Well, its been a long time but my account officially has cracked the 100 barrier. I am not sure when, but I believe around Christmas, my poker brother CTOWN loaned me $10.00 to reestablish my bank roll.
I am proud to say that a few SNG video's later and some help by Bax...my account has cracked the barrier. Most importantly is the 2 for 2 in the $5.00 rebuy for $55.00 which has yielded a nice return. I think this is a tournament that I can excel at.
Finally, with my account healthy, I am going to move up from 1$ SNG's to 3.25$ SNG's. I wonder what the competition is like at the next level and look forward to some positive returns. Let's see what happens.
Check out www.officialpokerrankings.com for info on the big wins.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Making my Move
First, on a personal level, I had an interesting situation arise in my chosen career path as a hockey coach. It came down to a decision to pack up and close down my resume after a LONG 25 years of work. That's not a small decision. It took me a long time and a dedicated focus to reach the upper echelon of the hockey world, and upon reaching my destination, realized that something was wrong with this picture.
I could never explain how helpless I felt, and instead of feeling helpless, wanted to feel empowered. I took matters into my own hands rather than be a victim. I decided to resign my position, and trust me I have never felt a greater sense of "That was the right thing to do."
Now my focus is my family, and I'll keep that in mind next time an offer comes my way to travel the world.
More importantly I have to focus my on line efforts to turn playing poker into a part time gig. The money will continue to flow thanks to a fall back job, but considering the amount of free time I will have - I can't spend it just playing around at poker - it needs to be time well spent.
Last night I did well enough on the poker circuit finishing 23rd in a rather large MTT. You can read about the interesting hands at www.pokersift.com
Right now I have entered the 1 pm 5.50 rebuy to the 55k guarantee. I find it a relatively easy way to build a bank roll as the 15.00 I invest can turn into 55 pretty easily.
We'll see what happens but I anticipate my poker career will be taking off. I continue to watch poker x factor and learn about this game.
I've decided to focus on winning larger MTT's with buyin's of either 3$ rebuy or 5$. The time spent on these tournaments needs to be justified and I don't find a great satisfaction in playing for 2$ and lasting 5 hours to win 15$.
I understand bankroll require's me to be prudent but find I can do some work to put $100.00 in my account and win from there. The first step was capturing a $55.00 tournament entry fee, by playing in a $5.50 rebuy tournament. This to me is one of the hidden gems of Poker Stars. Every day at 1 p.m. they offer a tournament with 9 seats added to anyone who wants a crack at a $5.50 event. So far so good. The bank roll has increased due to this win....
I think you'll see my results will be taking off....
Keep tabs on me over at www.pokersift.com
I could never explain how helpless I felt, and instead of feeling helpless, wanted to feel empowered. I took matters into my own hands rather than be a victim. I decided to resign my position, and trust me I have never felt a greater sense of "That was the right thing to do."
Now my focus is my family, and I'll keep that in mind next time an offer comes my way to travel the world.
More importantly I have to focus my on line efforts to turn playing poker into a part time gig. The money will continue to flow thanks to a fall back job, but considering the amount of free time I will have - I can't spend it just playing around at poker - it needs to be time well spent.
Last night I did well enough on the poker circuit finishing 23rd in a rather large MTT. You can read about the interesting hands at www.pokersift.com
Right now I have entered the 1 pm 5.50 rebuy to the 55k guarantee. I find it a relatively easy way to build a bank roll as the 15.00 I invest can turn into 55 pretty easily.
We'll see what happens but I anticipate my poker career will be taking off. I continue to watch poker x factor and learn about this game.
I've decided to focus on winning larger MTT's with buyin's of either 3$ rebuy or 5$. The time spent on these tournaments needs to be justified and I don't find a great satisfaction in playing for 2$ and lasting 5 hours to win 15$.
I understand bankroll require's me to be prudent but find I can do some work to put $100.00 in my account and win from there. The first step was capturing a $55.00 tournament entry fee, by playing in a $5.50 rebuy tournament. This to me is one of the hidden gems of Poker Stars. Every day at 1 p.m. they offer a tournament with 9 seats added to anyone who wants a crack at a $5.50 event. So far so good. The bank roll has increased due to this win....
I think you'll see my results will be taking off....
