This sounds like a classic case of McDeath Syndrome. The good news is that you always know what to expect. The bad news is that it always stings and never gets easier.
I recommend taking two shots of Chilled Grey Goose and call me in the morning.

How big a roll do you currently have and what were your looking to have when you move to vegas?The florida games sound really bad as far as players go,but it sounds beatable,you just had some horrible luck.Maybe take a break from online,play the live for a while and play it abc with the donks.Most 1-2 and 2-5 games are mostly abc anyway,not until your go higher and deeper does it get more skillful.We've all had bad runs and hopefully they don't last to long.I'm in the same boat as you,I moving out to vegas in june to grind it out and play my first wsop.I'll be starting a blog also as the time nears.probably in may.I also play mostly at private clubs here in ny,as there real close as compared to the 3 hour drive to the casinos one way.Were you planning to get a real job and play part time in vegas or play fulltime?Keep your chin up,remember it not easy what you or I want to do in playing fulltime,but you never know until you give it a try.I enjoy reading your blog,keep it up.

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DO IT,DO IT!! You can also follow me on twitter @Starsky76

Starsky-
While I would prefer not to divuldge my bankroll, I do not take offense to the question. Lets just say my roll isnt where I would like it to be right now. I stlll have enough to play the 1/3 games comfortably and the mid limit games, but I hae taken a beating this year. Plus I have had to dip into the roll a few times for non poker related stuff. I do plan on working full time in vegas, as I have a family and need a steady income and benefits but I definatly will be playing part time for etra income.

I know i could beat the game at the club, I am real gun shy at the moment due to how bad I have been rolling live this year. On my last trip to LV in March, I got burned so much I needed Aloe Vera. You know you're running bad when TheOD wont even make fun of your bad luck anymore! He was at the table when I got it all in with TpTK with a Royal Flush Redraw,(bricked off and villian rivered 2 pair) A set against a gut shot straight draw which got there and an openend straight flush draw that bricked off and was won by Ace high.. His exact words to me: " Wow.You're running bad"

Best of luck to you in the move, I look foward to reading your blog and thanks for reading mine.

For those of you keeping up with the Mpitts Vs Dmuz Challenge- I smoked that Donkey tonight. He needs to Final table the next toruney and come in at least 3rd, and I have to miss it in order to win.... I cant wait for his video!

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Please don't blame the dealer because you suck at poker"

Everyone runs bad compared to TheOD

Take a breather for a few days, then get back in there. You're killing those games. If you don't hit horrible suckouts, you likely win or cash top3 in the tournament and have a nice cash game result.

With short-stacks (1/2 - 100, right), you have to be careful about pushing unimproved AK. People will be pot committed and call you with bottom pair. Just limp a lot and hope to hit and double or triple up. If you can get all-in with middle set against two overs, you'll be a huge long term winner.

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Don't tap the glass!

Poker is one of the most solitary professions you can have. I read recently in a magazine article, no one cares about what you win or lose, no one, not even your mom. I have to say I totally agree with this statement. The cards can make you look like a genius and a moron, and most players who play poker for any significant amout of time have had their moments where everything is going right and they think they are invincible. Its the downswings where you can really tell if you can make it as a poker player or "professional gambler". I have had my share of downswings and they can be emotionally brutal, you begin to question everything you are doing. You really need to figure out during downswings if you are doing something wrong or if it is just variance. Talk to friends and run over some critical hands and how you played them and see if you are doing anything different. I know in the past I have played scared money while in a downswing. As long as it is just variance, I find what works best for me is to get away from the game and do something else I love, golf for me, and remember that life is good. When I go back to play poker, I go back to have FUN, which is why everyone started playing in the first place, dont forget its a game, and have fun. I promise that is a critical factor to playing well.

Dmuz,no problem not devulging your roll,I probably wouldn't state my own either,at least not on the internet,lol.I was in a nl funk myself for a few weeks,constantly getting big pp cracked at heads up preflop and not hitting my nut draws for weeks.A new club opened up in town and they had a 15-30 mixed game half holdem/omaha high.I love higher limit games and started playing once a week,sundays only day of limit and have been on a good run winning 4 of 5 sessions.Maybe a game change or different locale might snap you out of it?Do you have any other rooms near you to check out?
OD,I totally agree with you on your statements,how you handle the bad runs emotionally and mentally is key.

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DO IT,DO IT!! You can also follow me on twitter @Starsky76

3rd Times The Charm

Heading back into town this Sunday through Wednsday. Short notice trip, but I have a great oportunity that I need to take advantage of. My last 2 trips to LV in preparation for the move has seen me get job offers both times, but they were both jobs I wasn't really happy about. After 10 years in the furniture industry, I'm kind of burned out. So, now I have a chance to try something I have always wanted to do. I am not going to divulge the position, or where it is, only for the reason that the people willing to give me a chance are kind of going out on a limb for me, and I do not wish to cause them any grief or embarrasment, esepcially if it turns out that I am not the right person for the job.

