ESPN bows to Hellmuth

Can you believe that ESPN has bowed to their "precious media clown" Phil H, and in the process have given him another "mark on his fuselage" as another final table. They decided to force the WSOP to stop play early yesterday in the 28th event which is a $3000 NLH buy-in because they wanted to have PH at their final table. I can't believe...well actually I can believe that Phil would allow this to happen. He will now have an asterisks next to his final table appearances. I hope they knock his butt out in the first hand.

Went play in a "Bar" tournament last night in New Orleans. Pretty rough crowd. I think I could have ran the tourney better, but what can you expect from the New Orleans crowd. It was a $50.00 buy-in with about 20 people in it. I am going to try to post up a MPEG of us at the final table at Binion's. I know...I know...I am sucking this one small 3rd place finish for all its worth, but actually, I just want to see if it post and what it looks like.

What you will see is when we are down to 4 players, there is a sort of introduction where we all introduce ourselves and tell where we are from.

Lets see how it comes out...

Oh well...would not let me

"You said bullshit and experience is all it takes, right? -Right. -Come on in and experience some of my bullshit" Eddie Murphy's character Reggie Hammond in "48 hrs"

Tunica update

Alright now. I am taking some heat for my photos from the old school guys. Sorry about that. I guess I dress for comfort at the table. That hat is my new America Eagle cap that turns inside out and it is camo on the inside. I was actually thinking of making that my new "Poker Hat". Kind of like Jared Hamby. I heard that Barry Greenstein got alot of flack from the pocktfives.com Internet poker crowd because he referred to Jared as "The kid with the green hat". You see, Jared is always seen with an old Green Baylor hat that is all worn out and scuffed up. You know, like he took it and scrapped it up against a brick wall or something. I assume that is why his nickname is the "The Waco Kid". "Louisiana Lightning" is already taken by Herbie Montalbano. Herbie is a nice guy. He always comes and sits in the 2-5nl games at Harrah's when he is in town. I last played with Herbie when he came down to visit his folks during Christmas. I saw him in the $5000.00 PL Hold-em tourney while I was there. I didn't get to talk to him, but he did acknowledge me with a little point of his finger...but I digress

Wednesday night weekly at Sams Town. $80.00 buy in $25.00 entry. There were a disappointing 43 players. I expected more. I got down to the final 2 tables and jammed short stacked with pocket 4's only to run into Pocket Kings. I did make quad Kings about halfway thru the tournament and let a guy catch up and get his flush on the river while calling on every street, and then retired him when he jammed with the Jack high flush against my quads. It was sweet. I got lots of cudo's on my acting ability as several old timers ribbed me that they knew I had a monster.

Last night was the weekly $100.00/$25.00 at the Gold Strike. It was cool to see Johnny Grooms again and chat with him about this years WSOP. I am wondering whether my "brother from another mother" Jason Lipscomb will become as famous as Johnny. Jason is currently working the series and I know he did the final table commentating on the Reslock/Ivey final table...but I digress...again. I made to the final 2 tables, yea...I know, not a good pattern. There was this pretty girl that sat there the entire first 4 rounds and did not play one hand. All of a sudden she just blows up, and starts gathering chips and bullying the table. She caught me on a bluff for a quarter of my stack. Then I noticed a tell. Every time she capped her cards it seemed she had a monster. I saw her not cap her cards a couple of times, and she got caught in a bluff on the one hand she had to show-down "uncapped". I am on the button and there are 3 limpers to her and she jams..."Uncapped". I look down at A-9o. I think for a long time trying to get a read on her. She looks a little nervous, but nothing significant. "I call" and show the A-9. She smiles and turns over K-Qo. Right where I wanted to be...until a King and Queen hit the flop...Yikes. GeneD is deposited to the rail. In hindsight, I don't think she was on a bluff, but I did get it in with the best of it.

Please check out Wild Bills Blog at http://sleepwiththefishesdineonthewhales.blogspot.com/

He is my partner in crime, and we hope to have our site up soon where we will link both our blogs with our regional site. I know...I know...I have been talking about this for awhile now with nothing to show for it. The site has not changed and I am starting to get some heat from my buddies as the "Under Construction" signs are looking pretty worn. I think you guys will like Bill's prose. He has a lot more wit in his writing, and he can remember hands alot better that I can.

Bill did mention on his blog that I got bust out this year by Siedel, and last year I busted out J. Chan. Of course they were both put in the spotlight by the movie Rounders. What is the

significance? I don't know but I think Eric Bana and Robert Duvall better stay out of my way.
Or what about Sly and Jamie Fox from Shade...Yea...They need to steer clear also.

I guess I will have to post up another photo of myself at the 2005 WSOP event. In this one I am sitting next to Marsha Waggoner and John Phan is also at my table...and in the photo on the left. I don't look so sloppy in this one ;-)

One more just to prove that I am not a slob at the table...Notice no chips...OUCH

Pics from the Final Table at Binion's

I forget to also tell you guys that I chopped a $175.00 satellite while I was there also. Real soft table. The CEO of stripokerchallenge.com, Stevie Vegas. He also had 2 of his girls at our table. One solid older guy was also at the table and several other guys from Indiana that confided to me in the line that this was their first WSOP. They gave away 3 $500.00 chips and $125.00 cash. Me and one of the guys from Indiana decided to chop. I took the 2 chips and we both got out of there with over $800.00

Daniel Negreanu is now with pokerstars.com. I wonder what will happen to fullcontactpoker?

He really jumps around alot.

Check out Alex's new website...http://fropoker.com/

Here is a couple of pics from my final table at Binion's

I made it a point to make sure my cards where over the card reader on the table. If you can't make it...then fake it HaHaHaHa

Here are me and some railbirds...notice the cold beverage of the "barley and hops" persuasion.

One More with me and the winner Mike "Shoes" Gambony. The guy has cashed like 40 times since 2000. He was a really nice guy

"That kid is back on the escalator again!!!" Jason Lee's Character Brodie on Mall Rats

Random thoughts and comments on this years WSOP

I was really down and out earlier in the week about coming home from the WSOP. It was tough to go after your dream, get close enough to smell and taste it, and then have the facet just turned off on you. WOW...Sobering for sure. I will be playing in the weekly freeze-out at Sam's Town tonight. It is a $80/$25 buy-in. I am getting my game face on, and plan on keeping at it.

Work...well is work. Getting my head back into it.

Brandi Hawbaker...I saw her at the WSOP getting interviewed with Sklansky. She was answering the questions while he sat there looking geek-ish. I swear I saw him staring at her boobs.

Poker Wire Radio...I got to listen to Alex Jacob on the ride yesterday and I agree with Wild Bill, he is the next superstar. He did get ribbed by Gavin Smith about there being 138 pros that were playing the PPL that did not play in the USPC. It was cool though...they were just joking around about it.

Hellmuth wins the 11th...WOW...I cannot believe it. The guy is loud and obnoxious at times, but you have to give it to him...he is good. That reminds me that I got to see the replay of when Varkoni shaved his head...Classic.

WSOP lines and Chaos...everyone is stating the obvious...its the worst I have ever seen it.

