way to the button, who does in fact bet. I say, “Let’s stop the madness right now. I raise to $50.” The button says, “Do you have 8 10?” I reply, “Wouldn’t that be sweet?” I still get 4 callers.
The turn is a blank. I have the mortal nuts. I bet, and my 4 buddies come right along for the ride.
$825
Single. Largest. Pot. Ever.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Donkey Poker!!
10 MAY 06
I played like an absolute donkey yesterday. I’m serious. I was playing hands like 10 2 and 7 8 like they were suited Aces (yes, I know that’s not possible, Dad).
The good news is that Brian sat down one to my right. There’s nothing a maniac likes better than seeing another maniac sit down on their right. I asked to see one hand he lost. Brian was betting and raising. When the 8 seat made a crying call on the river, Brian tried to muck his hand without showing. Since I had already asked to see it, the dealer flipped over his 10-high. No pair and only a busted gut-shot draw.
Thanks for the info!!
I knew I could outplay this guy after the flop on just about any hand. He wasn’t an idiot – he could lay down a hand. He just always seized the initiative and was relentless unless he met resistance. Unfortunately, he beat my AK with his Q2. It was capped pre-flop and on the flop when he paired his 2. It held up.
Well, sometimes the gods of karma decide that too much aggression is no good. I became the lucky recipient. We both flopped Aces, but my 3 paired on the river. There were at least two other hands where I was betting and raising all the way and he never showed.
Then came the hand of the night.
I announce to the table, “This is my last hand.” I then look down and see AA. Uh oh.
Raise!!
It’s re-raised before it even gets to Brian, who caps it. Thanks!!
Four of us see a flop of K J 10. Not a great flop for AA, but let’s see where I’m at. I bet. Raise and re-raise and three of us see the turn – another King.
Crap.
Brain checks. I bet and get one caller before Brain does the old check-raise play on me.
At this point, I announce to the table, “That’s the first time you check-raised me. I think you have me beat, but I’m not smart enough to get away from this hand.” My thought is that with some of the crap he's been winning with, he could have anything. Boy was I wrong.
River – Ace. Thank you gods of karma!!
Brain says, “I think that Ace killed me.”
I reply, “Wouldn’t it be sweet if I had pocket Aces?”
He looks at me and bets. I shout, “Raise!” and the table cracks up. Brain calls with his Kings full of Jacks and I drag a $500 pot. Yes, I hit my two outer on the river. Brain was very cool about it and shook my hand.
Side note – both Ryan and Seattle John were at my table!! JD was waiting for his seat in the 50/100 game. He came by a couple of times after he got his seat in the big game and saw my ever growing chip stack. He kept chiding me to get into the 50 game. Part of me wanted to go. Fortunately, I was honest with myself. The reason I had the huge chip stack was because I got very lucky. Relying on luck in the 50 game is a recipe for disaster.
Instead, I took my 3+ racks of red and went home.
I played like an absolute donkey yesterday. I’m serious. I was playing hands like 10 2 and 7 8 like they were suited Aces (yes, I know that’s not possible, Dad).
The good news is that Brian sat down one to my right. There’s nothing a maniac likes better than seeing another maniac sit down on their right. I asked to see one hand he lost. Brian was betting and raising. When the 8 seat made a crying call on the river, Brian tried to muck his hand without showing. Since I had already asked to see it, the dealer flipped over his 10-high. No pair and only a busted gut-shot draw.
Thanks for the info!!
I knew I could outplay this guy after the flop on just about any hand. He wasn’t an idiot – he could lay down a hand. He just always seized the initiative and was relentless unless he met resistance. Unfortunately, he beat my AK with his Q2. It was capped pre-flop and on the flop when he paired his 2. It held up.
Well, sometimes the gods of karma decide that too much aggression is no good. I became the lucky recipient. We both flopped Aces, but my 3 paired on the river. There were at least two other hands where I was betting and raising all the way and he never showed.
Then came the hand of the night.
I announce to the table, “This is my last hand.” I then look down and see AA. Uh oh.
Raise!!
It’s re-raised before it even gets to Brian, who caps it. Thanks!!
Four of us see a flop of K J 10. Not a great flop for AA, but let’s see where I’m at. I bet. Raise and re-raise and three of us see the turn – another King.
Crap.
Brain checks. I bet and get one caller before Brain does the old check-raise play on me.
At this point, I announce to the table, “That’s the first time you check-raised me. I think you have me beat, but I’m not smart enough to get away from this hand.” My thought is that with some of the crap he's been winning with, he could have anything. Boy was I wrong.
River – Ace. Thank you gods of karma!!
Brain says, “I think that Ace killed me.”
I reply, “Wouldn’t it be sweet if I had pocket Aces?”
He looks at me and bets. I shout, “Raise!” and the table cracks up. Brain calls with his Kings full of Jacks and I drag a $500 pot. Yes, I hit my two outer on the river. Brain was very cool about it and shook my hand.
Side note – both Ryan and Seattle John were at my table!! JD was waiting for his seat in the 50/100 game. He came by a couple of times after he got his seat in the big game and saw my ever growing chip stack. He kept chiding me to get into the 50 game. Part of me wanted to go. Fortunately, I was honest with myself. The reason I had the huge chip stack was because I got very lucky. Relying on luck in the 50 game is a recipe for disaster.
Instead, I took my 3+ racks of red and went home.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Priceless
6 MAY 06
Getting dealt pocket 7s in middle position - $20
Saying outloud, “It’s been a while since I flopped quads…” – Actually, this one is free.
Actually flopping quad 7s – Awesome
Getting paid by two flush chasers all the way to the river – priceless.
How did I celebrate Cinco de Mayo?
With my biggest cash ever at the Muckleshoot, tenqberrymuge.
Getting dealt pocket 7s in middle position - $20
Saying outloud, “It’s been a while since I flopped quads…” – Actually, this one is free.
Actually flopping quad 7s – Awesome
Getting paid by two flush chasers all the way to the river – priceless.
How did I celebrate Cinco de Mayo?
With my biggest cash ever at the Muckleshoot, tenqberrymuge.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
My Brother Drives This Way
3 MAY 06
It’s like the old joke. Driving with my buddy Earl, he keeps flying through red lights. I’m cringing and holding the armrest for dear life, and all he says is, “It’s okay. My brother drives like this.” Red light after red light we keep flying through until we finally come upon an actual green light. Earl slams on the breaks and we come to a screeching halt. “WTF Earl?” I exclaim.
Earl’s reply? “My brother might be coming the other way.”
I saw 2 3 soooted win twice last night. The surprising thing was that once it was held by my buddy Ryan, who was playing very tight up until that point. He made a great read and stuck with it the whole way. The other time was against my TPTK when the 8 seat flops the 4-flush and rivers the straight.
I saw another great rush of cards – including winning 4 or 5 hands in a row at one point. I developed a great table image and was able to get a couple of folds when I knew I held an inferior hand. The 4 seat made a horrible mistake by folding AJ face up to an EP flop bet on a board with an Ace.
Huh?
After that, I raised any pot he limped into, even if there were other players. He folded to any aggression, and I took about $100 free dollars off of him with that play alone.
Seattle John sweated me for one hand, which was pretty cool. In late position, I call a bunch of limpers with A2 off-suit, with the Ace of clubs. The flop is 3 clubs for the nut-flush draw. It checks around to me and I bet, and get three callers. No club on the turn and it checks to me again. I bet and get called just by the blind. No club on the river and the blind checks.
Do you bet here?
If you think he’s on a club draw, you bet. There’s a chance that Ace high is the best hand, but that’s kind of wishful thinking. I had squandered my table image a little, so there was a better than average chance that I’d get called. I bet and he called with top pair after the flop. It was a good (not great) call, and I didn’t have to show anyone but John. If nothing else, the bet on the river with nothing but Ace high enabled me to milk an extra bet on two separate later hands when I held the nuts.
A note about implied odds. I posted the mandatory $15 for one of my many kill pots. Ryan raises from late position and I call with 96 off-suit. Heads-up, we see a flop of 5 7 8, all clubs, for a vulnerable straight. I check-raised the flop and he three bets. I think I bet the turn and he called. When I bet the river, he raises and I ask, “Did you flop the flush?” When Ryan replies, “No. Did I need to?” I knew I had the pot. Defending the kill is similar to defending the blinds. I’m getting 5:1 pre-flop (the small and big blind = 1 bet. His raise is 2 more. My call is #4 and he will always bet the flop for #5).
Final thought: Thanks again to Ryan for pointing out another mistake I made. I talk a lot when I’m playing, especially when I’m playing well. At one point, I was asked why I didn’t bet on the river. I replied that the only person that calls my river bet is someone that has me beat. Ryan smiled and said, “No poker instructions, please.”
He (and Mike Caro) are absolutely right. Why would I want to teach the fish how to play better against me? Sorry ‘bout that.
It’s like the old joke. Driving with my buddy Earl, he keeps flying through red lights. I’m cringing and holding the armrest for dear life, and all he says is, “It’s okay. My brother drives like this.” Red light after red light we keep flying through until we finally come upon an actual green light. Earl slams on the breaks and we come to a screeching halt. “WTF Earl?” I exclaim.
Earl’s reply? “My brother might be coming the other way.”
I saw 2 3 soooted win twice last night. The surprising thing was that once it was held by my buddy Ryan, who was playing very tight up until that point. He made a great read and stuck with it the whole way. The other time was against my TPTK when the 8 seat flops the 4-flush and rivers the straight.
I saw another great rush of cards – including winning 4 or 5 hands in a row at one point. I developed a great table image and was able to get a couple of folds when I knew I held an inferior hand. The 4 seat made a horrible mistake by folding AJ face up to an EP flop bet on a board with an Ace.
Huh?
After that, I raised any pot he limped into, even if there were other players. He folded to any aggression, and I took about $100 free dollars off of him with that play alone.
Seattle John sweated me for one hand, which was pretty cool. In late position, I call a bunch of limpers with A2 off-suit, with the Ace of clubs. The flop is 3 clubs for the nut-flush draw. It checks around to me and I bet, and get three callers. No club on the turn and it checks to me again. I bet and get called just by the blind. No club on the river and the blind checks.
Do you bet here?
If you think he’s on a club draw, you bet. There’s a chance that Ace high is the best hand, but that’s kind of wishful thinking. I had squandered my table image a little, so there was a better than average chance that I’d get called. I bet and he called with top pair after the flop. It was a good (not great) call, and I didn’t have to show anyone but John. If nothing else, the bet on the river with nothing but Ace high enabled me to milk an extra bet on two separate later hands when I held the nuts.
