tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85304202014-10-03T03:25:55.500-04:00Res Ipsa PokerA weak/tight blog mostly about poker.
If you're going to play online, remember to play it safe -- Always wear your tinfoil hat!on_thgnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530420.post-10378627655307021262014-02-17T19:53:00.002-05:002014-02-17T19:53:45.153-05:00Endless PatienceStill waiting on that Full Tilt money. It's been what, almost 3 years? Yeah.<br /><br />***<br /><br />RIP The Fat Guy. Scott was one heck of a nice guy. <br /><br />***<br /><br />That might do it for poker content in 2014 since I don't live in New Jersey or Nevada.on_thgnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530420.post-72112435252296097522013-09-15T10:10:00.000-04:002013-09-15T10:10:14.017-04:00Full Tilt Claims Process Kicks Off TomorrowSupposedly the Full Tilt claims process kicks off tomorrow. Emails are supposedly going to be sent out to all former U.S. Full Tilt players. If I remember correctly, there is a 2 month window to get the appropriate claim filed. Judging solely based on the quality of posting in the 2+2 forums regarding Full Tilt money, about 93% of claims will be FUBAR, which will drag the process out. <br /><br />So, if all the planets align, just maybe there will be some Full Tilt money before the new year. Maybe. on_thgnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530420.post-90110913998707345912013-06-09T10:27:00.003-04:002013-06-09T10:27:27.494-04:00[x] Posted<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not giving up this space, even though poker remains dead to me.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have the opportunity to play in a tournament today - charity poker - with some friends but can't do it. Too much real life crap. Mostly worth noting because it was the first time I've thought about playing in about three months.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Still no Full Tilt money. Not surprising. Not even depressing at this point. If it is ever returned it will be a windfall - no longer do I have any expectation of getting a nickel.</span></div>on_thgnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530420.post-19296255453520213602013-01-02T09:05:00.004-05:002013-01-02T09:06:19.865-05:00Happy New Year, Same As The Old Year<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wrapped up 2012 by playing another session of live charity poker. Surprisingly there weren't many people and we ended up playing shorthanded. I played miserably but had one big hand that got me back above even. I decided to play my last hand with a suited ace UTG for $7 in about a six way pot, completely whiffed and ended up with a $6 loss for the night. A small price to pay for good entertainment. I saw more veterans of the old location where I played several years ago, still grinding.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2013 looks to be more of the same. I see no reason to be optimistic about legalization of online poker - which is just dumb considering the federal government's insatiable thirst for revenue - particularly since I live in a state which has made no noise about allowing state-regulated games. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I will probably play live a couple of times. I plan to read a lot less of the 2+2 forums. If I get really bored I might doodle a cartoon. Poker in 2013 looks a lot like it will be a repeat of 2012.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Good luck to those who are still grinding.</span></div>on_thgnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530420.post-67953160867515476412012-12-30T08:59:00.000-05:002012-12-30T08:59:09.565-05:00[x] Played Poker In 2012<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I could look back through the archives - hey, for this year that wouldn't take more than about three minutes - but I'm pretty sure I played my only live poker of 2012 so far last night.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are 3 charity poker rooms of which I am aware within 45 minutes. There may be more than that - for one, there was a robbery of a local event held at a bowling alley recently and I don't know if they run events regularly - but I'm sure of 3 that are open pretty much all the time.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I stopped in at the closer one first. One cash game going at 5:00 on a Saturday, no open seat but I could be first on the list. I didn't care much for the look of the lineup - too serious - so I ran a couple errands and ended up not going back.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Instead, I stopped in to check out another room and I was glad that I did. Two tables going and they drew about 30 players for a tournament. More diverse than the other room (LOL WHITE PPL) and much more fun. I even recognized a couple of players from the place I used to play several years back.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Play was awful as usual and highly entertaining. One poor guy got stacked by a drunk who hit with K3o. I dropped a buyin early when I raised T9s on the button, got multiple calls, flopped two of my suit (the A and the Q), turned the flush ... and got stacked by a guy playing J5s out of position. Nice hand, sir. REBUY.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not many notable hands on the rebuy. I was a little sad to have to let QQ go after a KQT flop, 9 turn, but it was a easy fold after it got potted and called on the turn before my turn to act. J6o and J8o split the pot. Got almost back to even after getting all-in action on a board of AAQ when I held AQo. (Can you say YAHTZEE?). Racked up and left after about four hours, down $9.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had really forgotten just how much fun a good table of live poker can be. I don't really have a bankroll or the skill to play live profitably so this probably won't become a regular occurrence, but for one night it was fun to pretend again that I don't suck at poker.</span></div>on_thgnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530420.post-86547140215325344452012-12-12T10:16:00.000-05:002012-12-12T10:17:10.292-05:00Confirmed Not Dead<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">... at least not yet.