Worst hand that was played came from Daniel Alaei as told to Gavin Smith via Poker wire Radio. Daniel bet $3000.00 on the river into a $6000.00 pot with 5h4d with a board showing 9s9d3d3h6h...the donkfish calls with pocket deuces. Even if he doesn't have the straight...he wins with 5 high HaHaHaHaHaHa

Six degrees of separation...One of my sales guys lives next door to Moneymaker in Memphis. He is suppose to go with him to the pokerstars event in Aruba or Atlantis...somewhere...Damn is he lucky

I had to leave some of the cash with the wife. We have a patio to put up

"You know, my old man used to tell me, before he left this shitty world, the right woman can make you and the wrong one can break you" Don Johnson's Character Malboro Man in "Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man"

Back Home from the WSOP

Well people, I am back home and back to the grind of work. My wife and I did absolutely nothing yesterday. All we did was lay on the couch and watch movies. I kind of felt like I was detoxing from all the energy of Las Vegas and the WSOP. There is so much energy and action there that it just consumes you. There is nothing else like it.



As you guys know, I free-rolled into the WSOP 6 handed event #12 which had a $1500.00 buy-in. There were over 1400 people in the event. I felt really good going into the event after my 3rd place finish in the Binion's Poker Classic . I really like the 6 handed format, and I really got alot of experience in the Binion's event playing 6 handed. I started out strong, and picked up several pots early. I was in the 6 seat, and there was David "The Dragon" Pham in 4, and Cliff "Johnny Bax" Josephy in the 1 seat. Pham got knocked out after about 30-40 minutes. My buddy "Let's Poker" Martin happen to be at the table next to me with Amnon Fillippi. After the first break, I was moved to a table with Andy Bloch 2 to my right. This was a good spot for him. He was really a nice guy, and I joked with him that I had the episode of the "The Circuit" with him on it playing in my Ipod. After the 2nd dinner break I ran into a hand that I will discuss here. I think I played it bad.



Button is in the one seat, and I am in the 3 seat with antes/blimds at 50/150/300 (i think). I look down at pocket 8's and make standard 3 times raise. Internet guy to my left in the 4 seat hesitates, then smooth calls. All else folds. Flop come Qc7d3s. I make it 2200 to go. Internet guy goes in the tank. Finally smooth calls. Turn comes the Ah. I go in the tank, and I know what I should do...Jam it. I can feel the guy is spooked. I did not like the 2200 call though. I check very hesitantly...he does the same. River card comes a Jd...I know I am now in trouble. I go in the tank thinking I have 2 plays here...Jam it...and give away my tournament with a call...or check and loose what little fold equity I have left...basically giving up. I don't think I can win without betting. I know he does not have me on a straight draw with K-10. I check. He sighs a sigh of relief and says, "Man, I did not want to be in that hand and I know you didn't either. I know I should bet here as a value, but I don't think you would call. This hand was the spookiest so far of my tournament and I don't know what I would have down if you jammed after the turn", and he proceeds to lay out pocket J's so we all could see. It was tough to see, but it did not cripple me. I still had some chips to play with. I got moved to a table with Eric Siedel 2 to my left. He has double the chips I have. I get down to about 2600 is chips with the antes/blinds at 75/200/400 when the guy directly to my left stands up and walks away from the table. So when the blinds get to me I have a pass on the small blind and then I look down on the button at KJs. Siedel is in the BB, so I jam when it comes to me on the button, He smiles and says something like "I wish you wouldn't have done that"...anyway...he has pocket Q's and the board bricks out for me again...right before dinner break. They were paying 126 and the tournament directors estimated that there were around 250 people left out of over 1400. There you have it.

Comments on the pros I played with:
David ...real quite, did not say much
Andy and Eric...nice guys who played their image at the table very well.
Cliff...Great guy...BS'd with us the whole time. Cracked jokes with the dealers. very nice guy.
I think Jared Hamby came by our table at some point and bs'd with him

If you guys want to see me at the table, I am going to try to cut and paste the link from the WSOP photo store

http://www.printroom.com/ViewGalleryPhoto.asp?userid=worldseriesofpoker&tcount=13&scount=13&gallery_id=717456&image_id=12

I will post a pick of me at the final table at Binion's when I get a chance. I will try to post some more about my experience later. I have to go now...and "pry" my bankroll out of my wifes hands so I can head to Tunica.

"Bobbie sue, whoa, whoa, she slipped away
Billy joe caught up to her the very next day
They got the money, hey...You know they got away
They headed down south and theyre still running today"
Steve Miller's "Take the money and run"

Pumped and Ready...took 3rd yesterday

In Vegas, and finally found some time to blog. I am sitting in my hotel room at the Bellagio over looking the Rio pondering what may be today. Julie and I got a room upgrade to a suite with whirlpool tub as the hotel made a mistake and sent her into a room that was already taken. She walked in on the people, and they were none too pleased, obviously...but I digress

I am waiting to play in the $1500.00 6 handed tournament today in the WSOP. I am sitting at a table right next to my buddy Lets Poker Martin. We are going to give them hell today. I am running real good now and I was able to bring my "A" game to Binion's yesterday to play in their 6 handed tournament in the "Binion's Poker Classic". I think they pulled in around 250 people for the event. Davey and Parfait played. The buy-in was $150.00. I took down 3rd place for a cool $4300.00.

One hand to note, I am on the button with about 3 tables left when i look down at AKs. There is a raise of all in from a player that I have barely covered. Guy to my right calls and he has about half of that. Wow...what a decision. I go in the tank for about 2 minutes. I figure I am getting about 3 1/2 to 1. Finally, I announce, "Well, to win one of these things you have to win coin flips sooner or later...I call". We turn up our cards and we all have AK...but mine is suited in spades. At that point, one of them says, "Ah man...the spades are coming I can feel it"...guy doomed them both. It was beautiful to see those 3 spades hit the board.

Have to get in the shower...I will try to post more later.

"Where's my Bat...I can't think without my bat" Tom Cruise's character Lt Kaffee in "A few good men"

Capt Tom and the "Ladies"

You guys have to read this post...I was going to "Cut and Paste" it into here, but I am afraid that there could be some kind of liability... I have played with Capt. Tom before and he seemed like a nice guy...This post is from Brandi Hawbaker...

http://www.neverwinpoker.com/phpnuke/html/ftopic-31563-0.html

Hers is the 2nd post...

What gives?

"And this one time...at Band Camp" American Pie

Getting ready for Vegas

I am getting pretty pumped up for Vegas and I can't wait to get there. My wife and I are staying at the Southpoint for a few days and then moving to the Bellagio. I will try to hook-up with Lets Poker Martin when he gets there, and meet my buddy Marvin Davis who, with his wife, moved to Vegas last year to pursue a pro poker life. I am thinking of bringing my laptop and posting from Vegas. I am not sure if I want to lug my laptop though.

I am a little disappointed in it seems that the Wednesday tournaments at Harrah's in New Orleans have been cancelled "Indefinitely". What's up with that? The circuit event closes and you cancel your weekly tournament's? Oh well...I guess we will have to start going to the coast a little more than we have.

I talked to Tex a couple of days ago, and he said the room in Amelia is coming around. I haven't been able to get there yet. He said that the weekend are better suited for the NL games.

I want to make a coupe of points about the comments/commenter's:

-This blog is about an "Average Joe" trying to become a better Poker Player. I am not saying I am the greatest...That I don't make "Bad Plays"...that I don't Donk of chips...because I do.
-I do have a purpose of the blog and hopefully my hobby may generate some focus on the Gulf Coast area...more to come
-I have approached this blog in a "Humble" fashion and I am admitting that I have holes in my game...leaks...etc. If you wish to point this out than great. If you do it in a derogatory manner...more power to you...I will not delete your comments...but I also won't reply to them...My only comment will be is..."Hopefully one day, I may be as good as you"
-I am not a "High Roller" and I don't play "In the biggest games around"
-If you are one of these people who have nothing good to say, my request would be to just "Move On"...don't read my blog. I mean, why would someone waste their time by reading the ramblings of an idiot donkey? I don't know...oh well

Well...there you have it. I am a lucky man to have such great friends and family. I am truly blessed. I am not going to turn this blog into a "Flame Fest"...it won't happen.

