The end of the quarter drawing near and the Detroit Red Wings game cut into the volume of players for tonight’s game. Add that a couple of NPP players got hurt by the eCheck issue (see previous post for article), and one was late. Twelve did make it to the hallowed NPP felt.
It was still a star studded lineup – as usual. Your scribe got a rush of cards, not only most of the night, but at the right time also. Could it be PokerStars nub for Faldo????
On to the action:
6 min: As I stated, I was getting cards early and was involved in hands from the git-go. Plus, we were chatting discussing the eCheck issues with players unable to buy chips. Oh, yes and an interruption from not one, but two beggars. So I missed the first few exits.
Douge2 (12th) told me his straight ran into a flush.
8 min: Kensik (11th) went out next and I missed it.
30 min: Nahanni (10th) is short-stacked (SS) and moves in when her (67) flops a [6]. But LittleRedElf is holding (AA).
34 min: TrippAA (9th) sees his (22) lose to TresStooges and his (KK).
1st Break:
TresStooges 4295
Boother 3580
LittleRedElf 2770
Akensi 1910
Absea98 1540
ThePunk75 1525
Mikeniks-Faldo 1440
Sirgash 940
79 min: Sirgash (8th) is SS and goes with (AJ), but ThePunk75 has (KK).
83 min: ThePunk75 (7th) has (Ad 8d) and goes all-in with an [A] on the flop but TresStooges is holding (AA). Ouch!
91 min: A SS Akensi (6th) goes AIPF with (KJ) and is called by Boother with (AT).
93 min: Absea98’s (5th) (A8) loses to LittleRedElf’s (A9).
113 min: Boother’s (4th) roller coaster evening ends when his SS (J8) can’t catch LittleRedElf’s (A7).
118 min: LittleRedElf (3rd) ran into the Faldo card avalanche and his SS (94) goes all-in but can't pair against Mikeniks-Faldo’s (JT).
2nd Break:
Mikeniks-Faldo 14510
TresStooges 3490
115 min: Same EXACT chip count!
117 min: TresStooges (2nd) calls Mikeniks-Faldo’s (As 8s) (26%) all-in with the lead and (Ah 9h) (60%). But an [8] flops and it ends.
The race for the 2nd Quarter NPP seat is now ….wide open! Next Tuesday will be exciting! Don’t miss it!
1st – Mikeniks - Faldo
2nd – TresStooges
3rd – LittleRedElf
4th – Boother
5th – Absea98
6th – Akensi
7th – ThePunk75
8th – Sirgash
9th – TrippAA
Standings for 2nd quarter and total points are on the right side of the blog!
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Poker Rights Under Assault – Just Like the Rest of Them
You can hide, you can ignore, you can tune out - but you cannot run. The dictatorship that is the United States Congress, White House and the tax systems for the federal and state levels continue to squash all your freedoms, options and exits.
Here is an article from Gambling 911 dot com, worth putting on an NPP post.
“The two largest online poker rooms, PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker, respectively, have been hit hard in recent days by the fallout from an eCheck payment processor getting pinched,
AbsolutePoker.com’s eChecks system appears to not be affected by this latest crisis, according to PokereCheck.com. Although Gambling911.com advises caution before trying to cash a paper check issued by the company.
There were initial conflicting reports suggesting that Absolute Poker had been impacted by this recent crackdown, though there is not a whole lot of evidence to support this notion (i.e. players complaining about bounced checks).
Gambling911.com had received hundreds of complaints and inquiries related to this eCheck matter exclusive only to Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars.
PokerStars in particular has been emailing customers, letting them know that their eChecks processor has had "funds froze" and that paper checks from this particular processor will not be accepted by their banks. PokerStars is trying to be as upfront about this situation with their customers as one would expect from this pretty well regarded organization.
Full Tilt Poker (as we here at Gambling911.com would expect), not so much in terms of keeping customers informed.
PokerStars customers have noted that there are other options readily available in which to deposit and withdraw money.
And finally, it doesn't appear as if Bodog was utilizing this payment method. The reason being, the processor in question apparently dealt with "poker only" websites and steered clear of those that immersed themselves in the sports betting world such as Bodog.
At least this is what we are being told and, again, we're not reading about eCheck problems with Bodog. If you recently received a check from Bodog - don't cash it until you contact them first.
Please note that eChecks is a generic term used to describe electronic checks, however, there is a processing firm well regarded called eCheck that deals only in online casino transactions and this company is still very much in business and experiencing zero problems with deposits and withdrawals.
The United States Attorney out of New York State has forced the shutdown of this eCheck processor being utilized by PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker and reportedly seized monies as a result.” - Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com – Publisher
Two lessons from this article: One, this confirms NPP's claim that Full Tilt has the worst customer service in the on-line poker industry.
Two, the US government is coming for you also - somehow, someway – no matter what you do or how you live. – Nik Faldo
Here is an article from Gambling 911 dot com, worth putting on an NPP post.
“The two largest online poker rooms, PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker, respectively, have been hit hard in recent days by the fallout from an eCheck payment processor getting pinched,
AbsolutePoker.com’s eChecks system appears to not be affected by this latest crisis, according to PokereCheck.com. Although Gambling911.com advises caution before trying to cash a paper check issued by the company.
There were initial conflicting reports suggesting that Absolute Poker had been impacted by this recent crackdown, though there is not a whole lot of evidence to support this notion (i.e. players complaining about bounced checks).
Gambling911.com had received hundreds of complaints and inquiries related to this eCheck matter exclusive only to Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars.
PokerStars in particular has been emailing customers, letting them know that their eChecks processor has had "funds froze" and that paper checks from this particular processor will not be accepted by their banks. PokerStars is trying to be as upfront about this situation with their customers as one would expect from this pretty well regarded organization.
Full Tilt Poker (as we here at Gambling911.com would expect), not so much in terms of keeping customers informed.
PokerStars customers have noted that there are other options readily available in which to deposit and withdraw money.
And finally, it doesn't appear as if Bodog was utilizing this payment method. The reason being, the processor in question apparently dealt with "poker only" websites and steered clear of those that immersed themselves in the sports betting world such as Bodog.
At least this is what we are being told and, again, we're not reading about eCheck problems with Bodog. If you recently received a check from Bodog - don't cash it until you contact them first.
Please note that eChecks is a generic term used to describe electronic checks, however, there is a processing firm well regarded called eCheck that deals only in online casino transactions and this company is still very much in business and experiencing zero problems with deposits and withdrawals.
The United States Attorney out of New York State has forced the shutdown of this eCheck processor being utilized by PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker and reportedly seized monies as a result.” - Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com – Publisher
Two lessons from this article: One, this confirms NPP's claim that Full Tilt has the worst customer service in the on-line poker industry.
Two, the US government is coming for you also - somehow, someway – no matter what you do or how you live. – Nik Faldo
Friday, June 05, 2009
Keeping Records is Key to Winning Poker
And the more records you keep – the better! I cannot stress this strongly enough. And playing on-line allows you to record notes and review stats – while playing! Advantage – record keeper!
I have always been a stat guy. I know how many base hits I hit in my softball career (more than Pete Rose by the way). How many runs, home runs, doubles, triples and errors I made. I know what my average was in every league I played in – season and total.
I know what month I hit the best in (April – probably because the fielders were not in mid-season form yet and did not reach as many grounders and line drives as they do later in the year) and which month I hit the worst in (June – played so much, out of gas and many little aches and pains), and when I got my second wind (after 4th of July weekend break).
I used the data to improve my game. For instance, I rested more, ate better and cut back on beer to stay fresher in June. I knew I had a tendency to burn out once the adrenalin of being back on the diamond wore off and the hot weather arrived. So it was time to rest as much as possible. My June stats improved!
When I took up golf, I used the same strategy. I kept track of not only every 9-hole score – but fairways hit, greens in regulation, up and down percentage, drops and putts. I could see where I ‘screwed up’ and where I needed to get to work practicing.
The number of DROPS screamed out at me. Having to take a stroke when you never really hit the ball – even I could see – was not good for your score. Where was I taking the drops? Why mostly off the tee box. That was the first thing I had to fix. So I worked on keeping the ball in play – FIRST!
Back off that swing. Find a club that corrects your natural swing errors. Read on how to – stand, grip the club, aim and swing to minimize your errors. Ok – now I am on the course. What is next? And so on.
Why would poker be any different? But unless you have data to review your results, how do you know where your problems are?
For instance, do you know what your Sit-N-Go record is? Wins – 2nds – 3rds, per start? Do you know if you play better on the weekends or on a week night? What day seems to be the best? What time? What entry fee level?
If you record your play, once you have a sufficient amount of data – things might start jumping off the page at you. Let’s say you notice, you never seem to do very well on Monday. Let’s say, you can’t even fathom why that is.
Well, the first hole to plug is – don’t play on Monday. Or drop down in stakes. At least you can start to look at what is going on there.
Finally the question may come up – can you over do your record keeping? Uh……no.
I have always been a stat guy. I know how many base hits I hit in my softball career (more than Pete Rose by the way). How many runs, home runs, doubles, triples and errors I made. I know what my average was in every league I played in – season and total.
I know what month I hit the best in (April – probably because the fielders were not in mid-season form yet and did not reach as many grounders and line drives as they do later in the year) and which month I hit the worst in (June – played so much, out of gas and many little aches and pains), and when I got my second wind (after 4th of July weekend break).
I used the data to improve my game. For instance, I rested more, ate better and cut back on beer to stay fresher in June. I knew I had a tendency to burn out once the adrenalin of being back on the diamond wore off and the hot weather arrived. So it was time to rest as much as possible. My June stats improved!
When I took up golf, I used the same strategy. I kept track of not only every 9-hole score – but fairways hit, greens in regulation, up and down percentage, drops and putts. I could see where I ‘screwed up’ and where I needed to get to work practicing.
The number of DROPS screamed out at me. Having to take a stroke when you never really hit the ball – even I could see – was not good for your score. Where was I taking the drops? Why mostly off the tee box. That was the first thing I had to fix. So I worked on keeping the ball in play – FIRST!
Back off that swing. Find a club that corrects your natural swing errors. Read on how to – stand, grip the club, aim and swing to minimize your errors. Ok – now I am on the course. What is next? And so on.
Why would poker be any different? But unless you have data to review your results, how do you know where your problems are?
For instance, do you know what your Sit-N-Go record is? Wins – 2nds – 3rds, per start? Do you know if you play better on the weekends or on a week night? What day seems to be the best? What time? What entry fee level?
If you record your play, once you have a sufficient amount of data – things might start jumping off the page at you. Let’s say you notice, you never seem to do very well on Monday. Let’s say, you can’t even fathom why that is.
Well, the first hole to plug is – don’t play on Monday. Or drop down in stakes. At least you can start to look at what is going on there.
Finally the question may come up – can you over do your record keeping? Uh……no.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Douge2’s Humor Corner VII
Following Union Rules
A dedicated United Auto Worker union member was attending a convention in Las Vegas.
He decided to check out the local brothels. When he got to the first one, he asked the Madam, "Is this a union house?"
"No," she replied, "I'm sorry it isn't."
"Well, if I pay you $100, what cut do the girls get?"
"The house gets $60 and the girls get $40," she answered
Offended at such unfair dealings, the union man stomped off down the street in search of a more equitable, hopefully unionized shop.
His search continued until finally he reached a brothel where the Madam responded, "Why yes sir, this is a union house.
We observe all union rules."
The man asked, "And if I pay you $100, what cut do the girls get?"
"The girls get $80 and the house gets $20."
"That's more like it!" the union man said.
He handed the Madam $100, looked around the room, and pointed to a stunningly attractive blonde.
"I'd like her," he said.
"I'm sure you would, sir," said the Madam. Then she gestured to a 92-year old woman in the corner, "but Ethel here has 67 years seniority and according to union rules, she's next."
Total Recall
Matchy goes to the supermarket and notices a beautiful blond woman wave at him and say hello.
He's rather taken aback, because he can't place where he knows her from.
Matchy says, "Do you know me?"
To which she replies, "I think you are the father of one of my kids."
Now his mind travels back to the only time he has ever been unfaithful to his wife and says, "My God, are you the stripper from my bachelor party that I made love to on the pool table with all my buddies watching, while your partner whipped my butt with wet celery???"
She looks deep into Matchy’s eyes and calmly says, "No, I'm your son's math teacher.”
A dedicated United Auto Worker union member was attending a convention in Las Vegas.
He decided to check out the local brothels. When he got to the first one, he asked the Madam, "Is this a union house?"
"No," she replied, "I'm sorry it isn't."
"Well, if I pay you $100, what cut do the girls get?"
"The house gets $60 and the girls get $40," she answered
Offended at such unfair dealings, the union man stomped off down the street in search of a more equitable, hopefully unionized shop.
His search continued until finally he reached a brothel where the Madam responded, "Why yes sir, this is a union house.
We observe all union rules."
The man asked, "And if I pay you $100, what cut do the girls get?"
"The girls get $80 and the house gets $20."
"That's more like it!" the union man said.
He handed the Madam $100, looked around the room, and pointed to a stunningly attractive blonde.
"I'd like her," he said.
"I'm sure you would, sir," said the Madam. Then she gestured to a 92-year old woman in the corner, "but Ethel here has 67 years seniority and according to union rules, she's next."
Total Recall
Matchy goes to the supermarket and notices a beautiful blond woman wave at him and say hello.
He's rather taken aback, because he can't place where he knows her from.
Matchy says, "Do you know me?"
To which she replies, "I think you are the father of one of my kids."
Now his mind travels back to the only time he has ever been unfaithful to his wife and says, "My God, are you the stripper from my bachelor party that I made love to on the pool table with all my buddies watching, while your partner whipped my butt with wet celery???"
She looks deep into Matchy’s eyes and calmly says, "No, I'm your son's math teacher.”
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Derf-63 Wins His 1st NPP Tourney
Derf-63 beat a field of fifteen to win his first NPP tourney. The Red Wing playoff, nice weather and end of the second quarter looming, seems to have shrunk the field. But NPP is so talent laden it is never a walk thru a berry patch.
We also welcome two new players to NPP tonight, Merhibka and T3chalady. Please send me an email you two – so I can email you should the need arise – in case of a password change.
There will be a new password for the start of the 3rd quarter.
My apologies to Derf-63 and the rest of the NPP family for not being here. I just landed a part-time job at a golf course, and they needed me as a replacement starter-ranger Tuesday evening. How do you say no on your second day?
A BIG thanks to Wingsfancurt for filling in and giving us this:
3 min: Things started early as T3chlady (15th) goes all-in with (66) and loses to TrippAA with (JJ).
28min: Douge2 (14th) takes tough lose as his (AAKK) loses on river to Absea98's K's10's full house.
[Ed: Note: LittleRedElf (13th) went out also at some point.]
40 min: Short stacked Wingsfancurt (12th) 8's 3's loses to Derf63 A's 3's. (Told you I couldn't multi-task and try to follow Wings game too). [Ed. Note: It’s not easy to do.]
48 min: Akensi (11th) takes tough lose with (44466) full house to Theedouble*d (66644).
59 min: Missed the next bust as ThePunk75 (10th) goes out just before intermission. Table closed before I could see the hand [Ed. Note: Always happens].
1st Break:
Derf63 4970
Kensik 3550
Theedouble*d 3270
absea98 2988
Funtoon 2625
Tripp AA 2032
Merhibka 1550
Rennzzo 1275
Tresstooges 240
75 min: Merhibka (9th) KK loses on river as TrippAA makes 2-6 straight.
78 min: Tres Stooges (8th) folded all in never made it to game. He arrived late after golf with his son.
79 min: Kensik kicker takes down Rennzzo (7th) as both had A's.
81 min: Funtoon (6th) goes all in with AQ after river 2 10 10 5 A only to lose to Tripp AA 3 10's.
84 min: Absea98 pocket K's takes down Kensik (5th)
88 min: Theedouble*d (4th) (A7) goes all in after flop of 10 A 7 only to see Derf63 (AJ) hit his J on the turn.
100 min: Short stacked Tripp AA (3rd) (6Q) goes all in but can't pair up against Derf's pocket 5's.
Heads up lasts 18 minutes as lead seesaws back and forth
119 min: Absea98 (2nd) goes all in when his pocket K is paired on flop of 10 8 K. River 8 gives Derf63 (8 10) the full house and victory. – Wingsfancurt
Welcome to the Walk of Fame, Derf!
1st – Derf-63
2nd – Absea98
3rd – TrippAA
4th – Theedouble*d
5th – Kensik
6th – Funtoon
7th – Rennzzo
8th – TresStooges
9th – Merhibka
We have a race horserace for the 2nd quarter seat in the NPP Finals! Everyone listed above LittleRedElf in the 2nd qtr standings could still claim the seat! Standings for 2nd quarter and total points are on the right side of the blog!
We also welcome two new players to NPP tonight, Merhibka and T3chalady. Please send me an email you two – so I can email you should the need arise – in case of a password change.
There will be a new password for the start of the 3rd quarter.
My apologies to Derf-63 and the rest of the NPP family for not being here. I just landed a part-time job at a golf course, and they needed me as a replacement starter-ranger Tuesday evening. How do you say no on your second day?
A BIG thanks to Wingsfancurt for filling in and giving us this:
3 min: Things started early as T3chlady (15th) goes all-in with (66) and loses to TrippAA with (JJ).
28min: Douge2 (14th) takes tough lose as his (AAKK) loses on river to Absea98's K's10's full house.
[Ed: Note: LittleRedElf (13th) went out also at some point.]
40 min: Short stacked Wingsfancurt (12th) 8's 3's loses to Derf63 A's 3's. (Told you I couldn't multi-task and try to follow Wings game too). [Ed. Note: It’s not easy to do.]
48 min: Akensi (11th) takes tough lose with (44466) full house to Theedouble*d (66644).
59 min: Missed the next bust as ThePunk75 (10th) goes out just before intermission. Table closed before I could see the hand [Ed. Note: Always happens].
1st Break:
Derf63 4970
Kensik 3550
Theedouble*d 3270
absea98 2988
Funtoon 2625
Tripp AA 2032
Merhibka 1550
Rennzzo 1275
Tresstooges 240
75 min: Merhibka (9th) KK loses on river as TrippAA makes 2-6 straight.
78 min: Tres Stooges (8th) folded all in never made it to game. He arrived late after golf with his son.
79 min: Kensik kicker takes down Rennzzo (7th) as both had A's.
81 min: Funtoon (6th) goes all in with AQ after river 2 10 10 5 A only to lose to Tripp AA 3 10's.
84 min: Absea98 pocket K's takes down Kensik (5th)
88 min: Theedouble*d (4th) (A7) goes all in after flop of 10 A 7 only to see Derf63 (AJ) hit his J on the turn.
100 min: Short stacked Tripp AA (3rd) (6Q) goes all in but can't pair up against Derf's pocket 5's.
Heads up lasts 18 minutes as lead seesaws back and forth
119 min: Absea98 (2nd) goes all in when his pocket K is paired on flop of 10 8 K. River 8 gives Derf63 (8 10) the full house and victory. – Wingsfancurt
Welcome to the Walk of Fame, Derf!
1st – Derf-63
2nd – Absea98
3rd – TrippAA
4th – Theedouble*d
5th – Kensik
6th – Funtoon
7th – Rennzzo
8th – TresStooges
9th – Merhibka
We have a race horserace for the 2nd quarter seat in the NPP Finals! Everyone listed above LittleRedElf in the 2nd qtr standings could still claim the seat! Standings for 2nd quarter and total points are on the right side of the blog!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
NPP Upgrades Poker Blog News Abilities
I know you are out there. I can hear you stacking the chips you won from me. Not too many comments lately, but reader volume is increasing, so I keep trudging on.
In case you have not noticed, 4Putt and Faldo have upgraded this blog’s ability to get you the latest poker news and helpful sites – on your demand!
The NPP “Blogroll” still has the Michigan Poker, Michigan Poker Forum, Card Player Magazine, Poker Player Magazine and Farrell’s Poker Blog. It still has four review sites and two reference sites for home games and tournaments.
And 4Putt has had the “Latest Poker News” section for quite a while now. It’s a very good source.
But he and I added a great new feature – “Faldo’s Blog List”. This section had other poker blogs listed. But the beauty is …every time they post a new article, it appears at the top of the list!
This makes it easy for you to see …”what’s new?” You can follow these blogs I selected - and any you tell me you want to see – by simply going to NPP first!
Just another feature added to make NPP your poker home.
In case you have not noticed, 4Putt and Faldo have upgraded this blog’s ability to get you the latest poker news and helpful sites – on your demand!
The NPP “Blogroll” still has the Michigan Poker, Michigan Poker Forum, Card Player Magazine, Poker Player Magazine and Farrell’s Poker Blog. It still has four review sites and two reference sites for home games and tournaments.
And 4Putt has had the “Latest Poker News” section for quite a while now. It’s a very good source.
But he and I added a great new feature – “Faldo’s Blog List”. This section had other poker blogs listed. But the beauty is …every time they post a new article, it appears at the top of the list!
This makes it easy for you to see …”what’s new?” You can follow these blogs I selected - and any you tell me you want to see – by simply going to NPP first!
Just another feature added to make NPP your poker home.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Luck Must be a Lady - She is Taking All My Money!
The 2009 World Series of Poker has started. Great timing as I struggle thru yet another - bad cards, bad flops, bad luck and ‘zigged when I should have zagged’ - spell in my poker wars.
So I think it is time for me to reflect on Lady Luck. Now we all know she exists and we all know we need her to succeed on the green felt. How much and how important ‘she’ is, is an on-going poker debate.
