Ho Ho Hold 'Em-2007

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

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

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

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

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

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

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