Back to the Basics

Hey guys,
I know it's been awhile since my last post, that's because I've had nothing really interesting to write about. The past week has really been slow and monotonous. For the most part, I've just been getting all my papers/appointments in line for the big move.


If you didn't read my last post, next Friday I plan to move to Oakville for the next 4 months. I'm actually very excited for this for several reasons. Firstly, I'll be close to my girlfriend, the main reason for the move. But also, in life it's good to take on new adventures. I love Ottawa (when I do leave my house to see it lol), but I also love seeing other cities too. And from what I've seen and heard, Oakville really does look like a nice quiet place to reside and crush the heads up world while basking in the summer heat lol.


Up until about last week it looked like it was going to be an easy transition but obv no. So that's really what I been up to, calling a bunch of places, faxing a bunch of people etc etc yawn yawn.


Other than that, I was able to get out to see the movie Paul with a friend of mine. It was one of those times where your watching something with someone and they find it hilariously funny and you don't. Kind of awkward. I'm really more into the smart comedy when this was basically just cheap laughs/slapstick. It's all good though, that would hold nothing to what happened the next day.


Black Friday - the day online Poker changed forever. For those of you who have been living under a rock, a week ago the DoJ seized the big 3 Poker sites domain names due to some unlawful activities on behalf of the companies. This virtually removed the ability for all American players to play and withdraw funds. Even though it was only directly affecting the United States, it put a big scare in the players all around the world. The companies that were once seen as rock solid crumbled in a quick second. Suddenly getting the funds off safely became the majority of people’s concerns.


Alot has transpired in that week for the Poker world. The climate for players outside of the U.S. looks generally safe. While the DoJ has agreed to allow the sites to allow players from the U.S. to withdraw. This is a good look overall and ""the end of the word" mentality seems to have subsided.


I have read countless heartbreaking stories about players from the States now unemployed because of what the DoJ has done. I am fortunate in that, although this is my only source of income, I am still young and do not have any major financial burden that would pwn me in case this does go belly up.


Here is just one example of what I'm talking about: http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showpost.php?p=26104049&postcount=13


So much for the land of the free.


I've spent quite a bit of time contemplating the effects this will have on the game. It's too soon to draw any conclusions, but from a logic based perspective, the banning of U.S. players should be good for me personally.  Most decent heads up regulars reside in the States. Also, because the States is no longer an accessible market, training sites will no longer be making videos and thus less and less people will be buying training site subscriptions. This is probably only until the U.S. opens it's own site though. Regardless, U.S. players are a lot more skilled in general just due to their exposure to the game.


Anyways that night I went to the Donkey Den (a local homegame in my city) in part to celebrate my sisters birthday. There was a mean supper barbecued: hamburgers and spicy sausages and everyone sat around the kitchen island discussing the events of the day. After the dinner, the $60 freezeout took place and luckily I was seated at the same table as the donk known as fishbones11 lol. Anyways I busted after blinding down but I still had fun seeing everyone again. I'm not entirely sure if it's the same anywhere else but in Ottawa the Poker community is like a small family.


The next few days I spent back at my girlfriends because she was finally done her exams. Than on the Monday I helped her pack to go back to Oakville. It was her first year in residence so maintaining her room wasn't one of her strengths lol. Her parents arrived at around 12:30 and they were there till around 4:30 packing.


On Tuesday I went over to my sisters with my Mom to see her new dog. I forget the breed but she named him Mac short for Macchiato. They got this whole M theme going on in their house. Marc, Mona, Maya and now Mac. I guess now they'll have to continue this trend with their kids just for continuity purposes lol. Anyways Mac is super cute and makes Maya seem big.


Mona made a wonderful lunch for us which included homemade lemonade. I was sceptical at first but with that shit she could open her own stand lol. After lunch we played some Sing Star (don't hate) and then I returned back home.


The days following I neglected boring chores and have returned to the grind. Returned to what I know, everything I said about the super turbos, scratch it. I'm taking it back to the basics, deep stack and regular heads up baby. I've also gone back to my winning ways being up close to $700 in the last 3 days.


There were many benefits to playing super turbos that I highlighted in my last post. But then I revaluated. In the coming months, I need income that I can depend on. I can rely on deep stack and regulars, they are ATMs to me. I can probably rely on super turbos too, but the difference is short run vs. long run. In the long run, super turbos are probably the right way to go. But really, you could go a whole month and be breakeven and then never lose the next month. With bills needing to be paid, travel costs that I will be enduring, I need a grind that will consistently earn me money. That is why I switched.


So yo if you ever want to holla at me, you know where to find me. In the $50-$100 HU deep and regular stack lobbies under the name OMGZ 200NL on FTP.


You can also check me out in the FTOPS Event #42 next Saturday.


Hope everyone has a great Easter weekend and GL at the tables!