A note about implied odds. I posted the mandatory $15 for one of my many kill pots. Ryan raises from late position and I call with 96 off-suit. Heads-up, we see a flop of 5 7 8, all clubs, for a vulnerable straight. I check-raised the flop and he three bets. I think I bet the turn and he called. When I bet the river, he raises and I ask, “Did you flop the flush?” When Ryan replies, “No. Did I need to?” I knew I had the pot. Defending the kill is similar to defending the blinds. I’m getting 5:1 pre-flop (the small and big blind = 1 bet. His raise is 2 more. My call is #4 and he will always bet the flop for #5).
Final thought: Thanks again to Ryan for pointing out another mistake I made. I talk a lot when I’m playing, especially when I’m playing well. At one point, I was asked why I didn’t bet on the river. I replied that the only person that calls my river bet is someone that has me beat. Ryan smiled and said, “No poker instructions, please.”
He (and Mike Caro) are absolutely right. Why would I want to teach the fish how to play better against me? Sorry ‘bout that.
Monday, May 01, 2006
May Day!!
1 MAY 06
I was going to take today off in solidarity with my fellow immigrants, but I didn’t think having my dad born in Canada counts.
Anyway, a series of 5 (or less) outers brought me back below the break even line. I’m tempted to tell some bad beat stories, but I’d have to pay each of you two dollars, and my poker fund just can’t take another hit right now.
Instead, I’ll just say thank you to Otis for recommending “Shut Up and Deal,” by Jesse May. I’ve just started reading it, and it’s that rare thing in literature – a unique voice. It takes a little getting used to – almost like someone is dictating the story as opposed to writing it down, but it grows on you.
The first chapter really added some clarity to how I’m feeling right now.
Here is the review from Amazon:
The vignettes in Shut Up and Deal are a bizarre mingling of Damon Runyon and David Mamet. Mickey, the book's narrator, is always playing cards with people who have monikers such as Uptown Raoul, Hot Mama Earl, Johnny World, and Vinnie the Greek, and he himself generally wears at these card games something like "yellow pants and a green double-breasted jacket from the seventies and a green and yellow flowered shirt with dark sunglasses" in order to sucker the unsuspecting mark into maybe thinking that he is not such a good poker player and that his money can be easily won, which it usually cannot. Yet the dialogue, reflecting life on the professional poker circuit, is stark and brutal, as in Mickey's advice to a dilettante who is considering following in his footsteps: "All I can tell you is that it's lonely out there, real fuckin' lonely, and your play doesn't matter so much as how tough you are and whether or not you fall apart."
If you need me, I’ll be trying not to fall apart tonight at the ‘shoot.
I was going to take today off in solidarity with my fellow immigrants, but I didn’t think having my dad born in Canada counts.
Anyway, a series of 5 (or less) outers brought me back below the break even line. I’m tempted to tell some bad beat stories, but I’d have to pay each of you two dollars, and my poker fund just can’t take another hit right now.
Instead, I’ll just say thank you to Otis for recommending “Shut Up and Deal,” by Jesse May. I’ve just started reading it, and it’s that rare thing in literature – a unique voice. It takes a little getting used to – almost like someone is dictating the story as opposed to writing it down, but it grows on you.
The first chapter really added some clarity to how I’m feeling right now.
Here is the review from Amazon:
The vignettes in Shut Up and Deal are a bizarre mingling of Damon Runyon and David Mamet. Mickey, the book's narrator, is always playing cards with people who have monikers such as Uptown Raoul, Hot Mama Earl, Johnny World, and Vinnie the Greek, and he himself generally wears at these card games something like "yellow pants and a green double-breasted jacket from the seventies and a green and yellow flowered shirt with dark sunglasses" in order to sucker the unsuspecting mark into maybe thinking that he is not such a good poker player and that his money can be easily won, which it usually cannot. Yet the dialogue, reflecting life on the professional poker circuit, is stark and brutal, as in Mickey's advice to a dilettante who is considering following in his footsteps: "All I can tell you is that it's lonely out there, real fuckin' lonely, and your play doesn't matter so much as how tough you are and whether or not you fall apart."
If you need me, I’ll be trying not to fall apart tonight at the ‘shoot.
Friday, April 28, 2006
That’s Not a Knife…
28 APR 06
I’ve always wanted to quote Crocodile Dundee.
While waiting for my 10/20 seat, I wasted time at the 4/8 game (again). I remember reading something from Phil Gordon about sucking out. His point was that good players rarely suck out (but are often sucked-out on) because they usually get their money in with the best hand.
Well I did some serious sucking yesterday.
In actuality, there was a reason for my madness, but I’m sure it didn’t seem that way to Hat Boy.
Hat Boy came in with his cool pull-down Pac Northwest hat and bought in for $60. Sniff – is that dinner, I smell? He calls in early position. I’m one to his left and I call with 8 7.
The flop is A 10 6, all hearts. I don’t have any hearts. I just have a weak gutshot. Hat Boy checks, I bet and he raises. Huh?
The raise here says, “Please don’t suck out. I’ve got a hand, but I have no hearts.” At this point, I think I can get him off the hand. I call, and see a blank card on the turn. He bets. I raise. He reraises. Now I put him on a set. The right move here is to call, but he’s really nervous, so I cap it. He calls, and we see a heart on the river.
The 9 of hearts.
He slaps his hand on the table, and checks. I quickly bet, thinking he’ll fold. He calls and shows his flopped set of 6’s. I say, “Oooh. This is gonna hurt,” and I show him my hand – the suckout straight on the river. No hearts for him either, so I drag the pot. In fairness, I really thought he'd fold. Wasn't it Ross Perot who talked about that "giant sucking sound?"
One other hand of note. Dark Sunglasses boy (don’t you just love these guys), raises from the button. When an Ace falls on the flop, it’s checked around to him. He bets, everyone folds and he shows his 10 6 for the bluff.
Nice one, sir!
That hand set up this play. It’s a “full kill” (8/16) two hands later, and I call in early position. Sunglasses Boy raises to $16. I call and we see a flop of 9 10 J. I check, he bets and I call. The turn is a Queen. Now I bet right out. He raises and I reraise. He just calls and we see the river – King. No flush.
Now, there is a straight on the board. I bet right out and smile at him through his dark sunglasses. He thinks a long time before mucking his board straight.
I lay my pair of threes down right in front of him – face up.
Now THAT’s a bluff.
I’ve always wanted to quote Crocodile Dundee.
While waiting for my 10/20 seat, I wasted time at the 4/8 game (again). I remember reading something from Phil Gordon about sucking out. His point was that good players rarely suck out (but are often sucked-out on) because they usually get their money in with the best hand.
Well I did some serious sucking yesterday.
In actuality, there was a reason for my madness, but I’m sure it didn’t seem that way to Hat Boy.
Hat Boy came in with his cool pull-down Pac Northwest hat and bought in for $60. Sniff – is that dinner, I smell? He calls in early position. I’m one to his left and I call with 8 7.
The flop is A 10 6, all hearts. I don’t have any hearts. I just have a weak gutshot. Hat Boy checks, I bet and he raises. Huh?
The raise here says, “Please don’t suck out. I’ve got a hand, but I have no hearts.” At this point, I think I can get him off the hand. I call, and see a blank card on the turn. He bets. I raise. He reraises. Now I put him on a set. The right move here is to call, but he’s really nervous, so I cap it. He calls, and we see a heart on the river.
The 9 of hearts.
He slaps his hand on the table, and checks. I quickly bet, thinking he’ll fold. He calls and shows his flopped set of 6’s. I say, “Oooh. This is gonna hurt,” and I show him my hand – the suckout straight on the river. No hearts for him either, so I drag the pot. In fairness, I really thought he'd fold. Wasn't it Ross Perot who talked about that "giant sucking sound?"
One other hand of note. Dark Sunglasses boy (don’t you just love these guys), raises from the button. When an Ace falls on the flop, it’s checked around to him. He bets, everyone folds and he shows his 10 6 for the bluff.
Nice one, sir!
That hand set up this play. It’s a “full kill” (8/16) two hands later, and I call in early position. Sunglasses Boy raises to $16. I call and we see a flop of 9 10 J. I check, he bets and I call. The turn is a Queen. Now I bet right out. He raises and I reraise. He just calls and we see the river – King. No flush.
Now, there is a straight on the board. I bet right out and smile at him through his dark sunglasses. He thinks a long time before mucking his board straight.
I lay my pair of threes down right in front of him – face up.
Now THAT’s a bluff.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
More Trickery
25 APR 06
In my ever expanding bag of tricks, I came up with this one on the spot.
I’m in the Big Blind. There are 4 callers and I get to see a free flop with 96 off-suit. The flop comes 345, giving me the open ender. One early bet gets called by all five of us. The turn is a nine giving me top pair. There is one bet and one raise. I reraise and 4 of us see the river, which is a 2. Sweet.
But wait, there’s more.
Everyone checks to me. Huh? Okay – watch this…
I flip over my 9 and say, “I’ve got top pair. I’m betting it.”
The first Ace-holder raises. The second Ace-holder calls. I reraise, and at this point, the caller knows he’s beat, but the first ace-holder hasn’t got the memo.
He reraises.
Moron ace-holder #2 calls again and I cap it.
Devin (the dealer) gives me a look and says, “Turn over your 6.” I’m happy to comply. The expression on my two new best friends was priceless.
In my ever expanding bag of tricks, I came up with this one on the spot.
I’m in the Big Blind. There are 4 callers and I get to see a free flop with 96 off-suit. The flop comes 345, giving me the open ender. One early bet gets called by all five of us. The turn is a nine giving me top pair. There is one bet and one raise. I reraise and 4 of us see the river, which is a 2. Sweet.
But wait, there’s more.
Everyone checks to me. Huh? Okay – watch this…
I flip over my 9 and say, “I’ve got top pair. I’m betting it.”
The first Ace-holder raises. The second Ace-holder calls. I reraise, and at this point, the caller knows he’s beat, but the first ace-holder hasn’t got the memo.
He reraises.
Moron ace-holder #2 calls again and I cap it.
Devin (the dealer) gives me a look and says, “Turn over your 6.” I’m happy to comply. The expression on my two new best friends was priceless.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Reflections on 100 Posts
20 APR 06
One hundred posts. Sheesh!! Recently, Pauly took a break after 1176 posts. I can’t imagine another thousand of these, but I sure am having fun with it for now.
First off – thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogsphere. For whatever reason, you decided to spend a little of your day visiting me, and I appreciate it. An Extra Thanks to my top referrers:
http://www.upforanything.net/poker/
http://www.whiskeytown.blogspot.com/
http://www.seattlejohn.blogspot.com/
http://www.thisisnotapokerblog.com/
http://iamhoff.blogspot.com/
http://nickleanddimes.blogspot.com/
To celebrate my 100th post, I decided to figure out how to use Sitemeter. Check this out:
Google searches that brought people to my blog:
“Nguyen interview with Scotty" – This search was from the google.co.hu site, which is from Hungary. I’ve also had visitors from Sweden, the UK and Finland.
