Street Cred on Wall Street

Read this on pokernews.com and thought it was worth reposting...

Street Cred

Generally speaking, getting a job on Wall Street isn't easy. It seems that poker players could have an edge when it comes to securing one of those lucrative positions. Wall Street firms are recruiting poker players because the skill set required to succeed at poker translates to the Financial District.

Apparently all you poker players out there have a "penchant for risk-taking and a dispassionate regard for large sums of money," and it's hard to find that in individuals who have never "put the money on the table at some point in your life." Danon Robinson, partner at Toro Trading has been quoted as saying that a "lack of interest in poker was “a red flag” and “almost the equivalent of not reading the Wall Street Journal.”

Mint.com has the whole story.

Bestselling Book Author Joe Navarro Releases "Louder Than Words"

LAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwire - March 18, 2010) -  With a slew of best selling books in circulation, behavior expert Joe Navarro reveals the long-sought answer to why some people seem to own all the elements of success. His new book "Louder Than Words: Take Your Career from Average to Exceptional with the Hidden Power of Nonverbal Intelligence" teaches readers how to master nonverbal intelligence -- a field in which Navarro is an undisputed expert. The international bestselling author and behavior specialist also gives tips on how to interpret and use nonverbal signals or "tells." Whether looking for helpful tips at the poker table or the boardroom, "Louder Than Words" can help job seekers, business owners, and poker players to assess and influence others.

With decades of proven experience and practice in behavioral sciences, Navarro shows us how to use his simple yet powerful "comfort/discomfort" model to decode what's really being said at meetings, interviews, negotiations, presentations, business dinners, the poker table, and more -- including casual exchanges that often impact decisions and reputations. Navigate the business world and the poker felt by understanding what others are really thinking.

Chapters covered in "Louder Than Words" include "Influence at Your Fingertips," "The Foundation of Nonverbal Intelligence," "How the Body Talks," "The Power of Your Behavior and How You Look," and "Curbside Appeal."

This book can help you to close the deal, keep your customers and secure new ones, read an opponent's signals at the poker table, or just be a confident leader. The effects of Navarro's teachings have already been hailed by World Series of Poker Academy students and "Read'em And Reap" co-author and world renowned poker player Phil Hellmuth. "Louder Than Words" takes a fascinating look at the effects of one's own -- and others' -- established body language. After reading, you'll wonder how you ever missed the signals -- yours and others'.

A 25-year FBI counterintelligence special agent and supervisor trained in nonverbal communications, Navarro lectures internationally and is described by audiences as "dynamic," "superb," and "captivating." A consultant with Fortune 500 companies, he continues to work with the FBI, the U.S. State Department, and other members of the intelligence community. He continues to make media appearance on popular shows such as "Hardball with Chris Matthews," "The Today Show," the CBS "Early Show," CNN, and Fox News. Other books by Navarro include "What Everybody is Saying," "Advanced Interviewing Techniques," and a still relevant non-fiction read, "Hunting Terrorists: A Look at the Psychopathology of Terror."

For more on Joe Navarro, his best selling books, products, and testimonials, visit http://www.jnforensics.com/

March Results

We had a good turn out for the March Event with 12 players and a few new faces. Mitch had lots of chips most of the night but managed to still finish 3rd after Chad played his short stack well and managed to take all of Mitch's chips with two double ups. Sean ran good tonight as well and kept a healthy stack most of the night as well. Kevin D had a good night but managed to bust out on the bubble, to be the March Bubble Boy. Heads up with Chad and Sean at approx even chip stacks. At least on three occasions they both go all in and turn over the same hand to only end up splitting the pot. After a big loss, Sean managed to get back chips to put them close to even. Sean moves all in after a raise, reraise with 8-8 and Chad calls with 4-4. Chad catches the 4 in the window leaving Sean very short. A few hands later Chad takes it down for the win. gg guys.

Champion - Chad
2nd - Sean
3rd - Mitch

As for the Player of the Year race both Sean and Chad are tied with 47 for 2nd while Trinity maintains a lead with 67.

See you guys next month.

UB: SNG Challeng Gets Wacked. Okay, Maybe Just Muffled.

So it has been some time since I gave any updates on my UB Challenge. Well that is because there really hasn't been any action to speak of. On 1/17 I did play a six game session that did not go well and cost me about $10 which is okay considering $33 was at stack. My session of six tables was at the same time where as I usually only four table. When this session ended I decided it was best to quit for the day.

