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SlickHook's Nook    Friends

Updated Stats

Date: Sun, Nov 1, 2009 Internet Live Tournament

I finally played a little poker this weekend on my mid-semester break for the first time in over 2 months and with a couple months of sobriety under my belt. I played 8 $6.50 45 man turbos. I won 1, bubbled 1, finished 9th in one, and didn't do very well in the others. My game needs a lot of improvement still. It felt good to have an overall winning session however.

I also cashed out $420 tonight which feels pretty good although my poker bankroll is basically back at zero. This will be alright for the time being as I really don't have the time to play cards right now, and I need to focus on my classes which will be much more profitable for me in the long run.

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Sleeping Under the Stars

Date: Sun, Oct 11, 2009 Internet Live Tournament

50 days of sobriety today. My first day was the day I arrived here and here I am today, alive and still kicking. Time has gone by pretty fast here so far. This weekend wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be either. Things I learned this weekend: how to shoot a m16, how to fire an AT4, how to setup a claymore, how to avoid getting shot at by paintballs, how to throw hand grenades, how to chew tobacco, squad tactics, how to setup an ambush, among some other fun stuff. I probably shouldn't get into too much detail or else the Army will come hunting me down. Things I didn't enjoy: the rain, the cold, the food, and the stupidity of some of my peers, which was actually humorous at times. For example, watching the heavyweights waddle around and get sprayed with paintballs was somewhat amusing, as was watching this incompetent know-it-all who kept telling people what to do only to trip and fall on his face as he was sprinting up a hill. He proceeds to get carried off with a bloody mouth and rewarded with stitches and a trip to the hospital. Is it bad if I find laughter in other peoples misery? I could care less honestly. Karma at work anyhow I suppose.



All in all it wasn't a bad weekend despite the MREs (my friend had an ant crawl out of his unopened bag of raisins) and the thousand pound ruck sacks (the strap on mine broke) I had to march around in. Saturday night, after a long day of learning, hiking, and trying to stay warm, I got to sit down around the fire with my fellow cadets and enjoyed eating hot dogs over the fire while we shared stories. Misery definitely enjoys company. Afterward, I curled up in my sleeping bag in the freezing cold and stretched out on the mountain side. The sleeping bags are designed to keep you warm in up to negative 40 degrees weather and I was pretty damn comfortable in mine, despite the rocks and sticks digging into my back. It was a pretty clear night as well and it was actually pretty nice staring up at the stars as I feel asleep.

I'm almost done with all my rookie training here in the corp of cadets. I'm looking forward to being recognized and gaining some simple pleasures most of you take for granted, like talking to my peers, using a cell-phone, walking around like normal people instead of marching in the gutters, etc. I think it will happen around Thanksgiving time, which will be nice anyways because I have a week off from school then as well. I'm also going home this weekend and the last weekend of October.

Its been nice talking with my friends and family although its hard to when I have limited phone privileges. Its especially nice talking to my Grandmother, despite the fact she tends to repeat herself and forget what she said earlier. My parents were down in North Carolina for a wedding this weekend and my Uncle J came up to look after Buddy for me. Uncle J is the man! You should have seen the party he threw for me for my 18th birthday. My poker mentor knows what I'm talking about. I don't remember much of that night but I remember having fun until I woke up the next morning in a puddle of my puke on J's futon I ruined. I still need to get him a new one...Anyways, I think Uncle J is applying for grad school soon and wants to become a CPA. Proud of him. Thanks J for looking after Buddy and for all the good times we had back in the day!

On a darker note, I have a friend who I grew up playing lacrosse and football with and went to school with. He's currently in the hospital in a coma and has been for the past week. He has a condition called AVM which causes severe braining in his brain and has been in the hospital since a football game this past Sunday. My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family. I truly hope he pulls through and stays strong.

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Updated Stats

Date: Wed, Sep 30, 2009 Internet Live Tournament

It feels like I haven't played poker in years although its probably only been less than two months or so. It feels great to have a clear mind with 39 days of sobriety as well, although its been tough getting here with a lot of ups and downs, kind of like most of your bankrolls. I'm looking forward to hitting the tables again when the time arises. Persistence and sticking to my goals has helped me survive the emotional highs and lows of early sobriety, this fine military institution, and my classes so far. It takes a lot of persistence, patience, and a healthy mindset to be a successful poker player over time. When I think of how long it will take to graduate and how long and cold winter will be, it can be a little depressing. I imagine poker players feel the same when they are on cold streaks and coolers; some might even feel they can't achieve the same success they once had and some probably quit. But when I realize I just need to take it one day at a time it becomes a little more manageable. Card players might not want to take the same approach by viewing their success on a daily basis, but if they focus on playing well today and ignoring short-term results, they will prevail over time as the statistics don't lie.


