The Dooooooookie Was Fun

I had the day from hell yesterday. I wont go into all the details but work was a pain in my ass. It started with issues in the morning that compounded as the day went on but by the end of the day I had most of it straightened out and ready to go.

By the time I left work I had just enough time to make it to Speedy’s semi-final game for her league tournament but I had the line-up ready to go and the girls were ready to play. They jumped out to an early lead and never surrendered it to move into the championship. There was a little gamesmanship going on as I put in our #3 pitcher in the 6th instead of the regular pitcher. My think was that we could only give up 6 run with her and save the better pitcher for the last inning when the could score 10. We had 2 out and were up by 4 when the time limit came up so we were safe until there were 2 runners. I put the better pitcher back on the mound and sealed the deal. I really proud of the girls as they have really worked hard to get better.

I arrived home a little before the Mookie started but decided to skip it. I wasn’t focused enough for that crowd so I jumped in a MTT instead. I stayed solid for much of the tournament time but I for got one thing…most of these players can’t fold a weak hand. I called a raise from the BB with QJ suited and the flop come 9TT. I check to see what he does and he makes a small continuation bet. I cold call with my open ended straight draw and wait for the turn. It is a 4 and though I may be behind I think I can push him off his hand. I check raise him 4 times his bet and he calls after a wait. Now I know he isn’t happy with his hand but he was willing to call so I put him on a medium pair that he cant fold. Anyway, the river is a blank and I bet out all-in and he calls with 79 for the best hand. I guess I misplayed this hand by betting on the river but I did have out and I’m not sure I would have called my check raise. So I go out in the top 25% of the field with nothing to show for it.

I had time to play a SNG before the Dookie and it was about what I expected. I stayed tight early and chipped up some when I hit quad 10s. I blinded down and made a steal with 43 suited to stay above starting stack and then I got pocket 10s again. The flop hiy me with a 10 with an A on the board so I bet my trips and got paid to move to 3700 chips. A few hands later I get KK and just call from the SB after it was folded to me. The BB was short stacked and I wanted to play for all the chips and not just take the blinds. The flop was QJ4 and I checked knowing that she would bet if she hit any part of the flop. She did and I busted her. I then raised another short stack with my 26 and he pushed for 400 more. I had to call vs. his A4 and I spike a 2 to take him out. Next hand I get KJ and raise another shorty and he calls with J9 and I bust another. I then get 99 and call an UTG push and his 44. Now heads up I took the last opponent down in about 6 hands. I was a total luckbox.

About this time the Dookie started and I realize it takes great skills to win a Dookie tournament. With the wonderful structure you can easily use mad post flop skills to out play your opponent. PLO hl was the game and I didn’t play a lot early. I kept my stack around starting level. After the blind got up a little I caught a hand of AKKQ double suited and raised it up after a raise to get all-in in a 3 way pot. My hand held up and I was sitting good. I got lucky when I flopped top 2 pair and caught a 3rd pair. I was behind in the hand with the flush out there but hit the boat on the river. This may have been a questionable call but with this structure you have to take a couple of chances. I would have folded the river if I missed. Anyway, I chipped up some more on a weak flush and then hit a nice pot with 2 pair to move into 2nd place with 6 players left. Then I started to bleed chips. By the time we got to the bubble I was down to 4K in chips and almost the short stack. When we got to the money I was way short and willing to gamble a little. I took a ¾ pot to chip up a little and then we were heads up. My buddy JJ had 28K vs. my 6K. He kept the pressure on and I got lucky when I flopped the wheel first hand to scoop. He still had me out chipped 2-1 but I took the lead when I rivered a full house vs. his trips. We split a few hands but then I folded the game winner when the board paired. I had the straight but put him on the boat. I got my chips back a few hands later with a straight and took it down with a boat and the low on the last hand. I have mad luckbox skills.



So it was a good day on the poker front. Tonight Softball E has a game and both the girls have games tomorrow with Softball E having a tourney over the weekend. So not much poker for me the next few days but maybe a late evening session on Friday.

