Wah!

OK, I'll stop pouting...you know I just want attention and won't give it to me, just like my 5th grade 'girlfriend'....I can respect that.

So, will you 'go' with me? Circle yes or no.

Anywho, back to my oh so thrilling HE hand.

I guess it would be better with the hand history, but recreating is alot more fun and allows for a little creative license.

So, I have Ah5h and the flop comes 6h 7h 8c.

Two people act in front of me and both go all in. I also go ahead and put the caller all-in for another 6 bucks.

One thing that I did not consider was the possibility of someone else having a heart draw, duh. The best part of this, and the reason I'm posting it, is what my opponents were holding.

First all in: 6c 3d
All in caller, and my re-raise caller: Ac 5s

Wow.....how do I lose to these guys?

Turn Jd
River 6s

PokerStove tells me I have just under 46% in this hand, which is a little surprising. I put myself closer to 49%, but this is why I'm a donk and am playing with donks at .25/.50. I'm just glad it's a lesson learned at this level instead of my occasional foray into 1/2 land.

Over the last 3 days I am comfortably into my bonus, I will cross the $100 bonus mark tonight, and am sitting with over 500 in my FT account yee ha!

It's my bi-weekly cigar nite, but I've given the wife the go-ahead to make plans for herself around 8. It's gonna be a donktastic Friday at the tables tonight! I am not gonna get sloshed like last week, but I have a pristine bottle of Crown awaiting my arrival. I hope to see some broggers on the felt tonight!!!

Wah!

OK, I'll stop pouting...you know I just want attention and won't give it to me, just like my 5th grade 'girlfriend'....I can respect that.

So, will you 'go' with me? Circle yes or no.

Anywho, back to my oh so thrilling HE hand.

I guess it would be better with the hand history, but recreating is alot more fun and allows for a little creative license.

So, I have Ah5h and the flop comes 6h 7h 8c.

Two people act in front of me and both go all in. I also go ahead and put the caller all-in for another 6 bucks.

One thing that I did not consider was the possibility of someone else having a heart draw, duh. The best part of this, and the reason I'm posting it, is what my opponents were holding.

First all in: 6c 3d
All in caller, and my re-raise caller: Ac 5s

Wow.....how do I lose to these guys?

Turn Jd
River 6s

PokerStove tells me I have just under 46% in this hand, which is a little surprising. I put myself closer to 49%, but this is why I'm a donk and am playing with donks at .25/.50. I'm just glad it's a lesson learned at this level instead of my occasional foray into 1/2 land.

Over the last 3 days I am comfortably into my bonus, I will cross the $100 bonus mark tonight, and am sitting with over 500 in my FT account yee ha!

It's my bi-weekly cigar nite, but I've given the wife the go-ahead to make plans for herself around 8. It's gonna be a donktastic Friday at the tables tonight! I am not gonna get sloshed like last week, but I have a pristine bottle of Crown awaiting my arrival. I hope to see some broggers on the felt tonight!!!

as the coin flips...

I looked through that last hand history a bit and came to the realization that if I had lost that hand I would not have posted it or felt very good about my play. The facts are though, that I can't put my victim on a real hand in-game. This analysis comes post-result for the most part, and I realize that I seriously over-played the flush draw. Then to fully hammer down the notion, I get a very similar situation in a .20/.50 table (my usual stomping grounds).

I'm dealt Ah5h UTG and I raise it up to 1.50. This is a 6 handed table with usually 3 people to the flop, I am above my buy in about 5 bucks. I know that I will get calls from bot blinds and want to juice the pot a little in case I hit.

As expected I get 2 callers and a flop with 2 hearts (6h 7h 8c) I also get the OESD and I am out of position..

SB goes all in (~$16) ...interesting!

BB takes a long time and calls. wtf!

So let's recap here...

I have the flush draw, OESD, a way outside shot at the straight flush.. Does it matter here what I think anyone else is holding?

I pay $16 for what will be a $50+ pot. Who folds here and why? The best hand out there is 9Th (made straight with flush and straight flush opportunities) with possibilities of pocket 89h(OESD SF draw) 9To 59o 66 77 88 and higher pairs.

I think my table mates re raise with pocket pairs, so I rule them out. I'm most worried about a flopped straight, or better straight draw, but I hold the best drawing flush hand (assuming the straight flush possibilities).

In-game, all I'm thinking about is the pot odds I'm getting (3:1) and I make the call.

I know I've played this badly so far and the results are surprising (to me), since I am not the only donkey in the pot.

I'll add some (hopefully) Hoy like suspense and post the results in a little bit. Please share your thoughts.

OK I'm not telling until someone says SOMETHING!

I sucked ass in the Mook, and it put me in a bad mood. I then got a tolken in my first shot at a 2nd tier, yay me, and joined the BIG GAME Played 1/2 NL for an hour and ended +$50. I closed that for the 2nd chance mook and got another tolken YAY ME again!! So I 'm gonna play in a bad mood again next week and see how that works out.

Heres a couple of hand histories for ya.

Full Tilt Poker Game Table Elkington (6 max) - $0.50/$1

Seat 1: iam23skidoo ($99.55)
Seat 5: hakeem ($151.70)
Seat 6: LENG_MONG_TSA ($77.50)

Dealt to iam23skidoo [Ts Th]

hakeem raises to $4
iam23skidoo calls $4
xFEDORx calls $3
*** FLOP *** [7c 6c 5h]
xFEDORx checks
hakeem checks
iam23skidoo bets $7
xFEDORx folds
hakeem calls $7
*** TURN *** [7c 6c 5h] [Tc]
hakeem checks
iam23skidoo checks
*** RIVER *** [7c 6c 5h Tc] [Js]
hakeem bets $35
iam23skidoo calls $35
*** SHOW DOWN ***
hakeem shows [Ad 9h] (Ace Jack high)
iam23skidoo shows [Ts Th] (three of a kind, Tens)
iam23skidoo wins the pot ($93.50) with three of a kind, Tens
hakeem: nice call
hakeem: heh


lovin it.