“320 pound 7' 4" woman Holland” – this one is strangely legit. See here
“costa rican supermodel” – Yeah, baby!
“anatomical locations behind back of knee” – another legit search. See #46 here
“hunter silvastorm” – someone searched for author-extraordinaire Hunter and found me instead – sweet!
A Canadian searched for “flawless poker win every time” and came to my site.
And finally, my favorite (note – this entire thing was pasted into the search window)
“An Australian sheep farmer was puzzled at the disappearance of sheep on his farm. After a few weeks of sheep disappearing the farmer decided to put up an electric fence”
So, if you ever want to find out about Huge Dutch Women, Costa Rican Supermodels, Great Authors or Disappearing Sheep, look no further than your friendly neighborhood poker playing doctor. It’s what I live for.
One hundred posts. Sheesh!! Recently, Pauly took a break after 1176 posts. I can’t imagine another thousand of these, but I sure am having fun with it for now.
First off – thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogsphere. For whatever reason, you decided to spend a little of your day visiting me, and I appreciate it. An Extra Thanks to my top referrers:
http://www.upforanything.net/poker/
http://www.whiskeytown.blogspot.com/
http://www.seattlejohn.blogspot.com/
http://www.thisisnotapokerblog.com/
http://iamhoff.blogspot.com/
http://nickleanddimes.blogspot.com/
To celebrate my 100th post, I decided to figure out how to use Sitemeter. Check this out:
Google searches that brought people to my blog:
“Nguyen interview with Scotty" – This search was from the google.co.hu site, which is from Hungary. I’ve also had visitors from Sweden, the UK and Finland.
“320 pound 7' 4" woman Holland” – this one is strangely legit. See here
“costa rican supermodel” – Yeah, baby!
“anatomical locations behind back of knee” – another legit search. See #46 here
“hunter silvastorm” – someone searched for author-extraordinaire Hunter and found me instead – sweet!
A Canadian searched for “flawless poker win every time” and came to my site.
And finally, my favorite (note – this entire thing was pasted into the search window)
“An Australian sheep farmer was puzzled at the disappearance of sheep on his farm. After a few weeks of sheep disappearing the farmer decided to put up an electric fence”
So, if you ever want to find out about Huge Dutch Women, Costa Rican Supermodels, Great Authors or Disappearing Sheep, look no further than your friendly neighborhood poker playing doctor. It’s what I live for.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
One Last Shot
19 APR 06
My buddy Stefan decided to take one last crack at 10/20 before heading back to Texas. He’s glad he did.
I sat in first and started in with my usual shtick. It was funny, because Ryan was dealing again. Apparently, he’s been reading my blog because he was quoting several of my best lines back to me. I got a laugh out of it at first, but then I realized that other people at the table may have been listening. If they figured out what we were talking about, I may have been handicapped a little. Fortunately, either no one figured it out, or they didn’t care. I talked my way into a few pots and was up about $300 when Stefan finally got a seat.
Now, Stefan is a buddy of mine, but when he’s sitting across the felt he becomes a potential victim. Sure enough, I raised in position with J8 and he calls from the big blind. I hit my Jack on the flop (I think there was an overcard). He calls my flop and turn bets and when we get to the river, he checks to me. I bet and say, “Don’t call. I’ll show you,” and I hold my cards out towards him face down. He flips over his QJ and mucks. True to my word, I show him my inferior hand and drag the pot. If he just read my blog before he sat in, he might have made that call!!
Well, that was about the only hand he played badly last night. In the span of about 2 hours, he ran his $500 up to over $1200, and we both cashed out winners for the night. On the ride back to his hotel, he was floating on a cloud, but he asked me to critique his game. I gave him a few pointers (at several points he was calling into a multiway pot post-flop when he should have been raising or folding), but how do you offer pointers to someone that played nearly flawless poker?
I guess we can all benefit from a few pointers now and then. I know I can.
My buddy Stefan decided to take one last crack at 10/20 before heading back to Texas. He’s glad he did.
I sat in first and started in with my usual shtick. It was funny, because Ryan was dealing again. Apparently, he’s been reading my blog because he was quoting several of my best lines back to me. I got a laugh out of it at first, but then I realized that other people at the table may have been listening. If they figured out what we were talking about, I may have been handicapped a little. Fortunately, either no one figured it out, or they didn’t care. I talked my way into a few pots and was up about $300 when Stefan finally got a seat.
Now, Stefan is a buddy of mine, but when he’s sitting across the felt he becomes a potential victim. Sure enough, I raised in position with J8 and he calls from the big blind. I hit my Jack on the flop (I think there was an overcard). He calls my flop and turn bets and when we get to the river, he checks to me. I bet and say, “Don’t call. I’ll show you,” and I hold my cards out towards him face down. He flips over his QJ and mucks. True to my word, I show him my inferior hand and drag the pot. If he just read my blog before he sat in, he might have made that call!!
Well, that was about the only hand he played badly last night. In the span of about 2 hours, he ran his $500 up to over $1200, and we both cashed out winners for the night. On the ride back to his hotel, he was floating on a cloud, but he asked me to critique his game. I gave him a few pointers (at several points he was calling into a multiway pot post-flop when he should have been raising or folding), but how do you offer pointers to someone that played nearly flawless poker?
I guess we can all benefit from a few pointers now and then. I know I can.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Talking the Talk
13 APR 06
I’ve talked myself into about $300 over the last 3 sessions, and I feel pretty darn good about it. John talked about it on this blog (referring to his buddy Aaron). The key is variance. Sometimes, when I’m acting strong, I have the worst hand. Other times it’s just the opposite. The key is to make sure people are paying attention, and to show down a couple of hands (be they winners or losers).
Here are a couple of my favorites:
“I’ll show you.”
It’s a 4/8 table and I raise with A 10 after one MP limper just calls. The flop is AA3. Limper checks and I check. The turn is a 6 and the limper bets. I raise and the limper just calls. The river is a Jack, and the limper bets.
I raise saying, “Don’t call, I’ll show you,” then I move my cards over towards her in preparation for showing her my flopped trips (after all, she just limped into this hand – I know she doesn’t have anything better than what I’m holding).
She folds her AK face up.
“This is my wheelhouse.”
It’s 10/20 and I raise in early position with 7 9 (I’m not justifying the move here. Just go with me). The button calls and we see a flop of 7 8 J. I bet and the button raises. I put him on a weak Jack, but he’s capable of making this move with the 9 for the open ender. I call. The turn is blank and I bet. He raises again, and now I put him on QJ or KJ. Maybe AJ. I have 6 outs (two 7’s and four 10’s), so I look at him and say, “This is my wheelhouse. Are you sure you want to bet here?” I see the look of doubt in his eyes, and I think I may be able to steal this pot if any scare card comes out. The river is a 7 and I check raise the river on him. As he’s calling my raise, he says, “Your 7 is good.”
Thanks, but I already knew that.
“You didn’t stay with A x of diamonds, did you?”
This one is more obvious. Experienced players will see this for what it is – calling out your made hand.
Again at 10/20, I complete the big blind into a multiway pot with A8 of diamonds. The flop pairs my 8 with two diamonds. I bet and get raised and called by three others. The turn puts a scary straight card on the board. I check and 3 of us see the river – 2 of diamonds. I’m first to act, and I bet out, saying the question above. My thought is that this may convince the table that I was slow playing my straight, but I’m nervous about the river card. It’s very confusing. The bet represents the flush but the talk represents the straight. Confused players will call out of curiosity. Both players called – one with the straight and one with 2 pair.
That’s why I love this game. The intangibles make it really interesting.
I’ve talked myself into about $300 over the last 3 sessions, and I feel pretty darn good about it. John talked about it on this blog (referring to his buddy Aaron). The key is variance. Sometimes, when I’m acting strong, I have the worst hand. Other times it’s just the opposite. The key is to make sure people are paying attention, and to show down a couple of hands (be they winners or losers).
Here are a couple of my favorites:
“I’ll show you.”
It’s a 4/8 table and I raise with A 10 after one MP limper just calls. The flop is AA3. Limper checks and I check. The turn is a 6 and the limper bets. I raise and the limper just calls. The river is a Jack, and the limper bets.
I raise saying, “Don’t call, I’ll show you,” then I move my cards over towards her in preparation for showing her my flopped trips (after all, she just limped into this hand – I know she doesn’t have anything better than what I’m holding).
She folds her AK face up.
“This is my wheelhouse.”
It’s 10/20 and I raise in early position with 7 9 (I’m not justifying the move here. Just go with me). The button calls and we see a flop of 7 8 J. I bet and the button raises. I put him on a weak Jack, but he’s capable of making this move with the 9 for the open ender. I call. The turn is blank and I bet. He raises again, and now I put him on QJ or KJ. Maybe AJ. I have 6 outs (two 7’s and four 10’s), so I look at him and say, “This is my wheelhouse. Are you sure you want to bet here?” I see the look of doubt in his eyes, and I think I may be able to steal this pot if any scare card comes out. The river is a 7 and I check raise the river on him. As he’s calling my raise, he says, “Your 7 is good.”
Thanks, but I already knew that.
“You didn’t stay with A x of diamonds, did you?”
This one is more obvious. Experienced players will see this for what it is – calling out your made hand.
Again at 10/20, I complete the big blind into a multiway pot with A8 of diamonds. The flop pairs my 8 with two diamonds. I bet and get raised and called by three others. The turn puts a scary straight card on the board. I check and 3 of us see the river – 2 of diamonds. I’m first to act, and I bet out, saying the question above. My thought is that this may convince the table that I was slow playing my straight, but I’m nervous about the river card. It’s very confusing. The bet represents the flush but the talk represents the straight. Confused players will call out of curiosity. Both players called – one with the straight and one with 2 pair.
That’s why I love this game. The intangibles make it really interesting.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Schooled
10 APR 06
My buddy broke his 10/20 cherry yesterday at the Muckleshoot. It was cool to witness. I just wrote about my first experience at 10/20, and I’m guessing his experience is going to stay with him for a long time.
I watched him nearly double his $500 buy in with some solid play and a few good hands. There was one hand where he had KQ. He flopped his queen and turned his king, only to run into a set of queens. It happens, but he was still way up for the night.
I had to leave for dinner, so I didn’t witness the rest. About 2 hours later, I get a call.
“Dude. I raised under the gun with AK. The big blind is the only caller. The flop is 777…”
You know the rest of this story. Big blind had 7 2 off suit for the flopped quads, and, as they say, “tilt happened.”
