Oooooooooohhh baby.....

Yeah....it's on. The trip to the land of lights, chips, and .99 shrimp cocktail (no, I don't eat that stuff), is just 12 days away.

Had some friends over on Sunday for my last table session prior to the trip (I think), and played meh poker. Had a couple of goofy hands hit, got knocked out on an AJ suited v. Q-10. Rebought, and went broke when AQ suited couldn't catch up to pocket 10's. Still, sitting with the crew, plus Mrs. Chipstack was awesome, considering everyone at the table will be in Vegas at the same time!

First things first, heading to Chicago for a week, then we go to Vegas. I can't get to vacation fast enough. Still, have plenty of things to keep me busy this week, so I'll cut this short.

Thanks for checking in, and I hope to update again before the trip. If not, a loaded blog comes upon return...maybe.

~M

The countdown is ON now!

Took 5th in the season opener for the league, and was thrilled with my play. Picked good spots to pick up pots, and good spots to get the hell out of dodge, too. For example:

1-folded 10-10 after a rainbow flop of 9-8-5. I checked the flop, one player bets, another re-pops it. They end up getting all the chips in, one has 99, the other 88. Welcome to Cooler City, Utah.

2-Mucked JJ preflop to one all in, then another all in. Original all in held A-Q off, 2nd all in had KK. AQ won with A on river.

3-Mucked 2nd nut flush draw with 1 to come. All checked 2 spade flop, board pairs 6's on the turn. I lead out, get raised, call the raise, then middle player shoves. He had the full house.

Those 3 spots helped me survive and reach the final table. It took 2 hands to bust me. One hand, I probably could have taken it down post-flop, but got cautious and didn't fire.

Spot 1-I have KJ suited in mid-late position. I limp, no raises, flop comes J-8-5, rainbow. 1st player leads out, I call. Turn is a 7, same player leads, I raise them all in, they call (and they had so much committed to the pot, he really had no choice but to call). Turn 'em up, he has J-6...top pair, open-ender. River 4. Ack.

Spot 2, hand I bust on, I'm in BB, UTG player raises it up, I shove with AQ off, get called. Original raiser shows AJ off. I hit the Q to strengthen hold, but there are 2 diamonds on the flop, a third hits the turn, and a 4th on the river. Goodnight everyone!

I should have raised the turn on the KJ hand-mistake on my part. Live and learn.

Looking forward to vacation. So. Effing. Much.

~M

Itchin'

No, I don't have a rash, just the urge to head west.

The countdown continues to Vegas 2009, and between now and the time we leave, I have to determine which of my battle armor will go with me. Thanks to Mrs. Chipstack, the choices are many. I'll likely take as many as 3 with me, so I have to be selective.

Yeah, I am talking about my hockey jerseys. I have decisions, too. Do I go American teams, or Canadian. New school, or old school. Professional or Juniors. I don't know. I might leave it up to you guys to pick. Well, maybe not pick, but certainly offer up suggestions.

Below are the jerseys I am thinking about. Of course, if I were playing in a WSOP event, I would bring enough for every day of play, just in case. Since this is vacation, I'm thinking only 3, 4 max (sharing a suitcase with Mrs. Chipstack, so I have to be fair). Leave your thoughts with a comment....I'm curious to your opinions.

~M

The Countdown is on

Las Vegas in t-minus 29 days.

I always look forward to our trip to Vegas every year, but this year, maybe a little more than ever.

When Mrs. Chipstack and I planned our trips in the past, there was always the opportunity to visit Mom & Dad. Well, the family aspect of Las Vegas has changed over the last year. Pops passed away June 5th, 2008, and Mom has since moved back to Chicago. That means that, for the first time since 1998, my only family in Vegas is extended family. While it would be nice to see them, it isn't as high on the priority list this time around. My wife and I haven't had a trip out there where we were totally on our own to do what we wanted to do. It always involved visiting the folks, helping them take care of things around the house that they couldn't do themselves. Running errands and the like to ease their day-to-day. I certainly didn't mind it, but I know that it was a bit of a drag for us. It wasn't a true "vacation." That changes this time around.

We'll still be going out with a group of poker players--our very good friends. That is a part of the trip that is enjoyable. This year, though, the wife and I will be able to just get away. I know I am looking forward to that very much.