I resumed play the following day but this time on PStars. Bad results that we will not speak of.

I had renewed my Deuces Cracked subscription a couple of days before so I decided it best that I take a break and watch videos. Also I had started reading The Godfather of Poker which I highly recommend. It is a great and easy read. Doyle Brunson has some outrageous stories that are so wild and crazy, you could not make this stuff up.

I took a stab at Full Tilt's latest craze. Rush Poker. It is fun, fast and can be very tilting but also satisfying. Still though I feel as though my game is in a rut. Until 1/21 I am feeling good and confident in my game. This night is the January event of the RPL. I take it down with confidence. My game is back.

Thanks to Pokerstars and this blog I was able to be in their World Bloggers Championship of Online Poker which is a tournament for bloggers and runs multiple tournaments over multiple days. Since I was already on Stars, I decided to play some MTSNGs. While I managed to mincash (a ticket to a SCOOP event), I also managed to cash in two of four other tourneys for an ROI of 134%. The following day, while I did not cash in the WBCOOP#2, I did manage another two out of three cashes for an ROI of 166%.

Today after I played in the WBCOOP#3 and four other MTSNGs I thought I would go back to UB and pick up where I left off 12 days ago. I felt good about my MTSNGs so I thought what better place to start. How wrong could I have been... Nobody was playing. While I have been typing this post I have not seen a single 18, 27, 45 or 90 man even get players (other than 1 90 man that went from 8 to 10 registered players). So then I went back to the 9 man tables and they are slow to fill up. At this rate I don't know what to do. I may try to see if any fill up in the 9 man and go from there. Maybe 730pm is just too early for action on UB.

Forecast of reaching the $500 bankroll by Feb. 1. not so good. But I do feel that my break was needed and had I not taken the break it could have been more costly to my bankroll and goals. We will press forward and continue the goal into Feb.

February has a lot of poker action to come. RPL on Feb. 11th which will be interesting with a $20 buyin and a $20 single rebuy and $20 add on. Plus we have a crew going to Indiana's Horseshoe for some tournament action. We're hoping for a good month. 


Days Remaining:....................... 4
Bankroll:................................ $302
Need:.................................... $198

RPL Event #1 Results

January Event 1 brings a new year and a fresh start for all players. Event 1 was light on attendance but heavy on the action. We started with seven players (Sean, Vern, Kevin, Trinity, Dave, Andy and Aris) Shuffle Up and Deal...

Before the button makes a full revolution Dave and Andy face off in a pot. With a flop of T-T-Q, it checks around. When the Ace comes on the turn Dave gets it all in and Andy debates and calls with T-2 vs Dave's flopped boat with Q-Q. Andy is still left with approx 3k and sees a long road back as the short stack.

A couple of hands later, Vern raises a pot, Kevin pushes allin, Andy calls, and Vern folds (not 100% on the betting here). Andy is all in vs Kevin and both players turn over A-A. Split pot#1.

Andy still fighting the short stack, gets all in on a flop of Q-T-8. Dave calls with Q-J vs Andy's Q-T. Dave does not improve and Andy doubles up with two pair.

Kevin and Andy face off in a hand on a board of 6-7-9-K-5 all clubs. Kevin bets out and Andy folds. Kevin shows the 8 of clubs for the straight flush. Andy shows he folded the Jack of clubs.

There was a hand that Trinity took down on a board of A-7-A-7. It was highly debated what he had but Trinity would not tell promising to share it only here. Trinity reveals here that he folded 8-6.

Vern "The Snake" raises a pot preflop to only be called by Trinity in the SB. Trinity check called the flop causing Vern to check behind on the turn. Trinity checked the river on an 8 high board only to have Vern bet approx third pot. Trinity recalled Vern's previous action on the hand and called with only Ace high (AK) Vern surrendered his busted bluff attempt with Q-T.

With blinds at 600/1200, Dave bets out 3k UTG (w/ approx 4300 behind) action folds around to Kevin in the SB. Kevin thinks it over and decides to push allin with his remaining 7900 in chips. Action is on Trinity, who looks down at 7-7 and goes into the tank. Counts out the chips, thinks what Kevin probably has and what Dave might have... then calls the clock on himself. With about 20 seconds left, Trinity calls. Dave goes in with the rest of his chips. Two players are all in. Dave shows 5-5 (17%), Kevin shows AJs (41%) and Trinity shows 7-7 (42%). The board, 9-2-Q-K-8, does not improve anyone and two players, Dave (7th) and Kevin(6th), bust out at the hands of Trinity.

