I've been keeping stats on my poker game for years, but recently I've started writing notes after particular sessions. I'm finding it helpful to immediately sit down after a session and write about the hands I've played and the people who were a part of the game.

I've taken notes while at the table, too, though it intimidates some players. I don't want to influence the players around me, so when I take notes it's done quietly and carefully so as not to disturb anyone. If someone asks about what I'm writing, I joke about it and say "it's about work." If players know I'm taking notes about them or the hands I'm playing then it sends a signal that I'm taking the game seriously and they might pay more attention and play harder against me.

Here is a excerpt from an session back in August:

August 28, 2009

I'm not sure what else I can do but keep on playing the best I can. I'm not catching any cards and the number of losing sessions is beginning to add up. I really don't think I'm playing badly. I'm sticking to playing only high +EV hands, in position, and not getting trapped post flop in situations. I've done a much better job of paying attention to pot sizes and not paying off when I'm pretty sure I'm beat. I've got to continue to improve my post flop play.

*I started out on Table 2 in the back, the M Casino, and had nothing to play but blinds for the first hour. An obnoxious man and his wife joined the table. He sat with the chair backwards, legs spread, arms splayed onto the table like an octopus. He would fling his cards at the dealer or at the community cards at showdown and really got on my nerves. I also don't like husband/wife teams or couples playing at the same table. I moved after a few hands to another table up closer to the front of the room. I was much more comfortable and immediately won a couple of nice pots on junk hands from the blinds.

*I missed flops all night, with the few pocket pairs I had and the numerous suited connectors I played. I must have played a dozen suited connectors, mostly in middle position or later, and missed every one...no four cards to a flush the entire night. I had open ended straight draws entirely miss. On the other hand, I had J-6o in the blinds and won my largest pot of the night. Later I had J-6s and thought "what the hell" and saw a cheap flop. I flopped a J-high flush with that hand and won a small pot heads up. My strongest hands (AKo, AQo, etc.) all missed the flops, but I won with J-6 twice. Go figure.

*The last hour I was getting tired, sleepy, and frustrated and probably should have quit sooner. I tried to buy a couple of pots, dumb plays, and knew it was time to call it quits for the evening. On the last hand I missed an OES draw, playing the button, and decided that was it. I was getting snippy and frustrated and began to verbally express my disappointment. Not a good sign.

2009 WSOP Final Table Photo Album Part 3

2009 WSOP Final Table Photo Album Part 2

Media Row.
























Dr. Pauly making a speech.




















Phil Gordon.















New Poker Hall of Fame inductee Mike Sexton opening the action after the dinner break.















I get snuggly with the Poker Queen.

2009 WSOP Final Table Photo Album

Photos from the Rio, Las Vegas, on November 7, 2009.

The November Nine

In about 90 minutes nine millionaires will sit down at the WSOP Final Table and begin the process of determining this year's winner. ESPN will telecasts the results Tuesday night. The format which began last year is a ratings winner, so I'm betting the November Nine format will be around for years to come.

Now, if I can only figure out how to find my seat among the November Nine. Every poker player wants to be there. Sure the money is great if you make it. But the excitement surrounding the WSOP Final is hard to imagine. If you love this game then the WSOP Final is on your Bucket List. Poker is the only sport that allows the amateur to compete with the professional, offering a chance to actually win. (This years chip leader, Darvin Moon, is an amateur from Maryland and owns a logging company and Phil Ivey is the popular professional.)

I don't play many tournaments, choosing the cash game as my favorite venue. But I'll play more tournaments beginning next year as I prepare for the 2010 WSOP next summer. If a Maryland logger can make the Finals, then why can't a hack like me? Thus the reason we all play the game: the chance to find greatness.

I'll be keeping up with the action throughout the day with Pauly at http://taopoker.blogspot.com/ .

Living in Las Vegas

After a year of traveling around Indian casinos in the Southwest, I finally landed in Las Vegas a few months ago. My poker blog has been neglected, and placed on Hold, for months. But now I'm getting back to it. On a regular basis now I'll be posting my thoughts about the game and maybe share some stories of the people I meet.

For me, poker is more than a card game. It's a social experience, a composite of the lives of those who sit down and share their time. Each game is a painting, a work of art, with various colors and schemes evolving over time from the individuals who at that time are contributing to the tapestry of play.

I have few passions in my life: art, writing, photography, and studying people. What better place to study people than at a poker table? I do feel at home in a poker room.

I'm not here to teach poker. I'm here to share the world of poker playing, a game that is a part of the American experience. Thousands of web sites will teach the game. This blog is my experience, my life, my contribution to the game that has become a passion for millions of players around the world.

Las Vegas Area Writers

My search for a local writer's group in Las Vegas has turned up very little so far. From Google all I can find are these three groups:

• The Las Vegas Writers Group. www.meetup.com/Las-Vegas-Writers
• The Henderson Writers Group. http://www.hwg.mergentsquared.com/
• The Writer's Pen & Grill. http://www.penandgrill.com/

The Pen and Grill is really more of a social gathering. According to its website, "The Writer’s Pen & Grill is designed to get writers away from their computers—at least once a month. Come hang out, socialize, and...yes…have a cocktail."

My plan is to attend the meeting of the Las Vegas Writers Group in November and eventually the Henderson Writers Group. I'm also checking with UNLV to see what's available. I'm looking for some local contacts and a regular meeting with other writers. A Las Vegas Writer's Conference is also in the works.

I'm surprised I didn't find more here, but I'll keep looking.