Like a sickness, doubt spreads through my head
Effect? recollecting every word once said
Wondering what brought about this bad dream
And how to stop this reoccuring theme
Why cant I just live in bliss
Childhoods innocence so deeply missed
If I could, I would go back in time,
and never leave, so happiness could be mine,
you'd better believe.
Does life get easier or is this as hard as it gets?
Im not really sure but I'm taking all bets
That this is the Alpha, it's simply the start
But where's the Omega? I know in my heart
That it's nowhere in sight
That at the end of the tunnel
There is really no light
Or did my mind falsely funnel
These thoughts of Fright?
Because you see such doubts, they just fuck with your mind
Keeping bad thoughts about, and leaving good thoughts behind
The truth is, Im not sure I can achieve
The happiness Ive been led to believe
Is my God-Given right.
However I wont just concede
I just have to recognize the need
To put up a fight
Because truth be told, we were meant to know pain.
But bad times wont hold, so theres so much to gain
By understanding that with the bad comes the good
allowing us to live the way we should -
To the fullest.
So if I had to sum this all up in a ball
This says it best
Life without pain is not living at all
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Summer Camp for Adults
Well, day four is in the books, and so far so good. Everything is amazing right now, from the house to the food to the weather. Well, poker could be a lil better, but thats OK.
The house is absolutely amazing. Last year's house was really nice; however this year's puts it to shame, and its not even close. Although I have yet to put the into action my favorite part the movie room, mainly because Ive been trying to play poker as much as possible.
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/2230-Jamaica-Ct_Las-Vegas_NV_89117_M19487-50977?source=web
-Pictures of the house, although they really don't do it justice.
One of the bonuses of playing live poker all the time is that im not tempted with the plethora of treats that are located all around the kitchen. While I have done some exercise 2 of the 4 days thusfar, I really intend on tightening up my habits and getting into a more strict regime. Starting monday..
*******DISCLAIMER******** Poker talk from this point on out ********DISCLAIMER*******
Alright so so far I've played 2 tournaments and 2 cash game sessions. Im down 2160 in tournaments (1600+560), however im up around 1600 in cash games playing 2-5.
Tournaments have been fun, although there have been some tough fields. In my 1600, I was seated between TheLabRat and Arsonist88, two accomplished online players. Both nice guys. In my 560, I played with both Marty Mathis and Chris Conrad, and also played with Robert Croak, creator of Silly Bandz. He was on this past season of High Stakes Poker, and while a pretty nice guy, its really hard not to laugh at one point when he goes to high five doyle brunson for doubling up and totally gets shot down. #Loveawkwardmoments
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_25/b4183064453633.htm
-Article about Robert Croak
My hand of the 560. Sitting on 37k at 500/1000 100 ante. Older guy who has me covered makes it 3k from EP, and I flat from middle position with QQ. My roommate and very accomplished online player TheCzar19 flats from the Big Blind, with like ~21k to start the hand. Flop comes j97, action goes check, opener makes it 4k, I make it 10,600, and Czar shoves. I make a crying call, and he turns over two aces. sigh lol. Wind up grinding 10k two more orbits and shove Q10 and get called by the big blind's A9. I tell the table I have a good feeling as the flop comes A9x.#JustcallmeZoltar
Cash games have been surprising well. I think I'm going on 6 straight 2-5 winning sessions. I'm starting to feel more and more confident and comfortable on the table, and if it keeps up, I'm looking forward to taking some shots at 5-10.
Yesterday on my second table, we had a crazy crazy game going. We had 5 bucks for anyone that scooped a pot with 2-7, as well as a Rock and a Boulder going around, two things I'd never heard of. It's really simple: 5 Two-dollar chips are rubber banded together, and put into a pot. Person who wins that pot now owns the Rock. If the rock is in a person's possession and they have the button, they have a free straddle on the button. The rock must stay on the table (not cashed out) and essentially makes for some great action. We also created the Boulder, which is the same thing but used for UTG straddles. Was a really fun table.
Today really clicked for me. Within a few hands I found myself down to 300 really quickly. The table was good though and pretty deep. After slowplaying Aces against a blatantly solid player (who turns out to be Believer82, an incredibly solid online reg) and picking off a bluff, I found myself at 700 when this hand came up
Button straddes and I limp Js10s over a few limpers and we see a flop 5 handed or so. Flop comes 78h9h. SB, a younger active kid bets 20, and the blatantly solid player from before makes it 65. I snap call 65 trying to make my hand see drawy. A guy calls behind me, and then the first bettor repops it to like 220. Solid player ends up folding 56, and I take about 40 seconds before piling and getting paid off by 56.
