Update

Finished 13th out of 175 in a 5k.

I LOVE THIS GAME!!!!!!

Women and Poker

I recently heard one of the WSOP tour announcers retorically question the lack of women among the pro ranks. Is it just me or is it painfully obvious to everyone else except this dude?

It's the shit-talking. Guys, you grow up learning, are even encouraged to get 'inside' your apponants head in very verbal often belittling ways. Most women, even those of us who are or were athletes, were never quite as racous as our male counterparts.

I know, I know I said I loved Phil H. and Johnny Mc. I do. I always will. But it's not their mouths that I admire it's their mind game backed up with excellent play. But think about it. this kind of behavior is not exactly instilled, nor practiced in little girls.

I would bet you $100 that the ratio of women to men online, where it's safe and ignore chat features abound, far exceeds the numbers found on tour.

Whata ya think?

Play

Ok, I've been playing backgammon and hold 'em for exactly one month. Like others before me, I am absolutely convinced I've found my new calling. I LOVE 'EM!

Last night I finished 16th in a 4k, no addon or rebuy, 800 field. It was great! I was shooting for the final table and would have made it except for allowing myself to be trapped and taken. It was the one time all evening I hadn't folded after the flop without what I beleived to be at least the highest pair. I didn't follow my own rules and I got beat. Fair and square.

The best thing about my backgammon and poker journey? Learning to control my own intensity, as Dick Vermeil reminds us in that Coors add. I am of the competitive background that was all about attack and destroy. These games are teaching me great patience and control. I love 'em.

Slow play online

While I 'get' hte value of clow play in person, though it always seems overly contrived to me, why on earth do people think this works online?

I can't see your face, therefore you can't look confused or like you're pondering. It comes across as weak.

Any thoughts?

I play poker at Poker.com

Phil

I've got a thing for Phil. It's true I can admit it. Ever since 1989 I've been simultaneously attracted and repulsed. Look, I grew up playing tennis. Really playing, seriously. I believe in the crisp whites, the honest calls, the quiet observers. Who was my favorite? Yup, John McEnroe. Something about the contrast between what should be and what is... not to mention his ability to back up all that bravado. Now, my joy in all things Phil makes perfect sense to me. Don't get me wrong, most shit talkers make my skin crawl 'cause they can't and don't back it up with wins.

I plan to someday sit next to Phil and bask in his light. Then I'm gonna win. ;)

Is this a disease, my obsessions with backgammon and poker?

I was telling my girlfriend that I think the popularity of online gaming is directly related to the aging of Gen X. We still wanna play. This is a safe way for us to act as if life is still a playground - with great promise coming next year, waiting just around the bend, or waiting on the river.

Day 1

It's the middle of the dang night and I'm ready to play poker. Ok, it's only 10:45 pm but I am ready to play.