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My Trip Home from "Down Under"

Kenna James / PokerPages.com

January 21, 2008 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

We left Melbourne today after 18 days of competitive poker and have retreated to relatives in the blue mountains of Sydney, Australia. We are here for just a day before boarding a plane and heading home to Los Angeles. A quaint two story cottage type house along with chickens in the back for fresh eggs in the morning. Wooden floors and a rugged wooden table and furniture. An old fashioned fire heater in the living room and a very simple kitchen and bathroom. There is a quiet peace that comes with this simplicity.

It's one of the reasons I love visiting Australia and Marsha's family. The people of Australia are so friendly and warm. Yesterday we visited 2005 WSOP Champion Joe Hechum's house. Or I should say estate. A French style mansion complete with a fountain and circular driveway as you enter the front gate. Complete with his new toy, a brand new yellow Lambourgini. His gracious wife and family greeted us as we stepped out of our Town Car with smiles and kisses. Joe had invited us to his yearly barbecue at the conclusion of the Aussie Millions. We only had a short time before our flight so we kept our car waiting as we stopped by for a brief visit on our way to the airport.

A lot of celebrities were there including Shane Warne and his family. His brother Tony was filming a documentary for the WSOP and we did an interview before we had to leave. Rushing around meeting everyone I made sure to grab a couple of Kebabs in a napkin as the food laid out was spectacular and we were so rushed that there was no time to eat.

Much different then when we arrived in Sydney. An hour drive to some friends and a quiet dinner and conversation with my 78 year old friend Jack and his wife Louise. Her sister Annette and their daughter Alex and Marsha and I enjoyed a beautifully prepared dinner of duck and quiche and then Jack and I retired to the living room to discuss philosophy and a book called "Strategy" that had caught my attention. I flip through the war strategies book in search of any possible poker applications.

As we arrived at the cottage in the Blue Mountains I reflected on the day that took me from Melbourne to Sydney. From the city to the country mansion. To airports and the city suburbs and now to this quaint little cottage in the mountains. In a few hours I will board a plane and return home to the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. Hopefully with a wider perspective fashioned by my wonderful experiences down under.

January 22nd

We left Sydney, Australia at 3:15 in the afternoon on the 22nd and thanks to the dateline we will arrive in LA the same day before we left around 10 am in the morning! On our flight is Jennifer Tilley and Phil Laak and we are now in the air over Hawaii and as I write this they are fast asleep. Earlier I was standing in the galley and talking strategy with Phil while drinking wine and eating cheese and crackers. We searched for a deck of cards or a backgammon board to help pass time on this 13 hour flight but came up empty which I'm sure was to my benefit. Phil is a top notch backgammon player and plays against the best. I remember watching him and Dan Harrington go at it in the lobby of the hotel at last years Bay 101's Shooting Star event playing for like $500 a point. Forget who won but remember it being a close match.

My computer battery is failing so are mine so I'm gonna sign off and try and get some shut eye before breakfast arrives.

Enjoy the journey,

Kenna James



Day 4 Aussie Millions Main Event


Kenna James / PokerPages.com

In my last blog I said I would recap part two of my journey through the main event at the Aussie Millions. I had left my last report where we had all just made the money. After an intense couple of hours leading up to the money bubble where my stack was at risk a few times the cheers erupted as it was announced that two people had just busted out and with 79 players left we were now all guaranteed at least fifteen thousand dollars.

Now the question became could I rebuild my damaged stack and get back to an average stack by the end of the day. At this point my stack was around 50k and the average was just over 200k. I decided the best way to do this was to play it pretty close to the vest figuring that when the bubble burst a lot of short stacks start throwing their chips around and perhaps I could pick them up. The problem with that strategy was that my table quickly broke and I was moved to a table where I was the only short stack.

The play was pretty tight and aggressive so the spots for me to pick were few and far between. I did manage to pick my spots well and add 20k to my stack while staying ahead of the increasing blinds but still needed to pick up that key double up hand.

With the blinds at 3000-6000 and a 1000 ante I limped in under the gun with pocket nines intending to back raise most of my opponents and use the small leverage I had with 80k in chips to win the pot without a showdown. After I limped the one young gun at the table who was playing pretty solid raised to 28k and another loose player called from the button. After the blinds folded I went into the tank to consider my options and found myself in a tight spot. Calling off over a third of my chips to try and catch a good flop against two players or a set I felt was wrong. After I eliminated that option it left me with folding or moving all-in hoping to catch them with copy cat hands like AQ and such. It was a very close decision for me but I decided to continue with my original plan to back-raise and released all of my chips to the middle. If I could get by the initial raiser I knew had the caller beat and perhaps I could pick up over 40k in chips without a showdown as it ws still 52k more for them to call. Turns out they both called and the pot now had over 200k in it and with an eight high flop I had high hopes only to have them dashed when my opponents turned over their cards and I discovered I was against AJ of hearts and pocket Aces. No nine came and I was sent to the rail with my supporters and other well wishers chanting youll get'em next year.

The next night there was a big farewell party put on for all the players. A fun night of music, drinking and dancing. The winner of the event showe up with a big check in hand. He was the guy on my left at the start of day 3. A young gun Russian who couldn't be more then 22 years old took home a first place prize of 1.6 million dollars. Eric Seidel finished in 2nd.

The Aussie Millions next to the prestige of the WSOP is the best tournament series of the year. I made a lot of great discoveries across the felt this series dealing with discipline, patience and understanding. Playing with an older gentlemen who finished on the final table brought to mind an old adage. Its not just about winning or losing but how you play the game. This past years poor results and some personal difficulties had eroded some of my graciousness and self-confidence and looking back I can see where I have become a bit more jaded.

In an undercard event the next day I found it again. Almost as if I had been lost in the woods for quite some time and had emerged back into the light of day. Perhaps it was the culmination of all the lessons I learned here both on and off the felt.

Enjoy the journey,
Kenna James



Day 3 Aussie Millions Main Event

Kenna James / PokerPages.com

Below you will see the seating draw for day four here at the Aussie Million Championships. Unfortunately for me my name is missing as I fell to the felt in 53rd place cashing for 20,000. It was a tough up and down battle for me for most of the tournament and in the 1500-3000 with 1000 ante round I finished on the down tick. I started the day in 29th position out of 98 remaining players with a stack of 115k while the avg was right around 160k. I want to thank everyone for their support and well wishes along the way.

I must type this update in two parts as I am rushing to get back on the horse and saddle up to play the $2200 NL Short Handed tournament today. Here is part 1.

With the blinds at 1500-3000 and a 500 ante, here is a list of my first few hands I selected to play:

77 - Raised to 11k from middle position got re-raised to 30k and folded.

77 - A desperate short stack moved all-in one off the button for 22k and with about 90k I made the call from the BB (3000) for 19k more. He had J/8 suited. Flop fell 8/6/7. The turn was a ten and the river did not pair the board and I was down to around 60k. With 87 players left and a large stack on my left I was now in danger of not making the money.

KJs - I raised in back position to 10k got re-raised all-in by a very tight player and was playing for the money. I was obviously beat and laid the hand down. After a few rounds of antes and blinds I was down to around 22k and still a few spots outside the money. Pressure was mounting and anything I tried went bad. My timing and hand selection was poor.

6/4 - got a crucial walk in the BB to get a free lap around the table. Everyone playing tight except the chip leader on the table awaiting the bubble to burst.

I then win three hands in a row to build my stack back up to 60k as the bubble bursts and we are down to 80 players and are now in the money.

JJ - I move in (21k) under the gun and win the blinds and antes which total 7500.
QQ - I move all-in and win the blinds and antes.
K7s - Everyone folds to the SB who is short stacked. He puts in a double raise, I call and I catch a flop of K/7/5. He leads out with not much left. I move-in and he folds.

Day 3 Complete
To be continued…..





Kenna James Eliminated in 53rd Place ($20,000)

Matt Kirk raised to 28,000 from UTG. Con Angelakis called. Kenna James moved all in for 80,000. Kirk and Angelakis called. The flop was . Kirk and Angelakis both checked. The turn was the and both players checked again. The river was the . Kirk bet 56,000 and Angelakis called.

James: 9-9
Angelakis: A-Q
Kirk: A-A

Kirk won the main pot and side pot with a set of Aces. Kenna James was eliminated. He won $20,000 for 53rd place.





DAY 2 AUSSIE MILLIONS POKER CHAMPIONSHIPS


Kenna James / PokerPages.com

Thursday, 17 January 2008

REPORTING FROM INSIDE THE ROPES

Day 3 Seating Assignments


There were 96 players who survived Day 2, with the table and seat draw as follows:

Kostritsyn Alexander 398500 Dymlins Niclas 80500 Hovsepian Narbeh 56500 Miller Steven 129500 Godfrey Duncan 29000 Wollard Trevor 144500 Sachinidis Jim 28500 Kenna James 114500


Wow, I just got my seating draw (see above) and my prayers were answered when He removed Erik Seidel from my left after being stuck behind him all day yesterday. Today is the day of positioning as we move up through the money bubble. Should be a lot of nerves and high tension out there on the felt as the first goal is to make the money which is the top 80. Yesterday was a very up and down day for me with tough table positioning. I started the day with one of the top high limit no-limit cash game players (Kenny Tran) sitting on my left with 75,000 in chips and Mike Matusow on my right. I was the chip leader on my table which made things a little easier as well as coming up with this hand against Kenny Tran. In the SB I limped with AQ of diamonds knowing that Kenny would play me aggressively and wanting to make a hand. Sure enough he raised (400-800 blinds) my limp by another 2k. I called and was happy that I had masked the strength of my hand and hoped to catch a flop on him. It fell T/8/2 with two diamonds. I check-called 3700. The turn was a 3 of diamonds and I led out for 7700 which he quickly called. The river fell a black 7 and I bet 17,500 and he again quickly called. Winning this pot positioned me around 125,000 and in a very comfortable position until they broke my table. I get moved to table 28 and soon there after find Erik Seidel taking up residence on my left. On my right was the chip leader of the whole tournament and a pesky Swedish woman who got the better of me in a couple of pots to make it a very frustrating afternoon. Yet my loose image was able to get me extra action when I picked up pocket Kings in the BB and got a rather tight player to commit 60k in the pot pre-flop with AQ and came out on top of that confrontation. This was typical of the day. In the SB with the blinds at 1200-2400 with a 400 ante I made it 8000 to go and ES calls. I have two black tens. The flop fell K/8/3 all spades and I fire 10k into the middle and he makes it 30k to go. I have 120k in chips what do I do? Fold of course. Very frustrating but part of the game. Poker like life has many ups and downs so the only way to go through it and maintain the smile on your face and in your spirit is to as I say…. Enjoy the journey, Kenna James



Aussie Millions Main Event


Kenna James / PokerPages.com


DAY 1C

Nicholas Turnock 7400
Michael Matusow 36200
Stephen Cesaro 24700
Zachary Bromer 48500
Kenna James 98400
Phuong Tran 75800
Mohammed Aboueid 25000
Martin Copeland 18500
Gareth Teatum 41500


This is my table draw for day 2. Mike Matusow is the only one I know and luckily he is two to my right. I spoke with my friend Joe Hechum last night and he is not thrilled with his table draw today. Even though he is amongst the chip leaders with 111,000 which is superb he is third in chips on his table. To make matters worse the two people with more chips are Andy Black (who is seated 2 to his right) and Phil Ivey who will take up residence two seats to his left! So there is sure to be some fireworks there. Andy and Joe both came around yesterday to scout out the action and swung by my table a couple of times. As we go into day two you can feel the heat has been turned up a notch as the pros scramble for the top of the leader board. Some of them tripped up by top internet youngsters who have no fear, no intimidation and really no knowledge of the t.v. pros because they have little time to watch anything other then their computer screens. After my first table broke yesterday I was sent to table 28. There I found two 18 year olds and a 21 year old all with over 50,000 in chips when the average was just over 30. I knew I was going to have to pick up some decent hands to compete with these chip slingers. Sure enough I was lucky enough to pick up pocket Kings at the right time and caught one of them with pocket queens and doubled through to increase my stack to around 80,000. From there I was able to maneuver my stack to around 110,000 before getting Aces flushed out on a player who moved all-in on a flush draw for 15,000 when I had top set. It was an up and down day that finished well for me and I'm looking forward to today. We play six levels with about 330 players left of the record breaking 780 that started. Blinds today will start at 400-800 with a 100 ante. As I write this we are 15 minutes from kick-off. I mean the deal. Hope to see you across the felt, till then