I could spend all day talking about poker, thinking about poker, and playing poker. Unfortunately, I have to focus on my classes, training, and staying ahead of the game here. Who would have guessed my favorite place to hang out is the library? If I've learned anything here its time management and how much I can actually get accomplished in a day when I'm up everyday at 5am and on the go. I realize some of these posts have been somewhat dry and kind of a grind to read, but I've been really busy with classes, the corp, and my sobriety. I want to continue on the path of success and achievement. I hope you all have success on the tables and in all other aspects of life. And remember, its just poker and money we are talking about here. Yes, both are very important, especially money and you need it to survive. However, your lives won't be very enjoyable if that's all you think about and do. There is soo much more to life than that. Personally, friends and family are what I'm truly grateful for in life. Without you all, I wouldn't be where I am today, instead I would be alone and lost. Thank you for those who've believed in me and have stuck with me throughout the good times and bad. God bless.

Updated Stats:

Weassy_e: Current BR (UB): $2,940
Cashed Out: $1640
Total: $4,580
January 1st Target Goal: $10,000
Percentage of Completion: 45.8%


SlickHook: Current BR (Stars): $170
Weassy_E Earnings: $295
Total: $465
Target Goal: $1,000
Percentage of Completion: 46.5%

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Nice Weekend Away

Date: Sun, Sep 27, 2009 Internet Live Tournament

I had a really nice weekend and its kind of disappointing its coming to an end. Studying here at this fine military institution has made me appreciate the small things in life which I have been somewhat oblivious to in the past. My Mom came up Friday night and we had a nice, relaxing night out in town. We went to a movie, The Informant - decent Matt Damon comedy which really took us movie-goers on a wild ride, and went to Barnes and Noble afterward. We both love reading, and spent some quality time walking around, browsing the books, and even got a bite to eat there (which was surprisingly decent considering its a chain book store). I picked out a book for her, a David Sedaris novel, Me Talk Pretty One Day. I heard he's really funny, with a dry and witty sense of humor and his writing is all based on his actual life. I'm looking forward to reading it myself.

I had to come back to campus early Saturday morning for a parade, drill competition, and other fun-filled activities. Luckily, I got to leave later that day and headed home for a nice break. The first thing I did when I got home was change out of my military clothes, threw on some civilian attire and took Buddy for a little run. The little man was full of energy and actually kept up pretty well for a mile or two. God do I miss him already. My family and I, as well as my brother's girlfriend and my poker mentor/Weasel, had dinner afterward (chinese food=suicidal deliciousness). We then just hung out and relaxed for a while, catching up, watching some college football, and enjoyed each others company.

Weassy also informed that he had been doing better on the poker tables and is starting to get his mojo back. I'm glad to hear that he still has confidence in his abilities and is still playing. I didn't have enough time to play myself or else I'm sure we would have for a while. I'd much rather spend my time with my family and friends then gambling however. Maybe on another break when I have a little more time I might be able to play. He told me that he tried changing his game too much after he read Harrington's books on cash games and is now starting to play like he used to with more success. Playing poker as a profession might be a little too difficult due to variance, the lack of social interaction, the montonity of the grind, and the fact poker that pros aren't really contributing to society. Many solid poker players with the knowledge and bankroll management skills could probably make more money at another job, where they might enjoy what they're doing a little more and feel good about what they're doing with their lives.

However, poker can be great as a second job. Many semi professionals can make a very healthy income as well as enjoying a fun hobby, without relying on it as their sole source of money. Playing as a lucrative hobby instead of a profession might be a good route to take in life, where these players can enjoy both sides of the picture. Sounds like my good friend Weassy is taking this route, as he is planning on taking the GREs and going to graduate school to study international business. My brother just actually took the LSATs and is graduating this year, a year early from UNH. I'm sure these two as well as the rest of my friends and family of course are going to be greatly successful in their life pursuits. Weassy will probably even have a little extra spending money as well from his success on the tables.

Anyways, back to my weekend. Weassy and I watched some Summer Heights High Saturday night. If you haven't seen it, watch it. You will laugh your ass off. I wish I could watch more of it but I can't now that I'm back at school. Mr. G just cracks me up and the actor does a fantastic job of playing the different characters.