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Neither I, nor this blog, nor the world of poker blogging are deceased. None may be as robust as they once were, but all are still kicking.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I renewed my domain yesterday, which was a trigger to post.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I posted, which led me to spend some time wandering through my archives.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Reading the archives was a trigger to see who else out there was still blogging.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Results were surprising. An hour went by in the blink of an eye as I wandered the blogosphere, which in a metaphorical stretch resembles a rust belt city in decline - pockets of normality, even elegance, with widespread declines in activity and plenty of now-vacated spaces. There are even criminal gangs in the form of domain squatters and comment spammers.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Poker blogs are Detroit.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As a general rule, I don't read poker blogs any more. Bloglines shutting down made it more difficult to stay on top of what was news and I just never cared for Google's version of a RSS feed reader. I follow poker people on twitter and if I want to see what's news I read 2+2 or follow a twittered link. Since I don't play poker anymore I spend less time on and have less interest in poker-related subjects.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wandering my way through the blogs yesterday it occurred to me: I miss the poker some. I miss the people writing about poker more. There was a lot of good stuff out there.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wonder what the next poker will be.</span> </div>on_thgnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530420.post-39489959039062454432012-12-11T16:17:00.000-05:002012-12-12T10:18:03.680-05:00Everything Forgone<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just checking to see if this thing still exists. It does? Great.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's been months since I've played any poker. I haven't been able to make the pilgrimage to Las Vegas. My preferred charity poker room shut down quite a while ago. I don't really care enough to run the risks involved in playing on any of the U.S.-facing poker sites. Lobbying and legislative efforts have gone nowhere. I haven't even been to a home game in forever. No wonder this blog is dead. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maybe I'll play poker in 2013. Or maybe I'll just find a new hobby. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>***</strong> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I read somewhere that the DOJ payment process for U.S. players continues to inch forward, with (iirc) an adminstrator to be named after the first of the year. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hmm. I wonder how many of the people that had money on FTP are going to have their payout intercepted because they owe back taxes, defaulted on student loans, are subject to child support garnishment or anything else like that. Federal payments are exempt from a lot of things, but the government itself is very good on collecting its due. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Could be that a number of folks are going to be very dissapointed if payouts ever happen. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>***</strong> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">LOL POKER BLOGS. That is all.</span></div>on_thgnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530420.post-16477949162863090172012-07-31T12:34:00.001-04:002012-12-12T10:19:33.628-05:00Congratulations To The Rest Of The World!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The deal between the U.S. DOJ, PokerStars and Full Tilt has been finalized and the press releases issued. Rest of the world players will have their funds within 90 days, U.S. players will have to apply to the DOJ. Yeah, that's going to go well. I can't be the only one with exactly zero confidence that checks will be cut by our government any time soon. I don't have any of the associated worries - I've paid my taxes on any winnings for one - but I think end of the year might be optimistic. It sure would have been nice if the DOJ had let Stars handle it, they did such an exceptional job in repaying their own players in short order. Now if only Congress would get some legislation passed...</span></div>on_thgnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530420.post-35855863478625637882012-02-23T23:00:00.004-05:002012-02-23T23:04:22.960-05:00Notes: November Nine No More & More<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Almost as soon as Pius Heinz won the 2011 World Series of Poker speculation began as to what was next for the world's greatest poker tournament. In late January via twitter details on the 2012 Series were released ... including the bombshell announcement that the delay of the final table to November (the so-called "November Nine") would not return. With the continuing advances in poker broadcasting including nearly live streaming with commentary offered the past couple of years the writing was on the wall for the demise of the November Nine, a gimmick that kinda worked or just plain stunk depending on your point of view.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Picking the right online poker site</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">For poker players for whom the World Series of Poker may only be a dream, internet poker is alive and well in many jurisdictions. If you know the game, you might be asking "where do I play?" For the latest information on the best places to play you will want to consult a site that's constantly looking at and <a href="http://www.cardschat.com/poker-site-reviews.php"><b><u>reviewing top online poker rooms</b></u>.</a> With the universe of poker companies constantly changing and the huge variety of different incentives available information really does equal money for the smart internet player.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Stand alone poker operations or integrated online gaming destinations?