Poker Journal Day 50
Day 50, April 13th: No poker today. I had an appointment with an immigration lawyer in the afternoon to discuss my options about either staying or returning to Australia. As I was already aware, there is nothing I can do under present circumstances, but I was very relieved to find out that there will be basically no difficulty returning on legitimate terms as a student in nine months were I so inclined. I never intend to give up poker as my profession so long as I'm profitable at it and enjoy it, but studying something useful and interesting such as journalism or a language would certainly be satisfying. The unknown variable at this stage is how I wind up enjoying my time living in Las Vegas with Chewy and Dan.
Poker Journal Day 49
Day 49, April 12th: I woke up intending to put a medium size session in today, but found the internet completely not working. After Jarred investigated into the matter it turns out I had not paid my bill because I hadn't looked in my mailbox in several months. Things like this happen frequently to Jarred and I; poker players are generally quite awful at dealing with real world issues no matter how small. There's a great story about how Chip Reese paid thousands of dollars a month in water bills in Las Vegas during the 1970's because he simply never thought to look into the matter. That seems consistent with most of the guys I know in the industry and is absolutely true of myself.
Instead I spent my day going into the city to run errands and keep sorting things for my departure next week. My ex Celina has very kindly offered to buy most of our once shared possessions back to help make my move easier, and I'll mostly be bringing the most necessary things I can think of; all my suits and shirts, protein powder, and my Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360. Although I have made it to the age of 25 above the mean expectation for net worth (consistently dropping!), I have not accumulated many particularly relevant personal items. I think I prefer things that way, I can up and bounce wherever whenever without any serious loss or complication.
Poker Journal Day 48
Day 48, April 11th: Played a medium sized session today. I didn’t force myself to get up early so it was almost entirely late tournaments. I had a few interesting hands but it seems that I didn’t save them correctly. I made two final tables on the day; the Tilt $50 rebuys where I came in 2/9 with like 13 BB’s and finished 7th, and the $109 6 max tournament that I love so much where I came in 5th after coming in short. I may turn that one into a HH review.
I also got a look at the finished online ads. I was real pleased with how they turned out, and hopefully people will find them amusing. I’m not sure where they’ll be turning up, but I’m sure the boys at Savvy will let us know soon.
Poker Journal Day 47
Day 47, April 10th: I was planning on playing a session today, but I realized I had too many things to do get done for leaving. Additionally, I haven't been that focused when playing lately since I'm playing smaller tournaments and have so much on my mind coming up over the next week. I decided I'd go into the city to run my errands and see where the day takes me. It certainly went places I didn't anticipate.
Prior to leaving I made a post on my pick up forum that I'd be walking around the CBD in a tan suit and blue tie. Many guys from the forum like to do day game on Saturday's, and I'm always happy to chat to people about it and discuss how they can improve. After posting I made my way into the city to stop by the bank, get a haircut, and buy a few random things. I couldn't find my usual headphones today so I was walking through the streets dressed to the nines wearing these gigantic Pokerstars headphones, looking like a total clown. While walking along Swanston street a young Indian guy stopped me and said "Tony?". "Oh hey dude what's up!" I replied. He introduced himself as V, and five minutes later we were having coffee at Federation Square and talking game. V was out doing solo day game (which is pretty tough) and had been involved in the whole scene about a year but only recently took to doing it during the day. I did what I could to articulate what my experiences had taught me in that medium and recommend some reading material. V works nights and hadn't slept well recently, and I'm on a severely strict diet, so we sat there with a glass of water in his hand and a black coffee in mine. As we neared finishing our beverages V got a call, chatted briefly, and hung up. He told me his friends were around the corner shooting a small production level music video and that we should check it out. I was all kinds of down for it.
