Stats Cats And Poker Facts

Hello Hello!!

2012-01-27T15:24:00.001-05:00

Top Forum Top Threes:

2012-01-27T15:23:00.002-05:00

Biggest Fields:976,922,889,823,614

Forum Wins Needed For 100:2 2nds Needed For 100:4 3rds Needed For 200:74

2012-01-27T15:19:00.000-05:00

Train Wreck In Big Ones Thus Far

2012-01-27T14:45:00.004-05:00

After my wipeout/disappointing finish in event 13 of Winter Open I now stand at 1-5 in events over 350 "toothpicks" on the live front. The average field is 552 players.
One event was a wicked bad beat another I missed money by eight spots but overall this is a poor record grrrr.(Includes One WSOP Circuit Event)

Key hand this time was folding the winner after the turn with two pair when I was sure I was up against a set. How many times do we blow up our stack not folding to a set? I had 12K left with blinds at 400 but if I push after weather he calls or folds I have great stack and confidence/outlook going forward.

Didn't help that my cards sucked for next two levels.Reshoved maybe premature on the final hand but not bad with 17bbs.So I went 3-6 in the side events and 1-2 in the ring. So I cash 42-96 in ordinary events (10 bubble savers) which means I bust less then half the time live. A small step up should not show 1-5 (given it is a small sample).

Maybe I kick-ass in the next five, have definetely learned a few things about myself thru analysis. Still alot of goofy play even at this level though. But the better blind structures should be helping me. I will hopefully be back for the Spring events.

Small events are fun,and I know so many of the players but the problem with most of them is that the blind structures don't hold up late in the game. If you have say 60-75 players and you play well enough to get to that last table you feel good. This is where the game is suppose to start,but usually it is pretty much where the big guys push around the little guys and luck decides the outcome. Postflop play almost completely goes out the window. If you have 12 BBs it is kind of hard to raise pre and play post so most just shove.

My final game the FT chip leader when we started barely hung on for the chop. He had AA and QQ cracked by short stack shoves that made str8s. The guy who started FT 9th and was already angling for chop was 3rd with 7 to play after two suckouts. I just close my eyes and have another beer lol and pray I hang on.

Off And Running

2012-01-24T02:35:00.003-05:00

Opened with a 3-48 at the ShowBoat. Had this young gun who was unwilling to chop when we got to the silly portion of the game. As we were discussing it again #4 went down and I moved up a peg. The funny thing is he had to suck out early at the FT when he pushed all-in after the flop with an inferior King just to stay in the game.

I bluffed him twice during the 10-20 phase and positioned him twice at FT. I just needed a few more bullets. On last hand we mixed it up and I had 15 outs after the flop and hit air. But a good start to my mini vacation. Tomorrow I play event 13 at Winter Open. I don't feel all that well but I will do my best.

Poker Is A Very Relaxing Game

2012-01-21T01:21:00.002-05:00

Next Week

2012-01-19T22:31:00.003-05:00

Back Seat Driver

2012-01-18T00:49:00.003-05:00

Lost My last three games,grrrr.One bad beat and one bubble but we sit at +110.50 "toothpicks" thru the 17th. Dixie seems to think we could be playing better.

Oh I Got Lucky

2012-01-14T23:51:00.005-05:00

This is the monthly freeroll for qualifiers from the weekly Saturday Night $4.30 Buy-In.

I made a nasty suck-out on the river HU for a set. My opponent had slowplayed AA and it fooled me. There was no way to see it coming as the entire FT he was playing fast and loose. He started last 10 with lead (I was 2nd) and he was frustrating me because he wouldn't throttle it down at all. This lead to him doubling four players and making it a six to seven player game when it should have been a three to five at best. The game paid four spots.

So I took my bit of fortune and ran with it as I had started the HU as about a 4-1 dog. I think it threw him off kilter. He bluffed all-in on final hand when he missed his flush and I made pretty easy call with trip aces. I have lost about 200 hands the way he lost this one HU and have gotten out of sorts myself. I still remember the OPT game where it happened, I documented it on the tournament lobby and saved it as a reminder.

My new stat of charting my "sharp tongue" shows me at 10 good days and 3 not so good days so far this year hehe. Have made four total comments for the three bad days but it only takes one sharp or sarcastic one to count.Of course I grade myself pretty tough. At this pace I will have 84 bad days, have to work at this a little harder.
(Net 31.05 "toothpicks")

The PokerForumChallenge

2012-01-14T18:34:00.002-05:00

We went freerolling for the first time this year at the TPFC @ Americas CardRoom.135 players with average blind pace but the ante kicked in pretty early. Got out good but then got creamed by a weird semi-bluff. I turned a straight that was highly undercover and my opponent made a reraise 6xs my turn bet when they had as it turned out two diamonds in hand and a second diamond hit on turn. They scored it on river and knocked me to 254 chips with blinds at 150.

Make me mad and I will fight you to the death.That player got to 16K when I fought back to 1500 and they went out before me hehe. The board says I finished 13th but there was a player who always stayed at 1500 chips who wasn't at a table but stayed on leaderboard. Never saw this before,cheated every finisher out of one spot and meant that the bubble-boy actually should have cashed. If you go on site now it still shows them with 1500 chips hours after the game has ended and in 2nd place.

First time I played one of these events in at least three years. My take was one "toothpick".Third place was 5 "toothpicks",I always say top three is where the heavy lumber is lol.

GFN Omaha H/L @ Cake: SnG (13 )

2012-01-11T23:02:00.005-05:00

Had the winner all-in after the turn with almost no outs but..... lol. Oh well,my cards the entire game would have made a Billy Goat puke. I did everything I could with them. Purposely made one bad call early to see opponents starting hand (224 chips) and blundered one 3/4s into game for huge portion of my stack. But after that I played pretty good for zero cards.I did find 4 or 5 situations that I bet and realized I should have made slightly differnt play. For some reason this happens in Omaha and it clicks like 10 seconds after I make the bet. Omaha seems to have a long learning curve for me. Had it won and went beyond dead after the river nightmare. But still came back from 5-1 deficit to almost even after losing 4.5-1 lead HU. Thats poker. GG Vex.

Alternate Poker:25 Added Omaha SnG @ Intertops (12 Players)

2012-01-08T19:16:00.006-05:00

I signed up for this one but was not sure if I was going to play. The Giants were playing the Falcons and if we had a tight finish or overtime there was no way. But "The G-Men" dominated 24-2!! Bring on the Packers!!!!!

Managed to finish second to keep my good start to 2012 going. After opening 0-3 I have now cashed 5-6 games for a net 70.05 "toothpicks". Small time Murry is on the prowl.

Update: Guess I spoke to soon. Lost three games in a row since this one which included two bubbles. Just finished a bubble in a 103 player Pot Limit Omaha H/L grrrr.

Major Suck Out: First Win Of Year

2012-01-07T19:43:00.004-05:00

Didn't really deserve this one. About two minutes before the rebuy session ended I made a misread and reraised all-in with middle pair on the flop. I originally checked and felt he was just making a strong enough continuation to fold me. I sucked out a set on the river. My opponent was none to pleased and I took a bit of abuse in the chat window. But it never bothers me, I can understand the other player fuming.(It is usually me)
I actually took two bad beats after that but hung in. Was a 2-1 deficit when HU started and it got to 4-1 before things turned my way. Was playing an old buddy Sham from the OPT days.

GottaTalkPoker: Limit 7-Stud

2012-01-05T23:03:00.002-05:00

I started by bombing out in my HPC game at Cake. I bluffed on the turn against Kaching,thought I was setting him up.Only problem was I didn't realize a third player was still in the hand lol. I have to be the worst player at multi-gaming.

Back to game 2. Limit Stud at Carbon which had a better result. I counted six misplays by myself before I got to HU,that is just way to many. Once I realized my opponent was unfoldable I should have changed my HU approach. You can't bet draws on that type player when you are behind. But one hand prior to HU he called and didn't make pair until 5th street and had no draws,very curious approach. But I guess when it is on it is gold. Add in about six misplays by me HU and that equals second place. Congrats to the winner.

GFN Omaha H/L @ Cake

2012-01-04T22:49:00.004-05:00

First MTT cash of year backs up the SnG from Intertops earlier. Riveredagain takes down the "W". Third is nothing to dance about but we will take it.
Note: 315th Career Top Three In Forum Game.

PokerSpace $25 Added

2012-01-04T19:55:00.003-05:00

Played my first PokerSpace game of 2012 today. Is it really 2012? When I was a kid I thought the year 2012 would have us driving little space cars like on the Jetsons lol. Cellphones? Computers? I-Pads? Took third and got my first cash of the year. (SnG for Stats as were only 13 players)

3P: Position Patience Poise

2011-12-31T00:22:00.005-05:00

Maybe a bit conservative from the 7 to 5 player mark but I just was not going to let myself get "bad beat" out of a decent payday.Out-flopped KJ vs K9 on final hand which would have given me the legs to battle for the game. Several players from the 12 to 8 mark made some incredibly loose plays which took alot of pressure off getting this one accomplished. But no complaints lol. Did not think I would get to 1000 "toothpicks" online for the year with the tiny schedule I played but this game boosted me to over 1100 (240 "toothpicks"). That beach house is close now. Or maybe a Log Home in the Carolinas hmmmm.

