Meeting up with an old friend

The work week is nearing an end. Less than an hour remains of the day, and then only Friday remains... and it'll be casual of course. There will be shorts on the cheer_dad tomorrow... ladies you may now begin to swoon. Oh yeah, I'll flex the calves! Okay, I'll stop now, I think even I threw up a lil in mouth there. Right after work, I have to rush home, change and get Cole motivated to do the same and away we'll head to Vienna to play some more baseball. Rumor is that the team we're to play isn't very good, BUT tonight... I'm bringing in my younger players from the far reaches of the outfield and their butterfly chasing ways to "play in the show" as it were. So, who knows how it'll all go down. This game, which is outside our usual league, and therefore doesn't count toward the tally of win/loss. Not that I care so much one way or the other, but it's an all-important issue for the other teams in the league. We haven't won all of our games... but I can say this, that when the boys are "on" they can play with the best of them. The beginning of the season there was definitely some struggle. But since then, we've faced off against the best of teams and hung with them. Beat the undefeated team 5-3 one evening AND lost by only 1-run to the other leading team at this point. So, the boys have learned some baseball. I've discovered a diamond in the rough, in a pitcher that no one had ever given a chance before. He's got some attention stuff going on, BUT all that seems to go away for him when he's on the mound. The boy's found something to be proud of within himself. That's important. I'd rather my boys learn those things than win every game... and poor sportsmanship. Last game we lost, was further irritated by the opposing coach trying to pull a fast one, by deliberately trying to pitch a boy for more innings than the league allows. He knew it and so did everyone other idiot in the crowd. They were all willing to look the other way. I felt bad for the kid when I called time and informed them that the pitcher on the mound was done, and asked who they were putting in next. For all the prickish things though that I've let slide by me, from some of these other guys though... it didn't bother me that much. I don't like angle shooting in poker... and I'll not accept it in baseball either. (Whew, had to reach to get in a poker mention on the ole poker blog.) Sorry, just too much other stuff is going on. Although, I will mention that my cashout appears to have been totally successful from Bodog! 3rd party company, with a Canadian Bank's check, backed by a New York bank... all in U.S. currency. So, unless it goes boing-boing later it was a quick and painless process. Now where to move the money to.

I mention in the title of this post that I'll be meeting up with an old friend. And that's true, tonight after baseball and a quick cleanup. I'll be off to meet my ole pal Jack Daniels!!! It's been a long hard week, and I just can't wait the extra day til the weekend to throw back a few libations! Hope to see (blurrily) you there!

Regards,

cheer_dad

That was refreshing...NOT!

Despite my high level of optimism and promises of playing by the numbers and the formula for online poker which has always worked for me in the past... I dropped another 4 buyins in my last Bodog session. I should be tilted. You'd think I was during the session, but wasn't. I did however take some notes about the catastrophe that was. During the session of a few hundred hands. I ran pocket Kings preflop, all-in into pocket Aces. One buyin down... Less than a full round later at another table, I look down at said pocket Aces myself and rama-jama those bad boys into pocket Queens only to have the villain, hit another Queen... 'nother buyin down. Hell, he even apologized for that one. I think he was feeling my pain, from watching at the other table. "Dude yer runnin' bad!" Another couple of hands I failed to connect to my flush, open-ended straight draw combos, and that chipped away at me. Also a couple of AK hands bit me in the ass when the callers with Ace-rag, hit the same Ace I did on the flop, but pounded me when their rag hit the river. Runnin' bad indeed!

But, it is what it is. There's little you can do, there's nothing I could have done to change. I could whine and cry, and lick the wounds, but in the end. It's just like I said in my last post. I've just gotta get back out there, and just do it all over again. Nevermind the fact that I'm grinding across the same dollar amounts which I did a few months ago. Still amazed at how slow it is to grind out poker winnings, but just how fast the losses brutalize the bankroll. It's a little like working your ass off to trim a few seconds of your running pace, and getting in shape, ONLY to to be involved in an accident that causes you to lose a leg! Kind of a grisly analogy, but think about it, you've felt it haven't you. Pleez.... tell me you have, somebody, anybody. : )

But I'll attach the poker prosthetic and head back out soon enough. Likely won't be tonight, as Big Red and I and several friends are going to a Credit Union banquet/meeting. In the morning at OMG 9:00am I have baseball practice for my 9 and 10 year olds. That early, on a Saturday, oh you just know the little #*%$'s will be running for sure! But we'll all survive it. Rain could cancel the whole affair though, I'll be out tonight doing my lil rain dance. Dancing with the Stars, it ain't!

