Adios, 2010. Hello, 2011.

Well. 2010 is done. It was a great year. It wasn’t my biggest winning year as far as poker is concerned (though it was a winning year – so I’ll take it) but I really don’t have any complaints, and I’m looking forward to making 2011 even better.

2010 was almost not a winning year for me, and even though I decided I wasn’t going to play any more live events in December, I just couldn’t resist heading down to Atlantic City for the ESPN Regionals. I fly all over the world to play poker tournaments, and yet I was planning on skipping a major event right in my backyard. Well, I just couldn’t let this happen, so I decided to make the two-hour drive down to AC.

It turns out this event was the “last chance” for many poker players. I think I was playing against the entire internet. Ok. Maybe not the entire internet, but out of the 136 person field, I would say there were probably 130 very good players. It was one of the toughest fields I had ever played against, and I think part of the reason for this was that there were several players who were making last-ditch efforts to increase their Card Player Player of the Year Standings. I honestly don’t think I have ever played against such a skilled field.

I had a very strong showing in the event, eventually finishing in 12th place, when they only paid 15. In fact, my cash ended up being a point of contention for several players at the table – here’s what happened:

We were just two away from the money, and I had about 15bbs. Blinds were at 1500/3000 and I had about 45k behind. I was sitting in the big blind and woke up with big slick (offsuit). Typically I would be preparing to get it all in here, but before I could, Christian Harder shipped a stack very similar to mine in the cutoff. Without a moment’s hesitation (this part if important) the player immediately to his left called.

The player to his left did not think even for one second. No contemplation. No calculation. No sigh, no hem, no haw. Nothing. Just insta-bleeping-call. In just about any other situation I would have been all-in as well, but the caller’s lack of thinking made me, in fact, think even harder.

What is the best case scenario? That both these players have smaller aces than mine. What are the odds of that, and is it really very likely with how the action went? I eventually decided no, and folded my ace king. Turns out Charder shoved with ace-ten, and the insta-call came from a guy holding 88. To mention the fact that an 8 hit on the flop is playing results a bit, so, regardless of that, I’m happy with my play. My laydown became a topic of debate at the table, but I stand behind my play.

I think those who say it’s too “nitty” play a little too much on the internet, and need to remember that with live play comes live reads. If I had two tens and made that same laydown, then yes, that probably would have been too nitty. As it stands, I laid down a big hand, and as a result, made 20k by making it into the money.

I eventually finished 12th. No bad beat stories; I just lost all of my races. Nothing you can do. I finished my year with a cash, and with that cash, had a winning 2010.

I played a few Sunday Millions on PokerStars during the holidays. I made one deep run in that, and had a few near final table misses in a few Sunday 500, but no major scores to speak of. It wasn’t my best month online, but certainly not my worst.

On New Year’s Eve, I had an absolute ball. One of my closest friends just finished building a $6 million mansion on Long Island, and he threw a huge party in his basement. I brought my sister, my wife, and my kids. The part was a blast, and no, I did not drink and drive – though I was plastered! I hired a driver instead (my wife), though I’m pretty sure she snuck a few sips of champagne at midnight!

I just realized I haven’t mentioned my wife or kids before in this blog! So here’s the quick rundown:

I’ve been married 17 years to my wife, who I met in Guyana as a teenager. We eventually got together here in the states when we were in our mid twenties.

My daughter is 17, brilliant, and beautiful. She is often the center of attention at such parties until everyone realizes who her Dad is… She got into a great school in Brooklyn, but opted to stick with Manhattan Center in order to avoid a long commute.

My son is 14, and stands at 5’ 9”. He has a black belt in karate, and a passion for the arts as he attends the Arts & Design Center. I always thought he’d be a “computer guy” but at that size, it’s hard to picture him as a “nerd.”

Now, onto 2011.

I promise the “nitty” days of Victor Ramdin are over! I’m going to start playing extremely aggressive poker this year. I feel like I once had this style, and that I’ve lost it a bit over the past few years, but you heard it hear first: it’s going to be all aggression, all the time. 2010 was barely a winning year for me, it’s time to kick it up a notch!

Speaking of “kicking it up a notch,” I’m also planning on playing more poker a well. Expect to see me in about 30% more live events this year, and I’m also really hoping to make an appearance on The PokerStars.Net Big Game. That would be really fun.

At the moment, I’m on my way to the PokerStars.Net Caribbean Adventure, which is the biggest live poker event of the year outside of Las Vegas. There is never ever a dull moment, even after busting out of a tournament. Sure there’s almost always another one starting the next day, but don’t forget you are literally feet from the beach and the ocean, and that can be a great spot to clear your head.

Also, there are so many poker players, and it’s truly awesome to run into people you play with all the time online. It’s just one of those great moments in life where someone approaches you and you finally get to put a face to a name. It doesn’t hurt that 90% of the time they say something nice. For a lot of these players it’s the first time in their life they’re getting a chance to play with pros in the flesh, and most of them are very humble and happy for the experience. It’s a real nice, welcoming experience for that sort of thing.

Well, believe it or not, I have to start packing. I’m playing several events at the PCA, so hopefully in my next blog, I’ll have some cashes to talk about!

See you in the Bahamas!