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">When Party Poker exited the U.S. market in 2006, it was assumed by many that they did so entirely because of U.S. government pressure. In fact, there were likely other elements that factored into the decision, including Party Gaming's status as a publicly traded company and of course the wildly popular Party Casino internet gambling sites.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars continued to operate in the United States because they did not have attached casino sites like Party and many other operators and networks that rapidly exited the U.S. market. Now, of course, Full Tilt is defunct and Stars has also exited. PokerStars is still a robust entity and isn't going anywhere - it just isn't serving American players. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">In other parts of the world, both poker-only sites and fully integrated gaming companies seem to be flourishing. <b><u><a href="http://www.pokersites.com/">The top online poker casinos</a></b></u> continue to offer not only poker but many also casino games including roulette, blackjack and slots to players. There are profits to be made - not only by the companies but also by smart (or lucky) players who know about the many bonuses offered.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Fewer options for U.S. players</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Everleaf Gaming became the latest internet poker option shut off to players in the United States. Everleaf exited the market abruptly earlier this month, also cutting off French players at the same time. The network has released a statement saying that a key payment processor had been shut down by U.S. government authorities and, in essence, they didn't have much choice. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Legal notice </i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Neither this blog nor the author are providing any advice as to whether internet poker or other online gaming is legal in any particular jurisdiction. It is entirely the reader's responsibility to make that determination in their own location before engaging in any online gaming activity.</span></div>on_thgnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530420.post-17132964581486826032012-02-03T11:43:00.000-05:002012-02-03T11:43:54.879-05:00Sand Dribbling Through the Hourglass<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The pages on the calendar continue to turn and there still has been no announcement of Full Tilt Poker funds being restored to players. The longer this drags on, of course the less likely it is that anything will happen. It's already been too long -- we're rapidly coming up on a year since Black Friday.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've had a desire lately to go play some poker. Since I can't play online, that means going to one of the rooms that offers charitable gaming. Doing so isn't that much of an inconvenience, there are at least two or three rooms within an hour's drive. I just haven't bothered. Part of it is lack of bankroll, but mostly it's just been apathy. I will go one of these days.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Since I can't play poker at home I've been doing more reading. I'll spare you the tinfoil hat stuff that doing so has spawned. Let's leave it at this: We're doomed.</span></div>on_thgnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530420.post-65127191361007880612011-11-26T10:59:00.001-05:002013-09-15T10:11:13.442-04:00Why Young Players Are Dominating the World Series of Poker<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>This is a sponsored post. LOL me.</i> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Two weeks ago, 22-year old Pius Heinz won the 2011 World Series of Poker Main Event. He became the most recent 20-something champion to take down the prestigious title. With the recent string of "barely legal" Main Event champs, one has to wonder if anyone over the age of 25 will ever win the title again. Also, why are the younger players dominating so frequently? Here are a couple of things to consider.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Younger Players Dedicate Their Lives to the Game</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Frequently you read stories </span><span style="font-size: large;">on online news sites talking about young players coming up and playing 60+ hours a week on a regular basis and having poker consume nearly every waking moment.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Younger players have the ability to allow poker to dominate their life in this fashion more so than players in their late 20's, 30's, and beyond. After 25, more and more people are establishing families, careers, and have other interests outside of poker. For players to become and stay truly great, they have to let poker dominate their lives. Younger players are able to get away with this more often than older players.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Younger Players Accustomed to "Modern Era"</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Players just now becoming of legal age pretty much only know poker as it is currently played. They may have the knowledge about how poker play used to be, but those modes of playing are not ingrained into their brain like they are in older players. Many older players have trouble adjusting to the ever-changing styles of today's younger players. Younger players adapt to the changes because they are always changing their style. Adapt or die sounds cliche here, but it is appropriate.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Better Concentration, Stamina, and Better Nerve</i>s</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The other reason is the typical advantage that younger players have over older players. They are stronger, able to last longer during long days, and the ups and downs of the day to day life of being a poker player are tolerated better. Even players like Phil Galfond have admitted they don't have the same nerve they used to when they first were coming up in the game. This allows many players to play without fear and makes them forces at the table.