2020 Poker Discussion Thread

[Track Collector]

Here is the place to discuss all things poker for the year 2020.

[proximity]

took to the road with pen based pro the lion for a day trip to the sands (Bethlehem, pa) to kickoff the season's action.

but in a continuing theme of change being the only constant, the sands is no more as the facility now goes by the name WIND CREEK.

indeed the name of the casino wasn't the only change as the room itself has moved from its unique mid casino floor location (I liked that) to being in one of the actual rooms on the side of the casino floor. (enter casino, turn right, on right). kinda reminded me of a busier golden nugget ac?

the lion's been struggling; only winning about 2/3 of his outings recently (instead of his normal 85%) but he brings his A game to da creek and prevails over a table of rocks despite falling behind early. unfortunately for me I see more dealers than I drag pots and fall to 0-1 on a campaign that probably has about as much of a chance as Elizabeth warren. I do make one nice play against a frustrated player to my right to keep the losses to double digits.

thank you for reading.

game -73 (0-1)
year -73 (0-1)

[Track Collector]

I had a very long session (about 10 hours) at the Hollywood Casino @ Charles Town races last night that was great. I have not updated my records yet, but I should now be around the breakeven point or slightly up for 2020, including earned promotions.

About a week ago I was in a session where I was down around $240 with dim prospects of any recovery, then in one hand I had pocket Jacks and flopped J 5 2 rainbow. I ended up stacking a lady who had pocket Aces. Two hands later a guy to my right raises $16 UTG and I go all in with pocket Aces. He has about $70 left and given my "image" is that of a pretty tight player, he delays for about 90 seconds, then finally convinces himself to call with pocket Kings. We both turn up our cards for all to see.

The flop comes 8 7 K rainbow.

As is usual the table reacts to a huge change in fortune caused by the flop, and then reacts again with the turned Ace that saves the day for me. It sure is good to be lucky.

I finished with +$22, and was very satisfied with that as the final result.

While I have not hit any High Hands to date, which are of course, essentially due to good luck, I have been taking advantage of the recently instituted weekly playing hour bonus. I frequently qualify for the 15 hours played between Sunday 12 a.m. and Friday 6 a.m. (bonus = $50), and once and a while like for this week 25 hours (bonus = $100). One requirement for the bonus is that it can only be picked up on Friday/Saturday of the same week the bonus is earned, otherwise it is forfeited.

Glad to see a report from proximity with him back on the felt. I hope he is able to do so more frequently and is successful!

[davew]

I was thinking of going to a tournament series for a couple days next month, but am now reconsidering. Some tables I have been at in the past have included people that did not look too healthy. Packed poker rooms with everyone touching cards has to be a nice environment for virus and bacteria transmission.

Anyone else cutting their card playing for health precautions?

[proximity]

that is an excellent point dw.

the chips are always a big threat although maybe the tournament chips aren't as bad at some casinos?

[thaskalos]

Originally Posted by proximity

that is an excellent point dw.

the chips are always a big threat although maybe the tournament chips aren't as bad at some casinos?

If the chips are a big thread...what about paper currency?

https://abc7news.com/5941406/

[proximity]

out here in civilian life I pretty much forgot paper currency existed.

[thaskalos]

Originally Posted by proximity

out here in civilian life I pretty much forgot paper currency existed.

With the losing streak that I am in...I will soon be joining you.

[ReplayRandall]

Originally Posted by thaskalos

With the losing streak that I am in...I will soon be joining you.

Bookies take plastic...

[davew]

Originally Posted by thaskalos

If the chips are a big thread...what about paper currency?

https://abc7news.com/5941406/

thanks for the link Thask


from now on after ordering my fast food, I will go wash my hands as I wait

the doctor showed an example that I did just yesterday - pay in cash, get change, and then eat burger



I agree with proximity though, I have played at places before where some of the chips had stuff on them I could scrape with my finger nail.

[davew]

One of the casinos I have a card at sent me an email that describes all of the things they are doing to help protect patrons during corona virus time. A couple of the points caught my eye (they have both casino and poker).

• Our chips are being continuously washed with an onsite chip cleaner on a daily basis.

• Playing cards are replaced multiple times per day reducing the amount of times guests touch the cards.

[Track Collector]

Never played in a home game my entire life.

Was invited to one relatively close to my house about a week ago.

It is run very well with a small rake (to fund the purchase of pizza, drinks, and other snacks.). I have played 3 times this past week!

[proximity]

Originally Posted by Track Collector

Never played in a home game my entire life.

Was invited to one relatively close to my house about a week ago.

It is run very well with a small rake (to fund the purchase of pizza, drinks, and other snacks.). I have played 3 times this past week!

i think this AWESOME post should inspire the next modelo commercial!

[Track Collector]

Might need to hold up on the commercials for a bit.

Here have been my session results (in date order):
+ $145
+ $ 84
+ $171
+ $ 54
+ $248
- $188
- $393
- $ 66
- $193
- $188

I don't think it is a case of players now adjusting to me.

Some of the play by me has been bad no doubt, but unfavorable variance has not been my friend either. At least 3 times in the past 5 sessions I have flopped trips only to lose on the river. Also in another all-in, I was about a 3-1 favorite when losing to an overcard + gutshot straight draw. Over time you WANT to be in these types of situations.

Like all regular players I need to stay strong emotionally to make good and sound plays. Variance will "someday" be kind to me again.

[Track Collector]

Today I went to play poker at the Maryland Live (MDL) casino. My last poker room session was about 3 1/2 months ago. MDL is allowed to run 25 tables, with a maximum of 7 players each. It was a nice setup where players are separated by plexiglass. Players still had to wear masks, and only drinks were allowed at the table.

My 1/3 NL session ran very card dead for the first 2 hours, but I won 1 hand with the nut flush to get up to about +$140. My pocket pair of aces got cracked by pocket 2's with a 2 on the flop, so at that point I was about -$50. I rallied to +$50 with a few good hands, then began a steady downward slide over the next few hours to finish -$59. Still, a very enjoyable experience.

I did run into some regular Charles Town regulars who were able to get an update on poker there from a dealer/floor supervisor. In a nutshell, not good. The earliest they are thinking about re-opening their poker room is November, but that could easily move to sometime in 2021.