The Game of Poker and Life

Welcome Back!!!

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 22:20:00 -0700

Wow! It has been over one year and three months since I last wrote here on my poker blog. Why have I returned? Because my love and excitement for poker has been rekindled!

How? A friend loaned me Annie Duke's book, and I devoured it. She was honest and open in her book and I learned about Omaha Hi/Lo. So....new knowledge in hand, I went to my free Pokerstars.net account, played some free money hands....then registered for an Omaha Hi tournament. 638 players.....and top 99 get play chip prizes....when I broke 99, I was thrilled. When I broke 18, I was stunned! When I made final table, I was exuberant! And when I came in 6th, I was both exhausted and rejuvenated!!!

Here is a game that is going to improve my NL Hold'em game....and I must have some kind of natural affinity for Omaha too!!

I did go out and buy some new poker books so that I can get back into studying my craft...and improving my game and knowledge of the game.

keep posted!! Got some exciting poker happenings coming up!!!

My Update

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:37:00 -0700

I'm still hosting tournaments, and I am still working in poker----but now I am the Director of Operations for the entire league, and well, I am enjoying the process of revamping the company, hiring new hosts and adding some new features.

Like if you play with TFPL on your birthday, you get 10K extra in starting chips for the session of your choice. We have had many players choose to celebrate their birthday with their poker playing buddies!

I have had the great fortune to hire some great new hosts---their energy is high, they are passionate about poker, and they are genuinely nice people! One of our newest "candidates" is also going to be one of our youngest hosts---but I can hardly resist his persistence and drive and enthusiasm. We'll see how it goes. I am going to give him his first trial run next Monday, while I play. Then we'll go from there. I've got high hopes for him, and I am impressed with his maturity and work ethic. Being around him is like a gust of fresh air! He jokes that he is going to take over my position......and I think that's great that he has that much self-confidence.

Won't happen.....but its good for people to have dreams. LOL!!!

New updates!

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:21:00 -0700

I haven't written in so long....and i miss it. Of course because SXSW is here again, it makes me think about blogging, and all things online. Unfortunately I'm unable to attend this year.....because I am saving my bucks for my first week long poker cruise!

We are leaving from Galveston, and sailing to Cozumel, Grand Cayman (one of my favorite islands in the world) and Jamaica! And as long as the ship isn't in dock, there will be live poker!!!! Tournaments and cash games....around the clock.

The cruise is with Linda Johnson and Jan Fisher www.cardplayercruises.com

I will be updating as we go!

Local Austinite Places At WSOP!

Sat, 5 Jul 2008 07:59:00 -0700

Charles Woods, from Lakeway, and a TFPL player entered the Seniors WSOP and surprised everyone by making the final table and coming in 6th! His efforts won him $84K+

Who says WSOP dreams can't come true???!!!!!

From a Joker to a King

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 09:57:00 -0700

Talk about transformation. There is a guy in our league, that has always had a care less attitude about how he played. He was there to have a good time, and socialize. And he was great at it. Everyone loves him--even if the way he played threw people off of their game. He might make the points once in a great while--but his final table appearances were far and few between.

But something has changed....about a month ago, he went to Biloxi with his dad and played "real" poker. He had a great time, and learned that he actually could play, rather than just horse around at the table. Of course, it helped that he won money.

When he got back from his trip, he started playing the game more seriously, and because the people in the league are used to the fun loving, goofy guy--he gets called all the time. Needless to say, his standings have increased quite a bit...and his final table appearances have almost been 80-90% of the times that he plays.

Last Thursday night, he had his very first win! He was ecstactic even on Friday. In two years of playing the league, he has not every come in first place. I joked with him that he was a walk-in, and I wanted the real TI back, or I was gonna go to Biloxi and look for him.

Then Sunday, he played an earlier session at another bar...and he again won first place! And then he came to my bar....got down to $1700, turned it into $30,000, and ended up winning again! Three sessions within one weekend is kind of a rarity in our league--especially at three different bars. He won over $150 for his free poker playing.

