I've been blogging for years???? Well not exactly.
After much anticipated fanfare, the blog for Pablo's Place has returned. (Yeah! Much Fanfare - Sirens and Horns, and large drums - hooting and hollering: OK, done now).
I've been marred in a plethora of homework and professional work, as well as maintaining sanity while being a parent, and a life as a boyfriend, and this was the item that was whacked like Phil Leotardo on the final episode of the Sopranos (SUV running over its head and all). But thank goodness for TV - the ability to resurrect is upon us, no more excuses. Just poker updates as to what's going on in my poker universe.
Friday wasn't the first game at my place since wedding poker. It was however, one of my forgettable ones. After a few weeks in a row of winning, we had six players, of which I was destined to finish 6th. After all was said and done, it was a 5th place finish for me. I went from the chip lead, to doubling up Traci (thrice) and to short stack in a matter of 6 hands. U-G-L-Y it ain't got not alibi, its ugly. That's right ugly. Traci was short stacked and catching miserable cards until she figured out, "hey I could just play cards with Paul and I'd take all of his chips, even if I start out with the worst hand." Ah, poker. That's why we all love her. It was that kind of night for me. In the end, I was done in with A-7, an All-In was called by Traci who had 10-9 of clubs. Pre-flop, I said that I was toast. Flop was A-10-4. I was in serious trouble. The turn was another 10. I was done unless there was another Ace for me, and alas, there was not.
Tim was next to go, he too was chip leader for a long time until Andrew took a large pot from him. Andrew went next however, and left Traci and Jordan heads up. With the chip stacks being almost identical, Traci moves all in with K-J suited, and gets called by Jordan who had slightly more chips and a vastly inferior hand (I don't even remember what it was to be honest it was so poor). But heads up, any two cards are good, and turns out, his was. Jordan took home the $25 pot, with Traci getting her money back. And the curtain fell shortly after 11PM.
Next week we look good for my place at 8. Tim's getting back from the LOVE BOAT in plenty of time. I expect a large sunburn when he gets here. Andrew should be in as well. I know that Traci is a no-go as she's getting some help from Rhonda (or the other way around?). I don't know about Jordan. So we have at least 3, and would love to add some more. Until next week. But before we go, here's my tribute to the Soprano's finale.
I've found the secret to winning poker by playing the PS2 version of WSOP. It's really pretty simple actually. All you have to do is.......
-Screen Fades to Black -
Decide for yourself.
Cheers, P
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Wedding Poker
Many Kudos to Tim and Kendall on their new marriage. It was a fantastic ceremony on the beach in beautiful Rosarito, Mexico. It was amazing, in every sense, and I feel truly blessed to have been a part of it.....Thanks for the opportunity, and again, I wish you many continued years of happiness.
Friday night, after the rehearsal dinner, poker was on in my room. We had 6 players (Traci, Brian, Tay, Tim, Trevor, and I). We only played one round and it was a long one. Tay was the first to go. She lost a large portion of her chip stack my direction when I turned trip-Jacks. Her two pair didn't stand, and she lost a lot of trips on the river.
Traci was the next to go, followed by Tim, both of which were knocked out by Trevor, who caught lousy cards in the beginning, and amazing cards toward the end. He punished me with pocket Kings, and bounced me when I had absolutely squat.
Heads up between Brian and Trevor was a pretty good one. At one point, Brian had almost got to an even chip stack, but it was for naught. Trevor came out on top and won the $20 pot, $10 to Brian.
Friday night is a go at my place as usual. I'll see everyone here at 8. Cheers - P
Friday night, after the rehearsal dinner, poker was on in my room. We had 6 players (Traci, Brian, Tay, Tim, Trevor, and I). We only played one round and it was a long one. Tay was the first to go. She lost a large portion of her chip stack my direction when I turned trip-Jacks. Her two pair didn't stand, and she lost a lot of trips on the river.
Traci was the next to go, followed by Tim, both of which were knocked out by Trevor, who caught lousy cards in the beginning, and amazing cards toward the end. He punished me with pocket Kings, and bounced me when I had absolutely squat.
Heads up between Brian and Trevor was a pretty good one. At one point, Brian had almost got to an even chip stack, but it was for naught. Trevor came out on top and won the $20 pot, $10 to Brian.
Friday night is a go at my place as usual. I'll see everyone here at 8. Cheers - P
Monday, April 2, 2007
Saturday Night Tournment Results
We brought 4 players to the tournament at the Mark Erik's Salon in Northridge, and had very good results. The game was for charity, and the setup was different than any of us had played in, but was a ton of fun. Jordan, Christian, Andrew and I, all competed for prizes that we had no idea what they'd be. In fact, they didn't really announce the prizes until near the end of the tournament.
