Are Antibody Tests Cheaper?

Do I think too much?

A guy on the radio wondered how the casinos will survive when social distancing may be the norm for several months.

Well, if testing for corona virus antibodies is far cheaper than testing for the virus itself, casinos may want to do that kind of testing for their patrons.

What danger could there be if you already had it? None, whether you know it or not.

And the casinos could probably get money from the government to pay for the tests. They could do drive thru tests like they do in Korea.

And you all may want to test for zinc deficiencies since that seems to portend death as well as having diabetes, and prepare accordingly.

I know, you want to know how my poker game has been developing.

First let me share how I am keeping safe. I was in Korea for eight days this early February so have been very attentive to news regarding this new virus and viruses in general.

Here is a link showing how there may be very cheap and effective treatments to this virus, based on the effect of intercellular zinc in deterring the virus.

Here is how you make your immune system bulletproof. I would recommend bulletproof coffee if you are overweight and to look into Dr. Berg’s diet advice.

This is what I have been taking during these troubling times, though I am normally not big into supplements. The apple cider vinegar makes your stomach acid stronger which is necessary to absorb zinc; just a splash into a glass of water. The olive leaf extract squirted into the mix takes some of the bite out of the vinegar and is known for it’s antiviral qualities. Add some zinc and vitamin C. I include cod liver oil as it contains both vitamin D and A; both mentioned in the linked video.

I add to that the King of adaptogens; ginseng in a fermented form.

Why so many travel restrictions and such? This virus is extremely contagious and though many may have no problem with it, so many may get it so quickly it could swamp our hospitals, creating many unnecessary deaths. So they want to control the spread.

It is too late to stop it now.

Thanks China!

So I switched to no limit games this year and have done much better. The learning curve has flattened. But my head got a little big and I lost all my gains for this year.

I did have a really good result at a limit table this year. Basically everyone at the table was waiting for a no limit game, so they were not playing ‘no fold’m hold’m’ as many limit players do, especially when I am at the table.

My trip to Korea overlapped with the last big tournament at Potawatomi Casino so I didn’t go. I was gone.

I am well positioned in the stock market right now. Caught some MSFT on a big dip and sold it the same day.

That’s it. I am not going to give anything away this time.

I have stayed away from the tables since I got back from Korea just in case. Maybe after 70% of the population has been infected, herd immunity, I may go back.

I did go in for my free slot play, washing my hands before and after, and have not shown any symptoms as far as I know.

Stay safe.

Thanks for reading.

I should get paid for my insights

Fat Adapted: The Local WSOP 2019

I have to check, but I believe I am a few dollars up for 2019 in my poker endeavors. I am hopeful to make up my lifetime deficit by restricting myself to tournament play, for the most part.

I have invested in the stock market, am looking to take an existing business in a whole new direction and am still pursue my writing dreams in the process. Early February is a busy time of year for me, so it was hard to get into it during our local WSOP here in Milwaukee, at the Potawatomi Casino.

On top of that, it is a time of year where expenses rise due to Winter conditions. It lowers our bottom line making me more risk adverse. Still I made some reasonable attempts during the WSOP and came out in the money once.

Pocket deuces came through for me again. Against pocket aces!

One aspect of poker needs to be understood here. At a final table, in the money already, I was the low stack and doubled up against the button on my big blind.

I was still the low stack. The guy on the button to my big blind received several walks when he was big blind; receiving blinds and antes. So was the table working against the small stack by beefing up the button to my big blind? I think so.

The WSOP staff came by a couple times and said something to a couple of the players here and there including to the button of my big blind. I could not tell you what they said, but I know they have seen it all and do not tolerate shenanigans. If there is anything off in a game they will pick up upon it and act accordingly. These are serious professionals whether on the WSOP or in the poker room. It is one place I need not worry that any questionable play will be condemned according to professional standards.

Unlike at Badger Poker. I have written my experiences with them in the past and would never recommend that organization to anyone.

Early in the same game I saw two guys sitting close to each other with only five players at the table. I looked at their faces and thought, ‘They could be related.’ Then I looked at their hands. Absolutely identical. If not brothers surely cousins. Just some table dynamics one needs to be aware of.

My greatest revelation this time around at the WSOP is in regards to fat adaptation. I am not talking being fat with cash, or holding the largest stack, but about taking in the majority of your calories day by day in the form of healthy fats; meat, butter, olive oil, coconut oil, etc.

When you are fat adapted you do not get hungry. In fact when you are burning fat you get stronger and smarter, more alert. How else would our ancestors have survived if not able to amp it up a bit when they needed to find food because they were running low?

Getting off the carbohydrates and added sugars is also a great way to improve mood; stay on an even keel when the bad beats just don’t stop coming.

I experienced all these great benefits during my long hours at the table and hope you, any of my readers can take up this diet and find the health and happiness it can instill.

And it will make you a more formidable player, not to mention durable.

Most all the great poker players keep themselves in great shape. It can get grueling as you most likely know.

Yes, I ended up in the emergency room with sugar issues. I rejected insulin or any other medication and found my healing on YouTube.

The healthy keto diet is low carb and consists of 75% of your calories coming from fats, 5% from carbohydrates. (fats are more calorie dense than carbs or meat) The carnivore diet, which is becoming popular among people in the search for a healthy lifestyle through looking to ancestral and indigenous eating habits recommends up to 80% of your calories coming from fats.

I also do intermittent fasting (eating within an eight hour window daily). This is how a body heals though your doctor’s eyes will bug out if you tell them you are fasting.

They do not want you to become healthy, they say they have a pill for that.

If you want to call these diets fads I have no time to argue, but I see these as quests for a healthy lifestyle amidst a recommended standard American diet that leads to diabetes and chronic illness as well as heart disease.

Any study trying to show increased meat or fat consumption in one’s diet leads to heart disease includes data showing that not only meat or fat was increased, but also sugar, often in the form of high fructose corn syrup. Fructose is the absolute worse sugar you can be consuming, particularly when processed. Any data that does not fit the desired result, that red meat and fat are bad, is often excluded.

I wish you all health and happiness as well as large stacks of fat. I will leave you with some links so you can look into this yourself.

Dr. Berg has over 2 million followers and decades of experience in treating clients successfully. Keto Basics

Dr. Jason Fung is a master communicator and expert extraordinaire. Intermittent Fasting

Thomas DeLauer; his story on YouTube’s #1 fitness channel. Personal Testimony

Your common everyday meat eater.

Here is a before and after. The before, the vegetable Police is a vegan. The after, after he turned carnivore during an extended trip to Thailand where he tried to go to a fruit based vegan diet. Check out the noticeable differences.

Before       After

Stay healthy my friends. I hope to post at least annually after the WSOP here in Milwaukee. Of course I will post anything of significance in the meantime.

Decisions

I don’t play the horses often but when I do I trust in Mark Belling’s picks. That has not paid off much until recently. The decision? What kind of bets to pursue?

I have never lost everything following our local talk show host’s advice. But I am certain I was behind, though I have not kept a record as I have with my poker investments. But the last time I followed Mr. Belling’s advice I did well.

What was my new strategy? When he has several long shots, let us say three horses with 15-1 odds and higher as potential winners, I bet across the board on each. $5 across the board would be a $15 bet; $5 to win, $5 to place, $5 to show.

