Wow, what a lay off. Apparently with everything that has shaken me up lately, I havent had a chance to write but I really need to get some of this stuff down before things fade too much in my memory.
So the big thing that happened is that Ashley and I split. It was a bit shocking at the time, and I think that I am still having some difficulty adjusting, but things are slowly and surely getting better. Not better better, but better. I guess that doesnt make a ton of sense, but its the only way I can express it. We still talk just about everyday, and she still comes to visit so it has made things a bit easier to deal with. I guess by not writing it all down, things seemed less real, but as I write this, it seems to be setting in a bit more then it previously had.
As a result of my recent amount of free time, I have been playing alot more. I have been pretty happy with my play, but have ended up on the wrong side of almost every coin flip I was in. A couple of the fun ones were, my queens with a flush draw vs KK no flush draw on a 9 high board. AT vs JT on a KTT board, for about 2K. Pair flush draw vs top pair (this one happened a good 4 or 5 times). So basicly things have been pretty gross. So much so, that I took this entire week off. I was thinking about playing tomorrow but my dad recruited me to do some work for him, so its probably not in the cards, so to speak.
I wish I had more to write at the moment, but its not really coming to me. Until next time I guess.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Return
So Ive been really shitty about updating. My own fault completely. There has actually been alot going on that I probably should be blogging about but I havent had the energy, nor the time frankly, to sit down and actually put it all down. To start, I am not working at my former job any more. It was an unfortunate situation where it was nobody's fault, other then the circumstances of the situation. It has been an interesting transition since then. The days immedietly following it, I lounged around the house, and basically made myself as unproductive as possible. It was a really odd change of pace for me, as I am usually really accustomed to being on the go. Suddenly downshifting into a life where I didnt really have a whole lot going on was quite the change.
I found a sales gig with a new company within the same field so that is good. I mostly do outside work, driving to places and selling new customers on our product line. Its definitly very different then the management side of things which I was used to, however, I am embracing the challange and have found myself to be pretty decent at the work. I did the same gig for my old company a few years ago, so it is a bit like riding a bike.
Anyways, onto the poker. I have been playing quite a bit more as of late obviously. Since this sales gig isnt exactly paying the bills yet, I have been grinding it out at the low to midstakes games around town. I forced myself to play a much more basic and straightforward game, trying to eliminate as much variance from my style as possible. Generally things have been working out pretty well. I found that you dont really need to get too fancy with these guys. It is a bit of an ego shot to step into the smaller games but as long as dollars are being made, at the end of the day that is what is important.
Today things started off really well when I got JJ to hold against 88 within my first few hands. A short time later I picked up another $100 when I check raised the chip leader on an A82 board. Things were rolling pretty good, but things started to run cold. I picked up AK and AQ a few times and bricked all times. QQ vs AQ and AQ makes a flush. AA vs Q4 in a hand where I slow played and he had the deck break for him. I still booked a small winner but it could have been ALOT more. Sigh...
So that in a nut shell is my life right now. I promise to update more frequently!
I found a sales gig with a new company within the same field so that is good. I mostly do outside work, driving to places and selling new customers on our product line. Its definitly very different then the management side of things which I was used to, however, I am embracing the challange and have found myself to be pretty decent at the work. I did the same gig for my old company a few years ago, so it is a bit like riding a bike.
Anyways, onto the poker. I have been playing quite a bit more as of late obviously. Since this sales gig isnt exactly paying the bills yet, I have been grinding it out at the low to midstakes games around town. I forced myself to play a much more basic and straightforward game, trying to eliminate as much variance from my style as possible. Generally things have been working out pretty well. I found that you dont really need to get too fancy with these guys. It is a bit of an ego shot to step into the smaller games but as long as dollars are being made, at the end of the day that is what is important.
Today things started off really well when I got JJ to hold against 88 within my first few hands. A short time later I picked up another $100 when I check raised the chip leader on an A82 board. Things were rolling pretty good, but things started to run cold. I picked up AK and AQ a few times and bricked all times. QQ vs AQ and AQ makes a flush. AA vs Q4 in a hand where I slow played and he had the deck break for him. I still booked a small winner but it could have been ALOT more. Sigh...
So that in a nut shell is my life right now. I promise to update more frequently!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Right Track
I ventured back into the world of home games last night.
