Saying goodbye is never easy...

..but it will be this weekend. For those that have visited the poker lair in the past, the next time you are over, it will look vastly different.

Gone will be the carpet, and installed will be some new laminate flooring by DuPont. Only one thing.

I gotta do the installing.

Ugh!

It will be fine. The biggest pain in the ass will be getting the carpeting out, and having everything out of the way. Once finished, it will look amazing (I hope).

Blog will take next week off (for the most part), although I might post some pics of the installation in stages.

Hope y'all have a good weekend and next week!

~M

PS--My buddy AB golfed with me on Monday, and wrote a nice recap on his blog. Click here to check it out (with pics too!)

Hey, how old are you?

A non-poker post...a first for this blog.

Saw this online, and thought you folks might enjoy it.

80's Music Lyric Test

100 questions, so make sure you have some spare time to do it. I haven't done it, but I am old, and remember half of these already. In fact, some of these tunes are in my iPod....but I ain't saying which ones!

Golf whipped ass. My buddy AB snapped some pics, so when I get them, I shall share. We got 2nd place.

~M

Where to begin....hmmmm



Well, I didn't win the March event. Didn't have many big holdings, picked up Aces 1 time, and won with them. Got away from a disaster, but in the end, wasn't able to do any real damage. Couple hands of interest:



On Button with AK suited. 1 limper in middle position, 1 player in late position raises it (blinds 25-50) to 125. I bump it to 300. Original raiser calls.



Flop x-J-9-we both check



Turn-K-check check



River-Q-he checks.



I reached for chips, but, for some strange reason, I looked back through my shades at the board, and smelled a rat. I checked.



Original raiser shows pocket 10's for the K-hi straight.



Why didn't I bet it? I honestly don't know. I could tell you a story filled with smoke and lies, but I just didn't think a bet was gonna pick up that pot. Even if I bet the turn, I know he would have called (and I know this because he told me later on a break...). Just glad I lost the minimum I put in.



In the end it didn't matter, because I ended up going all in during the 4th level (100-200) with AQ suited in spades. My allin wasn't really enough to scare anyone off, as I had just 650 left. Yes, you can smell what the Rock is cookin... Get a call from the BB--he has A-7 offsuit



Flop-2 spades, Turn-brick, river 7.



He had just 2 outs in the deck after the flop--7 of spades would have made my flush.



Sick 2 outer there, but hey, it happens. I just kinda laughed at it, and flipped all 4 of my chips to the winner, and then razzed him all night. It wasn't a bad call on his part, so no need to feel bitter at him for making it--just the Poker Gods giving me a little medicine I suppose.



Still sitting in good shape to make the league TOC, but didn't do myself any favors with my low finish. Still have a good shot at winning the regular season Player of the Year award, but still have some obstacles to overcome. Right now, I just need to get feeling better about my play. I know I mucked 2 winners on Saturday to the same player, basically got bluffed out of hands. Gonna replay those hands in my head and learn from them. Just time to re-focus a bit, as I have about a month to prepare for the regular season finale.



Had a situation arise where a players chips disappeared from his seat at the table. I have to applaud the job we, as the Executive Committee, did to rectify the situation. We gathered the data, got some accounts from witnesses, and made, what I feel was the fair and correct ruling. Basically, a player moved into another seat with a bunch of chips, and when the player's chips got onto the new table, they basically swallowed up the other players stack (this was heading to a break). It was an honest mistake, with no ill intent, and once we did our due diligence, we made the proper ruling. No hard feelings, no ill will, no backlash or breach of trust. It was a mistake, we dealt with it, and moved forward.



There was, at one fleeting moment, a thought that we stop the tourney and start over. OK, I'll confess, I made that suggestion, since I was about to get knocked out!!! Seriously, we did the right thing, and I hope all players involved in the situation (or as witnesses) were satisfied with how it was handled. If you weren't, please feel free to contact me, and let me know your thought (you can leave a comment here if you like, or PM me through the league site).



My feeling is this. We have a very, VERY good group of people. I can honestly say that I view each league member as a friend of mine. I hope they feel the same about me. Having a group of 40 people in one place, all enjoying a poker tournament, and each other's company is truly a special thing, and I truly enjoy each minute of these things, win, lose or draw. The league is something special, and in the time we've been running it, it has morphed into a very good time, with some damn good players. The misunderstanding about the missing chips was just that--a misunderstanding, or better yet-an accident. I certainly hope that no one is harboring any bad feelings towards the folks involved.



Got to go--got a golf date in the morning at Quail Hollow....you know, where the PGA plays the Wachovia Championship???