From then on out I played what I felt was extremely solid poker, and continuing to run well. I made one big mistake when I knew someone had a straight and c/shoved a 289Q board with 22 even though I knew he had J10 for like a 1k pot.
My last cash game hand MP makes it 20, kid from Germany flats 20, and I look down at 2 red kings. I make it 85 on the button, and after the blinds and opener fold, the German kid takes a minute before making it 220 with about 600 to start the hand. I pile and he calls with JJ. River Jack, no big deal. I get up from the game a 1200 dollar winner but was a river card away from a +5 buyin session. Thats ok though was still a really good day.
OK thats about all I gots to report and to be honest my brain feels like mush after focusing on poker all day. Dolan, the master of convincing me to play tournaments, has convinced me to play day B of the 1k WSOP tomorrow. I hate the starting structure but I mean its a chance to turn 1k into 600k. Feel like I'm playing very well right now and these tournies get some ATROCIOUS tourists playing so I'm excited to see if I can get me some chips. Will update on twitter, @ChrisBrauch.
Thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed :)
The house is absolutely amazing. Last year's house was really nice; however this year's puts it to shame, and its not even close. Although I have yet to put the into action my favorite part the movie room, mainly because Ive been trying to play poker as much as possible.
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/2230-Jamaica-Ct_Las-Vegas_NV_89117_M19487-50977?source=web
-Pictures of the house, although they really don't do it justice.
One of the bonuses of playing live poker all the time is that im not tempted with the plethora of treats that are located all around the kitchen. While I have done some exercise 2 of the 4 days thusfar, I really intend on tightening up my habits and getting into a more strict regime. Starting monday..
*******DISCLAIMER******** Poker talk from this point on out ********DISCLAIMER*******
Alright so so far I've played 2 tournaments and 2 cash game sessions. Im down 2160 in tournaments (1600+560), however im up around 1600 in cash games playing 2-5.
Tournaments have been fun, although there have been some tough fields. In my 1600, I was seated between TheLabRat and Arsonist88, two accomplished online players. Both nice guys. In my 560, I played with both Marty Mathis and Chris Conrad, and also played with Robert Croak, creator of Silly Bandz. He was on this past season of High Stakes Poker, and while a pretty nice guy, its really hard not to laugh at one point when he goes to high five doyle brunson for doubling up and totally gets shot down. #Loveawkwardmoments
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_25/b4183064453633.htm
-Article about Robert Croak
My hand of the 560. Sitting on 37k at 500/1000 100 ante. Older guy who has me covered makes it 3k from EP, and I flat from middle position with QQ. My roommate and very accomplished online player TheCzar19 flats from the Big Blind, with like ~21k to start the hand. Flop comes j97, action goes check, opener makes it 4k, I make it 10,600, and Czar shoves. I make a crying call, and he turns over two aces. sigh lol. Wind up grinding 10k two more orbits and shove Q10 and get called by the big blind's A9. I tell the table I have a good feeling as the flop comes A9x.#JustcallmeZoltar
Cash games have been surprising well. I think I'm going on 6 straight 2-5 winning sessions. I'm starting to feel more and more confident and comfortable on the table, and if it keeps up, I'm looking forward to taking some shots at 5-10.
Yesterday on my second table, we had a crazy crazy game going. We had 5 bucks for anyone that scooped a pot with 2-7, as well as a Rock and a Boulder going around, two things I'd never heard of. It's really simple: 5 Two-dollar chips are rubber banded together, and put into a pot. Person who wins that pot now owns the Rock. If the rock is in a person's possession and they have the button, they have a free straddle on the button. The rock must stay on the table (not cashed out) and essentially makes for some great action. We also created the Boulder, which is the same thing but used for UTG straddles. Was a really fun table.
Today really clicked for me. Within a few hands I found myself down to 300 really quickly. The table was good though and pretty deep. After slowplaying Aces against a blatantly solid player (who turns out to be Believer82, an incredibly solid online reg) and picking off a bluff, I found myself at 700 when this hand came up
Button straddes and I limp Js10s over a few limpers and we see a flop 5 handed or so. Flop comes 78h9h. SB, a younger active kid bets 20, and the blatantly solid player from before makes it 65. I snap call 65 trying to make my hand see drawy. A guy calls behind me, and then the first bettor repops it to like 220. Solid player ends up folding 56, and I take about 40 seconds before piling and getting paid off by 56.
From then on out I played what I felt was extremely solid poker, and continuing to run well. I made one big mistake when I knew someone had a straight and c/shoved a 289Q board with 22 even though I knew he had J10 for like a 1k pot.
My last cash game hand MP makes it 20, kid from Germany flats 20, and I look down at 2 red kings. I make it 85 on the button, and after the blinds and opener fold, the German kid takes a minute before making it 220 with about 600 to start the hand. I pile and he calls with JJ. River Jack, no big deal. I get up from the game a 1200 dollar winner but was a river card away from a +5 buyin session. Thats ok though was still a really good day.
