Poker: The Two Weeks of 2/11/08-2/24/08 (I've been avoiding updating so its REALLY late)

End of Week(s) Update

Hands 27.669
Profit -979 BB
BB/100 -3.54 (-1.77 PTBB/100)
Hours 55.88
-8.76 BB/HR Per Hour

Well...since I had such a horrible week from the 11th to 18th...I said "SCREW IT"....
and I screwed around with the update.....after playing so well at the begning of the month

(I played so well at the 1st week of the month, and the results reflected it)......

The past couple weeks...If I played well...The results sucked...if I played crappy....the results sucked.

Basically...my play wasnt very good as a whole for those two weeks....and I really couldnt tell ya what I did wrong for the most part.....

LOL....I am trying to tweek and change to much....and occationally play to many tables.

I did everything possible wrong at some point...and the WORST PART...is I could even evaluate what I have done wrong or right....but that is par the course over the last 2 months or so.

To be honest....I feel like I am a good player....who doesnt know how to play good.....
That doesnt make any sense at all...but its the way I feel....

A better way to describe it....

I think on the say...6th level of thinking.....(or whatever...I can think with the best of them)
when I play.....I over or under estimate the villian...and that equals....disaster

I dunno....I have played well for the past 4 days...and ironically that is playing up a level in stakes
(I didnt feel like playing 3k in hands a day for 3 days straight to get the VPPs to make platinum...so I just moved up and played half the amount of hands for the same VPPs)

The stakes didnt bug me....I actually took more time on each descision....which is a good thing....the more time I take each descision...the better I play.

gonna go back to my normal stakes at 25/$0.50....and see if I can put together 50K hands on the plus side.....I am getting real sick of the 20K hands up....20k down.,...20k up.....20k down....I mean...150K hands and I am down less than a buy in.....

ARGH!!!!

Okay...I just needed to yell....I have played well post 2/24...so that is good.....

I think the reason I even made this post...is so I could bury those two weeks in which I sucked donkey balls.

So busy...and GO MARINERS!!!!!

I have been so busy.....well...not that busy....but a bunch of different things....

Go Mariners!!!

GO Ichiro.....I love him so much....he is the engine that makes the MAriners go.

Lol....I dont even know what to write....

I made a huge blog post on Stoxpoker, for the Small stakes Stoxpoker Project
(which by the way is something I would kill for...I know its not gonna be like 20 hours a week coaching....but even if its just a little....my goodness....it could be something extremely good for my game......and I would do anything to improve it)

I am always wary of stuff ya read in the forums....people saying the exact opposite of each other....and to be honest...I am not the best...and when I see people posting stuff that contradict each other...well...ya never know whats true or better.....I'm not a math guy...I am good at math...but I dont like spending 4 hours calculating and number crunching.....snooze

I dunno....

I;ve thought of paying for coaching....but....spending $500 an hour for what? ya dont know what you're getting.....the guy might not communicate the way I NEED....and wasting my bankroll to be in the same spot...I'd rather not spew my money to someone who calls themself a "coach"

I dunno....I dont trust anyone any more.....Its all about the Benjamins....and lieing to to get more from me is not on the top of my list.

But back to the stoxpoker project thing.....lol...man can I blabber on and on.....I just ramble and dont really think of what I am saying....
LOL...I am afraid to see what I wrote....

but...the voting is friday....I thought about begging like some of the others are doing....but I just think that will put people off...and comes across as pathetic.

I have my fingers cross...but I'm not holding my breath...I would love it...but things like that.....well....they just dont happen to me. if it werent for bad luck...I wouldnt have any luck :-)

But...if this is the year for the Mariners...I might actually win it....95...2001...I had good years...and the mariners won.....if I get the SS SP project....its world series baby :-)

I wonder what I would pick if it was Mariners WS or Stoxpoker project...I love the Mariners...but honestly...I need a break for myself...and it might be small..but it would be good for me.

Poker Possum Returns...

He came back again...he must love me

Dave Niehaus Hall of Fame bound...FINALLY!!!!

It is Loooooonnnnnnnnnng over due.

Dave Niehaus is not only the voice of the Mariners.....
He is a Mariner...He is "The Franchise"

To be honest...I dont even know where to start....

I remember going to games....bring an AM radio just to hear the play by play of Dave.
I cant remember a HR that was "belted".....
Grandma is always the relative who supplies the Rye Bread.
Grandma always had "Grand" Salami and not the cheap kind.
"My Oh My" isnt just a saying....its Mariners culture....
Junior is Griffeys 1st name right?
Alvin Davis Maybe "Mr Mariner"....but Dave is "Mr Mariner Sr."
Dave is like Mariners Dad....he rename Norm Charlton.

Gawd I love Dave Niehaus....just listening to his calls of the 95 season...they send chills down my spine.

When I watch replays of Edgar Martinez Double in Game 5 of the Divisional Series against the New York Yankees....I am hearing Daves voice even before he says it.....

"Right now, the Mariners looking for the tie. They would take a fly ball, they would love a base hit into the gap and they could win it with Junior's speed. The stretch... and the 0-1 pitch on the way to Edgar Martinez swung on and LINED DOWN THE LEFT FIELD LINE FOR A BASE HIT! HERE COMES JOEY, HERE IS JUNIOR TO THIRD BASE, THEY'RE GOING TO WAVE HIM IN! THE THROW TO THE PLATE WILL BE ... LATE! THE MARINER'S ARE GOING TO PLAY FOR THE AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP! I DON'T BELIEVE IT! IT JUST CONTINUES! MY OH MY!"

