And Then There Were Nine

Getting to the final table on a regular basis is a real confidence builder. I hadn't been to many tournaments as the small buy-in wisely increase one's chances to reach the final table and even that is a bit too much for our budget. But I hit the first Tavern Tourney of the year at Victor's and not only made the final table but took first.

The winnings and the fact that I was in the running to make a special single table tournament led me to make quite a few tournaments this January. I made several other final tables, but missed some, and couldn't go as far (winning more points) as possible as I was off my game a bit. Hard to focus with the numerous difficulties we are facing these last several years as Winter utility bills are a heavy burden. I pushed when I could have rode out my stack or waited for a better hand; costing me points or more than once costing me the final table. I also made some bad calls when I had really good hands but just had that feeling they had a better one.

I played a J, 3 because a sweetener was added to the pot. J high flop and I called a large bet. Another J on the turn and  I faced another large bet. I knew he had the other J and also was confident he didn't have the full house, but I had junk for a kicker. I had a very competitive stack and decided to push all-in. He insta-called and wanted to see my two spades as two spades were on the board. I thought it strange he thought I was chasing a flush but happy he couldn't read me at all. That he didn't put me on the other J. He had an A with his J. On the big blind he had not only a J but had the A. Something I wasn't expecting. with an 8, 9 also on the board a 7 or lower would have meant most likely a chop. I had nine outs. An 8 or 9 for a chop or a 3 for the win. I lost and was out.

But I was still in the running for that special single table tournament to win an entry into the Chicago Poker Classic. I didn't go to every tournament available or buy-in at every chance as I was trying not to extend my costs beyond what I won at that first final table and from another third place finish. Wished I had done things a bit different to catch a few more points with the chances I had but just had to wait to see if I made the cut. Was in good standing but several others were close behind and feared they would overtake me.

The single table tournament was to be for the top eight. The final points were posted a couple days ago and I tied for eight. Meaning there will be nine at he single table tournament for an entry into the Chicago Poker Classic.

I am also qualified for the January monthly which will be on a Sunday this time, which works great for me. And if I get to the final table in the monthly I will qualify for the 'Best of the Best' held every six months. And with just a bit of effort over the next three months am sure to make the next six month tournament.

The Six Month and Much More

Yes, I made the six month. And this weekend is Tavern Tourneys 'Best of the Best.' Only those who made the final table at a monthly or the six month qualify for the Best of the Best. The monthly, six month and Best of the Best being the premier tournaments for Tavern Tourneys with the chance to win large payouts. I didn't attend the last monthly, though I qualified, and was a bit short of the final table in the six month.

Six Month

The six month was held at a regular and very fine location for Tavern Tourneys. Outside of being very difficult to get people to sit down and play, making for a late start, the atmosphere was very nice. Lots of nice people, a common characteristic for Tavern Tourneys, and great play. Much tighter than even the one monthly I attended this summer. Well over 100 competing.

Back and forths, or give and takes, were a regular theme. I won some really big hands, and later lost some really big hands to the people I won them from. Hitting the nuts flush on the turn it checked around and I made a huge raise on the river, beating the J high flush. Losing an all-in against Q's I called his next all-in with A, Q suited. He had 8, 2. ?

Calling a pre-flop raise with deuces, I hit my deuce on the flop and it paid huge. I kept an average or above average stack most of the night. I had a unbelievable run before the dinner break that left me one of the chip leaders. I had a snickers for dinner.

After the break the tournament was running much later than I was lead to believe it would. A blind change had been missed which may also have had the game further along if it wasn't. And I went card dead. I knew I was card dead. I could feel it. I often feel like that at a table and even if I get good starting hands I lose. It is a complete constant, never wrong. I know I will lose when I get that feeling. I am thinking of just folding all my hands without even looking at them when I get this feeling. Until the mood changes.

I wanted to push, push, push with a huge stack after dinner, but didn't get the cards. Getting late, and my stack being nibbled away, I decided to take a stand with 10, J suited. The best cards I had seen in a while. I lost and went home and got out on our work route just in time. I finished about 14th. The players chopped when it got down to two.

Great fun.

The Casino

Yes I took a good sized stack to the casino and tried to work the Omaha Hi/Lo table. Nothing worked as it should. I split some pots but my stack kept dwindling. The cards were changed, at the request of one of the players, and everything played out as the odds say they should. So I kept going, my stack going up and down keeping a consistent average stack from that point, less than a quarter of what I started with. I cut my losses and left while I still had something.

I wont be going to the casino much. And when I go again I have decide I will go into all games with the minimal buy-in and if I win a big hand leave. And I am thinking of using my club points at their gift shop for Christmas shopping rather than a nice dinner with Misao. We recently used her birthday points for the buffet.

The Casino has canceled their daily tournaments. Something I wanted to try. But they still have tournaments on occassion. Their next a Thanksgiving tournament, $100 buy-in. And they have a lower blind no-limit Texas Hold'm game. A $1, 1, 2 game. Played with two small blinds, however unlike small blind limit games the minimum buy-in is $100 rather than $20.