In all, I would guess that we had about 50 players. Jordan, Andrew, and I began the night at the same table. Jordan started with 30 chips and amassed a large chip stack of around 180 or so. Andrew was the first to exit. Jordan than had to go, and he passed his chip stack my way. He had work the next morning and just couldn't stay until the end. Christian did quite well for himself at the other table. He joined ours after about an hour and a half with 3 times as many chips as he began with. I was about double what I started with when Jordan hooked me up.
At a little after 9 PM, we were down to two tables with just me an Christian remaining from our group. In my second hand, I dealt pocket Kings in the small blind. Everyone called around, so when my turn came I raised the big blind four times, and everyone called (very loose table). The Flop came out 5-K-4, and I raised the pot. After two folds, one player moved all in. Two more folds to me, and I called. She turned over 5-4 for her two pair but was too far behind. The river gave a case 4 giving her a full house, but my Kings over 4's was better. That doubled my stack to over 400 instantly, and I was a commanding chip leader.
I lost a lot of chips when I raised and someone pushed all in on a board of 6-10-4. I held 10-9 and as loose as he was playing, called the all-in, he turned over pocket 6's and doubled up off of me making him the chip lead.
The final table came at about 10:20. The game was supposed to last until 10:30 when they were going to close down. With Christian was bounced in 6th place. With 4 remaining, the person to my left and short stacked moved all in, was called, and I moved all in as well with pocket 8's. They held and it eliminated 2 players at once to place me heads up. It was now 10:45, and we both agreed to one final hand to determine the winner (first and second prize were the same). He was dealt face up A-7, and I had Q-4. The flop came up with a 7, and the turn had a 4, but the river was blank for us both. And it was over.
Thanks for everyone that did come by, and thanks to the staff at Mark Erik's Salon. It was an awesome time.
For this Friday, there will be no poker at my place as I'll be at a birthday party on Friday. Tim had made mention about the possibility to do something at his place, and I'll keep you posted if he does. Next week, we're off as well as we'll be at Tim's wedding in Mexico.
In all, I would guess that we had about 50 players. Jordan, Andrew, and I began the night at the same table. Jordan started with 30 chips and amassed a large chip stack of around 180 or so. Andrew was the first to exit. Jordan than had to go, and he passed his chip stack my way. He had work the next morning and just couldn't stay until the end. Christian did quite well for himself at the other table. He joined ours after about an hour and a half with 3 times as many chips as he began with. I was about double what I started with when Jordan hooked me up.
At a little after 9 PM, we were down to two tables with just me an Christian remaining from our group. In my second hand, I dealt pocket Kings in the small blind. Everyone called around, so when my turn came I raised the big blind four times, and everyone called (very loose table). The Flop came out 5-K-4, and I raised the pot. After two folds, one player moved all in. Two more folds to me, and I called. She turned over 5-4 for her two pair but was too far behind. The river gave a case 4 giving her a full house, but my Kings over 4's was better. That doubled my stack to over 400 instantly, and I was a commanding chip leader.
I lost a lot of chips when I raised and someone pushed all in on a board of 6-10-4. I held 10-9 and as loose as he was playing, called the all-in, he turned over pocket 6's and doubled up off of me making him the chip lead.
The final table came at about 10:20. The game was supposed to last until 10:30 when they were going to close down. With Christian was bounced in 6th place. With 4 remaining, the person to my left and short stacked moved all in, was called, and I moved all in as well with pocket 8's. They held and it eliminated 2 players at once to place me heads up. It was now 10:45, and we both agreed to one final hand to determine the winner (first and second prize were the same). He was dealt face up A-7, and I had Q-4. The flop came up with a 7, and the turn had a 4, but the river was blank for us both. And it was over.
Thanks for everyone that did come by, and thanks to the staff at Mark Erik's Salon. It was an awesome time.
For this Friday, there will be no poker at my place as I'll be at a birthday party on Friday. Tim had made mention about the possibility to do something at his place, and I'll keep you posted if he does. Next week, we're off as well as we'll be at Tim's wedding in Mexico.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Friday Night Results - 3/30/07
We had four players tonight, and played two rounds. It was a good night for me taking home both pots, $20 each.
In round one, Christian was the first to go, and Tim shortly after. Heads up was with Andrew, and I'm so tired right now, I don't remember what the winning hand was. The major hand came when Andrew laid down top pair after I re-raised him all-in with an under pair. But I had him covered and he couldn't make the call. After that, it was only a matter of time.
