I am going to try and catch up on my week so far. Tonight was the night I was headed to the Island Casino. Tonight was the night that I was going to play a little bit different and play more aggressive and see what happens.
I arrived at Island casino and signed in. Payed my fee and then went and got a dinner for $3.99. You can't beat the dinner price for Steak and Eggs with Toast and Hashbrowns. They have different dinners everynight.
There were about 30 people playing tonight. One of my first hands was the KJ and on the flop came a AKx. I went ahead and raised and the guy next to me raised. On the turn I checked and he raised and I followed. On the turn I raised and he figured I made a hand on the turn with the 10. No, I was playing aggressive and he folded the winning hand of AJ. I was totally surprised and he was not happy. We discussed the hand later on and I told him he had me. He thought I had made a hand with the 10 and he wasn't going to try it. I ended up taking him out to set up the final table later on.
During the evening I played a number of hands with K in the hand and I won them. My final hand at the table before we went to the final table was AA and the guy next to me played AK and he lost with that.
When we got into the final table I became conservative and didn't play the pots I should have. People were going all in trying to build there pots. I just didn't want to get involved with that unless I had a very good hand. I threw away quite a few Aces and Kings during this time. I ended up playing 94 and had to go all in because of low chips. I of course lost the hand and came in 4th place. I did get my money back and so it wasn't a total loss. Two hands later someone went out and got 3rd. If I would have held on a little more I might have gotten into 3rd instead. I felt good about my play tonight. I was aggressive at the start and that was good. I had players around me that were aggressive and they seemed to back off tonight and did not play me hard. I did win with the best hands until the end.
I have to remember what it felt like to play at the final table and how I did it before to get to the money. I was aggressive and I need to get back to that feeling.
Next week I will be back at it again. I will have read more of the Harrington book and hopefully it is helping me.
Always looking forward for the next adventure. Sunday golf at 9:30 with J & P again.
Having Fun.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Poker
Now that I have had a couple of days to calm down and think about it I can go ahead and blog about my tuesday night poker. I decided to play on Tuesday this time and see if there weren't as many people. That is what happened. There were about 6 alternates waiting to get in the game. Well, I wish I could have lasted as long to see the alternates come into the game.
I was so upset about being taken out. I usually don't let the cards affect me and take every thing in stride. Thats the way the cards go. Except that the last few weeks I have been taken out early and not getting the cards so I can play the way I want to play. I was given KQ and I raised to $300. I was reraised to $500. I called. The flop came out xQx and so having the bottom pair with a K kicker I felt I was in a good position. I went all in to try and pick up the chips now. The guy then calls me and we turn over the cards and he has Q10. Wouldn't you know it that on the river he comes up with another 10. I could spit nails.
I had a friend playing tonight AB and he told me he sucked out on the river a couple more times on other people. He did get to the final table but didn't last long by playing loose. Another person was playing tonight and she was aggressive. She put a bigtime bluff on her friend at the table by telling him not to call her. She had the cards. He threw away pocket 10's and she had J7 to take the pot.
I have decided to read Dan Harrington's books. Maybe I can pick up some thoughts on playing the game from him. He is a tight player and plays good hands. He works with position as well. We will see what I can pick up from him.
I am over it now and will go back next tuesday night. Sunday it is golf again with J & P at 0930.
Keep the cards and golf balls flying.
I was so upset about being taken out. I usually don't let the cards affect me and take every thing in stride. Thats the way the cards go. Except that the last few weeks I have been taken out early and not getting the cards so I can play the way I want to play. I was given KQ and I raised to $300. I was reraised to $500. I called. The flop came out xQx and so having the bottom pair with a K kicker I felt I was in a good position. I went all in to try and pick up the chips now. The guy then calls me and we turn over the cards and he has Q10. Wouldn't you know it that on the river he comes up with another 10. I could spit nails.
I had a friend playing tonight AB and he told me he sucked out on the river a couple more times on other people. He did get to the final table but didn't last long by playing loose. Another person was playing tonight and she was aggressive. She put a bigtime bluff on her friend at the table by telling him not to call her. She had the cards. He threw away pocket 10's and she had J7 to take the pot.
I have decided to read Dan Harrington's books. Maybe I can pick up some thoughts on playing the game from him. He is a tight player and plays good hands. He works with position as well. We will see what I can pick up from him.
I am over it now and will go back next tuesday night. Sunday it is golf again with J & P at 0930.
Keep the cards and golf balls flying.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Wednesday Poker
I was at work later than I wanted to be and when I got out of the meeting I headed straight over to Island Casino. Remember last week I ended up being an alternate and was there by 5:30. I wanted to be there by 5:15 tonight and try not to be an alternate. I was able to get there in time and I actually ended up being the 20th person to sign up and just missed the alternate list.
When the game got started the table was tight aggressive and started to loosen up a bit a few hands into the game. I remained very tight and did manage to win a few of the hands. With one of the good hands I had I decided to raise and see if I could get some action. No one wanted to play. They all figured out I was only playing good hands and they didn't want to loose the chips. I decided then that a few hands later I would try again and the same thing happened. That happened to me 3 times total. No one would play when I put in a raise. Not so good when you actually need to get chips to keep going. I did get down to about 1300 in chips and decided to go all in on my last hand and got beat by a set of 7's. There were still alternates waiting to get into the game so I do not know what my placement was. It didn't matter anyway.
Maybe it is time I really started studying the game and figure out when to play the cards that are not the top ones I usually play. It is interesting that their is a group from work that is playing and they will not invite me to play. I was told by one of them on Thursday that the reason is they want to be able to keep their money and not loose it. That just makes me laugh. Keeping me out of a game because they are afraid of loosing their money? Doesn't make sense to me. Maybe I should set up a game here at my house and see if I could get them to play here.
