Fantasy season round-up

I haven't done an overall roundup in a while, partially due to bad results, partially due to being extremely busy.

WCOFF Main League - 7-5 (winner of the 3rd place game) - I lost in a heartbreaking finish in week 11 to miss the League Championship game, and the chance at 6K for first. I did win my 3rd place game, getting $500 back, and earning a spot in the consolation bowl for some $$$, but way below the 200K I was shooting for.

WCOFF Draftmasters - 1st place out of 12 (not head to head) - We are riding LT as far as he can take us, as the rest of the team has been disappointing. The chase is for 6K to first. Paul and I will split this league again next year, most likely.

WCOFF Auction - 4-7 (finished 4th in points out of 12) - We made some bad lineup decisions, and had a ridiculous amount of points scored against us, which caused us to have a bad head to head record. The season is over, but I felt we did a very good job in this draft. I think we'll definitely split this league again next year.

WCOFF Satellite #1 - 6th place out of 12 (not head to head) - Made a big drop in 3 weeks, but still only a few points out of 2nd. Need to be in the top 4 within 2 weeks for the playoffs. My teams fall has co-incided with the injury to McGahee and Brown, as well as Marques Colston.

Champions Club - 8-4 (4th in points) - Just ended one of the worst 4 week stretches ever. I was 7-0, but lost week 8 (best 4 players on a bye week), lost week 9 (lost McGahee for 3 weeks), lost week 10 (lost Portis for the season), lost week 11 (lost McNabb for the season), then won week 12 (but lost Ronnie Brown for an undetermined length of time. One week left, and I am 99% sure I will be in the playoffs, but it will be a tough hall with the makeshift lineup I have. There is still potential there, but Roy and TO need to play huge, and I have to find a QB to play.

Labelle's League - 4-8 (8th in points) - Team has fallen apart with 4 straight losses. I lost some very high scoring games, then Portis and McNabb got hurt for the season. I decided 2 weeks ago to build towards next year, so I traded Wayne for a future draft choice (since he is ineligible to be kept for next year).

Ultimate Dynasty - 3-9 (9th in power rankings) - I didn't expect to contend this year, and now I have lost 7 straight after a promising start. My rookie draft last year was huge, as I got potential studs in Maroney and Jones-Drew, as well as a serviceable RB in Lundy. Now I need to address WR either in the draft or in off-season trades. Drew may have some big trade value, but I'm not all that excited to trade him either, as he could be a future building block. It won't be long until my youth movement in this league makes my team a power.

Auction practice - 8-4 (1st in power rankings) - Solid team here, despite one of my top players getting hurt before the season started (Dom Davis). I have a hugely reliable WR corps in Andre Johnson, Boldin, Evans, Coles and Mark Clayton, and a decent RB group in McGahee, Jamal Lewis, Maroney and Marion Barber. I have had the high score for the last 2 weeks, earning money for both weeks, and the team is peaking at the right time. I will also likely start Vince Young, as he is rolling right now.

Passports

article that I read today

Nothing incredibly interesting here, except that I have one question. Why the hell wasn't this already happening???

Milky Way's

Before leaving for work today, I grabbed some of Abby's halloween candy. Included in this bounty was a small Milky Way bar. After eating it this morning, I read this on the label "MAY CONTAIN PEANUTS". Hmmm, interesting. In all of my years of eating these I have never encountered a peanut. Don't they know what they are putting in their candy bars????

The explanation is likely to be really simple, so I'll save explaining it...but suffice it to say I found this very interesting.

Week 8 Fantasy Round-up

Back to back really bad weeks.

WCOFF Main League - 4-4 (2nd in points, would be in League Championship game if season ended today...but there are 3 weeks left)
WCOFF Draftmasters - 2nd place out of 12 (not head to head)
WCOFF Auction - 2-6 (6th in points, but only 32 points out of the League Championship game)
WCOFF Satellite #1 - 2nd place out of 12 (not head to head)
Champions Club - 7-1 (2nd in points)
Labelle's League - 4-4 (3rd in points)
Ultimate Dynasty - 3-5 (9th in power rankings)
Auction practice - 5-3 (5th in power rankings)

Overall record of 25-23

M-14...Give me a break!!!

The construction on M-14 has been going on for upwards of 7 months now. The impact of this construction is pretty significant for me, as it is the main route to and from work for me 5 days / week. There are no better routes to take during this construction phase, partially because of parallel construction being run on other roads/streets. This construction costs me generally 15 minutes on the drive in the morning, and 15-30 minutes in the afternoon. It forces me to leave work early 2 days a week to pick up Abby by the required time.

During that time, I have run through several phases of emotion. The first phase was anger in the beginning at the prospects of the construction taking 8 months to complete. Then I went through about a month long stage where I felt like I was losing my mind dealing with it. This was partially fueled by the road being completely closed twice with me on it, one of those times culminating in me sitting in the same spot for an hour. Around July-August, I came to terms with it, and just dealt with it. This co-incided with the East bound lanes being completed, and the West bound lanes being worked on. Finally, about 3 weeks ago, traffic was routed back onto the proper side of the road, which signaled (I thought) an early end to the construction. But now new barriers are being installed, and bridge work is occurring. Additionally, the Shelden Road exit ramps have been completely torn up a week or two ago, and it appears that the road won’t officially be opened up until this is complete.

Amazingly, this is causing traffic to be worse in both directions. I thought we were at the end of this!!! Please MDOT, open up 2 lanes of traffic immediately. This will significantly ease the traffic burden for commuters in these directions. It might be the only way I maintain whatever sanity I have left!

Week 7 Fantasy round-up

First really bad week for me.

WCOFF Main League - 4-3 (2nd in points)
WCOFF Draftmasters - 2nd place out of 12 (not head to head)
WCOFF Auction - 2-5 (6th in points)
WCOFF Satellite #1 - 2nd place out of 12 (not head to head)
Champions Club - 7-0 (1st in points)
Labelle's League - 3-4 (2nd in points)
Ultimate Dynasty - 3-4 (8th in power rankings)
Auction practice - 5-2 (3rd in power rankings)

Overall record of 24-18

Mid-season review

Since I'm bored, I thought I'd review my WCOFF draft team at about the midway point of the season. Below is what I wrote following the draft. In bold are my comments now.

1st - Steven Jackson - was the #3 player on my draft board, so it was an easy pick. Ronnie Brown and his 22 Thursday night points were taken directly before me. Currently the 5th rated RB, so a good pick to this point. Very involved in the passing game which is critical.

2nd – Anquan Boldin – Was between Reggie Bush and Boldin here. My draft board said Boldin, but my gut said Bush. I was pretty sure neither would make it back to me in the third round. By the looks of New Orleans first game, Bush is going to be more involved then even I originally thought. I pegged him at 60+ catches, and at the rate he was thrown at yesterday, he could get 100. Currently ranked 3rd at WR, and only getting better. With Fitzgerald hurt right now, his value is even higher.

3rd – Kevin Jones – Revisiting last year I guess. I think he’s going to be very involved in the receiving game. The problem is that the line sucks. I have some faith in the offense getting untracked in a weak division, so I’ll reserve judgment past one week. I didn’t think he would be available here, and was planning on taking Frank Gore…who of course exploded yesterday. Currently ranked 3rd at RB, and hugely involved in the passing game. He scares me to have, but so far has been huge.

4th – Santana Moss – I would have taken Droughns here, but he went 1 before me, so I took my next best WR in Moss. Between him and Boldin they should have a ton of balls thrown to them, a key in a PPR league. Currently ranked 6th, despite underperforming save for his one huge week. I look for more consistent output from him.

5th – Joe Horn – Was hoping for RB here in Fred Taylor, but he went 4 picks earlier. I didn’t feel good about getting involved in the Denver situation at this pick, so I thought Horn was a safe pick as my #3 WR in a rebound season. Trading Stallworth told me NO was comfortable with him…but their first game didn’t excite me about his prospects. I’ll reserve judgment for now though. Ranked 18th at WR, but performing decent. Colston has emerged as the #1 threat, and Bush gets a lot of balls thrown to him. Even so, I like him as my #3 WR.

6th – Cedric Benson – I still had questions in my mind about Kevin Jones and needed some RB’s, preferably with some upside. Tatum and Mike Bell both went off the board, so I had to decide between Benson and Marion Barber (with Barber a possible spot starter due to his 3rd down use). Based on ADP I figured Benson wouldn’t make it back to me, but Barber could. Hasn't done anything to this point, and likely won't unless Thomas Jones gets hurt. Marion Barber would have been better at this point, even though he's only good for 10 pts or so a game, tops.

7th – Kevan Barlow – Well Barber didn’t make it back, and Coles was my target, but he went right before me. I liked Antonio Bryant a lot, but thought he may make it back to me in the 8th, so I grabbed a potential RB starter. He was a huge disappointment for 2 years, so I thought he was worth a shot in a shitty backfield behind a rebuilding offensive line. Basically an insurance pick. This guy sucks now, pure and simple. He will get less carries from here on out. If I had gotten Coles here as my #4 WR I would be in the top 5 out of all of all 840 owners.

8th – Laurence Maroney - Was targeting Michael Clayton, who went two picks before, and Bryant was also taken. So I grabbed another RB, and decided I would be done at that position after this pick for a while. Had Maroney not been on the injury report and expected to be out week 1, he would have been gone by now. They won’t be able to keep him off the field long here. Pure stud here, only good for 10-15 points a game right now, but if Dillon gets hurt, look out. Definitely solid for my #3 RB. Ranked 23rd at RB at this point.

9th - Mark Clayton – Was targeting Braylon Edwards here, who went 3 picks before me (notice a theme?). Needed a 4th WR, as I will be starting 4 for a little while. I’m not as high on Mason as most, with Clayton being the logical other guy there. Game 1 wasn’t a good indicator as Baltimore jumped on TB early. Ranked 34th at WR, had a huge game in week 6, but it was kind of fluky as he caught 2 tipped balls for TD's. Still emerging more as a #4 WR for my team.

10th – Randy McMichael – Love this guy this year. His value dropped due to a disappointing Thursday game, but I think he will see the ball a lot, as he’s too good not to. Took him with the intention of grabbing another TE at the end of the draft to start in week 1, to outscore McMichael’s 2 point effort. Started very slow, but still rated 7th as far as TE's. Emerging more with Joey Harrington at QB.

11th - Aaron Brooks – I can feel the QB run starting, so I grab my best available. He’s a shitty QB, but a very good fantasy QB, with a nice schedule. I take him knowing he may be benched at some point if Oakland disappoints, so I plan on grabbing another one soon. Got hurt in week 1, and Oakland is worse than I ever imagined. Even though Walter, his replacement sucks, Brooks may not see the field again. Wasted pick.

