This is what we play for...card protectors, trophies, plaques (and money, too).  Played last Thursday over at Airway Lanes, took the thing down after becoming massive chipleader with 4 to go. Key hand is as follows - critique as you wish:

Blinds 3000/6000, loose player (only player to being close to having me covered at this point) raises to 16K from cutoff.  I look down and see 6-6 in the SB.  I think about 3-popping here, but with 120K to start the hand, I decide to slow it down a bit and see what happens.

7-6-2, rainbow flop, and with 35K in the pot, a check seems smart.  Opponent bets 25K, and I think to myself that this could be the tournament here...but smooth-call. Turn is a Q...I, at this point, am thinking a check-raise all-in is in order, and when opponent bets 25K, that happens.  Opponent goes in the tank for a minute, realizes he may be up against a set, but decides he can't fold his 2-pair...Qs and 7s...and calls.  Blank on river, and here I'm sitting with about 70% of the chips in play, where eventually I suck out on the river to win this puppy.

AC next weekend...hell yeah!

Another vacation or 2 to plan...

Tax season and year-end have just been killing me, but occasionally I find some time to get out there and get some live action at the tables...both in charity rooms and in World Tavern action.  Last 2 outings at 4 Aces saw a 9-way chop for first ($298 each - $40 buy-in), and min-cash ($85 in a $40 buy-in).  World Tavern has been a couple weeks of extremes...either make a very deep run, or get out real early. 

Thankfully, the last week has mostly better (with exception of game at Blarney Stone - I only played to play in All-Star Championships this week...and now I may not play that, meh), punctuated with a win in Sunday's game, and a 3rd in last night's All-Star Championship at Overtyme.  Based on last night, qualified for National TOC in Atlantic City in June 2014, and for National All-Star Tournament in Vegas this November ($50K cash pool) - going to try to save up to go to both, but with new living arrangements happening for me, may not be possible.

Sometime around August 1, I expect to move out of the house I've been in for 15 years, and officially start the next phase of my life, even if my divorce isn't officially over until September/October, or even later.  No matter - I've been pretty happy with how Laura (new girl I've been dating since Janaury) and I are doing as a couple, and looking forward to seeing where our relationship might lead to in the future.

More importantly, I did get 50-50 parenting time with my kids, which was the biggest thing I wanted out of this entire process.  Yeah, things will be tight with me, financially, for a little while...but I'll adjust my lifestyle accordingly, and since I'll be in control of my own finances, I'll be better off, in the long run. 

Atlantic City, and World Tavern Open, is here June 1st - cannot wait!

What's this? A post?

Been working hard during tax season, but getting out and playing.  Let's review the last couple of months of play:

1) Qualified once again for the WTP National Tournament of Champions...actually, did it twice.  Since I was already qualified, I chopped our finishes so a couple other players could go to Vegas, if they choose.

2) 5 cashes in last 5 weeks at charity rooms - ROI is over 100% for the year, just no major cashes.

3) Qualified for WTP Winter National Championship in Atlantic City in June - since I'm qualified for Fall Championship, I think I am going to AC this spring.

4) And finally, because I was bored as hell last night, goofed around with 5 MTTs on Stars simultaneously.  Busted out first of first tourney...all-in pre-flop with AA vs KK and 22 - deuce on flop, and gg me. Stud tourney was good for 4th out of 190+ players, and also took a 9th in a 900+ player turbo tourney.  11th place in a 1200+ player turbo tourney, but that didn't compare to binking a PLHE event to cap off a good night. Forgot how easy it was to actually play 4+ tables at once, frankly...

Until next time...