Well, well, well, here I am standing at a crossroads trying to figure out which way to turn while at the same time knowing that I’ve already made a final decision. What are our Friday night games about if not having fun? And if I’m not enjoying myself anymore, then why continue playing? For me, these games have become more about being stressed and frustrated than anything else. I will not pull any punches here and my main problems are Alex, and to a minor degree Mauro, although I believe the Mauro problem can also be explained by the Alex problem.
Now, think about this…, Alex, as well as most of us, believe that he (Alex) is a superior player to the rest of us neandrethals. What would happen if we all decided to play the kind of opportunistic, balls-out, aggressive style of poker that he plays? I’ll tell you what would happen, we would have a game that would grow completely out of control. Huge pots, huge stress, huge egos, huge arguments, huge wins and huge LOSSES. We would give birth to a monster that would eventually consume our friendships. So is that the next step for us if we want to compete with Alex, or do we just continue to let him dominate us as he has been doing? Neither choice seems very appetizing.
My point is that when I envisioned and set up this game, it was supposed to be a relaxing and fun way to spend an evening with family and friends. Poker was the tool that we used to accomplish this, NOT the be all end all. For me, the fun of it has gone out and it’s been replaced with resentment and frustration. Now here’s the problem for Alex. How does one slow down after traveling so fast for so long? How do you take a step back after you’ve already seen what’s up ahead? The answer is quite simply that you can’t, and if you do, it’s just not fun anymore. I continue to say that Alex is THE luckiest player at our table (just witness last night’s hand with Mauro, Alex’s trip 8’s to Mauro’s trip 2’s on the flop). Lucky in that when we seem to get a good hand and play aggressively, he (most of the time) will have a better hand, and so he gets paid off in a big way. Add to that two other things as well: skill, and the fact that we are all so frustrated by his overwhelming success that we end up making mental mistakes that he ends up pouncing on. For example the last hand of last year when I mucked my cards in frustration and then realizing that the river would have given me the win.
Anytime anyone gets such an overwhelming lead on his pursuers is extremely frustrating for the pursuers. Take golf for example. If the lead golfer is 15 strokes up on the field, his closest pursuers will take riskier and riskier shots in order to try and catch up. The end result is often a bigger lead for the lead golfer. And so it becomes an exercise in futility. Last year was bad enough with Alex lapping us several times in the amount of money won, and now today, I open up his stats page and see that he is up $280 in just 2 games played. ‘New record set!’ he states. Well, good for you Alex and I wish you all the best for the remainder of the year, it’s just too bad I won’t be there to see it.
The Mauro problem is a continuation of what has been happening for all of last year. Mauro always lets his emotions get the better of him when he loses a big hand and he does not know when to let go. He will continue giving you snide remarks HOURS after the offending hand was played. In November, Dave took a 4 week absence from the game because of Mauro. Apparently Mauro told Dave that the reason he (Mauro) was losing was because of Dave. It was only after I told Dave that Mauro had lost twice without him there, that he said to me “Ha, now he can’t blame me for those losses”. It was touch and go there for a while to bring Dave back into the fold again.
This having been said, I cannot wholly blame Mauro for this situation. For one thing I know that he has a stressful situation at home, and secondly, one cannot continue to have the kind of shitty luck that he has had without it affecting him at the table. I think he has also seen that this game has gotten out of hand and he also doesn’t feel comfortable with this type of aggressive play on Alex’s part. Of course that’s not to say that he is wholly blameless for his behaviour. We should all take a lesson from Ken who is, in my opinion, the most gracious loser at our table.
So don’t judge me too harshly for this decision that I’ve made. To me it comes down to two choices; continue playing with Alex and allow this game to wedge itself between me and my relationship to my son, or to quit playing against him and pursue a relationship with him that doesn’t involve poker. As with everything else in poker, Alex wins this hand by a landslide. My love for him is beyond measure and I will not let this game get between me and my son. The bottom line is this: this is not a personal attack on Alex, it is however an attack on his style of play. I don’t like it and from henceforth I will not play at a game where he is playing.