Always thought I would wind up in a beach house to recapture my "beach bumm" roots from my youth. But have been eyeing these Log Homes of late and they are appealing. And it must be easier to hang pictures lol. Not hard to find a stud. But could I live without an Arbys in close proximity?

The AT Guy Is Always Lurking

2011-12-29T22:31:00.006-05:00

I have not complained in a while so what the heck. Played the Intertops Xmas NL Holdem $500 Added Bounty game tonight. Was a struggle the entire way but I grinded my way into the money (15) I then watch this guy reraise a tight player with AT (The raiser had AK. I dumped AJ before he had a chance to do his AT dazzle move. So he enriches Mr AK. Two hands later with 14 remaining I pick up QQ and an early pushes (66) I push and here he comes from pos.5 with the powerhouse AT. So instead of having some breathing room finally I am cooked.

He had 28K after that hand and is now down to 14K with 10 to play. He called another QJ push with J6. Oh well once again a buy-in plays like a freeroll because a set amount of players are so locked chasing the $2 bounty that they lose site of the prize money. Had guys winging like crazy the entire game. Risking 1/3-1/2 stack to chase $2.

Then in my parallel forum game I butchered a hand with KK because I accidentally checked the turn when I meant to bet pot lol. But what killed me was when a guy holding JT short-stacked on a flop of 8-9-5 1x bets at the flop with 5BBs. I push with 44 and he calls and rivers the 7. You are suppose to push the flop with your up and down and two overs and try to shut that down to give yourself two ways to win. Either you fold your opponent with the bet. And you have a safety back-up of 14 outs. So obviously you prefer the fold. I am still trying to unravel the love affair with the "min bet" post flop online. It is so prevalent yet it is almost non-existent live.
Update: Mr AT went out 8th. He "giveth" back the chips hehe. time2drink2 took the win with whocares39 second. 204.88 and 133.96 respectively.

This Just In: What It Means I Have No Idea LOL

2011-12-28T23:00:00.002-05:00

....By Jim Wolf and Nicola Leske

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration cleared the way for states to legalize Internet poker and certain other online betting in a switch that may help them reap billions in tax revenue and spur web-based gambling.

A Justice Department opinion dated September and made public on Friday reversed decades of previous policy that included civil and criminal charges against operators of some of the most popular online poker sites.

Until now, the department held that online gambling in all forms was illegal under the Wire Act of 1961, which bars wagers via telecommunications that cross state lines or international borders.

The new interpretation, by the department's Office of Legal Counsel, said the Wire Act applies only to bets on a "sporting event or contest," not to a state's use of the Internet to sell lottery tickets to adults within its borders or abroad.

"The United States Department of Justice has given the online gaming community a big, big present," said I. Nelson Rose, a gaming law expert at Whittier Law School who consults for governments and the industry.

The question at issue was whether proposals by Illinois and New York to use the Internet and out-of-state transaction processors to sell lottery tickets to in-state adults violated the Wire Act.

But the department's conclusion would eliminate "almost every federal anti-gambling law that could apply to gaming that is legal under state laws," Rose wrote on his blog at www.gamblingandthelaw.com.

If a state legalized intra-state games such as poker, as Nevada and the District of Columbia have done, "there is simply no federal law that could apply" against their operators, he said.

The department's opinion, written by Assistant Attorney General Virginia Seitz, said the law's legislative history showed that Congress's overriding goal had been to halt wire communications for sports gambling, notably off-track betting on horse races.

Congress also had been concerned about rapid transmission of betting information on baseball, basketball, football and boxing among other sports-related events or contests, she summarized the legislative history as showing.

"The ordinary meaning of the phrase 'sporting event or contest' does not encompass lotteries," Seitz wrote. "Accordingly, we conclude that the proposed lotteries are not within the prohibitions of the Wire Act."

The department expressed no opinion about a provision in the law that lets prosecutors shut down phone lines where interstate or foreign gambling is taking place.

Many of the 50 U.S. states may be interested in creating online lotteries to boost tax revenues and help offset the ripple effect of a federal deficit-reduction push.

The global online gambling industry grew 12 percent last year to as much as $30 billion, according to a survey in March by Global Betting and Gaming Consultancy, based on the Isle of Man, where online gambling is legal.

Federal prosecutors in April charged three of the biggest Internet poker companies with fraud and money-laundering along with violations of another federal law, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Act of 1986.

The government outlined an alleged scheme by owners of the three largest online poker companies - Full Tilt Poker, Absolute Poker and PokerStars - to funnel gambling profits to online shell companies that would appear legitimate to banks processing payments.

GFN Omaha H/L @ Cake: SnG (14)

2011-12-28T22:54:00.004-05:00

I was not happy with the way I played this game at all. Congrats to the top two finishers. I cashed,that is about all you can say on the positive end.

What An Air Head

2011-12-28T01:38:00.006-05:00

OMG!! What a screw up by me. Was looking forward to the $500 added Omaha tourney last night on Intertops. Yes the emphasis is on OMAHA. In the 10 minutes proceeding the game when I signed up and when it started I was doing about six things at once. This included being on a second computer. During this time I lost connection on the second computer and was diddling around trying to get reconnected.

Stupid me thought we were playing H/L and this cost me half of my 2000 starting stack on the third hand. Then I lost connection and dribbled away a few more chips. The net result was a 27-64 finish. I then missed the NDB forum game by one minute grrrr. But the best was yet to come.

I did make it in the HPC forum game and was 4th with eight to play when I lost the internet again. We were in the middle of a rainy windy night here (50mph winds) I finally got the connection back only to see there were three players left and I had finished sixth. So a total loser of a poker day lol.

On the plus side I had some awesome chicken sticks for lunch at Borrellis. Man they are good.Not to mention the pitcher of Coke, hot bread,plus a slice of cheesecake with whipped cream. So the day wasn't a total loss. Not sure how that is going to help me lose 10 pounds before the Borgata Open though lol.

Finally A Club: But The Wrong One

2011-12-24T16:41:00.006-05:00

I read today that Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City got the go ahead to open a Scores night club in its Hotel. Scores is an adult entertainment establishment,have seen it in NY city but never went inside (no thanks). AC has never had this type of club in its 33 years of casino gambling.

I know they want to get younger and more "hip" but IMO this is not the way to go. The article said the one difference is this club will not permit "lap dances". Well there is a relief. I know they need to change more like the Borgata which attracts the younger crowds. Most of the casinos here have little clicks that I call "The vicks vapor rub club" lol.

The older set do seem to rule the school in Atlantic City. Competition from Pensylvania is cutting into profits. Open some clubs, get younger entertainment. Maybe close a few casinos, you have to many anyway. Revel opens in two months,I can't wait to see how much they pull away from the others. I don't see it bringing in new business.

For years the casinos did everything humanly possible to keep you from ever leaving the confines of the casino. They closed every little bar that was outside or away from the casino floor. They have never upgraded the beach amenities. Now all of a sudden a gentlemens club. They have to be getting desperate.

My Towns Christmas Tree

2011-12-23T23:24:00.002-05:00

Is it okay if I call it a Christmas tree? The village looks great this year. I usually have tons of ho-ho-ho going on inside me but just can not seem to get enthused about it this year. Perhaps tomorrow night after the Giants whip the Jets a stroll thru town will perk me up a bit. I laughed at how I feel like taking down my Christmas trees already lol.

The tree is right next to Rep. Peter Kings office. He is supposedly in the corner of online poker. I have been trying to get in touch with him but I have not run into him in a while. Could be because I have been staying out of the bagel shop hehe. Trying to shed a few before the Borgata Open in a few weeks. Why do bagels make you gain weight? Could it be the cheddar cheese I load on it for lunch? I doubt it. Couldn't be the giant Pepsi either. The Snicker bar for dessert? One of lifes mysteries I guess.

Nevada Sets Framework For Internet Poker

2011-12-23T15:28:00.003-05:00

Nevada's main gambling regulatory body on approved regulations Thursday that could make Nevada the first state to allow Internet-poker games within its borders.

The new rules are the first comprehensive regulatory standards drawn up for online gambling in the U.S and are likely to become an important test case as states and the federal government consider new laws allowing online poker.

They were designed to position the state to move quickly to become the center of a lucrative new sector of the gambling industry should Congress pass one of several laws overturning the ban on Internet wagering, making the state the de-facto national licensing body.

In the meantime, Nevada's new regulations could allow the state's casino companies to operate gambling websites limited to players within Nevada's borders.

Such websites could be up and running before the end of next year as long as they adhere to the state's standards, said Mark Lipparelli, chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The control board drew up the rules, which were approved Thursday by the Nevada Gaming Commission in a unanimous vote.

"I think this is an important big step," Mr. Lipparelli said. "This establishes a U.S. foundation for online gaming regulation."

