Stay to Your Own Get Your Own

It seems like the summer of 2007 is the Y2K of the online poker community; everyone has some degree of worry, yet no one really knows what is going to happen.
[© e.segal]

These Things Happen:

You can't displease all the people all of the time.

Wise Words from Jon Benjamin

"Uh, this is a poem I call "New York Times". New York Times. / New York Times. / You think you're better than us? / Us? / U-S? / USA? / No Way. Thank you."

This Is the End, My Only Friend, the End.

(gotta love that hair)

Tough to win when they fall like this:

TOZZ1: posts small blind $5
WhenWillJack: posts big blind $10
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to KKBigDawwg69 [7c 8c]
mister cc: folds
Suzanne1982: folds
TonyTakitani: folds
trump236: folds
devolve: raises $20 to $30
KKBigDawwg69: calls $30
Pipedream17: folds
TOZZ1: folds
WhenWillJack: folds
*** FLOP *** [6h 5s Ts]
devolve: bets $60
KKBigDawwg69: calls $60
*** TURN *** [6h 5s Ts] [4c]
devolve: bets $120
KKBigDawwg69: raises $380 to $500
devolve: raises $1074.50 to $1574.50 and is all-in
KKBigDawwg69: calls $1002 and is all-in
*** RIVER *** [6h 5s Ts 4c] [6c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
devolve: shows [6s 6d] (four of a kind, Sixes)
KKBigDawwg69: mucks hand
devolve collected $3196 from pot

KKBigDawwg69: posts small blind $5
Pipedream17: posts big blind $10
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to KKBigDawwg69 [As Ks]
TOZZ1 has timed out
TOZZ1: folds
TOZZ1 is sitting out
WhenWillJack: folds
mister cc: folds
Suzanne1982: raises $30 to $40
TonyTakitani: folds
trump236: folds
TOZZ1 has returned
KKBigDawwg69: raises $100 to $140
Pipedream17: folds
Suzanne1982: calls $100
*** FLOP *** [Th 4c Kc]
KKBigDawwg69: bets $170
Suzanne1982: raises $1700.25 to $1870.25 and is all-in
KKBigDawwg69: calls $680 and is all-in
*** TURN *** [Th 4c Kc] [3h]
*** RIVER *** [Th 4c Kc 3h] [9h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
KKBigDawwg69: shows [As Ks] (a pair of Kings)
Suzanne1982: shows [Qh Ah] (a flush, Ace high)
Suzanne1982 collected $1987 from pot

Took an Uncanny Approach Against a Maniac [putting the streak in jeopardy]

This guy doesn't fold a hand:

Pipedream17: posts small blind $5
POTSY32: posts big blind $10
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to KKBigDawwg69 [Kc 3h]
mister cc: folds
Suzanne1982: folds
TonyTakitani: folds
trump236: folds
devolve: folds
KKBigDawwg69: raises $20 to $30
Pipedream17: folds
POTSY32: raises $20 to $50
KKBigDawwg69: calls $20
*** FLOP *** [Ad Qh 9d]
POTSY32: checks
KKBigDawwg69: bets $60
POTSY32: calls $60
*** TURN *** [Ad Qh 9d] [As]
POTSY32: checks
KKBigDawwg69: bets $140
POTSY32: calls $140
*** RIVER *** [Ad Qh 9d As] [3c]
POTSY32: checks
KKBigDawwg69: bets $70
POTSY32: calls $70
*** SHOW DOWN ***
KKBigDawwg69: shows [Kc 3h] (two pair, Aces and Threes)
POTSY32: shows [9s 6h] (two pair, Aces and Nines)

Just a reckless bluff here, really upset at myself for this play:

devolve: posts small blind $5
KKBigDawwg69: posts big blind $10
ty_mofo: sits out
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to KKBigDawwg69 [8d 8h]
Pipedream17: folds
POTSY32: raises $10 to $20
mister cc: calls $20
WrongButton: folds
TonyTakitani: calls $20
trump236: folds
devolve: folds
KKBigDawwg69: raises $90 to $110
POTSY32: calls $90
mister cc: folds
TonyTakitani: folds
*** FLOP *** [Kc 9c 3c]
KKBigDawwg69: checks
POTSY32: bets $90
KKBigDawwg69: raises $909 to $999 and is all-in
POTSY32: calls $909
*** TURN *** [Kc 9c 3c] [4c]
*** RIVER *** [Kc 9c 3c 4c] [As]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
KKBigDawwg69: shows [8d 8h] (a pair of Eights)
POTSY32: shows [Ks Ah] (two pair, Aces and Kings)
POTSY32 collected $2260 from pot