After the last few weeks of break even sessions, I decided a change of pace in a berry patch was what I needed. I felt like I played pretty well in this loose passive type game, and was rewarded instead of punished for a change. To define the night I would say one simple phrase: The squeeze play is my friend.
I lost a pot early with 88 when I ran into AJ which wasnt fun, but was able to squeeze my way back into contention and set up a hand where I got TT in against A9 on the good old 953 board. From there I maintained my stack and grew it slowly.
Late in the night, 3 players showed up. 2 I knew from when I was coming up and I was a bit put off by their presence. The interesting thing however is that while in my mind these 2 guys were still the crushers from years past, my game has clearly developed to a higher level then theirs. It was a pretty good feeling to own this one kid over and over again, and put him in spots where he never could call, and forcing him to second guess himself in all the wrong times. And because he was one of the dudes that was around before I was, it felt all the sweeter.
Other then that not a whole lot going on. There is some stuff at work that hasnt been too fun, but I dont feel like getting into it. Beyond that, there is some stuff in my personal life that I would like to write about but this isnt the right time. Maybe shortly when I have some more definite answers I will have more to say.
Until then though, hope everyone is doing well, and crushing the fish.
After the last few weeks of break even sessions, I decided a change of pace in a berry patch was what I needed. I felt like I played pretty well in this loose passive type game, and was rewarded instead of punished for a change. To define the night I would say one simple phrase: The squeeze play is my friend.
I lost a pot early with 88 when I ran into AJ which wasnt fun, but was able to squeeze my way back into contention and set up a hand where I got TT in against A9 on the good old 953 board. From there I maintained my stack and grew it slowly.
Late in the night, 3 players showed up. 2 I knew from when I was coming up and I was a bit put off by their presence. The interesting thing however is that while in my mind these 2 guys were still the crushers from years past, my game has clearly developed to a higher level then theirs. It was a pretty good feeling to own this one kid over and over again, and put him in spots where he never could call, and forcing him to second guess himself in all the wrong times. And because he was one of the dudes that was around before I was, it felt all the sweeter.
Other then that not a whole lot going on. There is some stuff at work that hasnt been too fun, but I dont feel like getting into it. Beyond that, there is some stuff in my personal life that I would like to write about but this isnt the right time. Maybe shortly when I have some more definite answers I will have more to say.
Until then though, hope everyone is doing well, and crushing the fish.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
WSOP Rincon
Last night Ashley, Anthony and I played at the WSOP Circut event at Harrah's Rincon. I really like the facility itself, but the action at the place is pretty blah. I always feel a pressure when I play up there, because it is an hour drive, and since the cash game is pretty terrible, if busting occurs then it is a very long boring drive home.
Anyways, I played really well, and was very happy about my play. I got stuck early when I flopped top two on an AKT board against broadway. I battled back for a long time, but unfortunately was just short of the money, finishing in 29th with the top 18 getting paid. Sigh...
Ashley faired slightly better then me, and was able to make the money despite taking a pretty brutal cooler (KJ vs AA, on an AKK flop) as the money drew near. We might go back on Saturday so she can play in the Ladies event, and I am going to hope the cash games are better when we return.
Other then that, not too much has been happening. I have been eating alot better, and have had less trouble sleeping and it has been much easier waking up in the mornings. With a bit more work the weight bet is going to be in the bag. Simply cutting out fried foods, and soda has been immensely helpful in this first week. I have been eating alot of salads, and when I eat sandwiches, I am trying to eat less bread, and am ordering them without fries. Its a change but I know in the long run it will be benficial. Mentally when I am playing cards, I feel more fresh, and am able to concentrate for longer periods, while maintaining a good amount of discipline.
Ashley is cooking tonight, and I got things on the DVR to catch up on. Tonight should be exciting!
Anyways, I played really well, and was very happy about my play. I got stuck early when I flopped top two on an AKT board against broadway. I battled back for a long time, but unfortunately was just short of the money, finishing in 29th with the top 18 getting paid. Sigh...
Ashley faired slightly better then me, and was able to make the money despite taking a pretty brutal cooler (KJ vs AA, on an AKK flop) as the money drew near. We might go back on Saturday so she can play in the Ladies event, and I am going to hope the cash games are better when we return.
