Friday, May 13, 2011

Semi-Random Thoughts Get Semi-Bluffed

It's been a little under a month since my last post.  I suppose this is the part about life happening while trying to work you way into the $MM. 

Just a brief catch-up.  I went to Las Vegas with the intent to play tournaments and get into the money.  I would have been happy with a cash and even more estatic with a final table appearance.  Needless to say, neither happened. 
On the first day, I entered a tourney that was a $200 buy-in satellite to a $1600 main event that was happening the very next day.   330 players and 38 seats were awarded.  I ran well and even went on a pkt pair hotstreak.  AA, KK, QQ, 4,3,2 times, respectively. 

I busted out of the event with AA.  Guy made a small raise, I thought he was all-in, but i went all-in and he snap calls.  He shows AsKs.  hits a King on the flop and a brick spade, then hits the backdoor flush.  I was ahead 92% to 8%, and he sucked out.   Wow.  The guy says " I thought you had a smaller pocket pair?"      REALLY?...   Then the guy next to me tells me he is a horrible player.  Blah.  The two other tourneys were for $100 and are also played by people whom don't care if they lose $100.  Instead, they play crazy, and don't take it as serious as those whom play for $500+.

I couldn't help but to laugh.  I had 2BB left and busted on the very next hand with Ac7c, by running into AhKh. 

I got out in about 90th place.  With that double up, I should coast into a seat.  Oh well.  

I'm proud of the way I played the event.  I didn't make any mistakes and took full advantage of everything I had going for me. 

The plan now is to play in New Orleans and play another satellite that could get me into the $1600 main.  Its certainly not an easy task given the luck you need and the unluckyness that is out there and can hurt you.  The shot is longer, but if you can make a final table on one of these, it could certainly catapult you into the game. 

I'll keep you posted on what transpires.  Wish me luck!

On another note, balancing life has had its challenges.  The other day I tweeted " Its not that someone moved my cheese. Its that I really have to decide what kind of cheese I now want. "

Life gives you options, and the beautiful thing about it, is that you have a choice.  You always have a choice.  It's the choice you make that points the arrow into the direction you've chosen.  Currently, I have been postponing making a choice about what direction i'm headed.  Family and kids are great, but the choice i have to make has to do with work.  You see, I already have it in my head of how my future looks.  I've alreday envisioned it.  It has more to do with how to get there.  Decide what kind of cheese I now want.  That's where i'm at. 

It seems that as i get older, i'm definitely more concious of the severity of each choice I make.  As cliche as it may sound, it comes down to " Playing the hand you're dealt ".  Bluff, Fold, Call, Go All-in? 

I'm not worried if i'll become successful, it's what type of econmic successes in life do I want.

Torn.

Time to S^!T or get off the pot.

On another note................

If people always get what they deserve, then why is it that some bad people get economic successes in life?  It is because they gave up other happiness in family, friends,etc.  Can you be an economically wealthy person and be humble and good to everyone, or do you have to be a tyrant asshole to get to the money. 

I'm willing to get to the money, but man is it difficult being nice about it.  Is it even worth it?    Don't get me wrong, at the end of the day when you're six feet under, you can't take it with you.  However, I would surely love to provide a comfortable life for my wife and kids.  The question is: Do you become the necessary evil to have the economic successes?

Or do you have to suck it up and be a chump while others get there?

Better not think too much about it, as I get more upset by the minute.

Finally, I'm sure that at the end of the day....  we'll the day's not overwith. 

Let's win one for the good guys!

-AlexEagleR

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Online fallout and other updates

As of April 15, 2011 the bottom has fallen out from the three largest online poker real money gambling websites.  The USA's Department of Justice has gone after these guys for allegedly money laundering, wire fraud, and illegal online gambling. 

Soooooo what does that change for me?  Nothing really.  My plan has always been to win in live tournament setting.  Rumors are spreading like wildfire relating to where the online grinders will go.  Well, I suppose they will have to get up off of their computer desks and play poker with people in front of them. 

