Update

I would have to apologize to my friends who have been visiting this site and left disappointed that I have not been updating for a long time now. A lot of things happened during these past few weeks. I have been busy with an erratic schedule; there have been many emotional highs and lows in my personal life, drastic changes in the Manila poker scene and our kittens are already halfway past their kittenhood. Now, we need more funds to fully transfer in own place. The TV we’re supposed to use there is gone and so is the laptop which is supposed to be our computer. No, it wasn’t stolen. Some evil forces took it from us, long story. Now, how can I live without a TV and computer even when there’s everything else?

Due to my financial situation as of the moment, I really need to take a lot of jobs… being a poker dealer specifically. But for some unavoidable circumstances, my regular dealing job got blurred. Thankfully, some home games contacts me to deal for them. It’s indeed a great help. I know I’m so far from being the best dealer in town, since I am a newbie in that career. I am glad when they call me and ask me to deal. Despite the hard work and other obstacles of being a dealer, I’d still say that it’s a job I love. I get meet a lot of people, still be a part of the game that I’m crazy about and get paid. Who wouldn’t love that?

On the other hand, I’ve been experiencing some dilemma. Since I haven’t been playing for a long time now, my game is becoming so rusty. In fact, I notice that people no longer acknowledge me as a poker player. I can not say that I’m a really good one, but I know that I am better than a lot of newbies these days. I see people that I used to give advice on how to make their game better now makes it to big games and people recognize their poker skills. Now, I think I would have to consult them. Ahh… These are just some of the sacrifices that I would have to make just to stick to our priorities.

So last night, it was the Christmas party of an organization we know as a state of mind. Wow! Imagine this: sumptuous food made by favorite poker player and as a person in general, good poker talks with our mentor, Uncle Nick, beer, SNG with the some of the best players in town and strip poker.

As poker addicts we all are, we played a one table SNG with 500 buy-in. Pays 3 places with the percentage of 50-30-20. First hand, I’ve got the button. Miguel calls the big blinds, Luis raises and Ace re-raises. Looking at the table, I said to myself “Dang, wild table! I wanna fold!” But then, I haven’t looked at my cards yet since I have the dealer button. So after Ace, Oyi folded. Now my turn, I peeked at my cards…AA!!! I almost can’t believe it. Hmmm… what to do, what to do… ALL IN!!!
Luis called with Jack, 7 of clubs and Ace calls with pocket Kings. Board almost gave me a bad beat with those clubs. But eventually, my pocket aces held up. Oh yeah!!! Woohooo!

I’ve been big stack for a long time, and then slowly chips were falling out of my hands. Then we are now at 4 players left; Oyi, Luis (playing for his friend who left), Miguel and your truly. I am terribly low stack and we are on the bubble. Dang, it really ain’t easy playing with these guys. I kept folding during that stage. Some people peeking at my cards kept asking me why fold when it’s a short handed game. Thing is, I can’t scare anyone if I’d go all in. Except when I get group one cards, I fold. Then later on, one of them took Oyi out. We are now all in the money. Luis made his move by going all-in-blinds for several hands. Miguel and I took turns in trying to take him out. Eventually, we did after a long battle. So, there I am with a huge stack playing heads up with Miguel. Yeah eventually I got my chips back and more. So before we started our heads up, we agreed to have a restroom break. When we went back, Miguel offered to chop the pot. Why not?! Although I have a huge stack in my hands right, Miguel is a good player. I respect that. So I agreed to chop the pot where we both got 2k each but we will continue to play it for the glory. So, going back to the game, our first hand Miguel is on the button heads-up and first to act. He goes all in. I’m thinking WTF, even if we already chopped the pot; I still want to play a decent game. I’ve got him covered, but I don’t want to double him up since having more chips is my only advantage against this guy. So I peeked at my cards, once again AA!!! I call and flipped over my pocket rockets against Miguel’s pocket queens.
Then flop comes: A, Q, Q
Turn: A
Should I feel sorry we made an arrangement for a split pot when I’m supposed to have quad Aces?? NO! It was a prank our so-called dealers made while we were in the restroom. That’s why they asked first if we agreed to chop the pot so they can shuffle it and take away the prank if we didn’t. Hahaha!

Great game guys! I really needed that win. I’m back in the game, baby!


