The Chipstack

Honey??? When can we go back???

2011-08-23T11:07:00.003-05:00

So, as you can likely figure out, there were no glory stories for me at the WSOP. I didn't even make it to level 3. Quick synopsis of my day (which won't take long since I lasted exactly 2 hours).

Lost one blind v blind hand, when my 2 pair J-5 were topped by opponents 2 pair J-6 (he flopped two, I turned my 2).

Lost a pot where I was likely bluffed out of it. Uber connected board, I had top pair kings, with 10 kicker. I was in the blind, but too may hearts on board. I mucked to all in bet on river.

Those hands cost me nearly half of my stack, but I would double up when my AA held v. JJ.

Didn't play another hand until I went broke. Here's the story.

After watching 3 full orbits, I open raise (blinds are 25-50) to 150 with Q9 hearts. Not premium, but players at my table were fairly observant, so I raise it. Pick up 1 caller in seat 8 (I was in 3), button, SB fold, BB calls for 100 more.

FLOP: Q-9-3, rainbow

Niiiiiiiice.... I bet out 500 (into a pot of 475), lose seat 8, seat 1 (BB) comes along.

TURN: 2 (puts 2 diamonds on the board)

I bet out 800, seat one ships it.

Huh????

I call, and he shows 2-2 for a turned set. He then says to me "I thought you had a set of 9's." My reply was simple..."why would you call on the flop then?"

River bricked off, and I was done. Not a bad beat story, but a bad play story. I heard another player in another tournament saying (as he got up from a table when he busted from a tourney), "you can't make 'em play good." Divine wisdom, right there.

No promises, but will try to hit this blog a little more often. Came home with a cash on Saturday in league event, but still thirty for a win. Haven't had one in a while. I think I'm due.

Good luck and good cards.

Remember me?

2011-06-01T13:53:00.002-05:00

Wow, has it really been 18 months since I've written an entry here? My buddy Adam had a blog that was called "This Blog May or May Not Suck." My blog definitely sucks. Apologies.

Regardless of the level of suck, I am back with some renewed energy for poker blogging, and it happens to coincide with the start of the 2011 WSOP, and the fact that I will be in the center of the poker universe is less than a month.

Since it's been more than a calendar year, a quick update. The usual run of 1-6 outers continue to follow me,, but I have managed to turn the tables a few times and spike a miracle card that helped me. Went through our 6th league season, made the Tournament of Champions based on points, and managed to finish 2nd after my opponent went crazy on an A-10-7 rainbow board with a pair of deuces thinking he was good. He wasn't until his 3rd deuce hit on the river, busting my already flopped 2 pair. Oh well, I run goot, I run bad.

Starting up season 7 (amazing) in a few weeks, and am looking forward to it. Most of all, though, I'm amped for my WSOP return. July 5th, event #56. I won the seat in a tournament, and will be armed with my best possible game, and enough of my battle gear to get me through 3 days of play. It will be my first WSOP since 2006, and my short term goal is to bag my chips after day 1. If I can manage that, I should be inside the money bubble. As I said on the day I won the seat, I don't want good luck, just average luck. If I can get average luck, I think I have enough ability to survive into the money bubble. After that, it's anybody's guess. I know there will be more skilled players than I in the field, so I'll have to get lucky in spots if I have any chance of making the final table.

First things first, I gotta get through day one.

Anyway, looks like Phil Ivey is taking a stand against Full Tilt Poker, and their foot-dragging when it comes to paying players. Ivey says he won't play in any WSOP event until FTP starts making good on getting money back to players who have their funds tied up right now. It's a noble stance, and a costly one for him as well. Ivey does quite well at the WSOP, and this could cost him a shot at some additional wrist-wear.

No need for me to re-hash Black Friday, when the US government took yet another step in protecting us from ourselves, by shutting down online poker as we knew it. I thought President Obama was a poker player? Guess he's nothing more than a fish in his game, because if he was half the player the voters thought he was, he would have found a way to embrace online poker as a source of MUCH NEEDED REVENUE IN THESE DIFFICULT ECONOMIC TIMES.

I digress. Maybe one day, the powers that be will find a way to +make online poker a thriving, and legal business in the USA. One that isn't viewed as a dirty profession. It's a hard way to make an easy living.

I know, I'm preaching to the choir. Sorry.

~M

I've issued a challenge

2010-01-14T11:28:00.004-05:00

OK, it's not an original idea, but I think it's ambitious. Win my way into the WSOP in 2010.

Not by tournament qualifying, mind you.

By grinding.

Got an e-mail from an online poker site that I used to frequent (haven't played online in a long time, due to the UIGEA, and watching how it all played out). Anyway, the e-mail says, "hey, there's a balance of $10 in your account. Why have you stopped playing here?"

Honestly, I had no idea there was $10 in that account. So, I have taken that as a challenge. Run $10 into a WSOP (smaller buy in) seat.

I'll be keeping tabs on the progress here at the blog, and hopefully, will be able to be triumphant. The goal is to run it into a buy in for my June trip to Vegas, during the heart of the WSOP.

If I go broke, I go broke. All I lose is $10 I didn't know I had in the first place, right?

Session 1:
START - $10
END: $28.31 (+18.31)
GAME: .05/.10 NLHE
TIME PLAYED: No clue. ROI isn't important to me at the moment. Just trying to build the roll.

~M

EDIT: this challenge lasted about 2 months, highest I got the account to was about $50, and got bored with micro-limit cash games. Went nuts playing $5 tourneys until it was gone. GG, me.

Quick Blast on a Thursday

2010-01-07T11:04:00.002-05:00

Strange to think we are in 2010. Anyway...had some table time, thought I'd pass along some stuff.

Hosted some friends last Saturday, short pot (just 3 rebuys? Really?), and managed a 2nd place finish. Got close to the felt, and stuck it in with 9-5 suited. Yeah, I was really short stacked. Got called by 7-7. Flop rolls out 5-5-9. Talk about hitting lucky! After that, was able to win some smaller pots, build up my stack. Got to HU, traded small pots, until I got it all in after the flop with AA on a 2-4-5 rainbow board. Got called, chip leader had K-5. Brick the turn, K on the end. Meh.

Not unhappy about my play there, just managed to get unlucky (again). It's funny, and I know you're reading saying, "he's griping about being unlucky again." Let me take you back to our Vegas trip in July. One of the dealers at Fitzgerald's (Grant, my "Lodden Thinks" buddy), told me he has never seen a player get victimized by so many single-digit outs. If I have the lead, my opponent has 5 outs, he hits. Happens all the time. Long term thinking, I am getting my chips in with the goods. That's how I have to think, even when the results don't show it.

Sat at Irish Jim's on Wednesday, got smoked with the deck most of the night. KK on the first hand, flop trips, but muck the hand after the turn brought out a 3rd club, and also put a straight draw out there. Based on the history of some of the other players in the hand, I figured to be a huge underdog once the 3rd club hit. I ended up being right with my fold, as a 4th club fell on the river, making one player the winner with the nut flush (he had K of clubs), and another ran a straight (which also had me beat).

Saw AA twice, had KK again later, and got outflopped by a caller with A-7. Chipped down to 1400 with 300/600/75 level, stuck it in bad with Q-10 off, called by K-9 in BB. Dunzo.

For the most part, I am playing well, not making horrible mistakes, but still making mistakes. Need ot tighten those up, with next league game coming next weekend. Before that, a potential weekend game at home, and Mrs. Chipstack's birthday. She'll be 29 for the 11th time, so it's a biggie!

Good luck and good cards,
~M

OK, I've held off long enough

2009-12-08T10:16:00.002-05:00

Joe Cada won the 2009 WSOP Main Event, and did so by keeping his head out of the crossfire early, sticking it in bad in a couple of huge pots, and then getting Darvin Moon to over-moxy himself out of the title.

Cada will be good for poker, provided he is able to handle the demands on being the man. Keep in mind, he's maybe 22 now, so if he stumbles, you kinda have to give him some slack. i just hope he is the face of poker that people remember as being a solid player, and can bring people to the game.

That final table was sick. As my friend Klownboxer would call it, "Bad Beat Boulevard." I'm not gonna go into hand breakdowns in this blog--frankly, I couldn't get my head around some of them. Just seemed that, of the hands shown, the 3-outers hit at that final table as often as people hit them on me. I'll just leave it at that.

This coming weekend sucks, but is awesome all at once. It sucks, because I miss our December league event--which I hate because I actually have an outside shot at picking up regular season P.O.Y. honors, but this month's donut will hurt. I'll miss seeing my buddies, and such, but it's awesome because of the work detail I have. I say work, only because it is through my company. This weekend is fun, with my assignment of championship football. I look forward to this every year, so while I hate missing my pok-ah, I'll love the reason I am gone.

Christmas is fast approaching--where the hell did the year go? What a ride! I will try and post at least once more before the calendar turns to 2010, but if I don't - which is likely - have a great holiday!

~M

Hello Blogosphere

2009-10-27T18:28:00.003-05:00

Been away far too long, but haven't felt the muse to write since the passing of my friend Pug. This will be quick, just to let you know I still draw breath.

I ended up winning that August event (don't remember if I mentioned that in the obit story from August), so I locked in my spot in the TOC. Glad to have that win, get my spot locked in, and can carry on to play for wins, and not worry about repercussions. I followed the win up with a final table in September. That gave me the league points lead, but that didn't last, as I went out first in October. Ack. For as well as I played in August and September, I was nothing more than a donk in October. Pure and simple. Anyway, we carry on, and look for a good showing in November.

Been watching the WSOP on tv, and many of you know who is doing what, who is in the November 9, etc. I am not talking about results as I have several friends that have managed to stay away from the internet sites with articles about who is there, chip counts, etc. Suffice to say, I do know who is there, and can't wait to see the final table highlights.

Luckily, my work schedule has been crazy enough that I have managed to sit in Irish Jim's game much more in the fall than I have all year long. Nice having the chance to get away and grind at the table. It's helping me in a lot of areas, but I haven't seen the results there that I would like. I am playing a little better, but I am not quite on stroke the way I know I can be.

Life, for the most part, is good. Work has been crazy, but manageable. Luckily, I am able to keep the juggling act fairly stable, and it will stay at this pace for about 2 more months. After that, it should calm down a little bit.

Nice to be back--more poker to come, once a WSOP Champ is crowned. I have opinions on a lot of players, but am holding off until the bracelet is awarded.

Good luck and good cards,
~M

His name is Pug

2009-08-17T23:25:00.006-05:00

"Hi. Nice to meet you. Your name is?"

"Pug," was the reply.

And that's what his name was. Pug. For more than 4 years, that was the only name I knew of this man, who loved his bluegrass music, the Grateful Dead, moonshine, and the occasional cigar. Oh, and he loved his poker. From hold 'em, to the 5-card draw games at Poker Stars. Loved it.

He loved the people he played with, although he wouldn't let on if they put a bad beat on him. He wouldn't shake a players hand that busted him with a bad play. His two kings against 2 aces? Handshake. His 2 jacks against a 2-3 off suit? Forget it. He wasn't bitter, but his rationale was, "why would I shake your hand for busting me with junk? It's like I'm agreeing with your bad play, and kinda rewarding you for it."

Hard to argue that.

Oh sure, Pug would play the reckless hand from time to time, claiming his 5-8 suited from the BB with no raises was fine. Even after a flop of K-Q-4 with one of his suit, betting around, and he calls it all. The thinking there was always, "well I had a flush draw....they were suited after all." Funny thing was, he somehow always managed to get there. 2 runners for the straight, 2 runners for the flush. He'd get the hand home.

Then there were the times the Pugster would mis-read his hand. Thinking he rivered the nuts, and exclaiming "I gots the boat!!!!." In reality, he held just 2 pair, or maybe just 1, and another card that was just one pip smaller or larger. The table would laugh. Pug would, too. Then he would sit in at the side game, telling jokes, or running through his encyclopedia of sayings.

"One's scared, and the others glad of it."

"Ya can't go through life checkin'."

There were more, but frankly, I don't have the heart right now to look them all up.

The world lost Pug on August 17, 2009. At the age of 43, no less. Far too young. Gone far too soon.

My encounters with Pug were at the poker table. I can't think of a time we were together when poker wasn't involved. I am the one that feels the loss in this cold fact. There is so much I missed out on from this kind man. He was, as my buddy Vito put it, "a good ol' boy in every sense of the word." Vito is right. He was a boy. He was good.

My loss pales in comparison to the hurt his family is enduring at this hour. Pug was a small part of my life, but the biggest part in theirs. My thoughts and prayers go out to them this night. May God help you through this very difficult time.

My pain is summed up best in this next story. 3 weeks ago, he friended me at my Facebook page. That was the day I learned his real name.

To me, he will always and forever, be Pug.

I miss you buddy.

~M

I guess I don't run goot.....

2009-08-09T01:45:00.003-05:00

So how is this for sick:

*** HOLE CARDS ***

Dealt to pokertvstar [Qd Qc]

luchito1982 calls 5,000

Candybar43 calls 2,500

pokertvstar raises to 45,000

luchito1982 has 15 seconds left to act

luchito1982 calls 40,000

Candybar43 folds

*** FLOP *** [Td 4c 7c]pokertvstar bets 139,518, and is all in

luchito1982 calls 99,268, and is all in

pokertvstar shows [Qd Qc]

luchito1982 shows [8c 6c]

Uncalled bet of 40,250 returned to pokertvstar

*** TURN *** [Td 4c 7c] [Jc]

*** RIVER *** [Td 4c 7c Jc] [5c]

pokertvstar shows a flush, Queen high

luchito1982 shows a straight flush, Eight high

luchito1982 wins the pot (295,336) with a straight flush, Eight high

*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 295,336

Rake 0Board: [Td 4c 7c Jc 5c]

Seat 3: Candybar43 (small blind) folded before the Flop

Seat 8: pokertvstar (big blind) showed [Qd Qc] and lost with a flush, Queen high

Seat 9: luchito1982 (button) showed [8c 6c] and won (295,336) with a straight flush, Eight high

OK, so he was drawing, but he hit the one lock in the deck (on the river) to beat me (and cripple my stack).

BTW, this was a FTP "Face the Ace" qualifier.

Yeah, sickness.

Ugh.

Vegas 2009-the Cliff's notes

2009-07-23T13:01:00.003-05:00

Since I have been home from Vegas for more than a week, I am just providing the abbreviated version of the trip. Reason being, many of the real details have been lost from my brain. That could change next year, now that my iPhone has memo recording capabilities. I just have to remember to actually make the recordings.

Played more tournaments than I can count, mostly at Fitzgerald's (we stayed there this year--good rooms, clean sheets and towels, and we got a corner view towards the Strip...we may very well be back there next year). the tourneys at the Fitz are good for the low buy in, but the stacks get short quickly, and it's harder to actually play poker. You get into push mode rather quickly, so if you're gonna shove, have a little something, because you will get called by a player holding 5 high or even 10 high, just because they have the stack to do it.

Anyway, had 3 tourney cashes at the Fitz, and played one other tourney at the Orleans. Really nice structure for the opening 4 rounds, but when the blinds jump from 300-600/25 (or 50 I forget) ante, to 400-800/75 to 700-1500/100, it gets fairly crazy. I sat in a field of 105, and busted out in 20th, when my Q-10 flopped 2 pair on a Q-10-K board. We got it all in after the flop, I got called by A-K. Ace on the turn. Ack.

That wasn't the worst beat I took, and I doled out some others. Worst one was 4 handed, I stick it in, short stacked with Kd-7d for a total of 7K. Get called by 3-3...he had 6500. Hit the 7 on the flop, player on the button announces he folded A-3 preflop. Yeah, one 3 left in the stub, and it showed up on the turn. Ack.

Did spike a 2 outer to make a full house against 10-10 and 6-6 (I had 8-8, the board paired jacks and I was dead to an 8....weeeeee!) Bad beats and good scoops aside, the tourneys were a blast.

The guys you see in the picture above are Grant and Lenn. Grant is still dealing at the Fitz, Lenn on a part time basis. Both are playing poker as their primary income, and Grant did well at the series. He had a final table finish in the Casino Employee's event, and missed the money in the Main Event by less than 100 players. The duo was playing a 1-2 game at the Fitz when I snapped the pic. I ended up sitting down and playing for a bit (the game broke about 5:30 a.m. lol), but we had a great time with poker's new table game, "What does Johnny Lodden think?" Lodden is a European pro, and the game is simple. Players determine a question, and they hold a chinese auction to set the line. For example, the question to Lodden (this one came up with Grant and Lenn), might be "What is the population of Hawaii?" The real answer is immaterial, it only matters what Lodden thinks is the correct answer. Player A says "650,000 and over." Player B counters with "800,000 and over" until they arrive at the number. Lodden gives his answer, which determines the winner of the over/under bet. I made Lenn about $40 dollars against Grant (no, I wasn't in on it, since Lenn never paid off!), but it was a riot. In the pic below, Grant and Lenn are there along with Mountain Man Kevin, and room manager Jimmy. Great staff, great times. Got to see Alan and Mike (the other room managers), along with some other familiar dealers Jennifer and Mindy.

In all, we had a great week. Our group did their thing playing tourneys and cash games, Mrs. Chipstack played her Keno while trying to remove all the cherry flavored vodka from the place one glass at a time (she failed miserably I might add, because they kept bringing in reinforcements!). Had the chance to catch up with 2 old friends, my buddy Mike from Chicago--last time I saw him was my 1st wedding in Chicago, and Trish, a gal I worked with in Texas at my first job in the business. That made the vacation that much better.
I should also point out I had some success in pit games, having a couple nice winning sessions at roulette, but also hitting a big hand in both Pai Gow (a straight flush that paid $250), and the pit version of Texas Hold 'Em. Was dealt AQ suited for a payoff of 20-1 on my bonus bet (turning $5 into $100), then making a full house on that hand, beating the dealer which doubled every other bet I had on the table. I walked from that hand up $200 for that session. In terms of real poker, I ended up $200 to the good in the side games as well. Basically, the picture above was a tough one to take. Saying goodbye to Sin City is never easy, but it's already less than a year before we head back!

Back to league reality this weekend, tourney number 2 in Season 5. To say I am ready would be a mild understatement!

Good luck and good cards,
~M

Vegas hit-will recap soon. Can't post from iPhone.

2009-07-17T17:19:00.002-05:00

Oooooooooohhh baby.....

2009-06-29T19:24:00.002-05:00

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.

The countdown is ON now!

2009-06-22T19:31:00.003-05:00

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.

Itchin'

2009-06-17T23:52:00.009-05:00

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

2009-06-12T18:57:00.004-05:00

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

2009-06-02T08:16:00.002-05:00

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

I'm a bad blogger

2009-05-11T17:47:00.003-05:00

I really have slipped with the blog of late, and to my 6 loyal readers (who have all likely abandoned me now), I apologize. Just haven't been feeling the blog of late, due to a number of factors.

Went to Chicago over the weekend, a surprise visit to see Mom. She has had a helluva time since moving back to Chicago from Las Vegas. After Papa Chipstack passed last June, Mom had a tough time. She finally left the desert, went back home, and proceeded to break her leg and arm, and just when she was on the way back from that, she has had elevated ammonia levels. A real riddle for the doctors--they can't find the cause. It does suck, because she's such a vibrant person. Seeing her in a hospital bed isn't easy. I know it's necessary, but it's still tough. I am hopeful she bounces back from all this, and soon. She needs to start living again, something she hasn't done since Pops became ill before passing. She loved him so much, it was crushing to her. She seems to finally be at peace with all of it, but now she has to get her body right.

Have played a little between posts--ok, a couple league tourneys and a couple trips to Irish Jim's, with a few home games mixed in. Still not enough to quench my thirst, but it will have to do. Have had limited success, with a runner-up at a league tourney, and a couple 3rds in smaller games, but for the most part, I'm kinda stuck in neutral. League TOC is coming up in a few weeks, so I am amped about that, but it's a long day. The league satellite tourney goes first, then the big dance. Always a fun day with friends, and poker.

The countdown to Vegas has begun. Under 2 months away from the pilgrimage to the land of cheap shrimp cocktail, Elvis impersonators, and, um....oh yeah, poker. Looking forward to making the trip with friends, some of which have had a rough year, thanks to the economy. Some are bouncing back, which is nice to see. I just hope all that are planning to go will still be able to make the trip. It's always a great time.

My poker uniform collection (read hockey jerseys), is growing. Mrs. Chipstack proved how wonderful she is (again), as she fulfilled a wish of mine that pre-dates our relationship. She even did it with just me making a statement about it. I left it alone after I mentioned it, but she went ahead and went through an ordering process, paid for it, had it shipped, and was wearing it the day it arrived--total surprise. It's a jersey that s likely going to make the trip to Vegas in the summer--that's how awesome it is.

Been sweating my Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup playoffs as well, and what a ride it's been. They are young and very inexperienced, but they just don't care. They can close out Vancouver with a win tonight (which would be sick, since the game is in Chicago), and if they advance, they play for the Western Conference title, and a trip to the Cup final. Amazing team, fun to watch, and they have made hockey in my hometown relevant again.

Anyway, don't know when the next time I'll sit at a table--could be the end of the month. Busy time at work now, and that includes weekends. On a positive note, at the end of the month, I'll be 20 days closer to Vegas!!!

Good luck and good cards,
~M

Now I know how Shaniac feels

2009-03-16T09:09:00.004-05:00

Well, I know how he feels when it comes to writing, not about being successful in high buy in tournaments.

Been over a month between posts, so I am falling way behind on my 2009 goal of reaching x-amount of posts. In fact, I've forgotten what the number is.

Recapping some recent play, and there hasn't been too much.

2 Saturday's ago, had a nice little turnout, but never really got anything going, and finished out of the money. A good night spent with friends, though.

Last night, 10 handed table, and found myself dipping into the rebuy waters...twice. First time I got cracked when I had a nice read on my opponent. Hit top pair on a board of 7 high (I had Q-7 off), check the flop, turn brings a 2nd diamond. Opponent bets, I shove, he calls, and hits a 3rd diamond for a flush. Meh.

