RecessRampage had to call me out.

So I did what every poker player would do when this happens... I set out to prove to that weightlifting, basket missing, Alt-tabbing, work place productivity reducing degenerate wrong!!

I decided to play in a tourney after my ball game because I just had to prove a little something, anything, to myself. Little did I know I would final table this bitch... with the chip lead? Alan is right, but I still had something to prove.

Well....

5th place. I am a fish among fish.

I am quickly reminded as to why I rarely bother with these tournaments though... they take way to fucking long!

Time for some sleep, long days ahead, then vacation.

Custom avtars are the shit, 4 card bingo is not

Goat and Bayne have joined forces and created the best thing since spam on toast.

Go check it out, I've already got mine on order. Awesome stuff.

I played the 4 card bingo game last night. Not happy with the way I played at all.

I've a got a week long holiday coming up next week, so not much time to post these days as I try to tend to the various issues here and there and everywhere.

Here are a couple of hands from last night just for kicks:

Full Tilt Poker Game #6500600679: Skill Series (44660284), Table 9 - 100/200 - No Limit Omaha H/L - 23:04:53 ET - 2008/05/20
Seat 1: Blinders (5,326)
Seat 2: wwonka69 (2,488)
Seat 3: columbo (5,015)
Seat 4: Schaubs (3,680)
Seat 6: pvanharibo (3,514)
Seat 7: Wadzilla (7,148)
Seat 8: RaisingCayne (5,150)
Seat 9: dwal78 (9,450)
columbo posts the small blind of 100
Schaubs posts the big blind of 200
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Schaubs [4s 5h 6c 7d]
pvanharibo folds
Wadzilla calls 200
RaisingCayne folds
dwal78 folds
Blinders calls 200
wwonka69 folds
columbo calls 100
Schaubs checks <--- Free Flop!
*** FLOP *** [2d 6h 7c]
columbo has 15 seconds left to act
columbo bets 800 <--- now he bets?
Schaubs has 15 seconds left to act
Schaubs raises to 3,480, and is all in
Wadzilla has 15 seconds left to act
Wadzilla calls 3,480
Blinders folds
columbo: ?
columbo has 15 seconds left to act
columbo raises to 4,815, and is all in
Wadzilla calls 1,335
columbo shows [Ad As Jh 3h]
Schaubs shows [4s 5h 6c 7d]
Wadzilla shows [3c 8h Ac Th]
*** TURN *** [2d 6h 7c] [3d]
*** RIVER *** [2d 6h 7c 3d] [Jc]
columbo shows two pair, Jacks and Threes, for high andcolumbo shows 7,6,3,2,A, for low
Wadzilla shows a pair of Threes, for high andWadzilla shows 7,6,3,2,A, for low
columbo wins the high side pot (1,335) with two pair, Jacks and Threes
columbo ties for the low side pot (668) with 7,6,3,2,A
Wadzilla ties for the low side pot (667) with 7,6,3,2,A
Schaubs shows a straight, Seven high, for high andSchaubs shows 6,5,4,3,2, for low
Schaubs wins the high main pot (5,620) with a straight, Seven high
Schaubs wins the low main pot (5,620) with 6,5,4,3,2
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 13,910 Main pot 11,240. Side pot 2,670. Rake 0
Board: [2d 6h 7c 3d Jc]
Seat 1: Blinders folded on the Flop
Seat 2: wwonka69 (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: columbo (small blind) showed [Ad As Jh 3h] and won (2,003) with HI: two pair, Jacks and Threes; LO: 7,6,3,2,A
Seat 4: Schaubs (big blind) showed [4s 5h 6c 7d] and won (11,240) with HI: a straight, Seven high; LO: 6,5,4,3,2
Seat 6: pvanharibo didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: Wadzilla showed [3c 8h Ac Th] and won (667) with HI: a pair of Threes; LO: 7,6,3,2,A
Seat 8: RaisingCayne didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: dwal78 didn't bet (folded)