Looking forward to my Sunday golf with J & P. I do enjoy playing with them. It is a nice 4 hours away from the usual stress of what goes on in my life at home and work. That is why I also like Poker because it gives me a chance to concentrate on the cards and the people around me and think of the other things. I have been looking for a place to play more Blackjack. The casinos are playing the special games of blackjack and that doesn't interest me since I do not play the extra chips to get the other payoffs.
Keep the cards and golf balls flying.
When the game got started the table was tight aggressive and started to loosen up a bit a few hands into the game. I remained very tight and did manage to win a few of the hands. With one of the good hands I had I decided to raise and see if I could get some action. No one wanted to play. They all figured out I was only playing good hands and they didn't want to loose the chips. I decided then that a few hands later I would try again and the same thing happened. That happened to me 3 times total. No one would play when I put in a raise. Not so good when you actually need to get chips to keep going. I did get down to about 1300 in chips and decided to go all in on my last hand and got beat by a set of 7's. There were still alternates waiting to get into the game so I do not know what my placement was. It didn't matter anyway.
Maybe it is time I really started studying the game and figure out when to play the cards that are not the top ones I usually play. It is interesting that their is a group from work that is playing and they will not invite me to play. I was told by one of them on Thursday that the reason is they want to be able to keep their money and not loose it. That just makes me laugh. Keeping me out of a game because they are afraid of loosing their money? Doesn't make sense to me. Maybe I should set up a game here at my house and see if I could get them to play here.
Looking forward to my Sunday golf with J & P. I do enjoy playing with them. It is a nice 4 hours away from the usual stress of what goes on in my life at home and work. That is why I also like Poker because it gives me a chance to concentrate on the cards and the people around me and think of the other things. I have been looking for a place to play more Blackjack. The casinos are playing the special games of blackjack and that doesn't interest me since I do not play the extra chips to get the other payoffs.
Keep the cards and golf balls flying.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Going Fast
Tonight was one of those nights I should have stayed home. I got to Island Casino at 5:30 and I walked in and found out I was the 2nd alternate. This is the first time that I was an alternate for a poker game. To sit and watch the hands being played and you are not being able to play a hand and knowing when you do get to sit down you will be down chips and haven't done anything yet. When I did get to sit down at the table the first hand I drew was an AQ. I needed to play catch up with the chip stacks. I got a Q on the river and sucked out on the other guy. Ok, that was a good start.
Then I played AQ again and lost to a pair of J's. I lost a big share of my chips on this hand and basically I was now waiting for a good hand to go all-in with. On the last hand I played AJ and lost to a pair of K's. You see I was getting the cards but wasn't getting the flop.
Could I have won if I had bet more money at the pot? Sometimes I will do that and the two players I played against did question me on it. I really believe they would have raised or reraised me anyway so why not just see a flop and try to slow play the hands and get a little more of the chips. As you can see that didn't work.
My placement for this tournament didn't matter since I really didn't get through the alternates that were still sitting and waiting for a chair.
I have been doing some reading on Blackjack strategy. I really enjoy Blackjack and would like to start playing it again. I know the only time I do play is when I go to Auburn and play at the Muckleshoot Casino. I was looking around the Island Casino this evening to see if they had a regular Blackjack table and I could not find one. Maybe this will mean spending some time driving down to Pendleton to play and Wildhorse Casino. That would be a 2 hour roundtrip and that is doable for some time to play blackjack for a few hours.
Golf this weekend. I didn't get to play this last week and I am looking forward to it.
Have fun and keep the cards going.
Then I played AQ again and lost to a pair of J's. I lost a big share of my chips on this hand and basically I was now waiting for a good hand to go all-in with. On the last hand I played AJ and lost to a pair of K's. You see I was getting the cards but wasn't getting the flop.
Could I have won if I had bet more money at the pot? Sometimes I will do that and the two players I played against did question me on it. I really believe they would have raised or reraised me anyway so why not just see a flop and try to slow play the hands and get a little more of the chips. As you can see that didn't work.
My placement for this tournament didn't matter since I really didn't get through the alternates that were still sitting and waiting for a chair.
I have been doing some reading on Blackjack strategy. I really enjoy Blackjack and would like to start playing it again. I know the only time I do play is when I go to Auburn and play at the Muckleshoot Casino. I was looking around the Island Casino this evening to see if they had a regular Blackjack table and I could not find one. Maybe this will mean spending some time driving down to Pendleton to play and Wildhorse Casino. That would be a 2 hour roundtrip and that is doable for some time to play blackjack for a few hours.
Golf this weekend. I didn't get to play this last week and I am looking forward to it.
Have fun and keep the cards going.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Blackjack Fun
Made it over to Auburn and had dinner with C's sister and brother-n-law. I love to eat at the Famous Daves Restaurant on South Hill. Good food and great service. They even gave me a ice cream sundae for my birthday which was yesterday. Another year older and still don't feel like it. I like to play and have fun when I can.
I got to the Muckleshoot Casino and immediately went over to the blackjack tables to find a place to sit down and play. It took a while for someone to go out and open up a seat. I sat in seat 6 and started playing. Immediately I started to win and my chip stack started to build. I pulled aside my startup money and started playing with the house money. I played basic strategy and was doing well. About 2 hours into playing and the lady next to me looked over at me and told me that I haven't said a word since she got there. Now, when I play cards I get very serious and concentrate on what the cards are that are out there and what my strategy is going to be. I don't talk to people that much other than to tell them congrats on a good hand. Well, the table was singing everytime the dealer busted and they were singing the song "Thats the way we like it" and the lady turned to look at me and said I needed to sing with them. I told her the next time I would. Well, I missed the next time and she looked at me and said I had to sing by myself. Ok, I did. I sang a solo for the table. I am still a very quiet person. I did it for the table. When the shoe was done I decided to go ahead and color up my chips and call it a night. It was a good night. I started with $100 and ended up with $165. I am happy with that.