In round two, Christian went out again, and then Andrew this time. I had pocket Kings and the flop came out with Two clubs, one of which was an ace. The turn was another club and I raised all-in. Andrew laid down A-10, which would have crippled me. Instead, I got really healthy. I was a 3 to1 chip lead heading into heads up against Tim and took the first 3 small pots. I was dealt pocket Kings again and called the big blind. Tim raised, and I re-raised all-in. Tim called with pocket 4's and the board was no help.
For next week, there will be no poker. I'll be attending a 5 year old birthday party for Nikki at Build-A-Bear workshop at the Northridge mall. The following Friday will also be a no-go at my place as I'll be at Kendall and Tim's wedding in Mexico.
So our target is 3 weeks. Also, a reminder that tomorrow night is at the Mark Erik's Salon in Northridge at the corner of Devonshire and Reseda. There is a $25 buy in with multiple re-buys for the charity tournament. It should be fun. Christian is the only one who committed with me. Traci is a firm maybe. We'll see. Hopefully we can pull a few more from our group.
I'll send updates to the blog after tomorrow nights tournament, but for now, I'm going to bed $30 heavier in the wallet. Cheers - P
In round one, Christian was the first to go, and Tim shortly after. Heads up was with Andrew, and I'm so tired right now, I don't remember what the winning hand was. The major hand came when Andrew laid down top pair after I re-raised him all-in with an under pair. But I had him covered and he couldn't make the call. After that, it was only a matter of time.
In round two, Christian went out again, and then Andrew this time. I had pocket Kings and the flop came out with Two clubs, one of which was an ace. The turn was another club and I raised all-in. Andrew laid down A-10, which would have crippled me. Instead, I got really healthy. I was a 3 to1 chip lead heading into heads up against Tim and took the first 3 small pots. I was dealt pocket Kings again and called the big blind. Tim raised, and I re-raised all-in. Tim called with pocket 4's and the board was no help.
For next week, there will be no poker. I'll be attending a 5 year old birthday party for Nikki at Build-A-Bear workshop at the Northridge mall. The following Friday will also be a no-go at my place as I'll be at Kendall and Tim's wedding in Mexico.
So our target is 3 weeks. Also, a reminder that tomorrow night is at the Mark Erik's Salon in Northridge at the corner of Devonshire and Reseda. There is a $25 buy in with multiple re-buys for the charity tournament. It should be fun. Christian is the only one who committed with me. Traci is a firm maybe. We'll see. Hopefully we can pull a few more from our group.
I'll send updates to the blog after tomorrow nights tournament, but for now, I'm going to bed $30 heavier in the wallet. Cheers - P
Monday, March 26, 2007
Bachelor Party Extravaganza
WOW! What a weekend. Tim, let me first start out by thanking you for getting married, and giving us permission to party. Not that we really needed the permission to do so, but an excuse is always helpful. It was a freaking blast. We stayed the night at a hotel in the Santa Ynez/Solvang area and stopped at AJ something-or-another for diner (excellent steaks and awesome boot pictures). Then went back to the hotel for some poker.
I was the first one out, when I flopped a set of aces with my A-7. I raised post flop to 20 when the flop came up A-8-A. Trevor re-raised me, prompting Andrew to fold. I re-raised all-in and Trevor called with A-8. That took me out. I tried watching Star Wars but I’d had too much beer and went in to go to sleep because we’d be up early the next morning. Rumor has it that Andrew ended up on top that night.
We had six players from our group enter the $20,000 No Limit Texas Hold ‘em tournament in Santa Ynez at the Chumash Casino. The entry fee was $125, and they limited the number of players to their maximum capacity of 154. They also ended up with 14 standby players that also got into the tournament after early exits, so the field was capped at 168.
The tournament registration began at 7AM sharp, with those that were playing at tables getting first dibs on entry. We got there a little after 6:15, and I decided to sit down at the 2-4 limit table to guarantee a spot. My first hand dealt me 9-8 Suited, and I made a full house, almost doubling my chip stack. The second hand was A-K suited, I made a nut flush with someone else holding trips. Another almost double up. These two hands alone almost paid for my tournament.
After registering, we all got Pancakes at Paula’s Pancake House in Solvang. If you ever go, get the Danish Pancakes. They are INSANE and OH so good. We headed back to the hotel to check out and shower and change. We played some poker for an hour or so as well. The tournament didn’t start until 10:15.
Each of us were sitting at different tables. Jordan was the first to exit about an hour into the tournament. His set of 8’s were out kicked. Tim and Andrew went out about the same time about a half hour later. Andrew had his aces cracked by someone hitting a straight. Tim got bounced calling an all-in bet that had him covered with K-Q suited. When the guy turned over A-10, trouble was his. The flop produced a 10, and the river a case Ace. That ended his tournament.
