Runnin bad...and playin bad...

Its amazing that those 2 go hand in hand. It is my downfall where I mentally trap myself. I know and understand variance quite well, but I don't have to play bad though when variance catches up to me...very frustrating. I am 100% positive ...well 85% positive that my mistakes have been "Adapting to my situation and Table" as well as "Game Selection". (There is a 15% chance that I am just a total Donkfish HaHaHa)

Was in Baton Rouge this week for the EOM (Thats End of Month) for you non-sales types. Im sure Reid remembers what those days are like ;-)

Poker at the Belle of BR this week on Thursday...I Blew Brains...enough said. I don't want SPR skipping my blog because of boring hand analysis ;-) Continued to see terrible play all around me...but I could not beat the game...not even for a small win. I flop 2 pair with the Ad...oh wait...never mind HaHaHaHa.

I will give you guys some interesting rumors I heard over the felt this week...I don't have the energy to search on google so they might be true...who knows.

#1 I heard a very respectable poker player that actually flew on the same plane with me for the WSOP 05' ...going and returning from vegas...said that in the "Superuser scandal"...not only could Russ "Douchebag" Hamilton see everyone else's cards on UB...he could make certain cards hit on the river in the middle of the hand. Say he needs a As on the river ...he could make that happen.

#2 Same person told me that Durr was on some "Lifestyles of Rich and Famous"...or something like "Cribs for people with no tans"...I don't know...but on the program they featured Durr's dual/triple... huge plasma/lcd TV's that he uses to play on. Durr had them on the wall hung like normal TV's he would just plug into and fire up the mouse to make a few million. Well...this fellow said that after seeing the program...some resourceful poker competitors of Durr's broke into his house and installed a camera/webcam wired up where they could go home...play Durr for huge amounts of cabbage...and see his cards on the big screen via the camera/webcam.

I personally don't believe either one...but if I am wrong...someone enlighten me.

"Life has to be a little nuts sometimes. Otherwise it's just a bunch of Thursdays strung together" Kevin Costner as Beau Burroughs in "Rumor has it"

Variance rollercoaster is on the decent...

I had been running good and playing good in the cash games the past several months, but it looks like that has tailed off. It kind of pisses me off because I can over analyze hands, and try to find out where my leaks are...and I can find them. The problem is that what some people call "Variance"...I feel is just terrible play. As an example, I am sitting with around $200.00 at Shorty's in a cash game and look down at KK and I raise to $35.00. There is a re-raise to $75.00. I can't see putting almost half my stack in without getting it all in...so I shove...dude calls with AKo and hits an Ace on the turn. Most people would think that the hand "plays itself"...That I got my money in with the best of it...70-30...oh well...it happens. But lets look at what would have happened if I smooth call the $75.00 and open shoved post flop. The AKo can't normally call there. Thats the kind of mistakes I have been making.

Booked a loser at the Amelia Belle on Monday...got the last of my chips in terrible. In fact, I played great poker and self destructed and lost my stack in a matter of 5 min. Theres a pf raise to $15.00 with 5 callers and I held KdJd. Flop comes out 9d10dAh. UTG fires out $25.00 and a caller to me...I shove my last $110.00 in the pot. Dinger calls behind me as does the button...the 2 people betting and calling the $25.00 fold. 3 players in getting almost 3 to1 on my money with a flush and gutterball draws with a straight flush re-draw...only problem was Dinger has Ad4d to kill most of my outs...see ya.

Booked a loser in Coushatta. I made one of the worst calls I have made in a long time. There is this guy from Texas thats had on his finger a "Replica" Superbowl ring (Thats another story) with about $900.00 in front of him. 3 hours in I limp from the button with 5 other players with As5s. Flop comes out Ac9h4c. Ringwraith fires $20.00 at the pot and I am the only one that calls. Turn...a pretty 5d. Ringwraith again fires a 20 spot and I raise to $60.00...he smooths. Now the dealer peals out the Qc and the dealer hasn't even taken his hand off the card yet and he says "Im all in". I mean it was instant. I went in the tank and talk my way thru the hand, "Sir...Why would you bet so much?"...I can't figure it out. There were so many hands out there that beat me...I was sick. I say, "Sir, you either have the stone cold nuts ...or nothing". I was passing up the "Strong means Weak" tell to fold and I started to make a move with my cards towards the muck...and he jumped and acted relived that I was folding..."I call", I say...he tables KcJc...at least I was right about something ;-). That is a must laydown for me. I know better than to make that call. I didn't have alot invested, and I still would have ample stackage to play with.

Also booked a loser at Shorty's today. Had Kings cracked twice and flopped 2 pair twice with my opponents rivering a straight and flush. I think I played too many hands though.

It was one of those ..."You run bad...so you play bad" scenarios. I am still up in my cash play in 09' but this little run really brought me back to reality...and sent me back to the books.

On a personal note...My 3 week old little niece is in Children's Hospital in New Orleans fighting for her life...please keep my family in your prayers.

"The most important thing in life....is family" The Spanish Detective to Creasy in "Man on Fire"

Making the rounds...

I have been making the rounds this last week starting Monday night at the Amelia Belle tournament...and finishing Saturday with a roadtrip to Coushatta to play in their $220 weekly...stopped at Shorty's on my home...and made another stop at the Belle coming through on my home. I also played at the Belle of Baton Rouge on Wed and Thurs nights. My wife is in Vegas for work, so I figured I would make the best of it.

Amelia Belle on Monday had the tournament, and then a 1-2nl game jumped off after the tournament ended. I had a good time even though I booked a loser. The beuchewacker was there, and playing with Arceaneax is always a good time. Matt B. was the supervisor that night...now we just need to get him as Tournament Director ;-)
In fact...I am heading there again tonight to see what is happening.

I was able to beat the cash game, and I booked a modest winner at The Belle of BR on Wed and Thursday nights. I started with $300 and cashed out on Wed for $580 and Thur for about the same. In one hand I want to discuss is one that I was not even in. I am sitting between these 2 guys with both over 1k stacks. There is a pf raise to $20.00 with several callers from one of them. Flop hits 7h8h10h. The Original raiser on my left c-bets to $20...fold...fold...guy on my right pops it to $60...guy on left shoves...guy on right insta-calls...original raiser on left has AdAc...insta-caller on right...Ah4s. I then had to listen for 25 minutes while they discuss the hand between them and they both agreed that they both had no choice in the matter and that they both had no choice but to make the plays they did..."I had aces dog...Im getting all in no matter what"..."Well shit dog, I had the ace of hearts so you know I ain't going nowhere". It was brutal.
I want to say that this type of play is not typical of the Baton Rouge players at all.

Went to Coushatta and fell down the "Poker tournament rabbit hole"...it seems like I always have weird stuff happen to me there. The hand I busted out of the tourney on I felt I played bad. Blinds are at 500-1000 and I have 11k left. I look down at AKo UTG. 3 hands before this I have AA and only get the blinds with a 3x raise...I decide to bet 3x and if I get action shove post-flop. Flop hits QhJs4c...I shove...sb has Q8o and calls...turn K...river Q.

I head to Shortys and buy in for $275 and cashed out for $750...then stopped at Amelia Belle only because there was a game nine-handed and there was a seat open...I knew I shouldn't have stopped. I spewed 2 hundo's in 22 hands. The 3rd hand I turn a straight and guy rivers a flush for half my stack...and then slowrolls me. The last $95 went in when I shove post flop into a $95 post flop pot...with a board for 4sAd6h with 4c6c...and someguy comes over the top of my $95 for $20 more at $115. What could he have you ask? ...AK...AQ or even AJ or A10...he held 53o and hit a deuce ball on the river...see ya.

"Fear causes hesitation, and hesitation will cause your worst fears to come true" Patrick Swayze as Bodi in "Point Break"

Day 3...Ceasers Palace Maega Stack

We went to Ceasers Palace on Wednesday to check out the Mega Stack series they had going on over there, and made the decision to play there based on the biggest factor...flight times. Based on the 2 previous days at the Venetian, we decided that one of us would have to get the final table with close to the chip lead in order to miss our flight on Thur. 10 thru 7 would put us probably break even on changing flights...etc.

