The modelling work begins again in earnest tomorrow (Monday) after about a month off for the holidays. Seems like everything's picking up at once, though: 'Tis the season for some huge online poker series. I must take a deep breath for the hectic times to come.
Today UB and Absolute Poker start hosting UBOC 6. Two divisions: the main tournamernts (means expensive, most of them a little over my playing bankroll budget right now), and the Mini-UBOCs. I've got my eyes on about a half-dozen of the latter, starting with Mini-UBOC Event 2 in a couple of hours. A $30+$3 entry, and you get $5 for each foe you eliminate. I love bounty/sniper games!
Mini-UBOC and UBOC will be fun. But I'm really looking forward to the World Blogger Championship of Online Poker running Jan. 24-30 at PokerStars. Love playing with and against my fellow writing addicts. Some great players out there in the fellowship; for instance, change100 just yesterday won the PCA Ladies event in the Bahamas (super congrats ma'am!). It's a great challenge, the WBCOOP. I want to try to qualify for the Finals as I've done a couple series past (memory's bad as usual, I'll have to look things up and report later on my past performance goals to beat this time, know I cashed in one WBCOOP Final!). The Finals and family Birthdays Brunch get-together are conflicting with a live charity event I wanted to play on Jan. 30; too often there's just not enough of me to go around!
This is where PokerStars' WBCOOP badge/ad would go if things were working right. Sooner or later it'll get here. PStars supports us well; but some of us old writers are sooooo computer-hopeless...
Got a Twitter Poker League game about to begin, time to start preparing and psyching (and check on Da Bears' continuing success). Then Mini-UBOC 2, then some poker101a or Holdem Poker Chat forum games. Go Patriots! And everyone have a great day!
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Happy New Year 2011?
Just got finished reading Daniel Negreanu's latest blog, with his summary of his 2010 resolutions and his plans for 2011. Daniel's an excellent writer. I always enjoy reading him, even though I don't always agree with him or some of his stands. To each their own -- the key (in my humble opinion) is to respect others, allow them their opinions without trying to force them to change, and not be petty or controlling and always trying to get in the last word.
It's a new year (OK, it's four days old, but who's uber-picky?). Time for new paths and new hopes ... as well as polishing up the good old stuff that doesn't perhaps get the due it deserves. Time for some resolutions. To be honest, they're more like goals or wishes -- five for me, five for the world, all with at least a tinge of poker to them since that's my main thing. These are for 2011; here goes:
WORLD:
1) PokerStars and Full Tilt and other online poker sites to get along, to give their pros and players more freedom to compete (especially in each other's TV events). I was going to wish for a properly regulated and taxed internet poker business community, with easy deposit/withdrawal/transfer, safety of accounts and reasonable fair share for the governments, but that ain't gonna happen with the Republicans running the U.S. House of Representatives. I'm crazy, but I'm not insane enough to expect good things from the current government situation. Ah well, Status Quo is much better than Reid Bill would've been.
2) An 11th WSOP bracelet for Doyle Brunson. He's the true face of poker, what it was, is and should always be. He ain't perfect (who is!), but he is really special. The Godfather of Poker deserves one more shining spotlight -- at least!
3) Less poker splintering, more unification. Too many magazines, TV shows, tournament tours, online sites, "teachers". It's good that more people can get involved and show their stuff and make some money without really doing anything. But I don't like it. I don't think it's good for poker. Quality, not quantity, please!
Hmmm, harder than I thought it'd be to come up with reasonable resolutions/wishes for the world. ("Reasonable"?!) I'm hijacking the remaining two for myself! Seven seems like a good number for me anyway...
ME:
4) Work to better overcome the unpredictable irrational panic attacks and fears that keep me from progressing my game to the next levels. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Manic Depression may seem like cop-out words and phrases to most people. But they're real. They can be devastating, They are definitely no fun. Sometimes suicide seems much preferable. Thank goodness I discovered poker back in the Moneymaker-Raymer era; that was a dose of cure that has kept me going.