Rebuy.

Couple hands later, I have A-10 suited in clubs, call a pre-flop raise, and hit top pair on board (10 high flop), with flush draw. Raiser bets out, I push, he calls with QQ. I can't hit the draw, or the ace, and I'm felted again. Meh.

Rebuy.

The knockout hand for me came after the rebuy period ended, and this one hurt. I have 2100 in chips, look down at AQ in early position. Player to my right makes it 1600 to go, I'm all in, and late position player shoves over the top. Original raiser makes a very disciplined fold, mucking 88 face up. Re-re-raiser opens up 10-10. Classic race, right? Here's the flop:

A-A-x.

Nice.

Turn, brick.

River, 10 of spades.

It's not a bad beat, but a crappy way to lose. It's happened plenty of times to me, and millions of other players in the world. It just sucks to make the better hand, and get caught on a 2-outer. As they say, that's poker.

May try for something this Sunday--depends on how the week goes. If not, March league event coming up. Looking forward to shaking this dry spell, and bringing home a win. It would certainly ease my mind about the TOC.

Oh, March Madness is upon us, so I'll be sweating the tourney games for the next 3 weeks. Should be fun!

~M

Heard a good joke after making this post:

A psychiatrist is holding a group therapy session with 4 young mothers and their small kids
He says "all 4 of you are obsessive."
He says to the first mom, "Jenny, you love to eat, and your obsession manifests itself in your daughter's name, Candy."
He says to the 2nd woman, "Susan, your obsession is with wealth. Your daughter's name, Mercedes reflects that."
Turning to the 3rd woman, he says, "Pam, you are obsessed with alcohol, and you named your child Sherry--again, another manifestation of your obsesseion."
The 4th mother leans to her son and says. "C'mon Dick, we're getting the hell out of here."

Bullets on a Thurdsday

2009-02-05T10:22:00.002-05:00

Vegas 2009 Field Trip is in the planning stages. Dates yet to be firmed up, but it will involve a drive to Chicago, then fly to Vegas. Hoping for a 10 or so day break from work to cover driving, flying, rounding, flying, driving, etc.
Reconnected with my buddy Courtney Harrington. He's doing so well in the poker world, I am so happy for him. Working with the likes of Gavin Smith, Ali Nejad, and Joe Sebok. It's awesome. Hope to catch up with him face to face sometime soon. Would love to hear his stories.
Poker has been good, not great. Getting closer to the finish line, just not there. Final table bubble in January league tourney. Finished 7th (or 8th I forget) in a 2 tabler at the homestead--got stupid lucky, and should have been out long before then. Looking ahead to another one Saturday at Vols' place. Hope to fare a little better there and take home a win. Been too long since the last one.
2009 WSOP schedule is out (go to worldseriesofpoker.com to see it). No rebuy events, which is kind of odd, but then again, I can see the reason for it. Looks like the economy will keep me from playing in the WSOP in 2009 also. That's fine. I don't plan on not playing poker for the rest of my life. I'll be back there, hopefully 2010, but right now, the thing to do is pay attention to the home front. No doubt I miss it, but I won't be away long.

Hope all is well for you, and thanks for checking out the blog.

So much for my resolution

2009-01-16T11:26:00.003-05:00

...to post more in 2009. Well, it is still early, but if I can crack the 100 posts for the year number, I'll call it a success.

Poker-haven't played much of late. Work was too crazy, and with what I do, things just slowed down. Just think NFL and turnovers, and you'll know what I mean. Anyway, we settle into a steady groove for the next few months, and then we'll hit May, and all hell will break loose (per usual). Anyway--POKER--league tourney this weekend, so, I am stoked about that, but I am also stoked that my card cover has come home.

Travelling on business a few weeks ago, I left my card cover (read zippo lighter) in my hotel room. Was on the road home when I discovered my mistake, called the hotel and asked them to send it to me (rather than have the cleaning folks get a new lighter for themselves). 3 weeks later, it arrives. Still in one piece, still with the unique scratches on it. Whew. I love that lighter, and it works great as my card cover. I lost my special card cover--a Stanley Cup Finals coin from 2002, when Carolina played Detroit. Had the Finals logo on it, the teams, nice memento. I lost that in Vegas--not on a bet, but it fell out of my pocket. I imagined some guy, down on his luck finding it, thinking it was worth something (it was in one of those coin sleeves to keep it protected), taking it to a pawn shop, only to discover it wasn't much of anything. Poor guy.

The economy has Mrs. Chipstack and I wondering about our annual pilgrimage to Vegas. Of course, I want to go, but in the end, we'll do what we can afford. We're not felted, just playing a bit tighter. Hopefully, Pres. elect Obama will get things churning again, and soon. Then we can all breathe a little easier.

Hopefully, I'll report back with an event-winning blog next week.

99 more to go!

Happy New Year

2008-12-31T23:23:00.002-05:00

Just a quick hit to say Happy New Year to all the loyal readers of the blog.

All 6 of you.

ABC...

2008-12-11T10:19:00.006-05:00

A-Always
B-Be
C-Closing

All I see is Alec Baldwin in "Glengarry Glen Ross" berate the sales staff in the film with Pacino, Kevin Spacey, and Jack Lemmon.

(Not work safe, due to language)

I am not closing the deal the way I should, but I am getting chances to close. I guess that's a positive. Got 4th in our league tourney for December, then a 3rd in Irish Jim's year end game, and then a 2nd last night at Irish Jim's. 3 events, 3 cashes, but still, not the brass ring.

I'm seeing the ball pretty well, but just can't seem to dodge being unlucky at the end. For example:

League event: My last hand, I am down to my last 5K or so, 4-handed with KJ off in the BB, raises, I shove, he's priced in, and calls with 9-6 off. He made a move, got picked off, but hit 2 pair on the flop. I made top pair, but didn't improve.

Irish Jim's part 1: 3-handed, limped pot with me in BB with 8-6. I check.
Flop: K-8-6 rainbow.

SB checks, I shove (5K or so), Irish Jim calls. Open the hands, he has KQ, I have 2 pair. Fade the turn, river is a Q. Busted.

Irish Jim's part 2: Heads up. I have 77 in BB, SB raises 3K on top of the 2400. I shove, he calls. He has QJ suited. Flop misses us both, turn another brick. Q on the river.

So, I am finding myself in good shape, and getting unlucky. I need to also point out that I have gotten help when needed too, and that's a part of why I have made the nice runs of late. I've hit cards when trailing (although I haven't trailed much), plus I have gotten nice value out of big hands as well, like making quad 9's and getting doubled up. This was sick.

9 handed at Irish Jim's year end game. Starting stacks of 8K. I have 99 in level 2 (blinds 25-50). I raise it to 200 as there was 1 early limper. Player next to me pops it to 500. I flat call, all others drop out.

Flop: 4-7-9, rainbow.

I check, re-raiser bets out 400. I call

Turn: 9

Check, check

River: 10

I bet 1500, he raises to 3000. I shove, he ponders and calls. He had 10-10 in the hole. As I said, sick.

I was happy to get max value there, and felt I did a good job of disguising the hand. Still, that was early, and not late, when "closing" matters most.

Will have a hard time finding a game over the next few weeks, as work will be its usual state of chaos. Have to play it by ear, but it appears that I have sat at my last table for calendar 2008--too bad because I want to keep swinging at the pitches. Seeing the ball well always feels good.

If any thing comes up between now and the new year, I'll drop in, but if not, Happy Holidays to you and yours. Be safe, and may pocket aces fill your stockings!

~M

Hi there

2008-11-25T09:54:00.002-05:00

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...

2008-11-04T23:56:00.003-05:00

...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.

The "November 9"

2008-10-29T17:35:00.004-05:00

OK, I know the final 9 players for the WSOP Main Event have been known to the world since July. I was in Las Vegas when they played down to this final 9. I haven't wanted to know who they are, which is rare for me, since I have known the winner of previous ME's based on staying up late, watching online coverage, and all that. This year, I chose not to find out who the final 9 were, knowing the final table will be played November 9th, and aired on Nov. 11th.

I finally broke down (today), and peeked, having an idea of who would be there, based on watching Tuesday's shows, and seeing most of them. I missed the final 15 minutes of the last show, and honestly didn't pay close attention to the 2nd hour, due to my job. There was one thing that made me very glad.

Seeing Tiffany Michelle go broke.

Now, before you get out your "he hates chick players," schtick, let me stop you in your tracks. I don't hate female players. Not in the least. Her run was one of good timing, in knowing when to push, knowing when to get out of hands, and all that. She made a lot of good decisions. Her worst decision came when she called for the clock when a player was making a decision for most of his chips. She was within her right, completely. I am within my right to pick my nose at the table. I choose not to, simply because it's not the right thing to do.

Calling the clock is something that I have never done (and meant it). I have called "clock" when a player is coming back from the restroom, and is within view, knowing full well the player has ample time to make it back, get seated and make a decision. I have never called for the clock when someone is making a decision for all, or most of their stack. The woman did that. The player ultimately made the call, had the lead, and got outdrawn on the end when the Ace of diamonds fell, pairing his opponent to a better hand.

Is she attractive? Yes, she's pretty. Is she a great player? I doubt that, based on the fact we never heard of her accomplishments at the table, until her run in the ME this year. What I find funny is her personal vignettes produced by ESPN. She was trying to portray herself as a serious player, with a lot of experience at the table. Truth is, she was a reporter for the WSOP website last year. She got involved in the poker scene that way, played some, learned some, and now feels she is an accomplished pro. I think the number of hands she's played compared to the number I have played is probably very close. I have no illusions about my ability. I'm average, at best. If I should be lucky enough to have a deep run, or a chance to win a WSOP bracelet (pipe dream, I know), I would hope I have the brains to keep things in their proper perspective.

If I don't, I would then hope that some poker blogger out there has the brains to call me out.

The only comparison I want between me and Tiffany would be a run, and payday from the Main Event. All other comparisons I will gladly sidestep.

Good luck and good cards,
~M

How to fade a beat...

2008-10-25T10:05:00.004-05:00

...let me count the ways.

Sat in at Irish Jim's game on Wednesday, and had a nice night. I played very well (I thought), making plenty of good decisions, and reads. I tried a steal from early position, and got re-raised by a shorter stack (Irish Jim himself). My raise priced me into the pot (which I shouldn't have been in the hand in the first place-I gotta get better with that recognition), so I made the call. turned out I actually had the lead when my J-8 of spades was up against 8-9 of hearts. The J8 held up, and I dragged a nice pot, but in retrospect, that was an error.

I got it all in for my tournament life 4 handed with A-J suited (spades). Here's the action. I'm SB, UTG folds, button (chip leader) limps, I shove (about 3K more), BB folds and the chip leader goes into the tank. Deep. Thinks and thinks, and says "I don't like this card," and exposes a 2 of diamonds. I must have done something to indicate I was weak, because he made the call, and rolled over K-2 suited in diamonds. Of course, he catches the 2, and busts me.

Now, I don't care how you try and justify it, that's a loose call. No, I'm not bitter about it-he called, hit the hand, done. Still, I don't care how much of your stack is at risk. 10%, 20%, whatever. That's just a bad play. I would have loved seeing Q-10, K-J, K-9, any 2 card combination that at least had some stretch to it. Suited in that spot counts for very little. It just doesn't make sense to me that a call seems like the right play. Regardless, it worked out there for him.

Maybe it's just me, but it seems that when I go bust lately, people are calling off a lot of chips with weaker hands to beat me. That does not apply to my last league tourney, as I shoved (on the morphine drip) with 10-6 suited UTG. It's a frustrating feeling, this poker, getting your chips in with the best hand, only to see it go down in flames when the inferior hands connects.

No hard feelings, just confusion on why that call looked appealing. Still trying to wrap my head around it, and I don't know that I will any time soon. No poker for me this week (more than likely), a trip out of town next weekend for CANUSA, and then maybe back to Irish Jim's the following week. Next league tourney is a few weeks away, and I feel good about the way I am playing. I just need some of the breaks to fall my way. they will come...I just wish they would hurry up and get here.

I play so bad...

2008-10-19T22:16:00.004-05:00

...and I know it. Just horrible.

Well, maybe I'm over-reacting.

No, actually I'm not.

Finished 10th in the October league event, seeing a minute number of pocket pairs (KK was tops, down to 88, 77, 66 (twice), and 22). Had a couple dreamy flops that led to big pots, but in the end, I got too cute when I needed to be big and ugly (2 very relevant terms for me). I didn't deserve a better finish than 10th because I didn't play well enough.

I want to state, for the record, that I was not angry at any of my competitors during the tourney. I was, however, angry with myself for the plays I made. Apologies if anyone was offended or upset with me. Not the intent at all.

The blog has been on the back of my mind of late, and I apologize for that. Work has had me at full speed (which isn't fast for me), but it may slow down a bit over the next 10 weeks or so. That's my hope anyway. Been a lot of weekend work, but for as busy as I have been from about Aug. 1 to now, it should be about the exact opposite going from here. I hope to return to a normal blog posting pattern at that time.

For now, I will continue to hunt the occasional live game opportunity, and try and improve this thing I call a game. I still love me some pok-ah, I just haven't found enough hours in the day, or days in the week to play as often as I would like.

Oh, and I'm getting old. 39 is no longer right around the corner. I've turned the corner, and simply have to pass the line. That comes in 2 weeks. Ugh.

Good luck, and good cards,

When C-SPAN and CNN...

2008-09-30T14:15:00.004-05:00

...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.

Back in the day

2008-09-26T09:19:00.002-05:00

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,

Feels like forever

2008-09-08T09:47:00.002-05:00

...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,

Been a bit....

2008-08-27T10:11:00.003-05:00

Haven't sat in a game in a week, but last Wednesday night was fun. I finished 2nd, but my seat couldn't have been worse for me. To my right, the man known as Klownboxer. I've written about him in the past--he mixes up his game so much, I think he gets lost. Makes him very tough to play against. To my left, Big Vito. One of the best players I know. I managed to get 2nd place, thanks to BV going on ultra-tilt (not steaming tilt, but enough of a roller coaster that had even him laughing), plus catching a few big hands at key moments. Can't say I played spectacular poker by any stretch, I just kinda waited things out.

Anyway, we still have a little time before our next big event, so that in mind, I may try to pull together a game this Sunday. If I do, we may decide on a mixed game thing--H.O.R.S.E. or maybe even S.H.O.E. I have to get a good blind structure for those if we go that route. Otherwise, it will be your straight hold 'em game.

All depends on how many players I can drum up, and their preferences.

Hope you guys like the new configuration for the blog. This being an election year, I wanted to place the PPA banner in a place of prominence, to remind everyone that poker is a game of skill, not a lotto ticket. Poker is NOT the "bad thing" that breaks down the moral fiber of our country. We, as voters, need to remember these things as we head to the polls this November. I'm not telling you who to vote for, just telling you to vote. I have an idea of how I will cast my ballot, but I reserve the right to keep that private.

Hope all of you have a great week, and weekend, and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Workin' the Laundromat

2008-08-18T11:31:00.004-05:00

My favorite line of late at the table has been "I feel like I work the laundromat, with as much folding as I'm doing."

That got a chuckle from my bud NY Mike on Saturday, and it was true. I maybe saw 18% of the flops available to me, releasing hands ranging from A-9 on the low end to 77 on the high end. Never saw an AK, and had AQ once--more on that in a minute.

Didn't really have tremendous starting hands (had some, but not a ton), made some nice plays at some pots with less than the nuts, your basic rollercoaster of emotions night. Did manage to have KK against a player's all in, when they had 88 (still waiting for my bounty, Daxamillion). Doubled up on AA, and then survived another all in when my A-9 (short stacked) out ran A-J.

Make it to 4-handed play, blinds are 600-1200, 200 ante. I am the short stack (with 6000 total), in the SB, I pick up As-Qc. UTG folds, button limps, I shove, BB folds. Button thinks about it, and then says, "I am suited."

I instantly think he has K-x or even A-x. He cuts out the 4800 more to call, and drops it in. He then opens up 4c-3c.

Suffice to say, he hit a 4, and busted me.

I am still trying to see the logic in that call. The only saving grace to his call, was he was the chip leader. Still, do you risk doubling up another play with 4-high in a 4 handed game? I don't know. I don't think I could make that kind of a call there.

I was so perturbed by it, that when I woke up Sunday, I took a deck of cards, pulled out the As-Qc and the 4c-3c, set them aside, shuffled the stub, removed the top 4 cards (4 random unseen cards representing the hands that were folded by the BB and UTG players), and ran out flops. I did this 20 times. It ended up that AQ won 11 of the 20 hands. According to Cardplayer.com's calculator, I am a 60%-38% favorite, pre-flop.

These thing happen, I am getting better at fading the beats (it's not lasting as long anymore, anyway). I feel quite good about my play on Saturday night--it was a nice feeling after a rough week of play in Vegas.

Hope to get out Wednesday and sit again, and perhaps this coming Sunday as well. Have to see if Mrs. Chipstack is up for it.

Miss me?

2008-08-15T23:51:00.002-05:00

More after Saturday's festivities.

I wish I had more, but I don't. Haven't been playing as much--work has been hectic. Will get back tot eh table on Wednesday of next week--gonna burn a day (provided the bossman ok's it), as I have to work next Saturday night.

For the loyal followers of the blog, I'll tell ya a funny story of who has spied this blog recently.

The key word is "spied."

~M

Back at the table

2008-08-07T10:10:00.003-05:00

Irish Jim being out of town for 3 weeks has me taking on the home game in his absence (although Mrs. Chipstack volunteered it before me--how cool). So, a 6 handed game broke out at the homestead, and I was playing fairly well, considering I haven't sat in a game in a while. Nothing out of line, seeing cheap flops with connectors, 1 or 2 gappers, small pairs, and so on. Had KK once, along with 55, and 22, and only saw 2 bully aces (an AK and suited AJ). My hands were holding up, too, so it was enjoyable.

Until....(lol).

Blinds are 100-200 with a 25 ante, I have 4250 (roughly), and in the SB I have 10d-4d, no raises to me, so I simply complete. The BB had a shorter stack than me, so it was all-in or check, I assumed it would be a check, and it was.

Flop:

7d-2d-X

Nice flop for my hand, picking up the flush draw. I check, BB checks, button checks (we are still 6 handed at this point).

Turn:

Bingo. I hit my flush, and I am fairly sure the ace hit one of my 2 opponents. I decide to slow play this for a couple reasons. I want to build the pot now, and the ace was a perfect card to get someone to make a move at the pot, thinking they have the best hand. I check, SB checks, button shoves for 3900.

I call, roll over the flush, he tables A-7 off, for 2 pair. I'm in the lead, he has 4 outs to win.

River:

Ack.

I'm down to 250 after the hand, and go broke a couple hands later.

Now, while this is a bad way to lose (notice not a bad beat, because I was behind pre-flop, and after the flop, took the lead on the turn, and then lost on the river--I trailed for only a fleeting moment), I really wasn't mad about losing the hand. I executed the hand as well as I could have (and I am open to your thoughts on this too). I made the button believe he had the lead when his ace fell, even though he was trailing big time.

Turns out I was a 90% favorite (see odds calculator above), to win the hand, with him have 4 wins in the deck. That's how it goes sometimes--poker is a beautiful and cruel game all at once. These things happen. Again, though, I was pleased with the way I told the story in the hand to make my opponent feel he had the lead, and I was able to get him to go all-in without the lead.

In the end, it's about correct decisions. I made a lot of them there. I'm happy.

Friday Funnies

2008-08-01T09:47:00.002-05:00

Taking the night off of work to check out Lewis Black. Oughta be a riot.

Click this link for a sample--I'm having embed issues with youtube.

No poker this weekend for me, and safe travels to Irish Jim. 3 weeks away--we'll miss ya buddy!

~M

Time for a harsh evaluation

2008-07-28T10:24:00.003-05:00

1. I suck.

2. I still suck.

How harsh is that? I am so off my game right now, it's pathetic. Maybe I just need that break from the game, which is likely what I am going to take. A couple weeks off, no poker, just chill a bit, and get back to being the kind of player I know I am, and should be.

Thinking back on Saturday's league event, I can see signs of fatigue setting in. First, I had to work Saturday morning, which was an early one. I showed up barely on time (if not a little late) for the start of the event, I simply wasn't mentally prepared to play.

Add to that, the recent Vegas trip where the cards were as cold as the air conditioning--I'm a bit gun shy right now.

So, that being said, I'm taking a break from the game for a little bit. I may post on the blog here--but if you don't like non-poker materials, consider this a vacation of sorts. I'll be back with poker stories in the near future, but for now, I just need to get away from the game.

Trust me, this is not permanent.

Good luck and good cards,
~M

A shout out to the Fitz

2008-07-22T11:38:00.005-05:00

In spite of having a rough week at the table, the staff at the Fitz (Fitzgerald's) was world class, as always. The dealers were all fun, patient, and very easy to get a long with, even when big hands were getting cracked. I didn't get pictures of Gail, Matt, Jennifer, Tina and others (I forget many names with the wonderful cocktail service I received), but I did manage to snap off these 2.

The top is Alan and Suzy (or Suzy Q. depending on how much you've had to drink). The bottom pic from left to right: Kevin, Grant and Lenn. If you are in Vegas, and head to Fremont Street, go upstairs at the Fitz, and get into their tourney or their cash games. These are good dealers who know the value of a good time. Bigger than that, they are great people to hang out with, whether you are playing or not. See you guys next year, if not sooner!!!!

Kevin shouldn't try and look so tough. I nearly killed him when, in 1 orbit of blinds, he exposed a card that was coming to me. Twice. In BOTH cases, I would have had pocket pairs, (99 and QQ). He knows I'm playing. Much love, brotha!