I had a nice morning today as well. More chinese food, spent some more time with the fam, and then came back up to school early to watch my other brother, Pigga, play football against my alma mater. Pigga goes to Middlebury (he's also smart as hell and really athletic and jacked) and he dominated on the field today. He blocked a kick, made some great tackles, and dominated the cadets on the gridiron. I got to see him afterwards which was nice as well, as I haven't seen him in a while. He looked happy and he was glad to see us all. It was really nice spending some quality time with my rents too. I've been getting along with them a lot better as of lately and they are all proud of me and what I'm doing with my life now. I'm truely grateful for all my friends and family; I would be lost without them.

It's time to get back to the grind here. Studying, PT, and 5 am early mornings await me. I also brought up my lacrosse stuff and think I'm going to go out this week for a couple off season practices and see if I got it still. It will be fun playing again. All in all its been tough adjusting to life here but its making me a better person, student, son, brother, and friend, and hopefully it will make me a better poker player as well.

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Keep on Keeping On

Date: Sun, Sep 20, 2009 Internet Live Tournament

Things I miss: my family, my dog (Buddy), my friends back home and all around the world (y'all know who you are), playing my guitar, playing xbox 360 with my buddies, riding around my motorcycle, sleeping in, watching TV (especially on days like today when the Patriots will be playing in a couple of hours), playing poker, my cell-phone, and a bunch of other things I can't remember right now.

Things I don't miss: drugs, alcohol, and the people I was hanging around when I was using. I have almost a month of sobriety here and I'm starting to feel like a normal person who's back on track again. It's been hard and my emotions have been all over the place. It's good to know that my feelings, memory, ambition, and other things are still here and are starting to creep back into my life. I'm starting to eat healthy again, and I'm starting to exercise on a regular basis (at first I hated it, but I'm starting to appreciate it again). Friends and family who I've let down in the past and treated with disrespect and disregard are starting to notice and have been very supportive of me. I didn't realize how messed up and unmanageable my life had gotten for the last few years because I've been so out of it. Overdosing, getting arrested, and landed in rehab should have woken me up. I'm just glad to put all that bullshit behind me and to move forward with my life.

I don't think I will be able to commission as an officer in the service. They have very high standards and if I was honest with them about my past, I won't be allowed to contract. However, I'm still learning a lot about leadership, discipline, and team-work which can be applied to any career path I decide to pursue. If I maintain good grades and continue my path of sobriety I will have plenty of good options when I graduate next year (hopefully - might have to take some summer courses to catch up). I am majoring in business management with a concentration in marketing and I'd like to own my own business someday. I would also like to do some kind of service work when I graduate (whether that be enlisting, serving the Peace Corps, or some kind of community-based project). I feel like giving back to the community and trying to help in a positive way. I'm still young and have my whole life ahead of me, with a lot more opportunities then I sometimes realize.

I miss playing poker as well. I miss spending hours upon hours reading and posting on the 2+2 forums, watching it on television, and playing and discussing it with my poker mentor. I miss playing the game as well. Taking a break, getting my life straightened out, and refocusing on my priorities in life will make me a better player over time. Learning to deal with my emotions and feelings in a positive manner instead of self-medicating with drugs and alcohol will also help me be a lot more successful in life and on the tables. I will play again someday, I just need to patient and focus on what's important in my life as of now.

I want to continue on the path I'm on, although it's been tough getting up at 5am everyday, following millions of rules, wearing a uniform, and working out with the Army. It's making me a better person. I don't want to end up like Stu Ungar, the poker professional who let his demons get the best of him. He died alone and facedown in a hotel room, as a result of years of drug abuse and living an unhealthy lifestyle. I would rather live a healthy life, with little to no real poker success, surrounded by a happy family and friends, which are way more valuable then any amount of money one could ask for. No matter how successful you are on the tables or in life, you need to remember what's really important in life, and that is different to everyone.



"The single greatest key to winning, is knowing the enemy, yourself"

-Andy, "the Poker-Pundit" Glazer, American Poker Player, Writer, and Lawyer.

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If you get up one more time than you fall, you will always make it through

Date: Fri, Sep 11, 2009 Internet Live Tournament

I lost a close friend and teammate back in high school due to a tragic accident. RIP D you will never be forgotten. A couple years after, D's father told me the quote I used as the title in this entry. I still think of that quote every time I'm feeling down and out and need to get back on my feet. Just like America did 8 years ago on this day. God rest the victims of the 9/11 attacks and God bless our troops who are fighting for them and for America today.