12th – Joe Jurevicious – He proved last year that he can perform as the lead guy. Here he’s the #2. Also a potential spot starter. Hasn't started for me yet, and has been relatively quiet. Starting him in week 7 as a bye week fill-in, hope he can find the end zone.


13th – Eric Parker – For some reason I have him a lot higher than most people. Just grabbing WR depth here and he is the best I have available by far. Nobody really excites me at this point. Also starting him in week 7. Has emerged in the last 2 weeks as a reliable target. Pure bye week fill-in.

14th - Drew Brees – Grabbed my backup in a high scoring potential offense. With Bush, Horn, and Deuce at his disposal, as well as a bad defense, could be nice value. Got the #5 QB in the 14th round, makes up for the bad pick of Brooks. What more can you say.

15th – Brian Calhoun – Simply picking my handcuff. Cut him early in the season, to fill in another roster void. To this point has done nothing.

16th – Marcus Robinson – Could explode when healthy, could be garbage. Worth the risk here. Had a few nice weeks, and a few nothing weeks. Cut him for a needed roster spot. Not very reliable.

17th - Stephen Davis – Fisher already gone in the 13th, I grab another handcuff. Still on the team, as St Louis run game is going nice. If Jackson gets hurt, Davis is a fill-in.

18th - Jeff Wilkins – Decide on an indoor kicker with a late bye week. Didn’t expect him to lead my team in scoring in week 1 (with 2 players pending). Only the 2nd best kicker at this point, with 2 monster weeks under his belt.

19th – Patriots DEF – Weak schedule in first 2 weeks with Buffalo and Jets (I think). After that I will play the defense game by matchup. They sucked and I cut them.

20th – Desmond Clark – My one week TE came through with a 12 point effort. I’ll probably still cut him if there is someone on the waiver wire that appeals to me. Currently the 5th ranked TE. I cut him out of necessity a few weeks ago when he got banged up. Hope that I don't regret that one.

Great article

NY Times Article

This is a great piece on the new gambling law.

WTF???

Dumb article

Banning tag?? Are these teachers and principals serious? Pretty soon kids are going to get out of school and have absolutely no clue how the world works. There comes a time when shielding kids from reality is harmful. The sooner that kids learn the following lessons: All people are not equal (some of them are better at tag and dodgeball), the world is not fair, and you are responsible for your own actions...the better off we will be as a country.

Week 6 Fantasy Roundup

WCOFF Main League - 4-2 (1st in points, 1st place right now)
WCOFF Draftmasters - 2nd place out of 12 (from 12th to 9th to 2nd in 2 weeks time)
WCOFF Auction - 2-4 (4th in points)
WCOFF Satellite #1 - 2nd place out of 12 (not head to head)
Champions Club - 6-0 (1st in points)
Labelle's League - 3-3 (3rd in points)
Ultimate Dynasty - 3-3 (7th in power rankings)
Auction practice - 4-2 (3rd in power rankings)

Overall record of 22-14

Time for a break

Since I got home from the WSOP, it’s become increasingly apparent to me that my poker game has gone South. The few times I have played at cash tables I have felt overmatched or disinterested, or that luck was just not simply running my way. The simple truth is, that somewhere along the way I quit playing poker. At the stakes that I was playing, just playing the cards that you have is simply not enough to make a profit. Generally it can get you by, but that’s not the goal. I forgot how to make moves, to bluff, to take people off of a hand. If a player raised me, I believed they must have the goods, and never looked for a way to take the pot away from them.

So with that I have decided to take a break from most online poker. Maybe the time off will re-invigorate me. The timing is convenient due to the legislation, and Partypoker closing it’s doors to US customers. Maybe by the time my desire starts to increase, the industry will have shaken out a little bit more and there will be some different spots to play at the games that I play.

In the interim, I may enter a multi-table tourney here or there, as lately I have been jonesing for one of those. It’s just difficult to find a 7-8 hour block where I will be available.

Predictions

ALCS Prediction:
Tigers over A's in 7 (I am predicting a ton of close games here, should be exciting to watch)

NLCS Prediction:
Cards over Mets in 7 (just because everyone counted them out on their bad run)

Week 5 Fantasy Round-up

WCOFF Main League - 3-2 (3rd in points)
WCOFF Draftmasters - 9th place out of 12 (not head to head-ugly thus far even though I think our team is solid-up from 12th last week)
WCOFF Auction - 1-4 (8th in points)
WCOFF Satellite #1 - 4th place out of 12 (not head to head)
Champions Club - 5-0 (1st in points)
Labelle's League - 3-2 (3rd in points)
Ultimate Dynasty - 3-2 (6th in power rankings)
Auction practice - 3-2 (4th in power rankings)

18-12 overall

Week 4 Fantasy Round-up

WCOFF Main League - 3-1 (3rd in points...after a huge 206 point week)
WCOFF Draftmasters - 12th place out of 12 (not head to head-ugly thus far even though I think our team is solid)
WCOFF Auction - 1-3 (6th in points)
WCOFF Satellite #1 - 2nd place out of 12 (not head to head)
Champions Club - 4-0 (1st in points)
Labelle's League - 3-1 (2nd in points)
Ultimate Dynasty - 2-2 (6th in power rankings)
Auction practice - 2-2 (7th in power rankings)

15-9 overall

God damn Republican's!!!

On Friday night, Congress passed a port security bill. I don’t know the specifics about the bill, but it was basically a no-brainer to pass. In an underhanded legislative move, Republican representative Bill Frist was able to attach an Internet Gambling Prohibition bill to the bill, and it was able to pass without debate (mostly because the bill was a no-brainer before it, and members of congress are eager to end this session to campaign for the coming elections). Frist tried this same move with a defense bill, but our Senator Levin and a republican Senator blocked that, since the bill had nothing to do with defense. Unfortunately the committee or sponsor of this bill were much more spineless. I even did my part in sending e-mails to both of our senators, receiving basically a form type response from Carl Levin, and nothing from Stabenow.

Incidentally, Frist has recently been in the news as saying that the Taliban needs to be a part of the Afghanistan government. So obviously he is a real intellectual giant.

This bill was also attempted to be passed earlier this summer, on it’s own merit. It passed the Republican controlled congress, but stalled in the senate.

Essentially the bill tries to make it more difficult to fund a gambling account, putting all of the onus on the banks to determine if a transaction is for the purpose of gambling. This is going to be basically impossible to enforce, as the banks don’t have the time or resources to do this adequately. The banks have 270 days to comply, and there are also 270 days to try to figure out a means to enforce this. Importantly, the bill does nothing to the bettor!!!

All of the analysis I have read says this is toothless, and was just a political thing to once again appease the frigging right wing evangelical Christians. Interestingly…but not surprisingly, the bill carves out exceptions for horse racing and lotteries. Also, the bill does not address any existing legalized gambling.

Essentially they are saying that gambling is very, very, very wrong…unless it’s on horse racing, state lotteries, land based casinos, or any of the numerous Indian reservations.

The fallout has been surprisingly bad, already Partypoker has announced that as soon as the bill is signed by Bush (a certainty), they will no longer allow US players to play. A few other sites have followed suit. There have been several sites that will still allow US players however.

I thought that Republican’s were supposed to be about less government and more personal freedoms, but every time I read the news, it’s about them trying to restrict another personal freedom (provided it isn’t gun control).

Sorry for the long rant, as this obviously greatly affects me as it has been a second income for me for a couple of years, as well as a source of enjoyment.

Libertarian (or anything not Republican) in the upcoming election.

My last few weeks

1st hand of a SNG last night. I can't do it any better.

This hand is a metaphor for my last 1 and a half months of poker. After the hand in the chatbox he claimed that he thought I had AK. That's good, because that's what I was trying to convey. Too bad he had to go runner runner on me. I thought he had TT or JJ. Wish it was that now.

#Game No : 5264216545
***** Hand History for Game 5264216545 *****
NL Texas Hold'em $109 Buy-in Trny:29320893 Level:1 Blinds(20/40) - Wednesday, September 27, 23:15:46 ET 2006
Table Speed #1290751 (Real Money)
Seat 5 is the button
Total number of players : 10
Seat 2: tanhvu ( $2000 )
Seat 6: JERRYJO111 ( $2000 )
Seat 7: brown3920 ( $2000 )
Seat 8: slump_buster777 ( $2000 )
Seat 3: DoYouSeeWhy ( $2000 )
Seat 4: Kahina ( $2000 )
Seat 5: hullzan ( $2000 )
Seat 10: fcsjpsc ( $2000 )
Seat 1: MoMoneyMoProblems ( $2000 )
Seat 9: repa777 ( $2000 )
Trny:29320893 Level:1
Blinds(20/40)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to slump_buster777 [ Kh Ks ]
slump_buster777 calls [40].
repa777 folds.
fcsjpsc folds.
MoMoneyMoProblems calls [40].
tanhvu folds.
DoYouSeeWhy folds.
Kahina calls [40].
>You have options at Speed #1291319 Table!.
hullzan raises [125].
>You have options at Speed #1290648 Table!.
JERRYJO111 folds.
brown3920 will be using his time bank for this hand.
brown3920 folds.
slump_buster777 raises [370].
MoMoneyMoProblems folds.
Kahina folds.
hullzan calls [285].
** Dealing Flop ** [ 4d, 3d, 3h ]
slump_buster777 bets [440].
hullzan is all-In [1590]
slump_buster777 is all-In [1150]
** Dealing Turn ** [ 2s ]
** Dealing River ** [ 5h ]
slump_buster777 shows [ Kh, Ks ] two pairs, kings and threes.
hullzan shows [ 4c, 6c ] a straight, two to six.
hullzan wins 4140 chips from the main pot with a straight, two to six.
slump_buster777 finished in tenth place.

Week 3 Fantasy wrap-up

Listed in order of importance

WCOFF Main League - 2-1 (10th in points...lucky thus far)
WCOFF Draftmasters - 11th place out of 12 (not head to head)
WCOFF Auction - 1-2 (7th in points)
WCOFF Satellite #1 - 2nd place out of 12 (not head to head)
Champions Club - 3-0
Labelle's League - 3-0
Ultimate Dynasty - 2-1
Auction practice - 1-2

Overall head to head record after 3 weeks: 12-6

2006 WCOFF Draft

This is the first time in a few years that I was actually disappointed in my main WCOFF draft, which may be a good thing based on my past years results.

1st - Steven Jackson - was the #3 player on my draft board, so it was an easy pick. Ronnie Brown and his 22 Thursday night points were taken directly before me.