Tomorrow we head back over the mountain and I will play poker on Tuesday or Wednesday night at Islands Casino. Since I am traveling this weekend I will not be playing golf. Having a good time.
Have fun and keep the cards coming.
I got to the Muckleshoot Casino and immediately went over to the blackjack tables to find a place to sit down and play. It took a while for someone to go out and open up a seat. I sat in seat 6 and started playing. Immediately I started to win and my chip stack started to build. I pulled aside my startup money and started playing with the house money. I played basic strategy and was doing well. About 2 hours into playing and the lady next to me looked over at me and told me that I haven't said a word since she got there. Now, when I play cards I get very serious and concentrate on what the cards are that are out there and what my strategy is going to be. I don't talk to people that much other than to tell them congrats on a good hand. Well, the table was singing everytime the dealer busted and they were singing the song "Thats the way we like it" and the lady turned to look at me and said I needed to sing with them. I told her the next time I would. Well, I missed the next time and she looked at me and said I had to sing by myself. Ok, I did. I sang a solo for the table. I am still a very quiet person. I did it for the table. When the shoe was done I decided to go ahead and color up my chips and call it a night. It was a good night. I started with $100 and ended up with $165. I am happy with that.
Tomorrow we head back over the mountain and I will play poker on Tuesday or Wednesday night at Islands Casino. Since I am traveling this weekend I will not be playing golf. Having a good time.
Have fun and keep the cards coming.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Turned on me
I went into the Island Casino tonight feeling good since my win last week. I was hoping I could have a good showing tonight and possibly get to the final table again. The table I was at tonight was very aggressive. It seemed that someone was constantly raising the pot and with the mediocre hands I was receiving it just didn't make sense to try and win on a draw. Hand after hand were thrown back to the dealer. I did win a couple of hands that would keep me in the tournament. With only two tables there were over 30 players and 20 were playing at a time. I did hear at one time 13 alternates. It might have been more. I will find out tomorrow when I get a chance to talk with my friend that was playing tonight and was also an alternate himself.
I believe I went out around 22nd. We were stuck on 100/200 blinds until the last alternate gets put into the game. At least that person has a chance and will have to play very aggressive just to make the final table. Having to post big and small blinds and post it just takes a big share of your chips. Once some of the aggressors were eliminated the action started to get to be normal poker. I just wished I could have stuck around to play in that level.
The hand that I went out on was the same hand I won with last week. I had AK and went all in and was called by a person that had pocket 7's. He won with a set on the turn. The roles were reversed this week.
This weekend I am headed over to Auburn and I hope to be able to play some Blackjack at the Muckleshoot Casino.
Keep the cards coming and have fun.
I believe I went out around 22nd. We were stuck on 100/200 blinds until the last alternate gets put into the game. At least that person has a chance and will have to play very aggressive just to make the final table. Having to post big and small blinds and post it just takes a big share of your chips. Once some of the aggressors were eliminated the action started to get to be normal poker. I just wished I could have stuck around to play in that level.
The hand that I went out on was the same hand I won with last week. I had AK and went all in and was called by a person that had pocket 7's. He won with a set on the turn. The roles were reversed this week.
This weekend I am headed over to Auburn and I hope to be able to play some Blackjack at the Muckleshoot Casino.
Keep the cards coming and have fun.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Sunday Golf
I arrived at Columbia Pointe Golf Course this morning to play 18 holes of golf with friends. Since I didn't warm up by hitting golf balls I didn't want to use the Driver right off the bat. I used my 3 wood and was able to get it in the middle of the fairway. That was a good start. The par 3's today were good to me. I was able to par 3 of the 4 holes today. I was able to use the driver and did well with it today. I am getting used to the setup and the height of the tee and where to put the golf ball. Thank goodness for the golf carts we have and the ability to put our umbrellas up and walk under them. It started raining on us for about 3 or 4 holes and then it started to turn real nice. I was able to take my jacket off and enjoy the rest of the day.
My score today was 98 strokes and I putted 39 times. This was not my best day with putting but the fairway irons were on today. My goal is always to get to the 150 yard marker and I can pretty much get on from there. It was an enjoyable day walking the course.
This week I want to go back to Island Casino and go at it again.
My score today was 98 strokes and I putted 39 times. This was not my best day with putting but the fairway irons were on today. My goal is always to get to the 150 yard marker and I can pretty much get on from there. It was an enjoyable day walking the course.
This week I want to go back to Island Casino and go at it again.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Poker Tuesday
I was talking to a friend today about poker and he mentioned to me that the Joker's Casino had closed down. I didn't get a chance to read the paper before I came into work this morning so I missed the write up on the closing of the Casino. Evidently the owner wants to open a Sports Bar with the Bowling Alley and not have card games any longer. I did enjoy playing at the Joker's Casino and now will have to find a new place to play.
There is a Casino in Kennewick called the The Island Casino. I have heard good things about the tournaments they put on. It just so happened my friend was going to play there tonight. The more I thought about it I decided to play tonight instead of Wednesday night. They do run things a little differently in this Casino. You have to have a players card to play. The first thing I did was give my drivers license to them and they then gave me my players card. What a lousey picture of me on the card. The Casino is in one big room. The Card game area, the bar, the pool area and the dart area. It is nice though.
