CARDRUNNERS

What's Your Edge

Andrew

September 30, 2006

More aruba talk and thoughts on gambling legislation

I haven't been posting much lately. I apologize.

Aruba was a fucking blast this year. I really love that island. It has a beautiful beach and just good times all around. I wish the resort was a bit bigger with some more stuff to do, but that's about my only complaint.

The tournament didn't go as well as I'd hope. I think I was a bit distracted to be honest. Last year I was just very excited to play a live event. This year that wasn't there. I kept thinking aobut last year where I sat inside for 3 days playing poker rather than being on the beach only to win 5k. Don't get me wrong, last year was an excellent experience, but in a way I kind of regretted getting so deep. I knew I missed out on all the island had to offer. That was always in the back of my mind during this year's tournament. I wanted to try to get a stack rather than grind away. I was never able to do that though. I never got over 15k. At the dinner break I had around 11k. After dinner I didn't win a pot until I was at 6k w/ 300-600 blinds. I opted to push AJo UTG. It was a pretty standard play IMO. A guy who I called the "old timer" called me. He had been killing me all day long. I probaylb would have had 10k more at dinner if it wasnt for him. He would limp call almost every raise I made preflop and then c/r the flop or turn. It was sick. I never had a hand to raise him back with either. Anyway, he called and turned QQ. All of us laughed b/c it seemed right that he'd be the one to take me out after all our confortations. The flop came KJx and I felt like I had a chance. After a J turn adn A river I was up to about 12 or 13k. I built it up to 15k but was down to 12k when my final hand came up. The old timer raised to 2k from the cutoff and a guy who had just sat called from the small blind. I was in the BB and looked down at AQo. It seemed like a good spot to squeeze so I pushed. The old timer folded but the sb decided to call with AA. Peace out muddy. I didn't make too many mistakes I just never got cards and as I said I maybe lacked some focus.

On to the gambling act. People are freaking out over this. I see no reason to and I even think that this could possibly be a good thing for all of us. That's right, it could be a good thing. I have read most of the threads on the bill so I feel like I have a pretty good grasp on the situation. First off, if Frist decides this is all the legislation he wants to pursue, thats a good thing. The orignal bill was much worse. This one only makes it illegal for banks to accept transactions for gambling. It doesnt make it so you can't plya or can't promote online gambling. I find it hard to believe that banks will comply 100% with this. Next, if neteller slides under the radar I'd say that not much will change at all. Most credit cards don't work for gambling as it is anyway. It will also take away the uncertainty. We have all been wondering for a long time what is going to happen, if this is it, thats not too bad. Of course, it could possibly completely dry up the games and online poker might be all but dead a year or so from now. Only time will tell. I feel optimistic. It isn't easy to shutdown a $12 billion industry.

That being said, I'm going to try to play as much as possible this next 6 months to a year. This bill could fuck up my plans for what I do after college, but if I can put away a lot in the next year, I might be okay anyway.

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