Okie-Vegas Update
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Just for you, D, as nothing has really been changed or firmed up since the last one.
Okie-Vegas is a blogger get-together planned for June of this year. The dates we have chosen are June 7th-June 11th, 2006. I'm in hopes that everyone that wants to come can fly in here (Oklahoma City) on Wednesday, June 7th and plan their departures for Sunday, June 11th.
At this point, nothing is scheduled or written in stone but here are some of the tentative plans:
Wednesday night: Lucky Star Casino/Newcastle Gaming Center
Thursday: Party at the redneck riviera(my trailer at the lake)
Friday: Thunderbird Wild West Casino/Newcastle Gaming Center
Saturday: Cookout during the day
Saturday evening: No Limit Hold Em tournament
Sunday: Country breakfast provided by MrsGCox25
Departures
All of the plans are tentative at best right now and subject to change as the whim hits me.
Here is a list of some of the names that have shown the most interest in attending thus far:
Jordan-HighOnPoker
TripJax-Poker In Arrears
DNasty-Poker Blog
SteelerJosh-Poker Ramblings
Surflexus-Dear Poker Diary
Will Wonka-Poker With Will Wonka
Maudie-Poker Perspectives-Maudie lives here and has suggested a possible barbecue at her casa some time during the festivities. She will also be joining us at the card rooms, I hope.
DuggleBogey-Go Be Rude- Duggle lives here also, at least for the time being. I'm hoping he can make it back if work takes him away before June.
TenMile-If you don't already read TenMile, let me just say that you are missing out, IMHO. I can't wait to sip some whiskey and play some cards with my buddy from a little north of here.
The guest list is certainly not limited to just these, as I would love to have as many as possible attend. It is also not limited to bloggers. If you are a reader and would like to sling chips with us, you are more than welcome, as well.
If you are interested in attending, please drop me a comment and I will be sure to include you in future discussions. At this point, I have not made any contact with hotels/motels in the area, but I can do that if need be, in the near future.
___
I had another good night grinding away at the lower limits. I ended up +46.00 last night after starting the session down 20. I made a nice comeback at the Stud tables and won a 10 dollar SNG at UB. So far, the trend of good decision making and solid play continues. Let's hope it stays around for a while.
Later,
G
posted by GaryC @ 5:36 AM,
,
Bankroll Status
Sunday, January 29, 2006
I thought I would give you a little update on what has been happening with my bankroll lately.
___
Since my downswing began about three months ago, I've had some serious swings, mainly of the DOWN variety. Following our initial SNG Challenge, I had the bankroll up to almost $1300. Shortly thereafter, I had built it to almost $1400, then Mr. Variance reared its' ugly head.
From that point on, I dropped down to under $700 until I decided to play SNG's all weekend some time in November. I went on a good run and built it back up to almost $900 in one weekend. Not a lot of money, but with my limited bankroll, that was a great weekend.
Since that time, the bankroll has dipped all the way down to under $300, just three weeks ago. Since that time, I've moved back down to .25/.50 almost exclusively and gone back to grinding out my nights, trying to run it back up. I surpassed the $500 mark this weekend and for at least the last two weeks, my play has really been solid. I'm thrilled with my play and with the reults.
So, no huge upswings, but, at least lately, a slow, steady rising of the roll.
___
I didn't play a lot of poker this weekend, because I was out of town Friday and Saturday and extremely hung over when I got home yesterday. I played for a little while, but ended up going to bed about 8:30 last night after winning back some SNG losses playing Stud.
Lately, I have ventured from Stud 8b to just plain Seven Card Stud and have really been playing well. I've been able to maximize my pots when I was ahead and lay down my hand when it was obvious that I was behind. I'm still digging the game and even though the deck seems to be hitting me over the head right now, I'm still very pleased with my decision making.
I'll be playing tonight if anyone is interested. Also, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday this week, I will be home and grinding away.
Have a good week.
G
posted by GaryC @ 6:08 PM,
,
Quickie
Thursday, January 26, 2006
I've got alot going on today and not much time to write, so this will have to be quick.
I'm still grinding away at the low limits and having a decent amount of success. I plan on a post next week detailing the damage I've done to my bankroll and the rebuilding that I am in the process of right now. The numbers are basically pretty ugly, but the trend has at least subsided now, if not turned back upward somewhat.
I'm going to be playing tonight for a little while after bowling league, probably 9:00 pm at the earliest. I am off work tomorrow, but am leaving town for the weekend at 9:30 am, so no poker for me until Sunday. If anyone is planning the USA vs. ROW for Sunday, be sure to let me know, because I will be home early enough on Sunday to join in the fun.
I hope everybody has a great weekend and Trip, Yahoo me when you are ready to play on Sunday, I'll be ready.
G
posted by GaryC @ 7:27 AM,
,
Grinding
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
I got back to grinding at the low limits last night and finally met with a little success.
Like I've told you before, I've been playing alot of Stud, Razz and Stud 8b lately. I basically fold as much as I would if I were playing a NL tournament and wait for primo starting hands. I've learned a few things about chasing, reading the board etc. and they really pay great dividends. It's all about getting paid the extra bets when you are holding a winner and saving extra bets when you are drawing dead. Sometimes it's a fine line between recognizing what is a good draw and what is already dead, so paying strict attention is required.
When I first began playing poker on-line, one of the first and most important lessons I learned was that of position. It didn't take long to realize that the last guy to act could bet on a bad flop and take down the pot alot of times. Then came the blind-steal move from late position. I had a great run this weekend playing alot of SNG's and I used my position to my full advantage. I stole literally every chance I was given and very rarely got played back at.