5) Play more poker. Online. In the brick-and-mortar rooms. In the bar leagues. In home games. I love a good, friendly, competitive game. I love to play and learn and laugh. I really want more, even if it means less art and massage employment.
6) Get three four-digit prizes in poker tournaments. At least three! My first five-digit prize (no, you don't count to the right of the decimal point, wiseacre) would really be gratifying and exciting. It is definitely possible. And in this resolution spot also would go qualifying for a seat in a live tournament, such as WSOP or a WPT. (PCA ain't gonna happen this month, sniff sniff; next year!)
7) Continue to improve my game. Walk into less monster AA etc. hands. Not be afraid to lay down my hand, or conversely to make hero calls or to chase potentially high-profit pots when the situation is right. It's only a hand, only a tournament, there'll be another along shortly. Live in and for the moment fully.
8) Play more ring games. Had two winning sessions to end September trip to Vegas (one each at Bellagio and MGM Grand); won $37 for about 90 minutes' play of 1-2 limit at PStars in late December. But I still prefer tournaments soooo much. Plus I do lousy when trying to do more than one thing at a time (multi-tabling for me stinks!). That and mental-meltdown-fear keep me away from the ring games much.
9) Post in this blog more -- and regular. I've got posts sitting in "edit", plus that I've put elsewhere (deviantArt, Facebook, mail, forums). Need to get them all in here where they should be. Again, conglomeration and organization usually beats scattershooting!
10) Get a regular writing/column job with a poker publication/employer or three. Haven't had anything I've felt good about since the boxing days with Flash, RING, KO, Boxing Illustrated and the El Paso Herald-Post. I really should get more serious about it again, fears and bad memory be danged!
As an 11th resolution/wish, I hope that everyone out there has a wonderful 2011. Know when to hold them, when to fold them, be nice to each other and try to always smile ... at least a little. Nothing lasts forever. So enjoy now, and spread the enjoying; there's plenty to go around! Peace.
It's a new year (OK, it's four days old, but who's uber-picky?). Time for new paths and new hopes ... as well as polishing up the good old stuff that doesn't perhaps get the due it deserves. Time for some resolutions. To be honest, they're more like goals or wishes -- five for me, five for the world, all with at least a tinge of poker to them since that's my main thing. These are for 2011; here goes:
WORLD:
1) PokerStars and Full Tilt and other online poker sites to get along, to give their pros and players more freedom to compete (especially in each other's TV events). I was going to wish for a properly regulated and taxed internet poker business community, with easy deposit/withdrawal/transfer, safety of accounts and reasonable fair share for the governments, but that ain't gonna happen with the Republicans running the U.S. House of Representatives. I'm crazy, but I'm not insane enough to expect good things from the current government situation. Ah well, Status Quo is much better than Reid Bill would've been.
2) An 11th WSOP bracelet for Doyle Brunson. He's the true face of poker, what it was, is and should always be. He ain't perfect (who is!), but he is really special. The Godfather of Poker deserves one more shining spotlight -- at least!
3) Less poker splintering, more unification. Too many magazines, TV shows, tournament tours, online sites, "teachers". It's good that more people can get involved and show their stuff and make some money without really doing anything. But I don't like it. I don't think it's good for poker. Quality, not quantity, please!
Hmmm, harder than I thought it'd be to come up with reasonable resolutions/wishes for the world. ("Reasonable"?!) I'm hijacking the remaining two for myself! Seven seems like a good number for me anyway...
ME:
4) Work to better overcome the unpredictable irrational panic attacks and fears that keep me from progressing my game to the next levels. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Manic Depression may seem like cop-out words and phrases to most people. But they're real. They can be devastating, They are definitely no fun. Sometimes suicide seems much preferable. Thank goodness I discovered poker back in the Moneymaker-Raymer era; that was a dose of cure that has kept me going.
5) Play more poker. Online. In the brick-and-mortar rooms. In the bar leagues. In home games. I love a good, friendly, competitive game. I love to play and learn and laugh. I really want more, even if it means less art and massage employment.