NO PRESTO 4 u
Full Tilt Poker Game Table Revere - $1/$2

Seat 2: drdrillem ($192)
Seat 8: iam23skidoo ($219.85)

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to iam23skidoo [5d 5c]
Jager2 raises to $4
iam23skidoo calls $4
joshua1981 folds
Kevin_R_P folds
drdrillem calls $4
helmutk folds
Jdrew5244 calls $2
*** FLOP *** [Jd 8h 7s]
Jdrew5244 checks
Jager2 checks
iam23skidoo checks
drdrillem checks
*** TURN *** [Jd 8h 7s] [3h]
Jdrew5244 checks
Jager2 checks
iam23skidoo bets $8
drdrillem calls $8

iam23skidoo shows [5d 5c] (a pair of Fives)
drdrillem shows [3s 3c] (three of a kind, Threes)
drdrillem wins the pot ($31.35) with three of a kind, Threes

Full Tilt Poker Table Revere - $1/$2

Seat 5: Jdrew5244 ($153.10)

Seat 8: iam23skidoo ($208.40)

Dealt to iam23skidoo [6c 6s]
joshua1981 calls $2
Jdrew5244 raises to $8
iam23skidoo calls $6
joshua1981 calls $6
*** FLOP *** [5d As 6d]
iam23skidoo checks
joshua1981 checks
Jdrew5244 bets $12
iam23skidoo calls $12
joshua1981 folds
*** TURN *** [5d As 6d] [5h]
iam23skidoo checks
Jdrew5244 bets $20
iam23skidoo calls $20

*** RIVER *** [5d As 6d 5h] [2c]
iam23skidoo bets $30
Jdrew5244 has 15 seconds left to act
Jdrew5244 folds
Uncalled bet of $30 returned to iam23skidoo
iam23skidoo mucks
iam23skidoo wins the pot ($86)


I think my mistake here was not betting the turn...I put him on an ace, but who knows.

as the coin flips...

I looked through that last hand history a bit and came to the realization that if I had lost that hand I would not have posted it or felt very good about my play. The facts are though, that I can't put my victim on a real hand in-game. This analysis comes post-result for the most part, and I realize that I seriously over-played the flush draw. Then to fully hammer down the notion, I get a very similar situation in a .20/.50 table (my usual stomping grounds).

I'm dealt Ah5h UTG and I raise it up to 1.50. This is a 6 handed table with usually 3 people to the flop, I am above my buy in about 5 bucks. I know that I will get calls from bot blinds and want to juice the pot a little in case I hit.

As expected I get 2 callers and a flop with 2 hearts (6h 7h 8c) I also get the OESD and I am out of position..

SB goes all in (~$16) ...interesting!

BB takes a long time and calls. wtf!

So let's recap here...

I have the flush draw, OESD, a way outside shot at the straight flush.. Does it matter here what I think anyone else is holding?

I pay $16 for what will be a $50+ pot. Who folds here and why? The best hand out there is 9Th (made straight with flush and straight flush opportunities) with possibilities of pocket 89h(OESD SF draw) 9To 59o 66 77 88 and higher pairs.

I think my table mates re raise with pocket pairs, so I rule them out. I'm most worried about a flopped straight, or better straight draw, but I hold the best drawing flush hand (assuming the straight flush possibilities).

In-game, all I'm thinking about is the pot odds I'm getting (3:1) and I make the call.

I know I've played this badly so far and the results are surprising (to me), since I am not the only donkey in the pot.

I'll add some (hopefully) Hoy like suspense and post the results in a little bit. Please share your thoughts.

OK I'm not telling until someone says SOMETHING!

I sucked ass in the Mook, and it put me in a bad mood. I then got a tolken in my first shot at a 2nd tier, yay me, and joined the BIG GAME Played 1/2 NL for an hour and ended +$50. I closed that for the 2nd chance mook and got another tolken YAY ME again!! So I 'm gonna play in a bad mood again next week and see how that works out.

Heres a couple of hand histories for ya.

Full Tilt Poker Game Table Elkington (6 max) - $0.50/$1

Seat 1: iam23skidoo ($99.55)
Seat 5: hakeem ($151.70)
Seat 6: LENG_MONG_TSA ($77.50)

Dealt to iam23skidoo [Ts Th]

hakeem raises to $4
iam23skidoo calls $4
xFEDORx calls $3
*** FLOP *** [7c 6c 5h]
xFEDORx checks
hakeem checks
iam23skidoo bets $7
xFEDORx folds
hakeem calls $7
*** TURN *** [7c 6c 5h] [Tc]
hakeem checks
iam23skidoo checks
*** RIVER *** [7c 6c 5h Tc] [Js]
hakeem bets $35
iam23skidoo calls $35
*** SHOW DOWN ***
hakeem shows [Ad 9h] (Ace Jack high)
iam23skidoo shows [Ts Th] (three of a kind, Tens)
iam23skidoo wins the pot ($93.50) with three of a kind, Tens
hakeem: nice call
hakeem: heh


lovin it.

NO PRESTO 4 u
Full Tilt Poker Game Table Revere - $1/$2

Seat 2: drdrillem ($192)
Seat 8: iam23skidoo ($219.85)

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to iam23skidoo [5d 5c]
Jager2 raises to $4
iam23skidoo calls $4
joshua1981 folds
Kevin_R_P folds
drdrillem calls $4
helmutk folds
Jdrew5244 calls $2
*** FLOP *** [Jd 8h 7s]
Jdrew5244 checks
Jager2 checks
iam23skidoo checks
drdrillem checks
*** TURN *** [Jd 8h 7s] [3h]
Jdrew5244 checks
Jager2 checks
iam23skidoo bets $8
drdrillem calls $8

iam23skidoo shows [5d 5c] (a pair of Fives)
drdrillem shows [3s 3c] (three of a kind, Threes)
drdrillem wins the pot ($31.35) with three of a kind, Threes

Full Tilt Poker Table Revere - $1/$2

Seat 5: Jdrew5244 ($153.10)

Seat 8: iam23skidoo ($208.40)

Dealt to iam23skidoo [6c 6s]
joshua1981 calls $2
Jdrew5244 raises to $8
iam23skidoo calls $6
joshua1981 calls $6
*** FLOP *** [5d As 6d]
iam23skidoo checks
joshua1981 checks
Jdrew5244 bets $12
iam23skidoo calls $12
joshua1981 folds
*** TURN *** [5d As 6d] [5h]
iam23skidoo checks
Jdrew5244 bets $20
iam23skidoo calls $20

*** RIVER *** [5d As 6d 5h] [2c]
iam23skidoo bets $30
Jdrew5244 has 15 seconds left to act
Jdrew5244 folds
Uncalled bet of $30 returned to iam23skidoo
iam23skidoo mucks
iam23skidoo wins the pot ($86)


I think my mistake here was not betting the turn...I put him on an ace, but who knows.

