High On Poker

Success. Last night, amidst trouble at the job, multiple distractions at home, and a pinch of self-doubt, I managed to win a little bit of money. My take was a whopping $15, which is enough for two lunches, but not much else. Still, a win is 1000 times better than a loss. Last night’s homegame was another big success. Yesterday morning, I expected 5 players, but by gametime, that number jumped to 8 (10 were expected, but thankfully two didn’t show). The table was:

Seat 1: Me. My over-aggressive style had people (read: Roose) tell me that I was bluffing all night. A couple of huge pots against Hole were the highlights. See some details below.
Seat 2: Wanderman. This guy was firing $5 bets into 1.50 pots all night. It was really quite a sight, considering no one pegged him as a gambler. Even when he raised a $1 bet to $2 I found it confusing. I have to say though, I get an odd amount of pride when my friends play good poker. As Wander would say, he was consistently inconsistent, and that’s as good a strategy as anyone.
Seat 5: Katzner: One thing is for sure about this semi-regular, and fellow lawyer; he knows what he is doing. While I think he left a loser for the night, I always am careful against a player like Katz. He knows the game, and he’s a consistent player. A real shark.
Seat 4: Robbie Hole. Always a crowd pleaser, Hole’s evening did not end up with a plus sign. Rather, his aggressive style fell flat on a couple of occassions, including a notable hand against me, in which Hole was on the sharp end of the suckout.
Seat 5: Timmy Bones, aka Vinny Delpino, aka Boner, aka about 6 other nicknames du jour. Bones is no joker. He’s another one of the calculated players. He’s also known for his river suckouts, although I don’t think it happened once last night.
Seat 6: DJ Mock. Mock hasn’t played with us in a while, so it was nice having him there. He’s one of those players that gets silent at the table. Then, 15 hands later, he’ll raise to $1.50, and everyone looks around thinking, “Who is this guy, and when did he get here?” I have a lot of respect for that style, since its hard to miss my loudmouth antics at the table.
Seat 7: Dave Ruff. Ruff is the other half of the Ruff-Bones connection. Both roommates are solid players, and Ruff had particular luck (skill) last night, and was the big winner.
Seat 8: Dave Roose. I love watching Roose play. Even though he left down a whopping $6, he still has a great fundamental game. And its a good time whispering to each other about what we think the players are holding when we are out of hands.

So, there were three memorable hands for me last night, and they were all against Robbie Hole. I guess we’ve played together too much, because apparently I had him read all night. This isn’t the first time either. I just have a feel for his game, perhaps because it is so similar to mine.

Hand 1. I had 3c5c, in LP, so I limped in. Hole was a blind. The flop was AK3, no clubs. We both checked. The turn was a Q. I bet $3 or so. Hole called, and I was sweating. The river was a J. I knew there was a straight draw out there. Hole checked, which surprised me. I raised $8. He folded. I showed my pair of 3s, as he was complaining how I hit the straight on the river.

Hand 2. I had AK in LP, and Hole was in the blind again. My pre-flop raise of 1.50 was called by Hole and Bones. The flop was Ad2d4h. I had no diamonds. It was checked to me and I bet $2. Hole called. Bones folded. The next card was a blank. Checked to me, and I raise $4. Hole called. The river was another blank. I bet $8, and Hole called. I showed my AK, and he showed AJ.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why you must be careful with AJ. Sound familiar?

Hand 3. I was very happy about this hand particularly. I had AT suited in LP again, and I raised it to $2. Hole called, because he just can’t help himself. It was Hole and I heads up again. The flop was KTx. I had middle pair with a great kicker. Hole checked. I raised $3. He called. The turn was a blank. Hole checked. I thought for a moment. If Hole had the K, he would’ve raised. If he hit two-pair he would’ve raised. If he had a set, he would’ve raised. Hell, if he had JJ in the pocket, he would’ve raised. He had to have the T as well, and he couldn’t beat my kicker. I bet $5. He called. The river was another blank. Hell, come to think of it, I think it was a diamond, which would make three diamonds on the board. But Hold didn’t have diamonds. I was pretty sure of that. Then Hole bet $5. Damn him. That was my move. I thought for a moment, and then I raised $10 on top. Hole thought about it. He assumed I was putting a move on him, and he called. My AT beat his QT. I was betting for value, at the right time with the right cards. Bless me.

