"Austin Blogger Tournament"

Well I made it to the tournament! I managed to arrive not on tilt, but it was close. I had a 3 hour function this morning and I had hoped to leave before noon. Of course the function did not end until noon and I had to be in South Austin by 1:00 PM. Plus I had no Guinness and I was short $10 for the buy-in so I knew I had to make a pit stop. Traffic sucks in Austin. More on that later, but for someone who grew up in Houston to say this traffic sucks must be an under statement.

I whip into HEB. I was not familiar with this store so I stop and ask "where's the beer?" I quickly grabbed a quad pack of Guinness and a sandwich. Surely the 10 item or less line will move quickly. Nah it was almost as bad as the traffic. Guy in front of me was "like man I need a job". "Hey do you know anyone who would hire someone with a record?" Then he makes a request fo Swisher sweets. He comes back laughing. " Oh No man I am holding up the express lane" Only clever thing I could come up with is "don't worry you will pay" Not to interesting but I feel a little tilt coming on. I hate being late, especially when I am excited about something. I was really looking forward to this tournament.

Off I go in the rain to head south on Mo-Pac. There was a steady rain, but traffic was moving. I slammed down a sandwich and poured a beer into my coffee cup. I called Puppy Feet and he was going to be able to get off work and join the tournament.

I arrived at Dog Brown's place with 8 minutes to spare. Adam Seyer and DeadMoneyInc were out front. I must say for the record that Adam runs the best tournament I have played. We did start a little late, but since when are bloggers on time. I introduced myself to Steve, Bob, Allen, Treygen, Vegas, Vegas, and Gizmo. Soon it was time to pay up and get going. I drew seat 6 on table one. Yes it was my worst nightmare, because Scott was at my table. I do not recall all of the players at the table; however, it was a very fun table.

There were only to hands of note involving myself. I got involved with Treygen. My gut said that he was trying to steal the pot. There were no tells, bu tmy gut was speaking load. I called him down and my AJ beat his T5 (I think). A little later I tangled with Scott. I promised myself that I was not going to be bullied. The flop brought two spades and Scott raised $300, which was a fifth of my stack. I put Scott on a small pair and decided it was worth a shot on the turn to hit my flush draw. It hit. He checked and I raised $300. He called! I took down a nice pot. He put me on the flush draw, but thought for sure he bet enough to make me lay the draw down. Sorry Pal, but I was not going to be bullied.

There were two other hands of note at the first table. Lindsey got knocked out when her QJ lost to a QA after the flop gave them both a set. Lindsey is a tricky player. Allen was the the beneficiary of that hand. The there had was I believe Scott against Mathew. Mathew went All-in after a flop of 422. Scott thought long and hard. He decided to call even thought there was a nice bounty on his head (2 ACL tickets). Mathew (Man I hope I have his name correct) turned of 24 for a full house. Scott turned over 25. A five came on the river. Scott was so lucky.

By now I was on my second or third Guinness. Something had to represent the famous Iggy at this tournament, so I thought a Guinness was a fitting symbol. Check out April's live blog to see the Guinness dominating the final table.

All I can really remember about the second table was that I occasionally stole the blinds at that Adam was down to the felt. The guy was down to $150 bucks. He went all-in a couple of times and kept doubling up. By proposing a chop at the final table he made into the money. Gee I wish I could say that.

Here is how I exited. The blinds were $100/200 and $25 antes. Ryan made it $800. I look at my cards and see pocket Cowboys. I go all-in hoping to take the pot down right then and there. Well Bill to my left immediately called my all-in for about $4000. Oh crap! I thought! Ryan folded. I turn over my KK and Bill sure enough turns over AA. Ryan showed is cards were A6 or something like that. I needed a King. The board filled with hearts and I had the King of hearts. I got excited and thought I had pulled a major suck out on the river. No because Bill had the ace of Hearts. Oh what a way to leave the tournament. Hey if it were the final table of the WSOP I would have played it the same way.