In the Poker area they only have 2 tables. I hope they add a table soon with Joker's going out they may get more players. I recognized 3 players tonight. I drew the #10 spot next to the dealer. I started playing my usual tight play and got down to 1300 in chips and started getting some good hands. I got pocket A's twice. I was able to extract the most out of each of the hands. Every time I played I had the best hand and kept building my chip count. Finally reaching the final table and I still was getting good hands. Overall I didn't really have any hands that were better than any other. I was able to bust the number 4 and number 3 player and then I was playing for 1st or 2nd place. We decided to chop the pot and I went home with my share of 1st and 2nd place. It feels good to finally win again. This is my second win playing poker and my 3rd cashing in a Casino. When they pay you your winnings they use chips. You then go to the cashier and they in turn will call the pit boss and he ok's the payout. That is different. I think they pay you in chips so on your way to the cashier maybe you will stop and play the other table games. Not a bad idea. This was the most that I have earned in a poker tournament as well.
It was nice to be able to take my mind off the last few weeks and do something I enjoy. In the next few weeks I will have stuff going on here at my home that will be taking alot of my time. Thats alright. I will still take time for my poker night.
Have fun and keep playing good cards.
There is a Casino in Kennewick called the The Island Casino. I have heard good things about the tournaments they put on. It just so happened my friend was going to play there tonight. The more I thought about it I decided to play tonight instead of Wednesday night. They do run things a little differently in this Casino. You have to have a players card to play. The first thing I did was give my drivers license to them and they then gave me my players card. What a lousey picture of me on the card. The Casino is in one big room. The Card game area, the bar, the pool area and the dart area. It is nice though.
In the Poker area they only have 2 tables. I hope they add a table soon with Joker's going out they may get more players. I recognized 3 players tonight. I drew the #10 spot next to the dealer. I started playing my usual tight play and got down to 1300 in chips and started getting some good hands. I got pocket A's twice. I was able to extract the most out of each of the hands. Every time I played I had the best hand and kept building my chip count. Finally reaching the final table and I still was getting good hands. Overall I didn't really have any hands that were better than any other. I was able to bust the number 4 and number 3 player and then I was playing for 1st or 2nd place. We decided to chop the pot and I went home with my share of 1st and 2nd place. It feels good to finally win again. This is my second win playing poker and my 3rd cashing in a Casino. When they pay you your winnings they use chips. You then go to the cashier and they in turn will call the pit boss and he ok's the payout. That is different. I think they pay you in chips so on your way to the cashier maybe you will stop and play the other table games. Not a bad idea. This was the most that I have earned in a poker tournament as well.
It was nice to be able to take my mind off the last few weeks and do something I enjoy. In the next few weeks I will have stuff going on here at my home that will be taking alot of my time. Thats alright. I will still take time for my poker night.
Have fun and keep playing good cards.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
No Poker Week
This week has been very busy at work. Overtime almost every day this week. I am unable to get to the Casino. Hopefully this next week I can get back on track.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Sunday Golf
This is another sport I love to play. I started playing golf in College back in 1975. I actually wanted to take kayaking for a PE class and they were full. My fiance at that time told me that I should try golf. Now, golf is for the older guys not the young ones like myself who played Fastpitch softball and could beat out an infield hit. Well, I needed a PE and so I decided to go ahead and sign up. It didn't take long for me to get addicted to the game. Could you conquer the game and learn everything you needed to know and become a scratch golfer? I soon learned that it was a game that would take years and you will always learn something every time you go out to play. Now, doesn't this sound like another game I love to play? I don't have to tell you what it is.
This year I purchased a card that would deduct 50% off of the price everytime I played. When the price of golf is $40 for a round of golf that is a good deal. For years I have always played by myself and I started playing less and less golf. A friend and her husband now play almost on a weekly basis and they don't mind having someone tag along and play. It is fun to play with other people and just walk the course. Today was the first game of the year and it was nice out, not too cold and at least the wind wasn't blowing. The first hole I was reintroduced to the sand trap and I had a little trouble getting out. I usually do well with the sand traps since the early days of always hitting the traps and having to learn to get out of them. Hole number 3 and I was in it again. Hole number 4 I was in the trap and it took me 6 swings to get out. I think I got to know every sand bunker on that course today.
My putting is the part of my game that I do well in. I seem to be able to read the greens and putt well. In my early years I practiced putting a lot and I think that has always helped me. I purchased a new driver this past year before the end of the season and now I am learning to use the club. I started to drive well the last few holes when I finally realized I was setting the ball up too far back in my stance. Once I moved the ball forward the slice started to go away. I was able to pronate the wrists coming through the ball. If I could ever learn how to transfer the weight forward I could get more distance. See how this game makes you want to play more and learn. Sounds like another game I like to play. Ok, for the first round of the year and all the sand play I shot a 110. I played 36 strokes putting for an average of 2 strokes once I was on the green. If I could get rid of some of the strokes out on the fairway getting to that elusive 150 yard marker I would do great.
It doesn't look like I will be able to play poker this wednesday night. There are business people in town and they want to take some of us to dinner. Maybe I will play another night. Maybe even play in the afternoon game if I get off work early. We will have to wait and see.
Have fun and keep the cards going.
This year I purchased a card that would deduct 50% off of the price everytime I played. When the price of golf is $40 for a round of golf that is a good deal. For years I have always played by myself and I started playing less and less golf. A friend and her husband now play almost on a weekly basis and they don't mind having someone tag along and play. It is fun to play with other people and just walk the course. Today was the first game of the year and it was nice out, not too cold and at least the wind wasn't blowing. The first hole I was reintroduced to the sand trap and I had a little trouble getting out. I usually do well with the sand traps since the early days of always hitting the traps and having to learn to get out of them. Hole number 3 and I was in it again. Hole number 4 I was in the trap and it took me 6 swings to get out. I think I got to know every sand bunker on that course today.