Breaking news

For those of you in the North GA area, it has come to my attention that the Forsyth County Police Department and GBI are making plans to bust local card games. I have been made to understand that my usual Neighborhood game is not in jeopardy, but am encouraged not to attend one of the two larger $ games that I infrequently have the cash to play.

This notice should be taken as pure hearsay and only my opinion. I have not been contacted by Forsyth County police or GBI personally. So call it a hunch.

Breaking news

For those of you in the North GA area, it has come to my attention that the Forsyth County Police Department and GBI are making plans to bust local card games. I have been made to understand that my usual Neighborhood game is not in jeopardy, but am encouraged not to attend one of the two larger $ games that I infrequently have the cash to play.

This notice should be taken as pure hearsay and only my opinion. I have not been contacted by Forsyth County police or GBI personally. So call it a hunch.

fuel inspired.

All part of the plan.

Take shots at higher limits than normal.


I read almost all of fuel55's blog. Dude truly has some cash skills, SO... I took a shot at 1/2 6 handed and doubled up in about 20 minutes... awesome!

This hand really helped:
Full Tilt Poker Game #1130358813: Table Galleria (6 max) - $1/$2 - No Limit Hold'em - 18:12:56 ET - 2006/10/21
Seat 1: iam23skidoo ($203.30)
Seat 2: tilty monkey ($118.10)
Seat 3: seat3 ($208.20)
Seat 4: big stack pusher ($535.55)
Seat 5: seat5 ($76)
Seat 6: seat6 ($44.05)

Dealt to iam23skidoo [Ah 5h]
iam23skidoo raises to $6
tilty monkey calls $6

Monkey smooth calls about 70% of the hands so far...I have been at the table for 10-15 minutes and have a read on the two guys I've named above.

*** FLOP *** [Ts 4h 9h]
iam23skidoo bets $10
tilty monkey raises to $20
iam23skidoo calls $10

I flop a nut flush draw, but bet here cause I know he will call any pair or draw. I'm a bit interested in his 2x raise, I'm feeling JT or a better draw from him.

*** TURN *** [Ts 4h 9h] [Jh]
Boom! hit it on the turn and now I gotta act afraid so he bets.

iam23skidoo checks
tilty monkey bets $24

perfect
iam23skidoo raises to $48
tilty monkey raises to $72
iam23skidoo raises to $177.30, and is all in
tilty monkey calls $20.10, and is all in
iam23skidoo shows [Ah 5h]
tilty monkey shows [Ks Qc]

iam23skidoo wins the pot ($236.20) with a flush, Ace high
tilty monkey is sitting out

He hit his straight on the turn and I guess figures I'm pushing with air. I leave a note and add him to my friends list.

About 3 hands later I push big stack off a pot to put me over 400, I bolt.


I may write about the BIG GAME, but the short story is I had terrible cards and could not catch a flop to save my life. IGH in 18th losing to AA vs QKsooted.

Also, not part of the plan, losing most of my Friday nite winnings drinking hard and playing .10/.25 with several bloggers. I think I finally passed out after giving 3 buy-ins. Loads of fun, yes, but it's the kind of behavior I need to put behind me.

fuel inspired.

All part of the plan.

Take shots at higher limits than normal.


I read almost all of fuel55's blog. Dude truly has some cash skills, SO... I took a shot at 1/2 6 handed and doubled up in about 20 minutes... awesome!

This hand really helped:
Full Tilt Poker Game #1130358813: Table Galleria (6 max) - $1/$2 - No Limit Hold'em - 18:12:56 ET - 2006/10/21
Seat 1: iam23skidoo ($203.30)
Seat 2: tilty monkey ($118.10)
Seat 3: seat3 ($208.20)
Seat 4: big stack pusher ($535.55)
Seat 5: seat5 ($76)
Seat 6: seat6 ($44.05)

Dealt to iam23skidoo [Ah 5h]
iam23skidoo raises to $6
tilty monkey calls $6

Monkey smooth calls about 70% of the hands so far...I have been at the table for 10-15 minutes and have a read on the two guys I've named above.

*** FLOP *** [Ts 4h 9h]
iam23skidoo bets $10
tilty monkey raises to $20
iam23skidoo calls $10

I flop a nut flush draw, but bet here cause I know he will call any pair or draw. I'm a bit interested in his 2x raise, I'm feeling JT or a better draw from him.

*** TURN *** [Ts 4h 9h] [Jh]
Boom! hit it on the turn and now I gotta act afraid so he bets.

iam23skidoo checks
tilty monkey bets $24

perfect
iam23skidoo raises to $48
tilty monkey raises to $72
iam23skidoo raises to $177.30, and is all in
tilty monkey calls $20.10, and is all in
iam23skidoo shows [Ah 5h]
tilty monkey shows [Ks Qc]

iam23skidoo wins the pot ($236.20) with a flush, Ace high
tilty monkey is sitting out

He hit his straight on the turn and I guess figures I'm pushing with air. I leave a note and add him to my friends list.

About 3 hands later I push big stack off a pot to put me over 400, I bolt.


I may write about the BIG GAME, but the short story is I had terrible cards and could not catch a flop to save my life. IGH in 18th losing to AA vs QKsooted.

Also, not part of the plan, losing most of my Friday nite winnings drinking hard and playing .10/.25 with several bloggers. I think I finally passed out after giving 3 buy-ins. Loads of fun, yes, but it's the kind of behavior I need to put behind me.

Realization

One thing that I've been happily surprised with since joining the frey of noise deemed poker blogdom is that there are several very smart, dedicated, and (in most cases) good people who willingly fling money into the virtual void and have the balls to tell the world about it.


