"We Three Poker Tournies"

We returned a little while ago from Elgin Texas where we took a hay ride and cut down our own Christmas tree. Afterwards we made a pit stop to Meyer's BBQ. The whole event puts you in the Christmas spirit. Historically we have always put up a huge artificial tree, but this season we decided it was to big. I still need to put lights on the tree, but we will save that for another story. Most of our decorations are up with the tree and outdoor lighting left to do. I think this is the earliest we have gotten started on getting decorated for Christmas.

Now on to the important stuff!

Last Sunday I played in a Razz tournament in the backroom of a liquor store. The Guinness was cold! He-he! There were 8 players. I had never played Razz before, so if promised to be fun. Early on I had a wheel on the turn. I was betting the heck out of it. Well what happens is the person calling me also had a wheel. What a waste of a goof hand. I think I was only involved in two other major hands. I won a huge pot with the nuts with a 75 low. My opponent had 76 as the best hand he could make. He had it, but I was one better. The great part was that I caught my nut low on the river. Well the real frustrating part was that when the blinds got up to where they were meaningful it seemed like every hand I had to bring it in with a King. That will churn through your stack quickly. Long and short of it is that I thought I played by the book, but I was knocked out when I was drawing on the river to get a 7 low. I think I had about 9 outs. I hit a 7, which gave me a pocket pair and left me with a ten low. I was pot committed so I pushed it in and lost to a nine low. Needless to say I was out 6th.

Tourny Two was on Paradise Poker. Action has been a little boring on the net, so I jumped into a Sit N Go of Stud H/L. I played conservatively and ended up in the top three. I was the chip lead for a while then the hand that killed me came. I had a King high flush, so I was betting like crazy and it put me all-in. There was no one showing a low hand, so I thought I was about to take a huge chip lead. ooops! Think again, because my opponent had an ace high flush. Out in third place, but in the money!

Tourny three took place on Thanksgiving night. I ate way way to much and I also started drinking at 8:00 AM. I smoked two boneless turkey breasts that turned out great! My better half made a delicious sweet potato/apple cobbler with a bourbon sauce. Our friends came over bringing delicious mashed potatoes containing sour cream, cream cheese and nutmeg. The also brought a cranberry sausage stuffing and a spinach casserole. Man every thing was fabulous. The wine they brought was called Menage a Trios. Yes it is an interesting name for a wine. it went extremely well with the the smoked turkey. Here is how the label read -

"Discover the excitement of our Menage a' Trois. Expand your horizon with the stunning delectable wine. Soft floral aroma and gentle caressing fruit flavors leave you wishing for more. 2003 and was 46% Chardonnay, 38%, Muscat Canelli, and 16% Chenin Blanc. Bottled by Folie A Deux Winery in Napa Valley."

Excellent wine with an interesting name!!

Oops I digressed from the tournament. I did not make it to the main $30 buy-in tournament at 9:00 PM. I managed to show up around 10:30 PM. I helped deal the main table for awhile. Then they got a cash game going dealers choice. I had only $20 to my name. I got down to $8 at one point. The played crazy games like Mexican sweat and guts. In guts it was match the pot and you had to beat a "widow hand" (one game the widow got 3 cards to our 2 - totally sucked). I was dealt AJ and I folded it. it was a good thing because that "widow" hand had AQ. I managed to win a few hands and I teetered around my original $20. The final hand of the cash game was 7 stud. The pot was huge. I knew Mr. T had a flush. I was drawing to the nut flush. I looked around and saw very few diamonds on the board. I had to gamble and see if I could nail the flush on the river. I did! Wahoo I won $20. At around 12:30 AM they started another NL Holdem tournament and I bought in for the $20. I played my normal conservative yet aggressive game. Twice however "Big slick" got me into trouble and I had to let it go. Everyone started with $100 in chips and there were 8 players. I got down to $27. I was essentially forced to go All-in when I was in the Big Blind. I doubled up. I managed to slowly but surely put the pressure on and gather chips. The one hand I was not involved in I have to share. Mr. D is going to be cursing about this one for a long time. Mr. D had pocket tens. Flop came KJ9. The turn lands a beautiful Queen. Mr. D goes all-in. He gets one caller. Mr. D turns over his straight. The caller turns over A9. The river brings a ten. Mr. D was ready to rake the pot, then he goes oh no we split it. Then the realization hits that the caller had an ace high straight. Mr. D is a little angry to save the least. The tourny pays only the final two. I managed to play extremely conservatively and pushed a couple of hands when I knew I had the better of it. Well I made it to the final two. I am happy, but of course I wanted to win the big prize. The cards dried up and I had to fold the BB at least twice. I was down to my final $115 and the BB was $40. I put in the BB and I had T7. Arghhh! I got to see the flop for free and it came QJ9. I go all-in with the open ended straight draw. My enemy calls! Sigh! He turns over T5. I am like yes I got him. Rag on the turn. I am about to win a HUGE pot and a shot at the $120. River brings a FIVE. I am out as number 2 and I win $40.

