No Limit Hold em at Ocean's Eleven in Oceanside

Last Saturday I returned to Ocean's Eleven Casino in Oceanside, California to play in a no limit holdem ring game. It was the first time I had played "live" no limit other than in tournaments. As I have written, I have temporarily "retired" from online poker until all this nonsense about legality is determined. It would be just my luck to hit a big win and then have the online poker room refuse to pay me because I live in the good ole US of A... But I digress...

I have to admit I was nervous but pleased when I sat down to see a table of all men. As any serious woman player can tell you, we much prefer to play against men than women. It's just plain easier to beat men at "their own game". There is always at least one guy at the table who has to "show the little lady" she has no business playing and once you determine which player that is - usually takes less than two minutes - you can clean his clock unless he's having a Jamie Gold lucky streak. And as everyone knows, that kind of streak almost never happens.

This time I was surprised. There was not a classic poker asshole in the bunch; every guy at the table was respectful of my play and nobody was trash-talking or letting their emotions run wild. I had to pinch myself a couple times; I'm not used to so many nice players at one table - hell rarely are there that many nice players in the entire casino.

I came in behind the button and didn't have to post; another surprise. I got to play a round free until my blinds - I threw every hand away until I was on the button. And I got lucky, pocket tens. The blinds were $2.00 - small and big - and I raised $10.00. I got one caller but not before a couple of the players commented on how quiet I had been and that "women never bluff". The flop was connected rags and I bet $20.00 and my one caller went away.

I established my image as tight and aggressive and never once showed my cards if I weren't called and every time I was called, I had the winning hand. I lost one hand with top two pair and lost to a flush but I didn't show my hand.

Finally I was able to use my image. I had QJ of hearts on the button with a $10.00 raise in front of me. I wasn't too worried, this player raised before the flop every time he stayed. I raised $10.00 and he called. The flop was K 10 of hearts and a rag. I had an open-ended straight flush draw. The guy bet $20.00 and I called without hesitation. The turn was another K and that bothered me, a lot. He bet $20.00 and I took along time to think but finally called. One of the other guys commented that I was thinking about raising - assuming I had a hand. The river was a rag and the guy checked to me. I bet $40.00 and after making me sweat, he threw his hand away. A couple hands later, he asked "You did have the King, right?" I lied and told him I did and that's why it took me so long on the turn - I was afraid if I raised then; he'd run. He relaxed.

After a couple more wins I had doubled my stack and I left less than an hour after sitting down. It was near dinner time and the table was down to six players and I figured I had won all the money I could at the table and ran the risk of losing it with loose play at a short table.

My husband came along for the ride and had a drink in the bar - he said they pour a good solid martini, which with the tip set him back $10.00.

On Hiatus Until US Laws Are Figured Out

With the passage of the Internet gambling ban, hidden inside the Port Security Act, I have uninstalled all my poker programs and will be on hiatus as far as online poker is concerned.

The next time I play live, I will update - but until them contact your Congressmen and tell them how you feel. Also vote them all out in Novemeber; the best way to express your displeasure.

September 29, 2006. 3 Online Tournaments Won in the Past 12 Days.

I have been on a mini-rush the last two weeks. I have made 12 final tables and won 3 tournaments. I haven't changed my style and have followed Doyle's Super System faithfully; but I have also been getting the cards and hitting my draws when I need them. And yes, I have had my share of suck-outs. But you have to hit your draws to win consistently. My thanks to the Poker Gods for smiling down on me as I build my bankroll to make my run at winning a seat to the 2007 WSOP Main Event. Only 9 months to Viva Las Vegas and the Rio...

Thursday, September 14, 2006. Ocean’s Eleven Casino, Oceanside, California.

I have not played “live” poker since July, 2002, and I was not sure what to expect; or how I would stack up against other players. Ocean’s Eleven Casino in Oceanside has a daily tournament, which on Thursday is no-limit holdem with a $35.00 buyin and no re-buys. Seemed like a cheap way to get my feet wet.

In preparation for war, I rose early; showered; groomed myself and even polished my nails. I carefully chose my clothes – nothing too fancy; but not too grungy, either. I wore perfume; I just hate sitting next to players reeking of B.O. I pulled my hair up and secured the top and sides with a barrette and wore diamond studs and Tabra chandelier earrings.

