I like reading. No, I LOVE reading. I just never do it. Sure, I read pages upon pages of blogs every day. I go through article after article about a variety of things. I also have a library full of unread tomes.
I need to read more.
I probably won't. But I should.
I Need To Read More - http://astincubed.blogspot.com/feeds/9201178919165322495/comments/default
[+] Books. I need to read books more.I like reading. No, I LOVE reading. I just never do it. Sure, I read pages upon pages of blogs every day. I go through article after article about a variety of things. I also have a library full of unread tomes.I need to read more.I probably won't. But I should ... more [267615]
[-] I am going to try to start blogging more regularly, but have been struggling with ideas. Setting goals and tracking them on the blog used to work (or at least until I abandoned the goals). With that in mind, I picked a few short term goals for now until the end of the year and I will track them on the blog.
Goals (from 11/20/08 through 12/31/08)
1. Play 30,000 Hands of LHE (mix of 6 max and Full Ring)
2. Play my PCA step tickets until they are gone or I have a seat. - I currently have one step 4 ticket and two step 2 tickets
3. Make an attempt to play at least one PCA super sat. - There aren't many good sub-sats, so I may have to try to build up enough T$
4. Play at least 15 MTTs and maintain a positive ROI in them.
I'll update the status regularly and post graphs and interesting hands. Hopefully, this will motivate me to play and post more.
Goals for the remainder of the year - http://opoker.blogspot.com/feeds/499317481881901577/comments/default
[+] I am going to try to start blogging more regularly, but have been struggling with ideas. Setting goals and tracking them on the blog used to work (or at least until I abandoned the goals). With that in mind, I picked a few short term goals for now until the end of the year and I will track them o ... more [267458]
[-] I finally watched the TV coverage of the delayed WSOP ME FT. I thought the coverage was pretty good this year, yet you still do not really get a good sense of the table with the limited amount of hands shown. Peter Eastgate who was supposedly aggressive, was really just catching cards and setting up sick traps during the bulk of the coverage. If those were all the hands that were played, you could classify him as weak/luck-sac, but that is not really how he plays. Its just not great TV showing a raise preflop taking the pot down.
The final hand was pretty interesting to me, and I think there is a very good situational lesson that can be learned here. I am going to forget about the preflop/flop action as it is not that important. We are heads up for the championship and the hands are 32 vs. A5 with A5 in position. Going into the turn, 32 was drawing to 2-pair or runner straight on the flop, and was already paired in a heads-up situation. A5 was drawing to an over and a gutshot, and held an Ace in a heads-up situation. Both can obviously get to the turn card on this hand, and in this case it completes the straight for A5 and the two-pair for 32. So the hidden two-pair checks to trap from out of position, and the made straight bets a smallish 2 million. All standard plays. 32 then drops the check-raise to 6 million, committing a good portion of his stack. So Eastgate is in position on the check-raiser, on the turn, with a very strong hand heads-up. This is the key situation. He either can push or call, and I would say a bunch of people push here figuring the Russian is pot committed and can't fold. I really like the smooth call here, and that's what Eastgate did. Being in position, all you need to worry about is an obvious scare card for your opponent. After the river drops, 32 is either going to check or open push. A smaller bet would be awkward based on stack sizes. An open push and you make the easy call. If 32 checks, you think/push and 32 will pretty much have to call if they have anything, because the open/call the check raise on the turn with the push over a check on the river looks a lot like a big stack bluff. So 32 is pretty doomed there, but lets think more about his range than the specific hand. When he check raises for close to 1/2 of his stack on the river, he pretty much must have something made with the lack of draws out there. It might not be super strong though. He might figure he has a good enough hand here to make a major move, but not enough to end the tournament. Let them get to the river in a situation like this so they can properly hang themselves.
WSOP ME Final Hand Thought - http://blinderspoker.blogspot.com/feeds/6040120591016553607/comments/default
[+] I finally watched the TV coverage of the delayed WSOP ME FT. I thought the coverage was pretty good this year, yet you still do not really get a good sense of the table with the limited amount of hands shown. Peter Eastgate who was supposedly aggressive, was really just catching cards and setting ... more [267399]
[-]Things have been so hectic around here that I barely have time to think let alone write in this tiny space but that's no excuse. Last week I had a chance to go work at a charity poker game in NYC hosted by Beth and Dan Shak. Some poker bigwigs would be there but I would be on the job and I've never come close to being a poker fanboy.
I'll never be confused with the poker writers like Dr. Pauly, Otis or the other dozens of fine writers who make their living writing wonderful stuff about a group of degenerates sitting around slinging chips. I don't have the chops and generally the client doesn't go for the rubbish that usually comes pouring out of my brain. The official website would never contain the stories about the hooker dressed player who ended up passing out on the table before she busted or the ex-Phillie pitcher standing on a New York City sidewalk slurring his "Fuck the Mets and Fuck the Yankees" to whomever was passing by or the mini-rant the Poker Brat laid on Jordan as he was dealing a hand. I was there in strict PR mode and there are even some things I won't mention here for fear of getting cut off in the future.