~M

Fun trip, bad pokah

2008-07-22T11:00:00.005-05:00

In the movie Tin Cup, the night before the first round of the US Open, Roy McAvoy (Kevin Costner's character), gets drunk, nearly misses his tee time the next day, and on the first tee, he goes against his nature, by hitting an iron off the tee, rather than a driver. He says, "No driver. Iron. Be humble."

He posts a big number on the board, and his caddie (Cheech Marin), says, "you're humble NOW, Holmes."

That would be me, after Vegas. I went to Vegas with high hopes and higher expectations. Mistakes #1 and #2.

Had a monster trip in 2007 and Vegas evened the score with me in 2008. I still had fun, but the cards were not kind--everything from running ice cold, and folding more than a laundromat, to having big hands cracked. I think the whole week I was there, I made exactly 4 draws (when the price was right to seek them out), and I saw A LOT of hands. No bad beat stories, no miraculous river re-draws. Just a week of "meh" poker. I was glad for our boys that were grinding out the cash games. One broke even after a horrible start, while another flopped a Royal at the Golden Nugget (that was a nice $600 bonus), and ended up over 1K to the good for his trip.

Again, I had a blast, and my trip was not without highlights. First:

Sunday (when we got to town), Mrs. Chipstack and I sat in a tourney at Fitzgerald's (I love that place). I busted early, setting the theme for my week, while she came home in 2nd! Another confirmation of her ability to play the game. She played beautifully, and I was having a hard time sweating her--I see what she means when she says she gets nervous watching me (obviously fearing the next moment of combustion when I start throwing chips around). The guy seated next to her is a retired computer dude (read--he got out of computers when the time was right, and profited nicely), who is turning his attention to poker full time. Nice fella, and I sat with him quite a bit. Heck of a player, too. Didn't get out of line, moved his chips well, overall, a treat to play with. Oh, and he alerted me that ESPN has the rights to his image, since he played in the WSOP, but considering this blog is not for profit (notice the vast amounts of space where ad revenue could go), I'm not violating any laws. I'll remove it if the "worldwide leader" gets edgy.

Tuesday, the group heads over the Planet Hollywood (another poker room I adore), for the Ladies Tournament. There was some confusion, and we found out the Ladies event began at 9, not 7. At 7 was the normal "open" event. I decide to jump into that, play some good hands, get it all in behind, and lose (again), but I had the true honor of sitting with Hal Lubarsky.

That name won't mean anything to you, unless you are a WSOP broadcast junkie like me. Hal is the legally blind player, that has a card reader (another person) sitting next to him when he plays hold 'em. I got mixed up in one pot with him, where he raised it from mid position with 7-7, I call from the BB with K-J suited in spades, flop a straight draw, and a turn a flush draw, whiff on the end. He only bet the flop, which I called (thinking I could connect, lol). We both checked the turn and the river, he won, and scooped. The guy working as his reader was church-mouse quiet. Nice guy, too, when he did speak. The players at my end of the table were asking me about Hal, and I told them all I could, even asking Hal across the table about his 2007 Main Event finish.

Me: Hal, top 200 in Main Event last year?

Hal: Yes, 172.

That was the extent of our table chatter, other than me saying "nice hand" when his 77 was tall. Hal went on to money in that event (don't know where he finished), but he then sat in a cash game. I walked over to him, and shook his hand, and said it was amazing to watch him play (think about the lack of information he has to deal with). He said "who is this?" I told him we sat together in the tournament, and he says "oh yeah, you were in seat 2, the guy from Chicago." Correct on both counts. I told ya, he was amazing.

After I busted out, I watched Mrs. Chipstack reach for the Advil on more than one occasion--it was mind-numbing how horrendous the play was. Not by my wife, but by the other women in the tournament. The Mrs. raised it from early position on one occasion with KK, and got 2 callers. Flop comes off 9 high, all rags, she bets the flop, 1 fold, 1 call. Turn another brick, she bets, caller calls. River 4, it goes check check, they showdown, and the caller had 9-4, making 2 pair on the river.

HUH?????

As we made our way back to the car, the Mrs. delivered the line of the night: "I know for sure now, that I'm not a shitty player."

At last, my message sinks in.

As for the remainder of the trip, the highlight may have been Thursday night, into Friday morning. After a night of poker, keno, and other forms of Vegas entertainment, Swanee, Volsfan, the Mrs. and I head to breakfast at Four Queens. The drink gal comes over, we order 4 sodas (or as Swanee calls them ,"pops"). The drinks are delivered, our server comes by to take the order. 3 get breakfast, and Swanee orders the open-face turkey sandwich (which looked amazing by the way). Upon delivery of the food, Swanee asks the server for some shredded cheese, for her mashed potatoes.

10 minutes of eating and talking elapse, no cheese.

Another 10 minutes, still no cheese.

Drink gal comes by, and I flag her down, and quite politely ask her if she could scare up some cheese for Swanee. She says, "I'll be right back" or something to that effect.

Next person to the table, is the shift manager, who asks, "is there a problem here?" I say, no, we just wanted some shredded cheese (which incidentally, FINALLY arrived as the manager was chatting with us).

Manager walks away, and Mrs. Chipstack is laughing so hard, she is crying. It leads to all of us laughing and asking, "what is so funny?"

Through her tears, Mrs. Chipstack says that the drink gal, likely only understands a handful of words, "Pepsi. Coffee. Water." While this is normally NOT the funniest thing ever, given the amount of liquor that was consumed that evening, it may have been the funniest thing said by any human being over an early morning breakfast.

Yep, you just had to be there. I can't wait to go back. I also brought back some goodies for the chip collection, they are below.

League tourney on Saturday--a new approach, a new feel.

Humble.

It's time!!!!

2008-07-12T00:11:00.004-05:00

Worm: You know what always cheers me up?

Mike McDermott: No, what's that?

Worm: Rolled up aces over kings. Check-raising stupid tourists and taking huge pots off of them. Playing all-night high-limit Hold'em at the Taj, "where the sand turns to gold." Stacks and towers of checks I can't even see over.

Mike McDermott: Fuck it, let's go.

Worm: Don't tease me.

Mike McDermott: Let's play some cards.

Worm: Yes!

Blog at you (if I sit at a computer) from Vegas, if not--when I return. IF I come back!!!!

Good luck & Good Cards!
~M

I can FEEL IT!!!!

2008-07-10T10:15:00.003-05:00

The countdown is on! 3 days, and I'll be sitting in Vegas. I am so antsy, I have been running out hands on my table this morning, thinking of situations to make plays, re-reading poker books.

OK, that's not true. I've been typing this morning, but I am stoked about the trip. Mrs. Chipstack and I need the time away, as well as the time together. I gave her a shoulder rub last night, and now I'm exhausted. She's in such need of this trip--it will be fun to see her exhale.

Anyway, played Sunday in a 5-handed game. Good time, fair cards, great company. Now it's time to focus on tournament mode, getting my reads right, and just having fun. Win or lose, this will be a fun trip.

I don't know if I will have any more to post (other than countdown pictures), but I will do what I can to snap some photos in Vegas this year (as last year the camera never left the room).

Good luck and good cards!
~M

Day 1 of the Main Event

2008-07-07T10:20:00.002-05:00

is over. All four of the Day 1's, in fact.

I gotta tell ya, the 10K tourney has long been considered the grand-daddy of them all, but with back-to-back hacks winning the thing (Jamie Gold and Jerry Yang), that title has lost all of its luster. Chris Moneymaker winning it brought on the explosion. Greg Raymer's win, followed by Joe Hachem's were nice because these were (and are) 2 classy guys that were wonderful ambassadors for the game.

Gold wins it in 2006, largest prize pool in the tourney history, and then he has the ugly litigation hang over him and the bracelet. Plus, his numerous rules violations--not cheating, but violations--were just too much for me.

Yang gets to me with all the praying at the table. Look, God doesn't have the time to make sure your pocket aces hold up. He's got other issues to deal with, so leave the Bible away from the felt. He wasn't a likable character, in spite of his on-camera statement of how he wanted to give a portion of his winnings to charity. I am sure he's made good on that promise, but still, he's not my brand of vodka.

I so desperately want a recognized professional to win this title, and hopefully restore the juice that poker seems to lack these days. I don't lack that fire--I love play pokah...pokah's nice. The buzz is wearing off the game--those that called poker a fad may have been right. Granted, the number of people playing poker now is likely higher than it was before 2003, but the number is also likely to be down from what it was in 2005.

I lay some of the blame on the UIGEA--that bastard of a rider that got attached to the Safe Ports Act a couple years ago, effectively shutting the US players out of online poker (although ways have been discovered to get around this stupid law). Fewer people able to play on their computers, means they are doing other things--Halo 3, Wii Fit, you name it. I'm still slashing it out online, but not for money. Talk about pain.

Anyway, I hope that the Main Event champ is someone that is nearly a household name--a guy/gal that when someone not closely connected to poker hears that name, they say..."why do I know that name?" If poker gets that kind of champ (or even a more recognized player), there will be hope to keep the game rolling forward, continuing to foster interest in it, and bring new players in.

Heaven help us if Yang is a repeat champ.

T-minus 6 days and counting for my arrival into Las Vegas. Head out of town Saturday, hit Vegas Sunday. I can not wait. What does that mean, by the way? "I can't wait", but you HAVE TO wait, since the travel comes in 6 days. I digress. The trip will be awesome, and I am looking forward to getting out there. Good group of folks from the league, plus spouses (Mrs. Chipstack is gonna play too!). Oh, and I hear they have alcohol out there, as well.

Managed a 5-handed game Sunday night, and finished 2nd in game 1, 3rd in game 2--it went quickly with just 5 players. I was informed of a tell that I have when short-stacked, something I will have to work on for the upcoming July league event--hopefully, I won't have to go all-in, but if I do, I'll be mindful of how I do it. Like how I am dodging what the tell is? Hee-hee....hopefully, that info will be kept between me, and the informers.

A good time was had by all, and now it's for me to focus on Vegas. I had a sick week (as in good) last year. Another one of those would certainly do wonders for my confidence, after a 13th place finish in the June league tourney.

Good luck & good cards,
~M

The countdown is on....

2008-07-02T09:40:00.011-05:00

and other things..

1--June league tourney. Event 1 of season 4, and I come home 13th. I thought I played ok, made a couple of fairly decent reads (once with an 8h in the hole, and 4 hearts on board, and another where my paired 2 was good enough with 2 kings on board), but I stepped into a bear trap, courtesy of one of the new league members, and I deserved it.

Blinds 150-300, 25 ante, I'm in BB with KJoff. No raises to me, so I check to take the cheap flop. I am sitting a=on about 2600 or so when the hand began (before posting my blinds and ante). Flop comes 5s-Kd-6c. Good flop for my hand, so I decide to try and trap. I check and it checks around to the button who bets 600. I'm thinking he is trying to pick it up, or even semi-bluff with A-6, or A-5, or nothing. He limped pre-flop, so my read is weak, I have the lead, time to go.

All in.

Snap call.

Oops.

He rolls over 5-5 for a flopped set, and I am drawing to kings and jacks, none of which appear, and I am done.

It didn't dawn on me until Monday, that if I shove pre-flop, I might have taken the pot, and lived on. The 55 might have called (I never asked him afterwards), but would he want to risk doubling me up (he had a big lead at our table) on 5-5? I misplayed that hand, by not getting it in preflop. If I get called, I get called, but with 2 live overcards, I am sitting right at a 50-50 for my tournament life. Misplays suck, especially when you realize how badly you played a hand. Ugh.

Poker is on hold, although I may scare a game up Sunday--the holiday weekend may have some folks out of town, and therefore, harder to round up the troops, but that's ok. Las Vegas beckons in less than 2 weeks.

It will be 7 days on Fremont Street with Mrs. Chipstack. Playing poker at The Fitz, Binion's, Golden Nugget, Planet Hollywood, Venetian, Santa Fe Station. Obviously, I can not wait.

Hopefully, I'll also get a peek at the WSOP main event--they will be down to 9 tables going to 1 while I am there, so hopefully there are a few name pros still battling for the World Championship. We'll see. I also have to run by Trump's new place and pick up a dollar toke for my nephew.

Lots to do, and the time is drawing near.

Good luck and good cards,

A new slate

2008-06-25T10:03:00.002-05:00

2007-2008 League season would rate as a success. 2 wins, plus a 2nd place finish in the Tournament of Champions. Not bad.

Guess what?

That officially means nothing. Season 4 begins this weekend, and I am looking forward to getting back to the table. I did manage an 8-handed game at the house last Sunday, which was nice. Good to get back to the table, see some cards, flops, check-raises, you name it. Won't go into hand details here, frankly because I don't remember all of them. I do remember out flopped a limped A-K offsuit with 87 suited, and flopping the nut straight against an all in player. Other than that, it's fairly hazy. That's fine, too, because I want to be fresh for this weekend's season opener.

So much has happened in this month, that I am ready for vacation. Work has been crazy, my father passed away, it's been a whirlwind. Las Vegas is fast approaching, and while it will be strange to go there, and not be able to see my Dad, it's part of the moving on process. At least, that's what I'm telling myself.

Had a dream last night, and for the first time since he passed, my Dad appeared in a dream. Not only appeared, by spoke to me. Giving me advice. Weird, as he wasn't an advice giver. He gave orders, lol. He looked good, laying on a couch (some random couch), and watching tv. He looked younger, and relaxed. I remember in my dream, I was startled to see him alive, and I said something like, "what are you doing here?" He smiled back, and said "watching the ballgame, what do you think I'm doing?" Even in death, my Dad makes me laugh.

Anyway, the countdown to Las Vegas 2008 is in high gear, which means I have that time to do a couple things:
1-win the league opener.
2-play and win some more Sunday games at the house
3-pack
4-leave for the trip.

My attitude is right, I feel like I am on stroke, and I am eager. All good signs.

Oh, thought of a drill that helps me in terms of staying sharp mentally. This likely won't help you read other players hands or anything like that, but it helps me focus on what cards I need to win hands, and the likelihood that I am still alive or dead in a hand.

Take your deck of 52 standard cards, and scramble them on a table. Select 2 cards (basically a hold 'em hand) and place them to the side, so you know those 2 cards are the final hand. After that, draw 2 cards, peek at them, read them, and then muck them in a discard pile. After you go through 25 hands, you should have 2 unseen cards (the ones you pulled out at the beginning of the exercise). If you have been paying attention to what you have been looking at for the first 25 hands, you should know what 2 cards you yanked at the beginning. If you're really good, you'll know the suits, too. It's similar to the drill Chris "Jesus" Ferguson did in front of Norman Chad on a WSOP "The Nuts" segment a few years ago, but he looked at 1 card at a time. I don't know which way is easier, or harder, but I know I have been able to accomplish the feat (with suits) only twice.

Try it! It's not as easy as it may seem. You'll see what I am talking about!

Good luck and good cards,
~M

Busy weekend ahead

2008-06-20T09:18:00.002-05:00

CANADA-USA Part 2--Summer CANUSA Tournament on Saturday, then....
Some cards on Sunday. Blog at you next week about both.

Another heartfelt thanks to everyone who has shared their sympathies and condolences over the past week. It has really meant a lot to me.

Where to begin...

2008-06-13T22:25:00.002-05:00

First of all, thanks so much for all the kind words, e-mails, cards, and such. I am blown away by the amount of people in my life that truly care. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all very very much.

The service was this past Sunday in Las Vegas. Nothing over the top, very simple, the way Dad would have wanted, I think. He may have lived IN Vegas but he didn't LIVE Vegas, ya know? The service was very nice, I delivered the eulogy, which at times was rough. I did manage to get through it, and at the end, I knuckled the lectern, and looked at a collage of photos of Dad, and said, "nice hand, sir." Corny, I know, but I know he would be chuckling a little, so that was fine by me.

My sister and nephew were out there along with other family members. We did make a trip to the local casino to play some Pai Gow in Dad's honor. Dad was always friendly with the dealers, and he was friendly with them on this night as well. LOL. Still, we raised a glass (or 5) in his name while we played. It was a nice escape for a couple hours.

I'll have the weekend, before returning to work on Monday. That should be interesting. I have read the newspaper maybe 4 times, watched very little tv, but did manage to watch some of the US Open tonight, so I am slowly getting up to speed. I should be back to full speed come Monday.

I wish I had more to offer in this entry, but the muse just isn't there. I will start looking ahead now for my next trip to Vegas in July, but admittedly, it will be a little different this time around. It will be strange on Sunday (Father's Day), with no phone call to make. There will continually be moments like that, that will hit me like a cold splash of water. All I can do, is dry it off and keep pressing forward. I'll worry when the water stops hitting me.

Until the next entry, good luck and good cards....hopefully, I'll get back to rounding soon. I could use a good card game.

~M

2008-06-06T14:04:00.003-05:00

Mr. Chipstack, Sr. (1933-2008)

All my life, I have known my idols. Most of them were athletes. A baseball player, hockey player, football player, you name it, I had a favorite.

None of them taught me anything about life. None of them taught me anything about how to be a better person.

All of my childhood idols fell a distant 2nd to the man who did everything for me, from put a roof over my head, to hug me at my lowest points.

I lost my father on Thursday, June 5. His body had done all it could to keep him alive, but, alas, his heart would fail him. He died peacefully, in his bed, asleep. He had fought a number of health issues--diabetes, arthritis, congestive heart failure, and even viral cardiomyopathy. An impressive list, no doubt.

He battled every problem the way he battled everything. He battled the system, leaving behind his native Colombia, South America to come to the USA for the promise of a better life. He beat the odds, made it here along his brother and sisters. They all succeeded in finding the American Dream. My father met my mother, got her to learn Spanish to communicate better (but her Spanish is atrocious, lol), while he learned the English language. His broken English was tough for some to understand, but the message would usually hit home.

My father worked hard. He was an engineer for a major railroad company in my native home of Chicago. He learned to work on machines, and after retiring from the railroad game, he went into business for himself as a locksmith. Something about making small pieces fit together, make it into a bigger thing, and ultimately have that thing serve a purpose. Gadgets were his game, and man, he was the nuts. The locksmith business did quite well in Chicago, but suffered when my folks relocated to Las Vegas in the late 1990's.

Dad's health began to decline in Vegas, although he wasn't as bothered by the arthritis any longer. The dry conditions seemed to alleviate that issue. Maybe a part of him wanted to stay in Chicago, maybe a part of him missed it. I can't say for sure. His heart began giving him troubles in 2000. He underwent quadruple bypass surgery, came through that, and seemed to be on his way to a long and happy retirement. The Lord had other plans for him, however. Thursday was his day to visit the Man upstairs.

Don't get me wrong, by no means does his passing make me happy--it doesn't. It sucks bigtime. I love my father very much. He showed me how to hit a baseball, tie my shoes, ride a bike, change the oil in my car (although now that Mrs. Chipstack knows I can accomplish this, there likely won't be anymore Jiffy Lube trips in my future, lol), and so much more. He taught me about life. He taught me the value of helping someone that couldn't help themselves. He taught me compassion.

My father and I shared many wonderful times together. From going to baseball games in Chicago, to playing poker or Pai Gow poker in Vegas, to just sharing a bowl of cereal in the morning. Every minute with him was a joy. Those are moments I shall treasure forever.

I am lucky, that I was able to speak to him on Wednesday night. I called the house from work, in the hopes I could say hello. Mom had told me that he wasn't doing so well. She didn't come right out and say it, but I think she knew his time was winding down. Our conversation was brief.

Me-"Hey, Pops, how you doing?"
Dad-"Not too good."
Me-"Hang in there, Dad. I love you."
Dad-"I love you too."

That was it.

Frank Sinatra once said "you only live once, but if you lived like I have, once was enough."

I would have to say that my father also qualified for that statement. He had done enough in his life, from leaving behind his native land to become a naturalized US citizen, to raising my older brother and sister and I, to being a wonderful Grampa to my daughter and 2 boys, and to my brother's kids, to even working one round of golf in Las Vegas as my caddie. I fired a round of 77 by the way, which included me making 4 double bogeys in 18 holes. If you're a golfer, do the math.

Dad was my inspiration that day on the course, and every day of my life. He was my biggest idol, and I hope he knew I was his biggest fan.

Thanks, Dad. Nice hand, sir.

I love you.

~M

Writer's Note-The blog will be on hiatus for the next week or so, as I attend to family business. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers in this difficult time.

TOC Saturday, a look back

2008-06-02T07:23:00.003-05:00

TOC Saturday has come and gone, and I fell just short of my goal of a win. I took 2nd, which was good, but considering the day I had, it should have been first.

Before I go any further, let me congratulate Daxamillion for winning the title. He played some stout poker, and is a deserving champ. NH, sir.

Now, my day--it was a long one, as Volsfan and I drove together, and we left very early to get set up for the big day. I brought along swim trunks for use in Captain Morgan's pool, but alas, I never had the opportunity to take a dip. Good thing, as a swim may have tired me out big time.

Anyway, there were 11 players (if memory serves), that were eligible for the TOC Satellite event--winner of the sat gains entry to the "main event." 9 players took part, and there was no shortage of sickness in the sat tourney. The eventual winner, Noga, took out one player (VP) when he raised (with a big stack) from the small blind, only to have VP re-raise all in from the BB. Noga had no choice but to call (considering it was something like 325 more back to him), and exclaiming as he made the call, "you definitely got me," rolled over 3-2 suited in clubs.

VP wasn't loaded up, holding J-10 off, but when the flop came off A-3-6, with 1 club and 2 spades, he was hurting. the 2 of spades fell on the turn, and all VP could do was laugh, and then run his forehead into the wall a few times. I felt for him, big time, but that's poker. Noga took the title on a flopped full house, when he held K-8 to a K-K-8 flop, and he trapped UVAWahoo for the pass into the biggie.

After some food, and some announcements regarding next season, it was time to play some cards. 16 players in the TOC, winner taking home 4 figures. I don my Redwings old skool jersey, and I was off.

Early on, I was in need of medical attention, thanks to the deck crushing me. Seriously crushing me.

