Some HU Challenge Hands

In hand #2 iandooda had 8c 7s
In hand #3 iandooda had 7h 7d

PokerStars Issues Statement Regarding U.S. Operations Shutdown

Amid the uncertainty of what may or may not happen with Online Poker in the U.S. after April 15, 2011, PokerStars, one of the biggest online poker sites has issued the following statement:

"Business as usual" for the rest of the world resonates as particularly harsh for all of us in the U.S. who will not have the opportunity to continue playing. But I am definitely glad Pokerstars can continue their operations worldwide as this will allow them to somehow make sure the cash-outs for North American players can eventually take place. The “how” and the “when” is yet to be determined.

I am aching to find out what will happen next. I wonder if there is any significance for authorities to do this on a Friday as opposed to sometime in the middle of the week. Do they know that had they done this earlier the implicated parties would’ve been able to resolve this issue somehow before the weekend? Are there going to be any additional developments to this before next Monday?

I’ll be following this situation very closely, but in the meantime, I guess this weekend won’t be my “One Time”, at least not online.

Private Online Poker Home Games on PokerStars

Private Online Poker Home Games. Wow. This is probably the coolest feature of any poker site EVER. Of course, me being the poker enthusiast that I am, I went ahead and started my own Online Home Game Club right away!

The best thing about this feature is that we can play tournaments, or regular games with FRIENDS ONLY. Another thing is that the game selection and customization options are simply amazing. I know, I sound like a fanboy, but I really think this is beyond cool.

So having said this, if you are reading this You are invited to join my private poker club!!!

- If you don't already have it, download the free PokerStars software
from http://www.pokerstars.com/poker/download/
- Open the main poker lobby, then click on the Home Games tab
- Click the 'Join a Poker Club' button
- Enter my Club ID number: 130946
- Enter my Invitation Code: San Diego

That's it! Once I've approved your membership request, we'll be ready to start playing Home Games online together.

If you want to find out more, visit http://www.pokerstars.com/poker/home-games/

I am

I am essence.

I am in the unfolding present.

I am a life experience in this world.

I am a physical manifestation of a deeper truth.

I am the idea of a human being that's moving in time and that will cease to exist as such at some point and transform into something else.

I am.

PokerStars Blogger Championship

I have registered to play in the PokerStars World Blogger Championship of Online Poker! The WBCOOP is a free online Poker tournament open to all Bloggers, so register on WBCOOP to play.

Registration code: 966813

Mr. Intensity

This is Dante, my son. Quite a looker, if I do say so myself. He has been an amazing gift and responsibility at the same time. He is 20 months old now, and getting in all kinds of trouble. As I write this he's running all over the living room and hopping on the couch. I thought it would be a good idea to post a pic of him as I'm bound to mention him plenty of times in future blogs. So here he is:

Bye bye 2010

Adieu 2010. I can't say I'm gonna miss you. We had our ups and downs but all-in-all I'm glad you are over. We did a lot of things throughout the months beginning with a participation in Event #1 of the LAPC at the Commerce. A♠J♥ losing to 2♦4♠ ended that adventure before the dinner break.

But I'm not bitter.

I had fun and pulled an all-nighter playing cash to win some of my buy-in back and Tania and Dante had a good time in the VIP lounge anyway.

Vegas during WSOP was fun and it gave me an opportunity to hang out with my fans from the Royal Bunker. Really cool peeps, and I have a feeling our friendship will last for a good while.

The America's Cup was a REALLY close call. Two final tables, a first and a third place almost take me to Iguazu falls in South America. That would've been sweet and I had it at the click of my mouse... if only I hadn't shoved with A♣7♥ when 3-handed.

WCOOP was a big tease. Battling over 20 thousand or so players to win a seat in the main event and getting my aces cracked by jacks in the last round was particularly cruel. Touché. Really.

And then of course my participation in the RB WSOP League... *sight* I guess finishing in the upper part of the bunch has its merits, right? Right?

And of course there were countless hours at the local casinos, home games, mtt's, cash sessions, blah, blah, blah...

Whattayear.

BUT it could be a lot worst. I could've NOT been a contender at all. I could have finished at the bottom all over the place and not writing about all these amazing opportunities that were within a few moves or percentage points from swinging my way!

I KNOW there are many details I have to work on about my game. But I got really close this year. I have to remember that this was only the first year I play poker and that there are many aspects that need to complement the act of playing itself. And that's what I'm going to be working on moving forward.

So here's looking ahead and excited about the world of possibilities. I'm already working in the different areas that need focus. I am studying the game and MY game to find my leaks. I am working out and eating healthier. I am finding a balance between all the things that are important in my life: my beautiful wife, my amazing son, family, friends, following my dreams and having fun along the way!

So thank you 2010. You gave me a lot to be thankful for and a lot more to work on. You gave me the opportunity to meet hundreds of wonderful people and helped me grow as a person all-around. So, maybe I am going to miss you 2010... a little.

Zen Circle

Getting back in the groove. I was a bit disappointed that I couldn't find a good FREE app to post from my phone but I seem to have resolved this. I just found out I can post from my phone (or anywhere really) by sending an email! So I don't really have to log-on or be on my computer to post. A simple email will do the trick and this is the first one! 