I think they had close to 90 people, and the structure was very different in that there were no green antes ($25). The antes started with the black chips ($100)...and they didn't start until the 7th or 8th level. I hovered around 20-25 BB's until the dinner break when we were down to 2 tables. I busted out in 14th place, and they were only paying 9. I was really upset with myself as the hand I was crippled on... I felt I played terriable. The blinds were at 200/800/1600 and I had right below 30k. I was in mid-late position and I made a move at the blinds and antes with AJc. I open shoved, and he SB woke up with QQ. We were the 2 short stacks at the table, and I barely had him covered...I was on fumes and doubled up twice...to no avail. The only bustout in the trip I got my chips in bad. I could not get that …as Monk says, “Courtesy Double-up”

I have been listening to pokerroad and heard Dan Kelly/Gobboboys comments about open it being +EV shoving from the sb as light as K-8. Reading BarryG's post on the forums (Must read for players) made me sick to my stomach ...again …as that is how I felt. There were so many other ways to play that hand where I don't lose my stack. Why not 3x there and fold when the SB shoves over the top of me??? Why risk my tournament life there?...I don’t know but the sickest thing was I knew the sec I pushed my stack out there…I was in trouble. That sixth sense/instinct/Gut feeling went haywire. I am a little bummed that the guy staking me didn’t win any money, but I felt from an overall trip…I played well…In fact…I don’t know how I could have played any better on the first 2 days, but I have to dig in. I still have holes that need to be plugged. I have to identify my mistakes and think higher.

I did beat the cash games and so did the guy I went with, so that was a big positive.

Overall Trip observations:
-I hope to never see another Ed Hardy shirt or hat…ever ;-)
-Those people standing on the sidewalk giving out the flyers to the strip clubs…they were 2-3 feet apart…I shit you not. I could stand between them and reach out and touch 2 of them. Every 3rd or 4th step someone was trying to hand me a flyer to go to the same club. I felt like saying, “What happened in the 2-3 seconds/3-4 steps ago when I turned your buddy down that would make me now think…Yea…I want to take YOUR flier and go look at naked women dancing”
-The most encouraging part of the trip was to see the donks were out in force. I witnessed some of the most bizarre plays, and this was not tourist…people who really thought they were the shit. Case in point, the kid that called me a donkey. Let me set the stage here. I sit down at my table and on the 8-9th hand this kid bluffs off ¾ of his stack at 25/50 when he bet out 7100 to try to steal a 2600 pot on the river…obvious over bet. The person called him and he had air (Really???). 8-9 hands later I am in LP with 8h6h and there are 4 limpers to me...I Limp. The kid raises 4x to $200 with around 3k left, and all the limpers call…Uh…yea…I call. I hit my hand and stack the kid when the board was 9 high and he held JJ. At this point I get berated for calling a raise with 86h and I sit and listen to him wanting to be like the Poker Brat soooo bad. His buddy walks up and he says, “I can’t beat these Donkeys man…calling a raise with 86h…but they were suited”…He pointed to me when his buddy asked which one and I could not stop myself. I bust out laughing at the kid and the dealer freezes. I say, “Dude…You really have no idea how bad you play do you…you really don’t”…”You are out of a Mega Stack tournament and we haven’t even made 2 revolutions of the button…were on the 17th or 18th hand….You can’t grasp that can you?” …oh well.
-The airport...People…if you don’t need to charge your phones…need power for your laptop…if you don’t need “Power” at all…and there are plenty of open seats…Don’t F*&#’in take up all the seats around the power outlets!!!! I walked up with my laptop in hand and stared at the laptop…and at the people sitting around it…nothing. Whatever…I sat on the floor.
Oh well…enough of that…what else? Pro’s…Jimmy Fricke was at the table next to me…J.J Liu was there also. Not a bunch with the LA Poker Classic going on. I did get to talk to Fish for awhile and he said him and Matt G. were going to head to LA.

Overall it was a great trip. I think my backer may be ready to fire a couple of more bullets…we will see.


"You went halfway around the world. You spent a fortune. You did terrible things. Really terrible things Robert. And all for nothing." Christian Bale as Borden in "The Prestige"

Venetian Deep Stack Day 2

Well...I was hoping to have some better news but it looks like it was "Wash...Rinse...Repeat" for Day2. We were down to 7 tables and they were only paying 27 as they did not have as many players...although I think they had over 400. I am sitting on 32.5k with the blinds at 300/1000/2000...16-17 BBs. I look down at AKh FTB and all of a sudden some guy in MP raises to 16k and has me covered ...WTF???? I felt that he did not want any resistance so I had him on A-Q or AJ. I cannot call here. Its either ship it or fold. I jam...he turns over 10-10...you know the drill. I would really like some feedback here as I think I probably should have sniffed out 10-10 or J-J...some mid-pair. I really did not want to flip for my tournament life here, but I felt I had to make a stand somewhere and needed to double up. Also, I had played with this player all tournament and really felt he was one of the weaker players at our table. With that being said...There were some really good players at my table all day. Thoughts...comments?? Should I have folded?

What else? ...Came down early yesterday and played 1-2nl next to Jermaine Williams...you'll may remember him from LSU/Buccaneers/Cowboys...really cool guy. It was funny as he is from Donaldsonville...and we happen to be sitting next to each other.

Got to hang out with Lusky and Virge last night as they came pick me up after the tourney. Their house is really nice. We went to the Wynn looking for their other poker playing roommate...and had some dinner. I really enjoyed seeing those guys again.

I think we may do a change of scenery today and go play the Ceasers event...I don't know

Venetian Deep Stack Day 1

I thought I would type up a quick update to let everyone know how things are going here...Good...but could be better. We played the first event yesterday, and it was a long day. We were up at 3:30am Cent time to catch our flight, and the day didn't end until 1:30am Pac time. We are staying at the Venetian, and the suite is really nice.

I feel like I played well, but I did not get in the money. Their were around 450 people who came out for the tourney, and the structure was good. We started with 12k in chips and I was able to chip up fairly early, and then I got spewey once I thought I was going to run over the table. I calmed down around 19k, and then cruised for a few levels. I made it to the dinner break with 47k and their were 7-8 tables left. After the Dinner break, the blinds were 500/1500/3000...10k out your stack every revolution. I was able to open shove a few times to steal the blinds/antes...but that would only last so long. I needed to double up...and went card the last 20 min of the round. I was down to 27.5k UTG and looked down at AQo. I ship it, and the sb woke up with 99...and the board bricked for me. I went out mid-50ish and they were paying 36.

The thing that sucked was I went to the cash game and got run over by deck...could do no wrong. I got in for $200.00 and cashed out at $585.00. If I would have got that run of cards in the tourney I would have been dangerous. The guy im with also had a decent night at the cash game.

I will try to give more updates a little later...and no quote today ;-)

The sickest hand I seen...the noon DeepStack event was down to 3 tables, and a young kid that was on fumes earlier in the day at my table was able to get some chips and had a nice stack. He gets the chip lead when he stacks 2 people at his table...AA vs KK vs the kids JJ...He hit a set of jacks. On the very next hand he stacked another big stack post flop when he nailed a set of 3's against QQ....when you running good...your running good

Shreveport Trip..."Vegas ...baby...Vegas"

I just got back from Shreveport yesterday, and got to play some poker in the North West part of Louisiana. It seems they are having some pretty nice tournaments up there with the Horseshoe having a weekly Thurs night $220.00 buy-in FO. I was not able to stay and play last night, but I was told that first place the week before was over $6k. I saw some of the same faces from when I would travel here over a year ago, and there were some tough cash games...oh yea...It also snowed Thurs morning. I walked out of the Elderado at 7:35am and it was snowing. It all evaporated by 11am. The Elderado moved their poker room down the 1st floor over in the corner, and It is alot smaller that the one upstairs. It was kind of funny when I came off the escalator on the 3rd floor with this bewildered look on face as there was nothing but slot machines where the poker room was...the Security Guard took one look at me and immediately said, "Downstairs in back corner".

When I got there Tuesday, I went check out the Elderado's new room and found out that they had a $75/$25 Re-buy tourney at 6:30pm. There were several cash games going so I sat in a 1-2nl game with $300.00 and cashed out over $500.00 to freeroll into the tournament. There were 4 tables in the tourney and I had Woody Moore was at my table with his Commerce Casino "La Poker Classic Final table" leather jacket on where he finished 3rd for over 1/2 million. Needless to say he was the only one I was worried about. I fired $100.00 into the tourney and went out 13th-14th when I had 7 BB's left and shoved with A8s...and the lady in the 1 seat woke up with AQo. Woody was one of the chip leaders. I went back to the cash game and booked another small winner before I headed to get something to eat.

Wednesday night I headed over the Shoe to see what they had there. I got in a tough game where I lost 3/4 of my stack on the first hand. I buy in for $400.00 and looked at A9d from LP.
The guy in the 8 seat raises to $15.00 pf and there were 4 callers to me. I smooth call. Flop comes out 4d6dQs. Kid c-bets to $25.00...everybody pitches but me and again...I call. Turn was a pretty 8d. Kid Checks and I fire $100.00...he smooth calls. The river brings the 4s and he immediately fires out $125.00...I was sick. I go in the tank and my radar is going full blast. They eventually call the floor on me and I am just sick...I say, "I can;t believe this is going to happen to me the first hand"...and eventually say, "I made worst calls before...I call"...Kid tables 4-6o...on top of that...he racks up and leaves the table.