Limp with 3-3, flop the set, turn quads.

Raise with a J-9 suited to try and scoop the blinds, flop a set, turn quads.

This all taking place in the first level of 25-25.

I busted one player when I raised in early position with 8-6 off, just hoping to steal. I had been quiet without raising pots, folding a bunch of hands, and it felt like the time to try and sneak one past the table. Late position re-raises makes it 500 straight. I flat call, hoping to represent a big hand, (AK, AQ...something like that). Turns out I wouldn't need to represent anything, as the flop comes 8h-6h, 4x.

I check, raiser bets, I re-raise, opponent shoves, I call. He held JJ. I fade the turn and river, and drag a nice pot.

I never saw a pair larger than QQ, had A-K a couple of times, but I suffered a couple stack hits, that got my total under 8K (we started with 5K), when this hand came up.

Blinds were 200-400 with a 50 ante, early position raiser makes it 1600 total, I peek down at 10-10. I was abit steaming after losing some hands (starting with quality hands, but not connecting-making lay downs bugged me with so much in the middle). I re-raise all-in. Honestly, I didn't realize I was sitting on 7100 chips, and likely wouldn't have done that had I known. I would have re-popped, but not that much. Good thing for me (in retrospect), is that I got a call, and he showed 9-9. The 10's hold, I double, and am back in the ballgame.

I would later bust that player with a hand that I half went crazy, and half executed the play I wanted. From early position, early player goes all-in for his stack (3K maybe?). I look down at A-J off on the button, and I just felt that I held the better hand over the all-in. I wanted to isolate against him, so I shove all-in, with 2 players left to act. The SB folds quickly, but the BB, a very good player, is disgusted as he looks at his hand. He tanks, and thinks out loud how he can't fold, but ultimately does, mucking Q-Q face up.

Early all in had K-J, I hit an A on the river--which I didn't need, but had the QQ called, I would have busted 2 players.

Was it the right play? Well, at the time, it felt right. After thinking about it for a couple days, I guess I had gone a bit mad doing it. Here's the thing-I felt, at the time that was the play to make. If I flat call the all-in, the QQ looks down, and he likely shoves. After putting 3K into that pot, and then have someone come over the top, I am left in a pickle--I probably lay down the A-J there (if the QQ had the option of a re-raise), and I am left muttering to myself. It was a high risk, high reward play, if I get a better hand to laydown, which I did.

"Don't be afraid to go out on a limb, because that's where the fruit is." ~Doyle Brunson

Anyway, I made one mistake later, that I could kick myself for, and I won't go into it, because I won the hand anyway, but maybe, just maybe, if I play the hand a bit differently, I bust another player. I don't know.

Regardless, when the final table began, I held 20K in chips, which was a quarter of the chips in play. By the time we got to heads up, I was outchipped about 3.5-1. It was an uphill battle, and I gave it all I had. I just couldn't overcome hitting hands, with Dax hitting the same hand, with a better kicker. It happens, and I don't begrudge Dax for the win. He played very well, moved his chips around when the situation called for it, and was very deserving of the bracelet.

So Season 3 will go down as my best in the league, and now it's time to look ahead for Season 4. Got a month until the opener, and already, I am looking forward to sitting at that table.

Good luck and good cards!
~M

PS--sorry no pics in this post. In addition to forgetting my chips for the TOC, I also forgot the camera. too bad because our resident dance instructor came dressed as Satan. It was a scream!

May is over. Whew

2008-05-29T07:58:00.003-05:00

Deepest apologies to all 10 of you (yes the number has grown), that check in on this blog. I admit, my muse has escaped me for a bit, but that is due in part to the hell-month that is May for me work-wise. It's not unusual for me to go the whole month with 6-7 day stretches, while snaking a night off during the week for a card game at Irish Jim's. The hours pile up, the fatigue tries to creep in, but by the time I look up and try to tap out, the month ends.

Nice.

Another PGA Tour event, and 2 weekends of NASCAR behind me, I can now look ahead to a somewhat slower period (although there will be things that keep me hopping over the summer), and my vacation in July. Viva Las Vegas!

Let's see....where to begin....the race track.

I love me some racin'. Love it. The days are long at the track, but man, when those engines are at full song, and 43 beasts are charging down the track...unreal. I had the chance to see Yao Ming at the track (a very tall human indeed), NC Sen. Elizabeth Dole, Steve Lopez (a tae kwon do champion), and others during my time at the track. Very cool stuff, but I am there for the racing.

Snapped a few pictures which I have included at the end of this entry. Hope you enjoy.

As for poker-played at Irish Jim's a bunch this month (those extra hours allowing me to sneak away on a card night), and had some mixed results. Some good, some horrendous. Was trying to measure some leaks in my game, and I think I have spotted some, and corrected some things. Good thing, too, as TOC Saturday is just a couple days away. The TOC field is just sick. So many good players--nobody is there that shouldn't be there. I'm gonna have to play sharp to have a chance to win it.

Been tangling with the golf course of late as well, and it feels pretty good. I generally haven't played much golf in the past 6 years--I may have gotten out 10-15 times on average, but this year, I have the bug back, in a big way. I love playing golf (I played at a rather high level back in college and such), but work makes it tough to stay serious about the game. No time to practice, have to try to shoehorn a round in after the kids go to school, and before I start work. Tough to enjoy it when the clock is on you like that. Trust me, I am enjoying the game again.

OK--more poker in the blog going forward, and hopefully, I will have plenty of happy stories from the TOC.

And, uh, by the way, the 2008 World Series of Poker begins on May 30th.

"It's the most wonderful time of the yearrrrr..."

Pictures:Raceday traffic--I hate traffic.

Yao Ming alongside NASCAR driver Kyle Petty. Oh, and Kyle's not a short guy.

My buddy AB, and Mr. Excitement, Jimmy Spencer.

Our crew celebrating another great 2 weeks at the track.

One more week

2008-05-19T17:38:00.004-05:00

One more week of craziness, and then life will slow down a bit. May is always hectic, but so far, this May has been better than normal. Been able to get plenty accomplished, and manage to get in some poker at the same time. For those that don't know, the guy on the left is Irish Jim. He (at long last) was able to make my on-again, off-again Sunday night game, and he was rewarded for it. No, he didn't win the tourney, but he hit his first Royal Flush. As luck would have it, he would hit it against me.

Irish Jim was short stacked when he decided he would make his last stand with A-6 off suit from the small blind. I peek in on K-7 suited, and his all in is another 2K in chips. Calling there wouldn't hurt my stack (I was chip leader -I think- with the blinds at 300-600). I made the call hoping my cards (and suits) were live, which they were. Flop (which you can sorta see) was 9d-10h-Jh, so now I have the nice straight draw...any Q gets me there. Turn is the Kh, which gives me the lead, and Irish Jim a royal draw, a flush and straight draw (watching his outs grow was like watching a plant bloom in time lapse). I say "any heart or ace wins the hand for him," as Klownboxer (the dealer), peels off the river card. Queen of hearts. I then say, "or a Queen of hearts makes him a royal flush."

Jim was shocked. I laughed. Out came the camera. So now Jim and I are even on Royals. I hit mine at his game, he hits his at mine. Very cool. NH.

Now, I know making a call of an all-in with K-7 suited is a loose call. We were 4 handed at the time, one more bust out, and the bubble bursts, so I gambled. Have to do that sometimes, and I turned the lead, but got rivered. Meh. At least he got the hammer hand in the end. The reason I decided to call, was that calling wouldn't hurt my stack, and if I hit, great. I was fortunate enough to hit trip kings a few hands earlier, turn a full house, get all in after the turn, and more than double up, so I could afford to make that call later.

KK was the best hand I saw all night. Had QQ, JJ, 10-10, 99, 88....a good number of pocket pairs, but I connected on more than my share of flops, too. That doesn't hurt. I was able to pick up some pots when I flopped air, which was also nice.

In all, a good night, and with the win, that made it a great night. There were other hands that I was able to win that put me in position to take the top spot. A flopped wheel out of the big blind, for instance. It was actually quite funny.

I'm the BB, get 2 limpers to the button, SB completes, I check.

Flop:
A-4-2 rainbow
All check

Turn:
6c

Check to (then) chip leader, who bets 500. SB calls 500, I shove for 1375 more (I honestly forget the blind level at the time--I need to get better at that for this blog). The original bettor says--and I quote--"I think I have you beat. I think I have the best hand here. I call."

I say, "if you have 3-5 beat, you win," as I flip over the 3c-5s. he showed J-2 (suited?).

Drawing dead, he looks at me as confused as anything.

I love poker. Poker's nice.

~M

From an aisle seat...

2008-05-09T07:55:00.005-05:00

Sitting here watching "Naked Gun, From the Files of Police Squad" (the first one), I realized I forgot to write up a review on "Lucky You," the poker movie that is making the rounds on my cable box these days.

First off, "Naked Gun" is STILL funny after all these years, and the countless number of times I have seen it....but I digress.

Lucky You.

Many folks didn't really like it or appreciate some of the things in it. In fact, in this week's Poker After Dark, Howard Lederer and Jennifer Harman were discussing the movie, and the bit part Harman plays in it (she goes broke in 3rd place in a WSOP ME Super Sat event). Lederer saying the reviews were a bit negative for actor Eric Bana, who plays the main character Huck Cheever. I thought Bana was decent, but I didn't care for the way his character was written. It sorta took the "rogue gambler" persona like, way too far, in my opinion. To me, this character was more a mix between Mike Matusow and Gavin Smith. 2 guys that never met a prop bet they didn't like, and weren't afraid to take it. I hope that those outside the poker community that saw the film won't associate ALL poker players in that light. That wouldn't be fair.

I liked the movie, because there was a TON of poker in it--with varying games too. They showed the pseudo big game--the mixed game at the Bellagio where plenty of big names sit and play at ridiculous levels (ridiculous by my bank account anyway).

Loads of pros given screen credits (some even had lines, like Sam Farha). Pros I spotted--Negreanu, Jason Lester, Doyle Brunson (in the Main Event), Harman, Antonio Esfandiari, Minh Ly, Chau Giang, Cindy Violette, and more. Lester and Brunson (if I recall) were both given credit for being the poker consultants to the film, and it showed. By the way, that's John "World" Hennigan next to Robert Duvall at the Main Event in the movie.

The underlying conflict throughout the movie, is Huck's hatred for his father (played by Duvall) for past indiscretions. It all culminates in the Main Event tournament, which was run at Binion's (using the 2003 year as the backdrop for the poker--that of course, in reality, was the year Moneymaker won it, and jump started the poker boom). I won't go into more detail about the film for those that haven't seen it, but suffice to say I liked it, and will keep an eye out for it to watch again for other subtleties.

As for poker of my own, Wednesday was a good night, as I was able to take down the top spot at Irish Jim's game. Been a while since I had some success there, as I started out ablaze in my early appearances in his game. Nice to end the drought with a heads-up win over the homeowner himself. Had a night were I had a couple of tough beats (not bad ones, just tough), but made some of my draws, bluffed a few pots away from others, and had a basically good night while seeing just enough in the way of good hands to make the night interesting. I won't go into more detail on some of the hands, as the TOC is coming up in a few weeks, and spies abound (HAHA!!!!), but I will say that I felt good about HOW I played, and not about the results. That was a good feeling for me, as I haven't felt that way in a few months (after the March league event with my 5th place finish).

It feels good to be back.

~M

A mid-week how-do-ya-do

2008-05-07T10:06:00.005-05:00

Have today off. nice feeling, considering I went 9 straight over the past week. Back to the grind for 2 more on Thursday and Friday, but a nice breather will be enjoyed today.

Been slow getting moving, but after finishing this, the grass gets cut, the bushes (that were left undone by Mrs. Chipstack in my absence) will get trimmed, and then it's off to the gym for a bit of a sweat and maybe a swim. Have to be back home by 3 for the kidlets, so a short window of time remains for me. Yeah, I know I should have done it earlier, but hey, I took some time to chill out, after a week's worth of running.

I'll get a little reward tonight, as well, with Irish Jim shifting his game to tonight...I can actually attend. I am looking forward to playing some hold 'em, as it's been about 2 weeks since I last played. I was thinking about this the other day--I am coming up on 5 years of poker. Yeah, I'm a part of the Moneymaker boom, but still, has it really been 5 years? I mean there was Chris, then Raymer, then Hachem, then Gold, then Yang....yeah....5 WSOP's, with the 6th beginning at the end of this month.

In 5 years time, I have gone from a total novice to a semi-decent player, and I have a long way to go before I get to decent. I have played in 2 WSOP events, and can not wait to get back in. Hoping for 2009, but that is subject to change. I have learned so much about other games--games I didn't even know existed before I immersed myself in this beautiful game. Omaha, Razz, 2-7 triple draw. I was playing dealer's choice games on very random occasions (Follow the Queen, Chicago, 7-stud hi-lo split), but hold 'em became my game of choice after watching the WSOP.

Now, I can't get enough of it. My buddy Big Vito introduced me years ago to a fella that is now making the rounds as a professional player. He had a huge run (I believe) at Festa al Lago at the Bellagio. I haven't seen him in quite a while, and yes I am leaving his name out of this for my own reasons. I'll just call him C. I saw C playing in the main event last year (saw him at the table for just a few moments), and heard he went broke in a hand where his set was 2nd best to another set. I would love to pick his brain a bit, and find out just what he did, and had to do to get where he is today. I know he's a solid player, and that's where it begins, but he's a damn good guy, too, and that certainly doesn't hurt him.

Anyway, enough for now, time for landscaping, then working out, then POKAH BABY!!!

I love poker. Poker's nice.

What a week

2008-05-04T23:11:00.003-05:00

It isn't often I can walk away from a week where I peeked at exactly zero hole cards and say "what a week," but here I am.

Got to watch a young man win his first PGA Tour event this week, and I am blown away. A 22 year old kid held his nerves together like a steely-eyed warrior, and blistered one of the best fields in golf by 5 shots.

5 shots.

Incredible.

Anthony Kim is an effervescent young lad from Los Angeles, but plays golf without fear. No regrets. No second-guessing. He hits it, likes it or doesn't, walks to it, and hits it again. Never letting people see his true emotions (at least not while he was winning the tourney), until it's all over.

He punched the air after rolling in the winning putt, and you could hear the wind wince. It was beautiful. It was the stuff that I dreamt about once upon a time. Playing on the PGA Tour, rolling in a tournament clinching putt (usually for The Masters), and celebrating with the gallery. Luckily for me, I never chased that dream, thanks to my moment of clarity when I was younger (that moment when I knew I never would have the game to play at that level). Kim is a nice kid, and has a bright future ahead of him, and his win on Sunday is one I'll never forget.

OK, poker talk. I AM NOT WORKING WEDNESDAY!!! And that means, a seat at Irish Jim's (if he has one available). I am looking forward to peeking at some hole cards, and check-raising away some chips (and I have that person in mind if they show up). The time between games has been too long for my liking (as it always as at this time of year), but I will take full advantage of a well earned day off.

League TOC Saturday is on the horizon, and I can't wait. I want that bracelet (which I have to purchase for the league-oops), but I know I will have to earn it. An uber-strong field of 16 players will be seated in that event, so I know I'll have to be at my best. Hopefully Wednesday will be the first good tune-up for that.

More poker when I actually get to play some!

~M

**photo courtesy www.wachoviachampionship.com

Other than that, how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln?

2008-04-28T08:02:00.006-05:00

I have never thought to myself, "man, I'm glad that weekend is over," but welcome to my Monday. Here's what happened.

Starts out great. I get the chance to play golf at the tournament course for the upcoming Wachovia Championship. Mind you, the tourney begins Thursday, so playing it the Saturday before is fairly spectacular. It was a great day with the weather, good company on the course, and other than me playing like a mope, it was enjoyable.

After the golf, I get home, watch the NFL draft for a little while, watch to see where my teams make their picks (nice work by the home town team , by the way), and then it's time to go off to the minor league baseball game with the kids and Mrs. Chipstack.

All is well, until we get to the parking lot at the stadium, when the parking attendant tells us, "you're leaking gas badly."

Huh?

Well, turns out the fuel line in the back of our newly acquired van (and those who know me, know what the purpose of the van is), had come loose--and it was the 2nd such incident on vans made by this company. Well, the fuel doesn't get to the motor with no fuel line connection, so, what to do? We're stuck like Chuck.

Call the van company. No answer. Call our friend Volsfan. She drives to the stadium to pick us up. Call the van place again.

On a Saturday night, someone picks up the phone. Wow.

They tell us what we need to do, and that they are covering all repair work/towing expenses under their warranty. I tell Volsfan, and the family to go inside, I'll get a ticket, and meet them inside once the tow truck comes. All these conversations, mind you, are taking place before the game begins.

By the time the tow truck has come to the lot, rolled the van onto the hauler, locked the keys in the van (not joking), and then unlocked the van to get the keys out, and driven away, the game is in the top of the 7th inning.

And beer sales end at the bottom of the 7th.

Managed to slug down 2, before the game ended. Volsfan took us home (a deed for which I am eternally grateful), and Mrs. Chipstack and I had a cocktail before going to sleep.

Sunday, call the repair place to find out the status of the van--no word as of 10:20 a.m., but they will call me. After not hearing back from them, I decide to call them at 1:20. The voice on the other end says, "it's ready!" We go pick it up, and life, as we know it, returns to normal. That whole 3 hour time frame waiting for word was brutal. We are thinking the repairs are going to take longer than.....well, a long time. We're making contingency plans for the week ahead, yada yada yada....turns out, we didn't need them.

So yeah, that was my excitement. Did manage to get in a shorthanded card game on Sunday night, as we had 5 current league members, and a prospective member over to talk about the league, changes we can make (and there aren't many), and then played some hold 'em. I was elevator boy for much of the night (including a rebuy). Was shortstacked in the small blind (blinds 400-800, 100 ante), and pushed with AQ suited. No callers, I scoop. Then get QQ next hand--shove, get called, and double up. Manage to make 2 pair with KQ later, only to be beaten by a flush. 3 handed, in SB, I look down at the A of hearts. All in.

Call, says the BB. Volsfan has 88.

Night night.

Still, good ideas were shared, fun was had, and in the end, I was able to forget about a Saturday night that could have been a whole lot worse than it turned out to be.

Cards for me will be thin for a while. Hell month has begin. Golf all this week, then 2 weeks of NASCAR.

Oh, and July can't get here fast enough.

~M

Stopping short of a week....

2008-04-22T17:25:00.002-05:00

I'll drop an entry on ya.

Nothing nice to say about my play in the league event this past Saturday.

Fastest bust out EVER for me (and probably in league history). My KK runs into AQ suited. I raise pre-flop, get called. Q high flop, with 2 clubs. I bet, get re-raised, I call. Turn is the K of clubs. I shove, get called, see the bad news, and go broke.

Game over. No Player of the Year for me. Yeah, I was fairly sick for a few hours after that.

No, I don't wish to re-analyze the hand. I've thought about it a million times, and the only way I don't get busted there is if I check the flop, and try to control the pot that way. Still, even if I check-call there, the gin card hit both of us, which would have gotten all my chips into the middle. Bah.

Did play in the Pub Poker quarterly tourney, and as it turns out, a $10K seat in the WSOP Main Event went to the winner.

No, it wasn't me. Something with KK was bad for me, as I went broke with that hand in the Pub tourney too. All in for my last 2400, get called by A-J off, Ace hits the river. Game over. No WSOP seat for me.

I did manage to have some fun--it didn't suck. I love playing cards, dragging pots, table chatter, all of it. I just didn't get to do very much of those things this past weekend.

Next game for me? No clue. Irish Jim is playing tonight (bashtard!), and I was thinking about doing something this Sunday, but that isn't looking very promising at the moment. After this weekend? Not another clear date until May 31st.

Say it with me.....Powerball....Powerball....Powerball.....Powerball.....

Good luck and good cards,
~M

PS-Sorry for the lack of pics. Not feeling very photogenic lately.

Hello, friends...

2008-04-16T07:16:00.008-05:00

Long time, no blog, but hey, I don't get paid for this thing! Seriously, sorry to have been gone, but the vacation was...well...as you see the pic below... A BLAST! Corny, but true. The family enjoyed a wonderful time at Disney, taking in Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. We hit H-wood on Sunday, but rains forced us inside after a quick visit. That park wasn't all that great, so I don't feel like we missed much, but then again, when you don't see all of it, how do you know? I wasn't disappointed to not go back.

Of course, the Magic Kingdom is mother of all parks there, and we actually made 3 (or was it 4) separate trips to see it all. It was fun. Going between all the sub-parks (from Tomorrowland to Fantasyland to Frontierland) means it's going to be a long day, but rather than do the entire park in a day, we broke it up, and that was much better. Park during the day, hit the pool in the height of the heat, come back at night...props to Mrs. Chipstack for that idea--worked like a charm.

Animal Kingdom was a fairly cool park--although it was more zoo than park. Not much in the way of rides and coasters, but if you like animals, it was perfect to get an up close view of tigers, elephants, gorillas, or even a meerkat (seen above). We took a couple of rides through "safari-like" places, which was neat, and the other kinda cool part about Animal Kingdom is that the sub-parks are broken up into continents--there is the Asia park, Africa, etc, and all offer something unique based upon the part of the world they are from.Now, I did say Animal Kingdom was thin on rides, but it did have a doozy (as told to me by Mrs. Chipstack--I'm not a ride person). The Mount Everest coaster rolls through the above pic (although you can't see the track from this, in my opinion, very cool angle above). It was described as "steep climb up, then roll to a stop, roll backwards, get chased by a Yeti, and then drop." Sounds fun. Someone else can go ahead of me.

We saw fireworks, enjoyed parades, beat the heat with ice cream and dips in the pool, and most of all, tried our best to relax. Granted, 2 kids, one of them in a wheelchair, and a mother-in-law isn't exactly the recipe for relaxation at a theme park--or in this case 4 theme parks. Still, the smiling faces of the kids made it all worth the pain in my legs, the sunburn on my arms and ears, and the dent in the wallet.

