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.