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you look at any</span><span style="font-size: large;"> poker site and their pros, you will notice that the majority of them are becoming younger and younger. The face of poker's elite is becoming younger, much like the game. While players of all ages will continue to play, and play well, the young will continue to dominate large events like the WSOP Main Event for a long time to come.</span></div>on_thgnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530420.post-47981878583811835942011-11-26T10:55:00.000-05:002011-11-26T10:55:54.476-05:00Happy Thanksgiving<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is the time of the year where I would ordinarily be thinking about poker. With the holidays, it's a slower time at work. In years past I would be looking forward to the WPBT gathering in Las Vegas. There would be year end bonuses to chase. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Instead it's turkey and football, which isn't a bad thing. I even found a few extra dollars that I'd forgotten about that I could use to make a low budget return to the local card room if the fancy strikes.</span></div>on_thgnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530420.post-88626404053532440302011-10-13T14:19:00.000-04:002011-10-13T14:19:10.271-04:00Many Unhappy Returns<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today is the 5th anniversary of the UIGEA, the first body blow delivered to what is now the corpse of online poker in the United States.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Senator Kyl, Mr. Frist and all the result of the boys: You still suck.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">(h/t <a href="http://www.billrini.com/">Bill Rini</a>)</span></div>on_thgnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530420.post-8583786019886085872011-09-27T17:06:00.000-04:002011-09-27T17:06:51.769-04:00This Post Needs More MS Paint<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">As the endless wait continues for our "friends" in Washington to decide that online poker isn't the devil and that society won't collapse if people like to toss around a few electronic cards and win or lose a few dollars, I really have nothing new or interesting to say. It just happens to be ten minutes to five on a rainy Tuesday afternoon and I'm thoroughly fed up with everything I've been doing, so why not blog.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lately I've been debating what the wins and losses would be if I simply abandoned the internet. I don't feel like I spend outrageous amounts of time on twitter, Facebook and other social media sites but I do check them pretty often. I waste quite a bit of time reading the 2+2 Forums - not so much for the poker strategy but because trolling the idiots who post there is pretty amusing. There are a few other sites that I read. All in all the internet consumes a pretty decent chunk of my week.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Back in the day (a hackneyed phrase that I love nonetheless) the internet was a source of profit. Now, since there isn't any income coming in it's a liability. Not a major one - I wouldn't save much money if I canceled my domains and my ISP - but an expense nonetheless.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">If I abandoned the internet I would certainly be less informed. I rely on the net for news as well as entertainment and that news includes both "hard" news and Facebook updates about what everybody's kids are up to these days. I'm not sure it matters.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I would miss interacting with my invisible internet pals, but I'm not sure how much of a hit that would be. I enjoy y'all but it's not like we talk daily. Other than a couple folks with local ties I'll probably not see many of the WPBT folks ever again (Las Vegas is not happening in the foreseeable future).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">It would not be difficult to fill any time saved. There is always something. When I canceled my cable subscription the internet filled the time. If I surfed less I would probably read more. There is always something.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don't make rash decisions - hell, it seems like I hardly make any decisions. I haven't thought this one all the way through. But that's what I'm thinking about today. Honestly, I miss online poker.</span></div>on_thgnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530420.post-45485897934158458332011-09-22T12:15:00.000-04:002011-09-22T12:15:18.886-04:00No, Full Tilt Wasn't a Ponzi Scheme ... Not That It Matters<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The big news of the week obviously is the branding of Full Tilt Poker as a "Ponzi scheme" by the Department of Justice. The "big lie" technique once again proved effective, landing Full Tilt coverage a leading spot in major news outlets including the New York Times and Wall Street Journal.</span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">So <b>was</b> Full Tilt a Ponzi scheme? I would say no, not in the classic sense of the term. Not even close.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">A Ponzi scheme at heart is a simple investment swindle. A con man takes in money, promising an abnormally high rate of return. Old investors are paid using money taken in from new investors, with the crook pocketing as much as he can skim. There is rarely any operating business or actual investment involved, at least beyond whatever facade is necessary to perpetuate the scam.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Full Tilt, on the other hand, was a legitimate, operational, almost certainly profitable business - and it remained so almost up to the end. Distributions would have been made out of actual revenues. It is entirely possible that the distributions may have been excessive, but that fact in isolation is neither criminal nor indicative of a Ponzi scheme. The DOJ conveniently doesn't tell us much about when distributions were made.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the end game, the rules changed and Full Tilt was not receiving money from new "investors" - to the contrary, it was crediting accounts but not receiving the cash. Cannibalization of existing assets followed and you get to today. It's media-friendly to call it a Ponzi scheme but that's it, it's not the truth. The truth is far more complex.