I haven't written much about it here. In fact, I don't remember writing anything. Mostly, because everyone else has said something. Partly, too, because I don't care as much as maybe I should.
Today, however, the NCAA has spoken. They've come down with severe penalties. My first reaction is that they seem to be penalizing the wrong people, and maybe just for pr reasons. But, once past that, I'm kinda glad about the sanctions. It's obvious that in that community (like many), athletics and football specifically had become way too big of a deal. So, even though Sandusky is rotting in a cell, JoePa is gone, and many others have left, I think it's good to de-emphasize the sport.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012
V
Played a quick few hours at the V after the last Mavs game (I'll post more Mavs soon). Nothing worked except making a hand. Surprise. At least I made one for a small profit.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Wednesday
Only really did two things today.
1. Saw the Mavs again in the Summer League. The ATL defense and John Jenkins's shooting were too much for our heroes. Not to mention some questionable calls. I sat behind the bench again, and enjoyed hearing the banter between Mathis/Shedd and the refs. Jae Crowder had some big moments. I feel like he needs to get in better shape, and then he'll be good. I think Sarge will do well for the Texas Legends (the Mavs D-League team), and I hope he continues to get better. Maybe I'll get a ticket for the Legends too. There are some other players I like, but I don't think they make the NBA this year.
2. Trivia. For the second week in a row, we didn't win. It was a huge surprise. But, it was fun. I'll be leaving before next week's game, so my team will have to persevere without me going forward.
1. Saw the Mavs again in the Summer League. The ATL defense and John Jenkins's shooting were too much for our heroes. Not to mention some questionable calls. I sat behind the bench again, and enjoyed hearing the banter between Mathis/Shedd and the refs. Jae Crowder had some big moments. I feel like he needs to get in better shape, and then he'll be good. I think Sarge will do well for the Texas Legends (the Mavs D-League team), and I hope he continues to get better. Maybe I'll get a ticket for the Legends too. There are some other players I like, but I don't think they make the NBA this year.
2. Trivia. For the second week in a row, we didn't win. It was a huge surprise. But, it was fun. I'll be leaving before next week's game, so my team will have to persevere without me going forward.
Monday, July 16, 2012
DJ and me.
Dominique Jones played well for the Mavs in the Summer League today. But, I am not sure that means anything. He looked better than he did two years ago out here, but the problem is if that play translates to the league. I don't think it does. We'll see.
I also don't know about me. I had another bad poker session tonight. I lost with QQ twice, JJ, AK twice, and a few other hands. I won no big pots. Somehow, I lost one buyin. But, it added to the frustration. I left when the following hand tilted me. A new player sits down. He buys in. He folds a couple times, then calls a raise from the big blind. He calls a c-bet on flop of 644. They get it all-in on the turn, the raiser has 64 and the new guy has 66. He played it fine. I think the vast majority of players double up there. But, fuck, how do these people make so many hands. I feel like I have a good understanding of how to exploit players and recognize good spots that many players don't. At the end of the day, however, I need to make hands once in a while and it feels like I'm not. I don't know, maybe it's just a feeling, maybe it's just an excuse. Whatever. The trouble is that I've got one more week here and I'm going to spend the majority of that watching basketball. So, there's a good chance of a losing summer and that sucks.
*Updated with comment below.
I also don't know about me. I had another bad poker session tonight. I lost with QQ twice, JJ, AK twice, and a few other hands. I won no big pots. Somehow, I lost one buyin. But, it added to the frustration. I left when the following hand tilted me. A new player sits down. He buys in. He folds a couple times, then calls a raise from the big blind. He calls a c-bet on flop of 644. They get it all-in on the turn, the raiser has 64 and the new guy has 66. He played it fine. I think the vast majority of players double up there. But, fuck, how do these people make so many hands. I feel like I have a good understanding of how to exploit players and recognize good spots that many players don't. At the end of the day, however, I need to make hands once in a while and it feels like I'm not. I don't know, maybe it's just a feeling, maybe it's just an excuse. Whatever. The trouble is that I've got one more week here and I'm going to spend the majority of that watching basketball. So, there's a good chance of a losing summer and that sucks.
