Getting Better. Even if it means reading a book.
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At first I thought I was playing poker.
Feb 3rd
This post was going to start with me fuming on the car ride home after a dismal night at the casino. But after a little reflection, I realized the bad night wasn’t the point, it was my bad thinking.
It started with me sitting at a $100 NLH game. There was this drunk guy, so drunk the dealer had to help him count his chips drunk. He was sitting in front of a pile of chips and raising every, and I mean every, hand. It looked like easy money. In a pronounced slur, he would tell anybody who listened that he had racked up over a $1000 in less than half an hour.
It was obvious this guy wasn’t walking out of the casino with one dime of this money. I figured, why not be a pal and help him part with it. Why wait for a great hand? This guy’s drunk, why not help myself?
I pick up a very marginal hand. It’s an insta-fold against anyone but this guy. He raises and I’m happy to get it all in. He’s happy to call.
I have him dominated. He catches. Re-buy. No big deal.
Soon, I’m against him heads up again. He puts in his auto-raise. Once again, I figure I’m ahead and I call. Turns out I’m right again, but moments later, I’m out another buy-in.
This happens a few more times.
Getting the picture? Of course you do. At first glance, I was outraged I wasn’t winning. But then I started thinking about it. I may have known where I was, but truthfully I was barely ahead. At best, no more than 70/30.
I never considered there was a good chance I could lose four times in a row. In my excitement to take down the King of Coronas, I didn’t factor in the grim reality: he had the chips to weather the storm and I didn’t.
Big mistake.
So now I realize that I didn’t even play poker that night. I gambled on a few expensive coin flips.
And from now on, that’s not why I play poker.
Why do you play? Let me know at stories@whydoiplaypoker.net
Some things don’t go well together. Connectivity and sit-n-go bubble strategy come to mind.
Jan 24th
There have been all sorts of things that keep me from playing my best poker online. Mad at my boss. Looking at too much porn. You get the picture.
Well, the other night was the first time my computer got the best of me.
I played a $24 + $2 Turbo 90 person tourney with a KO bonus of $4 per victim. What the hell? Seemed like fun.
Well, It was fun until I started getting disconnected every other hand.
Frustrated, I tried to dump my chips with A2 under the gun but I spiked an ace and knocked out my opponent. My first KO bonus. $4. Cool.
I get disconnected again. And again. And again.
I reconnect and to my surprise I have aces and action. Two guys are going all in. It’s my turn to act. My hand gets automatically folded.
Fuck.
Fuck you computer! They would have held up too. I would be the chip leader by a fucking mile.
I’m pissed. You have to take advantage of those spots.
We’re getting close to the bubble. The guy I would have knocked out pushes. He has me covered. I have KK. We’re really close to the bubble, what to do?
I don’t have to tell you what happened .
Okay, I will. Out on the bubble.
I could’ve of waited, but I thought I was owed one because of those aces. Where are my extra 40K in chips? I played like I had a rain check for a big winning hand.
It doesn’t work that way. I let my computer put me on tilt. Sure, it sucked that I was having connectivity issues. But I should have to reminded myself that my strategy for the end of the tournament had nothing to do with my connectivity issues. Irrationally, I thought I had one in the bank. And I didn’t. Even though it felt good to blame my computer, it had nothing to do with why I lost that tournament.
I play poker is for the big scores. It just eluded me last night.
Why do you play? Let me know at stories@whydoiplaypoker.net
P.S. I played another one the next night and pulled a 4th. I’ll take $200 in profit. Gotta love the KO Bounty paying your buy in. No connectivity issues either.
Poker is a dream maker
Jan 20th
At some point in your life, you have to let go of some of your childhood dreams. Still 5 foot 3? You can put your NBA dreams to rest. Still playing pony league in your 20s? Probably won’t go to the MLB. Fail your medical boards for the 5th time? Surgery career out the door. Don’t get me wrong. I am fan of “anything is possible”. I’m a poker player, right? But let’s get real, sometimes you can tell things will never happen.
For me, I had a pretty good run as an independent musical artist. I played for some pretty large crowds, basked in the glory of the standing ovation and heard my music on TV, film and radio. However, when I turned 30, I could see the writing on the wall. I was never going to be a rock star. 10 years later, the only thing I miss is having that dream of being a star. Enter poker.