Full Tilt Poker Game #6501187635: Skill Series (44660284), Table 9 - 250/500 Ante 50 - No Limit Omaha H/L - 23:51:41 ET - 2008/05/20
Seat 3: columbo (7,757)
Seat 4: Schaubs (15,737)
Seat 5: lilkimmer77 (11,128)
Seat 6: Tommy 2 Toe (13,323)
Seat 7: Wadzilla (33,544)
Seat 8: RaisingCayne (4,690)
columbo antes 50
Schaubs antes 50
lilkimmer77 antes 50
Tommy 2 Toe antes 50
Wadzilla antes 50
RaisingCayne antes 50
Wadzilla posts the small blind of 250
RaisingCayne posts the big blind of 500
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Schaubs [Tc Kd 8d Ks]
columbo has 15 seconds left to act
columbo raises to 1,500 <---- is there anyone tighter than Columbo?
Schaubs raises to 15,687, and is all in <---- yet I still push this shit hand.
lilkimmer77 folds
Tommy 2 Toe folds
Wadzilla folds
RaisingCayne folds
columbo has 15 seconds left to act
columbo calls 6,207, and is all in
Schaubs shows [Tc Kd 8d Ks]
columbo shows [Jc Ah Ac 7s]
Uncalled bet of 7,980 returned to Schaubs
*** FLOP *** [2c 4c Qs]
*** TURN *** [2c 4c Qs] [Jh]
*** RIVER *** [2c 4c Qs Jh] [Js]
Schaubs shows two pair, Kings and Jacks, for high
columbo shows three of a kind, Jacks, for high
columbo wins the pot (16,464) with three of a kind, Jacks
No low hand qualified
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 16,464 Rake 0
Board: [2c 4c Qs Jh Js]
Seat 3: columbo showed [Jc Ah Ac 7s] and won (16,464) with HI: three of a kind, Jacks
Seat 4: Schaubs showed [Tc Kd 8d Ks] and lost with HI: two pair, Kings and Jacks
Seat 5: lilkimmer77 folded before the Flop
Seat 6: Tommy 2 Toe (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 7: Wadzilla (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 8: RaisingCayne (big blind) folded before the Flop

Good times...

Friday Randomness

It's a beautiful sunny day here, the weather is supposed to hold up for at least 2 days, hopefully three (right now its about 22 degrees out and should get up to 26ish). I know you already know what that means... GOLF BABY!

I hit the range last night in preparation for a tournament that is coming up in 10 short days. I finished 2nd in it last year, so I plan on making a charge for the title this year. I need to book a win or two damn it! I am sick of second! I'll be at the range and putting green for a good part of the weekend.

With golf taking up the day time, parties are the night time plan. Drinking, heavy drinking, will take place and I just hope that I don't go too over board tomorrow night so that I can at least make my away around the course without the assitance of a power cart. Tonight is a bday party for a bud and tequila is on the menu... two max for me. I am a light weight when it comes to the hard stuff. She can pound the booze and will certainly drink me under the table.

I played in the math on Monday night and it was basically a bad choice, the wrong choice. You know the feeling. The feeling like "I have to play, there is a TOC seat available" even though you KNOW you should just be resting and recovering from a hard weekend in Vegas. I played anyway. I thought I was making a decent move, and of course, I was wrong. No one folds a five card hand. It's that simple. So mental note: don't bluff into a runner runner straight when you are trying to represent a flush or a full house. They'll call anyway.

That led me to tilt off a full BI at the $.25/.50 table 6 max deep. I never learn.

I'm not sure where or when my next poker adventure will take place. To be honest, I'd rather be golfing. While my other close blogger buddies are grinding out wins, and learning and reading and practicing, I am going the opposite direction. It is a bit depressing because I know that I want to get better, I just don't have the time to be that dedicated.

It definitely takes dedication. You are only fooling yourself if you think you are getting better just by playing in these blogger events (this should be obvious to most). Sure, initally you will see some slight improvements and consistency as you move your way up the non-cashing leaderboard (and if the RNG is on your side you might even squeak into the money one evening). But, if you don't take the time to actually review your HH's, disect what you are doing wrong and try to plug those leaks, you will never be the player that you know you can be.

Wow, did I just give advice? I know that is not the norm around here, in fact, I rarely have any good poker advice to give. But I think I can safely say that this one is pretty obvious. So, if you have the time and want to spend it in doors (or on the deck in the sun) combing over your weaknesses, then do it. It will pay in the end. You can thank me later.