I have a friend whom is struggling with the thought of having to play against people better than him.  He could always play on his computer at home and anonymously lose a lot of money.  Mention to him where the grinders will be... and he makes a disgruntled face.  Vegas and casinos in the USA will be the new honey hole. 

Tom Dwan, a reputable high stakes player, believes that this years WSOP will go from approximately 8k to 5144 players. 
What happens is that online players from all over earn / win entries the series via online gambling.  This will surely take a toll on the total payout.  But I like it because now there's a better chance to win. !! IMO.

Currently, I've been working out almost every morning lifting free weights and eating healthy throughout the day.  I feel better since having made the decision to get back into better shape.  I haven't got in as much of the cardio as i would like, but most of that is due to being too sore to do anything!  I'll keep you posted on how that continues.

We have a plan to be in Vegas next week.  I'm not sure if I'll be there 100%, but if i do, its going to be all business.

I'm going there with the mission of taking down some poker tourneys.  Since the online fallout, there should be bigger crowds and bigger prize pools. 

If I go, I'm only taking about 1k for tournaments.  I told my friends that I'll play the $100 tourney, but feel that the people who play those generally don't care about the cards and are still fish.  Which is great, but they are all over the map with their bets and taking lines that don't make any sense at all.  A slightly better player will have a clearer picture, and a great player will keep you guessing the whole time.  The difference between the fish and the sharks is that the fish don't understand why they really won, and how bad the odds really were against them. 

Besides, loosing $100 is easier than loosing $350 - $1000.

We'll see if I make it.  I consider these test runs as tuition.  You can educate yourself all you want on a subject, but it doesn't mean anything near as much if you never experience it. 

Even if one loses, if you learn from your mistakes, you never walk away empty handed.

-AlexEagleR

REPOST FROM 4/11- Random thoughts about health and the reality of high stakes

So I took a 30 nap this afternoon, and here I am at 1:30 in the morning.

Which has led me to discuss the topics: how healthy should one be to play competitive poker?; as well as; is the high stakes poker we see on tv "not the real world?"

As far as I know, health in any type of competition is important. Even in competitive eating, the skinny guy wins because his stomach can expand further due to not being limited by the fat around his stomach.

But I've seen guys on tv that are HUGE, and are final tabling televised events. So this begs the question, does it even matter?

So I'm obese according to the US government, but so is 75% of the USA. I fluctuate between 185-194 and am currently on the higher end of the spectrum. Heres the thing... Let's say that I final table a big event. The opportunities that can come from that regarding sponsorships, promos, apparel, etc, are awesome. But in the current poker world, big guys/girls don't command a lot of attention.

So I've come to a decision.

In order for me to have the best possibility in becoming fully successful, I will get in shape.

This means that I need to now incorporate an eating and working out ethic into my current life schedule.
There's plenty already in my life, but the worst thing that can happen if I don't get to my goal is that I look and feel positive! Either way I win.

Now as for the question of reality in the poker world, here are my thoughts.

I recently saw a show on high stakes poker where players wanted to see this guy's hand. He said he would show for 2K. The most that other players came up with was 1700. They all had several hundred K to play with, but none ponied up the rest and he didn't show. One of the players says, "in the real world, that's a lot of money". So it got me to thinking... What is $1700 to an average person that works a 45k a year job? A lot of money.!!

So does one lose sense of what even a little bit of money really is? What's more, is it wrong to not care that money loses its value?

What are your thoughts?


Truth is, I'd like to find out for myself! I'll keep you posted if I ever do.

Its late and I need to get some rest for the grueling task of getting in shape and eating right.

-Alex EagleR

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Back in learning mode!

I officially finished my first poker book  KILL EVERYONE - Advanced NLHE Strategy.  It was purchased on January 28th and has taken me 10 weeks to complete.  It reminded me of my old mathematics courses and the procrastination I was not so proud of.  Essentially, I could cram for mid terms and finals through every subject but math.  I always disliked that I couldn't cram at the last minute and pass with flying colors.  You have to eat this book like a tough steak.  Cut it up into small pieces and digest it.  Repeat.

