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