~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~

By the way, I would like to thank everyone who graced the JGPT Christmas Party. Jards really pulls an awesome party. Place is packed with people drowning in booze. Excuse your naughty dealer for spilling caramel shakers and tequila rose in her mouth. *hick*

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!

My Prayer

I can't seem to find the words to express my deep sadness today. All I can do is count my blessings and pray for good things to happen specially for my friends. It seems that it's the best I can do right now. I may not be a solid devotee to church but I believe in His power and goodness above all. It may seem weird that I am talking like this. But when things go wrong or things seem to go my way, I talk to Him. I don't really know if He hears me or if I'm praying for the right things. But I'd do it anyway.

I don't want to weird out anyone. I just don't know how to express what I am feeling right now. I've been restless and in tears, shocked and in panic... But I know it could have been worse.

A friend of mine texted me and I empathize when she said that it feels so depressing when you want to help but there's really nothing much you can do about it. I only hope that a prayer would be powerful enough...

JGPT vs BIG SLICK MANILA and My Bad Beat

Since word got to us that A55 will play versus FAPA in a heads up challenge, Jards was inspired. So he pitted us in a challenge against Big Slick Manila. You know, those bunch of young people usually making it in the money in our big tournaments? They haven’t been in the State of Mind, but they are usually there in big tournaments like the last one in the Stehmeir’s residence (Did I spell it right, Ace?). Anyway, 7 selected members of JGPT faced heads up with 7 of them. Che and I were so stunned when we first heard that Jards challenge them ala A55 vs FAPA. It’s like, we don’t wanna be schooled, Dude. What were you thinking? But then again…WHY NOT?! He he he…

Venue was our homecourt last night. It was anybody’s game. I mean, they are really good players. Although there are several aspiring JGPT players, but we are still basically new to game with only a few months of experience. It was a very exhausting and ulcer-inducing game, tough one actually. Towards the end of the night, JGPT emerged victorious. It was a really good game. We had lots of fun and I’m glad we got to know their group as well.

After the heads up challenge, we all merged for an SNG. From a small stack, I’m glad to survive the final table and finish 3rd place. I know, I didn’t do well with my last hand. But with two big stacks against me and blinds that kill me, I just asked how much was the buy in again times two (for me and Che). Knowing that I’m already even money and my tummy running wild with acid… I’ve gotta make a move, double or nothing. Got and ace, trash… ok, push! Well the results were actually nothing. But the pounding in my head stopped and the acid in my stomach neutralized, plus I got both our buy-ins back. Not bad. So, Jardine and Myko went heads-up which eventually, Jardine won. It was a great night for JGPT.

So as degenerate gamblers as we are, Che and I went to BBC after that. I requested for a change schedule for that night because of the heads up challenge, might as well take advantage for me to play. So we joined one of the two 20-40 tables. I folded my first hand since it was there’s a raise and it was a really crappy hand. My second hand, Che was on the button. I'm small blinds and Joey beach was big blinds.

Che called the big blinds (P40)

On me, checked my cards… it’s Ace-Queen off. I raised P80 plus the big blinds (P40 + P80)

Joey and Che called my raise.

Flop: 5x, 5x, 5x

Everyone checks.

Turn: Ax

I bet P100. They both called.

River: 2x

A round of bets, raise and re-raise that made me go all in with full house 5s with the best kicker.

Che did not go all in. She folded at some point, leaving only somewhat 20% of her original stack. She folded with an Ace, Jack off.

Showdown: Joey first showed a 2x. I felt so relieved that it was full 5s with 2s he was fighting with when I’ve got the 5s with Aces. I showed him both my cards revealing the Ace-Queen off. Then he showed his other card, a 5.

I was stunned.

Can I say I was disgusted as well?

…

Yes, he got quad 5s on the flop.

…

So I just asked him, “Joey, you played a 5, 2 when I raised pre-flop???”

Che told me that I didn’t raise high enough. I don’t know. Maybe, maybe not… But it wasn’t just doubling the blinds to sweeten the pot. I raised tripling the blinds to take away the limpers and players with hands that they really shouldn’t play. (Or so I thought)

Why didn't I raise more pre-flop? Well, I haven’t even warmed my seat and it’s an ace-queen off. It is not something for me to go all-in or raise very high pre-flop. It was a relatively strong hand. But not the strongest. I want to see a flop with callers holding a small to medium pocket pairs or the same caliber of my cards like the Ace-Jack of Che. I made a substantial raise knowing that the people in the table are not newbies, knowing that high pocket pairs like rockets or cowboys would often re-raise that bet. And crap hands will fold.

