Just Not Enough

Today just sucked.

I couldn't really sleep last night, so this morning was nothing but pain. Well, it wasn't that bad. I felt fine on the bus ride and afterwards. But that's probably because I always have music on, and that distracts me better than anything.

Class was ok, but I'm starting to dread finals week and what-not. I really want to do well, and I just want everything to be over with. I'm tired of school. I made bad decisions, and I think it's time I do what I want. Even if it's only for a month, or even a week, I need to do the things I think are worthy of exploring.

I got home around 5PM and laid on the couch for a bit. My nephew was doing something or other, so I reached to grab him. I must have twisted my body awkwardly, because the next thing I know, my neck feels like it got hit by a hammer. I took some Tylenol and just waited for the effects. Nothing.

At 6PM, I headed over to the main office to get ready for my poker tournament. I had to set everything up since I know what goes where, who gets how many chips, and so on. Wasn't a problem though. 18 people showed up. Eh, it might have been 17. Well, I was at a table with 2nd place from the last tournament, and 2nd and 4th place from the tournament before that one. Some new guy joined our table, and I think he was sandbagging. He needed the rules to be explained to him, and he made comments after each time he won, and it was just annoying. The other guys at my table were all just turning their heads and trying to keep cool. Well, I said out loud, "I guess it's game time." The guy probably had 3000 chips to my 1500. In 2 hands, he was down to 2000, and I was up to 2500. The 3rd hand was just amazing.

I had A-6. On the flop was something like 6-3-6. I raised to 300, he re-raised to 600, and I said, "Well, I'm pushing you all-in then." He called, and he had K-6. A J on the turn, followed by an A on the river gave me the full house and his chips.

At this point, there were only 2 people at my table, so we split to the other tables. I then proceeded to take down 3 guys at the new table, and we formed the final table. Only 5 people made it, and that's usually how it goes. (By whipping these people, I had nearly 15000 chips. For reference, there were 28900 chips in play total.)

In hindsight, this is where I made my most important mistake. I had Q-J. I called to see the flop, which was A-Q-10. The guy next to me bet 1000, I pushed all-in. He called, and he had an A. I needed a Q, K, J, or 9-8 running to win. A face card would have put me in the best position. But his A held up, and I lost plenty. I held my ground until it was just him and me.

Much like last time, we agreed that we just go all-in each time, and whomever won twice in a row would be the winner. He eventually won. No prize for 2nd place though.

Overall, I know I was the best player there. For the first 3 hours, I was unstoppable. I've never had a run like that. But, when it comes down to flipping a coin, I just didn't win. Whatever. Everyone there recognized me when I first walked in, and halfway through, everyone knew I was serious. (In fact, 2 of the guys that went out at my first table stuck around to watch. One of them was patting me on the back and the other was helping me get over a bad hand.)

Am I ready to play for real? I doubt it. There are still things I can learn, and playing with nothing on the line isn't the same. I'm pretty good when I play online, but I'm so much better when I can see my opponent. I really think that if I were to get a sponser, I think I would at least cash out in a major tournament. I don't care if I have to wear some polo with a brand on it. I just want a chance.

I just have to keep getting better. I'm young, and I have potential.