OK thats about all I gots to report and to be honest my brain feels like mush after focusing on poker all day. Dolan, the master of convincing me to play tournaments, has convinced me to play day B of the 1k WSOP tomorrow. I hate the starting structure but I mean its a chance to turn 1k into 600k. Feel like I'm playing very well right now and these tournies get some ATROCIOUS tourists playing so I'm excited to see if I can get me some chips. Will update on twitter, @ChrisBrauch.
Thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed :)
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Tentative Tournament Lineup
Heres the dates, buyins and some general info which I made for myself as a quick reference point if needed for this summer. It doesn't include the Main Event and has a couple blank days as well, which are all Venetians with buyins of 2k/+. Im sure ill be playing them all but left them off for the time being.
Date/Buyin/Location/Level Length/Starting Stack/Starting Time
6/2 - 240 6 max ceasars, 30m levels 20k start NOON
6/3 - 560 venetian 40m levels 15k start 2PM
6/4 - 560 venetian 40m levels 15k start NOON
6/5 - 350 venetian 40m levels 12k start NOON
6/6 - 560 venetian 40m levels 15k start NOON
6/7 - 350 venetian 40m levels 12k start NOON
6/8 - 560 venetian 40m levels 15k start NOON
6/9 - 1600 venetian 1hr levels 20k start NOON
6/11 - 350 venetian 40m levels 12k start NOON
6/12 - 350 venetian 40m levels 12k start NOON
6/14 -1080 venetian 1hr levels 15k start NOON
6/15 - 560 - venetian 40m levels 15k start NOON
6/16 - 350 venetian 40m levels 12k start NOON
6/18 - 560 venetian 40m levels 15k start NOON
6/19 - 350 venetian 40m levels 12k start NOON
6/20 - 1600 venetian 1hr levels 20k start NOON
6/21 - 560 venetian 40m levels 15k start NOON
6/22 - 350 venetian 40m levels 12k start NOON
6/23 -1080 venetian 1hr levels 15k start NOON
6/24 - 1600 venetian 1hr levels 20k start NOON
6/25 - 560 venetian 40m levels 15k start NOON
6/26 - 350 venetian 40m levels 12k start NOON
6/27 - 560 Ceasars Heads Up 30m levels 25k start 4PM
6/28 - 350 venetian 40m levels 12k start NOON
6/29 - 1600 venetian 1hr levels 20k start NOON
6/30 - 1000 Binions 1hr levels 30k start NOON
7/01 - 560 venetian 40m levels 15k start NOON
7/02 - 1090 Nugget 1hr levels 22k start NOON
7/03 - 350 venetian 40m levels 12k start NOON
7/04 -1080 venetian 1hr levels 15k start NOON
7/05 - 560 venetian 40m levels 15k start NOON
7/06 - 350 venetian 40m levels 12k start NOON
7/07 - 1600 venetian 1hr levels 20k start NOON
7/08 - 560 venetian 40m levels 15k start NOON
7/09 -1080 venetian 1hr levels 15k start NOON
7/10 - 350 venetian 40m levels 12k start NOON
7/11 -1080 venetian 1hr levels 15k start NOON
That about does it. 2AM here...off to the gym!
Date/Buyin/Location/Level Length/Starting Stack/Starting Time
6/2 - 240 6 max ceasars, 30m levels 20k start NOON
6/3 - 560 venetian 40m levels 15k start 2PM
6/4 - 560 venetian 40m levels 15k start NOON
6/5 - 350 venetian 40m levels 12k start NOON
6/6 - 560 venetian 40m levels 15k start NOON
6/7 - 350 venetian 40m levels 12k start NOON
6/8 - 560 venetian 40m levels 15k start NOON
6/9 - 1600 venetian 1hr levels 20k start NOON
6/11 - 350 venetian 40m levels 12k start NOON
6/12 - 350 venetian 40m levels 12k start NOON
6/14 -1080 venetian 1hr levels 15k start NOON
6/15 - 560 - venetian 40m levels 15k start NOON
6/16 - 350 venetian 40m levels 12k start NOON
6/18 - 560 venetian 40m levels 15k start NOON
6/19 - 350 venetian 40m levels 12k start NOON
6/20 - 1600 venetian 1hr levels 20k start NOON
6/21 - 560 venetian 40m levels 15k start NOON
6/22 - 350 venetian 40m levels 12k start NOON
6/23 -1080 venetian 1hr levels 15k start NOON
6/24 - 1600 venetian 1hr levels 20k start NOON
6/25 - 560 venetian 40m levels 15k start NOON
6/26 - 350 venetian 40m levels 12k start NOON
6/27 - 560 Ceasars Heads Up 30m levels 25k start 4PM
6/28 - 350 venetian 40m levels 12k start NOON
6/29 - 1600 venetian 1hr levels 20k start NOON
6/30 - 1000 Binions 1hr levels 30k start NOON
7/01 - 560 venetian 40m levels 15k start NOON
7/02 - 1090 Nugget 1hr levels 22k start NOON
7/03 - 350 venetian 40m levels 12k start NOON
7/04 -1080 venetian 1hr levels 15k start NOON
7/05 - 560 venetian 40m levels 15k start NOON
7/06 - 350 venetian 40m levels 12k start NOON
7/07 - 1600 venetian 1hr levels 20k start NOON
7/08 - 560 venetian 40m levels 15k start NOON
7/09 -1080 venetian 1hr levels 15k start NOON
7/10 - 350 venetian 40m levels 12k start NOON
7/11 -1080 venetian 1hr levels 15k start NOON
That about does it. 2AM here...off to the gym!