Beyond that, tomorrow night is NDPT #3 (regardless what Frank said in his email subject line) and it is being hosted by Frank and Julie at their house. Now, if I make final table on this one, then maybe I should really re-think my poker focus. Since the cash games are killing me lately while the tournaments have gone VERY well. I won the December game at my house. Chopped w/ Uncle June in January, Scored in BOTH of the Yanok tourneys that I last attended, and then made the final table at the Eagles, although I didn't cashout, because I didn't play it safe running my AJ in Vince's QQ. I didn't lose though, as I had picked up plenty of Bounty chips. So, my tournament life has been good. But the thought of multi- SNG'ing it online on Bodog, makes me throw up in my mouth a little. I really used to like this poker thing. That would likely ruin it forever for me.

But only time will tell, and months down the line I'll be back on top of the variance curve mocking those who ever doubted including myself. So the best advice I can give myself is: turn that frown upside down, tell all your troubles to your ole buddy Jack Daniels and have a nice day cheer_dad! That'll make it ALL better.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Just say no to NITS!

Well every good run eventually comes to an end. Finally, playing in last night's SNG's, I failed to finish in the money in one of these things. I bubbled. I cashed in the first of the two SNG's but nothing stellar happened. The second game... well I allowed one thing to get to me. There were two competing aggressors at the table. They were driving everyone out preflop, and then either checking or min betting to one another post flop. Not something I should really worry about, except that the behaviour eventually caused them to get involved with the guy who was the short stack at the time (below me) and top him off quite nicely. That's okay too, except the two aggressors pushed preflop and the short stack called it. He was first to act, after the less than stellar flop and he bet out, one aggressor dropped, the other min raised and was called. The short stack continued to bet a minimal amount on each following street and was min raised, except on the river, when the "aggressor" dropped out. There was really nothing he could have been chasing. It put me out a little, that he breathed new life into the guy who had been about to go out. Now I was the short stack. Very next hand, I insta-popped it all in, and stole the pot, just to remind them both I was still there... watching and kinda questioning their actions. A few hands later I was in the small blind and it was folded back around to me. If I could get the BB to drop I would have climbed back out of the short stack position. I looked down at a K-rag, and decided to shove against a BB that wasn't high on the chip count position. Unfortunately, he looked down at A-10s and called... rightly so. Looking back, I made two mistakes. One, I let the play of the aggressors get under my skin a little more than usual. I shouldn't have since on the other table I was playing there was a guy doing the same thing and it became his undo-ing when he tried to bully his way through a hand, only to run into the guy who had smooth called him all the way, and was sitting there grinning with the stone-cold NUTS! See ya... bye... I laughed out loud on that one, and Teresa was convinced I was losing it. The second mistake of the game or the night really... I was playing like a total friggin' NIT! Sheesh could I have acted any more like a pussy?!? I tried to limp with too many marginal hands and small pocket pairs only to watch early on the table bullies pop it and force me to fold, from my poor position. Then, from position, I was shying away from getting involved, listening to the small voice in my ear saying, c'mon just fold to victory. Well, no thank you from here on out. My new motto, is "Just say no to NITS!" Get back to the gameplan and let the money start finding its way to you. On the positive side, the cost of the two SNG's $35.20 was totally lost, in that I cashed in one game and so found myself down only $11.20. I'm still up... I got a lesson that I think I needed, and besides. Out of 8 of these $16 + $1.60 Beginner SNG's I've cashed in 7 out of 8 thus far for an 87.5% so far. I didn't really expect to cash and/or win in "every" single one of these. Yeah it would've been nice, but was unrealistic. I need to stick with the game plan and play tight up front, to the point at which I can identify the guys who really seem scared to play or risk anything, and just apply small pressure to take down a few small pots and avoid those coin flips. Then, once we lose the bubble boy, become the table nightmare and take it down.

Tonight, I've got some running to do. Whitney has a homecoming parade to go to at 5:15. Cole has a skating party at 6:00-ish. Teresa is going somewhere with her mom, so I've got to drop off and pick up everyone. I have to make sure that they get their homework done somewhere in between all that. Then, I can guarantee I'll be heading to the Eagles for a drink. Sheesh! I've walked, run, and lifted my heart out this week and even eaten pretty well too, and particularly avoided late night scavenging. I haven't even been drinking pop! Okay I will be tonight, but only slightly, the rest had better be a stiff Jack Daniels. See you all tonight, for the drawing... I'm out.

