Work commitments will keep us from playing at Lil Kim's Cove this week.
So here's your big chance -- take our place, and see how you do. (With the cards, as well as your example.)
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Yahoo International Raceway
The poker tables in Yahoo's Hold 'em Poker (where we usually play online) are described as "lounge" areas. Yet sometimes they're anything but.
"Play faster," someone told me at a table Sunday night. Some people at the table wanted to play quicker than this year's Brickyard 400.
"I'm sorry," I replied. "I need at least one second to think."
Think? That's not what these players want to do. "It's play money," a player scolded me. And that's true. But....
"It's practice for me," I answered. For Thursday night's real-life tournaments. Sometimes older people at those tables deal out flops slower than some online bidding rounds last at Yahoo.
Thankfully, I wasn't booted for taking one or two seconds. Some hosts would have done that. But the high-speed play resulted in my making a couple of mistakes -- and made me wonder if I should look for a different place to really practice.
Mr. Limbaugh may have "Rushed to Excellence" long ago, but I've learned it doesn't work that way for me. "Feet that are quick to rush into evil" are feet God doesn't like (Prv. 6:18).
Or to borrow from a classic SOS Band disco song: "Take your time, do it right."
"Play faster," someone told me at a table Sunday night. Some people at the table wanted to play quicker than this year's Brickyard 400.
"I'm sorry," I replied. "I need at least one second to think."
Think? That's not what these players want to do. "It's play money," a player scolded me. And that's true. But....
"It's practice for me," I answered. For Thursday night's real-life tournaments. Sometimes older people at those tables deal out flops slower than some online bidding rounds last at Yahoo.
Thankfully, I wasn't booted for taking one or two seconds. Some hosts would have done that. But the high-speed play resulted in my making a couple of mistakes -- and made me wonder if I should look for a different place to really practice.
Mr. Limbaugh may have "Rushed to Excellence" long ago, but I've learned it doesn't work that way for me. "Feet that are quick to rush into evil" are feet God doesn't like (Prv. 6:18).
Or to borrow from a classic SOS Band disco song: "Take your time, do it right."
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Poker Night #41: Exciting Second
That title is what Second Baptist Church in Houston used to call itself. And it describes tonight's outcome at Lil Kim's Cove.
For the first time since April 24 (three months to the day), we finished in the money. Second place earned us a "bucket of beers" -- and while we were assured it was going for six sodas, we went ahead and sold it to a final-table dropout for $10.
Things were going along modestly until we won three big pots in a row, knocking out a couple of semifinal table players along the way. In one hand, we had Q-10 -- and with a K-J showing on the turn, we dared to call a $5,000 bet. We looked hard for an ace on the river, but a 9 came up instead. OK by us.
The player immediately to our left had two high pair, and cursed a bit when he could not believe what he saw. "You don't have to apologize," he said when we tried. "I just want to see you make that play in a cash game."
"It's not real money," I assured him. But would we have made that play? Hmmmmmmm....
That man wound up busting out one hand later, beaten by us again. "I'm on tilt," he admitted as he went all-in in the wake of the hand before. I could be wrong, but I think we had pocket 3's and a third 3 turned up on the board.
We took a huge stack of chips to the final table, only to see a young man named Clint knock it down and take it all away. He was so pumped by his final table seat that he was yelling on big hands. (Well, he was shouting when two tables were still going for that matter.)
"Poker After Dark doesn't come on until 2:05 in the morning," I reminded him. That calmed him down a bit.
Clint talked about winning $12,000 online recently at Ultimate Bet. But a $50 win at Lil Kim's Cove thrilled him nonetheless. "I love this game," he said.
"I can tell," I quietly answered with a smile.
In heads-up play, we both made some cautious lay-downs -- but Clint kept gaining ground. It came down to this, as we were dealing:
BLINDS: 10,000/20,000
IN HIS POCKET: Q-Q
IN OUR POCKET: Jh-9h
Clint raises all-in with 12 gold chips, worth $60,000. After a moment of thought, we call -- and Clint jumps to his feet as if he's already won a WSOP bracelet.
ON THE FLOP: 10h-K-7
Clint gets scared for a moment. I have three hearts on my side, and one more Queen gives me a straight.
ON THE TURN: Ace, not a heart. My hopes diminish.
ON THE RIVER: Another 7. Clint wins with two pair.
Clint notes that heads-up play began with him holding Q-Q (I folded) -- and it ended the same way.
MINISTRY MOMENT: A frustrated player next to us said early on, "Jesus Christ."
"The way, the truth and the life," we answer. (Jhn. 14:6) Nothing more comes of the discussion.
UPDATED SCOREBOARD: 20 final tables in 41 nights (48.8%) - 6 cashes (14.6%)
YAHOO POKER TOTAL: $4597 (Up 86, up 106 in poker games)
For the first time since April 24 (three months to the day), we finished in the money. Second place earned us a "bucket of beers" -- and while we were assured it was going for six sodas, we went ahead and sold it to a final-table dropout for $10.