Enjoy the journey,

Kenna James





Aussie Millions Main Event Starts Today



Kenna James / PokerPages.com


As the Aussie Millions main event starts today I will be watching with interest from the sidelines as some of pokers top pros set the pace for the rest of the field. There are three start days and I've decided to play on day 1C. So today is a day to relax. After a morning in the gym I am heading out to the tennis courts as the Australian Tennis Open also starts today. All of the tennis stars are staying in the same hotel and I found myself turning my head at breakfast to gaze over at one of my childhood idols Jimmy Connors. A great guy who took the time to come over and take some pictures with my group of friends. Speaking of which I am late to meet my ride over to the courts so sorry this is so brief but I'm anxious to get over to the action. Afterall these are the type of days where you really.... Enjoy the journey, Kenna James




January 6th

Melbourne


Kenna James / PokerPages.com

REVIEW AND TACTICS IN EVENT #1 $1100 NO LIMIT HOLD-EM Well rested and with the renewed hope that only a new year can bring I entered into event #1 $1100 No Limit Event determined and confident. We started with 4,000 in chips and my tournament boiled down to two hands. In making my way to the tournament room I had pondered in my mind one of two basic strategies that I tend to implement at the start of the tournament. One of which is to play loose aggressive and take lots of risks in building my chip stack. The other is to play almost the opposite. To play a very solid and patient game letting the opportunities come to me and wait for the right situation of hand to expose itself and find what I call the "release point." Both tactics when implemented effectively give a separation from the field and a strong foothold in the initial climb through a tournament field. After pondering the different strategies in my ten minute walk to the poker room I had decided to go with the latter. This being the first event, I wanted to exercise some discipline and control and therefore decided the latter would be the best approach. After sitting still for about an hour I found my first situation and for some reason decided to play it passively. Like a slumbering bear asleep for the winter I limped in back position with pocket tens. The button and small blind called the 100 BB who then decided to raise and make it 550 to go. All of a sudden I liked my decision to limp and rewarded myself with a deceptive call in position. The others folded and we took the flop heads up which fell J/7/7. A reasonable flop as I didn't figure my opponent to have a Jack. At this point it boiled down at least in my mind that he had a big pair or a big ace. He had played a very tight and standard game to this point and so when he led out for 500 I decided to just call. The turn was an 8 and he now fired two five hundred dollar chips to the middle. He had started this had with about 5500 and now I was faced with a tough decision for 1,000 as my stack now was sitting at 2600. Was he pushing me off this hand with the little extra muscle he held or did he have the goods. I elected to make a quick call (aka Phil Hellmuth style) as to show no weakness. The river was a 6 which made a possible straight and flush and without hesitation he fired again! This time for 1500. This in effect was my tournament as I would only have a single chip left if I called and lost. His bet here perplexed me as I had played my hand just like I had a flush draw yet he didn't respect the development of the board and continued his aggressive stance. This seemed out of character for him to me and sent me into the tank. I've never thought so long about a hand in the early going and I continued to stair my opponent down for literally three to four minutes trying to gain some type of information. He did not break his motion in that whole time and I finally decided that for someone not to break motion in a pressure situation (the pot was 75% of his stack as well) for that long of period must have it and I released my cards to the muck. I later found out from someone at the table that he in fact had pocket Aces. Now down to 1600 I made a stand with KQ suited . An early position high hand frequency but good player raised to 400 and I moved all-in in back position in an estimation that he was continuing his aggressive approach. He made the call with pocket tens and the board fell blanks for me and I was out. Next up was the $1100 Pot Limit Hold-em event which I will recap tomorrow for you. Till then, Enjoy the journey, Kenna James



Arrival in Melbourne


Kenna James / PokerPages.com


January 4, 2008


Arrived at the Crown Casino in Melbourne yesterday. They picked us up from the airport in a nice stretch limo and we took a relaxing evening drive arriving at the hotel about 10 p.m. Melbourne is beautiful at night with a lot of blue and flickering lights that give it the look of an emerald city. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they had upgraded us to a master suite overlooking the city and the Yarra river. Along the river bank are these tall fire towers which propel huge fire balls into the night sky. So much so you can feel the heat from inside the hotel. It's still a day before the regular events start so today I played a couple of satellites for the main 10k event. The first was a $250 multi table and I focused on just getting back into form after the long layoff. I made a nice play with KJ off in one hand that came down like this; With the blinds at 100-200 and on a stack of 4,000 I limped UG and was raised to 500 from a middle position player who had about 7500 in chips. Everyone folded and I called. The flop fell Q/Q/9 and I check-called an uneasy continuation bet of 1000. A 2 fell on the turn and after I checked the bettor reached for 1k and then checked. .An off 3 came on the river and I moved all-in for 2500 and took the pot. I followed that play up the next round limping in UG again, this time with pocket 33's. I know the UG limp with Aces is a big play over here so I figured to see flops with these type of hands from this position because the limping gets a lot of respect. In fact everyone folded to the BB who checked but led out for 600 on a flop of 5/6/7. I called. The turn was a 6 and it went check-check. The river looked like my perfect bluff card when it fell an Ace and I bet 1000. My opponent called and flipped up A9. I then went on to lose a coin flip a few hands later and was out. I went over to the cash game and played in a 2-5 No Limit game with a max $500 buy-in. I was up tot around $750 when I called a thirty dollar raise and two callers from the BB with QT. The flop fell Q/T/3 and I checked to the raiser who led for $125. I checked-raised to $375 he had me covered and moved in with KK's and I called. The turn was a king and there went that $500. I rested for about an hour and then decided to play the $1050 mega super where they give one out of every 10 players a seat in the 10k event. I didnt fair any better there however, losing 3 coin flips which sent me back to my room. Im back in my room relaxing and enjoying the view. Little bit of a hiccup to start things off but no worries. Tomorrow is the first event, 1k No Limit Hold-em and I feel confident that its going to be a great series. Good to see all my mates again and Ill do my best to write a nightly recap of my results. Enjoy the journey, Kenna James





IT'S JUST ANOTHER NEW YEARS EVE...
Kenna James / PokerPages.com

Tuesday, 01 January 2008

Weight Loss Anyone?


December 29, 1007
I ate very poorly today. And going to bed tonight I went to sit on the bed and had a sharp pain in my chest. It felt as if I had pulled a muscle in my chest right around where my heart is and I started to think I was having a heart attack. I hadn’t experienced anything like this and it was quite scary and anxiety started to set in as the pain wasn’t going away. I decided it was best to go to a hospital and determine what was going on with me. I ended up spending the night in the emergency room as they ran tests that thankfully came up negative. It ended up being an issue with my stomach and a serious case of acid reflux. I also learned from the blood tests that my cholesterol was 9x higher then what it was suppose to be so the trip in was worth it as it also gave me some peace of mind.

December 30, 2007
I was gathered from the hospital in the morning by Marsha and my friends and then we borrowed their car and traveled down the coast to the quaint ocean front town of Brunswick Heads. We went to visit Marsha’s family who take up residence for 8 weeks at this campsite every year for the past 35 years! It is a peaceful site at the mouth of a river just off the ocean beach front headland. Life at Brunswick Heads moves at a very slow pace with relaxation, fishing and boating being the main tasks to complete each day. I got in the boat and we sped down to the heads but it was too dangerous to make our way out into the ocean. A threatening cyclone was developing and the ocean’s fury was really something to see. The waves which were about 8-10 feet were pounding the beach and the dark grey afternoon gave a feeling of pending doom. As the waves crashed on the rocks the mist and spray mixed with the dark afternoon was an eerie but beautiful site.

December 31, 2007
HAPPY NEW YEAR! My resolution is to become a better measure of a man then the year before. Not to strive for perfection realizing that in life and the game of poker there is none but simply to have a better year then last year and to end the coming year better off financially, physically and spiritually then ever before. As uneventful as Christmas was in missing it as I traveled over the dateline in route to Australia, so was New Years Eve. We spent the day at our friends at the Gold Coast and I gave my friend Jenny a poker lesson before boarding the train back to Brisbane. As I type this Im already in bed watching television. I braved the throngs of thousands in years past to ring in the New Year but am comfortable to be boring this year and give the celebrations a miss and watch A Concert for Diana on the television, a tribute to Princess Diana. Great music that inspired me to continue with my own music writing and am excited to have a goal of recording my first album this year. Australia is in the middle of a draught but its rained every day since I’ve been here. Still beats the hot and humid weather that is the norm this time of year down under. So its been a bit wet and cool which is refreshing. As usual, Ive started the year off working out with a goal of losing twenty pounds. Its always so easy to get motivated at the start of the year but seeing the work out routine through has been the trouble. So I thought I would write it out here to give myself some accountability. Perhaps some of you would like to join me in a simple morning routine. I can set the challenge and perhaps doing it as a team will help carry us through. Ive made weight bets in the past but this time I want to do it just for me. So if you’re interested in joining me and have some accountability drop me an email at pokerkj@aol.com. If I get enough responses then and Ill put out a simple routine to follow here and start a list of everyone on the team and set the challenge. As people don’t check in or miss their mark theyll drop off and we will see who can go the farthest into the year and how many reach their goals. Hope to hear from yall.

Enjoy the journey,

Kenna James





September 13,2007

ATLANTIC CITY, NY

$2500 No Limit

I'm happy to announce today that I have signed a deal with Poker Pages (www.pokerpages.com) to be a featured writer for the site. I will be posting a bi-weekly blog and I encourage everyone to check out the site and put it on their favorites. Better yet, do what I did and go to your options button on your web browser and make it your home page.

Yesterday was the first big event here at Borgata and I went far but went out just short of the money in 45th out of a starting field of approx. 350. It was frustrating to say the least to play for 13 hours and walk away empty handed. I got moved to a very tough table and was caught between JC Tran and some very aggressive young players who made it a very tough battle. Still, I was okay until I got crippled in the BB with the "Doyle Brunson" Ten-Duece. JC limped on the button, the small blind completed it and I knuckled. The flop fell T/8/2 with two clubs. The small blind led out for 8,000, I raised to 20,000 and he moved all in for about 48K. I called only to find that he had T/8. I was left with about 16K and was out soon after making a stand with pocket 33's.

The events here are the best structures that I have seen in a long time. I am really looking forward to tomorrow's 5k event in which we start with 15k in chips and blinds of only 25-50 and rounds of 90 minutes! It makes it for a real test of patience, discipline and endurance. That said I am off to bed to get my rest as I will need it. When I signed up today the other players in line were; Chad Brown, Vanessa Rousso (who won this event last year), JC Tran, Nam Le, Victor Ramdin...need I say more? I seem to play better against the tougher competition though so I'm looking forward to the challenge.

KJ
September 10, 2007

BORGATA - ATLANTIC CITY, NJ
$500

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my big sister Grace. I'm proud of you sis!

I was going to talk about playing in the first couple of five hundred dollar prelim events here at the Borgata but I hope you will indulge me to take the time to honor my sister on her birthday and share some family history of growing up with my sister Grace and brother Steve. You know one of the main reason that I have had the success I've had is because of my brother and sister. Growing up in a small town, I had to follow them through a high school whose halls were filled with their trophies and echoed of accolades from their coaches and teachers. They were great students and good athletes in track and cross country. While they were a great example for me, it was also quite a challenge to follow in their footsteps. So when we would sit around the kitchen table for a game of cards it was a special and exciting time for me. Being six years younger and in junior high, I obviously couldn't compete on a physical level but a card game seemed to level the playing field and gave me a chance to prove myself. Cribbage and Pinochle, which were the usual games of choice. To be included at that age was something I always appreciated and I wanted to hold my own. That competitive drive and spirit stayed with me long after the innocence of childhood left me.

When I started playing cards in the casino for the first time at the age of 33 it was like I was a kid again trying to prove myself and earn the respect of my family. I had a blast and still do ten years later, which is why you will usually find me singing, joking and laughing when I play. I play the game as if we are all sitting around the kitchen table.