My 15-1 horse win gave me a return of over $100 (a payoff on each of the three bets), which I received gladly. A show would have been a gain of a dollar or two on that wager; approximately $17. So you can imagine a 20-1 or 30-1 horse can bring you a return if they finish in the top three. And if more than one horse pays out…

I thought of making an exacta box, with my 15-1 and the favorite, but decided not to. A bad decision.

In my poker play I must re-evaluate my decisions. My past records showed that in tournament play with 30 participants or more I definitely came out ahead over time.

My limit cash game attempts have not paid off. I was coming out ahead two of three outings for a while then hit a bad streak. I am not playing cash games often at all now.

The casino has not offered weekly tournaments for years. The WSOP and three tours of the Mid-States Poker Tour come through annually.

In hind sight I can surmise that committing to tournament play only would have been a better decision for me, even with the buy-ins on the tours are generally higher.

I did participate in the latest WSOP here in Milwaukee. I won two satellites on the first day but then lost in the main tournaments.

One loss was just a bad push.

In the other, a pot limit Omaha game, most of my chips were committed before the second King came up on the turn. I had a Broadway straight draw and flush draw previous. After the second King came, giving me three, the chances were good that my opponent had made a full house, which he did; Aces Full of Kings. I had a good chance for a full house myself on the river so committed the rest of my chips, not knowing that only another King could save me.

I played in two nightly tournaments after the first day. In one nightly tournament I was near, so close, to the bubble when my Ace, Jack lost to an Ace, 9. A 9 came on the river.

In another nightly I was all in against two, one with fewer chips than myself. I had pocket Kings. The big stack had pocket Jacks. Queen, 7, 8 on the flop. Then a 9. Then a 10. Straight to the Jack.

I did well, though some may say I should not have pushed with an Ace, Jack under the gun. There were six at the table and the small blind had a monster stack.

I found that their were many top rated poker players at the WSOP from all over the place.

With our winnings from free slot play (sometimes my wife puts a bit of cash into the one armed bandit), my recent track winnings and certainly with all the casino points I have earned and enjoyed at the casino’s restaurants, I am ahead, in the black, in regards to our casino outings.

So I need only watch my poker returns and losses to judge my success or failure in casino activities. The next Mid-States here in Milwaukee starts the end of March.

Not having capitalized at the WSOP another decision has been made for me. Some work on the house I was contemplating having a contractor do, I will be doing myself.

Time

I put in my time this Winter. I picked up a lot from some reading I did but that does not replace experience. But reading and experience together has brought noticeable results.

The biggest improvement I have made in my game (we are talking poker) is I just do not go on tilt any more, ever. I have reached a point where I come out ahead two out of every three outings. The problem is my up days are too small and my down days are too large.

I have improved on another of my weaknesses, which was to stay too long in big pot big betting in hands which drain a good percentage of my stack. I avoid or get out of such circumstances quickly, unless I have the nuts. I also tend to pay out on the river to to see that I am really beat, though often I already know that I am.

Another weakness, which I have just realized I must address, is not getting up enough to keep the blood circulating and not eating when I spend long hours, a lot of time, at the table.

The quality of one’s spirit and determination influences one’s outcome. When I am having a tough day, not eating just makes it that much harder to keep one’s spirit up. I have to review the Casino’s restaurants and their menus to find some healthy meal choices. I have won a lot of reward points I can spend, but not enough to make up for my losses. Perhaps I will use the reward points to take my wife to a show.

Here is an example of a tough day. I have pocket 5’s. Then 5-9-Q come on the flop. Here I am to bet heavily to get the most out of my hand. The odds are high in my favor that I will win this hand. Well, there are two raisers after my bet on the flop. The betting is capped. Myself and one other slow down, not raising. We get to the river and what do I find. One gentleman had pocket 9’s, the other pocket Q’s. What are the odds?

Then I have pocket 8’s like eight times and not once does it pay off. I had pocket K’s and lost, and in short order five others received those pocket K’s and they all lost. You get top trips (with a great kicker) and lose to a full house. You get a full house and lose to a better full house. Sometimes that is the nature of the table you find yourself at, and it never seems to end.

I have reached my limit as far as losses go. I will still get out to play, since I have improved, but not nearly as often. More important than the loss of money is the loss of time, if there is no return on investment. And now with spring upon us I have so many other things to do with my time.

So I step back a bit to start investing in the garden and other endeavors conducive to the warmer months, and what happens? Well the foul weather is surely a hindrance, but on top of that I catch a cold. I have not been sick for more than half a day for many many a year, but this is the third day of my cold.

I have found some returns on the investment of my time other than poker chips. With a clear vision of the man one would like to become the poker table can be a great proving grounds. Inevitably feelings of greed, envy, despair, jealousy, insecurity, fear and the like will arise. To dispel all these negative inclinations, to enjoy the company around you and not to be dismayed by negative outcomes are strengths one can develop and can lead to having much more fun at the tables.

Time well spent.

To Comfort and Health

I catch some pointed comments at the table from time to time, making me wonder if people are actually reading my blog. One man at a fine table of players ordered tonic water with lots of ice.

I have recently been drinking tonic water. Why? Because it has quinine. My mother got it from her sister, my aunt, that drinking tonic water stops cramping that many get as they grow older. After sitting at a table for some hours, when I turn as when a drink order arrives (usually Sierra Mist), my lower back will tighten up and my leg will cramp painfully from top to bottom.

I have also had cramping on occasion in my sleep. The tonic water appears to have helped significantly.

The warmer tonic water gets the worse it tastes. It is an old school taste many may not enjoy at all.

I also use a Teeter inversion table. It helps both me and my wife. If you have a weak lower back, stretching muscles strengthens muscles. A Teeter may be good for you. Some people’s legs are not the same length so you should look into that before hanging by your ankles.

In regards to stretching I have finally found a Yoga channel on my Roku that has beginners classes I can actually follow. It is called “Yoga Download” and is free.

I haven’t been sleeping well either. My wife has been reluctant to get a new mattress but after showing her some reviews on YouTube she says, “I want a new mattress now!”

There are numerous ‘beyond memory foam’ mattresses selling via the Internet only that run about $1,000. One stands out above the others as it seems to be slightly better designed to stay cool, so you don’t wake up in a sweaty paste glued to your mattress. You can also find coupons and offers that bring the price down to $700. That is the “Ghost Bed” mattress.

The top competitor to the Ghost Bed is the “Purple Mattress” which is a new technology. The Purple will stay much cooler. It has a ten year warranty whereas you can get the Ghost Bed with a twenty year warranty.

Both mattresses have quite a bit of bounce to them unlike the early memory foam mattresses.

Particularly with the Purple I saw many testimonies of back and neck pain relief. This is typical of the many quality ‘beyond memory foam’ mattresses on the market. I am not endorsing any of them, just telling you what I have uncovered; the two top sellers at the moment.

More reviews.

With both the Purple and any ‘beyond memory foam’ mattress, it appears from reviews, that if you are an extremely lightweight person you will find them uncomfortable and troublesome. I guess if your body cannot sink into the foam you receive none of the benefits. I do not believe that would be a problem for the many interesting people I meet at the poker tables.

So, now really wanting a new mattress my wife says to me, “Are you going to go play poker today?” It is good when your wife has confidence in your abilities. I still have some gaps in my skills to fill in and tend to play too loose when I get way ahead.

I am hitting a stride, where I play about every seven to ten days. I’ve played long hours from time to time, but think it best for staying focused not go much more than five hours at a time.

I do not need to win at poker for us to buy a new mattress. If I did I would not be playing. My wife simply does not want to dig into the comfortable security blanket we have built up.