At the 500/1000 blind level, Sean on a short stack goes allin with his remaining 2300. Trinity in the BB comes along as does Andy. They check it to the river on a board of J-J-J-7-Q. Trinity bets 2k on the river, Andy reraises and Trinity calls. Both players show a Q for Jacks full of Queens. Sean could not believe it when he tabled his 7-7 for a turned worst hand Jacks full of sevens. Sean busts 5th. Split Pot #2

Andy bets out and Trinity calls to go heads up in a hand that produced a flop of 5-A-5. Andy bets out on the flop and Trinity pushes over the top with Andy calling. Trinity (A8) vs Andy (A6) the board improves both players when two more fives come to give both players quad fives with Ace kicker. Split #3.

Vern gets all in vs. Andy (who has made a nice come back from the short stack). Vern tables 4-4 and Andy shows A-Q. The board (T-5-3-8-A) improves Andy on the river to send Vern to the rail 4th.

We have reached the bubble with three players remaining (Trinity, Aris and Andy) Trinity has the chip lead with Andy 2nd stack and Aris on the short stack with approx 14k.

Andy pushes allin into Aris' short stack. Aris calls after seeing he had Q-Q vs Andy's 5-6 (oops!). Aris doubles up to 27.4k. This puts Aris and Andy close in chips.

Trinity and Andy go at each other when Trinity raises and Andy pushes all in. Knowing what Andy is capable of Trinity calls with A-4. Andy shows K-T, board comes J-7-9-8 leaving Trinity drawing very thin to Andy's straight.... The river brings a T to give both players a board straight. Split Pot #4.

Andy and Trinity do it again a few hands later. Trinity shows A6s vs Andy's J8s. This time Andy hits successfully on an 8-5-T-3-Q board. Andy doubles up. Trinity maintains chip lead but has been dented.

Aris pushes allin, Trinity folds, Andy ask for count but when its 16.9k he decides to fold.

Andy raises into Aris. Aris reraises allin and gets called by Andy. Andy A5s vs Aris AQo. The board comes 8-6-6-3-3. Split Pot #5

The wild boys, Aris and Andy, go heads up again when Aris on the short stack pushes for 17.5k. Andy calls. Aris shows KQs vs Andy's pocket pair 7-7. Aris pulls ahead on a flop of Q-6-T, the board just rubs in the double up for Aris when it comes the turn K and river K giving Aris a boat. Andy is left short stacked.

Shortly there after, Trinity raises and Andy pushes allin. Trinity insta-calls showing A-Q vs Andy's K-2. The board does not improve with J-3-7-J-9. Andy bust the bubble in 3rd.

We are now Heads Up! Blinds 1k/2k. Trinity and Aris face off. Heads up is uneventful until the last hand. Trinity continued to let Aris see flops cheap against his better judgment. The flop comes 7-5-T. Trinity bets out the same 3k into a 4k pot as he has been doing consistently. Aris raises to 6k . Trinity pushes over the top and Aris calls showing A-T for top pair vs Trinity's T-7 for top two pair. Aris cannot believe it. The board only improves Trinity to a boat with another T on the turn and meaningless deuce on the river. Aris bust 2nd.

Congratulation Trinity on the first win of 2010 and to Aris on a second place win. February is scheduled for the 11th. See you on the felt.

Poker Thursday Night

Thursday night is Event #1 of 2010. Don't miss out as you have to play a minimum of four (4) events throughout the year to qualify for the Main Event in December-January. Also, rack up Player of the Year points by playing every month. Player of the Year wins a $150-$200 bonus at the end of the year.

RPL rules and information will be available to players that show up Thursday.Seats are limited to 20, so hurry and register!!! Bring a friend too as we need to grow some this year!!!

$45 buy-in w/ no rebuys or add-ons. 7pm start time. If you need directions contact Sean or Trinity.

UB: SNG Challenge Hits Upswing, While My Pstars Takes Downswing

This week was a bit of a roller coaster. My play on the 10th was a bit of a downer with only two cashes out of eight games played. I seem to have rough weekends lately. But with the play starting on Monday I was able to find my zone and start getting positive results for the four days I played during the week. Thursday gave a big boost to the UB bankroll. Donna was gone and I was feeling good, so I loaded up 4 11$ STTs. I finished 1st in two for $45 each. And as a bonus I cleared part of my deposit bonus and got a little rakeback for an additional $10. I stopped play when D got home early from class rather than load up more.