Keep tabs on me over at www.pokersift.com
Monday, January 14, 2008
Kicking some Ass
I went all in twice yesterday on hands that maybe I misplayed. In one situation I was all in with a flush draw on a K 8 3 board. The blinds were 3k/6k and I figured at 15 big blinds the time was right. In hindsight it maybe wasn't the right play to make.
In the other tournament - I did what I do best - I shoved with a less than stellar AKs vs. 88 hand. The race was not to be and I dropped out of that tournament in race style.
Here is my bust out...
PokerStars Game #14533693120: Tournament #72644304, $1.00+$0.10 Hold'em No Limit - Level XVIII (3000/6000) - 2008/01/13 - 15:49:44 (ET)Table '72644304 327' 9-max Seat #6 is the buttonSeat 1: littleginny (239690 in chips) Seat 2: Blues69222 (198451 in chips) Seat 3: FlanJan (57468 in chips) Seat 4: Squidyc (298614 in chips) Seat 5: KeepItShort (248118 in chips) Seat 6: snowrider343 (190118 in chips) Seat 7: BubbaBooey (285329 in chips) Seat 8: bigbamboom (113210 in chips) Seat 9: perquin (62664 in chips) littleginny: posts the ante 600Blues69222: posts the ante 600FlanJan: posts the ante 600Squidyc: posts the ante 600KeepItShort: posts the ante 600snowrider343: posts the ante 600BubbaBooey: posts the ante 600bigbamboom: posts the ante 600perquin: posts the ante 600BubbaBooey: posts small blind 3000
bigbamboom: posts big blind 6000*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to bigbamboom [4c Tc]
perquin: folds littleginny: calls 6000Blues69222: folds FlanJan: folds Squidyc: calls 6000KeepItShort: calls 6000snowrider343: folds BubbaBooey: calls 3000bigbamboom: checks *** FLOP *** [Kh 2c 8c]BubbaBooey: checks
bigbamboom: bets 106610 and is all-in
littleginny: folds Squidyc: folds KeepItShort: calls 106610BubbaBooey: folds *** TURN
*** [Kh 2c 8c] [Jd]*** RIVER *** [Kh 2c 8c Jd] [6s]*** SHOW DOWN
***bigbamboom: shows [4c Tc] (high card King)KeepItShort: shows [Jc Kd] (two pair, Kings and Jacks)KeepItShort collected 248620 from pot*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 248620 | Rake 0 Board [Kh 2c 8c Jd 6s]Seat 1: littleginny folded on the FlopSeat 2: Blues69222 folded before Flop (didn't bet)Seat 3: FlanJan folded before Flop (didn't bet)Seat 4: Squidyc folded on the FlopSeat 5: KeepItShort showed [Jc Kd] and won (248620) with two pair, Kings and JacksSeat 6: snowrider343 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)Seat 7: BubbaBooey (small blind) folded on the FlopSeat 8: bigbamboom (big blind) showed [4c Tc] and lost with high card KingSeat 9: perquin folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Friday, January 11, 2008
The Enlightenment
Ah yes, the thrill of victory.
Interesting week. So I finally decided with the prodding of my room mate - that poker has become an addiction. A good one. I never read, now I read poker books. I never work out...now I can only play poker if I work out (are you reading this honey).
I invested in Poker X Factor. It took a long time to decide on which service to subscribe too. The cost is prohibitive..but I figured my casino winnings should be "invested" rather than spent. The fee will pay for itself in the short term...its that good an experience.
First, I watched a MTT 5$ tournament. Sheets Haber commentated through out the tournament about each hand, his moves, amounts and incredible SHOVES. It was cool to watch. His plays were very sharp and limited to strong hands. No 6-4 gappers or suited connectors. I learned a ton from the first video.
Since that I watched a few SNG (4 6$ tournaments - he was always in the money). The shoves were cool to watch especially as he got down to the bubble play.
The other noticeable play was to never enter a pot as a limp/call or min raise against aggression...almost any aggression. They would rather fold their hands then play against someone who has shown aggression. The comment made was people will protect their investments. The only time they would play against aggression - was against all in shoves. Then he would make some sick calls or reads on players to fold.
All in all the first few days of "lectures" has been solid. Its changed the way I look at the game and I am excited to keep learning more. The books I have bought will now make more sense because I'll either be able to visualize the aggression they speak about - or refute the cautious plays they refer too.
I can't say I fully endorse the site just yet - but so far so good. We'll see what happens.
