"Welcome to the grossness of poker. If you have an ace high flush, someone will have a full house. If you have a full house, someone will have quads. If you have quads, the lights will go out in the casino and someone will grab your chipstack."
Monday, May 30, 2005
Back from Biloxi...
...and I'm beat. Slept 1.5 hours on Friday night, and no sleep on Sunday night, so I'm exhausted. The trip details will come tomorrow, but it was a blast. Who would've ever though I'd say this...but I could live in Mississippi! Peace out.
Monday, May 23, 2005
It's Been Awhile...
...since I've posted anything worthwhile on here. Nothing worth posting really.
I got 2nd in a $20 buy in live tournament on Friday night with 25 players. I got $120 for my efforts. But then yesterday I proceeded to lose $140 playing 2-4 on Full Tilt. I was getting outdrawn like you wouldn't believe! But, I could have saved a few bets here and there, and I proceeded to give my money away on a few hands. That's my biggest weakness in limit hold em'. I always call the extra bet when I know I'm beat, and that's something I'm trying to get better at. Limit Hold Em' is really a different strategy, and it involves laying down good hands like overpairs, or top pair with top kicker frequently. That's something I'm learning to do, but it's not easy!
Friday I'm leaving for Biloxi, Mississippi to see my cousin Troy. Pounds is going with me, and I think it's going to be a pretty fun trip. I imagine we'll be discussing poker quite a bit, and we're gonna play at a few of the casinos down there. I'm pretty pumped for the whole thing.
I also bought some new poker chips that were pretty expensive, so I'm gonna cut back on the money spending for awhile! I did hear about a charity casino down the road from our house, so I might try to hit that up the weekend after next and see if I can make a little money. Should be a good learning experience anyways.
Well...that's all for now, have a good day!
I got 2nd in a $20 buy in live tournament on Friday night with 25 players. I got $120 for my efforts. But then yesterday I proceeded to lose $140 playing 2-4 on Full Tilt. I was getting outdrawn like you wouldn't believe! But, I could have saved a few bets here and there, and I proceeded to give my money away on a few hands. That's my biggest weakness in limit hold em'. I always call the extra bet when I know I'm beat, and that's something I'm trying to get better at. Limit Hold Em' is really a different strategy, and it involves laying down good hands like overpairs, or top pair with top kicker frequently. That's something I'm learning to do, but it's not easy!
Friday I'm leaving for Biloxi, Mississippi to see my cousin Troy. Pounds is going with me, and I think it's going to be a pretty fun trip. I imagine we'll be discussing poker quite a bit, and we're gonna play at a few of the casinos down there. I'm pretty pumped for the whole thing.
I also bought some new poker chips that were pretty expensive, so I'm gonna cut back on the money spending for awhile! I did hear about a charity casino down the road from our house, so I might try to hit that up the weekend after next and see if I can make a little money. Should be a good learning experience anyways.
Well...that's all for now, have a good day!
" I will not accept fear, weakness, or failure. The only defeat I will accept is a matter in which is out of my hands. Therefore I will reach out my hands and change it."
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Big post coming tomorrow. Haven't had much time to post, but I have been thinking about what to write for awhile. I'm gonna try to get to this more than once a week, I've been slackin'!
"Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you'll be a mile away and you'll have their shoes."
Monday, May 16, 2005
A Little No-Limit Hold Em' and Daniel Negreanu
Yesterday was a terrific day. I had the opportunity to play in a Charity Texas Hold Em' tournament and meet my poker idol, Daniel Negreanu. The tournament was a blast, but meeting Daniel and gettin a few pics with him was the highlight of the day.
As for the tournament, we started with 2000 in chips and the blinds started at 5-10, going up every 10 mins. The blind structure sucked, but they were forced to do it that way with that many people. There were 330 people at 33 tables, and each table played down to 1 winner, shoot out style. I was fortunate enough to win my table, and I received a $40 Best Buy gift card for winning, which was cool because we only paid $10 to get in. Sadly I didn't make the final table. My cards were awful, and with the blinds going up so fast, it was hard to do anything. My last hand saw my QJ offsuit lose to AA. Oh well, it was a blast!