I hope you have found this helpful. I live to serve.

WSOP

The WSOP was here in Milwaukee at the Potawatomi Hotel and Casino this month.

First of all, the WSOP schedule ‘is Greek to me’, as the saying goes. I spoke with one of the bosses at the poker room and they said everyone had trouble understanding their schedule. A problem, but everyone should be over it the next time around. And I hope they come again. If you enjoy tournament play the more circuits that come through the more often tournaments will be available.

Secondly, my schedule did not allow me the proper ability, time frame, to focus. My wife’s schedule had something to do with that also. Demands on our business near any holiday just distract me, particularly when I do not understand the tournament schedule.

I was at the poker room on the second to last day of the WSOP. They made an announcement that there were two seats available for a WSOP sit and go that was about to start; $10,000 guaranteed prize pool. Not that I ever understood from their schedule that sit and go’s were part of the event, but it was tempting. I will be on top of their scheduling methods the next time they come.

We are but five miles round trip from the Casino, but have only one car. When my wife needs the car, what are my transportation options?

The bus? It is a long uphill walk to the bus stop. Particularly in the Winter, that will leave me soaked with sweat. I do not ride the bus often so I do not have the card they require you to have for transfers. Yes, no more paper transfers. You wonder why ridership is down. So there is another long walk after I get off the bus. Walking the entire way is just as fast. (I do see people walking up to the casino)

But I have decided I will not walk or ride my bicycle to the casino. If they had a bike rack in front of one of their security stations and with a camera on it, I would consider riding my bike.

So I either have the car, or the proper alignment of schedules, so that my wife can drop me off and pick me up at reasonable times.

Yes taxi drivers, that is my wife picking me up, not UBER. So you need not pull in front of our car giving us a tight squeeze to get out of the pickup lane.

I could take a taxi, home at least, but I would have to be heavily in the black, on a consistent winning more than losing curve, to consider that option. I imagine it may be only four times the cost of the bus, with tip but…

This year, less so through the warm sunny months, I will see if I can maintain myself in the black at the tables without a big tournament win. Not that I wont be looking for tournament play.

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Yes, the Christmas season is still upon us and we are fresh into the New Year. The Christmas Spirit glows bright with the snow. Really. Are is there any nation that never has a white Christmas that is known for its Peace on Earth and Goodwill Towards Man?

Think about it.

The cold and snow also places emphasis on indoor pursuits. Backgammon is one option for Winter gaming, particularly since they start so early in the evening. It was hard to find the time during the long days of Summer to participate in tournaments put on by our local backgammon organization that meets at Rounding Third, Wednesday nights.

The WSOP is coming to town. That is not a Christmas song.

I had some nominal returns in my end of the year poker endeavors after Christmas, getting me close to even for 2016 (I didn’t play much last year). The first days of this New Year have not been kind.

I bought into three satellite tournaments on three consecutive days in an attempt to enter the Mid-States Poker Tournament at Potawatomi Casino; the main event(s) beginning today. I never broke the bubble though I did not do poorly. My biggest mistake in my final opportunity was to try to buy a pot. It almost worked. The waiting is the hardest part. Then when I went all in with two pair on the flop, my opponent called, again the waiting and waiting. I was ahead. He hit a set Three of a kind on the turn.

With time to burn over the three days I tried the limit tables. I thought I may win back my entry fees in open play. The problem? By the third tournament, the third day, and my mind spinning over all the hands I played, not allowing me to sleep well the night before (and no morning coffee), I was far from being on top of my game. I was really tired.

I very easily could have come out on top, but I can only blame myself. I have no control over the actions of others, no right to judge or make detrimental use of my time by worry about what might have been. I can only control what I do. I missed some calls and as far as any other problems at the tables, I should not have been playing so tired. And that is all I have to say about that.

So I went out with some yahoo calling big raises pre-flop with junk and hitting a set of 3’s on the turn against my very solid two pair. Junk, people play junk at the casino. That is why it is so hard to win at limit poker sometimes; even NL. Q, 3 off suit with an opening four then eight times a normal blind just to get in the hand.

So over three days I lost almost as much as the direct buy-in for the main event. (I plan to win it back and more) The satellites have a much more aggressive blind structure, unlike the main event. The less aggressive blind structures of the main event serve to my advantage, I believe. It may be a better strategy on the smaller tournaments to just buy-in direct.

Taking note of intentions I developed in the past, ignored and now their validity reinforced, I should set my sights on playing but once a week, unless a tournament requires otherwise. I will attempt only one satellite per tournament, or no more than one a week if there is a long lead up period to the main event. I will make sure I am all there before I sit at any table.

If I have not had a focused day (or morning) of accomplishment I tend to not go to the casino even if I had been planning to. As the Christmas season comes to an end tomorrow, and we pack all the trappings of the season away on Saturday, I will afterwards focus on my new work schedule I am developing for 2017. It will be heavily focused on my writing. I have reorganized the entire office with that goal in mind.

The WSOP is coming to Potawatomi. I will definitely make an attempt at that. And yes, once a week I plan to be at the tables. It is Winter. A time for indoor activities. I will afterwards, based on a consistent and constant effort, evaluate the results and make further determinations from there. Once gardening season begins and the days grow long I will have little opportunity to play.

Thank you for reading.

The Gamble

My wagers on the Breeder’s Cup did not bring me any windfall. I won back about two-thirds of my investment. However playing the slots on Misao’s birthday, dropping some more coin in the one armed bandit on a Thursday “Spin it to Win It” promotion, and throwing some more at the machine while I was waiting for an Omaha Hi/Lo table Tuesday all paid off pretty well. The returns more than covered my losses at the OTB by far.

More poker play has not paid off recently. Two attempts at satellite tournaments failed. A seat at some limit games, Texas Hold’em and Omaha Hi/Lo, ran me dry. Resources are available, but I tread cautiously when in the red overall. No more shooting for the tournament this time.

I had spent the entire day Tuesday at the casino just to see how I would fare. I got tired at times (well I had not slept much the night before) but generally was no worse for wear. Rather than crash in front of the TV when I got home, as I am often mentally spent, I focused on getting my daily disciplines completed before it became too late; prayer and study. I came upon a restful sleep much earlier than usual, after spending any significant time at the tables.

I played much of the time, when not in the tournament, beside a man struggle with some ills. At the Omaha Hi/Lo table his stack just grew larger and larger. He just could not lose. It was a peaceful serene experience that all seemed to share. A testament to the world after and God’s love for a man that I had to believed has been a really good guy in his life. I felt fortunate to be there.

A lot of poker is about people. I have no interest in Internet poker any longer. Yes, to get to that 10,000 hour mark some say is required to become expert at anything, it is very useful. But unless you’re a heartless computer head I don’t understand how anyone enjoys it. Internet poker may have a place in satellite qualifiers for your highest level tournaments, in which travel may be a serious expense for some. Otherwise I believe it is a dangerous activity in regards to one’s social development. I have enough problems staying away from Facebook.

I have to conclude that my best play, when I am inspired to play again, would begin from mid-morning and run three to five hours. If I have visions of winning entry into a major tournament again, I should begin from the first satellites, a month or more before the main event, and not try to make a desperate run in the final week.

More soon.

Back in the Game

Distractions kept me from playing poker all Summer, but with a new found focus and determination I hit the poker table with a clear mind. I more than tripled my investment. I am looking to make a late attempt to win an entry to the latest Mid-States Poker Tournament at the Potawatomi Casino in Milwaukee.