Congratulations Dave for winning the Frick Award......Cooperstown bound, and very deserving.

I can't even imagine a Mariners broadcast without Niehaus....From David Segui's first Pitch in 1977 til present.....

I was sad Oct 3, 2004 when Edgar Retired......
The only other day I can imagine being as sad is the day Dave retires.

We Love you Dave, dont ever retire.

Poker: Week of 2/04/08-2/10/08

End of Week Update


Hands 9382
Profit +1320 BB
BB/100 +14.08 (+7.04 PTBB/100)
Hours 18.97
+69.84 BB/HR Per Hour

This week I didnt play as many hours....

Part due to be being lazy....
Part Due to not feeling well emotionally...(spewing is bad and I did a good job this week of not doing it)

I pretty much played a no frills Tight aggressive approach this week...definately on the tight side. Bailed on hands that I thought I was behind...and bet bet bet hands I was ahead.

This style wont be as effecient at higher levels...but it does give me piece of mind...as well as it ephasizes my hand reading....there were only a few times I felt I made really bad river folds or calls...and that means I felt I was strong reading on previous streets.

my best played day was Saturday...flopped tons of straights and lost virtually every set I flopped...it was a weird day...but I played well.

I need to make sure I keep taking my time on descisions...even the basic ones....that is the main difference from the downswing weeks....taking my time is what is profitable.

Hopefully I can keep it up.

Erik Bedard is co-King

Okay...I cant call him King Erik...because Felix is the King....but...Erik is Co-King....even though from now on we cant refer to him that way.

Bedard--left handed....stud...staff ace...and lots and lots and lots of strikeouts.

The Pride of Canada

To be honest....I dont really know what to say.....

He is one of the Top 5 pitchers in all of Baseball
The Mariners now have a Pitching staff that is in the Top 5 in the Majors, because of the Two Aces.

Bedard is a stud...and I will just leave it at that.

The Bedard Deal is Final.

All Mariners fans have been waiting forever for it to become finalized....

After week of Orioles being complete douche-bags and drawing this out weeks longer than necessary, The Mariners finally get their man.

I have been in general against this trade....mainly because I think Jone, Tillman, and George way to much.....I think Tillman is WAY undervalued....and including Butler too....thats a whole lot of Talent. Baltimore got an incredible deal.....even better than they realize.

Adam Jones = Stud outfielder who is essentially free for 6 years
George Sherrill = The ultimate left hander...and not Baltimore's closer (or setup) super value
Chris Tillman = I have this bad feeling he is gonna end up being an Ace type of pitcher
Tony Butler = Left handed....if he can every stop walking people....a #3 pitcher or better
Cam = Talented reliever....closer of the future....cheap bullpen talent....mariners should have gave up green.

Some people look at that list and think its just a good trade for Baltimore...to me....they fleeced us bad.

Okay....that is the last time I am going to dwell on Jones.....

New post now...to welcome Erik

Poker is going well this week....

So far this week poker is going well....somewhere around 5 PTBB/100....

And...cleared the Bonus I purchased with FPPs....

Ironically when I reign in the aggression (getting on the loose aggressive side)....My win rate suffers

I dont think its from the extra aggression so much, or playing junkier hands....the only time I feel it really affects my game...is when I stop thinking...and insta-shove or insta-raise "thinking" I can bet them off the nuts (or a hand that they will not fold...either because they are a calling station and call with a 3rd pair to a shove....or they have a royal flush (not really, but ya know what I mean...Top set isnt gonna fold on a raggy board).

Starting last week and continue to today...the amount of times I;ve done it is EXTREMELY small....the only hand I think came close was a hand where I Check raised all in with an over pair on a slighty scary board......it was a pretty big push...so it was the size relative to the strength of my hand/board that I questioned. I wasnt "good"...but it wasnt horrible either.
LOL....but no T4os turn shoves, after Leatherass9 calls the flop bet, and a blank turn (I still like the aggression...but with the blank coming I still cant get over me firing again....what did I think he had? Only thing he is calling with was a Set, 2 pair or Air/float/steal....LOL...cant wait till I get called a retard on the video. Overall though...I havent made stupid aggressive errors.

As far as Passive errors...several tables got run over a bit....some of it due to cards...but some of it from folding to the pure aggression....lol...but it better that when I "feel" I have a read that they are trying to run over me.....I raise/3bet....they smooth call with AA or KK and I dump more money too them on the flop :-(

The thing that for now that works for me is being selectively aggressive......Everywhere I read and watch Vids at Stoxpoker, they say a loose aggressive pound them till they puke style will result in the best win-rate.....Well...I dunno what villians others are playing against....but I go into a 20k downswing when I try to pound the passive players....ya know...they call ya on the flop with nothing...and hit the straight when ya shut down cause you're convinced they have something...or when ya got an overpair, they hit 2 pair on a ragged flop (94s comes to mind....you know...the 48/11 who will cold call with any 2 soooooooooooted because thats what he did in limit)

I just get in this mode that I feel I have reads that arent there.....I start calling when most of the time I shouldnt call against villians....basically trying to pick to much stuff off....

Example:

I've got 2 pair on the turn and position....the villian is aggressive....likes to bluff alot.....multi-street too ...he will have a hand 1 out of 4 at most....and 2 pair is ahead near always....but...he's smart enough to fold to resistance, and will shut down if he doesnt have ya.