The move comes as online-gambling laws have been debated recently in other statehouses and in Congress but still face hurdles in passing.

The approved regulations amend Nevada gambling laws to include online poker and create a number of technical requirements around the processing of money for the players and other areas. Under the regulations, operators must verify the age and location of every gambler who registers within 30 days of registration and cannot extend credit to gamblers.

The regulations also address several problems that have come up at other poker sites that have been licensed by regulatory bodies outside the U.S. prior to a crackdown in April by the Justice Department, including trouble finding funds to play back players owed money. Under the new Nevada regulations, operators must hold a reserve of cash or a letter of credit to cover the money held for players in their accounts, verified by an independent accountant.

Similarly, the regulations limit the profits available to celebrity poker players employed by the site, which addresses problems that arose at the poker site Full Tilt Poker that is owned by a number of celebrity poker players.

"We tried to address each of the issues that have been a part of the maturation of the business," Mr. Lipparelli said.

The regulations came out of a state law that was passed earlier this year.

The regulations state that the operations be limited to bets placed within Nevada until federal law changes or the Justice Department says it will allow bets between states.

The main operator of the websites must be a Nevada casino company, but others can apply under a separate category to partner with casino companies in providing software or other services.

Mr. Lipparelli said technology is available to allow companies to limit the bets to people within state borders but that the systems would have to be vetted by regulators and state attorneys to ensure they comply with rules.

A year ago, Washington, D.C., became the first U.S. jurisdiction to pass a law allowing online poker within city limits, operated by the district's lottery, but its implementation has been delayed. The law provoked controversy and council hearings on the issue are set to be held next month, said Buddy Roogow, executive director of the D.C. Lottery. If the law isn't repealed, websites would be up next year, he said.

Some proponents say other states, seeking new sources of revenue, will follow Nevada and Washington, D.C. In the event laws pass at the state or federal level, a variety of interested parties including Indian tribes, software companies, state lotteries, slot-machine manufacturers, overseas online-gambling operators and casino companies are already positioning themselves to share in the windfall.

Yet in Nevada some industry players question whether the state's population of about 2.6 million is big enough to support a thriving online-poker sector.

Many of the largest casino companies, such as Caesars Entertainment Corp. and MGM Resorts International, are lobbying instead for a federal law to legalize online poker at the national level.

Caesars is among the companies that have already applied for the Nevada online gambling license. A spokesman there said the company isn't sure yet whether or not it will try to operate a website in Nevada right away or just wait for federal legislation to pass allowing a national network.

NDB Rebuy: 50 Added

2011-12-23T00:03:00.000-05:00

Head Was Spinning: Two SnGs (HORSE+Omaha H/L)

2011-12-21T22:46:00.006-05:00

I got distracted and let this one get away. I got caught up trying to make a comeback in my HORSE game over at Carbon. I can't play like that. I was dead last the entire way and super short stacked and took the bubble. But the last hand I got agressive and my opponent hung in with a weak Razz hand and my A34 start hand fell apart.

While doing that I fizzled away 4-5 hands over at my H/L8 game grrrr. Do one thing good instead of two things bad. Still wonder how some of these people play 6-7 tables. So a 3rd in the Omaha. GG by Vex and L.Hearts.

Ring To The Rescue

2011-12-20T22:40:00.003-05:00

Oh my!! Forum game was a disaster tonight. Finished 15-18 and I even knew my AA was going down when I raised 3.5x pre and got four callers. Q-T-5 flop and I fired my last 30BBs. Got AQ to call (crushed him) but there was QT to scoop the pot hehe.

So I jumped over to the .10-.20 NL tables and won 16.3 which gave me a net 13 for the night. 16-17 in ring sessions now. I only played about 50 minutes. Key hand was a Q-J-T flop when I had 98 suited. The preflop raiser came out agressive but my sense was he did not have AK because all his raises pre came in situations where he was trying to steal the pot. I reraised him after the turn and he ended up having QJ.

I get bored really fast though playing ring online so I never end up making a massive amount of "toothpicks". If I were to grind for hours a day I think I might do quite well. Or maybe I realize that I could get sloppy from losing interest and end up making mistakes and lose. I have probably put in only 20-22 hours all year on it.

In the casino you can't drag me away lol. Between the drinking,the banter and squeezing out those hands I love it. But seriously I can stop if I get up or down a certain amount. Bankroll management is my strength and to me the key to being successful at poker. I have seen so many talented players with huge rolls of cash and two months later I run into them and they are broke. Have never been intimidated by a player but you can tell when someone has the "skills" but then wastes it by not managing it correctly.

Bounty Night: Grabbed 4 And Got Beat By A 4.

2011-12-19T22:34:00.004-05:00

Third place tonight with four "Bountys". Three and tight 1-2 I called the S.S. on an all-in with AT,he had A4 and rung up the 4. I became S.S. and then lost with KJ to TT. Won a few all-in calls when heavily chipped, I knew the call was correct as I figured both times I was "two live cards". One was A4 vs Q8, forget the other. Took a small one with KT suited off of AK for only 4BBs. But a net 13.7 "toothpicks" on a Monday.

Sheldon Adelson Of Sands: Does He Oppose Web Poker?

2011-12-19T01:03:00.004-05:00

There is a story floating around that Las Vegas Sands Chairman Sheldon Adelson has decided he will oppose any efforts to legalize online poker. This is being reported by a Jon Ralston of the Las Vegas Sun. My understanding was most Casino operators were in favor of licensing and regulating poker on the internet.

The article says one of his reasons is "moral grounds". Not sure I follow that reason for a casino operator in "Sin City".

Pensylvania Edges Ahead Of New Jersey

2011-12-19T00:40:00.004-05:00

For the first time in history, gambling revenues brought in by the state of Pennsylvania surpassed those by New Jersey last month. The latest gambling statistics released showed that the albeit miniscule advantage that Pennsylvania had over New Jersey last month pushed the state into the second largest gambling market in the country, behind Las Vegas.

It was reported that Atlantic City brought in $245.1 million in November, while Pennsylvania saw its casinos rake in $245.8 million. While the difference in numbers is not that great to be considered significant, it does point to a growing trend that Pennsylvania continues to grow as a gambling destination for players from that region, while New Jersey’s revenues are on the decline. Most importantly, Pennsylvanians are no longer traveling out their home state to engage in gambling activities in the same numbers as they did before table games were approved, and are now happy to stay put and spend their dollars at home casinos.

Table games at Pennsylvania’s ten casinos generated $54 million in revenue in November, while its slot machines generated just under $192 million. In contrast, revenue from slots in Atlantic City dropped 5%, while revenue from table games was down nearly 10% in November.

The growing presence of casinos and other gambling activities in the northeastern US in states such as New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Connecticut have impacted New Jersey’s revenues and while the state may still take second place overall in the size of gambling markets in the US for the year overall, it is believed that November’s figures were a taste of things to come and the state will be seeing this position threatened in the not too distant future.

I have definetely noticed the impact PA casinos have had on my last 5-6 visits to AC. I knew it wasn't just a down economy. The poker tournament fields on average have been down about 20-30%.

Alternate Poker 25 Added: 14 Player SnG

2011-12-18T23:51:00.005-05:00

Second it is. I played this one with a migraine headache. I actually turned the Giant-Redskin game off in the second quarter because I get so worked up during these games and with the way I was feeling my head would have popped off. So every twenty minutes or so I looked in and it never got any better grrrr.

Almost didn't play this one, was under my blanket the entire game lol. I did manage to win two races where I was 48% in this one. I guess my plea from yesterday was answered. Yes this payday puts me a little closer to financial security (Net 13.7) hehe.

Something Cool On The Horizon

2011-12-17T17:25:00.008-05:00

MTC is hopeful to be in town for this one. Get the new sneakers ready and the pants pressed hehe. Let me show you the events I have my eye on this time around.

Event 5: Pot Limit Omaha 8B
Day 1: 1/20
Day 2: 1/21
Buy-In: 400+50

Event 18: HORSE
Day 1: 1/26
Day 2: 1/27
Buy-In: 400+50

Like I said recently,have been wanting to get in an Omaha event but a HORSE event would be great also as I love Stud and Razz. I think I am actually stronger at HORSE.
Hopefully my highly unpredictable personal life will not cost me a shot at this one. Being me is interesting to say the least. You can find the entire schedule by clicking the link to "Borgata Poker Blog" at the top of my Blog.

Seven Stud H/L8 Fixed Limit:50 Players

2011-12-17T00:17:00.004-05:00

Stepped outside the Forum arena tonight and got a 4th place finish. Played a little sloppy in spots which annoyed me. Got rivered on the key hand that would have made me chip leader by huge amount. Instead it dropped me from second to S.S. with four remaining. But that is fixed limit in a nut shell. A net 23.5 "toothpicks"

Circuit Results From Harrahs: A.C.

2011-12-14T13:26:00.003-05:00

Third Tonight @ HPC

2011-12-13T22:41:00.003-05:00

Samango corrals the win followed by Nadi. And yes I continue to creep closer to that one million mark with a dazzling third. I also found 96 cents in the sofa but is that really a profit when you are more then likely the one who lost it?

