This BLOG has moved... www.robinrperry.com/pokerblog

Moving

2009-12-03T20:56:00.000-06:00

New website... http://www.robinrperry.com/pokerblog/

Where did MsPokerTn go... have you seen her?

2009-11-22T08:12:00.003-06:00

I have played alot of poker in the last few weeks, either online, at a casino, or a home game. I have not been happy with any of my results. I have played limit, no-limit, and tournaments. All the same results, not good.

So, where the hell am I. I need to find MsPokerTN; the aggressive, confident, poker player that I once thought I was and I need to find her fast.

Last Wednesday we played event #11 of the home league and I was completely 100% on tilt. I got on tilt for the simple fact that I was so card dead for the first hour or two and every time I tried to make a move someone would come over the top and there was no way I could continue the play. This happened time after time after time and I wasn't happy about it. At one point, I felt like Poker Brat, Phil Hellmuth, as I lost my cool when the BB accused me of not putting in my total SB. I honestly felt like I had put my total SB out there and everyone was making change for their ante's. Anyway, I ended up just mucking my hand with frustration. Sorry for the outburst. It's poker. I eneded up going out in 7th place, horrible finish. I am still the point leader, for now, but it's getting to close for comfort. I have to make some adjustments and make them quickly.

Last night I played in a 30 person $100 freeze out tournament at a hme game. I only made one, maybe two real plays the entire night, which is completely disappointing. I ended up going out with pocket J's against a AQ with a Q on the flop. At this point in the game, I had $3500, blinds were $400/$800 so I had to make a move. I did raise it pre-flop, got one caller, checked after the flop, he pushed me all in and I called.

On the way home my mind was running 100 miles a minute thinking about what I did wrong. The list would be shorter if I was thinking about what I did right. Not much.

I always felt like one reason why I was comfortable with my aggresive style was that I really didn't care about the money or the points per say for the home league. Not to say the money doesn't matter but for example; if I'm playing in a $1/$2 NL game and I have $300 in front of me, I never thought "wow, if I can't push all in because I might lose $300". I always play with what I can afford to play with. I think lately I am thinking about the money, the points, all the crap that I shouldn't be thinking about.

I have to get my old self back and suit up with the style of poker I am comfortable and confident in playing. I only have 8 months before the main event and I have to get it in order soon, before my chance to dance disappears right before my eyes.

I have some tricks up my sleeve that I won't share here but watch out folks, the old MsPokerTN is about to emerge.

PEACE!

I have nothing to say... are you interested?

2009-11-09T20:31:00.000-06:00

Didn't realize that I haven't posted in almost a month. Poker hasn't been real exciting for me lately. Feel like I'm in a bad mind set when it comes to poker. I have a desire to play more than ever but haven't been able to which is frustrating.

Home League Update:
So, since the last post we had Event #10 of the home league. It was an interesting one. One guy was unable to attend so we blinded him out and he actually took 3rd place. These are the rules we set forth prior to starting so these are the rules we will keep, I see no issue with it, personally. There are a few ways to look at it:

Having someone not show increases my odd's of placing higher in the bracket, this is a good thing for me and everyone else. Although it didn't appear that way last month, I do believe this is the case.
Having this knowledge moving forward, it does give confidence that if it is required to miss a date, it's not as bad as it might appear, as placing higher than 9th is surely the case.

Losers:
I scheduled a Tournament and Cash game for last Friday night. Honestly, I am not sure why it's so hard to get a home game going, seems to be difficult for many people, including me. I had 8 RSVP's a week in advance, and was excited about it. Then at the 11th hour two people cancelled. Now, this tells me a few things:

Either something more exciting came up last minute, or
This person is a complete loser.

From personal experience, I would bet $1K it's #2. I decided to cancel the game as I do not enjoy playing short handed.

Tunica Trip:
Took a trip to Tunica on Saturday in hopes of getting my poker appetite fulfilled yet left hungrier than ever. I was in Tunica for about 16 hours and only got to play about 3 hours in total. Just enough to rise my frustration level to EXTREME capacity. I played one hand so badly that I am frankly embarrashed to even give details. Needless to say, I'm still thinking about that hand and might still be on tilt from it.

WSOP Main Event:
Not sure if anyone has been getting updates on the final table but they played for over 17 hours on Saturday with a total of 14 hours and 30 minutes at the table before they finally got down to heads up; Moon and Cada. The oldest and youngest of the final table goes head to head.

I get twitter updates from WSOP with hold card hand for hand updates. I can't believe how many bad beats where handed out at the final table, leaving both HU players taking their positions by pure luck of the cards. At one point Cada was down to 2 million now he has 158 million and getting crazy one outers to get there.

Ivey went out 7th when his AK against Moon's AQ and a Q came on the flop. Ivey didn't improve and it's all done. I really wanted this guy to win the thing. He really is one of the best players to ever play the game. It's reported he was on Full Tilt hours after playing $2k/$4k NL. Maybe he was still on tilt?

ESPN Coverage of Main Event:

So we have the longest final table in history taking place and ESPN has 2 hours MAX to cover it. We get 24 hours of ESPN coverage showing various hands over 8 days and nearly 6500 players and then when we get to the top 9 players we get to only see 1% of the hands in play. I don't like this. The longer the final table plays out, the more I dislike this format. All televised WPT events are only of the final table. All WSOP televised events are only of the final table. Why not show us 26 hour total of the final table instead of 2 hours?? Personally, I think I would get more enjoyment out of this format.

What's Next:

Who the fuck knows, roll the dice and see.

PEACE!

Bellagio... Bob's Bellagio that is.

2009-10-12T19:30:00.000-05:00

This weekend I played at Bob's Bellagio just outside of Nashville. Bob always has a well ran game and well rounded players attend. Bob's boss (his wife) at the last minute decided to make plans so Bob, like any normal poker player, took the opportunity to have a game at his house. Unfortunately, with the last minute invite few people were available. Of course, there are some addicts like Walter and I who seem to ALWAYS have time for poker. I hope A&E never starts having a show on poker addicts and if they do my family and friends better NEVER read me a letter that starts like this "Robin, your addiction has effected me in the following ways..."

What can I say, I have a passion. I have alot of passions, not just poker but my family, my friends, my career. Just so happens though, this blog is about poker so it just seems like all I do is eat, sleep, or drink poker.

Anyways, back to Bob's... so there only ended up being 5 of us. We had a rebuy tournament and after a few hours Bob and I decided to just split the winnings so we could play a cash game. These guys don't like no limit cash games. The really enjoy Omaha and pretty much anything other then NL. I respect that, BUT, I can't play those games. Micro stakes or not, if I can't make a profit, I won't play, not for long anyways. I only lasted a few hands before I decided to hit the high way back to my little town in the middle of nowhere.

Thanks Bob and everyone else for a nice low key Saturday evening of fun poker with friends. I really enjoyed it and needed a stress-free night.

Until next time, PEACE!

Early Fall Release of 2010 WSOP Schedule... Coming Soon

2009-10-06T13:43:00.002-05:00

Read in the new CardPlayer magazine that the World Series of Poker will be releasing it's 2010 schedule early fall, this is great news. In regards to the home league, this will give our group a chance to look into group rates for travel and also be able to schedule time off for work. They also will be having more $1000 buy in event. This year they had 1 and it was very successfully. They hope to have at least 5 or 6 in 2010.

31 days until the November Nine take the felt again. I am cheering for Phil. In my opinion and many others, he is one of the best, if not the best, poker player out there right now. He deserves to get his bracelet. From the first few televised main events, Phil has been getting incredible cards. Who knows how the editing is going, it might just look like he is getting great cards 9 out of 10 tens, could be 9 out of 1000 hands, what do we know.

Was going to head to Horseshoe IN on Sunday but the trip got cancelled. I am thinking of putting some cash online into a secondary poker site like Cake Poker or something other then the "big 3". Just not sure what a good site might be. Any suggestions?

PEACE!!!

Poker Humor

2009-10-01T13:07:00.000-05:00

Tunica Trip Update

2009-09-28T12:05:00.009-05:00

After my Tunica trip I had to ask myself "what kind of poker player am I?" Meaning, am I a tournament, limit, or no-limit player? Do I even know? Does it even matter? I'm sure it matters. How can I be at the top of my game if I am changing the game I play all the time. Of course, top professional players like Ivey can play all of them. Last time I checked I was female and Caucasian.

I should have asked myself this a long time ago. When I play online I go back and forth between all three, just kind of depends on my mood I guess. I enjoy tournament play but often find myself bored. I love the risk / bluff / skill factor that goes into no-limit and I guess I enjoy the safe factor of limit. Hench, depending on my mood is what I play. Is that OK?

Woke up 6am on Saturday and headed to Tunica. Reserved a great poker rate room at Sam's Town. Seriously, they have the best poker rate in town and you don't even have to rake up hours before you get the room. Their system is first come first serve. If you know you are going in advance, just call the poker room and ask if there are any left for that day. I have never not gotten one, $45 - can't beat that.

When I arrived at 10:30 am there was only one $1/$3 NL game going, full table with a few people on the waiting list. At 11am they were holding a $100 freeze-out tournament with $2500 guarantee. Now, at 10:45 there were only 5 people registered. You do the math, it's a no brainier to play. I signed up and there were only 10 people (final table) who initially registered. Level 1 started and immediately discussion to end and chop the pot 10 ways was underway. Each person to get $250 and we all make a quick $150 profit and move on to the cash games. Well, it didn't work out that way. They have to keep registration open until the end of Level 1. Well by that time there was a total of 22 players. Everyone was still going to just chop when it got down to 10, I went out in 12th. I played horrible. I was the donkey.

Down $100

New $1/$3 no-limit table is opening, I gab my $300 red chips and go sit down. Full table but everyone else only bought in for $200, which I found odd since this table didn't have a max buy-in. $300 seems typical and normal to me. 2nd hand in I get Q4 suited and raise to $6 with 4 callers. Q4 comes on the flop, I bet $15 and get two callers. Turn is a K, I bet $35, one player goes all in for his remaining chips and the other old man folds. I call, of course he shows pocket rockets and I win with my two pair. I play until around 3:30 and break to check in, grab some dinner, take a shower and get ready for the evening session.

Up $100 overall (made my $100 from tournament back plus another $100)

Evening session took place at Hollywood Casino. Sam's Town was full of old people and frankly I just wasn't in the mood. I was only and wanted some fun conversation and walking about heart attacks, strokes, and nursing homes isn't what I call fun.

Hollywood had two tables of $3/$6 limit and had three people on a list of $1/$2 no-limit. I sat down with $60 at the limit game and put my name on the list for no-limit. Told the poker manager if they get a full table I'll move over. I was not in the mood to play short-handed no-limit.

The limit game was wild and crazy. By this time most of the players were drunk and playing horrible... oh wait, I mean playing their A game. Guy two to my left had about $130 when I sat down. Hollywood apparently is his home as he knew all the dealers and wait staff. I wanted to punch the guy though because he keeps calling every female he came in contact "sweetie", "honey bun"... BLAH. Finally a male dealer comes to the table, all that crap stopped pretty quickly there after.

The guy raised 9 out of 10 times. He would raise, then fold before a show-down. He would call raises and at show-down show crap cards. It was great. About 30 minutes into the game a mother and son take their seats. Son looks like a young Tommy Lee with the tattoo's, same hair cut, same attitude. He sat directly across the table from me. This was Tommy and mommy's first time playing poker. Everyone had to continue to tell them how to play, what they could bet, raise, re-raise, etc. Within 15 minutes, poor mommy was out of her initial buy in but being positive to learn the game, graciously bought back in. Another player female player joins the game and states she has never played live just online. I say "do you normally play 3/6 limit online", her reply, "have no idea what that means, sorry". Now, one can take this as HOT DAMN another donkey, or yeah right you don't know what that means. Turn out after about an hour, it was HOT DAMN ANOTHER DONKEY. She left after two buy-ins. After about 5 hours I decide to move over to the no-limit table.

Up $430 (previous $100 + $330 from limit session)

Max buy-in at table is $200 so I do just that. NO excuses, I play a stupid hand when my two pair was beat by straight. I should have known my two pair wasn't good enough but dude did call a previous $50 bet to chase his straight, it came on the turn and he pushed all in and I called. River didn't give me my boat and I was gone after only about 45 minutes.

Up $230

It's about midnight so I decide to head back to Sam's Town. Only game open is $4/$8 limit. I buy in for $100 and take seat #3. 8 total players and everyone has more then $140 in front of them. This was good game. I haven't played $4/$8 in probably 2 plus years and when I did back then I shouldn't have been playing. With just a few dollars between them, there is a mass difference between 3/6 and 4/8 play. I loved the game. I was surprised at how large the pots could get as well as the level of play. I am finding myself to really enjoy the 4/8 game. No big drama related hands to speak off. I closed the session with a profit of $120.

Tunica profit report - hotel room, drinks, food a profit of $290 was made. Overall it was great day of poker. I came away from my trip with some realizations on my play and wanting to go back again soon. Damn I wish there was a room closer to Nashville.