I was really taken aback with what happened.

I mean no offense, we love Joey like anything. He is such a darling. But when he would play like that, I don’t even know how to react.

So there, that was my bad beat story for the day. I just really need to get it off my head right now.

JGPT DEADMONEY BOUNTY TOURNAMENT

Are you prepared to face the possibility of getting outplayed by some of Manila's worst poker players?

Finally, a tournament hosted by the members of the sole poker group that is proud to admit that all its members are dead money. In an embarassing display of pure bravado, JG Poker Tour is inviting the best players in town to pit their skills against their own somewhat mediocre poker-playing abilities.

DETAILS
Date: Nov. 19, 2005 Saturday
Venue: Penthouse of Le Grand condo, Valero St., Makati City
Game: No Limit Texas Hold 'Em / No Rebuys
Registration: 2:30pm (on site)
Max # of Players: 70 poker addicts
Places paid: Number of tables + 2 (Max of 7 +2)
Buy-in: Php 1,700 (1,200 + 300 + 100)


If you're wondering about the 100, it is for the...

BOUNTY HUNTER TWIST

Two players will be chosen randomly and he/she will have a bounty on his/her head. The total amount of the bounty (which is the P100) shall be divided for the head of these two people. The one who'd take out one will win half of the bounty pot. Take out two and you'll have the entire bounty pot. BUT... if the person with a bounty is able to make it to the final 2 tables, he/she gets the winnings to him/herself.

PRE-REGISTER TODAY and avoid the pains of a waitlist
Contact Jardine at 0918-907 2728
or post a reply here.

I miss my blog

I know it’s been quite sometime since I last posted here. It’s not that I am too lazy. But I’ve been busy, too. Well, the usual hours of the day when people would normally be awake… that would be bedtime for me. Being an insomniac usually works to my disadvantage, but not this time. Still, my mind is pretty much a wreck right now. My body and brain are still getting used to this new time zone for me. So by this time that I just got off from work, I’m like brain dead. Yeah, yeah…I use this time to play some online poker. (C’mon I’ve gotta play, too!) But the only working brain cells would be enough to decide on these choices: check, fold, bet, call or raise. It ain’t good enough to publish an entry here. But anyway, I think I can today.

Guys, believe me when I say that being a dealer ain’t easy. My first few days, I’ve got back aches. Add the fact that it is harder for dealers to read the board (or for newbie dealers at the very least). I realized that as a player, you are dealt pocket cards. If you play those two cards, you know very well what can make you win the pot. And you also know what can beat your hand with the board showing. Dealers are like referees. They are essential to a game, but not as a player, they are the ones who keep the game organized all the way to the cards, the chips, the rules and the winning hand. And as much as we want to please everyone, there can only be one winner (except when it’s a split pot).

Personally, I’m glad to say that I’ve already dealt a straight flush, quads, big wins and fun, lively games of no limit hold ‘em.

I'm your deelah, Baby

A good friend of mine called my attention last night on why I haven’t been updating my blog. I replied with an honest to goodness answer… there are a lot of things going on my mind. And it’s not about poker.

But guess what, last night was my first day at work at the state of mind called BBC. And it was great! Given that I am still adjusting, but it’s just such a cool thing to do. Although my body is aching right now but what the heck, I’m in a place where I hangout with friends and doing something related to a game I love!

Besides, I think my time is going to be occupied by sidelines everywhere. It’s all pouring now.

But back to poker… a newbie deelah getting used to mediate a battle of wits and bluff in the felt sometimes can’t help but scratch her head or say wow for a great play. This I tell you guys, it is truly different when you are at the other side of the felt. But all in all, it’s poker!

My first night, I’ve seen great play, good bluffs, bad beats, big pots, limpers and wise moves… all in a night of poker at the state of mind.

Tonight is another JGPT game. Come by and join our home games. :-)

Sale announcement

SALE UPTO 70% OFF!!! Puma, Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Arena, Keds, Nautica, Timberland, Spalding, Babolat! October 28-30, 2005, Megatrade Hall 2, 5th Level, Bldg. B, SM Megamall. STORE HOURS : 10:00am to 9:00pm. Hurry and beat the holiday rush!!!