Essentially....he never shuts down when he is behind.....and always shuts down if ya raise....basically this guy...let him bet bet bet....he's at best 8% on the turn, even if he does suck out...the extra river bets 6 times out of 10 that ya never get by raising the turn is EV+++++++
(super reads....like I am in the zone against certain types of villians)

BUT....then I will take the same line on guys with similar but tighter numbers...guys who dont fire the 2nd barrel or 3rd....and I have a super read that they dont....but I am just on auto-pilot and become a calling station against these guys with TP3K, and they turn over whatever that owns me.....I know I am behind...I know that the best line is to raise the flop or turn and define his hand based upon my read...but I dont. complete Spew.

Funny thing is...90% of the time playing solid poker...that 10% I am donating to guys who should never get my money.

And it is the main source of every downswing......Yeah, my game can be alot better....but its stupid how I forget the most basic stuff and spew money.

Leatherass9 was going on in the forums how he exposed alot of his game in a recent Video....actually saying in his blog that it revealed stuff others never would....
I watched the video...and yeah...alot of the plays he made, were plays that required ya to think and analyze a situation well....
But....

Well...it just makes me frustrated...Throughout the whole video I was like "well....Duh...of course he gonna fold there....or Duh...I raise in that type of spot all the time except against XXX villians"

The Video frustrated me more than anything....because all this info he was providing....well...its things that I see and do all the time....read the situations like an open book....hell alot of my winrate is because of that.

But...I watch Ed Miller's Poker Made simple vids...yeah...80% of the basics...I have down cold...but some of the most "basic stuff" (or at least what I feel should be basic)...I can watch those test vids, and miss have the questions (ones that are similar)...I can rewatch it 5 times...and still miss the question...AND still not play a situation optimally.

Part of me feels and plays like a genius...and the other part can't believe after all this time I dont understand things that SHOULD be so simple.....

I wish I was more social....I wish I wasnt so much inside of a shell...If there is a leak in my game...thats it...Its like getting a college degree, without the proffessors....

Would a coach help? Hell yeah....I am very smart, and when I do get feedback from my questions (even if they cant understand how I think about it)....even if they dont say the right things...I just can extract the info I need to clarrify it.....
BUT...If I was just more open...

My life has sucked...been screwed by the people closest to me....I know its silly to isolate myself..because I do enjoy being around people, just not concetrating ABOUT me...lol...since I am running millions of scenerios through my head about every possible situation....

Ramble Ramble....Sometimes I go back and edit the hell out of a post...but 90% of the time...LOL...I dont even check for Typos....I dont even read what I wrote 90% of the time....because I would probably stop....because its probably jumbled and makes no sense because its more.....well...its just the moment....which is very hard for me lately....so its kinda therapy...lol....I analyze so much now...I even question basic situation....Like I was at the Sonics game....I bought 2 20oz diet pepsi's (actually got 2 caps that both won free soda)...as I was walking away, putting my the season ticket food/drink vouchers in my pocket (OH, lol...what a deal this year....spent $800 on the two seats...they give me $300 in Food vouchers for free food...plus the other free stuff that I ended up just selling...just that alone I almost break even)

Back to the story.....I drop one of the bottles...I crouch down to pick it up...I am way out of the way of people walking....but I notice every persons looks...what direction they are looking...why...how..and have a good idea what they are thinking/feeling etc etc...not just the person closest...but I scope out every one who "could have" seen me drop the soda....and wonder what I am doing in the mini-totebag I have for the Nick Collison Bobbleheads that they gave awya pregame (also put the soda I dropped in the bag).......its kinda sad....lol...makes me want to cry actually. Not because I care that much if I looked like a dork (well okay...a little)...but instead of being able to be my silly self...and make some funny joke/reference that the soda I dropped is "for them"....I actually thought "If someone was with me, I could make that joke".......

The poker post is turning into the blabbering idiot post...I just feel so lonely.....lol....the only time people have EVER wanted to be around me is if I was supporting them and working my ass off so they would be with me.....or because they were inbetween "better" and more "enjoyable" friends.....

I analyze others well, and how they interact with each other....I see the things happen before they do....but I suck when it comes to me....I feel I am so socially inept.....I am such a nice guy....I really am....hell...you can ask anyone who I let fuck me over...LOL....I spend my attention enjoying and trying to be enjoyable to others and just being myself....when I do....its like the blinders are put on.....I mean...the best way for people to like ya, is just to not worry and just be yourself right? But I cant even put myself in the situation any more because I am just so damn scared....I mean....I let people know me...I think the friendship or relationships are going well mutually...I mean...geezus...just once...I'd like someone who would just tell me the damn truth.


I'm not making any sense...and who the frick cares? No one does....the closest thing I have to someone or something caring about me is.....well....my parents...but they have each other, and they dont need me to be around....I mean...I know they love me with all their heart...but I feel like I am such a dissapointment in my life....I just dont want the only two people in the world who dont think I am a failure to think so......they have been so good to me....I love them so much...I wish I could really show they how I feel...but I cant.....which just makes me cry more.

I am so pathetic.....I am really an incredible person inside, but it just doesnt really matter

LOL...the ironic thing is....I will still cry my ass off for the next 3 months...I will still feel the same way as I do...I will still wish for the world....blah blah blah....

And no one will know.....because in an hour or two...I put on the front that everything is fine, no matter how it really is....because I dont want to be a burden on others...I only want to benefit others....because the truth is...no one wants to be around ya, unless you're providing something for them....and as soon as it becomes "standard"....well...no matter what "level" of wonderfulness it is to be around ya....well...when ya raise the bar even to elite heights....well...people toss ya aside because ya cant provide the "next level"

See....even when I write....I do the same thing....try to write crap that ya need a translator for, just to keep....LOL...anyone who would read this...at a distance.