Unfortunately my parents passed away before witnessing any of my poker success which saddens me because I wish I could have shared the joy and winnings of a game that they had innocently taught us to play for fun. My brother became a journalist and one of the top scrabble players in the state of Michigan. He is now raising three beautiful children in a small town back home. My sister not only raised four children, but also found the time to be involved in church, raise dogs, breed horses, operate a farm and work as a dietician as well. It's no wonder that one of her children was born on the kitchen floor! Both of them have accomplished running a full marathon, a long lost goal that I will fall short on in this lifetime I fear as the longest run I make these days is to the fridge! So, here's to you Steve and to you Grace on your birthday. I'm proud of you both and still long to measure up in many ways, particularly in character. You have set the bar quite high.


Tomorrow's event is $800 No Limit. Hope to see ya there.




September 6, 2007

Biloxi, Mississippi
$10000 WPT MAIN EVENT

"Most people know that there is no such thing as luck, but it is difficult to find someone who does not believe in it."
Raoul de Sales

It's times like these that are the toughest to write. I'm laying in bed with my laptop in my hotel room feelin' pretty low. I was trepiditious going into today because of the horrible luck I had in the Super yesterday. I even considered not playing because I know how cyclical this business can be. After the first couple of rounds however, I began to churn out some chips and win some pots and mount a charge for the top page of the leader board. My break out hand was when I made it 800 to go from UG with pocket Tens and got re-raised 2,000 by a tight player on my left. I elected to take the flop and check-called a 5,000 bet when it fell J//9/5. The turn was an 8 and I led out for 10,000 and my opponent who had 12,000 left folded. Feeling more and more confident as my chip stack grew I went to dinner break with over 30,000 in chips.

I went to the steak house with my wife Marsha, Kathy Leibert and my friend Jason Atwood. As TJ Cloutier and his wife Joy dined at the table next to us, we all shared some hand replays and stories from our various journeys on the felt..

Coming back from dinner break we had two 90 minute rounds to play before the end of the day. Mike Matusaw got moved to my table with just under 20k but never quite got going and took a horrible beat from Kurt Kolberg to go out of the tourney just after dinner. He led out with bottom two pair on a King high flop and got check raised by Kurt who held one pair with KJ. He moved all-in and was called for about 8,000 more and Kurt hit a river King for trips to take the pot away and shut "The Mouth" out of the tournament.

I gained about 15,000 during this round and was sitting on a stack of 50,000 when disaster struck. The last round started with blinds at 200-400 and a 50 ante. Fred, a tough old-timer had out played me much of the day from my left although I took a couple of nice pots from him in trading of blows. He hit me with an upper cut in this particular hand. Kurt was the lone limper from the button and Fred who had been very active raised to 1800 from the small blind. I re-raised to 4800 with KQ feeling like Fred was going for the pick up as he had over 40,000 in chips and was often putting some muscle to some pots. It looked like he was ready to fold when the dealer scooped in the original bets and seeing the 3,000 left sitting out there he elected to call. I rarely made large bets at the pot but when it fell Q/9/5 I decided to try and win it right here and bet out 7,000. An out of character play, Fred check-raised to 22,000! I decided I was beat and cut my losses at 11,000 with the lay down.

In the next lap UG raised to 1,100, Fred called and I called from the SB with AQs. The flop fell A/J/3 and it got checked around. The turn was a 7 and I led out for 3500 and UG raised to 7,000. I felt like I was beat but fell victim to my emotions and stubbornly called after losing the big pot earlier. The river was an 8 and it went check-check and my opponent showed me AJ and took down the pot. I still had 30,000 in chips and decided to focus my anger at my current circumstances and channel my WILL and DETERMINATION into righting the Titanic. I decided to over raise to protect pocket JJ’s and made it 2,000 to go UG. Chad Brown who had moved to our table was on a short stack of 12,000 and moved all-in on me. I knew that he thought I was on tilt and quickly called and watched him flip over pocket 88’s. Almost as if I knew what was going to happen I walked away from the table to try and remove any negative energy from the arena. Still and 8 fell on the flop and the dealer cut off 12,000 from my shrinking stack and I was down to 17,000.

Determined not to end the day on a down note and fight my way back I called on the button 3 limpers with the 8/5 of clubs. The flop fell K/T/4 all clubs giving me the flush. Vanessa Russo who was the chip leader at our table led out for 3,000 and I elected to call to protect from a two card higher flush draw. One caller behind me and we took the turn three handed. The turn was a blank and once again Russo led out for 3,000. I moved all-in and the other player pretty much announced that he was folding the naked Ace of clubs which ended up being a crucial piece to the puzzle as Vanessa now talked her way into calling 11,000 more with top pair of kings and a jack high back door flush draw. I was happy to get the call with only one card to come and in fact talked her into the call. Actually I was more like yelling at her to call, demanding the action. She obliged and if I could just dodge a fourth club on the river I would be almost back to 50,000 where the fiasco started to unravel. But true to form of a sinking ship I slipped below the surface when a river 3 of clubs fell giving Vanessa a higher flush and the pot.



September 5, 2007

Biloxi, Mississippi
$1060 NL Super

"When angry, count ten before you speak; If very angry, count a hundred"
Thomas Jefferson

I am sitting in my hotel room very angry which is not good as it is the eve of the WPT main event. Yet, I'm not sure that a little anger isn't good as sometimes well channeled I believe it can give you an edge by fueling your WILL and DETERMINATION to accomplish a positive end. The key is that it is harnassed and that is not always easy to do, thus the quote at the top of the page. Just transpose "speak" with "act on your hand."

I played the mega super and also a one table $1060. single talbe and went out of both on cruel turn cards. The first I had KK's in the pocket and flat called a big raise from my opponent knowing he had an auto call before the flop and wanting to maximize my chances of winning the pot I pulled the stop and go hoping I had just enough chips to move my foe off his hand if he airballed. The flop fell O/J/5 but he still called my all-in flop move with A6 and turned and Ace. In the single table with 4 players left I was equal with the player in the BB with the chip lead fo nearly 10,000. I raised on the button with JJ's and called the all-in re-raise from the other chip leader in the BB who held A/T. Again, a negative result for me was revealed with an Ace on the turn and I pleasantly shook hands but I'm sure I left a stream of steam when I left the room.

So now I'm trying to relax by taking in the WSOP main event on ESPN and let go of my negative energy. The main event starts at 2 pm tomorrow and I expect a field of between 250-300 players.


September 2, 2007

WRITER
Los Angeles, CA

"Great souls have wills; feeble ones have only wishes."

I am in LA preparing to leave for the Beau Rivage for the WPT event that starts there on Thursday. Today I finished writing out the shooting script for a commercial that I plan to film in the next couple of weeks that will start selling and airing on September 28th.

Would like to update more but right now I got to get off my butt and do my morning exercises and run. It is feeling like a 100 degrees so sweating will not be a problem. The pounds are coming off...slowly.


August 31, 2007

NPL COMMENTATING
LAS VEGAS, NV

I've just arrived back in LA after flying to Vegas for two days to do the "wrap arounds" for the NPL poker show which will begin airing on September 28th. Wrap arounds are the on-camera dialogue. We'll return later to do the voice over of the table action.

I've done a number of jobs commentating and this the traditional way to do it here in the States is to film the program and then later go back and commentate on the action after the hands have been selected for the tv show. When we do the on-camera shots we often don't even know who's playing on the show or what has happened. There's a general script to keep things pretty generic. While I like commentating I much prefer the way Match Room Sports does it in London. We actually commentate live as the action is happening which makes for a much more interesting dynamic. Then they go back and take the whole 4 hours or whatever it is and cut it down to what they need.

They put me in a nice suite at the Venetian and I elected to stay there for the conveniance of being right there for the early morning call. The room was beautifully detailed with a step down living room and sectional couch.

The set was put up in the poker room and we did the filming there. The Venetian poker room is the best poker room in Vegas I think. It's comfortable, service is great and the food is outstanding. I can't quite figure out why more poeple don't play there that are locals. Perhaps it doesn't get the poker tourists that the Bellagio does, I'm not sure.

Anyway, I'm off to pick up the kids from school and then it's a charity event at The Bike tonight. I'm also working hard on producing a commercial for my first set of Dvd's called "Winning at Poker!" so if you haven't turned the corner yet, help is on the way :) Till then, Good Flops and Happy Days Always,

KJ


August 26, 2007

$10000 WPT MAIN EVENT
Los Angeles, CA

LEGENDS OF POKER

"The best way out of difficulty is through it"
Anonymous

It was a very difficult loss yesterday. More so because I consider The Bike casino my home turf and I've always done well here. I came into this series fresh and determined to play at a high level consistently and have a winning series. Well, two things happened. I did play at a high level thanks to thinking a lot clearer now that I am off the booze. Secondly, I am more focused and have more energy now that I am working out most days. I did have two final tables but the cashes were small and didn't cover all the buy-ins of the 12 events I played. So on the downside I had a losing series with no 1st place victory. So, in spirte of losing 15 pounds, working out 20 of 30 days, eating right and determined to doing well, the final result wasn't there.

How do you do it? How do you deal with the losses and the emotional roller coaster that goes with it day in and day out after investing so much of yourself? These are a couple of the frequent questions I get from people who are new to this business. So I put the quote at the top for those of you who have the heart, determination and the experience to see it through. I know I will. I'm in it for the long haul, but still I'm human and the day after a main event is always a difficult one. Still, I woke up at 5 am, had a wonderful breakfast with my sons and sent the kids off to their first day of school for the year. That makes me smile and realize how blessed I really am.

Someone also said "It's not how many times you get knocked down that determines your success, it's the number of times you're willing to get back up that matters." So I choose to believe that and find some solice in those words. As far as the tournament and the hands and how my poker journey went...stay tuned. For now, I'm gonna take a nap and rest and recapture my Sunday from yesterday.

KJ


August 24, 2007

$1000 NL Super Satt.
Los Angeles, CA

LEGENDS OF POKER

Tomorrow starts the WPT main event here in Los Angeles. It's a two day start and I have opted to play on Sunday and since I will be taking tomorrow off I decided to play the super satellite today. I had three major hands and they played out like this.

We started with 3000 in chips and 1 hour rounds and 25-25 blinds. With no premium hands in the first couple of hours I was down to 2400 and decided to make my move. The third round started with me UG and I doubled the blind to 200 with the 6/4 of clubs. The button made it 650 and I called as we took the flop heads up. It fell K/9/3 with two clubs. I moved in, my opponent called with Aces and a river club doubled me up and I was on my way. The rest of the round was uneventful.

In round 4 with the blinds at 150-300 50 ante, everyone folded to me in the small blind and I completed it with J/6. The BB checked his option. I had about 5k and he had 9k. The flop fell Q/7/7 with two clubs and we both checked. The turn was an Ace and again we both knuckled it. The river was a 2 of clubs and after my check my opponent fired 1,000 into the pot. I took my time and thought through the action and made the call and won a nice size pot with my call as my opponent had 9/3. These are the type of plays you look like a genius when you're right and feel like an idiot when you're wrong. Logically I thought it was an easy call. My opponent would have raised with an Ace or a King heads up in the blinds before the flop. Would have looked for value or tried to protect his hand against a flush draw earlier in the hand if he had a 7 and with position and antes out there probably would have taken a stab at the pot with a flush draw. So he was upset but had no recourse but to relinquish the pot to the best hand, Jack high on the river. I tried that once before on national TV against Phil Ivey on the Monte Carlo Millions. I was wrong that time and the camera's were rolling.

Three hands later with the blinds increased to 200-400 75 ante I made it 1200 to go from the hijack position. The same opponent comes over the top for 6,000. I have 6600 and he has around 9000. I call and push the rest of my chips in as we stare at a flop of A/8/8. He calls and turns up 5/5. I have 6/6 but am soon shaking hands and finding my way to the valet after the dealer turns a 5.

I had one other interesting situation. The Button limped in because the SB had the table chip lead and the button was obviously afraid of being bet off his hand. The SB made flipped in a couple of chips for the call and with 4,000 and A7 of hearts, the pot reeked of weakness and I decided to move all-in and take down the limp, blinds and antes. I won the hand but the thought of my play in the hand is what interested me. I could have limped and tried to make a hand or win a bigger pot but I followed my instincts and decided to take this action which I found interesting because I didn't make a standard or big raise but overbet with a big pick up move. The blinds were 100-200 25 ante so there was 650 in the pot. Should I have limped in and tried to win a bigger pot or should I have raised a smaller amount so as to protect myself from being blind-sided by a slow player? Then I had this interesting thought. What kind of flop would have to come for me to win any more significant chips from this situation? If I am 80% certain that I can guarantee myself 650 right now isn't it better to shut my opponents out here rahter then possibly sacrificing the 200 to win a bigger pot or getting cold decked in the hand?
When I really thought about what had to come to give myself a chance to win more then an additional 600, I was happy with my play.