Daniel is as down to earth as he seems on TV, and really seemed to be a geniunely good guy. While he was signing autographs, he did steal my sharpie.. He owes me now. Hopefully I can pay him back one day at the final table!
It was truly a great time, and made me want to pursue playing poker professionally even more. I'm still gonna stick it out and see what happens...I think someday I'll be able to make it. I have to get much better though.
Here are some pics from yesterday:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/s_dogg1032/album?.dir=/6197
As for the tournament, we started with 2000 in chips and the blinds started at 5-10, going up every 10 mins. The blind structure sucked, but they were forced to do it that way with that many people. There were 330 people at 33 tables, and each table played down to 1 winner, shoot out style. I was fortunate enough to win my table, and I received a $40 Best Buy gift card for winning, which was cool because we only paid $10 to get in. Sadly I didn't make the final table. My cards were awful, and with the blinds going up so fast, it was hard to do anything. My last hand saw my QJ offsuit lose to AA. Oh well, it was a blast!
Daniel is as down to earth as he seems on TV, and really seemed to be a geniunely good guy. While he was signing autographs, he did steal my sharpie.. He owes me now. Hopefully I can pay him back one day at the final table!
It was truly a great time, and made me want to pursue playing poker professionally even more. I'm still gonna stick it out and see what happens...I think someday I'll be able to make it. I have to get much better though.
Here are some pics from yesterday:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/s_dogg1032/album?.dir=/6197
"I am in control of my own destiny"
Saturday, May 14, 2005
A Humbling Experience
Last night I had the chance to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Not the one in Washington D.C., but a replica about 1/10 of the size that has been traveling around the country. I made the trip with my parents, and I'm very glad I had the chance to see it. Now...I don't pretend to know everything involved with the War, or even all the politics, because I wasn't alive then. But it really makes me sick to think of how the soldiers were treated when they returned. While I understand alot of Americans didn't agree with the war, it's not like the soldiers wanted to be over there. They were simply following orders and serving their country. There were more than 58,000 people killed over in Vietnam, and to think that the soldiers that came back were treated the way they were treated really just makes me sad.
My dad served in the war, and actually was awarded a bronze star with a V, which indicates "bravery in ground combat", when his helicopter had to land in the jungle to save another crew whose helicopter had been shot down. It was a very humbling experience seeing my father react to all the exhibits and things that were present at this event. I really had never seen him like that, and I could almost see him reliving some of his experiences right there in front of me.
On the ride home, the subject of Jane Fonda came up. What she did in Vietnam is an absolute act of treason, and she should have been put in jail. That women absolutely disgusts me, and I will never see a movie she is in.
Well, I'm not sure what the point of this post is other than to share with everyone what a humbling experience that was. Everyone of us Americans should be grateful for what those soldiers did, and what the soldiers of today do to protect our freedoms.
God Blesss
My dad served in the war, and actually was awarded a bronze star with a V, which indicates "bravery in ground combat", when his helicopter had to land in the jungle to save another crew whose helicopter had been shot down. It was a very humbling experience seeing my father react to all the exhibits and things that were present at this event. I really had never seen him like that, and I could almost see him reliving some of his experiences right there in front of me.
On the ride home, the subject of Jane Fonda came up. What she did in Vietnam is an absolute act of treason, and she should have been put in jail. That women absolutely disgusts me, and I will never see a movie she is in.
Well, I'm not sure what the point of this post is other than to share with everyone what a humbling experience that was. Everyone of us Americans should be grateful for what those soldiers did, and what the soldiers of today do to protect our freedoms.