During my downswing, it seemed that every time I was on a steal, there was some moron re-raising me or moving all-in over the top of me, leaving me no options but to fold. I've seen it a hundred times no matter how tight I've been playing, there's always someone that doesn't believe I have a hand and more times than not lately, they have been right.
Position doesn't seem to be nearly as important in Stud as it is in Hold Em, unless you are down to heads up play. The first person to bet has the best hand showing and a re-raise from his opponent tells him, I have what I can see beat. This is not always the case, but more times than not, if I get re-raised and don't have anything hidden, I'm folding. In other words, if I have a pair of jacks showing and nothing else to go with that and my opponent raises the bet, he is effectively telling me that he can beat my two Jacks. While that is not always the case, there are donkeys playing Stud also, more times than not, they have your pair of Jacks beaten.
I haven't run into nearly as many people that are eager to tilt off their stack at the Stud tables as I've seen at the Hold Em tables. The players at the Stud tables seem to know the game and seem to pay attention more than most. I even got a couple of lay downs last night just by completing the bring-in with an Ace showing.
I'm still learning, but I'm enjoying the hell out of it right now. I'm still playing the lowest limits and the swings are pretty small both ways, but so far, I have been able to post at least a small win pretty consistently. My new Limit game of choice for bonus clearing is 7 card Stud.
I'm going to be out of town Friday and Saturday this week, but will be back on Sunday itching to get in a game. See you there, I'll be the braying donkey at the table. Hee Haw!
G
posted by GaryC @ 5:55 AM,
,
Experimentation
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!
I got home last night eager to play. I fired up two SNG's and bingo! One first place and one second place. Very nice, let's do this again.
Hey, wait a second, Paradise has a PL Omaha SNG that is almost full. I'm in, oh, wait a minute, it's a limit tourney. Egad. Two hours later, I bubbled out of this one from sheer boredom. That, and the fact that I am a donkey and played entirely too many hands.
I also fired up a real PL Omaha tourney on Full Tilt-again, bubble. How about a 7Stud 8b tourney on Paradise? Great, it's another limit tournament. 5th place. You would think I would learn, but do I?
By now, the second voice is screaming "Log off and go to bed, moron!" But, that second voice is never right anymore, let's go back to our standard NL Holdem SNG and book a couple of wins before calling it a night, what do you say? Uh, no.
I hate that fucking second voice!
posted by GaryC @ 5:17 AM,
,
Vegas, baby!
Sunday, January 22, 2006
I've got a couple of things to talk about today.
First things first, huge thanks to April for hosting the HORSE tourney on Friday night on Full Tilt. I had a blast playing in it and played some pretty fair poker. I ended up going out in 11th place and had we not had to play Razz, in other words a HOSE tournament, I would have done much better. I still finished much higher than I anticipated and had a great time doing it. Thanks again, April, and thanks to all who railbirded. Great times.
Now, to the title of the post:
April 27th, 28th and 29th, I am headed to Las Vegas baby! The flight is booked, the room is booked and the rental car is booked, now I just have to wait 3 months for it to get here. My college room-mate, Butch, is getting married at the Wynn on friday night, the 28th and the wifey almost insisted that I go and see a bunch of old, good friends. I can't freaking wait. Anybody want to meet me out there?
Of course, I can't afford the Wynn, so I will be staying at the New Frontier, across the street. From what I've heard, it is a dive in the style of Imperial Palace, but you know what? I ain't going to be sleeping more than a couple of hours out there anyway, so the price was right.
In order for this to be a grand time, my bankroll is going to have to start upward again and this weekend has been a decent little start. I've been playing a bunch of SNG's and have monied in more than my share thus far. I will be playing tonight from about 5:00 until bedtime with the football games going on in the background. I will log onto Yahoo, so come and find me if you are interested.
Here's a little Monday morning update: After concentrating on SNG's all weekend, I had a nice little run over the weekend and finished up +167.00 for the weekend. I particularly enjoyed Paradise Poker. For some reason, I moved $50 over there Friday evening and went 4 for 4 in the money on their SNG's this weekend, with 2-1st's, 1-2nd and 1-3rd.
It's been so long since I had this nice a run over one weekend, I had almost forgotten how it felt. For some reason, my big hands held up and I won probably 80% of my coin flips. I remember those times, but it seems like so long ago. My wife wasn't sure if I was playing poker or watching a Chris Rock video. I wish it could happen more often, for sure.
My play will be limited to late night this week, except for tonight. I'll be home early and itching for a game, if anyone is interested. I'll be out of town this weekend, but I'll be back early enough on Sunday that if someone were to set up a USA vs. ROW challenge for the afternoon, I could probably make that.
Have a great week.
G
posted by GaryC @ 8:47 AM,
,
A little light at the end of the tunnel...
Friday, January 20, 2006
.....not sure yet if it is a train. I'll keep you informed.
I played a $10 SNG on UB last night and wangled 2nd place. During that SNG, Jordan logged on and talked me into hitting a $5 18-person SNG on Stars. You know me, I'm easy. Things went well and I chipped up a little bit, but then became cold decked. I found myself as the short stack with 5 left on each table and in need of a hand.
I started pushing with anything that resembled a decent hand and found that the four players at my table were pretty tight, much like me most of the time. So I played the maniac for a little while and doubled my chipstack just by stealing the blinds. I was finally called down by one of the players who was tired of my act, when I held A-J suited. He had J-10 suited and I doubled through, so his impatience cost him.
