Friday, April 30, 2010

L O S T

I have no idea what is going on right now. I can't focus, I can't complain, I can't fight, and I certainly don't have it in me to even research or investigate with what has been brought to light.

In essence, I'm lost. I don't even know which direction to go. I've been advised, but can't accept it yet. I've been counseled but can't come to terms with what consequences that may bring.

I have 3 very big things consuming me right now and for the first time, I don't know how to prioritize. On the one hand, one of these things is of the utmost importance, and should be dealt with head on with as much energy that I have.

But it could also be said that the other, being completed, would help to alleviate the only one I actually care about. I don't know if it is too late.

I have zero support. Once again, I'm on my own, but will work accordingly within the parameters that have always been there for me to fight against.

The third is of the least important as I see it now, but would offer the most enjoyment upon it's completion. Go figure. Something for me to finally achieve after so much time and toil and adversity, yet just seems the most insignificant at this point.

So... Chocolate, Vanilla, or Strawberry?

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

BBT... so far

The anticipation that filled the air some 4 weeks ago with the impending BBT 5 has come and gone and we are just over 2 full weeks into it.

I was honored to be included in the invitational series but missed the first one due to Confirmation, communion, birthday, and other parties that have to do with my tribe of children and neighbors children.

I played the first poker from the rail and Mookie tourneys last week and final tabled both of them. I did get to play this weeks invitational with a a bit of a caveat. I had basketball at 8:30pm. I figured if I played super aggro I would either give myself the chance to double up or at least chip up really well, or dust off early enough to be able to make basketball.

I raised and re-raised often but without really getting any action. I then picked up AA in the bb with 5 limpers. I potted to 220 or so with blinds at 20/40 and Astin (who limped utg) was the only caller.

The flop came 7 T Q and I am not sure if I bet pot or just about 2/3's. It was at least a 600 bet so I'm figuring it was pot. Astin called, and we saw a blank turn. This time I bet just north of 900 chips and Astin flatted me again.

Now, at this point, I am really thinking I am dead to a set. There are no flush draws and the only straight draw is just unfathomable to me to be even in his range. Astin only plays AA or 72 so I felt pretty confident I was either way ahead or going home. I cannot put him on a shitty two pair either. limping and flatting pre is just not going to happen with the two of what was on that board there; yeah I'm pretty sure I'm going home versus a set.

The river brings a J with me first to act. Set or no set, with my circumstances I'm putting it all in here and it stands to think that I may have even made my broadway if he puts me on AK.

I shove and he thinks for about 3 secs (possibly thinking I made broadway) but calls and shows 8 9 off suit for his ass ended straight made on the river. He called off more than half his stack with 8 9 o.

So I have 250 left, shove and go to basketball and had a an awesome run. We lost the first three games 3 on 3 playing half court waiting for the others to show, then won the last 5 games playing 4 on 4 (small court) the rest of the night. I was exhausted but felt great afterward and got home around midnight. I entered a $10 45 man tourney and took 2nd.

So last night I entered the second Poker from the Rail tourney and doubled up sometime around the second break putting me 3rd in chips. I sat there stagnant for about another 40 minutes and then doubled again to 13k or so. I picked up AK and blasted away pretty good til the river when I aired up and lost a good chunk bringing me to about 11k.

Then, UTG with AA I raised up and got a caller from the bb only (julesk) who had about 4k in her stack. The flop came K high and she checked. I bet, she jammed, and I snapped having her crushed until the board came runner runner giving her broadway and taking me back to 6k.

Now, at this point I am getting tired. I keep dosing off and waking up when the alert booped to tell me it was my turn to act. I woke up (literally) to AhKh and shoved against someone lead and he called with AQ. I miraculously hold and go back to 12k. That put me at 8 out of 25. Unfortunately, that's all I remember.

I fell asleep after that and never woke back up until about 3am. This is the second time this has happened to me in blogger series. I once entered the Mookie final table with a big chip lead and fell asleep there ( I think I had 33k in chips in that one). Several wrote posts about it but that was a long time ago.

So, I have played 4 events out of the five (including the two invitationals). I have final tabled 2 and fell asleep with a top ten stack with 20 or so left in a third and had aces cracked early in the other.

Last BBT was horrible for me. I never got anything going and was probably in the worse stretch of a down swing I have ever seen. I ran absolutely horrible and most likely played like shit trying to play out of it as well.