The year is almost over and I feel like a recap is due, my next post will be about that. For now, I can tell you that I feel super motivated and looking forward to everything that is coming my way, or rather to everything I am creating in my life. In the meantime, I leave you to this:   

In Zen Buddhist painting, the ensō circle symbolizes a moment when the mind is free to simply let the body/spirit create. A lot of times we get to carried away with controlling every single detail that we convince ourselves to go into places or make decisions that are not necessarily the best, instead of going with our first inclination. We have to remember that knowledge is in us as a whole and not just in the parts we appear control, in other words: trust your SELF, not just your mind. 

This week in poker and WCOOP

Last Sunday was a small profit day. I played quite a few tourneys and SnG’s. I didn’t run so hot on the mtt’s but I was able to take a first and a third place in the SnG’s. I didn’t log in many hours hours online due to many other obligations the rest of the week but I did play in two different home games with some good friends. The first one was on Monday with a group of friends that do not play poker on a regular basis. In a way I was kind of explaining certain spots or rulings as they were not completely sure about some points, like a couple of split pots or betting etiquette.

I had a lot of fun and even managed to lose half of my stack by a guy chasing a one-card flush which he made by the river (obv). I lost the rest of my chips when my aces were out flopped by not one but TWO guys playing J-rags on a 5-J-J flop. I was not going to re-load but they convinced me and I ended up being the biggest winner of the night. The downside was that I ended up staying up until 4am when I had to go to work at 9am. Ouch. But it was fun and I enjoyed the company of my friends.

The rest of the week was all daily-grind stuff. I am taking a history class which is turning out to be quite the interesting experience as the teacher is a bit “out there” as far as his personal philosophies is concerned. We have spent the first couple of classes talking about Atlantis, Lemuria and the possibility of life being a product of intelligent design or extraterrestrial beings. I am serious. In any case, I am not a stranger to such “off-beat” subjects it’s just that I have to say that the context in which they are being discussed in this class seems to be a little out of place as the majority of the classmates have a hilariously perpetual wtf face.

The second home game of the week was my regular Friday Night Poker with Ian and the gang. I also ended up with a profit after losing a buy-in. I don’t know what is it with me but often times I find myself coming from behind to end up ahead. I guess what’s important is the result and finishing with positive numbers but I have noticed that this is a pattern that keeps appearing in my life. More on this later.

So I went to bed a bit late last night but I had to wake up early today to go to the office because I had a couple of appointments. I finished around 2pm and went back home. I was planning on playing a couple of satellites for the WCOOP but was too tired to be completely focused, so after an epic Carnitas Tacos meal I opted for a much needed nap. I passed out for about two hours.

When I woke up I logged in and saw a few satellite opportunities. I settled for a $2.20 with re-buys with the intention of playing for full stacks at every opportunity. I waited patiently for good spots and doubled-up in key points during the re-buy craziness. I ended up with an average stack when the re-buy period ended and I didn’t have to re-buy at any point. I did take the opportunity to add-on as I wanted to get max-value in the following levels.

315 players started the tourney and after the first hour of play we were down to about 155. It is worth mentioning that there were 1042 re-buys and 133 add-ons for a total of 14 entries to Event #3 of the WCOOP. People were playing pretty loose and aggressive so the opportunities to steal were very limited as you were almost always going to get a caller or two so hand selections were crucial. The good thing was that I got paid handsomely for my made hands which eventually led me to WIN ONE OF THE ENTRIES!!!

Yes, I am excited.

So I will be playing Event #3 of the WCOOP Sunday September 5. The start time is 2pm PST so I have plenty of time to have a nice brunch with Tania (minus the champagne because it makes me sleepy) before playing and then… it’s on!

Wish me the best.

Year One

It's been a year since I started playing. I don't think this is a long time, but it does feel like many things have happened. More than anything I have to say that I'm thankful for everything I've received this year thanks to this wonderful game as I have met so many wonderful people and made so many friends from different places. I haven't had the opportunity to travel so much, but the little escapades I've had have been just as valuable as a long trip.

I find it amazing that I'm writing this blog looking to share my experiences with whoever wants to stop by and hopefully I'll be sharing many success stories as we move along. Gosh, there is so much to say, but going along with the title of the blog I'll talk about where I am today.

I am happily married to the love of my life and we now have a baby boy named Dante who is 1 year and a half old. She is crazy enough to support me on all my endeavors and I am beyond thankful for this and everything else she does.

I am playing poker quite regularly but not as much as I would like to. It is because of this that I think I've been making mistakes on certain spots, getting impatient and making the wrong moves. The silly thing is that a lot of those times I knew I was beat or at the very least had a hunch telling me not to call, bet or shove. But I want to think that I have learned from those mistakes.

So here is the thing: I am writing this blog for many reasons. I want to chronicle my adventures and progress and I want to be honest with myself. Also, this is another form of maintaining my discipline as there will be a track record of what I'm doing and by golly I want this record to be a winning one. Also because it looks like there is a lot of people in positions similar to mine, and who knows? Maybe my experiences could be of some use for others at some point.

Thank you for reading and I look forward to this so much!

Pd. I will talk about the "why" of the title of my blog in following posts!