2nd – Anquan Boldin – Was between Reggie Bush and Boldin here. My draft board said Boldin, but my gut said Bush. I was pretty sure neither would make it back to me in the third round. By the looks of New Orleans first game, Bush is going to be more involved then even I originally thought. I pegged him at 60+ catches, and at the rate he was thrown at yesterday, he could get 100.

3rd – Kevin Jones – Revisiting last year I guess. I think he’s going to be very involved in the receiving game. The problem is that the line sucks. I have some faith in the offense getting untracked in a weak division, so I’ll reserve judgment past one week. I didn’t think he would be available here, and was planning on taking Frank Gore…who of course exploded yesterday.

4th – Santana Moss – I would have taken Droughns here, but he went 1 before me, so I took my next best WR in Moss. Between him and Boldin they should have a ton of balls thrown to them, a key in a PPR league.

5th – Joe Horn – Was hoping for RB here in Fred Taylor, but he went 4 picks earlier. I didn’t feel good about getting involved in the Denver situation at this pick, so I thought Horn was a safe pick as my #3 WR in a rebound season. Trading Stallworth told me NO was comfortable with him…but their first game didn’t excite me about his prospects. I’ll reserve judgment for now though.

6th – Cedric Benson – I still had questions in my mind about Kevin Jones and needed some RB’s, preferably with some upside. Tatum and Mike Bell both went off the board, so I had to decide between Benson and Marion Barber (with Barber a possible spot starter due to his 3rd down use). Based on ADP I figured Benson wouldn’t make it back to me, but Barber could.

7th – Kevan Barlow – Well Barber didn’t make it back, and Coles was my target, but he went right before me. I liked Antonio Bryant a lot, but thought he may make it back to me in the 8th, so I grabbed a potential RB starter. He was a huge disappointment for 2 years, so I thought he was worth a shot in a shitty backfield behind a rebuilding offensive line. Basically an insurance pick.

8th – Laurence Maroney - Was targeting Michael Clayton, who went two picks before, and Bryant was also taken. So I grabbed another RB, and decided I would be done at that position after this pick for a while. Had Maroney not been on the injury report and expected to be out week 1, he would have been gone by now. They won’t be able to keep him off the field long here.

9th - Mark Clayton – Was targeting Braylon Edwards here, who went 3 picks before me (notice a theme?). Needed a 4th WR, as I will be starting 4 for a little while. I’m not as high on Mason as most, with Clayton being the logical other guy there. Game 1 wasn’t a good indicator as Baltimore jumped on TB early.

10th – Randy McMichael – Love this guy this year. His value dropped due to a disappointing Thursday game, but I think he will see the ball a lot, as he’s too good not to. Took him with the intention of grabbing another TE at the end of the draft to start in week 1, to outscore McMichael’s 2 point effort.

11th - Aaron Brooks – I can feel the QB run starting, so I grab my best available. He’s a shitty QB, but a very good fantasy QB, with a nice schedule. I take him knowing he may be benched at some point if Oakland disappoints, so I plan on grabbing another one soon.

12th – Joe Jurevicious – He proved last year that he can perform as the lead guy. Here he’s the #2. Also a potential spot starter.

13th – Eric Parker – For some reason I have him a lot higher than most people. Just grabbing WR depth here and he is the best I have available by far. Nobody really excites me at this point.

14th - Drew Brees – Grabbed my backup in a high scoring potential offense. With Bush, Horn, and Deuce at his disposal, as well as a bad defense, could be nice value.

15th – Brian Calhoun – Simply picking my handcuff.

16th – Marcus Robinson – Could explode when healthy, could be garbage. Worth the risk here.

17th - Stephen Davis – Fisher already gone in the 13th, I grab another handcuff.

18th - Jeff Wilkins – Decide on an indoor kicker with a late bye week. Didn’t expect him to lead my team in scoring in week 1 (with 2 players pending).

19th – Patriots DEF – Weak schedule in first 2 weeks with Buffalo and Jets (I think). After that I will play the defense game by matchup.

20th – Desmond Clark – My one week TE came through with a 12 point effort. I’ll probably still cut him if there is someone on the waiver wire that appeals to me.

I have become what I condemn

The gas companies officially have me brainwashed now.

I filled up this morning on the way into work for ONLY $2.54 per gallon, and I actually felt like I was getting a good deal. I'm such a lemming.

Fantasy Football - Larry Johnson thoughts

Larry Johnson is the 2006 consensus #1 pick in all fantasy football circles, but I question whether or not that should be the case. I will outline the reasons below:

Recent history is riddled with RB’s who have torn it up for less than a full season, only to fall flat on their face the following season. In 2005, those players were Julius Jones and Kevin Jones (both correctly pointed out as risks by me prior to the season last year). A few years before that it was William Green. One would be advised to look at recent history, and not just 9 game splits when it comes down to projecting the 2006 season.

The Chiefs offensive system is different. New Head Coach, new offensive co-ordinator. Herm Edwards teams will never be confused with offensive juggernauts. Curtis Martin had some good years there, but nowhere near the kind of numbers that people are predicting out of Johnson.

An improved Chiefs defense (remember, Edwards preaches defense) will likely result in less touches, less wide open games, etc….

Offensive line problems. The loss of Willie Roaf could be a huge impact on the entire offensive scheme. His retirement came unexpected, allowing the Chiefs little time to prepare or counter.

Finally, I don’t expect Johnson to fall on his face and rush for 600 yards or anything ridiculous. The Chiefs don’t have any other valid RB’s, so Johnson will get the lion’s share of the work. But, I think 1200 yards and 10-12 TD’s is far more realistic then the 1800+ yards and 18+ TD’s people expect.

Main Event report

Well it was a very disappointing Main Event for me…and not just because I was eliminated on day 1, but it was the way that I played that was disappointing. My buddy who played on Sunday said it sounded like I just didn’t get the cards, which is partially right, but I didn’t play the cards I got very good either.

Joe Sebok (Barry Greenstein’s son), who lost a prop bet to Gavin Smith was wearing a costume of a bear, with a diaper on….or a bear cub. Doyle Brunson’s daughter, Pam, was also at my table. Immediately I could peg one guy at my table the soft spot. The rest of the table was pretty tough.

Some interesting/key hands from my main event:

Level 1 (blinds of 25/50) Hand #1: I pick up my first pot

A player in MP raises to 150, I call on the button with As9s. The SB and BB both call as well. Flop comes AdTd2d, all check to me, I bet 500 and take it down.


Level 1 Hand #2: I get my stack to a high point of 10,600

I raise to 150 with 8s7s in MP, one caller and the weak player calls in the BB. Flop comes Ks8d5s. BB leads out for 300, I raise to 1200, caller folds, and the BB goes into the tank. I am pretty sure he is on a K here, or a spade draw. I am definitely planning on moving in here if he re-raises me. He finally folds.

Level 1 Hand #3: A dumb, dumb play by me

UTG+1, an Argentinian guy wearing a scarf limps, all fold to me in the SB, I complete with Q9, and the BB checks. Flop comes A94, I check, BB checks, Argentina bets 150, I raise to 450, BB folds and Argentina calls. Turn is a 5, I bet 600 and he thinks and calls. The river is a 6, and I decide that he has the ace, and is likely calling if I bet, so I check. He checks behind and tables AcJc. I have figured out that he won’t fold top pair, unfortunately I am unable to exploit it.

I go to the first break after 2 hours and 20 minutes play with 9550 in chips, down from the 10K we started with.

Level 2 (blinds of 50/100) Hand #4: Toughest hand of the tourney here

UTG + 1 raises to 300 (he just got moved here about 5 hands ago, so no read). I flat call with 99 on the button and we see the flop heads up. (Pot = 750) Flop comes 863, suits unimportant. He leads out a continuation bet of 600, I flat call again. (Pot = 1950) Turn comes a 7, and he very dis-interestingly checks. I debate checking behind, but decide I don’t want to give overcards a free look so I bet 1000. He re-raises all-in. After thinking for a while I decide to fold.

Commentary: His turn check was so dis-interested that I was a little scared by it, as it seemed too put on. I couldn’t bring myself to check it though at the time. My feelings are that I should have checked it and then called the river. Playing it the way that I did was the only way I could lose the pot. My actual feelings on the hand are that he had 88 or 77, and either flopped a set or turned a set, with the possibility that he had overcards like AK and was making a move. I don’t think AA, KK or QQ would have played it this way.

Not much else happened the rest of this level and I was at 5250 when this level ended.

Level 3 (blinds of 100/200) Hand #5: I get lucky

UTG limps (had a stack of 3100, he had been doing some limping up to that point), I raise to 900 from MP with AKo. All fold to UTG who moves all-in for his 3100. I figured he could have been doing this with anything from AK, to 77 and up. Getting 5-2 odds to call, I make the call and he shows KK. I spike a K on the turn and eliminate him. This gets me back to about 8300.

Dinner break comes at 6:45pm, so we are 6 hours into play. My count going into break was 8250, and I am feeling pretty decent about myself. Grab dinner at the All American Grill with Victory and Joe (up to 35K chips at this point). Nice filet and baked potato, as it’s going to hopefully be a long night.

Level 4 (blinds of 100/200 with a 25 ante) Hand #6: A play I wish I had back

I’m in the SB, and all fold to Pam Brunson in the CO, who raised to 800. She has been a habitual thief from this position, so I was planning on a re-steal. I get 77 and re-raise to 2100. BB folds and she calls. The flop comes J65 and I bet out 2500, she raises all-in and I fold. I am left with about 3600 now.

Commentary: I hate this hand all-around. First off, if I am going to re-steal with 77, and get that flop, I have to move all-in at the flop and make this my stand. By betting what I did, I make it look like I want a way to fold and still be alive. She may have had me or may not have, but I have to put the onus on her. If she has a hand like 88-TT, I may get her to fold. She also hadn’t shown that she would fold to a re-raise after entering the pot, so I definitely should have flat-called the flop and re-evaluated.

Level 4 Hand #7: Just pure stupidity.

Limper on my right in EP (he had limped a lot and folded to a raise). I raise to 1K with 77, and guy immediately to my left raises to 2500. This raise meant a lot to me, as he had been cold calling raises with hands like AK and QQ-TT to that point. I read him as having to have a big pair, with AK being a slight possibility. The fact that I only left 2500 or so behind the line made it seem like I was definitely calling, so I put him on the higher pair and decided to fold and leave myself one last barrel in my gun.

Commentary: This might have been my worst hand of the night right here.

Level 4 Hand #8: The end.

3-4 limpers to me in the SB with J9o. I complete (I should have pushed all-in for the 2K I had left), BB checks. Flop comes Q94 and I move all-in. All fold to button who calls with KQ. Turn is a K, and river is a blank and I am out.

Commentary: Just chalk it up to another desperate mistake in a day filled with mistakes and bad plays.