With TripJax sweating my every move, I navigated the final table like the true luckbox, er, poker player that I am and ended up getting sucked out on, but still finishing in 2nd place. Much needed booster for the bankroll and the confidence!
I want to thank TripJax and Jordan for the kick in the ass. I needed it fellahs, as I wasnt playing with much confidence and more or less was playing scared. Thanks for hanging out and for the words of encouragement.
I'm playing the Full Tilt HORSE event tonight. I played in one of these before with absolutely no idea how to play Stud or Omaha, so I'm hoping for much better results this time. See you there.
I'd also like to send out a huge thank you to Surflexus for the bounty I recieved some time last week. I was fortunate enough to knock him out of the first DADI tournament and, as promised, a nice little goodie bag of poker stuff arrived last week. I just finished reading Positively 5th Street yesterday and would recommend it to every one. It is a great book and very well-written. I'm starting Winning Low Limit Hold Em today and hope to finish it by the weekend. Thanks again, Surf.
G
posted by GaryC @ 5:33 AM,
,
Bored to tears
Thursday, January 19, 2006
It's only Thursday and I'm sitting at my desk, bored out of my mind. I am busy at work, which helps a little bit, but I am still missing not being able to read my 40-50 blogs per day that I was averaging before Big Brother set foot at my office. I'm starting to get used to it and have come up with a few alternatives, but damnit, I miss my blogs.
As far as this blog goes, I'm floundering right now. I feel like I might have some good stuff to post, but I also feel like I don't have the time to do it at work nor the time to do it justice, when I get started. My recent forays into Stud 8b have been met with much success and some failure, but I feel like I am starting to figure out some of the key strategies and I also feel like it could be a consistent money-maker if I stick to some strict rules. Strict, but really simple rules:
1.Don't play shitty starting hands, and...
2.Don't chase.
Like I said, really simple rules, but if I am the least bit lax in my starting hands, the next thing you know, I am chasing a miracle low card to the river for just half the pot. Not smart at all, but I am learning and trying to get better.
As far as the rest of the poker goes, the downswing continues. I have made some headway lately, but have found myself not "in the mood" to really devote the time to grinding away at profit. The smart thing that I have been able to do is log off and not try to play just for the sake of playing. Whenever I have found myself not caring one way or the other, I have just logged off and gone to bed. It hasn't helped that I am still fighting this flu to some degree, so I haven't really felt like doing much of anything to be honest.
Don't give up one me, I'm coming back stronger and better than ever. Keep checking in on me, because I don't plan on going away.
G
posted by GaryC @ 6:52 AM,
,
Not much to report today....
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
......after a boring night at the bowling alley and a very short night on the poker tables. I played for about an hour last night, mixing in Stud 8b, Razz and a little NL Hold Em.
A buddy of mine from work, Macks23 on Ultimate Bet, has been playing .01/.02 NL the last few nights and I have joined his table in hopes of spurring my interest back toward NL cash games. So far, it has been a fun time and with the stakes so low, it makes the decisions much easier. It seems more like the play money tables when you only have $2.00 in front of you and the play of the other competitors mirrors the play money tables as well. Pretty effing bad.
Last night, I ended up losing about .75 cents, but the night before, I more than tripled my buy-in when one maniac kept re-buying for about a dollar at a time and going all-in time and time again. I busted him three times in about five hands and ran my two dollars up over six bucks. No help to the bankroll, but still nice to witness on occasion.
I bowled pretty good last night, 224, 221 and 193 for a 638 series. My average is hovering at 217 right now and I feel like I'm starting to get back in a groove, so perhaps some bigger scores are coming in the future. I'm definitely due for a big game or two soon.
No other news to report, I'll be playing tonight and tomorrow night around 9:00 pm after taking care of some other stuff. I'm also planning on playing in the HORSE event on Friday night at Full Tilt. I played in one other HORSE event and, of course, went bust during the hold em portion, so I'm looking for a better showing this time.
Have a good hump day.
G
posted by GaryC @ 5:35 AM,
,
MTT Result
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
I got home last night and felt the urge to join a MTT, so I fired up UB and that is exactly what I did. I found a 5 + .50 and joined around 600 of my newest friends. Three and a half hours later, I cashed in 61st for a total of $7.98. Something tells me that my hourly rate is in the negative right now.
I played a little Razz with Jordan and MrsCantHang last night at Full Tilt. That was fun, even thought I don't really have a clue about any of the strategies of Razz. I do like the low-ball games, though.
Nothing impressive to report in the way of finishes. I'm struggling to win anything consistently right now, but am starting to enjoy it again, so I will definitely be sticking with it. My plan right now is to join the HORSE tournament on Full Tilt this Friday evening. If you haven't seen it yet, TripJax has the banner up on his web-site. Go take a look and join some bloggers for a great tournament.
Later,
G
posted by GaryC @ 5:20 AM,
,
Weekend of the Bubble Boy, Again
Monday, January 16, 2006
Geez, I played solid poker all weekend and could not seem to get past either bubble boy or 3rd place. I played a lot of SNG's and I think I went out early one time all weekend. The rest of the time I was either out in 4th or barely snuck into 3rd place for a very small pay day. A little bit of bad luck and a little bit of poor, tight play combined to make it a frustrating weekend.