God Blesss
"Lest We Forget"
Monday, May 09, 2005
Well I was right...almost
Last time I said I felt like I was right on the cusp of a big score via poker, and I was ALMOST right. This weekend, I played in 6 tournaments on the internet, made 3 final tables and a 12th place finish. On Friday night I finished 6th out of 524 in a $5 + .50 tourney on UB...good for a $91 cash. Saturday I finished 6th out of 173 in a $5 + .50 tourney on Full Tilt, good for $49. I finished 9th out of 50 in a TEC satallite on UB, no prize, but a final table nonetheless. And finally, last night I finished 12th out of around 400. I got $25 for that. Now I understand none of these are big paydays, but I really feel like I'm playing the best poker of my life right now and the big, long awaited "W" is right around the corner.
I just need to catch a break in crunch time. My final hand last night that sealed my 12th place finish was when I was dealt Ac Kc, and had two callers of the 3,000 Big Blind. I figured I could either steal the chips from the limpers, or have a chance to triple up, so I moved all in for about 27,000 more. Well, one guy flopped a set of fives, and that was it for me. I also lost another key hand in that tourney when my A K went up against A J and the guy made a flush with his J c. Bummer huh.
I came in second in a razz sit n go on Full Tilt earlier tonight. I've never played razz, and I really think I could've won it, but I was getting extremely bored, so I loosened up a little trying to get it over, and ended up coming in 2nd. Better than 3rd I guess.
Well that's about it. Nothing else really has been going on in my life the last few days. My sister and I are paying for a trip for my parents to Las Vegas, so I'm pretty excited for them to get the chance to go to Sin City. My dad also seems to be catching the poker bug, so we'll see where that goes.
Until next time...keep ya head up and keep reaching for the stars. (corny, I know)
I just need to catch a break in crunch time. My final hand last night that sealed my 12th place finish was when I was dealt Ac Kc, and had two callers of the 3,000 Big Blind. I figured I could either steal the chips from the limpers, or have a chance to triple up, so I moved all in for about 27,000 more. Well, one guy flopped a set of fives, and that was it for me. I also lost another key hand in that tourney when my A K went up against A J and the guy made a flush with his J c. Bummer huh.
I came in second in a razz sit n go on Full Tilt earlier tonight. I've never played razz, and I really think I could've won it, but I was getting extremely bored, so I loosened up a little trying to get it over, and ended up coming in 2nd. Better than 3rd I guess.
Well that's about it. Nothing else really has been going on in my life the last few days. My sister and I are paying for a trip for my parents to Las Vegas, so I'm pretty excited for them to get the chance to go to Sin City. My dad also seems to be catching the poker bug, so we'll see where that goes.
Until next time...keep ya head up and keep reaching for the stars. (corny, I know)
" I sit in this world watching, listening and learning. All this hell that surrounds me will not bring me down. I am too strong, I love life too much to forget what is possible to attain, if you work hard and never give up."
Friday, May 06, 2005
A Couple of Boring Days
I haven't posted since Tuesday night because...well because there hasn't been much to write about. The past two days have been pretty boring, so I figured I'd save the trouble.
I've been trying to build up my bankroll a little for a trip to Biloxi that I'm taking over Memorial Day, but I haven't been real successful. I keep treading water and staying pretty much even. I have this feeling that I'm really close to making a big score, but it continues to elude me. Hopefully I'll have some good news to post soon. Until then, I'll keep grinding it out.
Well...actually just finished 6th out of 524 in a $5 + .50 tournament. Ended up getting $91.25. It's not a big score, but it's a step in the right direction. Maybe I can use this to get something going.
I imagine that this weekend will be a typical one...boring. Hopefully not, but we'll see. I'll try to post something tomorrow, but if not, Sunday for sure.
Until then, safe travels and God Bless.
I've been trying to build up my bankroll a little for a trip to Biloxi that I'm taking over Memorial Day, but I haven't been real successful. I keep treading water and staying pretty much even. I have this feeling that I'm really close to making a big score, but it continues to elude me. Hopefully I'll have some good news to post soon. Until then, I'll keep grinding it out.
Well...actually just finished 6th out of 524 in a $5 + .50 tournament. Ended up getting $91.25. It's not a big score, but it's a step in the right direction. Maybe I can use this to get something going.