Friday I was exhausted so no play but Saturday I decided to see what was going on at Pstars... BAD IDEA. I added a 90man to the 4table mix and played too tight I think. The seven STTs I played resulted in only one second place finish. I then donked off another 10.50 @ a HU table. While it sucks that I dropped approx 40$ on Stars BR, it's not part of the UB Challenge. This was just a bad run so I will move on.

UPDATE: So I guess it's my fault knowing it was Donk Day on Stars that it would probably be Donk day on UB as well... I dropped 55$ to find out that the fish were hitting everything (even though it might take floating to the river to get it they were committed with there flopped nothing and calling 3/4 to pot size bets. I have never seen so many fish be the CL... bygones.

Days Remaining:....................... 16
Bankroll:................................ $368 $313
Need:.................................... $132$187

I have registered to play in the PokerStars World Blogger Championship of Online Poker! The WBCOOP is a free online Poker tournament open to all Bloggers, so register on WBCOOP to play.

Registration code: 460082

UB SNG Challenge to resume today

After a few days off from online poker due to a busy week of video shoots etc. I plan to use today to get back on track and in the swing of things. I did manage only two SNGs on Saturday before our home game Main Event, but because Holdem Manager was not working properly I opted not to play any more until I could get that issue resolved. After my QQ was flushed on the river in the ME, I managed to get my HEM back online.
I will start the day as follows:

Days Remaining:....................... 22
Bankroll:................................ $293
Need:.................................... $207

2009 Main Event Results

Game started with eight players and Andy is our dealer for the night. Derrick is in for free thanks to the freeroll Tournament of Champions. Everyone is hoping his hot streak from the TOC has come to an end.

Aris check raises Chris on a flop of As-4d-6d. Chris moves all in and Aris, known for busting early in the ME, calls. Chris shows A-4 for two pair and Aris is on a flush draw with Ad-Kd. The river brings the flush busting Chris in 8th place.

Sean and Mike got into a big pot where Sean bet 10k on the river and Mike pushes. Sean has to fold knowing he is beat. Mike shows his set of sevens.

Later Sean and Mike run at each other again for another big pot where it gets all in. Mike shows set of fives and Sean holds a set of sixes. This takes Sean off the short stack and back in the game.

Brian goes all in on a T-K-3-8 board. Derrick pauses for long time and calls with a set of eights vs Brian's KQ top pair. Brian is out 7th.

Vern and Mike face off on a three spade flop where Mike pushes on the river. Vern with the larger stack, calls showing the A8s nut flush. Mike mucks. Mike is out 6th.

500/1000 blinds. In the SB, Aris raises 6500. Trinity thinks about the hand and pushes over the top with QQ. Aris debates it and puts Trinity on QQ and calls with AKs. Aris has Trinity covered. The board comes 8d-6c-8h-2c-7c to give Aris a runner runner nut flush. Trinity bust out 5th. Aris is a significant chip leader.

And we are on the bubble with four players (Sean, Derrick, Aris and Vern)

Aris raises into Sean who reraises. Aris, who has Sean covered, pushes allin. Sean calls. Both players show AK (Sean is suited)... board does not improve the hands. Split pot.

Blinds 1200/2400
On a Qc-4c-8s-6s board Aris bets to put Vern allin. Vern ponders for some time and folds. Aris shows 2s-3s to this reporter.

Blinds 1500/3000
Sean raises and Derrick pushes allin. Sean calls showing J-J vs Derrick's 8-8. Sean gets a third J in the window (board Ks-As-Jh-4h-7c)to put Derick out in 4th.

We are now in the money.
Aris raises, Vern reraises allin causing Aris to fold. A few hands later with only 5min left in the blind level. Vern pushes allin for 29,500 on the button. Sean calls leaving him with 36,500 behind. Aris (Chip Leader) counts out the 29,500 and then ask how much Sean has behind. Aris just calls. Family pot. The flop comes 8h-Th-3d. Sean is first to act and pushes allin for 36,500 more. Aris shaking his head and talking about how sick this was... calls. Sean - Ah-Jh for (a flush draw), Aris - 4d-8d (second pair) and Vern - Ac-Kc (Ace high). Turn gives Sean the nut flush with the Kh and then a meaningless 7s on the river. Vern is out 3rd. Note: It was determined that Sean was favored 53% vs Aris' 46% to win that hand after the flop.