He actually lost only part of his buy in for the night. As I reviewed a few key hands with him, I realized he made good decisions and didn’t play scared (which was my big problem when I started). He’s good enough to play at this level. We’ll see if he ever ventures back into the mid-level games.
Final thought: The Muckleshoot – where, if you dream it, your cards will come.
My buddy broke his 10/20 cherry yesterday at the Muckleshoot. It was cool to witness. I just wrote about my first experience at 10/20, and I’m guessing his experience is going to stay with him for a long time.
I watched him nearly double his $500 buy in with some solid play and a few good hands. There was one hand where he had KQ. He flopped his queen and turned his king, only to run into a set of queens. It happens, but he was still way up for the night.
I had to leave for dinner, so I didn’t witness the rest. About 2 hours later, I get a call.
“Dude. I raised under the gun with AK. The big blind is the only caller. The flop is 777…”
You know the rest of this story. Big blind had 7 2 off suit for the flopped quads, and, as they say, “tilt happened.”
He actually lost only part of his buy in for the night. As I reviewed a few key hands with him, I realized he made good decisions and didn’t play scared (which was my big problem when I started). He’s good enough to play at this level. We’ll see if he ever ventures back into the mid-level games.
Final thought: The Muckleshoot – where, if you dream it, your cards will come.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Happy Birthday
6 APR 06
Last night, I gave myself exactly what I wanted for my birthday. Against all odds, I eliminated #28 FAR earlier than I expected.
So this is what it feels like to be a winning poker player.
Last night, I gave myself exactly what I wanted for my birthday. Against all odds, I eliminated #28 FAR earlier than I expected.
So this is what it feels like to be a winning poker player.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Playing Your Rush
3 APR 06
First off – I wrote this first thing on Friday. I was going to post it Saturday, but we did the “Become Your Favorite Blogger” thing for April 1st. My favorite was Joe Speaker’s take on Factgirl, but Drizz did a number on Bobby Bracelet. Both are worth a read. Enjoy.
So, I have fans. Well, technically, I have readers I didn’t know about, but I choose to call them fans because it makes me feel kind of famous. And, you know my ego isn’t big enough already…
After my write-up about Colette, I finally ran into her. She was extremely gracious. She really could have made me feel like a creep, but instead she seemed genuinely flattered, and I was touched. She’s still hasn’t sent me any photos from Costa Rica, but those seem secondary now. If I get them, great. If not, well that’s cool, too.
I was confused when she told me she read my blog, because I never told her the name of the website. It turns out she found me from a link on another Muckleshoot blog. Another dealer at the ‘shoot (Ryan), read John’s blog and found me, then told Colette.
Now we come full circle. Ryan was seated one to my right in the very first game of 10/20 I ever played. I was scared money, and he knew it. I bought in for $200, and played very weak-tight. I finally looked down at AK of spades, but Ryan raised it to $20. I just called and the flop came K 10 6. Ryan bet, and I remember being scared straight.
I had been watching Ryan and another regular (Peter) go at it for about an hour. Both were clearly comfortable with this level of play and I was jealous. I wanted to be like that, but at the time, I didn’t know how. They were raising and reraising their turn and river bets and winning with hands like 45 and J9. Who the hell plays 45 in 10/20? Don’t these idiots know that’s a lot of money???
I was getting ready to call Ryan’s bet when, out of the blue, Ryan says, “Don’t bet, I hit my set.”
Huh?
I had not seen this play from him. Why would he tell me this? I was getting ready to call, when he said, “Look, I’ll show you one card.” He flips over a 6. I’m frozen. I really don’t know how to react. I’m looking back and forth between Ryan, the exposed 6 and my chips. Is he allowed to show his card? Should I bet anyway? What’s that warm sensation running down my leg?
Then he flips over the other 6. He turns to me with a big smile and says, “I don’t want to take your money.” He points to Peter and says, “I want to take his money.” Both Peter and Ryan start laughing. I nervously laugh along, but I realize I’m WAY outgunned at this table. I lost the rest of that buy in and limped away with my tail between my legs.
I think about that hand and that session often. Ryan’s carefree attitude has been something I’ve tried to emulate every time I sit in the 10/20 game. It’s only recently that it’s started to work. I don’t think I’d ever show a fish (and I was a fish back then) my flopped set, but I understand why he did it. I remember thinking, the only reason he did that is because he wants me to have fun so I’ll come back in the future and lose even more money to him. The actual effect was to further my resolve to be comfortable at this level, so that I could go back and beat his brains out at the table. I (and my bankroll) owe him some thanks.
So ends what I wrote on Friday. But wait, there's more...
Now, fast forward to Saturday. Ryan was dealing my 10/20 game! I relayed the above story to him and we had a good laugh about it. He seemed shocked that he exposed his hand like that. I actually expected him to remember the hand, but it was clearly a much bigger deal to me than to him.
To complete the circle, I had my best rush of cards ever. At one point, I won 5 hands in a row (including a kill pot where I raised preflop with 23 and caught a wheel on the river). In those 10 minutes, I won over $600.
And I owe it all to Ryan. Well, I owe a bunch to Lee Jones and Doyle Brunson and David Sklansky, but Ryan deserves at least some of the credit.
First off – I wrote this first thing on Friday. I was going to post it Saturday, but we did the “Become Your Favorite Blogger” thing for April 1st. My favorite was Joe Speaker’s take on Factgirl, but Drizz did a number on Bobby Bracelet. Both are worth a read. Enjoy.
So, I have fans. Well, technically, I have readers I didn’t know about, but I choose to call them fans because it makes me feel kind of famous. And, you know my ego isn’t big enough already…
After my write-up about Colette, I finally ran into her. She was extremely gracious. She really could have made me feel like a creep, but instead she seemed genuinely flattered, and I was touched. She’s still hasn’t sent me any photos from Costa Rica, but those seem secondary now. If I get them, great. If not, well that’s cool, too.
I was confused when she told me she read my blog, because I never told her the name of the website. It turns out she found me from a link on another Muckleshoot blog. Another dealer at the ‘shoot (Ryan), read John’s blog and found me, then told Colette.
Now we come full circle. Ryan was seated one to my right in the very first game of 10/20 I ever played. I was scared money, and he knew it. I bought in for $200, and played very weak-tight. I finally looked down at AK of spades, but Ryan raised it to $20. I just called and the flop came K 10 6. Ryan bet, and I remember being scared straight.
I had been watching Ryan and another regular (Peter) go at it for about an hour. Both were clearly comfortable with this level of play and I was jealous. I wanted to be like that, but at the time, I didn’t know how. They were raising and reraising their turn and river bets and winning with hands like 45 and J9. Who the hell plays 45 in 10/20? Don’t these idiots know that’s a lot of money???
I was getting ready to call Ryan’s bet when, out of the blue, Ryan says, “Don’t bet, I hit my set.”
Huh?
I had not seen this play from him. Why would he tell me this? I was getting ready to call, when he said, “Look, I’ll show you one card.” He flips over a 6. I’m frozen. I really don’t know how to react. I’m looking back and forth between Ryan, the exposed 6 and my chips. Is he allowed to show his card? Should I bet anyway? What’s that warm sensation running down my leg?
Then he flips over the other 6. He turns to me with a big smile and says, “I don’t want to take your money.” He points to Peter and says, “I want to take his money.” Both Peter and Ryan start laughing. I nervously laugh along, but I realize I’m WAY outgunned at this table. I lost the rest of that buy in and limped away with my tail between my legs.
I think about that hand and that session often. Ryan’s carefree attitude has been something I’ve tried to emulate every time I sit in the 10/20 game. It’s only recently that it’s started to work. I don’t think I’d ever show a fish (and I was a fish back then) my flopped set, but I understand why he did it. I remember thinking, the only reason he did that is because he wants me to have fun so I’ll come back in the future and lose even more money to him. The actual effect was to further my resolve to be comfortable at this level, so that I could go back and beat his brains out at the table. I (and my bankroll) owe him some thanks.
So ends what I wrote on Friday. But wait, there's more...
Now, fast forward to Saturday. Ryan was dealing my 10/20 game! I relayed the above story to him and we had a good laugh about it. He seemed shocked that he exposed his hand like that. I actually expected him to remember the hand, but it was clearly a much bigger deal to me than to him.
To complete the circle, I had my best rush of cards ever. At one point, I won 5 hands in a row (including a kill pot where I raised preflop with 23 and caught a wheel on the river). In those 10 minutes, I won over $600.
And I owe it all to Ryan. Well, I owe a bunch to Lee Jones and Doyle Brunson and David Sklansky, but Ryan deserves at least some of the credit.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Guest Blog
1 APR 06
Editors Note: Occasionally, I allow other’s to guest post on this here blog. Today’s guest is extra special because we both got something out of it. As a physician, I have a unique perspective into poker, but I rarely need my doctoring skills. Today’s guest needed a favor, and I was happy to comply.
Live blogging the drunk… day at the hospital
6:30 am – What the hell kind of time of day is this? Who the fuck gets up at 4:30 in the morning to go to work? I need a shot of SoCo. If it wasn’t for the free shit, this whole guest-post experiment would have to wait until a more reasonable hour – like noon.
6:35 am – Cute nurses. Hmmm… I may have to hold judgment for a bit.
6:40 am – Cute nurses asking me to undress. Even better.
6:45 am – The CAT scan table is kind of cold, but I’m kinda digging the whole “let’s play doctor thing.” Hey, what’s that tube for?
6:46 am – “You’re gonna put that WHERE?”
6:47 am – Unnnnh. Nnnnnhhhhh. Ggggghhhfffff…. Did you put that barium in the fucking fridge before you squirted it up my ass?! You people are sick!
6:50 am – Whirring noises. Table moving. My tongue is fuzzy, and not in a good way. Who the fuck is laughing out there? I’d swear I just heard someone say the ass-tube wasn’t necessary for this exam. You’d better be fucking kidding!
7:20 am – I just spent the last 20 minutes shitting out white satin paint, and I know I’m not even close to done. I’m walking like I’ve been riding a horse and I can hear a faint squish. Ooohh, that’s not good.
7:50 am – So, my liver looks good. Well, technically, the good Dr. Chako says it looks like shit, but it’s still there, so I’m calling it a wash. Now I’m headed back to Chez Chako for a beer and a nap. Does anyone have some Excedrin?
Squish. Squish. Squish.
And so, the guest post ends almost as soon as it began. Thanks to Al for the experience. I’d don’t think Chez Chako will ever be the same. And, thanks again to Drizz for the cool idea.
Editors Note: Occasionally, I allow other’s to guest post on this here blog. Today’s guest is extra special because we both got something out of it. As a physician, I have a unique perspective into poker, but I rarely need my doctoring skills. Today’s guest needed a favor, and I was happy to comply.