It was going to be a long day so I did what I do best. Went out the night before and got myself in a world class twisted mess. Riggs was set to pick me up at 8am but I couldn't tell you what time I finally crawled in the house. There was a long anguishing drive down the AC Expressway to start things off at the Borgata. They donated the tables for the charity game as well as a few poker staff to facilitate the dealing, never mind the meetings that would take us past the scheduled departure time. The only thing that made me anywhere near right was a few slices of pizza and a gallon of cola.
Leaving late had one nasty side effect. Getting to the Lincoln Tunnel at 4:30 is an experience I never wish to have again, especially being one of three people stuffed in the back of an undersized SUV. More years were taken off my life by sucking those bus fumes that smoking has ever done. That also meant I would miss a schedule pre-game drink near the hotel with Derek, Joaquin and Mary Bacon-bikini.
But have no fear, we are all imaginative if nothing else. The party just switched from over-priced bar drinks in Manhattan to free drinks on the 36th floor of the Mandarin Oriental. They made their appearance while I was finishing set up in my little corner with the other worker bees, that included trying to fix Rigg's newly blowed the fuck up laptop and tuning things up with BuddyDank Radio. For my own future reference, the radio microphone generally works better when pointing at your mouth instead of the back of you head.
Good news, one of the bars was sitting within 10 feet of my table. Bad news, not a lick of Southern Comfort in the entire building. As it was, I just made sure to help myself to the monstrous buffet they had going. Gyoza, shumai, spring rolls and a living breathing sushi chef taking specialized orders. It was a target rich environment for the Rooster and I wouldn't be the least surprised if he didn't walk out of the building with a few rich bitch phone numbers.
The game was just about the most uneventful $5,000 buyin game you'll ever see. 90% of the players probably never played before and were just there for the cause. You were just as likely to see players in line for the buffet or bar then see them actually sitting down to play a hand. Hellmuth was doing double duty by MC'ing as well as playing. It's no secret that Hellmuth is one of my least favorite players thanks to his complete douchebaggery at the tables, but I'll have to give him this one. He did a great job at the event and made things interesting for all in attendance. Mini-rant at Jordan not withstanding. He was actually rebuying for other players when they busted if they didn't have the cash on hand to do so.
Naturally the cynic in me automatically thinks he must have gotten one huge appearance fee to act so well.
Once the rebuy period was over the craziness kicked in. There was a timeframe for when they needed to leave the room and the game quickly became an uber-turbo with bustouts all over the place. That left plenty of people standing around watching the bigwigs and chugging free drinks. One drunken player was flagged twice by Hellmuth over the mic, telling the bartender to cut him off. There's something to put on your resume. The passed out girl was eventually shuffled off quietly to the elevators but not before making a stumbling effort to hit the bathrooms. In the blink of an eye the game was done, winners declared and numbers announced. $825,000 for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, not a bad pull.
All that and my experiences with some Secret Service looking big men barely even registers in my mind. I'm guessing there was someone pretty damned important visiting the Mandarin Oriental that evening and I'm guessing they weren't there to protect a very drunk Ricky Bottalico.
The drive back to home via Atlantic City took an hour longer than normal thanks to a missed turn and Riggs spent the 90 minute drive from AC to Phoenixville mostly asleep, thanking the drinking gods we survived because he was driving while sleeping.
24 hours, 4am to 4am. Pub -> P-ville -> Atlantic City -> New York City -> Atlantic City (via the Turnpike and NOT the Parkway!) -> P-ville. All survived without a single drop of booze in my system. Let's never attempt this again or I'll start naming names.
Poker trip from hell or How I could never be Dr. Pauly - http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6509256/posts/default/202612055810710724?v=2
[+] P-ville -> Atlantic City -> New York City -> Atlantic City (via the Turnpike and NOT the Parkway!) -> P-ville. All survived without a single drop of booze in my system. Let's never attempt this again or I'll start naming names. Poker trip from hell or How I could never be Dr. Pauly - http://www.b ... more [267401]
[-] Stars continues to kick me in the junk on a nightly basis.I've only played 100 sngs there this month and just can't seem to get going at all.( down $120 )
It seems every single time I sit down at Stars I'm destined to get screwed over.I don't like complaining after one bad night or a few bad sessions as that's just the way turbos roll, but this is just relentless.If you play a couple of games per evening, imagine running like this over the next 50 nights...
Aq losing to QJ started Monday night off.Of course I folded 108 on the very next hand and watched nearly the whole table ( maybe just felt that way!) going all in on an A 8 8 flop.Next up was AK losing to A9 ( 9 on river ) and late on in my next game I had 44 beaten by AQ rivering an Ace.I made it as far as the bubble in my last game that night and duly crashed out on yet another suckout.
