Boy, did I smoke some tasty wings and pork loin this weekend. But this is a poker blg.

It was a somewhat successful weekend. I played a lot of PLO8 last week on FT. I culminated a fantastic run Friday night crushing on two table and thinking I had mastered the game. On Saturday, I gave most of it back. As my confidence is not extremely high, I have been buying in short to limit losses. Of course, that also makes decisions much easier when the pot gets any size to it. On Sunday, I looked up and saw Daddy sitting beside me and Drizz siting a few seats to my left. I checked my hand history and saw that Drizz had been there for more than fifty hands while Daddy had been there a dozen or so before I noticed them. Now, was I concentrating really hard to ensure I was playing optimally, or was I watching Dogfights on the History Channel a little too intently.

After reviewing my MTT play lately, I realized I had none other than the blogger tournaments. So, I decided to jump into the 50/50 waters on Saturday and pulled out a money finish even with my big, bubble mistake. Massive MTT play requires a bankroll big enough to sustain the inevitable run of non or low cashes. Since 2006, I haven't kept enough in Full Tilt (or anywhere else) to be able to play more than the occasional tournament. Couple that with a really bad stretch of play, my play, in the few events I do enter. Therefore, I am foolish to enter them at all unless I am willing to run the risk of zeroing out online. I was fortunate to get my entry back and then some, so I will probably make another run at it next weekend when I don't have to get up early the next morning.

Now this aversion doesn't apply to blogger events. I rule those! Case in point: I stepped over the pond to play in the Brit Blogger event Sunday and came in 3rd. I got a little lucky early and late to make a run, but just couldn't pull it off. I plan on continuing my run at the MATH tonight by going for my third win in seven weeks. [[Flash forward to March 2009: "Going for my third win in 59 weeks!"]] The crowds in the BBT3 have not been as large as I thought after the first two events, but they are still pretty substantial. My confidence is high that I will win one of the TOC seats. It would be nice to get it out of the way soon though.

See y'all there.

They Play Hardball

Dear Bounty Police,

I know I was slack in getting out the latest MATH bounty to the Pirate Killer. You see, the problem was that he wears an unusual size and it took a while to find a merchant who carried gorilla sized merchandise. I appreciate the serious way you view this matter as I believe in the honor of the bounty and believe that bounty offered should be bounty sent promptly. Making me lose with QQ in the latest MATH as a penalty may have been a bit of overkill but I understand. Your message is one of tough love and I can live with your decision. Rest assured, the bounty has been sent and should be received before the next MATH. I will be happy to forward the tracking number to you so you may know its progress. Most of all, I just want to make sure I will not be punished again next week for this transgression. I do not think I can take another 55/45 favorite losing again so soon. Once a month I understand, but once a week is just cruel. Until next time, I remain,

Faithfully Yours,
BP

Tuesday is Live Poker Day!

Back to the home game tonight. My turn to host so that means I have to pick up a bottle of scotch on the way home. We somehow got a hold of a sampler pack of single malts from Ted Turner's swag closet (friend of a friend of a friend who knows a guy or something) and proceeded to break them out last week and pass them around the table. As a long-time bourbon drinker, I am amazed at my quick conversion. So, I 'll be a kid in the candy store after work looking for the night's booty. Probably Macallan but who knows? See, poker is broadening my horizons and turning me into an Epicurean. I used to drink Busch and Evan William with Mountain Dew (how West Columbia is that?). Now I drink unpasteurized, cask beer and sip single-malts neat.

I had decided to ramp up my aggression in the Hoy last night which is an absolute necessity in that game. As a result, I went to under T300 chips in the first orbit when AK lost to A9 on a board of A5956. I can't imagine I played it well but I was almost out so there was no time to dwell on it. I was relieved not to be the first one out and after a triple-up, I felt as though I still had a chance. Pocket pairs holding up against overs got me to the final five and I was in a pretty reasonable position when I rivered an A against Hoy. Then someone obviously flipped the switch that exposed my cards to everyone. At a final table where players were pushing almost indiscriminately with a wide range, I picked up AA and KK within three hands. Both times, everyone folded to a 3x raise. I should have just pushed all-in to disguise the strength. A fifth place finish was my destiny. Oh yeah. Somebody stop Fuel. It might take a tank right now but someone needs to try.

Anyway, a bounty to WigginX who is a new face for me (as I am for him I reckon).