There was another hand against Hole. This one was early in the night. I’ll make this one a bit shorter. Hole had A6, and I had AJ. I bet pre-flop and he called. The flop was A46. Hole bet and I called. The turn was 7. He bet, I called. The river was another 7. He pushed all-in for another $6.50 or so. I called. The 7 on the river crushed him. His two pair turned into Aces up with a shit kicker. My J played and I took his money. It happens. I’m happy I won, but I’m not proud. I didn’t expect the A6 at all. If it wasn’t for runner 7s, I would’ve lost.

So, there you have it. My homegame in a nutshell, with a focus on Hole and my battles. Roose once again flaunted my blog in front of the other players, which inevitably results in everyone making fun of me. I’m sure a couple of them will be reading today, though, so whose laughing now? No, really. Who is laughing? It isn’t me.

The SNG challenge just gained another entrant, TripJax. We are glad to have you in the challenge. Hopefully the challenge will be up and running soon. I can’t wait.

Have fun people. And play some poker for me, will ya?

I just received some bad news at work. I won’t go into the details, because frankly I’m sick of talking about it, but I will say that it was a kick in the balls while I was looking in the other direction. Tonight, I have a home game at my apartment. The guest list has ballooned to 10, which is actually problematic, since my table only seats 8. But we will figure something out.

Of more immediate importance is my tilt-factor. I can feel tilt like a normal person feels the cold (I’m sure I’m not alone in this). I can feel my anxiety ratchet up a notch. My heart feels like it is beating irregularly. My thoughts and movement are alternatively jumpy and paralyzed. Everything zen? Everything zen? I don’t think so.

But I need them to be zen. I need to be calm and confident in order to perform well at work or at poker. I need that desperately now, because the only thing that could make this day worse is to lose $100 when I know I am not on the ball. Shit.

The Dalai Lama, in one of his books, shared an Indian proverb that I often share with people. I may have already mentioned it once on this site. It goes like this: There is never any reason to worry. If you can change whatever is bothering you, you should use all of your energy to change it. If you cannot change whatever is bothering you, then you cannot change it, so there is no use to worrying.

You are so right, Dalai. Why should I be upset about this work thing? I should, instead, work my ass off to show that the client’s opinion is wrong (and it is wrong, of that I am sure). Or, if that won’t change a thing, then why should I give a damn. I might as well shake it off. It’s not as though they are firing me. They are just shifting me to a different client (I guess I am sharing the news). Shit.

My brother Keith first introduced me to Buddhist beliefs. Keith is not a zen guy. By the time I picked up the buddist teachings in earnest (only the theories and not the religious aspect), he had already given up. I asked him once why he wouldn’t give it a try. His response was that he was a product of Western culture, and those Eastern ideas may be good, but he just couldn’t live that way. In the end, he was a Westerner.

I am a Westerner. But if the teachings of Eastern culture can make me a better person, employee, or poker player, then I will use them. I will adapt them. I will succeed.

This actually was very cathartic. I have to get back to the grind. If anyone knows of any legal recruiters or positions open in the law field in the NYC area, please let me know. I don’t think I need it, but its always best to have options.

Everything zen? I hope so.

Thank you Cablor and Gamblor. The god of cable and god of gambling shown bright upon me last evening. After avoiding my cable-less, Internet-less apartment for more entertaining surroundings (and the best Mexican food in the NYC), I returned to full service following the Internet and cable blackout that began two days ago. I hopped onto some limit challenge action at Noble, and preceded to whoop some sorry a$$.

It was a massacre. Two of my biggest hands came from one particularly bad player, murph (shortened so that he can feel somewhat anonymous and hide from his shame). In the first hand, I was sitting on the button with AKo. Surprisingly, by the time it got around to me, murph had raised, and mid-position had re-raised. Well, I checked, but murph was kind enough to cap. The flop was Ad2d6h. Murph bet. MP called. I raised. Usually, I wait until another card comes off before raising a bet. My logic is, if I call the flop bet, he will probably bet again on the turn, where my raise will be worth more money and he will be more obliged (pot odds) to call. Not this time, though. I could feel the action at the table. I raise. Murph calls. MP calls. The next card was an 8c. Murph bets. MP calls. I raise. Murph calls, but MP folds. Good move MP. Now I am a bit concerned. Maybe murph has a flush draw, or maybe he has pocket 2s or 6s. But I’ve got a great kicker, and if he paired that Ace and didn’t hit two pair, I’m golden. I raise, and murph calls. The river is another blank. Now what? Murph bets. I raise. He calls. Then I take down the hand with Aces, with a King kicker. Murph, like a good little lapdog, shows his cards, AJ! Sucka!

