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.