Now, there are 2 more pics to share--it was my quest to get a really nice picture of the leader of the club....Mickey Mouse. I tried on several occasions for the perfect shot--in parades, or in shows, or anywhere that darn mouse was hanging around. I was watching one of the shows with our wheelchair-bound kiddo, and thought, "this is gonna be my best place--good sight line, good lighting, this is it." Grab the camera, set up, wait....wait....wait for the perfect moment...and SNAP IT!!!!

Damn mouse blinked! I did manage to get this one snapped off, and this ended up being the best Mickey pic I got.

All in all, a great time was had by all.

Of course, this is supposed to be a poker blog, but with no poker played, no poker to talk about. Poker After Dark continues to be in re-runs, the National Heads Up tourney began coverage on Sunday (nice), but most of all, the regular season finale for the league is this Saturday. For me to win the Player of the Year title, I have to finish no worse than 2nd, and the leader has to score 0 points. Even if it doesn't happen like I hope it will, I am pretty happy with my season overall. Couple bad mistakes hurt my chances to being the points leader coming into this one, but at least they were mistakes, and not bad beats. Sure, mistakes can get me down, but at least they are fixable, once identified. Bad beats just hurt more.

Anyway, good luck, and good cards!
~M

I'm a bore, I know.

2008-04-04T00:08:00.002-05:00

Work, work work, work...and no poker to speak of.

Welcome to my world of late.

Apologies for those of you looking for stories of a great read and laydown, or a ram and jam hand. Won't find them in this blog entry. Truth is, I'll be lucky to sit at a table before mid April.

While I hate that feeling, I also know that it's not a big deal. Sure, I miss playing as often as I have in the past, but right now, cards aren't in the cards.

So what is in the cards?

DISNEY! A planned vacation during Spring Break. Mrs. Chipstack, Gramma Chipstack, and the kids. It will be fun, and I am looking forward to it, but I may not appear it on the outside, because of what is going on at work.

For the first time since arriving at my current job, I am not going to a major sporting event to cover the story. It is a weird feeling, because I am used to being the guy to go. NFL playoffs, NASCAR, Final Four (which is this weekend), you name it, I've been to it, and covered it. And I have loved every minute of it.

When we planned the trip, it was August. No idea that one of the teams in our state would be playing in the Final Four at the time of the trip.

Did I want to go to San Antonio? Yes. I love being at major events, and being the guy that the station looks to for the coverage that we have provided over the years.

Am I sad that I am not in San Antonio? No. Had we not had this vacation planned for months, I would be there. I would have volunteered for the trip at the final buzzer of the game that made our coverage necessary. For the first time since I've been here, I couldn't raise my hand and say, "I'll do it."

By no means is that liberating. It's my job, and I love my job and all that it involves. It's not the first time in my career that I have been away when a major story broke. For instance, in 1997, I was preparing to marry my first wife, and we were in Chicago visiting family and friends for a week. While we were there, legendary basketball coach Dean Smith announced his retirement for North Carolina (I was working in North Carolina covering that school). Biggest story to hit the state since I arrived, and I was 800 miles away. That was a sick feeling. That was also something that was unforseen (at least at the time). Stuff happens.

This Final Four trip also happened. Stuff happens, and while I hate the feeling of being away from it, I also know that taking our first family vacation is more important to me (and Mrs. Chipstack), than me being away covering the tournament.

I hope that the folks I work with understand why I am not there. It's not because I don't want to be there. It's because I simply can not be there. Something inside of me feels like I am letting them down, and I hope I am not.

I would feel worse if I let my family down, so I am glad that I can live with my professional guilt. It will be worth it once I see the kids faces at the parks next week.

To my fellow rounders, I wish you a great week--there won't be another blog entry for at least a week, and when I get back, I'll be chomping at the bit to get back to the table.

WAIT--I DO HAVE SOME POKER NEWS!

The friends at the Pub Poker Circuit contacted me. Remember, a few of us from the league played in at the one local establishment, until that establishment (notice I am leaving out their name) chickened out and pulled the games? Well, turns out I acquired enough points to earn a seat in the First Quarter Prize Tournament! The tourney is the day after the league event in April, so it will feel like a continuous session. I am stoked.

OK, off to bed, and then one more day at work, and then a drive to FLA.

I'll say hey to Mickey and Minnie for all of you, all the while thinking about peeking down at a wired pair of aces.

Good luck and good cards,
~M

The Madness of March

2008-03-28T08:40:00.002-05:00

As mentioned in the last post, poker is on the back burner for a little bit with upcoming travel, and a boatload of work, but this pic about says it all in a variety of ways. Such as:

1-The North Carolina mascot seen above is looking at who his team will play next.
2-The North Carolina mascot is bemoaning his busted brackets.
3-There's a friggin gigantic animal costume looking at a tournament bracket.
4-This looked scene looked entertaining enough for me to snap a pic with my camera phone. And then I laughed about it the rest of the night after looking back at the pic.

Yep-what has 2 thumbs and needs some time off from work?

THIS GUY!!! (that would be me, not the mascot).

~M

OK, as promised....

2008-03-24T09:08:00.003-05:00

A look back at Saturday's league event. 25 or 26 players (frankly I am not sure). My table draw wasn't a favorable one, considering of the 8 players at my starting table, there were 5 previous tournament winners. Ugh.

I start off kinda treading water, pick up a couple small pots here or there, but lose some big ones.

First one I lost, I didn't make it to the showdown, but called off chips thinking I was in the lead. Turns out, a river 5 made one player a full house (pocket 5's with a paired board), while the other held AA, and ended up with 2 pair. I was beat, folded after the river bet, and was glad I did. That took a chunk out of my stack.

I was down to about 1500 (half of our T3K starting stack) with the blinds at 75-150 when this hand came up. I'm in mid-position with K-J off. UTG player limps, I move all in, hoping to take it down right there. All fold to limper, who thinks and finally calls with 77. Coin flip. Flop A-X-Q, turn-brick, river 10. I make broadway, and cripple the limper (the limper held the AA in the hand I folded away from earlier), so now he was down to 250. I double up and a little bit more, so I am feeling better.

Before the end of the round (level 4), I get Q-2 suited (clubs), and feeling a little froggy, in early position, I limp. BB raises it 300 more, and knowing this player likes to play A-X, I decide to see if I can hit a flop, and take the pot. Flop comes K-X-X (I forget what they were, but the X-X were both clubs). Raiser checks, I check. Turn is the K of clubs, giving me 2nd nut flush. Raiser checks, I bet, raiser check raises. I call. At this point, I feel I have the hand. I think they have AK. River is 2 spades. Raiser bets 900. I call quickly, and am horrified to see the raiser roll over KK for quads. That was the last hand before the break, and now I am sitting on 900.

Yeah, I was a bit steamed. Steamed at myself for thinking I had the hand, and not thinking MAYBE the raiser had pocket a pocket pair of ANYTHING on the board. Any of the X cards had me beat, let alone KK. Needless to say, I didn't say much to anyone after that.

We come back from break, and I am on the button. First hand, I get 88 and shove all in, all fold, I scoop. I don't play another hand until I get the button again, I get 55, all-in, all fold, I scoop. It goes this way for a bit, and Soon, my 900 is now up to 2325. I get moved as we get to 12 players (inside the points bubble). I move to the other table with 8 chips in front of me (4-500's, 3-100's, and 1-25). I won an all-in with my stack sitting at around 2200 when my A-10 out ran AQ and get my stack to a little more than 4K, Later, I'm the button with 7-8 (and we are 5-handed.) I limp in for 600, SB and BB check. Flop comes 7-8-7. SB bets out 1200, BB folds, I shove, SB instantly calls. I am dead to one hand. 88. SB rolls over 5-6 for a straight draw, I have the made hand, this hand is over, and now I am at about 8K.

I make the final table, watch as 4 players bust out before me, so now with 5 left, 1 spot for the money. I hardly got involved in much at all, until I have A-J on the button, and raise it to 2000. SB (who has me covered in chips) shoves all-in. This is a player that can shove with pairs as low as 9-9, and can also shove with a big A. He had a big A, alright. His kicker was another A. Thus endeth the mission.

If there is a lesson to be learned (or the lesson I learned) on this night, it is this. You are never out of any event until all your chips are gone. I was mentally exhausted when I was eliminated. I was more focused at the table than I have ever been, even when I had that great week in Vegas last year. I was on stroke in Vegas, where I knew what other players held, when to move, when to get out. I had some of those same feelings on Saturday, but I was in a weird state of intensity that had me someplace I have never been. It was awesome to have the results I got on Saturday (even though I bubbled at the money, and didn't win). I walked away from that tournament feeling a lot better about the way I am playing.

NO--I didn't fully earn this win, as I know I got lucky in 2 spots. I fully expect to get unlucky (as I have in the past), in the future. Saturday, the cards broke in my favor in key spots. It brings to mind, this quote from Robert Wiliamson. "Luck is when preparation meets opportunity." I got lucky, but I also made some plays (which I will not describe here) that enabled me to scoop other pots that I probably wouldn't have with out making the plays I did.

Likely will not have cards in my future for a few weeks with work and a family vacation on the horizon, so it looks like April 19 is the earliest chance for me to sit at the table again. If my math is correct, I am currently 2nd in the points chase, and need a win in the final event to overtake the leader. It sucks that with 2 wins I am in that predicament, but on the flip side, one to go, I still have a chance.

Hope one and all had a Happy Easter,
~M

Sunday

2008-03-23T22:09:00.001-05:00

A nice relaxing day to process all that happened in our March league tourney.

I'll recap/summarize all of it Monday.

Sleep. Must sleep.

~M

Been a while...

2008-03-18T11:44:00.005-05:00

Hey there blog readers! Sorry to have been away for so long, but I had a legit excuse. I have worked going on 8 straight days, and mixed into that stretch were 6 days of 10+ hours, and a 2.5 drive (5 hours round trip) for additional duties. Needless to say, my bed has felt very good since Sunday. It's all good, mind you. It's that time of year that puts a little jump in your step in my line of work.

As for poker, I haven't played since sitting in Irish Jim's game last Tuesday. I made one bad laydown against Irish Jim, and felt I played fairly well again, but just wasn't able to scoop that many pots. I hit a straight with all my chips in the middle, needing a Q to hit, and it did. Other than that, I was fairly card dead. Was a frustrating drive home. You know the drive. you relive every hand that you played, every hand you folded pre-flop, and think about "if I play this differently," or "I should have pushed more there." A never ending cycle of second guessing. It has been a frustrating time for me at the table in the past few months. I have done a good job this week of staying away from poker, to recharge my batteries a bit. I am hoping it sharpens my focus for the league event on Saturday.

As it stands, I am locked into the TOC by virtue of my 2 wins, but I still have a slim shot at garnering POY status. I need high finishes, and the players in front of me need early knockouts. I say slim, meaning I am giving myself reason to hope. My real chances are slim and none, and Slim is on his way out of town. It's my own fault for not being more competitive in the other events, but it's a huge credit to the players in front of me who have played very well month after month.

Anyway, time to get ready to get back to the grind. It's not March Madness for nothing!

Good luck and good cards,

The calm before the storm

2008-03-11T09:04:00.004-05:00

March of 2008 is running a close 2nd to May of 2008 in terms of the "holy-crap-it's-a-busy-month"-ometer. Work will be hectic for the next 2 of the 3 weeks, and then there are the preparations for the hell month that is May. I'd go into details, but it might depress me, and I'm feeling pretty good right now.

I remind myself of where I was back in 2001, so I know it could be worse. I could be out of a job.

OK, enough serious stuff. I'm gonna take an evening away from the grind tonight--don't know if it will involve poker or not. Mrs. Chipstack is beyond understanding when it comes to my love of rounding. She has yet to say, "I don't think you should play tonight," when she knows I really want to get to the table, and of course, Irish Jim has a game tonight. He told me that there might not be room--BLASPHEMY!!! I will see him shortly, and if there is an open seat, I shall approach the wise, all-knowing Mrs. Chipstack to see how she feels about it. Translation-I'll ask for permission!

Played Saturday night at the homestead here--6 handed game, and I was surprised my body heat didn't melt the cards I was getting. Talk about chilly decks. BBRRRRRRR! best hand I saw all night was pocket 9's, twice. Had AK suited, and pocket 7's, 6's, and 4's. Everything else ranged from sorta playable (suited connectors, suited 1 or 2 gappers), to ultra trash. It was ugly. Mrs. Chipstack played again, and while I outlasted her at the table in the long run, I also had 2 rebuys to her none. She wins.

Had a weird dream Sunday night into Monday. Mrs. Chipstack and I were at someones house (no idea who, but they were friends). An hour or so into the visit, Daniel Negreanu and 2 friends come in to hang out as well. Nice conversation, nice visit, good time. Daniel and I get to talking about golf, which leads to the 2 of us walking from a golf cart to a tee box to begin playing. At this point, one of my co-workers (a random person to say the least), rolls up in a cart, telling us she has one more player for our group, and that their bag is in the back seat of her 2-row golf cart. The bag is lying down, it is silver with the word "Buick" stitched into the side. I pick it up, and the bag belongs to Tiger Woods.

Just as Tiger is about to come into view, my alarm goes off, and I wake up. I know why Tiger is there--I recently watched a youtube where he is surprising random golfers with a Buick SUV (search "Tiger Trap" on youtube--it's really cool). Negreanu? No clue why he popped into my subconscious. Weird, but cool, and also frustrating. I KNOW , in my dream, I could beat Tiger.

Good luck, good cards, and sweet dreams,

Certainly worth your time

2008-03-05T13:47:00.003-05:00

To take a look and read the article I've linked here. It was brought to my attention from my buddy Big Kat, and it basically continues on about my hatred of former Senator Bill Frist, the lying, underhanded jackass that slipped the UIGEA onto the Safe Ports Act, and effectively crippled the online poker world as I knew it. I will admit, I have heard there are new and easier ways of funding online accounts since this happened-I'm just not up for jumping through those added hoops.

Anyway, if you click here, it will take you to the piece. Just read it, and don't worry about the early portions of the story. It will make its point. Hopefully, the powers that be will get something right before they get voted out of office in November.

Looks like a game is coming together at my place on Saturday. Should be fun, but a tough table is taking shape. Be a good time to see if my recent work at discipline is paying off.

Good luck and good cards,
~M

It's Monday

2008-03-03T21:37:00.003-05:00

Blah. I want to play poker.

Can't do it. Not at all this week, unless I manage to pull a game together on Saturday. Sunday I have to go out of town, so now traditional Sunday game, nor is there the pub any longer.

It appears the pub folks aren't making any money on the poker folks.

I call bullshit.

There were anywhere from 9-16 MORE people in their place than they had on Sunday's before the poker tourneys began. If HALF of them drink, or eat, they are making MORE money than they were making before the poker tourneys began.

I'm not a business man by any stretch, but if 8 more people are purchasing food and drink than were purchasing in the past, I would think something is better than nothing. They gave it 3 whole Sundays, before pulling the plug. I won't be going back to that place in the future, not because it's a bad place--far from it. Nice pub, nice TVs, nice staff. They gave up on us. I've given up on them (unless they re-think the situation, but I doubt they will).

Love me some hockey, and just finished watching the Washington Capitals flat out DESTROY Boston tonight. 10-2 the final--yikes! Alexander Ovechkin was sick, 3 goals, 2 assists...Bruins goaltenders need some burn lotion for the back of their necks. They were getting sunburn from the goal judge's red light being turned on over and over. Wow, the Caps looked damn good, which doesn't bode well for the Carolina Hurricanes. Canes lead trimmed to 3 points in the division, with lots of hockey left.

Anyway, hopefully something comes together for Saturday night. Would be fun to have a 9 handed game at the ranch, but many of the folks I play cards with have found a new place closer to where they live. We'll see.

Until then, I'll keep dreaming of the right 6 numbers for Powerball this Wednesday. Lump sum payment of 85 million bucks. Now THAT'S a lot of buy ins.

Good luck and good cards,
~M

Random Thursday Thoughts

2008-02-28T18:54:00.002-05:00

Taking a minute from work to get some things into the blog:

1-I'm the luckiest guy in the world. Great wife, kids, house, dogs. Very cool to have the view nowadays, considering life didn't look so hot where I was before.

2-Vegas trip can't get here fast enough. Looking ahead at my work schedule, March is going to be busy, April is a family trip to Disney (which will be neat), May will be quite busy, June will be busy as well. I know we are on the verge of March (already?), but still, there is nothing like the flight into McCarran International. Especially at night (although we are flying in during the afternoon this year). You see The Strip in all its glory. The Venetian, Paris, MGM, Treasure Island, New York New York. Breathtaking.

My buddy Klownboxer is heading there today, with the NASCAR race out there this weekend. There are times I would love to have his job. At the track each week, seeing the races, interviewing the drivers. Neat stuff. Then there are days I think about that, and am glad I don't have that gig. Every week is a race track. Think about that. Man, what a grind. This would be one of those weeks that make it bearable....but then again, it's February, and his season won't end until November. And they don't go back to Vegas for a 2nd race.

Anyway, I am trying to map out the poker plans for July, and with us arriving in the afternoon, there is no doubt in my mind I can find a tourney to sit in that night. Others are planning their trips for that time as well. It's gonna be a great week. Mrs. Chipstack and I plan on really letting our hair down, provided my Dad is in good health. Last year, he checked into a hospital while we were there--total buzzkill for us. Hard to enjoy the casino cocktails knowing we had to make trips to see Pops being taken care of. He promises to be in good shape when we get there, so we are holding him to it.

Anyway, looking like another Sunday of pub poker is on tap this weekend. Looking forward to it, as always, but I am also starting to have the desire to do a home game sometime soon. League tourney isn't for another few weeks, so any chance I get to sit in a game, I'm gonna take it.

Good luck and good cards,
~M

OK, poker, as promised

2008-02-25T22:53:00.002-05:00

Played the pub poker tourney, actually 2 tourneys, on Sunday. Remember the post about making better decisions? Mission accomplished. Very pleased with my play, my decisions, and even the hands I busted out on. Finished 6th (I think..6th or 7th) in the first one, and then 3rd in the 2nd.

First tourney. Built a nice stack early, with my AK out flopping 10-10, and making 2 pair, top kicker. Then had a couple more hands that sent me towards 10K in chips (starting stack 3650--I know, random, right?). At final table, didn't really catch many hands, saw some cheap flops, but got outrun in other spots. Stack dwindled a bit, and finally had to push with K-10 on the button for my last hand. Got 2 callers, hit my K on an A-K-x flop, but there were 2 spades in that flop, another on the turn and river, and I was done for by a player holding 77, with the 7 of spades. Tough to have the lead, and then get out run, but no way was I the favorite going in. K-10 is no monster hand, but shortstacked, it was the best I was gonna see.

Second tourney. Again, built a nice stack early, and cracked 10K in chips (same starting stacks), got to the final table in good chip position, and watched some others blow up around me, others get outdrawn. We got to 3 handed play, when my final hand came up. Blinds are 1-2K, I'm SB with 10K behind my forced 1K. Button limps, I limp with A-6o, BB checks. Flop comes A-Q-10 rainbow. I shove, BB folds, button thinks for a bit and calls, rolling over KQoff. He hits a K on the end, and I'm out.

Now, I know there will be some that will say, "why not shove preflop?" Well, If I do, do you honestly think I am not getting called by the KQ? Anyway you slice it, that was my go broke hand. All my chips were getting in one way or another. The BB had 19K, the button had maybe 26K, so I could have shoved early and gotten called, or did what I did, and get called. Again--happy with my decision, knowing how it all played out.

No real bad beats, other than turning a K-high straight in the first game, getting my opponent all-in before the river, showing my straight before the river card was dealt, only to have my opponent, who was the dealer by the way, roll over the river J, and announce, "I have quads."

Zoinks!

Likely heading back to the pub this Sunday--the poker guys are in danger of losing that location, so if you live near me (and you know who you are), make plans on heading over there this week. It's a nice place, and good folks run the games. I would hate it if the games stopped over there, as I likely would be hard pressed to return.

Anyway, good luck and good cards,
~M

I can't beleive I missed it!

2008-02-25T13:52:00.002-05:00

Well, sorta.

28 years ago, Sunday, the 1980 USA Hockey team complete their journey and won Olympic Gold in Lake Placid, NY. They wouldn't have done it without their monumental upset of the Soviet Union, a 4-3 decision on February 22nd.

The final moments of that USA-USSR game are below--enjoy it, even if you aren't a hockey fan.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=aRALJyv86eY

I'm not smart enough to know how to embed the video, even after trying to copy the embed link from Youtube and paste it here. Ugh.

More poker later.
~M

Trying to stay positive

2008-02-22T13:08:00.002-05:00

Poker flows in cycles. Ride and enjoy the highs, but try to get out of the lows as quickly as possible, while trying to learn all you can.

Welcome to the low.

Played at Irish Jim's on Wednesday. Good table, 10 handed. I could not have played worse if I tried. I went bust once, and rebought once. Got felted when I lost to a Broadway straight. I wasn't mad at the player that beat me--I was mad at me. Poor decision after poor decision, compounded by even more bad decisions.

I am a victim of my previous success in the league. My 2 wins had me feeling bullet-proof. Not any more.

I played a tourney online at UB (a freeroll), with over 4000 players. Just for kicks, nothing really on the line. I make some money if I hit top 30. Inside of 800 players remaining, I pick up AQ offsuit, and raise in early position. Button has me outchipped, but not by too much. Blinds are 100-200 (or something like that). I have about 30K in chips. I bump it to 1200 after 1 other player limped. Button pops it another 2K. I re-raise it to 6700, he pushes it to 12K, I go all in. Basically, I don't believe he has anything other than a stack to try and bully someone. The all in would drop his stack to about 13K, and he calls with J-10 off.

I flop a set of Q's, he picks up a heart flush draw on the turn, and gets there on the river.