I got a lot of respect from the table for even contemplating laying that down...although I believe I am suppose to lay that down. My thoughts were...its the first hand...I only had $135.00 invested and I felt I could get that back with the $265.00 I had left...My read was dead on...etc. Several people at the table said they would have went busted with that hand...and I talked to several poker playing buddies that said it was a "Must Call"...anyhow...I am down to $100.00 and change and I have to start "scratching and clawing"...and scratch and claw I did. I played my heart out. The cooler hand happened around 5:30pm...and I cashed out at 11:30...with $560.00.

I felt good driving back last night having beat the cash games, but I wish I could have stayed and played the tournament last night.

We are leaving for Vegas Monday morning and playing in the 3 events at the Venetian Deep Stack...and anywhere else we can play. Looking forward to seeing Lusky and Virge and their pad. I will bring my laptop and give some feedback if anything exciting happens. I am pretty pumped right now though.

'They're gonna give daddy the Rainman suite, you dig that?" Vince Vaughn as Trent in "Swingers"

Post --Southern Poker Championship

I am in Destin, FL on a 2009 Sales Kickoff meeting at Sandestin. I am really enjoying my new job, but it has been cutting in on my poker playing. Bill and I made it to the Beau for 3 of the Main Event days. I played mostly cash as the 2nd chance tournaments were ending pass 3-4am...some longer. I was able to book a winner over the two days...Then I got sick. Sinus Infection...Oh it sucked!!!. I was sick...but not running fever/flu like sick...just my sinuses. Well for everyone that has played in that cash game where there is the person there with the handkerchief that keeps on sneezing...runny nose...getting germs all over the cards and chips...you guys remember those people? That was knuckle head GeneD. I felt like such an ass.

I actually got it from a good source that Tyler Smith was coming down with a bug on day 2. He thought about going to the doctor/hospital to get a shot...but he started to feel better. Well, I didn't start to feel better. I had to go to the Doctor and got a shot and a Z-Pac...all is good. Of course, the Doctor was kind of cocky, but hey...most Doctors are.

I played last night in the IP nightly as they did not have a tourney at the Beau. There were 3 tables and the blinds got to 200-400 and I had $4100.00 in chips (10 BB's) out of $5000.00...and run Kings into Aces...See ya. I was able to get in a good cash game last night at the Beau though. I got in a 1-2nl game with $250.00 and cashed in at $435.00. I heard last night that Tunica is PACKED...not a hotel room to be had. Thats kind of strange since last year they had such a low turn-out.

What else is up?...Oh yea...Bill, "Sheet Metal" Phillip and I ate dinner together one night and talked poker afterwards...I really enjoyed our conversation. We talked poker for almost an hour after we stopped eating.

Pokerroad radio...I listened to the 5 episodes they had while at the PCA and I have a couple of comments:

-I got to listen to the episode on the previous tournament where they interviewed Ali Nijad as the guest...I kind of like him a little more since I heard the interview. The guy has come up through the "Grind", and overcame some personal tragedies. I was pretty impressed with guy. I guess I was so use to the other host...and he came on so strong at first...I don't know. ANYHOW...Ali gets a thumbs up!!

-I am also very impressed with Cort Harrington and Jimmy "Gobboboy" Fricke. They seem to be the "Even Keel" of the show that keep Gavin/JoeS/Ali in check. Neither drinks or parties and all of their commentary/hand analysis is spot on... good stuff.

I am heading to Vegas on Feb 2nd to play in the opening days of the Venetian Deep Stack...probably 3 Deep Stack events. I will be staked in these events, and I am really looking forward to going. I hope I can win my backer some money.

Online...I am still trying to get my new PC up and running with all my software...I hate Microsoft Vista...Oh well...

"I have an M.D. from Harvard, I am board certified in cardio-thoracic medicine and trauma surgery, I have been awarded citations from seven different medical boards in New England, and I am never, ever sick at sea. So I ask you; when someone goes into that chapel and they fall on their knees and they pray to God that their wife doesn't miscarry or that their daughter doesn't bleed to death or that their mother doesn't suffer acute neural trama from postoperative shock, who do you think they're praying to? Now, go ahead and read your Bible, ...Dennis..., and you go to your church, and, with any luck, you might win the annual raffle, but if you're looking for God, he was in operating room number two on November 17, and he doesn't like to be second guessed. You ask me if I have a God complex. Let me tell you something: I am God" Alec Baldwin as Jed in "Malice"

First Blog of 2009

I have been busy with my new job lately, so I haven't been doing much blogging. I made it to Biloxi to go check out the Southern Poker Championship, but the nooner was a Omaha 8 or Better. I went over to the IP and got in the nooner there for $120.00. Wound up being a 3 table tournament, and I got knocked out right out the money. I went back to the Beau to play some cash and got seated in a 1-2 game. The first hand I get is AcAs. The guy in the 3 seat that I have seen around the circuit events raises to $25.00 from UTG. I raised it to $70.00 and he re-pops me to $150.00...and I shove in my $250.00 that I started...and he goes in the tank. He stares at me and I stare back, and he finally mucks QQ face up. I flash one of the Aces, and then fire them both in the muck. From here...this guys continues to stare me down in between hands. It was kind of creepy as as the cards would come out, we would look at our cards...etc, but everytime we both mucked our cards...we would meet eyes...and a staring contest ensued. It was weird. Finally I picked up my small profit and cashed out. I cashed in for $375.

I was a little pissed that I did not get to spend more time there. I plan on trying to get back before it ends, but I think it wont be until the M.E starts. I will probably try to play some 2nd chance tournaments.

I went check out the Amelia Belle last Monday as I heard they had a freeze out tournament for $55.00. I was also told to get there early. I played LAG early, and I was able to get chipped up quick. Just when someone decided to look me up...I had a big hand. I wound up going out a disappointing 3rd place out of 40...small profit.

We had a tourney Sat. afternoon for a final table seat for the satellite that WB runs every year. We had it at SPR's house, and I really had some fun. Goondingy came down and gave everyone hell early as he was one of the first to chip up. Thats a little scary...Goondingy with chips. The table could open up pretty fast. I think he got 3rd. Congrats to Derrick for taking down the tournament. Good Luck this weekend.

I think I have been playing pretty well the last couple of weeks, I just have to find more time to play.

"I'm going to paraphrase Thoreau here... rather than love, than money, than faith, than fame, than fairness... give me truth". Emile Hirch as Chris MaCandless in "Into the Wild"

Another Random Blog

I haven't had much going on lately in the poker world, so I haven't blogged in awhile. I am in the middle of changing jobs which is exciting. I am staying within my industry just moving to a better company...I say better, but what I mean is a "Louisiana Based" company. I am tired of working for people who don't understand how we do business down in South Louisiana. I will be working out of my house/road mostly, and I am looking forward to getting in and making an impact at my new company. With that being siad I lost my laptop which had all my software to update the site, so Wild Bill is the only one updating the site now. It may be a week or so before you see more daily updates.

I am also going to be going on a diet for my "New Years Resolution". I will be eating right and exercising and this will mean less drinking...which should be "No Drinking"...but I am trying to be realistic and will just say that those of you who know me as always having a beer...in a cup (DirteAA HaHaHa) may not see that as much anymore. Kind of sucks but it has to be done. I have to get my weight under control before it gets out of hand. I am going to enjoy the rest of the year and start on the 1st. I wish I had the guts like Reid to challenge my buddies to catch me, but like I said...I am trying to be realistic.

On the Poker note, we had our first feeder table into the "Dead Money" WSOP Main Event Satellite that we run every year last Wednesday. The winner was Dave A. and Wild Bill got 2nd...which was a pat on the back and an "ata Boy". We may be having another one soon if you didn't get to play in this one. We ran this one with very short notice and only came up with 10 players. (Actually we had 11 ...and a special thanks goes out to Mike H. for showing up to make sure that we had enough to run the table). I got cold decked early...fought back...and went out against Matt's KK . Matt works for the company that host our site and I happen to be in the office there Wed where he overheard us talking about the site and we started talking poker...needless to say, he winds up showing up to play and made a good run. He played well.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Hope to see everyone in Biloxi in Jan. I am really pumped about '09, and I think I have found a backer that will be putting me in some events next year...I hope I can win him some money.