It's one of those things that you can't rush and it makes me feel much like a scientist.  Trying out theories, discussing strategies, and implementing your own added style.  Yea, my brain sometimes hurt too.

So now I'm on to the next book.  Mike Caro's THE THEORY OF POKER

I'll continue to sharpen the tools before I jump back on to the tables.  I'm feeling good about understanding the why and not just the how.

-Alex EagleR

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Phase 1 - Are you a Gambler, or a Gamer?

As i begin, its important enough to say that about 60% of all tournament poker players are pretty much considered dead money.  This group consists of people whom have won some type of entry, have deep pockets to enter the tournaments, or just think their good enough to hold their own. 

What really happens is that they GET OWNED by players whom have taken the seriousness of the game to the next level. 

10% of the total players in a tournament will be "In the Money", which really only leaves 40% of the field to contend with.  So if you are in a 1000 person tourney, you have to be in the top 100 (or 10% to cash ), and even more, be in the top 1% to be in the final table.  Which is great, but really on the top 3-4 spots get the best cut and the real meat on the bone.  So if math serves me correct, you have to be in at least the top .04% to make the real money.  Yep... its a long shot.

Now, just like in any other sport, the top atheletes get the money, the women, and the fame.  Why would that be any different than poker?  My take is that there are a lot of guys (and some girls) that jump into poker, learn the basics, and are prime candidates to lose a lot of money.  

I was much the same way in that we played and we thought my buddies and I were decent.  Little did i know that we were the prey, and not the predators. 

So are you a gambler or a gamer?

Until this year, I have always considered myself to be a gambler.  Now, i'm ready to become a gamer.  But how do i do this?  I went to a university to get my BBA/MBA, (and paid dearly!), but there aren't any universities that have poker curriculum.  Learning through the school of hard knocks will probably cost me more than my degrees combined.  I have no choice but to educate myself. 

So, the ultimate difference is this.

Those who take the time to educate themselves, learn the intricacies, and master the dicipline, should inevitably become successful players.  That and some luck of course!  Add the Law of Large Numbers, and there is no reason you cant take down a big tourney.  Or at least one the sizeable enough to win enough money that allows you to leave your job and focus on poker full time.  That would be nice too.

This is what will happen to me over the next eight months.  In November, the final 9 players of the WSOP will play out the final table.  It is by that time that I line up at the starting gate and try my best over the next 12 months. 

These eight months are to learn every single possible poker strategy, theory, thing my mind could possibly learn.  Heck, just the other day I deleted more shows set to DVR than I am willing to admit.  So these are the beginning sacrifices I'm willing to make for the craft. 

So where do I begin.???

Well, I can honestly admit that a lot of my knowledge comes from reading snipits in books that I bought and never finished, and what i've seen on TV.  Ridiculous, I know.  But i truly believe that its like that for most.  Those sixty-percenters. 

I've never read Doyle Brunson, The Godfather of Poker's Super System Poker book.  Nor Harrington on Holdem or Phil Helmuth's funny attempt at being an author.  All of these players, successful in their own right, should have been enough to read an entire book, but I just haven't been able to do it.   This is probably why I haven't been able to win more than a few bucks here and there amongst friends and poker rooms. 

Well, here is where i'm at.  I am currently reading "KILL EVERYONE".  No its not what you think, and yes that's the name of the book.  Advanced Strategies for No-Limit Hold'em Poker Tournaments and Sit-n-go's.
I'm about 65% of the way through it.  I won't bore you with the strategy talk or hand analysis, but I will tell you about the general idea and concepts down the road. 

One of the problems with this book is that it was published back in 2007.  Advanced strategies are 4 years later not so advanced anymore.   Even Brunson's book held on for 20+ years.   But the game of poker is evolving in such a rapid way that new concepts and theories are derived every day.  But that's for another topic on a different day.

Next, I'm also 2 chapters into "The Theory of Poker" by David Sklansky.  this book is not so much about hand anlysis or detailed strategy, but more about general concepts that should allow you to use them as a strong foundation for coming into your own style/s of poker player.