I thought I would show some pro and con quotes from the famous and the not so famous – and let you judge Lady Luck’s importance.
[Pro Luck] “Tournaments can rapidly become crap-shoots.” - Tom McEvoy
[Con Luck] “Luck favors the mind that is prepared.” – Louis Pasteur
I’d go with the poker player over the milk chemist.
[Pro Luck] “Enough luck is involved that even if a man is outclassed, he still might end up buying a television set with the pro’s money.” - Doyle Brunson
[Con Luck] “Good luck and bad luck are synonyms for good and bad judgment.” – Nik Faldo
Of course I was discussing a manufacturing plant at the time and not poker.
[Pro Luck] “Luck! There is such a thing!” - Nick ‘The Greek’ Dandalos
[Con Luck] “Most people are convinced luck plays the most important part in winning and losing, and that is the greatest thing that ever happened to good poker players.” – Tex Sheahan
Tex makes a stronger argument. Nick on the other hand, donated over $20 million in gambling winnings ($500 million by today’s inflation versus the 1950’s), but died broke.
[Pro Luck] “People underrate luck in the short run and overrate it in the long run.” - David Sklansky
[Con Luck] “I don’t trust luck. I have to think fast and figure the percentages.” – Johnny Moss
Now I’m confused. Sklansky, the biggest odds guy in poker - mentions luck?
[Pro Luck] “Anyone who does not know how to make the most of his luck has no right to complain if it passes him by.” - Cervantes
[Con Luck] “Luck is always going to break even. Everyone in the whole world is gonna get the same amount of luck.” – Puggy Pearson
Puggy never got my run of cards since I started on PokerStars or he would change his tune.
More next time.
So I think it is time for me to reflect on Lady Luck. Now we all know she exists and we all know we need her to succeed on the green felt. How much and how important ‘she’ is, is an on-going poker debate.
I thought I would show some pro and con quotes from the famous and the not so famous – and let you judge Lady Luck’s importance.
[Pro Luck] “Tournaments can rapidly become crap-shoots.” - Tom McEvoy
[Con Luck] “Luck favors the mind that is prepared.” – Louis Pasteur
I’d go with the poker player over the milk chemist.
[Pro Luck] “Enough luck is involved that even if a man is outclassed, he still might end up buying a television set with the pro’s money.” - Doyle Brunson
[Con Luck] “Good luck and bad luck are synonyms for good and bad judgment.” – Nik Faldo
Of course I was discussing a manufacturing plant at the time and not poker.
[Pro Luck] “Luck! There is such a thing!” - Nick ‘The Greek’ Dandalos
[Con Luck] “Most people are convinced luck plays the most important part in winning and losing, and that is the greatest thing that ever happened to good poker players.” – Tex Sheahan
Tex makes a stronger argument. Nick on the other hand, donated over $20 million in gambling winnings ($500 million by today’s inflation versus the 1950’s), but died broke.
[Pro Luck] “People underrate luck in the short run and overrate it in the long run.” - David Sklansky
[Con Luck] “I don’t trust luck. I have to think fast and figure the percentages.” – Johnny Moss
Now I’m confused. Sklansky, the biggest odds guy in poker - mentions luck?
[Pro Luck] “Anyone who does not know how to make the most of his luck has no right to complain if it passes him by.” - Cervantes
[Con Luck] “Luck is always going to break even. Everyone in the whole world is gonna get the same amount of luck.” – Puggy Pearson
Puggy never got my run of cards since I started on PokerStars or he would change his tune.
More next time.
Friday, May 29, 2009
WSOP Qualifiers for NPP Players and Readers to Take Advantage Of
To find the World Series of Poker events on PS, simply hit the “Events” tab in the main lobby,
then the “WSOP” tab.
From there you can pick the method to get there –
FPP satellites,
Cash satellites,
SNG satellites,
and the Stepping Stone method.
The beauty of all of these qualifiers is that should you win one and find out you cannot attend, Faldo will take your seat for a 50 – 50 split of the profits made!
Keep that golden nugget in mind as you pursue a life-changing seat in a big tourney.
Makes you want to play in them all, doesn’t it?
then the “WSOP” tab.
From there you can pick the method to get there –
FPP satellites,
Cash satellites,
SNG satellites,
and the Stepping Stone method.
The beauty of all of these qualifiers is that should you win one and find out you cannot attend, Faldo will take your seat for a 50 – 50 split of the profits made!
Keep that golden nugget in mind as you pursue a life-changing seat in a big tourney.
Makes you want to play in them all, doesn’t it?
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Douge2’s Humor Corner VI
Women are Tough
An elderly Polish man lay dying in his bed. While suffering the agonies of impending death, he suddenly smelled the aroma of his favorite pirogue with fried onions wafting up the stairs.
He gathered his remaining strength, and lifted himself from the bed. Gripping the railing with both hands, he crawled downstairs.
Downstairs, he leaned against the door frame and gazing into the kitchen. If not for death's agony, he would have thought himself already in heaven. For there, spread out upon waxed paper on the kitchen table, were hundreds of his favorite pierogies.
Was it heaven? Or was it one final act of love from his wife of sixty years, seeing to it that he left this world a happy man?
He threw himself towards the table, landing on his knees in a crumpled posture. His parched lips parted, the wondrous taste of the pierogi was already in his mouth. With a trembling hand he reached up to the edge of the table, when suddenly he was smacked with a wooden spoon by his wife.
"Back off!" she said. "Those are for the funeral."
Harley Mechanic
A gynecologist had become fed up with high cost malpractice insurance and was also on the verge of being burned out. Hoping to find another career where skilled hands would be beneficial, he decided to make a major career change and become a Harley mechanic.
He found out from the local community college what was involved, signed up for evening classes, attended diligently, and learned all he could. When the time for the practical exam approached, the former gynecologist prepared carefully for weeks, and completed the exam with tremendous skill. When the results came back, he was surprised to find he had obtained a more than perfect score of 150%.
Fearing an error, he called the instructor, saying, “I don’t want to appear ungrateful for such an outstanding result, but I wondered if there had been an error which may need adjusting.”
The instructor said, “During the exam, you took the engine apart perfectly, which was worth 50% of the total mark. You also put the engine back together perfectly, which is also worth 50% of the mark.”
The instructor went on to say, “I gave you that extra 50% because you did all of it through the muffler!”
An elderly Polish man lay dying in his bed. While suffering the agonies of impending death, he suddenly smelled the aroma of his favorite pirogue with fried onions wafting up the stairs.
He gathered his remaining strength, and lifted himself from the bed. Gripping the railing with both hands, he crawled downstairs.
Downstairs, he leaned against the door frame and gazing into the kitchen. If not for death's agony, he would have thought himself already in heaven. For there, spread out upon waxed paper on the kitchen table, were hundreds of his favorite pierogies.
Was it heaven? Or was it one final act of love from his wife of sixty years, seeing to it that he left this world a happy man?
He threw himself towards the table, landing on his knees in a crumpled posture. His parched lips parted, the wondrous taste of the pierogi was already in his mouth. With a trembling hand he reached up to the edge of the table, when suddenly he was smacked with a wooden spoon by his wife.
"Back off!" she said. "Those are for the funeral."
Harley Mechanic
A gynecologist had become fed up with high cost malpractice insurance and was also on the verge of being burned out. Hoping to find another career where skilled hands would be beneficial, he decided to make a major career change and become a Harley mechanic.
He found out from the local community college what was involved, signed up for evening classes, attended diligently, and learned all he could. When the time for the practical exam approached, the former gynecologist prepared carefully for weeks, and completed the exam with tremendous skill. When the results came back, he was surprised to find he had obtained a more than perfect score of 150%.
Fearing an error, he called the instructor, saying, “I don’t want to appear ungrateful for such an outstanding result, but I wondered if there had been an error which may need adjusting.”
The instructor said, “During the exam, you took the engine apart perfectly, which was worth 50% of the total mark. You also put the engine back together perfectly, which is also worth 50% of the mark.”
The instructor went on to say, “I gave you that extra 50% because you did all of it through the muffler!”
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
LittleRedElf Wins Two in a Row – and 3 out of 4!
I am running out of superlatives. Nineteen players showed up as fodder to the Elf. It was an historic night! No one has ever won three out of four starts – let alone with a 2nd thrown in the middle! This is an incredible feat.
To put it all in perspective, from the archives, with average field sizes in parenthesis, are the closest to this mark:
7Jokers 4 wins in 6 starts – 2007 (9)
Boother 3 wins in 5 starts - 2007
Rownder 3 wins in 7 starts - 2007
Doneill 3 wins in 5 starts and a 2nd – 2008 (11)
7Jokers 3 wins in 6 starts – 2008
LittleRedElf 3 wins in 4 starts with a 2nd – 2009 (22),
and of course this well known stat;
Mikeniks-Faldo 1 win in 2,000,000 starts (2)
We welcomed a new player to NPP this evening, Willie666666. Welcome Willie, but be sure to send me an email ASAP. Nobody claimed you as a sponsor as of yet, and I need to be able to contact you.
On to the action:
6 min: Derf-63 (19th) was the first out and I did not see it.
20 min: Tomservo2 (18th) and LittleRedElf get into a bet and call situation pre-flop. The flop of [56K] does not change the pattern, and neither does the turn of [2]. The river of a harmless [9] has Tom move all-in with his (AK), but the Elf is holding (66).
30 min: Funtoon (17th) is part of a 6-way family pot with (AQ). The flop of [A74] on and a bet by Funtoon only has one caller. The river is a [Q], which makes Toon play for all his chips, but new Dad TrippAA is holding (44).
PokerStars was cruel to a lot of folks this evening. Lots and lots of torture as what looked like good cards for you, turned out not to be.
35 min: Willie666666 (16th) gets the standard NPP welcome and his (8d 6d) all-in draw to a flop of [Td Jd Th] loses to TrippAA’s (KsTs).
47 min: A double knockout by Theedouble*d as after a flop of [8d 3s As] and a bet from DD, a short-stacked Mikeniks-Faldo (15th) moves all-in with (AQ), hoping to get heads up against what he thinks is the flush draw of DD.
When Duder1123 (14th) moves all-in with (A4), DD is getting the price now on his (sure enough) (Ts 8s). The [5s] on the turn ends the drama and Duder’s and my night.
Seems like after I got knocked out, everyone tripped over themselves heading for the exit.
48 min: Tigercub8189’s (13th) all-in with an open ended straight draw (Td 7d) with a flop-turn of [6d Ad Kh 9h] does not get there against LittleRedElf’s (Ac 6c).
50 min: New Daddy TrippAA (12th) tries it all-in with (Q5) and a flop of [Q7A], but Akensi is holding (A9).
54 min: Fusciardi (11th) goes AIPF with (99) and is called by Theedouble*d with (QQ).
58 min: Kensik (10th) goes out and I missed it, because the table closed too fast.
59 min: Whoever thinks PokerStars is not a torture chamber – check this out. A short-stacked TresStooges (9th) gets AIPF with (Qs Th) (44%) and is called by Quagmire2752 holding (As3d) (56%). The flop is [Ad Qd 2s]. Hope springs eternal for Tress as a [Td] hits the turn (64%). But it was a diamond, and the [8d] gives Quag his flush.
1st Break:
Roscoe24 7095
LittleRedElf 6650
Theedouble*d 3535
Wingsfancurt 3230
Douge2 2700
Quagmire2752 2150
Akensi 1805
Rennzzo 1335
66 min: After a harmless looking flop of [942] Douge2 (8th) moves in with (KK) and is called all-in in TWO spots: LittleRedElf with (QQ) and Theedouble*d with (42) for the two pair that hold up. More torture, with more to come.
69 min: Wingsfancurt (7th) finally goes all-in with (J6) and a board of [6456] and is called by Roscoe24 with (36). Ouch for someone and it is Curt as a [2] on the river straights Roscoe’s holdings.
74 min: Rennzzo (6th) moves AIPF with (Ad 7d) and is called by Theedouoble*d with (AK) and Quagmire2752 with (QQ), and the ladies win the hand.
78 min: Now short-stacked Theedouble*d (5th) moves all-in with (T9) and a flop of [AQJ], but is called by LittleRedElf with (QQ). No help arrives for DD.
81 min: Quagmire2752 (4th) thinks his (QQ) (77%)will be safe after a flop of [974] and moves all-in. Roscoe24 calls him down with some of that (87) (23%) and gets his [8] on the river.
86 min: Akensi (3rd) check calls and sees a flop of [9Q8]. Roscoe24 makes a pot size bet and Akensi calls. The turn is a [J] and Roscoe doubles his previous bet, which Akensi also calls. The river is a [Q], Roscoe bets, Akensi shoves with (Q6) for trips, but Roscoe is holding (T9) for the straight. Ouch!
Heads up: Roscoe24 21000 – LittleRedElf 7500
90 min: Roscoe24 21000 – LittleRedElf 7500
95 min: Roscoe24 18900 – LittleRedElf 9600
100 min: Roscoe24 16800 – LittleRedElf 11700 (Do you see what I see?)
104 min: It all goes in on a flop-turn of [3h 3c 6h Th] with Roscoe24 holding (9h 7h) and LittleRedElf holding (63). Wow, and ouch for Roscoe!
105 min: Roscoe24 3300 – LittleRedElf 25200
106 min: After a couple of successful all-ins, Roscoe24 (2nd) is AIPF with (Kh 6h) to LittleRedElf’s (33). A coin flip at this point, but LRE backdoors a flush to end the tourney.
Congratulations to LittleRedElf on his 3nd win in four weeks and making NPP history!
1st – LittleRedElf
2nd – Roscoe24
3rd – Akensi
4th – Quagmire2752
5th – Theedouble*d
6th – Rennzzo
7th – Wingsfancurt
8th – Douge2
9th – TresStooges
Standings for 2nd quarter and total points are on the right side of the blog!
To put it all in perspective, from the archives, with average field sizes in parenthesis, are the closest to this mark:
7Jokers 4 wins in 6 starts – 2007 (9)
Boother 3 wins in 5 starts - 2007
Rownder 3 wins in 7 starts - 2007
Doneill 3 wins in 5 starts and a 2nd – 2008 (11)
7Jokers 3 wins in 6 starts – 2008
LittleRedElf 3 wins in 4 starts with a 2nd – 2009 (22),
and of course this well known stat;
Mikeniks-Faldo 1 win in 2,000,000 starts (2)
We welcomed a new player to NPP this evening, Willie666666. Welcome Willie, but be sure to send me an email ASAP. Nobody claimed you as a sponsor as of yet, and I need to be able to contact you.
On to the action:
6 min: Derf-63 (19th) was the first out and I did not see it.
20 min: Tomservo2 (18th) and LittleRedElf get into a bet and call situation pre-flop. The flop of [56K] does not change the pattern, and neither does the turn of [2]. The river of a harmless [9] has Tom move all-in with his (AK), but the Elf is holding (66).
30 min: Funtoon (17th) is part of a 6-way family pot with (AQ). The flop of [A74] on and a bet by Funtoon only has one caller. The river is a [Q], which makes Toon play for all his chips, but new Dad TrippAA is holding (44).
PokerStars was cruel to a lot of folks this evening. Lots and lots of torture as what looked like good cards for you, turned out not to be.
35 min: Willie666666 (16th) gets the standard NPP welcome and his (8d 6d) all-in draw to a flop of [Td Jd Th] loses to TrippAA’s (KsTs).
47 min: A double knockout by Theedouble*d as after a flop of [8d 3s As] and a bet from DD, a short-stacked Mikeniks-Faldo (15th) moves all-in with (AQ), hoping to get heads up against what he thinks is the flush draw of DD.
When Duder1123 (14th) moves all-in with (A4), DD is getting the price now on his (sure enough) (Ts 8s). The [5s] on the turn ends the drama and Duder’s and my night.
Seems like after I got knocked out, everyone tripped over themselves heading for the exit.
48 min: Tigercub8189’s (13th) all-in with an open ended straight draw (Td 7d) with a flop-turn of [6d Ad Kh 9h] does not get there against LittleRedElf’s (Ac 6c).
50 min: New Daddy TrippAA (12th) tries it all-in with (Q5) and a flop of [Q7A], but Akensi is holding (A9).
54 min: Fusciardi (11th) goes AIPF with (99) and is called by Theedouble*d with (QQ).
58 min: Kensik (10th) goes out and I missed it, because the table closed too fast.
59 min: Whoever thinks PokerStars is not a torture chamber – check this out. A short-stacked TresStooges (9th) gets AIPF with (Qs Th) (44%) and is called by Quagmire2752 holding (As3d) (56%). The flop is [Ad Qd 2s]. Hope springs eternal for Tress as a [Td] hits the turn (64%). But it was a diamond, and the [8d] gives Quag his flush.
1st Break:
Roscoe24 7095
LittleRedElf 6650
Theedouble*d 3535
Wingsfancurt 3230
Douge2 2700
Quagmire2752 2150
Akensi 1805
Rennzzo 1335
66 min: After a harmless looking flop of [942] Douge2 (8th) moves in with (KK) and is called all-in in TWO spots: LittleRedElf with (QQ) and Theedouble*d with (42) for the two pair that hold up. More torture, with more to come.
69 min: Wingsfancurt (7th) finally goes all-in with (J6) and a board of [6456] and is called by Roscoe24 with (36). Ouch for someone and it is Curt as a [2] on the river straights Roscoe’s holdings.
74 min: Rennzzo (6th) moves AIPF with (Ad 7d) and is called by Theedouoble*d with (AK) and Quagmire2752 with (QQ), and the ladies win the hand.
78 min: Now short-stacked Theedouble*d (5th) moves all-in with (T9) and a flop of [AQJ], but is called by LittleRedElf with (QQ). No help arrives for DD.
81 min: Quagmire2752 (4th) thinks his (QQ) (77%)will be safe after a flop of [974] and moves all-in. Roscoe24 calls him down with some of that (87) (23%) and gets his [8] on the river.
86 min: Akensi (3rd) check calls and sees a flop of [9Q8]. Roscoe24 makes a pot size bet and Akensi calls. The turn is a [J] and Roscoe doubles his previous bet, which Akensi also calls. The river is a [Q], Roscoe bets, Akensi shoves with (Q6) for trips, but Roscoe is holding (T9) for the straight. Ouch!
Heads up: Roscoe24 21000 – LittleRedElf 7500
90 min: Roscoe24 21000 – LittleRedElf 7500
95 min: Roscoe24 18900 – LittleRedElf 9600
100 min: Roscoe24 16800 – LittleRedElf 11700 (Do you see what I see?)
104 min: It all goes in on a flop-turn of [3h 3c 6h Th] with Roscoe24 holding (9h 7h) and LittleRedElf holding (63). Wow, and ouch for Roscoe!
105 min: Roscoe24 3300 – LittleRedElf 25200
106 min: After a couple of successful all-ins, Roscoe24 (2nd) is AIPF with (Kh 6h) to LittleRedElf’s (33). A coin flip at this point, but LRE backdoors a flush to end the tourney.
Congratulations to LittleRedElf on his 3nd win in four weeks and making NPP history!
1st – LittleRedElf
2nd – Roscoe24
3rd – Akensi
4th – Quagmire2752
5th – Theedouble*d
6th – Rennzzo
7th – Wingsfancurt
8th – Douge2
9th – TresStooges
Standings for 2nd quarter and total points are on the right side of the blog!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Douge2’s Humor Corner V
The Golf Wager
Beerhog had a week off and decided to play golf every day. Monday morning, he found himself paired with an attractive woman, Pat, who turned out to be a very good golfer.
They started with a few casual bets, but by the back nine it was a full-blown competition. On the 18th green, Pat sank her long birdie putt for the win. Beerhog congratulated her and paid off his losses.
Pat asked for a ride home and, on the way, told him,“You know, Beerhog, I haven't enjoyed myself so much on the golf course in a long time. In fact, pull over so I can express my appreciation.” He did, they kissed, and one thing led to another and soon she gave him the best oral sex he'd ever had.
The next morning, they met again on the first tee and played together again. They had another magnificent day, enjoying each other's company and playing tight, competitive golf. Again Pat beat him, but she also showed her appreciation on the drive home. This went on all week, with Beerhog narrowly losing every day, his male ego bruised, but not unhappy.
On Friday's drive home, Beerhog said, “Pat, you've been great to be with all this week and tonight I'd like to return the favor. I made reservations at the best restaurant in town for us and reserved the penthouse suite at the best hotel. What do you say?”
Pat burst into tears. “I can't!”
“What? Why not?” asked Beerhog.
“Because,” she sobbed, “I'm in the middle of a sex change and the doctor hasn't completed that part of me yet!”
“What?!” Aghast, Beerhog swerved off the road, screeched to a stop and cursed madly, overcome with emotion.
“I'm so sorry,” says Pat. “You have a right to be angry with me.”
“You son of a bitch!” Beerhog screamed, his face bright red. “You cheating bastard! All week long you've been playing off the women's tees!”
Female Math
The owner of a golf course in Kentucky was confused about paying an invoice, so he decided to ask his secretary for some mathematical help.
He called her into his office and said, "You graduated from the University of Kentucky and I need some help. If I were to give you $20,000, minus 14%, how much would you take off?"
The secretary thought a moment, and then replied, "Everything but my earrings."
Beerhog had a week off and decided to play golf every day. Monday morning, he found himself paired with an attractive woman, Pat, who turned out to be a very good golfer.
They started with a few casual bets, but by the back nine it was a full-blown competition. On the 18th green, Pat sank her long birdie putt for the win. Beerhog congratulated her and paid off his losses.
