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