Bubble Festival

I have gone deep in many tournaments in the last week, a few small cashes, nothing of significance. I will continue to strive and improve my game. UB has completely changed the entire tournament schedule, adding great guarantees with smallish buy ins. The pro is that there are huge overlays; the con is that the players create a minefield and it is difficult to bob and weave through it. However, I have fared pretty well in smaller buy in tournaments, so I hope that I will have many cashes with UB's new schedule. It has definitely encouraged me to play on their site more often.

I have also reconsidered starting up my own law practice again. I struggle back and forth. One of my biggest tragic flaws is my indecisiveness in life. I can never make a decision about anything, down to what to wear, what to have for dinner. Ironically, decisions during a tournament about how to play hands, etc, come fairly easy for me. The decisions surrounding a poker lifestyle, I always question. And, as you know from reading my previous blogs, its because I worry about money all the time. I am so paranoid and crazy about money, I don't know why. I mean, Jon always tells me I could be worse, but I don't know about that, sometimes I think he is just being nice. I believe I have gotten better about it and hopefully in the future, I will be RATIONAL. I am rational about nearly all aspects of life, yet somehow I always manage to be paranoid about finances. I will take the month of May to decide about the solo practice. Right now I am just doing per diem work, picking up small matters here and there. I do not hustle though, I am not out there, trying to get new business. Part of me wants to focus only on poker, and part of me wants to do both. It is a difficult decision for me. I guess, what will be, will be. I will see how it goes and make a decision at the end of May.

Ok, I am off to play my night session. Just wanted to leave you with this quote:

"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the you didn't do than by the ones you did do." - Mark Twain

I think this saying can be used as a great guide when making life changing decisions. Maybe that is a bit dramatic =) I think it is a very good quote.

Good money in all your games tonight!

Good money and peace,
Lucky C and Ace.

Sunday Night Musings- and congrats to Bumbo!!!!!!

Today was one of those extremely frustrating days where no matter what I did, I could not do it correctly. Bubble 5 out of 8 sngs. 2nd in three sngs. Could not close the deal. Played the Million guar on stars and managed to fold 77 in a perfect squeeze situation and would've had big stack. With 15 bbs left (instead of 50), I ran Ak as reraise right into bb with AA. Reflections on poker. Sigh. I played the 9k guar on UB and built a nice starting stack early and then struggled uphill the rest of the way. Quite aggravating.

It is also disheartening when I look at my cashier on three of three sites that I play on and see that the bankroll is in the danger zone- and I get uneasy about how low the funds are. This is partially my fault. Because Jon and I use our poker earnings for monthly bills, we force ourselves to keep limited funds online so that we ensure that everything is paid on time. However, this also requires us to deposit more often and move money around frequently. It is a system that has worked for us, but I am hoping to come up with something more useful, more resourceful. My instinct tells me that such a better money management plan will occur when we have a big cash , but logic dictates that money management will be less of an issue when Jon or I do have that big cash =) It's all a big Poker Catch 22 I tell you.

The silver lining (I always like to look objectively at the whole poker forest, not just the individual, two-outer, donkament trees), is that Jon and I live a truly charmed life. We have unlimited, unprecedented freedom. We make our own schedules, dictate the terms of our daily living, and report to absolutely no one. While this freedom is born only from being a slave to online poker, there are much worse things that we could be doing. And slavery is a slight exaggeration...I guess playing poker online is more of like a 'profitable drug of choice.' While it can be intoxicating, riveting, and exhilirating when things are great (+ making $$$$$)- when the trips are bad, they are the really bad. Those days when you feel like every play is a failure, flopping a hand is a joke, and you are getting run down by everyone and their mother, poker really sucks. But again, we look at the forest, not just that daily 'tree'. Escaping from the daily results, and looking at long term results for validation of how good we really are.

I am not only talking about your stats on pokerdb or pocketfives. I am talking about what you have accomplished in poker, how you have improved, become profittable, made that one incredible hand that was the revelation to yourself of your own abilities. That hand where you thought "damn, this is why I am so good at this game, this is what makes me a great player." Those are the things we must reflect on. Its not about one hand, or one tournament, or even one year. Its where you started and how far you have come. It is putting one foot in front of the other, and getting better with each step.