Have a great day.

I Need to Chill

The frustrations of life are beginning to wear me down. The repeating cycle of bad beats has a tendency to change a person perspective and influence what they are really all about. I fit squarely into the middle of this obvious cycle of life.

How many times can you be beat down before you have to come up fighting?

I just have to remember that this is the first day of the rest of my life and quit being so up tight.

Confucius Says.

Confucius Says.


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Virginity like bubble, one prick, all gone.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Man who run in front of car get tired.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Man who run behind car get exhausted.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Man with hand in pocket feel cocky all day.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Foolish man give wife grand piano, wise man give wife upright organ.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Man who walk through airport turnstile sideways going to Bangkok .

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Man with one chopstick go hungry.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Man who scratch ass should not bite fingernails.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Man who eat many prunes get good run for money.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Baseball is wrong: man with four balls cannot walk.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Panties not best thing on earth! But next to best thing on earth.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

War does not determine who is right, war determine who is left.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Wife who put husband in doghouse soon find him in cat house.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Man who fight with wife all day get no piece at night.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It take many nails to build crib, but one screw to fill it.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Man who drive like hell, bound to get there.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Man who stand on toilet is high on pot.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Man who live in glass house should change clothes in basement.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Man who fish in other man's well often catch crabs.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Crowded elevator smell different to midget.

The Craziness of Life and Dr.Pauly Goes Deep

It was a crazy weekend with poker, softball, piano recital and rain to keep everything up in the air.

I played a little poker on Friday night. I didn’t do a whole lot of any thing other then play a tourney and some sngs for a little profit. It was good in that I made a little money but I was sure of my focus so I kept the buy-ins small. I think I cashed in 2 of 4 sngs and won one of them. Like I said…nothing exciting.

We were up early on Saturday because Softball Enthusiast had a tourney that started at 8:00. That meant we were out of the house by 6:00 to meet up with the team and head to the ballpark. It was raining steady but as we got to the field the rain slowed down and even stopped for a while. The girls started warming up but the rain returned so they canceled all the morning games and sent us home to wait for a phone call. Eventually, all the games were called off and we got to spend a rainy day at home. So I fired up the poker machine and played a tourney. I moved into the top 10 at some point and stayed there for much of the tourney. As we approached the bubble I opened my game and put the smaller stack in a bind by raising a lot. I eventually got involved in a hand with a bigger stack and flopped straight He bet out and I hoy’d him for much of my stack and all of his. He called with trips and the board paired to knock me way down. We moved past the bubble and I worked hard to gain traction but got knocked out when I flopped an OESD with a flush draw and bottom pair so I pushed and didn’t catch. I really thought I was going to final table this event but it wasn’t to be. From there I play many sngs and improved my bankroll so it was a good day.

Sunday came and we left the house early for the tourney. We won the first game after SE ripped a single to right field, stole 2nd base and went to third on the over throw. She then scored on a base hit to win the game. In the second game she hit a home run in the last inning when they were only up by one and the flood gates opened as they scored 5 total in the inning.

From there we headed home for her piano recital and headed back to finish the tourney. We won a game while she was gone and we moved to the semi finals. This is the part that is messed up. Nepotism was the name of the game as the pitching coach had her daughter pitch against a top team. She had already thrown earlier in the day against a weak team but she doesn’t have the stuff to beat a good team. I think he found that out after she had given up 14 runs in 1 1/3 innings of work. Anyway, the other team had a girl throwing friggin hard but the girls did score a few runs but there was no way they were going to score 15. Overall they played well but I really question the thinking of the coaching staff. They wasted the #1 pitcher in the 3rd game vs. a team that wasn’t good at all and had to use this other girls against the good team…Stupid. So basically my daughter doesn’t pitch anymore because they need her to catch and play SS. These friggin idiots put a left handed girl at short stop this weekend…WTF. There is no way a lefty can play the position against the better teams. This isn’t t-ball.