I have turned a corner in my life when I met my wife. Those of you who knew me before this...don't know me anymore. I am not the same person I was pre-marriage. Those of you who knew me before and know me now can see the change. I know what I want, and I know how to get there. I am not wandering aimlessly wondering what God has in store for me...
...Now I know

"Some people hear their own inner voices with great clearness and they live by what they hear. Such people become crazy... but... they also become legends" Gordon TooToosis Character One Stab in "Legends of the Fall"

Reply to BB...

I don't like the idea of not being able to reply to specific comments, so I guess I will reply to BB here.

bubble boy said...
what a bunch of worms, every one of you are average players at best.One question for you Mr. D (that's you Gene) i have read on numerous blogs that you have written that you THINK someone in the CREW will hit it big. First of all who is this great group of players you call the crew? I don't like the word "crew" here. Sounds too cheesy like Dutch and those guys in the 04' WSOP. Their more like a bunch of friends who talk poker strategy/intel/swap %'s ...etc. I will name them as they pop in my head...no rhyme or reason to how I type them in. Wild Bill/Big
Ray/Tex/JoeB/Alex/Davey/Ruttely/Lets Poker Martin/Parfait/ChrisJ/PaulS/Slow Play Dave/Merle/MikeMcD/K.W./Jacob/Lester...to name a few. You read about Rut, and I have been there personally when Tex and Davey both missed a big 5 digit payday...Davey by one card

And second how do YOU plan on hitting it big, when you posted in your last blog that you didn't even play the last MEGA satellite to get into the main event.You can not hit it big if you don't get in the big dance? If you think cashing in the $500 chip or selling hit is hitting it big then you are wasting your time.

Good Point...hence the soul serching I have been doing lately. What you stated was as obvious to me as night and day.

Couple of points:

I didn't mean anything bad about Dutch Boyd and the crew of the 04' WSOP. Wild Bill and I have actually met Dutch and he really is not that bad of a guy. Actually, I drank beer for a couple of hours with Dutch and Joe Bartholdi in that sports bar in the Grand in Tunica. Great guys...just "Everyday Joe's" trying to grind it out. Joe went on to win the WPT Championship 5 months later.

ScottyT...If this is the ScottyT I think it is...welcome to my blog. I had no idea you were reading this. On a side note to my previous post about selling my last $500.00 chip...I tried to sell it to Scotty ;-)

"I am the worlds last barman poet" Tom Cruise's Character Flanigan in "Cocktail"

Wow...alright

Damn...It seems that we have some people reading my blog...Wow...this is unexpected. I am going to go thru and read all the comments in a minute. Wild Bill told me that there were numerous post there. I will try to reply to the ones that are asking me specific questions.

I have been reading again since I haven't played in the last couple of days (Harrington's Red Book). I have been really doing a "Gut Check" on where I am in my poker world. Selling that last $500.00 chip and walking away from that mega has got to me. I have been talking things over with my wife and lots of my friends trying to see whether it is possible to "Make It"...or will I always be the above average player with a "day job" playing 1-2 ...2-5 NL cash games and always looking at my winnings as, "a lot of extra money". My biggest story will be that I came 46 people from a WSOP gold bracelet, knocked out Johnny Chan in the process, and didn't even cash in the event...weak. The only 2 people to see this was my wife and her boss. Wild Bill got play by play on the phone though. The problem is that my wife believes in me more than anyone, and she doesn't even play. She just believes that I am capable of doing anything in this world that I put my mind to.

Me...I believe I can do it. I have played with the best. Their everyday people just like you and me. What will it take for me to reach that plateau? I don't know...

...I do know one thing though...I am not about to give up...I am getting my 2nd wind for Vegas

"That's the secret of survival ...never go to war...especially with yourself"
Nicolas Cage's character Yuri in "Lord of War"

Way to go Clint!!!

Looks like Clint Shafer gave them hell yesterday at the final table. I have been playing with Clint for several years now, and he is really a great guy...and a solid player. I don't think he is any better than any of the guys in our crew, but it was just his time to shine...and catch the cards. Congrats Clint!!!!

Ruttely missed the money by a couple of places. He had just doubled up through P Gordon when the following hand came up 10 minutes later...

Per K Minton's blog
--Seat 6 raised to 8,500. Brandon Ruttley called, Lou Esposito called, and Phil Gordon (button) called. Flop was 2 4 9 . Seat 6 checked, Brandon bet 30K, Lou folded, and Phil moved all-in. Seat 6 mucked and Brandon went into the tank. After a few minutes (the level had ended) Phil called for the clock. Before they got the clock started, Brandon called and showed pocket Jacks. Phil held pocket 4s for the set. Last two cards were Q 8 and Brandon was busted in 39th place. Phil adds more chips to the mountain--

I was actually there sweating Rut when this hand hit. I had Davey on the phone giving "Play by Play" and I actually thought Gordan was on a steal and he was "putting the screws" to Rut.
Reasoning being, he knew Rut was not a regular on the circuit, Rut had some chips left (about $36k) and it was a few minutes before a break. On top of that, they were on the money bubble and he thought that Rut would not risk not cashing, and if Rut called and Gordon lost the pot, it would not have hurt Gordon in the least...He had a monster stack...you had to be there to see the situation.

Yea...I call here also...and I would have taken it a lot harder than Rut. At that point, with all the downward variance I have been experiencing lately, I would have been convinced that God hates me.

"When I was young, about 8 or so, I invited God over to my place to watch the World Series. He never showed" Leo DiCaprio's Character Jim Carroll in "The Basketball Diaries"

My circuit event is over...getting ready for Vegas

Well...I didn't do anything in the circuit event in New Orleans as far as tournaments go, but I did pump up my bankroll going into the WSOP by about $5000.00. I had 3 solid winning sessions in the cash arena and cashing in satellites. I am not going to make excuses as I have none. I got my chips in with the best in several spots, and the poker gods did not see to it that my cards would hold up. The final tournament I played in I made it down to 14 tables, and I had right at $4200.00 in chips. I look down in the BB at KdKc. A local guy named Rich moves all in from the cutoff for $5200.00. This is my chance to double up, and make my run for the money. Of course I call, Rich turns over Ad9h. He looks de-jected and down saying," Damn...I knew I shouldn't have done that". After I saw what he had I stood up from the table and said, "Don't worry man, its coming, I can feel it. Its just the way it has been running for me lately". At that point the dealer starts to deal and puts 3 cards face down. At the very second that he turns them over I point and say "Ace"...the Ac was in the window. They paid 63 and Rich cashed. One of my buds was at the table also, Brandon "Rut" Ruttley.

Props need to go out to Rut as he is still in the main event. He has had a great circuit event going deep in numerous tournaments and just overall running good. He satellited in on Sunday, and instead of taking the $5000.00 and calling it a day, he decided to fire the bullet and give the Main Event a shot. He is at around $23,000.00 going into day 2. I am going to go down and sweat him later today. Good luck Rut!!!