Along the same lines of TripJax's latest post, I think I am going to take a few shots at a bit larger buy-in SNG's this week. First reason being, I am not going to have a lot of time to play this week. Tonight and possibly Friday night, but not much time the rest of the week to devote to poker due to other responsibilities. Somebody help me out here, is the HORSE event on Full Tilt scheduled for Friday night or Saturday night? Friday, I will be able to play, but Saturday night is a definite no-go this week.
The wifey had a fine birthday and a good time was had by all during the drinking tour on Saturday evening. We went to a sports bar, followed by a piano bar and topped it off with a trip to a karaoke bar. We all had a good time and then proceeded immediately to Denny's for some good breakfast before calling it a night. I stayed semi-sober and did the driving for the rest of the drunkards. I plan on making up for that next saturday at the lake, where nobody has to drive home if they don't want to drive.
Have a good week, I'll be checking in when I can.
G
posted by GaryC @ 5:40 AM,
,
Pre-Weekend Post
Friday, January 13, 2006
Man, this new blogging schedule is already wearing me completely slick. Anybody that is stopping by here on a regular basis and has been disappointed with the output, I don't blame you one little bit. I'm disappointed with it myself, but I'm hoping to get back into some type of groove soon.
I'm having a very difficult time keeping up with my reading of blogs due to the new surf control at work. I started on bloglines, but apparently they are still able to block certain sites and I am just not able to access them at all while at work. If I was reading you everyday and leaving comments before, don't think that I've vanished, I will just be catching up on reading at night and on the weekends from now on. I will also probably be saving my bigger posts for the weekends from now on also, since I really don't want the powers that be coming down on me at work.
___
Poker update:
Poker has been a slow grind lately. I haven't made any real headway upward, but the good news is that I haven't lost any significant ground on the bankroll front either. I am continuing to play more SNG's (to less than stellar results) and my new favorite game, Limit Stud 8b. (.25/.50) I am really enjoying the game and much like the other less-popular-than-holdem games, I am beginning to see the exact same people at the tables night after night. This can be good and bad, I suppose, as over the long haul it seems that we are pushing the money back and forth to each other, but I am considering it all a learning process and am enjoying the game very much. I made my first Royal Flush in Stud last night and, of course, split the pot with a low hand.
See my thoughts below on Stud 8b.
Like most poker games, starting hand selection is hugely important in this game. Here is a look at the different types of starting hands I will play a pot with:
3 cards lower than 8.
I will almost always play these if there are a lot of limpers, looking to make a solid low hand.
3 cards to the wheel.
I will usually play these for a raise, especially if nobody else raises and the two cards I need for the wheel are not showing on the board.
3 suited cards.
I'll usually play three suited cards and occasionally I will raise with them if there are no more of my suit showing on the board.
Low pairs with an Ace.
I like to limp in with this hand allowing the opportunity to make a set or a solid low hand. This hand is especially appealling if no other Aces or none of the pair are showing on the board.
Big Pairs.
I play these only when neither of my 2 outs are showing on the board. I proceed very carefully thought if I don't make my set.
Trips.
I will play these for a raise every time, even if my 4th card is showing on the board. Three of a kind is a good, solid hand in Stud.
3 cards to Broadway straight.
I'll only play these when none of my 8 outs are showing on the board and I'm willing to let them go quickly to any aggression.
Obviously, I've just started playing Stud 8b and these are just some of my observations so far. By no means am I an expert, nor do I claim that any of these thoughts is great advice. I'm still learning the game and any "advice" I give should be taken for what it's worth: The thoughts of a Low Limit Grinder.
The two most important things that I feel are imperative when playing Stud 8b are:
1.Starting hand selection. (see above)
2.Paying attention to the board. (see below)
I have found it very difficult to two table while playing Stud 8b, simply because you need to know every bit of information possible to make correct, informed decisions.
I try to make a mental note of all the cards and suits that hit the board after I've decided whether or not I'm going to play the hand. It can be very valuable to now that you have an Ace and the one-seat folded an Ace pre-flop when Johnny Luckbox wakes up and tries to represent a set when he gets his 2nd(and last) Ace. The more information you can retain hand by hand, the further ahead of the competition you will be.
The competition.
So far, I would have to give the competition an overall rating of about a "C" at the .25/.50 level. There are certainly many people bouncing in and out, experimenting with this game, but the names that are there day after day are steady players, for the most part.
On both PokerStars and Ultimate Bet, I've found two or three players, sometimes more, that are there every time I've joined a table. Most of these "same" players are solid and pay attention to the board, betting patterns, etc.
In closing, let me say that at my level (.25/.50) there aren't going to be any earth shattering swings in bankroll, but a solid player can certainly make extra bets and save enough bets to make money consistently.
___
Tomorrow is the wife's birthday and we have a couple of little things we are going to do. Tonight we are going out to the Lodge for dinner and a little gambling. Not sure if she will allow poker tonight, in fact, after last weekend, I kind of doubt I will be playing any live poker tonight.
Tomorrow night we have a drinking tour planned starting at 7:00 pm. I believe there are three stops on the tour and multiple friends and relatives coming along for the ride. It should be a rousing good time, however, I will be staying semi-sober in order to drive to and fro all evening. There will be drunken karaoke involved, so at least we have that going for us.
Again, make no mistake, I am wishing my wife the happiest of birthdays and there is no way in hell I will be divulging her age this year.
