Reflexion

I do not usually read other people's blogs but I came across traheho's who is a well established pro who plays at the highest levels where 100k swings are inevitable. He talks about where he loses KK to AA twice in one night for 250,000 against his good friend who he then went out and had drinks with. I can only imagine being numb to that type of a swing. I remember winning about a 200k pot on FTP 200-400 last year and losing one about the same size and I can tell you 100% that I wasn't numb to it at all & further the losing is always so much worse than the winning kind of like betting sports.

Alec talks about being emotionless and how he is taking time off. I think being emotionless is okay but not great. I mean if it doesn't matter and you don't put any value on the $ I think you are heading down a slippery slope but by the same token you can't put the $ on a pedestal and it be an end all or you will get owned so hard it will make your head spin. I just busted out of the 162 nightly hundred grand in 20th of 968 players and I am definitely upset. There were some huge pots where I was a heavy favorite that didn't work out my way but it doesn't change the fact that $28 k just possibly slipped through my hand.

I have been playing professionally for 9 years and I used to talk extensively with my fellow pro and friend David Baker about what it takes to be a professional. He & I have it a lot tougher because we have kids and lots of bills. I cannot imagine how much easier it would be to play my game if I had neither. Now I obviously am not saying that I would change a thing b/c anyone who knows me knows my son is the most important thing in the world to me and David's little girl to him, but it must be nice to have no worries about going broke and ruining others lives as well as our own. I do not know Traheho personally but he has my respect nonetheless.

Aside from poker I am headed for Las Vegas this Saturday after my son's baseball game to go to Hugh Hefner's bday bash at the Palms and I am in the suite next to the Bunny Hut :) so at least I can relax a bit and then it's Venetian series which I am gonna tear up and get me a live win which I haven't had in a year. I haven't played much but that's not the point.

Russ

Carnival Time

I finished up a light night of Poker late last night (3:30 a.m) and crashed after setting 3 alarm clocks to wake up for my son's baseball parade which he was obviously psyched about. Well we get outside at 8 a.m. and it's 35 degrees. WTF! The weather is one of the reasons why I live in Texas and 35 is way too cold to do anything outside. Furthermore, we had to park a mile down the road and take shuttle buses to the field b/c of no parking at baseball fields. There were over 1000 kids at this opening day parade for the new season. Jeff Kent was on hand and his 4 kids are playing in the league. I wouldn't say Kent was a favorite player of mine but I definitely like the way he put his family before the game and the way he always handled himself honorably on the diamond. Grammy award winner Rick Trevino was there for the national anthem and was introduced as Lee Trevino which was kinda funny.

After the parade there was a skills competition where my boy fired it 48 mph and I have no idea if that is good or not but he's having fun and that is all that matters. I got an invite to go to Hugh Hefner's bday party in Vegas at the Playboy Club and stay in a suite next to the Bunny Hut on the top floor but it's on Saturday and so are my son's games. I am going to try and do both but my boy comes before da bunnies.

Poker has sucked for the last 24 hrs but that is just the way it goes. I got 7th in a super turbo where I shipped ATh over a raise 5 handed and lost a huge stack when he woke up with QQ and I hated the shove after I did it. Usually it's a standard shove but I had a note that this player was uber tight and I neglected to use my notes. Hopefully I go deep & win something on Sunday and all is good.

Go Sooners tomorrow vs UNC Get your Griffin on!!!!!!

Russ

Massage, Chiropractor, Baseball w/ da man & Late Night Poker

Not many things make a Poker player wake up in the morning and I am no exception but I do wake up for massages so as I rolled outta bed at 8:58 with my alarm going off ( I just went to bed at 4 btw) I was thinking 'can I cancel' & since that would be super rude and my masseusse is really cool I decided against it. After my 90 minute massage I went to the chiropractor, Dr. Perfect as I call her. She is truly one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen, whether on Tv or in person and yet this is the only time I have gone & seen her. I got my back adjusted and went by to drop some $ off with my ex-wife who works across the street then headed home for lunch I had picked up at Kenobi's. Kenobi's is a spin off of the best Sushi place anywhere (Uptown Sushi in Houston)

After a quick bite I decided to go pick up my lil man at school and we went to Dick's Sporting Goods and I bought him a UT hat (PUKING AS I TYPE UT) and 12 baseballs so I can pitch to him and get him use to batting. His first baseball game is this Saturday and he is so excited! He is very nervous but as long as he tries his best I will be proud.