"Cinderella Story!!! Outta nowhere. A former greenskeeper, now, about to become the Masters champion. It looks like a mirac…It's in the hole! It's in the hole! It's in the hole!!" Bill Murray as Carl in "Caddyshack"

Chip and a Chair

Thats right folks...GeneD pulled off the biggest cliche quote in the in dusty in a $65.00 satellite at the Harrah's Bayou Poker Open. I will tell that story first and then segway into a couple of other things I wanted to chat about.

Let me set the stage...there are 4 of us left in a simple $65.00 satellite and I was getting low. There was a very tight lady in the 1 seat...there was some Arabian guy in the 3 seat with a nice crew cut....but had a huge, thick beard that hung down to the middle of his chest (ZZTop Guy)...and there was a business exec guy in the the 4 seat that seemed really nice. We were almost to 6pm and both the ZZTop guy and the Exec wanted to play the 6pm Mega. The blinds are at 100-200 and I am short. The blinds go thru me and I have exactly 300 left. Great...I have only a few hands to go. I get to the BB and flip in my 200 and was dealt 9-4o...Great. Everyone limps expecting to get me 3 to 1 to knock me out knowing I was not going to fold...You know I thought...to hell with it...I pitched the cards in the muck and watched as all the players including the dealer...stared at each other like I was an idiot...Which mathematically speaking...I was. I threw mt last 100 chip in on the SB...and you guys can figure out where it goes from here. Quite a few double/triple ups and people started to gather around as the word spread around the room. We get heads up with the Business exec and we chop...Him $300.00...me $250.00. I was pretty happy with that although I know they are several people who are readying this that are going to give me grief for chopping.

What else...Congrats go out to PokerLusky...our transplanted Cajun living in Vegas as him and his girl got engaged. Being Married is great when you find the right person...I wish I wouldn't have waited so long.

"You know that all my writings have called this occupation a violation of international law and its practitioners are criminals?" Marisa Tomei as Natalie in "War Inc."

Harrah's Winter Open

Have been busy at work recently...Sales-Sales-Sales... so I haven't had time to blog. I have been somewhat running good recently in the 1-2/2-5 games I play in, and have booked several small wins. (nothing to brag about...Obv). Last Wednesday I got in at Shorty's with $230.00 and cashed out for $455.00. I had a couple of things I wanted to chat about there, but Its been awhile ago...and many hands ago. ...lets see... Mike O. was there dragging in another win. I swear that guy never loses. Solid Player...but also seems to run well also. Met Dave A. also

Friday after Thanksgiving I went back out and was able to score another win almost identical to the One Thursday. This one I got in for $200.00 and cashed out for $435.00. I get coolered the first hand by Jack S. where he raises from the button $25.00...I am on his left in the SB. Jacks range here...Who Knows???? HaHaHaha (Just kidding Jack). Anyhow...I smooth with AKo as do several other villains. Flop comes out Ad-10d-4c. I check...Jack c-bets $30.00...all the others scatter. I think I am ahead here but I reluctant to raise. I decide to see where this hand will take me and just call. turn...Jd. Great...puts the straight and flush out there. I check saying something like "I'll check it down Jack", which he says, "Oh no...I gotta bet now"...He slides out $60.00 and I make a bad call. River is a brick and I check...he saying something about being spooked by my flush...he tables KQ0 for the turned straight. Half my buy-in gone and I get moved to the juicey table with E.J, Big Randy and Rabbit. Those 3 are a game it itself.

So I sit in the game and wait for a good spot. 30-40mins go by and ...nothing. I limp in a few spots but nothing transpires. I am OTB with Qh8h and the UTG players fires out $25.00...and get 5 callers to me...Hmmmm. I have $80.00 left. I decide to join the party to see if something happens. SB calls...BB folds. Flop hits Qc8c5d. Everybody checks it to me and I ship my remaining $55.00 and get 2 callers. Turn is a random club and I cringe...but the river snakes out the sweet 8s. You guys to do the math and I was back in the game...full swing. From there...nothing much happened. Saw my brother and sister n law there that night...thats it.

Got in a cash game session at Harrahs the other night with the Tiltin Texan and SouthPawRounder...has a good time. Drank toooo many Blue Moons. We went to Ruth's Chris after so they could eat a steak. I had the Tuna Tataki...good stuff. Played a $65.00 Satellite with Marshall Brown of Mickey Browns hot Tamales. Good to see Marshall...had seen him in awhile. I then hit the 2-5 game with the "bueshewacker." I had Joe on my right and "Loveshack" Dave from Baton Rouge was on Joe's right... 2 from me on the right

Wow....just started a $3.40 sng on stars. 3rd hand I call a $100.00 raise with 4s-4c. Flop comes out 10d3s4d. Villain c-bets $550.00...I shove...he calls with AdKd...hits his diamond on the river...See ya....

Back to the table with Joe and Loveshack. Played for several hours until our table broke and we split. Played on another 2-5 while Loveshack and the bueshwacker head to another table. I broke out even on the night and spent the night at The Queen and Crescent Hotel they were completely sold out for all the rooms that Harrah's had reserved. Damn....on a Monday night they sold out...kind of weak if you ask me.

I kind of felt bad for Juicey as he is taking some heat about the tourney structures. They skip several levels and there were lots of players not to happy about it. The first one was that Harrahs cut out the $100-$200 without the blinds. Normally it goes 25-25/25-50/50-100/100-200....and then 25-100-200...they cut out the 100-200 no ante level out as well as several others. I was actually in a conversation talking to TK and Tim Hebert when Juicey walked up...we all started chatting and noticed that the 6pm mega structures were better than the nooners...oh well...I am sure Juicey is on it.

You will see on the site soon about a big score, but I wanted to chip it out first here...Congrats to Nick "Nick the Greek" Gellepis (AKA- "MVP OF LIFE")for nailing a nice score on Stars... $55 buy-in, Daily Eighty Grand [$55 NLHE - $80,000 guaranteed] on PokerStars. 11/14/2008, 1st place for $16,219.50. Way to go NICK!!!!!!!!

What else is happening...Heading to Harrahs's tomorrow...I will try to give you guys an update soon. Then back to work...selling-selling-selling.

"Hi. I'm, uh, I'm a pet psychiatrist. I sell couch insurance. Mm-hmm, and I - and I test-market positive thinking. I lead a weekend men's group, we specialize in ritual killings. Yeah, you look great! God, yeah! Hi, how are you? Hi, how are you? Hi, I'm Martin Blank, you remember me? I'm not married, I don't have any kids, but I'd blow your head off if someone paid me enough"
John Cusack as Marty in "Grosse Point Blank"

Random Blog...Take 2

I had a moment so I sat down to put up a blog. I have been working my ass off so I decided to sit down on this Friday/Saturday night and play some sng's online. I thought I would just sit around...cook a chili since its cold outside...and win a few dollars on Stars in the LLSNG's...$3.00+ .40. I know.....I know....its weak but hey. I am trying to play within my online bankroll since it is not as easy as it was to just "Pop some" money online.

I think it was a mistake...The hands are below.

PokerStars Game #22249148861: Tournament #122089301, $3.00+$0.40 Hold'em No Limit - Level II (15/30) - 2008/11/21 21:24:27 ETTable '122089301 1' 10-max

Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: YBKKLMN (1440 in chips)
Seat 3: Aigistos (1610 in chips)
Seat 4: angl3m (1400 in chips)
Seat 6: JIGALLO (4730 in chips)
Seat 7: sk8wyatt (1430 in chips)
Seat 8: GCPGeneD (1460 in chips)
Seat 9: BrianT.CO. (1430 in chips)
Seat 10: serweibud (1500 in chips)
GCPGeneD: posts small blind 15
BrianT.CO.: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to GCPGeneD [Qh 7d]
serweibud: folds
YBKKLMN: folds
Aigistos: calls 30
angl3m: calls 30
JIGALLO: calls 30
sk8wyatt: folds
GCPGeneD: calls 15
BrianT.CO.: checks
*** FLOP *** [Qc 7h 3s]
GCPGeneD: bets 60
BrianT.CO.: folds
Aigistos: folds
angl3m: folds
JIGALLO: raises 150 to 210
GCPGeneD: raises 210 to 420
JIGALLO: raises 2280 to 2700
GCPGeneD: calls 1010 and is all-in
Uncalled bet (1270) returned to JIGALLO
*** TURN *** [Qc 7h 3s] [Kh]
*** RIVER *** [Qc 7h 3s Kh] [Kc]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
GCPGeneD: shows [Qh 7d] (two pair, Kings and Queens)
JIGALLO: shows [Qs Jc] (two pair, Kings and Queens - Jack kicker)
JIGALLO collected 3010 from pot

Thats one down...the next SNG...