Interesting week. So I finally decided with the prodding of my room mate - that poker has become an addiction. A good one. I never read, now I read poker books. I never work out...now I can only play poker if I work out (are you reading this honey).
I invested in Poker X Factor. It took a long time to decide on which service to subscribe too. The cost is prohibitive..but I figured my casino winnings should be "invested" rather than spent. The fee will pay for itself in the short term...its that good an experience.
First, I watched a MTT 5$ tournament. Sheets Haber commentated through out the tournament about each hand, his moves, amounts and incredible SHOVES. It was cool to watch. His plays were very sharp and limited to strong hands. No 6-4 gappers or suited connectors. I learned a ton from the first video.
Since that I watched a few SNG (4 6$ tournaments - he was always in the money). The shoves were cool to watch especially as he got down to the bubble play.
The other noticeable play was to never enter a pot as a limp/call or min raise against aggression...almost any aggression. They would rather fold their hands then play against someone who has shown aggression. The comment made was people will protect their investments. The only time they would play against aggression - was against all in shoves. Then he would make some sick calls or reads on players to fold.
All in all the first few days of "lectures" has been solid. Its changed the way I look at the game and I am excited to keep learning more. The books I have bought will now make more sense because I'll either be able to visualize the aggression they speak about - or refute the cautious plays they refer too.
I can't say I fully endorse the site just yet - but so far so good. We'll see what happens.
Friday, January 4, 2008
I was talking to Mason Malmuth and he said...
Extraordinary results - thats what I am after.
I don't like average. I think average is a waste of time and as you can see my pay outs do not reflect a good use of time. Average sucks. I want to be a B I G winner - and I know if I work on my game I will be.
One resolution this year is to get knocked out of tournaments with strong hands, strong plays. I will not call down a hand and be taken out. So I am proud to say both take outs were by NH's and cards coming on the river. I was listening to the Two plus Two poker podcast, and Mason Malmuth, who I am sure you all know was talking about playing Aces. His comment was not to raise to strongly with it - build equity in the hand. Let's see what happens...
I got knocked out EARLY in the 180 man SNG was with a set of Aces (AA preflop, AQ10 on board) and my opponent had J9. He hit an 8 on the river and was chip leader with about 17k in chips. That is a huge sum for that particular tournament - lesson learned.
One resolution this year is to get knocked out of tournaments with strong hands, strong plays. I will not call down a hand and be taken out. So I am proud to say both take outs were by NH's and cards coming on the river. I was listening to the Two plus Two poker podcast, and Mason Malmuth, who I am sure you all know was talking about playing Aces. His comment was not to raise to strongly with it - build equity in the hand. Let's see what happens...
I got knocked out EARLY in the 180 man SNG was with a set of Aces (AA preflop, AQ10 on board) and my opponent had J9. He hit an 8 on the river and was chip leader with about 17k in chips. That is a huge sum for that particular tournament - lesson learned.
I still thought about it and my Set was fairly strong. I anticipated I was either set over set, or up against 2 pair and at worst a straight draw. Oh well this happens.
I wouldn't change the way I played the hand...except I raise 3X the BB to keep him in the hand. Had I of pushed to 5-6X the BB MAYBE he folds preflop and I am still alive.
I wouldn't change the way I played the hand...except I raise 3X the BB to keep him in the hand. Had I of pushed to 5-6X the BB MAYBE he folds preflop and I am still alive.
So was I impressed with Mason's strategy tip - NOT REALLY. I think at Lower Level MTT's this strategy is not sound. Instead of facing 1 caller now I had 2 and regardless of what they have my percentages to win DROP.
The other early drop out was a AA vs. 77 preflop hand. I knew he had small pair with small raise and a called bet preflop - it was my turn and I knew that one of the two would have a small pair.
I anticipated a call when I pushed to take out the AK I had in the hand. He calls, and its off to the races as a 4-1 favourite.
The other tournament knock outs were in the late stages as chips dwindle and antes/blinds rise. I lost one all in on AQ and another shortstacked with KJ. Probably the one area (push-fold EQ hands) where my game really needs to improve. All in all I was happy with cash in those 180 Man SNG.
I have adopted a little more conservative approach as I get close to the money. I need to win to build my bankroll, and can't afford those speculative chip collecting moves (ALL IN preflop) to try and move up the ladder. My win will come when I catch that hand near the bubble and am able to make a move with it.