I've been getting beat up here as well, but it has come at times where I have been able to survive and continue on with the exception of the final tables when I went out both times getting it in best. JJ vs AJ and AQ versus AT - Both times they hit the A and the T

I'm feeling good about this time around though and hopefully an get lucky at a final table to be able to take it down.

Josie asked about Survior poker in comments. This will happen. We put it on hiatus in order to be able to afford everyone the bandwidth to play in the BBT. Once the BBT is over we will revist and schedule.

No one has been casted yet, and the rules and regs haven't been fully vetted out yet either, but it will happen shortly. Stay tuned. We're excited. Mostly I am excited about blogger land being all abuzz again!

FU waffles!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Please discuss... (reads - if I don't get at least 50 comments!)

Buckle up for a nice little conversation here...

I had conference call this morning with a group I am doing some consulting with. This is a poker related company and are based out of... well, they're global. For this conversation I will only post suppositions, and not reveal any names of products or companies or individuals. I will tell you however that what I am about to discuss is real... and serious. About as serious as dick cancer.

The implications, ramifications, and consequences if you will, shall be far greater than what your initial reaction might be, or maybe they won't. In fact, I want you to be cognizant of your initial reaction and then think more deeply of what may happen.

What I am talking about relates to online poker and a technology, although not ground breaking, but is finally getting closer to becoming a reality. Very close.

ready? Here it is....


The technology has finally been achieved to be able to offer live streaming video and audio of YOU playing online poker. Instead of seeing a Gecko, Pirate, or Monkey, you will be able to see your opponent live, watching him smash his buttons, give you the finger, or curse the idiot who cold called a 5 bet with TJo. You will also be able to hear him, and they you. You will be able to chat with him using verbal language instead of typing.

The technology that has made this possible has to do with the amount of bandwidth and being able to make it real time. I've been informed that has, or is close to being perfected. There are many many steps yet to be taken to actually implement yet, legal issues, regulation, etc... so I won't state that you'll be able to see Waffles rub one out tonight in the Mookie, but the technology is there...

Now, let's pretend that I've been mislead, or misinformed... For this discussion, it doesn't matter. What do you think? What will result in something like this? Obviously it will be up to the player to even have the ability to use it; webcams, etc., but most will be able to use it.

Do you think most will?

Does on-line poker die, and it now becomes Live poker online?

How prevalent will cheating become? wireless keyboard, wireless mouse, sit your doberman in front of the camera licking his nuts while you play?

How about the WSOP Online main event? Imagine the prize pool in that one? Any different than if the technology didn't exist?

How do they regulate it? protect others from watching some dude rubbing money on his titties, or worse? (BLING BLANG BLAU)

what type of scams? where does online go from here?

Is it something you would do? Does the concept gain traction?

Do the porn sites now go crazy with chics in bikinis, or nothing for that matter, take over a whole table with signs in the background showing their url address? and even moreso... being able to transfer FT/ Poker stars points for a 30 minutes session of three chics and a bucket.

Censored tables, women only tables, etc...

There are so many more directions this could go. Of course it could be like anything else and gain zero traction from the public.

Imagine the possibilities, the issues, the advantages, the failings...


* yes this is true. don't ask me how, who or when. I won't divulge until it is allowed to be. I will post updates as I get them. I will tell you that this most likely is not the only product of its kind being developed. It just so happens that this product is the first to break the technological barriers that have held the concept back so far.

discuss

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Joe Effen Cada

Played in the Poker from the Rail Event #1 last night. I think there was close to a 100 players. Paid top 18 and it was a silly ride.

I came in either 5th or 6th place. Don't remember. All I remember is being 2nd in chips to Vinnay's monster stack who had three of us doubled. I was officially second in chips but really only about 4-7k ahead of two others.

Vinnay led out UTG for 3k... I was in the bb with AdKd and made it 14k to go. He flatted. The flop cames all spades and I puked a little. I c-bet some horseshit 9k or so and he flatted again. The turn came a 4th spade, I checked and he shoved... I auto muck and he shows KJ with a spade. I mentioned I had AK and he said I should have bet more.

I'm down to 20k or so now and pick up JJ in the bb. Pinkystinky leads out pre for 6 or so and I shove for 20k or so total. She calls with AJ and binks an A.

The rest of the tourney was ridiculous with AT besting AJ, 22 besting QQ Vinnay getting AQ KK AQ three hands in a row eliminating the remaining two players to win the game outright.

It was a funny turn of events at the end there with the cards that were flying. It reminded me though how fun it was to play these things again and get back to having a blast with bloggers for a shot at some cash and of course WSOP seats.

