Jun 9th, 2005

(12)

My Poker Addiction

Well, to say this article is overdue is an understatement. I have been playing Texas Hold Em since October of last year, and probably play a good 15-20 hours a week. I kept putting this article off due to work, and the poker “hobby” getting in the way.

It All Begins

It all started, when one day Brian Monnone mentioned that he saw me on Party Poker. I had no idea what he was talking about, and it turned out, it was some guy named Josh Durham. That got me interested in the whole online poker thing, so I barraged Brian with questions about the security of these type of sites. He assured me that no personal info (Credit Card, SSN, etc) was required, and the worst that could happen was that I get a little more spam. Ppppft, 2000 spams a day… it can’t get much worse. So I downloaded Party Poker, and thats where the addiction began.

The Progression

Three months later, I found myself playing in multi-table tournaments, cash games, and poker leagues all the time, although now I only play at UltimateBet and PokerStars. I found a GREAT group of people to play with, that didn’t mind having an amateur alongside, and learned from there. While I don’t consider myself a pro, I definitely think I have advanced from amateur status. Hell, I beat Abel consistently, so I must be doing something right :)

The $$$ Lost

In February of this year, my brother, myself, and my dad, decided to take a trip to Vegas to test our poker playing abilities. The place is magical. What else can be said about it? I ended up losing about $100 in a bad streak at The Excalibur, and was up about $160 at the Alladin before my brother made me stay another hour, to only see my stack dwindle down to breaking even. Thanks Danny! Also, just last month, myself, Abel, and his fiance, decided to make the 2 hour trek to Shreveport/Bossier City to try the tables there. Lets just say things went a LOT better here. I doubled up, and Abel…. well… I’ll let him tell the story in the comments.

Gamblers Anonymous Needs Recruits

I’ve got my entire family addicted, a good amount of good friends addicted, and now, hoping to get my readers addicted as well. Who plays? Who wants to play? Anyone here interested in getting a monthly or bi-monthly tournament started? It wouldn’t involve any money (yet :D), and could be a good way to get away from the every day job.

12 Responses to 'My Poker Addiction'


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  1. I won’t mention the amount of money lost, but I will say that was my first time ever playing in a casino. The atmosphere is different, the people are different, and your play has to change. Luck just wasn’t on my side AT ALL that weekend. The most I had won was about 8 dollars in video poker, and lost it all after that. Oh well, it was tons of fun anyway.

    Also, you’ve only BEATEN me one time heads up, so don’t go getting cocky sir. :D

    So when we playing again? I’m up for another serious thrashing at the tables…hehe.

    Abel

    9 Jun 05 at 10:17 am

  2. You sick sad man :)

    Sam Robbins

    9 Jun 05 at 10:33 am

  3. I’m game. Let’s kick off the first tournament at FlashForward playing in someone’s hotel room until 4am in the morning… :)

    Tim

    9 Jun 05 at 11:59 am

  4. I belong to an online poker club with Josh. I have to say when it first started he was “dead money” but his play has consistenly improved to where he can hold his own now in any of our tournaments. Good job Josh!

    CvilleHoldem

    9 Jun 05 at 2:13 pm

  5. I presume you’re talking about an online thing, rather than in person?

    I play regularly, and I’d be all for it. I prefer small-ish tournaments with small buy-ins—free games are often a bit ridiculous. I think something like a $10 or $15 buy-in once or twice a month would be doable by a lot of people. But, I’d still be more than happy to play if you decide to do it for free! :)

    Jeff Croft

    9 Jun 05 at 2:19 pm

  6. CvilleHoldem, where do you arrange/play the games for your online club? I wasn’t aware that people were starting to play in groups on a regular basis online.

    Tim Walling

    9 Jun 05 at 3:42 pm

  7. Sam: Don’t make me start a debate of “wasted hours at Halo 2” :)

    Cville: Dead money? You bastard! :)

    Tim: It is a private club, and available by invitation only. We only invite people with who we have played poker with for quite some time, and know well. Play in some games with us online (ultimatebet, or pokerstars) and we will see if you are worthy :)

    Josh Dura

    9 Jun 05 at 4:07 pm

  8. Of course, this needs to be the topic at the next Dallas MMUG :)

    Jim Armstrong

    9 Jun 05 at 5:39 pm

  9. I play regularly, and I’d be all for it. I prefer small-ish tournaments with small buy-ins—free games are often a bit ridiculous. I think something like a $10 or $15 buy-in once or twice a month would be doable by a lot of people. But, I’d still be more than happy to play if you decide to do it for free! :)

    This is something that Josh, our friend Kevin, and I try to do on a monthly basis. It helps solidify our play, and we learn off of each other. It’s pretty fun, and of course $10 isn’t all that bad either.

    Abel

    10 Jun 05 at 11:02 am

  10. Well, ideally I think we might start with a FreeRoll, just to get people interested, and started in the game, then maybe we will have a bi-monthly $10-20 buy in tournament. Previous experience with Poker clubs, even proved hard to get people to do $3 buy-ins.

    Maybe we could do a bi-monthly freeroll, and a bi-monthly buy in. We would just have to gauge interest, etc… The usual. I will get in contact with the people at UltimateBet about setting up a tournament.

    Josh Dura

    10 Jun 05 at 11:23 am

  11. I’m good to play in this. I used to play on Pacific Poker, but stopped because I got bored playing with strangers. I have read your blog often josh, at least I would only be a stanger to you, not vice versa. That is if you would want my “dead money”.

    todd coulson

    21 Jun 05 at 9:33 am

  12. What the hell is “Gamblers Anonymous Needs Recuites?” Are you serious? You are retarted and you have no addiction.

    Michael

    6 Feb 06 at 1:51 pm

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