Then came the work part of the evening while watching Mizzou tear Memphis a new Ass with my buddy from Columbia, Missouri who was at the time destroying the $30 plo r for 1st place as well so all in all a good night. I hope OU comes to play tomorrow because Syracuse is no joke. Johhny Flynn is one of the best young stars in the game and Rautins and Devendorf can fill it up from outside. I don't think they can contain Blake Griffin who is definitely the Player of the Year but they are going to need a big game from Willie Warren to win.

Tomorrow is going to start with a hair appointment @11 followed by a visit to the Chiro as my back is so messed up. Then grabbin kid from school and take him to Orthodontist and then his baseball scrimmage to tune up for his 1st game. Saturday is a parade and then all day baseball.

Russ

Migraines are no fun!

This is going to be short & sweet since I feel like Shaq is standing on my temples at the moment. Long day of breaking even. Got 2nd in the Ha $69 tourney but not much else. In between my backer Elky practicing for his wsop kickboxing match versus Sorel Mizzi he is getting his head kicked in as well.

I am playing fantasy baseball for the first time since 03 when I drafted an unknown David Ortiz with the 19th pick when he was with the Twins (boy did they screw up letting him go) Gonna be a light weekend of playing and more spending time with the kiddo.

Russ

Gossiping Poker Players & Baseball With the Kid

I was reminded today why I do not relate to a lot of poker players socially in that they seem like they are still in high school. It seems every day there is crap in the forums or I am getting a text about someone saying something that they have no clue about which gets old quickly. This person owes this person $ or this person said this. It would be quite funny if it weren't so sad and while we are on the subject of $ let me say this; If someone owes you money all you can really ask for is that they make an effort to pay you back in a timely manner and they don't dodge your phone calls or texts.

I am owed a ton that I will probably never see but I never (and wont in future) mention any names. I have loaned $ to friends, had people lose $ to me in sports, and many different avenues. I in turn have a few debts of my own but I have never and won't ever dodge a phone call from anyone, it's just not my style. If you ever see me talking shit about someone or telling someone that someone else owes someone $ please bish slap me immed!

On a good note I took my son to his first baseball scrimmage tonight and he got walked twice and scored once and got caught in a pickle the other time and tagged out sliding back into 3rd. I am so proud of him for finally getting into sports & I think it will help him get in shape and learn being a part of a team which is important for a young kid. I am taping every baseball game on espn classic and watching it with him and teaching him. I am gonna have him for the 2nd weekend in a row and so I won't be playing much poker this weekend which is fine with me. I got to see my baby Ashley tonight at the scrimmage and give her a purple care bear and a sheet of tattoos that Austin and I got her at Sea World last week. She is the sweetest girl ever!

A special congrats to my friend Cornel Andrew Cimpan who won the LAPC WPT a few weeks ago and to my good friends Dave Baker, Ray Henson, and Christopher Budak who seem to all be doing well at the moment. Always wishing you guys the best.

Russ

Old School Rap while gettin crushed

My buddy Taylor and I are sitting here grinding online and listening to old school rap. We all have music that we like to listen to when we play ( I stopped watching TV while playing b/c u miss so much info on opponents). So I find this channel in the 600's (lol) and it's got Heavy D, Notorius B.I.G., Tupac Outkast, Kid N Play and much more and I'm running like ass so this station might be gone.

Taylor got 2nd in a tourney so he likes the channel but this is my house :)

I scheduled my flight for Las Vegas although I am honestly sick of that town but will be at The Venetian for their series and in between might take trip to Tennessee to hang out with my buddy Chris Moneymaker who is in Destin with his beautiful family for Spring Break. Then I imagine the bright lights of Pendleton, Oregon (lmao) will be calling.

I might write later if someting is noteworthy but just a relaxing day really. I get to see my lil honey Ashley tomorrow so I can't wait as she went to spend spring break with Aunt Amy. God I miss that pretty little girl!!!!