And it is difficult to persevere when things are bad. Sometimes I feel deflated and discouraged. And then I remind myself- variance is part of the job that you chose for yourself. If you cannot accept variance, then find another job. LOL. That is my wake up call. Because I do not want to do anything else. I am proud to say that poker is one of the things I am best at. I am happy and confident in my abilities. I enjoy it. It challenges me every day. I love challenges and competition and success.

So I promise myself to spend this week rebuilding my accounts, to stay optimistic and to continue growing as a player (hopefully not just metaphorically, but financially too, heehee). I also promise to stop comparing myself to others, which is one of my biggest downfalls. We all experience poker success and achieve the learning curve at a different rate and at various times, and I must accept that.

I know this has been an extremely long post, but I saved the best for last. My friend, Bumboklatt on UB (aka menyomomz on Stars), aka Chris in real life, had a phenomenal Sunday. He put up very impressive results- 16/3million (well, maybe like 3200, but same thing) in Stars Warm Up for a nice cash, and top 150 in Sunday Million. Even though it is 12:15 am, he is currently deep in 50/50 and strong in 10$ r on stars. I predict nothing but success and long term great results for Bumb, he is truly a great player with so much potential that I think will be displayed in the near future! Congrats Bumb, so proud!!!

That's all for tonight guys. I will check back soon.

Good money and peace,

Lucky C and her sidekick Ace

ps. check out picture of Lady I posted, isn't she a cutie?

1-900 - Poker- Help

Interesting concept for a business. Lost in a hand? Unsure of what to do next? Contact us, 1 -900-Poker Help for all your difficult decisions. "Hello and Welcome to Phone A Poker Friend" Press 1 if your in an online tourney, u raised and a euro donk reshoved out of the blind, press 2 if you don't know how to play AK after the flop, press 3 if you have pocket 88 and there is a raise and reraise in front of you and you are lost; for all other general donkament questions, press 4. And thank you for contacting 1-900 Poker Help, where we only charge three times the buy in of your online tournament for all your poker needs. Enjoy.

If you do not find the above funny, sorry, maybe its one of those 'you had to be there' but it was hilarious. In other poker news, Jon came in 3rd in Stars 50/50 a few days ago, which was awesome and I placed 4th in the 25k guaranteed for $2600 three days ago. It as awesome. I finally went deep in a Stars tournament. I am excited to start playing bigger buy ins soon. Also, I am finding much success in double shoot outs on Stars. I have won one super to $650 wsop buy in and my entry for Sun. Very cool.

In personal stuff, I have my cousin's bachelorette party Saturday. My general feeling on bachelorette parties is that they suck, they are a waste of time and boring. Rarely do I have fun at these, inevitably two or more caddy girls get into a cat fight or something equally annoying occurs to put a damper on the entire evening. On the topic of weddings overall, I think that weddings have become blown out of proportion, overdone and a big fancy show, at least they are in NY.


My true belief is that a wedding is supposed to be a celebration of the union of two people, to express and share the love they for each other with their loved ones and those closes to them. Instead, it has become, in modern day about who has the fanciest, most expensive dress, the most elegant hall, the greater number of guests, the fanciest limos, etc.

Jon and I have spoken of getting married often. We want, when we decide to get married, for it to be about us and only us. To be about the reasons why we are right for each other. A small, intimate gathering- on a beach, or maybe at an inn in the country, something quaint and personal. No $15k engagement ring, or $60k reception. Just us and those who care about us. Memorable and everlasting without the frills, and with all the important stuff- friends, family, and happiness.

Ok, I know my guy friend readers are probably like, yuk we are done, so no more girly stuff. Thanks for reading guys, and I will have some hand histories for you soon!

Good money and peace,

Lucky C and Ace (isn't her picture so adorable, awww)

PS. I will put a picture of my kitty, Lady Melinda, on next so you can see what a cutie she is.

Beautiful April Day...

It is so beautiful outside, like perfect April weather. Warm and breezy, but not hot enough to cause a person discomfort. The sun is shining without any clouds. I have noticed that beautiful weather puts people in general in good moods...maybe that's why California people (except those from L.A. blah) are always so friendly and optimistic.