For you personally, Alex, I hope that you won’t think less of me for having made this decision. I do this fully knowing that I may be hurting you in the process, but please understand this, if nothing else; I am doing it because if I don’t, I fear that our relationship will suffer in the long term and I will NOT allow that to happen. Understand also that as in all my previous blogs, the things I have written are my own opinions and do not necessarily reflect what the others may think. It could well be that I am the only one who feels this way, but that may also be because of our unique (in the group) relationship. I am NOT asking you to stop playing poker with the group, nor do I want you to curtail the number of games that you play. I know how much you love this game and our weekly gatherings and I don’t want to take that away from you. I do want to continue to spend quality time with you…, just not at the poker table.
To be honest with all of you, my interest in this game has waned considerably and that has been reflected in my recent neglect of this blog as well. And so I will leave this blog up for 2 or 3 weeks and then I will close it permanently, unless anyone else is willing to take it on. In any case, let me know. I will continue coming to the odd game here and there, but don’t count on me for the planning of it etc. I will miss the way it was, once upon a time…
For the last time, Spic out.
Final stats 2010: Poker 2010 FINAL
Sireel's Poker Blog 
what the hell happened last night? Maybe we need to play limit to settle this.
I’ve thought of that but I didn’t know how well that would go over with you guys.
mr eel, i appoint myself your new legal council. you need more time to gather your thoughts. therefore we move to have all your thoughts inadmissable in this blog. we’ll talk before next friday.
It is too bad!!! But if the game is not letting you sleep, Carlos, then definetely you should stop playing. And Bob is right, why dont we play a limit game? But again, if the stakes are too low, you go in and slowly your money will go. I’ve probably been playing longer than anybody at the table, and over the years i’ve realized that the only way to play is to go into the game with a good hand. Of course an aggressive player can still win some of my hands, but Iam sure I will win most of them. The secret is to decide what is a good hand… and Carlos has a problem with that. I like Alex’s style and without him this game will be boring. Alex doesn’t have to change anything… we do.
I don’t agree with you, Jack, in your saying that I don’t know what a good hand is. I think my winning percentage attests to the fact that I DO know. My winning % is second only to Alex’s and in 2009 & 2010 were both above 500, even though I had a negative in the money column. It just basically means that I’m winning smaller pots & losing slightly bigger ones. Most of those losses have been to Alex though, as have most of everyone else’s. I say again, that if everyone else does not have a problem with Alex’s playing style, then by all means continue playing. But I will reiterate that in order to beat him, you will have to start playing like him, but if that happens, then this little friendly game of ours will turn into something ugly. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
I can’t believe what i just read from (Sireelpoker), Carlos you should be proud and happy that OUR son is winning, that’s usually how most parents feel when their children do well but all I’m reading is bitterness and resentfulness. I agree with “The Master”, if you’re losing sleep over this maybe you really should stop playing this game…we wouldn’t want you to lose anymore hair over this….
Alex’s very proud mother….GO BABY GO!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ha ha, you see people? If you want a blog that’s alive and well, you need controversy, baby! Ligia, stay in the kitchen and cook us some food. I can’t believe I just said that. Oh my god, I’m a dead man, I’m a dead man I tell you!
the problem that certain people at some point insisted on making the game into a competition instead of just that, a game.
Points, Tropheys, Etc etc removed from the game the sense of it just being a casual game to enjoy oneself and turns it into a battle between each other for the glory… the money… therefore people get pissy when they lose, human nature.
If you guys cant play with each other without bickering about bullshit either stop fucking playing or play Limit.
In my opinion you got three options.
Play a Limit Holdem game
Play a Tourney style Game
Lower and Limit the number of buy-in’s
This would solve the bullshit, but above all remove the Yearly Competition garbage.