Pat asked for a ride home and, on the way, told him,“You know, Beerhog, I haven't enjoyed myself so much on the golf course in a long time. In fact, pull over so I can express my appreciation.” He did, they kissed, and one thing led to another and soon she gave him the best oral sex he'd ever had.
The next morning, they met again on the first tee and played together again. They had another magnificent day, enjoying each other's company and playing tight, competitive golf. Again Pat beat him, but she also showed her appreciation on the drive home. This went on all week, with Beerhog narrowly losing every day, his male ego bruised, but not unhappy.
On Friday's drive home, Beerhog said, “Pat, you've been great to be with all this week and tonight I'd like to return the favor. I made reservations at the best restaurant in town for us and reserved the penthouse suite at the best hotel. What do you say?”
Pat burst into tears. “I can't!”
“What? Why not?” asked Beerhog.
“Because,” she sobbed, “I'm in the middle of a sex change and the doctor hasn't completed that part of me yet!”
“What?!” Aghast, Beerhog swerved off the road, screeched to a stop and cursed madly, overcome with emotion.
“I'm so sorry,” says Pat. “You have a right to be angry with me.”
“You son of a bitch!” Beerhog screamed, his face bright red. “You cheating bastard! All week long you've been playing off the women's tees!”
Female Math
The owner of a golf course in Kentucky was confused about paying an invoice, so he decided to ask his secretary for some mathematical help.
He called her into his office and said, "You graduated from the University of Kentucky and I need some help. If I were to give you $20,000, minus 14%, how much would you take off?"
The secretary thought a moment, and then replied, "Everything but my earrings."
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Beerhog Finishes 3rd in Boother’s League Tourney
Boother hosted his poker league, “Kings of White Lake”, and as usual, put on a great tourney and ring game action.
Attendance was 26 players. Faldo managed to crawl in at 11th place, coming in second bubble for the final table.
Beerhog held his own early, hit a dry patch (twss) in the second hour, got to the final table, and took care of business.
I never got rolling. No cards early and a wild 1st table assignment. When things settled, I got decent cards in the wrong spots or situations. Add that to my usual, right move at the wrong time and no customers for the few hands I caught, and you have a bubble boy also ran finish.
But a great night, good guys, and a fantastic venue for poker.
Attendance was 26 players. Faldo managed to crawl in at 11th place, coming in second bubble for the final table.
Beerhog held his own early, hit a dry patch (twss) in the second hour, got to the final table, and took care of business.
I never got rolling. No cards early and a wild 1st table assignment. When things settled, I got decent cards in the wrong spots or situations. Add that to my usual, right move at the wrong time and no customers for the few hands I caught, and you have a bubble boy also ran finish.
But a great night, good guys, and a fantastic venue for poker.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
LittleRedElf Wins Another NPP Tourney
I don’t know how to stop him and I don’t think the rest of NPP has figured it out either! He just rolls on with two wins and a second in his last three NPP starts!
Seventeen players showed up on the first really warm evening of the year – and the Red Wings on TV in a playoff game.
Down eleven from our record setting attendance last week, and right after my pep talk posting about recruiting. I guess motivating just comes natural to me.
On to the action:
16 min: Amyada19 gets hurt as her (AA) (88%) loses to Derf-63’s (44) (11%) with a [4] on the turn.
23 min: Kensik (17th) gets crippled as he is all-in with (AQ) and a flop of [9A2], but TresStooges is holding (AA). Ken goes out the next hand.
39 min: No repeat winner as Theedouble*d (16th) has his (A3) lose to Funtoon’s (QT) with a [Q] on the flop.
46 min: Akensi (15th) slow plays her (KK) pre-flop and on a flop of [JA6] moves in with LittleRedElf, but he is holding (JJ). LRE will continue this all evening.
50 min: Absea98 (14th) gets all-in on the turn with (A9) and a board of [4982] but loses to Derf-63’s (88).
53 min: Smookie27’s (13th) all-in with (Ac Ks) gets double-teamed with Biglou93’s (As Js) and Douge2’s (Ah 8h). The heart flush ends the German firefighter’s evening (early morning there). This hand did open up the action before the break.
54 min: Now short-stacked Biglou93 (12th) tries it with (A7), but Douge2 kills Lou again – this time with (96) and a flop of [3K6].
55 min: Amyada19 (11th), who had been nursing a bruised stack since early in the tourney, finally goes with (Qc Jc) and is called by the big blind Sirgash with (35) and Derf-63 with (As Qs). Sirgash even spikes some chips from Derf as the flop comes [338].
1st Break:
Funtoon 4180
TresStooges 3535
LittleRedElf 3450
Mikeniks-Faldo 2935
Sirgash 2695
Douge2 2145
Derf-63 2010
ThePunk75 1820
Wingsfancurt 1380
Bigbrimar 1350
64 min: Short-stacked Bigbrimar (10th) goes out on a bad beat that I did not see. Hopefully, the comment section will explain. Short stacks seem to get bad beat – a lot - on line.
66 min: ThePunk75 (9th) sees his (AK) get run down with a river [J] against Wingsfancurt holding (Js Ts).
77 min: Douge2 (8th) moves in with (A5) and a flop of [A63]. He has a lot working, but LittleRedElf’s (AJ) holds up.
83 min: Derf-63 (7th) is a non-believer and goes all-in with (77) and a board of [K46K] and is called by LittleRedElf with (K5)! Ouch!
99 min: TresStooges (6th) thinks his (JJ) is good with a board of [536], but Wingsfancurt is holding (65).
102 min: LittleRedElf calls the blind and only the Big Blind, Sirgash remains. The flop is [Ks 7s 9d]. Sirgash makes a triple blind bet; LRE doubles it with a raise. Gash re-raises LRE’s amount and LRE calls. The turn is the [9h].
LRE checks and Sirgash moves all-in with (82) and a stone cold bluff. First class poker, but LRE rings him up, calling with top pair (KT). Two great plays from two great players.
I call that bet, and Sirgash has quad 9’s. I try that bluff and even people on another table would call me.
Anyway, Sirgash is crippled and LRE is now chip heavy.
105 min: Chip leader LittleRedElf raises a blind amount and 2nd in chips Wingsfancurt makes the call. Here we go, I’m thinking!
Flop, a possible action heavy [AQ6]. I am correct as LRE with (AT) bets enough to cover Curt and he calls, with (AQ). We have a new chip leader!
108 min: Short-stacked (but not the shortest as Faldo usually has that distinction) Sirgash (5th) moves all-in with (Kc Tc) and a flop of [898] and is called by Wingsfancurt with (KQ). Wow! No help for Gash on the turn or river.
113 min: Mikeniks-Faldo (4th) bubbles for the money as his all-in with (KJ) (63%) gets called by LittleRedElf with (Q9). A [J] on the flop, pairs Faldo (85%), but a [Q] on the turn ends the host’s night. At least it was not the river this time. A quicker death is preferred.
They say you cannot be mad if you got your money in with the best hand. That is what they say. ………They say that……….They do. So Faldo cannot be mad. They say you cannot. They do. Is it ok if I don’t feel happy? Cause I don’t. I’m just sayin.
117 min: Funtoon (3rd) calls all-in with (44) and a full board of [56579], but LittleRedElf is holding (J8) for the straight. Congratulations to Funtoon on his first NPP points!
Heads up: Wingsfancurt 16500 – LittleRedElf 9000
120 min (2nd Break): Wingsfancurt 12250 – LittleRedElf 13250
125 min: Wingsfancurt 14750 – LittleRedElf 10750
129 min: LittleRedElf took over the chip lead and it all goes in on a flop of [A9K] with Wingsfancurt holding (K8) and LittleRedElf holding (AJ) for the higher pair.
Congratulations also to Wingsfancurt on his first NPP points!
Congratulations to LittleRedElf on his 2nd win in four weeks and only three starts! Lucky for us he takes a night off occasionally.
1st – LittleRedElf
2nd - Wingsfancurt
3rd – Funtoon
4th – Mikeniks-Faldo
5th – Sirgash
6th – TresStooges
7th – Derf-63
8th – Douge2
9th – ThePunk75
Standings for 2nd quarter and total points are on the right side of the blog!
Seventeen players showed up on the first really warm evening of the year – and the Red Wings on TV in a playoff game.
Down eleven from our record setting attendance last week, and right after my pep talk posting about recruiting. I guess motivating just comes natural to me.
On to the action:
16 min: Amyada19 gets hurt as her (AA) (88%) loses to Derf-63’s (44) (11%) with a [4] on the turn.
23 min: Kensik (17th) gets crippled as he is all-in with (AQ) and a flop of [9A2], but TresStooges is holding (AA). Ken goes out the next hand.
39 min: No repeat winner as Theedouble*d (16th) has his (A3) lose to Funtoon’s (QT) with a [Q] on the flop.
46 min: Akensi (15th) slow plays her (KK) pre-flop and on a flop of [JA6] moves in with LittleRedElf, but he is holding (JJ). LRE will continue this all evening.
50 min: Absea98 (14th) gets all-in on the turn with (A9) and a board of [4982] but loses to Derf-63’s (88).
53 min: Smookie27’s (13th) all-in with (Ac Ks) gets double-teamed with Biglou93’s (As Js) and Douge2’s (Ah 8h). The heart flush ends the German firefighter’s evening (early morning there). This hand did open up the action before the break.
54 min: Now short-stacked Biglou93 (12th) tries it with (A7), but Douge2 kills Lou again – this time with (96) and a flop of [3K6].
55 min: Amyada19 (11th), who had been nursing a bruised stack since early in the tourney, finally goes with (Qc Jc) and is called by the big blind Sirgash with (35) and Derf-63 with (As Qs). Sirgash even spikes some chips from Derf as the flop comes [338].
1st Break:
Funtoon 4180
TresStooges 3535
LittleRedElf 3450
Mikeniks-Faldo 2935
Sirgash 2695
Douge2 2145
Derf-63 2010
ThePunk75 1820
Wingsfancurt 1380
Bigbrimar 1350
64 min: Short-stacked Bigbrimar (10th) goes out on a bad beat that I did not see. Hopefully, the comment section will explain. Short stacks seem to get bad beat – a lot - on line.
66 min: ThePunk75 (9th) sees his (AK) get run down with a river [J] against Wingsfancurt holding (Js Ts).
77 min: Douge2 (8th) moves in with (A5) and a flop of [A63]. He has a lot working, but LittleRedElf’s (AJ) holds up.
83 min: Derf-63 (7th) is a non-believer and goes all-in with (77) and a board of [K46K] and is called by LittleRedElf with (K5)! Ouch!
99 min: TresStooges (6th) thinks his (JJ) is good with a board of [536], but Wingsfancurt is holding (65).
102 min: LittleRedElf calls the blind and only the Big Blind, Sirgash remains. The flop is [Ks 7s 9d]. Sirgash makes a triple blind bet; LRE doubles it with a raise. Gash re-raises LRE’s amount and LRE calls. The turn is the [9h].
LRE checks and Sirgash moves all-in with (82) and a stone cold bluff. First class poker, but LRE rings him up, calling with top pair (KT). Two great plays from two great players.
I call that bet, and Sirgash has quad 9’s. I try that bluff and even people on another table would call me.
Anyway, Sirgash is crippled and LRE is now chip heavy.
105 min: Chip leader LittleRedElf raises a blind amount and 2nd in chips Wingsfancurt makes the call. Here we go, I’m thinking!
Flop, a possible action heavy [AQ6]. I am correct as LRE with (AT) bets enough to cover Curt and he calls, with (AQ). We have a new chip leader!
108 min: Short-stacked (but not the shortest as Faldo usually has that distinction) Sirgash (5th) moves all-in with (Kc Tc) and a flop of [898] and is called by Wingsfancurt with (KQ). Wow! No help for Gash on the turn or river.
113 min: Mikeniks-Faldo (4th) bubbles for the money as his all-in with (KJ) (63%) gets called by LittleRedElf with (Q9). A [J] on the flop, pairs Faldo (85%), but a [Q] on the turn ends the host’s night. At least it was not the river this time. A quicker death is preferred.
They say you cannot be mad if you got your money in with the best hand. That is what they say. ………They say that……….They do. So Faldo cannot be mad. They say you cannot. They do. Is it ok if I don’t feel happy? Cause I don’t. I’m just sayin.
117 min: Funtoon (3rd) calls all-in with (44) and a full board of [56579], but LittleRedElf is holding (J8) for the straight. Congratulations to Funtoon on his first NPP points!
Heads up: Wingsfancurt 16500 – LittleRedElf 9000
120 min (2nd Break): Wingsfancurt 12250 – LittleRedElf 13250
125 min: Wingsfancurt 14750 – LittleRedElf 10750
129 min: LittleRedElf took over the chip lead and it all goes in on a flop of [A9K] with Wingsfancurt holding (K8) and LittleRedElf holding (AJ) for the higher pair.
Congratulations also to Wingsfancurt on his first NPP points!
Congratulations to LittleRedElf on his 2nd win in four weeks and only three starts! Lucky for us he takes a night off occasionally.
1st – LittleRedElf
2nd - Wingsfancurt
3rd – Funtoon
4th – Mikeniks-Faldo
5th – Sirgash
6th – TresStooges
7th – Derf-63
8th – Douge2
9th – ThePunk75
Standings for 2nd quarter and total points are on the right side of the blog!
Monday, May 18, 2009
NPP Players – Please Keep Recruiting!
Nothing keeps a poker blog, poker league or a poker game going like fresh players.
In other words, part of being a member of NPP is to constantly be telling people about the blog and the league. Don’t be a pest about it, but bring it up when an opportunity presents itself.
For instance, take this scenario. You are at the bar and this HOT chick happens to sit down next to you with an equally hot girl friend with her.
You say, “Hi,” and she says, “Hi. We just came in for one drink and to pick up a guy for some wild 3-way action and you are the one we chose. How about it, Mr. Stud?”
Here is your chance to say, “Well if you really want some wild action, there is this poker blog and league I would like to tell you about…….”
See how easy that was? You just have to grab opportunities when they appear.
Another thing that seems to be working - as NPP has had hits from all over the globe – is to mention the blog on-line EVERY TIME you first get on a new internet table.
Just type, “Great poker blog – google Niks Poker Palace”.
If you are on PokerStars, “Good blog and great PS poker league – google Niks Poker Palace.”
I have found a couple players doing this and if the rest of us did it too, we will get to the magical position of a “waiting list”.
Anything else you can think of to promote the site is appreciated. Anyone have any other suggestions to share?
In other words, part of being a member of NPP is to constantly be telling people about the blog and the league. Don’t be a pest about it, but bring it up when an opportunity presents itself.
For instance, take this scenario. You are at the bar and this HOT chick happens to sit down next to you with an equally hot girl friend with her.
You say, “Hi,” and she says, “Hi. We just came in for one drink and to pick up a guy for some wild 3-way action and you are the one we chose. How about it, Mr. Stud?”
Here is your chance to say, “Well if you really want some wild action, there is this poker blog and league I would like to tell you about…….”
See how easy that was? You just have to grab opportunities when they appear.
Another thing that seems to be working - as NPP has had hits from all over the globe – is to mention the blog on-line EVERY TIME you first get on a new internet table.
Just type, “Great poker blog – google Niks Poker Palace”.
If you are on PokerStars, “Good blog and great PS poker league – google Niks Poker Palace.”
I have found a couple players doing this and if the rest of us did it too, we will get to the magical position of a “waiting list”.
Anything else you can think of to promote the site is appreciated. Anyone have any other suggestions to share?
Saturday, May 16, 2009
The Concept of “Small Ball” Poker
This is a tournament strategy made famous by Daniel Negreanu, NPP's own Nahanni and Beerhog - and many other pros on the tournament circuit. The idea is to make small bets and calls, while taking cheap shots at winning pots.
The advantages of this style is:
It allows you to play a lot of hands.
It keeps the cost of entering pots small.
It reduces the chance an opponent will take a monster pot with your stack.
It reduces your chance of an early exit from a tournament.
It helps you build a stack with little risk.
Sounds great, right? But there are requirements that make this strategy optimum for you, and there is a downside:
You need to be one of the best players at the table, where maximum pots played maximizes your edge.
You need to be able to raise with less than premium hands.
You need to be able to read opponents well enough where you can smell weakness and force them out of pots when you have nothing.
You need to be able to keep your bets small, even when you flop a monster.
If you are not the best player at the table – or close to it, this strategy will wipe you out, as you are simply bleeding away chips with weak hands.
Ok, now that you know this, you say, “Faldo, I’m not playing that way. But how do I counter that?”
Simple. Give all of your money to Faldo and buy 10% of Faldo’s poker profits!
Or,
Play tighter and avoid these tiny pots without good hands and position. Save your ammo for the right time.
Make the pots bigger. When you enter a pot against a “small baller” (twss), over bet pots to drive them out.
Increase the ‘luck’ factor, which is exactly the atmosphere the small ballers are trying to avoid.
Play your drawing hands aggressively. Put large raises out there immediately.
“All-in” are the two worst words in the dictionary for a small baller. That is the ultimate counter-measure.
The advantages of this style is:
It allows you to play a lot of hands.
It keeps the cost of entering pots small.
It reduces the chance an opponent will take a monster pot with your stack.
It reduces your chance of an early exit from a tournament.
It helps you build a stack with little risk.
Sounds great, right? But there are requirements that make this strategy optimum for you, and there is a downside:
You need to be one of the best players at the table, where maximum pots played maximizes your edge.
You need to be able to raise with less than premium hands.
You need to be able to read opponents well enough where you can smell weakness and force them out of pots when you have nothing.
You need to be able to keep your bets small, even when you flop a monster.
If you are not the best player at the table – or close to it, this strategy will wipe you out, as you are simply bleeding away chips with weak hands.
Ok, now that you know this, you say, “Faldo, I’m not playing that way. But how do I counter that?”
Simple. Give all of your money to Faldo and buy 10% of Faldo’s poker profits!
Or,
Play tighter and avoid these tiny pots without good hands and position. Save your ammo for the right time.
Make the pots bigger. When you enter a pot against a “small baller” (twss), over bet pots to drive them out.
Increase the ‘luck’ factor, which is exactly the atmosphere the small ballers are trying to avoid.
Play your drawing hands aggressively. Put large raises out there immediately.
“All-in” are the two worst words in the dictionary for a small baller. That is the ultimate counter-measure.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Douge2's Humor Corner IV
A Summer Skirt Situation...
As the bus stopped and it was her turn to get on, a lovely looking woman
became aware that her skirt was too tight to allow her leg to come up to
the height of the first step of the bus.
Slightly embarrassed and with a quick smile to the bus driver, she
reached behind her to unzip her skirt a little, thinking that this would
give her enough slack to raise her leg. She tried to take the step, only
to discover that she couldn't.
So, a little more embarrassed, she once again reached behind her to
unzip her skirt a little more, and for the second time attempted the
step
Once again, much to her chagrin, she could not raise her leg.
With a little smile to the driver, she again reached behind to unzip a
little more and again was unable to take the step.
About this time, a large Texan who was standing behind her picked her up
easily by the waist and placed her gently on the step of the bus.
She went ballistic and turned to the would-be Samaritan and yelled, "How
dare you touch my body! I don't even know who you are!"
The Texan smiled and drawled, "Well, ma'am, normally I would agree with
you, but after you unzipped my fly three times, I kinda figured we was
friends."
Rules of Golf for Dave the Dog (4Putt)
Rule 1.a.5
A ball sliced or hooked into the rough shall be lifted and placed on the fairway at a point equal to the distance it carried or rolled into the rough with no penalty. 4Putt should not be penalized for tall grass which groundskeepers failed to mow.
Rule 2.d.6 (b)
A ball hitting a tree shall be deemed not to have hit the tree. This is simply bad luck and luck has no place in a scientific game. 4Putt can estimate the distance the ball would have traveled if it had not hit the tree and play the ball from there.
Rule 3.b.3 (g)
There shall be no such thing as a lost ball; the missing ball is on or near the course and will eventually be found and pocketed by someone else, making it a stolen ball. 4Putt will not to compound the felony by charging himself or herself with a penalty.
Rule 4.c.7 (h)
If a putt passes over a hole without dropping, it is deemed to have dropped. The law of gravity supersedes the Rules of Golf.
Rule 5.q.3(m)
Putts that stop close enough to the cup that they could be blown in, may be blown in (twss). This does not apply to balls more than three inches from the hole. No one wants to make a travesty of the game. Especially 4Putt.
Rule 6.a.9 (k)
There is no penalty for so-called 'out of bounds.' If penny-pinching golf course owners bought sufficient land, this would not occur. 4Putt deserves an apology, not a penalty – even if he only plays one or two rounds a year..
Rule 7.g.15 (z)
There is no penalty for a ball in a water hazard, as golf balls should float. 4Putt should not be penalized for manufacturers' shortcomings.
How does he still manage to shoot 112?
As the bus stopped and it was her turn to get on, a lovely looking woman
became aware that her skirt was too tight to allow her leg to come up to
the height of the first step of the bus.
Slightly embarrassed and with a quick smile to the bus driver, she
reached behind her to unzip her skirt a little, thinking that this would
give her enough slack to raise her leg. She tried to take the step, only
to discover that she couldn't.
So, a little more embarrassed, she once again reached behind her to
unzip her skirt a little more, and for the second time attempted the
step
Once again, much to her chagrin, she could not raise her leg.
With a little smile to the driver, she again reached behind to unzip a
little more and again was unable to take the step.
About this time, a large Texan who was standing behind her picked her up
easily by the waist and placed her gently on the step of the bus.
She went ballistic and turned to the would-be Samaritan and yelled, "How
dare you touch my body! I don't even know who you are!"