Nightly Tournaments

Two outings in November have given me plenty of points, possibly already qualifying for the next monthly. I had an unbelievable run this past Monday night before the first break. I had a stack that was adequate to win with when one reaches the final table. After the break I was a target and a couple of guys kept betting large against my every hand. And I had that feeling, but kept getting really good cards. Eventually I stopped playing any hands to keep myself from going under the average stack.

The rising blinds were feeding off my stack and I was in a bad way. At the next break I asked if one could still buy a round for extra chips. You could and I did. Then, the blinds already large, I made the min raise with pocket 3's and had two callers. I hit a 3 on the flop, a K being the high card on the board. The first to act went all-in. The next to act went all-in on top of that for 20K more. (Am I a target? Being bullied? If they want to roll that way they should just put an eternal bounty on me) I called and showed my set. (a set is when you hit with a pocket pair, trips are when two of your three are on the board)

Made the final table with a reasonable stack. Finished fourth. Went all-in with A, 6 suited and was called by a 7 high hand. He hit his 7.

I'm a Winner!

Yes, I won my first Tavern Tourney outright on Halloween. Things just fell into place. When we got down to three I caught 8's and the flop came 5, 6, 7. My opponent, the tournament director, bet big and I raised all-in and he called. He also had 8's and we split the pot. A 9 came on the river.

With a mountainous stack I put the two final opponents all-in with K, 10. One hit his pair with a Q, the dealer, and he was calling for a J for the other guy, larger stack, to hit a pair and keep in the game... supposedly. The problem? The J gave me a straight and it was all over.

It didn't put me in the black but I am now less than $300 in the red in almost two years of poker playing including casino play. The sometimes buy-ins and any cost of sodas for which I received chips all recorded in a ledger. Not recorded is mileage costs and any purchases I did not receive chips for.

And on the first tourney of the new six month cycle I made third. Not much in the way of cards most of the night but buying a round and then hitting a couple good hands took me deep for a small payout. I don't think I will make the monthly on Saturday (starts too late, too far away and we have to work) but plan to make the six month the following Saturday. If Tavern Tourneys wants to grow in the Milwaukee market they need to find a nice place a bit closer to Milwaukee.

Mostly playing Omaha hi/lo on the Internet. Taking some Texas Hold'm Sit&Goes for play money quite easily. Played one last night on Ultimate Bet and am pained to say I don't like the patterns I see. Same cards up against each other with the same outcomes several times throughout the same game. Nothing nefarious, just reads poorly in the mind of the player. At least when you are on the losing end of the hand.

Getting it... DONE!

Yes, I got myself a hat to wear when I am playing poker and for formal occasions. You can never go wrong with black. I actually bought two. One I gave to my wife Misao for her birthday. I have also been playing a bit of friendly games at home. A few people from church come over and we play a bit of free Poker or Sheep's Head. Sheep's Head is a great game.

So with the book, difficult finances, and getting hit with some unexpected bills, not to mention I thought I had til the end of November to qualify for the Tavern Tourney six month, I had not been playing poker in any of the leagues for a while. Then on Tavern Tourneys home page they had the big message to make sure you get all your points for the six month by the end of October and found I was out in the standings. And only four more venues available in Milwaukee when I read the message. Then the Tuesday night event had too few people to play. Showed up on Sunday and finished fourth by playing good and determined like and taking full advantage of chip earning opportunities, including buying a round to make it easy to the final table. I finished fourth and found myself barely in for the six month tournament.

Great result and I didn't even have my lucky coin on the table. I won four gold coins in a friendly game at a friends house and gave them again to Misao for her birthday. She gave me one for good luck. But I thought I lost it when I couldn't find it in my jacket pocket. Then I found it when I pulled out my car keys to go home. Must have lost it again because the next morning I found it on the back walk, stepped on once or twice. But I had it Monday night. And it was well into the evening when someone asked, "Is that Chocolate?"

I lost 3/4 of my stack on the second hand but quickly earned it back with three straights and a flush in quick succession. I told the guy who nearly cleaned me out that the others called my big bets because I lost big to him and was now right back in the game. That hand I lost 3/4 I had a flush and he hit sevens full of fives. I knew he liked playing 7, 5 but called anyway.

Again I had to buy a round, though I really really really didn't want to, to make it to the final table. Got my chips and a guy blowing smoke all night went all-in and it was only me left to call heads up. I had A, J suited and had to decide if I just sit back to make the final table or put it all on the line. I called and doubled up. Then I rolled the dice to earn possibly even more chips as the round was over $20. Two rolls. The first was a seven which is bad. I think I actually lose chips. Then I rolled another seven and got no extra chips but... two sevens means the tournament director pays for the round.

As it now stands I am in not only the six month tournament but currently qualify for the monthly.

I'm Published

We try not to live like we are poor so will occasionally go to the movies or drop a little money for a tavern tourney. But we have been having a rough time for some years now as I have not been able to find full time employment and we have had to deal with various medical bills.

We would truly appreciate your support if you would like to purchase my book. A small work of fiction that I am sure you will enjoy. It is available now on my Create Space e-sales page and should be available on Amazon within five business days. Tomorrow I will have to see if I can make it available for the Kindle.

Click here to buy it now.