-------Cue "Behind the Music" theme-----------



I remember distinctly about 4 years ago I first threw caution to the wind and funded a Neteller account to put some money into Party Poker. I did this knowing virtually nothing about holdem. I had played a few times in mixed games and deemed it boring. However, all I had to do was open a money account at PP and I would get a whopping $25 for my troubles. Can't be that hard right? Not much different than slinging cards with my buddies over a couple of beers, right?

After about 4 hours, I was hooked.....and out of money. How did I go through my hundred bucks so quick?? Well, I played 2 $20 tounaments a 10 SNG, sat down at 1/2NL with my remaining money and bled that away. My only thought at this point was that I found something I needed to beat. I've always prided myself of my calm collected head, my emotional detachment from things that were beyond my control, and most of all, the ability to figure shit out.

I was a quiet kid. I never had a ton of friends until late in highschool, outcasts mostly. One thing I did though was construct and destruct. I took things apart. If something was broken, I'd fix it, or at least cannibalize it into something else. My curious but quiet nature kept me out of trouble for the most part, and the first time I tried to rebuild an engine, I vowed would be my last.

As a teenager I aligned myself with the 'new wavers,' the social outcast that somehow became envied and cool. We tried our best to rail against the establishment, being mostly well off white-bread kids. We developed, wrote, and published our own underground newspaper in highschool. We tried to crash the homecoming parade with a godawful 'float' bearing empty Heiniken and Natural Lite beer cases. We nearly got thrown out of school for printing fictional material about our principal and some teachers. On the last day of school we drove onto campus in a blacked out suburban, padlocked the entrances to one of the buildings and drove off into the sunset. Good times good times......ok what was the point....

--------------------

I have always had the innate ability to fix things, if I couldn't figure it out, it was broken. This ability has probably gotten me into some situations I didn't need to be in, it has definitely put me in places I'd rather not be. It got me my employment. It has made me make promises I wasn't sure I could fulfill, but always seemed to...sometimes barely.

I've thought about that alot lately as I have begun to pick the claws of poker from by back. For over 2 years it consumed me, and not in a constructive, thought provoking way, but in a hairy monkey one track mind convulsion sort of way.

Most importantly, I discovered a truth about myself. I am an action junkie in a very bad way. I forgo sleep, family obligations, and monetary stipulations for my fix. In short, I'm a donkey, but most of the few of you who read this probably already know that.

The 'good' part of this is that I'm not nearly as much of an idiot as ~%50 of the mouth-breathers who play poker online are. I've never put myself in a financial bind doing this, I at least have some sense regarding this matter. As a matter of fact, my shoddy bookkeeping (neteller transaction logs) tells me I'm breaking even this year......this session helped tremendously.

I am forming a plan in my mind, one that will begin as soon as I figure it out.

The plan will entail the veritable shitting or getting off the pot in regards to my existence as a poker player. I read through my posts here and spotted a theme developing. One that does not look so hot. If you've read this blog I apologize, I can run the gambit from pathetic loser to pretentious prick at the drop of the hat. I strive to detach my heart from this game and to begin to use my head. I strive to support my friends and family, I hope to gain and pass along some knowledge. I vow to become consistent and trustworthy. I plan on looking back on this post and saying "that's when I started." it's an involved and complex plan that will take some hammering out.

------------------------

That's where you come in. The something that surprised me when I got to know you. The something I will use to help me become a better player, a better friend, a decent person. You know I'm talking about you because are reading this, and I'm not gonna let you off the hook. I've finally found something I can't fix, can't figure out by myself, and I am going to use you to help me. The best part of this deal is that you don't have to do a thing, you already are and I just haven't bothered to listen. Yeah, there's a bunch of smart, honestly good people out there, some of which you will never be able to look in the eyes, but you can feel their touch nevertheless.


Thanks - Brian

Realization

One thing that I've been happily surprised with since joining the frey of noise deemed poker blogdom is that there are several very smart, dedicated, and (in most cases) good people who willingly fling money into the virtual void and have the balls to tell the world about it.


-------Cue "Behind the Music" theme-----------



I remember distinctly about 4 years ago I first threw caution to the wind and funded a Neteller account to put some money into Party Poker. I did this knowing virtually nothing about holdem. I had played a few times in mixed games and deemed it boring. However, all I had to do was open a money account at PP and I would get a whopping $25 for my troubles. Can't be that hard right? Not much different than slinging cards with my buddies over a couple of beers, right?

After about 4 hours, I was hooked.....and out of money. How did I go through my hundred bucks so quick?? Well, I played 2 $20 tounaments a 10 SNG, sat down at 1/2NL with my remaining money and bled that away. My only thought at this point was that I found something I needed to beat. I've always prided myself of my calm collected head, my emotional detachment from things that were beyond my control, and most of all, the ability to figure shit out.

I was a quiet kid. I never had a ton of friends until late in highschool, outcasts mostly. One thing I did though was construct and destruct. I took things apart. If something was broken, I'd fix it, or at least cannibalize it into something else. My curious but quiet nature kept me out of trouble for the most part, and the first time I tried to rebuild an engine, I vowed would be my last.

As a teenager I aligned myself with the 'new wavers,' the social outcast that somehow became envied and cool. We tried our best to rail against the establishment, being mostly well off white-bread kids. We developed, wrote, and published our own underground newspaper in highschool. We tried to crash the homecoming parade with a godawful 'float' bearing empty Heiniken and Natural Lite beer cases. We nearly got thrown out of school for printing fictional material about our principal and some teachers. On the last day of school we drove onto campus in a blacked out suburban, padlocked the entrances to one of the buildings and drove off into the sunset. Good times good times......ok what was the point....

--------------------

I have always had the innate ability to fix things, if I couldn't figure it out, it was broken. This ability has probably gotten me into some situations I didn't need to be in, it has definitely put me in places I'd rather not be. It got me my employment. It has made me make promises I wasn't sure I could fulfill, but always seemed to...sometimes barely.

I've thought about that alot lately as I have begun to pick the claws of poker from by back. For over 2 years it consumed me, and not in a constructive, thought provoking way, but in a hairy monkey one track mind convulsion sort of way.