The other tournament knock outs were in the late stages as chips dwindle and antes/blinds rise. I lost one all in on AQ and another shortstacked with KJ. Probably the one area (push-fold EQ hands) where my game really needs to improve. All in all I was happy with cash in those 180 Man SNG.
I have adopted a little more conservative approach as I get close to the money. I need to win to build my bankroll, and can't afford those speculative chip collecting moves (ALL IN preflop) to try and move up the ladder. My win will come when I catch that hand near the bubble and am able to make a move with it.
I have started the Relearn phase of my poker - with a big move into PXF coming this Sunday. I think its time I learned how to win at this game.
Ctown my partner in crime - continues to smash the 1$ SNG with tight agressive play. He comments that I am a better teacher than player and I believe that to be so.
Removed from the hand - I can offer sane advice with a dose of aggressiveness and a view of discipline. It helps to have clarity and think hands through. Maybe if I applied the same "outsiders" approach - I'd be writing about wins rather than cashes.
Removed from the hand - I can offer sane advice with a dose of aggressiveness and a view of discipline. It helps to have clarity and think hands through. Maybe if I applied the same "outsiders" approach - I'd be writing about wins rather than cashes.
The bank roll is up ... I always have craps to fall back on.
It would be nice to give my wife/daugther a check for 10k soon....she'd love me for that.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
I put spot remover on my dog and he disappeared
Okay so the New Year. What's with that....simply on fire.
Since 2008 hit my game has improved big time on the poker tables. Had a hot run playing the first 10 hands in a 4$ 180 man SNG and was Chip leader after 10 hands. Some interesting cards came my way and I think I played them to maximize my profit.
Okay, so I got lucky but I thought I played the hands very well. Here is an interesting hand from that tournament.
I had K10 of spades on the button and had called a limper. The BB also calls so its three of us on the flop. I hit the 2 spades I needed for four to a flush but best of all the JQ of spades come on the flop so I have an open ended straight flush draw.
I made a soft call on a bet for the pot. It left me alone with one caller. Hmm...Could he have a higher flush.
The next card hits and its a J. I decided my caller is either playing a flush draw or is on a straight draw. Little did I realize he has a jack in his hand.
So many possibilities.
I make a solid bet at the turn card leaving my caller with a 3-1 odds call.
He makes the call and a 9 of spades hits on the river. Okay so now a J10 is looking straightish....J with a Q is also a boat and since I have both beat I go all in.
I figure if my opponent has the A of spades he has to call with that board. Any Full house is also calling. For sure he has got to be interested. I thought I drew him in with my check on the flop and just under pot sized bet on the turn. Anyways...the ALL IN worked - he called and might of been a bit peeved that his JJJ99 hand was second best.
I find the low limits people will call when a four card flush hits even if they have a low spade. OVER BETTING is key in the right situation and this was a great situation to make a huge bet. He couldn't get away from the hand - no doubt either could I.
That double up lasted until a few tight aggressive hands put me up to 16k in chips and top ten finish.
In the end - I was pushing with KJ and called by the big blind with AJ. Bad luck to run into the AJ but it happens. I needed chips to keep moving up and the blinds were up to 1000-2000 with large antes so it was now or never.
All in all a well played tournament (if I don't say so myself) and a second 10th place finish in a row.....consistent...the goal for 2008. If there is one thing I really need to work on is short stack play and push or fold equity hands.
My bank roll has doubled since Monday and with a nice profit at the Craps tables I start off 2008 on a roll.
Hats off to CTOWN pro who took down an 18 man SNG with some great small stack play to begin the domination by the Freeland Duo.
My next blog will address "local" cheating and the threat it poses to the game....
Since 2008 hit my game has improved big time on the poker tables. Had a hot run playing the first 10 hands in a 4$ 180 man SNG and was Chip leader after 10 hands. Some interesting cards came my way and I think I played them to maximize my profit.
Okay, so I got lucky but I thought I played the hands very well. Here is an interesting hand from that tournament.
I had K10 of spades on the button and had called a limper. The BB also calls so its three of us on the flop. I hit the 2 spades I needed for four to a flush but best of all the JQ of spades come on the flop so I have an open ended straight flush draw.
I made a soft call on a bet for the pot. It left me alone with one caller. Hmm...Could he have a higher flush.