Things were going along modestly until we won three big pots in a row, knocking out a couple of semifinal table players along the way. In one hand, we had Q-10 -- and with a K-J showing on the turn, we dared to call a $5,000 bet. We looked hard for an ace on the river, but a 9 came up instead. OK by us.
The player immediately to our left had two high pair, and cursed a bit when he could not believe what he saw. "You don't have to apologize," he said when we tried. "I just want to see you make that play in a cash game."
"It's not real money," I assured him. But would we have made that play? Hmmmmmmm....
That man wound up busting out one hand later, beaten by us again. "I'm on tilt," he admitted as he went all-in in the wake of the hand before. I could be wrong, but I think we had pocket 3's and a third 3 turned up on the board.
We took a huge stack of chips to the final table, only to see a young man named Clint knock it down and take it all away. He was so pumped by his final table seat that he was yelling on big hands. (Well, he was shouting when two tables were still going for that matter.)
"Poker After Dark doesn't come on until 2:05 in the morning," I reminded him. That calmed him down a bit.
Clint talked about winning $12,000 online recently at Ultimate Bet. But a $50 win at Lil Kim's Cove thrilled him nonetheless. "I love this game," he said.
"I can tell," I quietly answered with a smile.
In heads-up play, we both made some cautious lay-downs -- but Clint kept gaining ground. It came down to this, as we were dealing:
BLINDS: 10,000/20,000
IN HIS POCKET: Q-Q
IN OUR POCKET: Jh-9h
Clint raises all-in with 12 gold chips, worth $60,000. After a moment of thought, we call -- and Clint jumps to his feet as if he's already won a WSOP bracelet.
ON THE FLOP: 10h-K-7
Clint gets scared for a moment. I have three hearts on my side, and one more Queen gives me a straight.
ON THE TURN: Ace, not a heart. My hopes diminish.
ON THE RIVER: Another 7. Clint wins with two pair.
Clint notes that heads-up play began with him holding Q-Q (I folded) -- and it ended the same way.
MINISTRY MOMENT: A frustrated player next to us said early on, "Jesus Christ."
"The way, the truth and the life," we answer. (Jhn. 14:6) Nothing more comes of the discussion.
UPDATED SCOREBOARD: 20 final tables in 41 nights (48.8%) - 6 cashes (14.6%)
YAHOO POKER TOTAL: $4597 (Up 86, up 106 in poker games)
If it was real....
As we mark 40 poker nights on Fourth Street, we wondered: what if Lil Kim's Cove was a real casino, with real buy-ins and payoffs?
We tried to play at a Kansas City casino's tournament in May (but the tourneys were canceled on Memorial Day), so we decided to use their rules.
Lil Kim's Cove has a small game, with never more than 40 players. So we presumed a $50 buy-in, and called the Harrah's poker room to see how many positions win money. The top 5 are paid in a 40-player game. Assuming it's a full tournament, 40 x 50 = $2000 pool.
As it happens, our buy-ins on poker nights would total 40 x 50 -- also $2,000.
We did NOT ask Harrah's how much is paid for positions 1-5. But let's assume it's a stairstep format, with $500 for the winner down to $100 for fifth.
Our record over 40 poker nights would be as follows:
First -- 3 ($1,500)
Second - 2 ($800)
Third -- 3 ($900)
Fourth - 4 ($800)
TIES for fourth:
one two-way ($150)
one three-way ($67)
Fifth -- 2 ($200)
TOTAL -- 16 for $4,417.
So if I had played poker in a casino over the last 13 months, I would have doubled my investment -- and then some. This seems to beat the Dow 30 these days, not to mention my 401(k) plans.
And even better -- at a casino, the cans of soda don't cost two dollars each. :-->
We tried to play at a Kansas City casino's tournament in May (but the tourneys were canceled on Memorial Day), so we decided to use their rules.
Lil Kim's Cove has a small game, with never more than 40 players. So we presumed a $50 buy-in, and called the Harrah's poker room to see how many positions win money. The top 5 are paid in a 40-player game. Assuming it's a full tournament, 40 x 50 = $2000 pool.
As it happens, our buy-ins on poker nights would total 40 x 50 -- also $2,000.
We did NOT ask Harrah's how much is paid for positions 1-5. But let's assume it's a stairstep format, with $500 for the winner down to $100 for fifth.
Our record over 40 poker nights would be as follows:
First -- 3 ($1,500)
Second - 2 ($800)
Third -- 3 ($900)
Fourth - 4 ($800)
TIES for fourth:
one two-way ($150)
one three-way ($67)
Fifth -- 2 ($200)
TOTAL -- 16 for $4,417.
So if I had played poker in a casino over the last 13 months, I would have doubled my investment -- and then some. This seems to beat the Dow 30 these days, not to mention my 401(k) plans.
