Well 2023 has started off very cold and then very hot and then very cold for yours truly.
The Good - I have taken down two tournaments, beating out 30 runners at the Moose for 1st place in our WSOP Main Event seat competition (more about that later) and then just the other week binkng 1st place (thanks in no small part to a generous chop offer) in my own home game tourneament.
The Bad - other than those two bright spots, the first two months and a half of this year have been - for me - bubkis.
The most notable wash-out was the Moose International massacre I detailed in the previous post, but I've also had little to no success in all my other usual Moose and home game tournaments as well. The cash games have been a bit better, but only a bit. A couple of uncharacteristic negative showings at the Moose, breaking even in the two cash games in my garage, and doing much better online with friends, with over $1000 in profit withdrawn over the past few months.
To be fair, there has been some personal stuff going on that has distracted my focus, but I also feel that I've been playing well enough that my results should not be as terrible as they are. But it is what it is, as they say, and going forward I'm going to make great effort to keep my focus sharp and my attitude positive.
That especially goes for my next "Trek to the Main" event at the Moose. This is the aforementioned tournament series that is going to award at least 3 and possibly 4 WSOP Main Event seats.
Right now we have 3 events remaining, and I have a decent shot at capturing 2nd or maybe even 1st place in points by the series end. If this happens, I will win a seat - as they are awarding two seats for points alone. If I fall short, I am still qualified for their Tournament of Champions, which will have a seat for 1st place and maybe a seat for 2nd place, but for sure a couple or more 1K seats for people who finish in the top 4 or 5.
So I would love, love, LOVE another crack at the WSOP Main. I've played exceptionally well in the Moose series last two events, finishing 4th and 1st and catapulting myself from the 20's into the top 10, number 7 I believe - out of over 40 participants.
Plan A So in the spirit of overwhelming optimism, I've already booked my room at the Horseshoe (formerly Bally's) for the dates of Day 1B of the Main through day 4.
If that ticket fails to materialize, I still very much plan to make my way to the Mecca of poker, but on a different date for a different event.
Plan B (as Plan A is the Main) - Play in the Senior's 1K on Day 1A, Wednesday June 21. Whether I survive or not, play the next day - but not in the Seniors, instead play Day 1 of the 1K Tag-Team! My partner will be the part-time crusher poker player extraordinaire G-Bone! Very much looking forward to this!
If I make Day 2 of the Seniors, I will carry on on Friday, June 23. If my partner and I are still in the Tag-Team, it will be G-Bone alone likely to play on Day 2 of that event which is also on Friday, June 23.
If I'm out of both major tournaments, the remaining weekend is wide open for smaller events - likely to include the WSOP Daily Deepstacks at 2pm on Saturday and/or Sunday.
Plan C - is what happens if for some reason I can't make Plan B. That is, something comes up at work and I have to pull the plug on the Seniors/Tag-Team itinearary.
I've booked a room for the week of July 10-14, which is very cheap (and free to cancel). The week contains no less than three bracelet events for $800 or less. I will for sure make this trip if the other two plans fall through.
And finally - Plan Z - which may happen or not, irrespective of the other plans.
The very first week of the WSOP there is a 1K Mystery Bounty event which is expected to shatter every attendance record before it. I've booked a room to play Day 1C and possibly 1D if I don't survive, on the Friday and Saturday of June 2 & 3. Day 2 is that Sunday the 4th and they are planning to play down to a final table that day. Obviously if that happens I'm staying another night and playing hooky at work on Monday the 5th.
I'm really, really, really, going to try and sneak out this weekend and make the event. If, and that's a big IF, I make Day 2 that means we are into the bounties, which are envelopes with mystery amounts ranging from a bunch of $500 tickets to a single 1 Million Dollar prize. That will be an absolute thrill if I get to pull an envelope from the chest!
*****
Leading up to Summer Camp I'm afraid there's no time to sneak away to any other series, local or elsewhere. Work is thankfully very busy, and I also have family to attend to of course.
I am going to be playing the Moose when I can, and of course my always entertaining home game is going to be firing on all cylinders.
You probably noticed, as I have just realized, I don't have any plans for Mix Game events at the WSOP. Frankly, it totally slipped my mind.
I recently got a strategy book on Kindle for Mix Game play and I'm trying to slog through it. It's an informative but dry book, and I'm kind of surprised (though I guess I shouldn't be) at how much I already know.
I know I spent an entire post going on and on about how I wanted to shift some of my focus to Mix Games, but I forget how busy I am day to day, and also how much I enjoy and how much time I"ve already invested in No-Limit Hold-Em tournaments.
For now I'm not going to worry or stress about my earlier commitments to this pursuit. I'm going to continue to play it by ear, and if it turns out I have a real hankering for a H.O.R.S.E. or Omaha/8 tournament, then by golly I'll study for it and play one! If not, it's ok.
In fact, I'm playing an Omaha/8 tournament next month, in my home game so there!
Keep watching here of course for my first WSOP foray and an update on results. If I play any card room / casino tournaments between now and then you may or may not see it here. You most likely will of course if I bink four figures ha ha.
