It’s been quite a long time since my last blog. To be honest for a good chunk of time I had lost interest in just about everything, including blogging. Hell, including eating. I’ve lost roughly 4lbs since I moved to Vegas….and if you’ve ever seen me you know I can’t afford to lose any weight.

These are obvious signs of depression. I went to see my physician about a possible eating disorder (most likely associated with depression) a couple weeks ago. I don’t have the body image issues that are associated with something like anorexia, but my bmi is certainly considered underweight.

The fact I went to a behavioral health place (therapist/psychologist) voluntarily is a good sign in itself. I’ve gone through about 5 different antidepressants in my lifetime now without any help. They’ve actually done more harm than good, but I’m going to start therapy again as well as continue my search for a functional antidepressant.

I’m currently back in Stow, OH. I decided to stop by and celebrate my birthday with my family and also get a chance to spend time with some of my old friends from around here. I’ve been feeling better and it’s been nice to get out and see autumn back east. Being in the desert for 3 months straight was kind of like being in Ohio during the winter. When I came back I almost forgot about trees and grass and leaves that change colors!

It’s been a rough year for me, but I’m working on taking better care of myself and with that I’m confident I’ll be back in better form than ever. I recently turned 22 – more or less a mid-life crisis year in “poker years”, haha. I realize I’ve taken a lot for granted the past year and I’m really looking forward to some redemption this year.

Since I’m already on the east coast I’ll probably end up at Foxwoods next, possibly AC as well, I’ll have to check the exact schedules. Then I’ll head back to Vegas after Thanksgiving for Five Diamond. I’m also going to be doing some PokerVT work. I’m looking forward to getting back on the saddle and adding some more depth/layers to the site I once poured my heart into.

-Adam

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Legends of Poker WPT  is the next big event I’ll be playing. I’m driving in Friday late night and the event starts up midday on Saturday.

I’m still not completely set on my fall schedule. The only thing I’ve decided on 100% is WSOPE/EPT London (both schedules look amazing) and of course WCOOP. I’ve always been a pretty impulsive guy though, so I suspect those won’t be the only tournaments I’ll be playing over the next month.

Cya at the Bike,

Adam

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I’m back in Tunica for the World Poker Open at Goldstrike. Just a few years ago this was a major stop on the WPT. Unfortunately they dropped it from the schedule about a year ago. Despite the main event no longer being a televised $10k event the WPO still attracts a reasonable amount of players.

They’ve got some good PLO action here, both tournaments and cash games. You’d be lucky to find to a 5/5 PLO game in Vegas (during non WSOP times), but it’s spread far more commonly here in the south, especially during the World Poker Open.

So far I haven’t done too well in the cash games, but have made a couple final tables online – go figure. Tomorrow’s the $1k PLO w/rebuys and then on Sunday the $5k NLH main event. I’m feeling really good about how I’m playing and am very driven at the moment. I like my chances to do well in these small field soft events.

-Adam

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Way back in May I was interviewed about the upcoming World Series of Poker. I forget where this specific interview was published or how it was used…, but I still have the conversation log which had an interesting question considering the circumstances.

Reporter: what needs to happen for you to consider your first wsop a success?

Me: I could whiff every event I played, but still consider the series a success if I felt I played well and grew as a poker player. I came awfully close to a bracelet in London….it would be nice to take one in the states
Me: hm that really doesn’t answer your question does it

Reporter: no, that’s probably the best answer I’ve had to be honest

Me: oh
Me: ok cool

The final tally was 23 tournaments played zero cashes. I made one day 3, and three day 2’s. Only advanced past day 1 in the $40k NLH, $10k PLO and $10k NLH Main. I didn’t bomb out of all the smaller events before dinner break, although nothing really seemed to go right afterwards.

I thought I played well for the most part. It’s difficult to stay on top of your best game for a month straight. Don’t get me wrong I obviously made mistakes while playing, but I’m certain I made more mistakes when I wasn’t playing – and that’s clearly not a good thing during an endurance test like the series.

I did learn quite a bit during the series and without a doubt grew as a poker player as well as a person. Discussing/getting coaching on the other games (stud format games/TD/o8) with Daniel and playing some more mixed games has helped peak my interest in learning more and becoming a better all around poker player. I doubt anyone would’ve guessed at the start of the WSOP that my earnings on the series would come from the PLO side games.

