June 27th

As it stands, it looks like the next date for poker will be June 27th, at my house. Amanda and I cleaned up the garage and Mertes Poker Hall will be back open for the summer months.

If someone could get me the results from last month, I can adjust the standings and get the points up to date.

Next?

Does anyone have any suggestions about when and where we play the next date? Personally, I would prefer the 2nd, since it is, technically, before the baby is due, however, the 16th or the 30th would work well for me. If it doesn't work out, due to my son's arrival, that is fine also.

I'm thinking that for the summer months - June, July, and August - we will be able to play in my garage again, so we just need to cover this following month.

Any suggestions?

Poker Links

If you haven't noticed, I have added two more links to the blog. If you get a chance, visit them. I have signed up for their forum and have enjoyed the conversation there. Take the time to check them out and read a bit.

Hmmmmmm...what do you guys think?

What are the chances? I mean, would any of you ever be able to get away to go on a trip to Las Vegas? There are some great deals out there right now to be found. I have been searching away and have located a few. I'm thinking about the possibility of going out for my birthday...in late July-early August.

Here

Now, this is just an example and there are a ton of opportunities to get decent deals out to Vegas. Basically, the real cost is the flight and room. If you are smart, you can find all kind of deals to eat cheap. The Sahara has a great buffet in the evening for $6.99 and I would eat there every night. It isn't oysters and lobster, but who needs that? Picture a BJ's, from Gaylord, the size of a high school gym and you about have it. Great stuff.

Anyhow, what do any of you think? If we do it in the end of summer, it gives us some time to butter up the wives, get a second job to pay for it, and plan for a great three days of fun. I would go out again by myself, but it would be so much fun for us to all go together. No wives...no Vegas shows...no being tourist-esque...just poker. Eat...sleep a little...and poker. What more could we ask for?

"And the award goes to..."

Just some fun nominations:

- Luckiest Player:

- Least Lucky:

- Who you don't want to be heads up against:

- Favorite site to play at:

- Most Improved since last season:

- Crazy Raiser:

- Loosest Player:

- Tightest Player:

Alright...nominate away!

Do you need patience for poker? Pt II

This started out as a response to Corey's comment, but I decided to write this out and think it through, for my own good:

Why and what, are my questions I guess. Why slow down and what are you trying to achieve?
If you are going for a Chris Ferguson facade, then I can understand, but you say you "get in trouble" when you go too fast. What trouble do you get into?

I can agree with the chess analogy and I do not care for the push and hope play, though it can be successful in the right situation. Maybe my style of play is quicker because I have already decided what I am going to do ahead of time. That probably sounds bad, but that is why I don't wait to check my cards. I know that the "pro" players do it that way and I can understand if we would want to emmulate them, but 75% of the people who do it that way, only do so because they see the pro's do it...not why they do it. The ONLY time I hesistate is not what, but instead how much - how much to raise.

Based on my position, who is in, what the blinds are, and how much my stack is, I have already decided what I am going to do based on those factors, the only variable will be the cards. Once I see them, I can decide within a few seconds. Thus, to me, speed can have the same effect as playing slower...just on the opposite end of the spectrum.

Let me also say this - I want you to pattern me. Honestly, I realize I am doing the same things, the same way, and I am hoping that in my predictability, I will have an advantage. Then, I don't have to change anything I am doing, just my thinking.

I have forced myself out of the habit of handling my cards. I check them once and I arrange them on top of each other, directly in front of me on the table. If you see me touch my cards after that, there is a 90% chance that I am going to fold, because I know what they are and what suit they are, so I don't need to touch them, other than to throw them in. I started doing this when I was in Vegas this summer, when I got sick of people constantly checking their cards and it carried over when I got back. Again, part of the persona, I guess.

So, now I want everyone to tell me why any of this matters. Fast vs slow? Gamble vs Chess? But, I am looking for why...why are you playing the way you do?

April 4th

That is the next date - April 4th.

And we are banished to Travis' basement, which is just how we like it.

See you then.