PEACE!

Great Weekend

2009-09-21T17:03:00.006-05:00

I played in a local game cash over the weekend. It was a $1/$2 NL but tend to play high depending on the players. There were two tables running. I bought in for $240 and started the evening out pretty well. Was up almost a $100 at one point when my KQ was out played by AK and lost a pretty big pot. At this point I was down to only about $100.

My one big complaint for the night was my "brother-in-law" who by the way was invited into this local game by me. He loves poker as much as I do and would probably play as often if his wife would allow him. The problem I had with the BIL was that he kept raising me and playing against me when we were the only one's in the pot. Now, we can look at this a few different ways. I know it's poker. No friends, no family in poker. I understand this rule. I also think that when there are 12 other people to play against why not check it down if it is just the two of us. It's like taking money from family, I don't like to do it. I respect his game and now I have a new found understanding that when we are in poker together again, it's no holds barred. Good Luck Mr. BIL. Can't wait to play again with you soon.

Later in the evening I got moved to another table. At first I wasn't thrilled about this because this table was full of gamblers. These young guys love to play big pots. I wasn't in the mood for big pot poker but heck, I came to play and play was what I was going to do. One big hand I had AQ middle position, off suite. I believe I raised it pre-flop with 3 callers. Q came on the flop. One guy who gambles a lot raised it $50. This guy was at my original table and asked to be moved because we weren't playing big enough for him. I have played with him about 5 times in the past, I know he like to gamble and I also know he can play very well. I have seen him do this with pocket A's as well with 3/5 off suit. I call. Turn came a blank for me. He raised me all in for about $175. I thought for a long time. I figured he might have had two pair or K's. I turned over my hand and was thinking out loud. He said to me "if you were going to call you would have already, come on". This kind of pissed me off. I said "your right, I call". He turned over KQ and I won the hand.

After a few hours I ended up cashing out $450. I was very happy with my game. This will be the 2nd winning cash session. I am gaining my confidence back for my cash game. Looking forward to the next one.

PEACE!

Half Way To The Glory

2009-09-17T17:02:00.006-05:00

For the nine of us who play in the home league with a dream of going to the Main Event are half way to the glory land. Rio will be the destination for one of us. We all have a 1 in 9 chance of walking into the Amazon Room on Day 1 and feeling that unbelievable emotions of playing in what most only dream about.

Everyone started talking about "home leagues" after Steven Dannenmann finished 2nd in 2005. I don't think he got there via the home league but it was after that when people starting doing it to make their way there at a discounted rate. Steven stated that "he is the fourth best player in his home game". I hope our structure will prove to send the top best player in our league to go represent.

Nine months will be here before we all know it. I hope that all of us decide to go Las Vegas to support the person who has all that pressure on their shoulders to come home with SOME dough to be shared! Nonetheless, I am sure it will be something we all will remember for ever.

Not sure if I will ever play or host another home league again so I hope I take full advantage of the opportunity in front of me and the rest of the group.

Last night was our 9th event and a very successful one. Successful because the play is always getting better month after month. Great lay downs were made by all. Personally speaking, I laid down pocket J's with one raise in front of me by the big stack. I had to make the decision to either push all in or fold. I ended up folding and Erick kindly showed pocket Q's. We ran the board and a Q come on the flop. Technically I guess someone could have called the clock on me like Tiffany Michelle did in 2008. Completely unethical to do at that point in the game.

Below is the current point standings. The middle of the field is going to be very competative. I have a HUGE target on my back with a 17 point lead from 2nd place. I can handle the heat and would expect nothing other from any of them.

PEACE!!!

Can you spot a tell?

2009-09-13T15:18:00.002-05:00

Some time ago I came across a good blogger from Las Vegas that writes about his daily poker experiences. Poker Grump is the name of the blog, check it out sometime.

As I was reading my daily blogs, his included, he had the below video of Chris "Jesus" Ferguson showing how he has the same reactions no matter what cards he has.

A part of my game I am always trying to work on is my tells and spotting tells of others. It's a very important part of the game and if you can't spot tells, at least some of the time, I believe one will never be a great poker player. I am not a great poker player but I hope to be one day.

Can you spot a tell?

Worse Tournament Ever, Part II

2009-09-11T10:57:00.002-05:00

I thought the tournament in Michigan was bad. Well last night I played in a local tournament a guy runs every Thursday that was worse. I never have gone before because it's a $20 re-buy tournament and in general I think these are bad tournaments. Re-buy tournaments to me is basically who has the most money in their pocket. Little strategy, allot of all in's during the re-buy period and a donkathon. All my impressions have come from online play so I thought I would give it a try.

Well, my impressions were right. One guy at my table re-bought 7 times in the first hour. CRAZY play. Donkey's everywhere. I had decided I was only going to re-buy one time thus I only had $40 in the pocket. I was disciplined and ready to get the heck out of there when my time was up.

Normally donkey's in poker are fine. You want donkey's around so you can take their money. Cash games are great for such type of players. In this game, these donkey's had no respect for money. It as nothing for them to re-buy, re-buy, re-buy. There was only 13 people playing and the pot at to be over $1000 for sure.

Next week is the home league, I can't wait to play. I think it's an important week to push my lead further ahead of my nemeses to start securing my seat for next July.

PEACE!

Worse Tournament Ever!!

2009-09-07T10:42:00.006-05:00

Because this post is so boring, I am adding a little comic strip curiosty of xkcd

This weekend I went to Michigan to visit with my family. They have a season camper trailer at a nice campground in Hillsdale, MI. Saturday evening they had talked about running a poker tournament. Some guy by the name of Mike usually runs it but as of 4pm he had not come up for the weekend yet so, with my experience in running tournaments, I kindly offered my services.

Owners of the campground hands me a Coach bag filled with chips and off I go to figure out the starting chips. We go around the campground making the announcement that there will be a poker tournament at 9pm $10 buy in. We get about 20 people interested.

Well... Mike finally shows up so not to step on anyones toes, I give the chips to Mike and tell him I will see him at 9pm for the game.

Well... 9pm comes, I walk into the hall and Mike has all the chips (red, white, and blue) all together in stacks of 10. I ask him what the structure will be and he tells me all the chips will be $1. Hmmm... OK. I'm thinking why would someone do this but heck, it's for fun and I'm the guest, not going to tell someone how to run their game.

18 people finally filter in and Mike makes the announcement that we will get 50 chips and the blinds will start with 1/2 and 15 minute blinds, then 2/4 etc.

So, we get 25 times the big blind to start out!!! HORRIBLE STRUCTURE!

Needless to say, I didn't win. At this point, I didn't care, my Rum and Diet was more entertaining than the poker game.

I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend, be safe in your travels.

PEACE!

Sunday 1/4 Million

2009-08-31T08:53:00.007-05:00

I played in the PokerStars Sunday 1/4 Million event yesterday, over 28,000 players. 4500 position get paid. I went out 2211th for $29.00 pay day which equals a $18 profit for 3 hours of play. BLAH.

I took notes on the computer the entire time, not something I normally do. Thought I would share them here. They may or may not makes sense. Here are copy's of my notes:

This is my last hand of the night when my pocket 8's didn't hold up:

Local Cash Game

2009-08-30T08:30:00.003-05:00

Played in a local $1/$2 NL game last night and came home with a small profit of $70. We only had 7 players to start the night, then lost one guy early who had his Ace's cracked to trip Jacks and didn't buy back in. We played the next 1 1/2 hours six handed before another guy showed up but then lost another player again.

I think I played pretty conservative, which isn't in general my style of play. I haven't had a winning cash game session on a few months and really wanted to focus, not try anything stupid and just play a good solid game. I think I did that for the most part.

I was up about $50 when I played a horrible J3 in the small blind and lost a big hand against the big blind. There was another guy in the pot as well, huge pot by the time the river card hit the board. Jack on the flop which was the card I guess I thought I needed to continue to play. 3 on the river that got me in trouble. My two pair was crap to this guys straight. My mistakes were; 1) I should NOT have even seen the flop with J3, that's just horrible starting cards. 2) I should have realized with two other people in the pot, I was probably beat with anything they had. During this hand, I never even thought about that. 3) When first guy bets $15, I reraise to $30 and BB comes over the top for another raise of $60 I should have insta folded. I didn't. BIG MISTAKE. I called, he had the straight, I suck!

Work to build my stack back when I get involved in a huge pot, he basically pushes me all in, and I turn over top two pair to his bottom two pair. That hand doubled me up and basically ended the session with $70 profit.

Can't wait to go back, good game to play in and it's better then driving 3 hours to the Horseshoe.

PEACE!

2nd Annual Poolside Poker Tournament

2009-08-26T08:44:00.030-05:00

Saturday, August 22nd, we held the 2nd annual poolside poker tournament here in Nashville. As mentioned before this poker/pool party doubled in size from first year to second year and I hope it continues to be successful.

Picture above is of the winner, Stefen, who not only took home the trophy and bragging rights, but also $250. Great job Stefen!!

Here is a pictures of the 2nd place finisher, who did a great job also. Don't be surprised if you see her on ESPN soon.

Although this picture doesn't show her even interested in poker, believe me she is. Maybe she was thirsty for another drink who knows... it was August in Nashville and it was HOT.

I have to give a shout out to my uncle Doug who allows me to throw my party at his house every year. He puts way more work into it then I ever do. (Between you and me, he enjoys it and works great under pressure). Thank you Doug again, your the best uncle any niece could ever have.

My partner in crime, Dana, was the hostess with the mostess and even made a few tips that evening. OK, I think the only person who tipped her was her brother, LOL. She enjoyed wearing her sign that said "No tips, No drinks".

Thanks again to everyone who attended the party, I hope you all had a great time and I look forward to next year. We have already talked about how to make it bigger and better, so mark your calendar's now!

Another new poker show... yeah right!

2009-08-25T09:26:00.008-05:00

Have you heard? I can't imagine this one will be any better then Face The Ace, wait is that even still on?

Has anyone seen 2M2MM another cheesy poker show.
Could they have not found anyone more interesting then these four nerds? I know, I know, I probably couldn't do any better AND they are professional poker players AND I am jealous as hell, wish I could live 24 hour in their shoes but still, DORKATHON for sure!

Also, remember that Tuesday nights on ESPN is 2009 WSOP Main Event, tonight will be show 3 and 4.

This past Saturday was the 2nd annual pool side poker event. This year it was twice in size with 22 starting players, last year I think we only had 10. First place took home $250, not bad for a $25 buy in event. I will be updating the posting once I get my pictures.

Stay Tuned for updates!

Redemption

2009-08-20T06:28:00.008-05:00

Last night we had our 8th event for the home league. My buddy Chris said before the game got started, "Robin you won't be writing about me this time in your blog." Chris is the one who I wrote about last month in what I considered an out of character call and poor play early in last months event.

Well I am writing about Chris in my blog today because he has redeemed himself. Not only did he pretty much dominate the night but also followed it up with a win. First for him in this league. He played very well.

Overall the play last night from everyone was great. One of the league leaders went out in the second hand when he had pocket A's and flopped trips and another player had a straight, it happens.

Another heads up match that took another player out was pocket K's against A's, like I said just happens.

Great job everyone. With last nights point standings it brings everyone a little closer which means more competition!!!

We have 10 months left, can't believe we have been playing for 8 months now. Time flies when you are having fun, and I sure am having fun!

Random Updates

2009-08-12T21:29:00.001-05:00

Been focusing on my tournament play, came in 2nd in $20 SNG for a nice profit. Saturday going back to Bob's place to play, looking forward to that. Bob always has a good group of people. Wednesday is our Home League so I have plenty of poker coming up. If it rains as the Weather Man says it is supposed to this weekend then I plan on playing in some bigger field tournaments all day Sunday.

Congrat's to home leaguer Chris W. on his recent tournament win in Chicago for around $1700, great win!!!

PEACE!!!

$32.25 Profit Lunch Hour

2009-08-11T12:28:00.004-05:00

Played 43 minutes of limit $1/$2 online at Poker Stars during my lunch hour. Played 45 hands, won a profit of $32.25. Not a bad way to spend your lunch hour.

Face The Ace = Worse Poker Show on TV

2009-08-10T10:23:00.000-05:00

Seriously, worse poker show on TV ever. I know TV producers know how to put on a decent TV show, look at High Stakes, great show. I assume no great poker TV show can consist of everyday people as apparently they are all off the wall.

Hopefully the show gets cancelled soon.

PEACE!

On Tilt

2009-08-09T22:19:00.003-05:00

I am officially on tilt. Played a cash game tonight at a local guys house. Nice setup, nice group of people. $1/$2 No Limit is the game, bought in for $200. I'm up about $70 when I get pocket A's. I bet, guy raises, I reraise to $52, he goes all in, he has me covered.

HOW CAN I LAY DOWN POCKET ROCKETS PRE FLOP. You just don't, bottom line, unless you are a moran. Now I might be a moran but not in this case, I call. He has pocket 9's, 9 comes of the flop and I'm out.