Circuits

2011-12-12T17:57:00.002-05:00

Just a little reminder that the Circuits have invaded A.C. And the waterfront corner suite is available from the 4th on if you are willing to pony up $549 a night and $1099 on Friday. Bump it to $1269 on Saturday lol. I can get a standard room for free, bump it up one level for $29. I can see the marina just fine, no free cashews though.

Game Of Skill Or Chance?

2011-12-12T17:37:00.011-05:00

Online poker players have long been stating there case that poker is a game of skill. This is part of the argument in getting it legalized in the United States. When I opened my newspaper today I found an article about the Knights of Columbus a group located here in Bayshore Long Island that is attempting along with other charitable groups statewide to get poker tournaments legalized to replace Bingo. This is to increase there charitable revenue stream.

Bingo profits are way down the last several years. In 2002 people bet 179.5 million on charitable Bingo games netting the organizations 35.4 million in profits. By 2010 Bingo bets had fallen to 73.9 million with profits of 10.9 million.

A Bill is now in the State legislator that would add poker to a list of "games of chance". Now this is interesting,if this Bill was to pass how would that affect future discussions? A Bill on the books stating poker as a "game of chance" We will yell until we are blue in the face that it is a game of skill that has the element of chance involved. It might get me in a bingo hall though.Eyeball to eyeball with some granny in a house dress bluffing with her flush draw lol. Stay tuned

101A Buy-In League Final

2011-12-10T23:53:00.004-05:00

This one goes to Vex with Kaching second. Yours truly slowed down and hung on for third place tonight. But at least back in the money. Vex knocked me out of two games today lol. I finished fifth in the GFN Omaha game with one bounty so that was a net loser. Won about 13 "toothpicks" today. Christmas presents for everyone!!!

Oh Oh Is My Old KK Luck Coming Back?

2011-12-08T22:47:00.005-05:00

About 17 left in my forum game (pays 10) and I am sitting nicely in about fifth place when I raise 3x from early with KK. A player who knows me and who has been at my table the entire game pushes out 88% of there stack. Now thats an odd amount, I reshove and they flip up 99. Not sure what they were thinking there with that move, didnt matter because if they called I was in trouble on the flop.

But It just amazes me how people will just overplay a hand. I am sitting there calling players hands all night without seeing there cards. Only one I recall messing up was a player I won't name because for my own reasons but he raised UTG with 54 (3x) and if I reraise on the flop with my up and down I take it down but how can you put a guy on 54 so he winds up winning hand with a 5 on the board. Eventually I went out 13th, I tried a few razzle dazzles, kept me going for a while.

He two outed another player on turn after getting behind pre and on the flop for a big score. But the curious play was a K8 offsuit. The guy is a puzzle. I still am trying to figure out his limp with 55 in a game that was followed by an all-in, a call from me with 99 and he comes in with a raise. It costs me three more blinds to call so he has 16BBs in with 55. You can guess what happens, he beats my 99 and AJ.

Some curious plays in Omaha but I have to put that stuff in the rear view mirror. I notice that in Omaha alot of players only see there own hand. They tunnel vision in on what they are going for and forget what can beat them and that many times the str8 they might be trying to hit is very likely going to turn into a half pot. They dont calculate the odds. Had a player chase a fullhouse to river and hit it (of course) and the fullhouse card made the low for the third player. So you would think it would enter your mind to make your hand you would have to lose half the pot.And you have less then 20% chance of getting there.

Last night in Omaha game I bubbled I was holding A2 and missed the high on the flop but hit the nut low draw. A player fired pot and got two callers,so what do you do here? Has to be another A2 in the mix here I am staring down the barrel of getting quartered. This is what I mean by you cant get tunneled in on your own hand. I insta mucked it and two players actually had A2. So they both lost chips on the hand. I have reevaluated my Omaha style a bit and I think it is more affective. I definetely want to play A H/L tournament, either a circuit event or an Open event at the Borgata some time early next year.

Well lets hope this is just a blip on the radar and I get back on track tomorrow, I did screw up once when I hung in with my ace high flush and called the reraise by a fullhouse. I bet 450 river and called 900 more. At time I had about 8500 and knocked me to 7600 with blinds at 150-300.

HPC @ Cake

2011-12-06T23:14:00.003-05:00

Runner-Up tonight (24 players) Had it in my grasp but Buzzsaw is solid and tripped me up the last two hands to come back from a 3-1 deficit,well done. But my semi run continues at least. Seems lately when I get all-in as the favorite my hands are holding most of the time. Got tripped once on the river by 44 on my queens but it was just a hiccup. Mimimal bad luck and clear head goes a long way. (well as clear as my head can be)

Not A Surprise

2011-12-06T18:35:00.003-05:00

GSN has officially dropped High Stakes Poker for 2012 from its schedule. Between "Black Friday" and the Full Tilt fiasco this was pretty much expected. Dosen't really affect me as my lovely cable network took GSN off of my package a few months back!!. I have the "Gold" package and was curious where it went so I called them up and this is what I was told. "There isn't a great interest in that channel so we have added it to a seperate package that you can get if you pay for it". WHAT!!! So your saying nobody watches it so you are going to isolate it and charge extra for it. Gotta love Cablevision lol. I took a pass on that one, I gave up the reruns of Sale of the Century and whatever else they were showing with Don Pardo lol.

Another Second: Raise With 77 Worked

2011-12-05T22:00:00.004-05:00

Couldn't quite finish it off tonight.But how about that one hand where I raised with 77, even I couldn't screw that one up. Was better then this painful San Diego- Jacksonville game on MNF. Would rather stick a fork in my eye lol. Trying to make a mad dash to 1000 "toothpicks" but it isn't likely unless I bunker down and play some marathoon sessions. That or enter like a 10 buy-in somewhere. Seems like to much effort lol.

Small Time Score!!

2011-12-04T23:57:00.006-05:00

Well I was entertained watching the Tebow lead Broncos beat the Vikings today 35-32 in the early game. Although they should have been showing the Falcon-Texan game. You had an 8-3 playing a 7-4 and they put a 6-5 vs 2-9 on to 61% of the country. Very insulting to true football fans. Also watched the Jets win (who cares lol). All this was a prelude to my Giants hopefully upsetting the 11-0 Packers in the 4:15 game.

We threw everything we had at them offensively but our damm defense was offensive once again when it mattered most grrrr. And we lost 38-35 on a FG at the gun. Amazingly on a four game losing streak and at 6-6 we will be in first place if we beat Dallas next week because they lost to the lowly Arizona Cardinals in OT today.

Then I watched the BCS selection show,OH DO NOT GET ME STARTED!!!! I can live with the LSU-Alabama rematch but Michigan vs Virgina Tech??? VT lost by 20 yesterday to Clemson!!!! Michigan finished 13th in the final poll for goodness sake. I guess they pick the teams according to who can fill the most hotel rooms in the city of the game, what a joke. Boise State loses one game and it was because of a missed field goal on last play of game and finishes ranked 7th. They won 45-0 yesterday and get a bowl game Dec 22nd vs 6-6 Arizona. Yeah that is fair.

Couldn't find a game that interested me tonight so I played two "Double Up" contests over at Carbon and scored in both. So a cool 5.52 "toothpick" score hehe. I lost 2.2 in a afternoon forum SnG when I bet 290 on the turn with AA and my opponent stuffed it with QK and I called on a board of 4-9-T-6. Not sure where his head was on that play but of course he rivered a Jack lol. What can you do. So Mr small time won 3.32 today. Could make more picking up soda cans.

Update 12/05: Played another 3 "toothpick" "Double Up" and won. Maybe I found my calling lol,2.76 at a time. Damm that .24 vig lol. No snapshot of trophy this time I was to slow grrr, I love those little bling trophys.

Trial Date Set

2011-12-02T19:49:00.005-05:00

John Campos and Chad Elie were informed by a judge today to expect there trial to start March 12th. They are the two charged with processing financial transactions for internet poker sites. Campos worked at Sun First Bank in Utah and handled action for PokerStars and Full Tilt. Both men have plead not guilty.

Still no word on the whereabouts of my "toothpicks" at ewalletexpress. Guess they are still floating around in cyberspace.

Another SnG Goes My Way

2011-11-30T22:39:00.005-05:00

GFN Omaha H/L Pot Limit @ Cake. After a bad call when my opponent filled up on the river knocked me into a hole I was ticked at myself grrrr. One of two bad calls entire game. But I chipped away and got back in there with the help of some loose play by the chip leader (whew). Boy when I avoid those bad beats I have a chance hehe.

Makes up for the two duds last night, I flopped in a forum NL game then it was even worse in a Limit Stud game on Carbon. First time I played two games in a day in months. I will make it to a million "toothpicks" 12 at a time lol.

Update: Bombed in my 12/01 Forum game (5.5 Buy-In) but jumped on a PL Omaha H/L table .10-.20 and won 7.25 woohoo!! so I was a big winner tonight hehe.