Twas the night before Vegas
And im actually packing. Usually its a procrastinator's routine: Wake up at the absolute latest the day of trip departure, hurriedly pack as many things I can fit into a bag, forget at least 3 essential items, and then barely catch my flight, home alone style.
However, this year is completely different. Third load of laundry is being done right now. Ride to the airport has been taken care of. House is actually starting to look clean.
Basically, I'm prepared. Which seems to be a theme for me the past few weeks. Preparing for my second summer in Las Vegas. In poker, we are taught to learn from previous situations and mistakes we have made and implement such knowledge, so that when faced with similar decisions in the future, we make a better choice. There are many adages addressing one learning from their mistakes, and for good reason.
Last summer was overall a very good experience. I was enabled the opportunity to live in a mansion with 13 other people, some of which are the brightest poker minds in the game. I was able to play poker daily, to experience 55 days in Las Vegas, and to fulfill a dream of mine since the first time I played poker - Play the Main Event.
However, I also made some key mistakes. First and foremost, I wasn't healthy by any means. I drank more than I should have. I ate more than I should have. Bedtime was when the sun came up. And if I didn't feel like paying the price for my sleeping habits, I simply would skip live poker for the day and play online. Which isn't atrocious by itself, especially with no more online poker to be played. However, I didn't take advantage of what was offered to me: the chance to play great live tournaments every day.
So for the past three weeks, I have been doing my best to prepare myself for success this summer. I have incorporated a healthy eating habit and have resumed going to Anytime Fitness, a 24 hour gym with locations all over the country, including Vegas. I have also been playing as much live cash as possible, since I will be grinding cash whenever I bust out of tournaments.
Basically, I have been setting and replacing old bad habits and routines with good ones...and I couldn't be more pleased with the direction in which I am heading.
This trip will be much of the same from last year. An amazing house filled with some of the very best poker minds. Tournaments every day. And an exuberant amount of distractions every which way I look.
Here's to learning from past mistakes.
However, this year is completely different. Third load of laundry is being done right now. Ride to the airport has been taken care of. House is actually starting to look clean.
Basically, I'm prepared. Which seems to be a theme for me the past few weeks. Preparing for my second summer in Las Vegas. In poker, we are taught to learn from previous situations and mistakes we have made and implement such knowledge, so that when faced with similar decisions in the future, we make a better choice. There are many adages addressing one learning from their mistakes, and for good reason.
Last summer was overall a very good experience. I was enabled the opportunity to live in a mansion with 13 other people, some of which are the brightest poker minds in the game. I was able to play poker daily, to experience 55 days in Las Vegas, and to fulfill a dream of mine since the first time I played poker - Play the Main Event.
However, I also made some key mistakes. First and foremost, I wasn't healthy by any means. I drank more than I should have. I ate more than I should have. Bedtime was when the sun came up. And if I didn't feel like paying the price for my sleeping habits, I simply would skip live poker for the day and play online. Which isn't atrocious by itself, especially with no more online poker to be played. However, I didn't take advantage of what was offered to me: the chance to play great live tournaments every day.
So for the past three weeks, I have been doing my best to prepare myself for success this summer. I have incorporated a healthy eating habit and have resumed going to Anytime Fitness, a 24 hour gym with locations all over the country, including Vegas. I have also been playing as much live cash as possible, since I will be grinding cash whenever I bust out of tournaments.
Basically, I have been setting and replacing old bad habits and routines with good ones...and I couldn't be more pleased with the direction in which I am heading.
This trip will be much of the same from last year. An amazing house filled with some of the very best poker minds. Tournaments every day. And an exuberant amount of distractions every which way I look.
Here's to learning from past mistakes.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)