Brian did surprisingly well lasting until the field dropped to about 60 or so. Since we taught him how to play the night before, this may have been the performance of the day. O.K. it was really Trevor, but I’m really proud of this one too.
The field narrowed to 40 and the first break came at 1 PM. Trevor and I were still in it, and both of us had dwindling chip stacks. I heard that at one point Trevor tripled up, although I have no idea what he had. I doubled up when some one called my AK suited with A-9. That gave me 30K, which dwindled over time. With 21 left, I was left with about 12K and pushed all in with KQ of hearts, and was called by A-K off suit. That was the end for me. But it allowed me to get into the money where I finished in 21st place and received $200.
But the real story of the day was Trevor. With 16 people left, Trevor was dealt Aces, and called the big blind (5K). The big blind raised all in, and Trevor had him. That doubled him up to a healthy 40K chip stack. Right after that, two people were eliminated on the same hand narrowing the field to 14. 40 Minutes later, we were down to 12, and Trevor’s chip stack was dwindling. With 11 players left, and Trevor’s chip stack getting low, someone pushed all-in pre-flop, and Trevor called with A-J of clubs. When the guy turned over A-8 off suit, I thought we were in great shape. But alas, the flop produced an 8-blank-blank. The turn and river were no help, and Trevor was the last person out prior to the final table. He took home a $275 prize.
It was an amazing couple of days, with a lot of fun. Sorry to those that weren’t able to make it. There were a lot of laughs and an AWESOME hot tub (it must have been 120 degrees). Good times.
For this week, I keep hearing that we should play both on Friday and on Saturday. I’m cool with that. So we’ll plan on Friday night at my place as usual, and then Saturday is the Tournament at the Mark Erick’s Salon in Northridge.
My place is the usual $5 buy in, and Mark Erick’s Salon is $25 with multiple re-buys.
Thanks again to all the boys that rolled up in our little miss sunshine van, Tim, Trevor, Brian, Andrew. It was an awesome trip. And to Jordan who had a late night at work on Saturday and still managed to make the trip up. My sincere thanks. It was the most fun that I’ve had in a weekend in a while.
I was the first one out, when I flopped a set of aces with my A-7. I raised post flop to 20 when the flop came up A-8-A. Trevor re-raised me, prompting Andrew to fold. I re-raised all-in and Trevor called with A-8. That took me out. I tried watching Star Wars but I’d had too much beer and went in to go to sleep because we’d be up early the next morning. Rumor has it that Andrew ended up on top that night.
We had six players from our group enter the $20,000 No Limit Texas Hold ‘em tournament in Santa Ynez at the Chumash Casino. The entry fee was $125, and they limited the number of players to their maximum capacity of 154. They also ended up with 14 standby players that also got into the tournament after early exits, so the field was capped at 168.
The tournament registration began at 7AM sharp, with those that were playing at tables getting first dibs on entry. We got there a little after 6:15, and I decided to sit down at the 2-4 limit table to guarantee a spot. My first hand dealt me 9-8 Suited, and I made a full house, almost doubling my chip stack. The second hand was A-K suited, I made a nut flush with someone else holding trips. Another almost double up. These two hands alone almost paid for my tournament.
After registering, we all got Pancakes at Paula’s Pancake House in Solvang. If you ever go, get the Danish Pancakes. They are INSANE and OH so good. We headed back to the hotel to check out and shower and change. We played some poker for an hour or so as well. The tournament didn’t start until 10:15.
Each of us were sitting at different tables. Jordan was the first to exit about an hour into the tournament. His set of 8’s were out kicked. Tim and Andrew went out about the same time about a half hour later. Andrew had his aces cracked by someone hitting a straight. Tim got bounced calling an all-in bet that had him covered with K-Q suited. When the guy turned over A-10, trouble was his. The flop produced a 10, and the river a case Ace. That ended his tournament.
Brian did surprisingly well lasting until the field dropped to about 60 or so. Since we taught him how to play the night before, this may have been the performance of the day. O.K. it was really Trevor, but I’m really proud of this one too.
The field narrowed to 40 and the first break came at 1 PM. Trevor and I were still in it, and both of us had dwindling chip stacks. I heard that at one point Trevor tripled up, although I have no idea what he had. I doubled up when some one called my AK suited with A-9. That gave me 30K, which dwindled over time. With 21 left, I was left with about 12K and pushed all in with KQ of hearts, and was called by A-K off suit. That was the end for me. But it allowed me to get into the money where I finished in 21st place and received $200.