New Ladies Poker Tour

2011-11-29T19:44:00.003-05:00

I was reading Poker News Daily and found a story by Dan Katz about a new Ladies Tour:

The organizers of the Ladies International Poker Series (LIPS) have launched a new women’s poker tour, the US Ladies Poker Championship Circuit Tour (USLPCC). Designed to offer women another circuit of poker tournaments with higher buy-ins and larger prize pools, the USLPCC’s first season is slated for 12 events plus the season ending championship.

Each event will be a No-Limit Hold’em tournament with a $300 + $40 buy-in plus a $10 optional add-on for 2,000 bonus chips. Each player starts with 10,000 chips before the bonus. Play will begin on a Saturday and run for twelve hours before the tournament is paused and resumed on Sunday. Every final table will be streamed live online.

In a press release, Lupe Soto, Founder and CEO of LIPS, said, “The US Ladies Poker Championship, now in its third year, has been so successful that we decided to take the event on the road to give women an opportunity to compete for another prestigious title.”

There are currently six tour stops officially scheduled:

December 3rd – Choctaw Casino – Durant, OK
January 7th – Golden Nugget Casino – Atlantic City, NJ
February 4th – Venetian Casino – Las Vegas, NV
March 17th – Thunder Valley Casino – Lincoln, CA
April 14th – Orange Park Kennel Club – Jacksonville, FL
April 28th – Bicycle Casino – Los Angeles, CA

Another stop will be at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, though the date has yet to be announced, while five more locations and dates are pending.

The season will conclude with the $550 buy-in US Ladies Poker Championship in Las Vegas on September 1st, 2012. Players can win a USLPC prize package at each tour stop by competing in the USLPC Mega Satellite. The $150 + $25 + $10 optional bonus chips No-Limit Hold’em tournament will award one prize package for every ten players. The packages include the $550 USLPC seat, a $100 Women in Poker Hall of Fame Premium Seating ticket and $850 to cover travel expenses.

LIPS is now in its eighth season and has been extremely popular, giving women the opportunity to compete against each other at buy-in levels low enough to encourage everyone and anyone to join the fun. There are two LIPS events coming up this weekend. The first is LIPS Ladies Poker Night Morongo at the Morongo Casino in Cabazon, California on December 3rd. It will feature a $100 + $20 buy-in and a $10 add-on for bonus chips. Also on December 3rd is the Queen of Queens Daytona Beach at the Daytona Beach Kennel Club and Poker Room down in Florida. This one will have just a $50 + $15 buy-in.

Sounds pretty cool.

Bountylicious @ Cake: 20 Players

2011-11-28T22:40:00.003-05:00

Started HU as a 3.5-1 dog and chipped away to get the lead. Called an all-in with 55 vs A2 and the "Cake Ace" got me as the 70-30 favorite lol. Knocked me to 65-35 behind and I never got it back. Congrats to the winner who I believe took twelve bountys.

SnG Win @ Alternate Poker (12 Players)

2011-11-27T18:05:00.006-05:00

Took a runner runner bad beat when I was reraised all-in and had it correct (it was ugly) HU for the win which instead of game over got my opponent back to 40% in chips. At one point he even got the lead back a few hands later,for some reason I didn't think it was happening again. (Whew)

Was good game had a consistent bluffer and a rock three handed, managed to weave through it. No win for stats not enough players but the "toothpicks" count. And!! Most importantly I did get "Forum Bling", thats right folks. I discovered that Alternate Forum has a little trophy system next to your name in the forum when you post, and you know how I love that lol.

40 Seconds Vs 1 Second

2011-11-26T22:44:00.012-05:00

I raise from 200 to 600 with AQ BB calls and early position limper. Flop comes A-2-2 with 2 hearts. BB pushes and early player calls. What do I do? I am thinking AK could be out there but after much thought I put Luckyhearts on like AT he is that type and MajorBuzz calling it with flush draw. Cant see him calling with anything less then AQ with me sitting behind him (initial raiser) knowing two hearts out there erases one of his Ace kicker outs its way to weak a play. So even with 12 outs that can beat me I decide to call at 52%.

To my surprise Buzz has AJ!! so he has 2 outs and bags two more Jacks and wins the hand. He was 11.5-1 when he threw in his last I believe eleven big blinds. I don't understand the play. I am insta muck there because the first in flush draw could have easily been a superior ace and he had me to guess about behind him.

I guess I think to much. An argument can be made for me to fold here, probably a good one but 11.5-1 just makes me wonder. I took 40 seconds to call at 52-48 and he snap called at 92-8. Even if you decide I don't have an Ace that first bet has to make you wonder if your AJ is any good. But I am sure I have made the same call myself a few times. Sometimes the picture is clear when you run it through your head, other times you see it with other possibilities. It is never as easy as it seems.

I played a game the other day where I got short stacked and needed to push on one of next three hands. I was dealt 9-7 and let it rip. The thinking here is as long as I avoid a high pocket pair I am likely to stand close to a 50-50 chance of winning a HU against a random hand. A hand like A9 AT AJ is more likely to get up against a better ace. But my 97 vs AK,AQ, KJ etc is "2 live cards". Always looking to put the numbers as close to in your favor as possible when your back is against the wall.

I have said this before,I almost never try for the outright "luck" hit. But boy do I get stung by it often enough. I am so stressed out lately, four hours sleep in last three days. Was hoping for a relaxing game but I ended up aggravated grrrr. Ahhh the weight of the world. On a happy note I got a chance to put out a few more Christmas decorations today :). Although I have to say the guy down the block is out of control lol.

GFN Omaha H/L @ Cake: SnG (12 )

2011-11-24T00:31:00.004-05:00

I hit the board for the second night in a row but this one is just a SnG. Went out as a 64-36 favorite when I was reraised all-in after the turn. Once again it was not meant to be. But I played a smart game,my concentration seems to be coming back some what. Still playing a very light schedule,basically one and done on the days that I play.

Oh That One Killer Hand

2011-11-22T23:01:00.005-05:00

Three players left and I pot raise with QQ,the shortstack pushes with JJ and I make the call. All looks fantastic until the river splashes that 4% Jackaroo grrr and I go from first to worst. Next hand I push my ace and the 4%er has KK lol. So it goes in the world of poker. Earlier in game T-Unit made oone of his patented all-in pushes (sensing AK I made the call with QQ) he flops the Ace but I rivered the queen. If he plays the hand the standard way he wins the pot on the flop. Was a good distraction and at least I got a piece of the pie. Good players got me,tip of the hat. But from a statistical standpoint it is my 200th career third place finish in a MTT. 666-5499. What a nut (or maybe a Devil).

Take Advantage Of Warm Weather

2011-11-20T17:22:00.005-05:00

It was almost 60 degrees today so I snuck outside and put a few Christmas decorations out. I am so slow that even with my early start the entire neighborhood will finish before me. When I am finished you will see no cords at all. Can not stand sloppy work all over the lawn lol. I bury the cords in the garden beds or tack them down tightly in the grass.

Poker 101A @ Cake

2011-11-19T22:48:00.004-05:00

This has been a bizarre poker year. Grabbed a second tonight at 101A League game over at Cake. My "Top Three Percentage" in MTTs for the year is now at 18,49 (27-146)I think that is deceptive because I haven't played many games with 100+ player fields this year. That would be a pretty good number in a normal year. Sometimes stats can be decieving.

MTC: Bounty Luck Box

2011-11-14T22:34:00.005-05:00

3.30 Bounty game @ Cake. Twice I sucked out on the river. Even though it happens to me so much I still feel bad when I am the beneficiary. My 89 scored on the river and my QQ resucked on 99 on the river. I did not take a beat the entire game,my only misread I got lucky and stayed alive.

I really thought when I raised with AQ on the bubble and I was reraised all-in I would be doomed when my opponent flipped up KQ. KQ is my most unlucky hand and I kept waiting for that King to splat lol but it never came. I look like a genious when the cards fall right,(three times a year lol)

Garfield!!! 43 Days To Go

2011-11-12T20:12:00.003-05:00

I needed a break from all the madness so I went out and got another Christmas decoration for the lawn. This one was easy to put together :) which made me even happier.Dixie seemed to get a kick out of it. I am toying with the idea of putting lights on the Blue Spruce tree I have on my front lawn. I always joke that at some point it will wind up at Rockefeller Center hehe. At present it is about 35-40 ft. tall.

I just feel like I could use a little extra holiday pizazz this year. Believe it or not I actually saw someone today starting to decorate there house. I was thinking maybe another 10 days. I think the lawn can use one more cut.

Stinko

2011-11-11T19:31:00.003-05:00

I have been so distracted that I have finished out of money in like eight staight games. Not sure why I attempt to even play lately, no question I am playing awful.