Besides, the days are growing shorter. It is time for indoor activities.

My wife actually has more confidence in me bring home the dollars playing poker than she does in me making money as an author. Life is strange.

Make a run as a professional poker player? When I talk about making a run I mean hitting the tables once a week; perhaps more when pursuing tournaments. The future looks hopeful.

Thanksgiving is coming and my wife mentioned to her employer that we may go to the casino for Thanksgiving if nothing coalesces with family, as all are under various pressures. Her employer ran the idea by her husband who responded; “That’s a good idea. The first Thanksgiving was with the Indians.” And they have prepared a special menu for their buffet and their restaurants.

I have a warning to post. I may very well make some Breeder’s Cup wagers based on Mark Belling’s picks this weekend. If you are a frequent reader of my blog, you know what I am talking about.

Mark Belling’s Horse Racing Picks

A local radio talk show giant, Mark Belling, here in Milwaukee has been providing horse racing picks for major races such as The Kentucky Derby for some years now, via his web site. He owns horses and has proven himself somewhat expert.

From the beginning I attempted to glean some profits from Mr. Belling’s expertise. I wagered over $100, which is a goodly sum for me, when he put out his picks for the first time. My return was roughly two-thirds of my investment.

The total amounts I wagered decreased over time to the point where I would chance $10-$20 on a major horse racing weekend. I came out ahead only a few times. As I learned more about the types of wagers available, such as a trifecta, and the potential for huge returns I was hardly turned away from making some small bets on good advice.

But we run a part time business on the weekends and on days such as Mother’s Day, aka The Kentucky Derby, I am often overwhelmed with work. This has kept me from getting to the OTB at the casino; though it is literally only two miles away.

As one Mother’s Day approached I looked at the Casino bill board advertisement for The Kentucky Derby and made a clear determination that I was not going to even think about betting on the race. I had work to do. Listening to the radio the following week Mr. Belling gloated in the praises he was receiving for his picks as many of his listeners received very nice returns on bets made per his advice.

So some weeks ago I was driving down the expressway again and saw the casino bill board advertisement for another big race. I knew Mr. Belling would have his picks up, but I said to myself, “I am just not going to bet on horses ever again.” Weekends are just too busy. I don’t have any personal aptitude concerning the sport to guide me and while I trust Mr. Belling’s picks as expert enough to risk a wager, the appeal was not there.

So, to all of you who won thousands,or even many many times more than thousands off of Mr. Belling’s latest picks I say, “You’re welcome.”

There is no way, that if I had even thought of putting down a wager on that race the results would have turned out the same.

So… “You are welcome.”

I haven’t dabbled in the stock market much, but do you know how many companies whose stock I had bought have gone bankrupt? …I best not say.

It’s like this.

My wife and I were going to see my elderly parents the other day and we had not eaten lunch. We decided to stop by McDonalds and I called my mother. “Do you want us to pick something up for you at McDonalds?” I asked.

Her initial response was no, but when I told her they had fillet-o-fish, two for five-dollars, she perked up.

“Oh, I haven’t had a fillet-o-fish in a long time.” my mother mused and I knew she liked the fillet-o-fish. Both her and my dad were excited at the thought of enjoying a tasty fish sandwich.

My wife wanted a fillet-o-fish. I wanted a fillet-o-fish and a big mac. That makes five sandwiches and when we arrived at McDonalds and I saw that a large fries was included in the two for five-dollar deal I thought, “Perfect!”

The drive thru line was long but moved fast.

I got to the window and the lady handed me a large bag with the confirmation of, “Four fillet-o-fish, big mac and large fries?”

“Yes” I replied eagerly and in great hunger as I took the bag.

I was driving so I handed the bag to my wife and said, “Make sure everything is there.”

“Okay.” she said.

I read out the order and she assured me we were all set.

“You got the big mac.”

“Yes.” she sang out.

So we get to my parents place. I grab some plates, lay out the fillet-o-fish for more parents, happy to serve, pour out the fries in a nice big pile and…

“Where’s my big mac?” I ask, throwing my hands into the air. .........

Why do I even try?

You're welcome.

Backgammon

There are a few famous poker players who are known for playing backgammon; Gus Hansen for one. It is a game long associated with gambling though it is often not played for money.

My father was an officer in the Navy and he told me cards were discouraged on ship because of their association with gambling. Acey-Deucey, a version of backgammon, was what the officers played.

My wife and I stopped by a large rummage sale this Summer. It had rained several times over the afternoon and most of what was out was wet. I had always been fascinated by backgammon and how people shuffled the checkers around. There was a nicely cased, wet and the hardware a bit tarnished, backgammon case for sale. All the pieces were there with spares. I picked it up, and two old boxes of plastic poker chips, for $2.

But I didn’t know how to play.

This Winter I searched backgammon on YouTube on our Roku. I came across a most excellent channel if you would like to learn to play yourself: Ensor42. One viewing of his videos “Backgammon for complete Beginners” and all the rules will be clear. Watch his “Beyond Beginner” videos and you’ll be ready to hold your own. You should watch “Beyond Beginner” after every backgammon outing until you have the basic strategies down pat.

My wife and I have enjoyed several games now, though the dog jumps all over us, protesting our complete attention on the game and not him.

And if you would like to try your hand at backgammon, but lack an opponent or have a jealous dog, Milwaukee has a local backgammon organization that meets weekly. Rounding Third is the place and they have $2 tacos on Wednesdays, backgammon night. It is located on Bluemound a bit west of Hawley Road. I actually scored a backgammon against my opponent my second outing. That is a 3% chance.

Odd Wednesdays are tournament night with a much smaller buy-in than any poker game you will find. On even Wednesdays, you can practice and learn; and if a small wager is to your taste you can accomplish both in a multiplayer chouette. In a chouette (pronounced shoe with a soft sh) one player in ‘the box’ plays all others. The others advise the ‘captain’ who makes all decisions for the others. If the ‘man in the box’ loses, the ‘captain’ goes to ‘the box’ and the next in line becomes the ‘captain’. the man formerly ‘in the box’ goes to the bottom of the pecking order. Positions are initially determined by the roll of the dice. This is a great way to learn. In cash games there is no extra points for a gammon or backgammon unless the doubling cube has been offered and accepted.

When I was young my dad and others would play Sheep’s Head for nickels and dimes. I imagine the stakes must be quarters these days; maybe losing or winning a few dollars. You face a similar level of risk with the local backgammon association events, if you wish to wager.

If you are already a devoted player you must know about Chicago’s Annual Tournament. The 36th Chicago Open Backgammon Tournament is this Memorial Day weekend. Only a $30 entry fee for novice players. I would be tempted to go but that weekend is just so busy.

The Chicago Bar Point Club plays backgammon on Tuesdays.

I watch backgammon tournaments on YouTube, but beware. They are all consuming and very long and two hours could pass before you realize it. Mochy, a Japanese player, is one of the greatest presences and promoters of the game in the world right now. He will be speaking at The Chicago Open over the holiday.

It is a very fascinating game of odds and chance. I imagine craps players would be very good at backgammon and visa-versa. Craps offers your best odds at the casino though I have yet to grasp all the betting options of the game. I took my wife to dinner at the casino the other day and the craps tables were crowded. They were promoting craps excessively on their flat screen promotion boards.

I think it would be great if they had a backgammon tournament or two at The Potawatomi. Casino. I also think it would be great if the casino began poker league play to replace their cash poker tournaments.