But the real story of the day was Trevor. With 16 people left, Trevor was dealt Aces, and called the big blind (5K). The big blind raised all in, and Trevor had him. That doubled him up to a healthy 40K chip stack. Right after that, two people were eliminated on the same hand narrowing the field to 14. 40 Minutes later, we were down to 12, and Trevor’s chip stack was dwindling. With 11 players left, and Trevor’s chip stack getting low, someone pushed all-in pre-flop, and Trevor called with A-J of clubs. When the guy turned over A-8 off suit, I thought we were in great shape. But alas, the flop produced an 8-blank-blank. The turn and river were no help, and Trevor was the last person out prior to the final table. He took home a $275 prize.
It was an amazing couple of days, with a lot of fun. Sorry to those that weren’t able to make it. There were a lot of laughs and an AWESOME hot tub (it must have been 120 degrees). Good times.
For this week, I keep hearing that we should play both on Friday and on Saturday. I’m cool with that. So we’ll plan on Friday night at my place as usual, and then Saturday is the Tournament at the Mark Erick’s Salon in Northridge.
My place is the usual $5 buy in, and Mark Erick’s Salon is $25 with multiple re-buys.
Thanks again to all the boys that rolled up in our little miss sunshine van, Tim, Trevor, Brian, Andrew. It was an awesome trip. And to Jordan who had a late night at work on Saturday and still managed to make the trip up. My sincere thanks. It was the most fun that I’ve had in a weekend in a while.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
This Friday
Is a no-go. We will be taking full advantage of the fact that Tim is getting married, and using this for a single-guys party, otherwise known as a bachelor party. As a result, no poker this Friday.
For next Friday, I'm thinking that we may fore-go pablosplace in favor of the Tournament at the Mark Erik's Salon in Northridge. I talked to Shannon today, and she still didn't have all of the details. Right now, what I know is that it is a $25 buy-in, and that the tournament is for charity. So most likely, there will be re-buys, and ad-ons at some point as the idea is to raise cash for the charity. But its a good cause. I'll post more as I know more, but this may be the alternative to Friday Night Poker next week.
For next Friday, I'm thinking that we may fore-go pablosplace in favor of the Tournament at the Mark Erik's Salon in Northridge. I talked to Shannon today, and she still didn't have all of the details. Right now, what I know is that it is a $25 buy-in, and that the tournament is for charity. So most likely, there will be re-buys, and ad-ons at some point as the idea is to raise cash for the charity. But its a good cause. I'll post more as I know more, but this may be the alternative to Friday Night Poker next week.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Friday Results
Tim goes from a no-go, to a "I'll be there late," to a winner of 2 out of 3 games. We were 5 handed to start tonight. Jordan was first to bounce, as Tim caught a lucky ten on the river to get trips after Jordan had pushed all in with queens. The extra chips made him the favorite. Traci knocked me out, and then Andrew lasted for some time after that.
In game two, Tim dominated again and took home another $15 pot.
In the third game, Andrew finally caught cards and took home enough to break even for the night.
Also, for those that missed tonight, you missed a Girl Scout Cookie opporunity.
Remember, next week is off as I'll be headed up to San Francisco, but if you're interested Tim's got a game going on Friday's at the Bicycle Casino (I think that it's in Commerce) at noon. Something like a $40 buy in. I don't know much else, but it's an option to Friday Night.
On the 23rd, we're also not playing because of Tim's Weekend Extravaganza. He doesn't know all the details yet, so we'll continue to keep him in the dark a little. (THE ZOO BABY!!!!!!!)
And finally, the 30th is looking like the $25 tournament at the Mark Erick Salon in Northridge. More details to follow as I get them (Come on Shannon - give a guy a heads up). That's it for this week.
In game two, Tim dominated again and took home another $15 pot.
In the third game, Andrew finally caught cards and took home enough to break even for the night.
Also, for those that missed tonight, you missed a Girl Scout Cookie opporunity.
Remember, next week is off as I'll be headed up to San Francisco, but if you're interested Tim's got a game going on Friday's at the Bicycle Casino (I think that it's in Commerce) at noon. Something like a $40 buy in. I don't know much else, but it's an option to Friday Night.
On the 23rd, we're also not playing because of Tim's Weekend Extravaganza. He doesn't know all the details yet, so we'll continue to keep him in the dark a little. (THE ZOO BABY!!!!!!!)
And finally, the 30th is looking like the $25 tournament at the Mark Erick Salon in Northridge. More details to follow as I get them (Come on Shannon - give a guy a heads up). That's it for this week.
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