We walked across the square and found V's friends doing their filming near the small Ferris wheel next to the river. There were two guys holding cameras, a few standing around, and a hot blond girl and the singer being filmed. Between takes I was introduced around; the singer was Vishna, a talented hip hop artist born in Ghana who had been in Australia for years. I met a charming couple named Terry and Liz. Liz is a Australian personal trainer and Terry is an athletic looking dude from Ghana who is a budding actor that went to one of Australia's most prestigious acting schools. If you interact with people in the entertainment industry (on any level) you'll generally find that they're very outgoing, sociable, and friendly since much of their industry revolves around forming connections and attracts a pretty open minded variety of personality. Terry mentioned that he had a film premier tomorrow and needed a new suit for it. I told him I was the right person to take him suit shopping and since I had nothing to do for the afternoon we could get it done today. We said our goodbyes to V and Krishna, who we made plans with for later in the night, then made our way off in the direction of David Jones department store on Bourke Street.
As we walked the streets I got to know Terry and Liz pretty thoroughly. Actor types are always very easy going and forthcoming and everyone was great friends in no time. They were surprised that I would take time out of my day to help someone I just met go suit shopping, but as I told them "I always enjoy hanging with new people...plus I'll take any excuse possible to go suit shopping." (Let it be known that if you're in poker and want someone to take you suit shopping around Vegas, just come say hi to me and if I'm free I'll probably go, and at worst give you recommendations.) At this stage, I'm on a first name basis with a decent amount of the staff at the mens department in David Jones, particularly at Hugo Boss where a friend of mine works who is a female coach in the Melbourne pick up scene. She wasn't around today, but we grabbed one of the other guys who's there often and I elaborated what kind specifics that Terry was looking for in a suit. We found some articles he liked, but unfortunately they weren't quite in his price range and he decided to come back when he felt comfortable dropping more on a suit. While discussing everything Terry mentioned that he had accidentally double booked jobs as a topless waiter and model for bachlorette parties that evening. He said I'd be perfect for it, to which I replied "Yea fuck it, I got nothing going on tonight." He called his boss and spoke to her about the possibility of my filling in. I gave her a call after that and after a few minutes of chatter I had a job for two hours later. I purchased the necessary bow tie.
I walked Terry and Liz back to my apartment to offer them a drink. They weren't able to hang out long as Terry had his job to get to, so we made plans to meet up later that night. After they departed I took a shower and changed into the requested black pants and black shoes for the party. I took a cab over to Richmond, found the restaurant, and went upstairs as instructed. There was a gaggle of middle aged women at the top who started making various cat calls at me as I walked up to the door at the end of the hallway with a "Please Knock" sign posted on it. I did as the sign told me and was greeted by a middle aged lady who turned out to be the woman I spoke to on the phone before, Lisa. Inside the room the set up was a number of women sitting and standing behind drawing stands with a nude male model in the center of the room. She discussed what my jobs would be (mostly getting women drinks and administering massages) and I was told to lose the shirt and add the bow tie. The group in there finished after about 10 minutes and before the next one entered I was introduced to the male model, Steele. Naturally. He seemed like a nice guy who was walking around at like 10% body fat, so I asked him where he works out. "I never work out mate, I just work hard as a plumber."
"Oh so you have a pretty strict diet?"
"Nah not really, though I'm gonna get on one."
"I hate you."
Lisa had me pour some champagne and deliver it to the incoming group waiting in the hallway. I introduced myself around and asked the bride how her husband to be proposed. Not long after the group was brought into the room, sat down, were explained what they would be doing, and Steele was disrobed by the bride to be. As you would expect with a guy who would make it his work to take his clothes off, the dude is packing some heat. The women were absolutely manic, making all kinds of overtly harassing comments towards both Steele and myself. Unfortunately, my particular group was almost entirely middle aged (which according to Terry is quite uncommon) and I spent the next two hours massaging them, getting their drinks, and turning down offers for sex. It was two hours of the most honest work I've had in seven years. At one point the physical harassment from some of the older drunk women was so constant and severe that the other organizing woman, Natalie, pulled me outside and said in a concerned tone "I'm sooooooo sorry, it's not usually like this. Are you okay?" I didn't think of it at the time, but I wish I just said something like "Lady, I've let a girl stab me before, a bit of groping is no problem" but instead I was just polite and said I didn't mind. The whole thing made me think about the possibility of finding similar work in Vegas as the demand for that kind of thing would be pretty high, and you're basically being paid to be in great shape and socialize with a bunch of horny chicks. Finally, a job I'm qualified for.