PokerStars Game #22250019812: Tournament #122095324, $3.00+$0.40 Hold'em No Limit - Level II (15/30) - 2008/11/21 22:00:20 ETTable '122095324 1' 10-max
Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: jojo-mass38 (1180 in chips)
Seat 2: ExtremeUK (1650 in chips)
Seat 3: hamata (1470 in chips)
Seat 4: Leroth (1440 in chips)
Seat 5: Flaboy89 (1720 in chips)
Seat 7: hazzmatt70 (3010 in chips)
Seat 8: Banana217 (1700 in chips)
Seat 9: MARODRIGUES (1330 in chips)
Seat 10: GCPGeneD (1500 in chips)
MARODRIGUES: posts small blind 15
GCPGeneD: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to GCPGeneD [6d 6h]
jojo-mass38: folds
ExtremeUK: folds
hamata: folds
Leroth: raises 90 to 120
Flaboy89: folds
hazzmatt70: calls 120
Banana217: folds
MARODRIGUES: folds
GCPGeneD: calls 90
*** FLOP *** [6s 7h 9d]
GCPGeneD: checks
Leroth: bets 330
hazzmatt70: folds
GCPGeneD: raises 1050 to 1380 and is all-in
Leroth: calls 990 and is all-in
Uncalled bet (60) returned to GCPGeneD
*** TURN *** [6s 7h 9d] [7d]
*** RIVER *** [6s 7h 9d 7d] [Th]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
GCPGeneD: shows [6d 6h] (a full house, Sixes full of Sevens)
Leroth: shows [Ts Td] (a full house, Tens full of Sevens)
Leroth collected 3015 from pot


OK...Not a good start with these 2...lets try another


PokerStars Game #22251132294: Tournament #122100645, $3.00+$0.40 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2008/11/21 22:47:19 ETTable '122100645 1' 10-max
Seat #6 is the button
Seat 2: GCPGeneD (2415 in chips)
Seat 3: fleebert (2950 in chips)
Seat 6: pageypooh (2070 in chips)
Seat 8: jeremyl464 (7565 in chips)
jeremyl464: posts small blind 75
GCPGeneD: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to GCPGeneD [Ac Qh]
fleebert: folds
pageypooh: raises 300 to 450
jeremyl464: folds
GCPGeneD: raises 1965 to 2415 and is all-in
pageypooh: calls 1620 and is all-in
Uncalled bet (345) returned to GCPGeneD
*** FLOP *** [7h 6s 4d]
*** TURN *** [7h 6s 4d] [Tc]
*** RIVER *** [7h 6s 4d Tc] [2s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
GCPGeneD: shows [Ac Qh] (high card Ace)
pageypooh: shows [Ts Ad] (a pair of Tens)
pageypooh collected 4215 from pot

Yeeeeeeaaaaaaaaa...I think I am going to pass on anymore SNG's tonight.

I went to Shorty's Saturday night for a nice session...got in at 5pm and cashed out at 1am a winner. I am at the Hilton Hotel in Lafayette and I am fixing to throw this PC out the F'ing window as it keeps locking up on me. I will post about my live session later. I just can'tke this crap anymore...sorry.
Gotta go

"You know what scars are?...a road map to the soul" Sarah Michelle Geller as Sorrow in "The Air that I Breathe"

Random Blog

I wanted to put up a blog this weekend as if you'll have been watching the UIGEA news...you know we are on the fasttrack to getting hosed. If the Obama camp and the rest of the Dem's can get this thing turned around, I may switch party affiliation. I am that pissed off that now that Macain did not win the election, they decide to fasttrack this through the system. That just sucks for us poker players. Join the WPA...Join the PPA...Join anything associated with fighting this bullshit. Call and e-mail your elected officials. Get in their grills and let them know who you are...one of their constituents.

Thanks and a shout out goes out to "Sheetmetal Phillip". He dropped me a line and I could tell he was just as passionate about this nonsense UIGEA bill as Bill and I. I am going to go ahead and post up some links from the e-mail Phil sent me. Below is where I cut and pasted from his e-mail

"There are also links on the PPA website to email your congressman/senators regarding the issue and a phone number to call the federal reserve. I am just trying to do my part to save online poker and protect our rights. Thanks and next time your down this way hollar at me and we can grab a beer

Most recent UIGEA news: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/11/politics/main4594277.shtml
Pocket Fives Thread with Instruction on how to get your voice hear: http://www.pocketfives.com/poker-forums/7/UIGEA-feedback_2C00_-VERY-important-to-make-all-voices-heard-PROMPTLY.--Sticky-please_2E00_-3541538
And of course PPA: http://pokerplayersalliance.org/action-alert/uigea/"



Thanks Phil...Hope to be back down that way soon.

Look for some more updates soon as it looks like we have lots of Gulf Coast Poker Players burning it up. Cub scored a 1st...Gabe is still on fire...shit...dude stays on fire. Tim H just went deep at The Venetian and made it in the top 5...we will get you guys the specifics when we chat with them.

I went out to Harrah's last night and got to see "Juicey". He was dealing a little late. I burned a couple of hundo's in 4 1/2 hours....it sucked. I was not happy with the the way I played but I also got a little unlucky. The night was a roller coaster of ...buying in for $200.00...and let the fun begin. Hmmmmn. Noone here I know that's in our circle when I get there...not even the "bueschewacker". Damn Joe...where ya at? haHaHahaha. 30 minutes in in, I flop 2 pair against a set with no improvements...miraculously I don't stack off there. I continue to just play solid poker and try to get my money in good. The best hand to talk about was a possible Jackpot hand where I missed out on 12k. I raise to $20.00 with KK from OTB and got 2 callers. I only have about $65.00 dollars left. The flop hits AsAh3c. They both knuckle to me and I ship it thinking that I didn't put either one of them on an Ace here. They both call. The turn hits the 4s and they both check but the river brings a sweet Ac. I jump out of my seat thinking..."COME ON...HAVE AN A-J/A-Q/A-K....COME ON". They both knuckle and show nothing...I drag the pot. Oh well...it was close.

My Main Event final table comments...I have 2.
1) the hand that Dennis Phillips played with Ivan where they held A-K vs A-Q right at the onset...was probably one of the worst hands I seen played in quite some time, and I can't believe that Norm Chad took a shot at "The Oracle" there. “Dennis should sue his coaches for malpractice!” WOW...not a good plug for his consulting biz.
2) that sick ass hand where the 6d came on the river for a one outer ...I wanted to smash my laptop and hey...I wasn't even in the hand and I wasn't playing on Stars...sure looked like the "sickass shit" that happens online though. ;-)

As far as my online play this weekend. I continue to get it in good...and get smoked. I know that I am posting up hands in Low Limit MTT's, but when you sit in front of your computer for 4-5 hours and lose like this...it still sucks. I hope to make a step up online soon...I am just still spooked about all the online hi jinks that came out this year.


PokerStars Tournament #119387181, No Limit Hold'emBuy-In: $5.00/$0.50
4824 players
Total Prize Pool: $24120.00 Tournament started - 2008/11/15 - 13:00:00 (ET)
Dear GCPGeneD,
You finished the tournament in 341st place.

PokerStars Game #22069228853: Tournament #119387181, $5.00+$0.50 Hold'em No Limit - Level XIV (800/1600) - 2008/11/15 16:42:23 ETTable '119387181 250' 9-max
Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: johnny1963 (27994 in chips)
Seat 2: goodtymes31 (69855 in chips)
Seat 3: moe86 (19706 in chips)
Seat 4: legalabb (34589 in chips)
Seat 5: BigHandBluff (56678 in chips)
Seat 6: sjemmy (27717 in chips)
Seat 7: FuqpooC (37930 in chips)
Seat 8: GCPGeneD (7377 in chips)
Seat 9: eddie099 (101928 in chips)
johnny1963: posts the ante 150
goodtymes31: posts the ante 150
moe86: posts the ante 150
legalabb: posts the ante 150
BigHandBluff: posts the ante 150
sjemmy: posts the ante 150
FuqpooC: posts the ante 150
GCPGeneD: posts the ante 150
eddie099: posts the ante 150
GCPGeneD: posts small blind 800
eddie099: posts big blind 1600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to GCPGeneD [Kh Td]
johnny1963: calls 1600
goodtymes31: calls 1600
moe86: folds
legalabb: folds
BigHandBluff: folds
sjemmy: folds
FuqpooC: folds
GCPGeneD: raises 5627 to 7227 and is all-in
eddie099: folds
johnny1963: folds
goodtymes31: calls 5627
*** FLOP *** [8s 8h 6s]
*** TURN *** [8s 8h 6s] [Ts]
*** RIVER *** [8s 8h 6s Ts] [Qs]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
GCPGeneD: shows [Kh Td] (two pair, Tens and Eights)
goodtymes31: shows [Th Qh] (two pair, Queens and Tens)
goodtymes31 said, "almost 3-1, had to call"
goodtymes31 collected 19004 from pot

--I am not pissed about the call...just pissed that I get it in good and it can't hold up...and on the river...Oh well...One day

I want to end this blog with a call out to everyone who loves poker. Join the PPA...contact your elected officials...get involved!!!.