But for a simple low cost evening of competitive gaming, backgammon, come and visit Rounding Third Wednesday nights. The backgammon starts late when the Brewers are playing at home Wednesday evenings.

Gas and Food Money; The Sushi Bar

I live two miles drive from the casino. It is less than that if I walk; I need the exercise. When the Casino is generously gives out free slot machine play, the amount depending on your level of participation the previous month, you have to think, ‘Why not drive?’. If I limit myself to playing only the credits they give me, 5-10 dollars at a time, I can easily cover my travel expenses to and from their establishment with the winnings. A fortuitous outcome of living close to the casino. Of course I need to play regularly. A couple of days at the Poker room a month appear to be plenty. They split your credits into two periods so you will visit twice a month for full advantage of the slot credits.

You also earn credits you can use in the casino’s restaurants and gift shop. It had been that you receive $25 dollars in credits just for coming in during your birthday month. How can one go wrong? Coupons for their restaurants are also mailed out every month if you are a regular patron.

The birthday bonus has gone through some changes I have not looked into yet. Still, low cost quality dining is a plus the casino offers for those who are willing to set a wager now and then. They pay you a dollar an hour to play poker.

I was happy to tell my wife the other day that the Casino has opened a Sushi Bar. She is Japanese.

The Sushi bar is in the RuYi Restaurant; a fine restaurant itself, though I considered the noises from the casino slot machines too loud and distracting. It is right off the game floor with a wide open entrance.

The Sushi Bar addition is set back. The noises are far more subdued. The music is loud enough to enjoy yet soft enough (combined with the floor noises) to slip into a background of white noise if it is not to your liking. Quiet conversation is not a problem.

The food? It is very good, very fresh.

The prices? They are reasonable considering the quality RuYi provides. You can find similar sushi rolls, for example, 30% cheaper at various establishments about town, but the quality of ingredients, presentation and small touches just wont be there. My wife ordered a sashimi bowl. “Look” she said, raising up an impressively large scallop that looked like it was just plucked from the ocean, “It is sprinkled with caviar.” She was impressed with the quality and freshness and she should know fresh sea food.

We sat at a table; there are a handful. There were a few people at the sushi bar when we arrived and one other couple came in after us. The sushi bar/room is integral with RuYi, but has its’ own menu.

My poker? I am giving up on next months Mid States Poker Tour Tournament. Yes a sudden windfall could strike but I am setting my eyes on the next one some three months distant. I have had so many distractions I didn’t get to the satellites early enough in my attempts to win entry.

Therefore, time running out, feeling that I had to play, that I must try to get in, that I couldn’t let the opportunity pass, I hit the poker room not only to enter the remaining satellites, but believing I could win more at the tables to pay for those satellite entries. I already had enough money to enter several satellites if I chose to. I was also hoping for a good run, as reaching 60 hours of Hold’em cash game play before April 10th would qualify me for a $10,000 free roll tournament the casino is offering.

Feeling that you have to do something is the wrong motivation. On a weekend not to far gone I played some of the worst poker I had played in a long time. True, I wasn’t getting good cards and I didn’t go on tilt, but a few opportunities presented and I failed to capitalize. I have also come to realize I need to go into no limit games with the maximum buy-in and have several more buy-ins in my pocket to truly work a no limit table. Meaning, at a $300 max buy-in table I should walk in with at least $900 I could afford to lose. Otherwise luck becomes more prevalent than skill. I am far from being in a position to risk that much.

So I lost a chunk on the weekend.

Then on a Tuesday, under the same premise to win the cash for entry into the satellites, I tried again. I started with the Big-O table, a limit game, and then went to a limit hold’em table when a seat opened. I grew my stack a bit at the Big-O table. The limit hold’em game was not as accommodating. I played about three hours and ended just before the satellite tournament started. I finished only $16 ahead.

I went to the hold’em table for good reason, though I may have been doing a bit better at the Big-O. There are bad beat jackpots that when hit benefit everyone in the poker room if you are playing in a hold’em game. This was another prompter for me to attempt hitting a long run (60 hours, winning my entry fees and qualifying for the free roll) at the tables over a span of two weeks.

I was out of the satellite tournament fairly quick. The gentleman to my right beat my high pair and two pair four times with straights. It has been forever since I’ve hit a straight. Though I hit a steel wheel at the Big-O table, and folded a potential steel wheel on that weekend after the flop. Runner runner and I would have hit. A steel wheel is a straight flush Ace to 5. Both were in hearts.

I rebought into the satellite but my luck was just as bad. My Ace-King fell to an Ace-Jack all-in. Then my Ace-Jack all-in ran into an Ace-King and I found no similar favor.

I wanted to go to another limit cash game but the waiting list was extremely long. I went to a no-limit table and received some bad beats.

Is it any surprise I am giving up on this coming Mid States Poker Tour Tournament? I most likely wont play again for awhile and when I do it will be limit games. But who knows, I may be moved by the spirit. I may play again today! But certainly it will be a while before I go no limit again.

I did’t like limit games. I find too many people in every hand and it is hard to throw someone off a draw, but I am learning and doing better; much better. The potential for loss is smaller. I have some books on poker to read, possibly before I get out again, and my mind to prep.

I play poker because I am in the black playing poker. Overall I am sitting well. For 2016 I am barely in the black. That is why I am slowing down, stepping back, and certainly I am not going to play poker because I think I have to. Things can go golden on a dime but I am not going to play expecting it will.

I have too many things on my mind, too many things on my “to do right now” list, to allow myself to believe I could possibly focus on my game right now. Particularly to make a concentrated effort for the next two weeks.

I have kombucha I put out on a regular basis and share with friends and family. I make a couple batches every week or so. Fermented foods are great for your health. Kombucha is fermented sweet tea. My wife calls the fermenting jars little Arabs. We also make our own kim-chi.

I have the garden to prepare for planting. I have another raised planting bed like this one to build and fill. And I have these potatoes (we bought them at The Winter Farmer’s Market) to plant somehow, somewhere yet to be determined. My wife wants me to build some bookcases. If you could see my house you would know I have plenty of work on that to do also. Our part time retail business is a constant commitment. And I have been neglecting my blogs.

To top all that, I have my books to write. Yes, I write fiction. I learned to write sometime when I was a child, if I remember correctly. You can buy my books right here if you have an e-reader. I have a pile of stories to get transcribed onto the computer and then edited. I had hoped my poker profits could pay for some decent editing, an expense we cannot cover right now, and further to finish off our mortgage by the end of the year, but even that will have to wait.

I hope you enjoy my books. Reviews of any kind are appreciated.

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.

The Poker Clock

All you tournament players have gazed upon the poker clock; checking the average stack size, number of entrants remaining, time until the blinds increase. It is a staple of any proper tournament.

Well, now you can have an official poker clock right on your own television. I was perusing the ‘new channels’ on my Roku Internet television device and there it was; “The Poker Clock.” When I loaded the app (or channel) I found that it was just that, …a poker clock.

You can set up a tournament for FREE for up to six players. You can edit the blind structure, time for each level, break time etc. If you want to track more players on the clock or include antes and such you need to pay a fee. I did not look into how much that fee is.

It is a tight time of year financially. We can meet every bill and tax that come heavy upon us all this time of year, and have a cushion in the savings. Still without a clear positive cash flow, despite having plenty of seed money put aside (won) to enter local tournaments, I hesitate to play too much poker, though years of experience tells me I am able come out ahead money wise, at least if I stick to tournaments of three tables or more.