*Updated with comment below.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Saturday
Went to the Rio. Played the 2pm Deepstack. The WSOP is basically packed up. I played amazing. I ran well the first four levels, and then awful the last three to bust before the second break. Annoyed, I went to make some money back at the touristy Bally's poker room. That, however, didn't go well either. I lost 60 bucks on a bluff, and then limped AJcc to see a AhJs3s flop. I check, dude in LP bets 10, one call, I raise to 50, he instajams for 120, caller folds, I call. He has the K high flush draw. I don't really understand his play, but it doesn't matter. He gets there. I leave shortly thereafter to grab some dinner and take a break. I then decided to call it a day.
Just another frustrating day of play. I'll get 'em tomorrow.
Just another frustrating day of play. I'll get 'em tomorrow.
First Day of Summer League
I saw most of all four games today. I loved it.
I'm sure over the next 10 days I'll fall in love with the play of someone I don't know yet. Today, however, was mostly a day of being impressed with the guys who are already secure in the league (vets and high picks). The only exception was a big kid for the Rockets. Motiejunas. He's tall, but he's quick and coordinated also. After one day I'm ready to proclaim him ready for the league.
MKG was fun to watch, too. I hope the Bobcats are better this year.
I'm not planning to go back tomorrow. I'm going to work out and play some cards. I'll be back for the full slate on Sunday (the first day with dueling games and the first Mavs appearance).
Fun.
I'm sure over the next 10 days I'll fall in love with the play of someone I don't know yet. Today, however, was mostly a day of being impressed with the guys who are already secure in the league (vets and high picks). The only exception was a big kid for the Rockets. Motiejunas. He's tall, but he's quick and coordinated also. After one day I'm ready to proclaim him ready for the league.
MKG was fun to watch, too. I hope the Bobcats are better this year.
I'm not planning to go back tomorrow. I'm going to work out and play some cards. I'll be back for the full slate on Sunday (the first day with dueling games and the first Mavs appearance).
Fun.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
USA Basketball/Mavs
I went to the USA Basketball game tonight against the Dominican Republic.
Random notes:
-Kevin Durant was impressive, obviously. His range is ridiculous.
-Iguodala was named player of the game. He was good on both ends, but KD was the man.
-Kevin Love disappointed me a bit.
-The player I most wanted to see was Anthony Davis. He didn't get in until the fourth, but once he found his rhythm, you could see his greatness. Quick, explosive, desire, etc. I'm sure Blake Griffin is bummed, but I'm glad to see Davis.
-The DR had a 16 year old kid out there who looked good. No wonder Calipari is coaching them.
-LV infrastructure sucks ass.
-The amount of Kobe/Laker fans out here makes me sick.
-I agree with Mark Cuban. The wave is fucking dumb.
Ok, let's talk more about Cuban and the Mavs. I love the move for Darren Collison and Dahntay Jones. Collison is exactly what we need. And, obviously, he's made more attractive in that his deal is expiring. Gotta have that flexibility again next year. Kaman signs for one year. I like him. It'll be interesting to see how much he plays. He's not the player he was a few years ago. Also, I don't know if the Mavs are planning on Wright getting backup C minutes. Haywood was probably the second best C we've ever had, but I'm not that upset about getting rid of his contract through the amnesty clause. Mahinmi seemed to be growing, but I'm ok giving him up for Collison. This team may not contend for a title, but talk of the lottery is absurd. We're going to win 50 games and, as we've seen, once you get in the playoffs anything can happen. ps Letting Kidd and Terry go was good for me. Yes, they both played integral roles in 2011, but they're both almost done. If Collison, Jones, West, and maybe even Roddy and DoJo play aggressively, guard play will not be our problem. I'm worried about Shawn Marion's and Dirk's mileage, too, but think they'll be ok this year. Getting knocked out early this year may help us there, too. I like this team. I think we're going to add Brand next, and that will shore up some of my questions about interior defense. I like Scola, but I don't think he fits what we're trying to do. I'm sure we'll make a run at him if we miss on Brand. I also saw something today about going after Calderon, which would be interesting.
Random notes:
-Kevin Durant was impressive, obviously. His range is ridiculous.
-Iguodala was named player of the game. He was good on both ends, but KD was the man.
-Kevin Love disappointed me a bit.
-The player I most wanted to see was Anthony Davis. He didn't get in until the fourth, but once he found his rhythm, you could see his greatness. Quick, explosive, desire, etc. I'm sure Blake Griffin is bummed, but I'm glad to see Davis.
-The DR had a 16 year old kid out there who looked good. No wonder Calipari is coaching them.
-LV infrastructure sucks ass.
-The amount of Kobe/Laker fans out here makes me sick.