FUN NIGHT

After playing our JGPT Satellite last night, we went to BBC to hangout with friends and watch some poker games. There were two satellites there last night. So I was watching and a group of people wanted to play SNG. While Big Wally was still playing one of the satellites, he wanted to join the SNG as well. He was relatively short stacked in the satellite game, maybe that's why he wanted to join the SNG. So as I was seating beside him as a spectator, he asked me to play his SNG while he's still in the satellite game. I am flattered that Big Wally would entrust me. But I just have to ask him, "Are you sure?" And he said yes.

So as we we're arranging our SNG, I informed the table that im just filling in for Big Wally. But later on we leanred that it would not be fair that I'll be playing for the mean time. Ummm, how do I explain this? Ok. They will be adjusting to my game. Then later on, if another person will take my seat, they would have to adjust to another type of game. I agree that is it not fair for them. So Big Wally decided to stake me instead. He's such a sweetheart.

The table was filled with really good poker players. There's Misha, Barbs, John, Miguel, Ariel, Atty. Mon, Ze German Snake, Grouch and Goma. No, I don't feel like a fish. I feel like a bait to a fish!!! Much worse....

I wasn't really getting spectacular cards, unlike Goma who got "the girls" for for freaking times! Wow!

And I've been short stack like forever.

But the real fun aside from playing poker is the chemistry of people there last night. Everybody's crazy and funny. There were side bets on who'd be staying longer, a jack on the flop and stuffs like that. I also discovered that cranberry juice can be bad while playing poker. Or at least for Barbs. :-) Thanks to Misha for the booze together with Kath's nicely made poison. What a night huh?

Amazingly, I reached 3rd place. And I am sooooo happy! I hope this is the start of my winnings again and finally ending my drought and bubbles. Great game guys!

P.S.
I also want to salute the Camp Hold 'Em guys for their game last night. Goma got a seat for the tourney, Mike got the money and Mark also got the money on the other satellite for finishing 2nd. Oh, Benny is missing in action again.

And congrats to ARIEL for winning the JGPT Satellite game for the rooftop invitational. REPRESENT!!!

WPT here I come!!! (wishful thinking)

Now I feel a lot better. I finally made a decision by resigning from my job. Yes, it may sound like it's a bad decision. But it's the best thing that can happen right now. I will no longer prolong my agony of battling my own demons. I will no longer be depressed about the situation.

No, I don't have a new job. But I am looking for one. Marketing is such a huge field, I know there's one for me in due time. But for the mean while, I will do a stint as your dealer at the BBC. I'm really glad that they let me into their group. I really need to be busy with something or I might go crazy.

I wish Che would land that job she's been eyeing. And if that pays really well, I think it's either Im dealing or paving the way to my WPT career. hehehe! Or so I wish.... Maybe I'm just so addicted to poker. But who wouldn't?!

I created this site mainly as my poker blog. But ofcourse, from time to time, I will post some random rants and raves... and this is one of them.

I hate what's happening to me lately. Things are not in order and I keep messing up. I lost my drive for my present job upon learning that I can not trust my boss. I learned the hard way.

So everyday I battle my own demons. I don't want to wake up early and face another day working for them. But I must. We can't afford much right now. Che and I have been living off from paycheck to paycheck. We now have rent and more bills to pay. The approaching season only adds more pressure to me. It is unwise for me to resign when I would be recieving a bonus in two months time. I wish it feels that easy.

Now, this is how it feels to be an adult.

I can't believe it took me the whole just to write something here. I can't seem to organize my thoughts. Whatever.

I'm IN!!!

I have registered to play in the
Online Poker Blogger Championship!

This event is powered by PokerStars.

Registration code: 2863790

I will fold

Enuf Bad Beats Pleasssssseeee

I know the poker community is already tired hearing about bad beat stories. But it makes me wonder how I am gonna avoid it. I've said to myself that I will not feel bad as long as I know that I did the right thing. But sometimes, I can't help but feel bad.

I don't know what's worse a player who knows it's stupid to call but does for the heck of it? Or a newbie who thinks that hitting the 2nd pair on board with the a terrible kicker is good enough to call a tremendous raise?

