It's Been A While

It's been a long time since my last post and for those few readers, I hope I can catch you up some happenings in my life. I finally got paid for my commission this week so I actually have money. Prior to that, I was super super broke. I wanted to stake a buddy at the WSOP ME, but I didn't even have $50. I was still pulling for him. He busted out on Day 2. Good work though D.

I made my 2nd sale at the job that isn't so fun. Commission is same as last time. So sweet! Looks like I'll stick around for a little while.

Working 2 full time jobs. Picked up a bar managing position with a former employer and friend. Job is going well, but just lots of hours. Cool bar. Check it out www.sullivansmke.com . We have a "Redneck Party" coming up where we're serving Boones' Farm and boxes 'o wine. Also, $1 PBRs.

Haven't been playing much. Haven't had the time. I'm actually playing right now in a $25 tourney at AP. I tripled up early with a set of 8s vs. 4 flush and pair of aces mid kicker. I then had a guy dead to rights. He limped with JJ and I had 22 in sb. 4 to the flop. 9 high with a set for me. Get it all in on turn and he caught a river Jack. I'm still a litlle above average, but that would've put me at bully level.

Now I'm out. This was shit!

Stage #843534446 Tourney ID 1842914 Holdem Multi Normal Tournament No Limit $150 - 2007-08-03 00:16:07 (ET)
Table: 33 (Real Money) Seat #4 is the dealer
Seat 1 - ANDY71084 ($3860 in chips)
Seat 2 - LITTLES ($1410 in chips)
Seat 3 - JONNYCAKES26 ($705 in chips)
Seat 4 - ORANGE32 ($5485 in chips)
Seat 5 - GUMBY55 ($2850 in chips)
Seat 6 - KLAROGO ($6549 in chips)
Seat 7 - ZHULIK ($3230 in chips)
Seat 9 - MFRY32 ($3465 in chips)
GUMBY55 - Posts small blind $75
KLAROGO - Posts big blind $150
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to GUMBY55 [Ac Ad]
ZHULIK - Folds
MFRY32 - Folds
ANDY71084 - Folds
LITTLES - Folds
JONNYCAKES26 - Folds
ORANGE32 - Raises $450 to $450
GUMBY55 - Raises $975 to $1050
KLAROGO - Folds
ORANGE32 - Raises $2550 to $3000
GUMBY55 - All-In $1800
ORANGE32 - returned ($150) : not called
*** FLOP *** [7d 6s 8h]
*** TURN *** [7d 6s 8h] [5s]
*** RIVER *** [7d 6s 8h 5s] [8s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
ORANGE32 - Shows [As 8c] (Three of a kind, eights)
GUMBY55 - Shows [Ac Ad] (Two Pair, aces and eights)
ORANGE32 Collects $5850 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($5850)
Board [7d 6s 8h 5s 8s]
Seat 1: ANDY71084Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 2: LITTLESFolded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 3: JONNYCAKES26Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 4: ORANGE32(dealer) won Total ($5850) HI:($5850) with Three of a kind, eights [As 8c - B:8s,B:8h,P:8c,P:As,B:7d]
Seat 5: GUMBY55(small blind) HI:lost with Two Pair, aces and eights [Ac Ad - P:Ad,P:Ac,B:8s,B:8h,B:7d]
Seat 6: KLAROGO(big blind) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 7: ZHULIKFolded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 9: MFRY32Folded on the POCKET CARDS


I play great and get shit on. This stuff pisses me off.

Take care,

Keith

Job is Improving

Landed my first deal for a $2750 commission, so things are looking up. I sold a package for the PGA Championship in Michigan next year. It is possible. I actually have a $150K quote and deal pending right now. I would only make 5% on that one, but it's very possible. I hope I land it.

Playing very little poker. Took out $100 from AP because I was pissed off about losing about $120 on the river with my monsters against hands that were capping on draws and shouldn't have even been in preflop.

Cool Apple montage.If you pay attention you can catch me on my roller skates about 2 minutes in.

Job Stinks

So after 3 weeks, I've realized how difficult it is to sell these seeming easy sells. I've had many quotes out there for packages, but nothing has panned out yet. I haven't stopped looking for jobs since I started this one. One of those sent out resumes has to get me a job I want.

I started my new volleyball league last week. It's outdoor sand at a bar in the area. We play in a mens' 4s and a coed 6s league. The 4s league is very competitive. I messed up my toe when I was running to get a ball that was dug. My teammate didn't move and I ended up sticking my big toe into his leg. It looked like crap the next day. The top of my toe was black and blue and my entire foot was red. It looks much better now and feels much better too. It still needs some time to heal though.

I worked at my serving job for maybe the last time on Thurday night. I was working a party for some pharmaceutical company, and the guy was bitching about the bill. The room that the guy rented is a $1500 minimum. We don't charge for the use of the room, we just ask (and make you sign a contract) that says you must spend that amount while you're there. No takeouts or gift certs.

The party they had was originally booked for 20. When one of the hosts arrived, he said there'd only be 16. So we had to rearrange the tables and then only 13 show up. Now we have some good wines there. We asked the host if he wanted to get some nice wines because he wasn't going to hit the minimum. He only got the house bottles at $30 and $40 a piece.

