gambling

The WSOP passed in a blur. The things I remember the most are the moments spent with family (but my other blog is for that).

There were no cash games at the Rio on the first day until later, due to the sellout of the 4th day one....by now everyone who knows poker knows all about that, so I won't even address it other than to say that I played less real poker this trip than any other.

I did play an awful lot of 3 card poker...and hit my first straight flush!

Started playing on FTP, after 3 years of not playing online at all. Really shocking how the games have changed - but want to take a crack at it, for money purposes only. Enjoyment comes from live play. So far, so good. Going to add PT and multi-table.

Most of my attention is on currency trading, not poker. Seems like I am a much better trader than poker player by a factor of oh....200%. I love trading. One of the things I like about it the most is that to 'move up', you don't have to beat anything, you just have to build your roll and trade bigger.

Started trading the 5 - 15 minute charts, then the 30 minute charts and tried to master that for a long time. Switched to the 4hour and had moderate success, then switched to the Daily charts, using the 4 hour for entry/exit only. This has been the key to success for me and the cure for overtrading.

I only trade 4 pairs, and 2 most of the time. EUR/JPY and GBP/JPY because those babies MOVE. Three straight weeks of + return. One more, and with an overall gain for the month, and I may think I am on to something here.

The one thing I have learned is that whatever it is, I have to be taking a risk. The key is....calculation and conquering blind emotion, which is proving to be far more difficult as a woman.

When people think of emotions and women, I think they think mostly of obvious ones, like happiness/anger etc. But having emotions on the surface means ALL emotions, especially the unpopular ugly ones like fear and greed.

Until you learn to make friends and dance with those two, they will always be ready to take everything. In life and in gambling.

WSOP MAIN EVENT

Obviously, this blog went nowhere.... probably because in August of 2007 I actually started a 'real job', and poker has been on the back burner.

I recently started dealing again, after a 9 month long hiatus and realized that I dearly miss it. For now, though, my time just isn't my own.

Starting Sunday, July 5th, for the first time, I will be in Vegas during the Main Event of the WSOP. I've been there before during the Series, just never the Main Event. My husband won a seat and will be playing while I fulfill one of my fondest dreams of playing in the side games.

I am not a tournament player. Other than placing in an e-table tourney hosted by Phil Laak (when I worked as a host) I don't even really bother. The last tournament I played was in March @ the Bicycle Club and I was sitting under the air conditioner and was so effing cold I started moving all in every hand. Yes, this is why I do not usually play - NO TABLE CHANGE!!

It wasn't all bad - I was there because of my husband, who ended up placing 5th.

I will detail the cash game experiences/ thoughts here.

Commerce $200 NL

Should I go for the background first, or get right to it?

I play no limit cash games here in Los Angeles - primarily at Hustler or Commerce. I have spent a lot of years and a lot of money learning my way around these no limit games. Most people lie when they tell you about how they play. Most people lie, period. You probably won't find a more honest blog about low limit no limit. I am still trying to build my bankroll so I can play the 10/20 NL with the big boys.

I just got back from a week in Vegas, playing at MGM (sucks, don't listen to those 2 + 2'ers), Bally's (great action - lots of crazy Asians), Harrah's (great if you want to gain a desire to commit suicide), and Wynn - the 2/5 uncapped game which was phenomenal. Learning and playing no limit in LA and then bringing that game to Vegas is like Lance Armstrong entering a small town bike race.

So, Vegas was great, but I get back and lose $1100.00 in 2 days at Hustler and Commerce. Ouch, guess Vegas went to my head. Actually last night I went through 3 buyins when I had the nut straight, nut flush and oh shit who knows what and got drawn out on on the river. Went back today and got $365.00 back as well as my first table share of a jackpot.

Even though I have to get a real job (ugh)... I still plan on dealing and playing on the side. That's right, I forgot to mention I left one of the Los Angeles casino's this spring and now only deal private events and games - the higher stakes, the better.

I would love to hear from other LA players - especially other women. I am starting to see more women playing, but they aren't very aggressive and they usually only play Phil Helmuth's top ten starting hands. There is no way to beat these games sitting and waiting for Aces and Kings - especially when you are the third caller for $20 preflop and you don't re-raise. I went through a timid period, but now I am a chip mover - if I have the best of it, I don't hesitate to punish people for drawing..... and draw they will.

I guess that's it for now..... everything has a beginning.