6) Get three four-digit prizes in poker tournaments. At least three! My first five-digit prize (no, you don't count to the right of the decimal point, wiseacre) would really be gratifying and exciting. It is definitely possible. And in this resolution spot also would go qualifying for a seat in a live tournament, such as WSOP or a WPT. (PCA ain't gonna happen this month, sniff sniff; next year!)
7) Continue to improve my game. Walk into less monster AA etc. hands. Not be afraid to lay down my hand, or conversely to make hero calls or to chase potentially high-profit pots when the situation is right. It's only a hand, only a tournament, there'll be another along shortly. Live in and for the moment fully.
8) Play more ring games. Had two winning sessions to end September trip to Vegas (one each at Bellagio and MGM Grand); won $37 for about 90 minutes' play of 1-2 limit at PStars in late December. But I still prefer tournaments soooo much. Plus I do lousy when trying to do more than one thing at a time (multi-tabling for me stinks!). That and mental-meltdown-fear keep me away from the ring games much.
9) Post in this blog more -- and regular. I've got posts sitting in "edit", plus that I've put elsewhere (deviantArt, Facebook, mail, forums). Need to get them all in here where they should be. Again, conglomeration and organization usually beats scattershooting!
10) Get a regular writing/column job with a poker publication/employer or three. Haven't had anything I've felt good about since the boxing days with Flash, RING, KO, Boxing Illustrated and the El Paso Herald-Post. I really should get more serious about it again, fears and bad memory be danged!
As an 11th resolution/wish, I hope that everyone out there has a wonderful 2011. Know when to hold them, when to fold them, be nice to each other and try to always smile ... at least a little. Nothing lasts forever. So enjoy now, and spread the enjoying; there's plenty to go around! Peace.
Friday, October 29, 2010
More poker, less art -- WBCOOP's coming!
Since my last Las Vegas trip in September I've been tied up in a lot of art projects and work. My poker has taken a back seat. Played a couple times live and a couple times online. Did well, to be honest. But mostly taking a break from the fun and the challenge of the felt and faux felt for other things in life.
And now PokerStars has announced its plans for the next World Blogger Championship of Online Poker. Can you say inspiration? I've taken part in these series the last two years, and they've some of my most fun (and successful) outings! The next WBCOOP will be in January 2011.
OK. I'm inspired! Look out shufflers, the shamster is hungry and on the prowl for chips and cash...
(Can someone PLEASE explain to me why the WBCOOP badge from PStars captures all the info from my right-hand column? What end-code is missing to get my things back where they belong? Grrrrrr...)
And now PokerStars has announced its plans for the next World Blogger Championship of Online Poker. Can you say inspiration? I've taken part in these series the last two years, and they've some of my most fun (and successful) outings! The next WBCOOP will be in January 2011.
OK. I'm inspired! Look out shufflers, the shamster is hungry and on the prowl for chips and cash...
(Can someone PLEASE explain to me why the WBCOOP badge from PStars captures all the info from my right-hand column? What end-code is missing to get my things back where they belong? Grrrrrr...)
Monday, September 6, 2010
Trying to get that feeling again...
Yawn.
For some reason I have not been able to get enthused about playing online poker the last couple of weeks. Maybe it's the end-of-the-summer blahs, which seems to have dumped me into a deeper-than-normal pit of depression. Maybe it's the newest artistic bug that bit me, making me try again to write through ye olde writer's block and expand my modelling and massaging work. Maybe it's the "bad beats" and lost races, making me more choosy about when and what I spend my playing time (and money) on. Maybe it's the impending brief return to Las Vegas (Sept. 8-14), centered around my niece's wedding.