Sometimes poker has to take the backseat to more important aspects of life. I can't play poker now and I shouldn't spend as much time thinking about it as I do, but I really love the game and the competition of Texas Hold'em. I probably always will and it's nice to know poker will be there for me the rest of my life. Everyone who gambles and plays poker knows that you can't win every time you play. Acceptance of losing streaks is key to long term success. Quitters never win and winners never quit. Losing and winning are both aspects of poker and professional poker players need to know how to handle both sides. Also, dropping stakes and playing at the lower limits is not necessarily a bad idea either. Lower stakes don't always mean less money. Consistently winning at .25/.50 is just as good if not better then winning big occasionally at the higher levels. Always play within your bankroll and in +ev games and avoid those you don't win at. This is why most pros also recommend you have at least 100 buyins or more at every level you play, especially more at the higher levels.

I need to get back to my studies and focusing on my classwork. I have a couple physical fitness tests I need to pass this week as well. Imagine that, me waking up everyday at 5 am in the freezing cold and running mile after mile in the dark. Like they say though, grass is always greener on the other side and sometimes its hard to appreciate what you actually have and how hard you've worked to achieve the success you have today.

I won't be able to keep up with my stats, but I will try to update my poker mentor's at least once a month. I know he's going to be successful and take all his buddies on a nice cruise some day.

Updated Stats:

Weassy_e: Current BR (UB): $1,900
Rakeback: $2,050
Cashed Out: $140
Total: $4,090
January 1st Target Goal: $10,000
Percentage of Completion: 40.9%

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A Stranger in a New World

Date: Sun, Sep 6, 2009 Internet Live Tournament

Well, I survived the first two weeks of military college. It has not been easy for me, in fact this has probably been the hardest challenge of my life. Between maintaining my sobriety (15 days today) and surviving this rigorous program. There are so many rules to learn like how to make my rack properly, how to salute officers and NCOs, how to disassemble and reassemble my rifle, among about a thousand other rules and regulations. I'm not allowed to even go on facebook and gambling is not allowed here. I wear a uniform everyday. I also have to wake up around 0500 and go outside and down physical training in the freezing cold weather in the dark.



I haven't had any time to play poker let alone think about playing poker. I miss playing Hold'Em and I feel like I will be a much better player now that I'm sober and I'm starting to think like a normal person again. However, I will have to put poker on the back burner for now as I concentrate on my classes and surviving this school. I know poker will still be there for me when I graduate anyways.

I hope my good friend and poker mentor Weassy has been holding up alright on the tables. I know he's had a tough couple weeks on the tables but he's still a great player despite the variance in his results. I hope he sticks with it and his success shines over time.

And to finish with a quote from another poker player extraordinaire, Bobby Baldwin.

"You cannot survive without that intangible quality we call heart. The mark of a top player is not how much he wins when he is winning but how he handles his losses. If you win for thirty days in a row, that makes no difference if on the thirty-first you have a bad night, go crazy, and throw it all away."

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Sometimes Goodbye is a Second Chance

Date: Sat, Aug 22, 2009 Internet Live Tournament

Here is my chance. This is my chance. Big day tomorrow and my nerves are a fucking wreck. I should be excited to go back to college but I'm more concerned about getting drug tested and kicked out the first week. I really, really hope they don't drug test for the first month so I have a chance to get clean and get through the program. At the same time however, I won't get disappointed if the Army doesn't accept me. My life will go on and I will still have a chance to get a great education at a great school.

Anyways, it's been a great summer and I've seen a lot of friends I haven't seen in a while. It's interesting how that when I start to put the drugs down and get my shit together, old friends and family come creeping back into my life. While my life isn't exactly as I pictured it being right now, I'm definitely headed in the right direction and I feel that Norwich will be a good fit for me regardless.

Anyways, I played some golf earlier today with the family. It's always nice spending time with them although we are just a bunch of hackers out there on the course. Seriously I'm talking +60 on nine holes here ladies and gentlemen. But we always place side bets and keep things interesting and I driving around on the carts joking around with the brothers is always fun. And I did beat the little brother and Weasel in mini golf the other day as well. Typical domination by me.

I will miss living at home and Mom's cooking and cleaning. I will also miss my dog Buddy terribly! My parents volunteered to look after him so I know he'll be in good hands anyways. I will also miss my motorcycle which I've put over 1,000 miles on just cruising around these parts, learning how to ride. But I'm twenty-two years old and ready to move on with my life. I have a lot of maturing and growing up to do. I'm actually looking forward to the training and lifestyle that the Corp of Cadets has to offer and I really hope it works for me.