If you play a tournament and you don't learn anything along the way and you don't cash then you've lost everything. Your time, your money and the trophy. If you can take something away from each event regardless of whether or not you cash then it's never a total loss.

KJ

August 21, 2007

Ask not what your country can do for you: Ask what you can do for your Country.
John F. Kennedy

KENTUCKY

101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION

$100 AUSA CHARITY EVENT

We flew into Nashville, TN on Thursday night and were met by the Vice President of the Screaming Eagles SGT. Matt Davis and our friend Jason who has just completed his military career and is looking to build a new career as a professional poker player. Jason is the marketing director for SEP and he was kind enough to chauffer us around in his monster truck for the weekend. Equipped with all the bells and whistles which included a DVD player mounted on the dash and an IPOD docking station. Once you make the 4 foot climb into the cab it's a joy ride!

Our first stop was downtown Nashville to meet with Judy Seale and Lindsey Chance from Stars for Stripes. A great non-profit charity that brings entertainment to the soldiers all around the world. Judy has been instrumental in getting me over to Iraq to visit the troops along with country superstar Collin Raye. It looks like this tour is close to confirmation of happening this fall. Check out their site at; www.starsforstripes.com< and if you can show your support please do as this program is the grass roots campaign in building and supporting the morale of our troops. You can help. Check it out.
Friday saw us making final preparations for the 220 player event and doing radio and television interviews. I was on a show called THE SCENE which was like a talk show within a news program. It gave us a good chance to promote the AUSA, SCREAMING EAGLES, and The Wounded Warrior Project along with talking poker strategy.

The event for the Assoc. of the United States Millitary (AUSA) went off without a hitch. This 220 player event was the largest of its kind in Kentucky. I got knocked out on a flop of K/Q/J. Sitting on KQ my opponent held pocket JJ's and sent me to the rail. That evening I went with a small group which was comprised mostly of the soldiers from the 101st to relax and play a small home game. It was fun for me to talk and play with the guys.

On Sunday I gave a poker seminar but before that I was carted off to the Division base and experienced a little army base life. I got my head shaved, donned some fatigues and hit the obstacle course. Which by the way was so difficult that I would like to make a standing offer to any of my colleagues on the World Poker Tour that they can not complete this course within 20 minutes, which by the way is probably less then a quarter mile! Still I gave it my best shot. I looked more like the girl in the obstacle course scene from An Officer and A Gentlemen! There were a few photo's taken and I'll try and get those up soon for those of you who want a good laugh.

Monday I arrived home just in time for the $2000 NL event at the Bike. I sat at a tough table with John Stremp, Hans Tuna Lund on my left and others which made it a very tight and patient game. With a tough table you hope to catch some premium hands or premium situations in which to double up but the only premium hand I was dealt which was QQ's I got no action.

So today is a day off with the kids and dog and relaxing in preparation for tomorrow's $1000 Limit Hold-em event. Hope to see you on the felt. To The Screaming Eagles and Stars for Stripes, I salute you and thank you for my time at the 101st.

KJ


August 15, 2007

The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; and the pessimist fears this is so.
James Branch Cabell

Los Angeles, CA

LEGENDS OF POKER

$1055 No Limit Hold-em

Took yesterday off and played some live action at the Commerce. I've put in a few live sessions the last week and have won each time which is a nice remedy from the fallout of the tournament. My uncle Duke and his son came for a visit and I sat with him in a small game at Commerce, a $400 max buy-in no limit game. Man, the action was incredible and the play sub-par. It made me think that it is easier today then before to make a living playing this game. Certainly the tournaments are tougher in that it is a higher standard of deviation with so many more players and it seems to me that tournament play in general is a lot stronger then this level of cash game. Players tend to give away too much and are willing to take the risks that work in a tournament setting but are deadly in cash games.

I took notes on my uncle's play and in just 15 minutes had written down quite a few major errors of winning principles. I thought I would write a few of them here.

1. Played too many hands. Translated: Poor Hand selection. 2. Played mediocre hands out of position. (EX: J4 diamonds limped in middle position). 3. Too passive. Called way too much instead of controlling the action. 4. Invested too much money in poor holdings. Took long shots and chased to try and win the pot.

To most of you this would seem very basic but I'm telling you this type of playing prevails everywhere. Even in the 60-120 limit hold-em game. It's one of the reasons that poker can be so profitable. Many people are there to just gamble, have fun, socialize without having to think about strategy and making the right decisions all the time. In the end I busted him and after he experienced the lesson learned I shipped his money back to him and left for a bigger game.

Today's event is the $1000 No Limit. If I don't make day two then I will leave for Ft. Cambell tomorrow to visit the troops and run a charity seminar for the AUSA group. If I make the final I'll leave later that night. I look forward to visiting my friends from the Screaming Eagles (www.screamingeaglepoker.com) Matt, Felix and all the men and women who will be at the tournament that defend our Country.


August 14, 2007

PRAXIS: The integration of belief with behavior

Los Angeles, CA

LEGENDS OF POKER

$1545 No Limit Hold-em

Change is slow and deliberate yet we wish we could just flip a switch sometimes. At least that's what I was thinking when I was sweating it out on my mile run this morning. I wanted to push it an extra block but my legs turned for home when I got to the home stretch. It's okay, I'll get the legs to go there next week. I'm up to 110 sit ups and 50 push ups in the morning stretch routine. What does this have to do with poker? Well, as those of you who read my articles regularly know that I believe that it's all an integral part...Mind, Body, Spirit.

I was watching a special with Spike Lee and he was talking about his "body of work." He said that is the only way to measure a person. Not by any one project (tournament) or deed but by the body of work that they create over their lifetime. I loved that idea as it is so true. It's not the mis-steps or the bad run or the difficulties you are facing at any period in your life but in the end it is the overall body of work you've put together while you are here.

Using this idea with my recent health kick... my body of work at this time is my poker career, and my physical body, which I've abused for so long, that houses my mind and spirit. The health of each impacting the other. I've worked on each of them individually at certain times in my life but this may be the first time that I have put forth a unifed effort in strengthing all at the same time. Strenght of mind, Strength of body, Strength of Spirit. I've been on this journey for the past couple of months and it'll be interesting to see in a year's time what impact it will have. Will I have the discipline to stay the course?

Stay Tuned. Or better yet, join the journey!

KJ

August 10, 2007

"GREAT THINGS SPRING FROM CASUALTIES."
Benjamin Disraeli

Los Angeles, CA

LEGENDS OF POKER

$545 Limit Hold-em

I miss and love limit hold-em. My first 6 figure event was Limit Hold-em at the Bellagio a few years back and it's the game I first started playing after reading Skalanski and Malmuth's book "Limit Hold-em for Advanced Players."

Limit Hold-em is what I call a true flop game because so much of the hand is decided on by the flop. 70% of the hand is defined on the flop and early on in a tournament there's a lot of loose play and not much you can do in raising to minimize the field. The only factor as far as that goes is protecting against the blinds floping a miracle two pair with a hand like 9/4 or 8/2 that they wouldn't call the additional bet with. Knowing this, my strategy going in was to see a lot of flops cheaply since our chip stacks were tight hope to catch and get away early if it wasn't my flop even if I held a premium starting hand like AK or AQ or TT.

The achilles heel of that strategy is when you never connect and your opponents frequently do your in trouble. So I bled off my stack rather quickly winning only one pot that I recall and had to suck out to do that. I had A/5 of clubs, my opponent had QT, the flop came A/Q/4, the turn a ten, and the river a 4 to give me my only significant pot of the day. Eventually I tried to push a few hands through by playing them very aggressively and that didn't work either so I was out before I ever got started today.

Tomorrow it's back to No Limit. See ya in the middle of the felt.


August 9, 2007

Los Angeles, CA

LEGENDS OF POKER
$2595 No Limit
I'm still on a diet and have not had any hard liquor or beer in nearly a month. I'm cleansing my body and mind to give myself the best opportunity to win this series. I've dropped 10 pounds and feel so much better and have much more energy. The premium hands are starting to appear more regularly or perhaps I can just see them more clearly now. LOL. Just kidding, I was never that intoxicated, but if it effected my decisions even a little bit to the negative then it is too much to give up at this time when it seems that the game itself is challenging me to play at an even higher level then before. And so I will oblige and do just that...Play Great.

That said, I missed the mark in yesterday's $2500 event. It was my fourth event and the first of the bigger buy-ins. I hated my starting table which had a number of tough young pros including Joe Sebok and a tough on-line young-gun pro named Steve Buchanen among them. I made a horrible play with pocket 55's against an overly aggressive player who's hand frequency was way up there and made a postion raise to my blind. I ran into his pocket TT's to knock me down to a short stack early in the event. I later got moved with only 800 in chips left from the intial 5000 starting stack.

I adjusted my play and never gave up and managed to reassemble my stack by the second break to an average stack of around 7500. Blinds were at 100-200 and I brought it in from middle position for a 600 raise with AT. This turned out to be my critical mistake, over-playing an inferior ace rag. The flop came ten high and I check-raised the two diamond flop to 3000 after facing a 900 bet. My opponent moved all-in and I was put to a decision. I knew I was beat unless my opponent had the diamond draw and was on a semi-bluff. Without a re-raise pre-flop I determined his most likely hand was JJ or a diamond draw and figured if he had the JJ's I still had 5 outs and with almost half my chips in the pot decided to take the gamble. Alas, he slow played Aces brilliantly and I was a marked man and took the bullets right in the eyes. After a long fight back I defeated myself by overplaying a weak holding in a tough competition.

Today's event is a $500 Limit Hold-em event. Hope to see you across the felt.

KJ


August 3, 2007

Los Angeles, CA

LEGENDS OF POKER

Well, one event down and one final table but no solid gold ring which is what they were giving away as a first place trophy, along with $75,000 cash. Fell a bit short going out 9th but respectable in a field of 913.

I started the day amongst the chip leaders and for the first couple of levels played only two hands but with the increasing blinds built my stack to 50,000. Then I stumbled a couple of times not playing optimal. I short raised with pocket 99's one hand and got called by Nam Le's brother with 66. The flop fell a King and a Jack and I had to check fold to his flop bet. I made another mistake when a tough player made a standard raise on the button and I came over the top from the small blind with A9. He moved all-in on me and I folded dumping 25,000 in the hand.

I caught a break when I got short and moved in on the button with A8 only to be called by the BB with AK and I sucked out and doubled up. From that point on I played a tight and solid game. I folded AQ in the small blind to an under the gun raised when we were playing 6 handed on each table with 12 people left. I was the shortest stack at that point but just felt that the player had a big hand and in fact he showed KK. I blinded down after that and finally made my stand with QQ but couldn't raise enough to drive the blinds out and they checked it down to straighten me out of the tournament when my set lost to a running straight.

Tomorrow's event is $300 multi rebuy, should be another big field. I feel like I will win at least one of these events and to do that I will need plenty of rest. It's 3:30 in the morning so I'm signing off and will see you at the felt tomorrow.

KJ


August 2, 2007

Los Angeles, CA

LEGENDS OF POKER

They started two different flights on the same day today and played 7 levels. I liked this idea because it accomodates a large field and we only had to play 7 levels at 40 mins. each which made it for a managable day. We started with 1500 in chips and 25-25 blinds, so you couldn't afford to make a mistake early. I did however, got lucky and then made the best of it as I finished day 1 with the chip lead in my flight. There were 486 this afternoon and I believe about 80 finished the day. I have compiled 31,900 in chips thanks to a major hand late in the day against Brendon Connor.

It played out like this. With the blinds at 200-400 and a 75 ante I sat on a stack of 15,000. Brendon had about 19,000 and was chip leader at our table. Everyone folded to me on the button and I decided to make a deceptive play and limp with the 7/9 of diamonds. The flop fell 5/7/8 with one diamond and the blinds checked to me and I bet 800. The small blind called and the BB check raised to 2800. I called and the sb folded. The turn was the King of diamonds giving me a monster draw. Brendon led out for a tough 3500 and I moved all-in hoping to win the pot on my strong semi-bluff. He went into the tank for about 2 minutes and then made an unbelievable call with Q/8, TOP PAIR! The river was a Queen of diamonds completing my flush and I vaulted to the chip lead. I'm not sure what the math was there but I'm going to check it out now as it will be a lot easier to digest the results knowing I came out on top. I looked over and saw that Men the Master on the table next to me has nearly 25,000 so I will anticipate an interesting and competitve battle with him on day two tomorrow.

