Well....I have not entered a blog in a while because the last 3 or 4 days have just been crazy. I have not had barely any time to put in poker or even get some updates in, but there has been so much more going on in life that is exciting. So her goes a bunch of stuff....................

On Christmas Eve Shelby and I headed over to her mom's for dinner and to spend the night for Christmas morning. Her mom lives about 90 minutes away so we left about midday on Christmas and got over there in time to have some dinner and hang out with family. I decided it was going to be a beer drinking night and had put down about 4 before dinner. We ate dinner and had a good time and finished some last minute christmas shopping for one of her sisters. She has seven brothers and sisters so they just do a name exchange for Christmas. We headed to the mall to aeropostale to pick up a gift card and a few other things. I then realized that I had left her engagement ring in the car....probably not the smartest thing, but it was still there when I returned. Christmas eve was good and I think I ended up drinking about 10 beers and decided to pack Shelby's stocking for the morning at about 1am while drinking with her brother. I woke up Christmas morning bright and early with a nice headache from all the beer the night before.

Christmas morning came quickly as the house was buzzing with people about 8am....we got up and opened stockings and hung out with her family. I opened up some things from her mom and grandparents. They all did their gift exchange and we played some guitar hero 3 (Her brother in law brought his Wii over to make Christmas more exciting) and ate breakfast. We left about 12:30 after I finally found time to ask her mom if it was ok if I proposed to her daughter (Her dad is basically out of the picture). Her mom said of course and that lifted some weight off my shoulders as we headed back over to Seattle and up North towards Canada to my Cousin's house for a dinner and hang out with my family.

We picked my mom up on the way and got up there around 3:00pm. Along the way we ran in to some snow showers, but nothing hazardous which is good. It has not snowed here in Seattle on Christmas Day in years. We got up to my cousins and hung out and did our gift exchange and watched all the little kids open up there gifts. I don't think I ever see so many gifts in one room at once. I am not exaggerating here when I say that there were probably 200 gifts all across the floor for various people. It was a good time and I got to see my cousins, aunts, uncles, ect and we had an awesome prime rib for dinner. I ended up getting this sweet new jacket in the gift exchange and really nice bottle of merlot along with some cologne. My cousin has the new Golden Tee Arcade game and we played a round of golf. I so had him beat on his own game until I totally choked on the 18th hole. BAH!!!! He ended up beating me by one stroke and I was then told it was time to go as everyone else had left. We headed back down home to Kirkland at about 8;30pm to finally hang out with each other. We opened gifts (It was a Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Christmas). I got a Wii along with Mario Galaxy, Tiger Woods Golf 2008, Zelda, Guitar Hero 3, Big Brain Academy, Wii sports, Mario vs Sonic Olympics and a ton of accessories. I must say the Wii is awesome. I had played it before and even though I am not a gamer anymore (I was when I was a kid from NES to PS2) it is a blast. We finished opening gifts (Tons of clothes, gift cards, shoes) and I had the engagement ring in my wastband of my shorts and was giving shelby a kiss on the couch as I slide down to one knee and she opened her eyes to a ring in front of her. She said "yes" as she was in tears and it just capped off a great christmas.

The day after christmas we went back up north to my aunts house and has a family gathering again since my grandparents were in town from Arizona. Everyone congratulated us and harassed me about not having a job and getting engaged (I quite my old job about 3 months ago and have just been taking some time off the last few months). It was a really good time and fun to hang out with everyone again. It was great to see my grandparents since I only see them about once a year or so.

The last couple days we Did lots of shopping after christmas and played some Wii. Last night I went and played a $40 Rebuy live tournament at a small card room about 20 minutes from my house. I had never played there but was invited by Shelby's brother in law. There was about 35 people and 1st paid $1000. It paid the top 6 players. I have more details, but I ended up busting in 8th on the FT with 9's. I lost a majority of my stack early at the FT with QQ to the chip leaders A7s when I totally made a mistake. I am lucky I did not go broke there and I think I could have easily won the stupid thing if I did not make such a bonehead play/ Oh well!!! I will be doing a trip report this weekend and need to get the small card room added to the list of venues to get a review up. It is called the Silver Dollar Casino in Bothell/Mill creek. The structure was ok and the play was awful. I will probably play it more often for how bad the play was. Half the people were drunk which made it even better.

Well...other than that I got a good call today. I am now employed again :)

I interviewed for a job about a month ago and the process continued until the Director called me this morning and said I would be receiving an offer after the New Year once the Human Resources individual returned from vacation. That is definetely good since we are now planning a wedding. Poker has treated me well over the last couple months I have taken off from work, but for now I have no plans of playing full-time. I will continue to probably play about the same amount, but maybe a little less than I had been when I was not working. The work start date is not nailed down yet, but probably will be the 7th or the 14th. So I know have time to relax and enjoy the last part of my short 3 1/2 month break of work.