The next card hits and its a J. I decided my caller is either playing a flush draw or is on a straight draw. Little did I realize he has a jack in his hand.
So many possibilities.
I make a solid bet at the turn card leaving my caller with a 3-1 odds call.
He makes the call and a 9 of spades hits on the river. Okay so now a J10 is looking straightish....J with a Q is also a boat and since I have both beat I go all in.
I figure if my opponent has the A of spades he has to call with that board. Any Full house is also calling. For sure he has got to be interested. I thought I drew him in with my check on the flop and just under pot sized bet on the turn. Anyways...the ALL IN worked - he called and might of been a bit peeved that his JJJ99 hand was second best.
I find the low limits people will call when a four card flush hits even if they have a low spade. OVER BETTING is key in the right situation and this was a great situation to make a huge bet. He couldn't get away from the hand - no doubt either could I.
That double up lasted until a few tight aggressive hands put me up to 16k in chips and top ten finish.
In the end - I was pushing with KJ and called by the big blind with AJ. Bad luck to run into the AJ but it happens. I needed chips to keep moving up and the blinds were up to 1000-2000 with large antes so it was now or never.
All in all a well played tournament (if I don't say so myself) and a second 10th place finish in a row.....consistent...the goal for 2008. If there is one thing I really need to work on is short stack play and push or fold equity hands.
My bank roll has doubled since Monday and with a nice profit at the Craps tables I start off 2008 on a roll.
Hats off to CTOWN pro who took down an 18 man SNG with some great small stack play to begin the domination by the Freeland Duo.
My next blog will address "local" cheating and the threat it poses to the game....
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
The Take Down
Okay so I went to a casino on New Years Day...about 3 in the morning. It was a road trip night out in Windsor and I was feeling the champagne buzz at the midnight hour. I actually was a pretty good boy, but at midnight they were handing out Spamante Bambino like no tomorrow.
Now if you went to high school and are about my age, Spumante was readily available at the Dominion Grocery Store and was your only chance at getting liquoured.
So memories - but I digress. So here we are walking into the Windsor Casino. With me a good friend who had one New Years Goal. God Bless em he wanted to learn how to play Craps. Well...he had high hopes to make some money and had with him 20$...nice bank roll. I took him under my wing and we became partners. My action plus his 20 bucks...where he became basically a 10% partner.
The bankroll we had about 220 bucks went quickly - very quickly. By no time we were down to our last 20 bucks. And then it happened. The magic. That one roller that you wait for and hope for to ride to riches. He hit his points, first a 10 then an 8, then a 6. Then he hit some Naturals and then some points again. Before you knew it he had made about 800.00 dollars for us. The eight paid us big as he hammered the place bet time and time again.
I still owe it to the Dice Doctor who taught me everything I know about Craps. Read more about that at www.pokersift.com
I just took down a little 4$ 180 Man SNG finishing 10th on a AJs vs. 77. I did manage to hit a set of aces on the flop but it was in tough against a full boat.
I stuck to a plan, and executed and all in all begin 2008 on a happy gambling note.
Working hard to make my tournament strong and smart. I won't play unless I know what I am doing and have a good amount of time to commit.
There is always Craps to fall back on.
Happy New Year all....we'll be big winners in 2008.
Now if you went to high school and are about my age, Spumante was readily available at the Dominion Grocery Store and was your only chance at getting liquoured.
So memories - but I digress. So here we are walking into the Windsor Casino. With me a good friend who had one New Years Goal. God Bless em he wanted to learn how to play Craps. Well...he had high hopes to make some money and had with him 20$...nice bank roll. I took him under my wing and we became partners. My action plus his 20 bucks...where he became basically a 10% partner.
The bankroll we had about 220 bucks went quickly - very quickly. By no time we were down to our last 20 bucks. And then it happened. The magic. That one roller that you wait for and hope for to ride to riches. He hit his points, first a 10 then an 8, then a 6. Then he hit some Naturals and then some points again. Before you knew it he had made about 800.00 dollars for us. The eight paid us big as he hammered the place bet time and time again.
I still owe it to the Dice Doctor who taught me everything I know about Craps. Read more about that at www.pokersift.com
I just took down a little 4$ 180 Man SNG finishing 10th on a AJs vs. 77. I did manage to hit a set of aces on the flop but it was in tough against a full boat.
I stuck to a plan, and executed and all in all begin 2008 on a happy gambling note.