This past week, he didn't do as well....and then Thursday night, he won yet again! 4 wins in one week.

I don't know what to make of it, and his winning so much is making me re-evaluate the way that I play (which is too tight)--but I am consistent. I just haven't won a tournament in a while. His wins are also making me question how much luck is really involved in poker. Is it luck that he has won 4 sessions, or has his poker game really improved so much? I guess time will tell.

I've been working and playing this league for over two years, and I don't believe that I know anyone that has won 4 times in one week.

I am very proud of him, and it is giving me great pleasure to watch his transformation, and confidence in his game grow.

Lol---maybe it was the trip to Biloxi, or maybe it was Phil Ivey's autograph, or maybe it's the corner seat, or maybe it's just his time to ride a wave of great cards, and good decision making.

We'll see!

Once In A Lifetime....and Being A Part of WPT History

Sat, 8 Mar 2008 19:44:00 -0800

A friend of mine, DP had the wonderful opportunity to play in the WPT Celebrity Invititational at the Commerce Casino this past weekend. Here's the link to the tournament.

There were 430 plus people in the tournament, and my friend made it to the second day. She was happy to have made it that far. The second day began with 13 tables, and their were more poker pros than celebrities left playing. Hoyt, Phil Laak, The Dragon, The Master, Linda Johnson, Jan Fischer, Kenna James, Jennifer Tilly and other players whose faces I recognize but can't recall their names at this moment, were also there on the second day.

The action was fast and furious enough, that by the time I left for dinner, they were down to 6 tables. And DP had been on a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. Just prior to my leaving, she had almost quadrupled her stack. I hated leaving, but I had already made dinner plans with Amanda. I asked DP to text me if she got out.

Unfortunately during dinner, the flu hit me head on, and I could barely hold my head up by the end of dinner. So after much internal dialogue on how terrible a friend I am, I went to bed....and woke up to a text that she had gone out at 7th.

I was thrilled for her....but I also knew that she was going to be upset, because the final table always films with 6! That means she was the bubble!
**********************

I call her on Monday, the day of the taping to see how she is doing. And the whole story is that she actually went out at the same time as another woman, Beverly.....therefore the final table was going to be starting with 5. She was still going to go to the taping, since they wanted to interview her.

She wasn't doing too well emotionally, and there was nothing that I could say that would help her feel better.
************************

As they start the taping, Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten announce that "for the first time in WPT history, the final table is beginning with 5 players." I had no idea that this had never happened before, and neither did DP.

In her interview, the girl asked her how did it feel to make WPT history....and I was proud of DP's answer---nothing could have prepared me to answer that one if it had been me---especially with the wound so fresh.
*************************
I've had almost a week to think about the opportunity DP had to play, and how well she did, and the result, and the questions that she is going to be asking herself for a very long time. I feel for her in many ways. I'm so happy and proud of her for doing so well........and I'm sad for her that she is going to be questioning her decisions and being on the cusp of sitting at the final table.

I know she'll make another final table....she is too good a player....and now she should know that she can hold her own in a field of professionals.
*****************************
And of course, a woman won the tourmanent....for the first time!!!!!!!!

The Bicycle Home Game

Sun, 2 Mar 2008 01:04:00 -0800

Yesterday really sucked! I lost more money in one day than I have in all three years of poker playing combined. I'm not even gonna tell you how much it was. Needless to say...when I finally crawled into bed at 4am...I was pissed and exhausted...and well, feeling like a BIG loooooooooser!
The table we had last night was great! There were four guys there that play a home game, so we all joked that this table was their home game. Luis, Oscar, Carlos and Willie.....I'll describe each of them individually later.

Jerry Buss and some pro that I can never remember were playing a high stakes game in the back corner.

LOL! I am finally back online....after a miserable poker holiday, and coming down with the flu. I am totally blaming the homegame guys! And too funny...two of you commented before I could provide everyone with your details. I'll just let you know that I will be back for my cash!