Today was a good day. I got up late, went into an attorney's office that I do per diem work for, and banged out a bunch of work.. Came home, played a sng and came in 1st. Now I am trying to register for Cakepoker, see how that goes. Trying to expand onto more sites, hopefully increase my profits. Over the past six months, my hourly rate is stuck at $47 per hour for combined on line and live, both tournament and cash. This is not bad, but I feel like it should be higher.

I feel that I need to be more patient with tournament poker. I cash often enough but because I am limiting myself to smaller buy ins, with occasional 100$ buy in here or there, my cashes, naturally, will be lower. I am confident that everyday I am getting better and better, and I am happy with how things are in my life.

This weekend we may go to Borgata for a tournament or two, depending on our family obligations. I will let you guys know what happens if we do go down.

Lastly, two nights ago, I final tabled 20k guaranteed on Ub for a $1,000 cash. Not bad, I had about 12 bbs at final table and ran JJ right into KK, could not get away from it. Oh well, next time I will come in first!

Talk to you all soon.

Good money and peace,
Lucky C and Ace.

(notice I added Ace's picture, sooo cute!!!!!! Soon I will add Lady Melinda, our little kitty cat's pic)

Excellently played/ Unfortunate result =(

I believe that I played phenomenally today in the $340 at Borgata. Except for possibly being too tight early on, and failed to seize on a few minor opportunities to steal pots (which would have been essential to building my stack), I was able to procure a tight image and then make some plays.

I lost about 1/3 of my stack early with an overpair, and then flopped top pair, etc, raised got reraised a few times. So I was down to 6200 from my original 10k. 5 min before first break. (No joke, I was so card dead first two hours). A loose, bad player raises to 600 in cutoff. I thought about smoothing and play after flop, but considering my stack, I did not think it was wise to do so. Plus, that would def bring in bb and sb, bc they were very loose as well. So Ire raised to 2200. All folded and orig raiser shows A5 suited (big laydown he proclaims, good job dude).

Back from the break. Few minutes into it (I have about 7k now), I pick up AA utg. R to 800 (blinds 100-200 w/25 ante). Guy (lets call him "fat idiot" on my left who is clueless, as will be illustrated by my final hand) calls, and bb calls, take the flop three way. Flop is K 9 J. I have 6200 behind. I believe there is an argument for open shoving here b/c pot is 2500. However, I also have enough chips that I can fold if someone flopped a monster. I decided to bet 1900. Guy on my left who I was friendly with, says I have to call you. In my head, im like christ ,this guy has j10 or q9, like pair and gut shot. BB thinks forever and mucks. Mind you all, I have not raised, with exception of maybe 4x in past two hrs. My image, if there is such a thing to this table, should be rock solid. Turn is Qs, board is K 9 j q. You know that feeling when you just want to shove, ,regardless of board, bc u have AA and how dare someone try to draw out on u? Well, I almost gave into that emotion. I then grabbed my chips, shuffled them and decided that I have to check. This guy shoves, I look at him and Im like, are you going to show me 10? And he said yes. So Ifolded (I was folding anyway) and he shows me J10 os. Good job dude. Down to 3600 chips.

Following hand in 100-200 wiith 25 ante level

Pick up KQ suited on button three hands later. Three limpers, I raise to 675 with 3025 behind. Idiot to my left just calls and one limper calls, pot is now about 2300. Flop is all rags. They both check to me, I shove. SB fat idiot almost calls his whole stack with AQ, donkey, but then folds and utg folds. Back up to 5400 about.

200-400 w/50 ante.

Middle position with 99. I decide to limp and play after flop. We take flop three way. Flop is kk3, with two spades. bb chks, and there is one player behind me. So I bet 600, find out where I am at. Player behind folds and bb min raises to 1200. Now this player was min-raising as his "move" all tournament. I really felt he had nothing, and maybe a three. I dont even think, I just insta shove hoping he will call with 3. He folds pretty quick, that pot brings me close to 8000.

Now I have QQ second from utg and I look pretty active. Previously, after nines, I had raised two hands and took it down. So I raise to 1400 and get two callers, with a wardning by the fat idiot on my left (J10os dude) that I need to slow down. LMAO at the idiot. Consequently he called my raise with q10ss. So flop is AK rag. I check fold and the idiot folds his gut shot after his flop bet gets raised. Down to 6800.