Over valued a two pair against maniac here:

mister cc: posts small blind $5
Suzanne1982: posts big blind $10
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to KKBigDawwg69 [4d 5d]
TonyTakitani: folds
trump236: folds
devolve: folds
KKBigDawwg69: raises $20 to $30
Pipedream17: folds
TOZZ1: folds
POTSY32: calls $30
mister cc: folds
Suzanne1982: calls $20
*** FLOP *** [Ad 2c 4c]
Suzanne1982: checks
KKBigDawwg69: bets $60
POTSY32: raises $60 to $120
Suzanne1982: folds
KKBigDawwg69: calls $60
*** TURN *** [Ad 2c 4c] [9c]
KKBigDawwg69: checks
POTSY32: checks
*** RIVER *** [Ad 2c 4c 9c] [5s]
KKBigDawwg69: bets $400
POTSY32: raises $400 to $800
KKBigDawwg69: raises $50 to $850 and is all-in
POTSY32: calls $50
*** SHOW DOWN ***
KKBigDawwg69: shows [4d 5d] (two pair, Fives and Fours)
POTSY32: shows [Ac Tc] (a flush, Ace high)
POTSY32 collected $2032 from pot

Was so sure he had diamonds that i thought shove was best play:

Pipedream17: posts small blind $5
ty_mofo: posts big blind $10
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to KKBigDawwg69 [3s 2s]
POTSY32: calls $10
mister cc: folds
WrongButton: folds
TonyTakitani: calls $10
trump236: folds
devolve: folds
KKBigDawwg69: raises $50 to $60
Pipedream17: folds
POTSY32 said, "yeah like 6 ft this year"
ty_mofo: folds
POTSY32: calls $50
TonyTakitani: folds
*** FLOP *** [3h 7d 4d]
devolve said, "u ski or anything?"
POTSY32: bets $200
KKBigDawwg69: raises $725 to $925 and is all-in
POTSY32: calls $725
*** TURN *** [3h 7d 4d] [Js]
*** RIVER *** [3h 7d 4d Js] [Jd]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
POTSY32: shows [8d 9d] (a flush, Jack high)
KKBigDawwg69: mucks hand
POTSY32 collected $1992 from pot

He just couldn't be stopped:

TOZZ1: posts small blind $5
POTSY32: posts big blind $10
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to KKBigDawwg69 [9h 8h]
mister cc: folds
Suzanne1982: folds
TonyTakitani: folds
trump236: folds
devolve: folds
KKBigDawwg69: raises $20 to $30
Pipedream17: folds
TOZZ1: folds
POTSY32: raises $20 to $50
KKBigDawwg69: calls $20
*** FLOP *** [Kc 7c 2d]
POTSY32: checks
KKBigDawwg69: checks
*** TURN *** [Kc 7c 2d] [8s]
POTSY32: bets $50
KKBigDawwg69: raises $162 to $212
POTSY32: calls $162
*** RIVER *** [Kc 7c 2d 8s] [Qh]
POTSY32: checks
KKBigDawwg69: bets $10
POTSY32: calls $10
*** SHOW DOWN ***
KKBigDawwg69: shows [9h 8h] (a pair of Eights)
POTSY32: shows [Qs 5c] (a pair of Queens)
POTSY32 collected $546 from pot

An Exercise in Tyburn Poetry

Subtle
Muddle
Double
Trouble
Oft found in a subtle muddle state
Avoiding the double trouble mate

Delicately Developing Diligence

The past three years of my poker career can be broken down into the following three categories [as best described in third person]:

High School (3-2 years ago) : Coming of age time in one's life. Here character is developed as one is pushed around by upperclassmen and you stick closely to anything or anyone that helps you get by. Most situations are awkward and you do whatever is necessary to survive; whether that be working at a fast food joint or making fake tickets to the school play for extra cash. Graduation is a much awaited ceremony, yet you look back on these times with a peculiar fondness.

