The Quiet Before the Storm

Too Much Green Too Much Fun

December 31st tends to encourage people to set aside time for reflection. As I look back on 2006 and how I managed as a poker player there is much to analyze. As far as living up to my ceiling of profits for the fiscal year of 2006, I am quite the failure. Nonetheless, I have few regrets. Some of my decisions throughout the year might not have maximized EV, but the ends justify the means here. I feel the friends I've made and the good times I've had far surpass any profit margin i could have ever imagined.

A nearby water main burst the other day. It's funny how a small leak can mature into a catastrophic flood. The Roman Empire (undoubtedly one of the most dominant forces every to exist) collapsed partially due to unsanitary water. The oversight of using lead pipes resulted in the death of many and the illness more. Peculiar how an aggressive army, impenetrable walls, and cunning leaders could be vulnerable from something so fundamental. Seems like many great poker players fall prey to the same. If you don't take time to double check that the basics, even the strongest can crumble.

Still Rock My Khakis with a Cuff and a Crease

Some people are gentle
Some people can't stop
Some people are doomed
Some people are blessed
Some people keep running for nothing
Some people need rest
Some people grow gracefully like wild flowers in spring
Some people think too much
Some people manifest creativity into treasures
Some people could use a good book
Some people watch people
Some people are blue
Some people don't exist
Some people do

Check Raising Stupid Tourists and Taking Huge Pots off Them

Full Tilt Poker
Seat 1: Fhil Ivey ($971.50)
Seat 2: logbil ($860.50)
Seat 3: mempamal ($1,155.50)
Seat 4: Rebirth1 ($2,116.50)
Seat 5: Chicks Play 2 ($585.75)
Seat 6: gamblegambel ($2,131.75)
Chicks Play 2 posts the small blind of $5
gamblegambel posts the big blind of $10
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to gamblegambel [Qh Kc]
Fhil Ivey folds
logbil folds
mempamal folds
Rebirth1 raises to $35
Chicks Play 2 folds
gamblegambel calls $25
I usually reraise here but we both had 2k and he is a good player
*** FLOP *** [3d 3c 2c]
gamblegambel checks
Rebirth1 bets $65
typical bluffing spot, his range is still pretty wide
gamblegambel raises to $212
Rebirth1 calls $147
*** TURN *** [3d 3c 2c] [9d]
gamblegambel bets $311
Rebirth1 calls $311
when he calls this i have him pegged on an over pair because he would have tossed a flush draw here, 22/33/99 are possible, A3 could be in his range, but i think he would been done slow playing on that board by this point
*** RIVER *** [3d 3c 2c 9d] [8c]
sexy river card, he pretty much has to give me credit for a flush or a boat here, you would have to be crazy to bet without one
gamblegambel bets $759
Rebirth1 has 15 seconds left to act
Rebirth1 folds
gamblegambel mucks
gamblegambelwins the pot ($1,877)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $1,121 | Rake $3
Board: [3d 3c 2c 9d 8c]
Seat 1: Fhil Ivey didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: logbil didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: mempamal didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Rebirth1 (button) folded on the River
Seat 5: Chicks Play 2 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: gamblegambel (big blind) collected ($1,118), mucked

An Exercise in Japanese Literature

Every king must pass
To struggle is to exist
Be how you see fit






(click to enlarge)

Figuring out the Game

I once read an article (touched upon here) about an innovative teaching philosophy being implemented in Japan. Instead of telling the children geometrical formulas and asking them to memorize such they had the students use logic and deduction to come up with the formulas on their own. Impressively the kids seemed to absorb the material with greater understanding using these methods. Although this may be a more frustrating and time consuming process of learning, the end result is truer grasp of knowledge. It is no coincidence Asians tend to be better poker players.

Wise Words from Jon Benjamin

"You know winning could be the worst thing that can ever happen to you. Anybody can win. See when you win you get cocky... than you get lazy... than you get flabby... and the next think you know you're losers again and that's a good place to be. It's gonna hurt worse if you win because than you've tasted victory and once you've tasted it, it tastes you. Losing keeps you sharp keeps you hungry keeps you thirsty... meh, i want a donut and a large coffee."

Blind Finish Line

During the Industrial Revolution once skilled craftsmen found themselves jobless and/or mindlessly working assembly lines. This detachment from direct contact with a finished product left many workers psychologically ill. As a poker player without any real long term goals or a tangible product deserving pride, I feel I've fallen victim to such dissonance. Ego having been shattered and pride having been swallowed, I shall retire from poker for the day.

Hymen No Longer Intact

If you are wrapping up a six hour long session of poker on Christmas at 6:00 a.m. you might be a degenerate gambler.

If you are down 13k to a bunch of retarded calling stations you might have a bluffing problem.

If you don't know when to stop, don't know how to maintain consistency in life, don't live up to your ceiling and don't care too much for blogs, you might be gamblegambel.