I imagine that this weekend will be a typical one...boring. Hopefully not, but we'll see. I'll try to post something tomorrow, but if not, Sunday for sure.
Until then, safe travels and God Bless.
" If you have been given the bowl and spoon, rest assured, as it is the nature's way of saying, 'We are going to serve you soon.'"
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Today was Better...Sort of
Today started off the same as yesterday. I woke up in a bad mood and didn't really feel very well. I went to work and decided that I needed to take a half day off so I could try to get feeling better, so I worked to 11:45 and then came home. I proceed to sleep from about noon until about 3:45. I felt like a new man when I woke up! I was ready to go! So about 5 I drove to Marion to play a couple of softball games.
Now, before tonight, I hadn't played softball in about 3 years. I figured I'd be way out of shape and embarrass myself. Now although I am out of shape, I actually played pretty well. I hit the ball pretty hard, and really didn't have to play defense because nothing came my way. I'm actually pretty happy with the way I played, even though our team got smoked in both games. That sucked, because I'm not a big fan of losing, but I think we'll be ok after a few games.
I think I might have figured out why I've been in a bad mood the last couple of days. I just realized that I'm probably going to be alone the rest of my life. The realization is a little discouraging, because it's no fun being lonely. Now I don't need to have someone, because I am fully capable of supporting myself, both financially and emotionally, but it would be cool to have someone to share my life with. I guess I'll just have to get used to it, because it doesn't seem that a wife, or even a girlfriend for that matter, are in the cards.
I've also had a pretty important decision weighing on my mind. If I decide to go through with it, it will seem like a step backwards in journey of life. It may in fact be a step backwards. But I really believe that taking this step backwards will lead to a pretty big leap forward. I'm struggling with the decision though, and I think that has contributed to my bad mood.
I haven't talked about poker much lately, because I haven't played as much as I would've liked in the past week. I'm going to start trying to play a little more, so hopefully there will be more poker talk on here soon.
That's all for tonight. Have a good day tomorrow. Who knows, it could be the best day of your life!
Now, before tonight, I hadn't played softball in about 3 years. I figured I'd be way out of shape and embarrass myself. Now although I am out of shape, I actually played pretty well. I hit the ball pretty hard, and really didn't have to play defense because nothing came my way. I'm actually pretty happy with the way I played, even though our team got smoked in both games. That sucked, because I'm not a big fan of losing, but I think we'll be ok after a few games.
I think I might have figured out why I've been in a bad mood the last couple of days. I just realized that I'm probably going to be alone the rest of my life. The realization is a little discouraging, because it's no fun being lonely. Now I don't need to have someone, because I am fully capable of supporting myself, both financially and emotionally, but it would be cool to have someone to share my life with. I guess I'll just have to get used to it, because it doesn't seem that a wife, or even a girlfriend for that matter, are in the cards.
I've also had a pretty important decision weighing on my mind. If I decide to go through with it, it will seem like a step backwards in journey of life. It may in fact be a step backwards. But I really believe that taking this step backwards will lead to a pretty big leap forward. I'm struggling with the decision though, and I think that has contributed to my bad mood.
I haven't talked about poker much lately, because I haven't played as much as I would've liked in the past week. I'm going to start trying to play a little more, so hopefully there will be more poker talk on here soon.
That's all for tonight. Have a good day tomorrow. Who knows, it could be the best day of your life!
" Sometimes only the struggle makes it worth it, only the pain makes it sweet, and only victory is the answer."
Monday, May 02, 2005
So Much For the New Me
Today I woke up in a bad mood and it didn't change all day. I was very tired, grumpy, and I really didn't want to speak to anyone if I didn't have to. I have no idea why I was in this mood, and I have no explanation. It felt like something was bothering me all day, but I really couldn't figure out what it was that was bothering me. So, I just sat at my desk all day and avoided all human contact. Not only was it Monday, but I was in a bad mood, so it made the Monday even worse.