It was tough to walk out of the Rio during the last few tournaments as the series came to a close. It all started up and ended so quickly. After busting the main I flew to Ohio and spent the past weekend at a relative’s lake house. I just needed to get out of the Vegas heat and relax for awhile.

I’ve had a good time visiting family and friends while I’ve been back in Ohio. I’ll be heading back home to Vegas in a couple days and am looking forward to getting back at it as well as figuring out my schedule for the next few months.

-Adam

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Wow. The WSOP is such a time warp. June is almost already over. I suppose time flies when you’re playing a tournament or two everyday. I’ve played almost 20 events so far and I still haven’t put a single dollar on the board. In fact, I’ve only made it past day one twice (in the $40K & $10KPLO).

Frustrating to be going into the last week without a cash. This is not exactly how I pictured my first WSOP. Although I do realize being 0 for 18 or 1 for 18 is not a “crazy” unreasonable outcome. Especially considering the nature of tournaments and the variance involved. Then again all it takes is one tournament to make 1 for 20 look real good.

Lookin forward to the $5k 6-max, $3k NL, and then the main event will be here before you know it.

-Adam

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In the midst of the WSOP I’ve been struggling to find time to blog. I think it’s safe to assume that’s to be expected when there’s a tournament everyday at the Rio until mid July. I busted early in today’s event ($2.5k NLH) so I’ve finally found some time to update on my first series.

I played a $1.5k sat (to the $40k) the night before the $40k NLH. I was at the Rio and figured it’d be a good idea to play something there and get a feel for the place before playing in the biggest buyin WSOP NLH tournament ever. I ended up taking 9th in the satellite when 4 places paid (105 entered). It was a mistake to play considering it lasted until 3-4am and I had to play the next day at noon.

The $40k NLH was a pretty sick event. 120k starting stacks, first level had antes (200/400/50), and 60min levels. Def a unique tournament, and a lot of players liked starting with antes. I predict next year’s WSOP will have some lower buyin NLH tournaments that start with antes (and a $25k NLH until each decade when they’ll have a $50k, $60k, etc).

I played at 3 fairly soft tables (considering the field) on day 1. My high point was around 250k at level 8 but I ended the day with 144k. I knew I was very focused/playing well after I made a nice call with A-high against an opponent who turned out to be MrSmokey. Had I known it was Smokey before the hand I would’ve called faster, but my read after playing with him for a couple of hours sufficed.

Unfortunately on day 2 I drew the worst table ever and was pretty handcuffed with my stack (day started at 2.5k/5k/500).

Seated 1-9: Phil Ivey, Nam Le, Raszi, Sorel Mizzi, Bakes, Me, Mike DeMichele, Dave Benefield, Dani Stern

I shoved 108k on the button with 6-6 at 3k/6k/500 and ran into DeMichele’s J-J in the SB. Oh well. Grats to my friends who final tabled. I look forward to watching it on ESPN.

The very next day was the $1k NLH. This tournament was capped at 5,600. It ended up getting 6,012 entrants (ship the o/u bet, I took > 5880 or something like that). This tournament was the first time I “truly experienced” the WSOP. “Truly experienced” meaning the first time I saw the Rio hopping with people.

I played fine in the $1k, but couldn’t get into it at all and was pretty happy after busting (QQ < AK). It was just a total mindfuck to go from playing day 2 of the $40k to the $1k. I also got very little sleep the night before, so I really just wasn’t in the best mood.

I guess I’m glad I didn’t skip it though. I learned what the majority of the WSOP is all about…..lots and lots of large field, quick structured (this is not a complaint) NLH tournaments. Whiffed the first 5 events but I think I’m playing really well and feel more prepared and ready for the summer than ever.

-Adam

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I just got back home from Commerce Casino. Played some tourneys and cash during the Cali State series. I ended up making a run in the $1k, going into day 2 ITM with 79k (going into 600/1200/200). Unfortunately I ran into a few hands during Day 2 and busted out in 13th. I busted early during the $5k main, which was another soft field. During the third hand (25/50 15k starting) I saw 2 opponents get all-in with AQ vs K8hh on the Ax 7h 5h Ks board. The river was an eight and nobody at the table knew who won. Sounds about right.

