My Poker

The poker has been pretty ok lately, as I am at 7 PTBB/100 so far this month (100NL). I don't have all that many hands, but I have been trying to concentrate and think through hands more than I used to...Add a few of the usual bonuses, and I have no complaints.

The heat had been oppressive lately, and sucking the life and energy out of me. It has been 106 or so for days on end, and it's really starting to wear on me. Oh well, I can't move, so here I stay!! It doesn't help that the markets have been kicking our ass lately, but again, it is not too different than poker---money management is key!! We could stand to catch a break however...

Poker World

I listened to Erik Seidel on "The Circuit" recently, and it was really quite funny. He is well known for not saying much, and sure enough, they had him chatting for 20 minutes, and he never said anything worth repeating!! I also read Hellmuth's blog the other day and--this just cracked me up...He writes---"hung out with my wife and sons until 3:45 pm. We had a private celebration in honor of my birthday where we all ate ..." Who the hell talks like that? "In honor of my birthday?" I dunno, maybe it's me, but it's hilarious stuff!

A little while back, I wrote about wanting to be at the WSOP...After everything I have heard, I'm pretty damn happy not to be there!! Wow, what a poorly managed mess---I guess Harrah's has a tradition to uphold in that they absolutely don't care about anything other than today's bottom line. It is a foregone conclusion that a public corporation should try to make as much money as possible for the shareholders, but many of the decisions certainly seem to be jeopardizing future earnings in a big way. Maybe poker has grown so large, and the mystique of a bracelet is such that it all just doesn't matter. I for one will be looking forward to the WCOOP much more than the WSOP.

Funny stuff (News and sports)

Recent headlines say---
"Unpaid taxes could be Bonds' downfall" Too bad, since he was such nice guy!

and then we have---
T.O. on tough treatment: 'Why me?" LOL poor baby, I wonder why? Perhaps because you are spoiled, selfish jerk-off? If you need help in this area, see above, as I'm sure Barry can help guide you...

Oh yeah, I won another SNG last night---fun times...

This should have been posted July 10 or 11th...

It has been a relatively uneventful few days on the tables, but I have managed to pick up a few bucks and clear a bonus or two along the way. This will help defray some of the damage I did to myself earlier in the month! The tournaments have been good to me, but I was playing some piss poor full ring games. I have moved back down to the 100NL until I get my leaks 99% plugged. Re-reading some of the hand histories can be a painful chore...Yuck!

A few observations--- My pre flop card selection is pretty good, although a bit on the tight side, and I need to play more SC's. I think my BB and SB #s are in good shape, but I need to compare more BB numbers to be sure. I am starting to raise larger amounts a bit more PF, so this area is improving but still inconsistent. My post-flop play needs the most work (naturally), and it is slow progress indeed. I think I'm getting better here, but it may take more time than I thought. I think I will stay at the 100 games for 7 to 10K hands and see if I can get the PTBB/100 up to at least 8 before moving up again.

The above is is sure-fire proof that anyone with a little common sense and no tilt can win at the lower limits...Add a few bonuses and off we go!! I have made thousands of dollars getting bonuses and playing ABC poker, all the while assuming I knew what I was doing. Oh well, I'm happy to be on the 30 year plan! The more you learn, the more you know you don't know!!

The only part of my game I am happy about right now is the tournaments, but as confident as I am in that arena, the variance blows, and I have to be in the mood to play 'em. At least for me, it takes a different mindset; I really don't know how the full time online tourney pros do it (not to say I am in that league), but good for them.

Book Review

Secrets the Pros Won't Tell You About Winning Texas Hold'Em Poker

Lou Krieger

Since you are reading this , you already know most everything in this book. If you are new to poker, there might be someting here, but I doubt it. There may a bit more in the book for live game players, but overall, it was quite basic with little if any new material.

Poker

After playing poorly in the cash games, I took a break and went to all tournaments this last weekend. An inauspicious debut in the first two, as I was literally 'bubble boy" in both. Frustrating as hell, but I played well in both, but making a crucial all-in mistake in the second one.

The next day, I tried two small re-buys (which was a first). I have never liked re-buys much, as I was always uncertain how many times to re-buy etc. I have seen some really good online players re-buy a zillion times, and come out OK, but I never liked the idea of undefined risk. Anyway, I gave it shot, and was successful bringing it home twice. A nice little 800+ payday for the weekend-sweet!! I played another one later on, but started way too late for me. I was bushed, and tried to get a buddy to take over, but he was thrashed as well; I played on and as soon as I made the money went directly to bed.

I did the same thing the next night, signing up too late (I gotta quit that) and talked another buddy into taking over. Although O8 isn't his best game, he gave it a shot and was in the top 25. Good work man!

Books

The New Quotable Einstein by Alice Calaprice

It was OK...nothing long lasting here...He was a really smart guy, and had a bunch to say, but I won't remember any of it. I think a good biography would have been more interesting.

Food

I made something really good recently...It was Mexican-style seafood soup with just the right combination of guajillo chilies and lime...damn good!


Happy 4th everyone!

Poker

I really don't believe that beating yourself up over past mistakes...BUT, there have been so many!! Good gawd, am I playing poorly. I recently made the jump to 200NL, and have never played worse. The change in stakes have had little impact, my BR remains sound, but I have made some really bad decisions (calling station?) lately... So I vow---No more of that shit! It's hard enough to win without giving your money away!

I'm gonna go play some tournaments and get back in stroke.

I have followed the WSOP for many years, and of course it is now easier to follow than ever. If you aren't reading Pauly for his take on the poker scene, you are truly missing out. For the first time in ages, I actually feel like I should be there, and I have no idea why!

---The smaller buy in tournaments are a joke, as they make on-line structures look slow in comparison

---If I had to play 11 handed, I believe I would be on the next flight out of town

---I hate travelling

---I hate crowds

---I am increasingly agoraphobic

All that, plus I am playing poorly means it is ludicrous to even think about being in Las Vegas...Maybe next year...

On a happier and much funnier note, I ran across the most hilarious thing I have read in a long time. I read many, many blogs, but NONE have the humor and LOL value that this one does. Yes kids, it is none other than the one, the only---

Phil Hellmuth


Yes it's true---hellboy has a blog---it's really a journal of "name-dropping"... Jesus, this guy gives new definition to that term, but he writes reasonably well, and even if he isn't trying to be funny, it's a hoot!! I hope to hell Paul P is aware of it...I think he would enoy it immensely (at least for a few minutes).

News and Views

I'm really frustrated with this. If anyone thinks this so called news is really "new", please take 30 minutes out of your day and read a little and investigate. Few of us do enough of that (including me), but this bullshit with regard to the NY Times vs the Bush admin is enough to make me puke. Suffice it to say that these big money transactions have been trackable for around 20 years. Has anyone heard of "swift"?

The bottom line is this---The Bush admin needed some attention away from all their obvious failings, and the Times must have needed more subscribers. They both win by getting undeserved attention, and the American public loses once again.


Food

I was on this ridiculous diet for the last week or so---it was a silly soup and vegetable thing, but I thought it might help kick start some weight loss, as I have gained 20 pounds sittin' on my ass for the last 2 or 3 years. All in all, the diet was a joke, but it did make me realize how few fruits and vegetables I consume regularly, so it was worth it in that regard. I need to lose 30 pounds---maybe by the years end?