My putting is the part of my game that I do well in. I seem to be able to read the greens and putt well. In my early years I practiced putting a lot and I think that has always helped me. I purchased a new driver this past year before the end of the season and now I am learning to use the club. I started to drive well the last few holes when I finally realized I was setting the ball up too far back in my stance. Once I moved the ball forward the slice started to go away. I was able to pronate the wrists coming through the ball. If I could ever learn how to transfer the weight forward I could get more distance. See how this game makes you want to play more and learn. Sounds like another game I like to play. Ok, for the first round of the year and all the sand play I shot a 110. I played 36 strokes putting for an average of 2 strokes once I was on the green. If I could get rid of some of the strokes out on the fairway getting to that elusive 150 yard marker I would do great.
It doesn't look like I will be able to play poker this wednesday night. There are business people in town and they want to take some of us to dinner. Maybe I will play another night. Maybe even play in the afternoon game if I get off work early. We will have to wait and see.
Have fun and keep the cards going.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Friday Off
When I got to work this morning I went straight to the Time Kiosk we have in the lobby of the hospital to see where my hours were at. I had 40 hours as of Thursday night and since my boss does not like overtime I decided to work a short day and save some hours. Well, the short day turned out being 5 hours and I finally got out of the office at 1PM. When I got home I went through my email and was reading some blogs I usually read on a daily basis and then decided to go to Jokers Casino for the 3PM Poker tournament.
When I arrived at the Casino I went in and signed up and paid the buyin which was $15 + 5 for the afternoon tournament. I was surprised at how many people showed up for the afternoon tournament. We had 25 people which meant we had 5 alternates.
I tried to play as many hands as possible especially if I could get in for the price of the big blind. I was able to win a few hands and that kept me in the game. I was able to bust 2 people out of the tournament and so I knew I was getting good hands. I was hoping they would just keep going. I hadn't seen a final table in awhile. We finally arrived at 10 players left and we all moved over to the final table. By this time my stack was dwindling and I knew that with the blinds at 500/1000 it wouldn't take long for me to be blinded out if I didn't get playing some hands. I finally got a pocket pair 44. Now normally I would not play this hand, unless I could get in cheap and see a flop. I did not have much left. I decided to go all in. I, of course, got called and my 4's got beat. I figured they would but I had to give it a chance. I came in 8th for this tournament.
Wouldn't it be fun to play everyday.
Have fun and keep the cards going.
When I arrived at the Casino I went in and signed up and paid the buyin which was $15 + 5 for the afternoon tournament. I was surprised at how many people showed up for the afternoon tournament. We had 25 people which meant we had 5 alternates.
I tried to play as many hands as possible especially if I could get in for the price of the big blind. I was able to win a few hands and that kept me in the game. I was able to bust 2 people out of the tournament and so I knew I was getting good hands. I was hoping they would just keep going. I hadn't seen a final table in awhile. We finally arrived at 10 players left and we all moved over to the final table. By this time my stack was dwindling and I knew that with the blinds at 500/1000 it wouldn't take long for me to be blinded out if I didn't get playing some hands. I finally got a pocket pair 44. Now normally I would not play this hand, unless I could get in cheap and see a flop. I did not have much left. I decided to go all in. I, of course, got called and my 4's got beat. I figured they would but I had to give it a chance. I came in 8th for this tournament.
Wouldn't it be fun to play everyday.
Have fun and keep the cards going.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Poker Wednesday
I know I am late with this. It has been crazy around here. I did get my poker time in on Wednesday evening. We had 29 players in this tournament at the Jokers Casino this evening. Again this is like a broken record but, I wish the cards would start getting better for me. I need to get better cards or at least learn how to bluff more. I don't like to bluff because I like to play with the best hands.
Tonight I kept waiting for the right hand and it never showed up. I ended up 18 out of 29 players. I did split a pot with one hand, I played A3 and the other player had A10. The flop came AAK and then I went all in and he called. The turn was X and the River was another K. We both played the Full House. He was not happy I played the A3 but you know what? It worked and kept me in the game. I ended up on my last hand with AA and went all in and was called by the big blind for my remaining 700 in chips. She had 95. Well, I got busted when she got a 9 on the River for 2 pair.
I will keep at this game and try to get better.
Have fun and hope you get good cards.
Tonight I kept waiting for the right hand and it never showed up. I ended up 18 out of 29 players. I did split a pot with one hand, I played A3 and the other player had A10. The flop came AAK and then I went all in and he called. The turn was X and the River was another K. We both played the Full House. He was not happy I played the A3 but you know what? It worked and kept me in the game. I ended up on my last hand with AA and went all in and was called by the big blind for my remaining 700 in chips. She had 95. Well, I got busted when she got a 9 on the River for 2 pair.
I will keep at this game and try to get better.
Have fun and hope you get good cards.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
In Auburn
I am in Auburn for a family emergency and so I will not be playing poker tonight. This week may not see any card games at all. I am not even thinking about going up to the Muckleshoot Casino to play Blackjack while I am here in Auburn. I am spending time at the hospital and with family that have flown in.
This last weekend I have been playing blackjack at home practicing the strategy to see how I play and how the different strategies I use stack up against each other. Since I always try to play on a table with more than 2 or 3 people I will set cards out for that many. I bought enough cards to have the proper amount of decks available for the table I am playing. See if this helps my blackjack playing.
I see that WPT Poker Boot Camp is coming to the Wildhorse Casino in November. I would like to attend this camp. Waiting till November is sort of a wait though. It is nice that it is coming up to this area.
Have fun and keep the cards moving.
This last weekend I have been playing blackjack at home practicing the strategy to see how I play and how the different strategies I use stack up against each other. Since I always try to play on a table with more than 2 or 3 people I will set cards out for that many. I bought enough cards to have the proper amount of decks available for the table I am playing. See if this helps my blackjack playing.