Poker has been going okay and I'm hoping it will get better when I get sober and back into a healthier lifestyle. My memory, ambition, and drive will all improve. I will be more successful and I'm looking forward to enjoying the chemical free life as well. I have been playing $3.25 45 man turbos on stars and they've been going okay despite the variance with 45 player turbos.

My old buddy/jedi master/professsional poker player just recently made it big on Ultimate Bet as he's surpasses his target goal of $5,000. He is now an ICON on UB, which is the top tier in their VIP program for people who don't play there. He's been killing the 6 player cash tables on UB and has made quite a bit of money this summer, a lot more than I made working the 9-5 flooring job for sure. He's basically like the guys on 2 Months, 2 Million but he's a lot nerdier and better at picking ladies up.



Anyways, I haven't packed yet and the chinese food will be arriving soon. And my mom is actually sitting in my room as I type, driving me insane. I don't know if I'll be able to post as much when I get to school but I will do my best to keep you all updated on here. I will also try to post mine and Weasel's stats at least once a month or more. The next time I post will be from Norwich with a sober state of mind.

Updated Stats

SlickHook: Current BR (Stars): $170
Weassy_E Earnings: $200
Total: $370
Target Goal: $1,000
Percentage of Completion: 37%

Weassy_e: Current BR (UB): $4,144
Rakeback: $1,215
Cashed Out: $140
Total: $5,500
August 15th Target Goal: $5,000
Percentage of Completion: 110%

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Turning a New Leaf

Date: Fri, Aug 14, 2009 Internet Live Tournament


I was officially accepted into Norwich University today as a transfer student in the Corps of Cadets Program. I plan on participating in Army ROTC and majoring in Business Management. I will undergo a 10-day basic training program which may include the high ropes course, rappelling, confidence course, survival swimming, the climbing wall, road marches, river/water obstacle crossing and/or distance hikes over rugged terrain. All 1st years and transfer students in the Corp of Cadets are known as Rooks. I will be a rook starting next Sunday for training and then classes start.

The following is a list of items that incoming rooks SHOULD NOT bring with them when they arrive at Norwich (as taken from their website).

* Alcoholic Beverages
* Bedspreads/Blankets
* Back Packs
* Bicycles
* Civilian Clothing (expect for athletes)
* Computer Games
* Desk Blotters
* Electrical Devices or Cooking Appliances (with the exception of electric shavers)
* Food, Candy, Gum
* High Dollar Value Items (jewelry, cameras, etc...)
* Illegal Drugs or Steroids
* Knives
* Music CDs or Cassetts
* Plants
* Plastic Crates, Posters, Framed Pictures
* Rugs
* Stereos or Tape Players
* "Boom Boxes"
* Stuffed Animals
* Television Sets
* Tobacco Products
* Wastebaskets
* Cell Phones
* Weapons



I will have to follow a strict variety of other rules as well. This will be good for someone like me who hasn't been following ANY rules at ALL lately. I will also be quitting pot and Norwich is a dry campus. The following is a typical day for a Cadet at Norwich (as taken from their website).

5:30 a.m.
First Call - At least three days a week, physical fitness training (PT) is conducted in the morning.

7:30 – 8 a.m.
Breakfast

8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Academic Day. In between classes you go to the library or one of the computer labs to conduct research or to study.

11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Lunch

4 – 6 p.m.
Extracurricular Activities - You can participate in varsity intercollegiate athletics, intramural sports, or student club activities

5 – 7 p.m.
Dinner

6:30 – 7 p.m.
Commanders’ Time - Reserved for additional Corps training

7:30 – 11 p.m.
Mandatory Study Hall

11 p.m.
Lights Out

I will try to keep up with this blog and to play poker if and when I have any time at school. It will be hard to find that time but at least I will be busy and taking a step forward with my life.

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Angry Ann's Weekly Stats

Date: Sun, Aug 9, 2009 Internet Live Tournament

Well, I tripped balls today with two of my best friends, Easy E and Weassy_E. Words can't even describe the experience we all went through and I won't even attempt to. I will say I haven't laughed that hard in a while and I had a helluva good time. My apologies in advance if my writing is scrambled or just complete nonsense. Well, actually I don't really care what any of you anonymous internet poker nerds think anyways. Well, that's assuming I actually have readers who keep up with my blog which is probably a bad assumption on my part. Why would anyone actually want to keep up with the live of a crazy/bipolar/22-year old/drug addict/alcoholic/degenerate gambler who's been arrested/been to rehab/etc. etc.?