SO last night I played a few more sngs and had some success until the end when I fell asleep during one of them. The lack of sleep over the last few days caught up to me and I gave away a buy-in. Overall, I cashed in just over 50% of the sngs I played and had a ROI of almost 40%. These are the numbers I expect and with a focused game will maintain. I probably wont play much this week but with luck will hit it on Friday. We have games every day this week but will calling it a season for Speedy and Baseball E. at the end of the week.

And congrates to Dr. Pauly who went deep in the $1500 donkament at the WSOP. He ended up in 119th place for a nice cash.

The Mookie and a Little SNG Stuff

The Mookie was frustrating for m me last night. I gave away some chips early on a post flop steal but gave it up when I was check re-raised. I worked hard at getting some chips back when I was dealt KK in late/middle position. Most time I will raise with this hand but I tried for some deception and limped in hoping for a raise from one of the blinds or maybe the button. Anyway, the BB raises it and I push my 1K stack in the middle trying to take the pot down but happy to get a call. He called with AQ suited and hit an ace on the river to knock me out. There was so many different ways to play this hand that could have gotten me away but because I wanted the double up, I basically gave away the ability to play poker. If I raise, I’m sure he calls with his hand and I can possibly take it down after the flop with a continuation bet. That is probably the best way to play the hand. In essence I misplayed a great starting hand and got knocked out.

I moved on to a cheap MTT and made a nice run but got knocked out 6 from the bubble when I tried to convince my opponent his hand was no good. The flop was low card and I re-raised his continuation bet and eventually got it all in. His pocket tens held vs. my AJ and I went home. Here is another instance of misplaying my cards. I was trying to represent a set but he didn’t buy it. I could have made it to the money and would have had a chance to move up later but a screwed up play by me ended the night.

I also played two sngs and cashed with a third and a first so I still made money on the night but it could have been better. In the 2nd sng I ran over the table late as I used my big stack to hammer the other 2 players into submission. I raised with any two cards as they had even stacks and wanted the other to bust out first. When we got to the last two hands I was sitting on the BB for 800 and the button had 1000 total. The SB was in for 400 and had 270 behind. The button pushes and the SB folds so I call with my 94 for 200 more and bust him. The next hand I bust the other guy for his last 270. The aggressive play vs. two passive stacks was the difference. By taking advantage of their weak play I moved into a position that was dominant.

Speedy lost last night in a close game that went the distance. The lead changed hands many times and we took the lead in the top of the 7th but couldn’t hold on for the win. I give her a lot of credit for her play because she had shots at the doctors office earlier in the day but she played hard even though I could tell she was sore.

So after losing 10 straight sngs and only cashing in 1 of 13, I’ve turned it back around and cashed in 6 of my last 7. My cashing % is still over 50% but my return is a little low at 25%. I had to many 3rd place finishes and not enough 1st. So I’m sitting at ½ my high water mark with 40 sngs done. I’m still up 25% so I can’t complain.

Some Poker and Some Life

It was a good night on the softball front on Monday. Both girls had games and they both played well even though I didn’t get to see both games. Speedy’s team beat the first place team to all but lock up 2nd place. And Softball E’s in-house team lost by one but had a chance to win for the first time this year. They held the lead going into the bottom of the last inning but couldn’t hold on after 2 errors that scored runs.

On the poker front, I just got a check from Ultimate Bet after a long wait for the money. I had originally asked for withdraw in March and gotten a check a few weeks later but it was made out to someone other then me. So, after a complaint, they put the money back in my account and I asked for it again. That was in early April. So, about a week ago, I got an e-mail stating that there was an error made and that I would get the money within a week. I guess I’m happy to have gotten the money out but it sure took a long time.

Last night was a free night with no softball. You’d think I would be ready to play some poker but I abstained. Not because I didn’t want to play but because it was a day of relaxation that could be spent with the family. Now time spent with the family ended up me watching baseball, my wife reading a book and the kids playing outside but not playing poker was ok…I survived.

