High On Poker

I’ve been quiet around these here parts as I tackle project after project at the office and SNG after SNG online. (Ed Note: I am now roughly halfway through the post and just realized that I have yet to mention Philly or Poker, so feel free to jump to the *  *  * if you want to skip the life stuff).

Life continues to plod along. I have been working on angle shooting life, i.e., finding a way to live life by my own rules. The daily grind is as it always was and as it always will be, so why not explore other ideas.

My new website idea looks sadly lost, thanks in part to technical difficulties, a competing website doing a similar thing, and the potential issues with building a user base. Lemon, but I’m hoping to make lemonade.

I am considering purchasing an apartment as an income-producing property, but I need to find the time to really work through the numbers. The property is currently occupied by my younger brother, and before him, Roose used to live there for several years. The owner hinted to my bro that she was considering selling, and while he turned it down, it perked my interest. I figure here is a one-bedroom apartment that is relatively inexpensive, across the street from a commuter train to NYC, and potentially on the market. If I can work out a deal directly with the seller, we can cut out the brokers and save at least 3% and likely more. And since my bro and Roose have lived there for so long, the potential for latent defects is at least a little bit reduced. Now I just need to find time to actually look over the apartment before I work out the math.

And on another side note, I will be volunteering next year as an arbitrator in small claims court. I decided to volunteer because I missed the days when I was a small claims court mediator during law school. I figured that being an arbitrator will also give me an opportunity to view the law from another perspective. I also figure it won’t hurt to get more comfortable in the court room setting, even if it is just small claims court.

*   *   *

And now, onto the poker.

When last I posted, I had withdrawn $350 for the WSOP-C event at Harrahs on Dec. 3 weekend. For the last week, I had to remind myself of that fact, as my online bankroll went from $1,100 (post withdrawal) to $700. I had to keep reminding myself that I withdrew $350 to keep myself mentally in the four-figures. It’s such a silly thing, but it helps to keep in mind past success when dealing with a shrinking bankroll.

The shrinking was stemmed somewhat the last two night, and I am now back up to about $880, still a little ways off from where I want to be. I took the negative swing after bombing out of a few MTTs late in the tournaments. It was a stark reminder that one simple mistake after hours of play could meant the difference between $ or being broke.

In one game in particular, I was faced with my own tournament mortality. It was a 6-handed MTT and I was fairly far along with a decent stack when I overplayed JJ. I raised preflop, another player pushed all-in for way more than was necessary, I called. The other player had me covered, but I think he was the only other player at the table with more chips than me. I have seen some truly awful play online lately, and perhaps I just autocalled because I didn’t respect the level of play. But internally, a voice was screaming “FOLD! FOLD! I SAID FOLD YOU ASSHOLE!” and then “WHAT THE FUCK! DIDN’T I TELL YOU TO FOLD! OF COURSE HE HAS AA, YOU ASSHOLE! YOU KNEW TO FOLD! FUCK YOU!” Busto, with my JJ vs. his obvious AA.

When I lost that hand, I was reminded of the upcoming WSOP-C and how fragile a tournament stack could be.  I was also reminded that even if I play perfectly at the Circuit event, I may still lose. Don’t get me wrong. The JJ hand was not perfect. But just as easily, (well, actually, 80/20 as easily), I could’ve taken the majority of my opponent’s stack on that hand, through no fault of his own.

Aside from the WSOP-C (where I will be joined by Edgie), I will be playing some live poker this weekend in Philadelphia. The plan, thanks to a reader, Irish John, is to head to Parx Casino at about 9am on Saturday and play until about 5pm. I had to choose between Chester and Parx and was originally leaning to Chester since it has been open longer, but apparently Parx is a good facility. Who knows, really? If I could, I would play sessions in both, but I am not as ambitious as Jamie and his quest to play poker everywhere (is that still happening, or has marriage tamed him…not that I could blame him; oh, and congratulations on the wedding, J).

I am super excited about trying a new room. It almost (ALMOST) has rekindled my desire to tour this great nation playing poker in every state in which it is legal. You’d be surprised how wide-spread it really is. But that’ll have to be a project for another time.

Until next time, make mine poker!