___
I really enjoyed the DADI tournament on Wednesday night. Omaha 8b is a welcome change of pace from the monotony that has become NL Hold Em. I am going to make a conscious effort to try and play more Omaha in the future. I used to clear all my bonuses playing Limit Omaha 8b and I need to get back to playing some of the games that I enjoy more often.
It's amazing how I have gone an entire week without filling this space up more often. I have so much to write about and when I actually sit down and begin to write, it just sort of dries up and blows away. I'm going to start carrying a legal pad with me at work and try to collect my thoughts during the week for a larger, end of the week recap. Hopefully, this will allow me to remember what it is that I want to write about and keep people coming back at least once a week.
Again, I apologize for the path this blog has taken, but right now at least, my hands are tied. If things get better in the future, I promise to get back to posting everyday and maybe even have something worth reading more than once a week.
Shuffle up and deal.
G
posted by GaryC @ 11:45 AM,
,
Happy Birthday Sweetheart
Happy Birthday, MrsGCox25. I wish I could bust you with a big surprise party like you did to me, but you would never fall for that, so you will have to settle for dinner tonight with the family.
I love you and hope you have a great Birthday.
___
I played a little poker last night and bowled as well. Bowling went much better than the poker, but that has been the case too often lately and I seem to be getting used to it.
My plan is to play quite a bit this weekend and I am going to concentrate on SNG's for the most part. I will be on late tonight, during the day on saturday and then all day on sunday, I hope.
Feel free to join me if you like.
Sorry for the shortness of posts lately, but maybe I can churn something out this weekend worth reading. Have a good weekend.
G
posted by GaryC @ 5:29 AM,
,
The Thursday After
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Well, I think the 2nd DADI was a rousing success. 40 some odd bloggers and readers for an Omaha 8b event is quite impressive, in my estimation. Thanks to everyone that played and to Jordan and TripJax for hosting the event.
There was talk of a HORSE event on Full Tilt in the coming weeks and if I can build up my paltry bankroll over there in time, I think I will be joining that event as well. I really enjoy playing poker with bloggers and getting to know some of the new faces as well as playing with the veterans.
I bombed out in 21st last night, but thanks to a strong showing by Trip and Jordan, the Trick DADI's were able to win both of their last longer team bets. Thanks for dragging me along boys. I could use $10 right now.
Posts will have to be short and sweet from this point forward while I am feeling out the new handcuffs. Bear with me, I will try to work around it.
Later,
G
posted by GaryC @ 8:44 AM,
,
DADI #2
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Special Omalympics
9:00 PM EST - PokerStars
Private Tourney Tab
$10 + 1
Password: blogsaregay
Tonight it is Pot Limit Omaha 8b and I am involved in two last longer bets with teams that are much better at PL Omaha than I or any of my teammates. That being said, I still believe the Trick DADI's have a chance to emerge victorious.
Here are the keys to victory for us:
1) Power outage in Minnesota.
2) Sudden run on Lexus parts in Georgia.
I will be getting home just in time for the start tonight, so save me a seat.
Good luck and I hope everybody joins us for this one, it should be fun.
G
posted by GaryC @ 5:31 AM,
,
Hard Times in GCox-ville
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Surf control at work. Nuff said.
Until I figure out a way around it, my posting and commenting will be limited to what I can do at home. I will try to figure out a way to post at least once a day from home, but my time there is limited as well, because it will be cutting into my poker playing time.
Not sure yet what to do and am open to suggestions.
G
posted by GaryC @ 5:27 AM,
,
Big Live Write-up
Monday, January 09, 2006
First, I have to apologize to Maudie. I am SO sorry to have missed the trip to Newcastle for Okie-Vegas. Believe me, when I got off work at Noon saturday, I had a spring in my step. I was headed home to jump in the shower and get ready to head to the casino. But........the wifey had other plans. Instead of running in the garage and straight to the shower.......she had 45 of my friends hiding in the garage, waiting to spring the surprise Happy Birthday on me. I was and still am in complete shock as to how she could pull this off without me having a clue. She did it at 30 and now has done it again at 40. I suppose at 50 I ought to be expecting something. Maudie, again, I am sorry that I couldn't make it and sorry that I couldn't get in touch with you on Saturday. I certainly had no intentions of standing you up and would have loved to have been able to invite you to my house since they had two tables set up in the garage and we played poker at my house until Midnight.
It took at least an hour and two full beers to wear the shock off of my face. We started the tournament off with nearly two full tables. $20 tourney with re-buys for an hour and one add-on at the end. Here are the highlight hands for me:
Early on, about the fourth or fifth hand, I pick up A-K o and open-raise from MP four times the Big Blind. My buddy Josh (LAG deluxe) raises 200 more right after me and another LAG, we'll call him Mike, since that's his name, moves all-in after Josh. I've played lots of cards with both of these guys and normally they would make these moves with any two cards, but the fact that I open-raised makes their holdings a little better, because they know that I am tight. I thought about it and decided it was a coin-flip at worst and called. Josh calls also and we are all three all-in on the fifth hand of the damn tournament. I have A-K, Josh has 9-9 and Mike flips over J-J. I got my coin flip, unfortunately, no help came for anyone and the Jacks held up. Just what we need, re-buy! and Mike with a big stack.
I doubled up off of Mike and took the add-on at the break to be in fair shape when we condensed to a full final table. Once there, I remember stealing the blinds with A-A and doubling up off of my buddy Chip with K-K when he thought I was stealing and called with K-Q. Then came the hand of destiny with 7 left.