I just got nothing going and it was an early exit for me, losing a big pot c/cing 2 streets with AT vs LP’s open limped AK and getting my last 20bbs in with 54o vs John Phan’s Q8s on the 832 flop. Meh

Unfortunately, I ended up getting into a car accident while I was in LA. Changing lanes in stop n go traffic, I hit the back of a semi and smashed the front of my 08 Civic. I was braking several seconds before impact so I didn’t feel much, although I was definitely shaken up. I was spitting blood for a day or so, but it’s stopped. Other than that I’m alright. I had to leave my car at a body shop in LA, it’ll be a few days before I hear back from them regarding damage evaluation.

It’s now less than a week until the WSOP begins. I currently plan on playing every single NLH/PLH, 2-7NL and PLO event. I’ve talked to KidPoker about coaching me in some of the other games, so you might see me playing a stud8 or o8 event as well. I’ve been playing a lot online and live lately and really feel great going into the series.

Next up is the $40k NLH, my first WSOP event in the US.

- Adam

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Hey everyone. Long time no blog. I seem to have lost confidence in my ability to write/keep a blog. Granted, I have been pretty busy traveling thousands of miles to bust out of the biggest tournaments in the world. Regardless, I just haven’t been up for writing much lately. Twitter probably hasn’t helped.

*shrug*

Right now I’m hangin out at my parents place in good old Stow, OH. I figured I’d stop by and visit friends/fam before the WSOP starts and things really get hectic. I plan on headin back to Vegas in the next couple days.

EPT Monte Carlo was a really sick tournament. Hopefully there’s some good news regarding the US government and regulating poker soon, because events in Europe simply kick the shit out of anything in the US (and it’s not even remotely close). I’m sure the WSOP is still going to be huge, everyone’s saving up their money for it. But EPT’s have gotten so good in terms of softness, structure, sending satellite qualifiers, etc. As much as traveling wears me out, it’ll probably be a mistake to miss too many EPT’s next season. Ughhhh.

I’m starting to get fired up for my first World Series in Las Vegas. Despite my current downswing I feel pretty good about my performances in both the Bellagio $25k and EPT MC. I’ve been waiting to play WSOP events in LV for like, a quarter of my existence lol. Time to crush.

-Adam

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It’s now been a month since I moved to Vegas. For the time being I don’t think there’s anywhere else I’d rather be living. It feels great to finally have a place here. It’s helped me focus more on poker.

Finally tossed a desk together!

Off the front balcony. City Center is kind of like our ant farm.

I only played a couple of the Bellagio Five Star prelim’s. The field sizes were pretty mediocre and I was busy playing SCOOP tournaments online. Today was the last $5k before the WPT Championship this weekend. I busted with 9c8c vs AQ on the QxTc7c for 50k during 200/400/25. They bumped up the starting stacks to 4x the buyin, so with 20k in starting chips the Bellagio $5k has a better structure than the standard EPT structure. The main event will be ridiculously deep with 100k starting at 50/100.

Later,

-Adam

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Haven’t gotten around to taking any pictures of my new place yet. I’ve still got some stuff to setup around the condo. I still need to put away a bunch of clothes and install the television and my desktop, but we’ve pretty much taken care of everything else. At any rate most Panorama units are all fairly similar, but I was lucky to find an end unit that has two balcony’s and more space than most of the other rooms.

I’ve been putting in more hours at the tables, both online and live. The last two nights I’ve been bored and drove to Bellagio at like 1am to play their 10/20nl uncapped. I think I’m gonna start playing more live cash. Maybe learn some new games along the way.

Here’s what I’ve got coming up:

5/30: $5k WSOPC in Rincon. I’ll probably decide if I’m going 6 hours before Shaun starts driving on Monday morning.

SCOOP tourneys in April, along with the Bellagio 5-Star series. Lots of prelim’s, good cash games and the WPT Championship $25k.

After the $25k WPT, I’m about 68.5% certain I’ll be going to Monte Carlo for the big EPT series. There’s a 10k euro main, 25k euro high roller, 5k euro PLO and a few others. There’s also a WSOPC series ($5k ME) that overlaps with Monte Carlo at Caesar’s, but I really shouldn’t miss out on MC, esp after skipping it last year. Guess we’ll just wait and see as the date approaches.

I’ve been out here for about 10 days and love it.

- Adam

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