'Good morning, gentlemen. ACME pollution inspection. We're cleaning up the world, we thought this was a suitable starting point'.
Sean Connery as James "007" Bond in "Diamonds are Forever"

IP Poker Classic Day2

Well, its now Saturday at 12:30 am, and since I am here typing on the computer, most of you will figure out that I did not get into the Main Event. Pretty discouraged by it, but I am pretty pumped as Wild bill did get in. He was not a lazy SOB, and he got up this morning @8:30 to get down there to play in the last satellite of the megas at 9am. I did not...did I mention something about lazy SOB's? I only have 10 minutes left in the room so I figured I would throw up a blog while I download the latest pokerroad radio and all strategy.

Damn...Bill just came in to get his stuff on break and he is down to 7000 in chips. We chatted about a couple of hands. He has lots of play left...no worries.

I am not overly happy with my play over the last 3 days. I was in a position in some cash games where I got up quick and became spewey. I played way too many hands, and I was just not happy with my play. I have a long way to go if I think I am going to be making multiple final tables like Monk. Monkey made the final table in the nooner and the 2nd chance event yesterday. We happen to be bullshitting with him when the text message came through that Cub has snapped off another 1st place...I think in Oklahoma. Wow!!

What else...Shout out goes to "Big Dan" from Atlanta. We got to drinking on Thursday night and had a blast. I also got to talk to a local guy here that plays real solid that I have played with on numerous occasions in the Gulf Coast area. I think we were on a final table together several times in some of the daily's down on the coast....Philip whos family owns a sheetmetal business...so I guess I can just call him "Sheetmetal" Phillip? .... anyhow...great guy and a solid player. There was also "MIT Bob, RIP...the usual suspects...although I did not see Bert????

Who else...John from Baton Rouge was playing great making multiple final tables...we hung out with Justin from B.R also...he will rule the poker world once he finishes Medical School...Hopefully he will stake me ;-)...T.K made an appearance for a beer just to check things out last night. I will have to figure out a way to buy those floor seats for a Hornets game. That F'er has 2 season tickets for the Hornets...2 rows up from the floor...right behind the bench. He told me you could hear the interaction with the coaches and players...that is sweeeeeeeet.

oh well...got to check out...hopefully I will get some pics also. Not sure if they are going to let me or not.

IP poker classic day1

Got to the IP Poker Classic yesterday to play in the $240.00 nooner, and had a good 30 minute conversation on the ride up with SPR. Nothing pass the drive time better than talking about poker. I have more and more respect for the poker playing friends...We are on the virge of hitting something big. Looks like Monkey may be the first though as I got to sweat him as he got 2nd place in the tourney. The Monk is on fire!!!!

I bubbled the event. We were down to 12 players and we were playing 6-6 with me on one table and Monkey on the other. They were paying 9, but I think everyone new that 10th place would be payed out. So technically, I was not the true bubble boy, but it hurt just as much. The hand that I busted out on ...I played it so bad I am ashamed to even post it here. I busted out of the 6pm re-buy event with 2 tables left again...this one was more like 18 people left. They were paying 6. I busted out of both events were my opponent held A-A. It sucked.

I got all my buy-ins back in the cash game though.

Headin back out to play in the 4pm satellite. I know Bill and Reid will be here also.

Sorry...no time for a quote
peace

Poker stuff...and the 200k Gaurantee on Stars

Decided to throw up a quick blog while I grind out the 200k guarantee on Stars. This will either be a short blog or a verrrryyyy long blog depending on how I run...or play. I snapped off 2 small SNG's last night and then played in a satellite with FPP points to free-roll into the 200k-G. I won that and then watched "Red Dawn" last night in reference to the upcoming election. I am kind of curious how the election will go Tues as I predict a McCain victory...How will the people respond when this happens...we will see. We are officially 3 min to kickoff and there are....uhhh...only 20,000 people in the tourney. Thats all....just 20k...Yeeeaaaaaaaa. I will try to put all my tourney comments in italics...first place is 23k

Congrats out to Monkey for snapping off the Halloween event at the IP. We don't know how much he won as we are not getting any updates from the IP's Media Partner. We don't know who that is but we havent been getting the updates like we did for the last IP Classic...I will talk about that later. I thought it was pretty cool that Monkey could find a Monkey/Gorilla suit to take his winning pic in. Again...way to go Monk!!!

Bill and I chatted about the win last night, and we were both ...kind of jealous that our schedules are not allowing us to get out to play...and miffed that we were not there to sweat/cheer Monkey on...as well as indulge in some snappers. 200k update...went up to $3200...back down to $2900. Nothing big...table kind of tight....I thought this would start as a jam fest. For some reason..My GCP avater is not showing either(In my best TeddyKGB voice) ..."I feel so...Unsatisfied"

Back to the IP. We swapped some emails with Ronnie and Jim about what could we do help advertise the tournament. We were told they already had a media outlet handling the tournament, and we understood that. We went back to them hoping that we could work out some way to work together were they could advertise on the site. We have been trying to get to the lady at the IP that handles the advertising for some time now....but she would'nt return our calls. First level over...I am at $3000. The reason I am saying this is because of all the e-mails we have received from our readers saying, "There is a tourney going on at the IP...Did you guys know that?...if I had known about it...I would have went". So...all of you who sent Bill and I e-mails wondering why we did not tell you about/have a story on/banner up...Yes...we did know there was a tournament at the IP...We are going to it...We did have a story on it several months ago. Down to $2500. Since Bill and I were planning on going and playing in the tournament...all we really asked for was a room comped so Bill and I could stay. Oh well...Hopefully they will work with us in the future...who knows.

Our plans are to head there this Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun and try to get in the ME...which is Sat. I was talking to someone to stake me but it fell through. I think Bill has a line on a stake also. Hope to see some of you there. Blinds now at 75-150...I am at $3500.

What else is happening...Oh yea...I pulled a small live session at Shorty's Thurs night when I was coming back from work. I was driving home from Lafayette, and I decided to stick my head in to see who was there and what was happening. Watching "Crimson Tide" now...one of my favorite shows... The game was just jumping off 8 handed, and I grabbed $200.00 and grabbed the 4 seat as the tiltin Texan was in the 3 seat. Played for about 2 1/2 hours and cashed out with $325.00...Now at 4k in 200k...The thing that Tex and I both notices was the terrible play at the table. There was a guy in the 1 and 5 seat both had 1k in front of them...and I watched both them make blatant errors and mis-plays ...blinds at 100-200...I now have 3.5k...I have had AA once...thats it.

Waiting to see the blogs from Wild Bill and Goondingy. I know they both went out to Harrahs last night. I also think Southpaw Rounder was out there also. I think Dave and Bill were at the same table....Just broke 7k...got AQ and flopped 2 queens...I hope that they had some good stuff to talk about. We are on our first 5 min break...I am at 6.7k...blinds going up... avg chip count is 5.6k....we are down to 13k players.

Will be in Baton Rouge Mon and Tues night. Will probably head on over the the Belle and fire a couple of bullets. Anyone in that area give me a shout. Can't wait to get back i some tournaments
though. I see that Juicey has put the Harrahs structure up...Blinds going up...Im down to 5.4k...avd 6.7..I have A-Qo ...won it. Just got a double up now at 11.5k...We are now down to below 10k in players.

We are now on the 2nd 5 min break...I have 11.3 k...avg stack is 17k...blinds are at 600-1200-125...we are 100 or so from the money.

What else is happening... "Crimson Tide" is over and now I am watching "Romeo and Juliet". I kind of like the way they did that movie myself. Based in a sub-real world of a made up California...where they used pistols instead of swords and they were still able to keep the Shakespearean dialogue. Although, the part about Mercutio being a cross-dresser is kind of creepy.

We are now...literally...on the bubble 3882 are payes and we have been H4H a 3883. They dropped like flies until one off the bubble...hilarious. "BUUBLE HAS BUSTED"...I cashed. Get this structure. 1428th -3882st gets $23.55 now...361st-thru 1427th gets $23.56...one penny more HaHaHa
so the next pay jump is at 360th up to $44.11. I am now up to 20k...doubled up with QQ vs A-9
blinds are up to 1k-2k...I need to make some moves...2k players left out of 23k.