I see that WPT Poker Boot Camp is coming to the Wildhorse Casino in November. I would like to attend this camp. Waiting till November is sort of a wait though. It is nice that it is coming up to this area.
Have fun and keep the cards moving.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Poker Time
I forgot to post the game on Wednesday night. I got busy the Thursday and Friday and remembered last night that I hadn't posted anything to the blog.
The night was uneventful for me. I played the 6PM Poker Tournament at Jokers Casino and we had 20 people show up. Tonight I really didn't get any hands to play. I think I must have played about 3 hands and ended up in 12th place. I don't like being blinded out and that is exactly where I was headed for the evening. I didn't have any hands that really stuck with me that I could even talk about.
I keep watching players and how they are playing. I need to start playing some hands if I have position and if I can limp in and see a flop. I know that is where the training would come in if I could try and get to one of the Poker schools. Another thing that I thought interesting as I was watching a Tournament on TV was the amount of people that were dealers and now they are poker professionals and or play a lot. The announcers were talking about the ability to watch the hands as well as watch how people played the game. Wouldn't that be a fun job to be a poker dealer. Basically don't give up your day job until you could make it in that profession.
We have joined a fitness facility in town and so I need to start exercising more to loose some weight. I lost 22 pounds last year and this year my goal is another 25. I want to get to a total of 75 pounds lost, so it will go into 2008 for me to reach my goal. I would like to pick up another night of poker and the weather is starting to look better and I know golf is right around the corner. Hopefully this will be a good year all around. Of course I can't forget about the job.
Have fun with the cards.
The night was uneventful for me. I played the 6PM Poker Tournament at Jokers Casino and we had 20 people show up. Tonight I really didn't get any hands to play. I think I must have played about 3 hands and ended up in 12th place. I don't like being blinded out and that is exactly where I was headed for the evening. I didn't have any hands that really stuck with me that I could even talk about.
I keep watching players and how they are playing. I need to start playing some hands if I have position and if I can limp in and see a flop. I know that is where the training would come in if I could try and get to one of the Poker schools. Another thing that I thought interesting as I was watching a Tournament on TV was the amount of people that were dealers and now they are poker professionals and or play a lot. The announcers were talking about the ability to watch the hands as well as watch how people played the game. Wouldn't that be a fun job to be a poker dealer. Basically don't give up your day job until you could make it in that profession.
We have joined a fitness facility in town and so I need to start exercising more to loose some weight. I lost 22 pounds last year and this year my goal is another 25. I want to get to a total of 75 pounds lost, so it will go into 2008 for me to reach my goal. I would like to pick up another night of poker and the weather is starting to look better and I know golf is right around the corner. Hopefully this will be a good year all around. Of course I can't forget about the job.
Have fun with the cards.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Weekend on the Westside
We drove over to the West side of the state on Saturday morning and the roads were not that bad. Hardly any traffic.
Then saturday evening I took off for the Muckleshoot Casino. Wow, there were so many people I could not find a parking spot anywhere. I ended up going into the parking garage and found a spot up near the top. Walking into the casino you walked into a flood of people. I went from one end of the casino looking for a table so I could sit down and play some blackjack. After my third trip to the older side I found a seat and I put myself in seat number 6. The lady in seat 7 was a little inebriated. She started talking to me right away about how the person that just left did not know how to play and she hoped I would do better. She stated she knows how to play and when to hit and when to let the dealer try to bust. Ok, I have read the books as well. I started playing and won the first three hands and I was using the new strategy of every time I win I would put another chip in and if I lost the hand I would start over with one chip. Right off the bat I was up and for most of the night I was using there money to play with. Oh yes, the guy that left and I took his seat, he came back and now was sitting in seat 5. The Lady on my left leaned over to me and informed me in a low voice that, remember the guy I was telling you about, well he is sitting next to you now so keep an eye on him. Eventually she busted out and she decided the dealer was against her and she left. Not before talking to the pit boss about playing some poker in the poker room. That was an interesting conversation as well. Basically she could play but the poker players would enjoy her presence since it would be money in the bank for them.
After that took place a new person came and sat in seat 5 and he started playing. With his date behind him asking him why he was doing what he was doing. Even to the point of looking at my cards and telling me what I should do. She bumped up against my chair a couple of times and said sorry, I am a little bit challenged to stand straight right now. I could believe that. You could tell she was a little bit inebriated as well. She ended up sitting next to me in seat 7 with her date in seat 5 and she started talking to me, telling me that she was just dating the guy next to me. That she was not married to him. She started talking to me about the cards I would play and why. I finally after 3 hours was ahead in my chips from when I started and decided to just go home. I really like to play blackjack here. I did watch 4 card poker table, but it is hard to get a seat since there are two tables and they are always full. People standing behind them waiting to get a seat. It would be nice to have a few more tables open. Even all the blackjack tables were full with people watching and waiting for seats. It was fun.
This wednesday evening I am back at the Jokers Casino playing poker. I might try the 3 card poker that evening.
Have fun.