I buy back in for another $100, grind away for a few more hours, made one great lay down of pocket Q's with all low cards on the board, guy had the rockets.

I had pocket Q's about 3 times tonight, never made a f'ing $$$ off of them.

I haven't had a winning live cash game session since Vegas in May. I'm officially on tilt from live cash games.

Back to the grind of the online tournament scene tomorrow.

PEACE!

BrokeLivingJRB - Twitter

2009-08-07T08:37:00.004-05:00

It's Friday, it's almost the weekend, I can't wait to play some poker. Last Sunday I played almost the entire day. I hope to get some cash play in as well but as you know my focus is on tournament play.

Does anyone follow BrokeLivingJRB a.k.a. Jean-Robert Bellande?

OMG if you don't you should look him up on Twitter. I can't figure out if his tweets are real or if he is lying. Below is a copy of some recent twitter updates from him:

BrokeLivingJRB: On Aug 13, I owe Joe 1K for every lb I weigh over 150lb and win 1K for every lb below. Current BR $700

BrokeLivingJRB: re: weight loss bet. Goal weight is 250lb and not 150lb as I earlier reported.

BrokeLivingJRB: Awake at 7am. Did dinner and a show last night. Ate at Off The Strip and watched Zumanity. Fantastic. Need to Build a Bankroll. BR 0

BrokeLivingJRB: Time to update my tweeles on my life action... Sunday, Huck spotted me 2k to play 5-10nl at Wynn. Lasted 45min. br: 0

BrokeLivingJRB: Monday: Big Paul gave me a 20k start to play the 10-20nl at Bel. I won 20k. Then dropped my 10k share in teh 200mix. Br: $3000

BrokeLivingJRB: Tuesday: Yosh and Snackers stake me in Bel 10-20nl. @adamjunglen in the game. Won 4.5k. Playing 40 mix w my share now. br: 3k

BrokeLivingJRB: getting drilled by the clueless newbie. He drew 2 with 1 to come into a pat #3 and made the wheel. Unreal! Br: $1200

BrokeLivingJRB: cashed out the mix for $1300 - current BR. Now Marco J is staking me in the 2-400 mix.

BrokeLivingJRB: damn. Game broke. Going home fr $1300

BrokeLivingJRB: just paid huck back $400 so I still owe him $1600. br 1k

BrokeLivingJRB: taking my 19yr "friend" to Hawaii tonight. I lost my ID and have no $. How will I pull this one off? Lol. BR $250

SERIOUSLY... is this guy a loser or what??? If this is what it's like to be a professional poker player then my dream of becoming one just went out the window. Dude you need to get a life and one quickly.

PEACE!

5th place finish... disappointing

2009-08-02T20:26:00.003-05:00

I played a 180 person SNG this afternoon. 4 hours and 11 minutes later I finish in 5th place for $46.80. Very disappointing as I think it's the best poker I have played in a LONG time. Maybe next time.

PEACE!

Reviews by MsPokerTN

2009-08-02T10:29:00.005-05:00

I watched the first two episodes of the 2009 WSOP $40,000 No Limit on ESPN and the NBC new prime time poker show "Face The Ace".

Review #1: 2009 WSOP

I like the new graphics at the beginning when they show the chip stack counts and the percentage of the total chips in play that person has. I enjoyed the Jack Link's Beef Jerky Wild Card where they don't show one players hold cards so you can play along and see what you would have done. I can't remember if it was part 1 or 2 that Greg Raymer's hold cards are hidden and he ended up playing 2 / 5 and flopping the straight, I would have gone broke in that hand.

A few things I thought was poor for a televised poker show was that you could not see the hold cards due to the shadows. I think maybe I seen one or two hold cards, all the other ones were announced by Norman Chad. Of all the poker TV shows I have seen that had hold card camera's never have I seen so many hold cards not being displayed due to lighting.

Another odd thing was a few times when the overhead camera would look down on the board during the flop, you couldn't see the first two cards of the flop due to the head of the dealer.

Not really sure why ESPN was having these problem but I wasn't impressed and I sure hope it gets better.

Review #2: Face The Ace

I was excited to hear there was going to be a prime time poker TV show. I knew it was coming many months ago but forgot about it until I received my daily twitter update from WSOP with the reminder. Soon as I got home from vacation I set the DVR to record the program. Needless to say, I was VERY disappointed.

The host, Steve Schirripa, was horrible. He couldn't read the teleprompter without obviously reading it, he was rude to both qualifier's. Now I am sure NBC had no control over this but the first qualifier was a complete dork. He kept biting his lip, had his hat down so low you wouldn't see this eyes, never added to the conversation, just simply a complete anti-social DORK with a capital D.

The second qualifier was a little better but he was a 40 something truck driver who's mother, sister, and two nieces lived with him and he stayed in the basement. Steve Schirripa kept calling him a "basement dweller" and kept making reference to "ordering him another pizza". I mean COME ON NBC, you can't have the host continue to insult the guest.

Mr. Basement Dweller is going for 1 million big ones on the next show, after that, not sure how much more I can watch of it. I am sure, without a doubt, will even put money on it if someone wants to make a bet with me, that this show will NEVER last.

PEACE!

Face The Ace - NBC Prime Time

2009-08-01T15:57:00.003-05:00

If you haven't already heard, tonight, August 1st, at 9pm ET, NBC is going to air the first of a 7 episode series of a new prime time poker game show called Face The Ace. Follow the link to learn more.

Vacationing and Poker

2009-07-30T08:53:00.003-05:00

I have been in Destin, FL since Saturday, the weather has been great, sun is shining, what else could one ask for. We rented an "almost perfect" beach house with another couple... both happen to be poker players as well, both happen to play in the home league so it would be unrealistic to think there wouldn't be some poker playing happening this week.

First couple nights Chris and I played online. Chris plays at Bodog and I play at PokerStars. I played 3 MTT's and cashed in two. We brought us some poker chips and had a family night of poker. Kids bought in for $3, adults for $5. 2nd place got $5, 1st place took home the rest; I was the winner!!!

For the home tournament I had downloaded an app for my iPhone called the Poker Clock Lite. It's free app which works really good. It comes pre-loaded with 10 default tournaments; standard with antes, deep stack, turbo, etc. You can also create your own tournament or edit any of these. If anyone has an iPhone and you play poker, I highly recommend that you download this free app.

Online play and Instant Messenger

2009-07-22T10:59:00.003-05:00

Another new rule to add to my list...

Don't use instant messenger while playing online poker. This distraction is pointless and can cause one to loss unnecessary bankroll.

OK OK OK I did this. I didn't lose excessive amounts of my small, petite, undersized, miniature, insignificant or rather trivial bankroll but losing 16% of my current online BR because I'm paying more attention to my IM chat than my online tournament is simply stupid.

Stupid is as stupid does.

Freeroll on Poker Stars - a MUST read

2009-07-21T11:05:00.004-05:00

I received an email that stated this...

Welcome, PokerStars player, and thanks for supporting National Poker Week! By sending a letter to Congress, you are eligible to participate in a $10,000 freeroll tournament on PokerStars.

Send a letter using the same email you have registered with PokerStars. We will then forward your email address to PokerStars confirming that you have sent a letter. After at least 72 hours, PokerStars will credit your account with a special ticket that you can use in the August 1st freeroll. You will not be eligible for a $10,000 freeroll ticket at multiple poker rooms.

NOTE: You MUST use the same email address for the petition that you have registered with PokerStars. If you use any other email address, PokerStars will be unable to identify you as a player, no exceptions.

Click to continue...

New vs. Returning Users - What can I do better?

2009-07-21T09:46:00.003-05:00

My readership of this blog is growing. In the last few days I have had 50% New Readers vs. 50% Returning Readers.

If you are a returning reader of this blog what I can do to make it better to keep you coming back?

If you are reading this for the first time or maybe just a few times, what can I do keep you coming back?

Do you want to read more about my opinions of pot head smoking donkey's, my bad play, my judgements on current live tournaments? Are there any postings that you liked more than others?

There is a comment area, leave your comments, I welcome the feedback and opinions. Feel free to pass this blog on to all your poker playing friends, I know we all have a ton of them.

PEACE!

Saturday on Stars

2009-07-18T16:55:00.007-05:00

Cloudy sky's call for PokerStars. Pool was replaced with online poker.

Knowing that I can't deposit anymore money into online poker due to the Republican bull shit on Washington I have to conserve my online bankroll and its very SMALL. Needless to say I play micro stacks.

With that comes donkey's, fish, amatures and others like me. (You decided what category I fall into). The positive twist is there are mostly fish in the tank. I hate online poker, truly. I know it's the only way I'm going to get the experience I need to reach my goal (remember the name of this blog...) I played a $4.40 180 person SNG and came in 16th, doubling my money, horrible finish considering my play. Overall my play was first class until I made a horrible read and donked off 1/2 my chips.

I move to micro limit game and encounter this hand within the first few minutes"

MICRO GAMES ARE THE BOMB!!!

Come join me on PokerStars!!

PEACE!

Trophy Goes To....

2009-07-16T08:42:00.006-05:00

Home league event #7 was another successful night. The top leader board is looking interesting. Chris H. and I are tied with 77 points. I have to honestly say I basically gave Chris 2nd place finish. I played pretty loose and stupid toward the end of the game when there were still 4 players and shipping alot of my chips in his direction. I would have rather gave (and I was giving them away) my chips to either Derrick or Erick. Oh well, winning is always a plus, taking home the trophy for the tonight is always the game plan.

After 7 games the score board is interesting with 48 points between last place and first place.

Disclaimer:

If you are one of the members of the home league and do not want my opinion of your play then please stop reading... do not scroll down. Leave. Go to another site!

At the beginning of the game with all 9 of us still playing and two people in the hand the flop comes A-Q-4. Early player checks and player on button bets, EP raises all in and button thinks for a long time. He makes a comment that made me think he had a AQ, I was sure of it. I can't recall exactly what he said but I felt like he had top two pair and was confident with the hand. After this comment the other player tells him he is behind. Button player does make the call for all his chips and he turns over A 7. I WAS SHOCKED!

Calling all your chips early in a tournament like that with A 7. Wow. This player I know is a better player then he has been doing in this league. I do alot of stupid things in tournaments; I have no problem 3 betting a bluff, playing cards just because of position no matter what they are, even calling when I know I shouldn't just because I hope I can caught that stupid river or try to buy the pot on the next card, BUT calling all your chips with A 7 when you have to know you are behind with almost anything. Other player had pocket 4's and won the pot.

I'm not a good tournament player, I know this. I always say I'm a better cash game player so I have no right in criticizing another players game. It's just I know this guy well. I know his play well. I know he is better then that. I know he knows better then that. I was probably just as disappointed as he was when he was knocked out first. I still can't get that hand out of my mind. With all this said, I'm the poker player I am today because of this guy. We used to talk about poker all day at work. We used to share our hand history's and give each other our evaluation of the other person's play. This helped me be a better player and I hope it helped him also. We played online during our lunch hour, it was truly a eat, drink, play poker mind set from 8am - 5pm. I miss those days. My poker playing as not been the same without this great rapport between two players who had passion for the game. I still do, hope he does also. I miss those days.

I can see right now that Chris H. is going to be my nemesis for the next 11 months. I will conquer.

Complete Hand History

2009-07-15T08:42:00.002-05:00

Decided to post my entire hand history for a recent SNG. Any advise on my play be it good, bad, or so-so would be greatly appreicated.

Tunica Update

2009-07-13T20:03:00.006-05:00

Arrived in Tunica around 10:30 am on Saturday. Sat down at the casino bar and played some video poker until my friend arrived. Won $21.. good start.

At Harrah's in Tunica they have the Heat Wave Pool Parties which is basically like a Vegas style pool party... MUCHO FUN!! From 1-7pm it's adults only; DJ, beer pong, air hockey, jello shots, water volley ball, and much much more. It truly was a great time. Never expected to have a such a good time at a Tunica pool. We stayed there until around 6pm then we headed back to the room to get ready for some poker.

Thad and I put our name on the $4/$8 LIMIT table. While we wait to be seated, we go back to the video poker machines and I won $400 hitting quad's twice back to back.

They finally start a new table so we get seated. It was a fun table, alot of drunks (including us I am sure) but fun nonetheless. I played like shit but had the best time ever. Lost $100.

We had plans to meet Thad's g/f at the sports bar at 8:30pm and then watch the UFC fight at 9pm. On our way to the sports bar we stopped at a blackjack table. Needless to say, my $400 winnings from video poker went right back to the casino! FUN TIMES!

Sunday we get up and head to Memphis for the day and start out at Beale Street, walked over to Peabody Hotel to see the famous Peabody Ducks.. We just missed the marching of the ducks but they were in the fountain having a good ole' time.