I went to great pains to choose just the right card protector, which was my father-in-law’s cremation tag that had come with his remains. Norman loved to talk cards and poker, although I don’t think I ever saw him play in the more than two decades I knew him.

I headed down the 5 freeway, husband in tow, to test the waters. When I had called the night before, a casino rep had told me they usually had 3 or 4 tables. I liked my odds. Not a lot of money to win, but not a large field to try and outlast. A few more than 3 or 4 tables of folks decided to show-up and we had 14 tables of 10. A larger field than I had expected.

I played through 9 rounds and lasted almost two hours and NEVER had a pocket pair nor Big Slick. Somehow, I was able to stay afloat. The small pots I won were played strictly from position and because I chose a tight persona, I picked up a few blinds here and there. But I just never got the chance to try and do anything fancy. The blinds began to kill me and I fell quickly below the 10x ratio.

In the big blind, I was forced to go all-in with a 97 off-suit against pocket Aces and pocket Kings. I sucked out for a straight on the river and tripled-up. That kept me alive a bit longer and finally staring down $3000 in blinds next two hands, (and only $2500 in chips), I went all-in with AQ off-suit and was called by pocket 5s. The flop was 5-2-2 and I was done.

I placed 27^th out of 140 and felt I held my own. I was surprised by two things; the players were not nearly as formidable as I feared and the dealers were un-polished and made lots of mistakes.

Next week, I’ll return to play in a no-limit cash game – that should be more fun…

Four Tournaments and Four Final Table in One Day and a Warning About Mansion Poker

I played in four NL Holdem tourneys yesterday - all with more than 250 players and made the final table in all four - 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 7th places. I have been "religiously" studying and using the Super System strategy and Doyle's theory on playing the next hand after a win (in case you are on a rush) really worked for me yesterday...woo hoo!!

My poker buddy, Nik, posted this comment about Mansion Poker - depositors beware!!

When you get back Lady - warn your readers that Mansion Poker is a major rip off. They take your money and demand you to send them your passport ID or Driver's License ID copy to withdraw. This is not told to you at time of deposit - unless you count reading the fine print before downloading the software. In today's day and age, I do not like the idea of sending that information to people half way around the world - who cannot use the information for what they claim they need it for. They could be either selling the ID's or stealing the money - or both!

Poker Happens...but not while moving...

We've sold our house and not much time for poker. I'm playing in a couple of freerolls tonight - if anything happens...

And Today's AHOTD Award Goes To...

Bugsys Club Player, "IndianaFlip" from Jeffersonville, who while not criticizing everyone else's play, made the following comments "I'm the best"; "I won 138K in Tunica in 2001"; I'm gonna win a bracelet in 7 card-stud while just teaching my wife how to play"; "I've won this tournament 3 times and make the final table everytime I play in every tournament".

I just have one question, "Somebody married this guy?"

Kudos to Tropical Poker

Thursday I played in a $200.00 guarantee NL Holdem Tourney and right before the first break; my program froze and I was never able to get back on the site. The buy-in was only $1.50 and although I was sorry to lose it; I made no effort to complain.

Instead I packed an overnight case and my husband and I went to spend a couple days at the beach.

When we returned today, I was plesantly surprised to have an email from Tropical Poker apologizing for the problem; refunding my $1.50 and inviting me to a private freeroll with a $200.00 guarantee.

Thanks Tropical - I really appreciate the effort and good customer service!!

WSOP Winner Chip Envy

I read hours of entries on blogs regarding Jamie Gold's WSOP Main Event win and was forced to face a fact that my husband has contended as the reason he doesn't play "competitive" poker...most poker players are total A**holes.

Those who thought Jamie Gold did not deserve the win; was a donkey; a troll; idiot, etc. outnumbered those with kudos by at least 10 to 1. A few even made disparaging remarks about his mother.

One blog entry I read ridiculed him for winning the final hand with a Q9; I guess that person is not aware that the reason a "10 2" hand is called "the Dolly" is because that is the hand that Doyle Brunson was holding when he won BOTH of his WSOP Main Event bracelets.

Perhaps because I am a "newbie"; novice, etc. I don't understand the nuances of Gold's game and I confess that I did not watch the PPV.

But this I do know; no one can play twelve to fourteen hours a day for ten days and make the final table without a combination of both luck and skill. And anyone who says otherwise is a fool.

WSOP PPV

I tried to get the PPV, but our cable didn't carry it and it didn't seem worth it to have it on the computer.