Whatever. There still have been some sweet results recently on the faux felt: second for $42 in a GFN Buy-In on Sunday at Absolute Poker; 96th for $33.78 in the PocketFives Open on Sept. 1 at PokerStars; third for $8 in the Poker Analysis Freeroll League Monthly Bonus Game on Aug. 31 at AbPoke; wins in GML's #24 Limit 5-Card Draw on Aug. 24 at PStars and #21 NLHE Six-Seat on Aug. 21 at Full Tilt; and a top-10 finish in the Grinders Mix League's August standings (got up to 3rd before depressing away the final week). Also cashed in a The Big Little Tournament at FTilt and a Beat the Brunson 10 bounty event at Doyle's Room, and played well and had fun (though didn't cash) in OFC (Doyle's), WPT Legends Main Event (AbPoke), Mini-UBOC (AbPoke), Todd Brunson Montana Poker Challenge Weekly (Doyle's) and Stoners vs. Staff (Reefer) tournaments -- all since mid-August.
Maybe by the final days of August I was just a little burned out from challenging more higher-profile (and higher-entry-fee) events. And the weather and real-life chores were changing. And I admit to being a tad disappointed to be doing good, but still not as good as I want. And running into things like what knocked me out of a turbo tourney yesterday (Sunday) at PStars: my AA vs 88, we got it all in after the 10-high flop, the turn was an 8, and I was out of the event one card later. Last weekend I also flopped second-nut flush and got it all in against what turned out to be the flopped nut flush. There seem to be more tales, but you don't want to know, and I don't want to remember; tg for a bad memory!
Bring on the real play in Vegas. That may be what I need, poker-wise. A table you can touch with live foes and chips I can fumble. If nothing else, it'll be fun and a distraction.
I shall return ...
For some reason I have not been able to get enthused about playing online poker the last couple of weeks. Maybe it's the end-of-the-summer blahs, which seems to have dumped me into a deeper-than-normal pit of depression. Maybe it's the newest artistic bug that bit me, making me try again to write through ye olde writer's block and expand my modelling and massaging work. Maybe it's the "bad beats" and lost races, making me more choosy about when and what I spend my playing time (and money) on. Maybe it's the impending brief return to Las Vegas (Sept. 8-14), centered around my niece's wedding.
Whatever. There still have been some sweet results recently on the faux felt: second for $42 in a GFN Buy-In on Sunday at Absolute Poker; 96th for $33.78 in the PocketFives Open on Sept. 1 at PokerStars; third for $8 in the Poker Analysis Freeroll League Monthly Bonus Game on Aug. 31 at AbPoke; wins in GML's #24 Limit 5-Card Draw on Aug. 24 at PStars and #21 NLHE Six-Seat on Aug. 21 at Full Tilt; and a top-10 finish in the Grinders Mix League's August standings (got up to 3rd before depressing away the final week). Also cashed in a The Big Little Tournament at FTilt and a Beat the Brunson 10 bounty event at Doyle's Room, and played well and had fun (though didn't cash) in OFC (Doyle's), WPT Legends Main Event (AbPoke), Mini-UBOC (AbPoke), Todd Brunson Montana Poker Challenge Weekly (Doyle's) and Stoners vs. Staff (Reefer) tournaments -- all since mid-August.
Maybe by the final days of August I was just a little burned out from challenging more higher-profile (and higher-entry-fee) events. And the weather and real-life chores were changing. And I admit to being a tad disappointed to be doing good, but still not as good as I want. And running into things like what knocked me out of a turbo tourney yesterday (Sunday) at PStars: my AA vs 88, we got it all in after the 10-high flop, the turn was an 8, and I was out of the event one card later. Last weekend I also flopped second-nut flush and got it all in against what turned out to be the flopped nut flush. There seem to be more tales, but you don't want to know, and I don't want to remember; tg for a bad memory!
Bring on the real play in Vegas. That may be what I need, poker-wise. A table you can touch with live foes and chips I can fumble. If nothing else, it'll be fun and a distraction.
I shall return ...
Sunday, December 23, 2007
An Idea for My New Avatar
Good morning! (Or whatever it is where you are.) I hope today goes like yesterday, and even better.
