Dad, FTOP's, and Borgata with Steve Dannenmann

First of all I’d like to thank everyone who sent all the warm wishes for my father, who is home doing well.

Now back to poker. I have been playing online quite a bit lately, both live action and tournaments. I am really enjoying the 7 game mixed ring game, which is HORSE plus no limit holdem and pot limit Omaha. You can find just about any size game you want on Full Tilt from micro stakes up to $2,000-4,000 if you are so inclined.

I have been playing many of the FTOP’s events and have cashed a few times, although nothing spectacular. I have satellited into most of them however, so my ROI has been good. I just won a $200 satellite for the $2,500 event on Saturday, and also for today’s 2pm event. Yesterday I played in the heads up PLO event. I won my first three matches to make the money and then, in the longest match of the 64 remaining, lost two all-ins where I was a favorite, one the typical AA, which I can’t seem to ever win.

After winning a satellite, I played in the 6 handed limit event, where my strategy was to play pretty aggressively. The strategy didn’t go too well, and to be honest, after losing a couple of big pairs I went on tilt. I always attempt to make the best decision possible while playing a hand, but every once in a while I have what could be best described as an out of body experience. I know what I’m doing is wrong but forge ahead anyway, ignoring that inner voice that says “STOP.” I kind of get trapped in the hand where I play what I would call a marginal hand like a suited 2 gaper, lets say 5 8 suited, and flop a gutter ball straight draw, and on the turn pick up the flush draw, and on the river hit a pair, so I justify calling or even raising along the way especially in a limit game, but lose a big pot in a hand I shouldn’t have played in the first place.

I am playing in a charity event at the Borgata this Wednesday and am being joined by my good friend Steve Dannenmann. We seem to play at the same tournament table quite often. I always think of him as one of the good guys in poker. If you are in the area come join us this Wednesday at The Borgata.