Yeah, I know y'all are jealous.

Mentioned this in a previous post

But the hits just keep on coming!

This map shows the location of some of the most recent visitors to the bog--how cool!

China? Argentina? Peru? Australia? Cool!

~M

So who are they?

As in, who are my favorite pro players?

The question came up at another site I frequent, and I have to tell you, my list is quite long. There are probably 7-10 pros that I love watching play, and in my own way, try to take some of their game, and move it into mine.

In no particular order:

Daniel Negreanu

This is a guy that is so much fun to watch, because, as Norman Chad on ESPN put it, "you get to see the artist at work, in full view." I love how he talks through the hand, and is able to come up with the right answer mroe often than not. You rarely see him playing small stack poker on TV, because he is not sitting behind the small stack.

Marcel Luske

The Flying Dutchman is right up there as one of my all time favorites, and that is because we actually chatted over drinks for about 3 hours at the Rio during the 2005 WSOP. The story can be found here. Scroll down to the story.

Doyle Brunson

The ageless wonder continues to play well, and he has 10 WSOP bracelets. Only Johnny Chan and Phil Hellmuth have that many--no one has more. He is the Godfather of the game (Johnny Moss is likely considered the Father), and a living legend that has been gracious when meeting fans, and always shows how it should be done--after scooping a pot, or taking a bad beat.

Mike Matusow

The Mouth is, in my opinion, one of the most under-rated and under-appreciated players out there. He does blow up, but when he is on stroke, he's as good as anyone out there. His FT at the Main Event in 2005, followed by his Tournament of Champions win netted him $2 million in his pocket. Mike has problems, but when he's is right, he's among the best in the game.

Phil Ivey

The owl of poker--watch his eyes when he plays. Always studying, always soaking up information. The guy is a machine, and always a threat in any game he sits in. Scary in his reads (usually reads his opponents the right way, then acts accordingly), steely in his gaze.

Phil Hellmuth

The Poker Brat. The self-proclaimed greatest hold 'em player of all time. All 10 of his bracelets are in hold 'em, which lends some credibility to his claim of all time greatest. I think he needs to have the word tournament in there, as his cash game results (at least the TV ones), have been lacking. Still, this guy's ability to read players is frightening. His tantrums are classic, but half the time, he's got the right idea--he just communicates in such a way that turns people off. I like him.

Allen Cunningham

Mad game. Sick. His recent WSOP successes make him more of a hosuehold name these days, but other players in the game speak so highly of him, it's almost weird because, if they don't speak his name, you might not know him at all. Quiet as a church mouse at the table, but a viper in a hand. Consumate pro.

There are others, and I won't continue with this because it is late, but suffice to say, these are players that have mad game, with other variables that put them in the elite. To join them, or even be mentioned in the same breath would be wonderful.

One day, I hope.

Uh-oh....

Now is NOT the time to be running bad, but that is what Sunday was. A bad BAD run.

Nice full game, with 10 players. Tried to pick up a pot from early position with a raise, but got called. Checked out the flop and the turn, I bet the river, and got caught with my hand in the cookie jar. By Ace high--that was how bad my hand was! LOL. Tried a stab, and missed, and got caught. No biggie.

It was a rebuy game, with 1 full rebuy allowed through the first 4 levels. I busted my original stack with the following:

Blinds at 100-200 (Im pretty sure), I am in late position with 55. 1 early limper, and player to my right limps. I shove for my last 975--not good considering there is already 700 out there. Only get 1 caller, and I immediately say " Ace-King?" That's what he flips. Suited too.

Flop:
4-3-3
Turn:
4
River:
A

Not a fun beat, but also factor that the board was a rainbow, and that the Ace of clubs was flipped (exposed) during the deal (and was then the first burn card), and another player mucked an Ace...that's your gardern variety 5 outer (1 A, 3 K, and the case 4).

Dammit. Rebuy.

I go broke when I push with A-2 after a flop of A-J-5 rainbow, and the limper to my left flips AJ for top 2 pair. Bad time for me to shove, but I was getting short (imagine that), and he had the hand. Knuckle the table, and slide into the dealer position...all I could do.

Why is now a bad time to be running bad? Well.....next week is the March league event. Yes, I am in good shape regarding the points, but I want NO PART of a close call when it comes to making the Tournament of Champions. I want a nice big finish on Saturday to lock up my TOC seat, and leave nothing to chance. Basically, I am still playing for a win, and not a points-earned seat.