It was a great turkey day! We missed our friends and family, but we had fun! I am looking forward to smoking more turkeys and I think there should be a poker game every Thanksgiving!

PLAY ON!

"Lyrics"

I was attempting to finish up painting a formal living room today. I heard an inspiring song by Big and Rich. I thought I would share.

"Holy Water"

Somewhere there's a stolen halo
I use to watch her wear it well
Everything would shine wherever she would go
But looking at her now you'd never tell

Someone ran away with her innocence
A memory she can't get out of her head
I can only imagine what she's feeling
When she's praying
Kneeling at the edge of her bed

And she says take me away
And take me farther
Surround me now
And hold, hold, hold me like holy water
Holy water

She wants someone to call her angel
Someone to put the light back in her eyes
She's looking through the faces
The unfamiliar places
She needs someone to hear her when she crys

And she says take me away
And take me farther
Surround me now
And hold, hold, hold me like holy water
Holy water

She just needs a little help
To wash away the pain she's felt
She wants to feel the healing hands
Of someone who understands

And she says take me away
And take me farther
Surround me now
And hold, hold, hold me
And she says take me away
And take me farther
Surround me now
And hold, hold, hold me like holy water
Holy water

Painting is hard work, but there is a great deal of satisfaction upon completion. I am losing my shirt at poker tonight. I am watching one of my all time favorite movies "Braveheart". I should be in bed, but is my last weekend of freedom. I start my new job on Monday. I am nervous yet excited. Who knows what awaits! I plan on playing in the midnight tournament on dynamite poker.

Play on!

"Public Morals, huh?"

I read this on the Drudge Report today.

USA To Appeal World Trade Organization's Internet Gambling DecisionThu Nov 11 2004 10:00:25 ET

The Bush administration dismissed as 'deeply flawed' a World Trade Organization decision that the US has no right to ban cross-border gambling on the Internet. The WTO ruling, publicly released yesterday, favored Antigua and Barbuda in its fight against the US over a 43-year-old law that bans gambling payments across state lines. The WALL STREET JOURNAL reported in Thursday editions: The US immediately said it would appeal the decision, and a senior US trade official said the administration "fundamentally rejects" an assertion within the WTO ruling that countries don't have an explicit right to limit services affecting public morals. US trade officials were "particularly alarmed over parts of the WTO ruling that asserted that member states had to consult with other countries before modifying laws that affect public morals."

Yes I lose frequently with AK, but to lose internet poker to a government dictating morality is greatly flawed! Another enormous flaw is that the US Government does not open its eyes to a great source of revenue. Online gambling should be hosted within the US and a result become a taxable entity. Not that I want to be taxed anymore, but there is an enormous amount of cash flowing into places such as Aruba or Costa Rica. More closely to home the great state of Texas needs to wake up and small the roses. An enormous amount of cash flows from Texas to Nevada, Mississippi and Louisiana, because Texans can not gamble in Texas. Handy way to solve some of our school finance problems. I can find a local tournament or game in Austin Texas seven days a week. The basic fact is that people like to play poker! Gambling is everywhere. Heck driving your car in Texas is gambling! Oh wait, so is putting your money into the stock market!

The real question is whether or not gambling is immoral. I would argue that it is not. It is a form of entertainment. It is a stress reliever. Poker specifically is a game of astute skill. How a person chooses to spend their money is a constitutional right. If I want to spend $5 daily on a double mocha latte or a cold beer is my choice. If I want to spend $5 playing $.05/.10 poker online it is my choice.

Yes gambling can be addictive and has caused the demise of many good folks. However, there are other devices that end up with the same result; drugs, alcohol, sex, and yes even devotion to ones religion . Addictive personalities is a character flaw that is not inherent to poker, smoking, drinking or any other vice you can think of.