After the group of women left I helped Lisa clean up and got dressed. She asked for my bank details to make payment, which I obviously didn't know because I never do anything on paper. She told me if i was ever back in Melbourne they would love to employ me. I went downstairs into the restaurant after and was immediately accosted by the group of women and begged to join their dinner. I declined and said I had somewhere to be, but the truth was that my plans for the evening revolved entirely around finding weed as I'd recently run out and my regular dealers haven't been answering their phone. I think the only people on the planet more flaky than women you've met through cold approach are drug dealers; plus the paranoia that comes with their line of work is a bitch to deal with. I'm really looking forward to Vegas weed dealers, who show up to your house on minutes notice with a variety of options and describe them in detail to you. I like to ask them for a picture; they are rarely amused.
I took a cab home and began my search for weed. It seems the whole of Melbourne has gone dry, and I was reduced to making a less than subtle reference to my quandary on my facebook status. While sitting on my computer Terry called me having finished the other job and I told him to swing by. When he arrived he told me he had a big ass bag at his house, and when V called and said he'd meet us over here it was decided we were making a trip to Terry's on a weed run.
We stood outside the building waiting for V and discussing our evening of work. Terry was shocked I'd gotten a group of middle aged women and said most were in the 25-30 range, as that's generally the range in which women get married. He told me some really ridiculous stories from his times working that job, including his first night on the job which resulted in serving trays of drugs to a big name Australian super model and her group of model friends. Sounds like fun. V pulled up in front of the building and told us he'd be willing to make the drive to Terry's, so off we went. Terry lives about 30 minutes outside of the city so it was a bit of a hassle for V, which I really appreciate.
At Terry's house he produced a large bag of weed and gave me a bowl to grind shit up with. V doesn't drink or do any drugs and Liz wasn't feeling it, so the responsibility for smoking a lot of weed fell to Terry and I. For the second time that day, it was a job I was thoroughly qualified for. I ground up the weed and let Terry roll two major fatties for us. We hung out outside getting blazed and watching Youtube videos in a state of THC induced glee. I was smart and had brought a protein bar from home, which I made sure to put in the refrigerator upon arriving at Terry's since it had been in my pocket for a while. At this stage in my grass smoking career I've reached the ability to plan ahead for everything I might need when I blaze, and I often get plenty of work done while under the influence in terms of studying hand histories, posting on 2+2, and reading. After much merriment V and I departed Terry's home, but not without Terry offering me enough weed to last me for the duration of my remaining stay in Australia. Weed people are always the nicest ever.
Poker Journal Day 46
Day 46, April 9th: Had a fairly uneventful session of grinding today. I tried to wake up a little earlier today as I need to adjust my schedule for the move to the states, but I still couldn't manage before 11am. I wind up needing so much sleep as a result of the constant working out and dieting. I still get a decent sized session in, and only wound up making one final table where I lost a 40/60 blind vs blind to busto.
I didn't have any particularly interesting hands but I got feedback on the triple barrel hands I posted. People didn't care for the first one where I isolated QTo and triple barreled the AKxxx board since people could single rebuy in the tournament and wouldn't tough folds. Everyone liked the second hand where I barreled J7 on 985AK.
Poker Journal Day 45
Day 45, April 8th: I spent the second straight day making the PokerSavvyPlus commercials. Between takes I did a lot of posting in the 2+2 strategy section and I'm about to review a friends HH for the sake of study.
Poker Journal Day 44
Day 44, April 7th: I took the day off poker in order to shoot an online commercial I'm making for PokerSavvyPlus. They emailed me the idea of using for me for an ad with a concept but no formal script. While hanging out in New Zealand I came up with some thoughts and wrote out a couple scripts and sent them in to the guys. They liked them and gave me the green light to hire some guys to film them and get them done.
Outside that I've been mentally preoccupied with everything I need to do before I leave.