OK guys....I am so pissed off right now I am going to cut and paste the last hand history...post it up...and thats a wrap. There were 2 people at the table who wrote "OMG" in the chat box
right now the avg is 43k

PokerStars Game #21709528770: Tournament #116550520, $10+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level XVI (1500/3000) - 2008/11/02 18:19:06 ETTable '116550520 1232' 9-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: Jacks050777 (57625 in chips)
Seat 2: Money929 (45791 in chips)
Seat 3: Birne2006 (7017 in chips)
Seat 4: dkeif88 (9305 in chips)
Seat 5: joeyboysix (21576 in chips)
Seat 6: soze007 (40778 in chips)
Seat 7: GCPGeneD (38795 in chips)
Seat 9: Almar_zelf (33142 in chips)
Jacks050777: posts the ante 300
Money929: posts the ante 300
Birne2006: posts the ante 300
dkeif88: posts the ante 300
joeyboysix: posts the ante 300
soze007: posts the ante 300
GCPGeneD: posts the ante 300
Almar_zelf: posts the ante 300
GCPGeneD: posts small blind 1500
Almar_zelf: posts big blind 3000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to GCPGeneD [Ac As]
KevinThorn is connected
Jacks050777: raises 54325 to 57325 and is all-in
Money929: folds
Birne2006: folds
dkeif88: folds
joeyboysix: folds
soze007: folds
GCPGeneD: calls 36995 and is all-in
Almar_zelf: folds
Uncalled bet (18830) returned to Jacks050777
*** FLOP *** [Ah 4h 2d]
soze007 said, "lol"
*** TURN *** [Ah 4h 2d] [Kh]
*** RIVER *** [Ah 4h 2d Kh] [3h]
*** SHOW DOWN
***GCPGeneD: shows [Ac As] (three of a kind, Aces)
Jacks050777: shows [9s 9h] (a flush, Ace high)
soze007 said, "omg"
Money929 said, "omg"
Jacks050777 collected 82390 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 82390 Rake 0
Board [Ah 4h 2d Kh 3h]
Seat 1: Jacks050777 showed [9s 9h] and won (82390) with a flush, Ace high
Seat 2: Money929 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: Birne2006 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: dkeif88 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: joeyboysix folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: soze007 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: GCPGeneD (small blind) showed [Ac As] and lost with three of a kind, Aces
Seat 9: Almar_zelf (big blind) folded before Flop

Thats a wrap people....3 1/2 hours wasted to get coolered...I swear I hate this game

"My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late! Prodigious birth of love it is to me that I must love a loathed enemy" Claire Daines as Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet"

Win at Shorty's...or was it??

Headed to Shorty's yesterday and to play some poker, and I booked a winner although I am somewhat flustered by it. I booked a winner in the end, but had a nice stack of chips at one time and I knew I should have pulled up, but didn't. It's just one of those sessions that you chalk up and move on.

I get to Shorty's at about 2:00pm and there is only a 3-6-12 game going with 8 people in the game, so I take a seat and pull out a hundo. They had the 'High Hand' hourly daily special going, and I was able to get an extra hundo between 3-4pm with quad 4's. I decided to play snug and was able to catch some cards and was able to get my stack up to $360.00 with the hundo from the high hand.

We sat with 5 people on the 5-5nl list for some time, and when it got t0 4:30, we had Me, Mr. Albert, Fred, MarkF and some lady that I never played with before. They asked me if i would start the game 5 handed, and I agreed as i was not sure how long Mr. Albert was going to be around. I take out the hundo I started the limit game with, and took the $260.00 to the NL game on a freeroll of such. First hand I look down at JcJh UTG ad limp as everyone else limps also around to Mark who started with $200.00... and he pops it to $25.00. We see the flop heads up and the flops brings the Ac5dJs...sweet...I flopped mid-set. I knuckle and he fires out $40.00 and I now put him him on A-K or A-Q. I try to figure out what can I do to get all his chips. I think of a raise that would make him think that he can't call without gettin it all in in. I raise in $75.00 to make it $115.00. He starts to look at his chips...he cuts out the $75.00 and looks at the 2 stacks...then grabs them both 2 handed and sticks them in. My chips crossed the line the same time his did...I show the set and he shakes his head and mucks gracefully. I kind of felt bad because I like him, and thats just cold-decked on the first hand.

So I sit tight until the game eventually fills up. I win a couple of small pot of Mr. Albert and my stack gets to $560.00. My wife is getting off of work at 6pm in Lafayette, and we decided we were going to give Rik Rak a shot at knocking off Bambo from last weekend. MikeO from Houma shows up and Jack and Cody show up a little later. We chat about how Mike and Jared hit that Bad beat jackpot...Mike got over 20k for the bigside and Jared got over 40k for the Bad beat. Thats a sweet payday. I have been at the table for several but I have never been involved in a BB hand...much less for that much...Thats sweet.

From this point I have played perfect poker and I am right where I need to be for my session range. A $500.00 score is perfect for me here, and I know I should pick up and wait for my wife...but the last big session here was rolling around in my mind and I stayed in the game. My first mistake of the day comes when we see a $20.00 preflop raise ...3 ways. The guy to my left had $160.00 and I have played with him before and I know him as some what of a solid player...doesn't get out of line much. He called and did I as the raiser was in the 3 seat. The pf raiser c-bets $50.00 on a A-5-4 and I have AQo. I think for a second and I call. The guy to my left moves in for $140.00. The pr raiser folds and its $90.00 more to me. I do the Math ....cost me $90.00 to call with a chance to win $300.00....around 3 to 1...I make a crying call knowing I was probably beat...guy shows down a set of 4's ...GG...NH.

That was the catalyst. I went on to make another bad call that didn't cost me too much, and then I started playing bad. The river became brutal for me when it killed me when I flopped a set of 9's when the villain hit a runner-runner straight...and I went to the felt.

Damn...I was now dead even. I pulled out $300.00 more and cashed out and hour and a half later with $465.00. Oh well...it was a win none the same. I kind of laughed now because that high hand became most of what I won on the night. I was still a little tilted that I did not follow my instincts and pulled up with the $500+ win.

I saw that MikeO had the Beef Teriyaki from Rik Rak's and I tried that....it was great...absolutely Delicious. Julie had the Beef Pho Soup, and the whole meal was Delicious. I would give them both a tie between Rik Rak and Bamboo.

a couple of things:
--We are working with the guys with the server as it seems our last update did not get up on the site.
--With that I would like to send a Congrats to Tim Hebert for snapping off another tournament. He won 1st place in the 9th event for around 19k
--For you 2+2 fans...and other forums lurkers...check out the forums at Pokerroad. Barry Greenstein has built a forum topic for "Red Pros" where only they can post. The logic is to have a forum for documented pros where they can posy without having a bunch of knuckleheads responding with non-sense. There is another "Mirror" topic where knuckleheads can post...anyways....pretty cool.

With the presidential election coming up my quote this blog is going to be somewhat ...coded.
If any of you listen to Walton and Johnson in the morning...you will know exactly what I mean.

"Wolverines"!!!!! from the movie "Red Dawn"

Wild Bill's Wedding...weekend in New Orleans

My wife and I headed to new Orleans last weekend for the wedding of Wild Bill. We got to spend the entire weekend in New Orleans as we got in Friday night and planned on staying until Sunday. We had a great time, and Bill's wedding was a blast. Obviously, there was some poker that was played also, but I wanted to highlight the weekend as it has been awhile since Julie and I got to un-plug.

Friday night: I left the office about 5pm and headed downtown. We booked our rooms at a Hotel where we had one of our "Dead Money" final tables...The Queen and Crescent. I have stayed there before, and I would give it a B- overall. We got 2 nights for $150.00 which is not bad even though we got hit for a parking ticket for $20.00. I was texting TK to grab a beer with him and Mike until Julie was able to get in New Orleans to come meet me. Julie gets into town and we head to Harrah's and hit Masquerades for a couple of drinks. We ate at Bambo in Harrah's and it was excellent. I got the Won Ton soup and Julie got the Shrimp with Honey and Wasabi...excellent. After we ate I went tot the tables and Julie hit the slots and it went like this...First hour...Gene wins $80.00...Julie dumps $80.00. Second hour..."wash ...rinse...repeat".

I figured we were not going to be able to get anything going so we pulled out. Texted Bill and they were at Pat O's. Julie and I head there and joined the party...We had a great time. I got to meet Shoats who blogs on the site...Got to hang with Austin Martin and Mayor Ed ... drank some hurricanes...NH...GG.