Very next hand I have KK in the bb. Fat Idiot min raises to 800 utg. Bad tight min raiser guy calls on button. I make it 3500 to go with 3300 behind and my plan was to shove before flop came out. Fat idiot calls 40% of his stack and of course, now the button is "odded in." I shove 3300 in before flop comes out. A 10 6, rainbow. Fat Idiot goes, I have a flush draw I call. I look at board, Im like, what? Button folds. Fat Idiot turns over Js8s, for J hi, no pair no draw. Dude, just hand me 340$ if you gonna try to give it away. I hit set on turn, K. River is Q and it took me a few seconds to realize he made straight and I almost puked on his fat idiot face. Not to be gross but give me a f***kin break. W/E. Then I was out. GG me. Definitely worst play I have ever seen in live tournament.

Although the description of the last hand illustrates my weakness to still get emotional at crazy hands, I don't think any rational poker player can blame me for that reaction. And the reality is, if you want to hand me your chips when you call all in with J hi, thank you very much. It just hurts when he turns and rivers perfect cards for a miracle suck out. The morale of the story really is though, that I was able to fold AA at the right time and build up just so that I could get it in good with KK. If I win that hand, I have 15k and a shot at final table. There were about 6 tables left when my last hand transpired. Donkaments I tell you.

I am playing online tonight, so I will let you know how that goes and good luck guys!!!!!!!

Good money and peace,

Lucky C and her sidekick Ace.

GG Pokerstars Support, An Interesting Hand, and Ship the $7500 guar on UB!

So, a friend of mine on ub sent pokerstars customer support an email (motivated by the bad beats he receives consistently on that site- i sympathize 100%) stating:

"Dear Stars: ....i'm getting married in 3 weeks...how about letting me run good for a while as a weedding gift?" Pokerstars customer support actually replies "......can't make promises, but see if we can pull some strings and we'll keep his fingers crossed." Hilarious. gg stars. Genius customer support. Not to mention sounds shady, but sure it was all in good fun.

Monday, I came in 1st in $7500 7:30pm bounty on UB. Its not a big tournament, cashed for 2200$ approximately, but it was the fact that I have not won that tournament in 5 months and I've played it at least 20x since then, if not more. It felt really good to cash. I am excited, tonight I am in the 100k on stars, and same tournament on Ub, and 32k guar on FT...will let you know the results. Also as update, my per diem work unexpectedly picked up last week and this week, so I have been unable to commit to volume that I was doing the week before but that's ok. I am happy with how things are going.

Lastly, a friend of mine from UB who has experienced a tremendous amount of success lately brought up an interesting hand last night for discussion. She is a very good player, and is experimenting, I think, with different plays, to find out what works and what doesn't. The hand played out as follows.

9p.m. 20k guar on UB. She is in middle pos with As9s. Blinds are 30/60, she has approx 3000 chips in her stack. She limps, folds to sb who completes, bb checks. Flop is K x x, with two spades. SB bets minimum (60), bb calls, aand our player raises to 300- because of weak bet and she feels she has 12 outs, if in fact, one of them has K. The sb calls the 300, and bb shoves for a total of 800. Our player just calls the 800, which is 500 on top of her bet. Now the sb reshoves his stack, which after 800 is in, is another 1400 to our player. Our player, after calls 800, has 2200 left in her stack. So if she calls 1400 and loses, she has 800 left, but is severely short stacked. Can she fold? How can this hand be played differently? Thoughts? Opinions? Consequently, our player called and was against a smaller flush draw, and kq for top pair. She missed and was left with 700 something chips. In my opinion, she got crazy odded into this hand and got all caught up, which happens to the best of us. However, I think that it is unecessary to raise with flush draw at this point in tourney, so early. But, some people's tournament strategy is to get big stack right away and those players will play flush draw aggro early. Another thought is sb is one with kq. when there is a raise and call of all in, he really should let go of top pair, and if that happens, now our player wins a big pot with Ace hi. Interesting hand. Let me know what you think.

Lastly, playing two $340 at Borgata this weekend, hopefully I come back with some good results.

More later.

Good money and peace,

Lucky C, and her sidekick Ace. (whose picture i still must publish on here).

=)