In after thought, I realize I should have done much better in the Mid-States Poker Tour tournament. I was too satisfied, relieved, at just making the bubble. I lost my edge. I was thinking more of the game than the people I was playing with. I made a classic mistake for me; going all-in again too early as my stack was found lacking. Live and learn.

Coordinating my schedule with my wife can also keep me from tournaments. And sometimes I just do not feel good about hitting a tournament on a certain night. Like feeling good about a hand, when I feel good about going out to a tournament on a given night I always do well.

I felt really good about a certain tournament night a few weeks ago. Then my brother called me and wanted to go out to a movie. He lives in Indianapolis so I don’t get to see him much. I couldn’t say no. It was $5 Tuesdays and the cinema was packed. I missed my exit and got their late. The movie, I think all the movies, had sold out. It says something about our economy. We did not see the movie and I felt horrible about missing the tournament. I am thinking of telling my brother he owes me $1,000.

Just sharing, checking in, as I have posted that I would be playing much more this Winter but have failed to get out as much as I promised.

The Mid-States Poker Tour

Where do I begin. The event was held at the Potawatomi Casino in Milwaukee; a short drive for our home.

I had thought that this was a larger event than it was. I imagined, that if I could make the final table, I might get on television and even get some attention for my books; works of fiction not tutorials on poker. It was only a regional event and no television coverage was involved. The Mid-States Poker Tour’s website had no updates, though their Facebook page did a great job posting coverage of the event as it progressed.

It was the biggest investment I have made to date, in a poker tournament. The play was on a level I had never experienced before. The hours were the longest I had ever played. And I came away ahead.

It is difficult to remember the details of every hand, but several stand out. Late on the first day, my King-jack came up against a King-10 with two Kings on the board in an all-in. Then I knew I would be making Day 2.

I was exhausted after midnight on Day1a; Thursday night. It became increasingly difficult to play. Fortunately, I had two days to recover before Day 2. I lost three pounds on day 1a. I was invested.

These were the tightest tables I have ever played. The antes came early and I came to appreciate them, as if you get a truly good hand and cannot pick up any action your stack still benefits significantly.

I pushed, shoved, jammed, whatever word you want to use too much on day 1a. I could have milked more from my opponents if I practiced a bit of restraint. I believe the scope of the event had me a bit off balance. Without a win my seed money for future tournaments would be cut in half. If I won outright, all our debts (what we owe on our house) would be paid off in full.

One memorable hand was a small all-in against myself and two others. There was an Ace, a Jack and something on the board. One of the active players bet large, the other called. I put in a raise about five times their bet. They eventually folded… And I had to show my cards for the all-in. Two shocked expressions and mischievous smirks. I had nothing. “…What just happened here?” a dumbfounded folder repeated a few times. I hit my Queen on the river but the all-in had the ace. I still came out ahead.

Day 2, I was mid stacked (mid field amongst 155 players with the bubble at 90) but, with the growing blinds and antes, stack sizes could change quickly. Before the bubble I was dealt pocket Kings and played them without hesitation; all-in. I had one caller; a pair of 7’s. A 7 came on the flop but I made the straight on the river. My nerves settled. I had no fear of playing good cards even though the bubble had yet to be reached.

I limped in with pocket Deuces'. I responded to a minimum raise. Two Queens came on the flop. I put in a medium sized bet. I thought for a moment my opponent may go all-in. He did not. The turn came and I repeated my bet. A Deuce came on the river. I waited. I checked. He went all-in. I instant called. He hesitated for a moment to show his cards. “Full House.” a said and threw down my Deuces. He was disgusted, mucked his cards and left. “I think he had a Queen.” was consensus.

Another memorable hand was a mistake. I should not have called with my King-Jack. There were four players in the hand including an all-in. The pot was huge; the pre-flop bet about 55k. After the flop another went all-in. I paired my jack, so called. I lost the side pot to an Ace-Jack;  the other all-in. The first all-in had 8’s with another eight on the flop. No one went out on that hand.

Playing that hand was a mistake, but pot was so large. More than that however, every one at the table was having a good time. We all enjoyed playing each other. It would be turning my back on a whole lot of fun not calling. Still, that over 80k in chips I lost would have been useful.

When they broke up our table everyone commented on how they enjoyed playing each other, even saying, “It would be great if we were all at the final table.” No comment was available from those who had gone bust.

There was another hand that was almost a mistake as well. I made a pre-flop raise, eight or nine times the blind, with two players in. It took a long time, but both eventually folded. One said he folded pocket 10’s, the other Ace-King. I said nothing. I had an Ace-10 and they weren’t suited. “…What just happened here?”

I made the bubble. All was good. I had some initial success after another table change. Then I was card dead for a while. I pushed with the rest of my stack too early. I could have gone another entire round. I went all-in with a Queen-Jack. I had one caller, 10’s. I knew I was out before the cards came down. I would say 95% of the time I know if I will win or lose an all-in before I see the cards. If only I could recognize that feeling before I go all-in. Even those Kings against three 7’s, …I could just feel it.

I finished 40 out of 904. Three of those who made the final table, maybe four, I was playing with on my last table. I played at tables with all but three of those who made the final table. According to Mid-States Poker Tour’s Facebook page it was the largest regional they ever had. They will be back with a $1k major in April. Perhaps I will win a satellite.

So the house has not been paid off but I am very clearly in the black in my poker adventures. The savings is growing. It is unclear how many more opportunities I will have, to get out to another tournament. I did not play even once, before this last weekend, since my last post.

If you want to get inside my head, to understand my tactics, to beat me at the next tournament, you should buy my books and read them. Otherwise, …your chips may be mine.

This experience will make me a far better poker player.

You better buy my books.

The Monkey on My Back

Omaha Hi Lo. It is a nice game. Somewhat safe if you play truly tight, but nothing replaces the right cards at the right time. It is the monkey on my back.

My wife had given me a book on Omaha Hi Lo some years back I studied and thought I understood the game. I am just beginning to, after reading the book and with at least ten outings, each which lasted many hours. I play the low stakes limit game. Saturday the casino begins a game at 10:00am. I have heard they play Omaha Hi Lo Limit, or some version of it, on Tuesdays and Thursdays also.

I have yet to walk away from a table ahead at Omaha Hi Lo. What is particularly frustrating is that I can sit at the table for hours and win just enough to stay in. Then I watch some seats take hand after hand, almost effortlessly, while I can go two hours without seeing a respectable hand come my why. I am not even tempted to go on tilt as the poor to marginal hands I throw away would never have developed on the flop.

I understand why people sometimes switch seats when they have the chance.

Recently the Omaha Hi Lo table has been loose; near everyone in each hand. I hope this is not on my account. The pot is often driven up pre-flop with straddles and raises, but not always.

After a rebuy, and my stack was growing low, one such circumstance arose. There was a straddle. I called. Followed by a pre-flop raise with a clearly statement of intent to build up the pot. I called. I drew the nut flush draw on the flop and hit it on the turn. The betting was quite aggressive until the turn. I had just under two bets left (this is a limit game).

I was quite tense. All I wanted was the board not to pair. With so many players a full house is common, and even if you make one, the chances are someone may have a higher full house, if you don’t have the nuts. So I was hoping only for the board not to pair on the river and it didn’t. I tried to get all my chips in but no one raised, only one called.

It was a large pot, even split with a low hand. The comments afterwards reflected a general disappointment by all that I had won. I soon left the game, down for the day, but with enough to buy-in another day.