WSOP Main Event Is In The Books

2011-11-11T19:16:00.003-05:00

So much going on lately that I missed the Final table. I did see alot of the HU between Heinz and Staszko. I didn't even know it was on, just stumbled on it by accident. I thought Heinz had a pattern to his game but Staszko I thought could be frustrating. The hand that I think Staszko misplayed was when he folded Q6 suited to Heinz all-in reraise. He figured he had 12 outs (9 flush plus one over) and being very mathematical decided to wait for bigger percentage. With the lead he had I would have taken a shot and worst case fell back into a tie if I missed.

Turns out his six was alive so he had 15 outs for 60% so game may have been over here. On the flush draw that crippled Staszko he thought he had more outs but his str8 outs were lost to a higher str8 to Heinz. And to think that Heinz had to hit a river Jack to stay in tournament long before the "November 9" ever started.

Quickie To Distract Me

2011-11-02T21:00:00.002-04:00

Snuck this game in over the weekend. I think it is the second time playing at Alternate forum. A SnG cash woohoo!! They have this game every Sunday with 25 added.

Aqueduct Casino Opens

2011-10-29T13:17:00.003-04:00

Well they opened a casino yesterday 25.3 miles from my house. Do you like that point 3 I threw in? It actually had lines with a three hour wait to get inside. It has 2280 machines plus 205 electronic table games. I know they have video roulette which is about the only game I like a little. I can see going here occasionally for a little dinner and trying a few spins for kicks. It should help the horse track as well which is what Aqueduct Race Track was before they brought along this idea.

I will wait for the inital wave to cool off a bit before I take a look. They say that in December another 2240 machines and 270 electronic tables on the second floor will be ready to go. The third floor has a long term hope of table games if they can get the legislation passed. Until then it will have concerts,events and banquets.

My curiousity is what kind of machine odds they have compared to what the regular casinos normally pay out at. I remember when the state introduced Keno years back people who never played it before probably didn't realize that NY slashed the odds terribly. Off the top of my head they cut a 42-1 pay-off to 23-1. Once I saw that I rolled my eyes. The company running it is Malaysian based and is called Genting,huge company based in Kuala Lumpur. Not sure why we need someone from Mayasia to run a business based in NY.

Snow In October?

2011-10-29T12:52:00.008-04:00

Why is is snowing two days before Halloween? I still have flowers blooming all over the yard lol. I think maybe my early purchase of that decorative Christmas Moose confused the weather watchers. Halloween you are suppose to find early candy sales to be ready for the kids,you are not suppose to be needing rock salt so some little Sponge Bob dosen't slide down the steps as he rushs to the door for a Twix bar hehe.

Tonight had one of my famous "brain cramps" in my forum game when with QQ I was positive I was up against KK or AA yet I didn't muck. I call it "finger freeze", your brain is 100% positive what to do but your fingers go off on another tangent lol.I seem to be making a living these days of giving all my tournament chips to Elwood. It is like he has a magnet pointed at me hehe.It turned out to be a "toothpick" windfall for a change because I decided to goof around on a .25-.50 NL table for about 45 minutes and made 28.8 on the plus side.

I have to admit it was largely because of a semi bluff reraise with a str8 draw that spiked on the river. The guy had trip Kings flopped so I actually did everything wrong and won. Felt stupid but was odd to be on the flip side off that scenario for once. So we made about 25 "toothpicks" for the day".

Another Tough Day At The Office

2011-10-28T00:34:00.000-04:00

It's Never To Early

2011-10-28T00:25:00.002-04:00

So many things going wrong lately (grrrrr) I decided to pick up a new Christmas decoration for the front lawn to get some positive spirit going. It is a Moose with some funky retro lights on his antlers that I remember seeing on houses and trees when I was a kid. Took longer then I expected to put together lol,I think they want to make you go crazy when they design these things. Hide the little openings so you have to search forever hehe.

He is never going back in the box,I will stick him in the garage until we are ready to decorate. Park him next to the Polar Bear and the Elephant I never take apart lol.

It Is Not A Misprint: I Got Off The Canvas Finally

2011-10-28T00:06:00.007-04:00

It wasn't a biggy but see what happens when I catch a few cards and only get rivered twice hehe.

7 Stud H/L 8 Limit

Dixie!!

2011-10-21T14:31:00.000-04:00

How Did You Get Back There?

Sick

2011-10-05T19:43:00.011-04:00

Five players left and I am the chip leader and one of my career "luck boxes" raises 3.5x so I re-pop it with AA and they call. Flop is 2-5-T so I put them all in for there last 2300 and they snap call with 33.(The game pays 3) Turn 4 river Ace lol. Player said they felt pot commited. I guess 2300 left with blinds at 200 can't get the job done with about a 10% chance of making your hand here lol.

My amazing luck continues,they become chip leader and I go card dead. They follow that up by out flopping me with 55 when I have 99, luckily I didn't force the action on that one. I settle for third place. It is just hilarious,I shall try to smile. I should actually be satisfied because I got my opponent to play the hand exactly the way I wanted it to go. The thing is I only expected to get stung by a possible set from a much higher pocket pair. I will take a player risking all there chips at 8-12% with no pot odds all day. The only problem of course is they seem to get there 75% of the time against me lol.

Update 10/17: Played two games since and bombed in both. But did win 7.58 "Toothpicks" at the Ring tables so I did "Net" plus for the period lol.
Update 10/19: Played an Omaha tourney (Forum) I think I should start thinking of my bad luck as a skill hehe. I missed a 21 outer and a 19 outer which dented my stack nicely. Had to fold river both times for high hand. Had to fold two flushes when they got river boats. So it goes this decade lol.

Skeptical One

2011-10-04T21:43:00.003-04:00

I decided to jump back in at Cake poker with a forum game tonight. Came down to an all-in about halfway into the game with me holding JJ in the BB. AK suited pushed, I was only a slight favorite at 54-46 so you knew I might have a chance. Usually it has to be 65% for me to have no chance lol. An ace on flop and turn left me needing a river jack which I am sure was buried on the bottom of the deck right next to the other jack hehe.

This left me with 95 chips all-in on following hand against you guessed it JJ. I flopped a gutshot but couldn't get there. I played under my new screenname SkepticalOne,I think this has a good ring in the post Ponzi era.

The New Face Of Full Tilt Poker??

2011-10-02T16:46:00.004-04:00

Bernard Tapie by all reports is the man behind the possible purchase of Full Tilt Poker. A deal is in place for a reported 750 million dollars. It hinges on the current ownership settling there problems with the US DOJ.

Personally I don't care how it turns out, I wouldn't play a Five Million Dollar freeroll if they had one, even if they get relicensed and back on there feet. This site is dead to me. Mr Tapie has quite the checkered past so it will be interesting to see how this all unfolds. He specializes in bringing struggling companies back from the dead,most notably Adidas back in the early 1990's.

He got involved in politics and did a breif prison sentence when he was convicted for fixing a soccer match involving a team he owned. He claims his political enemies in the Socialist party were behind bankrupting him in the late 1990's. He was revitalized when he later sued the bank that represented him in the sail of Adidas when it turned out they decieved him in the deal and he eventual won a settlement that has been estimated between 450-535 million dollars which he received in 2008.

He also got involved in acting and was in the play "A Clockwork Orange". Seems like a colorful fellow, I know I did recognize his picture when I saw him but not completely sure why. This will be interesting to watch.

2011-09-27T14:02:00.003-04:00

And in small time poker lol over at the Taj and ShowBoat I was 2-5 in cashes and won 2-3 ring sessions. No beach house in my future lol

Drawing Dead

2011-09-26T16:05:00.002-04:00

Or maybe "From The Penthouse To The Outhouse" lol.

Can't Wear This Now lol

2011-09-24T13:51:00.009-04:00

Well well well. Will Chris Ferguson next thrill us with a blog about how he turned $0 into 25 Million in four years? Maybe we will get the pleasure of reading the book of how Howard Lederer found Jesus in prison (in the next cell lol). This is quite a development in the online poker saga since Black Friday.

Yet despite this I still found articles and videos blaming the DOJ for causing this to happen. And tons of people screaming this isn't a "Ponzi Scheme". Maybe not in the classic sense but they were relying on money from players depositing to fund other players which is pretty much a ponzi scheme. I took the time to read the entire amended indictment and the amounts of money and the nerve (if true) was absolutely disgusting.

I know your not suppose to paint all with a broad brush but to me you would have to be crazy to deposit a nickel on any online site anywhere at this point. This was suppose to be one of the biggest and most trusted. So I guess when I had a mini tailspin back in 2009 and had to ship 100 "toothpicks" it was never really where it was suppose to be,that is not cool.

The thought that keeps rolling around in my head is this "Is Phil Ivey The DOJ's Inside Guy"? Time will tell.

Can He Catch The UPS Truck?

2011-09-15T19:13:00.006-04:00

Picture this,I am driving down my street and in the distance I see a UPS truck parked with his flashers on and I know it is my house because I can see my white picket fence. I have a feeling he is delivering my Carbon "Toothpicks". So now I am guessing that it has to be signed for. The problem is I am still like 30 houses away and have two stop signs to deal with.