The Texan smiled and drawled, "Well, ma'am, normally I would agree with
you, but after you unzipped my fly three times, I kinda figured we was
friends."
Rules of Golf for Dave the Dog (4Putt)
Rule 1.a.5
A ball sliced or hooked into the rough shall be lifted and placed on the fairway at a point equal to the distance it carried or rolled into the rough with no penalty. 4Putt should not be penalized for tall grass which groundskeepers failed to mow.
Rule 2.d.6 (b)
A ball hitting a tree shall be deemed not to have hit the tree. This is simply bad luck and luck has no place in a scientific game. 4Putt can estimate the distance the ball would have traveled if it had not hit the tree and play the ball from there.
Rule 3.b.3 (g)
There shall be no such thing as a lost ball; the missing ball is on or near the course and will eventually be found and pocketed by someone else, making it a stolen ball. 4Putt will not to compound the felony by charging himself or herself with a penalty.
Rule 4.c.7 (h)
If a putt passes over a hole without dropping, it is deemed to have dropped. The law of gravity supersedes the Rules of Golf.
Rule 5.q.3(m)
Putts that stop close enough to the cup that they could be blown in, may be blown in (twss). This does not apply to balls more than three inches from the hole. No one wants to make a travesty of the game. Especially 4Putt.
Rule 6.a.9 (k)
There is no penalty for so-called 'out of bounds.' If penny-pinching golf course owners bought sufficient land, this would not occur. 4Putt deserves an apology, not a penalty – even if he only plays one or two rounds a year..
Rule 7.g.15 (z)
There is no penalty for a ball in a water hazard, as golf balls should float. 4Putt should not be penalized for manufacturers' shortcomings.
How does he still manage to shoot 112?
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Theedouble*d Wins His 1st NPP Tourney!
Theedouble*d decides to win his first NPP tourney against the biggest field we ever had! I guess the cash had to be huge for the DD's to get'er done!
NPP set a new record for entries with twenty-eight, despite only one new player – Greggst49 – and missing a few 2nd quarter regulars.
I hope this is just a snap-shot of things to come. Remember, part of your responsibility of playing at NPP is to recruit for the blog and the league! An on-going league and blog is a growing league and blog.
On to the action:
11 min: Kaytdid (28th) had her full house run into LittleRedElf’s quads!
17 min: Douge2 (27th) gets crippled as his (99) runs finds Quagmire2752’s (JJ)
21 min: Later, Doug’s (8h 7h) is no match for Tomservo2’s trips.
23 min: Derf-63 (26th) is short-stacked after a beat and tries it with (A2) and Theedouble*d takes him out with (A6).
27 min: After a flop and turn of [2337] RKidder51400 tries to value bet with (AA), but Boother36 is holding (53) in the blind. Ouch!
32 min: Greggst49 (25th) gets the usual NPP welcome as his (JT) runs into Sirgash with (72) and a [7] on the flop.
34 min: Akensi (24th) has her (KT) lose to LittleRedElf’s (QQ).
40 min: Wingsfancurt (23rd) sees hope for is (KJ) on a flop of [JQ6] but Funtoon is holding (KQ).
49 min: A short-stacked Fusciardi (22nd) sees his (Kc 5c) lose as Quagmire2752 hits a flush with his (7d 5d).
51 min: Kensik (21st) sees his (AQ) lose to ThePunk75’s (88).
58 min: Boother36 (20th) is all-in with (99) and loses to Absea98’s (KQ) as a [Q] is flopped.
59 min: Funtoon (19th) tries it with (AQ) and a flop of [36Q], but LittleRedElf is holding (33).
1st Break:
LittleRedElf 8305
Tomservo2 4077
ThePunk75 3065
Absea98 2830
Rennzzo 2615
Nixi44 2360
Theedouble*d 2310
RKidder51400 2305
Mikeniks-Faldo 2135
Sirgash 2025
Rjmech 1865
TrippAA 1750
Tigercub8189 1505
TresStooges 1440
Quagmire2752 1403
Roscoe24 780
Michpower09 695 (sat out the 1st hour)
Biglou93 535
62 min: Short-stacked Biglou93 (18th) goes all-in with (AJ) and loses to Sirgash with (KQ) and a flop of [KAQ].
63 min: TrippAA (17th) has to go with (Ad Kd) and runs into Rennzzo with (AA).
68 min: Michpower09 (16th), who was late due to a ball game that ran long, makes his move with (A9) and also runs into (AA), held by Rjmech.
70 min: Short-stacked Nixi44 (15th) moves in with (44) and ThePunk75, in the big blind cheaply calls with (8c 5c) and pairs the [8] on the flop.
73 min: Big pot here. Sirgash raises, LittleRedElf and RKidder51400 call and Absea98 re-raises. Only RKidder calls that. The flop is [Jd 5d 8s]. Absea moves all-in and Kidder folds. Ok, what did everyone have?
80 min: Hand of the night! Rjmech (14th) goes all-in with (KK) and is called by Theedouble*d and Quagmire2752 – and both of them have (AA)! Ouch Rj!
82 min: Roscoe24 (13th) moves in with (A4) but loses to Theedouble*d’s (33).
92 min: Ok, how do you play this hand? Mikeniks-Faldo (12th), semi-short-stacked, moves all – in with (Ad 8d). ThePunk75 calls with (AQ) and takes it down.
In middle position, I have to play the suited ace hand, but do I raise about half my stack or call, planning to call any re-raise all-in – or do I go for the fold equity of an all-in push?
ThePunk thought it was a weak push. Maybe it was and maybe fold equity made the all-in move the play. The math is all based on number of players left to act and your best guess as to their likelihood to fold hands like (AQ) – staying away from coin flips.
I think it is a ‘feel’ play – either way. Comments?
96 min: Short-stacked Tigercub8189 (11th) moves all-in with (As 3s) and is called in two places – by LittleRedElf (KT) and RKidder51400 (10th) (AJ). The flop hits LRE [22K] and he bounces two for the hand of one.
114 min: Sirgash (9th) is surviving and gaining chips from Theedouble*d, who is trying to eliminate the short-stack. Finally, Sirgash with (Kd Td) runs out of lives and finds DD holding (AT).
115 min: Rennzzo (8th) makes his stand with (As Ts) and is called by LittleRedElf (88).
120 min: Tomservo2 (7th) fails to double up at break time.
2nd break:
LittleRedElf 12863
Theedouble*d 11639
Quagmire2752 6543
Absea98 3769
TresStooges 3606
ThePunk75 3580
Most ever making it to break #2. Way too much talent in this league!
128 min: Another big hand. Quagmire2752 bets and Theedouble*d calls. Flop [Th 4c 9s].
Quagmire bets a blind and is called again. Turn [Td]. Quag bets a double and DD calls.
River [Ah]. Quag bets a triple, and DD raises double and Quag makes a crying call. DD trip tens takes down a monster pot!
132 min: ThePunk75 (6th) is short-stacked after a beat and is all-in with (8h 3h) and loses to LittleRedElf’s (KQ).
134 min: Absea98 (5th) tries with (JsTs) and loses against LittleRedElf’s (A6). For the next eight minutes TresStooges and Quagmire2752 keep surviving the attacks of Theedouble*d.
142 min: The luck runs out on Quagmire2752 (4th) as his all-in with (Ad Qd) is called by Theedouble*d with (Kd 6d). DD hits trip 6’s on the flop.
146 min: TresStooges (3rd) loses his all-in with (KT) to Theedouble*d with (87) and a flop of [84A].
Heads up totals: Theedouble*d 34000 - LittleRedElf 8000
150 min: Theedouble*d 35000 - LittleRedElf 7000
153 min: A board of [A3564] is checked down to the river, when LittleRedElf value bets his (AA) only to be called by Theedouble*d - holding (92) for the straight!
Congratulations to Theedouble*d on his 1st NPP win!
1st – Theedouble*d
2nd – LittleRedElf
3rd – TresStooges
4th – Quagmire2752
5th – Absea98
6th – ThePunk75
7th – Tomservo2
8th – Rennzzo
9th – Sirgash
Standings for 2nd quarter and total points are on the right side of the blog!
NPP set a new record for entries with twenty-eight, despite only one new player – Greggst49 – and missing a few 2nd quarter regulars.
I hope this is just a snap-shot of things to come. Remember, part of your responsibility of playing at NPP is to recruit for the blog and the league! An on-going league and blog is a growing league and blog.
On to the action:
11 min: Kaytdid (28th) had her full house run into LittleRedElf’s quads!
17 min: Douge2 (27th) gets crippled as his (99) runs finds Quagmire2752’s (JJ)
21 min: Later, Doug’s (8h 7h) is no match for Tomservo2’s trips.
23 min: Derf-63 (26th) is short-stacked after a beat and tries it with (A2) and Theedouble*d takes him out with (A6).
27 min: After a flop and turn of [2337] RKidder51400 tries to value bet with (AA), but Boother36 is holding (53) in the blind. Ouch!
32 min: Greggst49 (25th) gets the usual NPP welcome as his (JT) runs into Sirgash with (72) and a [7] on the flop.
34 min: Akensi (24th) has her (KT) lose to LittleRedElf’s (QQ).
40 min: Wingsfancurt (23rd) sees hope for is (KJ) on a flop of [JQ6] but Funtoon is holding (KQ).
49 min: A short-stacked Fusciardi (22nd) sees his (Kc 5c) lose as Quagmire2752 hits a flush with his (7d 5d).
51 min: Kensik (21st) sees his (AQ) lose to ThePunk75’s (88).
58 min: Boother36 (20th) is all-in with (99) and loses to Absea98’s (KQ) as a [Q] is flopped.
59 min: Funtoon (19th) tries it with (AQ) and a flop of [36Q], but LittleRedElf is holding (33).
1st Break:
LittleRedElf 8305
Tomservo2 4077
ThePunk75 3065
Absea98 2830
Rennzzo 2615
Nixi44 2360
Theedouble*d 2310
RKidder51400 2305
Mikeniks-Faldo 2135
Sirgash 2025
Rjmech 1865
TrippAA 1750
Tigercub8189 1505
TresStooges 1440
Quagmire2752 1403
Roscoe24 780
Michpower09 695 (sat out the 1st hour)
Biglou93 535
62 min: Short-stacked Biglou93 (18th) goes all-in with (AJ) and loses to Sirgash with (KQ) and a flop of [KAQ].
63 min: TrippAA (17th) has to go with (Ad Kd) and runs into Rennzzo with (AA).
68 min: Michpower09 (16th), who was late due to a ball game that ran long, makes his move with (A9) and also runs into (AA), held by Rjmech.
70 min: Short-stacked Nixi44 (15th) moves in with (44) and ThePunk75, in the big blind cheaply calls with (8c 5c) and pairs the [8] on the flop.
73 min: Big pot here. Sirgash raises, LittleRedElf and RKidder51400 call and Absea98 re-raises. Only RKidder calls that. The flop is [Jd 5d 8s]. Absea moves all-in and Kidder folds. Ok, what did everyone have?
80 min: Hand of the night! Rjmech (14th) goes all-in with (KK) and is called by Theedouble*d and Quagmire2752 – and both of them have (AA)! Ouch Rj!
82 min: Roscoe24 (13th) moves in with (A4) but loses to Theedouble*d’s (33).
92 min: Ok, how do you play this hand? Mikeniks-Faldo (12th), semi-short-stacked, moves all – in with (Ad 8d). ThePunk75 calls with (AQ) and takes it down.
In middle position, I have to play the suited ace hand, but do I raise about half my stack or call, planning to call any re-raise all-in – or do I go for the fold equity of an all-in push?
ThePunk thought it was a weak push. Maybe it was and maybe fold equity made the all-in move the play. The math is all based on number of players left to act and your best guess as to their likelihood to fold hands like (AQ) – staying away from coin flips.
I think it is a ‘feel’ play – either way. Comments?
96 min: Short-stacked Tigercub8189 (11th) moves all-in with (As 3s) and is called in two places – by LittleRedElf (KT) and RKidder51400 (10th) (AJ). The flop hits LRE [22K] and he bounces two for the hand of one.
114 min: Sirgash (9th) is surviving and gaining chips from Theedouble*d, who is trying to eliminate the short-stack. Finally, Sirgash with (Kd Td) runs out of lives and finds DD holding (AT).
115 min: Rennzzo (8th) makes his stand with (As Ts) and is called by LittleRedElf (88).
120 min: Tomservo2 (7th) fails to double up at break time.
2nd break:
LittleRedElf 12863
Theedouble*d 11639
Quagmire2752 6543
Absea98 3769
TresStooges 3606
ThePunk75 3580
Most ever making it to break #2. Way too much talent in this league!
128 min: Another big hand. Quagmire2752 bets and Theedouble*d calls. Flop [Th 4c 9s].
Quagmire bets a blind and is called again. Turn [Td]. Quag bets a double and DD calls.
River [Ah]. Quag bets a triple, and DD raises double and Quag makes a crying call. DD trip tens takes down a monster pot!
132 min: ThePunk75 (6th) is short-stacked after a beat and is all-in with (8h 3h) and loses to LittleRedElf’s (KQ).
134 min: Absea98 (5th) tries with (JsTs) and loses against LittleRedElf’s (A6). For the next eight minutes TresStooges and Quagmire2752 keep surviving the attacks of Theedouble*d.
142 min: The luck runs out on Quagmire2752 (4th) as his all-in with (Ad Qd) is called by Theedouble*d with (Kd 6d). DD hits trip 6’s on the flop.
146 min: TresStooges (3rd) loses his all-in with (KT) to Theedouble*d with (87) and a flop of [84A].
Heads up totals: Theedouble*d 34000 - LittleRedElf 8000
150 min: Theedouble*d 35000 - LittleRedElf 7000
153 min: A board of [A3564] is checked down to the river, when LittleRedElf value bets his (AA) only to be called by Theedouble*d - holding (92) for the straight!
Congratulations to Theedouble*d on his 1st NPP win!
1st – Theedouble*d
2nd – LittleRedElf
3rd – TresStooges
4th – Quagmire2752
5th – Absea98
6th – ThePunk75
7th – Tomservo2
8th – Rennzzo
9th – Sirgash
Standings for 2nd quarter and total points are on the right side of the blog!
Monday, May 11, 2009
ThePunk75 Wins Sunday Tourney at Pokertown in Westland
On weekends and some select week days I play live at the Pokertown charity room in Westland.
This past weekend Friday, Sat and Sun, I was drop-kicking the donks every night. All three nights were $10 rebuy tourney with a $20 add-on at break. All three nights had 2 table tourneys.
That’s what I like about this room smaller field sizes. Some other local rooms are bigger and flashier but you have to maneuver a much larger field and eventually the donks will get you. And they always do.
Friday I ended up heads up and took 2nd.
On Saturday got down to 3 of us, flopped a full house in BB with Q2 , flop was Q22, turn 5, got action from both players on turn after a checked flop. SB checks, I check, button bets, SB calls, I check raise all in, button folds SB calls with pockets 5's for a bigger full house. Once again how do you flop a full house and lose... happens to me seems all the time.
On Sunday, got to FT and was middle of the pack and got chipped up quickly on my AQ vs A2, then calling the big stack (at the time) all in my AK vs his AJ. After that I took the chip lead and picked off the smaller stacks relatively quickly. Got down to heads up and I had a massive chip lead and eventually got the all-in my KK vs. 22 (winner!!!!!).
If any of you are in the area I highly recommend this room. Very friendly staff, its run well and the owners and dealers know everyone by name. – The Punk75
This past weekend Friday, Sat and Sun, I was drop-kicking the donks every night. All three nights were $10 rebuy tourney with a $20 add-on at break. All three nights had 2 table tourneys.
That’s what I like about this room smaller field sizes. Some other local rooms are bigger and flashier but you have to maneuver a much larger field and eventually the donks will get you. And they always do.
Friday I ended up heads up and took 2nd.
On Saturday got down to 3 of us, flopped a full house in BB with Q2 , flop was Q22, turn 5, got action from both players on turn after a checked flop. SB checks, I check, button bets, SB calls, I check raise all in, button folds SB calls with pockets 5's for a bigger full house. Once again how do you flop a full house and lose... happens to me seems all the time.
On Sunday, got to FT and was middle of the pack and got chipped up quickly on my AQ vs A2, then calling the big stack (at the time) all in my AK vs his AJ. After that I took the chip lead and picked off the smaller stacks relatively quickly. Got down to heads up and I had a massive chip lead and eventually got the all-in my KK vs. 22 (winner!!!!!).
If any of you are in the area I highly recommend this room. Very friendly staff, its run well and the owners and dealers know everyone by name. – The Punk75
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Bigbrimar Wins His First PokerStars Tourney!
Bigbrimar bested 360 players for his first full tournament win!
He collected 85 times his entry with that 1st place finish.
Nice job Brian!
You are one ahead of 4Putt(DavetheDog) and you need only ten more to catch Faldo.
Get busy.
He collected 85 times his entry with that 1st place finish.
Nice job Brian!
You are one ahead of 4Putt(DavetheDog) and you need only ten more to catch Faldo.
Get busy.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Beerhog Wins Two Tourney’s Back to Back at Premier Poker Lounge
As a Friday goes, the day did not stink!
Beerhog and I played golf and mugged up with a possible NPP recruit. Beerhog beat me on the front nine and I returned the favor on the back nine (twss). The weather and cigars were great too.
We then took Beerhog's twin boys to hockey practice. And while he monitored his boys every move and progress in the hockey drills, I had a beer and watched every move several hockey moms made, dressed in summer tops while sitting in a hockey rink.
Not that there is anything wrong with that!
After practice, Fred returned his boys home for dinner, then he headed up to PPL for their Friday night tourney action. I was already there with our seat assignments in hand.
The first tourney had only eleven entries, and talk started immediately to run a second tourney after the first one.
Beerhog won the first tourney while making a deal with ‘Todd’ and Faldo for a 2nd-3rd tie.
Tourney number two had seven players and saw Beerhog and Todd make a deal for 1st, while Faldo took 3rd.
Way to go Beerhog! Meanwhile my bridesmaid dress is still getting plenty of mileage. But we got Todd considering joining NPP also.
We then headed up to Buffalo Wild Wings for some food and a nightcap.
Just another rough day in the life of Faldo.
Beerhog and I played golf and mugged up with a possible NPP recruit. Beerhog beat me on the front nine and I returned the favor on the back nine (twss). The weather and cigars were great too.
We then took Beerhog's twin boys to hockey practice. And while he monitored his boys every move and progress in the hockey drills, I had a beer and watched every move several hockey moms made, dressed in summer tops while sitting in a hockey rink.
Not that there is anything wrong with that!
After practice, Fred returned his boys home for dinner, then he headed up to PPL for their Friday night tourney action. I was already there with our seat assignments in hand.
The first tourney had only eleven entries, and talk started immediately to run a second tourney after the first one.
Beerhog won the first tourney while making a deal with ‘Todd’ and Faldo for a 2nd-3rd tie.
Tourney number two had seven players and saw Beerhog and Todd make a deal for 1st, while Faldo took 3rd.
Way to go Beerhog! Meanwhile my bridesmaid dress is still getting plenty of mileage. But we got Todd considering joining NPP also.
We then headed up to Buffalo Wild Wings for some food and a nightcap.
Just another rough day in the life of Faldo.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Sunnybrook Poker Holding WSOP Seat Event Qualifiers
May 14, 15, 16 and 17, 2009
Sunnybrook Golf & Bowl
7191 E. 17 Mile Rd.
Sterling Heights, MI
Open Noon – 2am
$25,000 prize pool based on 120 players
1st place – WSOP Main Event seat ($10,000)
Thursday – 7pm
$30 Qualifier – one re-buy and one add-on
10% move on to the Main Event
Winning entries are transferable
Friday and Saturday – 2pm and 7pm
$30 Qualifier – one re-buy and one add-on
10% move on to the Main Event
Winning entries are transferable
Sunday – 2pm
$250 Main Event
10,000 in starting chips
30 minute blinds for the 1st four rounds – then 20 min thereafter.
Also offered every day of this event are $30 SNG’s on demand – 10 players, $2,000 in chips and 10 minute blinds. One player wins a seat in the final.
If you have thoughts of playing in the Main Event, this looks like a great chance to get there. – Faldo
Sunnybrook Golf & Bowl
7191 E. 17 Mile Rd.
Sterling Heights, MI
Open Noon – 2am
$25,000 prize pool based on 120 players
1st place – WSOP Main Event seat ($10,000)
Thursday – 7pm
$30 Qualifier – one re-buy and one add-on
10% move on to the Main Event
Winning entries are transferable
Friday and Saturday – 2pm and 7pm
$30 Qualifier – one re-buy and one add-on
10% move on to the Main Event
Winning entries are transferable
Sunday – 2pm
$250 Main Event
10,000 in starting chips
30 minute blinds for the 1st four rounds – then 20 min thereafter.
Also offered every day of this event are $30 SNG’s on demand – 10 players, $2,000 in chips and 10 minute blinds. One player wins a seat in the final.
If you have thoughts of playing in the Main Event, this looks like a great chance to get there. – Faldo
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
TresStooges Wins His 1st NPP Tourney!
It was a crazy night at the NPP felt on PokerStars, but TresStooges dodged all the minefields and beat the 25 entries of great players to capture his first NPP win. Welcome to the Walk of Fame Tres.
What was up with the PS software tonight? It dealt trap hands, bad beats, suck outs and cripplers all tourney long. I should be happy as normally it saves them all for me and the tourneys I enter besides this one.
On to the action:
8 min: Fusciardi (25th) fell to Derf-63, but I missed it losing at my table.
25 min: Theedouble*d gets crippled as his (77) is no match for CrackBuyer’s (AA).