Other then that, not too much has been happening. I have been eating alot better, and have had less trouble sleeping and it has been much easier waking up in the mornings. With a bit more work the weight bet is going to be in the bag. Simply cutting out fried foods, and soda has been immensely helpful in this first week. I have been eating alot of salads, and when I eat sandwiches, I am trying to eat less bread, and am ordering them without fries. Its a change but I know in the long run it will be benficial. Mentally when I am playing cards, I feel more fresh, and am able to concentrate for longer periods, while maintaining a good amount of discipline.
Ashley is cooking tonight, and I got things on the DVR to catch up on. Tonight should be exciting!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Perfect World
The last few weeks have been very up and down for me. I spent quite a bit of time playing in the Spring Flind tournys at Sycuan, and ended up with a big goose egg for my efforts. However, I was able to grind the cash games, which were actually quite good during that time, and every night, made back my buy in plus a few hundred for my time. The only tourny success I have had as of late is another final table for the WSOP Main Event Qualifier. Unfortunately the payout isnt very good since a big chunk of the cash goes to the freeroll at the end of May.
Anyways, things have been going pretty good. I have been playing pretty strong without making too many mistakes in the cash games and I have been pretty steady in my results.
I have had a little bit of drama with loaning money to a player, and that has been frustrating and annoying. Since every little bit of cash I can get is helpful to me, having someone take their time in paying me back is quite the hassle. In a perfect world when people needed a loan they would pay it back as if their life depended upon it, but such is not the way...
I had dinner with Sean and his wife the other night for St. Patricks Day. We drank beers, ate corn beef and played a little heads up. I scooped Sean for a solid $20! Hurrah for me! As the night wore on, we got into discussions about prop bets, and I booked a weight bet with his wife. Since we both are trying to lose weight, we both figured it would be a good motivation. The goal is to lose 30lbs in 4 months. If we both lose 30 then the bets is square, but if one of us loses less then 30 we have to pay. If I lose, she is going to dress me up, and we go to a gay bar for 4 hours. If I win, she has to come to the casino and give me 4 hours worth of massage at the table. I think her pay off is a little bit better then mine, however, I like my side of the bet, so I am willing to give up some edge on that side of it. Suffice to say, it should be interesting.
The last few days, I have been trying to walk a bit more, and I have been eating better, and portioning my food better. I think the key to this is smaller and more incrimental steps, then trying to make a drastic sweeping change. If I try to keep a healthy diet, and exercise more and more progressively, then I hope things will work out.
Tonight, I am playing at Sycuan. Hopefully, I can collect some cash from the no-limit players, and the ones that owe me money. In a perfect world of course.
Anyways, things have been going pretty good. I have been playing pretty strong without making too many mistakes in the cash games and I have been pretty steady in my results.
I have had a little bit of drama with loaning money to a player, and that has been frustrating and annoying. Since every little bit of cash I can get is helpful to me, having someone take their time in paying me back is quite the hassle. In a perfect world when people needed a loan they would pay it back as if their life depended upon it, but such is not the way...
I had dinner with Sean and his wife the other night for St. Patricks Day. We drank beers, ate corn beef and played a little heads up. I scooped Sean for a solid $20! Hurrah for me! As the night wore on, we got into discussions about prop bets, and I booked a weight bet with his wife. Since we both are trying to lose weight, we both figured it would be a good motivation. The goal is to lose 30lbs in 4 months. If we both lose 30 then the bets is square, but if one of us loses less then 30 we have to pay. If I lose, she is going to dress me up, and we go to a gay bar for 4 hours. If I win, she has to come to the casino and give me 4 hours worth of massage at the table. I think her pay off is a little bit better then mine, however, I like my side of the bet, so I am willing to give up some edge on that side of it. Suffice to say, it should be interesting.
The last few days, I have been trying to walk a bit more, and I have been eating better, and portioning my food better. I think the key to this is smaller and more incrimental steps, then trying to make a drastic sweeping change. If I try to keep a healthy diet, and exercise more and more progressively, then I hope things will work out.
Tonight, I am playing at Sycuan. Hopefully, I can collect some cash from the no-limit players, and the ones that owe me money. In a perfect world of course.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
I'm Back
Wow its been awhile. Ok, so Vegas didnt end up going so great for me. I stayed ahead of the curve the whole way, making pretty good decisions and getting into some pretty good spots. However, in the last 24 hours everything that could go wrong went wrong. I found myself to be variance's bitch for a little bit, and ended up stuck for the trip by a few hundred. Sigh...
