This and that

Just finished playing online for the night and thought of the blonde forum. or more specifically, what could I write about. I first thought about following up with a post about doing deals. I was going to go into some detail about how I avoided doing deals for many years, prior to turning “pro“ in around 2001. But then I thought that it may come across as slightly bit egotistical, and in truth, I think I have outgrown that. Though I do think my wife hopes that I get it back one day. But what can I say? It’s probably all her first fault that ego doesn’t drive as it should do. Because for almost two years now, poker has not been my driving force. Instead, I enjoy doing nothing. I enjoy being at home with my wife. I enjoy my life away from poker. And if it wasn’t for my wife Leah, none of those thing could have been possible.

But it wasn’t just Leah that has limited my time at the poker table. Because for many years now, I have had a passion for creating new games. It was easy to combine both those loves, by giving up my one other. And so began a new way of life for me. For almost the first three years with Leah, all we did was live in hotels. It may sound fun to live like that. And in truth, it was. But sometimes, I would wake up in a new hotel, and wonder what COUNTRY I was in! I guess when it stops being as much fun, it’s time for a change. That change has been good. Perhaps one day, I will write about life in Vegas, and what its like away from poker. In fact, at one stage, we only went to the casino once in six months.

Anyway, back to poker and doing deals. I think I will tell the story after all. And anyway, it was a long time ago. So if it come across as cocky, then it’s probably because I was a cocky so and so back then. Anyway….to the story.

Most of the players in my local casinos in the Midlands, knew that I did not do deals. In fact, at one stage, I stopped playing in Nottingham (my favorite) because I had too many relatives playing there. So it was always highly likely that one of them would “get in the way” to my goal. And back then, with fields of only 40-50 players, there was one goal only. But just as importantly, I actually loved playing short-handed and learning the different strategy it required. But perhaps also, I liked to “torture“ other players. And there wasn’t a better time to “torture“ , then when near to the bigger money. I told you I was cocky! Anyway, the upshot was that making deals became a challenge to overcome. Looking back now, it was probably the wisest decision I ever made in poker.

Right then, back to that one story that really highlights how I approached the game. I think it was either a 10 or 20 quid re-buy in Derby. Left three-handed, I was up against two players from the same “village” (friends who would share whatever the got from the tournie). One was also a very good friend of mine and who still plays in Nottingham (locals will know him as Ali Bo****ks.

Ali and his friend are in good shape as I am struggling with the small stack. But to their dismay, I get back into the game and bust Ali’s friend. Level in chips, Ali now want to split the pot. As he is a friend, I want to decline his offer without offending him. But just as importantly, have some fun along the way.

As a back drop to the story, I must mention that my heads-up record at the time defied the odds greatly. And as such, I became very difficult to beat - hence Ali’s instance on a deal…blah blah blah. O.K, now that‘s outa the way, back to the story.

The cockiness in me at the time, was always done with a great deal of humor and I always tried to show respect to every opponent. To me, I loved playing poker. I loved the fun that we had on the table. And I loved to have fun with people. Ali was a friend, and therefore, an obvious candidate.

“Ali” I said, in response to his suggestion of a split, “Am I your friend“? Ali smiled. “Of course we are friends“, came the reply. “Then how can I split with you“? I said. “And what kind of a friend would I be, if I denied you the chance to beat me?” I added. Of course, a couple of real close friends who had been watching; knew that I was just giving it the old BS and having fun.

But somehow, I don’t think Ali had caught on yet. “But Pete” he said “I WANT to split it!“. ‘I know Ali”, came the overly sympathetic reply from my lips. ‘But what kind of a friend, denies a friend?”. Puzzled and confused by my remarks, Ali finds words hard to come by. I therefore proceed to explain that a true friend, CANNOT deny an opportunity to a friend. The laughter from the spectators is now building. Ali finally smiles as it becomes clear that there would be no deal.

I should tell the story of the heads-up really. Why? Because it was fun. And fun was my main target. BTW - winning a tournie was immense fun!

O.K. So we are playing heads-up and I am trying to be as tricky as possible. it’s begins to pay off and I amass a big chip lead. But suddenly, I flop an Ace with my 2 kicker. With no pre-flop raise by Ali on the button, it suggests that it’s good. But I sense strength from Ali. I think he has slow-played A-Q. I know he is low in chips, but something tells me not to call his all-in on the river. Ali is upset when I show my hand and muck. He throws his A-Q to the dealer in disgust.

Next hand, and we see a flop as I limp on the button with Q-2. Ali declines to raise and then checks a flop of 8-9-2,rainbow. With no pre-flop raise, my tester bet was small. Ali thinks for a moment before calling. The Ace on the turn doesn’t seem to be to Ali’s liking, but I check also. The King on the river seemed totally irrelevant to the hands, or to the situation. It therefore seemed an easy call for me when Ali pushed all-in. Turning to his friend, Ali said something about mucking an Ace and calling with Deuce. Such fun times….

I was actually supposed to fly home to the UK today for a week, but just like sometimes when I would tell the wife that would be going out to play poker; I get all ready and change my mind. I guess even a week away from my new life, seems too much nowadays.

Back to the games….

I am very hopeful that some time soon, I will be announcing a couple deals for a casino game, and some…..shall we just say interesting….new poker formats. If not soon, then poker here I come. But in truth, I am starting to miss playing poker. Perhaps it’s time to get back into it. After all, I think I’ve done all I can in terms of new games etc.

On a final note, I don’t know if you guys in Europe have got to see this new series called Planet Earth, which is now showing here in the US on the Science Channel; but if you get a chance, watch it. Some amazing stuff about this incredible planet we live on. Talk about luck, how lucky are we that we even exist? We may not be alone in this Universe, but we are probably the luckiest. How long it will last, is hard to say. But boy have we fcked up all over the place!

That’s it for now. Going to bed and hope to dream of a farm in the wilderness with a load of animals running around. But before that, I hope I get some sort of poker dream.

LOL, my wife just read the last two lines and has informed that I had a dream about poker last night. How could she be sure it was about poker? Something to do with a one-outer. I guess those bad beats are everywhere!