30 min: I missed Kensik’s (24th) demise as I was busy losing a hand to Boother36.
35 min: Theedouble*d (23rd) built his 5 chips he has left after the lost to CrackBuyer into 500 by this time. But he is double-teamed by Boother36 and Mikeniks-Faldo and is finally eliminated.
45 min: The dealing insanity began here as Funtoon (22nd) sees his (TT) lose as TrippAA flops a straight with his (A3). This starts a flood of activity.
47 min: Sirgash (21st) is out next and I missed it because….
48 min: I was watching Tomservo2 (20th) moves all-in with (77) and lose to Tigercub8189’s (K2) as a K is flopped.
49 min: Douge2 (19th) leaves next but I am watching….
50 min: Short-stacked Duder1123 (18th) go all-in with (Kd8d) and lose to Derf-63 (A3).
51 min: Boother36 (Ah Jh) and Amyada19 (As Kd) get all-in. The flop as [Ad Jd Xd] and a diamond appears on the river to flush Amy and toilet flush Boother.
53 min: Boother36 (17th) has to move all-in and is met by four callers! Mikeniks-Faldo wins that pot.
1st Break:
Derf-63 6210
Tigercub8189 5565
Mikeniks-Faldo 3843
ThePunk75 3070
Akensi 2988
TresStooges 2930
TrippAA 2585
Kaytdid 1935
CrackBuyer 1800
Gotbug 1290
Nixi44 1268
Wingsfancurt 1053
Absea98 880
Biglou93 847
Bigbrimar 710
Amyada19 526
62 min: Short-stacked Amyada19 (16th) makes her move with the goods (KK) and is called by short stacks Nixi44 (Ad 7d) and Biglou93 (QT) The flop is [QAQ] and Lou takes it down.
69 min: Absea98 (15th) goes out, but I am busy playing this hand with Biglou93 as we call the blinds. The flop is [4s Qs Kc].
Biglou bets and only I call (1st mistake).
The turn is a [7h]. Lou bets and I double my mistake and call.
The river is a [Td]. Lou bets 6 big blinds and I fold.
I wrote the book, “How to Call Down and Fold at the River for Negative Chips.” Pick up a copy at your local fish or donkey store.
70 min: A short-stacked Nixi44 (14th) goes all-in with (K4) and Biglou93 takes her out with (TT). Another flurry of action follows this hand.
76 min: TrippAA (13th) moves in with (Ks Ts) but Gotbug has (AA).
77 min: Three see a flop of [6s 7c 3c] ThePunk75, Kaytdid and Biglou93 check that series of apparent blanks. The turn is a [6h], which makes ThePunk bet a blind and makes the short-stacked Kaytdid (12th) move all – in with (Ac Kc). Lou gets out of the way and ThePunk shows (6d 4d) and even hits a straight on the river for overkill.
78 min: Short-stacked Wingsfancurt (11th) moves all-in and is called in two places – by Mikeniks-Faldo (Q9) and ThePunk75 (AK). The flop hits Faldo [8Q8] but the turn [K] locks in ThePunk. PS has more bad turns and rivers waiting for me later.
79 min: The short-stacked Bigbrimar (10th) moves all-in with (A2) and is called by Gotbug with (77) and no Ace arrives to save Bigbri. Hey, he took my bubble spot as…
88 min: Mikeniks-Faldo (9th) moves all-in with (As Js) (64%) after a flop of [2s Qh Jc] and is called by Derf-63 with (Kh Th) (36%). A [K] (23%) on the river and your host is gone.
95 min: After a tasty flop of [J 9 A] Gotbug (AQ) and TresStooges (AK) get all-in. A [Q] on the turn brings the Bug out in the open, only to be squashed by a [K] on the river.
The Poker Stars dealers are cruel this evening. But Gotbug doubles up (AA) on Tigercub8189 (44) the next hand to stay alive. But PS was not done torturing the Bug yet.
99 min: Biglou93 (8th) makes his stand with (JJ) and is called by Gotbug (7th) (TT) and Derf-63 with (QQ), for the double knockout!
104 min: Akensi (6th) tries an all-in with (44) and has a coin flip against Derf-63 with (A7), but an [A] hits the flop. It gets wild after this.
I don’t have the hands….no time, but.
106 min: ThePunk75 grabs the chip lead from Derf-63.
107 min: Tigercub8189 takes the lead.
109 min. Derf-63 gets the lead back from Tigercub.
112 min: CrackBuyer (5th) loses his race with (33) against Derf-63 (KT) when a [K] rivers.
113 min: The quiet TresStooges now grabs the chip lead here. Derf-63 had been whacking everyone, but now the paddles seem to be in everyone else’s hands. In the eight minute prior to the second break, the deck turned cold on Derf-63.
Oh, and yet another chip lead change!
2nd break:
ThePunk75 14735
TresStooges 13671
Tigercub8189 5394
Derf-63 3700
122 min: TresStooges now has the chip lead.
123 min: Derf-63 (4th) goes all-in with (98) and a flop of [495] and is called by ThePunk75 with (AT). ThePunk hits his [T] on the turn.
130 min: Tigercub8189 (3rd) loses his coin flip with (AJ) to ThePunk75 with (77)
No time for Heads up totals as…..
131 min: ThePunk75 and TresStooges check a flop of [Qc 9c Jd]. Some flops just smell of trouble.
The [6c] on the turn get ThePunk to bet, Tres to re-raise and ThePunk to call.
The river [4c] gets all the chips in the middle and TresStooges trips (99) beats the Punk’s pair (KQ).
Congratulations to TresStooges on his 1st NPP win!
1st – TresStooges
2nd – ThePunk75
3rd – Tigercub8189
4th – Derf-63
5th – CrackBuyer
6th – Akensi
7th – Gotbug
8th – Biglou93
9th – Mikeniks-Faldo
Standings for 2nd quarter and total points are on the right side of the blog!
What was up with the PS software tonight? It dealt trap hands, bad beats, suck outs and cripplers all tourney long. I should be happy as normally it saves them all for me and the tourneys I enter besides this one.
On to the action:
8 min: Fusciardi (25th) fell to Derf-63, but I missed it losing at my table.
25 min: Theedouble*d gets crippled as his (77) is no match for CrackBuyer’s (AA).
30 min: I missed Kensik’s (24th) demise as I was busy losing a hand to Boother36.
35 min: Theedouble*d (23rd) built his 5 chips he has left after the lost to CrackBuyer into 500 by this time. But he is double-teamed by Boother36 and Mikeniks-Faldo and is finally eliminated.
45 min: The dealing insanity began here as Funtoon (22nd) sees his (TT) lose as TrippAA flops a straight with his (A3). This starts a flood of activity.
47 min: Sirgash (21st) is out next and I missed it because….
48 min: I was watching Tomservo2 (20th) moves all-in with (77) and lose to Tigercub8189’s (K2) as a K is flopped.
49 min: Douge2 (19th) leaves next but I am watching….
50 min: Short-stacked Duder1123 (18th) go all-in with (Kd8d) and lose to Derf-63 (A3).
51 min: Boother36 (Ah Jh) and Amyada19 (As Kd) get all-in. The flop as [Ad Jd Xd] and a diamond appears on the river to flush Amy and toilet flush Boother.
53 min: Boother36 (17th) has to move all-in and is met by four callers! Mikeniks-Faldo wins that pot.
1st Break:
Derf-63 6210
Tigercub8189 5565
Mikeniks-Faldo 3843
ThePunk75 3070
Akensi 2988
TresStooges 2930
TrippAA 2585
Kaytdid 1935
CrackBuyer 1800
Gotbug 1290
Nixi44 1268
Wingsfancurt 1053
Absea98 880
Biglou93 847
Bigbrimar 710
Amyada19 526
62 min: Short-stacked Amyada19 (16th) makes her move with the goods (KK) and is called by short stacks Nixi44 (Ad 7d) and Biglou93 (QT) The flop is [QAQ] and Lou takes it down.
69 min: Absea98 (15th) goes out, but I am busy playing this hand with Biglou93 as we call the blinds. The flop is [4s Qs Kc].
Biglou bets and only I call (1st mistake).
The turn is a [7h]. Lou bets and I double my mistake and call.
The river is a [Td]. Lou bets 6 big blinds and I fold.
I wrote the book, “How to Call Down and Fold at the River for Negative Chips.” Pick up a copy at your local fish or donkey store.
70 min: A short-stacked Nixi44 (14th) goes all-in with (K4) and Biglou93 takes her out with (TT). Another flurry of action follows this hand.
76 min: TrippAA (13th) moves in with (Ks Ts) but Gotbug has (AA).
77 min: Three see a flop of [6s 7c 3c] ThePunk75, Kaytdid and Biglou93 check that series of apparent blanks. The turn is a [6h], which makes ThePunk bet a blind and makes the short-stacked Kaytdid (12th) move all – in with (Ac Kc). Lou gets out of the way and ThePunk shows (6d 4d) and even hits a straight on the river for overkill.
78 min: Short-stacked Wingsfancurt (11th) moves all-in and is called in two places – by Mikeniks-Faldo (Q9) and ThePunk75 (AK). The flop hits Faldo [8Q8] but the turn [K] locks in ThePunk. PS has more bad turns and rivers waiting for me later.
79 min: The short-stacked Bigbrimar (10th) moves all-in with (A2) and is called by Gotbug with (77) and no Ace arrives to save Bigbri. Hey, he took my bubble spot as…
88 min: Mikeniks-Faldo (9th) moves all-in with (As Js) (64%) after a flop of [2s Qh Jc] and is called by Derf-63 with (Kh Th) (36%). A [K] (23%) on the river and your host is gone.
95 min: After a tasty flop of [J 9 A] Gotbug (AQ) and TresStooges (AK) get all-in. A [Q] on the turn brings the Bug out in the open, only to be squashed by a [K] on the river.
The Poker Stars dealers are cruel this evening. But Gotbug doubles up (AA) on Tigercub8189 (44) the next hand to stay alive. But PS was not done torturing the Bug yet.
99 min: Biglou93 (8th) makes his stand with (JJ) and is called by Gotbug (7th) (TT) and Derf-63 with (QQ), for the double knockout!
104 min: Akensi (6th) tries an all-in with (44) and has a coin flip against Derf-63 with (A7), but an [A] hits the flop. It gets wild after this.
I don’t have the hands….no time, but.
106 min: ThePunk75 grabs the chip lead from Derf-63.
107 min: Tigercub8189 takes the lead.
109 min. Derf-63 gets the lead back from Tigercub.
112 min: CrackBuyer (5th) loses his race with (33) against Derf-63 (KT) when a [K] rivers.
113 min: The quiet TresStooges now grabs the chip lead here. Derf-63 had been whacking everyone, but now the paddles seem to be in everyone else’s hands. In the eight minute prior to the second break, the deck turned cold on Derf-63.
Oh, and yet another chip lead change!
2nd break:
ThePunk75 14735
TresStooges 13671
Tigercub8189 5394
Derf-63 3700
122 min: TresStooges now has the chip lead.
123 min: Derf-63 (4th) goes all-in with (98) and a flop of [495] and is called by ThePunk75 with (AT). ThePunk hits his [T] on the turn.
130 min: Tigercub8189 (3rd) loses his coin flip with (AJ) to ThePunk75 with (77)
No time for Heads up totals as…..
131 min: ThePunk75 and TresStooges check a flop of [Qc 9c Jd]. Some flops just smell of trouble.
The [6c] on the turn get ThePunk to bet, Tres to re-raise and ThePunk to call.
The river [4c] gets all the chips in the middle and TresStooges trips (99) beats the Punk’s pair (KQ).
Congratulations to TresStooges on his 1st NPP win!
1st – TresStooges
2nd – ThePunk75
3rd – Tigercub8189
4th – Derf-63
5th – CrackBuyer
6th – Akensi
7th – Gotbug
8th – Biglou93
9th – Mikeniks-Faldo
Standings for 2nd quarter and total points are on the right side of the blog!
Friday, May 01, 2009
Douge2's Humor Corner III
So, what's the REAL DEAL With Golf?
"It took me 22 years to get 2,873 hits in baseball. I did it in one afternoon on the golf course."
-- Babe Ruth
"Give me the fresh air, a beautiful partner, and a nice round of golf and you can keep the fresh air and the round of golf."
-- Jack Benny
"These greens are so fast I have to hold my putter above the ball and hit it with the shadow."
-- Sam Snead
"You can make a lot of money in this game. Just ask my ex-wives. Both of them are so rich that neither of their husbands works."
-- Lee Trevino
"I'm not saying my golf game went bad, but if I grew tomatoes, they'd come up sliced!"
-- Lee Trevino
"Golf is not a game, it's bondage. It was obviously devised by a man torn with guilt, eager to atone for his sins."
-- Unknown
"[Players today] throw their clubs backwards, and that's dead wrong to do! ... You should always throw a club ahead of you so that you don't have to walk any extra distance to get it."
-- Tommy Bolt
"Golf and sex are about the only things you can enjoy without being good at."
-- Jimmy Demaret
An Asset is a Down Economy
A middle-aged man walked into a drug store and asked to talk to a male
pharmacist. The elderly woman he was talking to said that she was the
pharmacist and as she and her also widowed elderly sister owned the
store, there were no males employed there. She then asked if she could
help the gentleman.
The guy said that it was something that he would be much more
comfortable discussing with a male pharmacist.
The female pharmacist assured him that she was completely professional
and whatever it was that he needed to discuss, he could be confident that
she would treat him with the highest level of professionalism.
The man agreed relented by saying, "This is tough for me
to discuss, but I have a permanent erection. It causes me a lot of problems
and severe embarrassment, and I was wondering what you could give me for it.
The pharmacist said, "Just a minute, I'll go talk to my sister.
When she returned, she said, "We discussed it at length and the absolute
best we can do is, 1/3 ownership in the store, a company car, and $3,000
a month plus living expenses."
"It took me 22 years to get 2,873 hits in baseball. I did it in one afternoon on the golf course."
-- Babe Ruth
"Give me the fresh air, a beautiful partner, and a nice round of golf and you can keep the fresh air and the round of golf."
-- Jack Benny
"These greens are so fast I have to hold my putter above the ball and hit it with the shadow."
-- Sam Snead
"You can make a lot of money in this game. Just ask my ex-wives. Both of them are so rich that neither of their husbands works."
-- Lee Trevino
"I'm not saying my golf game went bad, but if I grew tomatoes, they'd come up sliced!"
-- Lee Trevino
"Golf is not a game, it's bondage. It was obviously devised by a man torn with guilt, eager to atone for his sins."
-- Unknown
"[Players today] throw their clubs backwards, and that's dead wrong to do! ... You should always throw a club ahead of you so that you don't have to walk any extra distance to get it."
-- Tommy Bolt
"Golf and sex are about the only things you can enjoy without being good at."
-- Jimmy Demaret
An Asset is a Down Economy
A middle-aged man walked into a drug store and asked to talk to a male
pharmacist. The elderly woman he was talking to said that she was the
pharmacist and as she and her also widowed elderly sister owned the
store, there were no males employed there. She then asked if she could
help the gentleman.
The guy said that it was something that he would be much more
comfortable discussing with a male pharmacist.
The female pharmacist assured him that she was completely professional
and whatever it was that he needed to discuss, he could be confident that
she would treat him with the highest level of professionalism.
The man agreed relented by saying, "This is tough for me
to discuss, but I have a permanent erection. It causes me a lot of problems
and severe embarrassment, and I was wondering what you could give me for it.
The pharmacist said, "Just a minute, I'll go talk to my sister.
When she returned, she said, "We discussed it at length and the absolute
best we can do is, 1/3 ownership in the store, a company car, and $3,000
a month plus living expenses."
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Faldo Analyzes Why Bad Luck Follows Him (rationally for a change)
Ever notice how it seems that you lose with the better hand a lot more often than you win with the lesser hand?
You know why that is? Because it is true, that’s why.
If you are a better than average player, you will be all-in with the best hand many times more than you are with the lesser hand. My guess is around four times more often.
We all have to move with less than premium hands when short-stacked or we take a shot to eliminate players when we have a big stack. So that factors in too.
But my gut (no data gathered) tells me it is about a 4 to 1 ratio. Now, let’s assume my gut is correct (and hey, when is Faldo ever wrong?). If you think about it, how many times are you really bigger than a 4 to 1 favorite pre-flop or even after the flop? I think a 2 to 1 favorite is about the best you are on average.
To make the math easy for those of you who attended government schools (like me), take a look at this:
Best hand 400 times: wins 268 times – loses 132 times.
Worst hand 100 times: win 33 times – lose 67 times
There you have it. You lose four times more often with the best hand (132) than you win with the worst hand (33).
Now you can argue my gut is wrong or my favorite percentages are low, but as a bit of a stats expert, I have to tell you, you would have to move my numbers quite a bit to change the outcome of what I am saying.
If it is any consolation (which it is not when you bubble as the favorite, which I have more times than Beerhog has had a beer), of the 500 hands shown, you did win 301 times.
Wait, that is not good news is it? That means the better hand only wins 3 hands to the lesser hand’s 2.
But that is why it is called gambling – and some luck is involved. We will discuss ‘luck’ next week.
You know why that is? Because it is true, that’s why.
If you are a better than average player, you will be all-in with the best hand many times more than you are with the lesser hand. My guess is around four times more often.
We all have to move with less than premium hands when short-stacked or we take a shot to eliminate players when we have a big stack. So that factors in too.
But my gut (no data gathered) tells me it is about a 4 to 1 ratio. Now, let’s assume my gut is correct (and hey, when is Faldo ever wrong?). If you think about it, how many times are you really bigger than a 4 to 1 favorite pre-flop or even after the flop? I think a 2 to 1 favorite is about the best you are on average.
To make the math easy for those of you who attended government schools (like me), take a look at this:
Best hand 400 times: wins 268 times – loses 132 times.
Worst hand 100 times: win 33 times – lose 67 times
There you have it. You lose four times more often with the best hand (132) than you win with the worst hand (33).
Now you can argue my gut is wrong or my favorite percentages are low, but as a bit of a stats expert, I have to tell you, you would have to move my numbers quite a bit to change the outcome of what I am saying.
If it is any consolation (which it is not when you bubble as the favorite, which I have more times than Beerhog has had a beer), of the 500 hands shown, you did win 301 times.
Wait, that is not good news is it? That means the better hand only wins 3 hands to the lesser hand’s 2.
But that is why it is called gambling – and some luck is involved. We will discuss ‘luck’ next week.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
LittleRedElf Returns to His Winning Ways
LittleRedElf is always winning on PokerStars. But winning at NPP is always a tough proposition even for the best player.
Usually, he beats all of us at NPP - while winning one or two tourneys on PokerStars at the same time! Tonight, before his trip to Las Vegas, he decided to just concentrate on us. As you see, this is not healthy for the rest of tonight’s field of twenty-four players.
Your host missed the tourney start as a minor family emergency happened just prior to tournament time. My in-laws lost their keys and could not get in their condo. Faldo was to the rescue, driving over the spare set.
But we welcomed three new players to the NPP stable; Funtoon, Michpower09 and TresStooges. And returning to the NPP fold from 2008, Tomservo2. Welcome all of you!
On to the action:
10 min: Again, my apologies for getting a late start, but getting my mother-in-law into her own house seemed a better plan than her staying here and my wife making me sleep outside to see how I like it!
So I missed the demise of Kensik (24th).
21 min: Gotbug (23rd). I just missed this hand getting situated for reporting and explaining my absence from the field tonight.
30 min: Nixi44 (22nd) thinks her (99) is best pre-flop and goes all-in. She is correct as Duder1123 has (Q9). But the 2 to 1 Queen-dog shows on the flop and Nixi can return to her duties as masseuse for SirGash.
32 min: CrackBuyer’s (21st) (88) loses to Funtoon’s (99).
33 min: A short-stacked Quagmire2752 (20th) moves all-in with (77) and is called in two places by Michpower09 (TT) and Akensi (JJ). Ouch!
37 min: Wingsfancurt (19th) hits his trips on the flop but Tomservo2 hits his straight on the turn.
42 min: Three people see a flop of [5c 8c Jh]. Amyada19 bets the pot, Michpower09 calls and TresStooges (18th) raises the same original pot amount, and both call. The turn is the [Ad]. Everyone checks to TheStooge, who bets 1/3 of the pot and is called by Amy. The river is a blank [2d], they get their stacks all-in, and it is TresStooges with kicker problems.
50 min: Tigercub8189 (17th) overplays his (JJ) when an [A] falls on the flop for Biglou93 holding (A9). This cripples the Cub who exits a few hands later.
52 min: A short-stacked Duder1123 (16th) tries it with (Kh 4h) but cannot catch Rjmech with (K9).
1st Break:
LittleRedElf 6250
Rjmech 4285
Rennzzo 3660
Biglou93 3240
Michpower09 3065
Amyada19 2820
ThePunk75 2195
SirGash 1960
Bigbrimar 1680
Tomservo2 1650
Funtoon 1460
Absea98 1160
Tripp AA 1020
Akensi 1005
Fusciardi 550
62 min: Short-stacked Fusciardi (15th) makes his move with (Qs 4s) and is called by short-stacked TrippAA with (98). Tripp pairs his bottom card on the flop.
70 min: A short-stacked ThePunk75 (14th) goes with (AT) (62%) and Absea98 takes him out with (98) (37%), pairing his bottom card. A hot night for (98).
76 min: Two big stacks collide here as Michpower09 (13th) limps in and calls LittleRedElf’s five times the blind raise! A [2s Kh 6c] flop and LRE moves all-in with (AK) and is called by Michpower09 (KQ).