If you can handle No Limit Holdem, then dont play. I took a break for a year, cause the game can get under your skin, and I say good on you Carlos…
But you’ll be back
“Just Win, Baby.” : Al Davis
“Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.” : Vince Lombardi
it’s also about intestinal fortitude.
the game is fine just the way it is. we cannot change the rules just because emotions are exposed. everybody is responsible for their own decisions. you do what you have to do to win and so does your opponent. when you lose, who do you blame? the winner? emotions get in the way of making rational decisions at the table and in real life.
this past friday was an anomaly and probably won’t happen again unless alcohol and grudges are a factor.
stats can be manipulated and misinterpreted as well. there is only one stat and that is the bottom line.
suck it up, all of us.
Not to worry Carlos. we know how to handle Alex. Nothing is going to get ugly between friends playing a lousy poker game, providing we know that we are going to win sometimes and lose sometimes. I am glad Mr. Angry will keep things under control. When I said you seem to have a problem with what a “good hand is” I meant the game evolves and what was a good hand last year maybe a lousy hand today. You also have to evolve with different and better players, and you just confirmed what I said when you stated passed glories and the different results they are producing today. You may not have evolved. Think about it. The pupils are getting smarter… bastards!!!
“You may not have evolved”… LOL, that’s why I called myself a ‘neandrethal’ in the blog.
Uncle Jack what have been up to in the crime corrupt capital of the world besides Ottawa.Any poker playing mexicans down there?
Good comment Dust. Alex, I noticed that you haven’t said anything. C’mon man, don’t be pissed for too long. I’m only being honest and letting my feelings known. Would you rather I hold it in only to have a massive volcanic eruption at some point down the road? Call me, let’s have coffee and we’ll talk, at least.
Bob, Lots of poker playing here, that’s why I laugh at our discrepancies in Vancouver. Here we play for our skins with ugly dudes… uglier than in Surrey. Help Mr. Angry and keep things under control out there. It’s a shame if we lose this game. I am willing to pitch in for the big losers, just to keep the game going.
The reason why I haven’t commented is because I have already said everything I’ve wanted to say the past year or so in previous blogs. No Limit Holdem is a funny game. It’s all about position position position, & If you don’t keep your emotions in check, you end up looking like Carlos & Mauro. Every hand is different & if you want to be a successful player you have to keep those emotions from making decisions for you. The funny thing is that I don’t care what you wrote in this blog. You can vent all you want. The one thing I still laugh at every time I read it is when you said I still am the luckiest player out of all of us. As if you actually believe it! You mention the hand with my trips against Mauro’s trips. Sure that was unlucky for Mauro. What about when I had KK against Keith’s AA & I got stacked? Or what about the fact that Steve was raising every hand & when I decide to re-raise him thinking that there’s no way he can always have a hand… I run into his QQ. Or what about you sucking out on me on the river when I was running a triple barrel bluff? You would have never called if you didn’t hit. We get lucky & unlucky throughout the game. That’s the name of the game. If you can’t handle it then don’t play! The point is to maximize your profit & minimize your losses. I’m sorry but you need to face the facts & suck it up. If you got a problem with my aggressive style then find a way to counteract it.
I also do not agree with your golfing analogy. This isn’t a race. It is poker. Just consistently make smart decisions every time you play a hand. You can’t worry about who is first or last, just try to play your A game all the time.
One more thing. I don’t really want to play poker against any of you anymore. I’m tired of all this bullshit. Every fucking week it’s the same shit over & over!!! I don’t need to prove myself anymore. I believe I already have. Dad if you weren’t such a baby we wouldn’t be in this situation right now!!! You have told me this a few times in my life & now I think it’s time for me to say the same thing to you. Be a man!
We got to update the winners page
Jack hurry back before the game goes south for good.Save your pescos,Hey maybe we can play for pescos instead of twoonies.Dusty good comment about the trophy stuff cause I play for the fun of it cause I play tourneys at the casino for the thrill of it.Space donk where is your comments,come out of the closet.Alex wtf make a remark cause I know you are dying to.
Honestly I dont think this has to do with Alex as much as the fact that he just Run over everybody. If anyone did the same thing people would be feeling the same way towards them. The point is no one likes losing and this is honestly starting to look like an arguement justifying poor sportedness.
