Nitro, WV

Yikes, has it really been two weeks since I posted? A lot has happened in two weeks but I'm not so sure any of it is worth writing about. I learned a lesson for the thousandth time which is the same old "Don'y play poker when you're stressed and unfocused."

I was in cherokee this past week. I arrived friday night and though I was exhausted I managed to grind out $230. But I dropped it on saturday and sunday, only to come back for a $700 win by the end of wednesday. On monday, I was ultra focused and very calm, something I hadn't been over the weekend. I tuned in and every word spoken at the table was run through my internal analyzer and I repeatedly made excellent decisions. Though the pot was small, I folded when a guy rivered a set. I held 77 in the 4 way pot and the flop was Q65. Being first, I checked, and it checked around. The turn was a J. I checked and it checked to the button who is a nice enough guy but very talkative. He said, "Well I have a pair," and bet $10. Knowing that meant he had a pair smaller than my 77, I called and the other two folded. The river brought a 4 and I checked. He spoke, "I stil have a pair," and swiftly bet $25. I thought about it and said, "You have 2 pair now." He matter of factly said, "I do not have 2 pair." I knew, without a doubt, the river hepled him. I thought until I was almost out of time and he said something about me not having a pair bigger than fives and I told him I was indeed folding sevens. I folded and showed and he showed me the 44. The pot was small, but I was very pleased with my read. I went on to scoop $364 for the night.

Today, I coming to you from a place I've never been. I'm actually in the cafe of a place called Taylor Books on Capitol St. in Charleston, WV. Yesterday I decided to make the drive up here to check out the Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming Center. They have a poker room with 23 tables and last night the joint was packed. There were probably fifteen 1-2 games along with a couple 2-5 NLH, a 2-5 NL Omaha Hi game, 1-5 seven stud, and the usual low limit hold 'em games. In my opinion, the game here is great. I only played 4 hours, but I am anxiously anticipating getting back in there in a few minutes. The players were about what I expected and there was no shortage of action. To give a little clue, I popped it to $12 with KK and got 7 callers. SEVEN CALLERS! Facing a $10 bet with 2 callers into the $96 preflop pot on a J64 flop, I flung 4 greens onto the felt and only got called by a $35 all-in with only a gutshot. I drug it.

The night wasn't all smooth sailing, mind you. I did get in for $400, starting with only $100. I got hit the hard way by a 12 outer on the river and paid my last $30. That hand was my mistake as my raise on the turn gave the guy 3-1 for a call. My bad. Then I flopped 2 pair against the most aggressive player at the table. I'd posted from the cut-off and the button made it $12. I was the 4th and final caller with K9. The flop sprang Kc9h2h and we checked to the button. He bet $40, the other two folded, and I called. The turn brought the 7c and I checked it knowing full well he was shipping. He slid his last $110 in and I obviously beat him into the pot. The river brought a club and he showed Jc9c for the backdoor flush. Send him the $390.

Obviously, the game being great, I just reloaded a hundo and grinded myself up from $150 to $512 before finally calling it a night. The game is great, the game is great, the game is great. I can't wait to get back ther today. I intend to play a long one, well into the night. Unless I get terribly unlucky, I can't imagine not winning at least half a dime. I'll be here tomorrow as well and really, It's not been decided exactly when I'll leave. I could get used to being here as a matter of fact.

As has always been my problem, I'm not playing enough poker. Of course, spending 80 hours a week at the tables will probably never be my style. But I do need to keep at it. I am torn of course, because I just stated earlier that I've been making the mistake of playing while upset or frustrated at life. Fortunately, I have been feeling much more secure about certain matters in my life over the past couple of weeks and I'm a bit more relaxed. The emotional roller coaster I live on is tossing me about a little less vigorously than usual and I'm relieved. All is not perfect, but in time I think it will be close.