Can't wait for the Mookie tomorrow. Congrats to Vinnay for taking it (reads mowing it) down and earning a seat in the TOC and about five-hundo FTW.

Monday, April 12, 2010

OUT(road) RAGED!

We had an incident happen in these here parts on Friday that just doesn't make any sense.

Back story: read/ watch here

OK, so rte 422 is a very congested road during rush hour, whether heading in, or home to the city and back for suburbanites who moved way out west for a bigger house. It's an artery that takes you from King of Prussia to as far as Reading, and it is a busy busy road. It also backs up a ton in the morning rush hours heading east into the city.

Imagine driving that road every day, getting caught a little late, and realizing that what should be a 15 minute drive is going to take you an hour. It can be frustrating. Granted.

Here's what happened on Friday.

Two folks, one moron and one broad (you'll see why I use harsh terms) are driving east on 422, obv trying to get to work. Ones is a black fusion, the other a silver Buick Lucerne.

According to witnesses they were playing a game of cat and mouse. Both driving extremely erratic, chasing each other, even driving very fast on the shoulder of the road. One witness stated that he saw the black ford even hit her brakes rather hard. Obviously they are both engaged in unsafe driving practices and just road raging on each other.

What happens next is stunning. The broad feels a vibration in her car, giving her the impression that she was sideswiped. So she starts to pull over thinking the other guy will as well, but he keeps going. She steps on the gas and chases him to obtain the license plate successfully. She then pulls over and calls 911. It's at this point that she realizes that she is injured. Her elbow and leg are bleeding.

Turns out the vibration she felt was from a 9mm round entering the back passenger side of her ford, which then traveled through the car and hit her elbow and leg. (back.... and to the left. BACK.... and to the left).

This guy continues on to work (Center City Philadelphia), obviously not knowing that he actually hit the chic. He parked his car at the Radnor train station and took the train into the city. By 9ish he tells his employer that he's not feeling well and heads home. His boss later told police that he was very red in the face and not looking good. My supposition is that he got to work, fired up the ole internets and saw, as it was making live news, that some broad was shot on 422 and that they were looking for HIS car (the news stations had initially released the tag number but then removed it by request of the police so as not to hinder the investigation).

This guy turns himself into his attorneys office in Norristown and by 2pm is in the custody of police. The gal was choppered into a city hospital and was released that night in stable condition. She has refused to speak to the press and has not released any statements. Some news outlets have reported that her name was not released to protect her anonymity, but others release the name of Elizabeth Cox. One station even reported that they went to her home, a blond woman with bandages on her arm and leg answered the door, but a male said, no comment, and closed the door.

Let me tell you what's wrong with this...

First, the whole thing is a mess, and this guy Yannarell should be locked in a cage for quite some time. He is facing attempted murder charges, aggravated assault, and some other charges. He will be sued civilly and deserves to lose everything. By some accounts, as reported in the papers, he is a known hot head. However, he is also a productive member of society with no record other than some traffic citations. He lives in a very nice home, works as an engineer, and apparently had a moment of insanity. Again, I'm not condoning his behavior, in fact, I am indicting this guy myself. Knucklehead moron should be made to pay for his reckless behavior with time and money. Imagine if the broad has a kid in that car. Something that would be quite possible to not see if the kid is an infant and is in a child seat. I can't imagine what he was thinking being so irresponsible.

Here is my issue with the broad... and unfortunately, the end result here gives her a pass (minus the 9mm round in her thigh). By all accounts they were BOTH driving like maniacs. This traffic is no joke. It's literally a crawl at no more than 10 miles and hour, opening up in spots and then closing down again. There were accounts of them driving extremely fast on the SIDE OF THE ROAD, kicking up stones and rocks at the folks who were taking their medicine and driving responsibly. Obviously this chic played her part in keeping the road rage going and, according to my interpretation, she played as big a role in this as he did. Egging him on, prolonging the event, whatever. What we don't know is who the instigator was. Doesn't matter either. What does matter is that, again, by all accounts, both were culpable in this event.

Imagine if instead of this guy shooting at her car, they collide with some 26 year old father and he dies as a result. The chic is now not looking at a law suit for a few scars, but now looking at jail time herself. So that fact that she gets into it with a psychotic moron and escapes hurting anyone else in the their little cat and mouse game, she comes off looking as a victim. Which, in this instance, she is. Let's not overlook the fact that she played a part in this and what could have happened.

Road rage is a serious thing. It puts peoples lives in danger. This chic is lucky this time. Lucky because she didn't die. She's also lucky that she didn't take part in killing anyone else.