KJ


August 2, 2007

Los Angeles, CA

LEGENDS OF POKER

I drove to LA last night with Marsha, Snoopy (the dog) and the car packed like The Grinche's sled going up to Mt. Crumpit.

Today is the first day of the legend series at The Bike. I'm really looking forward to it and having my first real good series of the year. I've been working out for three weeks now and am feeling healthy both in mind and body for this competition. Today's event is a $300 No Limit which probably will be fast paced with 600-800 runners. I'll do my best to give a good recap each day. For those of you who are at the event, I'll see across the felt.

Cheers!

KJ
July 25, 2007

LAS VEGAS, NV

Well, I don't know that there is anyone left to read my updates of my travels as I have not been dilligent in my updates over this past month so I may be talking to myself. Which of course is okay because it is generally an interesting conversation. I have been doing a lot of interspective work in developing, implementing and growing my mental faculties and attitude this past couple of months and although the process has been slow it has been steady, which for me is a change of pace. I usually take off like a rocket, bright and flashy but burn out quickly on the things that I set out to do. But the personal growth work I have been focused on is one that I hope will not only make me a better poker player but a better person.

I was reading a quote the other day and I forget the exact wording but it was something like; Confidence when things are going well is not real confidence. Determination when the way is easy does not speak much for determination. Actually the quote was nothing like that accept for the gist of it if you get my meaning. Real calm is that when your spirit is at ease in the face of adversity or conflict, not when everything is going your way.

I always thought that I had a pretty good attitude in the face of adversity but looking back it was a pretty easy path. I mean when I lost the WPT title to Alex Kahaner and an extra $600,000, I still had a half a million to fall back on! Not to minimize the strides I've made to this point in how I handle tough beats but I'm moving beyond that now. I'm forced to with the adversity I am facing now. I played 15-20 events at this years WSOP without a single cash. Over the past twelve moths I am over $250,000 in the hole just with tournament losses. With no income, huge losses and still the overhead and responsibilities of living perhaps a lifestyle beyond my current means, it has certainly put my character to the test. A test that becomes like a gale force wind of reality hitting me in the face when I open the front door inspite of being filled with the hope and optimism I need to face the day. Well, as Elton John said in one of the songs I listen to often in my car on the way to a tournament..."Baby, I'm Still Standing."

While I am working on these things to reassure my footing, to get a new hand hold, sometimes the updates take a back seat and so I'm sorry for those of you who faithfully read my scribbling and look forward to it. But I am looking forward to getting back up on the horse in the second part of this year and doing some exciting things both on and off the felt and will do my best to keep those of you interested better informed of the journey. For now the journey has me on the roads of Las Vegas every morning sweating it out in the heat to lose some weight. I allowed myself to become fat and out of shape and to improve myself mentally I have to improve myself physically.

I'm really looking forward to going to Ft. Cambell next month and playing some poker and sharing some insights with a group of soldiers that have been a great support to me called The Screaming Eagles. Another reason to get in shape as I don't want to further embarass myself if they challenge me to running the obstacle course! This weekend I will be up at The Gold Country Casino up near Sacremento with Linda Johnson, Mike Sexton, Robert Williamson III and others sharing stories and some insights on the game with my friends and the locals up there.

Cheers!


July 22, 2007

LAS VEGAS, NV

Well, it's been awhile since my last update and I apologize to my regular readers who visit to view my regular updates that it's been like a barren dessert here. I guess I'm a bit dissapointed that the new site I had been developing hasn't been able to be launched as yet but hopefully soon. I had so much piled on my plate that I had to take some time to myself to just eat. Not sure what that means...lol. Also, it was quite a bummer dealing with my poor results at this years WSOP. I mean zero cashes! Pretty harsh. The cards and results have been as barren as my updates of late, funny how once again poker reflects your life.

I'm thinking about playing in the $530 NL event at The Orleans tomorrow. There's no major events happening until the Legends at the Bike in a couple of weeks. I was suppose to go to Europe and play in Ladbroke's Poker Million but with no Corporate Sponsor and how I've been running of late I've opted out of the $25,000 event and chose to stay home and work on my game.

Will give an update on how my run goes at The Orleans and some insights on the journey. I've done a few Card Player interviews which you can check out by looking me up under the players tab on cardplayer.com


July 4, 2007

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!

It"s the time for fireworks as America celebrates it's Independance. I plan on shooting some off myself after winning the main event which starts tomorrow at the Rio. It has been a fruitless journey through the world series so far so I can only think that the bad beats and frustration in the preliminairy events have only helped to prepare me for the journey I am about to embark on in the main event. It may be a bit conceited to claim victory over 5,000+ hopefuls but too bad, I'm going to do it anyway!

There is a lot of activity going on right now down there but I am at home relaxing and preparing for the big dance. Planning on having some of our Aussie friends over for a barbecue today and playing a little poker for fun with my cousin Kenny who flew out to sweat me for the main event.


June 30, 2007

$5,000 NLSH - $2000 NL - $2000 Mixed Limit

Another tough week at the tables. In my last three events I made early exits in almost everyone. Another interesting tid bit is that I have yet to see Aces in the last 25+rounds. No complaints even though it sounds like it, I'm trying to report just the facts man. Just the facts.

In the 5k short handed event I got off to a blazing start and was 8th in chips after the first break looking like I was going to finally be on a crusie ship to the final table. Huck Seed was on my right and Greg Raymer who came to my table in the 4th round was short stacked with about 6,000. I was sitting on 25k when the bottom started to fall out. With Raymer now settled into the 1 seat I would have the button to his big blind. His first hand with me I raised on the button and folded to his raise. The next lap I raised on the button again with KJ of diamonds making it 400 to go. Raymer on a stack of 6k made it 1100, I moved all-in and he instant called with pocket 88's. The flop fell with a Q/8/5 or something similiar with two diamonds. The turn was a nine giving me monster outs but a blank fell on the river and I double Raymer up. A few hands later I raise to 550 with pocket 99's and get two callers. I bet 1500 on a flop of 2/3/5 with and get raised by a woman on my left who had been playing pretty tight to the vest. She min raised it to 3300 which screamed of a big hand. There were two factors drawing me in. Most importantly she only had about 7500 in chips. I still had almost 20,000. Secondly I thought it was very probable that she had 66s/77s or 88s since she did not re-raise me preflop and based on her previous play she did not slow play her big hands. I made the call and the turn paired the top card 5. She had about 4,000 left so I bet it and she called, turning over A/4 suited for the straight. Suddenly my stack was down to around 13,000. Huck Seed was next to double up through me. Thankfully I had won every hand we played together up to that point and had him down to only 2,000. He looked at one card from the small blind and shipped it in. I peeked at A9 suited in the BB and made the call. He squeezed his other card to find a Jack kicker and it held up to give him 2k. My final hand of the tourney I raised to 1k with pocket KK's. The lady who I doubled up early had me coverd by a couple of thousand moves all-in with pocket tens. The final board read J/9/6/8/7 and I had been blitzed right out of the tournament after such a great start.

The other two events were similar beatings that don't need repeating here. My mind and attitude are clear to battle today in the $1500 No Limit. I'm confident with my play right now. Even though my results have not improved my play has and I am definetly playing with more confidence, making better reads and getting the chips in with the best of it the majority of the time so I feel that the results and Aces will come soon! HOpe it is today. On a side note, I did a couple of interviews for CardPlayer TV that you can view at www.cardplayer.com and go to their media page.

See you across the felt.


June 24, 2007

DAY OFF

A well needed day off today. Not because of fatigue which is good but for mental relaxation from the beatings. I feel a bit like one of Mike Tyson's opponents when he was in his prime. But you know it's important to keep a long term perspective in this game. I was updating and reviewing my figures today and considering all the things that I'm battling on a personal level right now they are really not that bad. Since the start of the Bellagio events April 1st I've played in 40 events. In those 40 events I've cashed only 3 times but all of them were final tables. A 3rd (unlucky to finish 3rd losing JJ's vs. AQ), a 5th in the HORSE event and a 9th at Bellagio in an event I was constantly chip challenged. Three final tables out of 40 events is normally not that bad-but at this time with all the events being such high buy-in events I am stuck nearly $90,000. One of those events alone was the $25,000 WPT championship event at the Belagio. So you can see that it is not that easy to make it and it is a constant challenge. I was talking to The Grinder, Michael Mizrachi the other day who was the #1 ranked player in the world last year and he told me that he is 0-28 in cashing so far at this years WSOP. Well, I've played in 9 or 10 events so far and haven't cashed and am feeling the pressure. I can't imagine how much his head is spinning!

It's all part of the life we've chosen to lead and if it weren't for the challenge and the risks involved I imagine we wouldn't be doing it.

Today I will have a couple of friends over to the house for a barbecue and a little rest and relaxation. Mitch who is the son of a friend of mine from Australia is in town and is looking to play in his first WSOP event. I will look to give him some guidance and share some insights that I've gained over the past few years on tour.

Erik Seidel is doing well in the 50,000 HORSE event and I will be rooting him on from the computer. I'm just not running well enough to compete in that tournament yet. I caught a real cold deck in the past two events to send me to the rail before the first break. The last event I held AQ vs. 3/4 of diamonds and lost to a running 3 and 4 for a pot that disabled my comeback from my initial hand of flopping top two against a set. But rather then look at it negatively I've chosen to heed the words of wisdom from Seidel, "plenty of more opportunities to come."


Cheers!

KJ

June 23, 2007

$2,000 Pot Limit Hold-em

This is going to have to be lightening fast update as I need to be out the door in a few minutes. Unfortunately not on my way to day two of the pot limit hold-em. It's day one of the 1500 No Limit. Things are starting to turn for me now though I feel it. I'm making it deep into the tournies with a 37th in the Limit Hold-em and 115 out of 600 in the Pot Limit. And I haven't gotten a fair share of premium hands as yet so I'm very optimistic on the upcomming events. My determination and focus are strong and patience is pretty good but could always improve on that front. In fact my determination is so strong that I did something yesterday I have not done in my career to this level. I celebrated a hand that I sucked out on the river. It just poured out of me as an expression and exclamation of joy. I had limped with KJ suited from early position (not a grea play obviously) only to have K2 limp in behind me. The flop came K/6/2 and after my check-raise my opponent moved all-in. I normally fold in this spot but was determined not to get beat up on anymore and decided to make a stand as I had about 40% of my chips in the pot. The board paired on the river and I won the pot to keep me alive and the release of pent up energy just flew out. I apologized later to my opponent to let him know that I meant no disrespect towards him but have been fighting so hard mentally to break through and it was just that...a breakthrough...to be continued today...




June 19,2007

WSOP 5,000 Heads Up No Limit

There are tournaments when you get knocked out that hurt more then others. With Heads up it is especially grueling because it is so personal. I battled very hard my first match and won in just over an hour over David Matthews who is a dynamic and unpredictable opponent. I stuck with my game plan even after going down to a 2-1 disadvantage after missing a straight and flush draw and managed to prevail. We got involved in a coin flip with me sitting on AJ vs. his pocket 88's which I managed to win to double up to make a new match and after a slow grind down I had him all in for his last 4,000 with A6 vs. my QQ.

