San Jeronimo, Costa Rica
I final tabled the $1.5 Million last night, i.e the biggest fucking major of the night. Obviously I’m happy I made the final table, but I’m really frustrated with finishing 8th. Well, not incredibly distraught, but of course it irks me. I’ve gotten very close to some major online wins the last few months and just haven’t been closing the deal. I’ve won a handful of 100rs and $162s, which is real real good money, and I’m very blessed with, but you get into this game to win the majors. That’s the dream. I had the chip lead with 13 left or something, and I really felt like I was playing my best poker. I thought I had a great shot to win it. I lost a flip with Brainwash though, and then I ran my 88 into his JJ. Not much I could do there.
I had one jam spot at the final table a few of my friends told me they didn’t like, but the guy’s raise 1st numbers were insane, so I’m not losing any sleep over it.
Really I’m proud of that these days, that poker is in it’s place, and I love it, but it doesn’t rule my life. A year ago this kind of finish would’ve ruined my week. I still lost sleep over my 8th place performance in the multi-entry 100r (I was so spewy) but I couldn’t care less about yesterday. I gave myself the best chance to win the tournament.
It also helped console me that I took down the 75k guaranteed. I ran absurdly well in that tournament versus some great players. I’m really dumbfounded by this year. I’ve won the 75k twice, won three 100rs, took 3rd in an FTOPs, and 3rd in a 5k side event. I really feel like I’m in the best place I’ve ever been, with my game and my life. I’m really chilled out in this mountain home of mine in Costa Rica. I love just reading here and drinking the potent coffee they got, smelling the mountain air and the pine. The people I’m around are really positive. It’s had a tremendous effect on my game. Finally getting medicated for my obsessive tendencies and attention problems was also a lifesaver.
The only problem with the medication is it makes me a little too chill. Before I just had an edge. You could always call me up to party, and I’d always do the stupid shit to make the night more memorable/piss off your friends. I’d jump into the ocean during winter. I built some stories. Now all I want to do is sit on my ass, play cards, and read. I used to wake up in the morning just jumping out of bed. Really, how many people do you know who do that? I literally almost ran out of my bed and into my running shoes, getting outside. Now I’m human. I’m groggy as hell when I wake up like the rest of the population. It’s good because I don’t chase highs, and I really really enjoy poker and relaxing now, which makes me easier to live around. The only problem is trying to find that excitement again, that balance. Poker does a lot for me, and I loove my job, but I’m addicted to adrenaline.
It can be real simple things. Like when I was doing LAPC and the 5k Bike Big Event this year I was chilling in this Super 8 that was for truckers. I could afford staying real close to the venue, but I’m cheap as hell, and Super 8 was 50 bucks a night and had a weight room. I got my adrenaline fix just walking on the train tracks and in those neighborhoods at night, or jogging through that city. You’re in a new place, you’re out there to make money, and you’re keeping your heart rate up.
When there’s routine that’s dangerous to me. We’re all addicts to something happening, something changing.
Maybe I need to take up mountain biking or something.
Man I’m lucky as hell, I could just take a plan to some mountains in South America and learn to snowboard.
You get into this job for the freedom, but the better you get at making money the more addictive it is. That’s why you need breaks and little adventures to keep your head on straight. Addiction’s a problem because you’re not seeing things right. When you’re a little detached, but still obsessed, then you get a fair view. You have to come at it with a lot of energy and be excited for it. You can’t make poker the only thing going on in your life.
So yeah, 50k+ day. Man. I run so good. I’m running incredible this year, I’ve gotten so many suck outs. I gotta stay humble. You change five hands I’m still struggling. I hope I can take this momentum and push further.
Twitter Notes (Check me out there at TheAssassinato):
Lets stop saying the differences are small. The GOP refuses to deal unless we defund Planned Parenthood. #womenunderattackindc
Woke up at 7:30 AM, got a jog in, and hit the weight room since my arms are painfully skinny. Now, empanada + coffee + more 2/4 grinding
Got snapped off in a huge bluff. If I could’ve seen the guy’s hand I would’ve made the same bet. No one snaps off the overbet in tournaments
Getting served at the poker table and in the classroom. Feeling much more confident with my Spanish. My vocabulary is growing every day.
Just got some fresh squeezed juice, fresh fish, rice, beans, a fried egg, and platano for $4.40. I’m so spoiled living here.
Got a lesson done with my student from Israel. Skype call had some static that sounded like some Close Encounters Of The Third Kind shit.
Banged out the first draft of my newest Bluff article. I actually studied some neuroscience to write this one. Hope you all enjoy it.
I’m in the hood like juice and food stamps.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrXFrWxRTRo
Just finished an hour of video reviewing my 75k win for Pocketfives Training. I’m wiped out now. Going to eat and watch a movie w/ my gf
Hung out with my girl for a bit and watched Daybreakers. I think that might be the perfect B-movie. B-movie plot gaps drive me insane though
“When you want to win a game, you have to teach. When you lose a game, you have to learn.” -Tom Landry
Just played a couple thousand hands of 2/4. Didn’t really feel like much went my way, and it’s obvious I have a lot to learn about cash.
It’s nice having a girlfriend who never asks “how much?” after I say I had a losing session. I forget everything way quicker.
Had a good time with my girlfriend and her brother last night. Also got a lesson done with Portuguese MTTer. Playing some 2/4 right now.
I believe in the good of people for one simple reason. No matter what country I’m in when I smile; they smile back. We all want to be happy.
Congratulations to @NeverScaredB and @HotKarlMC for final tabling EPT: Berlin. You dudes are way due.
Watching training vids. I can’t believe how good some videos I’ve already seen are. I was so stupid years ago. How did I not absorb this?
Spent a couple hours studying how to use my HUD more effectively. I’m incorporating a new database into my HEM. Feeling much more confident
You know how I know I’m really truly American and always will be? Just the physical action of swallowing any kind of pill calms me down.
Jogged through the mountains when it was raining. Felt like Rocky with my hoodie on. Such a great natural way to chill out.
Started the morning trying to finish this Krakuer book at my local soda. Just me in my Adidas sweatpants and a bunch of farmers in there.
Yo it’s game time! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp-cqJJ9Y8w
I’ll make you roll over in minutes like cell phones.
Sweet 26 tabling. Feel like I can’t bust anything/build in anything. All good.
Got robbed out of a 400k stack deep in the $162, then I robbed myself of a stack deep in the 50r. Whups #thataintwinning
“My therapist said working with me is useless.”
Lost a 330k flip in the money of the Sunday $500. Blah. This poker thing is hard!
The game is it’s own high.
3 out of 9 going into the final table of the 75k. First is 27k
Shipped the 75k vs. my friend Holdplz. Now 8/9 at the 1.5 Mil final table. First is 300k+!!!!
Oops. Lost a flip at the final table. Sigh. I really really really wanted to keep playing. I love major final tables. Ty to everyone
Just fell asleep during the day at my girlfriend’s house, then watched The Town. Ben Affleck 100% redeemed himself from the J-LO bullshit.