Long story short, he was about $600 short of the minimum and was charged the rest on a room charge. To backtrack a little, when he came in, he thought that he could use the rest of the tab to get gift certificates. That was a policy of the restaurant before I started, but it had changed because of drug reps taking advantage from their company's point of view. So now he's not happy that it's $1500+tax+18% gratuity. He didn't want to tip on the full $1500, only on the $900 or so.

He cried and cried and we showed him the contract he signed. He said he didn't have time to read the contract. Uhhhh, first you don't read a contract that you sign. Secondly, it's about 50 words. What a joke he was. He left pissed off and we probably won't see him again.

As for poker, I only get to play about once a week for about an hour or two. Actually played a little this morning and was up about $30, then managed to make only $6. Was 2 tabling .50/1 and .25/.50. I have about $90 in AP and $130 in Bugsy's. Trying to turn this into about $10K the Chris Ferguson way.

I just realized that I should set a goal for this. I'm going to play about once a week of super solid poker and try to play in 1 tourney a week. My goal is $5K by the end of summer. I know it's not very realistic, but I'm hoping to win a nice tourney. We'll see how this goes.

Take care,

Keith

Tourney Results

I took third in the $5 tourney for $27.75. I went out with A-K and the big stack called with 6-x or some bullshit hand and caught his tiny pair. It was a pretty big raise too.

In the $30 buy-in, I was chip leader for a majority of the tourney, then this hand came up. Sorry that it's like this, I can't find a hand converter for Bugsy's Club.

Hand Number: 432,558,637
Table Number: 6,054,582
Event Name: $20,000 SUPER LEAGUE (#3866303)
Event Started: Friday April 27th 8:30:01 PM CDT 2007
Event Type: Real Money Tournament
Event Buy-In: $30+$3 ($1,500 guaranteed)
Total Prize Pool: $2,040
Game: No Limit Hold 'em
Level XII: 300 Ante 1,000/2,000 Blinds (100 Minimum Chip)
Average Stack: 61,818.18 (10,000 starting chips)
Remaining Players: 11 (68 started)
Seat 1 : PTPokah starts with 46,400
Seat 4 : johnnyboy57 starts with 29,400
Seat 6 : maries starts with 73,500
Seat 7 : GUMBY55 starts with 147,600
Seat 8 : TILTER starts with 44,400
Seat 9 : RRONDO starts with 32,700
Seat 6 : maries has the dealer button
>>>DEALING HOLE CARDS<<<
GUMBY55 dealt down Ac Qh
PTPokah posts the ante 300
johnnyboy57 posts the ante 300
maries posts the ante 300
GUMBY55 posts the ante 300
TILTER posts the ante 300
RRONDO posts the ante 300
GUMBY55 posts the small blind 1,000
TILTER posts the big blind 2,000
RRONDO folds
PTPokah folds
johnnyboy57 folds
maries raises 6,800 to 8,800
GUMBY55 raises 21,400 to 30,200
TILTER folds
maries raises 43,000 to 73,200 and is all-in
RRONDO: i was worried about steal getting some pts but she he blew it
GUMBY55 calls 43,000
maries cards were Ah Kd
GUMBY55 cards were Qh Ac
TILTER: lars is going down
GUMBY55: nh
>>>DEALING FLOP<<< [ As 9d 8s ]
>>>DEALING TURN<<< [ Tc ]
GUMBY55: J
>>>DEALING RIVER<<< [ Th ]
maries wins 150,200 with two pair, aces and tens
maries: ty sir
TILTER: nh
>>>SUMMARY<<<
Hand Ended: Friday April 27th 11:32:07 PM CDT 2007
Total Pot: 150,200
Board: [ As 9d 8s Tc Th ]
Seat 1 : PTPokah lost 300, folded pre-flop
Seat 4 : johnnyboy57 lost 300, folded pre-flop
Seat 6 : maries (button) bet 73,500, won 150,200, net +76,700, showed hand [ Ah
Kd ]
Seat 7 : GUMBY55 (small blind) lost 73,500, showed hand [ Qh Ac ]
Seat 8 : TILTER (big blind) lost 2,300, folded pre-flop
Seat 9 : RRONDO lost 300, folded pre-flop

So even if I see a flop, we are getting all the chips in there I think. After the reraise preflop, there was too much in there to fold, was just hoping for a coin flip.

I'm actually at the final table now, so I'm guaranteed $40. About $7 more than what I paid. Soooooo, I'm playing super tight and just hoping some other jokers go out before me for a boost in pay. Push all in with big hands and fold the rest. We'll see.

I've decided to blog the final table. Not much has been going on. On the bubble, I was pushing all in with a few hands just to stay afloat. I have 37K right now with 500 ante and blinds at 1500/3000. There were only 68 to start with so nobody has a huge stack. First is $612 so a big difference between where I'm at now and where I could be.

Moving on.

I've been getting big hands prior to the final table, but now nothing yet. Still have 10. My blind is coming up next hand. Haven't seen better than 10 high yet.