I have A-K again in the Big Blind. EP (short-stack) moves all in and gets one caller by the time it reaches me. I move all-in also and the caller (big stack) calls me also. EP has K-J and the big stack has Q-Q. No love on the flop and IGHN in 6th place at my birthday tournament.
$$$ Summary: -$60
Many beers and shots are consumed and the evening is a bit fuzzy, but I will try to re-cap it.
Two cash tables are going and I am two-tabling so I can play with both sets of friends. First table is .25/.50 NL and the other table is 1/2 NL. All I can remember about the small table is raking pot after pot and I ended up cashing out $65 after a $20 buy-in.
The other table was a bit different. I lost my first $100 buy-in when my A-A was cracked by J-9 soooooted. It was a very loose table. I bought back in for another $100 and had won a few pots when the hand of destiny for the entire evening occured:
My buddy Josh (same LAG as before) was in the small blind and I was in the big blind with 9-9. He limped in and I checked hoping to catch a good flop. Flop was 8-8-10. He checked and I fired $2. (the standard post flop bet) Josh smooth-called. (bells are starting to go off, but...) I peel off fourth street and it is a beautiful 9. Josh checks and I fire $4. He raises me $30 and I moved all-in over the top. He insta-calls with 8-10 for the flopped full house and I make all my money back for the night on his last hand. Sweet, since he ended up chopping first in the tournament for around $300.
$$$ Summary: +$280 - to break completely even for the night.
____
We had a great time and my wife pulled off the shocker of all shockers. Again, Maudie, I apologize for standing you up, that was not my intention at all. Next time, I will make sure to have your cell phone number or that you have mine. I surely would have called you to let you know and invite you to our wild home game.
Poker looks good tonight and Wednesday, I will be flying home from El Reno to make the DADI Special Omalympics on Stars.
Carrie, as usual, you are my very best friend and my soul-mate for the rest of this journey. I love you and cannot thank you enough for all that you do for me.
To all my friends that showed up, thanks for caring enough to drive as far as you did and thanks for keeping it a secret, for my wife's sake. I love you all like brothers and sisters. Thanks again for a wonderful birthday.
I'm out.
G
posted by GaryC @ 5:26 AM,
,
Saturday morning.....
Saturday, January 07, 2006
......it's dark outside.........I'm still a bit under the weather.........and I'm at work! Sucks to be me. BUT, in 8 short hours, I will be slinging chips with Maudie and DuggleBogey. Ha! It no longer sucks to be me. I can't wait for this afternoon to get here.
I played poker for a long time last night and had a great Yahoo Chat box filled with bloggers and degenerate gamblers.
SoxLover
Weak_Player
Veneno
SirF
Gracie
Drizz
Aussie Dave
Fun times chatting it up with a gang of people again. I've missed that alot lately. I'm lookinig forward to this Wednesday night and The Special Omalympics being presented by HighOnPoker and TripJax. Even though Pot Limit Omaha is not my best game, I think we are going to have a good turnout and an even beter time. Check out Jordan's new side banner on his web-site. Good stuff, J.
Results from last night? Eh, mixed. I ended the night down two big blinds. (1.00 for us low limiters) Mainly due to running over a Stud 8b table to the tune of doubling a buy-in in a very short time. This came after donking away 11.00 in a Limit Omaha 8b tourney on Stars with several of the above-mentioned bloggers. Early on, I made a great read and called a guy down that was drawing to the low the entire way and didn't hit. Then, of course, I thought I was Houdini the rest of the night and continued to call people down. Great read there, ass-hat! Oh well, it was a bit of good practice.
I even logged a little time at the pot-limit Omaha tables in preperation for Wednesday nights' tourney. Pot Limit and Limit are certainly two different animals and if you don't realize the differences, you probably won't make the break and you should have a chance to win Farinbalncd's bounty, which probably won't be a good thing! I will just say this: Starting hand selection is critical for those of us who are not very experienced at this game. The veterans will outplay you after the flop every single time if you are not starting with very strong hands.
I hope everybody decides to join us Wednesday for the tourney. There is an interesting last longer bet in the works for the tourney. Surflexus, Mowenumdown and His Sharkness have challenged TripJax, GCox25 and HighOnPoker to a last longer bet as a team in the Omaha tourney. Placing will be scored by adding all three team members place up and the lowest score wins. I'm not 100% sure this bet is on yet, but I am pretty sure that the Mafioso will be taking on the PL Omaha Specialists to the tune of a whopping $5 a man. Not much money, you say? True, but think of the potential bragging rights should three, very SPECIAL Omatards come up with the upset of the year. It would be a bigger upset than Texas over USC. Sorry, Will.
That's all I have for this morning. Have a good rest of the weekend, I know I will.
G
posted by GaryC @ 5:05 AM,
,
Weekend Preview and much more
Friday, January 06, 2006
Man, take a day off from work sick and the work is piled up waiting for you when you get back. My e-mail was crammed full and my voice-mail wouldn't accept any more messages. It's taken me almost an hour to get all of that handled and I haven't even started working on this post.
I have a ton of stuff to write about and no time to write. Bear with me and I will try to finish today.
Okie-Vegas preview tomorrow evening at Newcastle Gaming Center. The wifey and I are headed out for a little birthday pre-celebration tomorrow night. Her birthday is next Saturday so we are sort of combining them and going out to do a little legal wagering. Maudie is going to meet us out there for a mini blogger gathering, so I am expecting a good time will be had by all. I plan on trying to actually take notes this time and also trying to build a stack of chips to make Maudie envious. Check out her blog and scroll down to the 2nd picture to see her chip stack from her last visit there. Impressive, indeed.