Regards,

cheer_dad

I get by with a little help from my friends...

I get by with a little help from my friends...
Thanks to all of you who helped me correct my mistakes on the NDPT points standings. Frank was quick to point out my lost battle with Jack Daniels certainly played a role. To which I responded, " I have no recollection of that... you clearly have me confused with someone else." Why, the very idea of that devil's elixir even crossing these lips... honestly!

I leave for class in just a few moments, "Mid-Career Retirement Planning." I think I'm going to learn more about the "blood-bath" that I'm taking because of the C-Fund! Looks like I really need to improve my poker skills to really help out the bottom line. I'll check in later in the day, and I'll likely be lamenting my financial situation or whining about being sleepy.

Have a good day.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Screamin' Eagle

Nothing but a 5 hour work day to contend with tomorrow, and I use the word "work" lightly. The week has been an absolute grind, and I don't mean in a good way, like on the felt. But working for my Uncle Sam. It's like this "Unc" you've had more than your fair share of me this week. I'm heading out for some R 'n R tonight. You think it'd be a bad thing if I planned ahead for a DD to get me to work in the morning? One plus side to it, you don't have a hangover... of course on the downside, you can't walk a straight line. Then again, how often does that friggin' task come up in the workplace. Okay, okay, I'm only kidding. I'm going to down a few tonight, but I'm not planning on it getting out of hand. To those of you who will be there tonight at the Eagles, you can however expect to see one of those minor skirmishes with the accursed Jack Daniels. Incidentally, I thought the "screamin' eagle" above was apropos! Cut me some slack here people, I've been writing myself silly at work about things I couldn't give a damn about... the cliches are all I got left. The cheer_dad is tapped out. (WTF, did I just refer to myself in the third person?)

So, tonight as I go "out on the town" to "tie one on" forgive me if I say something goofy like "smoke 'em if ya got 'em" or "do you need a nipple for that beer?" Just be sure that you "respect me in the morning" and tell me I "look like hell" or "like somethin' the cat dragged in," but somebody for damn sure better be offerin' me a little of "the hair of the dog that bit me!" It's gonna be one of those nights folks!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Quickie post

Work is going by in a bit of a blur again, although it doesn't seem there's much to show for it. Weeks like that do pop up from time-to-time. Our team did take our summer employee out today for lunch, as she will be heading of to college for her freshman year. She's a good kid and she's been a great addition to our team. We hope to see her back during break and/or next summer.

My daughter has already started in to cheer leading practice. All day sessions ever since tryouts have kept her occupied and active. That's a good thing! A little bit of order in her life is a very good thing. By the way, don't be surprised when I start hitting you all up to buy the fundraiser stuff to support the Parkersburg South Patriot Cheer Leaders! You know it's gonna happen just smile and pay the girl. With my thanks of course!!! : )

We are in a rush this evening as usual, to get things squared away and go out to dinner with part of the larger crew tonight. We're celebrating both Julie's birthday and Chris and Laura's anniversary. Luckily there's a bit of a lull in the action to allow us to get there.

Don't forget that Saturday is JR's hosting turn at NDPT Tournament #11. Oh and in case I haven't mentioned it in a while... I am currently in the points lead, if only by the slimmest of margins. Regardless, you'll need the "A" game people, I'm not going down without a fight, or at least lots of alcohol... and I'm preferring Jack Daniel's these days if you're buying.

Time to call it a post.

Regards,

cheer_dad

WSOP Main Event 2b or not 2b from way far away...

We had a short practice session tonight for baseball, so I was back in time to start my catch-up session on the WSOP Main Event Day 2b.

Somewhere along the line I realized my girlfriend Clonie Gowen was still in the Series albeit sitting on a short stack! BUT in bigger news she opted to leave the hallowed halls of the RIO and wander over to the Bellagio Cup IV, and play in the $5,000 NLHE event. According to the boys over at http://pokerati.com/2008/07/09/clonies-big-score-second-chance/ she bested the field of 235 players to take down a $437,775 payday!!! http://pokerati.com/author/danm/ posts that they should start hanging out all the time like best friends... but honestly Clonie, remember I was offerin' up a shoulder to cry on when times were tough over in another corner of Las Vegas. I'm here, don't forget me!?! But congratulations on the victory! I'm only just now sitting down to see where things stand in Day 2b, and I'm crossing my fingers for you!