I have been discouraged by my losses at Omaha Hi Lo and it makes me want to go back until I win. I got home. Put together the scribbled accounts of my last several outings and got them down into the ledger. I found myself still extremely in the black. I verified the figures and sighed happily, “Good. I thought I was worse off.”

But I wont be going back to the Hi Lo table until at least one more tournament wins. My last tournament I was doing fairly well and pushed all-in pre-flop, after my raise was re-raised. I was hoping for a heads up, two still on the hand, which I got. My 4’s met Aces and I knew right then I was out. My mistake. I didn’t need to see any cards.

I shy away from cash games. The stability for a tight player (stability for me is playing a very long time before busting) at a Omaha Hi Lo Limit game is a draw for me, though I am wondering if I would be better off in the long run at a No-Limit Hold’m table.

The comments at the table over my last big Hi Lo hand were not the only signals I have received, that most everyone at the table, most everyone playing at the casino regularly, knows who I am. Or at least they think they know. I am in a position where my success in anything is taken as a threat to some. This has been a constant in my life; whether it comes from a disgust for my faith or for more personal reasons.

There has also been a tendency, over several of my last outings, for people to bet out of turn over me. That is they bet without waiting for me to act. This isn’t necessarily uncommon at a table. When it happens to me and only me, and I do not hide my cards as some do, over and over this is an obvious attempt to frustrate me. Yes, I am observant. That is why I do well in poker.

The tournaments at our local casino have far more over sight than the regular daily operation of the cash games. The dealer takes the brunt of any disagreements at the table. Don’t make the dealer’s day miserable.

In poker, however, if you know the game anything that may be considered a disadvantage or obstacle can be turned to your advantage. If people believe you are a person you are not, they cannot read you. If people think you will fold when to large aggressive bets and raises…, no mystery as to how that is not an advantage. Nor is it a mystery that you can make people who think you don’t know the game pay. If people just outright don’t like you, their emotions will do them in. All if you know how to play the game.

Yes, you still need the cards. You still need to be able to spot weakness or strength. But, if you are a good player, the potential to find justice at the poker table can be far greater than the potential to find justice in life. Your abilities will be recognized and respected far more quickly at the poker table than in any other profession. Success is undeniable. People who know the game, and most at the casino do, recognize and respect good players, even when the cards may be against you. That doesn’t mean people will like you. But if I ever won big and became filthy rich would the falsehoods over my life evaporate?

Don’t chase delusions. If your no good and don’t have the money stop playing.

The busy Christmas season has kept me away from any tournaments the last couple of weeks, not to mention the rush to make my writing goals for the month. Click on the “My Store” tab above to find my books. They are works of fiction, not poker tutorials.

It is time to make resolutions for the New Year. Time to talk to my wife over our goals and how to achieve them. The Mid-States Poker Tournament coming in a couple of weeks at The Potawatomi Casino is on my mind. I can’t attach any more significance to it than any other game if I want to do well.

With my current winnings this looks to be a Winter of Poker for me. How it all turns out will determine whether the investment of time is worth the money earned. That means a lot of sitting. I already do a lot of driving and bowling on my friends team, which also strains my back. I recommend the Teeter Hang Up. Some warn against the inversion table, though I have never heard their reasons (just their advertisements for their shows on the radio) but it has brought relief to both me and my wife. Neither of us use it excessively. If sitting for hours on end at the poker table bothers your back this might bring some relief. One of my legs is shorter then the other so I wear one shoe to offset the difference. I had some discomfort using the table before that.

God Bless, Merry Christmas (it is the season) and Happy New Year.

The Build Up

The anticipation builds as an opportunity to enter a tournament arises. Like going off to battle you clear out your bowls, clean and dress to impress, in whatever way one looks to impress their opponents, (and maybe take some breath mints in consideration of the others at the table). You sit down at the table. The tension is palatable. You set to work and soon you hit a rhythm. Everything calms. Even if it doesn’t feel like your night, you play smart. Fortunes shift without warning. Stacks are made and lost.

It is on those nights when nothing comes easy that I find the most rewarding. You get the win and feel like no one in the world can beat you.

Under the conclusion that when I consistently play in tournaments of three tables or more I stay well into the black, I set out this Winter (It is still autumn but you know what I mean) to pursue poker glory. I had some winnings left from this summer, the few tournaments I played, so with that I set off for the casino.

I came out short on my first outing. I split the pool even Steven with one other on my second, for my largest winnings ever. I regret not going for it all, now in hindsight. Our stacks were about even. Chip leader would have change with every hand until one of us trapped the other. I chopped mostly because I thought it was much later in the evening than it actually was.

With plenty of seed money to test my skills I am hoping to get out to a tournament more than once a week. The more I win the greater the frequency of my outings will grow. If I am sitting at a table on the final day of the Mid-States Poker Tournament at The Potawatomi Casino this January, with plenty of seed money for the rest of the Winter I will be very satisfied. I am debating whether to try to win a seat through a satellite, or to just buy in on day one.

Losing bothers me more than it should. I need to play more, lose more but win more than I lose in the long term. This is the comfort level I need to achieve to get the most enjoyment out of the game. If I were in a financially stronger position I wouldn’t fret even if I were to, though I highly doubt I would, drop into the red slightly.

Waiting for a table the other day I read the poker magazine the casino has available. The most substantive article was written by a gentleman who preferred low stakes games. You will always find an article in these publications which encourages people to be satisfied with low stakes games, particularly if you lack the resources or ability (or even not) to compete at a higher level. He was a serious player and has even wrote a book or two on the subject. The writer of the article went on to become a priest and still seems to play poker as a hobby.

The poker world clearly tries to promote responsible play, as I hope I do with this blog.

Again… I am well in the black and, since I am currently under-employed, this Winter is the time to put my skills to the test. I am fairly confident in tournament play. There is one monkey on my back, that had swallowed much of my Summer winnings, that I would like to shake off. More about that later.

I hosted no bar-B-Q this past Summer with my poker winnings, as I hoped to do. I just did not get out enough. I do have many things going on in my life and even my goal of playing once a week over the Winter will take some determination to accomplish.

Sustenance

It was four hours in. I had a reasonable stack, enough to threaten at the final table. Eleven remained. The waitress came by, almost pleading, asking me directly if I would like a beverage. She had come by more frequently as the tournament progressed.

But I was far too stingy to even offer a small tip for a complimentary soft drink. I believe the soft drinks are complimentary. Reading on you may say that it is what cost me a substantial payout.

I had a 9, 10 and got in cheap on the big blind with only one caller. The flop came something like 4, 5, 9; two hearts. I raised all-in. If I had recognized the potential flush draw I would not have gone all-in.

My opponent had something like a 5, 3; two hearts. His hearts scared me. My thoughts were, “Oh no.” he got trips.” when, if I remember correctly, another 4 came, then a 3, no more hearts. My opponent announce two pair and the dealer presented his hand by pushing forward the 3, and 5 on the board.

I thought I lost and walked away from the hand. (actually I believe there may have been a Jack on the board which means I really did lose, but allow me to convey an important aspect about the game) If my memory were correct, I had two pair with the higher pair. A bit of sugar and caffeine would have certainly assisted my memory. In fact, if the hand played out as my recollections torment me it did, I would not have missed seeing two pair, if I had been willing to hand the hard working waitress a dollar tip to bring me a soft drink. I would never ask for a complimentary soft drink if I didn’t intend to tip the staff.