In my first game last night I had my QQ busted by 88,the two outer arriving on the river as usual.Ok,don't lose the plot,stay calm,shove this AJd and laugh at the fish calling with his Kh7h on the Jack high flop.Stop laughing when said fish hits a runner runner heart flush.
Next up a fish limped on my big blind late on in a game and I shoved K10 over the top of his limp.Insta-called by his 106 and of course the 6 duly falls on the turn.( just to make a change from being rivered)
Somehow I managed to take 2nd in one game before the crap kicked in again.On a positive note perhaps I should be grateful I'm only down $120 so far on Stars despite my the variance fun.
Thankfully I have the support of my family to see me through this nasty spell."Thought you'd just love to know that over the last month my ROI is 18% and yours is 7%!!!! ", wrote my Mum in an email today!
Letting crap variance get to me and affect my game is not on the agenda.I may brush off bad beats quite well most of the time, but this doesn't mean I'm not competitive and don't care.I just know that caring too much in the short-term can affect my long term bottom line and that cannot be allowed to happen.
I'm looking forward to the arrival of a couple of new poker books this week.I've ordered Gus Hansens "Every Hand Revealed" and Phil Shaws sng book.Shaw is Jackal69 on Cardrunners and I've enjoyed learning from a ton of his videos.Hopefully the book will be as good.
Ok,tonight I'm about to get the dinner on and watch the friendly between Scotland and Maradona's Argentina.I've only seen footage of Pele playing and would rate Maradona as the greatest player ever to grace a football pitch.( except possibly Carlton Palmer).His "hand of god" goal against England made him a national hero in Scotland and I'm sure he'll get a good reception tonight.
Personally, I preferred his other goal from the same game...
Don't Cry For Me..... - http://littleacornpoker.blogspot.com/feeds/1615518217252624163/comments/default
[+] Stars continues to kick me in the junk on a nightly basis.I've only played 100 sngs there this month and just can't seem to get going at all.( down $120 ) It seems every single time I sit down at Stars I'm destined to get screwed over.I don't like complaining after one bad night or a few bad session ... more [267421]
The Mookie Tonight - http://mookie99.bigopokerroom.com/?p=1488
[+] Don’t forget to sign up and play The Mookie tonight on Full Tilt at 9PM CT.
Be sure to check out my site and please update your RSS readers and links.
I Hope I Run This Good Tonight
What’s On My iPhone
Time Flies When You’re Old
I Wasn’t Dreaming
The Mookie Tonight - http:/ ... more [267400]
Play on the final is underway. We're in level 22 with blinds at 8,000-16,000 (2,000 ante).
This post contains the latest action from the level, and will also include approximate chip counts throughout play. The official counts, taken at the end of each level, are on the chip count page.
Latest update: 9pm 9pm: Behling takes one down
Nico Behling just took down a small pot, betting all the way, including pre-flop, on a flushing (hearts) ace-high board. Barbosa got out the way at the turn.
8.50pm: No major moves
A lot of pre-flop betting and folding. This hand is slightly different. Barbosa bets 44,000 in the standard way pre-flop before Behling raises to 120,000. The second Barbosa announces all-in Behling folds.
8.35pm: Dario Minieri, Italy, Team PokerStars Pro eliminated in third place, earning €123,162
That's the end of the road for Dario Minieri. One hand after he gets a walk in the big blind but looks at pocket jacks, flipped in anguish, Joao Barbosa gives him the action he craved. Barbosa raises from the button, Minieri moves in over the top, his last 180,000 and Barbosa calls. The Portuguese has two black nines, Minieri has two black sevens and the flop helps neither. "Nice hand," says Dario as he shakes Barbosa's hand. "Nice to play with you, Dario," says Nico Behling and he offers his paw. Minieri departs, but it's a airly safe assumption that he'll be back.
8.30pm: Nothing drastic
Nico Behling wins a pot by virtue of re-raising Dario Minieri, making the Italian think for a while before folding. Another 80,000 to the German.
8.20pm: You win some, you lose some
Dario Minieri picks up the first two pots, first open raising from the button to take the blinds, then re-raising from the big blind after Nico Behling opens for 42,000. Minieri then gives Behling a walk in his big blind, before open raising again from the button. This time Jaoa Barbosa announces that he's all in and Minieri goes into his talking mode. Barbosa keeps schtum, refusing to confirm or deny that he'll show if Minieri folds. Then Minieri says, "OK, I have one more question. If I fold and show, will you show as well?" Barbosa nods his head and that's what they do: Minieri has A-3o and Barbosa pocket sixes.