It is pathetic to say that I am a wonderful person....but I am...I wish I could be more of the type of person that can just screw someone over...I'd probably have more so called friends...lol...maybe thats why I want to succeed in poker so much....besides if I can make Alot of money (its a game of people and money)...its the only time I can feel "okay" with essentially screwing another person out of something......sure...win it fair and square...but its satisfying...lol..with my desire to screw over every person who hasnt had my personal values and bent me over...lol....

One of these day I really need to just write a weeks worth of posts about the last 25 years....lol...people would think "DAMN, and you havent shot yourself yet?"...its not like anyone ever reads these damn things....I mean...I pretend that "its all out there for the world to see"....when in reality...any hits to the page...its...read the title...browse 20 words in the 1st 3 paragraphs...then surf to the next blog, site, pic...lol...maybe if I made Youtube video blogs then someone might pay attention....but the truth is...by the time I ever get around to doing that...well....then there will be something else that attracts people to pay attention (I mean...blogs now are a dime a dozen, if ya dont have video...you're just writing to yourself (LOL...aint that the truth though...I am pretending....I mean...I would feel like a dork if anyone I actualy knew read this....I mean...no one understand anyways...so instead of feeling like I was sharing to be closer.....whatever...back to what I think I was trying to say in my ramble.)
Oh yeah...I will always be behind the times when it comes to the "modern" way of social communications....I know and understand people better than most....but when it comes to applying ti to myself...lol...I suck....and am always tryingto filter the "bad" of people not to affect me...but the result is...lol...we wont talk about that....basically...communicationwise...I will alays be holding myself back...not because that I dont understand....but because I am afraid....afraid I will get screwed again by someone I feel close to....and to be frank...I have had as much as I can take....

Okay....I am not making anysense...well....I dont know if I am or not....I cant bring myself to try to read everything I wrote (LOL...I would spend the next 5 hours trying to edit it)

I will probably make another simple post...just to drop this post down a notch...so less chance of anyone reading it (I mean...very little chance of someone reading it, once it gets archived)....see...even when I proclaim that I really need and want good friends...I try to stop it from happening from the fear of past results.....I wish socializing with others was like poker....poker treats me well overall when I play well...when I do something stupid....generally ya get crapped on...which is the way it should be....you'll get sucked out on...but...if you consistantly do the right things....in the end the results will be good over all....lol...but people arent that way.

Okay...enough....lol...maybe its the stress of the Erik Bedard deal on permanent hold...LOL...thats funny...because it has nothing to do with how I feel...though it is funny, how the best years in my live correspond with the good years of the Mariners (oddly enough, when the team is doing good...my life is going good....thats one reason why I am concered about the MAriners...my life is below average...probably less....the mariners "think" they are becoming a playoff team...but I havent felt it yet....lol...which means my life is gonna go down the crapper....lol....I will have to make a post about the timeline of the Mariners and the good and bad of my life....lol....frigging crazy...the Mariners trigger the best years of my life...and significant turnarounds and downfalls...its just crazy.

Okay...going

Craig

King Felix ....The Pitching Pride of Teal and Blue Nation

The One and Only King.....

Felix Hernandez

We've loved him when he was 16 and barely anyone had heard of him....
We love him when it crushed hitters in Rookie ball.....
We love him when he flew through the minors
We love that he was unstoppable...nothing would keep him from the majors.
We love that everyone wanted to trade for him....but the front office finally did something right.

He's the one and only...20 something and Top 10 pitcher in baseball....

He is going to be one of the greatest pitchers of all time.....

LOL...I get goosebumps thinking...

King Felix
and
Long term contract....
In the same thought.

A groundball Power pitcher.....
The Rare and unique

I love the King
I love his fastball
I love his cut-fastball
I love his breaking ball
I love his slider
I love his hair when he was 18
I love his hair now cause his cap stays on
I love the dominance
I love seeing knees buckle
I love the Ks
I love the Ws
I love the power
I love that he's an ace
I love that he is only gonna get better
I love that Mel is gonna coach him
I love to love the King
I love the idea of cloning him
I hope Felix has kids...and we draft all of them

All Hail the King

Please Mr Bavasi.....5 year deal to buyout Arbitration years

KING FELIX

The Man-child
The Myth
The Legend

Roger who?
Randy who?
Gibson who?
Cy who?

thats right...


King Felix....the Man that Makes Mariners fans orgasm every 5th day.

Poker: Week of 1/28/08-2/03/08

End of Week Update


Hands 10603
Profit +740 BB
BB/100 +6.98 (+3.49 PTBB/100)
Hours 24.62
+15.05 BB/HR Per Hour

Well......

The Majority of being on the upswing, was the last 3 days...the rest of the week was alot of upand down neutral days....

Not gonna over analyze it...but I sure folded in some tough spots....they felt right.

One spot I felt I should of folded....well...I was right...and set over set really sucks..the Huge drop on Sunday part of the graph, shows the one hand that killed me...was still up for the day a hundred or so.

The Key for me...is simply folding to resistance...and and putting up resistance to C-bets on spots I think someone is weak.

The main thing I need to keep doing, is throwing away some hands, to keep out of big pots with medium hands...losing a stack for Top pair is not a good thing....its stupid......when they are raising...most of the time it means I am beat....especially when the fire the 3rd barrel.....Sure...it might be a bluff....but its not a bluff 50% of the time or more.....

NEED A READ to call the big bets

Played average.....and thats good enough to make money.

JJ "GAME OVER" PUTZ.....

What can ya say....