This starts a fury of action and departures.
78 min: LittleRedElf calls Funtoon’s (12th) big blind. Fun calls LittleRedElf’s five times the blind raise after a flop of [3h Kh 9s]. It is now Fun who moves all in with (K6] and LRE calls with [KT].
LRE eliminates two players and builds a monster chip lead – with better kickers????
79 min: Short-stacked Amyada19 (11th) moves all-in with (Ac 5c) and Biglou93 calls with (99). No Ace or 3-club rescue happens.
82 min: Four players limp in. LittleRedElf bets three times the blind and only Akensi (10th) moves all-in with (99) (51%) and is called by LRE with (JT) (49%). LRE wins the coin flip with a [T] on the flop.
88 min: Short-stacked Rennzzo (9th) moves all-in with (9h 5c) and is called by LittleRedElf with (AT).
90 min: The 12-minute carnage is ended when a short-stacked TrippAA (8th) goes all-in with (Ah 8h) and runs into Absea98 holding (22).
109 min: Biglou93 (7th) makes his stand with (QT) and is called by SirGash with (As 8s) and the Spade-flush flops! Now the carnage begins anew.
113 min: Bigbrimar (6th), who rose from the dead a couple times tonight, tries an all-in bluff with (33) and has a coin flip against Rjmech with (AJ), but RJ makes a straight on the turn.
114 min: Tomservo2 (5th) loses his race with (AQ) against LittleRedElf’s (44).
115 min: Rjmech (4th) goes all-in with a semi-bluff with (Qd 5d) but is called by LittleRedElf with (AQ).
117 min: The clash I bought my ring-side seat for. SirGash (3rd) calls LittleRedElf’s big blind.
The flop is [7s Ah 2s] and they both check it. The turn is a [5c]. SirGash bets, LRE raises, Gash pushes (7c 2c – two pair) and is called (4h 3c – baby straight). No boat on the river and LRE’s chip pile is huge.
Sirgash is cold-decked here, I think. Could SirGash bet LRE out of that pot after the flop? Sure, he could have as a 4 to 1 favorite as it turned out and a big bet gets LRE to surrender. But why do that?
Gash is behind 3 to 1 in chips and is trying to double up to get back in the hunt for a victory. It just didn’t work out, but he gets an A for effort.
Heads up: LittleRedElf 27000 - Absea98 9000
2nd break:
LittleRedElf 19822
Absea98 16178
In eight minutes, Absea98 has made a match of it! In thirteen minutes, he takes the lead:
125 min: Absea98 19000 - LittleRedElf 17000
129 min: LittleRedElf moves in with (TT) and Absea98 (2nd) doesn’t believe LRE and calls with (QJ). No lady or hook arrive and Absea is crippled.
130 min: LittleRedElf gets the dream (AA) when Absea98 gets (66) and it’s over.
Congratulations to LittleRedElf on his 2nd NPP win!
1st – LittleRedElf
2nd – Absea98
3rd – SirGash
4th – Rjmech
5th – Tomservo2
6th – Bigbrimar
7th – Biglou93
8th – TrippAA
9th – Rennzzo
Standings for 2nd quarter and total points are on the right side of the blog!
Usually, he beats all of us at NPP - while winning one or two tourneys on PokerStars at the same time! Tonight, before his trip to Las Vegas, he decided to just concentrate on us. As you see, this is not healthy for the rest of tonight’s field of twenty-four players.
Your host missed the tourney start as a minor family emergency happened just prior to tournament time. My in-laws lost their keys and could not get in their condo. Faldo was to the rescue, driving over the spare set.
But we welcomed three new players to the NPP stable; Funtoon, Michpower09 and TresStooges. And returning to the NPP fold from 2008, Tomservo2. Welcome all of you!
On to the action:
10 min: Again, my apologies for getting a late start, but getting my mother-in-law into her own house seemed a better plan than her staying here and my wife making me sleep outside to see how I like it!
So I missed the demise of Kensik (24th).
21 min: Gotbug (23rd). I just missed this hand getting situated for reporting and explaining my absence from the field tonight.
30 min: Nixi44 (22nd) thinks her (99) is best pre-flop and goes all-in. She is correct as Duder1123 has (Q9). But the 2 to 1 Queen-dog shows on the flop and Nixi can return to her duties as masseuse for SirGash.
32 min: CrackBuyer’s (21st) (88) loses to Funtoon’s (99).
33 min: A short-stacked Quagmire2752 (20th) moves all-in with (77) and is called in two places by Michpower09 (TT) and Akensi (JJ). Ouch!
37 min: Wingsfancurt (19th) hits his trips on the flop but Tomservo2 hits his straight on the turn.
42 min: Three people see a flop of [5c 8c Jh]. Amyada19 bets the pot, Michpower09 calls and TresStooges (18th) raises the same original pot amount, and both call. The turn is the [Ad]. Everyone checks to TheStooge, who bets 1/3 of the pot and is called by Amy. The river is a blank [2d], they get their stacks all-in, and it is TresStooges with kicker problems.
50 min: Tigercub8189 (17th) overplays his (JJ) when an [A] falls on the flop for Biglou93 holding (A9). This cripples the Cub who exits a few hands later.
52 min: A short-stacked Duder1123 (16th) tries it with (Kh 4h) but cannot catch Rjmech with (K9).
1st Break:
LittleRedElf 6250
Rjmech 4285
Rennzzo 3660
Biglou93 3240
Michpower09 3065
Amyada19 2820
ThePunk75 2195
SirGash 1960
Bigbrimar 1680
Tomservo2 1650
Funtoon 1460
Absea98 1160
Tripp AA 1020
Akensi 1005
Fusciardi 550
62 min: Short-stacked Fusciardi (15th) makes his move with (Qs 4s) and is called by short-stacked TrippAA with (98). Tripp pairs his bottom card on the flop.
70 min: A short-stacked ThePunk75 (14th) goes with (AT) (62%) and Absea98 takes him out with (98) (37%), pairing his bottom card. A hot night for (98).
76 min: Two big stacks collide here as Michpower09 (13th) limps in and calls LittleRedElf’s five times the blind raise! A [2s Kh 6c] flop and LRE moves all-in with (AK) and is called by Michpower09 (KQ).
This starts a fury of action and departures.
78 min: LittleRedElf calls Funtoon’s (12th) big blind. Fun calls LittleRedElf’s five times the blind raise after a flop of [3h Kh 9s]. It is now Fun who moves all in with (K6] and LRE calls with [KT].
LRE eliminates two players and builds a monster chip lead – with better kickers????
79 min: Short-stacked Amyada19 (11th) moves all-in with (Ac 5c) and Biglou93 calls with (99). No Ace or 3-club rescue happens.
82 min: Four players limp in. LittleRedElf bets three times the blind and only Akensi (10th) moves all-in with (99) (51%) and is called by LRE with (JT) (49%). LRE wins the coin flip with a [T] on the flop.
88 min: Short-stacked Rennzzo (9th) moves all-in with (9h 5c) and is called by LittleRedElf with (AT).
90 min: The 12-minute carnage is ended when a short-stacked TrippAA (8th) goes all-in with (Ah 8h) and runs into Absea98 holding (22).
109 min: Biglou93 (7th) makes his stand with (QT) and is called by SirGash with (As 8s) and the Spade-flush flops! Now the carnage begins anew.
113 min: Bigbrimar (6th), who rose from the dead a couple times tonight, tries an all-in bluff with (33) and has a coin flip against Rjmech with (AJ), but RJ makes a straight on the turn.
114 min: Tomservo2 (5th) loses his race with (AQ) against LittleRedElf’s (44).
115 min: Rjmech (4th) goes all-in with a semi-bluff with (Qd 5d) but is called by LittleRedElf with (AQ).
117 min: The clash I bought my ring-side seat for. SirGash (3rd) calls LittleRedElf’s big blind.
The flop is [7s Ah 2s] and they both check it. The turn is a [5c]. SirGash bets, LRE raises, Gash pushes (7c 2c – two pair) and is called (4h 3c – baby straight). No boat on the river and LRE’s chip pile is huge.
Sirgash is cold-decked here, I think. Could SirGash bet LRE out of that pot after the flop? Sure, he could have as a 4 to 1 favorite as it turned out and a big bet gets LRE to surrender. But why do that?
Gash is behind 3 to 1 in chips and is trying to double up to get back in the hunt for a victory. It just didn’t work out, but he gets an A for effort.
Heads up: LittleRedElf 27000 - Absea98 9000
2nd break:
LittleRedElf 19822
Absea98 16178
In eight minutes, Absea98 has made a match of it! In thirteen minutes, he takes the lead:
125 min: Absea98 19000 - LittleRedElf 17000
129 min: LittleRedElf moves in with (TT) and Absea98 (2nd) doesn’t believe LRE and calls with (QJ). No lady or hook arrive and Absea is crippled.
130 min: LittleRedElf gets the dream (AA) when Absea98 gets (66) and it’s over.
Congratulations to LittleRedElf on his 2nd NPP win!
1st – LittleRedElf
2nd – Absea98
3rd – SirGash
4th – Rjmech
5th – Tomservo2
6th – Bigbrimar
7th – Biglou93
8th – TrippAA
9th – Rennzzo
Standings for 2nd quarter and total points are on the right side of the blog!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Douge2's Humor Corner II
Twenty interesting things learned when you have sons, like ...
1. A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000 sq. ft. house 4 inches deep.
2. If you spray hair spray on dust bunnies and run over them with roller blades, they can ignite.
3. A 3-year old Boy's voice is louder than 200 adults in a crowded restaurant.
4. You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on. When using a ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ball up a few times before you get a hit. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a long way.
6. The glass in windows (even double-pane) doesn't stop a baseball hit by a ceiling fan.
7. When you hear the toilet flush and the words "uh oh", it's already too late.
8. Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke, and lots of it.
9. Play dough and microwave should not be used in the same sentence.
12. Super glue is forever.
13. No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool you u still l can't walk on water.
14. Pool filters do not like Jell-O.
15. VCR's do not eject "PB & J" sandwiches even though TV commercials show they do.
16. Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise when driving.
17. You probably DO NOT want to know what that odor is.
18. Always look in the oven before you turn it on; plastic toys do not like ovens.
19. The average fire department response time is 8 minutes.
20. 80% of Men who read this will try mixing the Clorox and brake fluid.
Top Ten Old West Phrases That Will Never Sound The Same Since Broke Back Mountain
1. "I'm gonna pump you fulla lead!"
2. "Give me a stiff one, barkeep!"
3. "Don't fret---I've been in tight spots before."
4. "Howdy, pardner."
5. You stay here while I sneak around from behind."
6. Two words: "Saddle Sore."
7. "Hold it right there! Now, move your hand, reeeal slow-like, so I can count the hairs"
8. "Let's mount up!"
9. "Nice spread [wide stance] ya got there!"
10. "Ride'em cowboy!"
1. A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000 sq. ft. house 4 inches deep.
2. If you spray hair spray on dust bunnies and run over them with roller blades, they can ignite.
3. A 3-year old Boy's voice is louder than 200 adults in a crowded restaurant.
4. You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on. When using a ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ball up a few times before you get a hit. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a long way.
6. The glass in windows (even double-pane) doesn't stop a baseball hit by a ceiling fan.
7. When you hear the toilet flush and the words "uh oh", it's already too late.
8. Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke, and lots of it.
9. Play dough and microwave should not be used in the same sentence.
12. Super glue is forever.
13. No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool you u still l can't walk on water.
14. Pool filters do not like Jell-O.
15. VCR's do not eject "PB & J" sandwiches even though TV commercials show they do.
16. Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise when driving.
17. You probably DO NOT want to know what that odor is.
18. Always look in the oven before you turn it on; plastic toys do not like ovens.
19. The average fire department response time is 8 minutes.
20. 80% of Men who read this will try mixing the Clorox and brake fluid.
Top Ten Old West Phrases That Will Never Sound The Same Since Broke Back Mountain
1. "I'm gonna pump you fulla lead!"
2. "Give me a stiff one, barkeep!"
3. "Don't fret---I've been in tight spots before."
4. "Howdy, pardner."
5. You stay here while I sneak around from behind."
6. Two words: "Saddle Sore."
7. "Hold it right there! Now, move your hand, reeeal slow-like, so I can count the hairs"
8. "Let's mount up!"
9. "Nice spread [wide stance] ya got there!"
10. "Ride'em cowboy!"
Thursday, April 23, 2009
An Update of the Faldo Internet Poker Site Reviews
Let's start with the BIG BOYS - Site name and (software):
Poker Stars (PokerStars)
Full Tilt Poker (Full Tilt Poker)
Ultimate Bet / Absolute Poker (Cereus Network)
Bo Dog Poker (Bodog Poker)
Cake Poker / Doyle's Poker Room / Sportsbook Poker (Cake Poker Network)
One thing that becomes apparent is that all sites still open to US players, run their own software. Although Ultimate Bet and Absolute Poker are the only sites open to US players that run a skin of a basic software that shares players.
Doyle's Room left the Prima Poker network to join Cake Poker as it was not allowing US players. Cake Poker is fundable thru eWallet.
If you remember a site called "The Poker Room", which is now closed to US players, it is the skin of at least 30 sites, all with different names, but the same player base.
You may have seen adds for Carbon Poker (Poker dot com originally). It is the main site but a skin of about ten other sites.
CD Poker and Titan Poker (closed to US players) were two sites that were skins of each other, but have 'franchised out' into about ten skin sites too.
Poker Host (closed to Michigan players) also sells it's skin to about ten other sites.
Party Poker (closed to US players) is also the skin of dozens of sites.
Stay with the BIG BOYS listed above and you should be fine. Not from the horrendous bad beats and player collusion, but from the site closing and taking your money.
Speaking of which, has happened to Faldo a few times. Jet Poker and Tropical Poker (both running their own software, by the way) just up and closed - taking player deposits with them.
Pokertropolis and Bugsy’s Club closed, but returned all player funds first! Very classy, as were the sites - which I miss. Their software was good (as was Tropical Poker's). I wonder if you can find the software somewhere to buy on the cheap? We could play NPP Tuesdays on the NPP site!
I would like to close this article with a list of poker site names that I think are lame. Some are easy to tell how they were marketing their site to get players to them. Some defy logic. Some are still open and some are closed. Take a gander:
32Red Poker
Adult Poker Party
Bamba Poker
Bikini Poker
Blue Lizard Poker
Bombshell Poker
Celeb Poker
Cheribino Poker
Cindy's (Margolis) Poker
Green Tie Poker
Jazz Poker
Naked Poker
Pamela (Anderson) Poker
Piggs Peak Poker
Playboy Poker
Victoria (Principle) Poker
Virgin Poker
Vulcan Poker
Wingwow Poker
Poker Stars (PokerStars)
Full Tilt Poker (Full Tilt Poker)
Ultimate Bet / Absolute Poker (Cereus Network)
Bo Dog Poker (Bodog Poker)
Cake Poker / Doyle's Poker Room / Sportsbook Poker (Cake Poker Network)
One thing that becomes apparent is that all sites still open to US players, run their own software. Although Ultimate Bet and Absolute Poker are the only sites open to US players that run a skin of a basic software that shares players.
Doyle's Room left the Prima Poker network to join Cake Poker as it was not allowing US players. Cake Poker is fundable thru eWallet.
If you remember a site called "The Poker Room", which is now closed to US players, it is the skin of at least 30 sites, all with different names, but the same player base.
You may have seen adds for Carbon Poker (Poker dot com originally). It is the main site but a skin of about ten other sites.
CD Poker and Titan Poker (closed to US players) were two sites that were skins of each other, but have 'franchised out' into about ten skin sites too.
Poker Host (closed to Michigan players) also sells it's skin to about ten other sites.
Party Poker (closed to US players) is also the skin of dozens of sites.
Stay with the BIG BOYS listed above and you should be fine. Not from the horrendous bad beats and player collusion, but from the site closing and taking your money.
Speaking of which, has happened to Faldo a few times. Jet Poker and Tropical Poker (both running their own software, by the way) just up and closed - taking player deposits with them.
Pokertropolis and Bugsy’s Club closed, but returned all player funds first! Very classy, as were the sites - which I miss. Their software was good (as was Tropical Poker's). I wonder if you can find the software somewhere to buy on the cheap? We could play NPP Tuesdays on the NPP site!
I would like to close this article with a list of poker site names that I think are lame. Some are easy to tell how they were marketing their site to get players to them. Some defy logic. Some are still open and some are closed. Take a gander:
32Red Poker
Adult Poker Party
Bamba Poker
Bikini Poker
Blue Lizard Poker
Bombshell Poker
Celeb Poker
Cheribino Poker
Cindy's (Margolis) Poker
Green Tie Poker
Jazz Poker
Naked Poker
Pamela (Anderson) Poker
Piggs Peak Poker
Playboy Poker
Victoria (Principle) Poker
Virgin Poker
Vulcan Poker
Wingwow Poker
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Now, TheNewY2K Returns to NPP, and Wins
An epidemic of past winners returning to dominate, but this win is no surprise. I have to see how big of a lead it is, but TheNewY2K has the highest average point total per round of any player with over five starts. The play was hot tonight and Y2K simply avoided the minefields in the 24-player field, while dropping bombs himself!
We welcomed two new players to the NPP stable tonight – Kaytdid and Wingsfancurt.
People played tonight like they had a plane to catch. Only a couple patches where no one was getting bounced out of the tourney. On to the action:
5 min: Akensi gets crippled as her (AK) runs into RKidder51400’s (AA).
12 min: ThePunk75 (24th) sees his (JJ) run into Douge2’s (AA).
15 min: Absea98 and Derf-63 call CrackBuyer’s (23rd) raise. The flop is [7s Jc 5d]. Absea bets, Crack raises and Derf goes all-in! Guys, it’s a rag flop! What is up with this? CrackBuyer calls with (QQ) and Derf shows his (AJ). Ok, got it. An [A] falls on the turn and no nub for the Buyer.
16 min: BigLou93’s trip deuces put Akensi (22nd) out of her misery.
21 min: I was playing a hand and missed the loss of Gotbug (21st).
32 min: A short-stacked Wingsfancurt (20th) sees his (JJ) get run down by Rjmech’s (99) with a [9] on the flop. We treat most new players this way Curt. Think of it as an initiation.
36 min: A short-stacked Kensik (19th) has to go with (Q8) and can’t catch LittleRedElf’s (A8).
38 min: Six players see a family pot flop of [9h 7d Tc]. The family splits to a partnership as Douge2 (18th) bets and only TheNewY2K calls. A [Jd] turns, Douge bets, Y2K moves all-in with (KQ) and Douge calls (A8). Another painful exit.
40 min: Another six player flop; [Jh 3d Th]. LittleRedElf bets small and Theedouble*d (17th) moves all-in. Mikeniks-Faldo (A3) and LRE (AT) both call that.
They check a blank turn of [2s]. When an [A] falls on the river, Faldo throws a bet out there and gets called by LRE’s bigger two pair. The DD didn’t have the goods and mucks.
48 min: This time a four player flop of [Tc Td Js]. Nahanni74 (9d 8d) moves all-in with a straight draw semi-bluff. Absea98 (16th) has to call with two pair (AJ). A [Q] for Nahanni’s straight hit on the turn.
49 min: Rjmech sees his (AK) run into Derf-63’s (AA) to cripple him.
50 min: I am playing the next hand and miss Fusciardi’s (15th) demise.
51 min: Rjmech’s (14th) short-stacked all-in with (J7) is called by Mikeniks-Faldo holding (KJ) and does not catch up.
58 min: A short-stacked UMichPoker (13th) tries it with (A7) but finds Smookie27 waiting with (JJ).
1st Break:
Smookie27 7760
TheNewY2K 6475
Tripp AA 3762
Nahanni74 3610
Kaytdid 2970
Derf-63 2650
LittleRedElf 2570
Biglou93 2040
RKidder51400 1385
Tigercub8189 1130
Mikeniks-Faldo 1048
Boother36 600
67 min: Boother36 (12th) never did show and blinds out.
69 min: A short-stacked Tigercub8189 (11th) goes with (A8) and Nahanni74 takes him out with (AK).
72 min: Mikeniks-Faldo (10th) goes all-in with (33h) and never has a chance at a coin flip against TheNewY2K’s (AJh) as an [Ah Jc 6h] flop. Runner – runner hearts rubs salt in the wound for Bubble Faldo.
73 min: Painful exits were plentiful this evening. Derf-63’s (9th) lead with (Kd Td) against TheNewY2K’s (Qh 9h) is short lived as a [Q] falls on the flop.
77 min: Biglou93 (8th) loses his coin flip with (99) against RKidder51400’s (AQ) when an [A] lands on the river!
93 min: Finally, a calming period until LittleRedElf (7th) moves all-in with (55) over TheNewY2K’s raise. Y2K calls the small increase with (A7). The board shows [JJTT] counterfeiting LRE’s hand.
100 min: RKidder51400 (6th) re-raises TrippAA with an all-in move and (AT). Tripp calls with (AJ).
101 min: Nahanni74 (5th) goes all-in with (44) and finds TheNewY2K holding (QQ).
102 min: Smookie27 (4th) sees his (K9) run into Kaytdid’s (AK).
112 min: TrippAA (3rd) tries an all-in bluff with (Qc Jc) and runs into TheNewY2K’s (AK).
2nd break:
TheNewY2K 31690
Kaytdid 4310
122 min: Kaytdid (2nd) has to try with (KJ), but TheNewY2K’s (88) holds up to end the night.
Congratulations to TheNewY2K on a fine win and also to Kaytdid on an outstanding rookie showing! NPP just is loaded with fine poker players!