Poker Journal Day 43
Day 43, April 6th: Grinded a medium length session today. I started late since the daylight savings switch has pushed everything back two hours and I'm still sleeping pretty late as a result of being sick. The end result is I'm normally starting around the $109 second chance and six max tournament on Stars and Tilt. There's a number of mid stakes stuff after that which are good value, and although not a great schedule are enough to keep me playing and sharp. I'm not particularly fussed about pushing myself to play sick tournaments right before I move to the US and play a gigantic SCOOP. I think working five days a week leading up to my leaving is a pretty good balance.
There were a few interesting hands from today. The first couple are triple barrel hands which I posted in the same thread on 2+2:
First hand comes from Stars $109 double chance, where you can take a singular rebuy.
I think there's almost no hands that can call down my triple barrel in his limping range here. I don't think people limp/call then call down all three with AJ, and he like never has big pairs or AK and they're absolutely in my range. No history with villain. Thoughts:
Poker Stars $100+$9 No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t15/t30 Blinds - 9 players
BB: t2990 M = 66.44
UTG: t3415 M = 75.89
UTG+1: t3085 M = 68.56
UTG+2: t2565 M = 57
MP1: t4436 M = 98.58
MP2: t3000 M = 66.67
Hero (CO): t2880 M = 64
BTN: t2955 M = 65.67
SB: t2970 M = 66
Pre Flop: (t45) Hero is CO with Q T
1 fold, UTG+1 calls t30, UTG+2 calls t30, 2 folds, Hero raises to t150, 3 folds, UTG+1 calls t120, UTG+2 calls t120
Flop: (t495) K 4 A (3 players)
UTG+1 checks, UTG+2 checks, Hero bets t335, UTG+1 calls t335, UTG+2 folds
Turn: (t1165) 2 (2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets t725, UTG+1 calls t725
River: (t2615) 9 (2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets t1670 all in
Second hand is Stars $50 $70k gaurantee. There's no serious history going into the BvB confrontation here as blinds are pretty low and it hasn't been folded to me much. Flop and turn bet are so obvious, and by river it's pretty reasonable I can have an ace or two pair, plus there are missed draws in his range. Thoughts?
Poker Stars $50+$5 No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t25/t50 Blinds - 5 players
UTG: t3096 M = 41.28
CO: t3461 M = 46.15
BTN: t5173 M = 68.97
Hero (SB): t3850 M = 51.33
BB: t4166 M = 55.55
Pre Flop: (t75) Hero is SB with J 7
3 folds, Hero raises to t150, BB calls t100
Flop: (t300) 5 8 9 (2 players)
Hero bets t200, BB calls t200
Turn: (t700) A (2 players)
Hero bets t475, BB calls t475
River: (t1650) K (2 players)
Hero bets t1100
There was also the hand from the other day which I posted. I had the sense that I should possibly do something different on the flop, and many agreed that I should raise the SB lead with the intention of folding in MP bombs it.
Tilt $75 23k Gaurantee. It's a late tournament in the states and generally devoid of regulars and with pretty bad players. No history with the villain.
Effective stacks: 3000
Blinds 25/50.
I hold A Q
Preflop: Folds to MP1, MP1 raises to 150, folds to the SB, SB calls, I call.
Flop: 4 T Q (Pot 450)
SB bets 150, I call, MP+1 raises to 450, SB folds, I?
Poker Journal Day 42
Day 42, April 5th: I didn’t bother waking up early for the Sunday tournaments as I’m not interested in pushing myself too hard in my last two weeks in Australia. I’ll probably only play five days a week as I’ve got some things I’ve got to get done.
I managed to get a few stacks today and made a very deep run in the Stars $50 70k but lost a 60/40 to go out like 15th or something. It was a decent enough HH though, so in the evening I turned it into a Pokersavvy video. I had one interesting hand from the day which I’ve just posted on 2+2 so I’ll go over it tomorrow when I’ve got some feedback.
Poker Journal Day 41
Day 41, April 4th: I played a small session today. Let myself sleep in a bit, then did some late registering. I believe I entirely blanked out on the day though, not a single cash. Badass.