Random items:
I'm a bit melancholy these days. I'm pretty resigned to the fact that I will not fulfill my 2009 resolution of making it to my first WSOP. Nothing I've done this year has convinced me that its worth making the $2-3K investment to make the trip to Vegas and play a $1500 tournament. And I sure can't go to my online bankroll; that wouldn't get me a cup of Ramen noodles in Bumfart, Egypt. Maybe next year -- I'm sounding like the Chicago Cubs.
My best chance to make it to the WSOP this year was my local Bar League tournament, which awarded 4 people buy-ins (with air and hotel expenses paid) for the $1K Stimulus Special. If you follow my blogs [probably not], I was in the running (down to the last 2 tables) until losing a pre-flop-flip where my Pocket Tens were beat by AQs (two Aces on the Board). I think four other players tagged along with the winners. I checked the results of the tournament and saw none of the eight names on the payout list. From what I read, each Day 1 was a bloodbath. I hope they enjoyed themselves anyway.
My online woes also contribute to my moribund state of being. After building my BR to a highwater mark of $425 on 'Stars, it has steadily declined and now I am down to $230. Most of the time, I am dominating when the chips are in the middle. But the villains are pulling their cards out of their arse to give me the sick beat. I can manage a bankroll pretty well, but it would help if I can cash now and then.
One positive note has been UltimateBet giving me 10 bucks to try to get me back to their site. I've played 4 low-stakes S&Gs and cashed in 3. Opponents seem to be less willing to shove their 50 big blinds with J9o like all the Euros like to do in 'Stars. I might plunk some bucks on UB, if my 'Stars goes down to zero.
It has been months since I played my last live cash tournament. I used to travel to a lot of casino towns like Scottsdale and San Diego. But not lately. Just doesn't seem to be as much travel as there used to be. Must be the economy. I was asked to go to Hawaii later this month, but I said no to the boondoggle. It would be for just 2 days. I'd be on an airplane longer than Hawaii. Besides, there's no casinos in Hawaii -- what the hell would I do out there?
I bought a new set of Golf Clubs. My last set had persimmon woods. The oversized driver is like a toaster on a stick. I hit some drives over 250 yards. But my best swing was with the 7-Iron. Not because of the ball; it hooked pretty badly; but the club head flew off the shaft and must have travelled 125 yards. I couldn't find it. What's this have to do with poker -- Nothing; but it's a more interesting story than hearing how my AKs couldn't beat Fritz from Dusseldorf's Pocket Deuces.
As I was writing this, I was playing a $4.40X180 S&G. Just busted out in 11th place for a min cash. I shove with AK and get called by AcJc. Three clubs flop. This happens over and over to me.