February 10 - In Florida!

So I just got into Florida today. Was a nice and easy 2.5hr plane ride and went pretty damn quick. I sat next to a big dude that took up the entire arm rest, and if I didn't know any better, I might have guessed that he would have reached across my lap to put his fat ass arm on my OTHER armrest. And there were some crying children on the flight, but that's why God created noise-canceling headphones.

I also got some reading done. Got about 50 pages read of the book I just started on the teaching gap. Very interesting book about the differences in teaching with a heavy focus on the USA v Japan v Germany. There are some very odd things that I would never imaged to true...such as a high end testing school in the USA tends to score lower than the lower sections of Japanese schools. Also, Japanese schools tend to have almost 150% more students/class than a US school.

I am learning quite a few interesting techniques I can add to my own coaching through reading this book. One thing that stood out is that in Japanese schools it is common for the lessons to focus on complex problem solving and the teacher acts as a mediator between the students and the information. In Germany, teachers tend to dole out the information from a powerful and authoritative perch. And in the US, teachers tend to focus on the relationship with the students, while seemingly forgetting about the information. Also, in the US, the teachers tend to focus on teaching the answers and not so much the process...which is why I believe Americans tend to lack a lot of logic...because we have been taught to focus only on answers and memorization rather than learning WHY something is.

Enough of that, as I could easily go on for hours. Over the weekend I met up with ForGlory from 2p2. We grabbed a bite at Quincy Market and talked poker mostly. Nice kid, and since he sent “hello's” to me from others, I owe a “hello” to NotOnTilt and Kflip. Was nice to get downtown again, though I still don't enjoy Boston by any stretch. But I'm thinking we'll do lunch or something again, so if anyone else is in the Boston area and wants to join, just give me a HU....and same rules apply as I gave to ForGlory...no candy and no white vans =)

Hope all is well with everyone. I'm going to grab a few hours of sleep before getting up to start prepping the house for the party over the weekend. My grandma turns 80 this week, so the family is coming in for the party...and because I'm here early I get to help setup. But way worth it for the warm weather + family time!

*SS*

February 6 - My ironic name

So my GF and I are broken up. Very odd since I haven't been single for over a year at this point. Doing pretty well with the whole thing right now, but not really putting in sessions because of it. Have been doing all my coaching but just relaxing afterwards and doing some introspection. At least my vacation to Florida is well timed =)

I met up with one of my students on Thursday night to grab dinner before we hit up a homegame. The game was through the back side of an Italian bar and had about 7 tables. It really felt like my freshman year games playing on non-felted tables and having to deal yourself. Was a very softgame in a pretty decent atmosphere, but alas I get action never when I have a hand and catch 2nd best like it's my job. *sigh* ...Good times and nice company...so had fun for sure.

I also need to finish my Stox video. I have it outlined, now I just need to record it, edit it, and pump it over to Stox. I am locking myself in my office until I am done. So hopefully I am done around 2a. It's an hour long video on betsizing...so fingers crossed that it's easy as pie!

Also got my new laptop from FTP a few days back. It is awesome! Decided to go buy HEM instead of PT3 for this computer because PT3 has become my new enemy. In love with it so far and was amazed that it imported ~1M hands in less than 8hrs. Haven't put in a new session on my computer yet...but I look forward to it and probably will when I'm down in Florida. Speaking of that I told a student I was going (he's from England) and he claimed a vacation to FL is better than a vacation to Europe. Where I feel the exact opposite solely because of relative location. Perspective is a funny thing.

And on that note, I'm gonna go finish my pizza and pump this video out. Hope all is well!