Well, fortunately there's a lot more to me then just the drugs and alcohol and the demon they turn me into. I'm an intelligent and athletic leader when I'm sober, which unfortunately hasn't been often lately. Sometimes I really just feel like a shy little boy in adult's body with no idea of what to do in life. But what I do know is that I need to get sober. Life seems to be better for me when I'm sober. I'm a lot more successful and driven, as well as being a lot more emotionally stable. I also get along better with friends and family when dry and clean.

Now some of you may be thinking that this is some pretty deep stuff I'm talking about here. Well I find it to be somewhat therapeutic and relaxing to be spilling my guts to all of you and to get my thoughts out of my head and onto the pad and paper, err well keyboard in this case. Past councilors and psychologists have suggested to me that journaling my thoughts, emotions, and feelings on a daily basis would be helpful and while I don't keep an actual diary like your little sister does, I find this blog to work out alright for me.

And what this blog is supposed to all be about anyways is poker. Poker has been going decent for me, and espicially well for my friend I tripped with, Weassy_E, which is awesome because I get a nice slice of his action. But I can't seem to beat the micro $3.25 45 man donkaments while he has been killing the tables lately. I think he actually had another $1,000 profit week playing cash games. He's also on pace to reach his August 15th goal. Maybe the fact that he's sober most of the time while he plays and I'm not has something to do with it. Anyways, it's just another reason for me to get sober.

Well, I have two more weeks of work before the big trip to Myrtle Beach with Easy and my brother and his girlfriend. While Easy is a bit of a partier like myself, my brother and his girlfriend are a little more tame in that category which is probably for the better. I can't wait for this trip. It will be nice to get away for a while (ironic i know...) and it will be nice to spend some good time with the broseff as well.

And to end with another quote. This time from the poker author extraordinaire Lou Krieger.

"I believe in poker the way I believe in the American Dream. Poker is good for you. It enriches the soul, sharpens the intellect, heals the spirit, and - when played well, nourishes the wallet."

Stats Update





SlickHook: Current BR (Stars): $98.41
Weassy_E Earnings: $93.59
Total: $192
August 15th Target Goal: $1,000
Percentage of Completion: 19.2%

Weassy_e: Current BR (UB): $3,076
Rakeback: $570
Cashed Out: $135
Total: $3781
August 15th Target Goal: $5,000
Percentage of Completion: 75.62%

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$1300 Profit This Week

Date: Sun, Aug 2, 2009 Internet Live Tournament

Well not exactly for me. For my poker instructor aka Jedi Master aka Weassy_E on Ultimate Bet. He's been making a killing recently 4 and 5 tabling 6-player .25/.50 and .50/1 on UB . He's also made quite a bit off rakeback and is already a "legend" (second highest VIP level on UB) after just a couple of weeks on their site. Congrats and keep it up! You have a couple big decisions coming up about working as a teacher/tutor or possiblby working overseas in Korea. It will be nice to know that regardless of your choices in life, you will have poker as a steady stream of cash if you continue to play your cards right.

While I've been dreaming of winning big on the tables, I've actually been spending a lot more time playing Call of Duty and caught up in the 9-5 grind. Only a couple more weeks of flooring, however, then a quick vacation to Myrtle Beach with Easy and back to college for moi. I still have another year of school before I get my bachelor's degree. I'm planning on taking a couple continuing education classes at Keene State this Fall and to transfer in the Spring to complete my undergraduate studies. I've already already started sending out transfer applications and have a couple more to do.

I like to finish some entries with quotes from professional poker players past and present. This week's quote is by a fallen poker hero "The Comeback Kid" who had a genius level IQ and eidetic memory. Stu Ungar had won the WSOP Main Event 3 times throughout his career as well as winning Amarillo Slim's Super Bowl of Poker 3 times as well. Unfortunately for Stu, he spent most of his winnings on drugs and sport bettings and his demons eventually got the best of him. He was still a great player regardless of his troubles off the poker table. I love some of his sayings as well, espicially this one.

"It's hard work. Gambling. Playing poker. Don't let anyone tell you different. Think about what it's like sitting at a poker table with people whose only goal is to cut your throat, take your money, and leave you out back talking to yourself about what went wrong inside. That probably sounds harsh. But that's the way it is at the poker table. If you don't believe me, then you're the lamb that's going off to the slaughter."