No time for details yet, but yesterday included flopping a royal flush and eventually taking down the Poker Analysis Buy-In League game at Poker Nordica ($50 prize for a $5.50 investment, plus 100 points to take the league lead with 3 games left this month); 2nd/11 for $36.50 (again $5.50 investment) in Absolute Poker's The Absolute Touchdown Week 16 (unfortunately my St. Louis Rams team got crushed by the Pittsburgh players); a bubble finish in the Aces Cracked offseason game ($11 to a good cause); and 356th/1,337 in the Online Forum Challenge Event No. 29 Freeroll at Vegas Poker 247 (lost one-third my stack first hand when kings got counterfeited and bully pushed all-in on river, forcing card-challenged me into ultra-tight mode for next hour-plus).
Today's the OFC Buy-In at VP247 with some really sweet prizes. I'm going to play this real smart and focused, and hope the cards come like they did at Nordica. Then there's another PA B-I League game at PokerStars, and I'm tempted to play the T.J. Cloutier bounty event at Bugsy's Club. Plus I now learn there's a Blogger Luck Game at Full Tilt, $11 for 100 chips (sick!) and 5-minute levels. Thanks a lot, tripjax... Needless to say, a big day blooms and I'm gonna wear me lucky Paris Casino green shirt! And football, too! (So far 5-0 on the bowl picks...).
On a tangent, you know I'm a model, whether you want to believe it or not. Been thinking of incorporating a painting done of me by Victor Wang (professor at Fontbonne University here in St. Louis and well-known among artistes) into a new avatar, for the blog and for some poker rooms. I just don't know how to do an avatar; shoot, I didn't even know how to do a screen shot of the flopped Royal, had to get lots of help from my table friends -- and I still don't get it. Anyway, this piece by Victor appeared in the September 2007 "American Artist" magazine (page 22), and is also on Victor's web pages. For great works, browse his site and read the article. The link to the portrait of moi is below; any suggestions on how to avatarize it are most welcome.
The link: victorwang.net/gallery1/crown/crown.html
On to the tables! Everyone have a great day...
No time for details yet, but yesterday included flopping a royal flush and eventually taking down the Poker Analysis Buy-In League game at Poker Nordica ($50 prize for a $5.50 investment, plus 100 points to take the league lead with 3 games left this month); 2nd/11 for $36.50 (again $5.50 investment) in Absolute Poker's The Absolute Touchdown Week 16 (unfortunately my St. Louis Rams team got crushed by the Pittsburgh players); a bubble finish in the Aces Cracked offseason game ($11 to a good cause); and 356th/1,337 in the Online Forum Challenge Event No. 29 Freeroll at Vegas Poker 247 (lost one-third my stack first hand when kings got counterfeited and bully pushed all-in on river, forcing card-challenged me into ultra-tight mode for next hour-plus).
Today's the OFC Buy-In at VP247 with some really sweet prizes. I'm going to play this real smart and focused, and hope the cards come like they did at Nordica. Then there's another PA B-I League game at PokerStars, and I'm tempted to play the T.J. Cloutier bounty event at Bugsy's Club. Plus I now learn there's a Blogger Luck Game at Full Tilt, $11 for 100 chips (sick!) and 5-minute levels. Thanks a lot, tripjax... Needless to say, a big day blooms and I'm gonna wear me lucky Paris Casino green shirt! And football, too! (So far 5-0 on the bowl picks...).
On a tangent, you know I'm a model, whether you want to believe it or not. Been thinking of incorporating a painting done of me by Victor Wang (professor at Fontbonne University here in St. Louis and well-known among artistes) into a new avatar, for the blog and for some poker rooms. I just don't know how to do an avatar; shoot, I didn't even know how to do a screen shot of the flopped Royal, had to get lots of help from my table friends -- and I still don't get it. Anyway, this piece by Victor appeared in the September 2007 "American Artist" magazine (page 22), and is also on Victor's web pages. For great works, browse his site and read the article. The link to the portrait of moi is below; any suggestions on how to avatarize it are most welcome.
The link: victorwang.net/gallery1/crown/crown.html
On to the tables! Everyone have a great day...
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