“Please Break a Glass!”

The title of this belated post comes from Christmas Eve dinner. One thing that typically causes the family to not to speak to each other are heated discussions on politics and religion. Therefore, my brother-in-law instructed me to break a glass if the conversation went in a direction toward politics or religion. We got a couple of good laughs when I mimicked breaking a glass, but never really had to do so. However, in this little blog of mine there is nothing to stop me from discussing politics and poker.

I was reading the Austin American Statesman the other day and there was an article about the Texas horse industry. Once again I was enlightened as to how stupid Texas politicians really are. The gist of the article is that the Texas horse industry is declining due to the larger purses in OK, NM, and LA. They article hints that it is because these other states immediately approved gaming machines, generating larger purses for horse races.

OK Texas Politicians! Listen! Please listen! At every Texas Horse track pass a bill that will permit the establishment of a Poker Room. Poker is not like one-arm bandits. Poker rooms will generate revenue to create larger purses for the horse races. Larger purses mean more revenue. Large purses mean keeping horse breeding in Texas. Large purses keep Texas money in Texas. Oh lets see who benefits? Texans!

Sorry Mom, but the only worthwhile legislation passed by Texas lawmakers is the new tobacco subsidy, I mean Tax.

OK I will break my beer glass and leave politics. I have played some poker over the holidays. I managed to win a $1 buy-in at Bugsy Club this past week. I have been on a down swing at that site, so this was a little boost of $12.50. I am grinding away trying to build my bankroll back up. I have been playing at Bugsy for about 4 months and still have not earned any of my bonus. This aspect of Bugsy Club sucks. Do not get lured into their deposit bonus schemes.

I played in some live games in Austin. I have one 2nd place and two 3rd place finishes. Third is like kissing your sister because you just get your money back. One of the games I was a huge short stack and went all-in four times doubling up each time. It was great. I ended up in second place once playing 84o. The board paired my four and a player went all-in. Eights had been hitting the board all night long to I called. Sure enough an 8 came on the turn! Pretty risky, but fun!

I played in a tournament in Houston. I did not do well because a person called me with pocket nines after I put her all-in. I had A2s. The flop brought KQ7 with two cards being spades giving me a flush draw. I had not played a hand all night so I went all-in. I cannot believe with a board like that she called my all-in move. Needless to say I was crippled when the flush or ace did not hit. The next hand I had pocket 6’s. I went all-in only to be called by three other persons. I was out early. I then became the dealer when it was down to the final 8. When it was heads up I dealt for about 40 minutes and they just kept exchanging blinds. I went crazy so I had to quit dealing. I found two important lessons from this poker session. One was never deal when two ladies are heads up! The other was that I risked my chips unnecessarily against a novice player. I could have just checked it down and only pushed when I achieved the nut flush. I have to do a better job adjusting to player styles. I usually play with people who know what the hell they are doing and it makes the decisions more clear.

I will be playing again this Wednesday. Hopefully I can finish in the money again. It looks like there will be 12 players so probably just one game for a $20 buy-in. Usually we play two $10 buy-ins, which is what I like.

I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas or Holiday. I better not get started on that subject or I might have to break a glass!

Peace!