Hockey - The Stanley Cup Finals should start up on Tuesday or Wednesday. As long as Detroit can crush Dallas on Saturday (I guess I was wrong about them going undefeated after putting in Osgood... weird!) and the Pens should make easy work of the Flyers at home. Go Red Wings!

Does anyone play Big 2? I played that game a lot back in high school. It basically laid the ground work for me learning the poker basics. I used to play at Tiger Gaming for money, maybe I should give it another shot. We played a bit in Vegas ($20 each, first to win 2 games) and I've got the itch again. I took it down for a nice profit.

Fuck it's sunny out. Can't wait to start on those ice cold Stellas I've got sitting in fridge at home!

Have a good weekend everyone.

Back to reality

Vegas. What a place. Every single time I make the trek to Vegas it is an adventure completely unlike the last. No two are the same, and they never will be. That is the best part about there being so much do there. This time I actually spent time doing other things like going to the pool or driving out the desert to play paintball (man those things hurt). Good times, endlessly good times were had by our crew.

Poker was used as a means to get drunk most of the time. Fortunately, I still managed to break even. I played some short handed poker (not on purpose, and of course this is where I lost the most), but most of the time it was full ring. I didn't play a single tournament which was a bit of a shame. But in all honestly, there just wasn't any time. I played at the Wynn on Sunday night and we got completed smashed. Shooters, beers, shooters beers, more shooters. In the 10 hours that we spent at the table I was dealt Aces 4 times. I played them differently every single time and never had to show them once. Although I did once when I was in the BB and got the good ol' walk. Damn it. I booked a $155 win, and got very, very drunk. What a deal I say.

I do regret not getting a chance to sling some chips with Don, or better yet tee it up and play 18. I knew he was at the Venetian all weekend, yet I just didn't have a moment where I could sneak away from the action. I have, however, decided that when I make the trip out there for the December gathering that I will bring the sticks and try to arrange a blogger golf outting one morning. Drinking will be the focal point, no doubt.

Unlimited jokes, a guy with a moustache (free moustache rides), Ghost Bar, Pure (what a club, wow, table service is by far the way to go if you ask me) made for some very late nights. Often guys would not sleep at all, in fact there was even one homey who didn't actually get a wink in the first 48.

Celebs we saw:

• Larry Johnson (RB for KC Chiefs) at Pure celebrating his engagement
• Method Man at the Hard Rock Cafe
• Devin Setoguchi (most would not recognize him, but moustache man did)
• John Favreau
• UncleChuck

Nothing special really, but always fun to see who you can spot.

I didn't play a single table game. Not one. A buddy of mine made me play a few hands for him (drunk) and it didn't go to well. I did see him bet $12 on roulette and hit it right before we went into Pure (Pussy Cat Dolls... average at best). for a nice payout.

The next trip will be even better than the rest as I head out there in about 2 months for a wedding. This will be a first for me, a wedding in Vegas with a HUGE group of people. Mostly non-poker players so I expect it to be another completely different trip again.

I love that place.

Until next time, back to reality.

Hasta Lasagna

Since I won't be around for the next 4-5 days I thought I would add a poll question and see what kind of results I would obtain. Check it out down the right side and select your answer.

Have a good weekend everyone.

NHL Playoffs Round 2 results, Round 3 Predictions, Vegas 2 sleeps

I have come to the conclusion that I suck at playoff hockey, pools and picks alike. I just do. I think it is mainly to do with the one thing that a gambler should never ever do: bet with their heart. I have no idea why I continue to do this, but I do... and it gets me into trouble everytime. And by trouble, I mean: I lose.

So from now on I am guessing/betting with my hockey smarts. Not based on "who I want to win or cheer for" that is just a dumb way to approach it. You can't expect proper results if you make your decisions based on what you want to happen. Instead you should be making your picks based on who you actually think is going to win. My round 2 picks are a great example of this. I knew that Detroit was going to win... except I picked Colorado. Partially because I really can't stand Detroit and all their stupid Stanley Cups they keep winning (3 in the last 10 years I believe) and partially because I wanted the Avs to win. I knew they had no chance, but I picked the Avs anyway. Wanting and knowing are two different beasts and you should always go with what you know, not what you hope for. Duh.