I am not going to speed and risk an accident or lives over this lol. I see him come down the driveway,now he is in the truck. One more stop sign grrr hehe. I pull up behind him and throw my vehicle in park and he starts to inch away,so I hop out and give side of truck a little tap and he hears me!!! I walk up to door and tell him that this is my house and I sign for the envelope.

Sure enough it is my "toothpicks" woohoo!!!. A nice addition to the bankroll as AC day rolls closer. I went inside had a soda and decided to head staight to the "toothpick" center and get this thing deposited. You never know it is still a piece of paper at the moment lol. I think we are good.

On The Prowl

2011-09-14T00:30:00.007-04:00

It was so funny the first time I walked past the nightclub inside the Borgata and saw the name of it. I did a quick double take hehe.

At The Moment It Is A Rumor

2011-09-10T20:04:00.014-04:00

The rumor mill says that the DOJ is about to jump all over the Merge network. That would be the one that I decided to clean out over three weeks ago because I didn't want to face another AP/UB situation. Well we shall see what happens. Are my "toothpicks" running ahead of the pack? With my luck probably not.

This leaves Cake poker as the only game in town,"200 toothpicks" just waiting to be seized lol. Well I am glad I am going to the casino in ten days this is just getting bleaker by the minute for online players.On the bright side I have been getting a tan during the day and going to bed earlier at night hehe.

I played two games on Cake tonight and just threw all my chips away in both games on purpose.Looks like I have completely lost it. I think it is safe to say yours truly stinks at online poker. Ten top 2s in 88 live events I really want to do some damage when I get down there. I need a reminder that I can keep my head above water. Oh screw it just get drunk and have fun, if you wake up at end of week with more money then you started it's a bonus lol.

Update: After grabbing an ice tea I decided to go back in for a rare cash game session,have only played four all year. I even put my Cake shirt on lol. But now I am having a senior moment and can't find my reading glasses which I just had 20 minutes ago. So after an exhaustive search I give up and go with my old ones which are weaker. I make the table as big as I can and it seems okay.

Long story short I play about 40 minutes at the .25-.50 NL table and I have turned 25 "toothpicks" into 40.10 "toothpicks". The blinds are coming so I decide I am satisfied and when the next two hands come garbage I fold and get out. So I wiped out some of the disaster of the last two weeks in MTTs. I am now up 43.12 "toothpicks" in five sessions for the year. Boy extrapalate that up to say 200 sessions hmmm.

Does it really matter? How long will it be before the DOJ decides it is hungry for some Cake? With no withdrawal options my "toothpicks sit there because of there ridiculous 500 minimum on check WDs. The only site with a number set so high. Well I am just glad I have gotten about 10 fold of what I originally deposited out since I started with Pillsbury(oops I mean Cake). The "Toothpick Tally" is on my side but why do you always feel like your shooting pool with a piece of rope when dealing with these places?
Update: Received an e-mail from Carbon Poker yesterday saying my WD was processed and my "toothpicks" should be on there way. Well wouldn't that be something,weeeee!!

The Conspiracy Theorist At My Poker Table

2011-09-08T22:33:00.007-04:00

As if I am not running bad enough lately tonight I ran into the "Conspiracy Theory". First I will just give you the last hand of my game. I am not complaining because I think I played it perfect. Blinds 200 and I raised to 775 with QQ which picks up one called,flop is 2-2-6. I fire in my remaining 1200. I didn't go all-in preflop because that tends to pick up the AK AQ caller and he gets the turn and river essentially for free. I like to let him miss the flop and if he calls he is at either 12% with AQ or 24% with AK. More often then not you cut the hand off.

But he makes the call with AQ for 1200 of his 2100 and spikes it lol that is how I have been running. But what drove me nuts is the talk that the Pentagon on 9/11 was not hit by an airplane commandeered by terrorists but by missiles. All I have to say to the people that believe this is how about thinking it through. An airplane did take off that day,it had the Solicitor General of the United States wife on it. That plane never landed and those people never returned home. Were all those funerals fake? Are those people all in hiding for the last ten years and there families are part of the conspiracy? Thats alot of people.

And when was this decision made to "missile" the Pentagon?. Some of the same people say the WTC event was real (ty for recognizing that). So if WTC happened I guess the top people who "missiled" the Pentagon said "hey the Trade Center just got hit by terrorists, here is our chance, quick scramble some missles and hit the Pentagon". It is absolutely ludicrous. Just because you read about something on the internet dosen't mean it happened.

I know the Trade Center was real because I am a New Yorker,actually worked in the Building. Spent many years in that neighborhood,ate many a good lunch at the bar inside the WTC. The crash in Pennsylvania was very real don't dare try to tarnish the heroes on that plane. To say what happened at the Pentagon that day was missiles is to me shocking. How anyone can believe that just floors me. Oh and don't even get me started on the people who believe 7 World Trade Center was blown up or whatever they believe.

I watched that building be built from day 1. I understand why it fell, just apply common sense.Now if I could just make some sense of why the cards are running against me grrrr. Well my theory is this, I am running cold now so I can get hot when I get to AC. Now thats a theory I can run with.

Hello Hello

2011-09-07T19:20:00.002-04:00

Save A Few "Toothpicks"

2011-09-06T20:48:00.004-04:00

14 Days until I hopefully descend on AC for a little "R+R".Some good news came today in the form of a "72 Hour Sale" at the casino I happen to be staying at. I had run out of comps and was biting my lip when I made the reservation and had to pony up a small fee (less then 50 "toothpicks" per night). Well this offer knocked 15 "toothpicks" off per night so I quickly scrambled and made the adjustment. Every "toothpick" counts to us small time grinders lol.

The interesting e-mail was two days ago from the Borgata. Although I have played there several times I have never played tables outside of poker so I don't get any offers. I like there casino but I am not going to pay to stay there when I am comped on the boardwalk. Finally they made a "token" offer,59 "toothpicks" per night thru mid November I believe it was. Now that is something I can live with just to finally try the place out. Hopefully next month,hope they have a good spa.

Cake Or Cake?

2011-09-04T22:20:00.008-04:00

My brother is in town so we popped down to the Nautical Mile in Freeport for dinner last night. The restaurant had walls of windows overlooking the water and every so often a party boat would go out and glide right past me as I ate. Really was a great atmosphere.

So after dinner we walked to the end of the pier and are enjoying the breeze and the water and it is decision time. My forum game on "Cake" Poker in 45 minutes or "Cake" at my moms house. It was an easy decision,there was no poker last night lol. I did jump in a non forum game tonight,a little $2.20 buy-in and finished 28-181 for a minor cash. It was something to do.

Were They All Secretly Practicing?

2011-09-01T02:14:00.002-04:00

Can someone explain to me how in a town where dancing was banned for so many years they were able to dance like this when they finally got a chance? You have to love that "rubberband man".

The Cats Of AC

2011-09-01T02:02:00.003-04:00

I always stop and visit my little furry friends (win or lose) They are taken care of by an orginazation caller alleycat.org which people donate to when they see the people tending to them. Mostly you will find them between ShowBoat And Taj Mahal,they are so approachable and friendly. I guess you could say these guys have the worlds biggest litter box lol.

The Lights Are Back On!!

2011-08-30T01:53:00.004-04:00

Hurricane Irene was not as strong as advertised (thankfully)I was lucky that the only loss seems to be the food in my refrigerator. My freshly planted trees that I were so worried about all survived. My poor neighbor across the street lost a beautiful Red Maple,she is an avid gardner. So I endured appx 42 hours without electricity and survived just fine. No internet,or cable tv and the world did not end.

I tell you what did annoy me a little,I have this television.light which is meant for camping. I used this thing a few years ago during a storm and it was great,was able to watch a limited number of tv channels and it also supplied me with news via its radio. But now that they have scrambled the signal or whatever they did to tv so that you can't watch basic channels without a cable box or some type of gizmo you can buy to hook up for "x" amount of dollars a month the thing is now nothing more then an extremely large flashlight radio lol.

I have to say I still think the day of the storm was "golfable". Winds only got to 50-60 mph and the rain was not as strong as advertised. I think if I could avoid having a tree fall on me and take drops from the casual water on the greens an 82-85 was not out of the question on Bethpage Black. Have to lose a few shots with the putter and into wind your 1/2 or 2/3 etc up and down numbers have to take a hit. Into the wind driver off the deck, keep it about 3 yards off the ground. That shot will play all day. Biggest problem I see is that the snackbar will be closed at the 6th tee/12th fairway lol. Oh and you have to wear your cap backwards because the rain will drip down and distract you when your putting hehe.

Tanning Index Of One: Maybe

2011-08-27T23:08:00.005-04:00

I was watching CNN this morning and they were talking about the package you should put together in case of emergency for Hurricane Irene. They mentioned certain documents,having cash in small denominations etc etc. I was sure he said you should have chocolate chip cookies from the bakery so I headed up to town.

As you can see most of it is boarded up and bracing for the worst,interestingly one place is not. I started to laugh when I thought about it,yes it was the Tanning Salon. Can these people not go a few minutes without daylight? It's cloudy and raining guys,the tanning index is less than a 1 lol. I guess the person at the desk needs to soak up a possible ray hehe.

