Catching Up

Last week's theme was all about the catch-up.

I had to play catch up with homework. I got the opportunity to catch up with one of my best friends, Sarah, who was here visiting from San Diego (Love you, boo!) But, perhaps the most important catch-up was at the poker table.

I feel very blessed because Mizuta came out to the tourney just for me! (Thank you, Mizuta! It was so nice to see you!) He was hoping to knock me out of the tourney first, but alas, that didn't happen. We did, however, have some great conversations about life, love, and boys that went something like this:

K: All men are idiots.
M: Fuck you.

I started last week at the big table, and through out the night was bounced around to every table (insert joke of your choice here) (also, that's what she said). The first hand I played in I was the big blind, I paired the board but I was worried about the straight, so I folded. A smart choice, I think. (Maybe. I don't remember.) After that, there was a round of folding until I was dealt the Queen of clubs and the Jack of spades. I hit the straight and won the pot off of Joseph, who had pocket Kings. I showed him my cards (which is very rare for me to do) to show him I had it. Essentially, I gave away information for free. But, people can't read too much into that.

Then, the mystical King-Crab! I bet but didn't hit anything on the board, and with people betting I knew I had to fold. But alas! The next hand I had pocket Queens! I bet strongly, which caused Will Yeung to ask if I was pissed. No, not pissed. I just had good cards and I wanted your chips. This then caused a chorus of "I am PIIIISSSSED" all night long. So, Alexa (long time no see, it was lovely! Please come tomorrow!) and Will (no, I was not pissed, promise) yes, I had the pocket Queens and yes, I won your chips and no, I was not pissed. :)

Poor Sam. Poor, poor Sam. I had pocket 7s, and raised. He called, and I hit trip 7s. He bets 300, I raise to 700, and he folds. Sorry, Sam. :(

Up comes King-2 of clubs. I hit the flush. Yep, you read that right. Claw lost a pot, and left me with some fine words of wisdom: "But a vapor on the wind."

Last week was sort of the pits. Lots of folding, lots of terrible low-high cards, and no action. Poker on television is edited to only showcase the glamorous moments; the million-dollar hands, the foul language and the exciting action. There was little of this to be had for me.


I ended up folding 7-2 off suit. Where's Dave Lee when you need him?!

Then comes the horrible hand. The worst. The end-all of end-alls. I had 5-7 off suit, and hit two pair on the flop. I bet, and continue to bet through the hand until I don't have much behind. The gentleman I'm playing continues to call, then goes all-in. I have him covered, and I feel good about my hand, so I call. He had pocket 9s, and rivered the trip 9. Really? REALLY? He couldn't let go of his pocket 9s and I was fool enough to keep betting and calling. So, now I'm short stacked. Now, I am PISSED.

I made it to the break, and began steadily clawing my way back into the tournament. I won a hand with Ace-something off suit of Joseph, Mizuta dealt terribly (I would've had Ace-9! ACE-9!!!) Although I'm one away from making it to the final table. Joseph busts.... and I make it! For the 2nd week in a row! I'm now 2/2 on final tables this season. Pretty awesome!

I end up going all-in with Jack-4 of diamonds. I lose, but I get a 6th place finish. Not bad for having to crawl my way back from the jaws of defeat! I will continue to strengthen my play, and I will continue to work on being consistent. I think this week was good practice in choosing my hands wisely.


I also want to give a shout-out and a huge thank you to Heather and Ariel for the wonderful conversations! I'm so happy to be able to talk to people about school and Estonia and to actually have you know what I'm talking about! Thank you, ladies! :)

I can't decide if I should or should not listen to my ipod while at the tables. It's nice to be able to focus, and only have music in my head and not distracting conversations. However, I feel like I miss some funny stuff that's being said, and I'm probably missing valuable tells and information. I also look like a douche, because any time you're the only one wearing earbuds at a poker table? You're the douche. Just saying.

So, on to the next one. On to the next tourney, the next table, and the next round of battle. Take it away, Jay-Z.

"I dont know why they really worry bout my pockets,
meanwhile I had Oprah chillin in the projects,
had her out in Bed Stuy chillin on the steps,
drinking quarter waters gotta be the best,
MJ at Summerjam, Obama on the text,
y’all should be afraid of what I’m gonna do next.
Hold up...

I got a million ways to get it
Choose one (choose one)
Hey, bring it back (bring it back)
Now double your money and make a stack
I’m on to the next one....."
-Jay-Z "On to the Next One"