Pushed with K-10 in the cutoff. No callers.

Pushed again UTG+2 with A-10. No callers.

Staying alive with 44K.

2 limpers, A-8 os in sb, I push. All fold. 56K.

Folded 33 to a raise and reraise. Good thing, KK flopped a set.

All in with A-J os with 1 limper takes it. 58K.

Things are loosening up, but still nobody out.

55 all in walks. 75K and a chance. Blinds up to 3K/6K with a 1K ante. It's going to pick up real quick.

Finally, someone gets knocked out. Very next hand, I get A-10 os and push. Run into Kings and I'm out in 9th for $61.20. So about $30 for a few hours.

I had a good time and I played well. A few hands I regret, but I played brilliantly otherwise. I wish I had more time to play tourneys. However, I think I play better when I only play a little. I get antsy otherwise. Won $50 for the night, so I'm happy.

Going paintballing in the morning for a friend's bachelor party so I'm done playing for the night. Then a busy night tomorrow.

Good Night,

Keith

Lots of News

New Job

First off, I have a new job. It's inside sales so lots of calls, but I don't mind it. Once I hit my first sale, all the calls will be worth it. I am selling hospitality packages for major sporting events. Check out the website www.sportsmanagement.net

If you see any events you and some clients, or top salesman want to hit up, let me know and I'll put together a package for you. Right now, I'm selling the BMW Championship at Cog Hill.

Cubbies Game

Went down to Chicago to watch my Cubs beat up on the Brewers. It was a great time with 17 of my closest friends. It's usually tough to find that many people, but 7 of us came down from Milwaukee on the bus. It made for a long, enjoyable, but very f*#king cold day.Brought in a few flasks to keep myself warm.

Poker

Haven't been playing much, but I am playing tonight. Doing well in 2 tourneys that I'm in over at Bugsy's Club. $30 buy in I'm chip leader with 105K with 24 left and average stack around 28K. The other tourney I'm chip leader with 65K with 13 left and average stack around 28K. The bigger one pays top 10 and the smaller one pays top 5. If you're around, stop by and say hi. GUMBY55

Tourney report after they're both done. Need to concentrate now.

Take it easy and have good luck at the tables.

KEITH

Couldn't Sleep

I woke up around 6 AM and couldn't fall asleep, so I did some internet surfing and came upon this little gem. Hellmuth gets tilty and then starts swearing. It's great!

Then Negreanu gets coolered yet again in High Stakes Poker.

Plus, some good news. Up to $120 on AP. Played some .25/.50 and .50/1 limit and .05/.10 NL. Made $10 playing NL. $20 in one table of .25/.50. The rest was made at the .50/1 tables.

Then I made $10 in one hand playing 1/2 limit. Waited for the bb to get around to me, which I always do. Got dealt Q-10s and flopped the nuts. A-K-x spades. I check, short stack with $10 in front of him bets. I call. Turn K. I bet, he thinks and raises and we just get it all in there. He turns over A-3 os and I take it down. Table broke after that and I didn't find a good 1/2 game to get into. So that's why I play NL.

With $120, I have 6 buy-ins for .50/1 or 3 buy-ins for 1/2. I'll try to stick with the lower limit until I have a cushion, but will keep my eyes open for some juicy 1/2 tables. You don't know how many times the betting was capped, even on the river, when I had the nuts. What a donkfest!

GUMBY

My Progress

Opening Day & the Cubs

Opening day was a blast! Had a bunch of beers and got some sun. Ended up passing out in my car after a keg stand, but I still had a great time.

I was able to get to 2 of the Cubs/Brewers games here in Milwaukee. Enjoyed them greatly because the Cubbies kicked some major ass. Both Cub pitchers were amazing until the 5th. Great offense! 1st game the Cubs scored 6 in the 1st. Didn't do any tailgating because of the lousy weather, but got to see 2 Cubs' wins!

Absolute Poker

Have had some time to play in the last few days. Mainly .10/.20 and .25/.50. Have done okay. Back up to around $50 and looking to make that number grow. I have 5 buy-ins for .25/.50 and when I have 4 buy-ins for .50/1 I'll move up. I'm trying to build it slowly and it seems to be working. Lots of loose play has killed me, but limit is about the long haul. I wish the new AP instaplay version had tourneys. Hopefully, that's forthcoming.

Friday

I have the opportunity to play the church game again on Friday. I don't have to work and I do have some extra ca$h. I'm not sure if I'll play, especially because of the blind structure. It's horrible. 1500 chips. 30 minute blinds. 25/50, 50/100, 100/200. So after and hour and a half, you're short stacked if you haven't doubled up. I wish they would add a 75/150 level in between there, but the guys who run it aren't poker players.

If I had some backing, I could run a better game there and take less of a cut. Not sure what they take, but it's enough.

I'll have a tourney report if I play.

JOBS!!!

I've been looking hard for a job and did have an interview this morning which I thought went very well. I have another step to do, kind of an assignment. Go to some stores and ask the reps about a phone and then write a report about it. Tomorrow I'll go and get that out of the way.

Didn't get in depth into anything, but leave some comments and I'll add to it.

GUMBY