Working hard to make my tournament strong and smart. I won't play unless I know what I am doing and have a good amount of time to commit.
There is always Craps to fall back on.
Happy New Year all....we'll be big winners in 2008.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
What I am gunning for
The prize money...
To get from 20 - 50 dollars as per my bank roll requirements....In the next 15 games I need
5 x 1st place = 36.00
3x 2nd place = 17.00
Meaning I need to cash in 8 out of 15 games....hard to do yes, but even if I can just finish top four every other time, I should be okay.
5 First place finishes out of 15 attempts, that one out of three. Can be done.....
Figured out the Bankroll Management
So first off ... here is the plan.
1. No new Deposits in Poker Account. Must either win via Free Roll or other Poker renumeration (sell off books, ebay etc.) Meaning I cannot go to the credit card or borrow money to make a deposit. NO MORE - FINITO.
2. $20.00 in account currently...can only play 1 game at a time with buy in of $1.20 or less. I am going to focus on 18 man SNG and 45 man SNG my speciality.
LEVELS
Bank Roll 20$ Buy In $1.20 Max Out 50$ Can only play in 1$ SNG limited, no cash games. STOP LOSS 10$ Limited to .10c and .50c tournament play only till I am above 20$
Bank Roll 50$ Buy In $2.00 Max Out 100$ Can play 2 table NL Cash game 1$ buy ins. Stop Loss 20$ Drop down one level
Bank Roll 100$ Buy In 5$ Tournaments 200$ Can only play one tournament a day until my winnings hit 200$. NO CASH GAMES ALLOWED. Stop loss 20$ drop to level one
Bank Roll 200$ Buy In 4$ 180 Man SNG 500$ Can only play 4$ SNG cause I think focusing on one game will make me a better player and I have had success at this. Again, limited to one a day. Stop loss 100$ drop down to 20$ level.
Bank Roll 500$ Buy In 3$ Rebuy (max 15$) 2500$ At this level I'lll withdraw 750.00$ and move up to 5$ rebuys, limited to 25$ a session. Stop loss 200$ drop to 100$ bank roll.
Okay so - I think I have a pretty good plan...now its time to get it off the ground.
1. No new Deposits in Poker Account. Must either win via Free Roll or other Poker renumeration (sell off books, ebay etc.) Meaning I cannot go to the credit card or borrow money to make a deposit. NO MORE - FINITO.
2. $20.00 in account currently...can only play 1 game at a time with buy in of $1.20 or less. I am going to focus on 18 man SNG and 45 man SNG my speciality.
LEVELS
Bank Roll 20$ Buy In $1.20 Max Out 50$ Can only play in 1$ SNG limited, no cash games. STOP LOSS 10$ Limited to .10c and .50c tournament play only till I am above 20$
Bank Roll 50$ Buy In $2.00 Max Out 100$ Can play 2 table NL Cash game 1$ buy ins. Stop Loss 20$ Drop down one level
Bank Roll 100$ Buy In 5$ Tournaments 200$ Can only play one tournament a day until my winnings hit 200$. NO CASH GAMES ALLOWED. Stop loss 20$ drop to level one
Bank Roll 200$ Buy In 4$ 180 Man SNG 500$ Can only play 4$ SNG cause I think focusing on one game will make me a better player and I have had success at this. Again, limited to one a day. Stop loss 100$ drop down to 20$ level.
Bank Roll 500$ Buy In 3$ Rebuy (max 15$) 2500$ At this level I'lll withdraw 750.00$ and move up to 5$ rebuys, limited to 25$ a session. Stop loss 200$ drop to 100$ bank roll.
Okay so - I think I have a pretty good plan...now its time to get it off the ground.
Monday, December 24, 2007
BANKROLL MANAGEMENT
First, if you're reading this on Christmas Eve, Merry Christmas you miserable fool. If you're reading it after Christmas, I hope you had a great one. Poker should be put on hold on Christmas.
I've had a great Christmas. Incredible Christmas.
First, I did a dumb thing this year. I followed a "dream" - sort of like me dreaming that I am going to win at Poker....thats funny.
I've been following my dream of being an NHL hockey coach since I was 15. Most Canadians dream of playing in the NHL - but not me. I was captivated by Roger Nielson when he coached the Leafs, Red Kelly vs. Kate Smith and the Pyramids under the bench was a turning point.