Live blogging the drunk… day at the hospital
6:30 am – What the hell kind of time of day is this? Who the fuck gets up at 4:30 in the morning to go to work? I need a shot of SoCo. If it wasn’t for the free shit, this whole guest-post experiment would have to wait until a more reasonable hour – like noon.
6:35 am – Cute nurses. Hmmm… I may have to hold judgment for a bit.
6:40 am – Cute nurses asking me to undress. Even better.
6:45 am – The CAT scan table is kind of cold, but I’m kinda digging the whole “let’s play doctor thing.” Hey, what’s that tube for?
6:46 am – “You’re gonna put that WHERE?”
6:47 am – Unnnnh. Nnnnnhhhhh. Ggggghhhfffff…. Did you put that barium in the fucking fridge before you squirted it up my ass?! You people are sick!
6:50 am – Whirring noises. Table moving. My tongue is fuzzy, and not in a good way. Who the fuck is laughing out there? I’d swear I just heard someone say the ass-tube wasn’t necessary for this exam. You’d better be fucking kidding!
7:20 am – I just spent the last 20 minutes shitting out white satin paint, and I know I’m not even close to done. I’m walking like I’ve been riding a horse and I can hear a faint squish. Ooohh, that’s not good.
7:50 am – So, my liver looks good. Well, technically, the good Dr. Chako says it looks like shit, but it’s still there, so I’m calling it a wash. Now I’m headed back to Chez Chako for a beer and a nap. Does anyone have some Excedrin?
Squish. Squish. Squish.
And so, the guest post ends almost as soon as it began. Thanks to Al for the experience. I’d don’t think Chez Chako will ever be the same. And, thanks again to Drizz for the cool idea.
Friday, March 31, 2006
Crossing the Felt
31 MAR 06
Mario is yet another great dealer at the Muckleshoot. In fact he was dealing two days ago when I was sitting in with Bret Boone, and yesterday he told some stories about a few funny things that happened after I left. It sounds like I should have stuck around.
Mario was dealing to me again last night. He’s good enough at what he does to be able to have a conversation while dealing. This is no small task, as I’ve seen many dealers screw up when talking. They’ll burn a card too soon, or miss a raise. Mario was flawless.
But then Mario was done with his shift and took a spot right next to me.
It’s interesting. When the dealer is sitting in the big chair, most of the time they are a non-entity. Sitting across the felt, they become another potential victim. Dealers are interesting players. They rarely make technical errors, and they have pretty good reads on most of the players – especially the regulars. Mario was just dealing this table and the crowd had not changed, so he had pretty good intel prior to sitting down. My guess is that he thought he got the best seat (one to my left) because I had been working on my maniac persona. My bankroll had suffered and I was stuck close to $300 before he sat down.
Then I went on a rush.
Mario was my victim several times, but I shared the wealth (actually, I took the wealth) from just about everyone at the table.
The best hand of the night was when I was sitting in the big blind with K5. I called one raise in a multiway pot and saw a flop of KK5. This pot alone was over $200 when all was said and done – not bad for 4/8.
Well, I think Mario was steaming a little bit. On the hand just before this, Mario limped in UTG and I completed from the small blind with 2 5. I flopped a flush draw and gut shot. The turn brought a 3 to complete my straight and I check-raised him saying, “Ah HA! Now I got you.” He called the check-raise, and I said, “You didn’t stick around here with a 2, did you?”
Based on his reaction when I dragged the pot, I think he flopped a set. I know he didn’t like my witty banter. I think it was his steaming that led to this – when I was raising the river on the K5 hand, Mario announced to the table that my hands were shaking. Now, I’ve blogged about this before. In fact, I mentioned it in my very first post. My shaking hands have gotten much better, but they still sometimes give away the strength of my hand. Announcing it to the table was uncool, but fortunately, 4/8 players will call you anyway.
I consider the matter finished, mostly because I won for the night. I wonder if I’d feel differently if I was stuck.
Mario is yet another great dealer at the Muckleshoot. In fact he was dealing two days ago when I was sitting in with Bret Boone, and yesterday he told some stories about a few funny things that happened after I left. It sounds like I should have stuck around.
Mario was dealing to me again last night. He’s good enough at what he does to be able to have a conversation while dealing. This is no small task, as I’ve seen many dealers screw up when talking. They’ll burn a card too soon, or miss a raise. Mario was flawless.
But then Mario was done with his shift and took a spot right next to me.
It’s interesting. When the dealer is sitting in the big chair, most of the time they are a non-entity. Sitting across the felt, they become another potential victim. Dealers are interesting players. They rarely make technical errors, and they have pretty good reads on most of the players – especially the regulars. Mario was just dealing this table and the crowd had not changed, so he had pretty good intel prior to sitting down. My guess is that he thought he got the best seat (one to my left) because I had been working on my maniac persona. My bankroll had suffered and I was stuck close to $300 before he sat down.
Then I went on a rush.
Mario was my victim several times, but I shared the wealth (actually, I took the wealth) from just about everyone at the table.
The best hand of the night was when I was sitting in the big blind with K5. I called one raise in a multiway pot and saw a flop of KK5. This pot alone was over $200 when all was said and done – not bad for 4/8.
Well, I think Mario was steaming a little bit. On the hand just before this, Mario limped in UTG and I completed from the small blind with 2 5. I flopped a flush draw and gut shot. The turn brought a 3 to complete my straight and I check-raised him saying, “Ah HA! Now I got you.” He called the check-raise, and I said, “You didn’t stick around here with a 2, did you?”
Based on his reaction when I dragged the pot, I think he flopped a set. I know he didn’t like my witty banter. I think it was his steaming that led to this – when I was raising the river on the K5 hand, Mario announced to the table that my hands were shaking. Now, I’ve blogged about this before. In fact, I mentioned it in my very first post. My shaking hands have gotten much better, but they still sometimes give away the strength of my hand. Announcing it to the table was uncool, but fortunately, 4/8 players will call you anyway.
I consider the matter finished, mostly because I won for the night. I wonder if I’d feel differently if I was stuck.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
F___in’ Mariners
30 MAR 06
So, last night there is a palpable buzz at the Muckleshoot. I’m not entirely certain what’s causing it until Tiffany comes up and says, “Dr. Chako - you are sitting in the big game.”
Huh? I thought you just called me for 4/8.
I did, she replies, but you are sitting at the table with Bret Boone and Mike Blowers.
Sweet. Idiots with cash.
Someone at the table actually asked them, “What are you guys doing in the white chip game?” I’ll tell you the answer. They came to crush my win streak with the stupidest suckout fest you ever saw. And I don’t mean that sarcastically. They didn’t care about playing good poker. In fact, they sucked. They came for the thrill of winning with 2 5 off-suit in a multiway hand that was CAPPED pre-flop.
Unfortunately, my pocket Aces, 10’s and Kings fell victim to this nonsense.
When I calm down, I’ll tell you more about why I hate baseball (and it has nothing to do with last night).
Final thought: Just two more days until “Become Your Favorite Blogger” Day.
Editors Note: After exhaustive research (okay, I went to ESPN.com), I found out that Boone has been traded to the Mets and is taking a pay cut from $9 million to $1 million, and Blowers last played in 1999. I am working up the ability to feel sorry for them. I'll let you know if anything comes of it.
So, last night there is a palpable buzz at the Muckleshoot. I’m not entirely certain what’s causing it until Tiffany comes up and says, “Dr. Chako - you are sitting in the big game.”
Huh? I thought you just called me for 4/8.
I did, she replies, but you are sitting at the table with Bret Boone and Mike Blowers.
Sweet. Idiots with cash.
Someone at the table actually asked them, “What are you guys doing in the white chip game?” I’ll tell you the answer. They came to crush my win streak with the stupidest suckout fest you ever saw. And I don’t mean that sarcastically. They didn’t care about playing good poker. In fact, they sucked. They came for the thrill of winning with 2 5 off-suit in a multiway hand that was CAPPED pre-flop.
Unfortunately, my pocket Aces, 10’s and Kings fell victim to this nonsense.
When I calm down, I’ll tell you more about why I hate baseball (and it has nothing to do with last night).
Final thought: Just two more days until “Become Your Favorite Blogger” Day.
Editors Note: After exhaustive research (okay, I went to ESPN.com), I found out that Boone has been traded to the Mets and is taking a pay cut from $9 million to $1 million, and Blowers last played in 1999. I am working up the ability to feel sorry for them. I'll let you know if anything comes of it.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Quickie Post
29 MAR 06
March has been my best month ever. I’ve started keeping better records. I know I can’t sustain this win rate, but it sure feels good to look down at an average of 21 Big Blinds per hour for my last 5 sessions. I hope I remember what this feels like when the walls come a-tumblin’ down.
Still no goodies to share from Costa Rica. Perhaps the lovely Colette has been taken away again. Stay tuned.
Reminder – April 1st is “Become Your Favorite Blogger” Day. Thanks to Drizz for the idea. My experience should be interesting.
March has been my best month ever. I’ve started keeping better records. I know I can’t sustain this win rate, but it sure feels good to look down at an average of 21 Big Blinds per hour for my last 5 sessions. I hope I remember what this feels like when the walls come a-tumblin’ down.
Still no goodies to share from Costa Rica. Perhaps the lovely Colette has been taken away again. Stay tuned.
Reminder – April 1st is “Become Your Favorite Blogger” Day. Thanks to Drizz for the idea. My experience should be interesting.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Beneath Me?
27 MAR 06
So, I’m reading a blog from Daniel Negreanu where he’s talking about his $3000/6000 game breaking up. He wanted to play some more, but the only available game was $400/800. He said that he didn’t think he’d be able to play his best because the limits were so much lower than he’s used to. He wouldn’t be able to stay focused. I start laughing. $400/800 is below him and he couldn’t concentrate or play his best? I told my wife, “If you ever hear me say that $400/800 is beneath me, slap me around a bit, okay?”
She agreed a little too quickly…
Anyway, last night I played another short session. While waiting for the $10/20 game to open up, I sat in the $6/12. For my fans (all three of you), you know how much I hate $6/12, but there I was. I won’t bore you with the hand history – suffice it to say that I played much too loose. I was on a freeroll because I won quite a bit this week. My hand selection was horrible. Here is an example of one hand with an odd outcome:
I’m dealt 3 4 of hearts and called a raise in a multiway pot.
Flop gives me a gut shot and 4 to the flush, I call one bet from the early raiser.
Turn is nothing, but I call yet again.
River pairs my four. Yuck. Something told me I had the best hand, so I bet. Early raiser raises, and I call.
He shows his AK and I drag a big pot with a pair of 4’s with a 3 kicker. The table goes nuts.
