Stay Thirsty My Friends
Friday, May 29, 2009
I love this series of commercials. I think I might just have to live vicariously through myself this weekend.
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posted by TripJax @ 1:06 PM,
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BOOM!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
I came across this local magazine at the grocery store and, for a moment, thought it was a new poker magazine. Instead it is just some health and wellness mag.
Regardless, I wanted to take a moment to post the following note:
If you still type "BOOOOOM!" in the online poker girly chat box when you or one of your buddies wins a hand, please, please for the love of Blog, STOP!
It is old hat and you really look like an ass at this point. Just trying to do the greater good and keep my fellow poker bloggers from looking like Ricky Retardo in the eyes of others.
Until next time, may the felt be with you.
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posted by TripJax @ 11:30 AM,
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Counting Outs
Guest Post
Counting Outs
by Joseph Roberts
When playing on PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, or any other Online poker site, it is important to become familiar not only with poker rules, but also the various strategies needed to help you become a successful player. One of the fundamental skills most poker players learn -- no matter if the game is Texas hold’em, Omaha, stud, or any other poker game -- is how to count “outs” and act accordingly.
Literally, an “out” is a card that helps a player improve his or her hand to what is thought to be a winning hand. For example, let’s say you are playing hold’em and you hold 7c-5c. The flop comes 3c-Jd-6h. You have flopped an inside straight draw, meaning that if a four were to come that would give you a seven-high straight. Indeed, on this board if the next card were a four you would have the possible hand.
Among the unseen cards, there are four different fours: 4c, 4d, 4h, 4s. That means you have four “outs” to your straight, which as the best possible hand can be referred to as the “nuts.”
Let’s say the 4h came on the turn, giving you your straight. You push all in, but your opponent decides to call you with Ah-Jh. You have the nuts with one card to come, but your opponent has a flush draw. Any of the nine hearts (Kh, Qh, 10h, 9h, 8h, 7h, 5h, 3h, 2h) would give him a better hand. Thus we would say your opponent has nine “outs” or cards that will give him the best hand.
As mentioned above, it is important to know quickly how many outs will give you the best hand. Generally speaking, an inside straight draw (for which there are only four outs) is not such a good draw to pursue unless it doesn’t cost you much to see the next card. In our hand example, after the flop there are 46 unseen cards, only four of which are “outs.” That means for the turn card it is 11.5-to-1 against a four coming and given you that straight. If you are facing having to call a big bet in order to see that turn card, it is likely not such a good idea to call and hope for your four.
One way Texas hold'em players are able to estimate their outs quickly is to memorize certain, commonly repeated scenarios such as straight draws, flush draws, or other situations. An inside straight draw always means one has four outs. However, an open-ended straight draw has eight outs -- much better. For example, if you hold Q-J and the board comes K-10-2, any of the four aces or four tens (eight outs) will give you your straight.
Flush draws usually have nine outs, although sometimes not all nine of those outs are going to be good for the person drawing. For example, a third suited card that pairs the board might give another player a full house, thus beating the flush. Thus it is also good not only to be able to count your outs, but to recognize whether or not your outs are “clean” -- that is, they unmistakably give you the best hand.
So when playing drawing hands, be sure to know what your outs are. And if you don’t have enough outs, then it is probably time to get out!
posted by TripJax @ 12:00 AM,
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Poker And The Luck Factor, Part Three
Monday, May 25, 2009
Fresh off my running good and winning one of the two $1500 prizes (along with Matt as well) in the final 2009 PokerListings Run Good Challenge, I figure now is as good a time as any to continue my Poker And The Luck Factor series. I must say, though I feel I played well in that tournament, there was a decent amount of luck for me as well, but this time it was not the sucking out or winning with lesser hands (that I recall). For one, I'm pretty sure at least 3 or 4 times, in key spots, I had just a slightly better hand than my opponent. From the big hand against Dr. Pauly early to the final key hand I played in the tournament, I always seemed to be one better (AJ vs, KJ or KT vs. K9, etc...). The other lucky spots were winning some key races and not getting unlucky/outdrawn. I guess in poker, much of being lucky is just not being unlucky. I think I have to let that last sentence soak in for a sec.
If you've missed my previous entries in this series, you can start with the links below.
Now that we've gotten that out of the way...
