2010 - Is it Time Again?

As poker players, we are very much prone the swings and roundabouts called life. Sometimes, life can throw us a curved ball which we struggle to deal with. Of course, we keep on swinging away in the hope that we can make some sort of contact, but more often than not we end up missing.

In many cases, state of mind is the culprit. And since poker is a mind game, it leaves the vast majority of us with nothing more than tired arms. In the end, many of us have neither the inclination or desire to pick up the bat, never mind expect to hit a home-run.

Sometimes, it’s health that has us not wanting to play the game. On rare occasions, it’s a positive aspect in life that stops us from kitting up and taking our place on the pitch. After all, if you are lucky enough to find happiness for the first time in your life - how can you not pile you energies in ensuring that you keep and enjoy the one thing life that really matters?

Over the last seven years, all the above have applied to me in one way or another.

I fought things as best as I could to overcome the first two and to enhance the last one. It seemed however that circumstances were hell-bent on dishing out one set-back after another when to came to health and wellbeing. Still, I kept trying to get those arms as strong as possible, if and when the chance to start swinging ever came again.

In early 2010, I had already set my mind for the WSOPE, but when the invite to play for England in the World Team Poker (WTP) event came, I had to find a way to speed up my return. I needed to feel good as quick as possible. - but how?

I was already working out and eating healthyish but was still 30lbs overweight. Of course the only solution was to not only eat even healthier, but less of it. Suffice to say, by the time the WTP event came along in May, the hard work had been done and the excess baggage gone. What a tough job that was, but boy was it worth the effort. Feel better than ever, more energy, and a new wardrobe all with a 34 inch waist.

As for the WTP, although Team England never made the final (as we should have), the event itself was great fun. Just as importantly, I found my smile returning for the game. It felt so good to be back and feeling well and playing. In truth, I could never have imagined myself in this position. Of course I had hoped, but I have learnt that life can pitch you another curved ball when you least expected it.

With this sudden and positive development, I began to study the WSOP schedule. Event 20, the $1500 PLO, caught my eye. Looking at the date, the final table would take place on the same date that my Mum passed away a year earlier. For that reason, I wanted this to be my first event at the WSOP. However, with hardly playing any live poker over the last three years, I needed a few warm-ups. All I needed to do now was to see if this new-found desire was real, or like other times; a one day illusion.

May the force of change stay with me and the donks have mercy on my poker soul.

To be continued…..

PS- sorry for the first post focusing on the backdrop to the story rather than poker - but the scene needed to be set.