When C-SPAN and CNN...

...are on your TV more than poker re-runs, something is wrong. Well, something IS wrong, and it has everything to do with the lawmakers and corporate idiots that have me feeling almost embarrassed to be an American. Almost.

Our economy is teetering on the brink of catastrophe, and the people in government, trying to work this thing out, and try and get is back on its feet are pointing fingers, and crying this, blaming that....

SHUT YOUR POCKET LINED MOUTHS AND GET TO WORK!

I found it interesting that my blog tracker told me the US Department of Justice had a look-see here. Why? Hell if I know. I pay my taxes, I hold a steady job. I haven't committed a felony. My worst offense in my life was at the age of 12 when I was caught trespassing on a golf course. Basically, I was golfing on a course that wasn't open yet, and I didn't even get arrested for it--just held by the cops, and had the crap scared out of me.

So, again, why peek in on this harmless blog by someone who enjoys poker? Whatever. There are far more important people to be concerned with than me. Then again, this is the same government that felt online poker was such a bad thing, they went ahead and pass the UIGEA, rather than look in on a credit lending issue that has us where we are today: homes lowering in value, banks going out of business, and a credit crunch that has everyone walking on a razor's edge of being ok, or being broke.

I know there are international readers of this blog, thanks to the good folks at Poker Weblogs (see the link on the right if you wish to check them out). To my international rounders, I say I'm sorry on behalf of my country for their behavior. Rather than act as Americans, they are acting like republicans and democrats. Enough of the politics, kids. Do what is right for the nation. That is, if you even remember how.

OK, off the soapbox. You came here for poker.

Well, gonna get a game tonight at Irish Jim's, and frankly I need it. Had another long and busy week, and this one promises more of the same, so a night off is just what the doctor ordered. Will try and get my game back on track--I don't think I'm far off of it, just need to give it a tune up. If I do that, I should be able to cash, if not win. Of course, ultimately ,the cards will determine my fate.

ESPN continues to run the Main Event coverage, and I will be looking forward to tonight's episodes--think I'll DVR them. I know HD broadcasts are wonderful for the fast action games like football and hockey, but watching poker in hi-def is awesome if you're a poker player. The chip colors are so rich, the player expressions are so vivid--just wonderful stuff.

Was actually glad to see Jerry Yang go broke (sorry for the spoiler), but it was hard watching him coin-flip his way through the field last year, and then just outmuscle everyone with his dominant stack at the final table. Had the dude with the stare (Philip Hilm) not dusted off his stack to him, we may have seen Yang go out earlier, rather than win it all. Yes, Yang is a nice guy, but think back to last year. When he won it, his family was there, and they all looked like they were sincerely rooting for him to do well. This year, the looks on their faces were like, "I don't believe we are here watching this again." And they looked like the money had done them well. The father (I think it was his Dad), was clean-shaven, new clothes, the whole nine yards. That's fine too. But it was more business-like for them. not the same joy and exuberance. Of course, Jerry went broke on day 2, so I guess there's no celebrating when you finish out of the money. I have no idea who the final 9 players are (as they'll play for the money and bracelet in November), and I have no desire to find out. I'll watch the coverage and try to enjoy it. I just hope these final 9 guys are worth watching.

I had the chance to play this past Saturday in a charity event for Speedway Children's Charities. It was a great time, and I got to meet the rhythm guitarist for Aerosmith, Brad Whitford. That truly did not suck. What did suck, was me not having a camera, and then what sucked more, was my AK of clubs going down to trip 8's the bust me. I was fine with not winning. I truly had a blast, and in the end, it was all for a great cause. SCC does great things for kids, and I was glad to participate, and thankful they asked me to.

Anyway, I am a little better today, than I was on Monday. Monday was a tough day for me, as it was my father's birthday. Of course, my Pops passed away back in June, so not being able to call him and wish him a happy birthday was certainly foreign, and difficult to deal with. I thought about him all day, and on 3 separate occasions while I was at work, I "felt" him. I know it sounds weird, but there were 3 different times that I was at my desk, and a certain area of my head (in the back) would begin to tingle. It was the same spot that my Dad would touch my scalp when he was showing me affection. I find that I do the same with my kids these days. It was a nice feeling, and it told me that he was still right there with me, in my day-to-day life. I know this is kinda deep, and strange, but hey, this is my outlet.

I didn't get to tell him happy birthday to his face, but he told me that he knew I was thinking about him. That love never leaves, even in death. I am glad to have found that out first hand.