Poker is the dream that never dies. It doesn’t even discriminate. There are sharks of all ages sizes and shapes. 90 year old rocks, wheel chair bound chip slingers, and even the occasional blind man with a seeing eye sweater. You try walking into the Super Bowl all suited up demanding your shot. It’s not going to happen. But if you have $10,000 or were lucky enough to suck out on me in one of the bajillion satellites I played to get into the WSOP, all the power to you. You’re in and get your chance to join the elite ranks of the poker greats. What’s even more enticing is that the vast majority of WSOP bracelets are won by unknown players. It’s like Rocky every summer in Vegas.
Most of us will never bat against C.C. Sabathia or catch a pass from Brette Favre. But for the rest of our lives, poker players will have a chance to feel like a pro. If you’re ballsy (and rich), I’m sure a variety of pros from Doyle to Durr would be happy to meet you at Bobby’s room. Probably at this very moment. Who knows, you might even beat them in a pot. If that’s bigger than your poker budget, you can go for the glory by chasing a bracelet. It’s a more affordable way to get the rush of playing with the pros. And if that isn’t enough, remember you always have a chance to be the “lucky bastard” to put Phil Hellmuth on tilt. Poker is truly a dream maker.
I play to keep the big dream alive.
Why do you play? Let me know at stories@whydoiplaypoker.net
For more about making it big in poker read the following article:
http://www.pokerdownloadlink.com/how-to-win-at-poker/
Latin Ballroom or Pass the Trash
Jan 17th
I’ve been married for 10 years, have 2 kids and almost no time to myself. If you count my internet porn babes as company, then I do in fact have no time to myself. When I get a call to join a neighbor’s home game on a random Wednesday night, I think to myself, “What would I rather do? Watch the finale of So You Think You Can Dance with my wife, or hang out with the guys smoking pot, telling lies and acting like a 15 year old.” Hmmmmmmmmm
I arrive at the game a bit giddy. This night is going to be fun. Buy in is $80 and it’s dealer’s choice. Everyone hates NLH at home games. It’s too slow, too restrictive…requires too much talent! I know this going in. We are going to play games that are just a hair above roulette in skill level. Shit, I was going to be watching Tiffany and Raj do the Latin Ballroom, even if I lose $80 at stupid games of chance, I’m a winner. I’ll gladly play 3 hours of “Pass The Trash” if I can escape the suffering of a round of comments from the faggy dancing judges about how much Raj extended his arms during the pirouettes. Not that I have a problem with gay or dancing. But really? Is this even a contest?
Tonight I am catching bad cards. Couple that with missing some of the “subtleties” of Pass the Trash and I am thru my first buy in. It’s only 8:30. Raj is still doing pirouettes. RE-BUY!
At 9:07, my second buy-in is gone. Raj or chips? Raj or chips? Raj or chips? It’s a tough one, but at this point I need to acknowledge the grace and beauty of Raj’s dancing. He actually does have a place in my life. When all the money is gone and there is absolutely nothing left to do, Raj is the answer.
I come home. My wife remarks that I am home early. Bad night. I take my place on the couch and manage to show some enthusiasm when I ask, “Hey did I miss Raj and Tiffany?” “Nope“‘ she says, “just in time.” I force a smile and say, “Great! Can’t wait to see them really nail this Latin Ballroom.”
Sometimes I play poker to postpone the inevitable.
Why do you play? Let me know at stories@whydoiplaypoker.net
I just read a new poker book. I’m bracing myself for the inevitable losing streak.
Jan 11th
I know that’s it’s not supposed to work that way. I would prefer to be able to read a poker book, preferable just the back blurb, and go on some endless winning streak. All of the game’s mysteries unlocked in one key paragraph. For about an hour’s worth of leisurely reading I think its only fair that I become invincible. I would like to sit down at the poker table and announce, “I want you to know I’ve skimmed through some of the Harrington books, please give me the contents of your wallets.”
It definitely doesn’t work that way for me. Actually, it means the exact opposite. Finishing a poker book kicks off a three week losing streak.
Even with that knowledge, I still love a new poker book. Sure, most of them say pretty much the same stuff, but every once in a while someone really changes the way you look at the game. Or at least, one aspect of it. Like three-betting an under the gun raiser.
So what do I do? I work the price of the losing streak into the cost of the book. It’s an education I believe is worth paying for. The whole point is to get better, right? If I’m going to keep playing the same mediocre game I should just get out of my seat and stop playing now. You have to get better. And I do. Slowly.
I play poker to get better. To possibly someday rule the table regardless of stakes.
Why do you play? Let me know at stories@whydoiplaypoker.net
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