I also want to thank Captain Stack..."The King of Cash" for reading my blog and posting comments. If you are also blogging...let me know...I would love to read yours. I encourage people to post a comment as I am curious what people think of my blogging...even if it is to say "Quit being a Donkey" ... ;-)

I am also going check out the new poker room that has just opened 25 minutes from my house at the Amelia Belle Casino Boat...The poker rooms keep getting closer and closer.

Actually, I was feeling a little down last night as I feel I should have pulled the trigger and tried a little harder to get in the main event. The thing that is eating at me is after talking to Wild Bill, we both agreed that we would probably have sold the seat and taken the $5000.00 instead. I actually sold my last $500.00 chip Sunday night instead of playing in the last Mega at 7:00pm. There were lots of reasons why such as Vegas coming up, work, it would have finished too late, I had my wife...etc. The thing that bothered me was I went back and read my blogs, and then went down there yesterday to sweat Rut...and I just caught myself thinking...I should have tried as hard as I could to get in this thing. I know that I can play with those people. I know my game is good enough. I guess I am just wondering where my heart really is. Maybe I need to do some "Soul Searching"...

"When I was going up the stairs, I met a man who wasn't there, he wasn't there again today, I wish, I wish ,he'd go away" . John Cusack's Character Ed in "Identity"

We are halfway through the event

Wild Bill has gotten in the top 20 in a $500.00 event getting a little over $1000.00. I have another $500.00 chip as I chopped a $125.00 single table satellite 2 night ago. I was down to 3 hands 3 handed and was able to go on a rush and get head's up with the same amount of chips as my opponent and we decided to chop. I am planning on burning my last 2 $500.00 chips in supers/megas to try to get in the main event. Then ...I am going to go in a poker trance for 3 days.

"You're not trying to draw a psycho pension! You really are crazy!" Danny Glover's Character Murtauh in Lethal Weapon

Feeling like crap

Well, the post says it all. I have been sick for the past 2 days, and I attempted to play through the sickness for the past 2 super's. I fired 2 bullets both nights and could not get anything going. All I could do was sit there and think..."Man...I just can't see staying here until midnight playing cards". My wife is also mad at me as she wants me to go to the doctor, but I just can't find the time it seems like. I even got chewed out by my sister who is an RN.

I am undecided on what I am going to do today. I may try to get to the doctors office, and see if i can get a quick shot of anti-botics.

Pre-circuit event chip counts so far:
GeneD--2
Wild Bill--3
Big Ray--2
Tex--2

We are going to try to make sure that all locals will do good in the circuit events. We plan on showing what we can do down here in the south.

"At my challenge, by the ancient laws of combat, we are met at this chosen ground, to settle for good and all who holds sway over the five points: us natives, born rightwise to this fine land, or the foreign hordes defiling it" ...Daniel Day Lewis's character Bill "The butcher" in Gangs of New York

Snapped off the first super

OK...one down...three more to go. I was one of 33 people last night who won the $1000.00 super. We received 2 $500.00 tournament chips. Wild Bill also was one of the last 33. I think we were the only 2 to get there. Davey, Ruttley, Ed and Alex all didn't make it. I played really well although I did have to suck out at one point. A couple of highlights:

--I doubled up on the first hand: I had pocket 10's and I made it $50.00 to go from late position. A guy in a Frigidaire shirt does the classic ...slams his chips in a demands "I'm all in". Every folds around to me. I start studing this guy and clearly he was not a regular. I had the "strong means weak" tell already going for me so I ask..."What you got A-K?"...His expression immediately went to "How dis you know that?" ...and I insta-call. He has Big Slick, and the board bricks out. Sweet!!! double up on the first hand.

--From there my buddy Alex got moved to our table. I continue to build my stack, when I get Pocket J's and jammed it with 4 limpers, and everyone folds. Next hand I get pocket Q's when Alex jams it. I call and and he shows A-J suited in diamond. Flop rainbows with one diamond. Guess what...runner-runner diamonds, and I couldn't have doubled up a nicer guy.

--Right before the break...I have Ah-Qd. and am in the bb. utg ships it in with about twice the bb. I re-raise all in to isolate him. He shows Kd-Qs. I have him dominated. Board hits 2 spades, and what do you know...guess what...runner-runner spades has me wondering whether the poker gods were going to take a dump in my cheerios.

--We were down to 50 people left when the only time in my whole tournament life last night, my life was on the line. I am in the 5th seat and the button is in the 7th seat. I have a pretty good read on the 10 and 1 seat. 10th street utg limps as does the 1st seat which happens to be the only women left in the tourney. I move all in on a stone cold steal with J-2o. Everyone folds around to the the lady in the 1 seat. I am sitting there telling her to fold telepathically..."Fold...Fold...Fold"...I say. Wouldn't you know she doesn't listen. (I need to work on these telepathic powers of mine ;-) ). So we turn them up and she shows pocket 9's. I commend her, as well as the rest of the table on making a pro-call here. The only time in the entire tournament I am in for my tournament life, and we are 15-16 away from getting the $1000.00 in chips. Flop doesn't help me...turn bricks out...and don't you...the poker gods sent a lightning bolt down from the heavens to turn the river card into a J. Gin...I am now sitting really pretty and all I do is work the clock from here on out.

--Poker wire radio...people, I have been listening to the pod cast religiously on my ipod. I download the pod cast. Gavin Smith, Joe Sebok and Joe Stapleton are a trip. I really enjoy listening to the group.

"I expect the best, and I give the best. Here's the beer. Here's the entertainment. Now have fun, that's an order"...The lieutenant in "Starship Troopers"

Tournament Tonight

We are having a $100.00 buy-in tournamnet tonight at one of my buddy's businesses. We are trying to get pumped up for the circuit event in New Orleans. 2 of my friends did really good yesterday at the weekly at Harrah's. Davey and wild bill chopped the tournament 3 ways with some other guy. I think they both got over $1500.00. Not bad for a Wednesday Afternoon.

Been busy lately

Sorry People...I have been very busy lately at work and playing poker. I played in 2 $110.00 buy ins last week at the IP but could not do anything. I got my chips in with the best of it in both tournaments and got sucked out on. Wild Bill came to Biloxi to play also. We had a pretty good session playing cash while we were there at Isle of Capri. We both kind of liked the poker room there as they do not "Time Rake"...I personally hate time rake. I have a guy I know and play with a lot in New Orleans/Biloxi that won an event at the Bellagio last week. Adeeb is his name and he is a really nice guy. Another guy from my home town, LJ Naquin played in the $25,000 main event and made it through the first/second day before he got sucked out on.

We are getting pumped up for the circuit event coming to New Orleans. Hope to see you guys there. From there...the World Series of Poker is right around the corner

"I think every man does what he can until his destiny is revealed to him" ...Tom Cruise's character "Algren" in "The Last Samurai"

Harrah's sit n go's

I have been playing at Harrah's the last couple of nights as I have been trying to win a seat into the $5000.00 main event in May. That is when the circuit event is scheduled to be back in New Orleans. Tuesday night they gave away 10 free seats to play in the sngs every other hour. This got you into a $65.00 sng. If you won that, then you would be tee'd up to play in the Sunday $500.00 buy-in satellite event. Wild Bill and I happen to both be called for the 7pm drawing and got to play on the same table. I wound up playing in 3 all together and Bill played in 4. I played cash in between the sng's. I went down $500.00 and buckled down...grinded it out...and was able to leave a $45.00 winner. I consider that a win.