I really didn't want to go back and play, but my friend, Amanda really wanted to play poker. So I said that I would go back for ONE more $40 round...and that was going to be it! She assured me that my run of earlier bad luck would change, and that it was an anomaly (which I also I believed).

So I don't like getting seated at a table that has already been playing when there is big money on the table, especially when I can only buy-in for $40. We were lucky enough to get seated at a brand new table. I chose to sit across from the dealer. Luis (I didn't know his name at that point) sat in seat one, and with his sunglasses, and very cool poker chip trick looked intimidating, and my first impression was that he was going to be a bully and pusher at the table. A friend of his, Oscar sat in seat three, Amanda was in 4, I was in 5, and two guys that didn't know how to play sat in seat 6 and 7. And random people came and went in seat 8 & 9. Luis kept getting phonecalls, and telling his friends to come sit with us. Pretty soon, there were 4 of them, and well, the thought did cross both Amanda's and my mind that we were getting set up.

What broke the ice at the table was that I got pocket aces and went all-in, up to that point, I hadn't won a single hand, so it's understandable that Carlos, Willie and Luis would call. However, I also hadn't raised unless I had something, and well....I only had about $12.00, so it should have been a great quadruple up. I was confident that I was gonna win the hand....and by the river, there was just Willie and I. Willie shows 6-2 offsuit, and he won!!!!!!!! On the river, he got two pairs, and I was out of the game! I sat there stunned for about 15 minutes, and Willie kept apologizing. Then Carlos was talking to Luis and called him a tightass...and I turned to him and said,"I can't believe that you are calling me a tightass." He looked at me in shock, then Luis said no, he was talking about me....and then I started laughing and the ice was broken.

They kept wanting me to buy back in...and I really didn't want to lose anymore money that day. Luis bought me a cranberry and Jager---which I liked.

I think our potential jackpot was spoiled by Carlos raising pre-flop, and I had pocket fours. Carlos had bet way too much for me to call. Too bad, on the flop, I would have had quads, and he would have had two pair....and our dealer Pam, had dealt two jackpots the week before. I kept reminding Carlos, that he was responsible for our not getting the jackpot.

I think this is what makes our trips enjoyable....is meeting the very fun and friendly local poker players. Because of my memory for faces, I saw many people that we played with a year ago, and playing at the Bike felt like I was home again.

Amanda and I thoroughly enjoyed their company, and Luis---next time we are in town, be sure to send us the email, so we can be invited to your home game!

I hate this game!

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 20:35:00 -0800

Sometimes!

I played at the Bike today. And it didn't matter what I played, or what I bet....someone called me and I lost. My AA, KK and JJ, and straights, and flushes were all counterfeited by some other winning hands. I took it as a sign that I really shouldn't play anymore poker. It's too easy w/$40 buy-ins to keep buying back in. So I am down $200 for the day right now.

The good news is that I played a $40 tournament, and there were 138 players total, and I went out at 40th. I was happy about that. I am supposed to play in a $100 women's tournament this Sunday. I hope I do well!

I did get quads during the tournament....and a guy at my table got a Royal Flush in the tournament.

I know that my cards are going to improve.

I do not know what is better: being card dead and patient, or getting great cards and losing with them, time and time again.

LA Poker Classic--Final Table

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 20:18:00 -0800

Phil Hellmuth, Woody Moore, Quinn Do, Nam Le, Phil Ivey and Steven x. What do these people have in common? They were all seated at the final table at the Commerce Casino last night. When I found out that I was going to be able to watch Phil and Phil and Nam play poker, I was beside myself with excitement!

Thank goodness, I arrived at the first tape change, and was able to go get to my seat before Phil Helmuth went all-in. He was the first to go. He was jovial, and very pleasant with the audience and the other players--I didn't expect him to be so good-natured--given there was 1.9 million dollars on the line!

Several other pros were in attendance---I recognize their faces, but not their names. I'll have to look them up later.