The real question is, what was I doing calling preflop? That’s almost justifiable, but how does that explain the flop and turn call? Trust me, I did not have the pot odds at the turn. Even if I got there, it was likely someone had a better flush, which reduced my outs.
The river call makes sense, but still. All I can figure is that I was playing too loose because $6/12 was “beneath me.” I had no reason to tilt – I was playing well. The “lower limit” explanation is the only one that makes sense. I guess I’ve come quite a ways from tilting at the $3/6 tables.
Can $400/800 be far behind?
Final thought: Please scroll down and re-read my post called Breaking News!! I’ve re-edited it, and I hope to have some goodies to share soon.
So, I’m reading a blog from Daniel Negreanu where he’s talking about his $3000/6000 game breaking up. He wanted to play some more, but the only available game was $400/800. He said that he didn’t think he’d be able to play his best because the limits were so much lower than he’s used to. He wouldn’t be able to stay focused. I start laughing. $400/800 is below him and he couldn’t concentrate or play his best? I told my wife, “If you ever hear me say that $400/800 is beneath me, slap me around a bit, okay?”
She agreed a little too quickly…
Anyway, last night I played another short session. While waiting for the $10/20 game to open up, I sat in the $6/12. For my fans (all three of you), you know how much I hate $6/12, but there I was. I won’t bore you with the hand history – suffice it to say that I played much too loose. I was on a freeroll because I won quite a bit this week. My hand selection was horrible. Here is an example of one hand with an odd outcome:
I’m dealt 3 4 of hearts and called a raise in a multiway pot.
Flop gives me a gut shot and 4 to the flush, I call one bet from the early raiser.
Turn is nothing, but I call yet again.
River pairs my four. Yuck. Something told me I had the best hand, so I bet. Early raiser raises, and I call.
He shows his AK and I drag a big pot with a pair of 4’s with a 3 kicker. The table goes nuts.
The real question is, what was I doing calling preflop? That’s almost justifiable, but how does that explain the flop and turn call? Trust me, I did not have the pot odds at the turn. Even if I got there, it was likely someone had a better flush, which reduced my outs.
The river call makes sense, but still. All I can figure is that I was playing too loose because $6/12 was “beneath me.” I had no reason to tilt – I was playing well. The “lower limit” explanation is the only one that makes sense. I guess I’ve come quite a ways from tilting at the $3/6 tables.
Can $400/800 be far behind?
Final thought: Please scroll down and re-read my post called Breaking News!! I’ve re-edited it, and I hope to have some goodies to share soon.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Follow Up to “Why Do We Blog?”
23 MAR 06
Bloggers Dr. Pauly, Spaceman, Bobby Bracelet, Chad, BG, Joe Speaker, CJ, and AlCantHang found yet another reason to blog.
Enjoy the Playboy Mansion.
Jerks.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Who Knew?
20 MAR 06
As I’ve mentioned before, I blog for me. The fact that anyone else reads this stuff is cool, but it’s really secondary. That being said, I always check for comments, so I guess I care a little. I love getting comments from other bloggers, and friends and family will occasionally stop by. Rarely do I get a comment from someone outside the blogsphere.
Until Friday.
A while back, I wrote this post about a commentary on NPR called This I Believe. The NPR story was great, and if it’s still on the NPR website, you should give it a listen. Here is a portion of what I wrote about it:
I have heard this Mozart Sonata done by numerous masters. It’s one of my favorites. Ms. Rusnov is not an expert. Her timing is off and she clearly displays her amateur status here. Yet, why did I find myself crying? Go listen for yourself. It’s pure beauty.
And then, out of the blue, I get this reply in the comments section of the blog:
Hi, this is Mel Rusnov, the writer of the This I Believe essay you mentioned. Yep, I'm an amateur pianist and I butchered that beautiful Mozart Sonata--your keen ear for music sure picked that up! But, your comments on the message in the essay and the way it made you feel were lovely and generous. Many thanks!
I’m speechless. Mel, if you come by here again, please know that your comment made my day. Hell, it made my whole week. So did your essay.
As I’ve mentioned before, I blog for me. The fact that anyone else reads this stuff is cool, but it’s really secondary. That being said, I always check for comments, so I guess I care a little. I love getting comments from other bloggers, and friends and family will occasionally stop by. Rarely do I get a comment from someone outside the blogsphere.
Until Friday.
A while back, I wrote this post about a commentary on NPR called This I Believe. The NPR story was great, and if it’s still on the NPR website, you should give it a listen. Here is a portion of what I wrote about it:
I have heard this Mozart Sonata done by numerous masters. It’s one of my favorites. Ms. Rusnov is not an expert. Her timing is off and she clearly displays her amateur status here. Yet, why did I find myself crying? Go listen for yourself. It’s pure beauty.
And then, out of the blue, I get this reply in the comments section of the blog:
Hi, this is Mel Rusnov, the writer of the This I Believe essay you mentioned. Yep, I'm an amateur pianist and I butchered that beautiful Mozart Sonata--your keen ear for music sure picked that up! But, your comments on the message in the essay and the way it made you feel were lovely and generous. Many thanks!
I’m speechless. Mel, if you come by here again, please know that your comment made my day. Hell, it made my whole week. So did your essay.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Breaking News!! EDITED
15 MAR 06 (See editors note below)
I’ve become friendly with many of the dealers at my local casino, the Muckleshoot. I guess it’s because I’m always nice and I always toke the dealers. They tend to stop by and say “hi,” even when I’m just standing at the board. I’ve blogged about Mary. She’s a wonderful woman who refused to run away with me when she saw my wedding ring. Jokton always says, “Hey Doc,” whenever he sees me, and Heather gives me a huge smile and hello when I walk in.
Colette is attractive. No one would argue this point. She is always professional and she’s a great dealer – I honestly think most people don’t realize how good she is. She wears a bit of make up and clearly takes good care of herself. Sometimes, however, Colette comes in “done up.” No joke – she looks like a supermodel, and it’s almost surreal. Why is this supermodel dealing me cards? I should be watching her on the TV, not flipping her a dollar when she pushes me a pot.
Come to find out, Colette has a secret identity. Occasionally she’ll disappear. The last time she was gone, I found out that she was flown to Monte Carlo to deal to Phil Ivey et al during the last Monte Carlo Millions (which Phil won). So last night, she’s chatting with the table and she casually mentions that she just got back from Costa Rica. I remembered this article, so I said, “Were you down there when the cops raided Calvin’s house?” Well, she got this deer in the headlights look. “You know about that?”
At this point, I realize that the rest of the table has become very curious. I smile and nod, saying yes. She gets this really cute furrowed brow look and finally says that yes, she was there at his house, but wasn’t dealing when the cops came crashing in. In fact, she said, there was no gambling at all when the Policia arrived.
For those that didn’t link the article, Calvin Ayre is the billionaire tycoon that started bodog.com. He has a mansion in Costa Rica and he’s filming a reality TV show down there. 100 cops came crashing into his house, coincidentally when the cameras were rolling. The theory was that either Calvin had a disagreement with the Costa Rican government, or this was just a big publicity stunt.
Here is the breaking news – Colette tells me that it was in fact a publicity stunt. I know this isn’t earth shattering, but I’m rarely (if ever) on the “inside,” so I feel kinda special knowing someone that was there. The really funny part was that when she finished dealing, she came over and whispered in my ear, “Are you on the board at Bodog?” Yeah, a geek like me on the board. Nah, I told her. I’m just a doc that reads a lot on the internet. She says she’ll email me some pictures from the event. I hope she does – I’ll post any good ones here.
Final note: I posted this in the comments section of my last entry, but it deserves to be brought up to the main page. Besides, the comments sections don’t include the cool links.
For those that don’t know, Maigrey coined the brilliantly impromptu phrase, “Bah, when serving justice, guilt is a poor condiment” in the comments section of my blog entry about a Valentine’s Day Maiming I levied against a deserving opponent. She realized how great the phrase is, and now uses it as the banner on her blog. In fact, it can also be found as the banner at Hoff’s place.
Since it was first posted to my blog, I demanded royalties. Can you blame a guy for trying to cash in? (I guess you can.)
Editors note: Embarrassingly, Colette saw my blog. You know how you felt when the cute cheerleader in high school saw your notebook with the “Dr. Chako loves Bunny” note written inside? Yeah – that’s how I feel right now. Well, she’s really cool about it and pointed out a few corrections I needed to make to the story. Said corrections are now made (sorry if anyone out there was given the wrong impression – totally my fault). I even corrected the spelling of her name (one “L” two “T’s,”). Hopefully, I’ll get some cool pics out of it.
I’ve become friendly with many of the dealers at my local casino, the Muckleshoot. I guess it’s because I’m always nice and I always toke the dealers. They tend to stop by and say “hi,” even when I’m just standing at the board. I’ve blogged about Mary. She’s a wonderful woman who refused to run away with me when she saw my wedding ring. Jokton always says, “Hey Doc,” whenever he sees me, and Heather gives me a huge smile and hello when I walk in.
Colette is attractive. No one would argue this point. She is always professional and she’s a great dealer – I honestly think most people don’t realize how good she is. She wears a bit of make up and clearly takes good care of herself. Sometimes, however, Colette comes in “done up.” No joke – she looks like a supermodel, and it’s almost surreal. Why is this supermodel dealing me cards? I should be watching her on the TV, not flipping her a dollar when she pushes me a pot.
Come to find out, Colette has a secret identity. Occasionally she’ll disappear. The last time she was gone, I found out that she was flown to Monte Carlo to deal to Phil Ivey et al during the last Monte Carlo Millions (which Phil won). So last night, she’s chatting with the table and she casually mentions that she just got back from Costa Rica. I remembered this article, so I said, “Were you down there when the cops raided Calvin’s house?” Well, she got this deer in the headlights look. “You know about that?”
At this point, I realize that the rest of the table has become very curious. I smile and nod, saying yes. She gets this really cute furrowed brow look and finally says that yes, she was there at his house, but wasn’t dealing when the cops came crashing in. In fact, she said, there was no gambling at all when the Policia arrived.
For those that didn’t link the article, Calvin Ayre is the billionaire tycoon that started bodog.com. He has a mansion in Costa Rica and he’s filming a reality TV show down there. 100 cops came crashing into his house, coincidentally when the cameras were rolling. The theory was that either Calvin had a disagreement with the Costa Rican government, or this was just a big publicity stunt.
Here is the breaking news – Colette tells me that it was in fact a publicity stunt. I know this isn’t earth shattering, but I’m rarely (if ever) on the “inside,” so I feel kinda special knowing someone that was there. The really funny part was that when she finished dealing, she came over and whispered in my ear, “Are you on the board at Bodog?” Yeah, a geek like me on the board. Nah, I told her. I’m just a doc that reads a lot on the internet. She says she’ll email me some pictures from the event. I hope she does – I’ll post any good ones here.