Sorry gang a rotten work week required and demanded a trip to the Eagles for a minor skirmish with the accursed Jack Daniels. He and his evil horde will eventually be defeated. I for one will not rest... No, really sleep is optional!

Anyway, here's the random observations of your drunken (yet happy) servant. : P

Wait... did I mention Clonie... oops yes I did, moving on... (call me)

We rejoin our program already in progress.

The first article I see is by MeanGene a favored Pittsburgh blogger! He made mention of a hand involving Emanuel Seal and some other unknown player in which the unknown got it all in with QQ preflop, wherein the flop came 555, then an Ace fell on the turn for Mr. Seal but was invalidated by the rivered case 5!!! Joe Hachem, good guy that he is, had to call the "unknown" back to the table for the chop!!! : ) Honestly, how many times have you wished that happened for you?

Ahhhh hell, as I catch up, MeanGene also announces the fate of my beloved... Clonie has been eliminated, when her 8's were bested by 10's. Sorry. : ( No, really I'm not a stalker, honest.

Jerry Yang, defending champion, has also been eliminated, but as reported, he exited with class, shaking the hands of ALL those at his table and wishing "good luck to everyone." ( I know Allman, 'it's something you say, not something you mean.'

The agile, pretty Tiffany Michelle crossed the 100K chip mark just over 6 hours ago. I say agile based on pictures of her "perched" in her chair while at the tables. Okay, I'll stop.

Hmmm, Hevad Khan is keeping his mouth shut, and is just under the 100K mark.

According to http://my.pokernews.com/MarcC/ when Johnny Chan's not happy "nearly" no one's happy. Johnny's complained about the chairs in the Brasilia room as being "the worst in poker history!" Meanwhile behind him another player hit a royal in the same friggin' chair. Go figure...

Not long after, Mr Chan chips up to the 130K level, according to yet another of my fave bloggers Shamus... http://my.pokernews.com/Shamus/

Oh super, in Shamus' same breath, he announces the demise of one Shannon Elizabeth!

Jean-Robert Bellande has eliminated Howard Lederer. JRB's pocket 9's held up against Howard's AKos.

Back to back picture posts on the PokerNews.com live reporting confirm to me that two lovely ladies still remain, Evelyn Ng and Jennifer Harman. Okay, they've both got much more than their looks on their side!

And yet again, round and round up and down Gus Hansen is still in there, now, back up to 102K.

Argh... someone has eliminated Ms. Isabelle Mercier!

About 3 hours ago, Evelyn Ng chipped up to 116K on AKos!!! (Honestly NDPT'ers quit bitchin' about that hand!)

Just under 2 hours ago, Antonio Esfandiari was eliminated when his pocket cowboys met pocket ladies and then it all went south on a "turned" queen. His opponent Paul Andrzejewski apologized... to which Antonio replied, "Never say sorry, it's poker."

And just like that... I'm all caught up! Hmmm, this bloggin' thing ain't so hard! Okay, sorry folks (guys and gals alike) I envy you the gig, but appreciate the job that you're ALL doing!!!

According to http://www.pokernews.com/live-reporting/2008-world-series-of-poker/main-event/day2b/ the field is down to 1744 out of 6844.

I'll update tomorrow... I promise. The sandman demands it... as does my employer tomorrow morning.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Lost weekend...lost time

I was a casualty in the latest battle of the war against Jack Daniel's. But my friends didn't leave me behind. I guess the no man left behind motto holds true. It was Saturday night... at the Eagles. Prior to getting there, Big Red and I and the Brothers headed to Don Emilo's restaurant. Unfortunately, only Teresa had food along with her alcohol. That fact becomes important later. Anyway, Chris and I put down a pitcher of beer, while the girls opted for some Italian Margaritas, on the shhtrong side! We left there and headed up to enjoy the band and continue the evening of debauchery. Our favorite bartender "hooked" us up immediately with her special Jack and Diet mixture. I'm not sure there's much in the way of ice...or any cola at all thinning down the alcohol. "SMOOTH!" The night continued on that way.

