Hi there

Sure, my Poker Weblogs rating is sinking like a stone, but hey, I've been busy. Work is crazy, but I have managed to squeeze in some poker in the last 20 days. Another 10 place finish in our league event for November. Another points pick up, but I want wins! I also sat in a game at Irish Jim's and got 2nd, plus busted early in a tournament with my buddy Joe G. I should have fared better, but made some ill-timed plays (which I will not get into). Suffice to say, my busting out was completely my doing.

We are less than 60 days away from swearing in a new President in this country, and in the time the current guy has left, apparently there is a dust-up in the poker legal fight. This from the Poker Players Alliance (you can clik the link on the right hand side of this blog if you want to know more about them):

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was resuscitated last week in a last ditch effort by the Bush administration to implement this flawed law before he leaves office in January. President Bush pushed through “midnight” regulations that require UIGEA to go into effect on January 19, 2009, one day before President-elect Barak Obama is sworn in to office.

One way that PPA members can help effect change this coming year is by going to President-elect Barak Obama’s transition website (http://change.gov/page/s/contact) and submitting comments on the importance of undoing the UIGEA when he takes office and why he should seek to license and regulate Internet poker.

Please tell Mr. Obama:
-That you’re a proud poker player, a voter and want your rights protected.
-To repeal UIGEA because prohibitions do not work, especially ones that put undue burden on the financial sector by deputizing banks to subvert the rights of adult Americans.
-That the best way to protect children and families from any perceived harm from Internet Poker is by licensing and strict regulation; it will also generate billions in federal and state revenue.
-That poker is a game of skill and not a game of chance, and as such should be protected.

Anyway, I likely won't be at the table anytime soon, as work has me travelling quite a bit over the next few weeks. Next up is the league event for December, so hopefully, the time away from the table will provide me a nice break, and I will come back refreshed and ready to play.

Good luck and good cards,
~M

The changing face of...

...my country.

Barack Obama is the President Elect of the United States of America.

I'm not a political kinda person. Just not in my DNA. I did vote, and I made my voice heard in this election. I faced a serious dilemma while casting my ballot on Tuesday. One that I had kicked around in my head for the months leading up to that fateful moment.

Which of these 2 men are worthy of my vote?

I wrestled with it for months. McCain seemed too much like the old guard that has gutted my nation over the past 8 years. Obama seemed too new to everything. Had he even managed a restaurant? How could he manage a country?

I made me selection, as well as others, and went about my day. I saw McCain get smoked (eventually), and Obama give an acceptance speech that, frankly, was flat, yet almost awakening (if that's even possible).

Before that, I saw McCain give his concession speech. He was eloquent, gracious in defeat, and reached out to all, sending the message "work with the new President." While he was gracious and all, I wanted him to say something more. I wanted to hear him say something like, "while I admit defeat and congratulate my opponent, I want him to know that I, along with the rest of this country, will hold your feet to the fire on everything." I would have wanted Obama to say the same had he lost. The time for promises is past. Now is time for action.

This country of mine (and yours if you are an American reading this), is in a fix. In poker terms, we're on a draw, and there are 2 cards to come. As of tonight, Obama holds the cards, and it's his turn to act. I am hoping that his draw has more than just one set of outs. I would hope he is holding 2 overcards, suited, and has not only flush draw, but straight draws with it. I want him to have more than just 9 flush wins in the deck. I want him to have open-enders for the straight. I want his 2 overs to be live, so spiking either of them will give this nation the win. I want Obama to have the deck so crippled in his favor, that he can't help but catch what he needs.

If he wins, we win. This nation needs to make this draw.

Apologies for waxing political.

In keeping with the poker theme, I came across this article about the President Elect from CNN back in 2007. You can read it by clicking here.

The reason I was being possessive about my President is for the benefit of the international readers of this blog. American readers, please bear with me.

As for poker, league event for November is 2 weeks away, and I hope to get in a game before then. Work schedule will dictate that.

Good luck and good cards.

~M