I didn't know that Phil Ivey has made a WPT table 8 times, and had never won a WPT title before. He has placed 8 - 2, but never first. There was no doubt in my mind that he was going to do it. He was unstoppable! He took Nam Le out with trip 3's, and Nam had gone all-in pre-flop with pocket aces. Ivey called with his pocket 3's. wowowow!

To say that the room went crazy when Phil won is an understatement. He was so focused and serious during the game. And even though he was the chip leader, he played very conservatively and didn't play many hands. He was definitely a great example of patience. Quin had interesting body postures when he was calling, raising and folding. I wonder if he realizes that he changes his body postures when he is playing?

My camera ran out of battery (damn it!) so I won't be posting many pictures of this event. But I will try to post what I can when I get home.

All In For Obama

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 20:10:00 -0800

One of the players in my poker league heard about a poker fundraiser for Obama. They didn't have a place or experience with hosting a tournament, so I volunteered to run it for them. It was great fun! In one week, we were able to get enough prizes donated to ensure that everyone that played got a prize. We had 37 players and raised $1200. I'll post a picture of the T-shirt that I had made up for the event.

I haven't really followed any of the political activity going on this election year---but I knew that I wanted to do my little part in getting people educated about one of the candidates, and what he stands for.

I used to live in Virginia, and remember going to the Clinton/Gore inauguaral parade in D.C., and I remember the excitement and the energy of that weekend. The tournament had a similar buzz---just alot less people, of course!

off to Vegas!

Sun, 9 Dec 2007 23:50:00 -0800

one last time for 2007. I just have to decide if I really want to go! Of course I want to go....am I going to go is the question!!!

I am supposed to go hangout during the Bellagio 5 Diamond Classic....should be interesting. Oh...I gotta find my camera too!

We'll see!

wowow! Another two months!

Sun, 9 Dec 2007 23:47:00 -0800

I went to a cash game tonight.....and did not win a single hand or play a single hand in 3 hours. It was a $1/$2 game....and well, I lost $65 in blinds....nothing I folded even hit! I don't think I have ever had a poker game like this.....but patience is a virtue!

I was playing with all new people...except one....so at least they will remember me as an ultra-rock!

haha!

My First Royal Flush!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 04:54:00 -0700

This past Saturday, I had my first Royal Flush ever.....and oh, how I wish I had been in a casino! Rather in a freeroll tournament!

I got KQ of Diamonds, and called for 800. The flop came A10Diamonds, and A of Spades. Two people minimum bet, 1 player went all in for something like 20K, and my chip stack was down to 4700. Well, I was bored and tired of the guys at the table that were going all-in on every other hand, and since I was 4 to a flush and 4 to a straight, I called. The other two players folded.

We flip our cards. The all-in player had flopped a boat--he had pocket 10's. The turn was a 10--he now had quads! Before they even put the river down, he was starting to take the money and of course everyone assumed he was going to be the winner.....and the river was, a Jack of Diamonds! So I yell, "I have a Royal Flush! and started clapping for myself. It was kind of cool, because a little bit of pandemonium broke out at Merkaba with people running over to see it---especially when they found out that quads had just lost!

It was the most fun that I had had in quite awhile, and I could only imagine all the money that I would have won if I had been in Vegas or at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles. I know that lightning will strike again, and I just hope that it happens at the right casino!

Card Dead in Vegas!

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:17:00 -0700

First of all, the trip to Vegas was a wonderful 24 hour adventure. I left at 8am on Saturday morning, and came home on a 8am flight. How cool to know that it is possible to go for one day and have a blast!

Except that for about a week, I have been card dead, and I thought surely when I play a tournament in Vegas, my luck will change! Ha!

I was hopeful because earlier in the day, at the Bellagio, I put a $5.00 bill into a penny machine, and it turned into $125! I took it as a sign that the tide had turned, and that the poker gods were gonna smile on me! Ha!

So I buy into the $65 Luxor tournament, along with 4 other people I know. And I get seated right next to the person that I dont particularly care for. She is talking to me, asking me questions, and well, I'm giving one word answers because well, I'm trying to play a tournament! It's not a social hour!