We stayed in Memphis for a few hours then headed over to Sam's Town for poker. Thad and I started out at the Limit table again, then at 6pm I played in the $70 NL Tournament. Couple things about the tournament I didn't like. First they had 37 players but only had 3 tables putting 11 players at each table and having alternates. Why they just didn't have a fourth table I will never know. Thus, when you jam 11 people around a table it's not very comfortable.

On to the tournament... I was playing pretty tight at the beginning trying to learn the players at my table. Young guy directly on my left, typical young want-to-be poker player with his shades and iPod on, another guy who likes to smoke weed (I know this because he told the table) who likes to play every had is sitting three to my right. About an hour in the following hand happens...

Mr. Pot Head is on Big Blind, guy on his left goes all in for 1100, guy on his left goes all in for 1150, I have pocket 10's so I call the 1150, everyone else folds around to Mr. Pot Head. He thinks, and thinks, and thinks and decides to call. I am not happy about the call.

Flop comes A - 3 - A, I bet so I can get a feel is this guy has an Ace in his hand. Mr. Pot Head has about $650 less then I do and he goes all in. Now there is about 6625 in the pot with the blinds, ante's, and all the betting. I think about it and decide that based on Mr. Pot Head previous play for the last hour that he might not have an Ace in his hand so I decide to call. MISTAKE #1. I think to myself before I even made the bet after the flop that I will put a bet out there, if he calls or pushes I'm folding but instead of doing that, I call. STUPID. I actually thought out the play before making a move but then didn't do what I said I was going to do. I played that hand to badly.

Mr. Pot Head had A 3 to flop the full house. That hand knocks out two players and leaves me with $650 going into the first break coming back with $200/$400 blinds and $50 ante's. Not good.

After the break I am on the button so at least I can see a few hands before the blind comes around. Finally I get Big Slick and push my remaining $650 in. I win the pot to triple up. HEY!!

A few hands later, Mr. Pot Head double's me up again... HEY!!!

I continue to push and play pretty aggressively to start building back my stack. Finally we are down to 20 players and combine the tables down to two. I get moved to the 10 seat (which I hate) and ended up doubling one more time. Play continues for the next three hours until we are down to the final 6. Top 6 positions pay. Happy that I made the money but wanted more than just 6th place.

Blinds and ante's are huge at this point and I am short stacked so I raise it $4000 and get one caller, Mr. Pot Head. I hit middle pair on the flop, he checks and I push my chips toward the middle. This act, as I had done it, apparently looks like a string bet and the dealer wouldn't let me go all in as I didn't say "all in". So the bet ended up being $2500 instead of $6725 and Mr. Pot Head calls. He was chasing a straight and needed a 7 to beat my pair. Yep you guessed it, a 7 came on the river. MISTAKE #2.

If I had said "all in" and was able to do that, he would have folded. UGH. Live and learn, I won't make that mistake again, EVER.

I cashed, which is good. But it was a long 4 hours just to get my money back. End of trip I came home with $30 more in the pocket. Overall can't complain, had a great weekend with an old friend, got to play some poker, seen some of Memphis and still came home with more money.

Wednesday we play our home league.

Small Stacks Sit-N-Go

2009-07-10T15:45:00.010-05:00

Played (3) $3.00+$0.40 Hold'em No Limit SNG this afternoon finished in second in the first one and third in the second, still playing the third one. Cash in the first two. Below is the last hand of the first game. Hurt he had the 7 of spades, I had the 6 of spades but I played the last hand badly.

Felt good to cash in a tournament though.

Then in second SNG, I get this hand. I can't believe I played this hand at all. I should never have called the $60... I mean what would have to come on the turn for me to call a bet. Unreal! Ended up finishing in third, pushed all in with pocket six's guy calles with J10 off suite, and a J 10 comes on the flop. Overall feel pretty good about my play.

Just had this hand in the third SNG, I think I played it great. I have been noticing that 7sensei7 likes to bet and then fold, so on the river he checks, I bet and he folds, not sure if I have him beat or not but I know if I didn't bet I would lose the hand so I had to bet. It worked!

Just finished the third SNG and didn't cash. Had pocket Ace's twice back to back, both hands lost to two pair! UGH that sucks!

WSOP, Tunica, Reading, Goals

2009-07-08T08:48:00.006-05:00

I am trying to keep up with the Main Event and disappointed that some of the top pro's are out of it so quickly. I am excited that my friend Alan (who you can track and Twitter for all his updates) has made it to Day 2b and starts playing today at 12 noon. He told me it's something every poker player has to experience at least once. When he told me that it got me motivated.

See, Alan earned his way to the Main Event the same way I plan on doing it, via the home league. Anyone who reads this blog knows we play once a month and I am currently in 2nd place standings, but it's early.

After Alan's motivational speech I went to the book shelf and pulled out my Dan Harrington books Volume I AND Volume II. These are great books that helped me learn tournament poker and I often referral back to them from time to time.

If I am going to make it to the Main Event this time next year, I have to get better. Getting there is only part of it. My goals are as follows:

Continue to get better at tournament poker and continue to win month after month in the home league.

Make it to the 2010 Main Event

Make it to Day 2 of the Main Event

Cash in the Main Event

Be the 2nd woman only to Barbara Enright to make the final table of the Main Event

Make my teammates proud and some money at the same time (the home league members)

All of these goals can be reached with some hard work and dedication. I have always had a good work ethic, all I have to do is apply that same dedication to this goal, and I will.

Making it there simply isn't enough. Playing tournament poker with the same 8 people once a month isn't going to make these goals come true either, I have to and must do more.

This weekend in Tunica I'm going to play in at least two tournaments, simply for the experience. I'm going to give it everything I have.

I am also going to start playing MTT tournament online at PokerStars. Winning the cash will be the bonus, winning a field of hundreds is the goal.

Some people think I breath, sleep, eat, and drink poker but I don't anymore and that's my problem. I want that high energy love for poker I used to have. Watch out friends, the Poker Star as returned!!!

PEACE!

Tunica in 11 Days...

2009-07-01T10:15:00.006-05:00

My best friend from Michigan, Thad, is taking a road trip to Tunica the July 10th weekend so now I have a good reason to go and play some poker.

Not sure if anyone else finds this odd but who in their right mind takes a trip to Tunica? I mean, local people go because it's closer than Atlantic City or Vegas or even Reno but Tunica. Apparently Harrahs's has some package and they are flying from Lansing, MI to Memphis, TN then taking a bus to Tunica for 4 days!! Who stays in Tunica for 4 days!! B-O-R-I-N-G

I haven't seen Thad since last years Poolside Poker Tournament in which he came into town play. (This pictures is of Thad and Dana at last years tournament) So if he is only 4 hours away I'm going to go see him. It's a good reason to play some poker. I promised my better half I would only play poker so that's all I will do.

I'll twitter from the table and update my blog so stay tuned.

11 days until live poker!!

Do you have your fishing licenses? You never know what your going to caught.

2009-06-29T11:53:00.011-05:00

On my lunch hour today, I thought I would enjoy some small stack limit poker. Playing on PokerStars, $0.05/$0.10. A few hands in I have pocket sixes and this is how it plays out.

I did call two bets pre-flop that I shoulnd't have but figured if I hit trips on the flop I'll make some money. I do end up folding after the flop but shocked at what everyone else had and was raising and calling with that I had to share with you all.

I ended the 45 minute session up $2.62, laugh.

There are still fish out there people, get your hooks out and go fishing today.

2009-06-26T10:53:00.004-05:00

So the last 24 hours have been interesting; first Farrah Fawcett - the bomb shell, then Michael Jackson - king of pop, and then Jeffrey Lisandro - the king of this years World Series.

Farrah Fawcett's story is sad, reality usually is. She was loved by both men and women. Men wanted to date her, make passionate love to her. Women wanted to be her, they wanted that long blond hair.

Michael Jackson's story is sad also, but in a totally different way. There are probably a lot of young boys thankful of yesterday's news. There will never be another Michael Jackson for my generation. My mom had Elvis and I can still remember the day he passed and she cried like a baby in front of the TV for days. I did not do the same thing yesterday though. I did watch the news because I was shocked. At 50 it's sad. My uncle's partner died two years ago from cardiac arrest, dead at a very young age.

Jeffrey Lisandro's story is happy, exciting and history is still being made. When the WSOP started Jeffrey wasn't even in the running for Player of the Year in points. Today he is in first place 355 point which is 80 ahead of Ville Wahlbeck.

So far this series he has cashed in 6 events and has won 3 bracelets and over $800,000 in prize money and there is still plenty of play in the WSOP this year. Can he win the Main Event?

From the blogs and twitter updates, it appears Jeffrey is just getting sick cards, and running incredibly well.

Until next time, PEACE!

Event #6

2009-06-18T12:50:00.007-05:00

We are 1/3 of the way completed with the 2010 WSOP home league. Last night was event #6, I finished in a disappointing 4th place finish. I pushed all my chips with pocket 4's with a 2 - 3 - 8 board and chip leader had an 8 in his hand, turn and river did not help me.

Last nights game was a little weird, before the ante's even kicked in, we had lost 4 players, which is extremely odd. I noticed early on that 3 or so players had only about 1/2 their chips in front of them but I never really noticed anyone bluffing or calling off their chips.

I can't continue to post to much information about the tournament each month as the league members are reading (and you know who you are) and I can't give any additional information out; about me or them :)

Future poker events...my brother-in-law is going to Tunica July 2nd, I might go with him for the night. My best friend from Michigan will be in Tunica July 11th, so I might go meet him there. I found a good home game I need to try out soon. I'll be playing soon I'm sure, so stay tuned for all the details.

SHUFFLE UP AND DEAL!

Mark Your Calendars...

2009-06-15T12:03:00.000-05:00

2nd Annual Poolside Poker Tournament Annoucement

2009-06-11T19:53:00.002-05:00

Last year we had our first annual poolside poker tournament and it's time to announce the 2nd annual tournament. We hope to continue to do this every year. This year we are doing a few things differently.

The tournament will be on Saturday, August 22 and the cards will go in the air at 3PM. Buy-in will be $25 for $4000 in tournament chips. After the tournament there will be swimming, corn hole, cash games, and a great time!

Mark your calendars players, you won't want to miss this year's 2nd Annual Poolside Poker Tournament!!!

PEACE!

Poker and Twitter

2009-05-29T12:52:00.005-05:00

I have to tell you I love TWITTER. If you don't know what it is, follow the link and find out. Twitter has changed the way you follow poker, tournament updates, and your favorite pro's. Pro's are now twittering from the table (well, they have to get up, take a step backwards, twitter, then return to the table).

I am currently following these poker pro's:

Jeff Madsen
Annie Duke
WSOP (yes they have their own twitter account which sends out updates)
Shannon Shorr
Vanessa Rousso
Daniel Negreanu
David Williams
PokerRoad.com

Pretty much all poker players twitter now, call me a geek but I guess I just enjoy getting updates directly from the pro's as things happen. Oh and the life a pro poker player, I'm jealous for sure. The pictures they share are just amazing.

Join twitter and follow me @ www.twitter.com/mspokertn and all the other poker players.

PEACE!

Next year my happy ass will be in one of these seats!

2009-05-28T12:52:00.002-05:00

2009-05-25T09:16:00.004-05:00

Houston we have a problem...

2009-05-22T12:48:00.005-05:00

It's call Omaha, Poker that is. My friend Chris calls last Saturday night telling about the cash game I didn't stay to play, and about how fun the game of Omaha is. Sounded interesting, why not try it?

So all week I have been playing $.01/$.02 on PokerStars. I'm having a blast learning. I'm up a huge $.27... Laugh. I can't wait until the next home game, watch out guys!

2009-05-21T20:36:00.003-05:00

Last night was event #5 for the home league in which I came in first place. The night started out pretty good, I was playing SUPER tight, mixing up my game. Funny thing is no one noticed, laugh. After about the first hour I announced that I hadn't played any hands yet and how tight I was playing, no one seemed to care. That's OK. Amazingly, in the first 4 or 5 rounds I folder pretty premium hands; AK, KQ, AQ, Pocket 8's and the like. For some reason I just wasn't feeling it.

A few hands that come to mind... after announcing my tight play few hands later I had Ace 4 of diamonds, I believe I raised it pre-flop with one caller, directly on my left. I am pretty sure I was on the button. Flop came two diamonds and a pair on the board. Turn was a blank with the river putting two pair on the board, no other diamonds. I basically had two pair with an Ace kicker. I bet $600, player thinks for awhile and decides to call with A 5 I believe, we split the pot. I was happy with that, I knew if he called me I was either dead in the water or tied, no way I was winning the pot out right.

Another hand a little while later I ended up taking a pretty big pot with an 3 spades for a 4 card flush on the board, I kept betting, caller kept calling, I got lucky on the river.

Finally we are heads up, I have 7-9 (I think, I'm horrible at remembering hands), ended up making a straight to his two pair for a $10K double up putting me in a big chip lead, game ended shortly thereafter.