And that, my friends, is why you must be very careful with AJ.

I then proceeded to bet and raise just about everything. I was getting decent cards. Pocket 7s. AT twice in a row. AQ. Followed by some foldable hands, and then AA. I can’t remember much about the AA hand. I do know this. I more or less bet and raised the entire way. There were two callers most of the way, and then one folder on the river. My good man murph was kind enough to pay to play and got to see my beautiful bullets. Brickasha!

Other notable hands include back to back wins with…say it with me…cue David Roose inappropriately and obviously pounding the table with his fist…the HAMMER! In the first hand, I bet pre-flop (’cause that’s how I do) and flopped top pair! That’s right. The board was 4x5x7x. I bet at it, and had one caller. The turn was a Tx. I bet. One caller. The river was a Kx. Was I slowing down? Hell no! Bet, one caller. Pair of 7s did it. I show my hammer, and announce a meke “hammer!”. What do I see in the very next hand…hammer time! I bet pre-flop, and I get a couple of caller. Hell, they know I’m willing to bet pre-flop with the worst hand, so might as well call the madman. Now, my hand was 2h7s. The flop was 2s8x9s. Yikes! Bottom pair. I have no choice, but to bet. Two callers. Ok then. Turn is a Js. Wha? Flush draw too now. And a straight draw. And a straight flush draw. Bet, one caller. Now, I have to assume he has an 8 or a 9. I need to hit this, and I need to hope he doesn’t have the better of it. 4s comes out. I hit the flush. But is my 7s enough. Let’s bet and find out. I bet. He calls. I win! HAHAHAHA! This time it was a strong “HAMMER!”, followed by “two in a row”, followed by “HAHAHAHA” (lol is for teeny-boppers). Some guy at the table told me to relax. I can’t think of anything more relaxing than picking up the hammer in a micro limit twice in a row and winning. Table tilted, and I cleaned up.

The total take for yesterday must’ve been about $40+, in about 1 1/2 hrs of play. In total, my limit challenge winnings are at $155, and I need to hit $160 (or is it $165) before I move up a level to 1/2. I can’t friggin’ wait.

Tonight I have my 2nd homegame since its revival last week. Lineup includes perrenial favorites Roose and Hole, rare appearances by Wanderman and DJ Mock, and possible appearances by Dave Ruff (an understated shark), Dr. Dre (last week’s big winner), and Katzner (fellow lawyer/gambler). Should be a good time.

Got much to do, so I’m out. The SNG challenge is falling into place. The location will be UB. The entry fee/prize pool is $25 per person (currently 4 players, see last post). The starting bankroll will be $55. Players will have four weeks to increase that bankroll as much as possible, playing any SNGs, excluding heads up SNGs. Should make for some interesting blogging.

If you’d like to learn more about the SNG challenge, contact your local library, leave a comment or email at brodybanky@aol.com. Leave off the last S for Smack Talk.

Hi Readers. If this blog is about anything, its about building a community. That’s pure bullshit. Its about poker. But one of the joys of having a blog is the natural community that forms. Hence, the SNG challenge will feature players from all walks of life putting their honor and money on the line to be crowned the Next SNG Champion.

The players so far include (check the links on the right for their blogs):

Jordan from High on Poker: Yours truly. A poker enthusiast with a penchant for overdoing his poker fixation. A player with the perfect mix of addictive personality and anal retentiveness. I play lots of poker for little money. How truly sad.

DNasty: The originator of the current limit challenge (full credit goes to DoubleAs for mentioning such a thing in a previous post). DNasty hails from Detroit, but is making his new home in Tampa, FL. His limit challenge has stalled out, but an impressive MTT win will erase any doubt that he will be a force to be reckonned with in the SNG challenge.

GCox25: GCox, an Oklahoma City russler (I consider anyone west of Pennsylvania a cowboy), was my table-mate at the Dr. Pauly freeroll a couple of months past.. I don’t know if “table-mate” is the right term, seeing as he and I were more or less gunning for each other. He’s no slouch with tournament play, as I can attest first hand.

Kipper: I only ‘met’ Kipper recently, and he is still a man of mystery. He’s from parts unknown (Erie, PA, I think…cowboy). He might just be the darkhorse in this event.