PokerStars Game #24544107552: Hold'em No Limit ($0.25/$0.50) - 2009/02/02 22:19:21 ET
Table 'Beagle II' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: joshil3 ($50 in chips)
Seat 2: 7curse ($50 in chips)
Seat 3: gokings1 ($42.25 in chips)
Seat 4: tolmen617 ($55.70 in chips)
Seat 5: LayerCake31 ($51.65 in chips)
Seat 6: jiacstrap ($58.70 in chips)
Seat 7: DaVinci27 ($96 in chips)
Seat 8: bewrong ($15.55 in chips)
Seat 9: bethewill ($36.05 in chips)
gokings1: posts small blind $0.25
tolmen617: posts big blind $0.50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to 7curse [4d 4h]
LayerCake31: calls $0.50
jiacstrap: raises $1.50 to $2
DaVinci27: folds
bewrong: calls $2
bethewill: folds
joshil3: calls $2
7curse: calls $2
gokings1: folds
tolmen617: folds
LayerCake31: calls $1.50
*** FLOP *** [Qs 2s 2d]
LayerCake31: checks
jiacstrap: checks
bewrong: checks
joshil3: checks
7curse: bets $5.10
LayerCake31: calls $5.10
jiacstrap: folds
bewrong: folds
joshil3: folds
*** TURN *** [Qs 2s 2d] [7h]
LayerCake31: bets $3
7curse: calls $3
*** RIVER *** [Qs 2s 2d 7h] [Ks]
LayerCake31: bets $4
7curse: raises $35.90 to $39.90 and is all-in
LayerCake31: folds
Uncalled bet ($35.90) returned to 7curse
7curse collected $33.30 from pot
7curse: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $34.95 | Rake $1.65

*SS*

February 2 - Goals for the month

January Goals:

[x]2 new students
[/]Finish my “Range Merging” article
[x]Cutout 400 calories/day
[ ]Get a new place
[x]Find at least one new reason to enjoy life
[/]Socialize more
[x]1 new video for my site
[/]1 new video for Stox
[x]33hrs/wk of job-related activity (coaching, playing, vids, etc)
[ ]Write more of my book(s)

January wasn't the worst month in the world. Did very well financially and got a lot of stuff done. Total hours came out to about 115 of total coaching + playing, and probably came out to about 160 all things totaled. I started eating better, went to the gym at least once per week, and have spent quite a bit of time reading non poker related books.

In personal news apparently my GF and I are on a break? I say this with a question mark because I am not totally sure what is going on...but I suppose time will tell. I guess space was necessary so I'll flow with that until I am updated.

I am also looking forward to my vacation next week. I'm just going to FL for a week and a half, but it should be fun...not to mention nicer weather than snow and junk. I'm going to try not to do any coaching while I'm there, which will be odd because I'm so used to scheduling my day-time around coaching sessions. And somewhat related to this is my new laptop is coming tomorrow! I cannot wait to set it up!

I guess I'll just put down my February goals now and wrap it up:

- 3 new students
- 85hrs of poker related work
- Read a book all the way through
- Write something
- Get a new place or at least get one lined up
- Gym 2x/week while not on vacation
- 1 new video for either my site or Stox
- No food after 11p at least 5 days per week

Happy February everyone!

*SS*

February 1 - Highway drivers...

So FoxWoods was a terrible trip. I am sick of bitching about running bad, I know I am left side of luck and maybe someday that will change, but for now...I'm just content being there. Ended up down a few BI's and am still waiting for that session where I hit hands, hold a few times, fade a few draws, and enjoy a lovely session. I did find it funny that I played with a dude I knew from Cuse who reads the blog (thanks for not blowing up my spot =) )...but other than that...was pretty damn uneventful for over 15hrs of play.

On my way down, and then again back up, I made a list of 8 things I dislike when driving on the highway (or “motorway” for those across the sea):

1.) People that don't use blinkers:

Seriously, it really isn't that hard to flick the stick on the left side of your wheel. Does it take that much energy just to signal your intent so I, and the other people around you, can have a damn clue as to what you're doing? It is so annoying watching dumbasses cut me off at a whim and being way unprepared for it.

2.) “OMG, there is a cop pulling someone over up ahead!”:

I understand seeing a cop with his lights on makes us all slow up a bit...it's natural. But when flow traffic changes from 75mph to 45mph (on a 65mph road) because there is a cop 1mi up ahead...it's insane. If traffic is flowing...a cop will not pull people over. They don't have enough paper to give tickets to everyone going the same damn speed. Idiots.