Ok I just finished 2nd again in a tourney for 2nd night in a row and though the $ is good I hate losing no matter what. I can remember being a kid and I could never lose no matter what. I didn't get it from my mom and I never had a Dad around so I really do not know where it came from but it's just always been this way. Anyway, here is the last hand where I got sucked out on but that's just the way it goes. There is one person happy at end of 400+ runners which is why poker is so tough mentally

Full Tilt Poker Game #11304083872: Turbo Fiddy (84823505), Table 10 - 6000/12000 Ante 1500 - No Limit Hold'em - 3:22:37 ET - 2009/03/24
Seat 8: drhogue (551,977)
Seat 9: MclovinLovin (346,023)
drhogue antes 1,500
MclovinLovin antes 1,500
drhogue posts the small blind of 6,000
MclovinLovin posts the big blind of 12,000
The button is in seat #8
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to MclovinLovin [Qs Ks]
MclovinLovin: nh
drhogue raises to 24,000
MclovinLovin raises to 55,001
drhogue calls 31,001
*** FLOP *** [2h 7h Qh]
MclovinLovin bets 289,522, and is all in
drhogue calls 289,522
MclovinLovin shows [Qs Ks]
drhogue shows [8h 7d]
*** TURN *** [2h 7h Qh] [Tc]
*** RIVER *** [2h 7h Qh Tc] [Kh]
MclovinLovin shows two pair, Kings and Queens
drhogue shows a flush, King high
drhogue wins the pot (692,046) with a flush, King high
MclovinLovin stands up
drhogue stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 692,046 | Rake 0
Board: [2h 7h Qh Tc Kh]
Seat 8: drhogue (small blind) showed [8h 7d] and won (692,046) with a flush, King high
Seat 9: MclovinLovin (big blind) showed [Qs Ks] and lost with two pair, Kings and Queens

Nice river card huh? Anyway, I am excited about the way I am playing and I know I am about to ship a bunch of tourneys as I am going deep in everything while running below expectation. That's it for tonight.
Russ

Sunday Should Not Rhyme with Funday!

Well folks, I was right and wrong. I know I am playing fantastic but results do not often come along in the process. Today was a day of mixed emotions as Sunday's often are for an online poker professional. I said up front that I am at rock bottom but that I wanted to start this blog now because I know I am going to hit soon.
I just took 2nd in the $163 on FTP which is normally a star studded field b/c they don't run many satellites into it (if any). I will enjoy giving the $20k to my backer because well, it's his $ afterall but am upset that the monkey I lost to headsup shipped J5 pre and beat me but meh, that's poker. I lost with top set of Aces on flop 4 times today & was sick every time. Here is the one from the $535 Main Event Qual


FullTiltPoker Game #11276963763: Sunday Main Event Qualifier (83360266), Table 18 - 10/20 - No Limit Hold'em - 16:41:14 ET - 2009/03/22

Seat 1: rlstking (3,195)
Seat 2: dswdo (6,260)
Seat 3: adam-y-y-y (3,560)
Seat 5: barak obamup (2,530)
Seat 6: oneymunny (2,860)
Seat 7: Smaugs (2,895)
Seat 8: bizzleraises (2,730)
Seat 9: MclovinLovin (2,970)
adam-y-y-y posts the small blind of 10
barak obamup posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to MclovinLovin [Ah As]
oneymunny folds
Smaugs calls 20
bizzleraises folds
MclovinLovin raises to 120
rlstking calls 120
dswdo folds
adam-y-y-y folds
barak obamup folds
Smaugs calls 100
*** FLOP *** [Ad 2c 4s]
Smaugs checks
MclovinLovin bets 150
rlstking calls 150
Smaugs calls 150
*** TURN *** [Ad 2c 4s] [Ks]
Smaugs checks
MclovinLovin bets 440
rlstking calls 440
Smaugs folds
*** RIVER *** [Ad 2c 4s Ks] [Jh]
MclovinLovin bets 800
rlstking raises to 2,485, and is all in
MclovinLovin calls 1,460, and is all in
Uncalled bet of 225 returned to rlstking
*** SHOW DOWN ***
rlstking shows [3s 5s] a straight, Five high
MclovinLovin mucks
rlstking wins the pot (6,240) with a straight, Five high
*** SUMMARY ***
Duration 85s
Total pot 6,240 | Rake 0
Board: [Ad 2c 4s Ks Jh]
Seat 1: rlstking showed [3s 5s] and won (6,240) with a straight, Five high
Seat 2: dswdo (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: adam-y-y-y (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: barak obamup (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: oneymunny didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: Smaugs folded on the Turn
Seat 8: bizzleraises didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: MclovinLovin mucked [Ah As] - three of a kind, Aces