And even better -- at a casino, the cans of soda don't cost two dollars each. :-->
This week, yes....
But next week, no.
We'll be at Lil Kim's Cove on 4th Street for Thursday poker night tonight. The action should start around 8:30 p.m. ET.
But we'll have to skip next Thursday night, due to work commitments.
Coming shortly: What if we applied the Thursday poker tournaments to a real casino's rules?
We'll be at Lil Kim's Cove on 4th Street for Thursday poker night tonight. The action should start around 8:30 p.m. ET.
But we'll have to skip next Thursday night, due to work commitments.
Coming shortly: What if we applied the Thursday poker tournaments to a real casino's rules?
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Remember as you play....
"Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man." -- Prv. 27:20
Some people seem to be able to play poker non-stop for hours online -- making them "no-limit" players in a very different way. I'm admittedly not one of them.
I can go online and make/lose my personal threshold -- but then I get out. Usually I do this in 30 minutes or less, and it's usually a case of having other things to do.
If I entered an online tournament, I realize things would be different. I'd be prepared for that. (One Thursday night at Lil Kim's Cove, we started at 8:00 p.m. and I couldn't finish the last person off until after midnight.)
My point with this verse is simply to repeat a phrase beer companies sometimes use -- know when to say when. Don't be afraid to cut your losses. Or if the cards are good, to take the money and run.
Some people seem to be able to play poker non-stop for hours online -- making them "no-limit" players in a very different way. I'm admittedly not one of them.
I can go online and make/lose my personal threshold -- but then I get out. Usually I do this in 30 minutes or less, and it's usually a case of having other things to do.
If I entered an online tournament, I realize things would be different. I'd be prepared for that. (One Thursday night at Lil Kim's Cove, we started at 8:00 p.m. and I couldn't finish the last person off until after midnight.)
My point with this verse is simply to repeat a phrase beer companies sometimes use -- know when to say when. Don't be afraid to cut your losses. Or if the cards are good, to take the money and run.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Hunches Happen. Sometimes.
We've raced over here from the Yahoo poker site, feeling really good. Read on to know why....
BLINDS: $1/$2 (pretend money)
IN THE POCKET: Q-10 of diamonds. I raise to 4, thinking something good is coming. Others raise with me.
ON THE FLOP: A-K-J, rainbow.
No flush, but I'm a straight-flopper. (Which is easier to say than "flush-flopper.")
In this limit hold-em game, I bet the allowed $2. A woman to my right raises to $4. I go to $6. She goes to $8. I go to $10 -- and type "Back at ya!" She raises to the top level of $12, and I call.
ON THE TURN: A small club, putting two clubs on the board.
I'm first in line, and Yahoo will only let me check or fold. I check, and the woman to my right starts the stairstep again -- only now it's 4-8-12-16-20. Three players go all the way to $20 calls. I root for no clubs.
ON THE RIVER: 6 of spades.
No flush. No chance for a full house. Yet the woman to my right dares to bet once more, and raises me all the way to the $20 top. The third player calls along, apparently thinking it's a bluff. But in Yahoo poker with small limits, bluffing doesn't happen often -- and it seldom works.
I thought sure the woman had her own Q-10, and we were splitting the pot. But no -- my top straight wins with ease, as all she has is a pair of Aces! The third player clung to a pair of Kings in vain. So I take a $200 pot, wishing it was for real.
The lesson for the opponents may be an old standard: Don't fall in love with your cards. I'd add: Love the Lord your God instead (Deut. 6:4).
BLINDS: $1/$2 (pretend money)
IN THE POCKET: Q-10 of diamonds. I raise to 4, thinking something good is coming. Others raise with me.
ON THE FLOP: A-K-J, rainbow.
No flush, but I'm a straight-flopper. (Which is easier to say than "flush-flopper.")
In this limit hold-em game, I bet the allowed $2. A woman to my right raises to $4. I go to $6. She goes to $8. I go to $10 -- and type "Back at ya!" She raises to the top level of $12, and I call.
ON THE TURN: A small club, putting two clubs on the board.
I'm first in line, and Yahoo will only let me check or fold. I check, and the woman to my right starts the stairstep again -- only now it's 4-8-12-16-20. Three players go all the way to $20 calls. I root for no clubs.
ON THE RIVER: 6 of spades.
No flush. No chance for a full house. Yet the woman to my right dares to bet once more, and raises me all the way to the $20 top. The third player calls along, apparently thinking it's a bluff. But in Yahoo poker with small limits, bluffing doesn't happen often -- and it seldom works.
I thought sure the woman had her own Q-10, and we were splitting the pot. But no -- my top straight wins with ease, as all she has is a pair of Aces! The third player clung to a pair of Kings in vain. So I take a $200 pot, wishing it was for real.
The lesson for the opponents may be an old standard: Don't fall in love with your cards. I'd add: Love the Lord your God instead (Deut. 6:4).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
