High On Poker

I’ve been playing a decent amount of online poker lately. That shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. It seems like no matter how many times I bitch about the videogame-like experience of online poker and vow to cut down, such announcements are short in duration.

I am glad to say, however, that my results have been decent. I ran my PokerStars account past the $500 mark, mostly through SNGs. I’m focusing on the $16 2-table tournaments, both NLHE and PLO8, as well as random tournaments that have manageable fields. My biggest hit at once, since I’ve regained some momentum, was a $175 win on a $22 buy-in 6-handed tournament, where I placed in 9th. There were over 200 people playing, although frankly, I didn’t actually think to check, such that this is probably a very low estimate. If I were able to hit that top spot, the payout was 4-figures, but I am happy enough about my deep run, especially since it was followed by some grinding wins at SNGs.

Oh, and I’ve been dabbling in some of the cash games. I realize that if one can only play for short periods of time, tournaments and SNGs are largely out. So, I figured I best be getting in some practice in cash games, since ultimately, as life continues to take chunks of my time, cash games will hopefully be my salvation.

Meanwhile, my side projects have heated up and are now on simmer. My other website, not yet revealed nut about 80% built, is stalling, as I think all involved are hitting a period of burnout on the project. Once the first stage is done, the next stage concerns me, i.e., building a user base. I won’t lie to you, Marge, I’m going to be looking to some of you to try the site out. It’s all free from a user’s standpoint, so there is no risk to you, but it is a bit odd encouraging HoP readers to try something else out. I feel the same way about telling my personal friends about the site. It’s a great idea on paper, but now that it exists in the real world, I am almost embarrassed to have to pimp it out. I’m not embarrassed about the site or its content. It’s just that whole putting yourself out there thing.

On a wholly unrelated note, check out my wife and my little fun side project, the We Delivery Blog, where we post misspelled signs. Feel free to take a pic and email me any other signs you see out there with misspellings. I just need the town and approximate date.

Finally, I am dead set on attended the WSOP Circuit event taking place in AC in December. I’ve got to just bite the bullet and go for it. The thing is, I have yet to invite anyone to join me. I have a room at the Showboat because of the decent rate (not great, but it’ll do), but no one to share the excitement with. I could ask Roose, but Roose always rolls with a crew, and I don’t know if I want to deal with a group and the distractions/stresses they entail. I was thinking of asking some local friends I’ve met on the poker scene, including some bloggers, so in that vein, if any of you are reading this and are curious about the trip, hit me up on an email.

Still, part of me thinks that going solo is the correct move. I can be free to do and go wherever I please whenever I please, so while I will lose some companionship and I always have that weird thought of, “What if something happens and I am alone?” (Answer: That’s what my rape whistle is for.), in the end, I think going solo may actually be the right decision. After all, I really really want to put up a good run and hopefully come home with a fat wallet. I don’t need other people for that.

Until next time, make mine poker!