I’ve figured out my life.
So I’ve been struggling to figure out “what’s next” for quite some time. I was laid off my job about 6 months ago, and since then I’ve been playing poker pretty much full-time, having fun in Vegas the other part of the time. And after 6 months, I am coming to realize that I’m not making enough money playing poke to support myself. Then again, I’m not approaching poker as a job, so I’m not playing the right games that would make me a solid income. But I don’t want poker to be that boring job I have… if I’m going to do that, I might as well be a computer programmer.
So anyway, once I realized that poker can’t be my life’s work, I had to ponder what I wanted to do. Do I want to go back and be a computer programmer? Possibly, if the company was cool enough. I interviewed with a great online retailer here in Vegas, and they want to hire me, but I don’t think I can commit to the 9 to 5 lifestyle right now, especially with the 20 mile commute every day. So I’m turning them down.
I did some sloppy math with my roommate Aaron the other day, and we figured out I have about 1-2 years left of money in the bank if I have no outside income. That’s a lot better than most people. Hell, I know quite a few people that live month-to-month. 1-2 years… why am I worrying so much about money right now? So, I’ve figured it out.
I made a New Year’s Resolution to travel. I’ve already been to LA for a week and Reno/San Jose for a week, so I’m doing good, but I want more. I am going to forget looking for a job for now and just enjoy myself… spend the rest of 2008 traveling, playing poker (for fun/profit), and just see where it takes me. If I fall into a good job (like I have so many times before), I’ll take it. If not, when 2009 rolls around, I’ll have to seriously consider going back to the 9 to 5 lifestyle. And possibly even move away from Vegas, because the programming jobs simply aren’t here.
So that’s me figuring out my life. I’m off to book my next trip. Hoping to hit one more World Series of Poker Circuit before summer hits… either Indiana or New Orleans. I’ll keep y’all posted.
Reno trip summary
Well I’m on my last night of my reno trip and I’m sad to say I didn’t cash in one tournament. I didn’t even make the first break until today. the first tournament set the tone for the trip when I got all in on the turn with my 33 vs his A5 on a Q53A board and he hit his ace. I made it down to the final two tables today, but they only paid 9. I had a very awkward stack of around 11k at 400/800. I lost a really weird pot from the small blind… I limped with J2s and the BB checked. Flop came AAA and I bet half pot to see if jack high was good. BB called and we checked a 3 turn and 5 river. He tabled J9 and took the pot. So weird. I was actually tilted a bit from that hand since he played it so bad/weird and just shoved for my 10k or so from the button with A6 when it folded to me. Dumb mistake, I thought, when the BB called off 2/3 of his stack… and then he tabled KQo. Of course he did. I stood up as I knew the results of the hand. 17th place Overall I made about $250 in Reno, and spent about $400 to be here. Plus I spent about $250 to get to San Jose, so not a good week. What can ya do? I’m headed back to vegas tomorrow and have some friends in town, so I’m gonna take a few days off poker and just relax. I deserve it after some of the beats I took this week.
Bay 101 $2,000 tournament
So for those of you who missed it, I played in a $2,000 buyin tournament today at Bay 101 Casino in San Jose, CA. Just busted out a little while ago… here’s my live updates, read from the bottom up:
Sun, Mar 9, 2008 @ 3:22 PM
Vanessa opens for 1500 on the button. I shove from bb with ac 8c for about 5k she calls and has aq. Board comes q67tt. Out in 152nd place.
Sun, Mar 9, 2008 @ 3:09 PM
250/500 utg opens for 1200 I read him as weak and move in with kc qc. Amazingly he folds. Up to 5800
Sun, Mar 9, 2008 @ 2:52 PM
On break. Drinking a beer. Would like to see one more big pair soon.
Sun, Mar 9, 2008 @ 2:48 PM
Fold fold fold forced to call a raise with 6d 4d after 4 callers miss fold fold fold. 3500. Desperation mode coming soon.
Sun, Mar 9, 2008 @ 2:32 PM
Hovering at 6350. I squeeze so many aces and there’s always a god damned 4 underneath. At least I have a squeeky tight image
Sun, Mar 9, 2008 @ 2:16 PM
Sigh. Laid down aq to donk who raised big and showed queens. Folded 55 to raise from tight old man who had aq. Down to 4300.
Sun, Mar 9, 2008 @ 2:01 PM
I open to 950 with kq. Jerry yang makes it 6k and knees me under the table. Loooool
Sun, Mar 9, 2008 @ 1:52 PM
Vanessa rousso pushes on my 300 big blind for 1500. I call with kq. She has 75 and hits a 7. Down to 6300.
Sun, Mar 9, 2008 @ 1:42 PM
Table broke again. New table has vanessa rousso 3 to my right and jerry yang on my direct left. 8300 in chips.
Sun, Mar 9, 2008 @ 1:25 PM
My table broke. Up to 8200. 282 players started we have 222 left. Long way to go.
Sun, Mar 9, 2008 @ 12:37 PM
Back to back ak. Up to 8400. 100/200/25 after break. Layne flack is pretty good at reading hands btw
Sun, Mar 9, 2008 @ 12:20 PM
Picked up jacks and aq. Up to 7k. 15 min til first break
Sun, Mar 9, 2008 @ 12:11 PM
Pretty gross… I have the tightest image ever, raised twice in an hour and got reraised both times. Missing every flop. Down to 5k
Sun, Mar 9, 2008 @ 11:10 AM
My table was pretty fishy but then layne flack sat down to my left. Great.
Sun, Mar 9, 2008 @ 10:46 AM
I’m in. Full $10k chips and blinds are 25/50.
Sun, Mar 9, 2008 @ 10:44 AM
Two players out… Set vs set vs straight. I believe I’m next up.
Sun, Mar 9, 2008 @ 10:37 AM
Cards are in the air. I see Jerry Yang and Clonie Gowen as well as a few other known faces. And good ol’ Oliver Tse is here being awkward.
Sun, Mar 9, 2008 @ 10:08 AM
I’m 3rd alternate for the tournament, so 3 people have to bust before I can start playing the Bay 101 $2k tournament.