Then we actually see two flops in a row, both between Minieri and Behling. Minieri calls Behling's pre-flop bet of 44,000 and they see 7h-3s-Qh. Behling takes this one with an 80,000 bet. Then the two players, in an unraised pot, see 5d-Ah-7s and Miniri bets 16,000, which is called. The 10d turns and Minieri this time shakes off Behling with a bet of 38,000.
8.15pm: Under way
Play finally restarts after an extra long dinner break.
8.10pm: Empty seats
Still no sign of the players. No, wait. They're here. We should be playing again within a few minutes.
7.55pm: Long dinner
Players were spotted in the bufet room about an hour ago, but are yet to return to the tournament area. We're expecting them imminently for the resumption in play.
[+]
Play on the final is underway. We're in level 22 with blinds at 8,000-16,000 (2,000 ante). This post contains the latest action from the level, and will also include approximate chip counts throughout play. The official counts, taken at the end of each level, are on the chip count page.
La ... more [267368]
I appreciate that People Magazine went out on a limb and chose someone different and unexpected for this year's Sexiest Man Alive - but, Hugh Jackman? Really? He's the sexiest man alive? I do not think so. Are pickings that slim? Although I think David Beckham is much hotter, I'm glad they didn't go with him because he's such an obvious choice.
What do you ladies think of The Sexiest Man for 2008?????
Other people that made the list this year...
Joshua Jackson - I love him! I fell in love with him on Dawson's Creek and he's looking even better this year on Fringe. I wouldn't complain a bit if he was number one!
Of course the aforementioned David Beckham...
David really is the hottest one on this list.
Daniel Craig - Mister James Bond...
He has a GREAT body and a so so face in my opinion.'
Robert Pattison from Twilight and Harry Potter...
UGH! Does anyone besides me NOT see the appeal in this guy? Girls are going CRAZY for him and I just don't see it.
Zac Efron - High School Musical - I definitely DO see the appeal in Zac - he's a hottie.
Mark my words - Zac Efron will DEFINITELY make number on the this list in the next few years. He's a little young right now, but the older he gets the better looking he is.
Blair Underwood from Dirty Sexy Money...
Blair is an oldie but a goodie. He's been around for a while and females have been swooning over him for years. He gets better with age too.
Michael Phelps - NOT!
Just because he won a bunch of gold medals - that doesn't make him hot. He's not hot - not at all. I cannot even believe he made this list.
For the complete list, run out to your favorite grocery store this week and pick up your own copy of People. I probably will :)
The Sexiest Man Alive? - http://carmensincity.blogspot.com/feeds/8635068833795286367/comments/default
[+] I appreciate that People Magazine went out on a limb and chose someone different and unexpected for this year's Sexiest Man Alive - but, Hugh Jackman? Really? He's the sexiest man alive? I do not think so. Are pickings that slim? Although I think David Beckham is much hotter, I'm glad they didn ... more [267396]
Skillz Game Results - Out quick in Bodonkey - http://cemfrommd.blogspot.com/feeds/6147363519034249357/comments/default
[+] The cashers were all among the top 8 in earnings on the Skillz Game Leaderboard, so I guess these guys really do know their stuff!I went out early in the Bodonkey when my flopped bottom set was no good against a flopped straight.Next weeks Skillz Game - Limit H.O.R.S.E.Skillz Game Leaderboard1. Pira ... more [267450]
[-]Hoy presented his take on auto industry yesterday and I feel it is only fair that the Silicon Valley slant also be applied to problem.
The main beneficiary of the Big 3 automakers current product line is OPEC. So let Saudi Arabia buy them out. They would be following HP's model of producing printers at break-even (waffles accounting) while selling the ink for the profits.
When I was in college (1980-1984) a few of my friends managed to get "union jobs" in steel mills and auto manufacturing in rust belt. They generally got paid $17/hour, 1.5x over 40 and 2.5x for Sunday hours. They would work 70 hour weeks until they hit 490 total hours because at 500 hours they got benefits. I know unions have made some concessions since then but I have to believe Big 3 have fatally flawed managment/union relationship that no amount of bailout money can truly fix.
My Plan for Auto Industry - http://struggles-with-donkeys.blogspot.com/feeds/8819805781466428392/comments/default
[+] Hoy presented his take on auto industry yesterday and I feel it is only fair that the Silicon Valley slant also be applied to problem.The main beneficiary of the Big 3 automakers current product line is OPEC. So let Saudi Arabia buy them out. They would be following HP's model of producing printer ... more [267451]
Things have been so hectic around here that I barely have time to think let alone write in this tiny space but that's no excuse. Last week I had a chance to go work at a charity poker game in NYC hosted by Beth and Dan Shak. Some poker bigwigs would be there but I would be on the job and I've never come close to being a poker fanboy.
Play on the final is underway. We're in level 22 with blinds at 8,000-16,000 (2,000 ante). 
