The Cash Game

The Potawatomi Casino will not hold weekly cash tournaments this year. They are hosting the Mid States Poker Tour every three months and all tournament play will be satellites for entry into the larger tournament. This is to avoid confusion since it appears some players were unclear as to which type of tournament they had entered; at least that is the story and they are sticking to it. I believe it is a good strategy now that they have their hotel. I would hope their policy draws other tournament tours to their facility.

So I am left with cash games or satellites. I have always been wary of the cash game but I bit the bullet and had two winning outings followed by one big losing outing. I came out a bit ahead over the three endeavors though I am left with little cash to continue my poker pursuits. A good portion of all my winnings go straight into the savings. And this time of year is fast and furious in tax and utility expenses. Not a time of year when we have a significant monthly surplus of cash.

I am in need of lumber and such also, for my furniture projects and to make some more raised planting beds like this one.

My first cash game outing, in a very long time, was a 1-3 no-limit Texas Hold’m game. I came out more than $200 ahead. I lost all my first buy-in. Then my entire second buy-in. I had no cash and hesitated to go to the ATM for poker money, especially considering the fees. But… I had had a sudden good feeling about the casino the night before. I actually could smell the casino for a moment as I drove. I felt inspire the next morning also so off I went to the poker room. Feel is very important to me when I play poker. I have learned what inspiration is of significance and what is not through long experience. So I finally said to myself, “What is $100 or a measly fee, your going to come out way ahead today.” So after brushing aside my confusion and serious contemplation I went to the ATM. I bought back in for $100 and walked away with over $500. The table was fairly tight and most had similar stacks.

In the opening of “Poker After Dark” the line goes that poker is about making the right decisions. I would add to that, that it is not about chasing delusions. I have observed people and myself closely my entire life. Again, when I say I have learned what inspiration is of significance and not through long experience, …I have. I would not have withdrawn any money from the ATM if I were not well in the black as well, poker wise.

My second outing was an Omaha Hi Lo limit game as I waited for another table. I was on the list for a Texas Hold’m, 1-3 no-limit game, but I guess I missed my name when I was called, or perhaps the other guy in the poker room with my name took that seat. After all afternoon at the Omaha table, I finally threw my nemesis off my back. Played tight and had several good hands; more than $200 profit.

On this particular outing I had a slightly good feeling but I played rock, paper, scissors with my wife to determine if I would go to the poker room or not, two out of three. We both threw rock. Then my paper covered and then my rock broke her scissors.

My third outing I had no particular feeling that it would be a good day for poker. It was a Tuesday. I wanted to test the Tuesday crowd and also learn to build my own atmosphere rather than prosper off a rising moment. The poker room can be a tough atmosphere and to keep your spirit and focus is a task in and of itself.

I received an immediate seat at a Big O table with my name on the list for a no-limit Texas Hold’m table. I did well. I felt good. I was called for Texas Hold’m and said I would take the seat. I didn’t listen to my gut. My mind was set on Texas Hold’m but my gut was telling me something else. I left the Big O table.

The 1-3 no-limit Texas Hold’m table was a tough go. The stacks, with a limited buy-in of $300, were $700, $800 and even over $1,000. That happens when the pots are big and the losers buy right back in at the table. The betting was aggressive, and uncharacteristically for that particular type of game four or even five players were in each hand.

When a huge stack will stay in a hand with face card anything suited, or even with a marginal or poor hand, the odds of winning, even with good cards decreases. I held in for a while before losing all mu chips. Then I went back to the Big O table.

The Big O table (Omaha Hi Lo but with five hold cards) had gone wild. The betting was excessive. Played a great hand; Ace, Deuce, Ten and two Jacks. Very heavy betting before the flop. Hit the high straight on the flop, no flush potential, no Lo hand possible. All I needed was for the board not to pair on the river. It did. I called a bet just in case and threw in my final dollar on top. I lost to a full house which was not unexpected.

My experience grows.

I was happy to learn from our tax preparer that you can make a very significant sum in poker, table games, before you need to report it.

I will be playing more cash games.