The wife and I wake up Saturday, and head into the quarter. The weather was absolutely beautiful. Cool breeze and hovering around 65-70 degrees. Those of you who know how brutal the weather can be in New Orleans...know just how great that weather is. We wander around the quarter and eat at the LA Pizza Kitchen with Bloody Mary's. While wandering around, Julie and I talk about how cool the quarter is and act like tourist even though we live only 45 minutes away. There is just something about the culture of the French Quarter that is New Orleans. There nothing else like it. Here are a couple of cool MPEGs for those of you that love New Orleans. You may have to click on it...let it play....then click it again to see it in realtime

The first one is of some swing dancers in the Quarter and the 2nd one is of a Jazz band. I pan out to catch my wife sitting on the steps

We go back to the hotel to relax and catch a nap and head to the wedding. We had a blast!!! Hooked up with whole crowd as well as shared a table with the Tiltin Texan and Stacey. We also got to hang out with Silky Joe and his wife...great people. We had a blast. The food was great. Sunday was spent relaxing and eating lunch at Gordon Beirch and watching the Saints game on the patio before heading home.

I was able to grind out 3 separate sessions during the weekend including Monday Night Football where you get free squares on a football pool. Joe B and I crossbooked our numbers for the pool, and I get 0-7...we just missed hitting on halftime and 3rd quarter. Oh well. Booked a small winner every session, but not enough to talk about.

"Bridge, ya know, I mean, what I always thought was that there was this one, one perfect person for everybody in the world, you know, and when you found that person, uh, the rest of the world just kinda magically faded away and... and you know, the two of you would just be inside this kind of protective bubble. But there is no bubble, or if there is, we have to make it. I just think life is more than a series of moments, you know, it's... it's... we can make choices and we can choose to protect the people we love and that's what makes us who we are, and those are the real miracles! Stop me when it becomes glaringly obvious that I have no idea what I am talking about..." Ben Affleck as Ben Holmes in "Forces of Nature"

Nice score at Shorty's

Sorry I haven't been blogging much to the few of you who read this blog, but I have been pretty busy lately with the day job. I have had several live cash sessions in the past week, and Im looking forward to getting into some tourney's soon with the IP Poker Classic coming up.

Went to the Belle of Baton Rouge last Wednesday and stayed at the hotel there in the Casino...not bad digs. The hotel was pretty nice. Got into a 2-5 game for 3 hours and donked off a buy-in. Got the last of it in with 9c9d when I got called by KhQs. If I win that race I am right back where I started at. This was also one of those nights of "What ifs". On one hand I called a pf raise to $20.00 by this young kind named Jacob that I have seen running around the circuit lately. He was in Tunica my last trip and I didn't know he was from Baton Rouge...I digress...back to the hand.

Jacob opens with a raise of $25.00 and gets called by the player to his left that has made several questionable plays in the 45 minutes I have played so far. I looked down at 10d10c. I smooth and we see the flop 3 ways. Flop hits KdKh6c. Jacob c-bets $55.00 and the donkfish raise to $85.00. Damn...I go in the tank...I know what I need to do but some times you have that feeling...you guys know it...that feeling where you just know its coming. That feeling has cost me lots of money and many of pots HaHaHaHa. I pitch here and Jacob calls obviously as its a no brainer in his situation. I had donkfish on K-x and Jacob on J-J. They turn over their cards and Donkfish has K-7 and Jacob has Q-Q...Close. Turn... "10 BALL in the side pocket"...river ...brick. Oh well...thats poker. I also mucked several gutter balls that would have hit also. Its amazing how you can be rewarded with bad play.

Went to Harrah's Friday night and ripped another buy-in. This night I played some hands bad...real bad. I made a hero call for $70.00 where I thought the guy had air...he had the nuts....Yeeaaaaaaaa. I find myself in the same boat I was in at the Belle. I have JJ from the button with about $95.00 left. We get 5 limper to me and I pop it to $30.00. I get 3 callers.

Flop hits 3d4s9c. I stick my stack right next to the line and I announce, "Im jamming". There is some discussion here and I continue to explain, "Guys...I don't know or care what you'll are thinking of doing...you want to strategize about what I am going to do...I am telling you'll I am going all in when it gets to me". They all check (Obviously) and I stick it in. Now I get 2 callers including this young kid that thinks he is the resident New Orleans pro. I have played with him before and he is always there. I can't be in a better spot...right? Nope....as the turn hits the 2s and they both knuckle. I am calling for, "No paint...No Paint...come on dealer...No Paint"...river is the 10s. Superpro now fires out...other guy mucks and he tables 6s7s for the nice runner-runner flush where he called a raise of $65.00 with a gutterball with several re-draws....great play superpro...your the best!!

So now the part you have been waiting for. GeneD finally gets a nice score as the variance finally whipped my way. I headed out to Shorty's Saturday to play some poker, and get in the game about 4:30. There was only 1 table at this time, but a second table opened up fast. There were several people in the game that I have played with before, and knew I was in a good game if I could get some cards in the right spots. I got in the game for $175.00 and cashed out right before 9pm with a little under $2000.00. Finally had a good night. There are several hands that got me there, but a couple I want to talk about. The first one that was almost a huge mistake on my part was when I finally got a good hand when I looked down at QQ with about $135.00 left in my stack. I pop it to $35.00 to go and get 7 callers...so theres already over $200.00 in the pot. The flop hits J high and everyone checks around to me and I shove...and then I showed my hand to the table on accident and thats when Mike on my right says, "Man...watch that...they will kill your hand here". I am like ..."What...kill my hand?"...thats right folks...they will kill your hand at Shorty's if your cards are exposed. That may be common practice here but I have been to lots of other Casino's where you can show your hand all you want. Its your hand. All that anyone is going to see is what you have so thats my problem...not there's. So...anyway...I get warned....and called by Mr. Albert and take down a nice pot to put me near the $500.00 mark. I would like to hear what is the rule at other Casino's on this...I am unclear and don't want to get my hand killed if my cards get accidentally exposed.

Next hand was when I had worked my stack up to about $700.00 and I called a $15.00 pf raise from utg after limping with Ah-10c. The other 2 people in the hand where the 1 seat and Mr. Albert who was already pretty deep in this game. Flop hits 10d-7c-3c. I made a bet out of $45.00 and seat 1 called...then Mr. Albert nonchalantly just grabs a stack of chips and throws them out. Dealer counts them up and there's $110.00 there. I smooth as does the 1 seat. The turn is a 4h and we all check around. The river hits another 3h which pairs the board. I check...seat 1 checks...and Now Mr. Albert looks at his cards...looks at the pot and grabs 4 black chips and throws them in there for a $400.00 bet. WOW...What do I do now. I go over the hand in my head. What...he raised post flop with a 3 in his hand...I don't think so...Maybe a straight?? After digging deep and realizing that if I call here and lose...I am back to where I started. "I call" I say....Seat 1 mucks and Mr. Albert says, "What...you called?"..."I have a straight" and then when prompted ...he turns over Kc8c.

Needless to say I stepped away from the table to catch my breath and calm down after kind of getting a little pissed. I did not want to vent a winner, but it just sucks for someone to do that. Announce something that you don't have at showdown. I just don't do that...that's just me.

That just about wraps it up except to say that once I was able to get my stack up at that point, I was able to play some of the best poker I have played in some time. I was able to make some good reads...good laydowns...etc.

I went back last night and couldn't get in a game. Tex, Allen, Mike, Jack Simpson and Vinnie were there. It was the first time I got to see Vinnie since his car accident. He looked good

Anything else out there...

--Wow...we lose Haralabos Voulgaris as a host of Big Poker Sunday on Pokerroad...That sucks. I think Scott Huff does an alright job, but Haralabob is just too f*#$%ing cool. He isn't scared to say anything about anybody...because he can back it up. You have to really admire people like him that shun the spotlight. He doesn't need any of that crap...he has sports to watch/research so he can make his weekly picks....Haralabob...YOUR THE MAN!!!

--Ran into a few people this past week that said they like the site ...and hazed me about not updating my blog...
--Shout out to Timmy Thompson- Thanks for the feedback last night at Shorty's. I thought there were only 4-5 people who read my blog...now I have 6 readers...moving up
--Derek Ridley booked a winner at Shorty's on Saturday also...He also told me he has been without Internet since the storms which is why he hasn't done much with his poolandpokerplayer blog.

"Theres a big...life size poster of Boba Fett that Mclane walks up too and acknowledges"
Kevin Smith as the Warlock: What, like, you a big fan of the Fett?
Bruce Willis as John McClane: No. I was always more of a Star Wars guy
"Live Free or Die Hard"