To make matters worse, she is hitting every flop, and taking down practically every hand. Me--I am getting nothing but shit. Literally, every hand was a 6-2, 6-3, or 8-3. I got pocket 4's once and pre-flop raised, and someone raised my raise 4 times. Naturally I folded. So, slowly but surely, I was blinded out. 15 minute blinds, and we only started with $1200 in chips. I'm miserable.

The very last hand I played was when I was the BB, and I had 88---woohoo...I said the heck with it, I'm all in (which was only $600 more). Well, the woman I don't like calls me....and everyone else folds. Wouldn't you know it--she has AA! Sad to say, there was no suckout on the river for me!

I was pissed that it was her that took me out, but I was even more pissed that I didn't even get to play a single hand in the tournament--besides the one that knocked me out!

So, taking my cue from the Universe, I said no! to playing cash games.

Another slow month.....of posting that is

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 13:45:00 -0700

I cant believe that yet another month has come and gone. My laptop has gotten permanently infected with some kind of virus, and despite galliant efforts of the geeks around me--I haven't been able to access the internet or use the laptop for anything else. So this weekend...I'm dumping the whole thing, and starting it over brand new...Like I had never taken it out of the box.

What does this have to do with poker? Nothing really, except that as a result of my laptop not booting up poker academy, I was gifted another poker clock...and I and the players like it significantly better than the previous one.

Poker Overload

Sun, 19 Aug 2007 11:12:00 -0700

Is it possible?? I don't think so...not yet....despite the fact that I haven't written since July 15...I have been either working or playing poker every night of the week. I'm doing quite well some places...and not so good at other places.

I did play in my first cash game last night for the first time in almost 6 months....a home game that is....I am itching to go to LA again. I was going to go to Vegas for Labor Day, but decided against that. I feel like I need to spend my money on some other things like my pool before I go play poker.

I am going to go to Vegas in December....I already got my ticket....so that will give me something to look forward to.

So there is a friend of mine who has been making poker tables, unbeknownst to me, and they look awesome! He is making one for Third Base right now...so that we can use it for final tables....that is going to be so cool to have a "real" table for final tables. The name of his company is Suicidekingz. Check out his tables!

An Unprecedented First

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 01:27:00 -0700

For the first time since I've been playing the 4 Aces, TFPL league....I got out before the blinds were raised to 200/400. Yup....that means that I actually went out in the first 12 minutes of the game. Wowzers! I still can't believe it! Nor could anyone else that has played with me.

I can guarantee....that ain't ever happening again!

Fri, 6 Jul 2007 18:46:00 -0700

Can't title this for some reason! Blllllllllllleck!

Well, tonight I was going to go play poker...but the comfort of my couch and the boob tube was a little too alluring. Even though I only have Friday and Saturday night to play--I'm choosing to stay in. I actually made dinner for myself...something that doesn't happen too often anymore. Cooking for one just ain't as fun as cooking for two.

I'm back to running tournaments four days a week--and on Tuesday night, I had 90 people at the second session. Fortunately, all the players that show up seem to be pretty up on the specific league rules, and are good natured---so I don't usually have to make any Tournament Director rulings.

Last night though, some idiots decided that it was okay for them to drink from other people's pitchers of beer---so I had to make an announcement that that was absolutely rude behaviour and would not be tolerated.

Tonight, I read April's "This Is Not A Poker Blog", and she gave me some food for thought. She had named her blog appropriately and she didn't want her blog to be all about poker--but about herself. And that made me reflect upon my original inspirations for starting this blog. I had originally wanted this blog to be about my experiences at the poker tables, and the similarities to the game, and my life. Somewhere along the way, I started censoring what I wanted to write, and when things in my life started going downhill, I chose to go silent, and quit doing the one thing that seems to bring me joy anymore.