I know those types can very lucrative to people in the know. But there are times when luck is on their side.

For example:
Blinds: 4/8
UTG raises to 80
I called
another guy calls

Flop comes: Jx, 7x, brick (rainbow)

UTG checks
I raise 80
Guy calls
UTG folds with A, K off

Turn: brick

Having the top pair and raising tremendously that makes it obvious that I already have the Jacks with kicker Ace, moves all-in.
The guy calls holding 5-7

I am so confused why he called.

Then comes the River: 5

Giving him two pairs 5s and 7s with kicker Jack against my pair Jack kicker Ace.

DANG!


Jazminator clasps her hands together, looks up and utters,
"Dear Poker Gods, I am sorry for the times I gave bad beats to a poker player when I was a newbie. I am now a mature poker-loving individual. Please keep me away from the danger of a bad beat and make me win... to play more poker. Amen."

Poker Music

Music is something a lot of people can not live without.

You'd you see that a part of some poker players getup is their MP3 player. Should I say iPod in particular? But you'd never know what's in their playlist...

Since I don't carry an mp3 player, I keep wondering what could be my poker music.

Nah, I don't think I'd be listening to Britney Spears since "Hit me baby one more time" seems to be more suitable for Black Jack than Hold 'Em.

But I think it would be nice to hear Pearl Jam's "Alive" after winning an all-in.

Hmm... I know there are a lot of songs that you can play while playing poker. But I guess it depends on who's listening.

Now, I ask you...

What's your poker music?

Heads-up with Barb

Last night we played ring games. I didn't really won my buy-ins back. I think im still down a bit. But when everyone started leaving, Che and I was left with Barbs. Che, with no more chips, opted not to buy-in anymore since she's happy being drunk already. I think she can't read her cards anymore. Hehehe! Anyway, Barbs told me that I have an option to cash out or play heads-up with her. MAN, heads-up with Barbs?! That's like one of the scariest things in the Manila poker scene! This girl is our poker guru! Should I put myself in a situation wherein I would get schooled and lose all my money for that night?

...

Well, I was thinking... My chips ain't even half of the total money I used for my buy-in. And it sure is worth to learn from Barbs. Besides, heads-up is something I've got to develop in my game. So, I did.

I am so nervous. I know this lady can smell fear in me, she does with everyone of us. My five months of playing poker against Barbs' years of experience, I'm a dead money dude. She kept telling me that she's giving me the option. But, what the heck! I told her, let's try it a few hands. I'll see if I can stand the pressure... I'm already having cold sweat there. My hands are so cold and I suddenly felt so awake. Well, who'd feel sleepy when Barbs would stare at you as if she's got x-ray eyes?! Geez...

Our game lasted with more than five hands. And I WON!!!
This is definitely one of the highlights of my poker career.

Good game, Barb! I really learned a lot in the game.

ALL IN your tiles

Yes, that's a familliar red felt we use for poker. Now, it is now also used for a game of scrabble. And oh, you get double points if you use a poker word. Next time, I'll bring snake and ladders! hehehehe!

Mango Classic

Wow! I've never seen so many poker players until the Mango Classic.

Salute to the Stehmeiers, Poker Filipinas, A55 and everyone resposible for pulling off such a great event.

And I thought that almost everyone playing poker nowadays would seem to be a familliar face to me. But noooooo, more than half of the people there seemed new to me, but not to the game.

I had a big stack early in the game. Then luck turned the other way or I guess, I need to learn more. But, hey, finishing 45th out of 109 players ain't so bad -> specially when i'm coming down with a flu. Yeah, fever with bad cough and colds didn't stop me from playing poker.

----------------------------------------------

QUESTION: How do you play an early big stack?

Bubble Girl

hehehe I bubbled in the bounty hunter tourney...
Well, bubbling out of the money with no single bounty ain't all that bad. I'm still 4th place. I survived the chaos out of many really good poker players. And I'm sooo happy for Kath!!! Way to go girl! She deserves it. Yey, let's drink that Jack Daniels!!!

Poker = LIFE

Did it ever cross your mind that poker can be compared or related to anything in life?

I know that for some, poker IS their life. But some wouldn't understand.