Most importantly, I discovered a truth about myself. I am an action junkie in a very bad way. I forgo sleep, family obligations, and monetary stipulations for my fix. In short, I'm a donkey, but most of the few of you who read this probably already know that.

The 'good' part of this is that I'm not nearly as much of an idiot as ~%50 of the mouth-breathers who play poker online are. I've never put myself in a financial bind doing this, I at least have some sense regarding this matter. As a matter of fact, my shoddy bookkeeping (neteller transaction logs) tells me I'm breaking even this year......this session helped tremendously.

I am forming a plan in my mind, one that will begin as soon as I figure it out.

The plan will entail the veritable shitting or getting off the pot in regards to my existence as a poker player. I read through my posts here and spotted a theme developing. One that does not look so hot. If you've read this blog I apologize, I can run the gambit from pathetic loser to pretentious prick at the drop of the hat. I strive to detach my heart from this game and to begin to use my head. I strive to support my friends and family, I hope to gain and pass along some knowledge. I vow to become consistent and trustworthy. I plan on looking back on this post and saying "that's when I started." it's an involved and complex plan that will take some hammering out.

------------------------

That's where you come in. The something that surprised me when I got to know you. The something I will use to help me become a better player, a better friend, a decent person. You know I'm talking about you because are reading this, and I'm not gonna let you off the hook. I've finally found something I can't fix, can't figure out by myself, and I am going to use you to help me. The best part of this deal is that you don't have to do a thing, you already are and I just haven't bothered to listen. Yeah, there's a bunch of smart, honestly good people out there, some of which you will never be able to look in the eyes, but you can feel their touch nevertheless.


Thanks - Brian

Iggy found it first...

but I had to repost. Great article on the "impending doom" of gambling legislation.

Bad Bet


Cooler heads will prevail, those dipshits have no idea.

Iggy found it first...

but I had to repost. Great article on the "impending doom" of gambling legislation.

Bad Bet


Cooler heads will prevail, those dipshits have no idea.

What can you do?

Now that the dust has begun to settle over the Port Bill, I had planned to do a little blurb on actions that you can take to ensure online poker is not criminalized. You may have noticed the new link on the right. This is the first and easiest thing you can do.

Join the PPA, now.


Yes, I mean you.

For as little as $20 you can join online poker's biggest advocate, you have no excuse.


Luckily for you, PokerNews posted an article yesterday, which includes how to write a letter to your congressman. They will write you back. (yes most likely a form letter, but, your letter WILL be read). The more letters these guys get the more likely they might actually pay attention. As we know, all they want is your vote, and they will do what it takes to get it. If you like playing poker, and want to keep doing it, you can at least do these things.




WWDN was a good time last night, I made a horrible move vs someone I should know is incapable of folding (AJo goot!). Then I accidently joined a limit tourney, and moved over to FT. I'm really liking FT now that I've played it a bit more I'm halfway into my bonus and sporting a tidy little profit which helps. I won a $75 tolken on friday in my 2nd attempt. At the time it was a -EV play since I entered with Hoy, surf, IAK, SLB (others?) The 2 best parts of that game being I won a tolken and a non-blogger using the HOY.

So I have my ticket to the BIG GAME, I'm just not sure I'll be able to use it on Sunday. I ususally reserve Sundays for the wife.

I went ahead and joined the mook, and plan multi-tabling another SNG or MTT at the same time. We shall see.

What can you do?

Now that the dust has begun to settle over the Port Bill, I had planned to do a little blurb on actions that you can take to ensure online poker is not criminalized. You may have noticed the new link on the right. This is the first and easiest thing you can do.

Join the PPA, now.


Yes, I mean you.

For as little as $20 you can join online poker's biggest advocate, you have no excuse.


Luckily for you, PokerNews posted an article yesterday, which includes how to write a letter to your congressman. They will write you back. (yes most likely a form letter, but, your letter WILL be read). The more letters these guys get the more likely they might actually pay attention. As we know, all they want is your vote, and they will do what it takes to get it. If you like playing poker, and want to keep doing it, you can at least do these things.




WWDN was a good time last night, I made a horrible move vs someone I should know is incapable of folding (AJo goot!). Then I accidently joined a limit tourney, and moved over to FT. I'm really liking FT now that I've played it a bit more I'm halfway into my bonus and sporting a tidy little profit which helps. I won a $75 tolken on friday in my 2nd attempt. At the time it was a -EV play since I entered with Hoy, surf, IAK, SLB (others?) The 2 best parts of that game being I won a tolken and a non-blogger using the HOY.

So I have my ticket to the BIG GAME, I'm just not sure I'll be able to use it on Sunday. I ususally reserve Sundays for the wife.

I went ahead and joined the mook, and plan multi-tabling another SNG or MTT at the same time. We shall see.

Roll away, the dew.

My youngest daughter turned five last week. That's just bizarre. Time keeps on ticking, and we're held in it's hands and the things change around us. Do we take part to move the chains? Do we nudge the frightened children down a path of joy? Can we continue to adapt, adjust, concede.

Desire is fickle, and a damned hard beast to tame. So useful in its need, desire. Making you feed the voracious hunger. Lust, its' lonely stepchild, hoping for acceptance and fulfillment.

When and where do you choose to sedate them, to placate and enable them? When do you choose to make meaning from nothing? When do you learn to make something for yourself? When do you stop searching? When do you give in?

I guess never is the answer you need to give right? There's just one thing you can never loose and that is NEED. There is always something to need...something, someone, somethought.

What's your desire? What is mine?


Actually, I started this in a good mood, so just forget that for now. I had a good weekend, seeing family and friends. Had a date with the wife on Saturday. I cooked one of her favorite dishes. Chicken Alfredo with broccoli over angel hair pasta, 2 bottles of Marquis De Caceras rioja wine. We lay in bed on Sunday morning for as long as the kids would let us, missing church again.

It is a simple joy sometimes, the sweet kiss of your child, the warm embrace of the one you love. Sometimes the simplest things are the ones that are the best. Sometimes the simplest things are the ones that make you smile for no reason, that make you yearn for more, that make you want to live the best life you can.

Happy Monday everyone, have a good week!