I have taken a step back from poker for a few days, basicially trying to just catch a breath. I decided not to return to the poker room by my house for the time being, after TheOd posted something that made be think:



I forgot that playing poker was supposed to be fun! I have been taking my game so seriously, and taken the beats so personally, I forgot why I played in the first place. For the first time EVER, I was saying in converstions to friends "I HATE poker". Now of course, that was in frustration, but the truth is, the fact that I would even say that ment something was wrong. A break is definatly in order. I also looked back at some hands and realized I had come down with "Fancy Play Syndrome". I was making moves and bets on the wrong people. If people don't know what you are attempting to do, it's not gonna work. You can't bet a 3 heart board with only the ace of hearts in your hand if the guy in the pot with you is never gonna lay down his 7 high flush. I was opening pots for a raise, c-betting, check-raising scary boards, and firing 3 barrell bluffs all at guys (and some ladies) that wouldn't fold if thier life depended on it. Yappy Dave probably put it best in a nutshell last time I played the Head Hunter at TI with him when he told me, after I pulled a move that should have induced a fold, but got me busted at the final table by a weak hand, "You can't play level 3 poker against people who don't understand Level 1"

So, My poker playing will be a minimum this trip. I'll probably do a couple of smaller buy in tournies, but I'm probably going to stay away from the NL cash games. I might play some limit. My main goal on this trip is winning the job. Any poker winnings would just be gravy.

As a personal "bonus" to myself, If I happen to get the job, I will either play an Event at the Venetian deep stack or the Caesers' WSOPC.

P.S- A few people have linked to some of my "Top 10" posts, which is great, and I am glad you liked them. There will be more coming soon, as I have been offered a free lance writing job on poker humor by some one who saw the 'Top Ten Hold Em Hand Names" and the "Things I would Change About Vegas" posts. I am still working on being allowed to cross post them here, as I this is my "home" so to speak. More Details on that when they come.

Good Luck at the Tables!

_________________
Please don't blame the dealer because you suck at poker"

good luck on the job hunt, sometimes trying something new is a good thing, a fresh start in a new city can be just what the doctor ordered. Can't say I blame you for not playing much, taking a break and letting things cool down is can be a blessing. It's going to be rough to be in vegas and not play poker, I'd look at doing some of the things you don't do on most trips, check out the tourist traps, eat some good dinner, since you are planning on moving to vegas, I'd go around and explore the city see what is out there, anything to keep your mind off the fact that you should be playing cards somewhere.

Congrats of the freelance thing, hopefully they let you post here as well, if not, I'm sure we'll click any link provided to check out the musings of Dmuz

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The Man....The Myth....The Minton

Hey Look I have a BLOG and I TWEET as well

An Offer You Can't Refuse?


lIke I stated in my last post, I'm heading to Vegas on Sunday for a job possibility. This particular position would involve me doing something that I have done before, just not on a proffessional level (Watch it Mpitts- you have a dirty mind, you know that?). So, the last four days has had me practicing. A lot. 8 hours a day. I have reached the point where it make be overkill- so I'm taking a break for now. Again, a few people are going above and beyond by offering me this chance, and I really hope they know how much I appreciate it. You know who you are.

Played the Badugi tournament last night on Stars and busted 7 out 10. Horrible... I can't get over how many times I was drawing to just one suit and got it only to pair my hand. I kept getting good hands out of position, like A-2-4 rainbow, then I would bet and/ or raise and brick off all three draws. Whenever I was in position, I would get a hand like K-K-Q-10. Mpitts said it best-"Badugi is a game best played drunk".

With all the preperation for this trip, I haven't given much thought to poker. I do know I will not have much time to play while in Vegas this week, due to other commitments. I had planned on playing the headhunter at TI on sunday night, But I'm probably going to have to skip it becuase I am meeting someone at 10:00, and that is the only time he can get away, so I might rail Yappy and Od for a bit. I'm going to limit myself to a tourney a day, and right now I'm trying to figure which ones. Sahara is a possibility. Nice structure for a low price and horrible players. I like the TI as well, but their afternoon tourneys become a shove fest way too quickly. I'm open to suggestions. I think for a future post I will go through all of the tourneys I've played and my results. I'm curious to see if there is one that stands out. Of course, I have won more money at Caesers and Venetian then any others, but that's only becuase they have larger fields and bigger buy ins. I'll be looking more for: % in the money and Final tables.

So, send your suggestions. I'm curious what you think- here are my guidlines:

-Buy in is less then $200 (not willing to blow bankroll this trip unless I get a score)
-Any game is fine, not just hold 'em
-Blind Levels must be at least 20 minutes. I don't like turbo's
-The deeper the stack the better.
-Must be on the strip or within walking distance to it. No car this time, so no Downtown.


To make it interesting- If I play the tourney you suggest and I cash- I will send you 10% of the profit by either online transfer or check, or in person if you live in Vegas.Profit will be calculated by:

(Cash Amount)-(Buy-in)- (Exepnses)= (Profit).

Expenses to mean dealer tokes. (I ALWAYS toke dealers.) And/or weather I sell any piece of my action. I don't do this often, so it probably won't make a differance, but I have sold pieces in the past. If I chose to do so, I will post that as well on the board. My word is my bond, there are a few people on this board that will vouche for me I'm sure. I probably can't chose ahead of time which I will play, due to time constraints, but I will post on this board when and whether I am playing, and will verify my finishes in the best way possible. If more then one person suggests the same tournement, you will split the cash evenly. So get creative so that you don't have to share with anyone!

If I win the tourney out right without chopping, I will throw in a bonus 5%. Chopping is to be done at my discretion, and I only chop if I feel I am getting a good deal.

Why am I doing this? Karma. This board and it's members have done great things for my play and my life. I have some great friends here that I never would have made any place else. So I'm trying to give back.
I leave on Sunday- Post your suggestions on in this thread. If you PM me it DOESN'T count. Play fair.

Wish me (and you) Luck.

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Please don't blame the dealer because you suck at poker"