A funny part of the night was when Speedy came in and said that the neighbor boy called her a “stupid fucker”. He’ll be in 3rd grade in the fall and is always causing trouble in the neighborhood. His parents go through life with blinders on and blame everyone else for the trouble that their kids cause. Anyway, she asks me what I’m gonna do and I say “nothing, cuz your not” and she goes back out and plays. Now inside I’m pissed and ready to tear his head off but I wait for him to be away from the other kids and explain to him that if he ever says anything like that to my children he’s gonna get in trouble. I told him that I won’t tell his parents if he doesn’t do it again and he said ok. I made him give me a high 5 to seal the deal. We’ll see what happens. And I did tell my daughter that I talked to him about it and that she needs to tell me if he says it again.

I may try the Mookie tonight if I get home in time. It is Speedy’s last game before the playoff and the winner gets 2nd place and the loser gets 3rd. We’ve beaten this team the last 2 times we’ve played but they are a good team so I need to get the girls fired up to play. Anyway, we may go out after we win the game so the Mookie is in question tonight. I may jump onto Buddydank radio if they need a non-playing poker blogger to do some reporting.

Have a great day.

My Fathers Day Weekend and Poker

I spent Fathers Day weekend just like I would any other weekend. Starting Friday night I played on the poker machine and went very deep in the 7K guaranteed on UB. They best part of this tourney was I got no premium pocket pairs and has AK or AQ only a couple of times in the whole event yet I maintained a nice chip stack throughout the event with shitty cards. My tight image kept people honest and allowed me to chip up when the blind became profitable. My demise came when the SB raised me and I pushed with 88. It was near the bubble and it would all but cripple him if he called. He insta called with A3 and hit his 3 outer to knock me out. Now I guess he could have thought I was re-stealing with crap but I really like the idea of someone calling me there with that hand. I know I’m gold most of the time.

I also played a tourney on FT and chipped up early. Then I get to see a free flop with T9. The flop is 10 high and with one limper I think I might be good so I bet and get called by the limper. This could be a slow played set but I’m not to sure of it. Anyway, a 2 on the turn and I make a pot size bet and he pushed all-in. Like an idiot I call even though I know I’m beat as he flips over pocket 2s for the turned set. Questionable call by him and an utterly horrendous call by me for my tourney life. I would have still been above average if I fold but I had a major disconnect.

I also played a few SNGs and cashed in all but one to win back my losses for the night.

Saturday was a softball day for Speedy E. and her team didn’t disappoint. They have been playing great, 6-2 in their last 8 games, and are ready to make a run in the playoffs. After giving up 4 runs with no outs in the second with 2 on, I went to the mound and had a discussion on desire and playing hard all the time. They were playing flat but the talk turned them around. They gave up one more run the rest of the game and took it down easy. It’s funny how a few words of encouragement can turn around what appears to be a bleak situation. They have 2 games this week before starting the playoff next week.

After the game we headed up to Wisconsin and went fishing and spent the night at my in-laws cabin. The fishing was a little slow with the heat but we did catch a few nice fish. Anyway, we headed back home Sunday afternoon after a family day together.

When we got home I was presented with my fathers day cards and a t-shirt just before leaving for Softball E’s game. They played well and came from behind to beat a solid team for the second time this season. SE made a nice throw and threw out a girl trying to turn a double into a triple and knocked in the game tying run so over all it was a good day.

The end of the weekend saw me watching Surf go deep and watching Fuel win a spot to the WSOP main event. I did this while doing some writing so I didn’t get to play…boo hoo.

So congrates to Fuel and have a great day.

Playing Online

As an American poker player that plays online, any place that gives me information on places to play and ways to deposit gets my attention. US Poker Online is just that type of site.

One of the things I like about this site is the link for US Poker Rooms. They list many of the site that allow US players, though Ultimate Bet isn’t listed. There are also links to reviews so you can find the site that is best for you. And if bonus hunting is what you like to do the check out the list for sign up bonuses so you can chase to your hearts content. They also list the deposit options for each site so you can compare and pick the best one for you.