Next up was Jennifer Tilly. Most people don't give Jennifer the respect that I think she deserves so I did not underestimate her but did fall victim to her aggressive posture by overplaying and calling off a couple of hands that I should have been able to get away from. Because she tends to bet liberally and take an aggressive stance I decided to look her up and it ended up costing me the match. There were three key hands and it came down like this: The first hand she decided to play she raised from the button and I decided to play possum with Ace Jack. We took the flop with 20,000 in chips a piece with 1200 in the middle. The flop fell Q/J/T with two diamonds and I led out for 800 which she called. The turn was a blank, call it a 4 and I checked and she obliged. The river was another off-suit blank, say a 6 and I led out for a value bet of 1200. She then raised me to 4200 and I made a long call hoping for a missed flush draw river bluff. Alas, she had the K9 for a straight and I was quickly down 26,000-14000. A few hands later she double raised the blind from the button to 400 and I called with the 6/2 of clubs for 200 more. The flop fell 6/5/4 and I'm not specific how the betting went here. I believed I check raised and Jen called. The turn brought a Ten and I checked again. Jen bet out something like 2000 and I called. The river brought a nine I believe and I checked and again she fired 4,000. I had 8,000 left and after going into the tank for a minute I decided to call not being able to put her on a hand. She flipped over T/4 for two pairs and in a matter of minutes I was down to 4,000. A few hands later the blitzkrieg would be complete. She double raised from the button for the third time and I re-raised making it 1200 to go with KT. Jen moves in and I call to look at her AQ. It holds up and she makes mince meat out of me in approximately 15 minutes.

I am very disappointed in my play against Jennifer. Not taking anything away from her I somehow got caught off guard and she got the better of me before our seats were even warm. For the second day in a row I let myself get knocked from a perch of confidence and control. It will not happen again and if I were you reading this I would bet on me being on the final table of tomorrow's limit hold-em event. You probably can get 30 or 40 to 1 and with how I'm feeling now you wouldn't want to bet against me. I am determined and will be focused and aggressive in tomorrow's competition. I will be relentless win or lose as I am just plain sick and tired of playing small ball and "TRYING" to out maneuver my opponents instead of just taking it to them. I've been playing on the defensive and "tricky", leave that to Houdini, tomorrow I am playing to win.

Thank you Kathy for sweating me and giving me your support after your tough first match loss. I know it's hard to stick around after a setback. Side Note: My first 6 figure win came in the $2500 Limit Hold-em event at Bellagio in 2003. On that table was one of the pros that I respect the most. Erik Seidel.


Good Flops and Happy Days

KJ



June 18,2007

WSOP $2500 6 Handed No Limit

2% of people think. 3% of people think they think and 95% of people would rather DIE then think!”
Bob Proctor

A lot of thinking today as the action in a short handed game is always fast and challenging. I had a solid game plan coming in and it stood up well for the first few hours. Deep into the third level we lost Sean “Shieke” Shikan…don’t know how to spell his name but I’m sure y’all know who I’m talking about, and also Lee Watkinson.

Unfortunately I was fourth to go from my table when my AQ ran into AK. I should have been able to get away from the hand but allowed myself to be effected emotionally by a player on my left from LadBrokes poker team. He wasn’t in this particular hand but had needled me in a hand previously by flashing me a deuce after I made a tough laydown against him in a big pot twenty minutes earlier. Here’s what happened in that particular hand. I was in the big blind and it was raised by the guy on my left. I called with pocket 33’s and it fell Q/4/Q with two spades. I check-raised the flop to 1800 and my opponent instantly moved all-in. I thought for a minute and folded and then he chose to show me the deuce of diamonds before mucking his hand. I asked the dealer to see the other card but it was too late as he scooped it in the muck. I got angry because the dealer is suppose to enforce the rule which states that if you show one card you must show both. The reason they have this very rule is to prevent players from needling other players at the table by doing the very thing that this guy did.

Now I’ve been playing for many years and this really shouldn’t get to me but when you are facing big bets and making crucial decisions with your heart and chips on the line and someone throws it in your face that you made the wrong decision, well that irritates me. In fact it is one of my pet peeves. He wanted to get to me and I let him and that made me even more angry with myself. I just don’t believe in needling your opponents at the table to get them emotionally upset to get them off their game.

I think it is a cheap shot, like looking at someone’s cards that is unaware that they are exposing their hand. Now I know there are players who carry the opposite point of view, that anything within the rules should be used to your advantage to win the pot or future chips from your opponent. Does this mean if I don’t want a call from someone that I could plan out the following. I get a concealed weapons license and carry a gun to the table and when someone is thinking about calling me just move my jacket back ever so slightly and crack a wry smile and say, “you never know who your messing with, even if you win the pot you might not end up living long enough to enjoy it.” Obviously this is an extreme example but I hope you see my point. Where do you draw the line? I guess it is my hope that poker players would hold themselves to high ideals and ethics in continuing to erode the old image of poker players being cheats and degenerates. I like to use my higher mental faculties to compete with my opponents on a higher plane of awareness and refuse to stoop to what in my opinion is dirty tactics. The poker journey is filled with enough emotion and challenges in facing the tough decisions that come at you one after another non-stop without having to deal with your opponent taking shots at you after losing a pot.

So I will make sure that I am more mentally tough at all times to not let stuff like that get to me from here on out. Tomorrow’s event is the $5,000 No Limit Heads Up and am really excited about my chances for a bracelet in this first time WSOP event. I hope the structure is one that allows us a fair chance to play without it becoming a shoving match.




June 13, 2007

Las Vegas, NV
WSOP 5K EVENT, NO LIMIT

Kenna is playing the 5K WSOP event today and will be updating the page tonight or in the morning.




June 11, 2007

Las Vegas, NV
BELLAGIO $1,590 NO LIMIT

It's back to the felt for the stretch run in the Las Vegas mega summer series which includes Mirage, Mandalay Bay and now the WSOP and Bellagio. And oh yeah, perhaps the dark horse of them all...The Venetian. I returned home this weekend and actually played the Venetian $1,000 buy-in events. Two of them. Event one saw me go out in round 1. An occurance that use to be totally foreign to me but has sometimes now crept into my repetoire unfortunately. I played four hands and lost all four. The second event drew 357 players and I lasted till nearly the end of the night just falling short of the 40 place money. I finished in 55th after an all day struggle. I did pick up a few hands for a change though which was refreshing and allowed me to stave off elimination. I ran into Aces and finally top set once too often before heading to the door. I felt like I turned a corner in this tournament as far as the type of hands that I was being dealt and that was refreshing.

Today at Bellagio I arrived early to do a Card Player interview which you should be able to catch on Card Player TV. The event today went like this. We started with 3000 in chips. After a lap around the table I was in the small blind with pocket Aces. Middle postion raised to 150 and I flat called in the small blind. We took the flop 2/3/4 with two diamonds heads up. I checked and called 250. The 9 of hearst fell on the turn and I once again checked and my opponent fired 700. I paused to think my play through. What was his most likely hand? He was a young aggressive player so I decided to continue to play my hand sneaky/defensive and flat call the turn and if a safe card came bet for value on the river hoping he makes a pair. The river brought the T of diamonds completing the flush. I never considered my opponent might have a flush as I held the Ace of diamonds. I made a small value bet of 600 and my opponent went into the tank. He finally calls and turns over the KQ of diamonds for the second nut flush! So I felt dissapointed yet thankful that I still had chips. 1250 with still a shot since we were in the first level. I lose with AQ and am down to 800 in the SB. 4 limpers come into the pot for 100 a piece and I push with J/7 of clubs with a lot of fold equity in this situation I felt. I did get one caller, the youngster, who had limped with AQ. The board came 8/9/T of clubs and I make a straight flush! Wow! I can't remember the last time I had a straight flush. Back to 1600. The blinds go up to 100-200 and I blind down to 1000 desperatly looking for a hand. I'm in the BB and the button who is short stacked also moves all in for his 1000 and I decide to call with Ace rag figuring he would push with a lot less. He had A/7 and it looked like we were going to chop till the 7 fell on the river and I was sent to the rail.

Apologize the updates have been so sparce and I will try to improve on the updates going forward. Thanks to all of you for your support. Oh, tip of the day: When you have an average stack or below, do not make situational plays or play mediocre hands out of position. Protect your stack and wait for a hand or make your play around back when the pot is uncontested.



June 3, 2007

Los Angeles, CA

I'm sure everyone is expecting an update from the WSOP but I've given up poker for the silver screen. I'm shooting a movie right now just outside of Los Angeles, California.

Actually the first part of that is not true. I haven't given up the felt but have secured an opportunity to work on a great script and do what I use to do before I started playing poker. Act. The film is called "Down and Distance" and stars Brian Bosworth (ex-NFL player) Lil Romeo and Gary Busey. I play the brother of the main character who's kid plays on the local football team. It's a cross between the Bad News Bears and Remember the Titans. Directed by Brain J DePalma. A lot of fun and reminds me of what I use to love to do so much. I long to return to the arts either acting or directing stage, television or film in the near future. Till then I'll still be slingin' chips.

I've also spent the weekend in meetings developing business opportunities. I also got to see my kids who live here in South Cal. and that is always special. I may opt to play the Bellagio events this year instead of the WSOP but will determine that once I return to city of lights.

Congrats to my friend David Levi who finished 3rd in the Mandalay event last week. He's a long time pro who has paid his dues over the years and who I first met at Hollywood Park Casino back in 1996.




May 28, 2007
MEMORIAL DAY
Las Vegas, NV

To ALL my friends in the service and the family's that have lost their loved ones fighting for our Country, my thoughts, prayers and wishes for your PEACE on this Memorial Day, and I salute you.

Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,

What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream: 'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion A home and a country should leave us no more? Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand, Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation; Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us as a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust" And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!




May 21, 2007
Mirage Main Event
Las Vegas, NV

Another rough day at the office. This main event was a roller coaster ride for sure but I can boil it down to two key hands. Both times I was holding AK and I have a much clearer idea now why TJ Cloutier told me this hand is called “Walking back to Houston,” because if you overplay it that’s exactly what you’ll be doing.

The first one came when I got off to a blazing start and was chip leader at the table. You may have already read about this hand. I had re-raised the initial raiser and Kristy Gazes calls the double raise from the blind. The flop fell A/8/4 and when it was checked to me I bet 3500 and she raised it 12K. I moved in and she called with AQ and then spiked a Queen on the turn and I had to ship over about half my stack. The second one eliminated me. I had worked my days starting short stack up to just short of 50k. With the blinds 600-1200 and 100 ante I brought it in for 4400 and got called by a late position player and the blind. The flop fell K/J/7 with one heart. I had AK of hearts and led out for 9000 and was quickly called by the player behind. I immediately considered the fact that he may have JJ for a set to call that big a bet so quickly. I probably would have gotten away from the hand but a second heart fell on the turn giving me a back door flush draw as well. I decided to bet out in case my opponent had AK as well and hoped that I would be on a free roll. My first read was correct and he moved in with his set of jacks and I called. I needed a heart to finish off a great comeback but it was not to be.

Had a nice dinner with Kathy Leibert at Kokomo’s there at Mirage and then returned to watch some of the action. This was a great tournament, great structure and well run. It’s now onto Mandalay Bay which starts on Tuesday. Victory is within reach.

KJ
May 17, 2007
Las Vegas, Nevada
Home

FOCUS

1. A central point of attraction, attention, or activity.

8. To concentrate; to focus ones thoughts

9. To become focused

I was meditating this morning trying to quiet my many racing thoughts. And as my mind was settling the word Focus came to the forefront. Its no wonder why as I recall my good friend Kathy Liebert taking me by the shoulders the other day and shaking me saying, focus, Focus, FOCUS!! A wry smile came across my face as the true meaning of the word slowly washed over me now days later, long after the tournament concluded.

I quietly began to ponder the word and its relationship to poker. Its a trait that we often talk about but what does it really mean to be focused? Let me write and share some of my thoughts as I work on discovering what this word really means and perhaps we can learn and enjoy the journey together and elevate our poker game that much more.

You know when we say a word or sentence to someone we automatically think that they know what we are talking about. I mean we all speak English dont we?(Insert any language of your origin here..lol) Yet, when I look in the dictionary there are sometimes five to ten different definitions of a word. So how do we know that the person we are communicating to understands what we are trying to say? We dont. Often, we assume and it is that assumption that leads to a breakdown of communication.

So when Kathy was telling me to Focus, what did she really mean? Well, perhaps what she was saying and what she meant were two different things. To me she was telling me to direct my attention to the task at hand, which was winning the tournament. Certainly that is what she was saying but what she meant or what Ive come to believe she meant was something entirely different.

