Losing My Edge?

When we were carrying a big debt we were in a position where only a large windfall could possibly pull us out. I attempted some Internet advertising (still) and if you follow my blogs you know that I published a couple of books. As many of you may know it takes money to make money. The first book in particular was an investment, but even simply publishing on Kindle is not without its costs as you write an edit your work, and try to produce a respectable cover. Marketing doesn’t happen by itself.

Poker as an option for this windfall is something I kept at because I could come close to even playing in league tournaments. Then qualifying for the league’s larger tournaments I could possibly catch a good chunk of change. I stayed away from the casino tables because early endeavors left me in the red and as we tried several ways to make money, with their required investments, most of them also left us a bit in the red. So I had become risk averse to some degree. Even though I often felt I might be able to do well at the casino poker tables, and I am certainly surrounded by casino roadside advertisements every time I hit the road for any reason, I had no trouble resisting the temptation of trying my luck for a minimum of $100; the cost of a seat in the smaller games.

I would immensely enjoy trying my luck at the casino otherwise. I would especially love to enter the various tournaments the casino holds. It’s only a couple miles away remember. And though we are now out of debt we have many demands on our finances as we deferred many repairs on our home and other financial obligations of the more charitable type for many years. So I have many demands on our money and I can only address one at a time with our current income. So I am greatly drawn to sticking to a sure thing, the slow and steady knocking down of one financial obstacle after the other, though it will take us over a year, than to chasing any large windfalls. $100 is still a substantial sum for us.

So with all the things lined up in my mind that I need to get done (and now can start to get done) I have lost my edge. My mind doesn’t focus on the pursuit of that big windfall any longer. A focus that kept me sharp and hungry at the tables. I am not reading others as well and take too many chances, not to mention just getting really bad cards these last couple months.

I was not in the zone for this last six month. I didn’t have much playing time these last couple months. Our table had at least twenty pocket pairs shown in the first hour and a half. With two high pair I was hoping the guy betting big didn’t have a pocket pair with only a flush or straight draw that could beat me on the river. He had 3’s and had hit his set on the flop. The other guy in the hand had J’s. I was out and home early.

But I am determined to get back in the game. When we finally get a second car and I can make more determined plans from day to day and week to week I will hit the tables with firm intention. Also when I get a print version of my second book published I intend to bring signed copies for people who take me out. I don’t like to give things away without reason that I could otherwise sell so that should make me more focused. My confidence will eventually come back. I can’t get bad cards forever. ?

So in the short term I will try to get the print version of my latest book out. I will be doing the art work for the back cover myself.

The Twelve Days of Poker? Never got it organized and then Lent came. I didn’t give up poker but didn’t feel such a focus appropriate. It is something much more fitting for the Winter months. It’s off until next January.

As far as my review of the different leagues I cannot make a complete review now. If you are interested in playing a poker league they are listed in the sidebar. Start with the closest, and if you don’t like it one of the other leagues may be much more enjoyable for you. The leagues can differ widely as can one’s experience at any particular location. Generally you will have more table time with Tavern Tourneys than Badger, but how late do you want to stay out?