Two letters says it all

JJ

It means the other team has no chance....
It means the best hitters walk away in shame

The Destroyer of 9th inning dreams.

No words can do him Justice...

He is an All-start Closer....
He is the nightmare of hitters.....

The splitfinger fastball puts them away
(thank you Eddie Guardado)

THUNDERSTRUCK!!!!!

Thunderstruck, yeah, yeah, yeah,
Thunderstruck, thunderstruck, thunderstruck
Whoa baby, baby, thunderstruck
You've been thunderstruck, thunderstruck
Thunderstruck, thunderstruck, thunderstruck
You've been thunderstruck

Sends chills down my spine anytime I hear the song......

Just seeing him warming up in the bullpen in the top of the 9th....
6 foot 5 of a rocket cannon arm.

Everyone at safeco on their feet...

Nothing better....

JJ Putz.....I have a Man crush until 2010...and you need to resign again

And you're always the best with fans......you Rock dude.

JJ for President is what I say

THUNDERSTRUCK BABY, THUNDERSTRUCK

Game Over

The Unheralded Hero on the corner....

MR Adrian Beltre.....

Some people think the MAriners overpaid....they expected him to reproduce his 2004 year for the next 5 years....and those people are stupid to expect that.

Fools...all of them.....

Adrian Beltre is the best 3rd baseman in the American League by far....
Sorry Boston Redsox fans, Mike lowell is a distant 2nd or 3rd.
Sorry Eric Chavez fans....his reign is over
Sorry Detriot fans...I love Miguel Cabrera but his defense is horrible

Adrian Beltre is the best all around 3B

I LOVE ADRIAN BELTRE
I LOVE THE GOLD GLOVE
I Love the defense
I love the bare handed grabs
I love the off balanced throws that are strikes to 1st
I love the vaccuum cleaner that sucks any balls hit to the left side
I love the appeals to 1B umpire...when its on himself
I love the appeals to 1B umpire...when its on himself (love it so much I had to say it twice)
I love the number 29
I love Red, The ultimate Beltre Fan
I love that we have him ffor 2 more years
I love that someday he will learn to hit a breaking ball
I love his accent
I love groundball pitchers...because Adrian makes them look good
I love the Yuni-Belt (its the thing that holds the left side together)

He is so unappreciated...and often undervalued....All-star defense is hard to comeby at 3B, becasue most teams use the position as a place to attempt to hide bad defense for power.

BOOM BOOM BELTRE

Call him Ambassador Adrian

The Yuni_bomber

What can ya say....

One of the Coolest Names in all of Baseball

Yuniesky Betancourt

Yuni...I love everything about you...

but...please fix the throw ya had in 2007 to 1B

Besides that...I will name my next child after you.

INCREDIBLE RANGE....

Getting to balls on the 2B side is miraculous.

and ...

The Double Mint Twins...one of the great Mariners commercials....ranks up there with Edgar Martinez "light bat" and "clapper" commercial

DEFENSE!!!
DEFENSE!!!
DEFENSE!!!

How do ya spell Defense?

Y-U-N-I + B-E-L-T-R-E = GOLD GLOVE LEFT SIDE

Yuni wont earn a gold glove because of the politics...but over the next couple years he does deserve one.

GO YUNI!!!!!

RAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLL....

Raul Ibanez....

The Resident Left handed bat.

We love ya Raul...but would love you even more if Bavasi got a clue and moved ya to 1B
and or DH 70% of the time.

I was at the game you hit your first homerun.

I love all the Raul giveaways at Safeco.
I love the Soul Patch
I love the bald look
I love your twin brother Jay Buhner
I love the Sick power onslaught of 2007
I love that you love Seattle and came back

Go Mariners

RAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUL!!!!!!

Go Mariners!!!!

KENJI JOHJIMA....the man that never walks.

We love Kenji....

We love that instead of parading around to other teams as a free agent.....
He came to the Mariners and said "I want to play here"

I love Kenji......

Mariners catchers have always been studs....

Dave Valle....Dan Wilson...now Kenji.

There is not a whole lot to say....

With most catchers...ya point out weaknesses...or ya point to one or two things that offset the weaknesses (such as a weak bat, or defensively inept)
But Kenji....he doesnt have a weakness.

Good defensively
Good Arm
Good Bat

He's 1 step being being an All-star...but overall he is better than all the "all-star" catchers.
He's just better all around.

He is the Rock behind the plate.

and a Catcher that ya dont always have to pinch hit for in the 8th....well...that says how good he is at the plate.

WE LOVE YOU KENJI!!!!!

The Man Mariners Fans dont give enough love too.....

Okay...

I dunno why this struck me this evening....

But...

In all the Chaos that is the Bedard/Jones....Orioles saying "yes...no....definately....never....maybe....we love to jerk your chain"

Everyone in the world is talking about 24 players of the Mariners roster for one reason or another....but "the franchise"...no one is talking about.

Mr. Ichiro Suzuki

I love Ichiro
I love his Bat
I love his glove
I love his speed
I love that he's ours for the next 5 years and probably career mariner.
I love the Gold Gloves
I love the Silver Sluggers
I love that he is a little strange (in a good way)
I love the number 51
I love japanese
I love baseball
I love Ichiro playing baseball
I love that he doesnt give his autograph very often.
I love his defense
I love the chants "I-CHI-RO"
I love that I get to see him 162 games
I love his style in the field
I love Area 51
I love how he makes pitchers seem better (Say thank you....Mr Jarrod Washburn)

Mariners already have One King...King Felix Hernandez.....

But....

The Emperor is....

Emperor ICHIRO

Oh....gonna need to pay homage to My main man Mr Beltre...I will save that for another post.