All in all it was an incredible experience, but I played weak and reckless, which is a horrible combination. I can only hope I qualify next year to give it another shot. Maybe next year I can also get a table full of weaker players, as they were all around.

Our table did get a lot of camera work due to the attention whoring of Sebok and Gavin Smith. Other interesting notes was Shannon Elizabeth being a few tables away and coming by twice (very hot in person too), and the tall guy from “Everybody Love’s Raymond” being a table over as well. Doyle Brunson also was one table away for several hours.

Table 157 Seat 7

That's where I start on Saturday. The table is on the rail, but fortunately me seat is off the rail to avoid the side show slightly.

Up about 1700 so far on some -EV Pai Gow last night at the Rio.

Main Event starting assignment

I start in the WSOP main event on day 1B, Saturday, July 29th.

No word yet on Table # or seat #.

You can cut the tension with a knife.

WSOP Satellite - Key hands Part 1

Below are some of the more interesting hands that I played in the satellite. This is only the first part as it takes quite a while to look at an entire hand history. Also of note that you can't see is that I had deuces a phenomenal number of times and I don't believe I played them once.

Hand #1: I lose some chips

PokerStars Game #5580028377: Tournament #21021395, $350+$20 Hold'em No Limit - Level I (10/20) - 2006/07/16 - 16:45:31 (ET)
Table '21021395 722' 9-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: Steeser (2480 in chips)
Seat 2: IGotDaNuts05 (2290 in chips)
Seat 3: AnD_Dufresne (2310 in chips)
Seat 4: Jaxxed (2560 in chips)
Seat 5: toomsk (2460 in chips)
Seat 6: islandlooper (2670 in chips)
Seat 7: just1pair (2420 in chips)
Seat 8: Yagharek (2690 in chips)
Seat 9: thunderman1 (2620 in chips)
IGotDaNuts05: posts small blind 10
AnD_Dufresne: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Steeser [8c 6c]
Jaxxed: folds
toomsk: folds
islandlooper: folds
just1pair: folds
Yagharek: folds
thunderman1: calls 20
Steeser: calls 20
IGotDaNuts05: raises 60 to 80
AnD_Dufresne: folds
thunderman1: calls 60
Steeser: calls 60
*** FLOP *** [Qc 6h Tc]
IGotDaNuts05: bets 120
thunderman1: folds
Steeser: calls 120
*** TURN *** [Qc 6h Tc] [Ah]
IGotDaNuts05: bets 240
Steeser: calls 240
*** RIVER *** [Qc 6h Tc Ah] [Kh]
IGotDaNuts05: checks
Steeser: bets 520
IGotDaNuts05: calls 520
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Steeser: shows [8c 6c] (a pair of Sixes)
IGotDaNuts05: shows [Ks Ad] (two pair, Aces and Kings)
IGotDaNuts05 collected 2020 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2020 Rake 0
Board [Qc 6h Tc Ah Kh]
Seat 1: Steeser (button) showed [8c 6c] and lost with a pair of Sixes
Seat 2: IGotDaNuts05 (small blind) showed [Ks Ad] and won (2020) with two pair, Aces and Kings
Seat 3: AnD_Dufresne (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: Jaxxed folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: toomsk folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: islandlooper folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: just1pair folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: Yagharek folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: thunderman1 folded on the Flop

I call from the button see a 3 way flop with a low suited 1 gapper. I get a great flop, with bottom pair and a flush draw and decide to check. For some reason I decide not to raise, and see an ugly turn card. I should have folded right here, but decided to call his bet for some reason. The river puts a 4 straight on board and he shows weakness by checking to me. I know the only way I can win the pot is by betting, but unfortunately he has top 2 pair that he can’t get away from. Just like that I have lost 40% of my chips. I think I played the river good, but my flop and turn play was terrible.


Hand #2: I start a little bit of a comeback


PokerStars Game #5580102160: Tournament #21021395, $350+$20 Hold'em No Limit - Level II (15/30) - 2006/07/16 - 16:52:13 (ET)
Table '21021395 722' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: Steeser (1730 in chips)
Seat 2: IGotDaNuts05 (3460 in chips)
Seat 3: AnD_Dufresne (2370 in chips)
Seat 4: Jaxxed (2460 in chips)
Seat 5: toomsk (2390 in chips)
Seat 6: islandlooper (2580 in chips)
Seat 7: just1pair (1880 in chips)
Seat 8: Yagharek (2660 in chips)
Seat 9: thunderman1 (2970 in chips)
Yagharek: posts small blind 15
thunderman1: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Steeser [Th Td]
Steeser: raises 60 to 90
IGotDaNuts05: folds
AnD_Dufresne: folds
Jaxxed: folds
toomsk: folds
islandlooper: folds
just1pair: folds
Yagharek: folds
thunderman1: calls 60
*** FLOP *** [5h Jd As]
thunderman1: bets 90
Steeser: raises 190 to 280
thunderman1: folds
Steeser collected 375 from pot
Steeser: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 375 Rake 0
Board [5h Jd As]
Seat 1: Steeser collected (375)
Seat 2: IGotDaNuts05 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: AnD_Dufresne folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: Jaxxed folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: toomsk folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: islandlooper folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: just1pair (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: Yagharek (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 9: thunderman1 (big blind) folded on the Flop

I saw this player lead out at the flop a few times before this hand, and then several times after this hand, and he folded to a raise in all cases. My plan was that I wouldn’t invest another dollar in the pot after the flop raise if he came along, unless I hit a set.

Hand #3: Critical Hand #1 – I get back on my feet again


PokerStars Game #5580829116: Tournament #21021395, $350+$20 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2006/07/16 - 17:59:01 (ET)
Table '21021395 722' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: Steeser (1395 in chips)
Seat 2: IGotDaNuts05 (1955 in chips)
Seat 3: AnD_Dufresne (3730 in chips)
Seat 4: Jaxxed (2350 in chips)
Seat 5: toomsk (4060 in chips)
Seat 6: islandlooper (1255 in chips)
Seat 7: just1pair (2545 in chips)
Seat 8: Yagharek (4090 in chips)
Seat 9: thunderman1 (1120 in chips)
thunderman1: posts small blind 50
Steeser: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Steeser [Tc Th]
IGotDaNuts05: folds
AnD_Dufresne: raises 100 to 200
Jaxxed: folds
toomsk: folds
islandlooper: folds
just1pair: folds
Yagharek: folds
thunderman1: folds
Steeser: calls 100
*** FLOP *** [Qs 6s 8d]
Steeser: checks
AnD_Dufresne: bets 300
Steeser: raises 895 to 1195 and is all-in
AnD_Dufresne: folds
Steeser collected 1050 from pot
Steeser: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1050 Rake 0
Board [Qs 6s 8d]
Seat 1: Steeser (big blind) collected (1050)
Seat 2: IGotDaNuts05 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: AnD_Dufresne folded on the Flop
Seat 4: Jaxxed folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: toomsk folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: islandlooper folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: just1pair folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: Yagharek (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: thunderman1 (small blind) folded before Flop

This was a critical hand, as I put myself all-in on the flop. I had TT in the BB and wasn’t very comfortable with moving all-in preflop on the early position min-raise. The flop came down pretty good, and I decided to check raise him all-in. Fortunately he folded.


Hand #4: All in begins

PokerStars Game #5581101827: Tournament #21021395, $350+$20 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2006/07/16 - 18:23:18 (ET)
Table '21021395 722' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: Steeser (1570 in chips)
Seat 2: wonkadaddy (6755 in chips)
Seat 3: PhenomPoker (2708 in chips)
Seat 4: skywalkerD (4675 in chips)
Seat 5: toomsk (7365 in chips)
Seat 6: 3instein (2670 in chips)
Seat 7: just1pair (5570 in chips)
Seat 8: Yagharek (3915 in chips)
Seat 9: thunderman1 (3425 in chips)
skywalkerD: posts small blind 100
toomsk: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Steeser [5h Ac]
3instein: folds
just1pair: folds
Yagharek: folds
thunderman1: folds
Steeser: raises 1370 to 1570 and is all-in
wonkadaddy: folds
PhenomPoker: folds
skywalkerD: folds
toomsk: folds
Steeser collected 500 from pot
Steeser: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 500 Rake 0
Seat 1: Steeser collected (500)
Seat 2: wonkadaddy folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: PhenomPoker (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: skywalkerD (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: toomsk (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: 3instein folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: just1pair folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: Yagharek folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: thunderman1 folded before Flop (didn't bet)

Just a blind steal…and a risky one at that.

Hand #5: The very next hand


PokerStars Game #5581107218: Tournament #21021395, $350+$20 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2006/07/16 - 18:23:45 (ET)
Table '21021395 722' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: Steeser (1870 in chips)
Seat 2: wonkadaddy (6755 in chips)
Seat 3: PhenomPoker (2708 in chips)
Seat 4: skywalkerD (4575 in chips)
Seat 5: toomsk (7165 in chips)
Seat 6: 3instein (2670 in chips)
Seat 7: just1pair (5570 in chips)
Seat 8: Yagharek (3915 in chips)
Seat 9: thunderman1 (3425 in chips)
toomsk: posts small blind 100
3instein: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Steeser [As Qh]
just1pair: folds
Yagharek: folds
thunderman1: folds
Steeser: raises 1670 to 1870 and is all-in
wonkadaddy: folds
PhenomPoker: folds
skywalkerD: folds
toomsk: folds
3instein: calls 1670
*** FLOP *** [5d 9c Qs]
*** TURN *** [5d 9c Qs] [4s]
*** RIVER *** [5d 9c Qs 4s] [Ac]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
3instein: shows [Th Td] (a pair of Tens)
Steeser: shows [As Qh] (two pair, Aces and Queens)
Steeser collected 3840 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3840 Rake 0
Board [5d 9c Qs 4s Ac]
Seat 1: Steeser showed [As Qh] and won (3840) with two pair, Aces and Queens
Seat 2: wonkadaddy folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: PhenomPoker folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: skywalkerD (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: toomsk (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: 3instein (big blind) showed [Th Td] and lost with a pair of Tens
Seat 7: just1pair folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: Yagharek folded before Flop (didn't bet)

Move-in again, this time with a reasonable hand, and win the coin flip. Now I can play some poker again.