Most of all I got so much out of coaching - I got to travel the world, lets see, eight years in California, working for the Disney Company, Mexico coaching the National Team, up and down the East Coast in every small hockey town from Stamford to Florida. All of it. Winning Championships, graduating players to the NHL and university careers. Money - lots of it, (more teaching then coaching) but its taken a toll. Lots of failure when winning a hockey game is your only solace. When you lose you feel guilty - responsible - punched in the gut. Anyways back to the story. So I left town this year...
I decided to chase my dream to Saginaw Michigan. Why - it was my last chance. My career upended...fired by my so called "best friends" in the game...so I took a job 6 hours away from my wife and 1 year old daughter. And my god what an Angel she is.
She is everything to me. So beautiful...So precious. So back to why I tell you all this story. Because missing her as I have has made me so thankful for every minute I spend with my family.
I spent the last 90 days away from her - on and off. And will spend the next 90 away - on and off. I might see her once or twice a month. My wife is pregnant. So this Christmas break was the most incredible in my life.
To spend those warm precious moments with my Angel was incredible. It made me appreciate all she is to me. And my wife too - she was so amazing. They support me and I hope to support them.
So this Christmas was special for so many reasons. My mom on her death bed. My dad on his death bed. To see them one last time before they expire.
To read, to relax, and to play poker.
Poker is very much an escape, I love it so much. When they go to bed I play. I love how it makes me think. I love the challenge and the intricacies. I love reading about it - I live it. This next 90 days while I have some freedom otherwise not afforded. I can attack the game. Learn from it - studied it. And master it.
I will master it. I have the make up. I always win -sooner or later. I am committed to getting back my money (about 2k with all the books, buyins and poker table I built:-))
But its more than that. Its being on top of the game. Mastering something that has been baffling. Winning back to back 4$ SNG and then finishing dead last 10 straight times.
So I am pumped. I am focused. I am willing. I am obsessed. The next year will be pretty incredible for me....and you.
I hope you had a Great Christmas.
I've had a great Christmas. Incredible Christmas.
First, I did a dumb thing this year. I followed a "dream" - sort of like me dreaming that I am going to win at Poker....thats funny.
I've been following my dream of being an NHL hockey coach since I was 15. Most Canadians dream of playing in the NHL - but not me. I was captivated by Roger Nielson when he coached the Leafs, Red Kelly vs. Kate Smith and the Pyramids under the bench was a turning point.
Most of all I got so much out of coaching - I got to travel the world, lets see, eight years in California, working for the Disney Company, Mexico coaching the National Team, up and down the East Coast in every small hockey town from Stamford to Florida. All of it. Winning Championships, graduating players to the NHL and university careers. Money - lots of it, (more teaching then coaching) but its taken a toll. Lots of failure when winning a hockey game is your only solace. When you lose you feel guilty - responsible - punched in the gut. Anyways back to the story. So I left town this year...
I decided to chase my dream to Saginaw Michigan. Why - it was my last chance. My career upended...fired by my so called "best friends" in the game...so I took a job 6 hours away from my wife and 1 year old daughter. And my god what an Angel she is.
She is everything to me. So beautiful...So precious. So back to why I tell you all this story. Because missing her as I have has made me so thankful for every minute I spend with my family.
I spent the last 90 days away from her - on and off. And will spend the next 90 away - on and off. I might see her once or twice a month. My wife is pregnant. So this Christmas break was the most incredible in my life.
To spend those warm precious moments with my Angel was incredible. It made me appreciate all she is to me. And my wife too - she was so amazing. They support me and I hope to support them.
So this Christmas was special for so many reasons. My mom on her death bed. My dad on his death bed. To see them one last time before they expire.
To read, to relax, and to play poker.
Poker is very much an escape, I love it so much. When they go to bed I play. I love how it makes me think. I love the challenge and the intricacies. I love reading about it - I live it. This next 90 days while I have some freedom otherwise not afforded. I can attack the game. Learn from it - studied it. And master it.
I will master it. I have the make up. I always win -sooner or later. I am committed to getting back my money (about 2k with all the books, buyins and poker table I built:-))
But its more than that. Its being on top of the game. Mastering something that has been baffling. Winning back to back 4$ SNG and then finishing dead last 10 straight times.
So I am pumped. I am focused. I am willing. I am obsessed. The next year will be pretty incredible for me....and you.
I hope you had a Great Christmas.
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