Yesterday was a fabulous moment for me. I played in and won (we chopped/six equal payments for the last six players) a tournament that was comprised of 123 ladies (albeit 6 were men)(I use the term lightly) in the LIPS (Ladies International Poker Series) in San Diego, CA. I love playing tournament poker. I am getting some good results doing it. It takes an enormous amount of patience and focus for long strenuous hours.
We started at 11am and played until reaching our agreement at 8:30pm. We had a 10 minute break every two hours, but no lunch or dinner break. I subsisted on oatmeal eaten at 8am that morning and a few pretzel sticks until I got home at 11pm last night. I cannot eat while I am playing in a tournament. It was pretty grueling but I have played for longer periods of time. The World Series of Poker is 12 hour stints with an hour break for dinner.
There were alot of familiar faces and they are recognizing me and giving me hugs before we start. I have made some new "poker" friends but these would not be the friends I go shopping with or to the movies with. Of course none of them are friends when you are at the table trying to get their chips. These are friends you can tell your bad beat stories to or, gain insight on a new player or figure out where the next big tournament is going to be.
The men who played were a novelty and some were dressed in drag. I get asked all the time what I think about men playing in a ladies tournament and my disdain has changed over the years from being mad about it to thank you for the donation to our prize pool because they never win. What would be the point if they did win? Would they have their picture taken with the caption of being the Ladies Champion? Most think it's easy money, but like I said they almost never win. I say almost now because there has been a couple instances where they did win but we immediately had their hormone levels tested and they passed: high levels of estrogen.
I won $1600 and that will keep me in poker money for little while. I am very happy with my hobby, and for the most part, it is self sustaining. I am playing in a big one next Sunday, with a pro from Las Vegas who won one bracelet (Poker Player's Champion) and came in fifth in the main event at the 2010 WSOP last year (Michael Mizrachi). Mike the Mouth Matasow may also be there. I'm pumped. I am not nervous or intimidated anymore and feel I can play anywhere and with anyone. Going to Las Vegas on Feb. 27th and will be playing in tournaments at the Venetian where I have had my biggest success.
My husband, son, daughter, friends and mother are my biggest cheerleaders and fans. Thank you for all of your love and support. Thank you especially to my son who talked me into going to the poker room for the first time where I made $50 profit and then talking me into going to my first tournament, where I made the final table. Been hooked ever since. He has given me the nerve, guidance. and game strategies that started it all.
The most precious memories of all my poker games though will never compare to the many hours my son and I have spent playing together heads-up on the dinner table playing for a dollar a game.
Thank you Ryan.
Love,
Mom
http://lipstour.com/NewsDetails.php?newsId=57
This is the link of the picture of the tournament I just won.
No I don't mean the Super Bowl or the Heisman or even the Pulitzer. I mean the greatest of all awards - The Golden Globes, The People's Choice, The SAGS and of course the diamond supreme - the Academy Awards.
The people who are close to me know that it is a very special day for me. I make sure my chores are done by 3pm so I can begin the award night rituals. I begin by putting on my pajamas, put the channel on "E" for the "pregame" show and settle into my couch.
From the moment they arrive - let's hope the weather is good - this viewing is the best part. I love, love, love seeing all the gowns, hairdos/don'ts and the sparkling accessories. My dream as a child was to be a hairdresser in Hollywood. I would have loved to have been on movie sets doing period hair. To this day I most admire the hairdo's from the 1940s. (I also wanted to be a cowgirl and ride horses in the movies, but that didn't happen either.) The first dream came partially true when I got my Cosmetologists license in 1969. Just didn't make it to Hollywood. Only Oklahoma.
At 4:30pm the channel that is showing the award show will have their own version of the pregame. The array of red carpet host/interviewers have been traditionally the Entertainment Tonight/Access Hollywood/Ryan Seacrest teams. Some of them are pretty good, some not-so-much. Of course the uber critic, Joan Rivers, (and her sidekick daughter) were fired from their red carpet job because they couldn't maintain even a semi-nice sense of decorum. Stepped on one too many important hollywood toes I suspect. They were later hired by the TV Guide channel, which flopped. They are back at "E" doing the Fashion Police wrap up show the day after the awards. I won't even mention Issac Mizrachi's stint as a red carpet interviewer.
Just prior to kickoff at 5pm, I pop two buckets of popcorn. Real popcorn - real butter - real salt. Nothing better. A must have.
My husband knows this is my night, do not even try to take control of the remote or switch the station "for just a minute". This action is punishable by... oh you don't even want to know.
We are pretty avid moviegoers and I am an avid televison purveyor. My selections for picking winners are quite remarkable. I preview most of the new television series and am quite adept at picking series that will do well. During the awards as they are about to announce the winner of each category - I make my prediction. I really should have my own show, or be in a focus group. I need to be getting paid for my talent in some way. I'm being wasted in my flannel pjs and soft wubby bathrobe.
In my opionion, the best Oscar host - ever - was Billy Crystal. He is funny, entertaining and not mean spirited. The opposite which was true of Ricky Gervais this year at the Golden Globes. I am usually bored by the acceptance speeches, which run too long or are self serving. Usually the English have the classiest acceptances.
So Sunday, February 27th is the big night. Now here is my dilemma, little did I know when I made air and hotel reservations for Las Vegas that it was falling on that night of all nights. What do I do, stay in my room and watch them?.....NO - that's what DVRs are for. Even my devotion has limitations.
My prediction for Best Picture: "The Kings Speech" - absolutely the best movie we've seen in a long time. Loved "The Fighter" and "The Social Network". Really feel good there were three outstanding movies this year, all worthy.
Best Actor: Colin Firth - "The Kings Speech" -have loved him since "The Pride and Prejudice" One of the most memorable performances ever. Right up there with George C. Scott as Patton.
Best Actress: Natalie Portman -"Black Swan" - predicted her stardom after her inital movie in "The Professional" 1994
Best Supporting Actor: Christian Bale "The Fighter" Totally transforms himself. Jeffrey Rush close second, but Christian's role was meatier.
Best Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo "The Fighter" I came out of the movie going "I don't even know who she is or what else she has done but she will get an Oscar for that".
So, pop your corn, put on your pjs and turn on the tv and enjoy.
Two thumbs up.
NOW YOU'VE BEEN BUZZED