Hand #6: A re-raise with AK out of position

PokerStars Game #5581153118: Tournament #21021395, $350+$20 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2006/07/16 - 18:27:33 (ET)
Table '21021395 722' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: Steeser (3840 in chips)
Seat 2: wonkadaddy (6755 in chips)
Seat 3: PhenomPoker (2708 in chips)
Seat 4: skywalkerD (4875 in chips)
Seat 5: toomsk (7065 in chips)
Seat 6: 3instein (1500 in chips)
Seat 7: just1pair (7170 in chips)
Seat 8: Yagharek (3115 in chips)
Seat 9: thunderman1 (1625 in chips)
thunderman1: posts small blind 100
Steeser: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Steeser [Kc As]
wonkadaddy: folds
PhenomPoker: folds
skywalkerD: folds
toomsk: folds
3instein: folds
just1pair: raises 200 to 400
Yagharek: folds
thunderman1: folds
Steeser: raises 1000 to 1400
just1pair: calls 1000
*** FLOP *** [3h 6d 5c]
Steeser: bets 2440 and is all-in
just1pair: folds
Steeser collected 2900 from pot
Steeser: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2900 Rake 0
Board [3h 6d 5c]
Seat 1: Steeser (big blind) collected (2900)
Seat 2: wonkadaddy folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: PhenomPoker folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: skywalkerD folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: toomsk folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: 3instein folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: just1pair folded on the Flop
Seat 8: Yagharek (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: thunderman1 (small blind) folded before Flop

This hand illustrates the problem with re-raising with AK from out of position in one of the blinds. The goal is to have him fold pre-flop. The call is scary, and the flop obviously misses all hands in this preflop situation. After I made the push I hated it, even though it worked. As any hand that beat me (JJ, TT, 99) was likely calling, unless they were dead convinced I was on aces. He folded so fast I don’t believe that’s the case. Therefore, I believe I should have checked, and allowed him to bluff, and then either called the allin or moved in myself over the top of him, as I put his most likely holding at AK or AQ. Now that I think about it, he may have had AK, to call pre-flop and then fold on the flop. Hard to say…at the time I was just very happy to take the pot down and get my stack over 5000.

Hand #7: Coin flips are my friend


PokerStars Game #5581410838: Tournament #21021395, $350+$20 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2006/07/16 - 18:49:42 (ET)
Table '21021395 722' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: Steeser (5330 in chips)
Seat 2: wonkadaddy (5895 in chips)
Seat 3: PhenomPoker (1898 in chips)
Seat 4: skywalkerD (2645 in chips)
Seat 5: toomsk (6555 in chips)
Seat 6: 3instein (2580 in chips)
Seat 7: just1pair (9730 in chips)
Seat 8: Yagharek (2005 in chips)
Seat 9: thunderman1 (2015 in chips)
Steeser: posts the ante 10
wonkadaddy: posts the ante 10
PhenomPoker: posts the ante 10
skywalkerD: posts the ante 10
toomsk: posts the ante 10
3instein: posts the ante 10
just1pair: posts the ante 10
Yagharek: posts the ante 10
thunderman1: posts the ante 10
Steeser: posts small blind 100
wonkadaddy: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Steeser [Js Jh]
PhenomPoker: folds
skywalkerD: folds
toomsk: folds
wonkadaddy said, "hopefully i've got another 7-8 suckout left inme :D"
3instein: raises 800 to 1000
wonkadaddy said, "oh i know"
just1pair: folds
Yagharek: folds
thunderman1: folds
wonkadaddy said, "so cash games dead today, eh lol"
Steeser: raises 800 to 1800
wonkadaddy: folds
3instein: raises 770 to 2570 and is all-in
Steeser: calls 770
*** FLOP *** [5c 4d Qh]
*** TURN *** [5c 4d Qh] [Jc]
*** RIVER *** [5c 4d Qh Jc] [2h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Steeser: shows [Js Jh] (three of a kind, Jacks)
3instein: shows [Kc Ah] (high card Ace)
Steeser collected 5430 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 5430 Rake 0
Board [5c 4d Qh Jc 2h]
Seat 1: Steeser (small blind) showed [Js Jh] and won (5430) with three of a kind, Jacks
Seat 2: wonkadaddy (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: PhenomPoker folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: skywalkerD folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: toomsk folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: 3instein showed [Kc Ah] and lost with high card Ace
Seat 7: just1pair folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: Yagharek folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: thunderman1 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)

I decided to gamble a little bit here, as I knew he was pot committed after his 5X preflop raise. I put his likely range on 88, 99, TT, JJ, QQ, AQ, or AK. I am way ahead of this range, so I decide to take a shot at getting a lot of chips. It worked for the best as I was in a coin-flip situation and I won.

Hand #8 – First Laydown:

PokerStars Game #5581547802: Tournament #21021395, $350+$20 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2006/07/16 - 19:01:33 (ET)
Table '21021395 722' 9-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: Steeser (6472 in chips)
Seat 2: wonkadaddy (5535 in chips)
Seat 3: PhenomPoker (2816 in chips)
Seat 4: DLoRT (4652 in chips)
Seat 5: toomsk (8810 in chips)
Seat 6: tufaznails (3845 in chips)
Seat 7: just1pair (11495 in chips)
Seat 8: flaus (5429 in chips)
Seat 9: thunderman1 (3345 in chips)
Steeser: posts the ante 10
wonkadaddy: posts the ante 10
PhenomPoker: posts the ante 10
DLoRT: posts the ante 10
toomsk: posts the ante 10
tufaznails: posts the ante 10
just1pair: posts the ante 10
flaus: posts the ante 10
thunderman1: posts the ante 10
just1pair: posts small blind 100
flaus: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Steeser [Ah Qd]
thunderman1: folds
Steeser: raises 400 to 600
wonkadaddy: folds
PhenomPoker: raises 2206 to 2806 and is all-in
DLoRT: folds
toomsk: folds
tufaznails: folds
just1pair: folds
flaus: folds
Steeser: folds
PhenomPoker collected 1590 from pot
PhenomPoker: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1590 Rake 0
Seat 1: Steeser folded before Flop
Seat 2: wonkadaddy folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: PhenomPoker collected (1590)
Seat 4: DLoRT folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: toomsk folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: tufaznails (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: just1pair (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 8: flaus (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 9: thunderman1 folded before Flop (didn't bet)

Once I picked up some chips, I didn’t feel like getting too involved with a marginal hand. I would have had to call 2200 into a pot of 3700, so pot odds likely dictated a call, but I felt being safe was more important than the slightly favorable pot odds.


Hand #9: Caught stealing

PokerStars Game #5581588181: Tournament #21021395, $350+$20 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2006/07/16 - 19:05:11 (ET)
Table '21021395 722' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: Steeser (5312 in chips)
Seat 2: wonkadaddy (4775 in chips)
Seat 3: PhenomPoker (3446 in chips)
Seat 4: DLoRT (5572 in chips)
Seat 5: toomsk (9640 in chips)
Seat 6: tufaznails (3785 in chips)
Seat 7: just1pair (11335 in chips)
Seat 8: flaus (5459 in chips)
Seat 9: thunderman1 (3075 in chips)
Steeser: posts the ante 10
wonkadaddy: posts the ante 10
PhenomPoker: posts the ante 10
DLoRT: posts the ante 10
toomsk: posts the ante 10
tufaznails: posts the ante 10
just1pair: posts the ante 10
flaus: posts the ante 10
thunderman1: posts the ante 10
DLoRT: posts small blind 100
toomsk: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Steeser [5c 4c]
tufaznails: folds
wonkadaddy said, "well, against me....."
just1pair: folds
flaus: folds
thunderman1: folds
wonkadaddy said, "tks man, later"
Steeser: raises 400 to 600
wonkadaddy: folds
PhenomPoker: folds
DLoRT: folds
toomsk: calls 400
*** FLOP *** [8s As Qc]
toomsk: checks
Steeser: bets 800
toomsk: raises 800 to 1600
Steeser: folds
toomsk collected 2990 from pot
toomsk: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2990 Rake 0
Board [8s As Qc]
Seat 1: Steeser folded on the Flop
Seat 2: wonkadaddy folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: PhenomPoker (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: DLoRT (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: toomsk (big blind) collected (2990)
Seat 6: tufaznails folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: just1pair folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: flaus folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: thunderman1 folded before Flop (didn't bet)

These hands are fun to steal with, as if you flop big, they will never see you coming. The flop came ace high, which wasn’t bad to bluff at, so I took a chance with a continuation bet. He made a min-raise on me, and I sensed weakness (perhaps a weak ace, or a queen), so I contemplated moving all-in…but in the end just took my medicine, as I wasn’t entirely convinced he could fold an ace.


Hand #10 – Another move-in:

PokerStars Game #5581654912: Tournament #21021395, $350+$20 Hold'em No Limit - Level VIII (150/300) - 2006/07/16 - 19:11:02 (ET)
Table '21021395 722' 9-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: Steeser (3382 in chips)
Seat 2: wonkadaddy (4395 in chips)
Seat 3: PhenomPoker (4356 in chips)
Seat 4: DLoRT (5377 in chips)
Seat 5: toomsk (10650 in chips)
Seat 6: tufaznails (2905 in chips)
Seat 7: just1pair (13320 in chips)
Seat 8: flaus (5079 in chips)
Seat 9: thunderman1 (2935 in chips)
Steeser: posts the ante 15
wonkadaddy: posts the ante 15
PhenomPoker: posts the ante 15
DLoRT: posts the ante 15
toomsk: posts the ante 15
tufaznails: posts the ante 15
just1pair: posts the ante 15
flaus: posts the ante 15
thunderman1: posts the ante 15
wonkadaddy: posts small blind 150
PhenomPoker: posts big blind 300
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Steeser [Js 8s]
DLoRT: folds
toomsk: folds
tufaznails: folds
just1pair: folds
flaus: folds
thunderman1: folds
Steeser: raises 3067 to 3367 and is all-in
wonkadaddy: folds
PhenomPoker: folds
Steeser collected 885 from pot
Steeser: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 885 Rake 0
Seat 1: Steeser (button) collected (885)
Seat 2: wonkadaddy (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: PhenomPoker (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: DLoRT folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: toomsk folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: tufaznails folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: just1pair folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: flaus folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: thunderman1 folded before Flop (didn't bet)

Getting a little desperate with only 11BB’s, I move-in with J8s, figuring it takes a big hand to call. I am glad to add 2 BB’s to my stack without a showdown.

