Off to See The Wizard

Not really! But I am off to Reno. Found out that there will only be 3 women from Austin playing in the tournament tomorrow. I did look up the Reno Hilton---and it is a large property! Best of all, there is a steam room and a heated swimming pool! Perfect for a cold, snowy day.

I may play some poker tonight...as a warm up. We'll see. Or perhaps today will be slot machine day!

I asked the hotel if they had wireless, and the front desk person wasn't entirely sure...so the update may not be as immediate as I would like.

I wonder if any pros will be there hanging out for the finals this week??? Maybe I can get more pictures and autographs!

Winning Isn't Everything......

For the first time in over a month, I didn't make it into the points either session...or to the final table. And it sucks 'cause tonight was my last practice night before the trip to Reno....well, I guess I can play some on Friday night. I think I played much too tightly, and it seems like everyone was raising extraordinarily high tonight. I have got to get better at bluffing and betting.

I did bluff one hand...and I guess I shouldn't be surprised that no one called...since I do play so tight. Hmmm...I just had a thought...if people start reading my blog that play with me...they are going to know when I try new things!

So tonight ended up being about fun---which there was alot of---many people at the bar got more than a little intoxicated, and because I got out so early, I was able to talk with people that I haven't really gotten to know.

Congratulations to the first time, first place winner.....I'm very happy for you!

Craig list guy---I enjoyed talking with you about math, and the dilemma your hair stylist posed for you! I'll be ready for you next Wednesday! (like your nickname???) : )

So this Saturday in Reno, there will be 5 women that I know of playing in a women's tournament at the Reno Hilton. Again, like with Oklahoma, I haven't decided if I will play or not. Maybe it's the fear of buying into a tournament...and not having any clue how I will actually fare. Or maybe now that Dottie won in Oklahoma, I feel pressured to do just as well....or that I will never do just as well. Or maybe I am afraid that I am going to be the first woman out of the tournament from Austin? I guess if I could think of these questions, it must be a little bit of all of them!

Since the buy-in is only $125, it's not about the money. And it would be worth it to see if I can do better than what I did in September during the WSOP Lips Tournament.

Arrrrrrrrrgh! It sucks being so damn competitive with myself.....I just reminded myself that I made it to the top 25% in September...so now I added more pressure to myself to perform. Shut up, would ya?????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just play and have fun......relax and enjoy......you can't control the cards!

I guess that is quite enough for now....I don't want to get myself all worked up at 3am, and spend the night tossing and turning...and looking for excuses to back out of going to Reno.

Good night poker world!

Definitely Not About Poker, I am celebrating my inner geek!

What an incredibly amazing weekend! My head is swimming in information! I spent the weekend at the SXSW Interactive Festival—something I would never have dreamed of going to---and I didn't play poker, since Friday--not even online!

I have always had a secret longing for all things computer, but I thought it was too late for me to get on the technology bandwagon and learn new skills and languages.

So there I was standing in line with about 300-400 people, wondering what in the hell I was doing there. I didn’t know anyone, didn’t plan on meeting anyone, and certainly wasn’t planning on talking to anyone.

I have NEVER seen so many laptops in my life. I felt like a fish out of water, a stranger in a strange land—an alien. And I was very nervous. Don’t ask me why.

As the day wore on, I realized that my mind was abuzz with inspiration and energy that I hadn’t felt in a very long time. I’ve lived in Austin since 1994 and have never attended SXSW. I guess it was time.

So I learned two very important things about myself this weekend. One---I am a closet geek. Two---I no longer have to feel guilty about being an information junkie!

And...that there might be something equally as enjoyable to poker for me!