This and That
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
This is going to be one of those rambling posts, but bear with me.
While on the subject of rambling, I might as well start off with a recap of NYRambler's HU Tournament held last night as part of a tournament series Rambler is hosting. Whenever I read about Rambler's series, I think it'd be fun to play, but I always seem to miss it since it's not on my usual poker-playing schedule. Last night, I got home early from a home game at Jamie's place (more on that later) and decided to jump in to the event. I love heads-up poker and it seemed like a fun crowd.
There were 23 players, which meant that the first order of business was to wittle the crowd down to a bracket-able number, 16. Hence, 9 players received bye for the first round and 14 players had to "earn" their way into the Sweet Sixteen. I was one of the unlucky 14, but I thought that my luck turned around when my opponent Tony E. (I can't remember the full screenname) was sitting out. I stole myself to a solid 1700-1300 lead or so when he finally showed up. Long story short, though, he caught me in a stupid bluff when I reasoned that he could not have the Ace (there were two on the board) and I tried to represent a strong hand. He was very passive, leading me to my conclusion, but as it turned out, he held a baby kicker (A2-A4) and called me down, leaving me at a chip disadvantage. Quite frankly, from there I just didn't play that well. I wasn't getting the cards and I hurt myself by pulling another ill timed bluff when a flop came down XXY (i.e., a pair and a blank), something akin to 774. I bet and he called. The turn was a blank and it went check-check. The river was another 4 (or whatever that card was), so I bet out with my Jack-high, hoping that he would fear a rivered full house. He called...with AA...and I was pretty much crippled. In the end, I just lost because of bad timing and bad play. When it was done, I typed "gg" into the chat box, followed by "wp." So much for my HU run.
Prior to that, I had went out in 9th place out of 10 in a tourney at the Wall Street Game. I was once again overplaying my hands, trying to make magic where there was none. In one terrible hand, I sensed my opponent, a big Eastern European or Russian dude, was light when he checked it down to the river. I bet out at the end with jack squat and he called me with AJ, no pair. It was such an obvious ploy on my part to pick up the pot that his call was practically a given. I don't know what I was thinking, but that seemed to be the theme for the night.
While I waited for the second game to start (and HOLY SHIT did it take a long time until the 8th place player busted), I started to get antsy. I hate waiting for just about anything, and poker is worst than most since my anxiousness leads to crappy play when the time does finally come. Fortunately (or not), a player called hoping to get into the second tourney, so I gave up my seat. Hence, I was home shortly before 9pm and able to join Rambler's 10pm game. I also got to spend some time with wifey Kim, which was really the highlight of my night.
A weird thing is going on with me and poker, although it is nothing new. I feel the urge to play and yet I also feel trepidation. I have accepted that I am not a top online player, and yet all I've thought about all day was playing in tourneys online. It's a confusing state to be in because I also feel that I should continue my efforts to curb online play. I mean, I'm literally internally debating a reload and a cashout at the same time.
I'm sure that most of this is due to outside stresses. With some changes at the firm, my job now has the potential for extra responsibilities and hours. I've already taken on more responsibility and I feel ready for every new step, but I am also faced with a general uncertainty about the future that seems to have permeated the office. In a perfect world scenario, I would continue doing what I do, that is, lawyering, without anything or anyone getting in my way. I love what I do for a living and I just want to do it. I know this may not be the first thing people think of when they hear I'm a lawyer (hell, it probably isn't even in the top 10), but I actually get to help people, people who need it. Whether it be the infant who was injured because a doctor panicked and forgot his training, or the illegal immigrant who sawed off his hand because the saw he was using did not have the required safety guards, my clients by and large have serious injuries caused by the errors or omissions of other people (legally and literally). I like helping people, and the vast majority of my clients are good people. As it goes, I don't even mind the idea of taking on a managerial role; I have more than enough ideas and I don't mind speaking up. It's just the uncertainty that is getting to me, as much everyone else's uncertainty as mine. I've gone through a dozen scenarios in my head, but in the end, all I can do is sit back and watch it play out.
This weekend, I'll be in Florida for my cousin's wedding. You best believe the idea of Florida casino poker has entered my head, but only for fleeting moments. Sadly, the schedule won't allow it, nor would my keen sense of family loyalty. Now, if Grandma wanted to play, well, I'd just be spending quality time with her, so I suppose I can still work that angle.
I'm eyeing my Friday flight like it's a freakin' brass ring (old school carnival reference for my old skool homies out there). Until then, I'll just keep treading water at poker, busting my hump at work, and losing at chess.
Oh, and on that note, anyone who wants to beat me in chess, look for me at ChessHere.com, screenname HighOnPoker.
Until next time, make mine poker!
posted by Jordan @ 3:11 PM,
4 Comments:
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At 10:40 AM,
MattyEbs said...
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I have to figure out chesshere again but after the whomping you ar giving me in scrabble I guess I should try that instead.
Playing Thursday? let me know if you want in on the game on the upper east side
if you cant make it would love to sit down and talk about the whole blogging thing, may make an attempt to start again -
At 2:50 PM,
Unknown said...
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I feel that occasionally, Jordan, that mixture of do I really want to do this and man I really want to play. As a compromise, I play at lower limits and a different game when I do feel that way. I played one table of my usual .50/$1 NL, but also a table of .25/.50 NL and two Omaha .10/.25 tables and set a time limit of an hour to play. IT seemed to work last night. I finished ahead (granted, when you have AA over KK, it's hard NOT to finish up).
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At 7:35 PM,
Jamie said...
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I love the new site template!
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At 8:46 PM,
said...
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ditto, on that note
your site remodel is ostensibly, the shit(tm). wow