Hand #11 – Another laydown

PokerStars Game #5581803405: Tournament #21021395, $350+$20 Hold'em No Limit - Level VIII (150/300) - 2006/07/16 - 19:23:58 (ET)
Table '21021395 722' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: Steeser (4462 in chips)
Seat 2: wonkadaddy (5055 in chips)
Seat 3: TheMadViking (4640 in chips)
Seat 4: DLoRT (3667 in chips)
Seat 5: toomsk (13706 in chips)
Seat 6: tufaznails (6080 in chips)
Seat 7: just1pair (13245 in chips)
Seat 8: flaus (5304 in chips)
Seat 9: thunderman1 (3460 in chips)
Steeser: posts the ante 15
wonkadaddy: posts the ante 15
TheMadViking: posts the ante 15
DLoRT: posts the ante 15
toomsk: posts the ante 15
tufaznails: posts the ante 15
just1pair: posts the ante 15
flaus: posts the ante 15
thunderman1: posts the ante 15
flaus: posts small blind 150
thunderman1: posts big blind 300
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Steeser [Qc Ad]
Steeser: raises 600 to 900
wonkadaddy: folds
TheMadViking: folds
DLoRT: folds
toomsk: folds
tufaznails: folds
just1pair: folds
flaus: raises 4389 to 5289 and is all-in
thunderman1: folds
Steeser: folds
flaus collected 2235 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2235 Rake 0
Seat 1: Steeser folded before Flop
Seat 2: wonkadaddy folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: TheMadViking folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: DLoRT folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: toomsk folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: tufaznails folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: just1pair (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: flaus (small blind) collected (2235)
Seat 9: thunderman1 (big blind) folded before Flop

This occurred after a few more move-ins on my part. Again, no reason to risk my tourney on AQ, especially considering I have been picking up a lot of pots uncontested.

Hand #12 - Phew:

PokerStars Game #5582184853: Tournament #21021395, $350+$20 Hold'em No Limit - Level X (300/600) - 2006/07/16 - 19:57:55 (ET)
Table '21021395 871' 9-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: pharaoh77 (19270 in chips)
Seat 2: TimShady80 (6275 in chips)
Seat 3: dudasdb (14810 in chips)
Seat 4: gooddawg (15130 in chips)
Seat 5: ViperShark8 (15805 in chips)
Seat 6: Steeser (5087 in chips)
Seat 7: pokerols (10040 in chips)
Seat 8: bogied18 (11729 in chips)
Seat 9: AcesNE1 (12375 in chips)
pharaoh77: posts the ante 30
TimShady80: posts the ante 30
dudasdb: posts the ante 30
gooddawg: posts the ante 30
ViperShark8: posts the ante 30
Steeser: posts the ante 30
pokerols: posts the ante 30
bogied18: posts the ante 30
AcesNE1: posts the ante 30
pokerols: posts small blind 300
bogied18: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Steeser [5h 4c]
AcesNE1: folds
pharaoh77: folds
TimShady80: folds
dudasdb: folds
gooddawg: folds
ViperShark8: folds
Steeser: raises 4457 to 5057 and is all-in
pokerols: folds
bogied18: folds
pokerols said, "55 - should have called you"
Steeser collected 1770 from pot
Steeser: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1770 Rake 0
Seat 1: pharaoh77 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: TimShady80 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: dudasdb folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: gooddawg folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: ViperShark8 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Steeser (button) collected (1770)
Seat 7: pokerols (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 8: bogied18 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 9: AcesNE1 folded before Flop (didn't bet)

A while later in the tourney, I am getting desperate. With everyone folding to me in the SB, I am pushing with any two cards here. The BB claims to have 55…which is probably a very bad call as he is usually a coin-flip. In this case he would have been a huge favorite…so thanks for not calling pokerols.

Hand #13 – Another blind battle:

PokerStars Game #5582255838: Tournament #21021395, $350+$20 Hold'em No Limit - Level X (300/600) - 2006/07/16 - 20:04:02 (ET)
Table '21021395 871' 9-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: pharaoh77 (18130 in chips)
Seat 2: TimShady80 (4835 in chips)
Seat 3: dudasdb (25429 in chips)
Seat 4: gooddawg (15160 in chips)
Seat 5: ViperShark8 (17605 in chips)
Seat 6: Steeser (6587 in chips)
Seat 7: pokerols (8870 in chips)
Seat 8: faststack18 (27270 in chips)
Seat 9: AcesNE1 (13905 in chips)
pharaoh77: posts the ante 30
TimShady80: posts the ante 30
dudasdb: posts the ante 30
gooddawg: posts the ante 30
ViperShark8: posts the ante 30
Steeser: posts the ante 30
pokerols: posts the ante 30
faststack18: posts the ante 30
AcesNE1: posts the ante 30
Steeser: posts small blind 300
pokerols: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Steeser [Ks Qs]
faststack18: folds
AcesNE1: folds
pharaoh77: folds
TimShady80: folds
dudasdb: folds
gooddawg said, "ssssssssssssssssss"
gooddawg: folds
ViperShark8: folds
Steeser: raises 1100 to 1700
pokerols: calls 1100
*** FLOP *** [4s 8h 2s]
Steeser: bets 4857 and is all-in
pokerols: folds
Steeser collected 3670 from pot
Steeser: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3670 Rake 0
Board [4s 8h 2s]
Seat 1: pharaoh77 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: TimShady80 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: dudasdb folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: gooddawg folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: ViperShark8 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Steeser (small blind) collected (3670)
Seat 7: pokerols (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 8: faststack18 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: AcesNE1 folded before Flop (didn't bet)

I have slightly more chips then last time, so I make a standard raise. The BB calls and I hit a nice flop with 4 to a flush and 2 overcards. I move in and he folds.

Hand #14 – Folding 77’s to no raise:

PokerStars Game #5582295860: Tournament #21021395, $350+$20 Hold'em No Limit - Level X (300/600) - 2006/07/16 - 20:07:25 (ET)
Table '21021395 871' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: pharaoh77 (13640 in chips)
Seat 2: TimShady80 (4745 in chips)
Seat 3: dudasdb (25339 in chips)
Seat 4: gooddawg (15070 in chips)
Seat 5: ViperShark8 (17515 in chips)
Seat 6: Steeser (8467 in chips)
Seat 7: pokerols (6480 in chips)
Seat 8: faststack18 (34220 in chips)
Seat 9: AcesNE1 (12315 in chips)
pharaoh77: posts the ante 30
TimShady80: posts the ante 30
dudasdb: posts the ante 30
gooddawg: posts the ante 30
ViperShark8: posts the ante 30
Steeser: posts the ante 30
pokerols: posts the ante 30
faststack18: posts the ante 30
AcesNE1: posts the ante 30
AcesNE1: posts small blind 300
pharaoh77: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Steeser [7s 7c]
TimShady80: calls 600
dudasdb: folds
gooddawg: folds
ViperShark8: folds
Steeser: folds
pokerols: calls 600
faststack18: calls 600
AcesNE1: calls 300
pharaoh77: checks
*** FLOP *** [3c 3s Kd]
AcesNE1: checks
pharaoh77: bets 1200
TimShady80: raises 2915 to 4115 and is all-in
pokerols: folds
faststack18: calls 4115
AcesNE1: folds
pharaoh77: folds
*** TURN *** [3c 3s Kd] [Ts]
*** RIVER *** [3c 3s Kd Ts] [2s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
TimShady80: shows [Qc Ks] (two pair, Kings and Threes)
faststack18: shows [9h 3h] (three of a kind, Threes)
faststack18 collected 12700 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 12700 Rake 0
Board [3c 3s Kd Ts 2s]
Seat 1: pharaoh77 (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 2: TimShady80 showed [Qc Ks] and lost with two pair, Kings and Threes
Seat 3: dudasdb folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: gooddawg folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: ViperShark8 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Steeser folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: pokerols folded on the Flop
Seat 8: faststack18 (button) showed [9h 3h] and won (12700) with three of a kind, Threes
Seat 9: AcesNE1 (small blind) folded on the Flop

UTG limped, and with his stack size being so short, it smelled like he had a big hand. I decided to not even bother with the hand, with the additional fear that someone after me would raise to try to steal. It turns out it was a peculiar limp with KQ, and it cost him his stack.

Hand #15: I get a lot of chips

PokerStars Game #5582503744: Tournament #21021395, $350+$20 Hold'em No Limit - Level XI (400/800) - 2006/07/16 - 20:25:19 (ET)
Table '21021395 871' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: pharaoh77 (17500 in chips)
Seat 2: doomino (25228 in chips)
Seat 3: dudasdb (26029 in chips)
Seat 4: gooddawg (17710 in chips)
Seat 5: ViperShark8 (20105 in chips)
Seat 6: Steeser (12547 in chips)
Seat 7: ybmax (16364 in chips)
Seat 8: faststack18 (22951 in chips)
Seat 9: AcesNE1 (9525 in chips)
pharaoh77: posts the ante 40
doomino: posts the ante 40
dudasdb: posts the ante 40
gooddawg: posts the ante 40
ViperShark8: posts the ante 40
Steeser: posts the ante 40
ybmax: posts the ante 40
faststack18: posts the ante 40
AcesNE1: posts the ante 40
ViperShark8: posts small blind 400
Steeser: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Steeser [Kd Qs]
ybmax: folds
faststack18: folds
AcesNE1: folds
pharaoh77: folds
doomino: folds
dudasdb: raises 1600 to 2400
gooddawg: folds
ViperShark8: folds
Steeser: calls 1600
*** FLOP *** [Qh 8c 8h]
Steeser: checks
dudasdb: bets 3200
Steeser: raises 6907 to 10107 and is all-in
dudasdb: folds
Steeser collected 11960 from pot
Steeser: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 11960 Rake 0
Board [Qh 8c 8h]
Seat 1: pharaoh77 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: doomino folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: dudasdb folded on the Flop
Seat 4: gooddawg (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: ViperShark8 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: Steeser (big blind) collected (11960)
Seat 7: ybmax folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: faststack18 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: AcesNE1 folded before Flop (didn't bet)

Pretty standard here, I defend my blind with KQ, pretty good against a raise from the cutoff. Flop top pair on a relatively drawless board, and check raise him all-in. Fortunately he isn’t on AA, AK, AQ or a hand with an 8.