You see in my mind I was there so of course I was directing my attention to winning the tournament. But I’ve realized that just because my BODY is there doesnt mean that my MIND is! What Kathy was seeing was that while my body was present, my mind was not. So where was it? Well, as an old friend and mentor of mine named Gus told me, most of the time we are not living in the present moment. We are working out problems in our mind. Often those problems are in the past or future and we are busying ourselves with worrying or planning instead of living in the present. Seems silly doesnt it? But look at your thoughts throughout the day and you will catch yourself often thinking about other things then the present moment or task at hand constantly. If a thought about how you are going to pay your mortgage this month comes across your mind (a thought often shared by many poker players) then you are living in the future and are not focused on the task at hand. Count how many times you entertain these types of thoughts that take you away from the present moment. Thoughts such as, I need to lose weight, I have to prepare for an exam, I would like to travel and live a different life, etc. etc. etc. All these types of thoughts steal your focus away from the present moment and the task at hand and you need to FOCUS.

So where was my mind? Certainly I felt like I was focusing, I mean after all I am a professional, right? Well, perhaps I was trying to focus on too much at one time and therefore wasn’t in the present moment. Hence, Kathy grabbing me by the shoulders as if to wake me up. Imagine your focus to be like that of a telescope which narrows your field of vision to bring clarity to a central point. Instead I was walking around and taking in all the issues in my life as if they were spread out across a long horizon. By not letting go and keeping them all in sight I had lost focus and it all became a blur and permeated my thinking at the table. My decisions become unclear, my thought process and my execution became muddled. My opponents see it either visually or perceive it in some other sensory way and take advantage by exploiting my weakness. Confidence wanes and soon I feel like everyone is attacking me. I play defensively instead of aggressively and my results decline. One thing gives fuel to another and before you know it I am on a downward spiral like an airplane falling out of the sky and spinning out of control.

So what is on the horizon of my mind that is vying for my attention? Well for me it is many obligations and responsibilities like family, career, business decisions, friends and a to-do list that is pages long of items and priorities that are long over due. Ive been trying to push them out of my mind to set my focus on the task at hand but there are too many. Too many balls to juggle, too many issues that the best I can do is push them below the surface for a few hours. Soon, the issues come to the front of the mind as if they were a waking baby crying for attention. Each time wearing away my resolve to perform at my best. Sometimes it comes in the form of a text message or a phone call. Sometimes it comes with a conversation at the table or a friend walking up to chat. Other times it comes in the form of a bad beat which gets my emotions going and boards me on the train of negativity which destination is always the rail.

So, how do I focus when the horizon is filled with all these issues that are nagging for my attention? How do I juggle family, health, wealth, poker, career, kids, community, church, friends, activities, education and so forth and go play a poker tournament? Wont the balls that I am juggling fall to the ground? Yes, they will and that is okay. Because if I can’t handle that many balls then I shouldnt have added any of them anyway. A diverted or short attention span is one of the reasons why most people cant win. But then again most people aren’t professionals and are there probably for that very reason. To escape from their problems and simply enjoy a game of cards in a social atmosphere far away from the problems they are facing. For a professional there is no escape because this is where we must earn our living.

CLUTTER

A state of confusion or disorder

So, what am I to do with this realization now that the tournament is over? Prepare for the next one by getting organized, getting specific and dealing with the issues that are weighing on my mind before I saddle up to the table. Today I am taking the day off to do just that.

Here’s a specific tip I can offer to you; If you want to improve your performance at the poker table, before you head down to the casino, clean up something that is cluttering your life. Perhaps it is your car. Wash it, get an oil change, clean out the inside and vacuum it. Pay attention to detail and clean out the glove box and trunk. After you’ve done all that have a tall, cold glass of water and pat yourself on the back for having taken care of something youve wanted to do for the past couple of weeks. Then drive down and get in your poker game and see if you dont experience an improved performance. Now someone might say, you mean if I just clean my car I will win? No, it doesnt mean that but what it does mean is that you will improve performance and in gambling yes, that does translate into winning in the long run. Sometimes removing the clutter from your life involves sitting down with your wife and kids and having a deep and meaningful conversation that brings you all closer together.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my ramblings and take something useful from this blog that will improve your game and your life even by the smallest measure.

Good flops and Happy Days,

Kenna


May 14, 2007 Las Vegas, NV

Never try to be Mr. or Ms. Know it all. The greatest wisdom often exists in ignorance. The young do not know enough to be prudent and therefore they attempt the impossible and achieve it generation after generation.
Rev Run

Mirage Poker Showdown
Las Vegas, NV

$2,500.00 No Limit
Field 103 Place 33

A quick update from yesterday's tourney before I head off to IHop for breakfast and then onto the Mirage for today's $1,000 Limit Hold-em Event. Yesterday the field was very tough but an interesting challenge. I like playing in tougher fields which would seem to go to the opposite of what a poker player looks for...the best game, the weakest players, etc. But for me I seem to play better against stiffer competition.

That said, I made a few mistakes early by playing small ball and not protecting my initial few hands well enough to be outdrawn on the river. After my thrid consecutive draw out I made an adjustment and started playing more aggressive with big bets and it seemed to work out for me. That was until the last one, which is usually how it works. I made a standard raise UG with QQ. Got re-raised by a guy with 18,000 in chips. When it was folded around to me I re-raised his bet of 3,400 and moved All-In for 14,000. He called me with AK and we were off to the races. I hate racing but at this point I was 4,000 below the average and felt like I needed to take a stand. Also, it was his choice to race not mine as my raise should have been large enough given the situation to allow my opponent to fold. At any rate I was like a horse who fell out of the starting gate and was soon heading for the rail in 33rd place.

Thank you to all of you who sent me emails and your positive comments from the Ante Up podcast show I did the other day. I have the best fans, who are really friends and I appreciate you all very much.

Cheers!

KJ


May 13, 2007 Las Vegas, NV

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Mirage Poker Showdown
Las Vegas, NV

$1,500.00 No Limit
Field 204 Place 3

Well, it was a tough row to hoe but it was ever closer to the goal of winning my first event of the year yesterday, coming up just short by finishing in third place. Randy Holland was the eventual winner. Randy had to immediately be taken to the hospital as he was almost unconcious from being hit by the deck so many times consecutively. Still he is a shrewd, long term pro and his wife Lurene who was rooting from the sideline will enjoy this great win with him. Randy is a great guy who I've played with for nearly 10 years both here and in Europe and he deserves the win. He eliminated me when I limped in from the small blind with Kh7d and he checked his option in the big blind. The flop fell 7 high with two hearts. I led out for 25k and he moved all-in. Already at a 6-1 chip disadvantage and with the blinds going up in just a few minutes to 10-20k, I was sitting on a stack of 110k and elected to make the call. I was hoping he was on a straight or flush draw but alas, my heart sank when he turned over the nut straight to a board of 7/5/4. A 7 on the turn gave me a glimmer of hope but it was not to be as it was his day. It was his third straight that he made to knock a player to the rail on the final table.

I hung around the chip lead for a long time when my definitive hand came up for the day. The small blind, Ronnie V., who is Men the Master's protege made a raise from the small blind. I re-raised him 60k with JJ. He had about 75k remaining and moved all-in with AQ. I called and lost the race and was down to 30k with 5 players left. I was able to hang on but just couldn't get over the top after that.

I believe I've turned a corner with 3 final tables in the last month. A 9th, 5th, and a 3rd. Only the win remains. Perhaps it will be today in the $2500 No Limit event. So, I'm off. Please remember to treat your mothers extra special today. Call, write, buy flowers, or a big hug. Just a nod to recognition for how special they are for without them we wouldn't be here.

Good flops and happy days always,

KJ
May 12, 2007 Las Vegas, NV


Mirage Poker Showdown
Las Vegas, NV

$1,500.00 No Limit
Field 204 Place TBD (9 remaining)

FINAL TABLE BABY!

Okay, this marks the end of the slide. This is my third final table in a month and I believe I've turned a corner both on and off the felt and have the wind at my back for a change. We resume play today at 3 p.m. Pacific time and I will be facing off against Randy Holland, James Van Alstien and 6 other tough players looking for the $1500 Mirage Poker Showdown title.

You have 60,000 in chips and with the blinds at 1,000-2,000 with a 300 ante you bring it in under the gun for 5,000. James Van with a stack of 58,000 makes it 21,000 to go from the button and everyone folds around back to you. What do you do? Move in? Call? or Fold? A tough decision for what might be all your chips with 13 players left in the tourney and sitting on an above average chip stack. This is the situation I faced late last night but I'll have to fill you in on my decision later as I have to rest up for the continuing battle that will take place on the felt today.


May 5, 2007
Las Vegas, NV

"Who's the genius who said "Don't put all your eggs in one basket!" I believe you must find a definite aim and stick with it through thick and thin. When you pass on, they should be able to sum your name up in one word. If i say Jordan, you say basketball. Tiger, golf. Ali, boxing. If you focus hard enough on one great thing, you've done your job. Focus, focus, focus!"
Rev Run

It's taken me a week to report on the last couple of days at Ceasar's Palace and the final event of the World Series of Poker Circuit Event. I felt like I had been knocked out by Ali and the smelling salts are just now hitting me. In fact, last night for the first time I dreamt about one of the beats I took and replaced the guy who gave it to me with someone I knew. Funny, but it was so vivid and real. That one was in a cash game but was so interesting I have to share it with you. Especially now that it is once again fresh in my mind as I just woke up.

Breakfast is on the table however and I will return shortly with the cup of coffee...so check back in 30....

Okay...hmmm...Bacon and Eggs were good. The bad dream almost a distant memory. the hand went down like this: I sit down in a 5-10 no limit game with $2,000, which was about the average on the table. The game is active with some good size pots being won. I follow two limpers into the pot with a $60 raise with the 5/6 of clubs, wanting to disguise my hand and eliminate similar types of hands behind. One of the blinds calls and then the original limper makes it 300 to go. Usually this means Aces or Kings unless the player is making a move. Well, now that his hand is now defined for me I have the perfect type of hand to "crack" it and get paid off if I hit, so I call and the blind folds. The flop falls Q/Q/4, a complete airball for me but also unlikely to have hit my opponent. When he checked to me I decided to put out an under-bet of $200 to see if he was committed to his hand or if he would release it fearing I may have a Queen and not want to get involved. He makes the call and then checks the turn when a 3 hits the board. A perfect scenario for me as I went from no outs to suddenly having an open-end straight draw. I check and feel like The Grinch when a glorious duece (2) hits the river giving me the Nut Straight! Suddenly my opponent grabs a wad of cash and throws $900 into the middle. Wow, what is happening here. Did he slow play A/Q and now wants to make it look like a bluff to get me to call? He certainly couldn't have a low pocket pair and have made a full house. Anyway, I move in expecting a call from A/Q but am shell shocked when he turns over QQ for Quads! Okay, that was a quick session. Good night now gentlemen and I was quickly off to bed to play in the main event the next day.

The main event was a nice structured event that resembled a structure somewhat like the old World Series events. I knew play would be agressive and people would overvalue their hands based on the blind sizes and had a plan to exploit those players that did just that. I had doubled up very early when I caught a dream flop of 6/K/K with pocket sixes and found myself up against K/Q. Then I made an ill-advised move which cost me some chips when I read a situation wrong and found myself set back to 14,000 in chips. Still well above the average and the starting stack of 10K. Then the player I had made the bluff against and who I was battling quite frequently limps into the pot and I was in the big blind with Q/8. I checked my option and we took the flop heads up. The flop fell Q/8/2 with two spades. He was very aggressive and when I checked to him he bet 700. I instantly moved all-in hoping that he would mis-read me for a flush draw. In fact he did and called instantly with K/Q. I had him covered by 4,000 and that was all I was left with when the turn and river fell consecutive Jacks giving him a higher two pair. The very next hand he completed the sweep with pocket 99's and I moved in with AK, he called and I failed to improve and was sent to the rail. I can't complain too much though, my 5th place finish in the HORSE event here allowed me to break even for this tournament series and perhaps prepare the way for some great results in the next one.

Johnny Chan called me the other day and invited me up to play a tournament in Vancouver, Canada that he is hosting up there next week so I've decided to try my luck north of the border.


April 29, 2007
"If you BELIEVE in yourself almost anything can happen."
From the movie Miracle

As much as I love No Limit Hold-em it was a great relief to play some flop games for a change. A tough field of 64 assembled at Ceasar's and I am excited to return for day two and play for the win with the remaining 13 others from yesterday. I have a chip stack of 20,000 and average is about 22k I think as we started with 5k each.

Sorry that the updates have been off the past couple of weeks but I've been working hard on finishing up the new kennajames.com website which will be up within the next two weeks and one that I believe you will enjoy.