3.) Brake riders:

Wtf is it with people that just constantly tap their brakes? We are going 70mph...you don't need to keep tapping your damn brakes...If I'm unsure if you are brake riding or have your flashers on...there is an issue with your brain and driving skills.

4.) Fast slow people:

Ok...there is a 2 lane highway and the person in the right lane is going 65mph and the left lane is flowing at 75mph. DO NOT PASS THE PERSON BECAUSE YOU WANT TO GO 66mph. It will take your dumbass about 4 minutes to complete the pass, all the while slowing shit up for no reason.

5.) Trucks:

I hate you for oh so many reasons. One being that you create a wind pressure that causes my car to slightly waver. Another is that you have a blindspot comparable to that of a 400lb dude. Another...is that you for some odd reason cannot maintain a speed that is anywhere near acceptable. Another is that you think you are supposed to be in any lane BUT the right one. Get your slow stupid ass in the right lane, stay there, and don't break #4 either

6.) Poor planners:

So if poker has taught me anything other than how to endure long periods of the worst and train your psyche to be dead to anything involving luck...it is how to plan. So when I see a 3 lane highway get congested with dumbasses trying to make a 2 lane cross to make their exit that is in a 1/4mile...I get furious. Because that cross now backs up everyone...and it's not just you doing it...it is 80 other morons like you. Seriously...know which lane you need to be in, and get there a mile or so ahead of time...don't be retarded.

7.) Women multitasking:

it amazes me that women are better multi-taskers than men...and yet when faced with the task to drive and do anything else simultaneously...they fail like a paraplegic in a hula hoop contest. Seriously...if you can't talk on your phone, do your makeup, or change the radio station without endangering other people's lives...don't do them while driving!

8.) People that merge on without looking:

Hi...if I am driving on the highway and you are trying to get onto the highway...I, not you, have the right of way. This means you do not cut me off. This means if you are going to merge on...you better be doing at least 60mph by that time. This means that if you cut me off while going 40mph and then give me the finger when you get honked at...I have the right to stomp your ass at the next reststop.



That is all. Cheers to a new month!

*SS*

January 30 - A few words

I'm going to FoxWoods...back sometime on Saturday. Would write up a full post but I am content on beating traffic today. Wish me luck =)

*SS*

January 26 - Hero is confused

So I'm in between coaching sessions and figured I would write up a quick blog post. This weekend was fairly good. Did a coaching session on Friday and then headed down to FoxWoods. My dumbass has to stop leaving at 4p in the afternoon...I always catch Boston traffic, and then lucky me, I catch RI traffic as well! My goal is to leave no later than 3p for now on...so that should help me not get tilty before I even start my session, lol.

Did a long session on Friday before calling it quits. I did quite a bit table jumping just trying to find a really good table. I actually got on a table where about 3-4 people were openly discussing ranging and proper extraction strategies. I was shocked and tried my best not to join in the discussion before leaving the table. Sadly, my ideal game would be one where I could have in depth strategy and theory discussion while playing with idiots...it's an impossible game to find (for obvious reasons), but it would make the time spent at the table that much more enjoyable =)

Made a little bit of money (a lil more than a BI), but lost a bigger pot at the end and decided to rack up (88 v A5hh v Q7 on a 8h Qh 4x Ax board, river 7h obviously). I really wish I could hit a draw, or fade draws...not never hit a draw and never fade a draw. I can't wait for that day! I did get to play with my fair share of idiots, and got to run some fun plays (a double float and a triple barrel)...so I enjoyed my time overall. I decided to go home after my session though because I wasn't feeling well, and ended up catching this mini-flu which I am currently working through...it's not fun.