It was a good game. Everyone played great. Every week is getting harder and harder as we are learning each others style of player. I have to either bluff on this blog as I know some of them read it, or completely mix up my game month to month... I'll do both!!! :)

After 5 games the leader board looks like this:

1st, Robin, 54 Points
2nd, Chris H, 49 Points
3rd, Melissa, 39 Points
4th, Kyle, 36 Points

It's still any one's game, can't wait until next time!!!

PEACE!

2009 WSOP Rundown

2009-05-20T12:29:00.003-05:00

7 days until the summer of 2009 WSOP starts on May 27th Event #1 for Casino Employees NL $500 buy in and then the big $40K 4 day event starts next Thursday. I am sure some big name pro will win this one, since no average person can afford it.

I have a friend at work who has already won a Sunday Million this year playing in event #4 on Saturday, May 30th, the only $1000 buy in event. I hope he does well. He is a great tournament player, GO RUSTY!!

I also have another friend at work who has been in a home league and he will be playing in the main event for the first time. Go Alan!!!

A change to this years events, the bracelet ceremony will be held each day at 2pm for the previous nights winner. Prior, if an event ended at 4am they would have the bracelet ceremony right then and there. Now they will have it each day at 2pm. Probably a good idea.

Another huge change is the player tracking based on behavior. According to CardPlayer magazine, WSOP commissioner Jeffery Pollack said "We saw some things we were not proud of last year and we've never tracked this before, so it's a quantum step forward". Penalties ranging from one hand to disqualification will now be assessed based on past warnings verse a 10 minutes sit out. This comes off the heals of Scotty Nguyen's drunk ass during the H.O.R.S.E. event and Phil Hellmuth calling the one guy an idiot 100 times over and over again during the Main Event. I like this rule. I love Scotty Nguyen but man was he out of line last year.

I hope to see a female take at least one bracelet, I know I'm a little bias here but come on, it would be nice. Vanessa Rousso is coming off an EPT High Roller Champion and Runner Up for NBC Heads Up. The other Vanessa (Selbst) did win a bracelet last year but she isn't a good representation of female poker players, if you know what I mean.

Now that twitter is here it's taking over the poker world as pro's twitter after hands, during breaks so updates are coming faster then ever. If you're not twitting now, you have to start. (of course you can follow me on twitter at mspokertn)

I'm always excited about the WSOP and keep track of the events and will post updates and thoughts on bracelet winners over the next 7 weeks.

On a more personal note, tonight is event #5, hope I win. I need to come in 1st or 2nd to keep my 2nd place holding.

PEACE!

Vegas Road Trip

2009-05-15T19:40:00.002-05:00

Just returned from four nights in Las Vegas. We stayed at Bill's Gambling Hall. Cheap, great location, small casino with the same previleges as the guest at the Flamingo. Speaking of the Flamingo, from Bill's door to Flamingo's door is just 25 steps away.

I got to play some poker, not at much as I would have liked but still a great time. Monday we arrived around 1pm and so I just went down to Bill's poker room. It's not really a poker room, just three tables, right at front door to the right of the casino and about 10 steps from the Strip. There were about 7 people at the table and the game was $.50/$1.00 No Limit. I have never seen in a casino a No Limit game so cheap. At first this interested me as it's like playing in the home game. Buy-In was $20 min - $200 max so I bought in for $60. Game was CRAZY. Crazy in a bad way because no one would fold pre-flop thus playing all kinds of cards and getting lucky. I played until I lost $40 then left and went over to the Flamingo.

Once at the Flamingo, there was a waiting list for $1/$2 NL so I started out at the $2/$4 Limit game. Game was pretty good and in about an hour I was up $60. My name finally got called for the NL game and I moved.

Once at the NL, the table has four drunk young guys one one end, 2 senior citizens on the other end that couldn't hear anything anyone side, one guy who lived in Vegas and training of the UFC and another modest middle aged guy. I sad in seat 6 right smack in the middle of all the drama.

I sat back and just watched and listened for about the first 30 minutes. I had pocket K's and win a pretty decent pot, I had pocket A's that got cracked by a crack head and I folded AJ with a board that had KQ and a flush draw to a drunk kid who showed A - 10... I would have won that pot but didn't feel like it was the right call.

After that I played a couple more times here or there, had a good time and came away from the poker table up.

The highlight of my trip was on Thursday when we decided to head to Fremont Street. I had not been feeling to good, had some kind of stomach flu but Dana really wanted to go downtown. We headed that way early and after walking around in the heat I had to take a rest. I HATE slots. Never EVER win at any slots. They have new EBAY machines and we seen a penny machine. Penny is my mind of machine. I put $4 in the machine, and one the first spin a total of $2.50 I win BIG for $180. Cash OUT!!!

We were in Vegas from Monday - Friday (left at 7:30am) and being during the week, I would have thought it would have been slow. I have read how no one is going to Vegas anymore due to the economy, completely understand but honestly it seemed VERY busy to me. Streets were packed, caps were full, hotels were sold out. WOW. Good for Vegas.

I guess the next time I go back will be next July when I win our home league and I head to the WSOP. (wishful thinking)

Tomorrow night Erick is having a home game, deep stack, should be a good time.

PEACE!

Great Leaders....

2009-05-07T14:27:00.002-05:00

Since this is my blog I can write about what I want. Today will be the first posting on here that is not related to poker but a worthy post nonetheless.

I am sure everyone has at some point either had a great leader or has lead a great team. Coach Jeff Fisher of the TN Titan's is a great leader. Taking rookies year after year and grooming them into being great professional football players. I am sure some poker players would say Doyle Brunson is a great leader, teaching so many how to play poker and be successful.

Why am I talking about all this? Well tomorrow I lose a great leader in my professional life. The CFO of our company has resigned from his position and will be moving on to bigger and better things. I wish him all the luck as I know he will reach every goal he sets before himself. He always had a way of bringing out the best in every person on his team. He has a way of empowering you to think outside the box and be creative. He always trusted your professional opinion and gave you the power and support to reach your own goals, professionally and personally. I have been with this company for six years, all of which this leader has been right there every step of the way. Not sure what next week will feel like without him, it's a scary time.

I am sure another great leader will step into this role but there will only be one great leader... Mr. Edward Morgan.

Best of luck Ed.

4 days until Vegas.

PEACE!

Deep Stack Tournament Update

2009-05-03T06:55:00.000-05:00

The good news, I came in first place. Played good poker all night. Played my normal aggressive style of play and mixing it up in between all night long paid off. Final two came down to me and Chris H, who is the leader in our home league. Chris also has an aggressive style of play so it didn't surprise me that we were heads up. When we got heads up, I probably has a 4 to 1 chip lead on him so the play didn't last long, I think the last hand I had A high to win? Nonetheless, I won and took home 3 times the buy-in.

They had a cash game going after that. Dealers choice, not my comfort zone but had fun. They were playing Hold'em, Pineapple, Crazy Pineapple, and Omaha. All I play or really know how to play is Hold'em. It was fun to play the other games, I might have to try Omaha online. I bought in for $20, we were playing $.25/$.50. I was up about $15 when I lost a $20 pot. I was playing to loose, hell I had nothing really to lose at this point, it was all for fun. Ended up leaving the cash game -$9.00 so it's all good.

Thanks Bob for your hospitality and hosting the game. Look forward to the next one.

PEACE!

You can find a redneck about anywhere in the South

2009-05-01T13:09:00.000-05:00

We went and played at Cabana Nashville. Wasn't what I expected. I have played a lot of free poker at the local bar and grilles around town and I have come to think very negative of ALL of them. Not sure why I thought Cabana would be different. Maybe because it's more then just a bar and grill. Cabana Nashville is located in the Hillsboro Village near Belmont University. It is elegant but casual all wrapped up in one. Being in the South, this isn't a place you would find the local Redneck to be, thus that's why I figured it would be different.

I WAS WRONG.

I guess Rednecks come in all shapes and sizes, male and female, white, black, red heads, blonds, business suit, tank top and flip flops, high heels and Coach purses. The point being, pull out the "elegant but casual" bar area and flop in it's place the local bowling alley bar and BANG you have it, the typical free Redneck poker game.

Game was supposed to start at 8 but at 8 there were only 4 people there. The 4 in MY GROUP! They waited until more people arrived. It started some time after 8:30. Three tables, maybe 7-8 people at each one. I was seated with two of my friends so at least I had someone of interest to talk to. They were running a special, get $1000 chip if you buy a shot, guess what, everyone (I bought two) bought at least 2 shots if not more. The table also wanted one person to deal the entire time, NOT. Why would anyone want to do this, stupid. We didn't do it, we rotated, as this is normal protocol to me. At one point in the game, this college age donk states "I need my plastic zip lock bag to put my chips in". Like what do you think, your in the WSOP leading into Day 2 and need to count your chips. GET REAL.

Never made it to Bob's, had a family emergency, all is going to be OK there.

Bob is having a deep stack tournament on Saturday which I plan on attending. 10 days to I get to play real poker again.

PEACE!

Upcoming Poker Events

2009-04-27T12:05:00.000-05:00

Cabana Restaurant in Nashville will be hosting a Poker Tournament with tonight and tomorrow being qualifying events and final table will be on Wednesday. I plan on attending tomorrow evening.

Then on Thursday night I will be playing at Bob's Bellagio, which is always fun.

14 days until I leave for Vegas Baby, can't wait.

PEACE!

Step 1 Completed

2009-04-20T11:06:00.001-05:00

2009 WSOP Steps on PokerStars - Starts TODAY!

2009-04-20T10:23:00.000-05:00

I have never attempted to win a seat to the WSOP online before, which doesn't make much sense since the name of this blog is "My Poker Path To... The Main Event". How the hell do I think I will get there if I don't work at it some how. Yes, I have the home league and that is going to be my ticket to the big dance but that's not until 2010.

Today on PokerStars, they have started the steps, so I have plenty of FPP to attempt to win a few steps up the ladder. This early on you can play for pennies but it's a tough field. I figured I will work hard and see how far I can get and at the same time it will help me with my skills for the home league.

Good luck to anyone else attempting to win a seat.

PEACE

A Marathon Day

2009-04-19T18:49:00.000-05:00

I started playing online poker this morning around 9am and I just finished, it's been a marathon day of poker. I played two $2.20 triple shoot out's for the Sunday Million, went out 5th in one and 132 in the other. I played alot of $.25/$.50 No Limit and some Limit. It was nice to get to play alot of poker. Overall, feel like I did pretty well and made a few bucks along the way.

Now it's time to watch High Stacks Poker and WPT on GSN, then some Amazing Race and finally Celebrity Apprentice. I have to tell you Annie Duke is really good on this show. I am not a huge fan of her in regards to poker but she knows how to take charge, be a team player and overall is great on the show. Tonight she goes head to head against Joan Rivers and it should be interesting. Tonight's challenge is a charity event and basically who raises the most money wins. Annie is calling all her millionaire poker player friends. Joan River's team knows she is doing this so they are trying to find a poker player that hates Annie to donate a ton of money. If they manage to pull that off, it's going to be pretty funny. They apparently are talking to The Poker Brat but I doubt he would go against Annie as they both are the only Pro's on Absolute Poker. Who knows.

PEACE!

No Poker God

2009-04-19T08:47:00.000-05:00

Two weeks ago when I was in Arizona I posted a blog about one evening of playing, nothing to exciting. What I didn't post was the day I was leaving I had a few hours to spare so I went back to the casino and it was a horrible experience. Within an hour I lost $100 from donkey's that would chase and chase the River and their golden ticket to my money.

As I don't want to upset myself again, I won't give details but let me just say that two hands back to back, I had flopped trips and raised, reraised, etc and both times someone called me down and made better trips from the river cards. This happened over and over and over again in that one hour.

I have a subscription to Bluff Magazine and I actually received the April edition the day before I left for AZ. I put it in my bag and boarded the plane thinking I would read it on the 4 hour flight down. I didn't. Instead my ipod touch was more entertaining and I actually watched 2008 WSOP.

Last night I finally pulled out the April edition and started reading it. Got to page 36 and found an article by Adam Slutsky called "Return To The Valley of The Donks, Who Knew The World's Biggest Fish Were In The Desert?" Next to it is a pic of the Arizona state flag. Interesting, I start to read.

The article goes on to explain why AZ doesn't have No Limit and how they have created this stupid $5-$150 game and about how bad the players are at Casino Arizona. Three full pages about DONKEY'S at this one particular casino.

Of course, now I am thinking if I had read this before would I have gone back for the 2nd adventure, knowing the night before (although I basically broke even) I was shocked at how that one guy was caughting all kinds of cards but the fact was he was playing EVERY two cards and NEVER folded!! First blog about Casino Arizona I think I said the Poker God's were looking over him that night... I take that back. There is no Poker God, just good poker players and DONKEY'S.

Next time, I'll read my magazine before I go, laugh.

PEACE.