-I agree with Mark Cuban. The wave is fucking dumb.
Ok, let's talk more about Cuban and the Mavs. I love the move for Darren Collison and Dahntay Jones. Collison is exactly what we need. And, obviously, he's made more attractive in that his deal is expiring. Gotta have that flexibility again next year. Kaman signs for one year. I like him. It'll be interesting to see how much he plays. He's not the player he was a few years ago. Also, I don't know if the Mavs are planning on Wright getting backup C minutes. Haywood was probably the second best C we've ever had, but I'm not that upset about getting rid of his contract through the amnesty clause. Mahinmi seemed to be growing, but I'm ok giving him up for Collison. This team may not contend for a title, but talk of the lottery is absurd. We're going to win 50 games and, as we've seen, once you get in the playoffs anything can happen. ps Letting Kidd and Terry go was good for me. Yes, they both played integral roles in 2011, but they're both almost done. If Collison, Jones, West, and maybe even Roddy and DoJo play aggressively, guard play will not be our problem. I'm worried about Shawn Marion's and Dirk's mileage, too, but think they'll be ok this year. Getting knocked out early this year may help us there, too. I like this team. I think we're going to add Brand next, and that will shore up some of my questions about interior defense. I like Scola, but I don't think he fits what we're trying to do. I'm sure we'll make a run at him if we miss on Brand. I also saw something today about going after Calderon, which would be interesting.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Good Day.
I had fun playing poker tonight. I played well. I made some mistakes, as I always do, but I really feel good about how I played. I won less than $100, so nothing great, but whatever.
That said, let me explain the biggest frustration us "good" players have. Being on a table for hours on end with a neverending train of J3o while the dumbasses and drunks pay off the other donks for hundreds of dollars. We know that if we ever hit a hand, we can stand up and do a happy dance while pushing our chips in, but that hand never comes. Every table, almost without exception, has horrible players making horrible plays and you can't take advantage. I'll probably have a new number one frustration tomorrow, but it seems like this is the story of the summer.
That said, let me explain the biggest frustration us "good" players have. Being on a table for hours on end with a neverending train of J3o while the dumbasses and drunks pay off the other donks for hundreds of dollars. We know that if we ever hit a hand, we can stand up and do a happy dance while pushing our chips in, but that hand never comes. Every table, almost without exception, has horrible players making horrible plays and you can't take advantage. I'll probably have a new number one frustration tomorrow, but it seems like this is the story of the summer.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
Red Rock
I figured out today why my heater hasn't happened yet. I rectified the situation by heading out to Red Rock for a hike. It felt good. I love that place. And, I made sure to get some rungood through osmosis. Pretty good workout for me, too.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Fun
I'm going to have some fun today. There's a cheap deepstack at Binion's downtown. Then, after I win that, I'm going to play some PLO at Venetian. Good times.
Friday, July 6, 2012
6pm Deepstacks
I have played the 6pm Deepstack at the Rio the last two nights. I feel like it's good value, in that it ends before the 2pm with a third of the players. The 2pm "feels" like a crapshoot. Of course, they both are, but you know what I'm saying. I had tweeted some hands both nights with the intention of turning them into a belated "live" blog, but that task is a little daunting. Feel free to ask me about any of the tweets, but I'm going to concentrate on one in particular. I said "chickened out from right move."
In yesterday's tourney, I had been moved to a new table. Utg (young, thoughtful, good player) opens for a raise (5100 at 1k/2k with about 40k back), MP goes all-in for 3500, LP calls the 5100 with about 50k back. I'm in the sb. I have about 30k. I "should" jam any two cards here. The vast majority of the time, I end up heads up with the shorty with no risk to my stack after winning the side pot. I look down at 96o and talk myself out of it. Ends up, utg would have had a more difficult than usual decision with JJ, and I would have won with a straight.
In yesterday's tourney, I had been moved to a new table. Utg (young, thoughtful, good player) opens for a raise (5100 at 1k/2k with about 40k back), MP goes all-in for 3500, LP calls the 5100 with about 50k back. I'm in the sb. I have about 30k. I "should" jam any two cards here. The vast majority of the time, I end up heads up with the shorty with no risk to my stack after winning the side pot. I look down at 96o and talk myself out of it. Ends up, utg would have had a more difficult than usual decision with JJ, and I would have won with a straight.
Berating Players.