I would say that I have an advantage, since I am playing in familiar surroundings (read-my place), but I haven't fared well in League games in my home. I have had 1 final table and a 10th place finish in league games here. The other finishes were early...as in first or 2nd eliminated. Ack.

Hopefully, I got my early finish out of my system TONIGHT, and will be aruond for a final table on Saturday. A FT would lock me into the TOC, but I want a win. I am so frigging hungry to win one of these things, it is reallty not even funny. I know I am capable, I just need that angel on my shoulder.

Anyway, no live game this week until Saturday for me, and since I whiffed on the Powerball AGAIN (I wish they would just pull my numbers already), I will be working through at least Wednesday.

Ever wonder how the conversation with your boss would go if you hit the jackpot on the lottery?
I have.
MANY times.

Good luck, and good cards,
~M

Jon Stewart

http://www.macpokeronline.com/commercials/jon-stewart/

Click the link for a good laugh, as Jon Stewart on the Daily Show rips the government for their "knowledge" of the internet and it's uses....and yes the dude from Alaska is serious.

Thanks to Daniel Negreanu's site for reminding me to re-post this. Too funny!

~M

Quick hits, late night...

Sitting here, at 2:00am, makes me realize one thing--I love poker so much.

Was able to sit in Irish Jim's game last week Wednesday, and came home 2nd, and nearly staged a rally to win it. Still, 2nd was nice--I somehow find a way to cash at his place, which is always a nice feeling driving over there.

Been a busy time with work--State Championship Basketball games last weekend, NCAA Tourney starting this week, ACC Tourney last week...so much to do, and so few bodies to do it properly. We manage, but it's time like that I would much rather be squeezing a couple of KEM cards and try to determine raise, call, or fold.

I'll get the chance in a couple Saturday's when we play the March league event, but I am gonna try and squeeze a game in this weekend. One of our League members wants to do a game on Saturday--which, of course is St. Patrick's Day. I have no problem with St. Patty's Poker...my wife might, which puts me on a draw for that day. If I make the draw, I'll be there...otherwise, I'll probably try to do a game on Sunday. 1 table, that would hold me over.

Been having a good start to this week, as my daughter is visiting from college for a couple days. She goes back home on Wednesday, but spending time with her and catching up has been awesome. She is an amazing young woman, with her head on straight. Makes me proud to call her my daughter, and even prouder when she calls me "Dad."

Anyway, it's late, and I am multi-tabling on FT (1 hold 'em tourney, and a HORSE sit-n-go), so until next time...

Good luck and good cards!

~M

What Up CHIPTALK.NET!!!!

Lots of peeps heading over here from chiptalk.net, and I wish to say thanks for peeking in. You have likely noticed in some of the posts my chips (past and present) that were purchased from very good folks at the site.

Most recently I purchased my Binion's Horseshoe Tribute chips from ABC Gifts and Awards--Gene is a top notch human being who has the ability to make some damn nice chips. His work is highly recommended by me, and many others. Check out his site here.

I also purchased 2005 WSOP Chipcos from a fella with a company called Boston Poker Chips, but I am unsure if they are still in business. My experience with them was not nearly as good as ABC. I did get the chips from them, but not the order I submitted and ended up with a set that didn't work. I sold off the Chipcos and bought the Horseshoe's, and am quite happy.

But not totally.

Thanks to the folks at chiptalk.net, I have become a raving chip lunatic. There are so many talented artists coming up with new and exciting designs, inlays, edgespot combos, etc., that I simply need 2 additional jobs to feed my chip addiction. And it is an addiction.

No, I don't need, or want any help. No intervention required, thanks. I love this addiction, and I suspect it will be with me for the rest of my life.

Gene already knows another big order is coming from me for his aligned edgespot WSOP replicas, but I may end up holding off, since the 2007 WSOP is right around the corner, and there is talk of new Main Event chips being introduced. I also need to augment my Horseshoes, as Gene has added more denominations, with some great looking chips, plus I want additional chips of the denoms I already have.

I am sick, aren't I?

Oh well....planning for Vegas in July with the wife, which is going to rock. Problem is, I will miss out on a get-together with my fellow CT'ers in Atlanta in April, and a Vegas junket with them in August. Only way I can make it is with a smooth lottery hit on Wednesday (120 million baby!).

I hit that, there won'tbe enough chips left on the planet for anyone to play with....BECAUSE I WILL HAVE THEM ALL!!!!!!

Chiptalk.net. A great community with wonderful people, bonded together by the love, and sickness of poker chips. You guys rule.

Ahhh, technology....

nothing of substance, just this.

I love being the chip leader, flopping 2nd nuts, only to have my connection drop.

~M