I will be going up to Tulalip Casino for New Years to play some NL and hang with friends, so look for that report early next week. I will probably play some cash games this weekend, and possibly the Stars $11 Rebuy and a few others tourneys on Sunday.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and please everyone be safe for New Years!!!

Justin

Playing the Stars $10 Rebuy for the last time until after Christmas.....

1st Hour

About ten minutes in I pick up 10 10 in the BB. I call an allin for 4K from a guy in late position who has AK. Sb also called with KJ. AK hits an A on river and I double rebuy again. The table is somewhat loose so lets hope to pick up some chips. More to come with 35 minutes left in the rebuy period...

Picked up PP 10s & PP Qs but no action. Then with 10 mins left int he rebuy period I have moved up to about 5400. I pick up A A in the SB. A Guy UTG+1 goes allin for 2K with Q 10 . I push allin in the SB and the BB calls for 3850 with 7 8.

Board comes: 3 4 5 2 J

I move up to 11.5K with 10 minutes left in the reby period. Jumped up to 11.9K at end of rebuy period. Will addon to start at 15.9K for the second hour. There are some total retards to my left so hopefully I can take advantage of them trying to pull some insane bluff.

2nd Hour

Hour just ended and did not go so great. Started off good as I chipped up with 66 vs AK and was up to 22K early in the hour.

After that nothing went good. I picked up 99 and went with the standard raise in early position, but I was reraised and then another player in late position pushed over the reraiser. I folded and lost a few chips but was still sitting ok until I spewed off a few chips with AK and was reraised allin when I made a move for the blinds. End the 2nd hour with 13 BB at 13.2K. Hopefully can get a quick double in the beginning of the 3rd Hour

3rd Hour

Third hand in the 3rd Hour I pick up K K in BB. Folds to SB who raises to 8K @ 800/1600 blinds & 150 ante with 10 9. I shove in my 12.5K and double to 26K as the board comes: 7 4 Q 3 10

So about 20 hands later I am dealt K J in the BB (1000/2000 & 200 antes) with 22K left behind. UTG+3 limps for 2K and has 23K left behind and the SB completed with 16K behind.

What are your thoughts here? Do you push?

So It checks around on a 9 5 Q

Turn: 10

Golden card on turn gives me top straight. SB checks and I decide to check behind hoping the last player to act makes a move for the pot. He pushes in for 23K with J 8 and bottom straight. I call and am up to 50K.

River is meaningless: 2

I drop back down after losing with 33 to a players allin with QJ who hits a straight. I also spew off some chips with A 6 on the button trying to pick off the blinds, but the SB pushes me allin and I fold.

I get moved tables and get a walk in the BB. A few hands later I pick up K K. This is four before the money and a player UTG+2 goes allin having me covered. He has been trying to pick up chips around the bubble so I call putting him on a weaker hand. He flips over AKs and my KK holds up and puts me at 77K in chips.

I lose some chips to the blinds and then spew about 17K in chips after calling a players small allin to knock me down to about 50K.

I then end up doing nothing for a couple rounds and wake up to A10 with about 4 BB at 4000/8000 blinds & antes and push it in. It folds all the way to BB who calls with AJo and barely has me covered and I am out :(.

Finish 142nd for $101
I was in for $51 so a $50 profit.

I really want to FT this again, but I think I am just missing something. Maybe it will come around after Christmas.

I welcome all comments and maybe something will help me reach the FT again.

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Enjoy the next couple days with Family and Friends.

Justin

So after playing the $10 Rebuy on Stars I decided to play some Cake Poker 1/2 NL. I usually play 3 or 4 tables, but I was sticking to just 2 at the time as I was also playing a $12 180 man Turbo on Stars. I went out of that early and then stuck to just two 1/2 NL tables on cake. I would love to hear strategy on these 180 man Turbos if anyone would like to comment or send me a message....Shaun Deeb???? :)

So as I was playing, I was also having some small Discussion with Edmond Dantes from tworags.com. Since I have just joined tworags, I don't really know anyone personally. I do know many of the players and of course know Adanthar as I was glued to the AP coverage on 2+2. So I was talking back and forth with EdmondDantes and hearing about the site, poker in general, and just getting to know him. I must say he is a great guy and we had a good discussion over the couple hours I was playing. I look forward to posting more on tworags and I will also be working on updating some of the Live Washington Poker Reviews. Watch for those in the future. I will be starting with Tulalip review in the coming week so look for that soon. I had planned on maybe going up today to play some Live NL, but I just woke up (11am) after putting in the Cake Poker NL session last night. Well enough of that and lets talk about the session.

So I was playing two tables as I mentioned above, but I really ended up even on one of the tables and it broke about early through my session. There really were no big hands on that table and I think maybe I finished up a few bucks.

The other tables was Golden though. There were a few regualrs on the table (.Palex., Crexis aka Red1ine, and I think there was one other). I bought in for the normal $200 max and was ready to eat some cake!!!

The first big hand came as below and was for about a $300 Pot.