College (2-1 years ago) : The perfect time in one's life to experiment with new things and meet new people. As one loosens their morals the double edged sword slowly reveals itself. Nearly regardless of one's prior background and future earning potential everyone tends to find themselves in a bind for cash from time to time. The opportunity cost of the whole situation is what you make of it; you devote some of your most prime years for the sake of raising the ceiling for the rest.

Post Grad (1-0 years ago) : The search for your true earning potential is not always as swift as one would hope. Returning from the stereotypical European backpacking experience oft leaves one waiting tables and tending bars before wall street leaves that much awaited message. Nonetheless, grinding it out helps develop a greater appreciation for the better times to come. There's a little AKoChainsaw3 in all of us.

Wherever I May Roam

If I could travel the world shooting people in the face with a shotgun of patience I would do so.

This Last One Was a Squeaker

[the winning streak prances along]

KEY HAND (not particularly interesting):

Viffer: posts small blind $5
KKBigDawwg69: posts big blind $10
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to KKBigDawwg69 [Ad Jd]
DoctorIn2010: folds
EOX!: folds
Pipedream17: folds
morello05: folds
stfu donny: folds
garompon: raises $30 to $40
binda: folds
Viffer: folds
KKBigDawwg69: raises $130 to $170
garompon: calls $130
*** FLOP *** [Td 5s 4c]
KKBigDawwg69: checks
garompon: checks
*** TURN *** [Td 5s 4c] [Ac]
KKBigDawwg69: checks
garompon: bets $130
KKBigDawwg69: calls $130
*** RIVER *** [Td 5s 4c Ac] [8d]
KKBigDawwg69: checks
garompon: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
KKBigDawwg69: shows [Ad Jd] (a pair of Aces)
garompon: mucks hand
KKBigDawwg69 collected $602 from pot
Seat 9: garompon mucked [2s 2h]

Most People Are Retards. Most Retards Like to Panic.

Wise Words from Jon Benjamin

"There's nothing wrong with lying to women. Or the government. Or parents. Or God."

This Is With Me Running a VPIP of 11 and a Pre Flop Raise of 8 [pretty much as tight as one can play]

Pipedream17: posts small blind $5
KKBigDawwg69: posts big blind $10
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to KKBigDawwg69 [Qs Qh]
EOX!: folds
usourcek: folds
Enon: folds
commchair: folds
JawsNFX: folds
Pipedream17: raises $30 to $40
KKBigDawwg69: raises $110 to $150
Pipedream17: raises $2636.15 to $2786.15 and is all-in
JawsNFX said, "owned"
KKBigDawwg69 said, "clever if you got it"
KKBigDawwg69: calls $850 and is all-in
*** FLOP *** [Kh 2s Kd]
*** TURN *** [Kh 2s Kd] [2h]
*** RIVER *** [Kh 2s Kd 2h] [Qd]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Pipedream17: shows [6s 6d] (two pair, Kings and Sixes)
KKBigDawwg69: shows [Qs Qh] (a full house, Queens full of Kings)
KKBigDawwg69 collected $1997 from pot

A Needed Reminder

Gordon Gekko: You see that building? I bought that building ten years ago. My first real estate deal. Sold it two years later, made an $800,000 profit. It was better than sex.

Now i am not going to try and convince you that looking down a red aces on an A5J flop in a re-raised pot and getting check raised from someone out of position is better than sex, but I'll be damned if it doesn't put a spark in you. Nonetheless, such seems to be the drive of most champions. Beyond the lust for financial independence, beyond the fleeting thrill of a good gamble, beyond winning for the sake of winning there is an unadulterated love for the game; and those in life fortunate enough to near sexual nirvana in any form of their life's work are truly blessed.

Keeping the Streak Alive

At whatever cost: 8 (winning sessions in a row)

That's It. No More.

Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you can be helped.