I heard the structure of the $500.00 Sunday event stinks. Something like $1000.00 in chips and the blinds go up every 20 min. That sucks.

Hope to get pumped up for the circuit event in New Orleans in May. I would love to get in the $5000.00 event. I am going to try to sell some of myself to see if I can get up enough money to play. I am going to hit up my boss for at least $1000.00. I have to get in the Main Event...and I have to make it happen...No excuses...I have to start playing in bigger tournaments if I am going to get my game up where it belongs.

"First prize is a new car. Second prize . . .a set of steak knives. Third prizes is... you're fired"

Alec Baldwin's character "Blake" in Glengarry Glen Ross

Pain at the Beau

I said I would give you some feedback from my trip to the coast so here it goes. I bought into the 2-5NL game at the Beau last week for $450.00 I was playing great and had a great table image. I knew that several of the players were avoiding me, and I decided I was going to be patient and play tight/aggressive. In 2 1/2 hours I won every pot I entered with 2 having the best cards and 3 where everyone folded to me. I got the stack up to around $840 when the following hand came up.

I look down and pocket aces. (I know...I know...every donkeyfish story starts this way). I am in position on the button and there was a $10.00 raise to me with 2 callers. I make it $50.00 to go and everyone calls. 4 of us see the flop. The flop comes 10d 7d 3s...a beauty for me. Everyone checks around and I go in the tank for a second. There is around $250.00 in the pot, so I decide to take it down there. I ship it and donkeyfish in the 10 seats starts to think. He is agonizing over the call. I know one of the 2 left has the flush draw, and if it was the guy to my right, I knew he would not call. DF counts out $700.00 in cash that he had behind him and throws it in.
Flush draw folds and I show my aces. I see pain on his face so I know he has a pocket pair which puts me a 4-1 favorite. Turn is a brick...river an 8...and his face lights up. I knew it before he turned over the cards.

I also talked to by bud "Tex" and he had a similar story. He had aces in the same situation almost and the donkey called his pre-flop raise...and turn...to hit 2 pair on the river where the donkeyfish held 10-5 offsuit where he hit the 10 on the flop and he hit his 5 on the river. He lost a $670.00 pot.

Donkey Fish 2...Gene and Tex 0

"Somebody once wrote: "Hell is the impossibility of reason." That's what this place feels like...Hell" Charlie Sheens character Chris in "Platoon"

I will post a little later on my trip last week

I have been playing on the Mississippi gulf coast lately as my job has taken me there recently. I will try to post a little later as I have not had much time to post. I ran into several donkeys on the last trip and I will share those stories with you guys soon. It was sick...oh so ...sick

I played in 2 tournaments last week, and I could not get any traction. I was completely card dead in both tournaments. I am at 20 points for the tournament of the year promotion. The leader was at 52.

Back from a week at the IP

I just got back into town after spending a week in Biloxi Ms working and training new employees. I was pleasantly surprise to see I am 21st on the tournamnet player of the year promo going on at the IP. I have 19 points. Bad thing is though they top 10 people are already in the mid 30's. My buddy, Mike McD, was in that number. I think I may have a shot, but I don't think I will get to play in enough tournys to make it in the top 10.

I "Bubbled" out the Monday night tournament in 13th and was really upset about it. I played badly. I should have at least gotten in the money. After the game I played 1-2 NL and picked up $310.00. I went down early ans had to grind it out to get back into the game and then post a profit. I employed the strategy of wild bill. Bill is actually on a mountain somewhere snowboarding and snow skiing. He still called me toget updates on my tournys though. I played terrible again in the Thurs night tourny and busted out before the first break. I played to aggressive against some players that were just there vacationing. I wound up donkying off all my chips on 2 blown bluffs. Overall on the week. I played in 2 tournaments...4 nights of cash games and left Biloxi with a profit of $435.00

I have not been playing much on line. I am a little pissed about neteller. I had over $500.00 that is now tied up with them. I am hearing that they may send all the US players checks and close out their accounts...yea right...I will be holding my breath.

One thing I noticed this week is lots of people arguing over the table. People taking bad beats and getting pissed off. Criticising everyone's play. Arguing with dealers...man...I just had enough. I wish people could just play poker and be friendly.

"In any real city you walk and brush past people in the sidewalk, bump people, In L.A. nobody touches you. Always behind this metal and glass. I think we miss that touch so much that we "crash" into people just to feel it again"
intro in the movie "Crash"

The weeks action at Harrahs

I played twice this week at Harrahs as I was stuck in New Orleans all this week. I had a pretty good day Tuesday as I picked up a a cool $250.00. The problem I have been having is I am not losing...but I am not winning either. I cashed out Wednesday night with a $25.00 profit after 3 hours of play.Considering that it cost$6.00 an hour just to sit at the table, you can see that the Casino really gets you in the Cash games. It is very discouraging as I dumped $36.00 just in the rake...sick...oh so sick.

Well...I was playing Thursday night and I bought in for $200.00. I was able to get that up to about $350.00.There was a player in the 8 seat that was just running over the table. I could tell he did not have anything,but he was taking down pots betting $100.00 on the river in $45.00 pots. No one wanted to call him. I had a pair of sevens in the same situation. He showed a pair of threes and a missed straight draw. Everybody then saw what he was doing.

After about about 3 hours I had 2 friends of mine come and sit at my table. Gary and Katie.Both good players. Katie wins a huge pot of $1200.00... 4 ways with pocket kings. I called a raised pre-flop pot of $15.00 with 5 callers with 7d8d. Flop comes 5d6dQs. There was a $15.00 bet and 3 folders around to me. I decide to make a move at the pot and try to take it down there. I ship in all my chips with a straight draw...flush draw...and straight flush draw. Raiser goes in the tank for a few minutes when he decides to call with 5s6h for 2 pairs. The turn and river "Brick Out" for me and I am felted. I give $150.00 to the runner to get me some more chips. The dealer deals while I wait for my chips and I look down at pocket kings. I make it $35.00 to go and get 2 callers. The flop comes 10h9s8h. Everyone folds to me and I decide I can;t get away from this hand so I move in again. Guy on the other end of the table "Insta-calls"...Damn...I know he has 10-Jack. The runner shows up with my chips and say ..."Nah...go give them all to that dude over there". EVERYBODY PLAYS 10-Jack...

"I just want to know when? MAYBE YOU LOST MY CARD!! Just tell me WHEN I'M GOING TO BE ON TELEVISION!"
Ellen Burstyn's as Jared Leto's Mom in "A Requim for a Dream"

Guess What...I didn't qualify

Yes...Thats right folks. After I called and was told that I qualified, I headed down to Biloxi as I was going to take a day of vacation and play in the $20,000 freeroll. I got there Wednesday night as I had some work issues to resolve there on the gulf coast as then I found out that I did not qualify. It says clearly on the sheet that you must have at least 25 hours to qualify and I only had 16. What aggravates me is the lady I talked to that told me I qualified also told me that I had 16 hours. Oh Well...It turned out to be a real good turn out. Ronnie really did a great job of pulling the players over to the IP. There were over 100 players in the freeroll. I did pretty well though on a whole as I cash in 2 out of 3 tournaments I played.

Wednesday night at the IP: $120.00 Bounty Tournament...we chopped 6 ways. I received $620.00 after I cashed in all my bounty chips.

