I've come close a couple of times this week for the Commerce seat, 3rd (1600) and 4th (nada) in 2 tries. Sometimes you need to play to win, and that's just what I did. When it got 3 handed I was up against a pretty big action player, bobwest, and I limped on his blind with QsTh at the 3k-6k level. He checks and we see a flop. The flop is 6s8sTs, he makes a 30k bet at the pot. I think for a second and decide THIS IS IT..... I reraise all in, and he calls right away (turning over Ks8d). I put this in the handy calculator and I'm less than a 1 percent favorite...... <READMORE>

Well, the turn brings a King and the river brings him the better flush ta boot. I guess, I could argue that I'm a better player than this guy and I could have waited, but it felt like "go" time and I'm at peace with my decision. He ended up winning the tournament and I wish him luck in LA.

Now, last night, I flat out made a mistake. We are down to seven in the 100 on UB and I'm in 6th but I'm not entirely desperate with around 50k at the 1500-3k level, I have JJ under the gun and make it 9k, Wachovia (who has been reraising everyone) makes it 20k in 3rd position. I decide to go down with it rather than waiting and I think I made a big mistake. He either has AK or has me killed and I know he knows I wouldn't raise with a turkey in that position. I'm not going to flat call because it would put too many chips in the middle with no real information on what he has. Lazy lazy me, he's got AA and I'm sitting on the sidelines as the board brings no help. I could have got away from this and I should have got away from this JJ or QQ are very dangerous when you raise in an early position and get reraised, I continue to learn this lesson but perhaps I need it pounded in my head even further. I can lay down this hand and still double up and win this thing. I should take Charlie Shoten's advice and just "sit on my hands" sometimes (the ones I use to click and eat). 600 bucks buys a nice pair of shoes, but 6k buys a decent used car circa 1999.

I also went down to audition for the NY vs Boston TV poker reality show yesterday (which I read about on recpoker.com). I met with some casting person who videotaped me answering some questions about my poker career and my love of NY sports. I would have to front 5k to be part of this event, but it sounds like fun. It's going to be six New Yorkers vs six Bostonites in a variety events at Turning Stone casino with multiple episodes and trash talking encouraged. The show is set to tape during the 2nd week of February. I'll know about the callback soon, will keep you posted...

Edward Katzka can be found playing as the_schmenx on PokerStars and as tallnywrtr on UltimateBet.
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