No one has to play if they dont want to but blaming someone else is stupid and low. If you leave, dont let the door hit you in the Vagina on the way out.
Hey what about playing a limit stud game? Limit poker just seems too boring to me.. I think No Limit or Pot Limit holdem is the only way to go.
Alex, DO NOT make it personal, I never have with you, so don’t do it to me. ‘be a man’ is abso-fucking-lutely uncalled for. This situation could apply to anyone at the table, it just happens to be you. But it’s not about you personally.
Anyway, I have some mind-blowing news about this blog that has made me re-think my whole attitude. I will let you know on Friday. Alex, be there.
lets play pineapple as the casino does. you get 3 cards and discard one and play holdem just the same way but you keep your best two cards out of the 3 pre flop.should make for an interesting game.big hands!
tune in this friday for the epic finale of, “mr eel goes postal!” bring your kevlar vest!
I can’t make it Friday cause I will be at a fundraiser so an old friend can get a kidney transplant.Plus I think it will be a little safer as per Kenny’s remarks above.I will see you all at my place next friday if there are any of you left.
What if the TEN hits on the river?
(I think it was the TEN, correct me if I’m wrong I
was a little distracted, I thought Alex was going
to die as the cards were unfolding)
What if Carlos rivers a straight to bust Alex’s 3 Kings?
What alternate time line would we be in now.
Would there be a blog?
What would the blog be about?
Did the phone call Ken receive from Carlos distract him
from that moment where he was going to receive his big win
(aka The Blessing).
Would Alex forever be saying
You called with Ace High!!!
Would I even be writing this shit!
We’ll never know because it didn’t happen, I’m writing this shit, the Kings held.
An opportunistic moment just disintegrated
A glorious moment gone.
Carlos gets MADD at Alex,throws his chips in the middle
screaming he’s a force of nature.
Thats right mom your son is a force of nature.
His emotions got the better of him.
It’s possible that I’m to blame.
Somehow I’ve made it OK to get MADD AT someone.
I owe you donkeys an apology for getting MADD at someone
and a special, above and beyond apology to Carlos for
getting MADDD at him and riding his ass in front of everyone,
which must of seem forever at times. Maybe bringing to the
forefront memories of Bert.
Beef you play any style that fits you pal.
Mauro’s problem is not peoples playing style.
The explanation is simple if you’re looking
for one, I got mad at someone.
Me and god (mostly god) are to blame for my loses, no one else.
I too miss the way it was, once upon a time… I had hair… Lots of hair.
Mauro, it never ceases to amaze me as to how talented you are in doing anything that you put your heart into (with the possible exception of poker). Reading your comments is like reading poetry. You do have a gift for writing and it’s a damn shame that you don’t contribute to the main body of this blog. But you know what my friend, you just unknowingly did. I loved your comment so much that I’ve decided that on my next posting I’m cutting and pasting it into next week’s blog. Write more!
Wow that was a pretty good sermon mr. degree.WTF guys you are all friends and family so step back and look at this situation and think what is important,winning,bragging rights .money,ego or anger of losing or is it frienship,fun, boys night out.Something has to change or this will fail.IF YOU TAKE IT SERIOUS YOU SHOULD JUST GO THE CASINO AND PLAY CASH GAMES AND SEE HOW MUCH FUN IT IS.
ok, that’s enough! no more of this touchy feely stuff! let’s get back to the blame game and name calling!
ok……go!
Shit disturber.
I just read Alex’s stats. I should mention that before I opened the file I took 2 Tylenol, antecipating Carlos’ loss and the sermon that would follow. I was glad to find out I need not have taken them. That was a nice gesture on the part of everybody, letting him win. Let’s do that and keep him happy once in a while guys. It’s a christian thing to do.
I’ll take the win in any form that it comes. Even if it’s from fear of reading my rants. HA HA!
Your right Jack it looks like everybody rolled over and played dead.
I only played for 2 hours!!!