Roll away, the dew.

My youngest daughter turned five last week. That's just bizarre. Time keeps on ticking, and we're held in it's hands and the things change around us. Do we take part to move the chains? Do we nudge the frightened children down a path of joy? Can we continue to adapt, adjust, concede.

Desire is fickle, and a damned hard beast to tame. So useful in its need, desire. Making you feed the voracious hunger. Lust, its' lonely stepchild, hoping for acceptance and fulfillment.

When and where do you choose to sedate them, to placate and enable them? When do you choose to make meaning from nothing? When do you learn to make something for yourself? When do you stop searching? When do you give in?

I guess never is the answer you need to give right? There's just one thing you can never loose and that is NEED. There is always something to need...something, someone, somethought.

What's your desire? What is mine?


Actually, I started this in a good mood, so just forget that for now. I had a good weekend, seeing family and friends. Had a date with the wife on Saturday. I cooked one of her favorite dishes. Chicken Alfredo with broccoli over angel hair pasta, 2 bottles of Marquis De Caceras rioja wine. We lay in bed on Sunday morning for as long as the kids would let us, missing church again.

It is a simple joy sometimes, the sweet kiss of your child, the warm embrace of the one you love. Sometimes the simplest things are the ones that are the best. Sometimes the simplest things are the ones that make you smile for no reason, that make you yearn for more, that make you want to live the best life you can.

Happy Monday everyone, have a good week!

Atlanta Poker Blogger Tour Update

Mark Your calendars for November 18TH!!!

We will play at least one $20 NLHE Tournament with side action and Football on the big screen. After the first tourney, we shall see. Bring your own drinks and that is all. I will be sending out an e-mail with a g-map, written directions and a phone contact to those people I know who are interested. If you do not recieve an e-mail by Thursday night then I do not have your address and need it.


If you need to crash, I have lots of space, so that's not an issue. Please post here again if you can so I can get a head count. I will be starting my table this weekend I hope and it shall be done.

Atlanta Poker Blogger Tour Update

Mark Your calendars for November 18TH!!!

We will play at least one $20 NLHE Tournament with side action and Football on the big screen. After the first tourney, we shall see. Bring your own drinks and that is all. I will be sending out an e-mail with a g-map, written directions and a phone contact to those people I know who are interested. If you do not recieve an e-mail by Thursday night then I do not have your address and need it.


If you need to crash, I have lots of space, so that's not an issue. Please post here again if you can so I can get a head count. I will be starting my table this weekend I hope and it shall be done.

Get your poker on!

I just had to post that again....sorry


I will have a firm date for the APBT (its not that hard) this week.

Get your poker on!

I just had to post that again....sorry


I will have a firm date for the APBT (its not that hard) this week.

Atlanta Poker Bloggers Tour

Hey folks.

I made a mistake looking at dates. For the November dates I was looking at a December calendar. So the real dates for November are 11/18 and 11/25. I have narrowed it down to those two dates. I'll send out another email next week. If you want to recieve an email with the neccesary info, please leave a comment here or e-mail me at 23skidoo AT geemail dot com. Also, if any out of town bloggers want to come or at the very least participate in some dial-a-shots, hit me up and I'll pass on the digits.


I flaked out of the WWDN-NOT shortly after entering as an afterthought. I made a silly play with 66 about 3 hands in and lost 1/4 of my stack, then donated the rest to IAK on his flopped double-house. I wasn't in the mood I guess.

Atlanta Poker Bloggers Tour

Hey folks.

I made a mistake looking at dates. For the November dates I was looking at a December calendar. So the real dates for November are 11/18 and 11/25. I have narrowed it down to those two dates. I'll send out another email next week. If you want to recieve an email with the neccesary info, please leave a comment here or e-mail me at 23skidoo AT geemail dot com. Also, if any out of town bloggers want to come or at the very least participate in some dial-a-shots, hit me up and I'll pass on the digits.


I flaked out of the WWDN-NOT shortly after entering as an afterthought. I made a silly play with 66 about 3 hands in and lost 1/4 of my stack, then donated the rest to IAK on his flopped double-house. I wasn't in the mood I guess.

had to beat it...

That's for you wolfie

had to beat it...

That's for you wolfie

Atlanta Poker Bloggers UNITE!

OK, I've put it off long enough, it needs to happen. I'm calling all Atlanta bloggers to give me some input on a good day for a Poker tourney at my house. I'm thinking Saturday might be a good day to do it in order to avoid the ususal traffic snafus in our lovely city. So, my tentative dates would be:

10/21

10/28

11/16

11/23

If someone wants to throw out another date with some reasoning, I'll be happy to listen. I may not have a table made by then, so if you have one to bring, let me know. I will do my best to get one made, but my fundage is in flux since my recent house purchase. I will provide directions to everyone who wants them, I live in Cumming, just south of the lake.

Also we should come up with some non uber-ghey name for the event, cause it seems that's how bloggers roll.

Atlanta Poker Bloggers UNITE!

OK, I've put it off long enough, it needs to happen. I'm calling all Atlanta bloggers to give me some input on a good day for a Poker tourney at my house. I'm thinking Saturday might be a good day to do it in order to avoid the ususal traffic snafus in our lovely city. So, my tentative dates would be:

10/21

10/28

11/16

11/23

If someone wants to throw out another date with some reasoning, I'll be happy to listen. I may not have a table made by then, so if you have one to bring, let me know. I will do my best to get one made, but my fundage is in flux since my recent house purchase. I will provide directions to everyone who wants them, I live in Cumming, just south of the lake.

Also we should come up with some non uber-ghey name for the event, cause it seems that's how bloggers roll.

WWDN!!

My poker dreams are nearly fulfilled.





Need I say more?

This certainly makes losing to a 2-outer on the river a bit easier to swallow.

Afterwards I proceeded to go completely insane until about 5:30 this morning. Have you ever gotten to a point where you are trying to lose your roll consciously or sub-consciously?

I'm apprehensive about posting this, and ambivalent about the results....I'm not sure what it means other than I'm a complete degenerate.

It starts off innocent enough....