Stats Update:





SlickHook: Current BR (Stars): $94.48
Rakeback: $1.29
Referral Earnings: $39.05
Total: $134.82
August 15th Target Goal: $1,000
Percentage of Completion: 13.48%

Weassy_e: Current BR (UB): $1,952
Rakeback: $292
Cashed Out: $135
Total: $2379
August 15th Target Goal: $5,000
Percentage of Completion: 47.58%

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Stats Update

Date: Mon, Jul 27, 2009 Internet Live Tournament

I will be updating my stats and stats for a couple friends (Weassy_e and Masta_Ace4). I will be posting the updates every Sunday. We've also included some monthly goals to help keep us motivated. These may be adjusted as time goes on. Check at the bottom of the blog in the "Poker Nook" section to check on these updates.

The Weasel is off to a good start, but with a little help with some bankroll management I could might be able to catch up with him. Now Rat boy on the other hand......

Goodnight, gotta work early!!

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Broken Glasses

Date: Sat, Jul 25, 2009 Internet Live Tournament

I'm sweating and my heart is still pumping with adrenaline. The rush I felt tonight was much greater than I've felt in any poker game. I almost got arrested tonight. Luckily, I didn't. Here's how it all went down.

I was heading out of town with some friends to go get some tattoos done. It was me, Critty, Easy, and Critty's girlfriend. Easy was riding his Harley behind us, while we were in the Jenna's jetta. On the way out there, I poked my head out the window to look back and see if Easy was still behind us. As soon as my head went out the window, my glasses flew off my head and onto the pavement. Now these are $200 Serengetti glasses and I was pretty tilted but it was dark so I decided not stop but to come back in the morning to look for them.

Anyways, we get to Lou's Tattoo Shop and as soon as I step out of the car, Easy walks up and punches me really hard in the arm, and starts swearing and yelling at me. He was demanding to know why I "threw" something at him while he was on his bike. He kept telling me how dangerous that is. I told him to **** off and asked if he saw where my glasses went. He kindly told me that he heard a loud crunch as he ran over them as he almost veered off the road as he was apparently caught of guard. Delayed reaction time? Perhaps.

Now fast forward to later this night. We all go back to Critty's house and smoke and chill for a bit. I decide its late and that I want to go home to play some Call of Duty World at War (hence the reason I've been away from the poker tables lately) so I decide to hop on the bike and head home. Now I'm not wearing any glasses and it's a law that all bikers must wear eye protection. I figured it wasn't a big deal as it was just a short ride home. Boy was I mistaken.

I'm riding down Main St when all of a sudden I see blue lights flashing behind me. It honestly felt like a bad dream. Now I start to freak out as I'm really high and paranoid at the time. I also had pot on me. I have a clean criminal record, knock on wood, and I did not want to **** that up over something stupid like this.

So to recap: I get pulled over on a bike with no eye protection or motercycyle license/permit. I have pot on me. I'm really high and anxious about the whole situation. My body was literally shaking and tremblaing in anticipation.

The cop asked why I wasn't wearing any eye protection. I kept thinking that of course the one day I shatter my $200 glasses I get pulled over for not wearing eye protection. I mumbled some illegitimate response about how I wasn't planning on riding in the dark and that I left my glasses at home. I thought for sure he could tell my eyes were red or smell the ganja on me. He then asked for my license and registration and went back to his cruiser.

Another cruiser had pulled up in the meantime and I was really starting to worry. Time seemed to creep by as people drove by and stared at me sitting on the curb waiting for the officer. When he finally came back he quickly told me that he was giving me a warning for not wearing eye protection and a violation for operating a motorycke without a motorcycle license, as well as a $100 fine. As he was telling me this I starting to see a glimmer of hope.

He then told me to call a friend who has motorcycle license and for them to ride it home. I called Easy and he actually answered his cell phone and stepped up the plate. He came down and road the bike home for me, while I drove his car home. I was so estatic that I didn't get in more trouble, but in all seriousness, I really need to start acting more mature and need to stop doing such idiotic things.

Anyways, I'm going to stick to the poker tables and Call of Duty for a while. Not more riding until I get my learner's permit. I also should probably stop smoking pot or definately cut back on the amount I smoke. That would help my motivation, memory, finances, social life, relationship with family and friends, etc, etc... Smoking is fun and all but seriously I need to grow up a little bit.

Speaking of which, good luck to you Masta Ace and your big move to the City. Congrats on the big job! I'm sure you'll do fine and have a helluva good time ballin' in the city. Stay in touch you rat bastard you!

PS Weassy_E's been running the NL cash tables lat ely. He's already made over a $100 in rake from rakebrain as well. Keep it up little weasel.

