The countdown is ON now!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Looking forward to vacation. So. Effing. Much.

~M

Itchin'

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

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

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

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

~M

The Countdown is on

Las Vegas in t-minus 29 days.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck and good cards,
~M

4 seasons, a vacation, and a new goal

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

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

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

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

Moderate.

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

Good luck and good cards to you,
~M

I'm a bad blogger

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

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

• 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.

~M