Thursday night at the IP: $120.00 freeze-out...I got sixth and "wild" bill got 4th. I got $230.00
We were both sick to our stomachs after this tournament. We each had half of the other, and we felt there was no way one of us would not get in the chop fest. Well, we both got it in with the best of it and got sucked out on. Sick...so sick

The IP has their "Player of the Year" promo going n right now. It is pretty cool. We are going to try to play in as many tournaments there as we can.

"Just because you are a character does not mean you have character"

Harvey Kietel's Character Wolf in "Pulp Fiction"

Friday Freeroll at the IP

I qualified for the freeroll that the IP is having friday. They are having a $20,000 freeroll to all of their regular poker players. You actually had to log in "Time" to qualify. I did not think I was going to qualify, but I called and what do you know...I qualified. "Wild" Bill and I are going to head down to the coast and try to snap off the Thursday night tournament and then I am going to give it my best shot on Friday.

A couple of cool things:

Adsense--I have signed up for adsense. If you see all kinds of ads on my blog page. Click on them. I will make money and put it towards my poker tournament buy ins. Help a brother out and I will give you a percentage of my take.

LA Poker Classic--LJ Naquin from my hometown is in 26th place with about $200,000 in chips. He is in the money though and he has a good shot for the final table. I grew up with his children, and Jacob and Lester are very solid players themselves.

"Wild Bill"--we have an official nickname change. I tried to get my buddy Bill P's nickname to stick from his buddy "lets poker" Martin. "Lets poker" Martin called him "Shady". Well, I have already had several people refer to Bill as "Wild Bill". So it's official.

Wild Bill and I are going to go to Biloxi and try to wreck some havoic

"On my signal...unleash Hell" Russell Crowe's character in Gladiator

Valentine's Day and Mardi Gras

I have been spending lots of time with my family and friends lately. I have been in a party haze since Mardi Gras. I am trying to get my wits about me. I ma getting entirely too old for Mardi Gras, and drinking for 5 days straight. Also, it kind of sucked that we did not get a whole lot of "Tourist" in the Harrah's poker room. It seemed that the ones that did show up would by in for $140.00.

I have been playing a little online, and I have made a couple of trips to Shorty's. I have been running OK lately. Not winning alot, but also, not losing alot.

Will be heading to Tunica in a few weeks. I will keep you posted.

"There must be some kind of way out of here, said the joker to the thief"

Jimi Hendrix "All along the Watchtower"

Online session

I was able to pull off a sweet session online tonight. I played in several online tourneys and then moved to the limit$5-$10 game on pokerstars. I picked up $250.00 inthe 5-10 game. Spoke to "shady" bill earlier and he was kicking himself about the boomtown tournament today at noon. I was suppose to play but wound up sleeping too late. I think he was a little hard on himself and I talked to him about it. I know he is a good player, and I believe that we are all on the verge of "making it happen".

Our network of players is very strong:

Me, "Shady"Bill P, David "Davey" B, Parfait, Jason"Tex" H, Joe"The Nuts"B, Ray "LL Cool Ray" B, Paul S, Alex P, Lester and Jacob N, "Big Mike", Chris J, Chris "Merle" B,

Keep your eye out for one of these people...I think we are on the edge of "Making it Happen"!!!!

Peace...

"Genius is one percent inspiration, Ninety-Nine per cent perspiration"

Thomas Edison

Variance is humbling

As you can tell by the title, variance has been brutal to me in the past 3 months. Just yesterday I was in a hand that had a $1000.00 pot 4 ways where I flopped a straight against a set, and 2 flush draws and the dealer pairs the board on the river. I did the research on the hand and after the turn I was a 67% favorite. We had just started the table and it was the 4th hand. We all had to start with $300.00. Below is the hand:

I am on the button with 10-6 of spades and 4 of us limp. In the hand there was me, sailor, spoon and a rough looking fellow I had never seen before. The flop comes 9-8-7 with 2 clubs. There is a raise, re-raise ans spoon calls from the cut-off. I ship it in to try to take the pot down right there. Call...call...and spoon goes in the tank. He basically tells everyone he has a nut flush draw, but calls anyway. Spoon has A9c, Sailor has KJc and rough guy has a set of 8's. Like I said earlier, the board pairs on the river with another 7.

I am sick that all 3 of these people new someone had to have a straight, yet they all called knowing they were behind. Oh well...

Last night I played in the weekly Thursday night tournament at the Isle of Capri in Lake Charles. It was a $30.00 but-in with $20.00 re-buys/add-0ns. 65 people showed up. I dumped $90 dollars in the tournament and got down to the last 5. there was $3350.00 dollars in the prize pool, and first place was $1350.00. I got Aces cracked with 2 people all in to bust us down to the last 5. There was one big stack only because he went head up with a big stack. I had the second biggest stack with the leader having me covered by over half.

Once the negotiation started the big stack says we will take $1000.00. Once the other 4 of us chopped the rest we would all get $440.00. I did not want to make the deal. Something was eating at me giving $1000.00 to the big stack "un-contested". They convinced me that it was a good deal, and I had that "Urban Legend" rolling around in my head also that..."The person that usually refuses the chop is the next one that bust out". Sort of a Karma thing. I agree...and thats that. Makes up for the lost on the huge pot above.

Peace...

"Allegedly, your situation, for you, would be concurrently improved, if I had two hundred dollars in my back pocket right now"

Ben Afflecks Character Chucky in "Good Will Hunting"

Back from the IP

I just got back for a week of playing at the IP in Biloxi for the "IP Poker Classic". Again...it was a good run for me. It seems I always do well at the IP. The tournaments were run well, and the crew was just as hospitable as last time. Ronnie and his crew did a great job. The only down side was there was not as many people as last time, and the Beau Rivage tried to compete having a 6:00pm tournament in parallel with the IP's second chance tournament. They had some great giveaways for the super bowl also.

I cashed 3 times in the week.
Boomtown's weekly. $65.00 buy in with 24 players. I got 6th for $160.00
IP's second chance. $200.00 buy in with 68 players. I got 4th for $900.00
Beau Rivage's 6:00pm. $200.00 buy in with 84 players. I got 8th for $580.00

I also ran good in the cash games. I had one huge Bad Beat that I will outline a little later, and then I made a terrible call with pocket kings that cost me an extra $300.00. I did well overall for the entire week in the cash games.

Kudos goes out to the other people from Houma who cashed in the tourneys. LJ Naquin took first place in the Saturday $1000.00 buy in, and David "Davey" Bourg took 3rd for over $3000.00 to go along with his other cash which I think was 5th. Way to go Davey!!!.
Barron Whipple also cashed in several tournaments over the weekend. He got 3rd in the one I got 8th in.

Now for the bad beat (I hate BB stories, but I have to give you something). I started with $350.00 in a 1-2 NL game, and I got my stack up to about $650.00. I am in the 10th seat and the button is in the 4th seat. Everyone folds around to me, and of course, I look down at Aces. I make it $35.00 to go. Seat one I will call "Knucklehead" raises to $75.00. I re-raise it to $150.00, and knucklehead ships in his whole stack. He has exactly $35.00 more that I have which means he shipped in close to $500.00. I show the aces and he says "Oh man, I am dead".
He does not show his hand. A king comes on the flop which makes me think I may be beat with pocket kings. Turn card comes a brick, and he again proclaims "I'm done". A jack hits the river and he says..."Oh no...I got 2 pair" and turns up K-J off suit. There was stunned silence at the table as everyone realizes the stupidity of what he did and we witnessed. I take off my headphones and he apologizes profusely. He comes shake my hand and apologizes again. I say "It happens" and I walk away. sick...so sick.