I’m still hoping for other participants. SteelerJosh, you feeling lucky? Maybe I can even rope Roose or Hole into this.

There are still a few details to work out. I think the entry/prize pool will remain $25 per person. Since I don’t know many of you besides from blogs, I’m hoping we can do this in a way that ensures that we are all being honest. I’m thinking the way to go is to (a) all do it on the same site, (b) find a site that allows you to get tournament histories or can get an email of tournament histories or have players take screenshots of the winning screen. Does this make sense? If we can’t arrange this, I believe we can all trust each other, but why not just have this fail-safe anyway. In that vain, if we can find a site that allows players to transfer $25 amongst their accounts, that would also facilitate payments at the end of the challenge.

We should all start with $50 in our accounts. So a poker room that we don’t already belong to would be ideal, since we can all start with an even $50. You can play any SNG amount you want. If we are all on the same site, this will make the fee the same across the board (i.e., $5+.50 for all of us, instead of some sites which could be $5+1, or whatever). SNG’s only, but 6 or 9/10 person is okay. I’d avoid heads up, as that is a whole different animal (maybe Heads Up challenge will be next).

Suggestions and requests to join are more than accepted.

DNasty and I won’t be done with the limit challenge until July 10th, a Sunday, so I’d like a week off before the SNG challenge starts. Monday, July 18th to Sunday, August 14th will be a full four weeks, so that will be the tentative start and end date. Stay tuned.

Onto another note. Last night I had no Internet connection. Divine intervention once again stepped in to prevent me from playing poker. I think this is definitely a good thing. I can feel that I am not in the right mindset to play expert poker. That said, I hope it is up and running tonight (along with my cable, which went out this morning). Otherwise, we’re going to have a very fiending Jordan. “Just give me one more flop! I’ll @#$% your #*() for a flop.”

Peace, love and poker to all yall.

Limit Challenge Update: After some severe swings, I’m up about $114. My high was $126, and I’m striving to get back there. I want to get to the next level so bad. I don’t know if I am making decent progress. I’ve logged in what would amount to almost (or over) 20 hours of play over the course of a month. $114 for a month’s work isn’t very good, and $114 for 20 hrs work is nothing to write home about either. But I am having fun while doing it, and (hopefully) I am building something significant with this low-limit grind.

Mother Highness gave some good advice. When the limit challenge is over, I might withdraw my original $50, and know that whatever I am playing with is profit. That $50 will also boost my 2005 winnings, which is back in the black, but below $100. That’s a whole other sad thought.

The $30+3 SNG I played was a foolish mistake. I don’t know if my then $207 bankroll was enough to risk so much. It was the most full SNG and I thought I’d give it a go. After I lost, due to some less-than-good play, I felt really stupid. Thank god for the limit challenge for keeping me focused.

That brings me to today’s discussion. Consistency. I consider myself a decent player. One thing I lack is consistency. I’ll go on good runs, and then bad runs. Part of it is luck, but the other part of it is my play. I get too loose, or I play spot on. This is not the way to become a great poker player. I need to work on consistency, like I had in the first few months of the year. I went on a tear, winning 11/12 home games, or something thereabouts. Vegas caused me to dip, but I fought my way back…only to dip again in AC. Maybe the real problem is my casino-play, which is a terrible thought, because that is where the real action is. What’s a man to do?

Here is what a man is to do:
1. Stop tilting. I’ve gotten better at spotting myself on tilt and calling it quits. I still am terrible at doing this in a casino because the action is right there in front of me. Its hard to walk away. In general, though, I need to stop tilting all together. Maybe I’ll read some Dahli Lama books to remind myself about acceptance and the pitfalls of negative emotions. I know that I might sound like a tool, but trust me when I say that when I’m reading the works of the DL, I actually think in a calmer way.

2. Realize the reality. There are going to be bad and good runs of cards. But overall, I’m always climbing upward (with the exception of casino play). So, while I may have lost nearly $20 in a no limit challenge session this weekend, I won it back over the course of three sessions over the next 24 hours. I cannot focus on the -$20 without realizing that there was a corresponding +$20.

3. Address the casino issue. Maybe some of you might offer me some advice here. Clearly, I do not play my best in a casino environment. I guess I am a little intimidated. Plus, I am used to (and prefer) short-handed tables, like the 6-person online tables or the 6 to 8 person homegame tables. Perhaps I can focus on tournaments in AC, but they seem few and far between, when you are on a budget and can’t enter a $100 rebuy.

