Bloggers
- 50 Days of Summer
- Adam Junglen
- Adam Levy
- AlCantHang
- Alec Torelli
- Alex Bolotin
- Alex Fitzgerald
- Andrew Brown
- annette_15
- Annie Duke
- Ari Engel
- Bet24
- Beth Shak
- Bill Chen
- Bluff Mid-States Poker Tour
- Brad (yukonbrad) Booth
- Brandon Adams
- Brent Hanks
- Brett Jungblut
- Brian Hawkins
- Brian Wilson
- Bryan Devonshire
- Chris "moorman1" Moorman
- Chris Klodnicki
- Christina Lindley
- Dan Fleyshman
- Dan Gordon
- Danny Wong
- Dave McCarthy
- David "GhettoFabolous" Randall
- David Chicotsky
- Dennis Phillips
- Doyle Brunson
- Epic Poker
- Eric Lynch
- Eric Morris
- Esther Taylor
- Evan "PURPLEPILS99" Parkes
- Evelyn Ng
- Garrett Beckman
- Gary Wise
- Glen "2008 EPT Champ" Chorny
- Hevad "RainKhan" Khan
- Ian McKenzie
- Jamie Gold
- Jason "mkind0516" Laso
- Jason (Sure Bet Poker) Sallman
- Jeff Markley
- Jeff Williams
- Jeffrey Romano
- Jennifer "Jennicide" Leigh
- Jeremy (daisyxoxo) Fitzpatrick
- Jessica Welman
- Joe "Hoodini10" Udine
- John Racener
- Justin (BoostedJ) Smith
- Justin Bonomo
- Keith Gipson
- Kevin Saul
- Lance Bradley
- Lee Childs
- Lee Jones
- Lee Markholt
- Lina Olofsson
- Liv Boeree
- Marc Karam
- Maria Ho
- Mark "The Omaholic" Roland
- Mark Kroon
- Mark Seif
- Matt Kay
- Matt Vengrin
- Matthew Parvis - Editor-in-Chief, Bluff Magazine
- Michael Binger
- Michael Craig
- Mike "SowersUNCC" Sowers
- Mohsin Charania
- Nick "FU_15" Maimone
- November Nine Finalist - Matt Jarvis
- Online Offers
- Paul Oresteen
- Paul Wasicka
- Phil Collins
- Poker Players Alliance
- Poker Royalty
- Rick Fuller
- Rupert Elder
- Russel Carson
- Sam Trickett
- Scott Ian
- Shaun Deeb
- Shuffle Tech
- Soren Kongsgaard
- The Venetian
- thepokerdb
- Tom Franklin
- Tom West
- Vanessa Rousso
Staying Positive
- Mike "SowersUNCC" Sowers | July 5, 2008
This in my opinion is one of the strongest parts of a person’s poker game that is far overlooked. Dealing with the opinions of other people, while your opinions and optimistic attitude are far different from theirs, and staying focused on your own goals. I keep time to myself each day to reflect on these.
The math in my brain tells me that although I may be losing at the time and around other losers of that tournament that is all just probability. That each time we hear these bad beat stories there will be maybe two or three other times where our friend just increased their stack. We need to keep this in focus that although we may be running bad as long as we are getting our money into the pot good we are going to stay winners throughout are career.
Every time my money goes in as a favorite, if it loses I brush it off and say that’s money in my pocket more times than not. It’s the times we get our money in bad that we need to focus on and learn from. It is a lot easier to focus on some suck out where we got our money in good than to have looked at times we have gotten lucky and played a hand terribly.
My opinion is if you always stay positive and look to keep improving your game, there is no need to worry about the times you are getting sucked out. In the long run we all know that each time you do this its money in bank.
I hope to carry this attitude into the main event and capture my second final table of this year’s series. It is going to be the best tournament I’ve ever played and I am going to get my brain focused on what I need to think about to achieve what I ultimately want so much. The only way to ever achieve anything special is to stay positive.
Preparing for my first World Series of Poker
- Mike "SowersUNCC" Sowers | May 23, 2008
I have a specific way I prepare for each event, whether it is just a week long or a month and a half. Some very basic things I make sure I do before I leave to go on a business trip, is to make sure I spend quality time with my friends and family. This to me is important on so many levels such as improving my frame of mind before a tournament. It also helps with getting my mind completely off of poker, improving my hunger to win, and making sure I realize how lucky I am to have the people I have around me.
When I got back from Europe in mid April I was prepared to relax and visit some friends at the beach. My state of mind was in no way prepared to play a full month of online poker. I had so many things to take care of before I was going to be out of town for a full month and a half (in fact I only played one FTOPS event.) I recently purchased my first home in Charlotte and was in the process of remodeling all the while buying two rental houses near my home town as investments (quite a full month as far as real estate.) I’m sure some of you know this is a very stressful time just trying to make everything perfect, and if you haven’t experienced it I can say it is well worth the time and effort. When your home starts to come together the way you pictured it can be quite a fulfilling feeling.
In my spare time, instead of playing poker this month I decided to really get out and do stuff with friends. There are so many sacrifices we make in the poker world to get to the top. Many of us lose touch with friends, social activities, even family because we are so determined to be the best and to take full advantage of the opportunity to play poker for a living. This is okay as long as you recognize it and try to make the time you sacrifice as short as possible. Lately many people have asked why I haven’t played online frequently. I tell them after you start growing to what you want to be in life the people around you become so much more important. Perhaps this is because you have abandoned them in some way, shape, or form when you are on a full grinder schedule. Breaks are needed in this business, and in my opinion, are sometimes more valuable than the actual expected value one might miss by taking a month off.
So this month I went to Wrightsville Beach in North Carolina for a week to chill by the ocean and see some of my friends. Since I’ve been back I’ve been doing nothing more than hanging out with my friends and family. I have also spent time talking with my grandparents and parents about old times and telling them of new adventures I’m going to face. The advice they give is priceless. We have to remember that they have experienced many of the same things we have as far as growing up and the struggles of being a young adult. Spending quality time with your family is so underrated. It’s such a great feeling to have a home cooked meal at your grandparent’s house and reminisce about the times when you were young. This is why I think it is important to spend time with your family before you leave for a tournament. Poker is such a grueling task especially the World Series, that you need to be in the most relaxed, energetic state of mind.
I played a couple rounds of golf and really just spent time finding furniture this month. I have also gone out more than I ever have since I’ve been in Charlotte. I really feel my state of mind is hungry for a good showing at the series and this has been the most joyful month I have had in a long time. Sometimes, just enjoying life can get you in that state of mind that solves the puzzle of the poker table. I guess only time will tell how effective this strategy of life management will be for the World Series of Poker, but I will say that I am confident I have what it takes.