Comments (2) I’ve never been part of an engagement party before but my buddy Andrew had his this past weekend. It was good seeing his family as well as his fiancee’s family and help serve lunch. It was a successful get-together as well as for his belated birthday later in the evening. Even got to play poker at night. Came out up $21. I was disciplined this time and played what came to me. All in all a fairly calm weekend.
Murder mystery at Aphrodisiac restaurant (formerly Lunaria) in Century City went fairly well. They used props, served a dinner, and had over the top acting. It was definitely quite an experience and I would recommend going there once. I have to say I solved the case but they gave the prize to a 12 year-old kid. A new career in detective work.
We also had a delicious lunch on Sunday at Newport Seafood restaurant in San Gabriel. A 11 course meal with lobsters and crabs. It was awesome! Unfortunately I forgot to bring the camera and wasn’t able to get pictures for the event. We went to Shon’s house and had a quick poker game. I dropped $40 in a matter of 30 minutes. I was playing too loose. Too much confidence in my game. I have to reevaluate my strategy. That’s the thing about Texas Hold’em, there’s always room to learn and the checks and balances to keep you humble. I need to take a break from the game for a little bit before I test the waters again.
Just got back from a home game my co-worker Jeremy hosted. Texas Hold’em NL $30 buy-in $0.25/$0.50 blinds. After about 5 hours of playing I lost it all in another incredible hand. I was constantly up the entire night until this last play. I was holding a K-9 spades and the flop had a K-9. I thought I was good and was almost wanting my opponent to call me all in. This one guy, Heitor, basically the other shark on the table besides myself does call me all in. I call and he flips over cards that had so many outs. He flopped a gut shot, flush draw, and straight flush draw. The turn brings down a 8 of clubs which completed his straight flush, the biggest hand of the night. I was in disbelief. But was satisfied with the lost. I’ve been very good about stretching out my buy-in and end up losing considerably less every time I’ve played. The shark and I took turns out thinking each other whenever we go heads up. Hey may win a hand, I may win a hand or I just bluff him out alot of the time. I’d have to say some of those plays were damn good. I was so glad he didn’t call it at the time. I know this won’t be the last time facing off with him again.
I think my game has gotten much better through the years and feel good even after another losing tonight. This has been 4 consecutive losing poker sessions. I’m not giving up yet. It’s a price to play to really sharpen these skills. I’m exhausted from the crazy mind games and have a slight head ache on the way back till now. I feel poker works the entire brain. To be able to calculate odds works the left brain and the reading and feeling out a player is intense activity for the right brain. I love this game!
Poker
| 
Jeremy, Poker, texas hold'em, Work
An impromptu game on Sunday turned unfortunate for me. It was just the 4 of us. 3 of us battled it out and took turns being the big stack. There was 2 amazing beat that night, both of which I took part in. First one was an all-in call between Drew and I. I had pocket 7s and he had a heart flush draw. There was a pair showing on the board. So on the river a 7 of hearts came out. Initially I thought I lost that because we saw it was a heart, but then Drew pointed out that I had the boat with the 7 so that was a bad beat for him. Of course karma came to play at my last hand where Shon checks to me on the river. I had 9-4 off suite and caught my third 4 on the river. Thinking I had the hand won, I call all-in and Shon quickly calls it without hesitation. WHAT THE HELL? He throws down his hooks (pocket Js); with the other J on the board and the pair of 4s gives him the boat. He takes the last of my $60 buy-in. Great play Shon! Especially when he was looking to bust me out since he did not want to go heads up with me the whole night. He patiently waited while the others took each other out and timed it with great precision and went in for the kill. Very nice play!
Poker
| Poker, Shon, texas hold'em
Another one bites the dust! Shon is officially 30 today so I want to give him a birthday shout-out. I spent about 14 of the last 72 hours of his 29th year in existence eating delicious slabs of steaks and playing poker. Hope you had fun bud! Its not so bad turning 30, right?
On a side note, I lost $20 in our ring game. Was up considerably before playing sloppy at the end. Good times regardless.
Poker, Special Event
| birthday, Poker, Shon
I’ve been anticipating tonight for a long time since this would be only the 2nd time going back to the Hustler casino. Based on the first visit where I doubled up, I thought it might be worth a chance to do some heat checking. But tonight was definitely not a night to remember. The deck was way too cold for me to play anything and I slowly went down by $100 in a matter of 2 hours. Didn’t even win one hand. The only one I did have a chance, I was bluffed out by my buddy Shon. Thanks fool! I had pocket 10s and the flop was A-J-J. Oh well, you win a few, you lose a few. That’s the way the story goes. I think I’m still up overall. Tonight after Shon’s birthday dinner, we’re gonna go again w/the usual crowd. Let’s see how I will fair against those guys.
The realization of my age didn’t hit me until recently. I’m getting lower back pains which I never remembered getting or ever getting this bad. Its been over a week since this discomfort began. It could be the way I’m sitting or excessive amount of time I’ve spent parked in front of my workstations at work. It could be just poor posture while I am sitting at home as well. It could also be me being out of shape. It’s sad that one’s body deteriorates while the mind and spirit continues to believe that you’re still young. In retrospect, I don’t think I’m that old but my body is telling, “Oh yes you are!” 
On a brighter note, I’ve been winning recently at our home games. Won $105 tonight but treated the remainder of our poker party to dinner and walked away practically even. Oh well, you play for the fun and challenge, right? I guess this makes up for the $120 I won 2 weekends ago which I didn’t justifiably return the same favor to the contributers of my winnings.
My weekend began with some time with the guys celebrating Wilson’s birthday. It was good being with only the guys and just bullshitting about old times. Nothing really says friendship like 7 guys making fun of one another about their weakest moments in high school and college. We had a great dinner at Lucille’s again. I love that place! We ended up in Corona playing a very competitive poker game at Shon’s place. At 5am I finished the game being up $126.
The next day I had another birthday to go to. But this time, it started at Tokyo Delves and ended at Saddle Ranch (again). Nothing says “Happy Birthday!” like getting wasted with your friends! Again, a birthday wish to my good friend Ann. You can probably guess which one she is.
Super Bowl Sunday was ok. Had some good food and spent some more time with my gf. The game was boring. Nothing special but a laid back Sunday. Back to work again. *Sigh*
Yes ladies and gentlemen, one of my friends finally turned the big 3-0. Richy, a long time friend of mine since high school has finally entered his thirties. The celebration was very low-key. Lots of food, lots of company, and then there was poker. I hope he enjoyed the sweater we gave him. We had a blast and his family was very welcoming and accomodating. Thanks man! Hope you had a good one! Its just the beginning of the rest of our lives.
On a side note, I lost $40 there. Was playing completely off my game only because I didn’t really have the “eye of the tiger” and treat it like it was a worthy poker game. I actually felt bad winning but I guess I should really think, they know the risk and so I should play with the want to win. Damn that guilty conscious! I just need another chance to put on a better game. Live and learn.
Poker, Special Event
| Poker, Richard, xanga
What does December bring besides lazy work days and holiday celebrations? No not gifts. But rather the International Motorcycle Show. Like many other years, this was also held at the Long Beach Convention Center. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to ride there like I had planned last year, but we had fun regardless. We went in the afternoon when it was less crowded. There was arena cross, located at the same venue. We had plenty of time to go through each motorcycle company and vendors across the floors.
We then went to have a small poker game at Drew’s. After the dust settled, I ended up down $12.50. Guess who was the big winner? Yes, my baby with a whopping $50!
On a side note, this photo totally cracks me up!
Motorcycle, Poker, Toys
| Drew, Long Beach, Motorcycle, Poker
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