Mr. Douchebag is going to lose everything. His freedom, his assets, essentially his life. As he should. Without a doubt. It is incredulous to me that someone who is seemingly so normal has it in them to think that sending off a round or two into someone who pissed them off because driving slow, being cutoff, or whatever happened, seems logical, or warranted. I want to know what the hell this guy needs a weapon for in the first place IN HIS CAR.

Now, I'm making suppositions here that the chic played a part in this road rage, egging him on, racing with him, hitting her brakes after he pissed her off after she pissed him off. Could be that she was afraid for her life and just took off. I doubt it. It seems quite evident to me that she played a part, and lucky for her, they didn't end up hitting each other and killing some innocent who was sitting in that traffic.

Either way, she's one lucky broad.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Billy Payne press release on Tiger

Billy Payne - Augusta Club Chairman, speaking on behalf of Augusta and The Master's released this statement:

“He forgot in the process (of becoming the world’s best golfer) that with fame and fortune comes responsibility, not invisibility,” Payne said.

“It is not simply the degree of his conduct that is so egregious here; it is the fact that he disappointed all of us, and more importantly, our kids and our grandkids.

“Our hero did not live up to the expectations of the role model we saw for our children.

“Certainly, his future will never again be measured only by his performance against par, but measured by the sincerity of his efforts to change.

“I hope he now realizes that every kid he passes on the course wants his swing, but would settle for his smile.

“I hope he can come to understand that life’s greatest rewards are reserved for those who bring joy to the lives of other people.

“We at Augusta hope and pray that our great champion will begin his new life here tomorrow in a positive, hopeful and constructive manner, but this time with a significant difference from the past. This year, it will not be just for him, but for all of us who believe in second chances.”



Now, I'm not one to judge... normally. But is this the largest pile of crap you have ever heard?
Coming from a guy who is the chair of a club that has fought over and over again to keep minorities and women from not just playing, but even being a member?

Tiger has been the Master's only attraction in the last 10 years and this guy all of a sudden wants to get moral on everyone. I don't know whether to laugh or throw up. This has got to be the best example of hypocrisy I've seen in a very long time.

I'm not giving Tiger a pass here. I'm not defending him against these statements either, but who in the hell does this guy think he is? I hope Tiger wins and then holds his hand out to shake the grandchild of Billy Payne, only to pull it back and out of reach when the kid reaches out. Tiger should be looking at Payne, and say SIKE!

Monday, April 5, 2010

McNabb... OUT!

I hate making this post on the day that Roy EFFING Halladay makes his debut, and the fact that it is opening day for the Phil's, with none other than the Pres making the opening pitch. In such beautiful weather as well!

There are way too many opinions out there that are just more emotional than they are sensible so let's take the 'ole Riggs spin on things...

First, McNabb is hands down a Hall of Famer, the best QB ever to step foot in Philadelphia, and one of the best in the NFL for years. That being said, let's look at what the future holds.

Oh, and let me say also that all you retards out there making the statement that the fans ran him out of town, are, well... Reh- Tards. Fans haven't had much input on anything this team has done since Reid started. It's quite obvious to anyone who has lived here and been a fan of this team that the organization could give a shit about the fans and what they think about how the team operates. McNabb being picked in the first place (or anyone other than Ricky Williams) is and was the first indication of that. Vick is another. So let's move on and take a look at why McNabb was moved now, shall we?

First, his contract is up NEXT year. The Eagles, and obviously other teams (by the way this whole thing has transpired) don't think that he is worth much. Actions speak louder than words.

Secondly, this is the only place the Eagles can actually get value for a top player and not have to worry about eating any part of his contract. I think it's obvious that the Birds weren't going to pay him next year and if that was the case, they get nothing in return. I also think this years draft will show another QB being taken as insurance or even as the replacement of Donovan. Kolb, I don't think, will be the Eagles answer. He has done nothing. They haven't let him do anything. He had two games with high production against the two worst teams in the league at the time. Other than that, he has had zero chance to contribute. Maybe I'm wrong, but I just don't see it.

Now, McNabb going to the Redskins is a head scratcher. There were three teams I thought had the best chance. Cleveland, Minnesota, and Oakland. Oakland because they are out of conference and would most likely need the help and willing to pay the price. Cleveland and Minnesota for two very distinctive reasons. They both have personnel that came from the Eagles. Reid has shown in the past to work with these guys more and both have a need. All of a sudden Washington??? That tells me three things. They don't recognize him as being a strong player anymore and he won't hurt them, and/or, they wanted that second round pick so bad for something they see as bolstering this organization up for years to come, that it was going to happen no matter what, as long as they could get that pick (or somewhere near it), and/or there is no way they are going to pay him or carry him after his contract and absolutely saw it mandatory to get something out of him NOW.