Believe it or not, I actually started feeling better about myself after that hand. Yes, I lost, but I lost to a complete lunatic who got all the chips in way behind, and needed a miracle to win it. I made the right decision, made the right play. The result wasn't what I wanted, but still, I was in the correct position with the best hand.

Ultimately, that's all we can hope for. When the money goes in, have the best of it. If the cards break even, good decisions will be rewarded more often than not.

Think another trip to the pub league is on tap for Sunday--don't hold me to that, but if I go, I look forward to making more good decisions. Hopefully, I have turned the corner and will start having those good results to go along with good decisions.

Make it a great weekend.

Some Wednesday thoughts

2008-02-20T09:13:00.002-05:00

1-Been a ton of talk regarding style of play vs. results within the league. It has gotten nasty, which really sucks. I consider all the players friends of mine, and hate to see the griping and sniping. Sometimes, in my opinion, you have to let sleeping dogs lie and not kick them. All we can do as poker players is get our chips in with the best of it, and make the best decisions we can with the information available. We are in season 3 now, and looking back on season 1, I am actually kinda proud of how I handled my run in that first year. I saw more bad beats than I care to remember (I think I was a favorite in 9 of the 12 hands that knocked me out that year). Was I frustrated? Yes. Was I angry? Yes. Did I show it? Sure I did. It happens, and thankfully, I have come to grips with the fact that sometimes, you run good, and sometimes, you run bad.

There really is no way to run good at all times, simply because the cards don't always break even. It's a nasty fact of the game, but fact nonetheless. Daniel Negreanu's website had this tip on the left hand side of his webpage, which I re-post, with full credit to FullContactPoker.com:

"Take responsibility for your results.

If they aren't as good as you'd like them to be, do something about it! Get a mentor, read a book, study the best player in your game - do something! Learn a lesson from your mistakes, and check your ego at the door. You'll be surprised what you can learn if you allow yourself to accept criticism from a friend who may be able to help you. Sometimes it's good to have a friend help you fine-tune your game when things are looking dismal. When things are going badly, you may develop bad habits that you may not be aware of, but that are obvious to your opponents. Hopefully, your friends will see them and be willing to help you when you're down. I know that my friends certainly did, and I thank all of them."

2-Looking like 85% for me to sit at Irish Jim's tonight. Really look forward to it--always a good time, with good friends. Hope I can make it a hat trick of "goods", with some good cards, too.

3-When is Spring gonna get here, and stick around? Crap, I hate cold weather, even though I have my roots in the north. I love my golf, and have been able to chase the ball around a few times this month. Cold...well, it just sucks.

4-When is Vegas gonna get here? Oh yeah, July. Gotta get my Powerball ticket, just in case!

~M

Do as I say, not as I do

2008-02-18T10:57:00.005-05:00

I know it sounds cliche, but I love poker because you never stop learning. Sometimes, the things you learn, you have already learned, but you are too damn stupid to keep in mind at the most critical time--like when your tournament life is at stake.

Perfect example from Saturday night. Blinds are 100-200 with 25 ante. I am under 3K in chips (around 2400 or so), and on the button. Player UTG raises it to 600, no callers to me. I look down at A6 suited, and decide to make my move for all my chips. UTG player calls, has AK, I lose, and I'm out.

The player that raised UTG is a good player, solid, doesn't get too many hairs out of line. I KNOW he's raising with a better hand. WhatthehellamIthinking????? OK, at the time, I just smiled, said "I had to move, I was getting short-stacked," but in reality, I never had to step into that pot. It's been eating at me ever since.

If I fold the A6 there, I lose my 25 ante. That's it. I still have another 6-7 hands before the blinds come back around to me. It's the risk I take of not seeing a premium hand in the next 6-7, but for my tourney life? A6 suited? Ugh.

The worst part is, I know better. I've LEARNED this in the past. I failed to remind myself of that when I was making the decision to dust off my remaining stack in a spot I was hopelessly behind in. For the record, I did pick up a flush draw on the flop, but couldn't get there.

I am angry at myself for this, and no one else. I made the donkish play there, for no reason other than I had a suited Ace. No doubt I could have picked a better spot to play in, but I didn't.

Now, it looks like my shot at winning Player of the Year in the league have gone up in smoke. I basically have to win the final 2 tournaments, and have the points folks in front of me go into a tailspin. Not likely, but only 1 of the top 4 in points actually won points this month--problem was she won the tourney too, earning max points, and jumping out to a nice lead. Good job, Killer.

I now have a nice whole month to steam about stacking off with an A6, before I get another shot to play a league tourney. Might try to get in a game with Irish Jim on Wednesday, but if not, we'll see when we get the cards in the air next.

Played that bar league tourney on Sunday as well. They run 2 a night on Sunday's, but the Daytona 500 kept me from the first one. Finished 7th in the 2nd tourney, and here's the hand the busted me.

Blinds are 100-200, I'm in BB with AJ off. No raises to me, 6 limpers, I just check. Perhaps mistake number 1 right there, but I'm disguising my hand a bit (think Jon Lovitz "yeah, that's the ticket").

Flop: J-10-X, 2 diamonds. I bet out 800, all fold to the button, who is on a big stack of chips, thanks to some early hands. He calls the 800.

Turn: Brick (want to say black 2). I shove all in for 2375. He tanks and then calls. What do you think he had?

My run of thinking was flush draw, since he thought about calling my all in for a good bit. I then put him on a KJ, or QJ. That seemed more likely, after sitting with him, and watching him play. He rarely turned over big hands, and was more content to try and pick up pots with 2 pair, or even 2nd pair.

Man was I way off (and this was kinda good). He called me down with Q9 off suit, leaving him a straight draw with an over card. Turns out I was about 75% to win the hand with one card to come. He hit the Q on the end, giving him a higher pair, one of his 11 outs in the deck (any of 4 K's, 3 Q's and 4 8's). Whatchagonnado?
A big welcome to the folks from pokerwblogs who are coming over and checking out the blog. Neat to see the international traffic blazing through here. Wilkommen! (that's all I got when it comes to foreign language).

~M

A quick one on a Friday night

2008-02-15T21:25:00.002-05:00

February League tourney is ready to go....turnout is a bit sluggish (again), and it is quite frustrating. the League's Executive Committee does do a lot to make sure these things run as smoothly as possible. They get no pay, or anything like that, and it just seems that some folks don't appreciate it, or kinda take it for granted. The frustration level has me seriously pondering my involvement for next season in an official capacity. We'll see. It also may just be Friday, and I've had a long week.

Chips are sorted, cards prepared, buttons ready, tables cleaned. Shuffle up and deal. My question is whay hockey jersey to wear? Old skool Blackhawks? LA Kings? Quebec? Old skool Vancouver? Decisions, decisions...

Had a chance to play in a free poker tourney at a local watering hole last Sunday. It's part of a local league that runs games at bars in various parts of town. Good people running it, free for the players, a very nice time. I'm not just saying that because I finished 2nd in my tourney. Not at all. They are running a points system that will qualify X-number of players for a year end tourney. Tourney winners will get buy-ins to WSOP events (or satellites-I honestly forget). I wonder how these guys running all this make any money on these things. They must, otherwise they wouldn't do it. I am grateful for them, and plan on playing some more in the future.

Gotta run--have a great weekend!

~M

A valuable lesson

2008-02-06T14:10:00.000-05:00

The names have been changed to protect the innocent...well, I'll just leave them out altogether. The lesson is this: ALWAYS ALLOW THE CARDS TO SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.

1 table tourney, with rebuys. Level before rebuys end, this hand comes up.

Player A has 66, and raises pre-flop. Amounts are unnecessary at this point. All fold to BB, who makes the call.

Flop comes: Q-6-4 rainbow.

Player A checks, BB shoves all in for his last 3K or so (again, the details are sketchy, and this is not about making the right or wrong play). Player A makes the call.

Player A has trip 6's, and the BB holds Q-4 for 2 pair.

Turn is a brick (it was beleived to be a 2). The river brings a 4.

Prior to the river, a player not involved in the hand, allegedly says "he needs the case 4, since I folded one). When the 4 spikes on the end, the table erupts, and the pot is pushed to the player in the BB.

The power of suggestion took the hand away from its rightful winner, as even Player A beleived he had been beaten by a 1-outer.

No one is at fault for their actions during the hand. Idle chatter at a table is quite common, and really, at its heart, is harmless. The suggestion that was made, though, was enough to get all eyes trained on the board looking for that single 4 left in the deck, beleiving that was the one card that would in the hand.

Step back, and READ THE BOARD, AND THE CARDS IN PLAY. In the long run, it will prevent you from feeling sick the next day when your buddy explains to you that YOU should have scooped that monster pot, instead of being crippled as the rebuy period was about to end.

Good luck, good cards, and good VISION!
~M

Quick hits on a Monday

2008-02-04T15:01:00.000-05:00

1-NY Football Giants. Wow. Unreal game. I have to admit, I was split on this one. I wanted to see New England win it, go undefeated at 19-0, and send the 1972 Dolphins away, with a case of champagne in hand. Every year, an NFL team flirts with a perfect season, and every year that team finally drops a game, the '72 Dolphins roll out of the mothballs, start clinking glasses, and making most of the football watching population throw up in their mouths a little. I respect what they did. Any football fan knows what they did. We all get it. Enough with the champagne. go away.

To see the G-men win it, though, tugs at the very heart of sports. The underdog, with no chance to win, everyone saying there's just no hope for a victory. They come out, bash the Patriots in the mouth, beat up Tom Brady at every turn. They played a whale of a game. Mad props to them for that.

2-My buddy AB is officially engaged. Couldn't happen to 2 nicer people. He and his future missus are a TERRIFIC couple, and AB joins the ranks of us that have outkicked our coverage in the love department. I am very happy for both of them. Their wedding will be whip ass.

3-Poker? What's that? LOL. Haven't played since the home game 2 Sundays ago, and getting the itch in a big way. Maybe this weekend, I dunno. Have to plan a little as the week goes along, but yeah, I gotta get me in a game.

February league event is 2 weeks away. Looking forward to that, as I do every month. I just like the fact that I don't have to drive anywhere this month. A good time will be had by all, but especially me, since I plan on winning, and taking the points lead. OK, it won't be that simple, but I have to maintain a positive outlook, right?

4-Poker After Dark. Last week's show has been pretty good--only seen 3 episodes. Need to watch the rest so I can clean off the DVR.

OK, at work now, and have to run. Lots to do, the day after Superbowl XLII.

Good luck and good cards,
~M

PS-spell checking isn't working at the moment, so any mistakes will have to just be lived with, I suppose.

11 months left?

2008-01-31T11:21:00.000-05:00

Where did January go? Can't beleive the month is already in the books (well, in another 12 hours or so). Time does fly when you're having fun, or in my case, working, dealing with a cold, and looking for your next card game.

Likely won't have anything this weekend, what with Super Bowl 42 and all. Heading to Irish Jim's for the annual end of the season championship game. New England v. NY Giants. Pats 18-0, Giants a HUGE underdog. If I were in Vegas, I would bet the Giants and take the points--they will need them. Since I am NOT in Vegas, I won't be making a wager on this one.

What else? Mrs. Chipstack finally convinced me on a new TV. We picked it up last weekend, and it's a beauty. I am quite happy with it, and look forward to much enjoyment (read--watching hockey and WSOP coverage in HD) in the future.

I did play a game Sunday, and Mrs. Chipstack sat in and played too. While I was a complete moron, she played great. Finished 3rd, and cashed which was cool. That's her 2nd straight money finish--she rarely plays. When she does play, all she needs is one hand to get paid off on, and she can move her chips around well enough to cash. I dusted off my initial buy in, and then (gulp) 3 rebuys. Volsfan took it all down--she's on a nice little heater of late, playing some damn solid poker.

Been fighting off a head cold for a couple days. Ugh. Sudafed only does so much. Think I will grab some orange juice on the way to work today, and take the offensive on getting rid of this thing.

Anyway, sorry to blog and really say pretty much nothing--that's kinda how things are rolling right now. Nice and quiet, steady and even-keeled. Feels good.

~M

Try to help a friend....

2008-01-26T22:10:00.001-05:00

..and the cards spit in yer eye. Check this out.

Fessca (Villain) raises it to 150 (blinds 50-100). I flat-call (I'm playing for beachgal).

Flop comes off as you see it. Villain bets 200, I raise it the pot (975). Villain shoves all-in (has me covered).

What hands would I be fearing here? If Villain hit a set, he would likely check it, hoping I hit the A on the flop. If Villain hit his A, he is likely trying to see where he is (which my raise should indicate I nailed the flop in the privates). I know I have the lead with top 2 pair, as his post flop bet tells me no set is in play.

I call, and he shows me AK. I need to dodge 3 Kings with 2 cards to come. Villain picks up the straight draw on the turn, and fills on the river.

I don't know that I could have played it any better. Can't get all the chips in any better than that. Runner runner to get eliminated.

NOW I remember what I don't miss about online poker.

Sheesh.

NASCAR Week behind me

2008-01-25T12:23:00.000-05:00

Thank God. It's usually a fun week, but it's also a huge grind.

There was a big positive to come out of it. We played the ESPN Night Poker tourney on Tuesday at the media hospitality suite. I worked my normal day Tuesday (sort of, as I was in a couple hours early to head over to a luncheon and then driver interviews). Worked my shift, and then left about 10:40. Made the 20 or so minute drive to the hotel, and got into the very last qualifying tournament. I told the ESPN guy (George, a great dude in many respects), that I would be running late, and he made sure they held a seat for me. My buddy Tim came along, and he got in too, but since we were both in, they too chips off of our stacks to make things more balanced at the table. Anyway, Tim goes bust early, I'm hanging around as a short stack, and hit a big hand to triple up. That helped me finish in the top 2 in the qualifying tourney--top 2 advance to the final table. Nice.

As we start the final table, I'm looking around, and I only see one face that scares me. It's this guy that works for a TV station in Roanoke, VA. A fella named Chris, but we all called him "Commonwealth" at the table. Cool guy, and the nickname actually fit. Funny. Anyway, Commonwealth goes bust, and that was a good thing, since he won this event last year, beating me in heads-up. So now, I just need to not get caught up in a bad spot, and wait for a shot to win it. Down to 4 players, I am in the BB with A-4 suited in hearts. No raises to me, so I take the free flop. It's K hi, all hearts. YES!

I sit on it, and check. 2 checks to the SB, who bets out. Time to act....meek....and after a few seconds of thinking out loud, saying things like, "you hit 2 pair?" Or, "you wouldn't move there without SOMETHING..." I call. The other 2 fold.

Turn card is a black 2. I check, he fires again, and I continue to play the weak opponent, and after deliberating again, I just call.

River card is an A. I check once more, and this time he fires a big bet. I check raise him all in, and he calls. He turns over AK, for 2 pair, and roll over the nut flush. I say "nut flush," and he starts scooping the pot! "Whoa," I say. "I said nut flush." He looks and says, "Oh, I thought you said you had nothing." We both chuckled, and he walked off, eliminated. From there, I eliminated the 3rd place finisher as well, so once heads up began (all chips remaining on the table were 500 denom), my opponent had 1500 in chips, I had the rest.

We played one hand of HU, he had AJ and went all in for his final 1000 (from the button), and with me being the BB for 1000, it was 500 more to call. I called blind. I peek at a MONSTER!

4-2 off.

LOL. I hit the 2 and win it.

What did I win? A weekend for 4 to Busch Gardens, Williamsburg! Hotel, and park tickets taken care of. Last year's winner (which I wrote about in the blog), sponsored a child at Victory Junction Gang Camp in his name. Also a cool prize, but the family can certainly enjoy this one.

We played a cash game after the (.25/.50), and I walked away with a nice profit as well. Drunk players are so much fun to sit with. The table chatter is always entertaining, and the bad calls, and bad plays are very profitable. Anyway, I didn't get home and to sleep until 4am, and had to turn around for an early day at work for the 3rd day of the media tour. I worked a day shift, and made my way to Irish Jim's for his weekly game. I know, now, that I play poorly when I am tired, and I was beat. I busted on the bubble, knocked out 4-handed when my J-7 suited was beat by Klownboxer's K-7 off suit. It happens. He called blind, since it was (I think) 700 more to play the hand. Whatyagonnado?

Anyway, looks like I won't be at Big Kat's on Saturday. Mrs. Chipstack and I will be doing some babysitting Saturday night, and I don't think the rest will hurt me all that much. Klownboxer begins his NASCAR travails this weekend, so a Sunday game won't happen this week, or next, with Superbowl XXLII on tap--that means Irish Jim's for the annual SB bash. No poker, just a football celebration that is usually a good time.

After the low of busting early in the league event, then winning the trip, to the exhaustion I felt at Irish Jim's, taking a few weeks off is probably a good thing, so I can get focused for the February league game. I currently sit 4th in the points, and need to have some high finishes over the final 3 tourneys if I have any chance of winning POY honors.

Good luck and good cards,
~M

Well, THAT was fast...

2008-01-21T18:41:00.000-05:00

And yes, I am talking about poker (you sickos).

January league event, that I had been looking forward to, lasted all of 38:19. Likely less, but that is when the computer said I was busted out.

Thing is, I was playing pretty well. Picked up a couple pots early, had my stack, after starting with T3K, up to about 3800, but raised in one hand with AJ, and then folded it to a re-raise from a player with JJ. Little did I know, JJ would be me undoing.

Last hand of the tourney for me:

I am in late position and look down at JJ. I raise it up, and the button flat calls.

Flop: 4-10-3, rainbow.

I bet 300, button re-raises 300 more. I call.

Turn: 3

I check, button bets 1000. I shove, he calls, and shows QQ.

DAMMIT!

Of course, I miss my 2 outer (as I should have), and was done.

It has been a long time since I was the first one busted out of a tournament, and man, do I hate that feeling. I don't mind how I went out--well, I kinda do, because I probably could have gotten away from the hand, but just didn't believe the story I was being told. That's my own stubborn self being an idiot there. My opponent played the hand well, and got the chips. Nh, sir.

Being the first one out is a stinging feeling. The feeling you get when you get caught talking in class, and sent to the principal. It's a lonely walk to that office, and the walk from the table to someplace else to contemplate your fate is identical. It's a feeling I don't want to have, ever again.

If I go out on a bad beat--as in I had the best hand, and got unlucky, then you KNOW it was out of your control. When you get played like I did, well, it's just worse.

I did have some success in the cash game afterwards, so the night wasn't a total loss, but I dropped to 3rd overall in points, and that means I have a ton of work to do if I want to win the POY title. I want that title, so much to do, there is (a little Yoda reference for ya).

There was a positive to come from the tourney. Volsfan, recently released from the hospital after having a surgery, won for the 2nd time this season. She's playing some quality poker, and the results are finally coming for her. I am happy for her, but now, she is my sworn enemy. Mortal enemy, even. I must find a way to disrupt her mojo.

OK, I'm kidding. She really is playing great, so I need to watch my back when we are at the table together.

As for poker for me, gonna be slow this week, as I have NASCAR duties this week. May try for a Sunday game, unless I make it into the field on Saturday at the Big Kat's game on Saturday. Time will tell.

Good luck and good good cards
~M

Just gotta be around it

2008-01-16T11:02:00.000-05:00

Yep--that's me. Irish Jim held his game last night (Tuesday), and he ended up taking it down, winning the heads-up duel with Scotty. How do I know this?

Well, I was dealing.

Yep. Finished my shift at work, and headed over there. When I got there they were 5 handed, so I was dealing a good bit. Why would I deal? As the post title indicates, I just gotta be around it. I gotta be around the game. Playing it, dealing it, watching it, whatever. Plus the Smithwick's were mighty smooth too.

Irish Jim needs to retire the 2-deck set up of Copags he has in play, and put some new babies in there, or else wash the one he has going right now. They are good cards, don't get me wrong, but they are showing signs of use. That's pretty good, too, considering he plays a weekly game, and they use the same set-up until it finally kicks the bucket. He has his 1st Copag set-up basically in a shrine, as a testament to how good those cards are/were. They are retired, but a good cleaning would likely get them back in play. I have cards that are in similar condition, but I am such a card junkie (another poker habit which is impossible to break), I have plenty of back up decks.

Really looking forward to the Saturday league event. Right now 19 players, in, 3 players out for sure, a couple of maybe's and then a glut of folks that haven't indicated one way or the other. Would love to see at least 24 Saturday, but it will play out how it will play out.

Klownboxer will be hitting the racing trail soon, so I hope to scramble at least one more (maybe 2) Sunday games before we lose sight of him for another 36 race schedule.

Poker Afer Dark-Heckler's Week. Holy crap. Funny stuff. Gavin Smith, Jean-Robert Bellande, Mike Matusow, Shawn Sheikhan, Phil Hellmuth, Jr., and Sam Grizzle. Legend has it Grizzle and the Poker Brat came to blows over a disagreement. Grizzle won it, says the legend.

I love poker.

I have officially retired

2008-01-13T09:22:00.000-05:00

It is with heavy heart, but excited eyes, that I announce my retirement from the game I love so much.

Hockey.

I am at the point now, that I can look back and say I did all I could with the tools I was given, and now, my body is telling me it's time to move on.

So much for the solemn press conference-like announcement. Basically, my old hockey knee injury came back again, and that was the sign that it was time to hang 'em up. Here's the re-creation.

I was skating with some of the Charlotte Checkers after practice on Friday. It was the first time in I-don't-know-how-long I had suited up, and was skating around a hockey rink. Everything was going fine, although I had more than my fair share of rust to knock off my old bones. Couple trips up and back, some side-to-sides (all at about 40% speed as I was just getting reacquainted with the ice). Over to the boards to stretch some (have to loosen the hamstrings and quads). Back out to shoot some pucks.

Nice.

I stop at center ice, and look around. Bobcats Arena is a beautiful facility, but even more amazing when on the ice there. Awesome. OK, enough sight-seeing. Get back to work.