Then saturday evening I took off for the Muckleshoot Casino. Wow, there were so many people I could not find a parking spot anywhere. I ended up going into the parking garage and found a spot up near the top. Walking into the casino you walked into a flood of people. I went from one end of the casino looking for a table so I could sit down and play some blackjack. After my third trip to the older side I found a seat and I put myself in seat number 6. The lady in seat 7 was a little inebriated. She started talking to me right away about how the person that just left did not know how to play and she hoped I would do better. She stated she knows how to play and when to hit and when to let the dealer try to bust. Ok, I have read the books as well. I started playing and won the first three hands and I was using the new strategy of every time I win I would put another chip in and if I lost the hand I would start over with one chip. Right off the bat I was up and for most of the night I was using there money to play with. Oh yes, the guy that left and I took his seat, he came back and now was sitting in seat 5. The Lady on my left leaned over to me and informed me in a low voice that, remember the guy I was telling you about, well he is sitting next to you now so keep an eye on him. Eventually she busted out and she decided the dealer was against her and she left. Not before talking to the pit boss about playing some poker in the poker room. That was an interesting conversation as well. Basically she could play but the poker players would enjoy her presence since it would be money in the bank for them.
After that took place a new person came and sat in seat 5 and he started playing. With his date behind him asking him why he was doing what he was doing. Even to the point of looking at my cards and telling me what I should do. She bumped up against my chair a couple of times and said sorry, I am a little bit challenged to stand straight right now. I could believe that. You could tell she was a little bit inebriated as well. She ended up sitting next to me in seat 7 with her date in seat 5 and she started talking to me, telling me that she was just dating the guy next to me. That she was not married to him. She started talking to me about the cards I would play and why. I finally after 3 hours was ahead in my chips from when I started and decided to just go home. I really like to play blackjack here. I did watch 4 card poker table, but it is hard to get a seat since there are two tables and they are always full. People standing behind them waiting to get a seat. It would be nice to have a few more tables open. Even all the blackjack tables were full with people watching and waiting for seats. It was fun.
This wednesday evening I am back at the Jokers Casino playing poker. I might try the 3 card poker that evening.
Have fun.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Love my Wednesdays
I was anxious to get out and go to Jokers Casino this evening so I could play some poker. The weather here is cold, cold, cold. I got myself into the casino this evening, signed up and paid my buyin of $30. There were 24 people playing tonight. We started out with 2 tables of 10 apiece and 4 alternates. I try to get there early enough that I am not an alternate. I think it is harder to get started when you are behind when you get seated. If I am going to loose my blinds I would rather loose them myself than to get blinded because I am not playing cards.
Tonight was one of those nights when I was getting some really good cards. I must have had 3 AK's and won 2 of them and lost 1. I went all-in 3 times and won two of them and lost the last one. Of course the last one I had one $500 dollar chip and went all in with nothing other than the 72 offsuit. Can't do much with that one. The hand I played prior to that one was the one that did me in though. I had AJ and lost to A5 when the player got a 5 on the river. I was feeling good and I was not playing a bunch of hands that were junk. I opened my play a little bit tonight trying to play some new hands so I didn't seem like a very tight player. I just played hands that made since to me. I ended up placing 11 out of 24. Middle of the pack again. Missed the final table by 1 person.
This weekend I am planning to make a trip back to Auburn and I will try to play some blackjack at the Muckleshoot Casino. Hopefully I will do well. I have been wanting to try a new strategy out and see how I do. I am trying to practice here at home before I do it there.
Have fun and will write sometime this weekend.
Tonight was one of those nights when I was getting some really good cards. I must have had 3 AK's and won 2 of them and lost 1. I went all-in 3 times and won two of them and lost the last one. Of course the last one I had one $500 dollar chip and went all in with nothing other than the 72 offsuit. Can't do much with that one. The hand I played prior to that one was the one that did me in though. I had AJ and lost to A5 when the player got a 5 on the river. I was feeling good and I was not playing a bunch of hands that were junk. I opened my play a little bit tonight trying to play some new hands so I didn't seem like a very tight player. I just played hands that made since to me. I ended up placing 11 out of 24. Middle of the pack again. Missed the final table by 1 person.
This weekend I am planning to make a trip back to Auburn and I will try to play some blackjack at the Muckleshoot Casino. Hopefully I will do well. I have been wanting to try a new strategy out and see how I do. I am trying to practice here at home before I do it there.
Have fun and will write sometime this weekend.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Wednesday Night Poker
Tonight was the home game. It was a $5 buyin and 15 players started. One thing about playing home games is that people will call down to the river just to try and make a hand. It is hard to figure out what to do when you know most of the group will play on even if you raise. It is even getting more noticeable for me I need to get some type of instruction on how to play the mid hands like K6 or the Q5 and hands like that. Bluffing doesn't seem to work very well. By the end of the evening I ended up in 8th position. Middle of the field and I seem to stay in that position most often.
Jokers Casino is starting a tournament now at 9PM. You can play at 12, 3PM, 6PM and now 9PM. Wouldn't that be nice to be able to play in a few more tournaments during the week. I enjoy watching some of the better players at Jokers.
Next weekend we are planning a trip over to Auburn again and maybe a chance to play some Blackjack at Muckleshoot Casino. We will have to wait and see if everything works out for the trip.
Have fun and play hard.
Jokers Casino is starting a tournament now at 9PM. You can play at 12, 3PM, 6PM and now 9PM. Wouldn't that be nice to be able to play in a few more tournaments during the week. I enjoy watching some of the better players at Jokers.
Next weekend we are planning a trip over to Auburn again and maybe a chance to play some Blackjack at Muckleshoot Casino. We will have to wait and see if everything works out for the trip.
Have fun and play hard.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Tuesday Night Poker
Since I am playing in a home game on Wednesday night I figured to keep up with the weekly game at Jokers Casino I would need to play tonight. I ended up playing with a new group of players tonight. I only new 2 faces out of the bunch. There were 14 players. That is a far cry from the 30+ I am used to playing with on Wednesday night.
I started out playing my usual. I won the second hand with a pair of Q's. No one wanted to go to the turn or the river with me. I must not have played a hand for about 30 minutes because the next time I played one of the players looked at me and said that I haven't played at all and now I raise on the flop and no one wants to go in on the pot. From that point on I played the flops and within 3 hands I was out of the tournament. The cards I was dealt were KJ, A2, and a Q10. I had good hands just didn't get the flops to really continue. Of course I didn't through the hands away like I normally would and then the players started calling my hands.
