What’s up poker fam,

Jumping into this blogging space to share the journey of the poker/ work grind. It’s more than just chips and cards for me; it’s about that hustle, outplaying the odds, and making some smart moves.

How I Got Hooked

Started dabbling in poker in undergrad once they built a casino near me, and it’s been a wild ride. There’s something about the mix of mental challenge and the competitiveness that got me hooked.

What’s the Endgame?

Right now, I’ve got a solid salary gig, not your typical 9-5, but it’s not exactly lighting my fire either. Plus, I’ve noticed there aren’t many folks like me around those tables. So here’s the deal: poker’s my play to add some spark, maybe shake things up a bit.

2024 – Let’s Get It

1.Skill Level Up: Dedicating hours to level up my game. Gotta stay sharp, think ahead, and keep my cool.
2.Bankroll Game Strong: Setting up a tight bankroll plan. Gotta play it smart, keep it steady.
3.Tournament Scene: play my first live tournaments. Time to make some noise and leave a mark.
4.Community and Connection: Looking to link up with others in this space. Share some wisdom, get some back. It’s all about that community strength.

I’ll be dropping updates right here – the good, the bad, and everything in-between. Looking forward to swapping stories, tips, and maybe changing how the game sees us.

Here’s to making big moves in 2024. Let’s get those wins!


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It’s nice to have dreams, but they can turn into nightmares sometimes. Be careful, don’t get too cocky, and remember that each hand starts a new game.

Yooooo Poker Fam,

Let me tell y'all how this Sunday went. Me and my better half were vibing back from brunch, kid-free (shoutout to grandma!), and decided to hit up MGM National Harbor. That place has this bright, airy feel we both like.

I’m usually not big on table games since my undergrad days (learned some tough lessons there) but my wife’s all about it. Like I said I don’t often play at MGM, but I’ve heard stories about the crazy tables, and I was ready to see for myself. Rolled in with just $300 (because, come on, those casino ATM fees are no joke).

Things were already jumping off at the $1-$3 table. A dude next to me just won the high hand, and another guy to his left hit it too a couple orbits later. But here’s the twist: the dealer calls it, but the floor supervisor drags his feet and shows up after the clock runs out. The floor tells him he has to wait the next 15 min to see if he still has the high hand. The table starts going off, even folks from the next tables are chiming in. They’re all saying the dude’s hand should count. Eventually, higher up comes, and he's talking about checking the cameras, but I didn’t stick around to see the end of that drama because of this hand:


So, bet. I’m in the small blind, peek down at AK. The action unfolded with UTG+2 and the Lojack calling the $3. The Button then raised to $8. I decided to 3-bet to $20 (I know I ****ed up, raise bigger $30-$40)…We go four ways to a flop of KQ4. Sitting nice with top pair, top kicker, I bet out $60 (protect from all draws). UTG folds, but LJ, (older guy who been beefing with the button) makes it $130. Button tanks gave some speech and folds. So I'm thinking what would LJ do this with, (limp, cold call pre, raise flop) the only thing I can think of is set of 4s and everything else is a draw. I’m feeling them brunch Shots, so I go all-in for another $200. LJ sigh calls, so I know I’m good on the flop.

LJ flips over 78 – this mother ****er chasing a flush. The table gets tense. Turn and river drop 9, 2 – bam, LJ’s flush hits. My stack slides over to him. That’s poker for you. Can’t even be mad, I win there 65% of the time. Even though I should have just called the raise to pot control Or am I just being result oriented?

Anyway brunch was a vibe. That MGM stop was crazy. Me and wifey both left empty handed.

Stay sharp and keep enjoying the grind.


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Facts! Thanks for the reminder.

Logged on online and saw that emojis don't show. that's good to know!

Here's the hand with out emojis

Blinds: $1/$3


Preflop:

UTG+2 and LJ call the $3.
Button raises to $8.
I raises to $20. in small blind with AsKs
Big Blind folds.
UTG+2, LJ, and Button call.
Pot: $80

Flop: KcQd4c

You lead out for $60.
UTG+2 folds.
LJ raises to $130.
Button folds.
You go all-in for $200 more.
LJ calls.
Pot: $560

Showdown:

LJ shows 7c8c (flush draw).
Turn and River: 9c 2c

LJ completes the flush.