____
My main IT dude, TripJax, has installed the DADI Invitational information to the right on my blog. If you haven't checked it out yet, please do and feel free to join us next Wednesday. I believe Jordan is trying to form a three person team with last longer side bets if anyone is interested. You might be going up against the Omatard All-Stars in myself, TripJax and HighOnPoker, so be forewarned.
____
I have some strategy type stuff to post about and I'm going to try and bang it out today. As you know, I've been playing alot of Limit Stud 8b lately and the basic starting hand requirements for Stud 8b are pretty similar to Omaha 8b, in my opinion.
Basically, I want to play hands that have a chance to scoop the pot. When you start playing hands that only have a chance at half the pot, that's when you are going to get quartered and counterfeited to death in this game, especially pot limit Omaha. If I'm going to play a good low hand, I want to have a third low card to guard against being counterfeited.<-- Direct quote from Drizz, credit given.
You will hear lots of terms like wraps, etc. that I don't completely understand, but what I do understand is this: If you are drawing, make sure you are drawing at the nuts. Flushes, make sure they will be nut flushes if they hit and that the board isn't paired. Make sure you are holding the nut low and expect to be quartered alot of the time, because nearly everyone plays for the low.
I will play big pairs, but only if I have some other type of draw with them, such as flush draws or straight draws. All of this information is not intended to be any revelation or fool-proof strategy, just some observations by me after a few hands at the game. Take it for what it's worth.
___
I missed work yesterday and apparently they missed me too, because I have not been off the damn phone since I got here this morning. I'm only going to say this once, so pay attention, Will: Hook Em Horns! Congratulations. Here's to Vince making millions in the NFL next year.
PokerPeaker: As Jordan suggested, try statcounter.com to get your site statistics. It is a free service and fairly easy to use, as evidenced by the fact that I got it installed on my site. Also, keep plugging away at the blogging, you're doing good and the stats will pick up. It just takes time, buddy.
I hope everyone has a good weekend. I will try to post something about the live play either on Sunday or Monday.
G
posted by GaryC @ 6:06 AM,
,
Wednesday In The State On Fire
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
To steal a line from Maudie's blog, Oklahoma is on fire right now, quite literally.
Lack of moisture, unseasonably warm temperatures and high winds have made for a near desperate situation. We have wildfires burning out of control at least every other day it seems, sometimes more. It is nowhere near where I live in OKC, but I know that DuggleBogey lives up north and there have been many fires in that vicinity. I hope everything is okay and keep your fingers crossed for some much needed rain down this way.
___
A huge thank you to everyone that stopped by here or called me yesterday to wish me a Happy Birthday. I appreciate the sentiments and don't need the walker or viagra quite yet.
The wifey even surprised me with a visit to the bowling alley for men's league last night. Several shots were consumed and for once, I didn't have to pay for any beers all evening. Thanks to all my teammates for that.
And lastly, thank you to all my family for making this a very special birthday. MrsGCox25, Mom, Mother-in-law and daughters: I love you and appreciate everything you do for me.
___
It appears that the wifey and I will be making a trip out to the Newcastle Gaming Center this weekend to do a little gambooling live. She hasn't been to any of the Indian Casinos since they started allowing table games, so we are going to make it sort of a birthday celebration together and I will get to play some poker. I mentioned to her that I would not be playing any table games or slots and she spoke right up, "I think you should just concentrate on poker while we are there." Perhaps I should listen to her a little more closely in the future. She seems to be making sense to me. Read Maudie's latest post about cleaning house at the 3/6 Limit game out there last weekend.
___
Okie-Vegas explained:
Since our new friend Mowenumdown asked, I thought I would post it here again. Okie-Vegas is a blogger gathering that is scheduled for June 7th (Wednesday evening) through June 11th(Sunday). As Jordan tried to explain in my comments, it is going to take place in my home state, but that home state is Oklahoma, not California. Bloggers will fly into OKC on Wednesday (any time) and I will run the shuttle between the airport and my casa.
Most of the plans are still in the tentative stages, but here are things being discussed:
Hit two or three of the poker rooms that are within 45 minutes of my house.
A day at my Redneck Riviera(read: trailer at the lake, party barge, jet-ski's, beer, etc.)
A possible cookout at an undisclosed location.
Saturday afternoon/evening NL tournament.
I haven't made any real concrete plans other than the dates. I set those so far in advance so that anybody that would like to attend, will have the opportunity.
Right now, I would say there are 4-6 in the definitely maybe category and 2-3 that will definitely be flying in here in June. I would love to have more than that attend and anybody that reads this on a regular basis, whether reader or bloger, is welcome. Just let me know you are interested and I will get you any information you need.
___
Comments on this blog:
It seems that some have had a difficult time figuring out how to leave a comment on my new template. That's a pisser, cause I love to get comments, so here are the directions:
Right beside the title of the post is a number. Click on that number and it will take you to the comment page. It's very simple if you know what you are looking for and not so simple if you haven't seen this template before.
___
That's all I've got for today. I am a bit under the weather today and could possibly be heading to the house a little early to get lubed up for the National Championship game tonight and yes, Will, I will be pulling for your Horns tonight. Good Luck.
G
posted by GaryC @ 5:45 AM,
,
My Post To Say Thanks
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
I thought I would take some time this afternoon to send out my own thank-you's to some people who have helped me out immensely in the last 7 months.