As you may recall from my previous posts, I'm breaking up the four quotes into four posts as I don't have a very long attention span. With that, I'll go ahead and post the whole quote, but let's focus on the third principle underlined and in bold below:
"...lucky people generate their own good fortune via four basic principles. They are skilled at creating and noticing chance opportunities, make lucky decisions by listening to their intuition, create self-fulfilling prophesies via positive expectations, and adopt a resilient attitude that transforms bad luck into good."
"...lucky people generate their own good fortune via four basic principles. They are skilled at creating and noticing chance opportunities, make lucky decisions by listening to their intuition, create self-fulfilling prophesies via positive expectations, and adopt a resilient attitude that transforms bad luck into good."
Lucky people create self-fulfilling prophesies via positive expectations.
If you've played a decent amount of poker, whether live or online, then you've come across Mr. LuckSack and Mr. NoLuck. LuckSack comes to the table and his nickname, demeanor and/or chatter immediately prompts the stories to begin about how lucky he was in a particular hand or how lucky he is about to be. If he ultimately loses, it is quickly forgotten, but if he wins, whether through luck or not, LuckSack's reign continues. He thrives on it and relishes the stories about him and his good fortune.
NoLuck, on the other hand, plops his lame ass in the seat and immediately starts asking who is going to knock him out and how it's gonna happen this time. He and everyone at the table have already prepared for the inevitable before the game has even begun. Now if he wins, well even a turd sometimes becomes fertilizer, but more often than not, it's just flushed down the drain.
For both of the above scenarios, both LuckSack and NoLuck are playing into their chosen traits and, in the eyes of the other players, perpetuating and further justifying what was an original falsity. They are harvesting a perception, which gains steam with each and every time prophetic action. When LuckSack wins a huge race, he nods his head with a cocksure (hehe...I said cocksure) grin on his face, subtly reminding everyone how lucky he is. When he loses a big race he nods his head with a cocksure grin on his face and chimes in, "can't remember the last time that happened." Meanwhile, NoLuck is disquiet when he loses a hand and, when he wins a hand, amazingly chimes in with a similar line that LuckSack used earlier, with strikingly different results..."can't remember the last time I won a hand."
To sum up the above, you create the trait, others take the bait, thus changing your fate. Understand mate? Good grief that was a lame explanation.
Let me throw out a couple more thoughts on this subject before I bolt.
The WSOP is about to start and you've been feeling pretty damn unlucky of late, though to be honest, it is a small sample of play you are basing this unlucky phase on. Regardless, instead of playing 25 of the 50+ events that you would normally play, you decide to save your money and only play 5 events. You end up having a rough go of it and don't cash in any events. Boy are you an unlucky person.
The WSOP is about to start and you've been feeling pretty damn unlucky of late, though to be honest, it is a small sample of play you are basing this unlucky phase on. Regardless, instead of limiting the number of tournaments you normally play, and letting the short unlucky phase effect you, instead you decide to play in a few extra tournaments and ultimately play in 30 of the 50+ tournaments (I'm not even sure if that is possible people so please hold the hater comments on that point). You end up winning a bracelet in one event and having numerous final tables and cashes throughout. Boy are you a lucky person and a success!
In the first scenario, your lack of play limited your chances, making each of the few tournaments you did play and lose stick out as a failure and/or unlucky result.
In the second scenario, you played enough tournaments to give yourself a better chance to succeed and you didn't let being unlucky become a chosen trait. While you did have unlucky moments along the way, you changed your fate by going into it with positive expectations, regardless of previous results.
I'd be interested to see what others think about this post and the series in general. I still have one more post to go before it is complete, but if you are feeling chatty all of a sudden, be sure and drop me a comment.
Before I go, just wanted to say thanks to OhCaptain for reminding me not to be a lame ass.
Until next time, may the felt be with you.
See and download the full gallery on posterous
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posted by TripJax @ 11:56 PM,
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Took Down The PokerListings.com Run-Good Challenge II Today For A 2009 WSOP $1,500 Tournament Seat. Zing!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Just a few hours ago I mentioned I'd be playing this. Well it turns out I won the damn thing.
Now I have to start thinking about travel plans and which tournament to play. I swear I had zero intentions of going to this years WSOP in Vegas , especially given the cashola just dropped to pay for our 10 year Hawaii anniversary trip, but it is hard to pass up a chance to play in my 1st WSOP event.
A huge thanks to Matt and the good folks at PokerListings. You folks rawk!
Let's Do This.
Until next time, may the felt be with you.