Hand #16 – Avoiding trouble:

PokerStars Game #5582519566: Tournament #21021395, $350+$20 Hold'em No Limit - Level XI (400/800) - 2006/07/16 - 20:26:41 (ET)
Table '21021395 871' 9-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: pharaoh77 (17420 in chips)
Seat 2: doomino (25148 in chips)
Seat 3: dudasdb (20349 in chips)
Seat 4: gooddawg (17630 in chips)
Seat 5: ViperShark8 (19625 in chips)
Seat 6: Steeser (18427 in chips)
Seat 7: ybmax (15484 in chips)
Seat 8: faststack18 (22871 in chips)
Seat 9: AcesNE1 (11005 in chips)
pharaoh77: posts the ante 40
doomino: posts the ante 40
dudasdb: posts the ante 40
gooddawg: posts the ante 40
ViperShark8: posts the ante 40
Steeser: posts the ante 40
ybmax: posts the ante 40
faststack18: posts the ante 40
AcesNE1: posts the ante 40
ybmax: posts small blind 400
faststack18: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Steeser [Ks Js]
AcesNE1: folds
pharaoh77: folds
doomino: folds
dudasdb: folds
gooddawg: folds
ViperShark8: folds
Steeser: raises 1500 to 2300
ybmax: raises 4100 to 6400
faststack18: folds
Steeser: folds
gooddawg said, "ty sir"
ybmax collected 5760 from pot
ybmax: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 5760 Rake 0
Seat 1: pharaoh77 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: doomino folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: dudasdb folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: gooddawg folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: ViperShark8 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Steeser (button) folded before Flop
Seat 7: ybmax (small blind) collected (5760)
Seat 8: faststack18 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 9: AcesNE1 folded before Flop (didn't bet)

Raised with a decent hand to steal, but had to fold to the re-raise. Standard but highlights the importance of avoiding conflict.

Hand #17 – The hand of the tournament – Part 1


PokerStars Game #5582607646: Tournament #21021395, $350+$20 Hold'em No Limit - Level XI (400/800) - 2006/07/16 - 20:34:25 (ET)
Table '21021395 871' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: pharaoh77 (18660 in chips)
Seat 2: doomino (25228 in chips)
Seat 3: dudasdb (18069 in chips)
Seat 4: gooddawg (14910 in chips)
Seat 5: ViperShark8 (18545 in chips)
Seat 6: Steeser (15847 in chips)
Seat 7: ybmax (18664 in chips)
Seat 8: faststack18 (18551 in chips)
Seat 9: AcesNE1 (19485 in chips)
pharaoh77: posts the ante 40
doomino: posts the ante 40
dudasdb: posts the ante 40
gooddawg: posts the ante 40
ViperShark8: posts the ante 40
Steeser: posts the ante 40
ybmax: posts the ante 40
faststack18: posts the ante 40
AcesNE1: posts the ante 40
ViperShark8: posts small blind 400
Steeser: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Steeser [2c Ac]
ybmax: folds
faststack18: folds
AcesNE1: folds
pharaoh77: folds
doomino: folds
dudasdb: folds
gooddawg: folds
ViperShark8: calls 400
Steeser: raises 2000 to 2800
ViperShark8: calls 2000
*** FLOP *** [Ad Kd 3h]
ViperShark8: checks
Steeser: bets 3800
ViperShark8: raises 11905 to 15705 and is all-in
Steeser: calls 9207 and is all-in
*** TURN *** [Ad Kd 3h] [2d]
*** RIVER *** [Ad Kd 3h 2d] [6s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
ViperShark8: shows [Kc Td] (a pair of Kings)
Steeser: shows [2c Ac] (two pair, Aces and Deuces)
Steeser collected 31974 from pot
AcesNE1 said, "Great call"
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 31974 Rake 0
Board [Ad Kd 3h 2d 6s]
Seat 1: pharaoh77 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: doomino folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: dudasdb folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: gooddawg (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: ViperShark8 (small blind) showed [Kc Td] and lost with a pair of Kings
Seat 6: Steeser (big blind) showed [2c Ac] and won (31974) with two pair, Aces and Deuces
Seat 7: ybmax folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: faststack18 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: AcesNE1 folded before Flop (didn't bet)

All fold to the SB who limps. I decide to take the pot down right there and raise with A2s. He surprises me and calls. The flop gives me top pair, with a diamond draw possible. He checks and I bet 3800…leaving me 9K. He check raises me all-in. I first considered folding, but couldn’t give him credit for an ace in the situation, and no other two pair made sense on that board. I thought a diamond draw was possible, but not likely. I decided that if he had any kind of ace he would have raised or re-raised me pre-flop. I went with my read and put my tourney on the line. Fortunately I was right and he had KT. I had to dodge a diamond on the river as well, but this hand put me over 30K.

WSOP musings

So I got a few funny comments after announcing that I had qualified.

The best is from Mark West. This is an excerpt from his response. I am personally a fan of #2, 5, and 6.

"You should develop a look for yourself that will make you stand out in the crowd. Kind of like that annoying European guy who wears his sunglasses upside down.

Here are some ideas:
1) A tank top, tight short shorts, and roller skates (think Goldmember from Austin Powers)
2) Dress exactly like a dealer. When the dealer deals stand up, pretend to deal an imaginary set of cards.
3) Tight leather pants (chaps?) and a mesh tank top.
4) Dress up like a jockey. Bring a horse whip and waive it around in a threatening manner.
5) Dress like an agent from The Matrix. Call everyone "Mister Anderson" in a raised voice.
6) Dress up like a nun, but don’t conceal the fact that you are a man. In fact, don’t shave for a couple days. Insist you are a nun raising money for the orphanage."

Greg Morad said this:

"You have come such a long way since betting with Sweet N Low packets at the airport!"

This is in reference to our flight being delayed to Orlando in March. We had cards but no chips, so we played a 3 man freezeout using the sugar packets at the restaurant we were in at the airport.

Jenny Jenkins said this:
"So, does this qualify as the second greatest day of your life?"

Nikki Tremonti said this:
"I knew I should have gotten an autograph when I hadthe chance!"

Those were the best of the bunch to this point.

Holy shit!!! Main Event!

Well, I met one of my poker goals for the year, and that was qualifying for a big buy-in tournament.

I had basically given up on this goal as I didn't want to spend the money to try, or spend the vacation time to go out to Vegas this summer. But after winning the 21K a few weeks ago, I had an itch to try it. I played in the Stars $350 satellite (in for $50 due to an earlier satellite), which drew 7700+ players and paid out 234 spots, and the Full Tilt $500 satellite, which drew 3000+ players and paid out 100+ seats. These were the only satellites I played all year.

In the Full Tilt tourney, I made it to the final 300 or so, but got knocked out. In the Stars one, I nursed a short stack, won a few coin flips, sucked out bad once, and then made some nice aggressive steal moves to nurse my stack into the average realm and coast into a spot.

So I'm off to Vegas next Thursday. Not sure what day I will play yet. I'm pretty amped up though. Gonna sell a few 1% shares of myself, to share the fun and also get a little more spending money while I'm out there.

I'll write a report in the next few days detailing some of the key hands of this satellite.

PNC Park Trip report

Went to Pittsburgh to visit PNC Park for the first time, and to see the Tigers play the Pirates. The Tigers won the game 9-8, nearly blowing a 4-0 and a 9-2 lead.

Some observations/thoughts on the park (most of my comparisons will be relative to Comerica Park, which is my most logical frame of reference):

I like it much more than Comerica Park (built around the same time). PNC seems to have much more character. It includes several local eateries, etc....which is more than I can say for Comerica, unless you count Little Caesars. There is just more of a fun feel about it. Comerica has that feel now, but didn't when our record was similar to the Pirates record is now.

Everything seems cozier...it seems that we are closer to the action at PNC, though not much more. The downtown area where the park is pretty close to Heinz field. I didn't notice a lot of restaurants nearby to the park, though I only saw it from one side. Parking/access was pretty easy, though we were very early.

Tigers fans traveled well, as it seemed there were nearly as many of us there as Pirate fans. I'll give the Pirates fans credit though, they were very loud and excited getting back to within one run. Not bad support considering how bad they have been of late.

The bridges in the background (can be seen in the picture) are pretty cool to look at, and I think the downtown backdrop is better than the one at Comerica.

Overall a good time. I wish I could spend a summer traveling to different ballparks. Unfortunately to this point the only places I have been are Comerica Park, Tiger Stadium, Wrigley Field and Arlington Stadium (Texas old park).

Road trip

Taking a mini road trip with Victory and her family this Sunday to see the Tigers play the Pirates in Pittsburgh. I've heard that PNC Park is an awesome park. Can't wait.

21K!!!!

Decided at the last minute to play the Paradise Poker 150K Guaranteed tournament. I had only played one multi table tourney in the past few months, so I had an itch. Since Sonny was playing, he was able to send me some money to play in it as well. We decided to swap 10% of each other's action. There were 796 players in the tourney.

It sounds a bit cliche and stupid, but I felt like I might be able to do something special before it started. I caught a few hands early on and accumulated some chips. For much of the first hour or two, I was among the chip leaders.

My first hiccup occurred when I saw a flop with A3s from the small blind. I check-raised the BB on a A-7-4 flop, and had to call his all-in. He had A7 and I was drawing nearly dead. Suddenly my nice chip stack became less than average.

I was forced to battle for a while, and made the money in pretty good shape (top 70 got paid, Sonny finished 82nd of so). The whole time I just kept telling myself to stay focused, since losing your edge or focus for one hand can mean the end of your night.

To make a long story short, with about 2 tables left I was able to catch an incredibly lucky break. My chip stack had dwindled down to way below average with about 15 players left. I was in the SB with 87o, and all folded to me. I immediately pushed all-in, and much to my shock and dismay, the BB called me with a dominating K7. By the river I was down to 2 outs, due to a possible flush, but as fate would have it I hit one of the two remaining 8's in the deck. I eliminated him on a coin flip shortly thereafter.

When we got to the final table, I was again the shortest stack. The table was very aggressive, with some well known online players (SamENole for one). They were dominating the play for the most part with their aggressiveness, so I decided to counter the aggressiveness by playing tight and waiting for a big hand to catch somebody with. Within a stretch of a few short hands I was suddenly the chip leader.

There was quite a battle when were down to 6 players, then another real battle at 3 players.

Finally I got to heads-up outchipped by a 3-1 ratio, against WillisNYC. He was playing a good aggressive game, and it became apparent to me that I was going to have to take a stand with a hand early. I did once when he raised preflop, and I pushed all-in with A7, and he folded. 2 hands later he again raised preflop, and I moved in with A9o. He quickly called with AK. Despite me getting a straight draw on the flop, I didn't suck out this time and I was the runner-up, for a total score of 21K. (first got 36K)

It was quite a needed infusion of cash for me. Ever since the Super Bowl I have been doing pretty poorly (the debacle of the Super Bowl probably had something to do with it). That money will go towards paying bills, paying for the WCOFF (World Championship of Fantasy Football), and replenishing the bankroll.

Favorite 90's music

Just as an off the wall topic I was thinking of my music tastes, which start with mostly things from the 60's and 70's...then moving on to some hair bands of the 80's, then culminating with the grunge movement of the 90's, and basically nothing after that.

So without further ado, my top bands of the 90's.

Pearl Jam - By far my #1 choice. Their first album "Ten", is the only album I can think of where I like EVERY song. More on them in a future post.