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">That said, it doesn't matter. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">At this point, Full Tilt as a viable entity is almost dead. For U.S. customers it is absolutely dead. It is possible that some offshore investor might find value in the name and non-U.S. customer base, but it's far more likely in my opinion that the company will end up in liquidation and those assets will be sold piecemeal.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I also think that U.S. customers are going to find it particularly difficult to recover any money even in the case of a last-minute white knight because of the payment processor problem. How do you fairly compensate player X who "deposited", was never charged any money, and ended up with a balance on the site? Do you just deduct what was never received? If so, how is that fair to player Y who had actual money at risk and lost? It's going to be a mess.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, in conclusion, RIP Full Tilt, RIP bankrolls, gg online poker.</span></div>on_thgnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530420.post-73262986185758231462011-08-31T10:41:00.000-04:002011-08-31T10:41:02.691-04:00A Slightly Lifted Veil Still Offers No Clear View<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">So Full Tilt Poker put out a statement yesterday. Great. Nice to see them provide some facts - things like how much money was tied up with the DOJ and a large theft by a payment processor. There have been some people kicking the tires on the investment front but nobody has bought in. Still not licensed to operate.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">In other words, nothing has changed.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The longer this process drags on the less value the Full Tilt name and player base have. The software will continue to have some value for a while and the Rush Poker patent is worth something, but at some point it will become silly to expect an investor to inject enough cash to cover the balances owed to players.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">While I don't think that anyone is comforted by the statement it is a positive that it was released. There has been an awful lot of frustration vented over the lack of communication. Hopefully in any future lockup agreements FTP can retain the right to provide regular updates.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">On the legislative side of things I haven't been paying much attention. I hold little optimism that our 'elected' officials and their unelected bureaucratic minions will ever allow internet poker on reasonable terms.</span></div>on_thgnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530420.post-65671068316015277092011-07-25T09:42:00.000-04:002011-07-25T09:42:07.169-04:00The More Things Change<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another World Series of Poker has come and gone (except for the November Nine of course). Bracelets were won, hearts were broken, donkey blood was spilled* and billions of people around the globe paid no attention at all.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">It might have been apropos for the WSOP people to borrow the catchphrase of golf's PGA tournament for this year's event. "Glory's Last Shot" might just be the best possible description of the 2011 series. More than 6,000 would be heros took their shot, and without widely available internet poker feeding the beast you would expect that number to decline in future years.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was great to see (almost) live streaming added to the menu. Caesar's Entertainment or whatever they are called now does appear to be working to keep the series accessible, relevant and the biggest deal in poker. The question is whether they can succeed.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">***</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think I have enough for a handful of happy meals on one of the sites but I just haven't felt like playing, so I haven't. I did get approached for a new ad, but that appears to have fizzled due to a strange circumstance (or cold feet). Poker is on the back burner personally.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">***</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I believe the Full Tilt Poker hearing with the Alderney gaming people is tomorrow. Accordingly, there is a good chance that some news breaks this week. I continue to want to believe, but hope continues to diminish. There is quite a bit of value in the FTP software, euro player base and the Rush Poker patent but the longer the site remains offline the less it's worth.</span></div>on_thgnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530420.post-393509466428849562011-06-03T09:57:00.002-04:002011-07-25T09:32:12.189-04:00Rise Poker<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Amidst the turmoil of the post-Black Friday landscape a new site launched this week: RISE Poker.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rise Poker is a joint venture between some heavy hitters and promises the U.S. player a 100% legal experience. Why? Well, Rise is a little different. You can play for free and work your way toward various prizes. You can pay a monthly subscription fee and get more features and more events. You can win real money. The site is ad-supported, so unless you subscribe you're getting ads.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The folks at Rise were kind enough to invite me and several hundred others to play a launch freeroll, with the top 10 players splitting $1,000 in prize money. I had a decent run but finished cashless in 23rd after QQ < AQo with the dreaded ace on the river.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm not going to do a full review - seriously, it doesn't cost you anything so if you're jonesing and want to see if it's worth your time go check it out - but I do have a couple comments. First of all, the concept is pretty good. Frankly this is what ESPN Poker or Facebook poker should have looked like all along. Sell some ads, draw in the recreational player, pay out some prizes.