Last year I did listen to the webcast on cardplayer.com, but this year; there's no free ride.

I'm reading the hand-by-hand account, but it's hardly the same.

Oh, well.

The Final Table is Set at the WSOP Main Event

What every poker player waits for - the final table is set as follows:

Seat 1 - Richard Lee - $11,820,000

Seat 2 - Erik Friberg - $9,605,000

Seat 3 - Paul Wasicka - $7,970,000

Seat 4 - Dan Nassif - $2,600,000

Seat 5 - Allen Cunningham - $17,770,000

Seat 6 - Michael Binger - $3,140,000

Seat 7 - Doug Kim - $6,770,000

Seat 8 - Jamie Gold - $26,650,000

Seat 9 - Rhett Butler - $4,815,000

Player resumes at Noon tomorrow and will contnue until 83million chips are sitting in front of one player.

Allen, Allen, he's my man - if he can't do it - someone else will...

There Are Twelve Millionaires Playing Poker in the Amazon Room

The guys are at dinner and everyone of them is now officially a Millionaire (if they weren't already).

Here' s the payout for the final 12:

1 - $12,000,000

2 - $6,102,499

3 - $4,123,310

4 - $3,628,513

5 - $3,216,182

6 - $2,803,851

7 - $2,391,520

8 - $1,979,189

9 - $1,566,858

10 - 12 - $1,154,527

I Qualified for the Qualifier - Woo Hoo!!

Tropical Poker has a $15K freeroll this week that requires qualification or $200.00 buy-in.

I qualified for the daily qualifier - so many levels - but hey, hey!!

Also finished in the $$ on another tournament at Tropical today.

Played with tcob and nh_gg - and their "jerkness" continued...some things never change. I put tcob out of the qualifier which just proves there is a poker god and he has a sense of humor.

Is Rhett Butler his real name?

Play is over for the day at the WSOP Main Event - they are down to 27 and tomorrow they will play until they have the final table set.

Rhett Butler, can that possibly be a real name?, is in fourth with 6.4million.

Jamie Gold is holding his chip lead with 13million; Erik Frieberg is in second with 7.7million chips.

Allen Cunningham is still in the hunt with 2.65 million in chips.

Four players are short-stacked with 700K or less in chips.

The final 27 have almost a one in 2 chance of winning a million since the final 12 will each win at least $1,000,000.00.

Tick Tock - Down to 30 and counting...

Jamie Gold continues his march with more than 14million in chips.

Allen Cunningham has improved to 11th place with 2.9million in chips.

Humberto Brenes has been eliminated in 36th place; however, he won $329K for his efforts.

This has nothing to do with poker...but I don't understand why "Management" felt they needed a sign...

Why Is It?

There's always a player at the table that claims skill when he/she gets lucky; but when you do the same, calls you a donkey?

Just a thought...

Please post your one word description of a type player you have spotted...

Here's mine: The Professor: Not to be confused with Howard Lederer, this player has to explain odds and all the other intricacies of the game that everyone else at the table is too dumb to understand.

Day 5 Ends with 45 Players in Contention for the Gold...

And one of them really is Gold - Jamie Gold - sitting at the top of the chip count with 7.3million chips, a little less than 10% of the chips in play. Ironic when you know he was once a Hollywood Agent, representing Felicity Huffman and James Gandolfini, who lived his life for 10% of the "chips". Of course, this time, he's out to get it all. Incidentially, he learned to play poker from Johnny Chan when they worked together on a television series.

Humerto Brenes made a bit of a comeback but is only one of 9 players with less than 1million chips at 560K.

Allen Cunningham, the only other pro I am following, has 1.29million in chips.

Play resumes at Noon today and play will continue till only 27 players remain.

You Don't Have to be a Gentleman to Play Poker...

Duh!

I am on a big rush and have eliminated two players who, of course, had to tell me how terrible a player I am: calling me a troll, a donkey, etc.

Well these guys are not gentlemen and obviously have not read Mike Caro: Tcob_crew1 (previous AHOTD Award winner); 6queen9; and the guy I just mentioned as having a ool screen name, nh_gg_gl_fu (but not a cool head).

And today's AHOTD Award goes to all three.

Best screen name of the day

I'm playing in a $200.00 guarantee tourney at TropicalPoker.com right now (not well, I might add)...and the player next to me has this screen name:

nh_gg_gl_fu

Screen name of the day!!