These things happen, if it happened at all. I am not naming the establishment, but the dealer may have acted wrongly or not. The floor boss was also standing next to the table.

When I watch tournament poker on Poker Central, particularly the heads up tournaments, the floor boss is called over for every all-in. The floor boss identifies who has what, what is on the board, if anything, and does a play by play as the final cads are dealt. I have seen floor bosses actual call out how each player stands, what potential exists and who needs what card to overcome their opponent and ultimately declares the winner. Maybe this is just heads up tournament protocol. There is plenty to learn about the game.

That’s what I’ve seen on television anyway. But this is not the first time I’ve second guessed a hand and wondered if I really had won. I am sure my regrets have at times been well founded and at others not. It is part of the game. The reality is, I seldom take in sustenance when I am playing even as many hours pass. I learned from this experience that that is a mistake.

Winning or losing the adrenaline gets flowing when I am competing in anything. All the more so when I am second guessing myself. I wish there were tournaments earlier in the day as I would like to be able to get to sleep at a reasonable hour afterwards.

As it stands now, I have a decision to make. Do I push, investing a bit of bounty we have finally achieved to pursue poker in a professional sense, or do I drop back and make it a well enjoyed hobby when the opportunity presents itself. I intend to push for the next six months when the finances allow, which they do. Why do I relish this decision? Because I am good. Far better than any are willing to give me credit for. When I first started playing, and the tournaments consisted of 24 people or more I was running in the black with my winnings. Some venues are a bit tougher but I believe in my abilities.

The Mid States Poker Tour is coming to The Potawatomi Casino here in Milwaukee in January. At least that is what the bill boards say. They have yet to update their website.

I have also wanted to visit Montreal for a long time to admire its architecture. Via Poker Central I have learned Montreal is home to a well known poker establishment that I would also enjoy visiting.

Poker on Television 24/7

My interest in poker was kindled many years ago by the show “Poker After Dark”. We watched most of the show as it was on NBC as we arrived home late night on weekends. Then it went off the air in Milwaukee.

Poker programming has been advertised on the national broadcast stations (mostly NBC) in the past, but often, here in Milwaukee, it was never shown. I never found out the reason for this. Now, it is impossible to find poker programming on local television in Milwaukee.

But I have a Roku. We watch over 50% of our television through our Roku and most of that viewing is on demand. I was perusing the ‘new channels’ in the Roku channel store and right up top, to my excitement and surprise was “Poker Central”. “Poker Central” just began to broadcast on Roku (and other Internet Television devices). Yes, it is 24/7 poker coverage. I remember why I fell in love with the game.

The channel goes straight to their live stream, but if you hit the ‘back’ button you are sent to their on demand selection of choice clips.

“Poker After Dark” is on every evening at 10pm. Unfortunately I make it a habit to watch the 10pm news every night. I also don’t watch Television during the day so I cannot watch their 3pm broadcast. “Poker After Dark” is a great show. I attribute much of its success to familiar faces. New faces are worked in little by little. But to have big names on a regular basis, a familiar crowd night after night with their mostly friendly banter, is the genius of the show. I watched part of the show last night and recognized every face at the table as part of the show years gone by.

Okay, “Poker Central” has commercials. That is why it is free and I love and only watch free. A bit distracting but watching a two hour heads up tournament I noticed the commercials were heavier in the first hour than in the second hour.

The coverage and commentary are excellent. The commentators berated one great fold because the odds suggested the competitor should have called. Makes you do a double take, but then you realize you’re getting a great education in the game.

I have not made any poker tables in some time. I have three reasons. First, I am not completely comfortable playing with our current income-expenses ratio right now. (I have money set aside just for poker and am far from unfamiliar with winning, but you never know) Second, I seldom have the time to make a tournament. Third, I am also seldom properly rested if an opportunity should arise. Poker is a strenuous game if you’re playing to win. Getting tired fosters mistakes.

For me poker is a people game. It is a game to be played live, with living breathing people sitting in front of you. That is the charm and the challenge of the game. To witness the personalities and interactions of the players on Television is the best education if you can’t sit at a table yourself.

Internet Poker

I have not made the Mid-States Poker Tournament at our local Casino, a mere two miles from our home. I had hoped to participate as I mentioned on my last post. I have just been too preoccupied; I could say busy, but that doesn’t quite fit. The days are long, the garden is producing and the demands of life never cease.

The biggest factor among all others that kept me from getting to the tables was that my finances have been too tight. Yes, I have money set aside dedicated to my poker pursuits, in the hopes of growing such funds. But when the general funds are not expanding, when it looks like you’ll just be getting by (at least until we get past our quarterly tax payment) I just can’t bring myself to chance any funds.

The peaches are just about ready to be picked, hopefully before the branches are pulled from the trunk under their own weight. The sun, life and nature are all things that keep us centered. They are also things that a casino tries to eliminate to keep you playing. They want you to lose track of time.

We did stop by the casino to dine and to briefly take advantage of some slot offers we received. And we came out ahead. But the total investment and the time a tournament requires have been something I couldn’t set myself to.

“So what are you trying to say Phillip? Your title is Internet Poker.”

Exactly.

I receive e-mails from the Poker’s Players Alliance. They have been lobbying in congress for a bill that would legalize Internet poker. The cause has steadily advanced and seems to be making progress.

I have a problem with this. Yes, I played quite a bit of Internet poker over past Winters; not for real money. I also believe proper legislation could limit a persons financial risk; allowing only tournament play with limited but-ins for example. Of course anything can be worked around. Those who made a profit off of Internet poker played multiple games at a time, many large displays hanging before them, each covered with virtual tables. A person could also set up multiple accounts to get around any restrictions also.

So what’s the real problem? The real problem is the almost hypnotic effect the Internet has over the mind. Gamers have been known to lose their lives, figuratively, in the particular format they play within. The draw of the virtual world along with the allusion of potential profits could destroy people’s lives on a far greater scale than that attributed to those with a gambling addiction. The Internet can a an addiction.

And how do you track Internet addiction? (An addiction that drains one’s funds) A casino can, and they do to a certain degree, track their guests with a gambling problem. They encourage people to seek help if they believe they have a gambling problem.

I believe the environmental control the casinos practice does not come close to the trap the Internet can become. That’s just my personal observation. The Internet is in your home. It sits there in front of you, or just out of the corner of your eye, every moment you are there. And if your unemployed…

Personally I have enough problems with Facebook. I have so many varying Internet log in names and passwords that my head hurts. The effort to keep track of them all is a burden I increasingly long to be free from. Though I enjoyed Internet poker in the past, mostly on dark Winter nights, I have no interest in becoming involved in Internet poker again. I do not believe I am unique in my growing compulsion to be free from the Internet, even computers, all together.

When I write my books, transcribing my notebooks to the computer is the most dreaded part of the process of getting to a finished work. Though I find working on a computer sometimes tedious, it does increase my efficiency. I imagine it will also increase the efficiency with which Internet poker sites will be able to relieve people of their money.

Poker is a game of skill, but the skilled will be few and far between amidst Internet poker players.

Poker is a personable game. A social experience. Limiting it to sitting alone in a room, in front of a screen, demeans the game and in kind the person playing. You’ll be much more fulfilled playing at the casino with real live people to observe and interact with. Just don’t spend to much time thinking about the rake; except when the pot is small and a bet or raise would increase the rake with little benefit to the winner of the pot. The others at the table will share their disdain for such a bet. It is the best classroom in the world.

I guess I was worried about the wrong branch. Heard the dog barking and…