We are now Heads Up. Blinds 2k/4k. Sean is the new chip leader with approx 162k to Aris' approx 80k.

Flop comes 9c-Tc-8h. Sean moves all-in with A-A. Aris says what the heck let's do it and shows 7-5 for an open-ended straight draw. The Jh on the turn makes his straight and cracks Sean's Aces. Leaving Sean with approx 33k.

Sean moves all-in with 6-6 and is called by Aris' J-Q. Sean's hand holds up on a 2-9-2-A-T board, doubling him up to 66k.

Blinds 2500/5000. Sean is all-in. (not sure who moved in first) Aris Kd-Jd vs Sean Ad-5c.... board comes 5d-9d-7s-4d-2d. Making both players a flush but the river gave Sean the nut flush. Sean now has approx 122k and Aris approx 118k.

Aris moves all-in with A-8 Sean calls with Ah-6h and the board comes 6d-Ks-9s-2s-3c. And Sean's pairs his six, giving him the pot and the win!

Both players battled long and hard heads up with chips flying back and forth. But as they say... In the end, there can be only one. Congratulations to both players for a great game. And especially to Sean who not only won the Main Event but secured his first win in RPL history. Also we would like to thank Andy for coming in as the dealer which made playing much easier on our winner.

2009 Tournament of Champions Results

The tourney starts out with five players. Mike,chris,trinity,Brian and Derrick. Thirty minutes in Trinity and Derrick face off and get Allin on a J-8-7 board. Derrick shows 9Ts for str8 vs Trinity's QQ. Trinity is out 5th.

A family pot preflop. Comes 9-2-3 all hearts. Brian pushes and Derrick calls with 22 vs Brian 6h8h. Derrick hits a 3 on the river for a boat. Brian left with 800 and in the SB 400/800.

Next hand both Brian and Derrick have K-Q. Brian manages to hit 4 to the flush to double up.

Later Mike puts Brian who is Short stacked all in. Mike's AQs hits a Q to put Brian out. We are now three handed.

Mike raises to 2300 and Chris RR allin for 3400. Mike calls with AQs vs Chris' ATs. The board comes J-2-3-K-A. Chris bust out 3rd. We are now HU.

Derrick and Mike face off for the free buyin to the Main Event. Blinds are 600/1200.

On a 9-6-K-J-5 board. Mike pushes allin and the CL Derrick calls. Mike says you win and mucks as Derrick shows K3.

Derrick wins the seat into the Main Event. gg.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

2009 Tournament of Champions & Main Event Qualifiers

Just to remind everyone start times and such for tomorrow. All qualifiers for the Tournament of Champions, we will start at 4pm "sharp", so if you're going to be late let me know and we'll blind you in.

Main Event qualifiers will start at 5:30pm "sharp" as well. We will have pizzas delivered between 6:30pm-7pm. We should have a full table for the Main Event and 1st place will be $400 paying and payout will be 1st, 2nd and 3rd. If anyone else wants to come hangout, watch NFL playoffs, etc then you're more than welcome to come.

Remember Thursday, 1/21/10 at 7pm will be Event #1 "January Freezeout" that is open to all players. 20 seats available!!!

UB: SNG Challenge

As I noted a few weeks ago I am starting 2010 with a personal goal/challenge to turn $100 on UB into $500 by the end of January. I started off strong in my early days of UB but then between 12/22 and 12/28 (only played 30 SNGs) I dropped down from $293 to as low as $234. I attribute this to variance but it still did not come easy. I took a slight break and ran reports on my play to see what I was doing wrong and managed to find a few leaks. Also I think I got a bit cocky on UB thinking I could not lose.

I started things back up on Jan 1 with $253 and have had four short sessions totaling 18 SNGs over 2 days with positive returns each session to manage to finish Sunday with $315. With the holidays and being sick I did not get in as much poker as I would have liked over New Years weekend but... oh well. I will probably not get too much play in this week either since I will be on location for a photo shoot in Chicago for three days and then the RPL Main Event on Sat. That will just make reaching the goal more of a challenge.

Days Remaining:....................... 28
Bankroll:................................ $315
Need:.................................... $185