Today why I was sulking I started to think about stupid things. One thing that popped into my mind was the dreams that I have. I don't know why I have dreams that are hardly possible, but I'm sure that everyone has dreams. I think that is what keeps people going. If you didn't have dreams and aspirations, why would you continue to do what you do? If you knew nothing would get better, there would be no sense in continuing. Although most people would think that my dreams are unattainable, I truly believe that I can accomplish the things in my dreams, and as long as I have any life in me, I'm going to keep trying to reach them.
Something I've been blessed with (or cursed with, depending on how you look at it) is the ability to follow through with things. When I was little, I started playing baseball, and it consumed my life until the time I graduated high school. When I get involved in something, it completely consumes my life, and I don't let it go until I'm the best (or the best I can be). The same thing has happened to me with poker. At times poker completely consumes my life, and I'm ok with that right now. I don't have a girlfriend, I don't have a family to take care of, and I have a minimal amount of responsibility right now, so I'm ok with poker being my main concentration. I love playing, and I don't see myself giving it up anytime soon. I've got to be the best, and I won't stop until I am.
I can't think of much more right now, so I'm gonna watch Las Vegas...man that's a good show. Until then, don't you go dying on me!
Today why I was sulking I started to think about stupid things. One thing that popped into my mind was the dreams that I have. I don't know why I have dreams that are hardly possible, but I'm sure that everyone has dreams. I think that is what keeps people going. If you didn't have dreams and aspirations, why would you continue to do what you do? If you knew nothing would get better, there would be no sense in continuing. Although most people would think that my dreams are unattainable, I truly believe that I can accomplish the things in my dreams, and as long as I have any life in me, I'm going to keep trying to reach them.
Something I've been blessed with (or cursed with, depending on how you look at it) is the ability to follow through with things. When I was little, I started playing baseball, and it consumed my life until the time I graduated high school. When I get involved in something, it completely consumes my life, and I don't let it go until I'm the best (or the best I can be). The same thing has happened to me with poker. At times poker completely consumes my life, and I'm ok with that right now. I don't have a girlfriend, I don't have a family to take care of, and I have a minimal amount of responsibility right now, so I'm ok with poker being my main concentration. I love playing, and I don't see myself giving it up anytime soon. I've got to be the best, and I won't stop until I am.
I can't think of much more right now, so I'm gonna watch Las Vegas...man that's a good show. Until then, don't you go dying on me!
"Don't give up. Don't ever give up."
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Where to Start?
Hope everyone (well the maybe 2 people that actually read this) had a good weekend. I had a pretty decent one. Had fun Friday, had a pretty good time yesterday, and I had a good time today visiting with my parents. I went home to see them today, and it was really good to see them. I'm really close with my parents, and it's been 2 weeks since I've seen them. I have a wonderful family, and I don't know what I would do without them. If anything ever happened to any of them, I would be mentally unstable, and that's no joke. I don't know what I would do with myself.
I also have two brothers and a sister, and to be honest, I'm not as close with them as I would like to be. My two brothers are actually half brothers. We have the same dad but different mothers. I love all of them very much, and I hope that we can gain a closer relationship in the future. I'm sure you'll see me mention my family alot in these entries.
I have so much to write I don't know where to start. This journal thing is really helpful to me, because it lets me get things off of my chest and put my thoughts into words. I look forward to posting in this, and throughout the day I'm always trying to figure out what I'm going to write about.
One thing I realized while playing poker this weekend is that I have a severe lack of self-discipline. I noticed it while playing poker, and this is a vital skill in poker. But, my lack of self-discipline is not confined to the poker table. I'm really pretty lazy and I definetly don't excercise enough. I recently slowed way down on carbonated drinks like pop, but I still need to eat healthier. I'm trying to make myself a better person, and I'm going to work very hard to become more self-disciplined, because I think it could make me a better person in many different ways.