Happy Birthday, Dad. You're still my hero.

~M

Back in the day

I used to update this blog on a regular basis, but I have to tell you, that life away from the table has prevented me from being as blogsponsible as I would like. Still, I miss you guys (all 6 of you that read this thing).

September league event was horrendous for me. Card dead for the most part. Made some good lay downs, but not until it was too late (as in the pot was so big, it was painful to get away from the hand, but I was beat and I knew it). Won 2 small pots, which didn't help, finally got all my chips in with QJ suited in diamonds, get called by 6-6. Flop comes 9-10-x, board pairs the 9 so now I have 19 wins in the deck (any K-(4), Q-(3), J-(3), 10-(3), 9-(2), 8-(4)). The "x" on the flop was smaller than a 6 (I forget what it was, but not big enough to counterfeit his hand).

River = brick. Seeeeeeeyaaaaaaaaaa!

Played in the side game, and wasn't profitable there. We played the "7-2 prop"--anyone winning a hand with 7-2 (with the nuts or a bluff-anyway you scoop it), every player at the table pays you a dollar. We're playing .50/1, I get 7-2, flop at gut shot straight draw (6-9-10 rainbow). Player ahead of me (my bud Vito), bets out, I only have a little more than his bet, so I decide to shove, knowing: A-I am getting called, B-I am behind, and C-I plan to re-load after the hand.

The correct answer was D. All of the above.

Sick thing happened on my way to the wallet. The board went runner-runner 7-7, and I scooped on a set of 7's. Vito had KK. I apologized profusely for the bad beat--I knew I was dead to an 8 (best case scenario), and he had a bazillion wins in the deck on his side. It was a live "online" hand. Just sick. Funny, he hasn't spoken to me since that night.

Next league event is in a few weeks, and I'm going to do my best to get my game focused again. I haven't played very well over the past month, which is partially due to my work schedule. Been busy on weekends, which has kept my Sunday game dark. Will be that way for the next month (but I may sneak one in so watch your e-mails!).

Good luck and good cards,

~M

Feels like forever

...since I sat in a big tournament, when in reality it's been only a couple weeks. Have 2 more weeks to wait until the next one too, which kinda sucks. Would love to scare up a game this weekend, on Saturday, so we shall see if that comes to pass. have work on Sunday, and then a LONG day on Monday (a week from now), so maybe I shouldn't get ahead of myself. Let's get through this week first, shall we?

Hmmmm....since my last blog post, my home became a haven for my evacuee buddy Jimmy from New Orleans. He took off from the Big Easy as Gustav was bearing down on him. Gustav came, and went, Jimmy went and saw friends up north after spending 4 days with me, and now he's back home. He could be back if Ike decides to go all Tina on his block again (think Ike and Tina Turner there), and of course, the door is open to him. Was happy that he was virtually untouched with Gustav. Hope Ike misses him too.

While Jimmy was in town, I had the chance to sit in Irish Jim's game, and what a blast that was. I went broke when Klownboxer played K9 off to perfection, and I got crazy with the nut flush--all the money was going in there, and I did have 1 out, the J of hearts, to scoop. Alas, I didn't hit it.

Irish Jim made the memorable play of the night, trying to buy a pot (a biggie) with a board of Q-X-5-Q-5. Volsfan made a great read, and called with the bottom full house 5's full of Q's, while Irish Jim smiled and said, that's enough. He later said he had 9-2 off, but he bet every street, raised pre-flop, bet the flop, turn and river, or as I was calling it (after reading it somewhere), "emptying the clip."

Sure he stacked off, but it almost worked. Volsfan was in the tank a good bit, and wasn't sure if calling was right. When she did call, it was a treat to see Irish Jim smiling, basically admitting he got caught, but that's a part of the game. Amir Vahedi once said, "to win in tournaments, you have to be willing to die." Well, Irish Jim bought the farm on the hand, but was able to resuscitate himself with a rebuy. Turns out he won the tourney that night. Slainte!

Been working like a dog, and that's fine--it's football season, which means the work doesn't feel like work. Also been back on the golf course, and loving that, too. I just have to figure out how to hit my driver. I know it sounds sick, but if I am not hitting my driver well, I'm not playing well. Simple as that. My game is based on getting off the tee. Straight and long. I am hitting long, but right now it's crooked. That's no good. I straighten out the driver, I'll be back into the respectable neighborhood again--like low 80's, upper 70's. Ideal temps and golf scores to boot.

Until we post again....good luck and good cards,

~M