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posted by TripJax @ 4:52 PM,
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PokerListings Run-Good Challenge 2 FTW
A big thanks to PokerListings for hooking me up with registration invites to the Run-Good Challenge 2 events on PokerStars. Unfortunately I missed the first event; fortunately I missed it 'cause I was in Kauai, so no complaints! I'm geared up for the tourney today, which is offering two $1,500 preliminary 2009 WSoP event seats; so if you wanna watch me donk it up for a chance at a WSOP seat, come by today at 2pm EST on Stars.
One suggestion to the good folks at PL. I'd reconsider the wording for your future tournament lobby headings. This is the header for Event 2:
"Beat off the bloggers and take your seat at the WSOP."
Dang, they are making it tougher and tougher to win a seat to a WSOP event. Now you have to beat off poker bloggers just to get an invite. LOL. That's just wrong.
Why do I get the feeling Wawfuls had something to do with this.
Until next time, may the felt be with you.
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posted by TripJax @ 11:47 AM,
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Finally Home After Three Flights. The Kids Did A Hula Dance And I'm About To Take A Hula Nap.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Thanks everyone for putting up with my random updates.
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posted by TripJax @ 7:41 PM,
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Home Is Where The House Is
In the hexcellent words of Liz Lemon from 30 Rock, "I want to go there." And thus begins the 15 hour, 4800ish mile trek from Kauai, HI to Greensboro, NC. Let's light this candle.
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posted by TripJax @ 1:51 AM,
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One last meal at Scotty's ocean front bbq hut on the garden island of Kauai before we head for the airport.
Friday, May 15, 2009
I'm diggin' this view.
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posted by TripJax @ 8:10 PM,
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Only 6 hours left before we leave Kauai. Gonna miss this place, but I miss the kids more.
Random side note: This brewery was awesome, but I'm bummed I wasn't able to try every one of their local brews...
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posted by TripJax @ 5:24 PM,
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Came 4800 miles to hang out in a Hawaiin bar and watch the 'Canes win game 7 with a couple from Greensboro. Small world at its best. Awesome to have someone to high five.
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posted by TripJax @ 12:23 AM,
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Walkin' On Broken Glass...Sea Glass Beach...Near Waimea Canyon...Kauai Hawaii.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
On the beaches at our resort, there's a decent amount of sea glass nestled in the sand. I had never heard of it, but SuperNats schooled me on the stuff. Apparently it is just old pieces of glass weathered over the years.
You will know it is old if there are no sharp edges and it is cloudy. Well we did some research on our handy dandy iPhone's and located Sea Glass Beach with loads of the stuff. It's not exactly a beach you want to lay out at, as it is smack dab in the middle of an industrial zone, but if you want a shit ton of sea glass, it's sweetness. We are now collecting it so we can keep it in a glass bowl back home.
On the way to the Waimea Canyon's we stopped off at Sea Glass Beach and I snagged this picture. Not sure if you can see anything since the iPhone camera sux...
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posted by TripJax @ 4:04 PM,
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Another awesome day highlighted by a mountain hike down to a secluded beach cove near Hanalei, Hawaii
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Yeah we were terarded and wore flip flops. At times it got a tad steep, near the edge of the mountain, but the pay off was sweet. It was an incredible beach. I owe the local bartender at our resort a huge tip for telling us about this spot off the beaten path. I didn't take any good pics of the cove, so instead you get a pic of SuperNats traversing the path with her big ole stick.
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posted by TripJax @ 9:56 PM,
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Liquid Aloha With A Lovely Lady
We're on the balcony of Olympic Cafe overlooking downtown Kapaa, Hawaii. Nat is having a Pina Colada and I'm testing out my fourth - and so far favorite - local brew, Kona Fire Rock Pale Ale.
Most importantly I have a rockin' wife across from me. Sorry if you guys are sick and tired of my updates, but I'm going to keep'em coming...
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posted by TripJax @ 1:10 AM,
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I'm pondering becoming morbidly obese and sporting a muumuu a la Homer Simpson...
Monday, May 11, 2009
...let's just say I'm feeling a little bloated from the food and drinks on this tropical trip. No complaints though. This place rawks.
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posted by TripJax @ 7:47 PM,
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A long day at the beach followed by a longneck at the beach.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Kaua'i Nui Brewery is goot...
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posted by TripJax @ 11:28 PM,
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Cove Cozy
I could get used to this...