Final note: I posted this in the comments section of my last entry, but it deserves to be brought up to the main page. Besides, the comments sections don’t include the cool links.
For those that don’t know, Maigrey coined the brilliantly impromptu phrase, “Bah, when serving justice, guilt is a poor condiment” in the comments section of my blog entry about a Valentine’s Day Maiming I levied against a deserving opponent. She realized how great the phrase is, and now uses it as the banner on her blog. In fact, it can also be found as the banner at Hoff’s place.
Since it was first posted to my blog, I demanded royalties. Can you blame a guy for trying to cash in? (I guess you can.)
Editors note: Embarrassingly, Colette saw my blog. You know how you felt when the cute cheerleader in high school saw your notebook with the “Dr. Chako loves Bunny” note written inside? Yeah – that’s how I feel right now. Well, she’s really cool about it and pointed out a few corrections I needed to make to the story. Said corrections are now made (sorry if anyone out there was given the wrong impression – totally my fault). I even corrected the spelling of her name (one “L” two “T’s,”). Hopefully, I’ll get some cool pics out of it.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
+EV
14 MAR 06
It’s been a while since I’ve done anything +EV. I’ve been on a winning streak for the month of March, so I don’t want to jinx it by talking about it. What I can tell you is that I’ve done four +EV things that I’m pretty proud of.
1. The last time I played, I folded AJ on the button to a reraise from the cutoff. This isn’t really a big deal because it’s the right move, but I think it shows my growth as a poker player. I would have lost the hand, but the outcome doesn’t matter.
2. I stopped playing internet poker 2 months ago. I’d like to say it’s because of my fears about cheating, but it was really about my inability to stop playing –EV games. I’d keep winning at the 2-table turbo SNG’s just to give it all back at Limit Hold ‘em.
3. I actually chose to work at my internet business a few times lately rather than go to the casino. This is +EV in the purest sense.
4. Perhaps my biggest +EV choice recently – I was very tired when I got home yesterday, but I got home early enough to hit the casino for one of my famous “drive-by shootings.” Instead, I took a nap.
That’s money in the bank.
It’s been a while since I’ve done anything +EV. I’ve been on a winning streak for the month of March, so I don’t want to jinx it by talking about it. What I can tell you is that I’ve done four +EV things that I’m pretty proud of.
1. The last time I played, I folded AJ on the button to a reraise from the cutoff. This isn’t really a big deal because it’s the right move, but I think it shows my growth as a poker player. I would have lost the hand, but the outcome doesn’t matter.
2. I stopped playing internet poker 2 months ago. I’d like to say it’s because of my fears about cheating, but it was really about my inability to stop playing –EV games. I’d keep winning at the 2-table turbo SNG’s just to give it all back at Limit Hold ‘em.
3. I actually chose to work at my internet business a few times lately rather than go to the casino. This is +EV in the purest sense.
4. Perhaps my biggest +EV choice recently – I was very tired when I got home yesterday, but I got home early enough to hit the casino for one of my famous “drive-by shootings.” Instead, I took a nap.
That’s money in the bank.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Themes
13 MAR 06
I love themes. Last nights theme was almost rhythmic:
AA – flopped the set – cracked by runner runner flush.
KK – Ace hit the flop. One test bet gets raised and called. I folded, of course. Showdown was A3 vs A2. Nice.
QQ – Cracked by 92 off-suit. Nothing new there.
JJ – Cracked by AA. He flopped the set. How come his hold up when mine don’t?
Waah.
This isn’t a bad beat story. It’s a theme.
The theme being, I suck. Ta frikkin’ da.
I love themes. Last nights theme was almost rhythmic:
AA – flopped the set – cracked by runner runner flush.
KK – Ace hit the flop. One test bet gets raised and called. I folded, of course. Showdown was A3 vs A2. Nice.
QQ – Cracked by 92 off-suit. Nothing new there.
JJ – Cracked by AA. He flopped the set. How come his hold up when mine don’t?
Waah.
This isn’t a bad beat story. It’s a theme.
The theme being, I suck. Ta frikkin’ da.
Friday, March 10, 2006
Drive By Shooter
10 MAR 06
I’ve become a drive-by shooter. This is a term I’ve heard used at the blackjack table. You get a good table where everyone is playing well. The dealer keeps busting and the last person to act understands when to hit and when to stay.
Then along comes Mr. Drive-By with his $25 chip and walks up to the lone empty seat. Often times, he stands behind it and flips the chip into the open circle. The cards come out all 10’s except for Mr. DB who gets an Ace. The second cards are all 5’s and 6’s except for Mr. DB who hits the Jack. Dealer flips a Queen, checks for the green light and pays Mr. DB who collects $37.50 and waits to see everyone else bust before walking away. Now the table is on tilt, and you are guaranteed to lose the next 4 hands in a row – usually when the dealer goes runner, runner 21.
I’ve been doing the same at poker. There is often a 10/20 seat open right when I get home from work, but I only have 1-2 hours to play before I have to leave. This usually means I have to play more aggressively if I hope to win anything. Yesterday was no exception.
After re-reading the great post (linked from Iggy) by Abdul Jalib regarding pre-flop play, I really opened my starting hand requirements. I won some big pots early. Someone finally called me down to the river on an ugly hand. I had K5 of diamonds and raised in middle position. To be fair, I didn’t get this from Jalib – this was just me being overly aggressive. The flop is 2 diamonds. I bet and get raised by an AM*. The button calls the raise and so do I saying, “Black card, dealer!” The turn is a 3rd diamond, so I bet my flush, but I do it angrily. Call. Call. River is blank. Bet. Call. Call. I drag the pot.
Chuck (and old rock I’ve blogged about before) starts going on and on about me raising with K5 soooted. It was beautiful. I played like a rock after that and got paid very well. Bottom line: 45 minutes - $170 profit. It would have been better but the AM called to the river against my pocket kings. He called my early raise with 63 and flopped the 3 and rivered the 6. Oh well. I want him making that call every time.
You should check out www.zillow.com
Thanks for the responses to my dilemma yesterday. That was one of those posts I put up from time to time that are really intended for me. Writing helps me solidify or resolve issues that bug me. Your comments (both posted and not posted) helped.
Time to go eat some lunch, courtesy of Drizz.
*AM – Asian Maniac
I’ve become a drive-by shooter. This is a term I’ve heard used at the blackjack table. You get a good table where everyone is playing well. The dealer keeps busting and the last person to act understands when to hit and when to stay.
Then along comes Mr. Drive-By with his $25 chip and walks up to the lone empty seat. Often times, he stands behind it and flips the chip into the open circle. The cards come out all 10’s except for Mr. DB who gets an Ace. The second cards are all 5’s and 6’s except for Mr. DB who hits the Jack. Dealer flips a Queen, checks for the green light and pays Mr. DB who collects $37.50 and waits to see everyone else bust before walking away. Now the table is on tilt, and you are guaranteed to lose the next 4 hands in a row – usually when the dealer goes runner, runner 21.
I’ve been doing the same at poker. There is often a 10/20 seat open right when I get home from work, but I only have 1-2 hours to play before I have to leave. This usually means I have to play more aggressively if I hope to win anything. Yesterday was no exception.
After re-reading the great post (linked from Iggy) by Abdul Jalib regarding pre-flop play, I really opened my starting hand requirements. I won some big pots early. Someone finally called me down to the river on an ugly hand. I had K5 of diamonds and raised in middle position. To be fair, I didn’t get this from Jalib – this was just me being overly aggressive. The flop is 2 diamonds. I bet and get raised by an AM*. The button calls the raise and so do I saying, “Black card, dealer!” The turn is a 3rd diamond, so I bet my flush, but I do it angrily. Call. Call. River is blank. Bet. Call. Call. I drag the pot.
Chuck (and old rock I’ve blogged about before) starts going on and on about me raising with K5 soooted. It was beautiful. I played like a rock after that and got paid very well. Bottom line: 45 minutes - $170 profit. It would have been better but the AM called to the river against my pocket kings. He called my early raise with 63 and flopped the 3 and rivered the 6. Oh well. I want him making that call every time.
You should check out www.zillow.com
Thanks for the responses to my dilemma yesterday. That was one of those posts I put up from time to time that are really intended for me. Writing helps me solidify or resolve issues that bug me. Your comments (both posted and not posted) helped.
Time to go eat some lunch, courtesy of Drizz.
*AM – Asian Maniac
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Where Am I Going With This?
8 MAR 06
Answer: I don’t know.
Davy is a friend of mine. This is a true statement. We all have friends that sometimes do things that make us question the friendship, and Davy sure has done some things. Yet, at the end of the day, I still consider him a friend. Honest.
…
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia (AP) -- Jurors at Zacarias Moussaoui's sentencing trial were transfixed Tuesday by a minute-by-minute account of al Qaeda's hijacking of American Airlines' Flight 11 and the plane's journey into the north tower of the World Trade Center.
"We are flying low. We are flying very very low. We are flying way too low," flight attendant Amy Sweeney told ground controllers who asked where the plane was at 8:44 a.m. on September 11, 2001. A few seconds' pause, and then, finally: "Oh my God, we are way too low!"
The phone went dead at 8:46 a.m.
Leaving the courtroom for a recess moments later, the 37-year-old Frenchman of Moroccan descent surged from his chair, pumped his right fist in the air and shouted: "Allah Akbar! God curse America! Bless Osama bin Laden!"
When I heard this story on NPR this morning, I wanted to drive to Virginia and cudgel this man. I wanted to make him hurt. The anger from 9/11 is still there.
…
Before Davy was my friend, he was my mentor. He is also a physician and just like me got his education paid for by Uncle Sam. Unlike me, the Army did not fit well with Davy. This is perhaps the understatement of the century. To say that the Army and Davy didn’t play nice with each other is like saying, well, I can’t really come up with an analogy that adequately covers just how bad this relationship was. But maybe this will explain.
It’s September 11th, 2001. I am still a resident learning my craft, and Davy is one of my teaching staff. Our program director cuts our conference short and tells everyone to come watch the TV by his office. We all get there just after the first plane has hit the WTC tower. We are transfixed. Speechless. More people are arriving. What’s going on? We are talking in hushed tones so we can hear the newscasters try to make sense of it all.
In comes Davy. He immediately sizes up the situation and says, “Those fuckers should hit the Pentagon!”
About 10 minutes later, they did.
We all slowly turned our heads toward Davy. He had this weird smile, and then he walked away.
We’ve never really talked about that conversation, but I bet Davy would say he meant it and still means it. How can a physician be so callus? What grievous insult must have been committed to make him so bitter? What about the innocent civilians?
How can I condemn one idiot without condemning the other?
