WBCOOP Here I come...

Despite the fact that I don't really update all that often here, Pokerstars has deemed my blog sufficiently busy to award me a ticket for the blogger qualifier. So, out of some sort of guilt, I'm updating.

Poker has been quite traumatic for me lately. I'm on an incredible downswing. I just don't seem to care much about it. I've got oodles of new chips that have started to see play, but I just can't win with the damn things. Kinda makes me want to liquidate and get out of this chipping craze. It's not fun anymore. And is a pretty big drain on the bank account.

I say this now, but a few weeks will go by, and I'll have reread a book or two, and win a tournament, and love poker again.

It might be time to try SnG's a stay away from the donkaments. Maybe time for another bankroll challenge on Stars with the Chiptalk buddies...

Oh, and check out my new Blog, "What Should We Have For Dinner". The wife and I are on a kick to never eat the same meal twice. And six months in, it's a rousing success. Lots of variety, nutrition and fun in the kitchen. You can find the link in the right sidebar. Recipes will be posted along with some gorgeous pix.

WBCOOP is BACK!

I have registered to play in the WBCOOP PokerStars World Blogger Championship of Online Poker! You too can Play Poker Online at PokerStars.com and take part in the WBCOOP which is open to all Bloggers by registering on WBCOOP to play.

Registration code: 699593

And I'm all set to do it again! Poker has been slow. Except for the regular games Monday and Wednesday, and one or two home games, I haven't been playing much lately. That should change right about now...

New Chips arrive today.

The chips evar are arriving today. Can't wait to see them in person.

Poker has been quiet this month and last. Work has been keeping me extremely busy and I just haven't been able to devote any serious time to it. Tonight's the 7th (of 20) game of the WSOP qualifier on CT. I'm firmly in first with a 20 point pad. Based on the number of people we've had, another solid month guarantees one entry to a $1500 event with $750 for travel expenses next year. Just have to keep up the focus and nail this thing.

I find when there's something on the line, I play much better poker. I guess that's a no-brainer, but it really makes a difference for me. 15 games count towards your final, so there's still a ton of wiggle room. Enjoying myself though, it'd be awesome to freeroll(ish) the WSOP next year!

Twins

No, not like that you sickos.

My very good friend and his wife gave birth to twins a little over a year ago (forgive me if I'm way off - I'm not much of a kid guy) and he's been writing an excellent blog on the subject. Some very fun reads, and definitely worth checking out. Give it a read when you get a sec. It's in my link section, but here it is for you lazy types. 3dub4dub

Nothing of much interest on the poker front. Although, I am pretty sure that Pokerstars DOES indeed have a doomswitch.

Seneca

Tomorrow I'm off with a few buddies for the first time since the Spring for a roadtrip to Seneca for their deepstack 10am tournament. The structure isn't the best, but it's one of the only games in town, or rather, close to town. I've gone deep a few times, and actually cashed maybe four times out of 10. Not a horrible record. Very well run tournament, and the people are nice. The plan is to make our way over the border, play the tournament, and as people bust they'll make their way back over the border and back to the smelly hole that is Casino Niagara for the cash games.

Should be an interesting crew this time as well. Full report upon my return.

Holy Crap! An Update!

Wowsers.

Has it really been this long? Man oh man. I have been a busy bee. Poker has always been there, but sort of an afterthought. At least, online it has been. I've been bitten by the live play bug, and can't really shake it. There's so much more to be learned once you've gotten past the math.

I've taken a stab at improving my game from an implied odds perspective, and I think things have gotten tremendously better from me doing that. Rather than just play so straightforward, I'm willing to make some questionable post flop plays in order to hopefully get paid off. It's working (I think).

Online just doesn't seem to do it for me. I still play the weekly Wednesday games on CT, but that's about it. They're also running a WSOP league, and I think I'm 2nd overall after 4 of 20 games (15 count towards your final score). Some work to do, but consistency has always been my strong point. Also qualified for the WCOOP and the Bloggers WCOOP qualifier. Wish me luck, I'll probably play the PLO event with my ticket.

Work has been incredibly busy (what recession?) and I'm pretty sure I'm one of the top earners again for the company this fiscal year. Nice.

I've been designing a lot of chips for people lately, as one of the mainstays of custom home chips is shuttering on August 31st. Sucks, now that there's only one game in town. My latest design is for BCC, and is my own personal set. Big thanks to MR. YOUKNOWWHO.

4 days and counting...

Played an awesome WSOP warm-up style event over the weekend and took down 4th. The blinds were nice and long, and the structure was very deep. I played a slow, steady and deliberately tight game, just to see how that would work. Lots of post flop play which was nice. However, 5 handed, I think I tightened up too much and it ended up hurting my finish. Found myself folding a lot of medium strength hands that were probably winners. Oh well, $80 invested, and won $220, so can't complain too much.

I'm really looking forward to my trip, and have decided that satellites is a much better way to get into the WSOP this year. I'd much rather play a whole bunch of tournaments rather than blow it all on one longshot.