I haven't been to any tournaments recently. I am currently thinking of going to a Pit Bull Poker tournament and then writing about the three most prominent bar centered tournament organizations in the area.

Hats

Many famous poker players wear a hat or some headgear particular to them. I cannot say if they think it brings them luck, conceals their features, or what. Have I done better wearing a hat? Not having worn one in a while I would have to say yes. The problem is, which hat? I have a lot of bad, ill-fitting, uncomfortable hats. A good hat, one that will bring you luck, is hard to find. State Fair had lots of hats for sale.

I like hats, especially when I am working outside. I don't have a lot of hats that fit well or that I like. I have a Washington DC hat, not that I am a fan of Washington DC, that is comfortable and of some level of quality. But it is usually dirty since I wear it often. I try to look clean when at the poker table.

I noticed I do better dressed casually but feel better when dressed in good clothes. So this last Sunday night I wore jeans and a t-shirt with some nice socks, my Allen-Edmonds and matching belt and was looking forward to see how I did. They didn't have enough people to play.

I have an extremely nice USS Reagan hat I received for donating to the Reagan Library. I wore it once and a while when I was out of hats, but had to keep telling people who didn't know me that I wasn't in the navy and where I got the hat. Though if anyone would stop to think a moment they should realize people who have served have mission buttons and other accessories pinned to their hats. I don't wear that hat any more.

I have a Civil War Preservation Trust hat. I like it and it is very comfortable. I wore it once to a poker game and it seemed to stir the ire of some there. Not sure how it would fly at the casino if I could ever afford to go again.

The last time I played a bar tournament, one more accomplished than myself pointed out that the slow pace and blind structure of most bar tournaments makes luck a bigger factor than skill. I would like to try a tournament at the casino if I ever have the money. With the quick play at the casino, seeing many more hands at each level, skill gains advantage.

Then I have the Gun Owners Task Force hat that fits nice and comfortable like. I'm just not comfortable with the acronym. I wore it on a job once and we had to go to Home Depot to buy some supplies. It got me looks from the ladies. Can't wear that hat.

Right now I have been extremely consumed with getting my book published and have necessary home repairs looming as Winter approaches. My poker goals are simple. One, stay on track for Tavern Tourney's six month tournament, which shouldn't be a problem even going just a few times a month. The other, just outright win a tournament. That will get me into bigger tournaments in and of itself. No chasing monthly points as I am too busy right now and the money is tight. Even saving on gas and a soda, the minimal cost for a night of poker, can make a difference so I don't plan to be going much. I'll have to get back to free Internet play, but I don't know if that isn't counterproductive as people with play money play differently.

Tight

Summer has been hard on the poker tournament organizations/leagues as people tend to do other things with their evenings, the sun being out well past 8:00 pm. Some are waiting for the autumn to renew their expansionists policies. So, as someone who often plays for free, out of necessity, I find it curious that policies have been changed to put the free players at an even greater disadvantage stack wise. Providing vastly greater chip earning promotions so that even with a minimal buy-in you may find yourself seriously short stacked from the get go. It would seem contrary to promoting growth. I find it hard to understand...or not.

So it has caused me to become more and more tight as a player. And be assured that when I do go in on a hand I will be raised pre-flop and heavily challenged after. So it was the other night. Somewhere in mid position, after folding almost everything but the blinds most of the night, I went in with 7, 8 suited, hoping for a big trap. I was raised, the raiser looking directly to me, and I called. Several called. The flop came A, 4, 5 with two hearts, my suit. I made double the minimal bet, believing everyone would put me on an A. I was reraised to over 2/3rds of my stack by one as the others folded. I thought awhile with my gut shot straight and flush draw, knowing clearly he had the A. I thought he would have a good kicker. As my stack was comparatively small, even before the hand, I went all-in which he didn't like but having a mountain of chips, my reraise being a fraction of his stack and the total pot, he called.

Reraising me, playing tight, on my bet with an A, 8? Most would consider I had an A, 10 or better, or possibly believe I hit two pair, or at least paired the A with a wheel draw. I'm not sure if most others would consider mine a good all-in, but most were surely surprised, if not impressed, when I turned over the 7, 8 of hearts. I didn't hit my straight or flush and was out, but picked up a point for the session tournament which I have qualified for.

And have I been 'punked' by Ultimate Bet? Working for my $1 million play money goal, with near $700,000 I lost it all in a matter of days, never having come out ahead in a single sitting. And this with me playing the smaller stake games as my play money assets dropped. All happening after a software update some time back. Haven't played there since. I had stopped counting the times I hit two pair on the flop and lost to someone who hit their second higher pair on the river. But it is all play money? People play differently.

Actually have lost interest in the online poker after playing real games for prizes and tournament qualification. At first I didn't think I could hold my own but did well sticking to what I had learned from online play and TV. And am learning more and more every time I play; growing in feel and read and betting strategy.

So at my next tournament I will still be at a disadvantage, as the highest point getter's still receive some bonus chips. But should have better odds. And I certainly have plenty of experiences playing tight...

Or maybe I just want my competition to think I'm playing tight.

Blah hahahahaha Blah hahahahaha!