Nirvana - One of the most influential bands of the 90's. They were just starting to come into their own when Kurt Kobain died. I'm quite a fan of Dave Grohl's band, Foo Fighters, who was Nirvana's drummer,

Alice and Chains - Too bad Lane Staley decided to kill himself. This band had some great dark tunes, as well as a few heavy ones.

Soundgarden - I pretty much like anything with Chris Cornell, which explains why I like Audioslave now as well. Obviously I also enjoyed the music of "Temple of the Dog", the Soundgarden and Pearl Jam collaboration.

Stone Temple Pilots - Not sure why I liked them as much as I did in college. Catchy tunes still to this day though.

Go get 'em Tigers

So the Tigers are off to an MLB leading 36-18 start. It is a long time coming for this once proud franchise. This is slightly tempered by the fact that Mike Maroth is out for 3 months (at least) after having surgery to have bone chips removed from his elbow. This has caused a lot of panic on the Sports radio waves here in Detroit, wondering how we are going to survive and suggesting swinging a big trade for a pitcher such as Florida's Dontrelle Willis.

First, let's be real, Maroth is really only our 3rd-5th best pitcher, depending on the day. Without him, we still have 2 lefties in our rotation, which is more than most teams aside from the dreadful Royals. We also have Wil Ledezma in AAA, who is a lefty who started in the rotation last year. So let's not make it out like we are losing the best pitcher in baseball.

Now to the second point, those same radio shows have said that to get Willis (or somebody similar) we would likely have to part with rookie phenom Joel Zumaya, who is blowing hitters away in a setup role right now. (Obviously Justin Verlander is untouchable at this point) I argue that Zumaya should be untouchable too...and not just because he is a big part of our future...he is a huge part of our PRESENT. I'm all for making a move to bolster an already solid pitching staff, but not when it comes at the expense of our tremendously solid bullpen.

The final point of this relates to the first point, in that our biggest problem is not the need to replace a starting pitcher, it's to add a better bat to the lineup. The spots of LF and 3B should be the primary targets. Somebody left handed would be great too, but not very likely in the 3B column...although DH is a possibility. Craig Monroe, the current LF is decent, but would be better as a platoon player, replacement. Brandon Inge, the 3B, would be awesome as a super utility man. He could likely play OF, 2B, 3B and C. SS in a pinch wouldn't be a big stretch either. 1B would also be a possiblity. Basically he can play anywhere if necessary. By adding a solid bat to the lineup, you would shore up the lack of depth on the bench by moving Inge/Monroe to the bench, and add some great versatility to your lineup.

So far Dombrowski has been making a lot of great moves (many of them questioned by me when the happened...namely the Weaver trade, signing Kenny Rogers...). Let's hope he doesn't make a knee-jerk reaction to the Maroth injury and trade Zumaya away.

Kentucky Derby trip report

Thursday night – Poker night

Got on the road by about 530pm, for the drive to Louisville. The drive was pretty uneventful with me and Victory sharing the driving, with me starting and finishing. Doug made sure to sleep enough for the 2 of us. Got to the hotel at about 11:30, to check into the other 2 rooms. They gave me a room that Paul had already checked into, so that was a hassle getting keys to the right room. After that we left for the casino, where Paul was likely playing poker. I sat down at a 10/20 table with Doug, and lost about 100, until Sonny got there and we both sat down at a 2/5 no limit table.

Very early on I caught a huge hand, a player raised to $20, and I called with 77. Another player re-raised to $75, two players (including the original raiser) called, and I called to close the action. The flop was a beautiful 722, and I check-raised the original player all-in, winning about a $1200 pot. I flopped pretty good for the rest of the night, making about $860 when all was said and done. I also got quite a bit of booze in me in the short time we were there. Left the casino about 4:30am, since we had the Kentucky Oaks on Thursday. Sonny won about 850, Paul won about 200, and Doug lost 500 or so.

Friday (Oaks Day) - Sonny’s trip gets bad

We bought some scalped tickets so the 5 of us could sit together, though it took a little work to get Victory in our section. I decided I wanted to miss just about every race, despite picking several winners. The day culminated in the Oaks when I failed to bet on a 47-1 shot I liked a lot…who happened to win the race. Sonny had the trifecta for $1, but there was an inquiry and objection on the 3rd place finisher for bumping. After the objection was upheld, the 3rd place finisher was disqualified to 6th, and Sonny no longer had the trifecta, which paid about 12K (meaning he would have gotten half of it). Consider that bad beat #1 for Sonny.

When we were back at our car having a beer for the road, I mentioned something to Sonny about missing the race, and he proceeded to give me a NASCAR victory celebration with his beer (termed a Jimmie Johnson), spraying my head with Budweiser. This would become a theme for the night.

After the races we needed some food, so we went to the hotel buffet, which was the most terrible buffet ever, especially for $20. The choices were non-existent, and they didn’t even have somebody slicing the prime rib. The service was also horrible. Sonny and Doug were getting progressively more drunk, with Sonny being the worst. Sonny gave Doug 2 additional “Jimmie Johnson’s”, and Doug dumped his beer on Sonny in the restaurant. At that point, Paul, Victory and I left, and Doug and Sonny proceeded to dine and dash on their portion of the tab. Victory was pretty fed up with my friends at that point and wasn’t going to go out. I was tired, as well as annoyed with them, and realized that my best play was to stay in with my girl. Paul stayed in as well, and Doug and Sonny went out and got more drunk, apparently seeing some free concert in downtown Louisville, where they played a lot of Bon Jovi.

Saturday (Derby Day) - Sonny’s trip gets worse…much worse

Derby day started off with a bad beat, as the track doesn’t allow you to bring sunscreen or coolers inside, we were planning on buying both of those on the track. Unfortunately the place was sold out of both by 10am (nice planning). I bribed the beer people for a box (makeshift cooler) and some ice, and bribed someone else to get Victory some suntan lotion.

Derby day was awesome, not too hot, not too cool, and we got a nice spot on the far turn. Betting was difficult as they decided not to put the TV’s out near the betting windows like EVERY other Derby I’ve been to. This made it impossible to really see the odds on the horses I was betting. The lines were huge, and the tellers were the dumbest/slowest/worst that I had ever seen. I was losing, but a little more slowly then the Derby. Sonny started making out of control bets, with tickets that cost $1000+. After the Derby, in which me and Sonny hit a pick 4 (pick winners of 4 straight races) that paid about $1500, we just standing around bullshitting. At that point the track is starting to clear out, even though there are 2 more races. People are throwing footballs and Frisbees all around. All of us were within a few feet of each other talking when a football, thrown from at least 30 yards away, hits Sonny right in the back of the head. The ball just dropped straight to the ground after hitting him, as his head seemed to absorb most of the blow. Fortunately we had all had about 6-8 big beers at that point (except for Victory), so Sonny didn’t quite feel it.

After the Derby, we got cleaned up (not Doug and Paul…Doug decided he was afraid of the water outside of Michigan and went showerless for the trip). We went to Caesars Indiana for some more gambling and dinner. Sonny was in degenerate mode, and instead of eating went straight into the casino to either do some damage to himself or the casino. I was playing 2/5NL, Paul 10/20, Victory 2/4, and Doug was just drinking at the bar and then eventually went to sleep in the car. About 130am, Sonny came down drunk as hell and said “The casino took a bad beat.” That translated to Sonny being up about 8K. I told him to sit down at poker with me, but he disappeared after I told him Doug was in the car. I wrongly assumed he was at the car.

After my game broke up, I got in the 20/40 game, and started running it over. As I got my last beer at 230am at last call, Sonny came up and said “I think I’m about to get kicked out of here, are you ready to go?” I told him I would be ready after I finished the 2 beers in front of me. 5-10 minutes later his self fulfilling prophecy came true, as he came over with 3 members of the security team, telling me he had to leave. At this point I was pissed as he has gotten me kicked out of several casinos, and was tired of that ruining my fun, so I told them to get him a taxi. Their claim was that he threw a bottle at somebody. I knew he wouldn’t do that, but I’ve seen childish outbursts at the casino before and figured he knocked an empty off the table with a pseudo Karate chop (this he later confirmed). I thought that was the end of the story, so we decided to leave about 330am. I was up about 750, so poker was nice to me for the weekend.

Walking out of the casino, Sonny is walking towards us, with security again, but this time in handcuffs. Apparently after waiting with them for the cab, he refused to get in it. After some give and take with the security (who actually were cops), and him refusing their choices to get out of there, they arrested him. At that point, they wouldn’t release him to me, and gave me a phone number and address to the jail.

There is no official word on how Sonny finished for the night, but suffice it to say if he was throwing/hitting bottles around, it was not a good night.

Sunday morning – The culmination

I called the jail at 9am, and they told me he wouldn’t be released until 515pm. This put a crimp in all plans, as we were supposed to drop him off in Indianapolis for a 130pm flight. The cops wouldn’t let me drop his bag off either, so we were forced to leave his bag at the hotel front desk. To make a long story short, he finally got out of jail after a big struggle with the bail bondsmen, and has a court date set for trespassing and public intoxication (or something to that effect). I’m not sure how the court date will shake down since he lives in Vegas. Maybe we can somehow tie it in to next years Derby.

We got back into town at about 6pm. My end result for the trip was down about $500 or so…including all of the money I spent on admission, food, beer, etc….Thankfully Caesars was there, as I have won a decent amount of money every time I have played poker there….which is probably 5-6 times at least.

Derby time!!!

Missed my Derby scratch goal, but that was mostly because I didn't have much desire to play. I did win some money on baseball and basketball since that time, so I'm feeling comfortable for the Derby.

Should be a great time, can hardly wait.

My new spam filter

This topic could probably go under my "General Annoyances" entry, but since it's something I will likely have to deal with every day (except Sunday and holidays) for the rest of my life in the US, I thought it deserved it's very own entry.

If I had a spam filter on my physical mailbox at my house, I would likely have 3 extra minutes of time every day. It's beyond ridiculous all of the crap that I get. If I accepted all of the offers I get, I would likely have 150 Capital One credit cards, I would have refinanced my house 124 times since I bought it (almost 2 years ago), and I would have 10 different lawn services working in my yard.

It's definitely at the point where that mail is almost completely worthless to me. Aside from the occasional magazine I get to which I subscribe or get for free, I have no need for it anymore. Invariably, nearly everything I get is immediately thrown in the trash, most of it without even reading it....bills, take care of them all online....checks, direct deposit....letters, get them on e-mail...nothing else worthwile. The only thing that I can think of that I don't get online is a water bill, which of course is a 3x5 index card which I never seem to get anyway as it's probably stuck in the Gardner White mailer that I receive 3 times a week. I honestly can't recall paying a water bill in a long time. It sure isn't because I quit using water.

Oh well, there is no good close to this topic, so that's it.