This weekend, mainly today, I realized a few things about poker. The first thing I realized is that when I play my best poker, I can play with pretty much anyone around, except for maybe the pros. I really think that I'm a very good player when I'm playing my best...but that's the problem. My lack of self-discipline doesn't allow me to be at my best all the time. When I'm not my best, I'm an average player at best, and this is when I lose the profit that I've gained when playing at my best. I'm going to make a conscious effort to get myself in the right frame of mind everytime I play, and not play if I don't feel like I can play my best.
Another thing that became painfully obvious is that you have to be mentally unstable to play poker. Poker is a game of skill, with some luck involved. This makes it a very hard game to play, because you could play perfectly, make the right move every single time, and still lose. You can have the best hand to start, and end up in last. Sometimes there will only be 1 or 2 cards in the deck that can save your opponent, and when one of those cards come, it feels like someone just punched you in the stomach. You have to have a very resilent personality to play poker, and almost have to like to take abuse. You can catch bad cards for a month or two at a time, but you have to have confidence in yourself that you will still be able to win. Poker is a game where the obstacle is to make the right decisions, not to win or lose. If you constantly make the right decisions, you'll be a winner in the long run. But it really stings when you make the right decision, and end up a loser in the short run. Like I said, you have to be mentall ill to play poker.
Well, I think I'm going to treat tomorrow as a new beginning...I'm going to change. I'm gonna work on my self-discipline, work on my self-confidence, and try to look at the positive in every situtation. Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life...or at least that's how I'm gonna look at it.
Until tomorrow...let this week be the best week of your life, and God Bless.
I also have two brothers and a sister, and to be honest, I'm not as close with them as I would like to be. My two brothers are actually half brothers. We have the same dad but different mothers. I love all of them very much, and I hope that we can gain a closer relationship in the future. I'm sure you'll see me mention my family alot in these entries.
I have so much to write I don't know where to start. This journal thing is really helpful to me, because it lets me get things off of my chest and put my thoughts into words. I look forward to posting in this, and throughout the day I'm always trying to figure out what I'm going to write about.
One thing I realized while playing poker this weekend is that I have a severe lack of self-discipline. I noticed it while playing poker, and this is a vital skill in poker. But, my lack of self-discipline is not confined to the poker table. I'm really pretty lazy and I definetly don't excercise enough. I recently slowed way down on carbonated drinks like pop, but I still need to eat healthier. I'm trying to make myself a better person, and I'm going to work very hard to become more self-disciplined, because I think it could make me a better person in many different ways.
This weekend, mainly today, I realized a few things about poker. The first thing I realized is that when I play my best poker, I can play with pretty much anyone around, except for maybe the pros. I really think that I'm a very good player when I'm playing my best...but that's the problem. My lack of self-discipline doesn't allow me to be at my best all the time. When I'm not my best, I'm an average player at best, and this is when I lose the profit that I've gained when playing at my best. I'm going to make a conscious effort to get myself in the right frame of mind everytime I play, and not play if I don't feel like I can play my best.
Another thing that became painfully obvious is that you have to be mentally unstable to play poker. Poker is a game of skill, with some luck involved. This makes it a very hard game to play, because you could play perfectly, make the right move every single time, and still lose. You can have the best hand to start, and end up in last. Sometimes there will only be 1 or 2 cards in the deck that can save your opponent, and when one of those cards come, it feels like someone just punched you in the stomach. You have to have a very resilent personality to play poker, and almost have to like to take abuse. You can catch bad cards for a month or two at a time, but you have to have confidence in yourself that you will still be able to win. Poker is a game where the obstacle is to make the right decisions, not to win or lose. If you constantly make the right decisions, you'll be a winner in the long run. But it really stings when you make the right decision, and end up a loser in the short run. Like I said, you have to be mentall ill to play poker.
Well, I think I'm going to treat tomorrow as a new beginning...I'm going to change. I'm gonna work on my self-discipline, work on my self-confidence, and try to look at the positive in every situtation. Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life...or at least that's how I'm gonna look at it.
Until tomorrow...let this week be the best week of your life, and God Bless.
" The jump is so frightening between where I am and where I want to be. But for all I may become, I will close my eyes and leap!"
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