My last hand of the tournament tonight, I lost with AK. With a 500 ante and blinds of 2k/4k, utg limped. This seemed fishy to me, but when I woke up with Big Slick in the cutoff, I'm going with it. I jammed my 30k in, the button and blinds folded, and utg tanked. I don't have any clue what he was thinking about (obviously nothing). He only had about 36k himself. He ends up calling with AT. If he had jammed, the same result would have happened, but I wouldn't have been tempted to tell him what a moron he was. Of course, I just said nice hand, and good luck everyone and steamed out the door.
I played with Kenna James last night. He mentioned that Shaun Deeb "brutalized" him verbally last year when they got headsup in a tourney in New York. I believe it. Shaun Deeb strikes me as having a ridiculous understanding of poker theory. I've been watching many of the wsop streams, and his commentary on Stud8 was amazing. He also strikes me as fairly unaware of himself. He sees things that seem obvious to him that may not be obvious to all of us. Kenna is a great player, and played very well at my table. I can't stress enough how much he impressed me last night. But, he played a couple of hands sub-optimally, and I can imagine that if I notice, then Deeb would see many flaws.
It's kinda like Hellmuth. And, kinda like me a couple weeks ago at South Point. You see someone messing up this ridiculously beautiful game, and you want to stop them. Even if rationally you know you shouldn't.
I played with Kenna James last night. He mentioned that Shaun Deeb "brutalized" him verbally last year when they got headsup in a tourney in New York. I believe it. Shaun Deeb strikes me as having a ridiculous understanding of poker theory. I've been watching many of the wsop streams, and his commentary on Stud8 was amazing. He also strikes me as fairly unaware of himself. He sees things that seem obvious to him that may not be obvious to all of us. Kenna is a great player, and played very well at my table. I can't stress enough how much he impressed me last night. But, he played a couple of hands sub-optimally, and I can imagine that if I notice, then Deeb would see many flaws.
It's kinda like Hellmuth. And, kinda like me a couple weeks ago at South Point. You see someone messing up this ridiculously beautiful game, and you want to stop them. Even if rationally you know you shouldn't.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Random thoughts.
Maybe I'll put together a blog of tonight's tourney. I min-cashed the 6pm Deepstack at the Rio.
I understand how MFFLs are frustrated, but I don't think they should be. Let things play out.
It's amazing to me how much I enjoy poker, still. I was kind of in a funk yesterday and today. Then, I go play and presto.
Work sucks.
I miss my wife.
I'm currently watching Monday's episode of "The Glass House" on dvr. I am not that into it. I'm not really paying attention to any shows this summer. I'm sure I'll watch "Big Brother" whenever it starts.
I haven't looked at the NBA Summer League rosters yet, but I'm looking forward to it. Not to mention USA Basketball.
I didn't go to the gym today.
I understand how MFFLs are frustrated, but I don't think they should be. Let things play out.
It's amazing to me how much I enjoy poker, still. I was kind of in a funk yesterday and today. Then, I go play and presto.
Work sucks.
I miss my wife.
I'm currently watching Monday's episode of "The Glass House" on dvr. I am not that into it. I'm not really paying attention to any shows this summer. I'm sure I'll watch "Big Brother" whenever it starts.
I haven't looked at the NBA Summer League rosters yet, but I'm looking forward to it. Not to mention USA Basketball.
I didn't go to the gym today.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Doubts.
Another bad day at the tables. Just one of those days where my opponents caught whatever they needed. It's tough not to let it get to me mentally, even though I rationally know I'm playing better than my opponents. I'm going to get some stuff done tomorrow, watch the One Drop tourney, and probably wait until Wednesday to play again.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Working out.
I worked out a few days last week, but had gone a few days without doing so. It felt good to get back in the gym today. My goal is to be up there at least once each day this week. I'm putting it out there to hold myself accountable.
Folding Quads
Somebody in the One Drop ($1 Million buyin) folded quad eights on the river.
Story here: http://www.wsop.com/news/2012/Jul/3917/WOULD-YOU-CALL-A-34-MILLION-RAISE-BY-THIS-MAN.html
Interesting.
I watched most of yesterday while I recovered from having a little too much fun Saturday night. Back to the gym and poker tables today.
Story here: http://www.wsop.com/news/2012/Jul/3917/WOULD-YOU-CALL-A-34-MILLION-RAISE-BY-THIS-MAN.html
Interesting.
I watched most of yesterday while I recovered from having a little too much fun Saturday night. Back to the gym and poker tables today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