ALL HAIL EMPEROR ICHIRO

The Pending Jones/Bedard Trade and the only opinion that matters.....

I have been putting this off until the "official" word that the trade is complete.....

First off....

I want Jones to be a Mariner for the next 6 years.....

Second.....

Erik Bedard is a stud of a pitcher and is definately an Ace. (when the trade happens I will make a separate entry welcoming Erik and heaping praise an my utter love of him as a Mariners...but for now I am mourning losses of the future)

That being said.....

As being reported presently.....

Erik Bedard for Adam Jones, George Sherrill, Chris Tillman and 2 other minor leaguers

I think Tillman is toooooooo much....should have kept tillman and gave up butler....If we give up Butler and Tillman....Bavasi must plan on working for baltimore next year....

I am seriously worried who the "other 2 prospects" are.....

As is...I dont like the trade....but will hope that we can make the playoffs and magically make the world series in the next 2 years....because as the Roster stands now...we are screwed if we dont...because bedard aint staying unless we win....and if we do its gonna cost a fortune....which means we still wont win past 2010...well...unless we can keep bedard and felix...and pray for lucky breaks in the minors....

saving salary on a talent as jones....potential #2-3 pitcher in Tillman...and the Present #52 George for cheap...well.....thats alot of talent for a very cheap price for ALOT of years.

I will survive though....as long as the other two prospects ARE NOT:
Tony Bulter
Jeff Clement
Brandon (1st round draft pick who will never start because bavasi is an idiot) Morrow
Carlos Truinfel (I will become an Orioles fan if its Carlos and Jones)

Players I dont want to see included...but might surivive.....
The list is long and many....
preferably no Starting pitchers...or position players with talent....becasue gawd knows we dont have many left.

I still can sink my teeth into it....
If Jones because a complete stud....I will cry in a couple years when we cant resign Bedard.
2 year rental for All-star would be horrible.

Okay enough.....

Its gonna happen....the only thing that matters now is who the 2 other prospects are.

and now...

Who's gonna play RF?

Luis Gonzales, Brad Wilkerson, Wlad the impaler, or insert

LOL...I think I will save that for another post as well.....after we find out who is included on the deal...I mean...I cant imagine Wlad being traded....but hey...with Bavasi, ya never know


Welcome Erik......Adam, we will miss you...in 2010-2014 especially....when we crying when bedard leaves...then Felix wants to play for a contender again and wants out...and Ichiro Suzuki retires.

We better win in the next 2 years.....because this is the time with the Bavasi plan..becasue at the end of it....its gonna be really bad....

So...

Go Seattle Mariners !!!!
World Series or Bust!

Poker: Week of 1/21/08-1/27/08

End of Week Update


Hands 7378
Profit -147 BB
BB/100 -1.98 (-0.99 PTBB/100)
Hours 19.50
-3.76 BB/HR Per Hour

I hid midweek and totally disgusted between times playing bad (or what I percieved as playing bad) and....not sure If I can handle the idiot players....I swear the worse a player is...the more of my money they get....I seem to have no problems taking money from the average to good players.

I played well on Sunday though.

Also...

Stoxpoker's Leatherass9 invited players to play in 4 tables of 25NL for a video....
I played pretty decent....the exception being 3 specific hands....

First was the hand I stacked off on a complete bluff, I definately shouldnt have 2nd barrel the turn (yeah he had a set, but that didnt make it a sub-par play)
At the time I didnt think it all the way thru.....He called the flop....and LA wouldnt have called the flop without something...and if he had a draw...he probably would have raised....LA calling....well....thats a red flag right there.....
If the Turn would have been a K or A....I could make an arguement (obviously I still would have lost the hand...but at least then I could warrant the aggression in that situation....bascially...good idea to be agressive....after the flop call I should have known better and shut it down on the turn.

But the good thing about the hand...I think it did help me in the AA hand when I smooth called his 3bet.

The other hand I didnt like how I played was an AQ hand....I 3bet from the button from a bet, raise by the HJ and CO....BB made a good play and "super squeezed"...may have had a big hand....but if he didnt....definately a good play (I think he some SC but ya never know)

A couple times with AJos...felt like I was being weak tight and folding in a couple situations....but I just couldnt see raising with a reverse implied odds hand like that...I didnt have a specific read I was ahead in the situations....and to be honest...I would have rather done it with junk...at least then I know I had to hit 2 pair to consider being good if they called....
AJ is semi-strong...but I always have 2nd thoughts about it when 3bet....
I dunno...just one of those areas I still have doubts about game.

All in all...I would say I played c+ game, which isnt bad...but I just felt I didnt have a good feel here and there...I am too critical sometimes.....

I did get a good read and follow through with the player to my immediate left....super tight player...I abused him when it was just the blinds...everytime I raised I was stealing with absolute junk....just because he was so tight....it was going to be profitable...I wish I could get that type of player in the two seats to my left EVERY table....lol....i'd be playing a 50/45 game because I would be the "button" 5 out of 6 hands.

But my luck is always to get AKs and flop nothing, and CB called when they pair their 3 of the K3os and they dont fold...and I never hit.

LOL

back to the 25NL

I intentionally sat on LA left...not because I felt it would be profitable....just that I wanted to make sure I didnt attempt to sit in a neutral seat...and not get it, then get stuck with the seat to his right....LOL.....because I dont think having Dusty on my left would have been much fun.....well...unless I really felt like getting Real crazy, or playing a 8/6 session.