The Lights have flickered twice while writing this post,not a good sign for things to come. I have a feeling I will be plugging my cellphone into the cigarette lighter in car to watch the news tomorrow. Hopefully I can get SpongeBob.

Atlantic City Goes Dark

2011-08-26T23:34:00.002-04:00

For only the third time in 33 years AC has closed there doors. At 8:00pm est tonight all eleven casinos shutdown. With the storm due to hit our area at high tide they said that 4-6 feet of water could reach the boardwalk. What will the degenerates do?

My first thought went to all the stray cats that live under the boardwalk,I am hoping that the few regular people who take donations and feed them can at least temporarily move them. But to be honest I don't know how or where? Maybe there instincts will get them out of harms way.

It's been a rough year for AC now they lose a weekend, smart move closing. Although I can see people complaining because they can't get there "fix" lol. I was in AC once during a less severe storm and watching the ocean from the boardwalk was cool but the view from up in the room was something.

I was looking at some of my scrawny trees that are only months old and it doesn't seem like a fair fight if this thing rips through under worst case scenario grrrr. I can never recall seeing stores and houses around me being boarded up before in a storm. My favorite hamburger place All American was all boarded up,it sits less then a mile from the water. I as usual loaded up on candy,devil dogs,pepsi,cup,cakes,cookies,and peanut butter. I did buy some water also hehe. I guess my diet is going to hell if we lose power. So I have a BBQ but didn't buy anything that you can cook on it lol. I guess I could boil water and make spagetti and ravioli. Which reminds me I better go make more ice.

No Deposit Bonus: Back In The Fold

2011-08-26T00:05:00.003-04:00

My appearances these days are few and far between to say the least. I finally decided to pop back into a NDB game tonight,have been monitoring them for a while and noticed alot of good players gravitating over. I felt lousy tonight but gave it a go. Was a rollercoaster ride for sure.

Tight early,then got on a roll and opened it a little and got the lead. Card dead followed as the blinds crept up (why does that always happen at Cake?). Actually got down to 1BB via some bad luck and thought I was sunk when I called all-in on flop with bottom pair. He also had bottom pair, I had him out-kicked but we split it. Doubled with QQ then thought I was on my way with KK in the BB when A6 fired from mid-position and rivered the Ace putting me back on the short stack.

Fell to 11-12 (paid 10) Caught another roll and started FT fifth and got the lead at the seven player mark. My mistake was misplaying my trap five handed I had the eventual second place finisher on the hook but when he reraised me on the turn to 6000 I put him in for his last 10,800 and he folded his turned top pair. Shoulda called his min raise and value bet the river.

In any event it was a fun game and at least a cash. My 199th third place finish all-time for anyone that is counting lol. 116th in a Forum game,Okay go outside you numbers nut and batton down your furniture before that Hurricane gets here.

Revel Casino

2011-08-25T01:42:00.003-04:00

I have been watching the progress of this casino being built from the beginning. It sits right next to the Showboat and was originally supposed to be two towers but has been cut to one. Morgan Stanley pulled out of the project last year and it sat dorment for quite a while as the builder searched for new investors.

They are back at work on the scaled down version and the new date is set for June 2012. Could this be my new playground? If it is as nice as they are billing it that would line up three casinos in a row to my liking woohoo!!. No need to step in a car or a taxi,this is great for the casual Corona drinker hehe. Only drawback about Borgata is that it is on the Marina. $14 for a cab one way,takes like 8-9 minutes, talk about highway robbery lol.

Update 10/18: Some progress has been made

GFN Omaha H/L @ Cake

2011-08-24T22:46:00.002-04:00

Sweated out a third place finish after two weeks finishing out of the money. A few puzzling plays early tested my patience but I managed to keep my wits about me. Had a hand midway thru FT where player was all-in pre and I flopped nut low draw plus nut flush draw. I opted for the check wanted to get other player out. I could have bet here, probably should have fired and put other guy all-in. Turn was a King which paired me, he fired putting me on the spot. I wondered if he setted which would minimize my outs but I still had 2 nut draws working amd thankfully I splashed both on the river.

So if I fire the standard play it dosen't look like as big a suckout as it appeared after turn call. Three handed I flopped a set and got rivered by the all-in for a str8, that hurt. I eventually went down third on a hand where interestingly I think my opponent played it like a standard poker hand when if looked at deeper was a fold on the flop. Up and down str8 draw call but it was into a flush draw board with two lows and he didnt have a low type hand. But it worked out and I was toast.

SnG for the stats.

The Illusion Of Winning

2011-08-23T00:32:00.003-04:00

I found an old poker tracking software that was tucked away on my computer. After thumbing through all the different sites and realizing how many didn't even exist anymore I decided to seperate all the ones who went either belly up or just never paid off for one reason or another.

Early on you could play those freerolls where you would win money but could never actually collect it unless you actually made a deposit on the site and then played 'X" amount of raked hands. I found one site called Pharaohs Poker that had 160 in it,I guess that is entombed somewhere lol. But there were many that did pay off nicely,at the time you wondered how they were doing it. Well for the most part they all failed.

But when you are competing for the win you are not thinking about that stuff so it is still sweet if you play good. At least I think it is. There was nothing but time invested playing, no 'toothpicks" were invested and lost to these places.

Best Candy Store Sites Ever:
RedLight Poker
Celeb Poker
PokerChamps

Bring Back The Candy Stores!!

Trap Takes Down RR Bonus Game

2011-08-20T20:51:00.005-04:00

Well I know I have reached that peaceful place at the tables. Game was going smoothly when about 40% in a player who announced that he was eventually going to have to leave started doing the worst thing possible. He went all-in every single hand and typed in his hand before he did it. Players were reading him the riot act,only thing I said was "please don't announce your hand". After the fourth time he did it I said "well obviously your going to have to be reported".

One of the other players said he took care of it, I had no intention of getting involved. The problem is it skews the game. But we moved forward and after I made a bonehead play against Jermns AA with KQ suited I managed to rebound from 950 chips back up to about 5000. Bounced around a bit and eventually called an all-in with 99 and was against AK. I was as good as gold until the river hehe (out 12th). OPTBobbygee got me good when he raised with JJ and I called with KJ suited. I flopped the K and just called his flop bet. I decided to go check check on the turn to look weak. The river was a J which I THOUGHT was a good card for me lol. Little did I know it was the river one outer from hell hehe.

Nice 2nd place for Bobby, TTwarrior took 3rd, no surprise there. Elwood took 4th with a nice rally off the short stack early in the game. The 5th place finisher who eliminated me (pokerzex) I wasn't familiar with but played nicely and was polite.

I stuck around and watched until six remaining but had to finally go grab some dinner. Congrats to the winners. (If you click the picture it gets bigger)

WPT Borgata Open: Sept 18-23

2011-08-18T02:16:00.006-04:00

Next Live Game 32 Days
This coincides with the WPT Borgata Open Championship which should make for some lively cash games spilling over. Last time I did this I Final Tabled at Taj Mahal and was the chip leader. I turned around to find Scotty Ngeuyn standing behind me sipping a Corona taking in the action lol. I said "Scotty,I really thought I would watch you play live before you checked me out hehe".

A Fresh Start With A New Look

2011-08-15T17:42:00.009-04:00

I have really shaken up my Blog. All posts have been deleted,yes my history is gone. All of what I consider my top games have vanished (except one). I am making a clean start with poker. While playing my Forum game Sunday night I really got disgusted. I was doing my grind it out style,picking up small pots here and there plus the little things I do to keep moving forward in a game.

A player makes a blind fling call way out of position for 6x which picks up a second caller. The hand is thoroughly dominated as I am sure the player knew it would be. A6 vs AQ vs QQ. 6 on the flop and Ace on the turn for the SCORE. At that point I almost just got up and went and watched tv. I have done that before, usually I shake it off and find a way to cash or overtake that player. Often there hail mary bites me back as they use that score to run me down.

Off the top of my head it was about 60% of the players stack going in and the hand odds turned out to be about I think between 14-15% in a 3 player hand. Even with the blinds (no antes) that is so far from having odds.

This game I went on semi-tilt and started to fling every hand I drew an ace until I was gone. Good riddance to that game I say. Another example of me not being disciplined enough to shake off bad play around me. So after the game I knew I needed a change. I closed every blog I had except this one which will be remodeled. Gone will be all the complaining stories and anything that happened in the past. I am still a numbers man so the stats will always be a part of what I do. This posts just explains everything.

I hung on to my last game (OFC) because I thought that one was cool hehe. I am close to a milestone in forum games so I will continue to track that. I don't imagine I will be playing much because I cleaned out most of my "toothpicks" again (sound familiar). At least I won't get burned again by a possible shutdown. Left in were 200 "toothpicks" give or take to dabble with.

We are about 18% from our Live/Online goal and with the pathetic bank rates and the wobbly stock market Poker still has some legs to it lol. The key is to stay relaxed and enjoy the occasional game.I will try to play my best and realize that I can only control what I do.(Which at times is quite puzzling)