That’s really all I can think of right now. To anyone out there who is interested in an SNG challenge, including DNasty, let me know. My current limit challenge is over on July 10th. Stay tuned for the results. DNasty suggested an SNG challenge earlier, and I think it would make for an interesting experiment. My suggestion is to start with x dollars, maybe $50, and then allow the members of the challenge to play whatever SNGs they want. If you go bust, you are out. Otherwise, the person with the most $ at the end of a month wins. $25 wager. It would have to be on the honor system, but then again, I think it would be easier to show proof of an SNG win, than proof of a limit challenge win, which can be as little as .50 after 2 minutes of play.

Think about it.

Pokerific!

I’ve moved up to +125 or so. I had some quick hit and run sessions, one of which was 5 min, and another was 7. Finally, I sat down for a ‘long’ 30 min session. Up, down, and then way up.

In my 30 min session, I started with KK holding up. Next, I played 3c4c. The flop was 2c5cQs. Bet. Turn is 6c. Straight flush again? Who are we kidding. Naturally, I take down the hand. Next, my Th6h hits mid-pair flush draw, and hits the flush on the turn. I can’t lose. Well, actually, I did, but then the luck came back. Feels good.

I played in a 10 person table. I’m used to the 6 person, so it was an intersting change. The only notable hand was when my Ac7c hit a 477 flop. Some schmo with J4 stayed in the whole way. If I used the term ‘fish’ now would be the time. But I don’t because I’m stubborn like that.

So, after all of this, I wanted to change things up and write. While I write, I’ve entered a 6 person SNG for…$30! Here is the play by play.

$30 SNG, 6 Person

10/20: Overplay an AJ from SB, and down to 925 (from 1000). KQ from button, hits Q high flop. But a player held an open straight draw and hits on the turn. I can’t get away from my high pair, and I’m down to 510. I should’ve known better. Take down the blinds post-flop with 28 when the flop is 2A7. I bet the minimum and its enough to scare away players. Limp with JK on the button. AK6 board, and SB and BB check to me. One caller. 6 turn. Called. J river, but I check, and he has 36. UG! AK…limp. JQ8. Call a minimum raise, and hit the T. By the river, I am all in. He has A9? I have 720. I’m still the shortstack though. Gave up some chips on a stupid move, which actually ended with me being sucked out on the river. I called a min raise from BB with 36, hit a 6, and call some more min raises, until he hits a 9 on river with A9. I knew he had nothing. I should’ve raised at him sooner.

20/40: 440 in chips. All in on button. Called by 66, but flop a set and take it down! 940 in chips! 4/6. I player is out when his TT runs into KK. 5x3c. Three clubs on the flop. Long story short, I bluff him out (I think) when another club hits the river. 84o in BB. 4A6 flop. I bet, and two players fold for another small pot. This is what they are talking about when they say you don’t need good cards to make money. 1320, 2/5. AT in BB. Button raises 2x blind. SB calls. I call. A25 flop. I check. Button minimum raises. I call. K. Two flush draws. 4c, no flush. I check. He bets low. He takes the pot with 25o. At least I didn’t volunteer any money. 960. 3/5.

50/100: Hammer in BB. SB is the only other one in. Raise, he calls. Then he goes all in on a shitty flop. I fold. 510. 5/5. Someone else is out when JJ runs into QQ. Four way, and I’m a major shortstack. I fold the BB with 59 with a better and caller. I wouldnt have hit the flop, so it was a good move…I guess. All in in the SB no matter what…and I get Q4o. Against JT and the J comes. LEMON!

I didn’t play my best game. I think the play by play may’ve hurt. At least I can rest easy knowing that my limit challenge is doing well. Back to grinding.

Hey! I’ve added a new feature to this site. Check the side bar to see links to my previous “You Decide” posts. This way, you and your friends will have instantaneous access to my trials and tribulations. If you haven’t seen some of the earlier posts, check them out. You can post your comment and it’ll be sent to me via email. If its particularly insightful, I’ll direct readers to take a look.

I am thinking about adding a section of favorite posts, but that will come in due time.

Complaint of the day. Yesterday I raised pre-flop with 99. The flop didn’t help so I checked it around. The turn was a 9! Only one problem. I was two-tabling on Noble and for whatever reason, the table with the 99s didn’t prompt me in time. When I got to the table, I had auto-folded, without anyone even betting. I checked the hand history and discovered that I hit trips. Dagnabit. My fault I suppose.