PokerStars Tournament #33008760, No Limit Hold'em
Buy-In: $15.00/$1.00
18 players
Total Prize Pool: $270.00
Tournament started - 2006/10/02 - 21:39:34 (ET)

Dear 23skidoo,

You finished the tournament in 3rd place.
A $54.00 award has been credited to your Real Money account.


PokerStars Tournament #32891644, No Limit Hold'em
Buy-In: $10.00/$1.00
851 players
Total Prize Pool: $8510.00
Tournament started - 2006/10/03 - 22:40:00 (ET)

Dear 23skidoo,

You finished the tournament in 86th place.
A $16.16 award has been credited to your Real Money account.

You earned 63.25 tournament leader points in this tournament.



Then It starts to get a little more ugly.




PokerStars Tournament #33012196, No Limit Hold'em
Buy-In: $25.00/$2.00
18 players
Total Prize Pool: $450.00
Tournament started - 2006/10/02 - 23:10:42 (ET)

Dear 23skidoo,

You finished the tournament in 3rd place.
A $90.00 award has been credited to your Real Money account.

PokerStars Tournament #33072294, No Limit Hold'em
Buy-In: $105.00/$9.00
9 players
Total Prize Pool: $945.00
Tournament started - 2006/10/04 - 01:19:02 (ET)

Dear 23skidoo,

You finished the tournament in 2nd place.
A $283.50 award has been credited to your Real Money account.


PokerStars Tournament #33073895, No Limit Hold'em
Buy-In: $55.00/$5.00
18 players
Total Prize Pool: $990.00
Tournament started - 2006/10/04 - 02:07:30 (ET)

Dear 23skidoo,

You finished the tournament in 3rd place.
A $198.00 award has been credited to your Real Money account.

PokerStars Tournament #33075912, No Limit Hold'em
Buy-In: $55.00/$5.00
18 players
Total Prize Pool: $990.00
Tournament started - 2006/10/04 - 03:04:52 (ET)

Dear 23skidoo,

You finished the tournament in 4th place.
A $99.00 award has been credited to your Real Money account.


Then gets just stupid......



PokerStars Tournament #33077884, No Limit Hold'em
Buy-In: $105.00/$9.00
9 players
Total Prize Pool: $945.00
Tournament started - 2006/10/04 - 04:26:42 (ET)

Dear 23skidoo,

You finished the tournament in 2nd place.
A $283.50 award has been credited to your Real Money account.

PokerStars Tournament #33078729, No Limit Hold'em
Buy-In: $105.00/$9.00
9 players
Total Prize Pool: $945.00
Tournament started - 2006/10/04 - 05:13:07 (ET)

Dear 23skidoo,

You finished the tournament in 3rd place.
A $189.00 award has been credited to your Real Money account.


Congratulations!
Thank you for participating.


PokerStars Tournament #33077608, No Limit Hold'em
Buy-In: $112.00/$9.00
6 players
Total Prize Pool: $672.00
Tournament started - 2006/10/04 - 05:10:39 (ET)

Dear 23skidoo,

You finished the tournament in 1st place.
A $436.80 award has been credited to your Real Money account.



I guess I should feel good abut the results....I was in the twilight zone or something.

WWDN!!

My poker dreams are nearly fulfilled.





Need I say more?

This certainly makes losing to a 2-outer on the river a bit easier to swallow.

Afterwards I proceeded to go completely insane until about 5:30 this morning. Have you ever gotten to a point where you are trying to lose your roll consciously or sub-consciously?

I'm apprehensive about posting this, and ambivalent about the results....I'm not sure what it means other than I'm a complete degenerate.

It starts off innocent enough....

PokerStars Tournament #33008760, No Limit Hold'em
Buy-In: $15.00/$1.00
18 players
Total Prize Pool: $270.00
Tournament started - 2006/10/02 - 21:39:34 (ET)

Dear 23skidoo,

You finished the tournament in 3rd place.
A $54.00 award has been credited to your Real Money account.


PokerStars Tournament #32891644, No Limit Hold'em
Buy-In: $10.00/$1.00
851 players
Total Prize Pool: $8510.00
Tournament started - 2006/10/03 - 22:40:00 (ET)

Dear 23skidoo,

You finished the tournament in 86th place.
A $16.16 award has been credited to your Real Money account.

You earned 63.25 tournament leader points in this tournament.



Then It starts to get a little more ugly.




PokerStars Tournament #33012196, No Limit Hold'em
Buy-In: $25.00/$2.00
18 players
Total Prize Pool: $450.00
Tournament started - 2006/10/02 - 23:10:42 (ET)

Dear 23skidoo,

You finished the tournament in 3rd place.
A $90.00 award has been credited to your Real Money account.

PokerStars Tournament #33072294, No Limit Hold'em
Buy-In: $105.00/$9.00
9 players
Total Prize Pool: $945.00
Tournament started - 2006/10/04 - 01:19:02 (ET)

Dear 23skidoo,

You finished the tournament in 2nd place.
A $283.50 award has been credited to your Real Money account.


PokerStars Tournament #33073895, No Limit Hold'em
Buy-In: $55.00/$5.00
18 players
Total Prize Pool: $990.00
Tournament started - 2006/10/04 - 02:07:30 (ET)

Dear 23skidoo,

You finished the tournament in 3rd place.
A $198.00 award has been credited to your Real Money account.

PokerStars Tournament #33075912, No Limit Hold'em
Buy-In: $55.00/$5.00
18 players
Total Prize Pool: $990.00
Tournament started - 2006/10/04 - 03:04:52 (ET)

Dear 23skidoo,

You finished the tournament in 4th place.
A $99.00 award has been credited to your Real Money account.


Then gets just stupid......



PokerStars Tournament #33077884, No Limit Hold'em
Buy-In: $105.00/$9.00
9 players
Total Prize Pool: $945.00
Tournament started - 2006/10/04 - 04:26:42 (ET)

Dear 23skidoo,

You finished the tournament in 2nd place.
A $283.50 award has been credited to your Real Money account.

PokerStars Tournament #33078729, No Limit Hold'em
Buy-In: $105.00/$9.00
9 players
Total Prize Pool: $945.00
Tournament started - 2006/10/04 - 05:13:07 (ET)

Dear 23skidoo,

You finished the tournament in 3rd place.
A $189.00 award has been credited to your Real Money account.