I take a couple of trips to the net with pucks. Shoot high, shoot low, hit the post, hit the crossbar. All is well, and I am starting to feel more comfortable. Dig the pucks out of the net, and start it all over. I line the pucks up at the blue line to take some slap shots. Bang! Bang! Bang! One by one, they sail into the twine (no, there is no goalie there). The last shot, I take,m my knee buckles, and I hear that all too familiar "pop."

It was the same sound and sensation I had 6 years ago, when I was playing in a league in another city. Identical. I crumble to the ice, and collect myself. That's it. Game. Set. Match.

My knee has been stiff and sore the past few days, but not as bad as when I hurt it the first time. Maybe that's a good thing, and I can attempt a comeback when it feels better. For now, though, I am retired.

In some non-hockey related news, took Mrs. Chipstack out for her birthday on Saturday. Surprised her with a babysitter, which green lighted us for a nice night. Dinner, drinks, conversation. So much fun. It's nice to see her let her hair down and be the gal I fell in love with all over again. She never gets that chance with our 2 boys, so anytime I can get her away from reality, it's a great time. Vegas is that time for us also, and that's a whole week. I'll take a night here and there, just to keep her sane. Happy birthday, baby.

No poker today, in honor of her birthday weekend, but I get back on the bike next weekend with the league tourney. Looking forward to it very much, and may be able to swing a 2nd tourney the following Saturday. Still working on that one, but don't sweat it, Big Kat. I'll let you know!

Good luck, good knees and good cards,

Poker After Dark

2008-01-11T08:39:00.000-05:00

OK, OK, OK....I know, Poker After Dark has been on for a couple seasons now, and I am just getting around to checking it out. Shoot me. 2 a.m. is late for me, with my getting up early for the kids to help get them off to school. OK, in reality, I only take one to the bus, Mrs. Chipstack does everything else. Anyway, watching the latest episode, which was part of the "19th hole" theme--the starting 6 players are all in love with playing golf--had a wonderful moment between Doyle Brunson and Phil Ivey. It was a brain teaser that Dolly posed to Ivey, and it went like this.

Doyle Brunson: Pick a number between 1 and 5.
Phil Ivey: OK
DB: Multiply it by 9
PI: OK
DB: Now add the two numbers you come up with together.
PI (after Doyle explains if you pick for example, the number 2, the answer of 2x9=18, so you add 1 + 8 together): OK
DB: Now subtract 5.
PI: OK
DB: Letters correspond to numbers, so A=1, B=2, C=3, and so on. Find your letter and think of a country that begins with that letter.
PI: OK
DB: Now with the last letter of the country think of an animal that begins with that letter.
PI: OK
DB: Now with the last letter of the animal, think of a fruit that begins with that letter.
PI: OK
DB: Could you be thinking about a Kangaroo in Denmark eating an Orange?
(Laughter from around the table, as Ivey is stunned by Brunson's revelation)

Brunson later said to Ivey, "and you think you are gonna bluff me later? I can read your mind, kid."

I wondered if that was the stick response to the riddle, so I tried it out on Mrs. Chipstack as she got ready for work this morning, and it turns out, there's another answer. Another rather logical answer. Can you think of what it is?

Now, I think it's a pretty safe bet that people have seen this somewhere on the internet (this puzzle), but seeing the 73 year old Brunson chatting with one of the great players in the game about this, and then getting Ivey's complete look of disbelief....well, it was priceless.

I think going forward, I'm gonna have to record this on my DVR and watch it when I am awake. Frankly, I'm surprised I remembered the details of this as well as I did.

Make it a great Friday!
~M

New Battle Gear

2008-01-10T12:50:00.001-05:00

My love of hockey follows me to the poker table. I love wearing my hockey jerseys when I play cards, and I added some new colors to the closet.
The blue jersey on the left is the look of the Quebec Nordiques, the NHL team that later became the Colorado Avalanche. That uniform is circa 1988. The Detroit jersey on the right is a throwback uniform from the 1991-1992 season. That year, the original 6 teams in the NHL wore throwback uniforms. I already have the Chicago Blackhawks throwback, and I have something added for that Chicago jersey, and the Detroit sweater you see there. If you notice, on the left chest, there is the captain's "C" (it's actually on both now that I look at it). On the right chest of the Detroit jersey, there is a blank space. Well, that's where the NHL's 75th anniversary patch was worn, and I actually possess 2 of those patches. I'm gonna take the patches and put them on the Chicago and Detroit jerseys. They look sweet now...complete with the 75th patch, they will rule.

I know, I am a mega-dork when it comes to hockey jerseys and the like, but I love the game. I love the speed, the power, the grace, the grit...all of it. I miss playing (but I may actually be getting back on the ice in the very near future--still need to work out some details). When it comes to my love of the jerseys, well, I just love the colors, the traditional look of them. Brings back wonderful memories for me, watching NHL games in Chicago. I am still searching for this particular Toronto Maple Leafs jersey, but I have a buddy that is going to Toronto this weekend, and I asked him to scout around and see if he could find one for me. We'll see.

OK, enough memory lane strolling. Have to get to work soon, a busy day awaits. No rounding for me this weekend, but looking forward to next weekend's January league event. Believe it or not, I miss seeing that crew--it's been just about 6 weeks since I have seen most of them, so it will certainly be a fun night of cards, no matter the outcome.

But I plan on winning again.....hee hee....

~M

*Late note--a 3rd jersey also arrived today--LA Kings alternate from last season--NICE!

Revealing the mucked hand

2008-01-09T08:53:00.001-05:00

The guesses really didn't come here at the blog, but they did come from league members at our league site. Upon further review, I didn't make a good laydown at the time. I misplayed the hand horribly, as called out by my buddy Vito. I call it horrible--Vito didn't say that.

The button raise to me that I flat called from the BB was my mistake. I should have come over the top, rather than be cute. The term "Fancy Play Syndrome" is quite appropriate, and I am guilty as charged.

The hand I mucked? JJ

I hate that hand. Hate it, but if I re-raise pre-flop, I likely take it down without seeing a flop, OR I end up winning with the best hand (which would have been the case with an 8-high board, no straight or flush coordination).

It's a lesson we learn in poker--and if you aren't learning something in poker every time you play, you are simply not getting better. Some of the lessons are not new ones, just refresher courses. This refresher was just that.

Now, in my defense, the REASON I mucked there was simple. The player raising from the button made the same raise as he would make (from the amount to the hand/head/arm movements) with AA. He had already taken a pot from me with AA earlier in the night, so that was the read I had him on. Admittedly, I was off. He had a pocket pair, just not the monster I envisioned.

Even if he has AA in that spot, me with JJ in the BB--that's a shove. If I go broke, I go broke, but I just wasn't willing to go the distance with a hand I really don't trust.

Maybe I need to start believing in that hand a bit.

Likely no poker for me this weekend, as Mrs. Chipstack has a birthday! And no, she does not want to play cards.

Also, a quick shout out to Volsfan, as she is on the mend after going under the knife. I know she has some good pain meds, so here's to a speedy recovery. See you back at the tables sooner, rather than later.

~M

Hey there!

2008-01-07T11:01:00.000-05:00

Welcome to 2008--a week in, and so far so good.

First home game of 2008 was a biggie--10 players crammed into the Poker parlor, and it was a night of some big hands, and tough beats.

I had 1 rebuy (go figure), and needed it when I had trip 5's lose to a river 10, making the villain a winner with a full house. C'est la vie.

After the rebuy, had a monster pot roll my way. In the BB, I had K5 suited in diamonds, no raises, so I check it. Flop comes with 3 diamonds (one of which being the ace). It gets checked around, the turn card comes off as a brick, I check again, get 1 caller on the all in, then I shove all in, and get called. The original all-in had 3-2 of diamonds for the flopped flush as well, and actually had the straight flush draw--had I not had the 5 of diamonds. The river card missed all who needed help, and I raked a monster.

Had a couple other nice pots come my way. Turned a 7 high straight with 4-7 in the hole from the BB. Called 600 more of a raise (blinds 100-200), and there were 3 limpers ahead of me in the pot. The pot, with the raise was 1700+ (antes as well), so or me 600 more into that to go prospecting wasn't too terrible (considering I had dragged the big pot earlier, and could afford 600 more).

Hand that I was kicking myself over a little came later:

Blinds 300-600/75 ante

Button raises to 1800

Me (BB) call

Limper in mid position re-pops all in for roughly 4K more. Button re-pops all in for about 9K total.

I muck.

First all-in shows AQ

Button flips over 99.

Board comes 8 high (with 8's paired), Mid-limper out, Button becomes big stack.

Any guess as to what I laid down there?

From the BB, I called the button raise, but couldn't call off another 9K to his re-re-raise. I could have, but I felt the right play was folding.

The players that were there know what I mucked, and if you have played with me you probably know what I folded also.

I'll check for comments (I get like 10 a year lol), but if there are no guesses, I'll provide the answer in the next post.

Oh, I did manage a 3rd place finish, with Jason C. finishing 2nd, and John H. taking it down.

Let's try again

2008-01-02T09:36:00.000-05:00

I tried to post on New year's Eve, but Blogger was on the fritz. So:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Anyway, the first post of 2008 finds me excited. I am excited about what the year has to offer, both at the table, and away from it. Looking forward to another wonderful trip to Las Vegas this summer, a trip to NY for a buddy's wedding, but most of all, a family junket to Disney in Florida. First family vacation (a vacation, not a trip to visit family), we've taken. Gonna be fun.

As for poker, gonna be a bit on the light side for me. Maybe something this Sunday (maybe--I have a road trip on Saturday, but could try to pull something together). The following week, I will likely be seeing my daughter (although no plans are set yet), and then the week after is January League event.

So many friends have asked me if I am watching Poker After Dark (NBC), and honestly I haven't, until recently. During Christmas (when I felt I was near death), my sleep schedule was out of whack, so I was awake when I should have been sleeping, etc. Watched some PAD, and now I know what those folks were talking about. What a fun show! I know, welcome to 2-3 years ago. Apparently, I am watching reruns at the moment, so I will be making a point to check out PAD once some new shows appear.

On the way out of this entry, a big thanks to Mrs. Chipstack. It was December 30th, 2002, when she phoned me and asked if I would fly into Chicago the next morning, and get married on January 1, 2003. I agreed, flew in, got our license on new years eve, married the next afternoon, and every day since has been wonderful.

Happy anniversary, baby. I love you.

Good luck, good cards, and Happy New Year.

~M

So what did you get?

2007-12-27T19:41:00.001-05:00

I got sick for Christmas.

Sick. Sick. Sick.

Not stuffy nose, fever sick. I mean SICK!

I hope the worst has passed, but I am feeling very weak, and needing to rejuvenate. Let's just say I am about 15 pounds lighter than I was heading into Christmas....and Mrs. Chipstack wanted me to lose some weight. Mission accomplished!

Ugh.

I am trying to make light of it, but it is difficult. Sparing you readers the details, let's just say that a bad run of cards hurts far less than my body does at this particular moment.

Anyway, poker is on the back burner for a bit--was thinking of maybe doing a 1 table thing this Sunday, but I don't think my strength will be up for it, considering the past 3 days. Next weekend I have a trip to Greenville, NC planned (a work thing), so maybe the Sunday after, who knows. Right now, just seeing the sunrise tomorrow will be a victory for me.

I did manage to eat something tonight (after 2 days), and so far, so good. What caused it? No clue. Seriously, no idea. I just know there are a few people I would wish this upon, and none of them read this blog.

OK, I am rambling with no point. Time to hang it up for now.

Good luck, good cards and GOOD HEALTH!

The work is done...

2007-12-25T11:38:00.000-05:00

Santa likely won't have his aces cracked today! Here's hoping that your pocket rockets always hold up (unless you have them against me), in 2008.

Merry Christmas!
~M

More intarweb fun

2007-12-22T11:52:00.000-05:00

Enjoy....

Don't send a lame Holiday eCard. Try JibJab Sendables!

Some non-poker YouTubes

2007-12-20T15:23:00.000-05:00

Those that know me, know I am a big fan of the Blue Man Group. I have seen them perform 3 times, twice in Vegas, and once in Atlanta. The Atlanta trip was especially fun, as a former co-worker of mine (we worked together when we went to ATL for the show), was good friends with a drummer in the band (not one of the Blue Men). We hung out with the group after the show--fun stuff.

Anyway, surfing the net today, stumbled across some BMG videos. If you have never seen them, this is basically what their show is like. Fun, entertaining, loud, and very rythmic.

Now that you have seen that, you need to click this video--very creative, and fun. Whoever put this together had a lot of time on his/her hands, but it came out pretty well, and is a good representation of BMG.

Ho Ho Hold 'Em-2007

2007-12-19T00:53:00.000-05:00

It's that time again! The pre-Christmas Hold 'Em tourney at mi casa. So far, response has been a bit slow, but I am hoping it will pick up. Would really love to have a nice 3 table field (24 players), but if I think I'll be lucky to get 2.

Now, I understand the holidays are upon us, and some of the folks that said they couldn't play are going out of town. I get it. I guess I am bit confused by the lack of responses from some folks that will be around. We're not talking about Christmas EVE or Christmas Day....we're talking the 23rd, and a 3pm start at that. Oh well, I suppose I am more of a degenerate poker player that most.

Vegas planning is in the very early stages (as mentioned in earlier blog post). Mrs. Chipstack and I are talking about the final full week of June, and me skipping the WSOP again this year. I think I am in line with that idea. I think one more year of working, stashing away some extra money and the like, and then, Lord willing, taking that WSOP plunge in 2009 is the way to go. The wife and I have a wonderful relationship, especially when it comes to finances. She's a genius, and I am glad to be along for the ride. It's her idea to postpone the WSOP return until 2009, and I'm more than fine with it.

That will mean, however, that I will be tourney crazy in Vegas this summer, and I might even try some other local casinos with higher buy-ins. Still talking about it, but with the league members that are talking about going, we will have a terrific time once again, no matter where we play. Some folks are thinking about renting a condo for the week, which sounds like a ton of fun. If I were a single guy, I might be in line with it. For Mrs. Chipstack and I, this is our 1 week where there are no kids, no phones, no nothing. I think you get the idea.

Anyway, it is getting late, so a quick poker recap for you:

Since winning the December league event (my 2nd of the season--WEEEEEEE!!!), I have played at Irish Jim's once, and played so poorly I almost vomited. No hand recollections--it was long ago, and frankly, I don't wish to remember any of it.

This past Sunday, I ventured to Randy's for a 6 handed game, and finished 2nd. I probably deserved to finish worse, but I'll take the breaks when I can get them. Spiked a 2 outer to make a better full house and stay alive, went all-in on a Q-10 suited, and made a straight flush to stay alive....it was that kind of night. Here's the last hand:

I'm BB heads up, blinds 600-1200, I have QJ suited. Button calls, I raise 2400 more, button calls.

Flop- A-A-K.

I shove for something like 5000 total (may have been more). Button calls, and shows K-6 offsuit.

I'm not dead, but I am drawing thin--4 outs to make the straight, or running Q's or running J's to make a boat. 2 bricks, and the game is over.

Hard to be too broken up over losing that one. Here's why.

1-Button made the call of the 2400 pre-flop raise (in my opinion). for a couple reasons. A) they didn't believe I had a strong hand and/or B) they could afford to make the call. K-6 heads up is often times a favorite over any 2 random cards (or so I have read), so the call could be viewed as loose, but still, given the situation, it was, in my mind, the right play.

2-My shove after the flop. Donkey play on my part. I raise pre-flop to represent an A. Why shove there? I have no idea, but then again, the button hitting the K gives them top 2 pair--a bet was coming (I think) if I do nothing but check, and then I have to play (most likely) for all my chips anyway. Could I muck there, if I face a bet? Sure, but with the blinds at 600-1200, I have 5K left. I'm gonna be shoving with any 2 cards after that, and would need an additional double up.

Add it all up, and I was going broke that hand, and there was nothing I could do about it, with the exception of shoving pre-flop. Maybe the button folds. Maybe not. The way it played out, I deserved 2nd place, so again, no reason to kick myself too much.

OK--if you are a league member, and you made it this far: PLEASE CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE FOR SUNDAY AT THE LEAGUE SITE!!!! If you already have, thanks and I will see you Sunday. If you have not....please let me know, one way or the other. Would love to have all of you for some Christmas Cards....get it???

~M

Time to start planning

2007-12-13T09:30:00.001-05:00

Yes, as always, Christmas season (sorry, I ain't going for the ole "Happy Holiday" business on my blog), brings with it good cheer, decorated trees, and of course....

THE UPCOMING WSOP SCHEDULE OF EVENTS!!!!

Click on this here body of words to jump to the story.

I'll offer up some thoughts on the schedule, and when I may be heading out that way (as the league field trip will likely commence at that time).

One other note about the WSOP schedule: the $50,000 buy-in World Championship H.O.R.S.E. Event winner will receive the money and the bracelet, and now, they will receive the David "Chip" Reese trophy, in honor of the event's inaugural winner, who recently passed away. The WSOP doesn't make the greatest decisions, but they hit this one out of the park.

Good luck and good cards,
~M

PS--failed to mention--some funny reading. Check out Phil Hellmuth's blog here, and after reeadin it, check out Daniel Negreanu's blog here. Funny stuff.

Poker Loses a Legend

2007-12-05T08:34:00.000-05:00

David "Chip" Reese

1951-2007

I woke up this morning, ready to face the day after a rough night of sleep. I jump on the computer, and stagger around the internet, when I stumble upon this.

David "Chip" Reese is dead at the age of 56.

I never met Reese, only saw him strolling the halls of the Rio during the WSOP, but his game is legendary. His story is true Vegas. I have attached it here.

The poker world lost a legend, in much the same way it did when Johnny Moss, Stu "The Kid" Ungar, and Puggy Pearson passed.

There's now a seat open at the big game.

A seat that opened far too soon.

(Copy that follows courtesy Associated Press)

David "Chip" Reese, a card star who won one of the biggest cash games in the world and three World Series of Poker championships, has died. He was 56.

Reese died in his sleep and was found by his son early Tuesday morning at his Las Vegas home after suffering from symptoms of pneumonia, said poker great Doyle Brunson, his longtime friend.

"I knew him for 35 years, I never saw him get mad or raise his voice," Brunson said. "He had the most even disposition of anyone I've ever met. He's certainly the best poker player that ever lived."

After attending Dartmouth College, Reese was on his way to Stanford business school in the early 1970s when he stopped by a Las Vegas poker room and won big, said World Series of Poker media director Nolan Dalla.

"He just accidentally stumbled into Las Vegas and never left," Dalla said.

His immediate success at cash games and low-key persona won him friends, even among those who wound up passing him their chips.

Despite winning three World Series champion's bracelets over the last four decades, including a $1.8 million HORSE event in 2005 that combines five poker disciplines, Reese focused his attention on high-stakes cash games away from the limelight.

"I've seen him with a million dollars in front of him," said Dalla, describing how Reese would put out racks of $5,000 chips "like he was betting a few bucks."

Reese was part of a generation of players in the 1970s that challenged established greats like Brunson, Thomas "Amarillo Slim" Preston Jr. and Walter Clyde "Puggy" Pearson, Dalla said.

Brunson and Reese eventually became business partners, investing in everything from oil wells and mining to TV stations and racehorses and becoming sports betting consultants.

None of the ventures was successful, Brunson said.

"We went to look for the Titanic. We went to look for Noah's Ark. We were two of the biggest suckers whenever it came to business, but we both had poker to fall back on," Brunson said. "Thank God we could play, so we always survived."

Reese's prowess at both cash and tournament play was cemented with his 2005 win, said World Series of Poker commissioner Jeffrey Pollack.

"Many consider Chip the greatest cash-game player who ever lived," Pollack said in a news release. "His victory in the inaugural $50,000 buy-in HORSE championship ... made him a part of WSOP lore forever."

Reese is survived by a son, a daughter and a stepdaughter, Brunson said. He was recently divorced from his wife.

Services are planned for Friday in Las Vegas, Brunson said.

A 2007 to remember

2007-12-04T12:49:00.000-05:00

It's only fitting that I bring back the Johnny Chan picture for this installment of the blog (long overdue to all 6 of you loyal readers). 2007 has been a tremendous year for me at the poker table. I can not quantify the results, but in terms of how I have played this year, through the highs and the lows, I sense my game has improved immensely.

Saturday was the December league event, and I managed to pick up my 2nd win of the season, and I will readily admit that I played some great poker early, and some "meh" poker later. My reads in the early portion of the tourney were very good. I was able to get away from dangerous hands when I was beat, and I was able to apply pressure and take down pots with players drawing at me.

Late, I got lucky in some big spots, that I continue to evaluate why I played what I did, and how to better avoid being in those spots. I may have finished first, but I don't know that6 I played the best of anyone that night. In my first tourney win of the season, I felt like I played the strongest tourney of my life. Saturday, I was decent, but certainly not overwhelming. My friend Vito expressed that I am playing stronger than I may be giving myself credit for, and that's fine. I just want to get better.

Currently, I am 4 points behind first place overall in points, and the 2nd win for me this season opened up an additional points earning seat in the TOC for someone else. I know the feeling of being outside the TOC, and hoping that any extra opening comes along to make it a little easier to find my way in. Hope that eases the minds of some in our league. No doubt, I will try to get another one in January.

Other notes: Mom and Dad are back in Vegas after spending 10 days with us. I think they liked it out here, but I am not convinced they are committed to moving out here. I know they should move out here, but if they will--that's a different deal. Time will tell--they need to sell their house, Mrs. Chipstack and I need to make the necessary arrangements for them to move in with us. Plenty of hurdles to overcome before we make it a reality.

Cards in the future: Irish Jim's tonight (I took the night off from work after working some ridiculous stretch of days over the past 3 weeks). MAYBE Dec. 9 at my place--if I can scare up a game on a Sunday. Beyond that, no clue. Would like to get in another big tourney before the new year, but that may no come off. Time will tell.