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Rakebrain and Road Rash

Date: Sat, Jul 18, 2009 Internet Live Tournament

Yet again, the title says it all. I'll begin with Rakebrain. Wow. I can't believe I've been playing poker all these years without rakeback. I feel like I've been basically giving these enormous poker giants thousands of dollars in rake over the years without getting anything back, except an occasional t-shirt or book from the "VIP" store. I was never a high roller or anything but something in return would have been nice. Rakeback might be the answer I've been looking for, and is definitely a wise choice for any serious poker player.

RakeBrain, the leading poker rakeback provider, get more rakeback now!

Secondly, I'm glad I chose Rakebrain as my affiliate for rakeback. This past week after I joined Rakebrain I received an email from customer support personally thanking me for joining their site and mentioning it on my blog. I have no idea how they actually found my blog or that people even read my blog other then my best friends who understand all the inside jokes, people, and places I talk about. But anyways, I can earn around 30% rakeback from most of the major sites. Also, you can earn 3-4% kickback when referring your friends. So if any of you readers sign up for it, make sure to use my SlickHook for the referral ID. I will keep track of my rake statistics at the bottom of my blog.

Now most poker players I know use poker tracker to keep track of their stats and everything. Now if you fall in this category, check out how much you've paid in rake on your poker tracker. I bet it's a decent chunk of change. Now multiply that number by .3 and that's roughly what you should have made back. Now if you're a serious professional poker player playing high stakes at a high volume, then you can make a steady income off your rake alone. Winning of course helps. Using bankroll management is also good ideaso you don't go broke.

Now back to the motorcycle. I failed the written test at the DMV to get my learner's permit as you can only get 4 questions wrong out of 20 and I got 6 wrong. Now I have to wait ten days until I can take it again. I still got it registered and inspected so obviously I've been riding it all week regardless of if I have a license or not. Live free or die.

Well, my second day on the bike I decide to ride to work in the morning. I rode around for a half hour or so bright and early and then decided to stop by my buddy Easy's crib for some bonghits for breakfast before we had to tile floors on our hands and knees all day. So I wake his lazy ass up and we take a bunch of gravity hits of some really nice headies. Now he keeps warning me: about the perils of smoking and riding but I pay little attention to his advice as the ganja just soothes my soul.

So we both hop on our bikes. It's a little embarrassing riding with him as he has a wicked nice Harley with a custom paint job, and the bikes all chromed out and everything while I'm putting down the road in my little 250 cc honda nighthawk. Anyways, we pull out his driveway and down the street until we reach a stop sign at a 3-way intersection. He turned right after stopping (notice the blue arrow in the diagram below) while I tried to turn but basically went straight up over curb, where my bike stopped and launched me into the air onto the grass. The noise was extremely loud and a lot of people witnessed the accident. Luckily, I didn't land on pavement and no cars were coming the other way or else it might have turned out a lot worse. I gave the people who asked if I was okay the thumbs up, I put the bike in neutral, I pulled it off the curb, and I pushed it into a driveway down the street.



All I was thinking at the time was "Oh Shit! I don't have a permit or license and I don't want the cops to see this". I was pretty high and out of it the entire time. I think I was in shock or something because it kind of felt unreal (and no I didn't hit my head and I was wearing a helmet). The bike itself was pretty much fine. The front light fixture cracked, the front brake lever cracked off, the gas tent got scratched, and the handle bars got a little bent. My left arm was a little scraped up and my left leg was also scraped and bleeding. I called Easy and told him I dumped the bike and needed a ride to work. I rode the bike back to his apartment using just the rear brake and then he gave me a ride. Luckily, his brother and dad who own and run the company both know me well and ride bikes themselves. They understood the situation and everything was fine.

I brought the bike back to the shop after work and got a new brake lever for it. I then proceeded to ride around for a couple hours with Easy until it got dark out. What a day it was. I learned some important lessons: not to drive under the influence and that motorcycles aren't toys and should be taken very serious. I'm human and prone to making mistakes, anyone who knows me knows I've made more then a few throughout my life. But the important part about mistakes are learning from them so I don't repeat them in the future. But I did get on the motorcycle again and I've been riding it all week. A man once told me if you get up one more time than you fall, you will always make it through. I happen to believe that.

I'm going to finish this entry with another quote for a friend of mine known on the tables as Weassy_e. I thought of you when I read this in Slansky's the Theory of Poker the other night. The quote isn't by Slanksy but rather Bobby Baldwin from the 1981 World Championship of Poker.

"I've heard good players complain to me about how they get drawn out on all the time. But if they want to better their game and better their emotional state while playing, they should realize it's a mirage. If you are an excellent player , people are going to draw out on you a lot more than you're going to draw out on them because they're simply going to have the worse hand against you a lot more times than you have the worse hand against them."

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