The more I think about it....I wish I wouldnt have played the complete bluff hand...I could have played a better overall game with the table set-up....though LA is a much much better player than I am....I think I lost a bit of the positional advantage with that one hand...got paid on a couple hands...but there were a bunch of situations in which I could have used a tighter image.

Essentially I saw what LA was doing after about 20 hands or so (he was seriously lagging it up, I noticed it immediately....mainly because I epected him to feel players out and then crush them...lol)....
I should have taken that into consideration...and kept a tight/solid image and use that to my advantage to use my position with the image...he would have adapted of course...but I essentially broke even with AA.....

LOL...okay maybe I didnt play that well....well....I did...but I didnt....I did somethings really well...but not so good in other ways.

I cant wait to see the video....partially I want to see if my gut instincts that initially had on certain hands, that I changed my mind on...see if I was stupid for not going with instinct...or if the 2nd guess instinct was right.

I dunno....part of me thinks that I over think things to much to play anything under 100NL (not specifically the video table today...just in general I outplay myself sometimes)

Okay..enough rambling....

I do need to call less, and raise more to end the hand (basically in situations not to call and dump off chips....either win the hand, or find out I am behind and know what to do on the turn or river)
Callings raise with no clue on what they have....that is just plain bad (unless ya have the nuts, then it doesnt matter)

at the stakes I am playing I need to:
Bluff less
CB less (I dunno...it seems every CB gets called when I dont want it to)
be more aggressive, but not 2 and 3 street bluffing.

I should have played more.

Pondering moves/signings I Want the Mariners to make before Spring Training

The last couple days with the Rumor Mill working overtime with Bedard/Jones trade....

Well...I've only been thinking of what I feel are obvious things I DO NOT WANT TO SEE as a Mariner fan...not suggestions of what I want....so....

Most things in my mind are dependant.....kinda like Bedard....
Yeah I want him...I'm just not willing to cripple the future to do it.

Things I would like....

Bedard.....

Yeah, I would love to have King Felix and Erik Bedard.....I would love the discussions on the Forums of...."No, Felix is the #1" ...then someone else responds...."No Bedard is the clear Ace of the staff".......thats the kinda problem I would like the Mariners to have.

Conditions I would require to have to approve a Deal for Erik Bedard
1) We keep Adam Jones...UNLESS it is a straight up deal (one for one)....I know this is impossible...but thats how much I want Jones in a M's uniform for the next 5 years minimum.
I could bend a little if other prospects were expendable ....but..Jones and guys like Tillman and Truinfel in the same trade...i'd rather be dead.

2) Wlad being the cornerstone prospect of the deal....I just think he is more valuable for another team...at safeco...his power is diminished...other parks, he could flurish....not that I dont want him...I just think his value for the M's is trade power.

3) Max 1 pitching prospect included with Wlad....When ya see blockbuster trades...its always a starting pitcher....even middle of Rotation starters get good value in prospects.
Why does this matter?....because even if 2 out of 3 top pitching prospects bust.....if one of them can pitch for cheap 3-4 years...then trade them for 2-3 prospects....the cycle continues.
Morrow OR Tillman OR Butler.....not 2 or 3...ONE ONLY MAX

4) No Truinfel...for goodness sake...he's 17 and he's beyond where most 21 year olds are at....I keep hearing people comparing him to others.....HE'S SEVENTEEN AND IS IMPROVING MORE THAN 21+++ YEAR OLDS.....at this rate....when he is 20 he will be a stud.....
Yeah...its high risk...buts its a huge reward at the end of the rainbow.
To include him....well...I dont want to...but once again...straight up

5) Clement is okay to trade....As long as he wouldnt be a potential future 1B to replace Richie Sexson and backup Catcher...basically I wish I knew how Clement would be after 2008....
Lefty power is always good...I dunno....part of me says "yeah, he can be dealt"....the other part says "1B/C/DH for league minimum is VERY attractive".....
Basically if the O's want him...make it quick or I will change my mind

6) I am just unwilling to gut the farm.....I am probably more specific on what I WONT trade than most educated fans....half the trades that some people would seem reasonable...I would puke if I saw them.

I dunno...I just dont think the Mariners are that close to being an elite team....Playoff potential...yes...but I feel the chances of making the world series are in 2009/2010/2011 ranges with some of the youth in the pipeline...when Felix is going into his prime as one of the Best SP in MLB

Other things I want to see.
Ho-Ram cut during spring Training ....I dont want him as a starter.....and there are other arms that are better in the Bullpen......the only way I change my mind is if Ho-Ram pitches like Bob Gibson in ST.

Morrow at AAA Tacoma....not because I dont think he deserves to be on the big club...but I want him to get some seasoning as a Starter in the Minors.....just afraid he'll get shelled as a starter, and have to start from scap on his confidence.....He should have been working on being a starter last year.....if he did....we would be our #5 starter this year or a late year call up....and he would be ready....now....we are still in the same boat.....needing to get him experience and learning as a starter.

Trade Vidro for peanuts.....He's about to go over the hill and off the cliff.....dump him now for a c- prospect and eat 1 million of his salary.....one million now is better than the 6++++ million we will eat next year when he cant play, or we dont want him to play....Turbo...ya did well in 2007....but I didnt like the trade when it happen...and now I just worry production is gonna plummet.
Its not gonna happen...but I can hope....because if it does......

Ibanez to 80% DH....this is contingent to Vidro being gone....or Sexson being moved and Raul moving to 1B (I am 80% sold that Raul can play 1B decently).....
always need Lefties at safeco.....but the main reason I want him at DH...becasue that means we get better defense in LF....well...as long as its not Brad Wilkerson ..dont need to have a Right handed Raul in left field....we need defensive upgrade in Left.