Eventually, a poker game started up. I remember that part. I remember buying in for $20. Beyond that are merely factoids and blurbs of consciousness. In short, I lost time. I'm told I rebought into the game. I'm told that my eyes appeared glassy, and focus was a thing of the past. I checked the wallet the next day, and discovered that I was really only down $8 for the night. I guess the rebuy worked out to some degree. Frankly, I couldn't tell you a hand I played. All I really know is that I awoke on my couch the next morning. Tired, still vaguely drunk, but remarkably without a headache of any sort. Maybe if I'd eaten (remember I said that was important) there would be a bit of recall to be had. But hey, that's what friends are for. They served as my memory for the night. They following afternoon, we all headed over to the Wolfe's for a cookout. He grinned when he tried to offer me a beer, "a little of the hair of the dog that bit ya!" I had suspicions that I'd gone over the edge of drunkenness, Frank served to confirm that. He reminded me that there had been a porcelain visit in the late night. I was informed of the drunk talk I had with him on the way home, by the way he drove me. I'm not sure about all that but hey, he got me home, so I can't be complaining. I also found out that I had a bit of a partner in drunken crime... Laura! Atta Girl!!!

Anyway, it sounds like I must have had a great time. The parts I remember, were a lot of fun and I hope to do 'em again. I hope to remember more of them next time. But hey, it's not often that I tie one on that tight. I got to blow off some steam. Thanks all for putting up with me. I'll return the favor some day.

So, in this weekend's battle, Jack Daniels won out. I was beaten. But I'll redouble my efforts for next time. And yes there will be a next time. I will be avenged!

But if I'm planning to play cards... I'll stick to beer, and only a very few of them.

An evening's ramble, with sincere finish

I ask you... is this a news article. Penned by the fine folks at the Associated Press, does this qualify? http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/5681350.html

Yes, I'm interested... just because it's related to the parent companies of one of the only (current) 2 full fledged casino/racetracks in the state of West By God Virginia. But I mean I've got Google Alerts watching for little tidbits like this. It hardly qualifies as a news article though. Hell, it looks like a mini quote from a prospectus sent out to MTR Gaming investors. I guess I just don't get what is truly newsworthy.

And a shout out to the ass hat who caught his two outer against me earlier. Glad to see that someone else took your/my chips from you shortly after you temporarily felted me. Then, I read your profile on the site, and found that Gus Hansen was your fave player ever, and you hadn't even hit the age of 25 yet. Bad news for ya dude... the whole frackin' table wrote down your name. I swear, and if they didn't I'm telling everyone I know... and staking them. But... as usual I digress.

The bright side to the story, I throw some cash out to the evil realm of blackjack (online) and for once, double up, win back what I lost to the aforementioned ass hat, and then I was able to continue playing comfortably for the remainder of the "late-night."

And now wonder of wonders... I'm on an upswing, of course fueled, by the evil minions of the accursed Jack Daniels.

Okay cheer_dad quitcherbitchin!

Despite all my whining and my woe-is-me talk today, I need to pause and be thankful. Others have had it worse than me today... and I've got no reason to complain further. Some very sad news came today to some very special and dear friends of mine. I'm very sorry. And at the risk of sounding quite sappy, I love you both very much. Whatever, whenever... we're here for you. Hope to see you very soon!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Allman's gauntlet

And just in time for the weekend we've got RAIN, to go along with our nosebleed high GAS PRICES! But there are some rays of sunshine in an otherwise joyless world. Tonight's the Yanok's Poker Tournament (March qualifier.) And others among the greater NDPT collective will as well be joining Shuman for his cash game extravaganza. The bad beats and gnashing of teeth will be heard all over town. : ) That's the story for tonight, so yes I'll be playing poker tonight. BUT tomorrow night's where the story will be. I'm hosting NDPT #3-ish. Yes, boys and girls this is a points qualifying game, and YES that is MY NAME currently listed on top of the LEADER BOARD. (Pauses briefly to toot own horn...) I received a smack talk email earlier from one "All-In" Allman informing everyone that he was gunning for me. According to Frank, "The gauntlet has been thrown." So, oh yeah... it's go time baby! I absolutely love the sentiment as Steve put it though:

"GOOD LUCK TO ALL!! (not really its just something you say.)"

Great insight in those words...yeah, it's gonna be a real shame when I send you to the rail tomorrow night.

If anyone has difficulty in finding me this weekend, I'll be the one crawling into the bottle of Jack Daniels. Time to drown some more of those demons and let the battle rage on. See some of you tonight, the rest tomorrow.

Regards,

cheer_dad