I have been continuing to read Phil Gordons little green book again on his thoughts on poker. Tomorrow night will be a home game and will hope to do better. I need to start playing more flops to see if I can get the cards to continue.
This is hard to do because when I play any card game I don't play to loose. I play to win and as I am teased at work to earn money. I carefully manage my money when I play at the casino. I do that whether I play Poker or Blackjack. I also do not play with money that will be missed if I loose. I never play with house money.
My wife and I have a mine, hers, and ours account to pay bills. When it comes to money in our separate accounts we don't have to explain where it goes to each other. I call it my allowance and it works for us. When it is gone then we have to wait till then next paycheck and get allowance again. Hence, my one night per week in playing poker at the casino. The home games don't happen often and the buyin is like $5 so it doesn't matter that much. Good practice for me though.
Have a good week and will let you know how the game goes tomorrow.
I started out playing my usual. I won the second hand with a pair of Q's. No one wanted to go to the turn or the river with me. I must not have played a hand for about 30 minutes because the next time I played one of the players looked at me and said that I haven't played at all and now I raise on the flop and no one wants to go in on the pot. From that point on I played the flops and within 3 hands I was out of the tournament. The cards I was dealt were KJ, A2, and a Q10. I had good hands just didn't get the flops to really continue. Of course I didn't through the hands away like I normally would and then the players started calling my hands.
I have been continuing to read Phil Gordons little green book again on his thoughts on poker. Tomorrow night will be a home game and will hope to do better. I need to start playing more flops to see if I can get the cards to continue.
This is hard to do because when I play any card game I don't play to loose. I play to win and as I am teased at work to earn money. I carefully manage my money when I play at the casino. I do that whether I play Poker or Blackjack. I also do not play with money that will be missed if I loose. I never play with house money.
My wife and I have a mine, hers, and ours account to pay bills. When it comes to money in our separate accounts we don't have to explain where it goes to each other. I call it my allowance and it works for us. When it is gone then we have to wait till then next paycheck and get allowance again. Hence, my one night per week in playing poker at the casino. The home games don't happen often and the buyin is like $5 so it doesn't matter that much. Good practice for me though.
Have a good week and will let you know how the game goes tomorrow.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Wednesday Poker Night
I have been sick all week but I did get to play poker Wednesday night at Jokers Casino. It was the shortest tournament I played in for a while. There was close to 30 players and I went out about 21st. That is a far cry from the last 3 weeks. It was one of those tournaments that I could play nothing in my hand. Even after folding I would watch the cards come out and still would not have had anything to play all night. This of course is not whining. Just the fact that some nights are like this and I accept the fact it happens.
I have been reading Phil Gordons little green book and I like what he talks about. The mindset and how he plays the game. I am getting ready to read the Little Blue Book next. Right now my game is tight. I should probably be reading Dan Harrington's books.
Until next week have fun.
I have been reading Phil Gordons little green book and I like what he talks about. The mindset and how he plays the game. I am getting ready to read the Little Blue Book next. Right now my game is tight. I should probably be reading Dan Harrington's books.
Until next week have fun.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Poker Night
I really enjoy the Wednesday night poker game at Jokers Casino. Tonight we had about 32 to 34 people in the tournament. There were 3 tables going with some alternates. My play is tight and when I have a hand I will start raising and try to take the pot. Early in the tournament I was not getting any hands and I felt I was going to be going home early. I was down to 1300 in chips and I needed to start moving. I got KK and felt like this was the moment to move. On the flop came xKx. I was all in at this moment. The turn was x and the river was a K. I just wished I had more to put in the pot. I had 5 callers when I went all in. This was going to be big. When we turned them over everyone saw the Quad K's. Wow, what a hand and I really needed it. I did get to the final table. I finally got down to 1500 in chips and with the blinds at 2000/4000 it was time to go all in. I had pocket Q's. Would they hold up. Nope, I ended up going out in 7th place tonight. I think that makes the 2nd week in a row for 7th place.
My play is tight and I play the best hands. The people at the Casino are getting used to me know and know that I will only play if I have a hand. They are even calling my cards when I raise according to what is on the table. I may change my style of play and try to loosen up a bit to see if I can start taking people off of their hands and maybe start stealing blinds. I have been showing my hands as well. They can see that I only play the best hands. Maybe I will try it on one hand next week. I will also need to start not showing my hands to hide what I am doing.
I would really enjoy playing more than once per week. I really feel I could learn more by playing more. I know that since I started playing at the Casino my play has gotten better. I am getting used to the people around me and the dealers call me by my name now. For me this is a good way to just get away from the every day things that go on with my personal life. I do have a lot of fun for the 2 hours that I am playing in this tournament.
Until the next time I play....... Have fun.
My play is tight and I play the best hands. The people at the Casino are getting used to me know and know that I will only play if I have a hand. They are even calling my cards when I raise according to what is on the table. I may change my style of play and try to loosen up a bit to see if I can start taking people off of their hands and maybe start stealing blinds. I have been showing my hands as well. They can see that I only play the best hands. Maybe I will try it on one hand next week. I will also need to start not showing my hands to hide what I am doing.
I would really enjoy playing more than once per week. I really feel I could learn more by playing more. I know that since I started playing at the Casino my play has gotten better. I am getting used to the people around me and the dealers call me by my name now. For me this is a good way to just get away from the every day things that go on with my personal life. I do have a lot of fun for the 2 hours that I am playing in this tournament.
Until the next time I play....... Have fun.
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