Good luck and good cards,
~M

Almost 2 weeks

2007-11-21T11:25:00.001-05:00

Miss me?

LOL. Been a crazy past couple weeks. League event (7th place finish-ugh), plus the parents flying in from Vegas. Really don't have too much to write in this entry. I could recap some of the hands from the league tourney, but frankly, I really don't want to. We had 19 players (VERY short field), and I probably could not have played any worse than I did. My reads have been junk, and I have been bailed out on flops far too many times. My radar is off, big time. Gotta recalibrate the eyes to the brain (what's left of it anyway).

Thanksgiving holiday will be special with the folks visiting me here for just the 2nd time since I have lived in this state. It's the first time they will be with us for a holiday. I am looking forward to that so much, considering this is my first house. It's gonna be very special, I am sure.

Poker on tap: Possible tourney at a league member's place this weekend (gotta see how Dad is feeling so he can come with me), and then December league event next Saturday.

Anyway, I hope all 6 of you loyal readers (and the stragglers that stumble in during blog searches) have a wonderful holiday. I know I will.

Good luck and good cards,
~M

Yeah, yeah, I know...I'm late

2007-11-09T09:56:00.000-05:00

I said I would update after my birthday....and it is after my birthday, just a week later. Sorry--I know all 6 of you have been hanging on my every word.

First, birthday poker. What a blast! Great friends came over, some bearing gifts (which were not necessary, but thanks so much). Got a 2 deck set up of the 2007 WSOP Cards with the poker peek faces, and the mis-spelled name of WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack (they are spelled Jeffery on the card backs). There was booze, and a couple Pez dispensers, a book...great stuff from good friends. Thanks!

A field of 15 players, including Mrs. Chipstack, sat at 2 tables for the tourney. I had a good table draw (but then again, the weakest player in the tourney was Mrs. Chipstack, only because she never plays). We started with T25,000 in chips, so there was plenty of play in the stacks. I was able to come out on top, but not without getting stupid lucky in a couple of key spots.

At the final table, I raise in early position with QJ offsuit, just wanting to pick up the blinds and antes--I forget the level and the blinds, but I made a standard raise. Ken, a friend of a friend of mine (and a good player) re-raises me all-in. He had done this to other players throughout the night, and I didn't remember him showing his hands after forcing the other players out of the pot. Well, I decided this time, he had nothing, and I was gonna play with him.

When he flipped over his cards, it occurred to me that my reads have been off lately. He had AK offsuit.

I spike a Q on the turn, and knock him out--I thought he had me covered, but it was the other way around. A monster pot in my direction. From there, I just wanted to coast, and when we got inside the bubble, I made a donkish play 4 handed from the button. I raise it (standard again), with 86 off. Again, just trying to pick up the chips that are already out there. My buddy Randy (at least I hope he's still my buddy lol), re-raises me.

(Editor's Note--this next bit made sense at the time, but in retrospect, I have no idea why I did what I did).

I determined I wanted to represent a big hand, so I flat called the raise. Flop comes off 8 high (giving me a pair), Randy checks, I bet out, he raises all in, and I call (getting a fair price on the pot at that point). He had AK clubs. The board missed him, I drag the pot, and then felt the wrath. Randy was steamed (and rightfully so). I have been that mad when people played trash at me, and I lose the pot with a big hand. I understood, and tried to talk him down a bit. I hope it worked. He's a good guy and a good player that has taken more than his fair share of bad beats.

I won the tourney on the last hand when my AK outraced pocket JJ. Mrs. Chipstack was able to come home in 3rd place. It should be pointed out that she has played all of 4 times in calendar 2007, but according to her, it was the first time she saw some starting hands worth playing. I thought it was funny when she would enter a pot, the flop would come out, and I would call out her hand after she won the chips. Her reactions told all--not like I was the only one figuring it out--just funny to see her kinda grin when I would say..."Can't beat Ace-Queen on a Q high flop..." She's so cute.

Anyway, played again at Irish Jim's on Wednesday and really was on stroke there too, but couldn't close the deal, finishing in 2nd to my buddy Joe P. Had a nice chip lead heading into 3 handed play, lost a big pot when my kicker with my Aces was no good (another misread as I didn't put my opponent on an Ace). I had made virtually all of my draws that night, and gambled I would make another on the final hand. Joe had hit 2 pair (Q's and J's) and I had the board connected with 9-10, so any 8 or K wins me the hand. Brick-brick, and we're done. I hadn't looked at the stats for that night, but I think I busted out 7 players (we played with rebuys so I got some guys more than once). Fairly sick night for me, but lots of fun. Got to meet Klownboxer's brother. He lives in Egypt and was visiting. Nice feller. The polar opposite of Klownboxer. Other than certain things in common, no way you put these 2 together and say "related."

No cards for me until next Saturday, November League game--AND it's the same night my folks arrive from Las Vegas for Thanksgiving. Really looking forward to their visit. And her candied yams. Brown Sugar & Marshmallow Sweet Potatoes.

Excuse me, while I salivate.

Good Luck and Good Cards,
~M

My last day on Earth

2007-11-02T12:40:00.000-05:00

at this age.

HAHA! Thought I was going into some deep, "what will my life be like the day before I die" thing? Hah! Nope, birthday is tomorrow, and I can't wait. Good group of folks coming to the house for some cards and fun, Mrs. Chipstack is working on something for me, too. It's gonna be fun.

It is funny to hear some people talk about birthdays. "I'm getting old..." or "Soon, I won't remember what day my birthday falls on..." I find it funny. I realize that I am approaching 40 (which, to some of my friends is still young), but I have been a big believer in the sage words of my old buddy in Chicago, Chez. "Age is just a number--you are only as old as you think you are."

It's true. My buddy Chez was a supervisor at the ice arena I worked at in Chicago. He played semi-pro hockey in his younger days, and by the time we became friends he was in his late 30's, early 40's. He played hockey with us during our Friday morning employee skates. The game was called "Hit The Post" originally, because we never could get goaltenders, so goals were scored when a shot clanged off a post. As the game grew, we had to tell goalies NOT to show up. Chez taught me a lot about the game of hockey, how to get better as a player and the like, and he also taught me a love for horse racing. I had always loved the ponies, but after talking to him about the science of racing, it was a new world.

Anyway, it's been a long time since I've seen Chez, or even spoken to him for that matter, but he remains one of the biggest influences in my life. One of the mentors that showed me sides of life I hadn't even thought of, and made me a better person as a result.

Hope you have a great weekend, and if we break out the camera on Saturday, pictures shall be shared. No lampshades, though. Sorry.

~M

A flop, turn and river

2007-10-30T11:01:00.001-05:00

Haven't sat at a table since the last league game, so very little in the way of poker in this entry. Couple things:

1-Fall CANUSA went the way of the Americans, a 7 shot win. The field was trimmed from 24 to 16 over the span of 2 days as the Canadians lost 4 players due to varying reasons (1 had a business trip come up, another a family emergency in Toronto, another suffered a separated shoulder, and one other...well we don't really know). That left the USA Captain (me) with tough decisions. Luckily for me, one of our guys had a family emergency (his wife's father passed away--condolences to Cathy), so that took Randy out of the mix, I had to tell our poker buddy Sly we couldn't use him, and there was some confusion with 2 other Americans, so we cut them too. Once we played, I was reunited with my longtime buddy Darren. Darren is the guy that got me involved in this thing 7 years ago, and has it been a blast. Darren has since relocated to Upstate New York, and rarely gets a chance to play golf with us. He came down, and we partnered up for an even par round of 72. He made everything on the greens--it was sick. Truly an enjoyable day of catching up with an old friend, and sharing plenty of laughs over 18 holes of golf.

2-T-minus 5 days until I hit 38. It's been this way for a while--try and shoot my age for 9 holes of golf. Once I hit 40, I will look to be lower than my age, but for now, my age would do just fine. I know 38 isn't a milestone birthday, but still. 38? Just seems old. I know there are those of you that read this that are older--this is my dilemma, not yours! Kidding. Looking forward to Saturday, as we have a decent size field ready for some hold 'em. Don't know what the starting stack will be, but it could range from T10K to T25K. Still mulling and waiting to see just how many players we actually have.

3-Congrats to Red Sox Nation, winners of the 2007 World Series. I was amazed at just how well those cats played against Colorado. I sill maintain that having the Rockies sit idle for 8 days was a huge disadvantage for them. They hadn't had 8 straight days off since before spring training. That's just too long for baseball players to not play baseball, once they have gotten into their routine. Anyway, Boston was the better team, in my opinion, and deserved the ring. now if only the White Sox would get some of that hunger back....ugh.

4-Back to the birthday....what do you ask for if you are 38 years old? I have no idea. I always love new playing cards, and I have had my eyes on the KEM WSOP decks from this year's WSOP--the red/black backs looked so nice on TV. I wouldn't mind a setup of those ,but of course, if it's linked to Harrah's, it will carry the Harrah's ridiculous price mark-up. It's like $40 for 2 decks of cards. I don't know. Plus, if you know me, you know I am a big hockey freak, and love pro-weight jerseys. Well, the NHL changed the jersey style this season, and pro-weight NHL jerseys now go for like $250. WAY too high....did find a place that has some of my preferred style from last season for $120, but tough finding my size. The search continues.

Hope you have a great week, and weekend. Will TRY to leave another post before the weekend, but don't hold me to it. If not, something Sunday or Monday after the festivities will be in order.

Good luck and good cards,
~M

How lucky can one guy be?

2007-10-25T11:01:00.000-05:00

Wassup....been feeling a bit run down lately, only because I am not sleeping all that well. Long hours at work, and I just can't bring myself to call it a night before 2a.m. usually. Need to get more sleep, so I feel better throughout the day. I know, this isn't what you jumped over here for.

Yes, pokah, pokah, pokah....Haven't played since the league game last weekend, which is fine. I have a birthday coming up in a few days (Nov. 3), and the lovely Mrs. Chipstack has granted me the go-ahead for a tourney at the house that evening! Awesome! The word has been put out amongst our league folks, although response has been somewhat slow. It will be capped at 30 max, but I doubt we'll approach that number. Depending on the number of players, we will go with 1 of 2 starting stacks, either T10K or T25K, with blinds set accordingly. I am looking forward to it, since it will be a night with friends, playing tournament poker.

Before all that, I have the 3rd and final CANUSA Cup tournament for 2007 this weekend. Gonna be a quick trip in and out of Raleigh--I drive up late Friday after work, golf in the late morning, then drive back to home afterwards, since I have an NFL game on Sunday to cover. Wish I had more time to hang out with my buddies, but duty calls. Hate that I have to leave, because my friend Darren is coming in from New York, and I haven't really seen him since I moved out of Raleigh. He's a great guy who I played hockey with, and he's the one that got me hooked up with these CANUSA fellas. I have made some pretty solid friendships as a result, so I owe alot to Darren.

We shall defend our nation's honor this weekend--even if it rains!

Good luck and good cards,
~M

Riding the Rollercoaster

2007-10-21T22:30:00.000-05:00

Chips are down. Then they are up. Then down. Then I'm out.

That's about the way things ran for me in our League event Saturday. Not a complaint. I dusted off a bunch of chips early, starting with 3K, down to 1125 at the break. Went on a nice rush and worked the stack to around 5K, and then 2 hands bit my ass.

Blinds 100-200, 25 ante, I'm in BB.

Early position raiser makes it 600 to go. I have Kc7c. I flat call to see a flop. My opponent, at the time, was playing relatively tight, not mixing it up too much without some kind of decent starting hand. My pre-flop read, because he was chatting me up before I made the call, was JJ or QQ. My suited cards gave me the thought to take a flop for 400 more, and if I whiff it, I get out.

Flop:
K-2-4, rainbow

Hmmmm....top pair. I check, opponent checks. He fears the K (I say to myself).

Turn: 4.

I bet 1200 into the pot. He shoves all in (I have him covered). Now this move made me pause and think what could he have that has me beat? AK? Maybe, but not likely. I had him on a pair, not a big ace. JJ or QQ seemed more likely, and I thought the all-in was a shove to drive me out. I tank for a minute or 2, and decide to make a crying call, knowing I still have outs to win the hand.

He rolls over 22, for a boat, deuces full of fours.

In unison--"MISREAD!"

LOL. I still had outs, although very few--any K or any 4 makes me the better hand, but the river was a 10. Ugh. Stack cut to 1250 (I think). My read was partially right--I had him on a pair, just not 22. Nice hand, VP.

VERY NEXT HAND, in the small blind, I had AQ, and a mid-position player goes all in, for 1350. I have to call there, as I am only dominated by AA or KK. All in player shows 10-10. I know you hear all the time...."players always seem to hit the Ace when they need it, but not me..." so I'll spare you that, and just say, I didn't improve, and went out in 14th place.

Picked up 2 points (WEEEE!), but still the night was so much more than that for me. Had a blast (as usual), playing with our group--I won't say it enough, we have some damn good people in our league. People I proudly call friends. My favorite in the league, though, was able to put behind him a horrible week, and take home the top prize.

Vito shook off the passing of his father-in-law, and played some of the most amazing poker I have seen him play. Sure, he got lucky a couple times (some I did not see, but heard about), but when he wasn't getting lucky, he was playing his ass off. Truly a sight to behold. It was certainly emotional for him, as well as me. I'll admit, when he won the tournament, I started choking up inside. I have not suffered the loss of a parent yet, and my ex-wife's father passed away when I was living in Texas. I was never close to him, so it didn't affect me too badly. Vito took his FIL's passing to heart (as mentioned in the previous post), and to see him get away from his grief and play as hard and as well as he did....it was beautiful.

So, we are now idle until next month, and I am planning on hosting the event. My folks are coming in from Vegas that night, and they are fully aware of the league and its doings, so they are looking forward to finally meeting my fellow degenerates. Oh, and if any of my league fellows wish to have a reading while she is in town, my Mum will likely hook ya up with one....but remember, ya gotta take care of the host!

Make it a great week--I know I'm gonna try!

~M

The Friday Notebook

2007-10-19T10:05:00.000-05:00

Don't have one topic or anything, just feel the need to jot some things down--hope I don't bore you to pieces.

1-Getting a weird feeling about our league, in that, I don't know if people still REALLY want to do it. It's becoming harder and harder to get commitments out of some folks if they are playing from month to month, and there are some grumblings that players aren't having nearly as much fun as they used to. I really want our league to succeed and be fun. I truly enjoy to company of all of players in our league, and I am willing to help keep this thing going. We've had lots of laughs, fun, and cards together. I hope we haven't run the course with the league, as it's something I look forward to each and every month.

2-Got smoked at work on Thursday. I mean SMOKED. Was at a basketball game, when one of the players fell out of bounds and I ended up getting hit in the melon with a camera. I felt fine at the time, but really wasn't. Rest of the day is somewhat of a blur, but I do remember feeling very lethargic. I don't want to use the word concussion, but if I didn't have one, I was as close as you could be to having one. Not fun at all. Much better today, after a good night's sleep (and plenty of Advil).

3-Life could be changing in a big way in the near future. My parents are ready to move out of Las Vegas, so once they sell their house, they are likely going to be moving in with Mrs. Chipstack and I. I don't fear that. I welcome it, and truth be told, my wife was the one pushing for it. She was insisting on it, so that's fine with me. My folks need to get out of Vegas--bad place for them. It will be good to have them here--they are visiting at Thanksgiving--so they can see what life is like in our little burgh, and then they can plan accordingly.

4-The flipside of parents moving in, is parents leaving us. I don't mean abandonment, I mean death. One of my very best friends, lost his father-in-law this week. My buddy is a fine man, father, and husband who simply "gets it." He is a big reason why I am so much in love with the game of poker as well. His father-in-law put him, and his family, through some really tough and trying times over the past couple of years, as health and strength were failing him. Yet, in the face of it all, my pal managed to keep a smile, keep grinding, square his shoulders and lean into the challenges. That's just what he does. I am proud to call Vito my friend. I hurt for him during this period of loss. I do know that Vito is a better man for knowing his father-in-law, and I am a better person for knowing Vito.

Good luck, and good cards.
~M

Johnny Sez..."How about 2?"

2007-10-17T08:36:00.000-05:00

OK, so that's not what he's saying there, but for me, it sounds good enough. League game this weekend, and I will hunt for my 2nd win of the season. I played a bit fast and loose last month, a feat which I do not plan on repeating.

Played a nice 7 handed game Sunday, with rebuys. I busted on the bubble, and I deserved to. I didn't play very well throughout much of the night, but went on a nice rush and before I knew it, had a bunch of chips. Lost a chunk here, and a chunk there, and finally got it all in (again--I survived 4-5 all-in's before), with Q-9 off, vs. AK off. Hit a Q on the flop, but turn and river brought spades, putting 4 on the board. AK held a spade, and I was sunk. Ack.

Been working a bunch--really feeling the effects of this fall routine, with NFL Sundays, our annual Fall trip to the Speedway. Been running ragged, and need a break. I get one this weekend--no NFL game. Good chance for us to get the little guy's birthday party in. He turns 8 on the 22nd, so party time is Sunday. Taking a group bowling, so I will be doing some keggling.

I just hope that I have a pocket full o' cash from the night before!

Good luck and good cards!
~M

I am SO good

2007-10-11T08:28:00.000-05:00

I can't even begin to describe it. I STEAMROLLED the table at Irish Jim's, playing flawless poker, running bluffs, raising with the nuts. My reads were dead solid perfect, and man, I just know that I can run with the big dogs.

OK, that might be a bit of a lie. In fact, the only truth in the above statement was that I won Tuesday night.

I busted TWICE (thank heavens for the 2 max rebuy rule), and was severely short stacked at the end of the rebuy period. I did use some very well timed aggression to win some pots, but overall, this was by far the luckiest I have ever been at the poker table. Hands down. I really didn't start "playing poker" until I was in a zone where I could actually play. I was so short stacked that I was in all-in or fold mode for nearly 3 levels. I did pick my spots pretty well, but got lucky when I outflopped a better hand once, and held a better hand in an all-in.

Once we got to 4 handed, paying 3, I had this hand UTG: K-10o. I was still the short stack, so I push, and get called by the BB who has KJo. Flop comes Q-J-10, ugh, but with 2 clubs, I have the Kc. Turn is 10c, giving me a set, river is 4c, giving me a flush. Lucky. Not a string of skill in that, just plain ole luck. That doubled me, and had me on my way. Flopped 2 pair with A8, and was able to trap my buddy Klownboxer, and that broke the bubble. Tracy knocked off Jason to get us to heads up, and in HU, we saw the blinds hit the 2000, 4000 with 400 ante level. Lots of chips in the middle before you look at a card. Gladly was able to outlast him there, even though he did double through me one to make it interesting.

Track this weekend, cards again on Sunday.

Maybe sometime in the next month, I will sleep.

Good luck and good cards,
~M

2007-10-09T17:08:00.000-05:00

20 year reunion was a lot of fun. I know I would have had even more fun if the wife had come along, but circumstances, etc. Saw and caught up with a lot of old faces, that, unfortunately, I will likely never see again. I got the sense that 10 years from now, there won't be much interest in gathering as a group, but who knows. For the few hours we were all together, it was nice to kick open the doors of those days at our alma mater, and relive some of the moments we had long forgotten about.

I will say this--there are several of my fellow classmates who look very much like they did when we got dressed up in cap & gown. There are many that do not. Still, the people are still the same, and THAT was most enjoyable. Some conversations picked up where they left off at the 10 year reunion. Others had to be jumpstarted. No biggie.

A big thanks to Ron and Jacki (our organizers), as they were the ones that put this whole thing together. I got to see their kids play in the JV and Varsity games (by the way, we got smashed 56-0 on Homecoming-Ugh), and I saw a side of them I didn't see in high school--the parental side. These 2 had a baby in HS, but never did I see them as parents until Saturday. They are very good at raising their kids--very respectful, and very nice. Good to know good people.

POker--back on tonight--Irish Jim's--I head over there in about 45 minutes. Cards Sunday. League next Saturday. I got the itch, and Imma gonna scratch it!

~M

The Chipstack

Honey??? When can we go back???

Remember me?

I've issued a challenge

Quick Blast on a Thursday

OK, I've held off long enough

Hello Blogosphere

His name is Pug

I guess I don't run goot.....

Vegas 2009-the Cliff's notes

Vegas hit-will recap soon. Can't post from iPhone.

Oooooooooohhh baby.....

The countdown is ON now!

Itchin'

The Countdown is on

4 seasons, a vacation, and a new goal

I'm a bad blogger

Now I know how Shaniac feels

Bullets on a Thurdsday

So much for my resolution

Happy New Year

ABC...

Hi there

The changing face of...

The "November 9"

How to fade a beat...

I play so bad...

When C-SPAN and CNN...

Back in the day

Feels like forever

Been a bit....

Workin' the Laundromat

Miss me?

Back at the table

Friday Funnies

Time for a harsh evaluation

A shout out to the Fitz

Fun trip, bad pokah

It's time!!!!

I can FEEL IT!!!!

Day 1 of the Main Event

The countdown is on....

A new slate

Busy weekend ahead

Where to begin...

TOC Saturday, a look back

May is over. *Whew*

One more week

From an aisle seat...

A mid-week how-do-ya-do

What a week

Other than that, how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln?

Stopping short of a week....

Hello, friends...

I'm a bore, I know.

The Madness of March

OK, as promised....

Sunday

Been a while...

The calm before the storm

Certainly worth your time

It's Monday

Random Thursday Thoughts

OK, poker, as promised

I can't beleive I missed it!

Trying to stay positive

Some Wednesday thoughts

Do as I say, not as I do

A quick one on a Friday night

A valuable lesson

Quick hits on a Monday

11 months left?

Try to help a friend....

NASCAR Week behind me

Well, THAT was fast...

Just gotta be around it

I have officially retired

Poker After Dark

New Battle Gear

Revealing the mucked hand

May is over. Whew