Home League Update

2009-04-15T23:12:00.000-05:00

Event #4 was played tonight. We had some drama earlier in the day when one of our 9 players had to quit the league due to financial hardship. I completely understand, times are really hard and I feel privileged to be able to play in this league myself. Nonetheless, with just a few hours to spare we tired and sucecced in finding a replacement player, Kyle. I have played with Kyle before at Bob's Belligo a few weeks back. Nice young guy. Honestly though, from a perspective of game skill and my chances of winning this thing, I would have rather kept the other player, laugh. Kyle knows a little more about the game of poker then the other player. It's all good though, playing with good players only make you better so I'm all for that.

We decided to let Kyle come into the league taking over previous players points. Everyone agreed and I hope we can maintain this current group of players for the next 14 months.

We changed the structure tonight to reflect that of Event #7 of the WSOP. We had to make some changes as we found the tournament was ending rather faster and didn't allow much time for skillful poker playing. I think tonight's structure worked great. Game took about 3 1/2 hours to play with a 20 minutes break but it's way better then a 2 hour game with a 20 minute break. We added ante's into the structure and this works great also. Hopefully the rest of the group agrees that it works better.

First few hands of the night I had some good starting hands, AQ, AK, KQ and managed to call off about a 1/3 of my chips pre-flop. Somewhere in the 1st level I look down at two unknown random crap cards. I raise it pre-flop and get I believe one caller. J 2 blank come of the flop. I bet out, one caller. Turn is another 2, I bet out, one caller. River is another 2 - I three bet this out and I get the call I don't want. I don't even look at my cards as he turns over a J which is good. My chip stack went down to just over $1200 (starting stacks are $4000)

A few hands later, I get pocket K's and min raise it to $200 and get one caller, flop comes K 5 something and I check and other person bets out $600. At this point that's half my stack and is actually what I wanted to happen. I raise it up to "all in" for the remaining $600 of my chips. She insta calls and has pocket 5's for trips. My trips hold up over her trips and I double up. At this point, I feel pretty good as I have some chips to play with. The rest of the night I play pretty tightly and finish in 5th. Not the results I wanted but overall I'm 2nd in points. My goal is to stay in the top three in points all he way until the last event.

Next games in on May 20th, 5 days after I get back from Las Vegas. I will be posting daily blogs from Las Vegas so make sure you check back in May.

Until then, thanks to all the member of the home league, welcome Kyle and I look forward to next month.

PEACE!

2009-04-07T08:07:00.000-05:00

Played last night at Casino Arizona. I didn't realize that AZ didn't allow NL poker, that's OK though, I just played my normal $3/$6 LIMIT.

I got sat at a table, normal crowd, mainly locals. It was early around 4:30 PM Arizona time. Last night was the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship game in which my home state Michigan, got their ASS kicked... anyways, I knew once the game started that more and more people would show up.

If anyone hasn't hasn't ever played here before, they have a great room. They say they have 46 non-smoking tables, but it seems like twice that many. It's a nice room for sure. Full service wait staff dedicated just for the poker room players. The tables have automatic controls on them to call server or floor over to the table. Quick, friendly, service and good cheap food.

They also have a special every two hours called something like SPLASH POT with Kickers special which basically means they pull table numbers on balls like in bingo, if your table is called you get to play the splash pot. AT this point they come over and put $100 in the middle of the table, winner takes all. Everyone else, wins $20 in red chips!!! I didn't win that BIG pot. The POT was at $246 as everyone kept raising, re-raising etc because they wanted to win. The winner was a nice French guy, who was on a bad run up to that point. After he won that pot and had some chips in from of him, he played any two cards and won. I now believe in the Poker God. There is one. This guy couldn't lose a hand. He would play J2 and win with a flush or full house. He would play K3 and mack a damn 5 card straight to win the pot. He played for another 3 hours after the SPLASH POT and cashed out for around $800, I have never seen anyone in low stacks limit make that much money in that short of time, it was incredible... wish it had been me.

I really don't have much to share in regards to my poker playing, I played for about 5 hours and walked away $5 down, laugh. At one point I was up about $80 but things just didn't keep going for me. A family of three showed up at the table shortly after 9:30 and I didn't get a good feel from them, I don't like playing at a table anyways with family members but this mother and two 20 something son's gave me some bad vibes, so I left.

Overall, had a great time, wish I could have played more. I have one more night in Scottsdale, but won't have any time to make it back to the casino. Tonight work is having a Hawaiian Polynesian dinner event with an Elvis impersonator, so I won't be missing that.

Next poker playing event will be the home game on the 15th.

PEACE!

Limit Poker on PokerStars

2009-03-26T21:27:00.000-05:00

I have been playing low stakes $2/$4 limit poker for the past few days. Not sure why I have been playing limit verse no limit. I feel I am a much better no limit player. My weakest poker skills are in tournaments play, not sure why I just can't seem to get any better. I do play in the home league, which is tournament style, and I have been doing good but maybe I'm just getting lucky. I am not a fan of online poker but since that's really my only option I do it as a means of practice and evolving my game.

I think I need to pick one; limit, no limit, tournament, and focus only on that style until I master it, which we all know we never really master it as it's always evolving as new young guns come into the game.

I think I am going to stick to limit poker online for awhile and see how I do. If I can get positive numbers on a regular basis, I will be happy.

Until next time...

Bob's Bellagio

2009-03-20T22:44:00.000-05:00

Played at a home game tonight...Bob's Bellagio Poker Room. Bob is a nice guy, he appears to love his Vodka Martini's... Olive and onion included.

In attendance were 10 players...five college frat boys, three older gentlemen, one 30 something guy (God I hope he is 30 something, if not sorry) and the token female... a.k.a. Me.

Bob runs a good game, good tournament structure, good people. I was pretty card dead tonight, played a few hands, I know every time I was in a pot I was behind but after only playing one hand per hour at that point I could raise it with 7 Deuce off suit and take down the blinds and antes.

Two hands to tell you about, both mistakes. In position, player UTG raises twice the big blind, I haven't had a decent hand in hours, I look down have big slick suited... I think for awhile... I have the big blind behind me still to act... I call which was the mistake. I should have pushed all in but didn't, big blind also calls. Flop Q blank blank. Big blind checks, UTG player raises all in. At this point I still have BB to act behind me.... I fold... That was the right move at that point, the mistake was the just calling pre-flop, I should have pushed pre-flop or folded. UTG player had ace queen.

Last hand of the night, early position... I raise all in with 5 / 3 suited clubs... 2 callers, one with pocket Queens to win it and knock me and the 30 something guy out.

Had a great evening.

Bob rules!!!

Peace

2010 WSOP Main Event Home League Update

2009-03-18T21:57:00.000-05:00

Tonight was Event #3... good game... every one shows... glad.

OK, are you as bored as I am???

The cards... DEAD.

On one hand, glad to see others win, on the other hand, of course,I hate to lose. It's poker, it's a gamble. We have a great group.

Twin brothers... (they actually play against each other)... solid players

Villain #1... I was going to call him the hat man but he didn't wear a hat tonight. Every other event he named himself the "hat guy" because he always wears a hat... yeah right.. bluffer if you ask me.

Villain #2... solid player of the group... good player... tournament player... I would love to get him in a cash game.

Villain #3... wild card.

A few ladies at the table... good.

Stay tune it's all good... someone will play / win a bracket and represent Middle TN for the WSOP. I hope it's me... probably not... but what the hell.... we all have a dream right???

DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE....

Shuffle Up and Deal

Horseshoe in IN

2009-02-27T07:45:00.000-06:00

Last weekend my friend and I headed to the Horseshoe late Saturday evening, we arrived at the poker room around 10pm or so. If anyone reading this hasn't ever been there, it's a must go. They have the best poker room anywhere near the Nashville area. Anyways, they had a ton of different games. I had never seen them have $3/$6 limit normally it's $4/$8. They had a ton of $1/$2 NL tables. We put our names on both list and quickly was told to get my chips as a limit table would be available soon.

The first hour was GREAT, I won my first 3 or 4 hands I played and was up about $100. My friend was at a different limit table and I told him he should move. Well he did and now I wish he hadn't. Chris plays great poker, he is a solid poker player that reads, eats, and sleeps poker. Tonight was not his night. I had never seen anyone as card dead as Chris was. He never was really in a hand, the hands he was in, never got past the flop. The poor guy never pulled a pot his way.

Over the course of the next 3-4 hours I didn't have anything exciting happen. At around 2am Chris was out and wanted to go back to the hotel, at this point I was up a huge $1... yep that's right one single dollar. At this point, with how bad the cards were I was happy to be up a single dollar.

We go back to the hotel, continue to talk for about another hour and finally went to sleep around 3:30 am. Of course I can't sleep with a poker room within a 10 minute drive. I wake up around 6am and head back. I played for another hour or so, this time down $50 so I left.

I wish I would have played the $1/$2 NL as I think that's my best game but for some reason I decided to stick to limit for the night. There was allot of money on those NL table and I really didn't feel like gambling to much per say so it was probably the best decision.

My next trips to a real poker room will be Scottsdale, AZ April 5-8 and then Las Vegas May 11-14. Until then I won't be back to any real poker rooms but will continue to play online at PokerStars.com and the home league.

PEACE.

Robin

Home League Update

2009-02-20T06:42:00.001-06:00

Event #2 was on Wednesday night, everyone showed, had another great game. Not to much to report, I came in first and am currently leading in points but that's no big deal, we only have two games under our belts and 16 more to go, anyone has a chance of winning this thing. As mentioned before, my goal is just to come in the top three each game, so far I'm doing that.

Will probably play poker on Saturday, have been invited to two different games, one in the afternoon, one in the evening.

PEACE!

Casino Aztar

2009-02-02T16:15:00.000-06:00

My friend Chris and I went to Evansville, IN yesterday to play some poker. Evansville is about 2 1/2 hours from Nashville, we left around 9am and were at the poker table around noon. When we first got there they didn't have a table going but they had 7 people on the waiting list. We only had to wait about 15 minutes before the game started.

In seat 1 was a young guy, came to the table with under $100. Seats 2, 3, 4 were all 50 plus year old men, they obviously knew each other, and always seen a flop no matter what. Seat 5 was another older gentlemen that acted like he didn't know how to play, wasn't sure the blind structure, etc. Seat 6 was my friend Chris. Random people came and went out of seat 7. Seat 8 was a 30 something guy who stated he normally plays $1/$2 NL but that table wasn't good right now so he was just going to play in this game. I was in seat 9 and in the beginning, seat 10 was an Asian middle aged lady that stated she didn't know how to play either. She thought the button went around the table to the right not the left.

Nothing really stands out about the players except it was a normal never fold'em hold'em game. After about an hour or so I was getting pretty frustrated with never hitting a flop and was down about $40 or so. I looked over at Chris and asked if he wanted to take a "smoke break" (neither of us were smoking). After talking over the table with Chris I decided to come back to the table and turn up the heat, play very aggressive, which is my normal style.

Within about 45 minutes things were turning around for me. I was hitting my rush of cards (even hit quad's on one had), playing aggressive, showing strong hands and was up about $65 within a short period of time.

My friend Chris was down to about $45 and just couldn't get the cards. Before to long, his rush started and it didn't end... not until I wanted to leave (sorry Chris). Chris had a great run of cards and was playing very well and next thing you know he was up about $200. He probably could have / wanted to stay longer but we had a 2 1/2 hour drive home.

At the end of the day, I was down $17 and he was up $197 and we had a great Sunday trip. We got to talk about and play poker for about 10 hours, I can't think of a better way to spent a weekend afternoon.

Playing live poker is something I truly enjoy and hope to be able to continue to do it on a somewhat regular basis.

PEACE!

Playing Poker Today...

2009-02-01T07:05:00.000-06:00

In about two hours me and my friend Chris are going to head to Casion Aztar to play some $3/$6 limit poker. I haven't played live poker in a long time, not since around Thanksgiving. I'll update everyone when I get back.

PEACE!

My journey to the Main Event has started

2009-01-22T10:57:00.001-06:00

Last night we started our 2010 WSOP Home League. We have 9 players who will play 18 events over the next 18 months and one of us will go represent the group next year. It's very exciting to think that I have a 1 out of 9 chance in making my dream come true. When will I ever have an opportunity like this again? I hope to take advantage of this opportunity and make the most of it. Each event each player will receive points based on their finish. The person with the highest points in the end will receive a cash prize that will include entry fee and travel expenses. Our point system is as such:

1st place receives 16 points
2nd place receives 12 points
3rd place receives 8 points
4th place receives 7 points
5th place receives 6 points

etc... you understand the structure. My goal is to place in the top 3 each event. I finished in 2nd last night.

It was a little complicated to get all the details worked out and I am sure over the next year and a half we will learn better ways of running one of these and hopefully we can start another one for the 2011.

I'll be posting updates each month as to how the group is doing. Until then... Shuffle up and deal!!!

PEACE

Bad Week

2009-01-16T06:59:00.001-06:00

I haven't had the best week playing Limit poker. I am really frustrated with the dumb asses online that will play any two cards all the way to the end with raises and re-raises just to hit something on the River to take down a huge pot. There are big swings in Limit but God it's been a bad week.