Answer: I don’t know.
Davy is a friend of mine. This is a true statement. We all have friends that sometimes do things that make us question the friendship, and Davy sure has done some things. Yet, at the end of the day, I still consider him a friend. Honest.
…
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia (AP) -- Jurors at Zacarias Moussaoui's sentencing trial were transfixed Tuesday by a minute-by-minute account of al Qaeda's hijacking of American Airlines' Flight 11 and the plane's journey into the north tower of the World Trade Center.
"We are flying low. We are flying very very low. We are flying way too low," flight attendant Amy Sweeney told ground controllers who asked where the plane was at 8:44 a.m. on September 11, 2001. A few seconds' pause, and then, finally: "Oh my God, we are way too low!"
The phone went dead at 8:46 a.m.
Leaving the courtroom for a recess moments later, the 37-year-old Frenchman of Moroccan descent surged from his chair, pumped his right fist in the air and shouted: "Allah Akbar! God curse America! Bless Osama bin Laden!"
When I heard this story on NPR this morning, I wanted to drive to Virginia and cudgel this man. I wanted to make him hurt. The anger from 9/11 is still there.
…
Before Davy was my friend, he was my mentor. He is also a physician and just like me got his education paid for by Uncle Sam. Unlike me, the Army did not fit well with Davy. This is perhaps the understatement of the century. To say that the Army and Davy didn’t play nice with each other is like saying, well, I can’t really come up with an analogy that adequately covers just how bad this relationship was. But maybe this will explain.
It’s September 11th, 2001. I am still a resident learning my craft, and Davy is one of my teaching staff. Our program director cuts our conference short and tells everyone to come watch the TV by his office. We all get there just after the first plane has hit the WTC tower. We are transfixed. Speechless. More people are arriving. What’s going on? We are talking in hushed tones so we can hear the newscasters try to make sense of it all.
In comes Davy. He immediately sizes up the situation and says, “Those fuckers should hit the Pentagon!”
About 10 minutes later, they did.
We all slowly turned our heads toward Davy. He had this weird smile, and then he walked away.
We’ve never really talked about that conversation, but I bet Davy would say he meant it and still means it. How can a physician be so callus? What grievous insult must have been committed to make him so bitter? What about the innocent civilians?
How can I condemn one idiot without condemning the other?
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Defining Your Hand
7 MAR 06
The game is 10/20, but it’s a ½ kill, which is weird at my local casino because it goes to 15/25. The person one to my left is on the kill and has a forced bet of $15. I’m dealt pocket Kings, so I raise it to $30. The kill calls and there is one other caller.
The flop is Q 10 2 with two hearts.
I bet. The kill button raises. Early position folds.
What is your move here?
Fold: Unlikely. I suppose he could have flopped two pair, but his raise says either he flopped top pair or he has the flush or straight draw and is hoping to get a free card on the turn.
Call: Decent option, but only for the right reason. If you think you have the best hand (which you probably do given that he may have just been defending his kill button), you can call here hoping to check raise the turn.
Re-raise: I think this is the best option provided the kill isn’t a maniac (which he wasn’t).
I re-raised and the kill just called. I put him on a Queen with a decent kicker.
Turn 10. Now there is a pair of 10’s on the board. A player not in the hand says, “ooh – that’s a scary card.”
Is it? I don’t think so, but I need to find out.
I bet $25. Kill just calls. I now know I’ve won the hand unless I get an unlucky river.
River is a blank. Do you bet here?
If you think you’ve won the hand, you MUST bet here. I did. He called and didn’t show when I turned over my kings.
Trust your reads. Define your hands. Play good poker.
Final thought: I got this from an email titled, “Things I’ve Learned Since Kindergarten” - I've learned that you can keep puking long after you think you're finished.
The game is 10/20, but it’s a ½ kill, which is weird at my local casino because it goes to 15/25. The person one to my left is on the kill and has a forced bet of $15. I’m dealt pocket Kings, so I raise it to $30. The kill calls and there is one other caller.
The flop is Q 10 2 with two hearts.
I bet. The kill button raises. Early position folds.
What is your move here?
Fold: Unlikely. I suppose he could have flopped two pair, but his raise says either he flopped top pair or he has the flush or straight draw and is hoping to get a free card on the turn.
Call: Decent option, but only for the right reason. If you think you have the best hand (which you probably do given that he may have just been defending his kill button), you can call here hoping to check raise the turn.
Re-raise: I think this is the best option provided the kill isn’t a maniac (which he wasn’t).
I re-raised and the kill just called. I put him on a Queen with a decent kicker.
Turn 10. Now there is a pair of 10’s on the board. A player not in the hand says, “ooh – that’s a scary card.”
Is it? I don’t think so, but I need to find out.
I bet $25. Kill just calls. I now know I’ve won the hand unless I get an unlucky river.
River is a blank. Do you bet here?
If you think you’ve won the hand, you MUST bet here. I did. He called and didn’t show when I turned over my kings.
Trust your reads. Define your hands. Play good poker.
Final thought: I got this from an email titled, “Things I’ve Learned Since Kindergarten” - I've learned that you can keep puking long after you think you're finished.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Brokeback
5 MAR 05
The jokes about this damn movie are getting a bit old.
Well, unless they are sung by Willie.
Note 1: I’m no big fan of country music, but if this ain’t really Willie, someone better sign this imposter up.
Note 2: Don’t be drinking anything that might spray out your nose when the squirrels show up. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
The jokes about this damn movie are getting a bit old.
Well, unless they are sung by Willie.
Note 1: I’m no big fan of country music, but if this ain’t really Willie, someone better sign this imposter up.
Note 2: Don’t be drinking anything that might spray out your nose when the squirrels show up. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
The Hand
4 MAR 06
The game is 15/25. It’s a stupid game. The blinds are 10 and 15, which means the small blind is coming into any unraised pot, and there is usually a lot of action. Good luck calculating pot odds. When the big bet isn’t twice the small bet, it makes my head hurt.
I’m on the button with pocket 9’s. Two early callers and I raise to $30. Small blind reraises. Big blind caps and with $300 in the pot, 5 of us see a flop of:
K 9 6 rainbow.
Stay calm.
Small blind bets. 3 callers to me and I raise to $30. Everyone calls and now the pot sits at $450.
Turn blank. Everyone checks to me. There are now two clubs and a weird straight possibility. I bet $25 and get two callers. $525 in the pot and the river is a blank. It checks to me and I bet again. Two callers – both had two pair.
$600.
Biggest. Pot. Ever.
Thanks to Stefan for sweating me in a live game. He was trying to get into the 10/20, but with the bad beat jackpot hovering near $300,000, there was a 4 hour wait. The 15/25 seat was open early because most good players hate that game. I don’t know. I kinda like it.
The game is 15/25. It’s a stupid game. The blinds are 10 and 15, which means the small blind is coming into any unraised pot, and there is usually a lot of action. Good luck calculating pot odds. When the big bet isn’t twice the small bet, it makes my head hurt.
I’m on the button with pocket 9’s. Two early callers and I raise to $30. Small blind reraises. Big blind caps and with $300 in the pot, 5 of us see a flop of:
K 9 6 rainbow.
Stay calm.
Small blind bets. 3 callers to me and I raise to $30. Everyone calls and now the pot sits at $450.
Turn blank. Everyone checks to me. There are now two clubs and a weird straight possibility. I bet $25 and get two callers. $525 in the pot and the river is a blank. It checks to me and I bet again. Two callers – both had two pair.
$600.
Biggest. Pot. Ever.
Thanks to Stefan for sweating me in a live game. He was trying to get into the 10/20, but with the bad beat jackpot hovering near $300,000, there was a 4 hour wait. The 15/25 seat was open early because most good players hate that game. I don’t know. I kinda like it.
Friday, March 03, 2006
Concentration
3 MAR 06
My concentration has been off lately. Perhaps it’s this damn cold. I’ve been playing solid Level One poker, which is to say, I really only paid attention to my hand.
Case in point – At 10/20 I have KJ in middle position and I raise. I get reraised by the cutoff. Four players see a flop of Q 10 3. With an up and down straight draw I check (see, I don’t always lead out with a drawing hand). Cutoff bets and gets four callers. As the dealer is getting ready to burn and turn, an EP player says, “Pair the board!” The cutoff stares him down as another 3 come out. EP player checks after getting what he asked for. Cutoff bets again. I call, and the loud mouth EP player folds.
River is an Ace. Sweet. I have the nut straight.
I check. Cutoff bets. I raise.
Cutoff reraises.
Shit. Review the hand. Ummm… shit. Cutoff reraised preflop.
I’m forced to call the reraise to see his full house.
So this is what Level One feels like.
I never want to feel that way again.
Fortunately, there was a donkey at my table who paid me handsomely with his AK on a board of A A 2 3 6, when I had the full house with A2. He capped the turn and was going to cap the river. Unfortunately, I wasn’t paying attention again, and thought he called my reraise on the river. He was actually about to reraise when I showed my full house. He folded without even calling, and I lost 2 big bets.
For the night: 4 hours - four dollars profit.
Dollar an hour, baby!!
Final thought: This is from Scott Adams' Dilbert Blog.
The sentence for attempted murder should be the same as the sentence for successful murder. Otherwise we’re just rewarding incompetence.
My concentration has been off lately. Perhaps it’s this damn cold. I’ve been playing solid Level One poker, which is to say, I really only paid attention to my hand.
Case in point – At 10/20 I have KJ in middle position and I raise. I get reraised by the cutoff. Four players see a flop of Q 10 3. With an up and down straight draw I check (see, I don’t always lead out with a drawing hand). Cutoff bets and gets four callers. As the dealer is getting ready to burn and turn, an EP player says, “Pair the board!” The cutoff stares him down as another 3 come out. EP player checks after getting what he asked for. Cutoff bets again. I call, and the loud mouth EP player folds.
River is an Ace. Sweet. I have the nut straight.
I check. Cutoff bets. I raise.
Cutoff reraises.
Shit. Review the hand. Ummm… shit. Cutoff reraised preflop.
I’m forced to call the reraise to see his full house.
So this is what Level One feels like.
I never want to feel that way again.
Fortunately, there was a donkey at my table who paid me handsomely with his AK on a board of A A 2 3 6, when I had the full house with A2. He capped the turn and was going to cap the river. Unfortunately, I wasn’t paying attention again, and thought he called my reraise on the river. He was actually about to reraise when I showed my full house. He folded without even calling, and I lost 2 big bets.
For the night: 4 hours - four dollars profit.
Dollar an hour, baby!!
Final thought: This is from Scott Adams' Dilbert Blog.
The sentence for attempted murder should be the same as the sentence for successful murder. Otherwise we’re just rewarding incompetence.
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