Also, you have to understand that there is no cap this year, and next year, a lot of analysts are expecting a lock out. No NFL football next year could be a reality. Maybe not, maybe so, so it's quite possible the Birds are hedging their bets as well. Get Value while you can.

My personal thoughts on it? PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFT!

One, it doesn't really matter in the short term. What they get for him that is. A second round pick is great. Better than what most people give it credit for. However, at what cost. The second round pick will take time to develop. Who knows if they don't draft a gem in the second round the following year? It's a gamble. This just tells me they want what they want now for a reason. They also just brought in two fantastic receivers. D-Jack and J-Mac will need someone to throw to them. I would have loved to see McNabb get another year to do so.

I can't see the Eagles having a winning season next year. One thing is for sure. This was done with a purpose. They already know who they are going to take with that second pick. The Eagles have been a great organization in that regards. Always enough to get to the playoffs. The issue with the fans is having 5 shots at the NFC championship, and not being able to get the ring. Unfortunately, that problem will always fall on the Coach or QB. It certainly isn't falling on the offensive lineman or Defensive coordinator. It's funny how people don't recognize that.

If they do have a winning season and Kolb turns out to be a monster, I will worship at the Andy Reid alter for the rest of my life. I liked McNabb. I thought he was awesome to watch. He had some issues (or I had some with him), that most outside of Philly didn't get to see. He threw a lot of players under the bus. He seemed non-caring about things. He never accepted responsibility other than the ole company line, but I contributed that to Reid coaching him on how to handle the media.

In the end, he will always be loved here in Philly. I would have loved to see him finish his career here, but something like that is a thing of the past in professional sports. I hope he goes on to prosper. I really do. I doubt he has much more than 3 years left in his career, but I hope he makes the best of them.

Finally, I think I have to approve this trade. If the Eagles think it's what's best for the organization, then so be it. They've been pretty good at those decisions. I would like to see McNabb stay, and I certainly don't understand him going to a division rival, but in the end, change is good. It saddens me, but I understand it.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Yeah, you can check it out now

Goat posted the vid of an upcoming idea he and I were bouncing around. Buddy and Jo made the Vid and have only enhanced the idea further...

This is going to be fun! Stay tuned for deets!



What the hell does this mean????

Pennsylvania ruled the other day that Texas Holdem is not a skill game. (thanks Tragedy!).

So what does it mean? Not a whole hell of a lot. I'll tell you why.

PA has been a cavernous pit of hemming and hawing since Texas Hold'em became popular. 5 years ago when I started up Riverchasers, we went to the state and tried to get as much info as possible.

Nothing. They knew nothing. They had no opinions, and they had no clear definitions for us. The LCB was just as vague. But they knew one thing. Rules to constrain the license holders from being able to entice people to drink by way of any medium other than the customer just walking in and spending their dollar.

The reason for the shift all of a sudden is two fold. First, there were some cases within the last three years where some local bar owners started having their own poker games on premise. Pay to play. Walk in, buy-in, play. No rake was taken, but the bars made money selling their wares. They were each busted and fought the charges successfully. All three cases were dismissed. On the local level that is. The state didn't like that.

Why?

Well, let's introduce the states law on games of chance.... Any game that holds these three occurences are considered illegal gaming. Consideration, Chance, Reward. Hold'em was never classified specifically (as every other game is in the statute), so no one could ever really say that it was a game of chance. The point was, it needed to be classified either way.

Now, introduce LEGAL Casinos with the ability to have REAL texas holdem games. Imagine the state ignoring these rulings BEFORE any casino that is spending 15mil to for a license opens it's doors, only to find out it will be competing with Jimmy's Beef and Ale. It was important for the state to recognize where they will be able to control poker parlors.

Texas Hold'em being ruled a game of chance firmly ensconces it into the "illegal" category protecting Casinos who will be paying for those pricey licenses. As one of the county DA's told me, "it doesn't actually mean they think it is" (then smiled).

This doesn't effect my business at all either. We already operate under the guise that it was illegal and follow every single guideline to stay within those limits and operate legally. Always have, always will.

Here's hoping everyone has a great weekend! Happy Easter!