Sign Bartolo Colon......it may sound crazy...but sign him for 3 million plus incentives.....
If he stinks in ST and his shoulder is shot....cut him and eat 500k.....if he's got his stuff back....hey...pretty good for a #5 starter....I mean...Ho-Ram sucks....made more sense to sign Jennings for the same amount.....at least Jennings has a shot at being decent this year....Ho-Ram doesnt (sorry buddy, I love all mariners players...but ya need to retire to help the team)

Find a Left handed bat for the bench (with power).....as it stands now....there is ZERO HR potential on the bench....Willie, Cairo, Burke and.....unless they have Wlad as the 4th outfield....zero power on the bench.....
Thats another thing.....Cairo?...why did we sign him...we already have a no hitting utility guy with no power and no hitting skills.....why do we need 2? To me its a waste of a roster spot...could have use it better.

A Miracle......I want the MAriners to Win the West....but as the Roster is now....We are 2nd in the West.....a distant second......

I know with the farm system, and wise moves....in 2 years we will be the contender and probably leading the angels....but patience sucks :-)

Oh...maybe a move with some of our bullpen for good prospects (not the standard reliver for scrub)...but we have alot of talent in the Bullpen....we should get some value for what we cant use now.

Geeze I could go on forever.....but I need sleep.

Ichiro is the Man!
Adrian Beltre is a 3B stud
Felix Hernandez is the True King

Go Mariners!!!

Praying that Bavasi doesnt make a franchise destroying move...

I havent been posting as often....for a couple reasons....Mainly Fear.

Poker hasnt gone well lately...so havent been posting that.

I have it in the back of my mind that if I post too much......then Bad Karma, and Bavasi will make some stupid trade that will gut the farm.....leave the MAriners with no defense and pithcers who will all leave within 2-3 years.....

Essentially nothing left......

Okay...rant time....

Brad Wilkerson???!?!?!?
You have to be friggin kidding me.....

Rumors are that the Mariners are interested in him (Mainly if Adam Jones is traded).
Hmmmmm.....

Yes that would be the stupidest move in the world....
Ichiro....Ibanez...Wilkerson outfield.

Ichiro cant cover the ENTIRE OUTFIELD!!!!!!!!
3-4 pitch to contact pitchers...and a horrible outfield defense is what Wilkerson will doom the Mariners with worst defensive outfield in the AL....and that is with Gold Glove Ichiro.

HORRIBLE IDEA!!!!!!!

Especially since WILKERSON = RICHIE SEXSON JR

Its one thing to create a lineup of Hack first and dont strike out guys....but then to add strike out first guys who hit a few HRs in the mix....

FRIGGIN STUPID.....

I will cease being a Mariner fan if this happens....Jones gone and Wilkerson in his place?
It creates anger beyond belief thinking about it.

Would I like to have Bedard? Yeah, but not making the Mariners the worst franchise in the world for the next 10 years I wouldnt.
Trading all talent in the minors away for one guy....who "might" help the mariners get to the playoffs.....

Thats what I said "MIGHT" help them to the "playoffs".....Not the World Series...not winning in the playoffs....it will get them a guarenteed 2nd place in the West....and a 40% chance of making the playoffs.....and in return...it guarentees them in 2 years when bedard leaves.....

They will have Felix....and a Team full of nothing...Ichiro nearing the end of his career....no talent in the minors to replace anything...and the Mariners spending 5-10 million for players who have no talent.

ARGH.....just the though of it is stupid.

Maybe Jones straight up (okay maybe some toss in talent...but the guys that they are talking about including...morrow, truinfel, Tillman, Butler, etc etc....
Come on....at least half are gonna end up being Major leagues...and at least 1 or two REALLY good MLs.

For what...a 2 year rent a guy who wont resign with us?

If this was 1-2 years from now...okay....maybe...but the Mariners are not that close to being an elite team....and a Bedard trade for Jones...doesnt make us an eltite team...if anything...IT GUARENTEES THE MARINERS WILL NOT BE AN ELITE TEAM IN THE NEXT 5-10 YEARS.
Well...Okay...if they increase the Payroll to 400 million and purchase the best players from other teams (give them 20 million for a player)

See I can even write....its such a horrbile plan....

Brad Friggin Wilkerson....OVER RATED...he has been over rated for YEARS...I remember stories 3 or 4 years ago how he was suppose to get Teas over the hump....add soooooooo much to the texas line-up......come on...
What did Brad Wilkerson do for Texas?????????
NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sammy Sosa did more for Texas that Brad Dream killer Wilkerson.

Brad Wilkerson....is Richie sexson with less power....and even less at Safeco field.
He's more like Willie Bloomquist, with no speed, or defense....Willie might hit more HR in safeco that Wilkerson. (I am totally serious)....he hit how many HR at Arlington? a Stadium my daughter can hit HRs in.....
And we expect him to hit 25+ HR at safeco?????

Get Real.....

and with HORRIBLE defense....

Mr Bavasi...if you replace Jones with Wilkerson....I will become a Angels and Yankee fan...
which will probably cause me to go insane.

Bedard, yes
Keep jones too, yes
Wilkeson, HELL NO....not even as a DH.

What is up with people liking this guy....he is pathetic...so what he hit 20 HR....for a corner OF that should be a requirement (unless hitting 300++ with speed and defense)...
It makes Brad average....not something to strive for.

Please Mr Bavasi...dont screw the fans over....especially the fans who are stupid enough to think Brad is a good idea......

Just say No to WheelChair OF defense