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">On the flip side, if you're a serious internet player the software will give you hives. It's horrible. Slow and annoying in almost every way possible. Hated it. Also not a big fan of how the ads are integrated into the windows, but I did get used to that after a while. Unfortunately some of the earliest advertisers are dreck like lowermybills and penny auction sites. And have I mentioned that the software sucks?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don't think it's likely that I'll become a devoted RISE Poker player. I prefer cash games to tournaments. I'm spoiled by what Stars and FTP have provided software wise. I'd rather play rush poker. Still -- you never know.</span></div>on_thgnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530420.post-18625539708466319482011-05-18T12:49:00.000-04:002011-05-18T12:49:43.346-04:00I Want To Believe<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've wasted way too much time lately reading the 2+2 message boards. The ongoing freakout in the Internet Poker section is particularly gripping.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">CK (blog no mas) waded in this week to try and educate the idiots as to what is really happening. I'm not sure it's working but that's no fault of hers. The average poster does not appear to be capable of saying anything more sophisticated than "Me Want My Money Now Ugh".</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm really puzzled as to why people cannot seem to grasp a simple concept: Just because Stars shut down at the same time and has already paid out does NOT mean that Full Tilt is in the exact same situation.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stars may have had a better disaster plan.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The sites may have been subject to different oversight and rules in their home jurisdiction</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">FTP may not have segregated player funds</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The sites may have had different accounting that made it more/less difficult to track player funds in third party accounts</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The legal issues may not be exactly the same in dealing with the DOJ (duh) </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Etc, etc, etc. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Why is this so hard to understand?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Of course the delay in paying out to U.S. customers is bringing out the tinfoil hat crowd. Add them to the growing number of FUgimmemymoney haters and the boards are melting down. Full Tilt PR isn't helping any by being evasive but still, it's ridiculous. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I would like to receive my funds and at this point I still think I will. It may take a couple months - remember Neteller? That took a while - but I think that FTP will make good. They have to if they are going to continue as a viable business elsewhere.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I still believe and am waiting patiently for what will probably end up being a new dishwasher or something.</span></div>on_thgnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530420.post-81952377816507537342011-05-14T22:57:00.000-04:002011-05-14T22:57:23.932-04:00LOL'd, Probably Due to Rust<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Playing a lil' PLO on the dog.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The whole world is limping, so I join the party from the button with JJ77 single suited.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Flop is J73 rainbow. Two shoppers.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Turn is the case 3. Still two in.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">River is the case J.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Too bad for the poor guy holding 33xx. Oh, and LOL at the guy who thought AAxx might be good on that board. </span></div>on_thgnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530420.post-73249036547455763372011-05-06T10:36:00.000-04:002011-05-06T10:36:59.468-04:00Paid In Part<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">My Stars withdrawal came through without a hitch, credited to my bank account in two days, cleared in three. If only it were always so easy. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Still waiting on Full Tilt to announce what they're going to do. Fairly or not FTP is being pilloried on a regular basis on the message boards. I have no idea what's different about their dealings with the DOJ but I have to assume that there is a difference - while FTP could be more forthcoming I still don't think that they're crooked. There has to be a reason for the delay.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">On a completely unrelated subject, I think that being FTP's customer support czar would be a fascinating job. I admit to being very curious as to whether (and if so how much) support could be improved without breaking the bank. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Also, I would be very curious to see what some U.S. resident (former) FTP players would take for their balances if I paid them in cash today. I get the impression that there are people out there who are so pessimistic that they might take ten cents on the dollar. I would definitely be on the offer side, since I (obviously) think that deposits will be repaid in full. If there were a way to facilitate this it would make for a fascinating gambling market.</span></div>on_thgnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530420.post-25872289851518014032011-04-30T17:26:00.000-04:002011-04-30T17:26:39.825-04:00Waiting For Cassius<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">According to the message boards, Pokerstars has started processing cashouts for U.S. players. I put in my request yesterday and will update when received. Most people are choosing direct bank transfer and it seems to be taking 2-3 days. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Full Tilt hasn't said anything yet but has said they'll be making an announcement next week. Let's hope they get their act together sufficiently to start doing the same thing. Tilt is - unfairly imo - being pretty well roasted on the message boards for the delay. We'll see if they can deliver.