In this age of poker Pay Pal has been no existent for the most part but check out their link for Paypal Poker. The list is small with only 5 listed but it shows there is an alternative. The only real draw back is that it doesn’t work for US players. So for me it isn’t an option but for many others it works fine.

And finally, for those Mac users out there, there is a list of Mac compatible sites to choose from.

So, as you can see, there are many useful things for you on US Poker Online. Give them a try for your online poker needs.

This was a paid review.

I Hate Long Meeting

I'm, half way through an all day meeting that I'm running. I took heat for about 15 minutes but I should be clear for the rest of it.

Last night I was working on the presentation but needed a break so I checked a few blogs. I becames ill when I made it to this one because of the the bloated figure in the picture.

Softball E. seems to have recovered from her wrist injury and threw well last night. 10 Ks in 4 innings is solid and she threw her change up well. Speedy E. also won last night in a game that should lock up 2nd place. She has three games left plus the playoffs before her season is over.

Maybe I'll play a donkament tonight but I'm not sure. After a late night of work and getting to work 2 hours earlier then normal, I'm spent.

Anyway, have a great weekend and happy fathers' day to all the papas.

Mookie, Buddydank Radio and Waffles

I actually played the Mookie last night. It was fun to play again and I did ok but went into my weak/tight shell and got run over after chipping up to a nice stack. Things didn’t start well as I bled chips at the beginning. It started with pocket 5s that I raised pre-flop with one caller. The flop comes AA4 and I check it to my opponent. He makes a pot size bet and I come over the top with a min raise to see if he has an ace or is just testing me. He calls. Now at this point I think I’m behind so I don’t want to lose anymore chips and when a Q hits the turn I check. The he checks which I thought was strange. The river comes with a 2 and we check it down. He had pocket jacks and I have less chips. I’m think that this was a pot I could have won. If I make a continuation bet on the turn or come over the top a little bigger then I may have taken it down. I made the right assumption that he didn’t have an ace but I didn’t press him into a fold.

At this point I got knocked down to 900 chips but gained some back with some raises until I tried to steal from the SB with a weak ace. I was called and made a continuation bet on a missed flop and had to dump my hand. Down to 755 chips I needed to chip up. I re-raised a limp from the BB to take a pot and stole some blinds to chip back above 1K when I got pocket jacks in the SB. It’s raised to me and I bump it to half my stack and get called. The flop is 10 high and I insta push hoping to induce a call and I get what I want as my opponent has 77 and I double up.

I spewed some chips on some missed flops when I look at 5d6d in the SB and call to see a 4 handed flop. The flop is 7A4 with 2 hearts so I’m thinking I’m behind with a nice hidden draw. It’s checked around and a wonderful 3 hits the board giving me the nut straight so I bet it out and get one caller. An 8 on the river and I make another bet and get called by AJ to move up to 2.6K. I was more then happy to see that ace slow played and think I probably call a bet by him after the flop if I was priced in.

So I tried to maintain my stack but took a hit when I folded pocket jacks to a big re-raise. I still had a stack and wasn’t ready for a coin flip or to get my money in way behind. I then doubled up with KK when I re-raised the small blind from the big blind and he called with J10. I lost some back with pocket 9s when an ace high flop hit and I had to fold to the pressure. Now at 3K I went completely card dead and passively folded into the night.

I know I made the final two tables but I don’t remember how I finished. I had one hand that I folded meekly near the end that I should have pushed when I had equity but I guess I wanted the deck to hit me in the face.

The I joined the Buddydank radio show and had fun with him and Sean as they commented on the non-stop suckouts that hit last night. And in the end Buddy and his lucbox took the Mookie down. 79 is the nuts heads up and he proved it last night. I guess my notes on him are right. Anyway, thanks guys for letting me on the air last night.

******************

I was doing a search on waffles last night and I found this picture. I thought it might be photo shopped. What do you think?



I think this is the real waffles in action. He does have a post about donkey play so you tell me.