I'm going to go take a quick nap before my next session...hope all is well with y'all

Hand 1/2NL Foxwoods

Villain $200
Hero $350

Villain is an idiot and is now upset with me. I have needled him without breaking a smile so he cannot tell if I really am insulting him or being nice. Either way he is confused which means supreme idiocy will soon ensue.

(7 handed) Villain raises to $12 from UTG, Hero raises to $34 next to act with AA, folds around and Villain calls.

Flop: ($71 – 2 players) Td 3h 6c

Villain shoves $166, Hero snap calls

Turn: ($403 – 2 players) 9c

River: ($403 – 2 players) Qh

Villain shows KT (pair of Tens)
Hero shows AA (pair of Aces)

Hero wins $399 pot

Villain says “I knew he was going to try to push me off my hand...I KNEW IT!"
Villain sits out
Hero is confused

*SS*

January 23 - Damn...

Damn...so the guest lecture I was supposed to give on Monday kind of went bust. They apparently denied funding for me to come. So then I decided to do a mapquest (because I wasn't 100% sure the distance) and it turned out it was ~10hrs to get there. So I decided against doing it. I decided that I would instead fill that time up with some coaching. O well...I just always hate when something I look forward to for so long goes busto.

I did however get interviewed today which was cool. I was approached about writing in poker (in terms of forum writing, coaching, vids, etc) and was amongst a pretty solid group of other interviewees. I am generally the one asking all the questions, so it was cool to be on the other side of the table and have the questions not revolving around how to play a hand. So that took about an hour and then I fired off 3 coaching sessions.

So for the record I did make a video...but I didn't like the quality of it. I decided to do a video on PokerStove and StoxCombo. I wanted to do a tutorial of those because I think they are very useful. However, I did the vid early in the morning and my brain wasn't clicking correctly, so I ended up stumbling a lot of butchering my math, lol. So hopefully I can get a clean copy of that done tomorrow and posted this weekend. I also started on my table selection article which should be helpful. I officially give way too much info away for free.

I have a video coming out for Stox next month for those of you that are members. I am doing a PokerUniversity video focusing on betsizing...so it will be an extensive and verbal representation of my Poohbah post. I am dreading how many hours it will take, but I got a head start on it earlier in the month, so hopefully I can limit the hours needed to about 10. Fingers crossed!

I need to get some sleep. Have 1 coaching session tomorrow then I'm off to FoxWoods so I can hopefully dodge traffic and dodge running bad. =) And then right back for 4 hours of coaching on Sunday...I love my job =)

Full Tilt Poker Game #5863788422: Table Canyon Run - $2/$4 - No Limit Hold'em - 2:01:58 ET - 2008/04/01
Seat 1: bmb013 ($423.40)
Seat 2: Bajunky4life ($406)
Seat 3: Its RIGGIGGITY ($80)
Seat 4: AdmiralTwill ($427)
Seat 5: rlatjsdo ($417.80)
Seat 6: Dino21Might ($459.70)
Seat 7: ice5688 ($245)
Seat 8: MoneyOverB ($720.10)
Seat 9: LemayZing ($614.95)
ice5688 posts the small blind of $2
MoneyOverB posts the big blind of $4
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Its RIGGIGGITY [As Qh]
LemayZing calls $4
bmb013 folds
Bajunky4life folds
Its RIGGIGGITY raises to $20
AdmiralTwill folds
rlatjsdo folds
Dino21Might folds
ice5688 folds
MoneyOverB calls $16
LemayZing folds
*** FLOP *** [4c 9s 5h]
MoneyOverB bets $34
Its RIGGIGGITY raises to $60, and is all in
MoneyOverB calls $26
Its RIGGIGGITY shows [As Qh]
MoneyOverB shows [7c 6c]
*** TURN *** [4c 9s 5h] [Qc]
*** RIVER *** [4c 9s 5h Qc] [4h]
Its RIGGIGGITY shows two pair, Queens and Fours
MoneyOverB shows a pair of Fours
Its RIGGIGGITY wins the pot ($163) with two pair, Queens and Fours
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $166 | Rake $3

*SS*