As soon as I can finish these two books, I'm moving on to Bill Chen's " The Mathematics of Poker ".  Funny enough, I never liked math in all of my middle/high school and college years.  Whats more, it's the exact same reason I went into Finance and not Accounting!   Looking back, the Statistics class i had was a joke.  I wish i would have paid more attention, and  I really feel as if Bill Chen's book is going to teach me more than a full semester in stats.  Go figure!

I follow about 170+ people related to the poker industry on Twitter.  Not much of a facebook follower.  I also read NVG's ( news, view, and gossip ) poker related sites.  I'll be posting some of my favorites soon.

So i'm on my way to become a GAMER, and learning in 8 months what would probably take me through my junior year in college. 

Time for some Ginko Biloba, Monster Energy, and an uncomfortable chair.

-Alex EagleR

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

So what's the story?

So what's the story???  We'll, thats a great question.  Let me try to answer it over the corse of the next year. 

First, let me catch you up to date on why i've decided to write this.  So here goes...

I'm in my mid 30's with a wife and two little girls, Q is 4 next month and Ariana is 3 in two months.  With the writing all over the wall, I left the banking industry in March 08, just before the crap hit the fan.  Tried to do some financial advising, but what was there to advise when the banking execs are running for the hills and people would rather stuff their mattreses with thier money! 

I took on some endevors very much outside my scope.  Construction and Transportation.  Both of these were derived from certain someones saying something to the effect of " hey, start a business for this and i'll make sure you get lot's of business.  Theirs lots of money to be made!"  Regardless, if I knew then what I know now.... well, you know how that ends.

As of a few months ago, my heart wasn't in these businesses.  I have a BBA / MBA in Finance, and I cosider myself to be a smart guy, but making money has not come around as fast I had anticipated.  You could say that I have always set the bar high for myself.  Once I feel that I have learned what I needed and there is nothing new my mind can absorb, I get bored and my attention is gone in a blink of an eye. 

I suppose that this is the reason its come to this.  I've decided to take on Poker.  The art of it, the science, the risk, the rewards.  All of this competitiveness and drive has been bottled up and is now ready to explode.  More importantly, i've learned that channeling this inner force is ultimately the best way to reach the prize.  Without it, it would be a crash derby with no safety gear and plenty-o-gas!

So here it is...   In the beginning of this year, I decided that I would actually "learn" poker.  Not just to continue to play with my friends... but to crush them.  To level anyone who stands in my way of becoming a "winning poker player".  To dominate to a new level never before seen.  

Ok, that last part is a bit much.  But why not?  Why not me?  All you hear about these days is of the young stars of online poker that are 17 to 21 year olds and already multi-millionaires!!!  How the old guard is in there mid twenties and up.

Well, I disagree.   Yes young guns have almost no responsibility, live with mommy and daddy, have no bills, go to college on the parents dime or even scholarships.    What the yguns are lacking is life experience.  You see, they way I look at it, once you have responsibilities like a house, kids, car note, etc., you either become a conformist and worry about getting your paycheck every two weeks, or you are on the other side that takes a stand and says F%(K IT.  I'm betting on me and on my family! 

Not to long ago I went to see the musical, IN THE HEIGHTS.  There is a scene where the father that immigrated to the US was feeling like a failure.  Sometimes I feel this way too.   But the line that brings it home goes like this,

"  I will not be the reason that my family can't succeed.  I will do what it takes, they'll have everything they need.  Or all my work, all my life, everything i've sacrificed will have been useless."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCsySC2iL-k

The Challenge:  Make $1MM by the end of the 2012 World Series of Poker. 
The time frame:  1 year from the end of the 2011 WSOP
The Bankroll:   $0

I'm giving myself this time to study and educate myself as much as possible.  All the while, balancing my wonderful wife, beautiful children, work, family, friends, and money. 

The odds are certainly stacked against me.  I'm a huge underdog, but that's whom everybody roots for... right?   

Welcome to my life and thanks for joining me on this journey.

-AlexEagleR