1st – TheNewY2K
2nd - Kaytdid
3rd – Tripp AA
4th – Smookie27
5th – Nahanni74
6th – RKidder51400
7th – LittleRedElf
8th – Biglou93
9th – Derf-63
Standings for 2nd quarter and total points are on the right side of the blog!
We welcomed two new players to the NPP stable tonight – Kaytdid and Wingsfancurt.
People played tonight like they had a plane to catch. Only a couple patches where no one was getting bounced out of the tourney. On to the action:
5 min: Akensi gets crippled as her (AK) runs into RKidder51400’s (AA).
12 min: ThePunk75 (24th) sees his (JJ) run into Douge2’s (AA).
15 min: Absea98 and Derf-63 call CrackBuyer’s (23rd) raise. The flop is [7s Jc 5d]. Absea bets, Crack raises and Derf goes all-in! Guys, it’s a rag flop! What is up with this? CrackBuyer calls with (QQ) and Derf shows his (AJ). Ok, got it. An [A] falls on the turn and no nub for the Buyer.
16 min: BigLou93’s trip deuces put Akensi (22nd) out of her misery.
21 min: I was playing a hand and missed the loss of Gotbug (21st).
32 min: A short-stacked Wingsfancurt (20th) sees his (JJ) get run down by Rjmech’s (99) with a [9] on the flop. We treat most new players this way Curt. Think of it as an initiation.
36 min: A short-stacked Kensik (19th) has to go with (Q8) and can’t catch LittleRedElf’s (A8).
38 min: Six players see a family pot flop of [9h 7d Tc]. The family splits to a partnership as Douge2 (18th) bets and only TheNewY2K calls. A [Jd] turns, Douge bets, Y2K moves all-in with (KQ) and Douge calls (A8). Another painful exit.
40 min: Another six player flop; [Jh 3d Th]. LittleRedElf bets small and Theedouble*d (17th) moves all-in. Mikeniks-Faldo (A3) and LRE (AT) both call that.
They check a blank turn of [2s]. When an [A] falls on the river, Faldo throws a bet out there and gets called by LRE’s bigger two pair. The DD didn’t have the goods and mucks.
48 min: This time a four player flop of [Tc Td Js]. Nahanni74 (9d 8d) moves all-in with a straight draw semi-bluff. Absea98 (16th) has to call with two pair (AJ). A [Q] for Nahanni’s straight hit on the turn.
49 min: Rjmech sees his (AK) run into Derf-63’s (AA) to cripple him.
50 min: I am playing the next hand and miss Fusciardi’s (15th) demise.
51 min: Rjmech’s (14th) short-stacked all-in with (J7) is called by Mikeniks-Faldo holding (KJ) and does not catch up.
58 min: A short-stacked UMichPoker (13th) tries it with (A7) but finds Smookie27 waiting with (JJ).
1st Break:
Smookie27 7760
TheNewY2K 6475
Tripp AA 3762
Nahanni74 3610
Kaytdid 2970
Derf-63 2650
LittleRedElf 2570
Biglou93 2040
RKidder51400 1385
Tigercub8189 1130
Mikeniks-Faldo 1048
Boother36 600
67 min: Boother36 (12th) never did show and blinds out.
69 min: A short-stacked Tigercub8189 (11th) goes with (A8) and Nahanni74 takes him out with (AK).
72 min: Mikeniks-Faldo (10th) goes all-in with (33h) and never has a chance at a coin flip against TheNewY2K’s (AJh) as an [Ah Jc 6h] flop. Runner – runner hearts rubs salt in the wound for Bubble Faldo.
73 min: Painful exits were plentiful this evening. Derf-63’s (9th) lead with (Kd Td) against TheNewY2K’s (Qh 9h) is short lived as a [Q] falls on the flop.
77 min: Biglou93 (8th) loses his coin flip with (99) against RKidder51400’s (AQ) when an [A] lands on the river!
93 min: Finally, a calming period until LittleRedElf (7th) moves all-in with (55) over TheNewY2K’s raise. Y2K calls the small increase with (A7). The board shows [JJTT] counterfeiting LRE’s hand.
100 min: RKidder51400 (6th) re-raises TrippAA with an all-in move and (AT). Tripp calls with (AJ).
101 min: Nahanni74 (5th) goes all-in with (44) and finds TheNewY2K holding (QQ).
102 min: Smookie27 (4th) sees his (K9) run into Kaytdid’s (AK).
112 min: TrippAA (3rd) tries an all-in bluff with (Qc Jc) and runs into TheNewY2K’s (AK).
2nd break:
TheNewY2K 31690
Kaytdid 4310
122 min: Kaytdid (2nd) has to try with (KJ), but TheNewY2K’s (88) holds up to end the night.
Congratulations to TheNewY2K on a fine win and also to Kaytdid on an outstanding rookie showing! NPP just is loaded with fine poker players!
1st – TheNewY2K
2nd - Kaytdid
3rd – Tripp AA
4th – Smookie27
5th – Nahanni74
6th – RKidder51400
7th – LittleRedElf
8th – Biglou93
9th – Derf-63
Standings for 2nd quarter and total points are on the right side of the blog!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
ArticBlast1 Hosts an NPP Home Game
Old fashioned limit poker was on tap – as was the pizza, chips and beer!
Beerhog and Faldo had cigars in Matchy’s driveway – as a pre-game warm up.
Boother, Farrell, Bo and a couple others snuggled up to ArticBlast’s octagon felt.
Life is tough as after a lunch of wings and beer, I had to play golf BEFORE cigars and a night of poker with buddies. Someone has to do it.
The laughs were many as the cards flew. Faldo ended up the big winner.
Thanks for organizing the game ArticBlast1 and Matchy. And, yes – they shamed Faldo into re-opening NPP for a game soon.
Beerhog and Faldo had cigars in Matchy’s driveway – as a pre-game warm up.
Boother, Farrell, Bo and a couple others snuggled up to ArticBlast’s octagon felt.
Life is tough as after a lunch of wings and beer, I had to play golf BEFORE cigars and a night of poker with buddies. Someone has to do it.
The laughs were many as the cards flew. Faldo ended up the big winner.
Thanks for organizing the game ArticBlast1 and Matchy. And, yes – they shamed Faldo into re-opening NPP for a game soon.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Just for Fun
Beerhog goes into an adult store and asks for an inflatable love doll.
Salesperson asks, "Male or female"?
Beerhog answers, "Female".
Salesperson asks, "Black or white"?
Beerhog answers, "White".
Salesperson asks, "Christian or Muslim"?
Beerhog asks, "What the hell does religion have to do with it"?
Salesperson says, "The Muslim one blows itself up"!
Dave the Dog and his lovely wife are traveling by car from Key West to Boston. After almost twenty-four hours on the road, they're too tired to continue, and they decide to stop for a rest. They stop at a nice hotel and take a room, but they only plan to sleep for four hours and then get back on the road.
When they check out four hours later, the desk clerk hands them a bill for $350.00.
Dave explodes and demands to know why the charge is so high. He tells the clerk although it's a nice hotel, the rooms certainly aren't worth $350.00.
When the clerk tells him $350.00 is the standard rate, Dave insists on speaking to the Manager.
The Manager appears, listens to Dave, and then explains that the hotel has an Olympic-sized pool and a huge conference center that were available for the husband and wife to use.
"But we didn't use them," Dave complains.
"Well, they are here, and you could have," explains the Manager. He goes on to explain they could have taken in one of the shows for which the hotel is famous. "The best entertainers from New York, Hollywood and Las Vegas perform here," the Manager says.
"But we didn't go to any of those shows, "complains Dave again.
"Well, we have them, and you could have," the Manager replies.
No matter what amenity the Manager mentions, Dave’s reply was always, "But we didn't use it!"
The Manager is unmoved, and eventually Dave gives up and agrees to pay. He writes a check and gives it to the Manager.
The Manager is surprised when he looks at the check. "But sir," he says, this check is only made out for $50.00."
That's correct," says Dave "I charged you $300.00 for sleeping with my wife."
"But I didn't!" exclaims the Manager.
“Well, too bad," the man replies. "She was here and – for $300 - you could have.”
Salesperson asks, "Male or female"?
Beerhog answers, "Female".
Salesperson asks, "Black or white"?
Beerhog answers, "White".
Salesperson asks, "Christian or Muslim"?
Beerhog asks, "What the hell does religion have to do with it"?
Salesperson says, "The Muslim one blows itself up"!
Dave the Dog and his lovely wife are traveling by car from Key West to Boston. After almost twenty-four hours on the road, they're too tired to continue, and they decide to stop for a rest. They stop at a nice hotel and take a room, but they only plan to sleep for four hours and then get back on the road.
When they check out four hours later, the desk clerk hands them a bill for $350.00.
Dave explodes and demands to know why the charge is so high. He tells the clerk although it's a nice hotel, the rooms certainly aren't worth $350.00.
When the clerk tells him $350.00 is the standard rate, Dave insists on speaking to the Manager.
The Manager appears, listens to Dave, and then explains that the hotel has an Olympic-sized pool and a huge conference center that were available for the husband and wife to use.
"But we didn't use them," Dave complains.
"Well, they are here, and you could have," explains the Manager. He goes on to explain they could have taken in one of the shows for which the hotel is famous. "The best entertainers from New York, Hollywood and Las Vegas perform here," the Manager says.
"But we didn't go to any of those shows, "complains Dave again.
"Well, we have them, and you could have," the Manager replies.
No matter what amenity the Manager mentions, Dave’s reply was always, "But we didn't use it!"
The Manager is unmoved, and eventually Dave gives up and agrees to pay. He writes a check and gives it to the Manager.
The Manager is surprised when he looks at the check. "But sir," he says, this check is only made out for $50.00."
That's correct," says Dave "I charged you $300.00 for sleeping with my wife."
"But I didn't!" exclaims the Manager.
“Well, too bad," the man replies. "She was here and – for $300 - you could have.”
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Boother36 Returns to NPP Winning Form
All you have to do is look at the NPP records at the side of the blog to know what Boother36 is all about.
He is just one of the reasons NPP is the place to play! I am not kidding or making a joke when I say the very best poker players don’t want you to know who they are - and the best poker players you never heard of - play at NPP.
You want to hone your skills against the best – you are here and at home.
We welcomed five new players to the NPP family tonight – Amyada19, Derf-63, Gotbug, Rosco24 and Rtk2010. Also returning from some time off, Sjagot1990. Welcome everyone!
Now on to the action!
4 min: I was busy over-betting my (AA) so I missed Boother36’s straight eliminating Rennzzo (26th). Boother36 with chips early did not help my mood either.
20 min: Gotbug (25th) got the typical NPP greeting from the PokerStars deck as his J-high flush lost to Aqualung85’s A-high flush.
23 min: Quagmire2752 (24th) runs into Absea98’s trip Jacks.
This gap in casualties is proof of the level of play at NPP. But rising blinds take their toll.
47 min: Tigercub8189 (23rd) has his (AT) lose the lopsided race to BigLou93’s (JJ).
48 min: A short-stacked CrackBuyer (22nd) sees his (KK) lose to another short-stack, Faldo with (As Qs) with an [A] on the turn. Sorry Buyer. You might have done more with the opportunity than I did.
49 min: While I was sucking out on CrackBuyer, Absea98 did a double kill of TrippAA (21st) and Sirgash (20th).
52 min: A short-stacked Rosco24 (19th) cannot get his (A2) to run down short-stacked UMichPoker (55).
55 min: UMichPoker (18th) does not escape the Break Reaper as her (AQ) runs into Boother36’s (QQ).
58 min: Douge2 spits in the Break Reaper’s face – and Biglou93 at the same time – as his short-stacked (JJ) overtakes Lou’s (AA). Ouch!
1st Break:
Boother36 5970
Absea98 4805
Thedouble*d 3930
Kensik 2665
Douge2 2640
Rjmech 2245
Rtk2010 2130
Sjagot1990 2125
Amyada19 2010
LittleRedElf 1994
Fuscairdi 1926
Mikeniks-Faldo 1435
Biglou93 1235
Derf-63 1230
Aqualung85 1055
Akensi 1010
Bigbrimar 595
64 min: Theedouble*d decides to have his (Kh Qh) lay the second double elimination of the night on the field as his flush takes out Aqualung85 (17th) and Derf-63 (16th).
66 min: Douge2 is crippled as his (JJ) runs into Sjagot1’s (AA). Douge2 does fight back into contention.
70 min: Biglou93’s (15th) lack of nub on PokerStars continues as his (44) runs right into Absea98’s (QQ).
72 min: Douge2 (14th) had built back some chips and PokerStars let him think a comeback was possible as he got action on his all-in with (KK). The big stack Theedouble*d has to call with (AQ) and spikes an [A] on the flop.
77 min: A bad beat on the hand before I was hoping would quiet the table down. Mikeniks-Faldo (13th) decides to steal blinds with (JT) but runs into the (QQ) of Sjagot1990.
Well, that was only the 2nd time I got beat by the best hand in the TEN times I lost tonight. 2 – 7 with the best hand and 1 – 3 with the worst hand - and you finish 13th.
Getting to a final table with Boother and Little Red Elf would have been a rush for me! It was not to be.
80 min: Fusciardi (12th) has to move with (A8) and loses a race to Kensik with (A9).
86 min: Bigbrimar (11th) waits until the very last minute for a hand, only to see his (JJ) lose to Rtk2010’s correct call with (Q7) and spike a [Q] on the flop.
91 min: A short-stacked LittleRedElf (10th) bubbles as his short-stacked (AQ) all-in loses the race to Rjmech’s (44).
93 min: A short-stacked Akensi (9th) has to go, but is called in two places by Kensik and Amyada19. Amyada19 wins it with a pair of Kings over Kensik’s (TT).
97 min: Now it is Kensik’s (8th) turn to make a stand with (KJ) but runs into Boother36’s (AK), which does out kick Ken to victory in the hand.
102 min: Absea98 (7th) is out next, but I wrote the wrong hand down trying to get the hand perfect. There was some action and I wanted to capture it. I did not. Can someone fill us in please?
103 min: Rtk2010 (6th) calls Boother36’s (KK) raise with an all-in holding (AK) and Boother’s pocket Cowboys hold on.
106 min: Amyada19 (5th) makes her move with (KT) but loses her race to Boother36’s (KQ).
109 min: Sjagot1990 (4th) has to go with (44) but Rjmech calls with (KJ) and hits a [K] on the river! The bubble always smarts. The point bubble hurts. The money bubble sucks.
110 min: Theedouble*d (3rd) re-raises Rjmech, who calls. The flop is [5d Ad 8s]. DD bets and RJ moves all-in with (Kd 8d) – middle pair and a flush draw. The pot committed DD has to call with his (Ah Th) for top pair, and the lead. RJ gets the flush on the turn AND river.
Heads up: Rjmech 23300 - Boother36 15700
113 min: Boother36 is all-in with (KJ) against Rjmech’s (AT). A [K] spikes on the flop, giving Boother the chip lead.
114 min: RJ has to try with (Qs 8s) but cannot overtake Boother’s (A6).
Congratulations to Boother - padding his NPP win total, and a very nice showing by our new members. NPP just keeps getting better and better!
1st – Boother36
2nd - Rjmech
3rd – Theedouble*d
4th – Sjagot1990
5th – Amyada19
6th – Rtk2010
7th – Absea98
8th – Kensik
9th – Akensi
Standings for 2nd quarter and total points are on the right side of the blog!
He is just one of the reasons NPP is the place to play! I am not kidding or making a joke when I say the very best poker players don’t want you to know who they are - and the best poker players you never heard of - play at NPP.
You want to hone your skills against the best – you are here and at home.
We welcomed five new players to the NPP family tonight – Amyada19, Derf-63, Gotbug, Rosco24 and Rtk2010. Also returning from some time off, Sjagot1990. Welcome everyone!
Now on to the action!
4 min: I was busy over-betting my (AA) so I missed Boother36’s straight eliminating Rennzzo (26th). Boother36 with chips early did not help my mood either.
20 min: Gotbug (25th) got the typical NPP greeting from the PokerStars deck as his J-high flush lost to Aqualung85’s A-high flush.
23 min: Quagmire2752 (24th) runs into Absea98’s trip Jacks.
This gap in casualties is proof of the level of play at NPP. But rising blinds take their toll.
47 min: Tigercub8189 (23rd) has his (AT) lose the lopsided race to BigLou93’s (JJ).
48 min: A short-stacked CrackBuyer (22nd) sees his (KK) lose to another short-stack, Faldo with (As Qs) with an [A] on the turn. Sorry Buyer. You might have done more with the opportunity than I did.
49 min: While I was sucking out on CrackBuyer, Absea98 did a double kill of TrippAA (21st) and Sirgash (20th).
52 min: A short-stacked Rosco24 (19th) cannot get his (A2) to run down short-stacked UMichPoker (55).
55 min: UMichPoker (18th) does not escape the Break Reaper as her (AQ) runs into Boother36’s (QQ).
58 min: Douge2 spits in the Break Reaper’s face – and Biglou93 at the same time – as his short-stacked (JJ) overtakes Lou’s (AA). Ouch!
1st Break:
Boother36 5970
Absea98 4805
Thedouble*d 3930
Kensik 2665
Douge2 2640
Rjmech 2245
Rtk2010 2130
Sjagot1990 2125
Amyada19 2010
LittleRedElf 1994
Fuscairdi 1926
Mikeniks-Faldo 1435
Biglou93 1235
Derf-63 1230
Aqualung85 1055
Akensi 1010
Bigbrimar 595
64 min: Theedouble*d decides to have his (Kh Qh) lay the second double elimination of the night on the field as his flush takes out Aqualung85 (17th) and Derf-63 (16th).
66 min: Douge2 is crippled as his (JJ) runs into Sjagot1’s (AA). Douge2 does fight back into contention.
70 min: Biglou93’s (15th) lack of nub on PokerStars continues as his (44) runs right into Absea98’s (QQ).
72 min: Douge2 (14th) had built back some chips and PokerStars let him think a comeback was possible as he got action on his all-in with (KK). The big stack Theedouble*d has to call with (AQ) and spikes an [A] on the flop.
77 min: A bad beat on the hand before I was hoping would quiet the table down. Mikeniks-Faldo (13th) decides to steal blinds with (JT) but runs into the (QQ) of Sjagot1990.
Well, that was only the 2nd time I got beat by the best hand in the TEN times I lost tonight. 2 – 7 with the best hand and 1 – 3 with the worst hand - and you finish 13th.
Getting to a final table with Boother and Little Red Elf would have been a rush for me! It was not to be.
80 min: Fusciardi (12th) has to move with (A8) and loses a race to Kensik with (A9).
86 min: Bigbrimar (11th) waits until the very last minute for a hand, only to see his (JJ) lose to Rtk2010’s correct call with (Q7) and spike a [Q] on the flop.
91 min: A short-stacked LittleRedElf (10th) bubbles as his short-stacked (AQ) all-in loses the race to Rjmech’s (44).
93 min: A short-stacked Akensi (9th) has to go, but is called in two places by Kensik and Amyada19. Amyada19 wins it with a pair of Kings over Kensik’s (TT).
97 min: Now it is Kensik’s (8th) turn to make a stand with (KJ) but runs into Boother36’s (AK), which does out kick Ken to victory in the hand.
102 min: Absea98 (7th) is out next, but I wrote the wrong hand down trying to get the hand perfect. There was some action and I wanted to capture it. I did not. Can someone fill us in please?
103 min: Rtk2010 (6th) calls Boother36’s (KK) raise with an all-in holding (AK) and Boother’s pocket Cowboys hold on.
106 min: Amyada19 (5th) makes her move with (KT) but loses her race to Boother36’s (KQ).
109 min: Sjagot1990 (4th) has to go with (44) but Rjmech calls with (KJ) and hits a [K] on the river! The bubble always smarts. The point bubble hurts. The money bubble sucks.
110 min: Theedouble*d (3rd) re-raises Rjmech, who calls. The flop is [5d Ad 8s]. DD bets and RJ moves all-in with (Kd 8d) – middle pair and a flush draw. The pot committed DD has to call with his (Ah Th) for top pair, and the lead. RJ gets the flush on the turn AND river.
Heads up: Rjmech 23300 - Boother36 15700
113 min: Boother36 is all-in with (KJ) against Rjmech’s (AT). A [K] spikes on the flop, giving Boother the chip lead.
114 min: RJ has to try with (Qs 8s) but cannot overtake Boother’s (A6).
Congratulations to Boother - padding his NPP win total, and a very nice showing by our new members. NPP just keeps getting better and better!
1st – Boother36
2nd - Rjmech
3rd – Theedouble*d
4th – Sjagot1990
5th – Amyada19
6th – Rtk2010
7th – Absea98
8th – Kensik
9th – Akensi
Standings for 2nd quarter and total points are on the right side of the blog!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Douge2's Humor Corner
LITTLE FALDO ON LIFE:
A teacher asks her class, "If there are five birds sitting on a fence, and you shoot one of them, how many will be left?" She calls on Little Faldo. He replies, "None They will all fly away with the first gunshot."
The teacher replies, "The correct answer is four, but I like your thinking."
Then, Little Faldo says, "I have a question for you. There are three women sitting on a bench having ice cream:
One is delicately licking the sides of the triple scoop of ice cream. The second is gobbling down the top and sucking the cone. The third is biting off the top of the ice cream. Which one is married?"
The teacher, blushing a great deal, replied, "Well, I suppose the one that's gobbled down the top and sucked the cone."
To which Little Faldo replied, "The correct answer is 'the one with the wedding ring on', but I like your thinking."
