The Poker Run

Well, …I went on a Tavern Tourney poker run to try to make their six month tournament. I not only qualified for that but also their monthly tournament. It was hard to focus on the monthly as my wife and I work our business weekend evenings and their was a time overlap between the events. Also I think I have to keep my eyes more closely on the cards. If you know what I mean. I was out a couple hours in. I gave a signed copy of my first book to the man that took me out, something I will be making a habit of.

I had been away from any poker for most of the summer. Like practicing an instrument and finding yourself breaking through on something you just couldn’t get the day before after a good night’s sleep, I think my game has improved after being away for awhile. And if you can’t walk away from the table, but go night after night and can’t imagine not going, …maybe you should walk away from the table.

These tournament leagues are not a great strain on one’s resources but it can add up. I went quite frequently for two weeks to meet my goals. Looking over what it took to reach them I need only go to a tournament three times a month on a regular basis to qualify for the six month.

Of course Winters are a bit different. Generally more people attend the tournaments and it grows harder to qualify (well… maybe for lesser players). At least we hope so. The economy is tough.

I was in the money only twice this year of 2012, another reason I didn’t go to tournaments much this Summer. I try to stay in the black. One gentleman recommended I play in some straight buy-in bar tournaments that do not have people re-buying into the tournament after they go bust. The buy-ins are higher but rewards are much greater if you can make the final table. In Tavern Tourneys many buy back into the game after going bust by buying a round for the table. It can get frustrating to have to see some players defeated several times over, then seeing them sitting with you at the final table.

Another option to trying to break back into the black is the casino. Many do not like the Potawatomi Casino Poker Room, just two miles from our home. They call it “No fold’em hold’em.” One gentleman suggested people will go all-in with hands like A-anything or pocket 3’s. Another gentle says it is the low blinds on the most popular no limit games (1-2) that create a very loose game as those with money buy-in with the minimum and then just keep re-buying if/when they go bust; just out having fun. No one has told me of any poker rooms they like.

Pictures make a blog. This is from my wife’s visit to Japan in September to see her mother. Her mother died last week of cancer.

But cash games are a risk I am not in a position to take right now, though my performance suggests that I should be able to do well in the long run. I am re-investing in my design business. Going paper as I cannot afford sorely needed computer upgrades. I will take it beyond simple building design.

I also have two new books started. You can find my self published works here, among others.