Congratulations!
Thank you for participating.


PokerStars Tournament #33077608, No Limit Hold'em
Buy-In: $112.00/$9.00
6 players
Total Prize Pool: $672.00
Tournament started - 2006/10/04 - 05:10:39 (ET)

Dear 23skidoo,

You finished the tournament in 1st place.
A $436.80 award has been credited to your Real Money account.



I guess I should feel good abut the results....I was in the twilight zone or something.

Who wants it most?

Hi there, I feel the need to write for writing sakes, to shake the cobwebs from the corners, so to speak. The one minor problem is that I have nothing to write about. Sure I could bore you with my donktastic play at the Hoy, but you've heard that before. TPNK no goot! I could regale you with the triumphs of 2 smaller SNG's I played last night, but I know you don't really care.

I'll start off easy with this:

I think I've decided that the online poker 'ban' will actually change nothing....in the long run. I know its been proven time and time again that our current governing body doesn't know their ass from a hole in the ground, however no one has ever accused a politician of not being greedy enough. These guys can't have enough power, influence, and most importantly money. I know someone has a plan to profit from this. They've eliminated a vast percentage of the competitors, someone will find a way to fill the gap inevitably. Billions of dollars in potential trade doesn't just dry up and go away. Where there is money there is opportunity, where there is money there are at least 10 people who want to take it. The money is there....who wants it?

Don't you love being made into a criminal? This is just begginning to dig into my nerves a bit. The US government is telling us that playing cards on the internet is a crime, but playing the lottery or betting horses is fine. Playing cards in the hundreds of cardrooms and casinos thoughout the US is fine. On your computer, it is criminal activity equitible to terrorism and drug trafficing.

How did we get here?


I may be just uber-ghey enough to post something else today, this has only whetted my appetite.

Who wants it most?

Hi there, I feel the need to write for writing sakes, to shake the cobwebs from the corners, so to speak. The one minor problem is that I have nothing to write about. Sure I could bore you with my donktastic play at the Hoy, but you've heard that before. TPNK no goot! I could regale you with the triumphs of 2 smaller SNG's I played last night, but I know you don't really care.

I'll start off easy with this:

I think I've decided that the online poker 'ban' will actually change nothing....in the long run. I know its been proven time and time again that our current governing body doesn't know their ass from a hole in the ground, however no one has ever accused a politician of not being greedy enough. These guys can't have enough power, influence, and most importantly money. I know someone has a plan to profit from this. They've eliminated a vast percentage of the competitors, someone will find a way to fill the gap inevitably. Billions of dollars in potential trade doesn't just dry up and go away. Where there is money there is opportunity, where there is money there are at least 10 people who want to take it. The money is there....who wants it?

Don't you love being made into a criminal? This is just begginning to dig into my nerves a bit. The US government is telling us that playing cards on the internet is a crime, but playing the lottery or betting horses is fine. Playing cards in the hundreds of cardrooms and casinos thoughout the US is fine. On your computer, it is criminal activity equitible to terrorism and drug trafficing.

How did we get here?


I may be just uber-ghey enough to post something else today, this has only whetted my appetite.

Poke This!

Well, I'm not sure what to say.

I've had several people asking my opinion on what this law means, and what it could mean in the future. When I first heard about this piece of legislation, I didn't give it much credence. Gambling is as American as apple pie. People have been gambling on sports, dice, cards, wheels, animals, and even their own livelihoods for longer than America has been around. It in human nature to win, to accomplish, to best (something or someone). How can this be intrinsically wrong? Morally wrong?

And since when did anyone need a governing body to regulate morality? And when has that EVER been successful?

My second thought on this particular piece of cowardice achem....Legislation is...good luck! How does something like this get upheld? See how successful the Wire act was? I mean, no one bets over the phone right? The federal government expects our banking institutions to track and inspect every transaction with an oversees vendor or provider, and determine whether this transaction is legal or being used for nefarious ends such as drug trafficking, terrorism, or poker.

In my humble opinion: Fat chance! Maybe I don't know what the hell I'm talking about though, wouldn't be the first time.

I cashed out of Party and Interpoker (~350 hands into my bonus thank you)since they've already proven to be cowards. I also cashed from Full Tilt and Bodog, since I don't really like these sites anyway. I may be going back to FT, since they seem to be taking a more pragmatic course of action. PS and Party seem to be cutting their nose to spite their faces, or maybe they are being set up for a takeover or buy out. who knows? I may law low, but I'm not laying down. I have called my senator and congressman to voice my displeasure, I encourage you to do the same, even if you think it won't help.

So when does online $1/2 backgammon become a fad?

Poke This!

Well, I'm not sure what to say.

I've had several people asking my opinion on what this law means, and what it could mean in the future. When I first heard about this piece of legislation, I didn't give it much credence. Gambling is as American as apple pie. People have been gambling on sports, dice, cards, wheels, animals, and even their own livelihoods for longer than America has been around. It in human nature to win, to accomplish, to best (something or someone). How can this be intrinsically wrong? Morally wrong?

And since when did anyone need a governing body to regulate morality? And when has that EVER been successful?

My second thought on this particular piece of cowardice achem....Legislation is...good luck! How does something like this get upheld? See how successful the Wire act was? I mean, no one bets over the phone right? The federal government expects our banking institutions to track and inspect every transaction with an oversees vendor or provider, and determine whether this transaction is legal or being used for nefarious ends such as drug trafficking, terrorism, or poker.

In my humble opinion: Fat chance! Maybe I don't know what the hell I'm talking about though, wouldn't be the first time.

I cashed out of Party and Interpoker (~350 hands into my bonus thank you)since they've already proven to be cowards. I also cashed from Full Tilt and Bodog, since I don't really like these sites anyway. I may be going back to FT, since they seem to be taking a more pragmatic course of action. PS and Party seem to be cutting their nose to spite their faces, or maybe they are being set up for a takeover or buy out. who knows? I may law low, but I'm not laying down. I have called my senator and congressman to voice my displeasure, I encourage you to do the same, even if you think it won't help.

So when does online $1/2 backgammon become a fad?