Third Base and Poker

I love this bar! And now, we are playing there three nights a week. The owners are fantastic, the food is incredible, and the atmosphere is awesome! We actually had close to 70 people play on both Tuesday and Thursday night---which is alot of people to have in a tournament. I'm hoping that there will be 100 this Tuesday night!

And the guys that are coming out to play.....HOT! One guy could be Ben Affleck's twin--and every time I see him, my heart drops to my stomach. There is a hispanic guy that is smoldering--he has long hair that he ties back, and he's tall....and his voice/accent is sexxxxxxxxxxxxxy. Yup, some of the other guys are kinda young....but, hot is hot....

I would have to say that I am pretty damn lucky to be able to work this tournament, and be able to see so many cute guys on a regular basis, and be able to get to know them under very safe circumstances.

One Chip Wonder

So about three weeks ago, I started the final table with 10 players. I had one chip to my name. And as luck would have it, the dealer button went to the player on my left---which meant that I had 9 hands before I would have to play my one chip.

Unfortunately....since it was three weeks ago, I can't really remember how it all went down...or what happened....but needless to say, I did end up winning the tournament! I am still amazed at how the intersection of luck and good decision making can turn a whole game around.

It definitely is true---all you need is a chip and a chair!

Time Has Flown By!

I didn't realize that I hadn't written since May 27! Wow! I've been sick for the past 2 weeks, so last night is the first night that I actually played poker---and I did quite well. I came in 8th in the first session, and I won the second session. I would have to say that I didn't really get stellar cards at the final table, but I did make good decisions on which hands to get involved in---and once it was heads-up, I felt my familiar nervousness that I always get, especially when I am playing against a player that has a reputation for being aggressive.

Since I am in general a passive person, and easily intimidated--in my daily life, I try to avoid contact with pushy, aggressive people. So, it is always a growth opportunity for me to play against someone that is pushy, loud and aggressive at the table.

For example, the league that I play in has a rule that says if someone acts out of turn, then the person that acted out of turn can only do what the person before them does. So last night, a guy that is a big bullshitter, acted out of turn and went all in. I told him he was out of turn, and bound by what the correct player chose to do. He was PISSED and started spouting off about the owner not knowing the rules, and making up his own...and I just sat there and let him vent. Of course, no one likes to hear people getting upset....there were still 9 of us at the table. So he got so riled up that he went all in blind on the next hand....and lost...and of course left the table mumbling under his breath.

So I felt kinda bad that because I had pointed out that rule to him, that he went kinda goofy--but I knew that if I let that get a hold of me, that I would start making bad decisions.

So last night, I also learned that playing better poker is also about better mind control, and not letting whatever external events are going on at the table interfere with my game, and my own intuitive compass.