Jordan, HighOnPoker - without your help and friendliness right off the bat, this whole blogging thing might have never stuck for me. I still enjoy the hell out of playing cards with you, but enjoy the company even more brother. Thanks for everything you've done and continue to do. You've become a great friend and I can't wait for Okie-Vegas in June to sling some chips in person.
TripJax, Poker In Arrears - not only did he personally design the new layout for my blog, he implemented it all also, because I'm an e-tard like that. You've also become a great friend and someone I enjoy hanging out with whether we're playing cards or not. Thanks for being there and listening to my constant whining the past few months.
The rest of my Poker Mafioso:
Will-Wonka
Kipper
DNasty
SteelerJosh
LittleAcornMan
I've enjoyed getting to know each and every one of you a little better and look forward to playing more poker with you in the future. Thanks to all of you for the links on your blogs and for continuing to read whatever it is I put out on a regular basis.
The Okie-Vegas Crew: Maudie and DuggleBogey
These two accepted me and linked me up just because I was from Oklahoma and for that I am grateful. I know how it is linking people up and that we all have our little whims about it, so I want you to know that I appreciate it very much. I also enjoyed meeting both of you and playing live poker with you at the T-Bird. I look forward to doing that again in the near future.
All the participants in the HU Challenges:
I've enjoyed getting to know all of you while on the virtual felt and in the chat rooms. It seems I can never have enough new blogs to read and there are some real good ones out there. Keep up the good work. Veneno, Aussie Dave, Trauma, HighPlainsDrifter, Drizz, MtDewVirus, DonkeyPuncher, Twitch, SirF, CMitch, Loopy, Mourn and DoubleAs - thank you all for the links and for hanging out with me so much the past few months. I appreciate it.
Ten Mile, thanks for all your thoughts and all your e-mails. I appreciate it and I hope you can make it down in June for a little live poker action. I look forward to meeting you in person one of these days.
All the "veterans" who have invited me in and treated me like a peer in the past few months. Drizz, Maigrey, On_THG and many others. I know what it is like to be the outsider, but you have all made me feel welcome, whether at the poker table or in a chat room. Thank you for that.
Lastly, I would like to say thank you to all the new bloggers that have felt it worthwhile to link me up and to stop by here on a regular basis. Surflexus, Fairnbalncd, Chipper and Mowenumdown among others. If I missed you, I apologize. Just know that if you are linked on my blog, I read you on a regular basis and I appreciate you having me linked up as well.
Lastly, to all the bloggers out there, thank you for the inspiration to even start this little blog. If it weren't for people like Chris Halverson, BG, Scurvy, AlCantHang, Iggy, Pauly, the Up For Poker crew and Joe Speaker, I would have never even attempted this in the first place. Thanks for all the good reading and here's to an even better 2006 in the blogosphere!
Cheers,
G
posted by GaryC @ 12:46 PM,
,
Happy New Year To You...
......and Happy Birthday to me.
2006 is upon us and it only takes heading back to work for that to become a stark reality. I woke up this morning with a spring in my step and a smile on my face. You know why? Because 40 ain't the end of the world, that's why. You're only as old as you think you are, right? You know what? I don't feel 40 yet, so I'm not going to let it get me down for a second. Thanks to everyone for their birthday wishes, they are much appreciated.
___
New Year's Eve was, how shall I say this, a drunken brawl minus the brawl. It was one hell of a party down at Ft. Cobb lake and a good time was had by all. 50-60 people crammed into a beer bar that is supposed to hold about 45 people, all there with a single purpose in mind: Drink the bar out of beer. I'm not sure how close we came to that, but I know for a fact that more than one person drank all they could....and then gave some back. Thank the lord that wasn't me.
___
I played solid poker on Sunday and Monday and it has been a welcome relief. I posted wins to the total of abut 100 big blinds($50) over the two days. Nearly all of my ring game play has been limited to Seven Card Stud and Stud 8b. The other winnings were accumulated playing SNG's and I played damn good in the SNG's. I feel like the Harrington books are already paying dividends in MTT's and SNG's. If you haven't read them yet, consider this my stamp of approval.
I was outed by a reader at Royal Vegas yesterday afternoon while playing Stud. OneTrueRock mentioned that he had signed up for Royal Vegas through my VPP link and that he was a frequent reader of the drivel I post here on a regular basis. I don't know about the rest of you, but that is about the coolest thing that can happen to me as a blogger. I am damned appreciative of my readers and even more appreciative when they tell me about it. Thanks again, OneTrueRock, for reading and for using my link. I really appreciate it.
___
The second annual DADI has been set up by TripJax and HighOnPoker. If you missed out on the first tourney, mark this one down on your calendars now, as it is sure to be a good time. Wednesday, January 11th at 9:00 pm EST at PokerStars. It will be Pot Limit Omaha and is being dubbed the Omalympics. We will need all the drawing donkeys and Omatards available to offset the Omaha skills of some other, well-known bloggers. It is open to bloggers and readers alike, so if you have some money on Stars, feel free to join us. It is under the private tourney tab and the password is blogsaregay.
___
Well, my goals are pretty simple for the poker front heading into the New Year. I want to make good, solid decisions and play the best poker I can play every, single time I log in to play. Simple to say, freaking near-impossible to do every.single.time. But, I'm working on it.
I hope everyone has a healthy and prosperous New Year and let's all win lots of pots, OK?
G
posted by GaryC @ 5:32 AM,
,