Complaint #2. I was hoping for the high hand bonus after hitting my straight flush to the Q yesterday. So far, I haven’t heard anything. I could use that $33. Cross your fingers for me.

Complaint #3. Why is work at 5PM on Friday during the summer so damn difficult.

I’m planning on hosting another game next Wednesday. I like arranging games around fiance Kim’s schedule. If she’s out, game’s on. I guess this is a bit ‘whipped’, but the way I see it, I don’t have anyone bothering me while I play. Not that fiance Kim is a bother. Its just, when the cards are dealt, there can only be 4 queens in play.

I think that’s it. I have a busy weekend, but if you’ve been reading, you know that won’t stop me from playing.

Poker to you!

SteelerJosh started the limit challenge before DNasty and my current competition. He had this to say in his most recent post:

As DNasty and HighOnPoker draw near the end if their challenge, my money is on Jordan. He seems to be playing more than D and I can see the same feelings in his posts that where in mine before I hit the 1/2 brick wall. I hope his experience is different, but if it is similar, D might have a chance still.

Geez, Steeler. I appreciate the confidence, but your prophecy is scaring me. Especially since I took a $20 dive last night. I was playing fine at first, but then I felt the tilt start. In one hand, I hit top pair, As, which I knew was good for a bet pre-flop, on the flop, and on the turn. When I bet the river (a 5, which paired the board), another player re-raised me…and I called. Of course he had the 5, for trips. Loose players can get you in the end. But, I could’ve and should’ve saved $1 by folding. I knew he had it. Damn me. This was nothing new either. I must’ve called a losing re-raise at least two other times.

I think the problem was my inability to adjust. Two days ago, I was playing at mostly tight tables, mixed with a couple of maniacs. So, if I had paired the board with 2s, I raised. The tight players folded, and the maniac stayed in with K high. As a result, I got paid off.

Last night, the tables were looser. As a result, if I hit mid-pair and bet, players were staying in and hitting thier inside straight draw. I couldn’t find a strategy around this. When I checked the flop and bet the turn (hurting their pot odds, as the turn bet is higher), they got a free card which often helped them. I still don’t know how I can combat this in the future except to only play premium hands. I even misplayed those.

Here is a two-parter You Decide. Let me know what you think. It is a fair example of my play last night.

You Decide #11-A
I was in the SB with JJ. All players folded to me. I called. The BB checked.

The flop was Td5x4d. I bet. He called.

The turn was a 8x. I bet. He raised. I called.

The river was a blank. I checked. He bet. I raised. He called. Then he took my money with T5o.

My mistake? Or was it a sound strategy that went awry?

You Decide #11-B

I just sat at a 5-person table, so I posted the .50 blind. I was UTG+1. UTG folded. I had Qc9c. With only three players behind me, I raised to $1. Button called, SB folded, and BB called.

The flop was 8c10c3c. I hit the flush. BB checked. I bet. Button called. BB called.

Turn was 2d. BB checked, I bet, Button called, BB called.

River was Jc. Do you see it? Straight flush, for the 2nd time on Noble. BB checked. I checked. Button checked.

I clearly missed a bet on the end there. Was I wrong to try for the check-raise? Let me know what you think.

I recieved an email from Robbie Hole today that, well, speaks for itself. Check it out:

“……So i was going to drop off my brothers [Jefferson Hole, mentioned in a previous post about Hole's last home game] i pod at his friends and he calls me a couple hours before and want to get a poker game together of cause is say sure and ask how many people. And he is not sure but i let him know i am in. So of course the addict i am cant wait to go drop off my brothers i pod. I leave joys house in a rush i get there and its just my bro and his friend there it seems that every one is has dropped out so we play pool till one guy finally shows……he seems to be the poker player of the group. So since we have four we play some cards………we play a small tourney five to play 20 to the winner. First of all i was playing with with a bunch of beginnerss…..thats for sure. To start off by saying they weren’t even going to play blinds if it wasnt for me… and i convinced them that when a 10 dollar bet is made that the least the next can raise is 10 or more …..not less. so any way to make a short story long……I really felt like i knew what i was doing and sat back one one pot and let my man to my left take out Jeff and Evan and i was way short stacked at the heads up game ……the blinds were up to 8 to play and i had 56 ….he had like 1000…. i came back after three all ins and i was in the lead which forced him all in and i had pocket nines for the clincher and won the tourney i know that there was only four guys but i knew that i was going to win from the beginning. The real funny thing that i was fighting with my brother after the game was over cause he said that this was all luck and i just laughed so hard……..cause if all other games are luck this game we just played was total skill………..”