The best thing that can happen is to be sitting with some really good people over beer talking about poker plus life in general. Yeah, that's no mistake, we talk about poker then later on we ventured to lovelife, family, friends and almost anything that clouds our tilted heads. Imagine hearing someone telling you that your breakup story is like going all in with K-K... you did the right thing. But when you lose with an A-4 when the A comes out in the river, it's not your fault.

Damn, are we thinking too much about poker?

Nah! I'd rather take that than hanging out with people who can't bear to hear us talk about poker. Some really don't get what we are talking about, no matter how we try to explain in plain English. Some wouldn't want to understand since for them, poker is gambling. Or those who thinks that we are just fanatics of the Celebrity Poker shown on TV.

Forgive them, for they do not know what they are talking about...

Damn, that felt ain't as cozy as it looks! But they don't know.

They don't know why there are people like us who think about poker most of the time, conntinuosly trying to improve our game, learn more and play a lot of hands.

But enough of those peeps who wouldn't understand. You are reading this because you know poker. And that you are a poker addict, too, like me! :-D


So now, let's get psychological about this... I came across a site that explains human nature and poker...

THE SEVEN STAGES OF AK
Psychologists often refer to the 7 stages of grief that accompany any significant loss in an individual's life. We certainly think AK qualifies, and know the stages all too well:
1) Denial: "There's no way I could've missed the flop. They were suited. I can call here, I probably still have the best hand. Shoot, I should raise to narrow the field"
2) Anger: "I raised preflop. The board is 239. What the fuck are they calling on? Oh, now they're re-raising me? Well, we'll fucking see about that. Fine, your 23o hit? Congrat-u-fucking-lations. Cap!"
3) Guilt: "Man, I missed the turn and they're still betting into me. I am such a terrible player. I should really let go of this hand. Let go if it, dumbass. Let go. See, this is why you never make money at poker because you can't lay a hand down you stupid fuck JUST FOLD."
4) Depression: "Call"
5) Forgiveness: "It's ok, you have to look that guy up every once in a while with A high. He might've been on AQ or AJ, and you would've had the best hand then. It's good for your table image anyhow. People won't mess with you now.
6) Acceptance: "Ok, next time I'll just limp and see a flop."
7) Recovery: "Hey, AKs, alright - RAISE!"

taken from http://www.parttimepoker.com/poker-humor/misc/7stages-AK.htm

Nice game

Wow! This week's BBC5 was such an intense game. I wasn't in the finals but man, it's a really nice game!

Che and I were saying, we are watching a great poker game LIVE!

And I've gotta give my salute to those guys in the money and the winner. I thought it was his lucky night. But when he slow played a set that wins the game, I knew he's got game! It takes more than luck to win against 25 good poker players... And not to mention Barb was there! Dang she IS good!

~0~0~0~0~0~0~

Awww... I feel bad we missed the JGPT Saturday game. This might mean I gave up my seat on the 3rd place spot. Oh well, things we've gotta sacrifice for the sake of moving to our own place. But above it all, we miss our friends...

My game...

Last night, after a super points mini-tourney at JGPT, I was talking to some friends. We were talking about some game play. Then there's this question...

"What type of player am I?"

I am so freaking interested to hear how people see me. Not for any other reason, but I don't know how I play.

And they wouldn't agree that I am still trying to find my game play.

Grouch told me that I am a passive-aggresive player.

I remember Jards telling me I'm a tight-aggressive.

Then Bryan... when I asked him the same question, laughed. He didn't know what to say.

Ey, I give high regards to this dude on the felt. He is one the best players I've played with. One of the few I don't wanna play heads-up with. He's got a dangerous combination. He is an intelligent poker player. And he is verrrry patient. Now that's something I don't have! But how come he can't tell me what kind of poker player am I?

Then, he explained further. He would rather call me an erratic player.

I started out as a very aggressive player. Then I turned tight. But then again, I would shift from one end to the other and vise versa.

Bryan clarified that my type of game is good for me, bad for the people playing against me. For all they know that I'm a tighty whitey... then comes out a raging devil.

Oh well, that's Jazmination for you!

And they still won't agree that I don't have a game yet. Che told me that it's not possible for me not to have game when I've been consistently in the final table of games I played lately, place 3rd in a BBC5 when those are really good players we played with and be in the top three position of the JGPT progressive points. Che blurted out, "You've got game already, you just don't know you do!"

