Sick

Well after a week of intense partying it seems things caught up with me. I got sick yesterday and couldn't go to work. It started out on Monday which really sucked because I was planning on heading down to Serv with Erik but I couldnt make it.

Am pretty much booked this week as well although I really want to play the ACF5K. Its been awhile since I played any real poker and I am so itching to get my hands on some cards. I played a small tournament at elbow last Thursday which I placed 3rd but I wouldnt count that as a tournament as you wont believe the donkish plays some of the fish did.

I have finally met Mnlgrind, blondie Nutsboy, Suited Pairs and Maverick (who needs to teach me all those nifty coin tricks) I have also received emails on the contacts of Erik, Ariel, 11finger, jpt, jaz and others. Drop by at GameFrog on the weekends and send me a text message as I am usually there on the weekends. I will either try to go to servi on Friday or the ACF5K on Sat just to quench my poker thirst.

Last thing I wanted to mention was I just found out that our firewall in the office blocks blogs meaning I can't post as much as I want to. I had to post this at home on a freaking dial-up connection. I didnt realize internet connection could be THIS slow lol.

Back On Terra Firma

Well am back and after 2 nights of intense drinking am ready to play some poker. Actually I've been looking for a freaking game for the last 2 days but I'm too lazy to go to ACF. The 41o game didnt push through and I was too jetlagged to play in ACF on Monday.

Well I hope to at least get to meet the people in person so 11fing, mark, nuts, mav, nickg, erick etc.... stop sleeping and come see me before my money for booze runs out LOL.

Cya peeps. Please send me your contact numbers at team_ertai@yahoo.com

Thanks all.

Coming Home!

Well it has truly been a great experience. Being in the US for the last 3 months have taught me a lot of things. It's great meeting new people and doing new things. Hotel service has its perks but loses its luster fast. Online poker can indeed be pwned and money earned on a regular basis.

But the most important thing I learned: there's no place like home.

Coming home this weekend and looking to catch up on all that I missed out. I won't be updating the blog as often as I used to due to the fact that the poker games won't probably come as often. However, it should be a blast to finally get to play live games and tournaments. I am hoping to get some bracelets and final tables under my belt. Lots of things to be excited about!

There is also the blogger tourney in the works and the major booze fest the week I am back. Please send me your contact numbers in email at team_ertai@yahoo.com so I can contact some of you.

Thanks for reading. This is GameFrog signing off..... for now.

Blogger Tournament Series?

Well I appreciate Mav holding up the Blogger Tournament until I get back. With that I will handle the booze for the first one hehe. Given that this is my last week in the US and I will be heading back home, let's go ahead and talk when and how we should do this. Please comment here so we can consolidate opinions and suggestions.

One Time or Series?

One Time Tournament would essentially mean we crown the winner of the event (and gets the pot) A series would mean more logistics and planning but would allow us more time to hang out and get to know each other (Like BBC?) and maybe get the true champion after the variances smoothen things out.

A series could be once a week, points being gained by participants and winners and the top 8 players get to play in the championship match. A small pot is collected per event to add to the Championship Pot.

Logistics

So where do you want to play? Given the uncertainties due to recent events it would be safer if no locations are published but the host contact be given. Lets keep it down to people we know and trust. I don't really think we are on the radar but better be safe then sorry.

If one-time then no worries as its not a regular thing. We can hold it maybe at servitek or just at a home game. I like places with actual dealers though hehe.

Buyin and prize payout

Everyone here I would think is comfortable at different levels in stakes so lets try to find a happy median. Here are just a few sample buy-in recommendations:

P500
P1000
P2000
P3000

I think keeping it below P5000 would allow us to keep the competition at a friendly level. Anything lower then P500 and I feel it would not be a good test of skill as the pressure is almost non-existent. In terms of payouts we can go with:

10% to host (or establishment if we do hold it at one) If host, they have to provide booze and some food!

20% to cumulative pot (if we choose to make it a series)

70% total pot. Let's use normal SNG payout settings.


When is the first one?

I am already excited to play live and I think 11finger and I will hit ACF on the first day I land LOL. But in a tournament setting I think Monday may be out due to people watching the WPT final table. Does Wed sound good?

Be heard boys and girls so we can get this thing rolling.

When Being In the Top 3% Doesnt Matter

Played an MTT today out of 570 people and finished at 20th. Honestly, it was a heart breaker and I would have preferred to be the first one out. It was a 3 hour marathon as usual and the swings were unbelievable. I made it ITM with an average stack.

However, I kept getting second best hands. It took all of my concentration and will power to lay most of them down when I knew I was beat. My set vs a made flush, AJ with an ace on the board vs what turned out to be AQ....

At last I couldn't help myself but push all-in with A8 on the button but wouldnt you know it, the BB had the balls to call with a 55. I guess I should have been happy with 2 overcards but I didnt hit and I was out at 20th.

Total Win - $55
Entry Fee - $26

Profit - $29

Woot.

First was a whopping $3K+ again and I could really smell the money! Hmmm probably lacking in practice and just went short on luck. Well too tired to play another one so I may try my hand in ring games again with my last $110. Most of the games I will play back home would be ring so I better not get too dependent on my tournament skills.

My first goal - double my bankroll.

My end goal - Get a $1000 more out of Online Poker before I head home.

7 Days and counting!!!!!

Wish me luck!!

10 Days And Counting

Well its been a boring week as usual. Havent been playing too much poker since I need to finish up quite a bit of work due to the fact that I will be heading back home very soon.

With the upcoming bill banning transactions to Online Poker sites in the US I believe we are about to see a new giant coming to the shores of Asia. Hopefully it will now be a lot easier to open and fund accounts from our humble country. This would essentially mean a growing boom in the poker community and may even set us up for greater things in live events. I can't wait.

However, given the fact that I have been separated from society for a grueling 90 days I don't think I will be playing online poker when I get back home. If things work as we hope then I may open an account again but for now, I gotta get my fill of all the booze and parties that I missed during my US stint.

Poker is a passion and I long to drive that passion so it seems that it may become a journey in live tournaments and live games. During that passage I look forward to meeting most of you in person and gaining new friends. I will be playing quite a bit of live games, both big and small as well as all the major tournaments coming down the pipeline. I am setting aside quite a big amount from this trip (mostly profit from online poker) and creating a live bankroll that should be enough to roll with the big boys.

I do anticipate a transition period as I may not be able to stop myself from giggling when I get the rockets.... That and playing poker fully clothed =P

I think I should be able to hold my own.

So see you guys in 10 days.