Don't get me wrong...I've got great friends, a good job and a home that I love---but I'm not fulfilled--except when I am around poker--whether I am playing or running a tournament. I'm just not sure where my passion for poker is going to take me. I wonder if I should start a serious blog about poker (inspired by Tao of Poker) 'cause maybe my readership and popularity would increase. Or maybe just by being myself, and being honest about my life, and the poker games is enough. I think it would be fantastic to blog live events, and travel the poker tournament circuit, and I know that I would definitely have to change my writing style.

So right now, I have a choice...leave the comfort of my home or go out at 10pm to play in a freeroll. I guess it's a easy choice...if I stay in tonight, then tomorrow I can play in 4 tournaments in one day--that will be good for building mental stamina. Maybe I'll play online instead.

Third Base and Poker

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 12:06:00 -0700

I love this bar! And now, we are playing there three nights a week. The owners are fantastic, the food is incredible, and the atmosphere is awesome! We actually had close to 70 people play on both Tuesday and Thursday night---which is alot of people to have in a tournament. I'm hoping that there will be 100 this Tuesday night!

And the guys that are coming out to play.....HOT! One guy could be Ben Affleck's twin--and every time I see him, my heart drops to my stomach. There is a hispanic guy that is smoldering--he has long hair that he ties back, and he's tall....and his voice/accent is sexxxxxxxxxxxxxy. Yup, some of the other guys are kinda young....but, hot is hot....

I would have to say that I am pretty damn lucky to be able to work this tournament, and be able to see so many cute guys on a regular basis, and be able to get to know them under very safe circumstances.

One Chip Wonder

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 12:01:00 -0700

So about three weeks ago, I started the final table with 10 players. I had one chip to my name. And as luck would have it, the dealer button went to the player on my left---which meant that I had 9 hands before I would have to play my one chip.

Unfortunately....since it was three weeks ago, I can't really remember how it all went down...or what happened....but needless to say, I did end up winning the tournament! I am still amazed at how the intersection of luck and good decision making can turn a whole game around.

It definitely is true---all you need is a chip and a chair!

Time Has Flown By!

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 11:33:00 -0700

I didn't realize that I hadn't written since May 27! Wow! I've been sick for the past 2 weeks, so last night is the first night that I actually played poker---and I did quite well. I came in 8th in the first session, and I won the second session. I would have to say that I didn't really get stellar cards at the final table, but I did make good decisions on which hands to get involved in---and once it was heads-up, I felt my familiar nervousness that I always get, especially when I am playing against a player that has a reputation for being aggressive.

Since I am in general a passive person, and easily intimidated--in my daily life, I try to avoid contact with pushy, aggressive people. So, it is always a growth opportunity for me to play against someone that is pushy, loud and aggressive at the table.

For example, the league that I play in has a rule that says if someone acts out of turn, then the person that acted out of turn can only do what the person before them does. So last night, a guy that is a big bullshitter, acted out of turn and went all in. I told him he was out of turn, and bound by what the correct player chose to do. He was PISSED and started spouting off about the owner not knowing the rules, and making up his own...and I just sat there and let him vent. Of course, no one likes to hear people getting upset....there were still 9 of us at the table. So he got so riled up that he went all in blind on the next hand....and lost...and of course left the table mumbling under his breath.

So I felt kinda bad that because I had pointed out that rule to him, that he went kinda goofy--but I knew that if I let that get a hold of me, that I would start making bad decisions.

So last night, I also learned that playing better poker is also about better mind control, and not letting whatever external events are going on at the table interfere with my game, and my own intuitive compass.

Sometimes, You Just Gotta Walk Away

Sun, 27 May 2007 10:55:00 -0700

Yesterday, I went to a friends house for a BBQ and cash game. I sat there for over 2 hours and didn't get any cards worth playing, and only paid the blinds. Another game of no-limit fold'em for me. So I lost about 5 bucks just in blinds,(.25/.50). Then I got a flush right as I was about to leave...and ended up cashing out $7 up. What a loooooooooooong time to wait for one hand!