I did play in a SNG last night, came in 4th for some SMALL cash but earned 16 SNG points (whatever that means).

A friend of my Stoledog (who also won the first Sunday Million on Poker Stars two weeks ago) told me about this hand replayer called Universal Replayer it is a great piece of software. I used to record my play and it was pain in the butt and this Universal Replayer will import any hands. It also has templates for PokerStars, Full Tilts, etc. so the replay is as if you are watching it live. It really is a helpful tool to review my play. With that said, I think I am going to spend a week or so reviewing my play. Take some notes about what I am doing when I'm winning, if I am making excuses for the bad play or if I am the bad player.

The 2010 WSOP Home League starts this Wednesday, very excited about it.

PEACE!

2009-01-04T20:53:00.000-06:00

Second official withdrawal from PokerStars this evening.

They only allow one E-Deposit ever 168 hours = every 7 days so we will see how the next 7 days play out for me. Hopefully this will become a tradition every Sunday to withdrawal some cash (wishful thinking).

Good Week

2009-01-03T13:05:00.000-06:00

It's been a really good week in regards to my playing. Been sticking to the $3/$6 limit cash table and making a decent profit. Online limit can have some serious swings but I find that if I stick to playing solid poker I can make a profit. Limit doesn't get my blood flowing as no limit does but the risk is less and that's what I need right now. I need to maintain this solid play for a long time and continue to turn a profit, that's the challenge in front of me right now.

Tomorrow is Sunday and anyone who plays online knows it's tournament day. I think I will take a stab at one of the larger tournaments just to get some experience.

PEACE!

The Triple Up...

2008-12-31T08:22:00.000-06:00

Shortly after my 9pm blog post last night about being the donkey at the table of other donkey's... well I did get my triple up. I closed the night with a profit of $75. So it was a good night, a frustrating one, but a good one.

No poker today (unless it's during my lunch hour) but tomorrow I hope to start out the New Year on a positive note with some good poker play. I hate online poker, I would rather play live any day but doesn't look like that's going to happen for awhile until Vegas end of April.

I did get invited to play Saturday at a friends house for a tournament and a cash game after. Last time this guy had a game, there was like 30 people there, so it should be a good time.

Happy New Year to everyone. Have a safe night.

PEACE!

Donkey

2008-12-30T22:26:00.001-06:00

I'm the donkey... have you ever just sat back in your chair and watched a train reck happen before your eyes? That's me. Today has been a complete donkey-fest. I mean I have played the worse limit poker ever. I'm chasing flushes, straights with four on the board. It's sick. What is even sicker... I am only down about $10. While I am writing this I folded pocket Q's to a raise, re-raise, and another re-raise on the flop, turn, and river... what did the winner have... pocket Q's also. It's insane. I"m an addict. I need to be on A&E TV show Intervention. I can't stop playing against these other donkey's at the table. I have played some shitty poker the last few hours but the other 9 players at the table has also played by far worse poker then I could ever play. Isn't it a matter of time before I double up? Triple up.

I'm a donkey and I love it... tonight anyway!!

New Poker Table

2008-12-29T07:02:00.000-06:00

I had to return a gift that I got my g/f this weekend and when I walked into Kmart (of all places) they had a 84 inch 10 person poker table on sale for $75. I have seen these online for about $299 so I think I got a great deal!!

Shuffle Up and Deal

Random Poker Events...

2008-12-28T08:06:00.000-06:00

Santa was good to me, he brought me 10 players to participate in the home league which we will start middle of Jan. It's going to be my run at the WSOP Main Event. After all the title of this blog is "My Poker Path To The Main Event" so here it goes... stay tuned for updates.

PokerStars...
I was playing at a $.10/$.25 NLHE on PokerStars this morning and after about 50 hands I get pocket JJ's. I might have over played them... but the donkey on my left overplayed his big slick and I won a decent pot... I just had a feeling about this guy and decided to go with my gut feeling that he didn't have crap... I was right, he didn't have crap.

Home Game...
I played in a home cash game on Friday, $1/$2 NLHE this game can be very juicy. Seems to be the same college aged morons for the most part with a few middle aged decent players thrown in for good value. The morons tend to be donkey's that like to gamble A LOT. I broke a major rule to begin with, drinking while playing poker. Went out with friends prior to arriving at game so I was a little "happy". I played pretty loose in the beginning because of it, but also felt I was making some great calls based on the players. I lost $100 in the first hour or so. I bought back in with my last $40 and managed to cash out at $220 after about another 2 hours of play. So overall profit of $80.

Some Poker, Some Family, More Poker

2008-12-22T18:23:00.001-06:00

It's Christmas time, what's better then some family time... AKA Poker Buddy's!!! So that's what I asked Santa for this year, a few poker buddy's to play in my 2010 WSOP Main Event Home League. Everyone does it right, it's not a strange request for the big white headed jolly guy. Anyone who is reading this, and it may just be my girlfriend, would ask the same thing.

On a more serious note, family is in town, it's nice to have them around during the holiday's and anytime for that matter. It's going to be a crazy few days around here but fun nonetheless.

I have been playing some poker online, doing OK. Playing on both ClubWPT and PokerStars. I have gone back to the $25 max buy-in NL tables and doing really good, getting my confidence back at the NL tables. Maybe I was playing outside of my skill level, letting my cockiness get the best of me. I haven't had any losing sessions in the past few weeks. Not all winning some break even but not losing which is what matters.

Regarding the 2010 WSOP Home League, it's something I have wanted to do for a long time. Me and a close friend have been talking about trying to arrange it for awhile and never seem to get enough people committed to the long 18 month "season" but we are close to getting it off the ground. Hopefully we can round up a few more team members and we will start the season mid January. I'll keep everyone posted.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all my Poker Buddy's!!

PEACE

15th.... Not feeling good about it

2008-12-17T22:00:00.000-06:00

I played in a 567 person tournament this evening on ClubWPT.com. I was doing pretty good and had a solid chip stack until... darkness. All of a sudden the power goes out in the living room. Mind you, we have a zillion Christmas lights outside and could tell those lights were still on so obviously it wasn't an Electric Company problem. We start going around the house testing all the circuit breakers. Finally after about 20 minutes we find the correct one. Internet is restored, ClubWPT.com is restored, I go back to my table and I only have $2300 in chips with 137 people left. Not good.

The poker Gods were good to me, I had great cards and before I knew it I was chip leader. I continued my aggressive play and had a ton of chips, not in the lead but top 5. 15 people to go I find myself in a big pot with one of the chip leaders, he barely had me covered. I flop the straight, check... check... bet, call, check, bet, all in, call... he had a higher straight then me, I'm out 15th place.

Oh well, life goes on. I had great cards, I played very aggressive and took note of what I was doing right and what I might have been doing wrong.

Until next time...

ClubWPT.com

2008-12-15T19:24:00.000-06:00

I started playing on ClubWPT as they were running a special 50% monthly membership fee. So for $9.95 a month I can play in big field MTT's to get experience and the chance of winning some cash and/or prize packages. I played today in the Tournament "HX GiftMembership" which had over 400 players and I came in 3rd. I won 650 Tournament Points which will be used to play in more tournaments. I honestly can't make up my mind if I like playing on ClubWPT.com or not but I have decided I will continue to give it a try until at least my three month membership is done in March.

They also have a TV poker show on and they have one tournament each night for a seat. Prize package is pretty neat, they fly you and a guest out to LA, put you up in a nice hotel, take you to dinner and you get to play at a televised final table on TV. So I will at least try really hard to win one of these tournaments.

Until next time...

PokerStars World Blogger Championship of Online Poker!

2008-12-10T17:58:00.000-06:00

I have registered to play in the PokerStars World Blogger Championship of Online Poker!

This PokerStars tournament is a No Limit Texas Hold’em event exclusive to Bloggers.

Registration code: 139076

Greektown Casino

2008-12-02T08:00:00.000-06:00

I haven't been playing much poker lately, been to busy with the work, holiday's, and just life in general. I did go home to Detroit to visit mom and sis in Detroit this past weekend and I went to Greektown Casino to play some poker.

Normally I play $1/$2 NL but didn't get a good vibe of the table when I walked in so decided to just play $3/$6 limit. I arrived around 5am. They had a full table going of people who had been there all night. It was an entertaining table with two guys getting into it, one guy getting nasty with one of the dealers (uncalled for) and a loose table of drunks. I managed to come home $116 up after about 3 1/2 hours of play. I can't complain.

It was good to be back at the table. I miss it, want to play more. After the holiday's maybe I can get back on tracking of playing more often.

2008-10-05T08:26:00.000-05:00

PokerStars Sunday $200K... early exit

2008-09-14T15:24:00.000-05:00

Early in the tournament with blinds at $75/$150, in the big blind with Q 10. After reviewing the hand to write this blog, I shouldn't have called the extra $150 out of position against two callers to begin with... then the flop completely misses me, everyone checks around and the turn comes a J giving me a straight draw and I make a stupid call of $900 chasing... how amateur. Ace comes on the river to complete my straight but gives the other guy a full house. BAD POKER just simply bad tournament poker playing all around on my part.

More Online Play

2008-09-06T15:47:00.001-05:00

In the last 24 hours I have played one SNG and one MTT. I am disappointed in my result from the MTT as I was in great chip position and got distracted and made a call I shouldn't have made. I am trying to focus on MTT's online for awhile as that's my weakest game. I also started to play 7 card stud online which has been fun. It's fun to mix things up. I'm playing at the micro levels but I have to tell you, with Hold'em being the popular game, there are a lot of novice players in stud and even at the micro games, I'm winning money which adds to the fun factor.

Here are the results:

PokerStars Tournament #106077598,
No Limit Hold'emvBuy-In: $5.00/$0.50
9 players
Total Prize Pool: $45.00

I finished the tournament in 1st place for $22.50.

PokerStars Tournament #105242167
No Limit Hold'em Buy-In: $5.00/$0.50
2664 players
Total Prize Pool: $13320.00

I finished the tournament in 230th place for $13.32.

Poker Update...

2008-08-25T20:11:00.001-05:00

I played in two online MTT in the last 24 hours. First was the Sunday $200K and the second one was the daily $30K both on PokerStars.

PokerStars Tournament #102282850
No Limit Hold'em Buy-In: $10.00/$1.
Prize Pool: $225660.00

I finished the tournament in 2296th place for $22.56

The other one was:

PokerStars Tournament #103653291
No Limit Hold'em Buy-In: $10.00/$1.
Prize Pool: $38610.00

I finished the tournament in 96th place for $54.06

Overall a pretty good 24 hours.

First Annual Poolside Poker Tournament

2008-08-07T09:34:00.000-05:00

This coming Saturday we will be having the first annual poolside poker party at my uncles house. He has this nice pool, it's August and I love poker. Somehow I have managed to talk him into hosting it at his house. We should have two tables running a $20 buy in poker tournament and then hopefully some friendly cash games on the side afterwards.

It's August and we are in Nashville which means it's 100 degree's outside, so hopefully the weather will play nicely for our little event. I figured worse case, we could take breaks and jump in the pool.

Everyone will be coming over around 3pm but the tournament won't start until around 7pm so my strategy is to let everyone get drunk before the tournament, pretend I am drinking and then take all their money!! Sounds like a good plan to me. I'll update everyone on Sunday with how it went.

Two weeks until we hit the seaside Beau Rivage Resort in Biloxi, I am really looking forward to that. Hopefully the poker Gods will be looking down on me with praise.

"I Have A Dream" MLK

2008-07-24T14:53:00.000-05:00

My life has been filled with more important, adult like responsibilities to deal with then with focusing on my dream. Moving into a new house in two days so little time to flirt with the idea of becoming a poker professional. Yet that never stops me from thinking of how one day I will reach my dream...

I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I guess when Martin Luther King, Jr. stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and gave the famous "I Have A Dream" speech, he probably wasn't referring to poker. Poker is rooted in our American culture isn't it? Look at Texas Dolly Doyle Brunson, he has been playing for 100 plus years.

I did receive my first BLUFF magazine subscription in the mail yesterday so I have at least had the chance to read about all the other dreams that were reached this past June.

I have a little more then 4 weeks before I go to Biloxi for the weekend. Have never been there but I am looking forward to it. Haven't been anywhere this summer for a vacation (Thanks to Bush for F'ing the economy) so it will be nice to go to the beach and also have a chance to get some poker in at the same time.

Keep dreaming... PEACE!

Lessons Learned

2008-07-14T13:11:00.000-05:00

Visited the Horseshoe in Southern Indiana this Saturday for their grand opening. Poker room has been completely remodeled, not sure though that it's any better. Tables have a different logo in the center and the color of the room is different, not a big deal.

Arrived around noon and waited about 30 minutes for my table. As I was waiting and people watching a noticed a mature man walking to the counter holding a seat cushion. I make mental note that if someone brings a seat cushion to the casino then two things are for sure: 1) he plans on staying awhile, 2) this isn't his first rodeo and he probably knows how to play poker VERY well. My mental note was to not play at his table.