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posted by TripJax @ 5:14 PM,
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Fo'Real Ban
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Fo'real has officially made it on a menu at our resort in Hawaii; thus, is officially banned from my vocabulary.
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posted by TripJax @ 8:23 PM,
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Destination Hawaii
Friday, May 08, 2009
We've made it to the airport (thanks For the ride Alx) and the next stop is Chicago. Sorry Cubbies, you won't get my attention this go around. Destination Hawaii yo! Let's light this candle...
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posted by TripJax @ 6:44 AM,
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World Series of Okie: Thank You Sir May I Have Another?
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
So after a huge sucko de mayo experience at a local mexican restaurant - seriously guys, one bartender for a restaurant with a couple hundred people? - I decided to fire up a quick poker game to ease my mind. That's right, I chose poker to EASE my mind. I'm a terard.
I decided on a $14 turbo 45 player SNG. Obviously I didn't quite do my homework as this turned out to be a super turbo with starting chips of 300 and blinds increasing every 3 minutes. I had heard of (and even played a couple of times) these tables as satellites to larger buy-in tournaments, but I didn't realize they were just regular SNGs now.
So when my first hand was in the BB blind with A6 and only 2 callers, I obviously stuffed my whole 300 chips in the middle. I ended up against KK and an Ace with a better kicker than mine. Thankfully I hammered home a crack-ass straight with my 6 to the 10. Yeah, that's how I roll. One hand later I took out another player and had a pretty decent tournament chip lead for a while. I probably held the chip lead for about 50% of the tournament.
In the end I took home 2nd place and here are my current stats:
My own little World Series of Okie challenge.
Full Tilt Poker...
Starting Balance:
May 1, 2009 10:56pm
$160.15
Current Balance:
May 5, 2009 12:09am
$314.40
$26 Token
Goal:
$1000
I'll take a near double increase in my bankroll with one 45 minute tournament any friggin' day. And with that, I'm out.
Until next time, may the felt be with you.
posted by TripJax @ 10:01 PM,
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Soco & Light
Saturday, May 02, 2009
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posted by TripJax @ 11:20 PM,
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World Series of Okie May 2, 2009
My own little World Series of Okie challenge.
Full Tilt Poker...
Starting Balance:
May 1, 2009 10:56pm
$160.15
Current Balance:
May 2, 2009 12:09am
$171.90
$26 Token (New)
Goal:
$1000
posted by TripJax @ 12:13 AM,
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World Series of Okie
Friday, May 01, 2009
So in this earlier post I noted my aspirations to make it to the 2009 WSoP this year. To be honest, I don't care a whole hell of a lot about making it to the WSoP. Don't get me wrong, if someone offered me free tickets to go (please someone offer me free tickets to go), I'd be fine with it, but as for working my ars off at making it, it's probably not in the cards.
Quite honestly, I think I'd gain much more satisfaction from earning my way to Okie-Vegas. With that said, so begins Okie or Bust. I'd love to make it to the WSoP, but in a weird way, I'd much rather find a way to Okie-Vegas. To that end, I'm going to blog every penny of my Full Tilt account from now to Okie. I may very well fark it all away, but I'll enjoy it along the way. Don't expect bank roll management or even rationality. More likely I'll be terarded and drinking during my gaming; thus, just expect the amount fluctuate dramatically and my ars to be enjoying it no matter what. Side note: I will add any ad money I get from Full Tilt to the mix. If you don't like that, take it up with Waffles.
Let's get this started with a tab on my Full Tilt bankroll:
May 1, 2009
10:49PM
$160.15
I'll try and end each day/night with a tally.
In the meantime, in the honorable words of me, "now fuck off." Just kidding, stick around for the show. But fuck off.
Until next time, may the felt be with you.
posted by TripJax @ 10:56 PM,
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Swine Fluck
Some of you have met ChickJax. She totally rocks for a white girl. For those who haven't met her, just know she rocks. That said, she's been getting a little whack job about the Swine Flu. After learning about xtranormal from Julius Goat , I had to create the following video. It was prompted when I learned about xtranormal and, at the same time, learned about SuperNats (ChickJax) facebooking our friend MTW about the pig flu. As for the movie, yeah, I snuck a little Spies Like Us in there:
It didn't take long before I whipped out a scene from Anchorman:
Until next time, may the felt be with you.
posted by TripJax @ 10:12 PM,
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