I've been talking to a couple of ppl about the hand on here and on YouTube.

So, preflop was a complete blunder. I knew that when it happened. raising more is the right play. The size should have been 40-50.

As far as flop play. Checking there a percentage of the time is a good play. (out of position vs. multiple callers) this allows me to see how the field react. And I have an easier option to choose what to do.

What did I put Lojack on? I felt like the only hand that beats me that he can show up there with is a set of 4s. I put KQ out of range based on the preflop play (limp, cold call small 3bet)also with me having a K… So with so many draws out there, (flush and straight). And ppl now love to raise their draws. I figured he had way more draw combos than set.


Overall, A simple call would have been better than a shove because I'm usually only getting called by hands that beat me.


It feels good to talk hands with ppl finally, I don't have poker ppl to talk to. No one in my immediate circle plays poker


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Hey folks, just wanted to drop a few lines about this chill week I’ve had. it’s been snowing non-stop around here, turning everything into a picture-perfect winter scene. Because of all this snow, I couldn’t swing by my usual spot at the poker room. No worries though, I kept myself entertained by tuning into the Borgata Winter Poker Open.

Watching poker is a whole different vibe. I’m not talking about pros or masters here, just regular players trying to make their mark. It’s cool to see how they play their hands, the strategies they use, and how they handle the pressure. It’s like a learning session for me, soaking up all the moves and plays.

But hey, life isn’t just about poker. With the world outside looking like a snow paradise, my kid was super excited to get out and enjoy it. So we wrapped up warm and stepped into our own winter wonderland. Having friendly snowball fights, and just soaking up the joy of these simple moments. There’s something special about playing in the snow, especially through the eyes of your child.

In the midst of all this, I had an interview lined up. It was a pretty cool experience, and things went well. It’s like all the pieces are starting to come together, you know? Sometimes life throws these opportunities at you when you least expect it.

So that’s the rundown of my week – a bit of poker, a lot of snow fun with my kid, and a promising interview. It’s weeks like this that remind you of the different sides of life, each one enjoyable in its own unique way. As I sit here watching the snow fall, I’m feeling pretty content and hopeful about what’s ahead. Just going with the flow and ready to take on whatever comes next. Stay warm and stay safe, y’all!

Go Ravens! Playoff football!

It's been a minute, and I finally got myself back to the poker room. Rolled into MD Live yesterday, that place was bumping. Got in around 2 PM, and the waitlist was crazy about 40 deep on the 1/3 and 15 waiting on the 2/5. So I’m like, Bet, and hop into the 2/5, feeling a little nervous with just $400 in my pocket. Everybody normally buy in from $800-$1k. But the 2/5 vibe is good. You got your wild ones for sure, but it’s less about chasing those promos, people here are all in, playing the real game.

Session was decent. Played it fit and fold, really just feeling out the table and how it played, seeing what’s what. Check this:

•Sitting in HJ, peek down at 66. I pop it to $20, BB comes at me with a $75 3-bet. I’m in. Flop drops 857, all different suits. We check it down to a 8572T runout. Throw my 66 on the table, and it’s good.
•Next up, I’m UTG holding KK. About to raise when I see the dude next to me ready to jump in. So I limp. UTG+1 limps, LJ makes it $20, button calls. I say, raise and pump it to $120. Table folds.

Had a few hands where I wasn’t connecting. Like this one time in LJ with KQo, raised to $20, four bite. Flop comes 88T, clubs draw. I check, ready to fold to any bet.

Then there’s me in CO with 56 spades. It’s limp around, I bump it to $20, drag four along. Flop’s K82, heart draw. I stab $45, only BB hangs around. Turn’s the 10 of hearts, BB leads out for $75. Thought about pushing back, but if he sticks, my stack’s too light to scare him off anything on the river. So I lay it down.

Here’s the kicker – my boy hits me up, he been peeping my poker posts instagram, he wants to jump off the porch. So I step off, convince him today is the the day, we plan to hit Baltimore Horseshoe, to ease him into the game, that’s the less intimidating poker room you know? So I wrapped up my session at break-even and headed home to prep for the night. But he bluffed I end up at home, taco night with the fam, and playing Roblox with the little one.

Been a while, I haven't played any poker but I joined solve for why. And been doing some studying.


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