Horseshoe was running a grand opening special to give $5,000 away every 30 minutes from 1-6pm. 10 minutes prior to the first drawing they make an announcement that you had to swipe your Rewards Card in a special promotional card reader in order to qualify. I immediately start running toward the Rewards Counter to put my name in the hat for the drawing. When I get back to the poker room, my name had been called and I go to my table and who is sitting immediately to my left, Mr. Mature himself.

I get my chips and sat down and within the first few hands I find myself in a big pot with another older gentleman. I had Ace / Q suited and someone had already straddled the pot for $10 so I pre-flop raise it to $20 total, had two callers. Flop comes 9-Q-9 and I bet another $20 and one person reraised me another $40 making the bet $60. My gut told me that he had trips but I then thought that maybe he was trying to pull one over on me. Push the little lady at the table around, I won't stand for that, so I make the call. Turn comes some blank card, I check, he bets, I call. River comes another blank card, I check, he bets, I call. As I'm calling I say "You have trips right" he shakes he head yes and turns over J-9. Maybe my pre-flop raise of $20 wasn't enough to begin with. Why would someone call a $20 bet at a new table, new players, couple hands in with J-9 off suite?

Needless to say, this hand hurt not only my bankroll for the night but my confidence. I played for the next 5 hours like I was a beginner poker player, folding to raises, limping into pots with hands I should have been raising with. It was pathetic. It was a lesson for sure.

At around 7pm I left to go to the Barenaked Ladies concert and got back to the poker room around 10:30pm. During my 3 1/2 hour escape I managed to enjoy a few adult beverages which helped to get my mind back where it needed to be to make some money. I sat back down at the same table and oh by the way, the same mature guy with the seat cushion was still there!!! I played for another 4 hours and managed to make a profit for the entire day up around $250. Overall it was a good trip. Came home with more then I left with.

I learned allot about poker this weekend. I learned about how I play poker and what style of poker I play my best at. I learned to stick to my gut, even if I was wrong on that first hand, losing $40 is way better then losing $200.

I love live play, wish I could do it more often.

PEACE!

Less than 24 hours....

2008-07-11T14:28:00.000-05:00

stay tuned...

Family, Friends, Poker, Fireworks

2008-07-08T09:51:00.000-05:00

I made it through the July 4th weekend with little poker play. Late Friday night after many hours of adult beverages, a few of us decided to get a friendly game of poker going, $10 buy-in. I think I won so that's always a good thing.

After that we decided to light up the sky with our illegal fireworks, it was a great time. My friend Marcia decided to get a little intimate with one of the illegals and burned a few of her digits. All is good now though, she survived another July 4th and hopefully she will join us again next year.

This Saturday I will be heading to the Grand Opening of the Horseshoe Casino in Southern Indiana. I'm excited and can't wait it to see the new poker room. I plan on playing poker the entire time except when I go to the Barenaked Ladies concert. I love their song "If I Had A Million Dollars", they are a great band and I'm really looking forward to that (thanks to my uncle who got us free tickets)

PEACE

No Poker Is Bad Poker

2008-07-02T18:52:00.000-05:00

I want Poker... it's July 4th weekend, no plans to go play poker for another week, will I survive? I'm sure. Hopefully. Surely? Probably.

Bankroll -/+ 0 (that's always a good thing)

PEACE

Finally I have found a way to motivate me to exercise...

2008-06-26T12:18:00.000-05:00

Confidence, do you have it?

2008-06-25T12:42:00.001-05:00

Haven't been playing to much poker online lately but did play a $11 SNG, came in 2nd for $27 win, then moved to the $1/$2 NL to play for about 30 minutes. Bankroll +$111

I have been doing a lot of re-reading of my NL book along with my PokerVT training, which I know is helping my game. I have more confidence at the tables now, both live and online.

For the next few weeks I'm going to focus on math. Math isn't my favorite subject but if you know anything about poker, it's a numbers game. I need to know the pots odds, the implied odds, quickly be able to know how many outs I have, how many outs I might think my opponent might have. It's not very professional to be using your fingers at the table to count if you have a straight.

It's all good, poker is good, life is good.

3 + 4 + 3 = $700

2008-06-21T21:51:00.000-05:00

I touched the felt, I shuffled the chips between my fingers, I come home $700 up. Yep that's right, decided to head to Caesars... well I thought I was going to Caesars. Half way there I started seeing Horseshoe signs. I was thinking where is there a Horseshoe in IN... as I turn into the parking lot of Caesars I see the lucky horseshoe, finally I put 2 + 2 together and realize Horseshoe has bought Caesars.

Poker room is being remodeled to make it better then before. Hell I thought it was a great poker room when Caesars ran it, how much better could it be. Guess I will find out on July 12th when I go back.

When I got there around 9:30 am they had one table going with $1/$2 NL so I put my name on the list. After a short wait I bought in for $300 (table max). This was a good time for me to get to the table. Of the 9 players (me included) I was the only one that had not been there 12 plus hours, this is a good thing. Players were tried, stupid, drunk. Me, bright eyed and brushy tailed.

After about an hour I look down at pocket Aces. I raise in middle position to $15 and get 4 callers.... yes 4 callers so a total of 5 people to the flop. Not what I wanted. Flop came blank, blank K... first person check's I bet $15 and person on my left re-raises to a total of $65 the other 3 players fold. I think about it and call. Turn comes an Ace. DING DING DING... I hit the jackpot. I thought the one guy might have trip King's and I had already been thinking I might have to lay down my pocket rockets but now I'm in glory land baby.

I bet $60 and he goes in the think tank and finally pushes all in... he has me covered... when I started the hand I had about $265 .. of course I call his all in and YEP he had trip Kings to my trip Ace's... River was a blank and I win a MONSTER pot. This puts me at about $650 and I go on for another two hours or so and build my pot to $1000 and cash out.

Two racks of red baby... I'm up $700 for about 4 hours of work.

3 hour drive there... 4 hours of play... 3 hour drive back = $700.

My bankroll will not increase by $700 because I am moving and will be using this money for painters and movers rather then my poker bankroll (I'm being responsible)

Can't wait to get back to the felt.

Happy Friday - Morning Report

2008-06-20T08:31:00.000-05:00

Woke up to my morning cup of juice BANKROLL +10.75, not a horrible way to start out the day.

Plans for this weekend poker related, tonight I will be playing at the local poker league, hope to win first place for $50. Last Friday made it to the final table... probably could have done better but I broke another rule; drinking while playing poker. Oh well, it happens right, it was for free though so I won't get down on myself that much about it.

Saturday if the weather is bad, I might play their afternoon game. I need to play more live poker although the local league isn't my ideal practice field but any live game is better then no live play at all.

I am getting an itch for the sound of real poker chips being shuffled between the fingers of want-to-be poker pro's and feel of the dirty felt on the palm of my hands guess I have to wait another 3 weeks before that happens.

That's all I have today... now go play some poker!!!

2008-06-19T20:39:00.000-05:00

I came home the other day after another stressful day at work. I walk into the kitchen to find a big gift bag that looks like a wedding gift or a birthday gift, something. I automatically start to think, "oh boy did I miss an anniversary? A birthday? Sweetest Day? Must be some Hallmark day that I had forgotten.

Surprisingly I was wrong. It was a "just because" day. Just because after a week from hell she (my better half) got me a few gifts. Just because I need a pick me up. Just because she loved me. Just because... Isn't the just because days so nice.

The gift contained three awesome items; a new black baseball hat (I desperately needed), a new T-Shirt (who couldn't use one of these), and a really cool plaque that says "Silly Boys, Poker is for girls", all things poker related.... that's me baby.... POKER.

POKER... POK-HER.... POKER... POK-HER.... LIFE IS GOOD.

Mommy Dearest

2008-06-19T09:13:00.000-05:00

Enthusiasm

2008-06-17T06:48:00.001-05:00

Last night we get home from dinner and my GF decides she wants to play poker online for real money. I encourage her to play poker ONLY because I enjoy it so much and wish she did also as I know she hates talking about it all the time.

So we quickly get both laptops up and running, she logs into her PokerStars account (she already had an account from previous gestures), I log into mine and I transfer her $25 from my bankroll to her account. I set her up at a full ring $.10/.$25 table. She plays for awhile, up and down, nothing major. She then moves to another table where she gets two really bad beats... both bad beats she had trips and the other person heads up had the same trips with a better kicker.

Her enthusiasm for poker quickly went south and I think she got her fill of online poker to last her another 6 months.

Oh well, my fantasy that she would enjoy poker as much as me is forever gone.

BANKROLL (-$25.00)

Trip 10's in the Big Blind

2008-06-14T15:35:00.000-05:00

At first I couldn't decide if I played this hand right or wrong. I'm in the big blind and no raises or callers in front of me and it comes down to just the blinds, I check. I have 10 6 of hearts. Flop comes 3 10 10, small blind bets $.50 and I call. I call instead of raise because I was slow playing my trips. Another 3 comes on the turn, which is a good card for me. Nothing on the board scares me. Small blind checks, I check also, again slow playing my trips. River comes a Q of hearts and the small blind bets $2 and I raise it to $10, he then pushes all in for $31.45 and I instantly call.

Now when I look back at it, I wonder if the outcome would have been the same since he had Q 10 and was also slow playing his trips. Should I have just called the $2? Should I have folded when he re-raised me? I think I played this hand completely wrong.

BANKROLL (-$25.00)

Daniel Negreanu

2008-06-13T09:03:00.000-05:00

Last night Daniel Negreanu won his 4th World Series of Poker bracelet in Event #20.

Daniel Negreanu has always been my favorite poker pro. He always seems so down to earth in all his interviews, seems to be a fun guy, seems to know how to play poker, etc. Some pro's tend to have big heads, not Daniel. If he does he sure doesn't come across that way.

I have a feeling he will win another one before its all over and I personally hope we will see him at the final table in November.

My poker training you have read about is from Daniel's sponsored PokerVT.com which has online virtual poker training. Daniel has wrote about his participation with PokerVT for months now in his daily blog so I was excited when it launched a few weeks ago. I think it's a really great training site and I can tell already it has helped me improve my online game. We will see if it has helped my live game when I had to the casino on July 12th.

I had my morning cup of juice and increased my bankroll $11.65. Every bit helps.

PEACE!

2008-06-12T12:28:00.000-05:00

I have "rules" that I must following in order to keep my poker game on key, here are some of these rules:

* Never drink while playing poker for money
* Never play if tired or bored
* Don't play at work

The last rule "don't play at work" was a rule I put on myself about three weeks ago when I kept having losing sessions on my lunch hour. A guy I work with is also a poker junkie and we play poker at lunch, talk about poker all day, etc. I work in Cubeland, U.S.A. and people are always interrupting me while I'm playing. So I told myself a few weeks back, I am no longer playing at work.

I broke that rule today. I played during my lunch hour and lost $8.43.

At least I wasn't drinking while playing at work!!!

BANKROLL (-$8.43)

Juicy Tables

2008-06-12T07:00:00.000-05:00

I have come to the conclusion that the $.25/$.50 6 ring tables on PS are some juicy tables and I love a good morning cup of juice. I just recently started playing the 6 handed tables because the training I have been getting covers a lot on short handed tables. It does make some sense to play these tables online for a few different reasons:

1) You have less bad players to deal with (hopefully).
2) You can keep better notes on 5 players vs 8 players.
3) Easier to pick up on patterns of only 5 players.

Once you get those three things down, you can use it to your advantage against those players. It really has been working for me.

Every morning for the past week I get up and play at least 30 minutes. This is where I seem to be building my bankroll at. Not sure if it's because most of the players are from the other side of the world and they have been playing all night and are tired. Not sure if it's because the tables I have been selecting are just full on donkey's donkin' off all their money. I don't really care what the reason is. GIVE IT TO ME BABY.

The hands I have lost were basically because of bad beats, for an example this morning I had pocket rocket's against one player who pushed all his chips in for a total of around $25, of course I called his all in. He had Q10. Why in the world would someone call all their chips with Q10 off suit? Flop comes 10 10 5 on the board so of course he won... BUT about 15 minutes later, I had my $25 back from him.

I have been playing solid poker, not calling my money away on marginal hands. Not being in pots with marginal hands out of position. I can't say enough about note taking, especially for online. I now look for tables that have people I have notes on playing. I can fold my small blind and big blind if need be. I like to defend my blinds but not at the cost of my bankroll. I have taken a lot of the "gamble" out of my game, which has helped. I'm an aggressive player naturally and I have had to learn to mix my game up, change styles and notice when other players "have my number". I'm happy with my play right now.

As I said in the beginning of the blog, it's morning and my cup is about empty. Need to get in the shower and go to my real job.

Hope everyone has a great day.

BANKROLL +$47.75

Update on WSOP Ladies Event #15

2008-06-11T14:03:00.000-05:00

Congrat's to Svetlana Gromenkova who won the bracelet and $244,702 in the $1,000 Ladies World Championship!!!