Have only played a little since the last update, due in large part to a busy time at work. Season 5 of the league begins next weekend, and our membership numbers are down. It's likely the result of our struggling economy, and that's too bad. Some good people are out of work, and poker just isn't high on their list. I hope that will change in the future, as I hate seeing my friends in that kind of situation. No matter what, they remain friends, and I wish them the best.

Been following the WSOP quite closely this year. Maybe it's because I still thirst for the chance to be out there for the entire run of the Series. I hunger for the chance to battle for bracelets, playing for high stakes, and doing all I can to join the ranks of champions in poker's signature events. Right now, I know it's a pipedream. Financially, it's just not happening. I continue to keep that dream alive, though. Studying the tv broadcasts for any possible clue as to how these players are so successful. Reading anything I can get my hands on to improve my game. It's a constant thing in my head. I want to be better. I want to be able to compete on that stage. When the time comes, I want to be ready.

I often wonder what would happen to me if I was ever able to be a circuit player. I know that it would only be possible if I had sufficient bankroll to afford the travel, accommodations, and of course, buy-ins for all of it. It would have to be such that my wife would be able to travel with me, and our kids would be looked after. It might even involve a relocation to a place where we could be closer to family. It would involve a lot of changes, for sure. As much as I would love the chance to do it, I could never make that move without my wife. Never. That is non-negotiable.

So, for the time being, trips to Vegas once a year with my honey will have to do. I love that city. I love it's "Open 24 Hours" feeling. It's a close 2nd to my home town. Maybe one day, it will be my home away from home.

On the workout front--day 2 of my dedication to getting back in shape ended horribly. I re-injured my knee, and have been shelved since. The strength is returning to it, so I hope to get back into it slowly. I hate that I got hurt, because I loved doing the workouts. Problem is, when you fold your knee, and it feels and sounds the same as the first time your hurt it, you tend to not push things too quickly. I won't be pushing it, since I need my wheels for vacation--which will involve some golf, too.

Good luck and good cards,
~M

4 seasons, a vacation, and a new goal

Finished up our 4th season of league play over the weekend, and what a group we have. Great people, good friends, and loads of laughs. It's a tough economic time, and I sincerely hope we can retain all the folks that have played with us. I know we are likely to lose some, and I hope the losses are minimal. My friend Joe even asked when I was going to update the blog, claiming he was one of the 6 loyal readers. Sorry, Joe. Had a full plate, and a lack of muse. Trying like hell to change all that. Joe will be back next season, and to all those that are pondering a return, you have my vote. It's been a great run to date--let's try and keep it going.

I managed a 3rd place finish in the Tournament of Champions. A nice payday for that, but I wanted the win. Considering I was the short stack at the final table, I am quite pleased with my effort. Not pleased with my result, but happy with the way I played. I was physically drained when I was knocked out, which told me I was working. It was a satisfying feeling getting that finish, but looking back, I think I could have done more pre-flop with my final hand, or maybe gotten away post flop. I don't know. I'll keep thinking about that one.

Vacation is now the next target for me (other than the first event of season 5). Mrs. Chipstack and I head to visit family for a week, and then the annual pilgrimage to Las Vegas for a week. This will be a change for us, as this time, there is no Mom and Dad to visit. Of course, I lost Papa Chipstack nearly a year ago, and Mama is now in Chicago. Will still get to visit her when we go there, but the Vegas trip will, for the first time, be just the Mrs. and me. I know it will be fun, but it will be a little weird, too. I know we are going to make a trip to Dad's old stomping grounds at Santa Fe Station (the casino near their home), just to play some Pai Gow or maybe a poker tourney. Have to see some of the dealers, and such--when they see my last name on my players card, they ask about my folks. I have to give them the update.

2009 is nearly half over (holy crap!), and at long last, I have decided it's time to get serious about getting in shape. Yeah, I know, round is a shape. Ha ha. Over the weekend, picked up the EA Active Personal Trainer for the Wii gaming system. Doing the 30 day challenge to see what it can do. Day 1 kicked my ass. I used it on the "moderate" setting.

Moderate.

So, I have some work to do, but it is work I want to do. I want you blog readers (yeah, all 6 of you), to keep on me. I am hoping to drop some weight before the Vegas trip, and then continue it when I get back home. I am not disclosing my goal here, but suffice to say, there is work to be done.

Good luck and good cards to you,
~M