"So...I guess this is where I tell you what I learned my conclusion...right...well my conclusion is...
Hate is baggage...life is too short to be pissed off all the time...its just not worth it"

Edward Furlongs Character Danny in "American History X"

Heading to the IP

I will be heading to the IP this weekend and this week. I am looking for a repeat of the success that we all had last time around a couple of months ago. We went to Biloxi last weekend to play in the weekend Tournaments and play some cash games. Bill "Shady" Phillips was my partner in crime on this roadtrip. We literally "Flipped a Coin" to decide whether we played at the IP or the Beau. The tourney at the IP was a $175.00+$25.00, and the one at the Beau was a $100.00+$20.00. We headed for the beau, and it was a good decision as there were more people and a bigger prize pool.

I just finished reading a poker article from Jim Woods called "No limit tourney self-destruction". Oh did it hurt to read that thing as that is exactly what I felt I did last Saturday. We are down to 3 tables and there are 25 people left. I have a nice chip stack, I am playing well and I have a good, solid table image.

Until "I lit the fuse"...

I made a call after going in the tank for several minutes. Antes were at 75 and the blinds were
600/1200. I am in the SB and there are 4 limpers to me. I limp, but the BB ships it all in with another 3200.

Everyone folds back around to me. I have 10-8o.

10 x 75 = 750
6 x 1200= 7200
another 3200
the pots is at 11,150

It cost me another 3200 to call to win 11,150...so I have my pot odds over 3 to 1. I call and he shows pocket 5's. Now, I really like my situation with 2 overs as I am in a coin flip.

I get nothing and started to tilt a bit because I was second guessing myself. I try to steal the blinds on the very next hand from the button and this time the BB ships it in and has me covered...I tilt...brain freezes...I panic and call like a rookie with a week ace. The BB has pocket Q's...I have "Self Destruction" tattooed on my Forehead...It was ugly...I am embarrassed to even type this ;-).

So, it takes "shady" about 3 hours to talk me down from the ledge. I gather my wits and head to the cash games at the IP. I buy in for $200.00 in a 1-2 NL game and cash out with $850.00. I pick up a cool $650.00 to ease my pain for the ride home.

I hope the magic of the IP continues this weekend and week.

"I know what you're thinking but don't give up on me just yet. just wait until i've told my whole story. and keep you're eyes open. nothing is as it seems."

Val Kilmer's character Danny Parker in the movie "The Salton Sea"

Back from Tunica

I am back from Tunica and I did not make it into the main event. I want to give props out to my buddy Paul S who was able to win a satillite. I continued to be card dead and started to play bad towards the end and my frustration was apparent. It was a rookie move and cost me some money. I am going to play at the IP tonight in their $50.00 buy-in weekly.

Also...Props out to my buddy Martin "Letspoker" T for cashing in several events over the week.
Way to go!!!!

I did win a satellite and played in a $500.00 buy in second chance tourney at the Gold Strike.
There were 218 people and I made it down to 3 tables. I got knocked out 27th and they only paid 18. I was very disappointed to say he least. Oh well...things happen

My Ipod was permanetly affixed to my head. Below is my playlist I listened to.

i miss u--Blink 182
least complicated--indigo girls
disarm--smashing pumpkins
whats going on --4 non blondes
son of a preacher man-dusty springfield
sympathey for the devil-stones
The freshman- verve pipe
Boheimian Rhapsodey-queen
Dead leaves on a dirty ground-White Stripes
lovesong-the cure
under pressure-bowie with queen
no rain-blind melon
summertime-sublime
18 and life-skid row
what i got-sublime
every rose has its thorns-poision
tell me what you want-zebra
i want you-third eye blind
I'll remember you-skid row
The day the music died- don mclean
Wayfarring Stranger-Jack White
wonderwall-Oasis
Elderly women behind a counter-pearl jam
Paradise by the dashboard-meatloaf
Red red wine-Bob Marley
Leaving on a jet plane-John Denver
Wanted Dead or Alive-Bon Jovi
Beautiful Day-U2
Mr Jones-Counting Crows
knockin on heavens door-GNR
Great High Mountain-Jack White
Jammin-Bob Marley
Poetic Justice-Janet Jackson
Who will save your soul-Jewel
Country Roads-John Denver
Hurt-Johnny Cash
New Orleans Lady-Leroux
Sweet Home Alabama-Lynard Skynard
Cant you see-Marshall Tucker band
I am the bullgod-Kid Rock
somewhere out there-Our Lady Peace
Dissident-Pearl Jam
Something to believe in-Poison
Blurry-puddle of mud
Guerilla Radio-Rage Against the Machine
Scar Tissue-Red Hot chili peppers
Spirit of the radio-Rush
Ill fall in love again-Sammy Hager
It's been awhile-Stained
Down Rodeo-Rage against the machine
Badfish-Sublime
Hunger Strike-Temple of the dog
Seven Nation Army-White Stripes
unchained-Van Halen
slither-velvet revolver
stroke me-Billy Squire
crash into me-Dave mathews

I finished this blog later tonight. I chopped the weekly 5 ways to win a cool $500.00
I played great, and I was the 2nd chipleader. I should have played on as I knew I was the best player at the final table.

"I'd like you to deal. One card from the top will be sufficient"

Mel Gibson's Character in Maverick

Heading to Tunica

I am heading to Tunica this week and I am really pumped up. I have been doing great online, and I played in a couple of home tourneys this weekend, and took 1st and 3rd. Tex, Joe B, Brian, Big Ray B, Alex and Mitch are all already there. I will have to work during the day, but I hope to get in some sort of action in the evenings. I am eyeing a couple of those second chance tournaments. We went to one of my buddy's house for a party on New years Eve. Me and my wife had a blast. There isn't much else going on except the jackpot at Shorty's is now over a quarter of a million. I have been exercising lately and have lost 11 lbs. I am really feeling good.

I want to focus this blog on ipods, and its functions in big tourneys. I personally love mine. I was at he 5-5 NL game at Shorty's Thursday night and I was giving a player some advice on playing in big tourneys as he was heading to Tunica also.

I was telling him about when I listen to my ipod, I am not always listening to music. I think this is the case with alot of pros. I have instructional stuff on there, complete audio of Lederer's and Hellmuths videos etc. The thing that one person found ultimately hilarious is I told the guys that I have a audio file on my ipod of my wife talking to me "Calming me down" as if I had just taken the worst Bad Beat in the world. That is right, I have 15-17 minutes of her just telling me how good I am, listing and naming off all the tournaments I have won or placed in and basically telling me how much she believes in me and that I am destined for greatness ...etc. Some might find this cheesy, but I find it soothing after I take a BB in a tourney, I just pop on my headphones and listen. It really helps me out.

With this being said I will try to post this week if I do any good, and I will type a post listing all the songs I start off listening to when I am in a tourney. The play list is called "My Favorites". I think you guys would enjoy it.

Well...I have still been struggling but not as bad as Dec. Take care people and wish me luck in Tunica.

"You know, there is a lot of losing in poker, and you have to get used to it"

Chip Reese

The tide is NOT turning

well, I wanted to post a Happy New Year to all. Hope everything is well with everyone. The tables have still been brutal to me. I am working on building my bankroll back up to where it is super healthy before Tunica. I am running out of time. I won a sng last night on Pokerstars with a $10 entry and 27 players. Picked up $100.00, but I also lost $100.00 in my home game tournament. We had 10 people all put up $100.00 and we paid 4 places. I was the first one out when my nut flush ran into Dingers boat...oh well. Dinger was hosting the gala so I am glad to lose my chips to him than anyone else.