A guy in early position limped with K K
In middle position I picked up A A and raised to $9

It folded back around to the limper who raised up to $40 and I reraised to put him allin. He of course called and the board came:

Q 10 3 Q 7

I was now up to $350 and felt good. I chipped up to $390 and the following hand came along:

The second big hand:

The UTG player and the cutoff both limp for $2. I limp behind on the button and the SB completes and the BB Checks.

The flop comes 8 9 2

It checks to me on the button with 8 8 and I make it a pot bet of $10.

The originally UTG raiser preflop reraises me and now makes it $40. There is no way I am putting him on a set of nines here. With his UTG limp preflop I am putting him on an overpair. Possibly J's or Q's. I reraise him to $90 and he shoves on me and goes allin for $189.15. I instant call having him covered and he flips over 10 10.

The Turn comes the Q and river is the 9 giving me a boat and I win a $465 pot with my set of 8's :)

I am now up to about $625 and cruising along.

The third big hand comes as below:

I have A K on the button and make it $9 after a good player limps in middle position. The BB calls and the middle position player calls.

The Flop: A 7 10

It checks to me and I make it $18 which is about 2/3 the pot. The BB player calls and the middle position player folds. If the middle position player had called here I may have been a little worried, but I was not worried about the BB player since I did not recognize him and he was probably just jumping over from the Casino on a friday night after making his sports bets.

The Turn: 5

I see this as a safe card after his check and bet $25

The River: 3

He checks and I bet $35 as a value bet, but also feeling a little scared he may possibly have A10. If he calls here, he only has about $40 left and I am hoping he pushes it in. He just calls and I win the $181 pot.

So your asking what does he have??? AQ or possibly AJ......No......He had 10 J. He called me down with middle pair thinking it was good

So I am now up to about $710. I am looking for the 500 BB mark tonight, but I end up spewing off a few chips and can't hit with anything. I lost a few chips with 7 9 to a rivered higher two pair, but was still doing fine when one of my last hands came along:

The table is getting ready to break and there are seven players in the hand. I am dealt A A in late position and make it $9 after a player in front of me limps. The SB and BB fold and the limper calls my $9 bet.

The Flop: 8 Q 7

He checks and I make a pot bet of $20. He reraises allin to $86. He could have a set of 8's or 7's here, but I am putting him on a flush draw and possibly KQ or something. I call another $65 and he turns over
Q J .

Turn: K
River: 4

He misses and I take down the $190 pot and am up to about $790 and almost 400BB. I play a few more hands until the table breaks and finished up about $775 in about 3 1/2 hours of work.

I am happy with the outcome especially since I was only playing one table most of the time.

The trip to Tulalip to play some live NL and start the review will be happening after Christmas or I may possibly make it up there Christmas eve. I have some plans this evening at 6pm and it is noon right now, so I don't think I will have time after my Christmas Shopping today. It is about 30 minutes north of where I live. Tomorrow is Football Sunday and I will be at Qwest Field rooting on my Seahawks as they take on the Baltimore Ravens. It is the final Regular Season home game and in a couple weeks we will be back playing in the 1st round of the playoffs. I will probably play some online games tomorrow night so look for a new blog. Will either be the $10 Stars Rebuy or more Cake Poker 1/2 NL cash.

Merry Christmas to All!!!!!!

Justin

Back at it again.....Lets get a FT this time.

1st Hour

Doubled up in the first few hands with AA vs AJ. Pretty quiet table so may be difficult to accumulate chips, but we shall see.

Well......end of rebuy and up to 9100....very quiet table which is a bummer. Nothing exciting after my double up, but chipped up a bit when I hit two pair on a flop in the BB.

Will addon to get to $13100 and see hopefully have a good second hour.

2nd Hour

LOL....Well I am out....I am not sure what I was doing. Lost with PP JJ to AA. I guess I will have to blame it on watching the Bourne Ultimatum while trying to play. Oh well....Good thing I was only in for $31. Won't be playing tomorrow, but possibly Sunday and then will be off until after christmas. I may play some Cake Poker NL cash games and will post a blog if I do.

Merry Christmas to all!!

J

Well still moving along in $10 Rebuy.....made the money and finally picked up some cards....up to about 85K with 130 left after doubling up wiht AQ vs A9....Come on baby!!!

15 Minutes in to Hour 4 and just doubled up to 110K with AK vs 55

Out in 60th....went card dead and was just short stacked the whole tourney. Picked up AQs in SB at 8000/16000 blinds and 600 ante with about 50K left and called a raise that would put me allin from middle position. Other player had 1010 and I was racing, but no luck. Cash of $158 and only in for $31, so a nice profit of $120. Looking back I really played well after the 2nd hour, but could not string along a few nice pots to give me some chips to work with. Oh well!!

I keep getting closer and am itching to get back to the FT after finishing 9th a few months ago. The crazy thing is that I have cashed in this tourney 4 out of the last 6 or 7 times I have played it. I just am not getting deep enough......Well there is always tomorrow.