I'll take that! :-D

Struggling

Lately, my game is getting better little by little, although my stubbornness still persist at times. Finding my Chi can really be hard amidst a poker battle. But during the times that I somehow balance the yin and the yang in the felt, I really go places. Yeah meaning I finish 3rd place or something.
During the last BBC5 tourney, I was so damn proud that Che and I were the only women in the tourney. We were both in the final table and I placed 3rd, getting both our buy-ins back and a little more. But it was so frustrating, I was aiming to be the first girl to ever win a BBC5 tourney. Yeah, yeah… my bad, I took Che out! I know it seems bad but things like this can’t be avoided in playing our game. We really play poker, even against each other. If not, it would be such bad taste and it will just hinder our growth in the game. Well… I treated her dinner after the game…
Then at the Saturday JGPT day, we played 3 games (2 of which is a mini-tourney of two tables). I was in the finals of all those three but never bagged the top place.

I know this is better than my confusion state, but I know I can do better than that. So now I go back to the battle-felt ground and find my Chi amidst all the chaos.

~0~0~0~0~0~0~

Now, Che and I might limit our games than we usually do. We now have to consider bills and rent. But nonetheless, we will still set aside money for our bankroll. It just might not be much to cover most tourneys, games, transpo expense and food. And I am not ashamed to admit that money is such a big factor for us since we live solely on our paychecks, and it ain’t much. But we don’t play for the money. How can newbies like us make a living out of poker?! Anyway, we will still be there the best we can. And Im still banking on my poker education to flourish one day… :-)

Finding my game

I’d still say that I am in the midst of finding my game play.

I started playing Hold ‘Em May of 2005. Although, I know, I already played a lot of hands now… I know I still have a lot to learn about poker.

I started out to be a very aggressive player, a calling station as they would say. I will call your bet now matter how high it is. I bluff, I draw and I bully. Sometimes I get lucky. But for that kind of play, I would either be out of the game fast or be a really big chip lead. But with that huge chip stack, I would stay in the game. But I wouldn’t last even the final three.

So during the last big tourney, I learned a lot in such a short span of time. I can’t play gung-ho with the testosterone-ego monsters around. I played uber tight. I keep thinking every time I’d play a hand that if I am ready that this could be my last hand for the game. They can always call me all-in since I don’t have much chips compared to the others. So I choose the hands that I’d play. I folded a lot of hands that I would usually play. It was so hard to fold hands like and Ace, Six or suited connectors. And thank goodness, I was doing the right thing! I finished 6th out of 48 people who played the tournament. It was the best day of my poker life, so far.

But right now, I am confused. Do I play aggressive or tight? I play tight then I get killed by the blinds. I play aggressive, I get shot out. Hmmm….

Damn, poker’s making me think too much.

The Villain in me..

I wonder is it's true though...

B.P.B. (Bbq, Poker and my Baby)

Last night Che and I went to the Camp Hold’em home base for an impromptu game. Well that was after pigging out at Brazilian Churasco in Wilson. We’d hate to leave the resto but we should be on our way to Camp. Besides I feel like I’m filled with bbq up to my eye already. NO. It’s not gluttony. We paid for buffet. Therefore, we must consume every cent its worth. So keep those grilled food comin’!


Oooppsss, time to play poker!


It just so happens that a number of people are itching to play poker after a manic Monday of work (or school for those Campers). So there it is, the gang of Mike and Mark with some new faces including Wesley, the “all-in-monster” of the night. Yes, I can clearly remember this guy 'coz he was the one who took me out. My fault. As Miguel would say, "Good game, pare! Watch your back." HAHAHA! Nah, no hard feelings! I just have to say that. =D

Anyway, Miguel and Rob were also there. Miguel took the all-in-monster away and became big chip-lead. It was then that everyone noticed Rob's game last night, from short-stack to heads-up with Miguel and winning the game. Nice game guys!

But I am truly proud of how my baby played the game. Although she's never a chip-lead last night, but her game was so good. So good, I don't think I'd have the discipline to play like that ever. She actually felt bad 'coz she hardly played a hand. But as I've said, it's all part of the game-- knowing when and how to play. Kisses to my Baby Boy!

Now I wonder when I'd be playing again...

Jazmin 

Jazmin in the hauz!

Yes I'm here!

I wonder how it is on this site.

Anyway, this is just a test post. I'll think of better things to write as my first post.