Saturday, June 16, 2007
Stock closed at 21.03 Friday, 6/15, an all-time high.
Monday, June 11, 2007
I busted out very early today, as could be expected after the big win. I was not mentally prepared to play each hand to the best of my ability, and it showed, with an early exit, by far my worst showing thus far.
That said, it was hard to be too upset about it. Last night was the culmination of a lot of hard work, study, and without a doubt, good fortune. I have always said my goal is to finish in the money (cash) as often as possible, because:
1. Winning takes a lot of luck, as you almost have to win every single race, not to mention all of your all-ins.
2. Winning is for really good players, and while I am much improved and consider myself an above average player, I am far from "really good".
Yet, I did, and I am forever to be known as a World Series of Poker bracelet winner, an incredible distinction. Being in the final three with two proven tournament pros, Jeff Lisandro and Allen Cunningham, had me feeling a lot like Steve Danneman a couple years ago...I was just having a great time. I was honored to still be in the running with those two, though I got the feeling they just wanted me to excuse myself so they could get down to the inevitable head-to-head battle.
But, to be blunt, I got the best cards, and often times, luck beats skill in the short run. It took a lot of good, aggressive play for me to make the final three (and a suckout or two), but once there, I simply experienced more good fortune than my opponents.
We'll see what is shown when ESPN airs it, but I know I will face a lot of questions in the hand that crippled Jeff. Allen went all-in with A3, and I looked down and saw I had a fine drawing hand...but I still folded. Jeff had TT and called, and Allen hit an A on the flop. Jeff was out in 3rd soon thereafter, but if I would have called or gone all-in, I would have crippled Jeff while knocking Allen out in 3rd (assuming Jeff called, which I feel is the case, but we'll never know). I simply stuck with my philosophy of calling made hands, while raising draws. I wanted to wait for a better opportunity to trap, which is exactly what happened, thanks to me hitting AQ later and slow playing it. Luckily, Allen had KJ and heads up, assumed he was ahead, a fair assumption heads up, and it held up for me. Then, dominated T7 vs. 75, I hit my straight, and the rest is history.
I have heard from lots of friends and folks I have not heard from in ages, including many who left messages with the Brewers, as they had not been in touch for so long, my e-mail addy and phone number has changed. Listening to the gal read off the names was like being on a This Is Your Life episode. Thank you to those who have sent well wishes or simply thought positive things. I appreciate it immensely.
A special thank you to Jenny and Andrew, who make it all worthwhile. I hit the jackpot long before last evening, and the bracelet is just the adds even more icing to my fictional cake, which seemingly now has an infinite number of layers.
In conclusion, because of my presence in Vegas, I was unable to attend the memorial service of a brave soldier who gave the ultimate sacrifice defending our interests. May God bless his memory and his family and friends. Rest in peace, and allow me to say that you are a much bigger hero in death than I will ever be in life.
That said, it was hard to be too upset about it. Last night was the culmination of a lot of hard work, study, and without a doubt, good fortune. I have always said my goal is to finish in the money (cash) as often as possible, because:
1. Winning takes a lot of luck, as you almost have to win every single race, not to mention all of your all-ins.
2. Winning is for really good players, and while I am much improved and consider myself an above average player, I am far from "really good".
Yet, I did, and I am forever to be known as a World Series of Poker bracelet winner, an incredible distinction. Being in the final three with two proven tournament pros, Jeff Lisandro and Allen Cunningham, had me feeling a lot like Steve Danneman a couple years ago...I was just having a great time. I was honored to still be in the running with those two, though I got the feeling they just wanted me to excuse myself so they could get down to the inevitable head-to-head battle.
But, to be blunt, I got the best cards, and often times, luck beats skill in the short run. It took a lot of good, aggressive play for me to make the final three (and a suckout or two), but once there, I simply experienced more good fortune than my opponents.
We'll see what is shown when ESPN airs it, but I know I will face a lot of questions in the hand that crippled Jeff. Allen went all-in with A3, and I looked down and saw I had a fine drawing hand...but I still folded. Jeff had TT and called, and Allen hit an A on the flop. Jeff was out in 3rd soon thereafter, but if I would have called or gone all-in, I would have crippled Jeff while knocking Allen out in 3rd (assuming Jeff called, which I feel is the case, but we'll never know). I simply stuck with my philosophy of calling made hands, while raising draws. I wanted to wait for a better opportunity to trap, which is exactly what happened, thanks to me hitting AQ later and slow playing it. Luckily, Allen had KJ and heads up, assumed he was ahead, a fair assumption heads up, and it held up for me. Then, dominated T7 vs. 75, I hit my straight, and the rest is history.
I have heard from lots of friends and folks I have not heard from in ages, including many who left messages with the Brewers, as they had not been in touch for so long, my e-mail addy and phone number has changed. Listening to the gal read off the names was like being on a This Is Your Life episode. Thank you to those who have sent well wishes or simply thought positive things. I appreciate it immensely.
A special thank you to Jenny and Andrew, who make it all worthwhile. I hit the jackpot long before last evening, and the bracelet is just the adds even more icing to my fictional cake, which seemingly now has an infinite number of layers.
In conclusion, because of my presence in Vegas, I was unable to attend the memorial service of a brave soldier who gave the ultimate sacrifice defending our interests. May God bless his memory and his family and friends. Rest in peace, and allow me to say that you are a much bigger hero in death than I will ever be in life.