TEXAS LOGIC:
The old cowboy Tigercub8189 sat down at the Starbucks and ordered a cup of coffee. As he sat sipping his coffee, a city-slicker office woman sat down next to him.
She turned to the cowboy and asked, "Are you a real cowboy?"
He replied, "Well, I've spent my whole life breaking colts, working cows, going to rodeos, fixing fences, pulling calves, bailing hay, doctoring calves, cleaning my barn, fixing flats, working on tractors, and feeding my dogs, so I guess I am a cowboy."
She said, "I'm a lesbian. I spend my whole day thinking about women. As soon as I get up in the morning, I think about women. When I shower, I think about women. When I watch TV, I think about women. I even think about women when I eat ... or drink coffee,” she giggled. “It seems that everything makes me think of women!"
The two sat sipping in silence.
A little while later, a young college man sat down on the other side of the old cowboy and asked, "Are you a real cowboy?"
Tigercub8189 replied, "I always thought I was, but I just found out that I'm a lesbian."
A teacher asks her class, "If there are five birds sitting on a fence, and you shoot one of them, how many will be left?" She calls on Little Faldo. He replies, "None They will all fly away with the first gunshot."
The teacher replies, "The correct answer is four, but I like your thinking."
Then, Little Faldo says, "I have a question for you. There are three women sitting on a bench having ice cream:
One is delicately licking the sides of the triple scoop of ice cream. The second is gobbling down the top and sucking the cone. The third is biting off the top of the ice cream. Which one is married?"
The teacher, blushing a great deal, replied, "Well, I suppose the one that's gobbled down the top and sucked the cone."
To which Little Faldo replied, "The correct answer is 'the one with the wedding ring on', but I like your thinking."
TEXAS LOGIC:
The old cowboy Tigercub8189 sat down at the Starbucks and ordered a cup of coffee. As he sat sipping his coffee, a city-slicker office woman sat down next to him.
She turned to the cowboy and asked, "Are you a real cowboy?"
He replied, "Well, I've spent my whole life breaking colts, working cows, going to rodeos, fixing fences, pulling calves, bailing hay, doctoring calves, cleaning my barn, fixing flats, working on tractors, and feeding my dogs, so I guess I am a cowboy."
She said, "I'm a lesbian. I spend my whole day thinking about women. As soon as I get up in the morning, I think about women. When I shower, I think about women. When I watch TV, I think about women. I even think about women when I eat ... or drink coffee,” she giggled. “It seems that everything makes me think of women!"
The two sat sipping in silence.
A little while later, a young college man sat down on the other side of the old cowboy and asked, "Are you a real cowboy?"
Tigercub8189 replied, "I always thought I was, but I just found out that I'm a lesbian."
Friday, April 10, 2009
Faldo Wins Premier Poker Lounge Re-buy Tourney
Well, it was a chop, but being able to outlast thirty other players, I’ll take it.
It is the scheduled tourney every Thursday evening at the Premier Poker Lounge at Mt. Brighton/ The Jackal Golf Course/ The Bauery Bar and Grill Restaurant.
Details for this great poker room are on the right side of the blog – either under Premier Poker Lounge or Michigan Poker News.
They run tourneys every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday – with cash games available also.
The key hands for me tonight were (55) that outlasted a (Qs Js) while short-stacked and on the bubble (paying 3 with 4 left), and an (A9) all-in that got by a (Ks 9s), (Ad 8d) and a (65) with six left. To win a tourney, you have to play well – AND get lucky at the right time.
I got heads-up and was – of course – the much shorter stack (twss).
But I managed to get back to even when the offer was made to chop it – and we did. With the chop, I pulled in 5 times my entries, re-buys and add-ons.
As usual, the tourney was on time, well run and a good time.
Players constantly say that playing at the Premier Poker Lounge is like playing in a ‘home game’ and I could not agree more! Nice people and players just seem to hang out there.
It’s my poker room when home games are not happening. – Faldo
It is the scheduled tourney every Thursday evening at the Premier Poker Lounge at Mt. Brighton/ The Jackal Golf Course/ The Bauery Bar and Grill Restaurant.
Details for this great poker room are on the right side of the blog – either under Premier Poker Lounge or Michigan Poker News.
They run tourneys every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday – with cash games available also.
The key hands for me tonight were (55) that outlasted a (Qs Js) while short-stacked and on the bubble (paying 3 with 4 left), and an (A9) all-in that got by a (Ks 9s), (Ad 8d) and a (65) with six left. To win a tourney, you have to play well – AND get lucky at the right time.
I got heads-up and was – of course – the much shorter stack (twss).
But I managed to get back to even when the offer was made to chop it – and we did. With the chop, I pulled in 5 times my entries, re-buys and add-ons.
As usual, the tourney was on time, well run and a good time.
Players constantly say that playing at the Premier Poker Lounge is like playing in a ‘home game’ and I could not agree more! Nice people and players just seem to hang out there.
It’s my poker room when home games are not happening. – Faldo
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
UMichPoker Wins Her 1st NPP Tourney
Michelle “UMichPoker” becomes the 3rd lady and 38th player to win an NPP tourney. She is also the CEO of the Michigan Poker News (see link on side of blog)! UMichPoker bested a field of 17 to take the title tonight.
Faldo was present but did not take a seat, due to the ‘bad beat gremlin’ that seems to have take refuge in my computers. I’m going to attempt to starve the beast for a day or two.
{Confession: Once the tourney got rolling and saw how much fun everyone was having - I wanted in! Gremlins or not!} Hopefully the reporting is a lot better at least.
Now on to the action!
15 min: Quiet and conservative action early it seems. Rjmech and Quagmire2753 finally hook up for a pot, with a flop of [Qs 8s Qc]. RJ bets and Quag raises. RJ pushes with (TT) and Quag calls with (A8). An [A] on the turn cripples RJ.
16 min: Meanwhile, Duder1123’s (17th) bad night ends as his (33) runs into Fusciardi’s (66).
18 min: A rare family pot, as seven players see a flop of [Ad 3d Qc]. Tigercub8189 bets small and is called by Quagmire2753 and Bigbrimar. The turn is a [9d]. Quag makes a middle bet and only the Tiger calls. The river is a [Tc]. Quag makes a nice value bet with his flush and Tiger calls it down with his two pair.
20 min: The short-stacked Rjmech (16th) has to go with (33) also and finds LittleRedElf’s (QQ) waiting for him. Tough night for RJ.
36 min: Boother36 (15th) and Quagmire2753 call a LittleRedElf raise and see a flop of [9d 8c Ah]. LRE bets, Boother calls and Quag raises! Only Boother calls. The turn is the [4d]. Boother checks, Quag bets and Boother moves all-in with a semi-bluff with (T9). Quag has to call with (A4) and the two pair - pre-river.
37 min: Douge2, Rennzzo, CrackBuyer, Absea98 (14th) and UMichPoker all see the flop of [8h 9s Kd]. This brings an all-in bet from Absea98 with (K4), which is called by UMich with an open ended straight draw (JT) – which hits!
46 min: Tigercub8189 (13th) has to try it with (Ah Qh), but is called by LittleRedElf with (JJ), and does not catch up.
54 min: Two short-stacks have to try and double up. ThePunk75 (12th) sees his (AK) all-in lose to Bigbrimar’s (Ah Jh), with a [J] on the river.
55 min: Douge2 (11th) has his two pair destroyed by TrippAA’s quad ladies!
59 min: Rennzzo fights off the Break Monster curse as his (QQ) doubles him up over TrippAA’s (JJ).
1st Break:
Quagmire2752 4510
Rennzzo 3654
Fuscairdi 3585
Nahanni74 2525
Bigbrimar 2395
CrackBuyer 2395
LittleRedElf 2325
TrippAA 1733
UMichPoker 1598
Akensi 780
63 min: The short stacked Akensi (10th) goes with (As 4s) and runs into LittleRedElf’s (AA).
70 min: UMichPoker loses a tough one and gets crippled as her (KK) all-in on a flop of [4QT] loses to the pocket (44) of TrippAA. But this is not the last we will see of these two going heads up this evening!
77 min: Quagmire2752 (9th) becomes the victim of the NPP 1st Break Chip Leader curse and gets bounced as his flopped two pair loses to Fusciardi’s trips.
95 min: A very short stacked Bigbrimar (8th) goes all-in with (JJ) and gets called in two places. UMichPoker trips her pocket (33).
96 min: Rennzzo first gets crippled as his (99) loses to CrackBuyer’s (AK) as it ends up making a bigger straight. Then Crack finishes Rennzzo (7th) the next hand.
100 min: UMichPoker (QQ) cripples Nahanni74’s stack (Ac Kc). But UMich gives a lot back as she calls Fusciardi’s (Ah Qh) all-in with (Ac 8c).
107 min: Nahanni74 (6th) sees her all-in with (TT) look pretty good on a flop of [QJ7] against CrackBuyer’s (AK). But a [Q] [J] turn and river gives her fatal kicker problems.
109 min: CrackBuyer (5th) tries with (AT) to run his heater into making a dent into TrippAA’s chip lead, but finds (KK) waiting for him.
110 min: LittleRedElf (4th), who won a PokerStars Razz tourney – while still playing us mortals at NPP – has to make a move with (Qh Jh) and finds UMichPoker holding (AA).
113 min: The shorter stacked Fusciardi (3rd) has to try with (Kc 4c){58%} and the big stack TrippAA, does his duty and tries to eliminate this dangerous player with (J9) {41%}. Tripp hits his 6.5 to 1 card [J] on the river to win it. Notice he was not that big a dog pre-flop.
Heads up: TrippAA 20000 - UMichPoker 5500
115 min: TrippAA 16900 - UMichPoker 8600
119 min: Big swing here as UMichPoker (A9) hits an [A] on the river to beat TrippAA’s (TT).
2nd break:
UMichPoker 17,300
TrippAA 8200
124 min: TrippAA (2nd) rightfully goes all-in with (A8) and is rightfully called by UMichPoker with (KQ). A [Q] on the turn ends the evening.
Congratulations to UMichPoker for an exciting win and special kudos to TrippAA, who has a 1st and 2nd in his first two tourneys at NPP. Wow!
1st – UMichPoker
2nd - TrippAA
3rd – Fusciardi
4th – LittleRedElf
5th – CrackBuyer
6th – Nahanni74
7th – Rennzzo
8th – Bigbrimar
9th – Quagmire2752
Standings for 2nd quarter and total points are on the right side of the blog!
Faldo was present but did not take a seat, due to the ‘bad beat gremlin’ that seems to have take refuge in my computers. I’m going to attempt to starve the beast for a day or two.
{Confession: Once the tourney got rolling and saw how much fun everyone was having - I wanted in! Gremlins or not!} Hopefully the reporting is a lot better at least.
Now on to the action!
15 min: Quiet and conservative action early it seems. Rjmech and Quagmire2753 finally hook up for a pot, with a flop of [Qs 8s Qc]. RJ bets and Quag raises. RJ pushes with (TT) and Quag calls with (A8). An [A] on the turn cripples RJ.
16 min: Meanwhile, Duder1123’s (17th) bad night ends as his (33) runs into Fusciardi’s (66).
18 min: A rare family pot, as seven players see a flop of [Ad 3d Qc]. Tigercub8189 bets small and is called by Quagmire2753 and Bigbrimar. The turn is a [9d]. Quag makes a middle bet and only the Tiger calls. The river is a [Tc]. Quag makes a nice value bet with his flush and Tiger calls it down with his two pair.
20 min: The short-stacked Rjmech (16th) has to go with (33) also and finds LittleRedElf’s (QQ) waiting for him. Tough night for RJ.
36 min: Boother36 (15th) and Quagmire2753 call a LittleRedElf raise and see a flop of [9d 8c Ah]. LRE bets, Boother calls and Quag raises! Only Boother calls. The turn is the [4d]. Boother checks, Quag bets and Boother moves all-in with a semi-bluff with (T9). Quag has to call with (A4) and the two pair - pre-river.
37 min: Douge2, Rennzzo, CrackBuyer, Absea98 (14th) and UMichPoker all see the flop of [8h 9s Kd]. This brings an all-in bet from Absea98 with (K4), which is called by UMich with an open ended straight draw (JT) – which hits!
46 min: Tigercub8189 (13th) has to try it with (Ah Qh), but is called by LittleRedElf with (JJ), and does not catch up.
54 min: Two short-stacks have to try and double up. ThePunk75 (12th) sees his (AK) all-in lose to Bigbrimar’s (Ah Jh), with a [J] on the river.
55 min: Douge2 (11th) has his two pair destroyed by TrippAA’s quad ladies!
59 min: Rennzzo fights off the Break Monster curse as his (QQ) doubles him up over TrippAA’s (JJ).
1st Break:
Quagmire2752 4510
Rennzzo 3654
Fuscairdi 3585
Nahanni74 2525
Bigbrimar 2395
CrackBuyer 2395
LittleRedElf 2325
TrippAA 1733
UMichPoker 1598
Akensi 780
63 min: The short stacked Akensi (10th) goes with (As 4s) and runs into LittleRedElf’s (AA).
70 min: UMichPoker loses a tough one and gets crippled as her (KK) all-in on a flop of [4QT] loses to the pocket (44) of TrippAA. But this is not the last we will see of these two going heads up this evening!
77 min: Quagmire2752 (9th) becomes the victim of the NPP 1st Break Chip Leader curse and gets bounced as his flopped two pair loses to Fusciardi’s trips.
95 min: A very short stacked Bigbrimar (8th) goes all-in with (JJ) and gets called in two places. UMichPoker trips her pocket (33).
96 min: Rennzzo first gets crippled as his (99) loses to CrackBuyer’s (AK) as it ends up making a bigger straight. Then Crack finishes Rennzzo (7th) the next hand.
100 min: UMichPoker (QQ) cripples Nahanni74’s stack (Ac Kc). But UMich gives a lot back as she calls Fusciardi’s (Ah Qh) all-in with (Ac 8c).
107 min: Nahanni74 (6th) sees her all-in with (TT) look pretty good on a flop of [QJ7] against CrackBuyer’s (AK). But a [Q] [J] turn and river gives her fatal kicker problems.
109 min: CrackBuyer (5th) tries with (AT) to run his heater into making a dent into TrippAA’s chip lead, but finds (KK) waiting for him.
110 min: LittleRedElf (4th), who won a PokerStars Razz tourney – while still playing us mortals at NPP – has to make a move with (Qh Jh) and finds UMichPoker holding (AA).
113 min: The shorter stacked Fusciardi (3rd) has to try with (Kc 4c){58%} and the big stack TrippAA, does his duty and tries to eliminate this dangerous player with (J9) {41%}. Tripp hits his 6.5 to 1 card [J] on the river to win it. Notice he was not that big a dog pre-flop.
Heads up: TrippAA 20000 - UMichPoker 5500
115 min: TrippAA 16900 - UMichPoker 8600
119 min: Big swing here as UMichPoker (A9) hits an [A] on the river to beat TrippAA’s (TT).
2nd break:
UMichPoker 17,300
TrippAA 8200
124 min: TrippAA (2nd) rightfully goes all-in with (A8) and is rightfully called by UMichPoker with (KQ). A [Q] on the turn ends the evening.
Congratulations to UMichPoker for an exciting win and special kudos to TrippAA, who has a 1st and 2nd in his first two tourneys at NPP. Wow!
1st – UMichPoker
2nd - TrippAA
3rd – Fusciardi
4th – LittleRedElf
5th – CrackBuyer
6th – Nahanni74
7th – Rennzzo
8th – Bigbrimar
9th – Quagmire2752
Standings for 2nd quarter and total points are on the right side of the blog!
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Where “Playing Cards” Started
Card games have always been the Cadillac of gambling. First played by royalty, card games have been the high rank of the ‘games of chance’ for centuries.
The Chinese dictionary, first published in 1678, puts the invention of playing card at around 1120 AD!
The popular theory is that the Arabs and Saracens were the first who brought them to southern Europe. The first European cards appeared in 1299 AD. They were hand-painted and only the very rich could afford them.
An engraver figured out that the ‘common folk’ would enjoy these card games too, and was the first to mass produce playing cards out of Basle, Switzerland. His name - Lord Faldo of Donkey Mountain.
The making of playing cards may have been the ‘necessity’ that spurned the invention of the printing press in the first place!
The first playing cards had biblical figures used for ‘face cards.’ When the playing cards finally made their way to France in 1360 that is when the deck took the final form it has today.
The four suits originally represented the four divisions of society. Hearts symbolized the Church. The Espads (the sword), or Spades stood for the military. The Clover or Clubs acknowledged the peasants. And the Diamonds represented the merchants.
There was this French circus animal trainer named Douge de LittleRedElf that was able to train his dog to play poker. Seeing a fortune to be made with this animal, he took the mutt to a talent agent.
In front of the agent, the trainer dealt out hands of draw poker. Each time the dog expertly took the cards in his teeth lightly and dryly and turned his back on the men. You could tell he was moving the cards around with his nose. The dog would then turn back around, set the cards face down on the table and push the cards he wanted to discard away with his nose, while barking once for a one card draw, twice for a two card draw, etc.
The trainer would verify with the agent that the dog had successfully selected the right cards to discard in order to make the best hand possible after the draw.
After a dozen hands or so, the agent, Sirgash de Shankapotomus said, “You are wasting my time mister. Sure, the dog can play poker, but every time he hits a good hand, he wags his tail.”
The Chinese dictionary, first published in 1678, puts the invention of playing card at around 1120 AD!
The popular theory is that the Arabs and Saracens were the first who brought them to southern Europe. The first European cards appeared in 1299 AD. They were hand-painted and only the very rich could afford them.
An engraver figured out that the ‘common folk’ would enjoy these card games too, and was the first to mass produce playing cards out of Basle, Switzerland. His name - Lord Faldo of Donkey Mountain.
The making of playing cards may have been the ‘necessity’ that spurned the invention of the printing press in the first place!
The first playing cards had biblical figures used for ‘face cards.’ When the playing cards finally made their way to France in 1360 that is when the deck took the final form it has today.
The four suits originally represented the four divisions of society. Hearts symbolized the Church. The Espads (the sword), or Spades stood for the military. The Clover or Clubs acknowledged the peasants. And the Diamonds represented the merchants.
There was this French circus animal trainer named Douge de LittleRedElf that was able to train his dog to play poker. Seeing a fortune to be made with this animal, he took the mutt to a talent agent.
In front of the agent, the trainer dealt out hands of draw poker. Each time the dog expertly took the cards in his teeth lightly and dryly and turned his back on the men. You could tell he was moving the cards around with his nose. The dog would then turn back around, set the cards face down on the table and push the cards he wanted to discard away with his nose, while barking once for a one card draw, twice for a two card draw, etc.
The trainer would verify with the agent that the dog had successfully selected the right cards to discard in order to make the best hand possible after the draw.
After a dozen hands or so, the agent, Sirgash de Shankapotomus said, “You are wasting my time mister. Sure, the dog can play poker, but every time he hits a good hand, he wags his tail.”
Friday, April 03, 2009
Douge2 Supplies Some Laughs
1. Do-Gooders
Faldo was sitting on a park bench finishing his lunch of a Big Mac and fries. After starting on the beer hidden in the paper bag and lighting up a cigar, a man on the bench across from him said to him, "You know eating like that, drinking like that and smoking like that isn't good for you. It will give you cancer, a heart attack, and make you fat."
Faldo replied, "Well, my grandfather lived to be 107 years old."
The man asked, "Did your grandfather eat, drink and smoke the way you do?"
Faldo replied, "No, he minded his own fucking business."
2. Polite Way to Excuse Yourself
An instructor was trying to teach good manners to NPP players and asked her students the following question:
"Faldo, if you were on a date having dinner with a nice young lady, how would you tell her that you have to go to the bathroom?"
Fadlo said, "Just a minute I have to go take a squirt."
The teacher responded by saying, "That would be rude and impolite. What a bout you Dave the Dog, how would you say it?"
Dave said, "I am sorry, but I really need to go to the bathroom. I'll be right back."
The instructor said, "That's better, but it's still not very nice to say the word bathroom at the dinner table. And you, little Tigercub, can you use your brain for once and show us your good manners?"
Tigercub said "I would say: Darling, may I please be excused for a moment? I have to shake hands with a very dear friend of mine, whom I hope you'll get to meet after dinner."
The teacher fainted.
Faldo was sitting on a park bench finishing his lunch of a Big Mac and fries. After starting on the beer hidden in the paper bag and lighting up a cigar, a man on the bench across from him said to him, "You know eating like that, drinking like that and smoking like that isn't good for you. It will give you cancer, a heart attack, and make you fat."
Faldo replied, "Well, my grandfather lived to be 107 years old."
The man asked, "Did your grandfather eat, drink and smoke the way you do?"
Faldo replied, "No, he minded his own fucking business."
2. Polite Way to Excuse Yourself
An instructor was trying to teach good manners to NPP players and asked her students the following question:
"Faldo, if you were on a date having dinner with a nice young lady, how would you tell her that you have to go to the bathroom?"
Fadlo said, "Just a minute I have to go take a squirt."
The teacher responded by saying, "That would be rude and impolite. What a bout you Dave the Dog, how would you say it?"
Dave said, "I am sorry, but I really need to go to the bathroom. I'll be right back."
The instructor said, "That's better, but it's still not very nice to say the word bathroom at the dinner table. And you, little Tigercub, can you use your brain for once and show us your good manners?"
Tigercub said "I would say: Darling, may I please be excused for a moment? I have to shake hands with a very dear friend of mine, whom I hope you'll get to meet after dinner."
The teacher fainted.
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