The United States can not dictate how other countries can chose to generate revenue. Nor should the government be able to dictate to me how I can communicate and associate with other countries. I have met a ton of wonderful people from all over the world through playing online poker. The internet has greatly expanded the social boundaries to which we can communicate.

Our government should focus on the tasks at hand.

* Protect us
* Be fiscally responsible with our money
* Become more efficient and reduce its size
* Allow technology to create a safe environment

Morality is the last place the government should be legislating. That is up to the people and their communities. I think the US needs to get slapped around a little bit more by the WTO. Give up the fight against online gambling and focus your energies on the important matters at hand.

I would like to have the right to continue losing my money when I hold AK suited.

There is a little rant. I would like to add one more thing. Iggy if you are checking in, it totally sucks that someone hijacked your site. Best wishes on your new career!!

Cheers!

"Go Horns"

What a night! I was invited to go to the Horns game by fellow poker player Bombe Atomique. We met at his shop then went to the Dog & Duck pub for Guinness and grub. After a great burger and a couple of imperial pints we were ready for the big game against OSU. OSU scores and Texas responds to tie it at 7-7. Next thing we know OSU is leading 35-7. BA is ready to go home just before half time, but the Horns scored with 3 seconds left on the clock. We commented that they need to score there first possession and the Defense needed to hold the Cowboys. It happened like clock work. Horns scored 42 unanswered points.

A huge thanks to Bombe for allowing me to see the greatest comeback in Longhorn history. Wow that place got loud the second half. After the game it was back to the Dog & Duck for more Guinness.

We talked about my play with Big Slick last night. He agreed with my move although I am still on tilt for not making it into the money. I just won a whopping $3 at Paradise playing $2 buy-in NL Holdem. I am about to play ina free roll at dynamite. Who knows how long I will last but here we go.

Oh yeah on the way home from the game KLBJ played a 21 minute version of A whole lot of Love by LZ. That rocked! Almost as good as our 5 year old singing the AC/DC song TNT.

Rock on an play stong!

"Oh the luck"

I just returned from a poker tournament. I am beating myself up inside. I finished on the bubble again! Four players left and they pay the top 3. I believe I was the small blind $8/16. Two players to my right folded. I look at my cards and see AK s. I believe I was third in chips. I go all-in! The big blind calls me with AJo for $122. Of course a Jack hits on the flop and I am out 4th. Should I have just called the BB and seen the flop cheaply? Damn I needed the money. The guy that called me an hour early was down to $12. He ended up chopping top two places with a first time player.

I played almost flawlessly up until that hand. On one hand two players were knocked out. I won a small side pot with pair of Kings, but the third person who was all in hit a set of twos on the flop. That put a dent of about $50 into my chips. I was the chip lead at the final table, then to end up with zilch is totally depressing.

I am still trying to figure out what the odds were in that hand AKs -vs AJo pre-flop. I may have to ask the internet gurus. It seems like I was a 6-1 favorite, but I really have not a clue. I need to learn how to quickly calculate odds.

Despite being totally pissed at myself, the good news is that I landed a job. I start on 11/15. Yeah!

Oh why do I let a poker hand get me so worked up. Hopefully I can get to sleep soon! I am going to the Texas - vs- OSU game tomorrow. It should be awesome.

Play on!

"Bubble Boy Again?"

Last night I was playing in a NL Holdem tournament on Dynamite Poker. The top 10 got tournament points and the top 5 are in the money. We were down to 11 players and I had about $2K and the chip lead around $13K. I am in the 3 spot when I am dealt KQs. I called the big blind for $300. Flop brings KQ6 all clubs. I knew it was a risk, but I go all-in. The chip lead of course calls me. A fourth club hits the board and the chip lead of course had a club. Bubble boy once again! I thought I played this correctly, but I am second guessing myself. If anyone has an thoughts it would be greatly appreciated.

I am still unemployed. I have been waiting for an offer from a company for 5 weeks. They keep calling me to assure me that the offer is pending. Man I hope I get a Fed. Ex. package today. As much as I love playing poker I could never become a professional. Well if I happened into a huge bankroll, perhaps! :o) I keep getting invited to local games, but I do not have the bankroll to risk. If I play my cards right I will be playing in a $25 NL tournament this Friday. I have a feeling though my wife is really going to push the issue, because I am also planning on attending the Longhorn - vs OSU game Saturday night. I may have to make a tough choice. OSU played OU tough this weekend and I believe this game will determine the Horns post season.

Go Horns!