January 7th was my first game of this year. I was on my way to the casino with high hopes. It's a new year, this one is bound to be better, I told myself. I kept my mind busy on the way running the percentages of pre-flop card match ups in my head as well as Mr. Skalansky's table of hand ranges for calling all-ins in the bb. Yes, I really do this. My latest book is "No Limit Hold 'Em Theory and Practice" by David Skalansky and Ed Miller. This book made me think about things in the game I had never before considered, opening my mind to some new strategies. No, I do not get paid to say this. Although, it would be nice if I did. (hint)
I arrive at the casino and head for the tables. I had fun, at first. Nothing seemed to be happening for me and I watched my chips slowly go away. I finally get pocket JJ and make a raise. Two people call and I quietly say to the girl beside me "I'm thinking of a flop" (A,J,something little) and there it is! I am not kidding! I check, one guy bets, another guy raises, my dream has come true! I shove because I don't like the two hearts on board and I want to maximize my expectation. The first guy goes all in for less and the second guy calls. It was just as I suspected, guy #1 has a flush draw and guy #2 has a big A. Hold up please. No such luck, a heart comes on the river. Well, at least I got the side pot which puts me right back where I was. I tell myself to be grateful I got that and move on. Oh but it just gets worse. Nothing was working, no cards, no successful bluffs, didn't get paid for my good hands you get the picture. Running out of time, I go on tilt and gamble away the rest of my chips trying to make something happen.
I left the casino mad as hell. On my drive home I was cursing more than just the darkness. "God, how can you let this happen to me? I had a really poor end of 2010 and now 2011 is starting off like this!" I ranted and raved while a little voice in the back of my head reminded me that some of the loss was my own fault. A penny saved is a penny earned or a dollar not donked off in stupidity is a dollar I get to keep. I went home and drank, a lot, and watched Craig Ferguson's Late Late Show. He makes me laugh and that is some good medicine.
I did eventually apologize to God. I found the above quote and it gave me new life. My dream is to be the first woman to win the WSOP main event and I keep this ever before me. This is but one of the candles I light. Sometimes I think of my family, my friends or I make fun of myself, trying not to be so serious. I'm grateful for the fact that at least my poker hobby pays for itself. So, when the bad beats come, and the cards don't, and when nothing seems to work, light your candle and maybe you will leave the casino with at least some of your money left.
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