HAHAHAHAHA! I’ll tell you what I loved about Hole’s story. His brother, a newbie to the game, has not reached that level where he understands the wholeness of it all. Luck is a factor, without a doubt. But skill is crucial to the game. Otherwise, (pardon the cliche) you wouldn’t see the same players at the WSOP or WPT final tables. To a newbie, the game is all luck because luck is a newbie’s best weapon. When a newbie is willing to limp in with J8 out of position and the flop has two 8s in it, the newbie thinks, “Hey, I’m lucky!” When a skilled player is playing against the newbie and calls a minimal bet because of pot-odds, and then hits the flush or straight, the newbie thinks, “Hey, he won because he’s lucky.” Take Hole’s final hand, for instance. Hole got lucky by having two 9s. But he put himself in a position to get lucky by taking the chiplead with (I’m assuming) his usual expert play.

I love newbies. They keep it real! Real easy! KACHING!

Congrats, Hole. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: Get. Me. Into. That. Game. You and I will clean up!

A month ago, I received a mass office email about a Corporate Challenge charity 3.5 mile run. Of course, I ignored it…until I got a phone call from a co-worker down the hall with whom I did not have much of a relationship. I was surprised when he asked me why I wasn’t participating. I thought for a while and said, I hadn’t thought about it yet. I had just received the email. After a little bit of deliberating, I decided to sign up. I honestly don’t think I can run 3.5 miles at a respectable time. In fact, since I’ve scoured the firm for other runners, it looks like I’ll be walking with a crew (one of which will go drinking with me before race time). But I can’t help thinking, why the hell am I doing this? I guess its part of being a team player.

Which is why I love poker. No team player there. I’m there to crush the competition. The two players who I consider the closest things to teammates are Dave Roose and Robbie Hole. But when they were playing at my homegame on Tuesday, I still went for blood when I played against them. That’s the joy of poker. As social as I (sometimes) am, I still am a loner at heart. Poker allows me to be that loner in a table full of company.

Limit Challenge Update:
I can do no wrong lately. I played for maybe 60 minutes yesterday, at the most. I won $20 playing .50/1, for a 20BB/hour rate. Not too shabby. I’ve been hitting cards, but I’ve also been playing well. My aggressive ‘strategy’ is paying off. I consider it a ‘strategy’ in quotes because it is not something planned, but rather something that I’ve been getting into naturally. At a six-person table, I realize that most of the time, players are not hitting their cards. Or they are hitting bottom pair, or a low mid-pair. Against timid players, I still fold often when I have nothing post-flop. But when I’m in position and they check before me, I bet with an Ace high, inside straight draws, or even Q high. Other players are such calling stations its almost comedic. In one hand yesterday, I limp in LP with A2. SB and BB call. The flop is 28T. I raise, knowing that SB is tighter than a pair of H&M jeans. He folds like clockwork. But the BB, who has been a calling station, calls. No surprise there, but he couldn’t be calling without any pairs. After all, I’ve been hitting pairs and making money off of him all night. The turn was a blank. Its checked to me, and I slow down a bit. I check. The river is another blank. Its checked to me and I raise. He calls…and I win with the 2s! I mean, how bad can he be? (Looking back, this isn’t the best example of my prowess, as I should’ve bet the turn, but it illustrates my point that I can do no wrong, even when raising with 2s).

So, I’m at +121, just $34 from moving to 1/2. I hope the players are atrocious there also. Oddly, I’ve found the .50/1 worse than the .25/.50. It may be because there are more players at the .50/1 level, which means more opportunities to get a crappy player at my table (I refuse to use the term ‘fish’, for personal reasons). Regardless, my $50 is growing exponentially. Its a new feeling for me, as I’ve written earlier posts about how the online poker whoops my ass. I realize it was because I was playing too high stakes for my bankroll, and I was playing NL ring games a lot more. I guess limit is my new bread and butter. I might throw in some SNGs or MTTs to keep things fresh though. Regardless, I can’t complain about making money. If you want to read about my past online poker complaints, check it out HERE. It may give you some perspective on where I’m coming from.

Love that Poker! (Props to anyone who knows what movie line I am referencing.)