Then I went to Dallas Nite Club to play. The first session was okay--I ended up at the final table again, and went out at 6th again, I believe.

The second session was a total farce. The table I was seated at had a bunch of idiots at it. They were calling everything--regardless of how large a bet it was, and they were playing shit cards. I was getting more and more pissed. Especially because I was playing good cards, and getting sucked out on. Including when I had pocket Queens and raised pre-flop 7 times the BB. When I paired an Ace on the board--one of the idiots kept calling my raises...and got an 8 on the river for trips. Clearly he had no idea how to play....and I was so friggin pissed that I wanted to go punch the asshole and turn the table over. So I left the table and walked away....and then I didn't feel like talking to anyone after that---but I didn't want to leave the bar yet.

Now, I'm not really the kind of person that gets that angry...but I think it was probably the stress of the week (my dog passing away) and the run of bad cards that made me so frustrated and angry. Not to mention that the alcohol that I was drinking wasn't giving me that nice fuzzy feeling---maybe I was just programmed for anger last night.

Another friend of mine got sucked out on, also....and he was pissed too. So pissed that he walked away too. Maybe last night was the night for asses.

Finally! A Straight Flush!

Sun, 27 May 2007 10:48:00 -0700

and like my friend, Lee...it was against quads, on Friday night.

I was the big blind and had 34 diamonds. The flop came 25diamonds and another 2. The guy on my left bet 1500, two other callers...plus me. The turn was another 2. I checked, and he bet 1500 again, we all called. The river was Ace of diamonds! The guy bet 1500 again, and the one other person called. I debated on how much to raise--cause I definitely wanted those two people to call me. I raised to 3000, and they both called right away. I delayed showing my hand, as the guy proudly announces, "I've got quad 2's." And I had the pleasure of annoucing,"I've got a straight flush!" I was sooooo happy! I did ask them later if I had gone all in, if they would have called....and they said they would have. That would have been awesome!

Needless to say, I came in 6th in that tournament....and in the second session, I came in 2nd!

I definitely enjoyed playing vs. running the tournament!

More Excitement Than A WPT Final Table!

Tue, 22 May 2007 10:15:00 -0700

Sunday night, one of the players, Lee started the final table with literally one chip once I chipped up for the 10K/20K blind level. I told him, you can do it...you've come back from this before! He didn't seem to sure. There were still 8 of at the table. Well, I went out at 6th with pocket Aces--taken out by a new player that got two pair. That is when the fun began, and Lee began winning pots.

It got down to three players, Larry--big stack, David-next biggest stack, and Lee. Lee is a somewhat conservative player, and he chooses his hands carefully. David pushed Lee all-in, and after some deliberation, he decided to go call and go all-in. Lee flips over 67 diamonds, and David flips over pocket 3's. The flop comes 33diamonds 5diamonds. Wowow! Quads! Everyone assumes its over. Turn card--Ace. We all know it's over...and someone says something about a diamond...and Lee says well, only if it is a 4diamonds. River---4 diamonds for a straight flush!!!!! Incredible! Incredible! Incredible! It is soooo much fun when you can see quads beaten! We were all a little incredulous.....and of course, everyone was thrilled to see a really exciting hand played out. Larry did end up first, and Lee was second.

I've never had a straight flush, so I can only imagine what it feels like! Especially over quads! It was fun to see Lee reliving the hand last night, and telling people about it. I hope I get a straight flush soon.

Speaking of quads though, I've seen quads every night since last Tuesday...and there were 4 sets on Saturday night. What is up with that?????

Quads! Quads! Quads!

Sun, 20 May 2007 01:33:00 -0700

I have never seen so many quads in one week! I didn't have them...other people did.

Tuesday night---2 sets in the same session. Aces and threes.
Thursday night-- 2 sets of quatds in the same session. And a straight flush.
Friday night-- 2 sets of quads.
Saturday-- 3 sets of quads.

That seems pretty incredible to me, to see so many quads! One person got them twice in the same night. That is crazy!