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!
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!
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.
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*
First of all, Happy New Year. I’m finally settled back at home with my folks. I finally got my home hooked up to the Internet via SBC Yahoo! DSL. It only took me 5 days from the day they said it was going to be installed. That’s sarcasm just in case you didn’t catch that. I’ve been very productive since coming back. I’ve empty and organized all my box of stuff. I unpacked whatever I needed. Just the bare minimum. For some reason I just don’t think its time for me to completely unload. To me this is just a temporary stay so I don’t want to completely settle down. I tell ya, its good to have food ready when you come home or have food to bring for lunch. Also a place to wash and work on my motorcycle is sweet. The only bad point would be my lack of seeing my gf. At least we have the weekends to spend together.
Vegas was fun on NYE. Lots of people and great display of fireworks. I did very well that night being up about $200. But then lost it all on NYD. In a span of 1 hour I lost $200. And then lost the rest ($300) playing careless Hold’em later that night. I should have been more patient, but got too greedy. I even hit quad 9′s and won $50 for getting the hand. Unfortunately, blew that on craps. As far as gambling goes, the trip sucked. But overall, it was fun!
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.
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!
I was involved with 2 ring games over Thanksgiving break. The first was a $5 buy-in game during a Thanksgiving party. I was doing well earlier with a commanding chip lead but slowly lost it all. Rebought and was up and down until I pulled out even. So I was down $5 at the end of Friday night.
Come Sunday afternoon, I was in my usual group of friend’s ring game for $20. I was catching lots of cards earlier on and was in the chip lead. That dwindled down to $20 but never lower. Ended up cashing out $177 and making $157. I was able to maintain the same strategy and made a few tweaks. I have to say I was lucky catching some amazing suck-outs on Shon. One, my A-5 off-suite versus his A-K where we both have top paired but I catch runner runners to complete my club flush. Overall, I’ve been happy with the adjustments I’ve made. I’ve managed to minimized my losses and improved my chances of coming up on the positive side of the money. Will get to test this out again in 2 weeks. So far so good with this new play schedule. I’m sure Shon will be looking for me next time. 
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Jeremy, Poker, texas hold'em, Work 
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