Let's punish myself some more shall we. Here is how badly I did in round 2:

Eastern Conference:
My correct picks: NONE! Both Montreal and New York lost in 5 games. Again, I made those picks with my heart and not my brain. I love the Rangers (ever since they layed the beat on my Canucks in 94'... although it seems a bit backwards doesn't it?), I picked them to go to the Cup finals this year. Part of this was because of my stooopid Astin pool that I am in, and part of this was because I just really like the Rangers. Avery is a grinder but got injured early and sat out, and their goalie Lundqvist was on fire. IF I had actually thought it through, I should have realized how good the Flyers and the Pens actually are. Both teams are playing at their peak right now and I look for the Eastern Final to go deep and be very physical. The Penguins led the regular season series 5 games to 3. I look for this to be the same again in the playoffs... with lots of hard hitting and fantastic goal scoring.

Western Conference:
My correct picks: NONE! Ha!!! How pathetic. Again, as I stated above - I just didn't want the Red Wings to win. I knew they were going to, but I just hoped that somehow, someway the Avs would find a way to win. I thought they might "do it for Sakic" but I was totally wrong. The Wings are such a force, I can't really see anyone stopping them, let alone even winning a single game at this rate. They are that good right now. As far as the Stars go, I really need to give them some props. Turco is standing on his head and there isn't much anyone can do about it. Maybe if someone gives him a run, sure. I knew that goal tending would (and always does) make the difference in the playoffs, but I guess I just didn't know that Turco had so much to prove. I picked San Jose to win the Cup and obv. I was totally way mutha fuckin' off. Again, I picked them here on this blog because I picked them in that dumb Astin pool, and I had to stick with it. I couldn't contradict my own pool here on this very blog. That just makes no sense to me up in my little brain. So I went with SJ, even though I knew, I just knew that Dallas would win. Both of my teams lost, in 5 games. LOL what a joke. Please don't contact me for NHL advice as I obviously know shit all. weeeeeee.

Here are my Round 3 predictions:

Eastern Conference Finals: The Battle of Pennsylvania: Penguins vs. Flyers

My Pick: The Penguins in 7. This is going to be a very ugly series. In fact, I am going to say that the team that wins this series will get crushed in the Stanley Cup Finals only because they will be so worn out from beating each other up in the Eastern Final that they'll barely have anything left in the tank come game 1. This match up is very very close and has a lot of young talent with mega stars in the making. It's all going to come down to home ice advantage and I am positive that the Pens will pull it out here.

Western Conference Finals: Texas vs. Michigan

My Pick: I hate to say it, but the Red Wings are going to win the Stanley Cup. Of course, first they need to plow their way through the Dallas, which really might cause them a bit more stress than the first two series'. I can't see them sweeping the Stars, but you just never know. It would be great to witness a team totally destroy everyone in their path and go 16-0 to win. Now that would be special. Almost Tiger special (now that is special). The last team to go undefeated was the 1960 Montreal Canadians... but they only had to win 8 games back then... The Red Wings also went 8-0 in 1952. Hopefully the Stars will make it interesting. If Turco goes nuts again, then they do have a legit chance of taking this to 6 or 7 games. If Osgood falters and they for some reason put in Hasek, then look out Wings. Your days are numbered.

----
I leave for Vegas in 3 days. Staying at the Palms. Going for a stag. Trip report to follow... if I end up getting in any poker... LOL who am I kidding!! It's first on my list! If anyone is going to be out there, maybe we can meet up at the Venetian for a little cash game action. Hit me!

Bodog WSOP Blogger Tuesdays

Being a blogger definitely has it benefits. Where else can you get a chance to play for a WSOP Main Event Seat with your fellow bloggers? One of the best places going right now is none other than Bodog of course!

Bodog is offering a World Series of Poker blogger tournament to poker bloggers looking for an opportunity to win a seat to the 2008 WSOP.

Bodog Poker Blogger Tournament Series

Bodog is proud to host the Bodog Poker Blogger Tournament Series opened to any Online Poker Blogger. Join up and challenge other Poker Bloggers each week in our Bodog Poker Room and live to tell about it. Earn points and work your way up the Tournament Leader Board for a spot in the final tournament for your chance to win a $12,000 World Series of Poker* prize package and be a part of Team Bodog 2008.

Now that's a pretty sweet opportunity.

What are you waiting for? For more information, go here.

Have a great Tuesday!