The one from the Double Deuce was particularly sickening. I usually do not play small buyins with huge fields but decided to anyway. My table ( I was in 10 games or so) never popped up so I missed the first hour of 10000 player field so no biggie. Well these lower limit mtters were just giving chips away and I soon had a stack. Hour after hour my stack was growing. They paid 1350 of 10000 players and I coasted into it and was hovering around 30th to 50th in chips for hours. I try not to resteal against worst players b/c they do not understand what hands they should and should not be playing. A lot of pros get mad at bad players for making bad calls butI have found that if you're trying to get a bad player to fold then you're often worse than he is for knowing he isn't capable of folding.

The blinds are at 6-12 k with like 150 left and I get AA utg. I had been opening a lot and had control of the table with 350k in chips. I had just picked up KK and got reshoved on so my image is gr8 even with my opening frequency. Anyway, a player with JTd behind me decides to shove and the board runs out AdKd3 Xd brick and he makes a flush and cripples me. I know I shouldn't be too upset but losing with a set is bad enough but to lose with flopped set of aces over and over is especially so.

The poker players who read this will understand my mood while my non-poker playing friends will say, wtf u made $20k today, I 'd kill for $20k in one day. There is a definite fine line in how important you make the $. The gr8 players don't think about the $ near as much as the lesser players who are constantly hitting the info button to see where they stand.

I know I am headed for the Venetian series in Vegas in a couple weeks & then maybe to Pendleton but past that I have no clue. I am not leaving town until my son's 1st baseball game and I cannot wait to watch him play. I truly have the best son in the world. I used to play poker for money but now I just play for him. I cannot wait for the day that I score big enough that I can truly play whenever I want and do more things with him!

Basketball was enjoyable to watch today other than Syracuse dominating. I have a feeling my Sooners are in for a lot of trouble. I haven't been betting but if I were I might actually bet against Oklahoma in this game which says a lot! Special shout to my friend who got deep in the $750k on FTP. (50th or so) Made a marginal call with AQ and it turned out poorly but there is a fine line between donkey and genius (most of us aren't far from either) .

Russ

When a Normal Day Sucks

Hey all, I decided to finally create my own blog because well I think it will be good for me and I want some sort of accountability to myself, even if noone else reads this. I also have become tired of the forums as they are usually about attacking people(sometimes warranted but more than not unwarranted) and not about strategy in poker with the exception of the new Pokerroad forums created in part by Barry G.

The main reason I wanted to create this at this moment is because I am at rock bottom and I have always worn my emotions on my sleves and I can handle the criticism. Anyone can create a blog after winning a tournament and while I have had some success over the years the last year has been brutal, partly due to running bad and MAINLY due to bad financial decisions when I ran well. I know I will be back on top (sooners than later I hope) , and I just wanted to make sure that I started this blog now while I am down so I will appreciate it much more.

I have a lot of confidence in my game and how I am playing but to say that I am playing my best poker would be a stretch. I am staked by Elky for the moment and I hope that continues because not only is he a sick sick player, he is a really nice guy(weird for a frenchman imo). I cashed 26th in the $322 today on ftp and cashed in the $30r plo, & super turbo. I ran god awful so I guess that's an ok day even though I lost $; I am still in the $50 r as I write this(18 of 61 with 70 bb's so I'm in gr8 shape). Tomorrow is the big day in online poker and I'm feeling a shipament somewhere(hope that feeling isn't gas) I will post some hands tomorrow as I am just beat up at the moment.

On a side note my Sooners got past a very gritty Michigan team and are on to the sweet 16 to face the winner of the Syracuse/Arizona State game. Both are good teams but Cuse matches up very well OU so I will be a sun devil fan tomorrow.

EDIT: Ok so I am out of $50r as Solhomer decided to raise utg with 89h i 3 bet QQ in the BB and he called and he flopped a flush draw and called a bet then turned me dead. Sigh, we'll get em tomorrow!

Russ