Since being back things have been pretty slow. I didnt play till the weekend and when I finally did get my hands on some cards, I did pretty decent. On Saturday I grinded the cash game for a few hundred, and played the Sycuan tournament and was able to chop that up for almost $600. After the tourny I headed up to Viejas to watch Anthony play the big game. It was cool getting to sweat him, even though he ended up getting stuck pretty bad. Cooler after cooler hit the kid but he kept coming back right up until the end.
Sunday was a test in perseverence. The game at Sycuan was pretty decent because of some freeroll they were giving players that day, so I jumped into their big game right when I got there. I immediately got stuck for a buy in when I took AK up against K8 on the good old KJ8 no suit board. Blah. The day got worse from there and I ended up in the game for $1K, but was able to make most of it back in the few hours I was there.
Probably will be playing later on this week. But for now, Im tired and need to rest.
Since being back things have been pretty slow. I didnt play till the weekend and when I finally did get my hands on some cards, I did pretty decent. On Saturday I grinded the cash game for a few hundred, and played the Sycuan tournament and was able to chop that up for almost $600. After the tourny I headed up to Viejas to watch Anthony play the big game. It was cool getting to sweat him, even though he ended up getting stuck pretty bad. Cooler after cooler hit the kid but he kept coming back right up until the end.
Sunday was a test in perseverence. The game at Sycuan was pretty decent because of some freeroll they were giving players that day, so I jumped into their big game right when I got there. I immediately got stuck for a buy in when I took AK up against K8 on the good old KJ8 no suit board. Blah. The day got worse from there and I ended up in the game for $1K, but was able to make most of it back in the few hours I was there.
Probably will be playing later on this week. But for now, Im tired and need to rest.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Accident
My tournament streak ended the other night when I bubbled in 12th place at the $80 buy in. It was a bit brutal because of the way the hand went down. With blinds of 2K-4K, I make it 10K UTG with AK. The guy directly to my left ships for 2.5K more. It folds back to the big blind, who had been playing pretty tight, and he ships for 3.5K additional. I call the 3.5K to put them both all in, and am up against 88 from my left, and QT in the BB. The flop is AKJ, and I flop top two with QT flopping broadway. I brick the turn and river and my tourny was basically done.
On a bright note, Ashley was able to final table AND because one of the guys refused to chop the prize money, they played down to heads up, and after she knocked out the dude who wouldnt chop, she took about $1K and the official win. Very well done. I didnt fair too bad either on the night because I had a few last longer bets in play that I won with my 12th place elimination, so it still worked out pretty well.
On Saturday, Ashley and I didnt do too much. I picked up breakfast and we ate and watched tv, and before long she was off to work. So I sat around for a bit, and then headed out on a drive. As I was getting on the freeway, I rear ended a guy and did some pretty serious damage to my car. Luckily the guy in front of me was not hurt, and I didnt get hurt seriously either. So the rest of my day was spent taking care of my car, getting the insurance information to the proper people, so on and so on.
Sunday I picked up my rental car, and put in a short session. Nothing too noteable, other then booking a $100 winner after only about an hour. Whatever, a win is a win.
Vegas is coming in a few days and Im really excited to get out there and mix it up. I will probably be taking time away from the tables until Vegas shows up. The wait is going to be killer, but anticipation always leads to good things.
On a bright note, Ashley was able to final table AND because one of the guys refused to chop the prize money, they played down to heads up, and after she knocked out the dude who wouldnt chop, she took about $1K and the official win. Very well done. I didnt fair too bad either on the night because I had a few last longer bets in play that I won with my 12th place elimination, so it still worked out pretty well.
On Saturday, Ashley and I didnt do too much. I picked up breakfast and we ate and watched tv, and before long she was off to work. So I sat around for a bit, and then headed out on a drive. As I was getting on the freeway, I rear ended a guy and did some pretty serious damage to my car. Luckily the guy in front of me was not hurt, and I didnt get hurt seriously either. So the rest of my day was spent taking care of my car, getting the insurance information to the proper people, so on and so on.
Sunday I picked up my rental car, and put in a short session. Nothing too noteable, other then booking a $100 winner after only about an hour. Whatever, a win is a win.
Vegas is coming in a few days and Im really excited to get out there and mix it up. I will probably be taking time away from the tables until Vegas shows up. The wait is going to be killer, but anticipation always leads to good things.
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