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">In other news, the Bodog client still sucks.</span></div>on_thgnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530420.post-35625805083734716922011-04-22T16:09:00.000-04:002011-04-22T16:09:48.265-04:00Making The Best Of It<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's now been a week since the U.S. government effectively pulled the plug on Full Tilt and PokerStars.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Has it been any different? I would say yes. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">As regular readers (lol) of the blog know, my level of play tailed off significantly after the passage of the UIGEA. It simply wasn't worth the hassle to figure out how to move money to bonus whore, the offers were fewer and far between and the games got somewhat tougher.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Over the last year my play has varied wildly. I played a lot early in 2010 when I finished a hot streak that saw my bankroll more than triple - followed by a downswing that wiped out all those wins and a bit more. I took a few months off and started playing a bit more in the fall. Most recently I had completed the Full Tilt "Take 2" promotion - playing 9 days in a row - right before the shutdown. I was even up about four buyins over that stretch.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">During the past week I haven't played any poker at all. Having kept track, there were two days where I would have played, including a couple hour stretch last night. I would have played Rush Poker on Full Tilt, which is very much my game of choice despite the largely unfavorable opposition.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Instead, I did nothing. I watched a repeat of 'Wipeout' on ABC (which was dumb), reread a chapter in a book I've read many times before and was generally bored. I've wasted a tremendous amount of time reading the message boards over the last week - I'm amused by the stupid - but was pretty well caught up on that. I was definitely conscious of the fact that I would have rather been online playing for cheeseburgers.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I felt little more than a mild annoyance that I wasn't able to play poker, but I certainly feel for those for whom poker is a way of earning a living. Having your world turned upside down isn't much fun.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm not going to analyze what's happening. There are plenty of people doing that and well. I don't know what's going to happen. I can't see the future. I do think that U.S. player deposits will be refunded - I have a lot of confidence in Stars and Tilt, they to my mind have always treated players well and fairly. I think both sites will continue operations more or less as is, just without a chunk of their player base. More money and more prestige will attach to overseas tournaments - via sponsorships and by some U.S. pros heading offshore. Poker will continue, just without a lot of people who have lost convenient access.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I do hope this gets resolved in a way that fully restores the ability of U.S. players to play internet poker. I can't say that I have any confidence in our elected officials to do the right thing, but the hope is always there. Until something happens, I will be trying to make the best of it ... and spending more time on the golf course.</span></div>on_thgnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530420.post-16923894651964699172011-04-16T01:48:00.000-04:002011-04-16T01:48:07.995-04:00Bring On Don McLean<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">It may well end up that April 15 was the day that the Department of Justice finished the job that Senator Jon Kyl and his merry men kicked off back in 2006: The killing of online poker in the United States.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">There will be a million words written about this subject over the weekend and most of them will be better and more informed than mine. Go read them.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am a little surprised that Full Tilt and Stars are suspending service to U.S. customers. I would have thought that they would continue to hold to their position that poker is not unlawful gaming, ultimately having a day in court on that issue. Perhaps they have decided that there is no point in serving a market where the customers cannot cash out - or perhaps like many others they've simply caved in response to threats of prison.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's a sad indictment of our increasingly broken political system that a small number of people - most of whom are bureaucrats, not elected officials - can exert such power by making what feels like an end run around the law. You think internet poker is gambling? Fine, go get legislation that says that.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I would go hunt up message board posts from people who encouraged votes for this administration but it's not worth the bother. Both parties are corrupt as hell and give little more than lip service to personal liberty. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's late. I'm not drunk although I kind of wish that I was. Bye.</span></div>on_thgnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530420.post-72551110576605046872011-04-09T20:44:00.000-04:002011-04-09T20:44:19.498-04:00Spring Fever<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I has it.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nothing much going on in my poker world. I got a nice bonus offer from Full Tilt but haven't even worked off the first twenty bucks. I'm hoping to do that before it expires this week.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Full Tilt is also running their Take 2 promotion. Play 2 tables or Rush Poker and earn at least 5 points a day and you get cash. Check the site for details. It's not a ton of money ($25 max) but it's easy pickings.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I did a little searching on Stars and I think that SCOOP is still a month away. Looking forward to donking it up tournament style.</span></div>on_thgnoreply@blogger.com1