I was very pleased with my play. I was able to bluff several times and take down the blinds. I had a great time. It is always frustrating to finish just out of the money, but KK against AA does not happen that often. Man it was fun!

Adrenalin pumping I needed to leave to make the long journey back to Round Rock. Do I go Mo-PAC or I-35. I chose I-35 because it should be about 15 minutes faster. Oh what a huge mistake. It took 30 -40 minutes to get from Slaughter to Downtown. Did I mention that Austin traffic sucks. How could a freeway bottleneck so badly with no accident or construction. Yeah SXSW was going on by geez. I would have loved to go see some bands. If I had known Echo and the Bunnyman were playing a free concert, I would have been all over it!

I had a great time at the tournament. Thanks April and all who helped to organize it. Thanks Adam for another well run tournament and hosting the event.

Man only 23 days left of not playing online poker, drinking sodas, eating chocolate, eating popcorn, and any desserts. I am reasonably certain I can avoid the sodas, and candy after lent. I have managed to lose a few pounds which was the goal.

OK I am watching the Longhorn game and they are trying there damndest to give it away to West Virginia. The Horns looked so good in the first half.

Well I had better post this be for a computer glitch. Later I plan to put up a post about our first t-ball game.

Cheers!

"ACE"

OK! I have given up numerous things for Lent of which the most tempting, on-line poker. In reality it has not been that difficult to not play on-line poker, but it has only been week 1. Along with on-line poker, I gave up popcorn, sodas, chocolate, candy, sex (just kidding), and desserts.

I did not give up watching poker on television. So I live vicariously through others. I have not started the web project that is supposed to fill my time, but I have been catching up on some well deserved sleep.

I have been reading a few pages of David Sklansky's "Tournament Poker for Advanced Players". I stole this book from my brother. It is an OK read and there have been a few points of value. I have not found the math portions very useful, but my two brain cells are not keen on math these days. Unless it is helping the 6 year old add 6 + 4. I will probably give a summary of my take aways from this book in the near future.

I am greatly looking forward to playing in the AWPBT. I will essentially be away from the family all day, so I will not be able to do the Sixth Street Adventure and partying following the tournament. I will need to get home and tuck in the kids.

Speaking of kids, we have a new addition to the family. Yesterday we adopted ACE. Ace is a female cat approximately 6 months old. We adopted her from the Williamson County Humane Society. We spent the entire day yesterday going to various animal shelters. We found Ace at our very first stop. The entire day the kids kept chanting "Ace! Ace! Ace!". I felt like I needed an ace to win a tournament or stay alive in a tournament. After the full days adventure, including lunch at Austin Java Company on Barton Springs, we ended up listening to the kids.

We have a miniature Schnauzer, so we new there would be some work to do. Our dogs name is Ash and she attacks any stranger, so we knew it would be no different with a cat. My wife took the dog outside and was holding her by the leash. I brought Ace into the family room near the French door. I was warned not to hold her when introducing her to the dog. Well before I could get her down Ash barked. The cat hissed and dug all billion of her claws into my hands and my right leg as she exited stage right. OUCH! This is one time I should have listened!

Any rate we have a new addition to the family. My wife got very little sleep last night, but we hope all will work out. We have locked the dog in the pantry and we are letting Ace explore the house. First chore is get her acclimated to her litter box!! Boy I hope that does not take long. I think over time the dog and cat will bond or learn to be mutually exclusive.

I am looking forward to visiting with poker bloggers next Saturday. I will just say for the record, that I probably will not remember everyone's names, but I still routinely indulge in reading everyone's blog. I can no longer waste lunch hours at work, something to do with Corporate Policy. I do not like sites being blocked, but I do respect it. I am getting busier at work and I am truly enjoying it.

I am preparing to be mentally on top of my game Saturday, so bloggers beware. I just might make it past the first round. Wink! Wink!

Play on!