I have been doing a lot of reading lately trying to find something I could be doing wrong. It is scary that I have read that some pros can go over a year with the cards running bad. I think my biggest problem right now is basic "Guts". Playing with scared money. Playing "Not to lose" and not playing my game. Staying in lots of hands hoping to hit, and calling trying to get my cards instead of playing my game. Play aggressive, and go after the pots like they are mine.

On other notes, my buddy Bill is doing good as is Big RayB. I would like to give both of them some serious kudos as they both have had the nuts to venture out into the world of professional poker. Yes, that's right people, they do not have jobs and play for a living. That puts them 2 with Tex, Joe Bush, K.W. and Brian as my poker buddies that are pros. Seems that I may be the only semi-pro in our group now.

I have been sick lately and not getting to play as much as I would like. I have been watching the poker marathon on ESPN-C for the past 2 days. I just watched the one with Demetrie Nobles. I don't want to criticize other people, but this guy made some "Bad" moves. He was in a spot to easily move up in the pay structure. Oh well...at least he was there ;-)

Everyone always ask me who is the "Coolest" pro that you have every played with? I would have to say Joe Sebok. I was in the 9 seat and he was in the 7 seat for several hours in the 42nd event at his years WSOP. Great guy and really down to earth. He is Barry Greenstein's step son, and if you want to check him out, look here www.joesebok.com. The sound track is cool, and if you are looking for some good ideas for some tunes for your Ipod, he is really into music.

Lets see...is there anything else of interest. Oh yea...I wanted to say something about spouses.
I have several buddies that their wives give them a hard time about playing poker. When they win, everything is the greatest, but when they lose they come down hard on them. I can tell you that without my wife believing in me, and encouraging me when I run bad, I could not bounce back as fast as I do. My wife is wonderful. She was there when I came out 47th in the 42nd event at the '06 WSOP, and I think she was more upset when I got knocked out then I was.
She is my world. She is everything to me. I know that with her behind me there will be no stopping me once I "Cross the threshold".

"It is only when we have lost everything that we can really do anything"

Ed Norton's Character in "Fight Club"

Hopefully the tide is turning

I have been playing on FCP and was able to pick-up a cool $250.00 last night in the 10-20 limithold-em game. Got lucky and picked up Aces twice and Kings once. I played at Harrahs 2 nights ago and picked up anpther $175.00. Not alot, but a win none the less. I am heading to Shorty's tonight as the jackpot is now at $225,000 dollars. I have put in lots of time in that room , so I want to be present if it hits tonight. Hopefully, it will be on my table.

I got sponsored also recently by a company called pokerpayday.com. If anyone has any info on them, please e-mail at gene@houma.com. I spoke to the guy on the phone, but I am a little unsure whether they are for real or not.

I am going to try to attach a pic of me at the WSOP last year. I hope it post

Wow...it worked

"We poker players are in this for one reason and one reason only...EQUITY"
Antonio "The Magician" Esfandiari

Keeping it simple...Stupid

I have decided to sit out a couple of days and re-read Harrington's blue book and do some soul searching. I have been discussing my play with my wife and she has given me some great advice. It is all about "My Emotions". I need to be able to control my emotions better at the table. I have gotten past the, what by buddy Ray calls "the God Compex", of criticizing the play of people around me. No, thats not it as I mastered that several years ago. Now I am dealing with the emotion of taking my losses and learning from them. Knowing that no matter how good I play, that no matter how good the read I have on a guy is, you can still lose. Thats tough.

I have been working on my game recently and I am going to start focusing more on tournaments instead of cash games. I took 4th in the weekly tournament at the Boomtown in Biloxi on Moday night. It was a $65.00 freeze-out and I collected $315.00. It felt good to get back into the money. I really felt good about the way I played and I think I outplayed everybody when we got down to the final 2 tables. Nobody was watching the clock and I was the only one watching it. Just about every move I made had the clock in it as a variable. I was amazed that no-one was paying attention.

I also got 3rd in our yearly Dean Money satellite tourney. Iy was $110.00 to get in and I colllected $245.00. A small payday, but a win just the same.

"You can't bluff somebody thats not paying attention"

Joe Montenga's character Mike in "House of Games"

Coushatta update

I went to Coushatta in Kinder, La last weekend to play in the Seven Clans Poker Classic. I played in the early bird tournament on Friday night. I made it about 3 hours in. I don't think I played bad, but I was still not happy with my play. I was right where I needed to be and got spooked and did not pull the trigger on the third bullet, bet after the flop, that would have won me a huge pot and made me the chip leader. Instead, I got out kicked by A-8 when I held A-7. There is no doubt that she would have folded if I bet after the river.

From there, the poker gods were rough on me again in the cash game. twice I have had to lay down a nut flush draw after the turn after calling a nice size raise on the flop. I just could not get there on any of my draws. Then, I get Ad-Js on the button and make a standard 3 times raise to $25.00 and get 4 callers. Flop comes Ah-Jc-4h. I make a bet of $150, one and half times the pot to take it down right there. 2 fold and one guy is in the tank. I know he is on a flush draw if he calls. Well, he reluctantly calls saying,"I will pay you off this time". This is my nail in the coffin. Turn brings a heart and he bets.I lay it down face up and he smiles in a "Feel sorry for me kind of way" and flashes me the 2 hearts he had in the hole.

This was how my game has been going...

Tournament structure and overall opinion of Coushatta. It was terriable. I will write a blog a little later on this topic in itself. Dealers, tournament directors, security and the poker room in general...Terrible.

I will be doing a movie reveiw on the Susan Gerad documentary, No Limit...A search for the American dream on the poker tournament trail. It willbe reveiwed on www.gulfcoastpoker.net.

"To avoid tilt you need to look at poker as one long game spanning your whole playing career"

Annie Duke "Bluff Magazine article on tilting"

The decks have gone cold again

I have not been running to well at the brick and morter casinos, but I have been doing well on the net. I picked up a cool $250.00 the other night on FCP. It kind of sucks when you hit that spot where it just doesn't seem to be happening for you. Your out kicked every hand, your two pair are not bigger than the other guys two pair and what about this one...When you get a good read on the $35.00 pre-flop raiser and you know he is holding a big ace. Probably has A-K or A-J. You sitting with Pocket 7's. Flop comes 9s9h8d, and pre-flop raiser fires his continuation bet of $80.00. You smooth call him. Turn comes the 2c. Now you know that the deuce did not help him. You sit and wait while the raiser counts out more money and fires in $150.00. You call again and what comes on the river, another 8. Raiser fires out $150.00 and you lay it down. He flashes you the ace as he mucks and drags the pot thinking he out played you.

One of the things I have been dealing with is not taking notice of when I make a mistake in a hand. I could be in a session buying in for $400.00 and make a mistake in 2 hands that cost me $200.00. I will sit there a stew about for a couple of hands and then hit a nice pot that propels me back up to around $500.00. Now here is where the brakdown occurs. I immediately forget the mistakes I made on the previous hand. I am now pumped up and ready for action. I need to make mental notes and try to learn from my mistakes.

Well, I guess I have to suck it up and get backout there and give it my best shot. I am not going to let it get me down that the cards just have not been coming my way. It just sucks to take 3 steps forward and 1 back. Then 4 steps forward and 2 back Your getting traction, but the steps back hurt just the same.

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."

Winston Churchhill