As many of you know that read this site regularly, at times I spout out some thoughts or philosophy...I made a realization the other day on facing difficulties in your life, whether it be on the felt of off and it is the following:

When you start to make progress towards the right direction or are on the path to the right way, one of the sure signs that your heading in the right direction will be the fact that you will begin to face more adversity and higher hurdles then you were facing when you were absorbed in the problem itself. So rather then get discouraged as things seem to be getting worse, feel encouraged that the Universe is giving you validation for your decisions. Unfortunately it is just the process of putting you through the fire as if you are a clay pot that has to be put through the kiln. It’s way of fashioning you for greatness. To make sure you can stand the tests that you will face in the future and not just fall off a shelf and break easily. If you can come through the fire you will be stronger and dedicated to the changes you’ve made and more equipped to face the new challenges that lie ahead.



Ceasar's Palace Las Vegas, NV

$3,100 HORSE
Field 64 Finish ? 14 LEFT Day 2


April 16, 2007
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear."


Bellagio Five Diamond Las Vegas, NV

$2,620 No Limit
Field 330 Finish 9

First Final Table of 2007

Well as reprimanding as I was in my last post, I have to give myself due time and credit for how I played this event. Constantly faced with very tough decisions and situations in the early going, I managed to play "above the rim" today and managed a short stack all the way to the money. In fact when there were 28 people left I was one of the two shortest stacks and they were paying 27. From there I managed to maneuver myself into a 9th place finish. So many interesting situations throughout the course of this 17 hour tournament journey but here are just a couple of the highlites.

I had jut taken a beat in the small blind on a suck out. Now with the button in hand I look down at TT but there is a standard raise from a solid player under the gun. My cards find the muck and I lose not a chip to his pocket Aces which he ended up showing. In the next lap I was in the small blind once again with KQ of clubs. A beautiful looking hand with 4 limpers but then the button made a good size raise. My situational head starting chatting it up inside saying, "he's just trying to pick up all this dead money, MAKE A MOVE!" I quickly quieted the voice by mucking my hand and found out that he in fact had AK. It was avoiding situations like this that kept me in the tournament.

In position I made a standard raise and picked up one caller, the BB. He is a tricky and creative player. The flop fell J/9/5 with two hearts. He checked and I bet the pot and he called. The Turn card was an 8. A very dangerous card it seemed and when he checked to me I thought about moving all-in instantly to protect against the flush draw or another straight card coming. I battled the instinct and realized that my opponent could be sitting on QT and it would be better to take the river and try to fill up and either induce a bluff or call off a bet if a scared card fell. The river brought a 3 of hearts completing the flush draw. My opponent made a value type bet and I paid off to see his 7/6! He called with a gut shot on the flop and when he hit it he tried to trap. I escaped by not betting the turn here and instantly felt like I was freerolling in the tournament having avoided being felted in the hand.

I hung around with a short stack and eventually picked up some premium hands and was able to win some pots without a showdown. Then a critical time came as we got close to the money. I had worked myself up to just above average chip stack and the tables were short handed as we were waiting for the last couple of players to bust out before breaking down to 3 tables of 9 for the 27 players that would be in the money. The problem was that no one was really short stacked and this carried on for quite some time. I lost a couple of pre-flop raises when I laid down to an over the top raise 3 different times. Each time I had a reasonable raising hand but not one that could stand up to an all-in re-raise. This put me in a position of jeapordy of not making the money. After battling hard all week and playing for over 12 hours this day, it would have been very hard on me emotionally if I were to bubble out of this tournament. I ususally would play to gather chips at this stage and risk going out if I had to so that I could position myself for the win. But recognizing that it would hurt me more in the long run if I should catch a bad break, I decided to play conservative and eventhough I knew I had the best hand in certain situations decided to not put myself in jeopardy. Consequently I lost some chips playing a hand so defensively that I otherwise would have normally won.

Seeing the big picture though and knowing the importance of this finish was more important to me then the individual hand. I think sometimes players will just look at the individual situation and say, "well, I don't know about all that, I just know I'm the favorite" and get their chips in regardless of the situation. I guess my point is that "the situation" is sometimes greater then the current hand in play. Having the discipline to understand that and keep my ego in check may go a long way to serving me in the long run and it is the long run that truly marks the success of a poker professional.




April 13, 2007

Bellagio Five Diamond Las Vegas, NV

$1,590 No Limit
Field 658 Finish 226

These results are embarassing to report but not as embarassing as my play of my final hand today. I really "DONKED" off my chips today in a vain attempt to win a growing pot that I desperatly wanted. I let greed and poor judgement take over from my usual good reads and sound decisions and when the happens you get exactly what you deserve, felted. I went home and was watching some baseball and witnessed the starting pitcher getting shelled for like 5 runs in the first two innings. I felt a kinship to him at this point as he too got the hook and dejectedly walked to the dugout in front of thousands of booing fans. Now that takes some tough skin.

My sad display came down like this. I once again boosted my starting stack and then ran into a tough spot. I raised with AQ of diamonds and the button cold called behind. The flop fell A/5/3 with two spades and I looked to check-raise as the player on the button was very aggressive and I figured him to bet. He checked. The turn fell a 7 of spades and I led out for 800. He know thinks and raises me to 2300. He's got a flush right? Nah, this player would have bet the flush draw on the flop I think. I call and he seems a bit taken back. I also thought that he may have a hand like AT with a spade, semi-bluffing and planning to check the river. The river is an offsuit 9 and I check again. He has about 1400 remaining and I have 2400. He moves in and I call. His hand? Pocket Aces! Donk #1.

This one gets the prize however. I move tables and take a lap around the table and then decide to put in a raise (blinds 100-200)making it 475 to go with A9 in mid-late position. The button and both blinds call. With 1900 in th pot, when it is checked to me I lead out for 1100 on a flop of 8/7/4 and am called by the button. The blinds both fold. The turn card is a Jack which gives me the gutshot straight draw (with one card to come) and I decide to totally ignore the fact that my opponent called both my raises cold and move in the remainder of my 1600 in chips in a desperate attempt to scare off a big ace or a small pair. He turns over pocket 88's for trips. Duh.

I'm not in the habit of beating myself up but I deserve this self reprimand. If Matusaw was there I would have left the job to him but he was not so I have to give myself a few lashings for these two plays. I am also going to take the day off tomorrow, work out, study, and put myself in a positive frame for Sundays' competition. This was a tough post to write. This morning it was even tougher as I sat in the gym not wanting to lift the dumbells that sat in my hands. I almost put them back in the rack but then had this thought. What is feeling down going to do for me? Nothing. Pick yourself up and lets get going. One. Two. Three. I was off. A few situps, pushups and I was on my way.

I took the rest of the day to work on some updates on this site. It is going to get a major face lift in the next week. Stay tuned as I think you will really like the changes. I want to also say thanks to all my friends, family and fans for all your support. It means a lot to me.

Good Flops and Happy Days,

KJ


April 12, 2007

Bellagio Five Diamond Las Vegas, NV

$2,600 No Limit Super Satellite
Field 228 Finish 72

Played a long time on a short stack. I got it up to just a few thousand under average and decided to see a flop from middle position with QJ and limped in. I hate limping into pots but felt that this table was passive enough for me to expect to see the flop without getting raised, which is what happened. The flop fell Q/7/4 and the two blinds checked to me and I bet about 70% of my stack wanting to take it down right there as the pot with five players in it was already large compared to my stack. It turned out I trapped the BB perfectly as he made the call with Q5. The turn however brought the 5 and I was once again headed to the rail.
April 11, 2007

Bellagio Five Diamond Las Vegas, NV

$5,200 No Limit
Field 195 Finish 150?

What a table I had today. All filled with known players except for two spots. It was one of those spots that did me in. I had won a nice pot earlier from the same gentlemen with pocket Kings when he paid me off for 2,000 on the river with pocket tens on a queen high board. The pot of my demise went like this. Carlos Mortenson limps in for 200 (blinds 100-200), Chris Fergueson makes it 1000 to go, the unknown player cold calls a 1000, I call from the BB with pocket 99's (my stack is 13,000) and Carlos calls. With 4,000 in the middle preflop it fell J/9/7 all daimonds. I led for 4,000, Chris thought for about a minute and folded and the unknown player raised to 8,000. I flat called. The river fell an Ace of hearts. I moved in for the remainder of my chips. The unknown started the hand with about 15,000 and had me covered made the call with AK, with the ace of diamonds in hand. The river fell a king of diamonds giving him the flush and me the rail. I could not speak. Wow. May have to take the next couple of days off, this one hurt right in the gut.

Ironically I was in control of the rest of the table which was filled with Champions. David Pham, Juha Hellpi, David Williams, Carlos Mortenson, Joe Batholdi, and Chris Fergueson all at my starting table. It was great to be competing at this table but so dissapointing to go out like this. My opponent played it as if he had the nuts and even when I turned my hand over on the turn as we were waiting for the river card and he saw what he was up against...it didn't phase him. It was like he knew it was coming.

Hmmmm.


April 11, 2007

Bellagio Five Diamond Las Vegas, NV

$5,200 No Limit
Field ? Finish ?

I got two great nights sleep in a row so I am well rested for today's event. I was up at 7 am, fixed a nice pancake breakfast for my kids and enjoying a couple of hours with them before heading off to work. Thier day will be swimming in the pool and enjoying burgers on the grill while I am out there battling it out on the felt...ahhh, to be young again. Then again, I'm looking forward to the day as much as they are I'm sure. It's time to take one down.

KJ


April 9, 2007

Bellagio Five Diamond Las Vegas, NV

$2620 No Limit
Field 251 Finish 186

Another tough day at the office after getting off to a reasonble start and doubling up early. There are many stages to a tournament. The first being the opening rounds up until the antes start. Usually that is the first 3 levels and the goal simply is to double up and stay ahead of the field. Well, I accomplished that these first two tournaments but then stumbled in level 3.

There is one hand today that really stood out in my mind that still bothers me. I had a loose nut on my left who I called down with Ace high and won about 20 minutes previous to this hand and he went balistic. I was sitting on a stack of almost 9,000 when I lost consecutive hands that took me down to 3,000 and I was out shortly thereafter. They went like this: A crafty long term pro limps in early position and I flat call from middle with 77. The nut case on the button who is down to 1700 calls as well and we take the flop 5 ways. The flop falls 8/8/6 with two hearts. Blinds check, UG bets 350, I call and the button moves all in for 1400 more. Everyone folds and I figure there is a reasonable chance that he is on a flush draw and call 15% of my stack to have a look. He in fact turns over K4 of hearts, makes the flush and takes this 5K nice swing pot away from me and I stumble to 7,200.

The next crucial pot comes down to the three of us again. Knuckle head limps UG, Pro calls and I make it 800 to go *blinds 50-100, with QQ. They both call and when the pro called I put him on TT;s or even possibly Jacks, so when the flop fell T/7/3 I was a little concerned but came up with a quick strategy in my head to make a small lead out bet enticing the young aggressive player to move his 5K in the middle in an attempt to steal the 2500 out there and if the Pro called I could easily get away from my hand. My plan went bad however when the kid just flat called, which then drew the call from the Pro. Now I didn't know where I was in the hand but suspected that the Pro most likely had a middle pair, possibly taking one off with two overs. The turn brought the dreaded Ace and I make another mistake by checking which now furthers my confusion. The kid checks and the Pro now fires out a 1700 bet. This should be an easy fold except for two factors. One, I can see that the kid is going to fold and Two, I was pretty sure that this player most likely had a hand like 99's or 88's...or was I just putting him on a hand I can beat? Arggg...I got stubborn and called the 1700. The river brought a King! Great, I check again and this time the pro who still has about 6000 left fires 2500. I have 3000 and am in the hotseat. If he has a middle pair and using the board and my show of weakness and his position to win the pot then I got him. If I call and he has what he is representing then I am practically out. The second day in a row I had this same decision and folded. Now I was down to 3000 in chips and the momentum really had me falling without a parachute. Alas, I picked up pocket Aces on the button the last hand before the break. I raised to 400 and got no callers. My last hand I had 9/T of clubs and wanting to climb back into the tournament decided to take a stand. My stack was down to 2000. I raised from middle making it 600 to go and got called by only the BB. The flop fell A/T/5. He checked and I bet 900 of my remaining 1500, he moved in and I called knowing I had to improve. OUT 186.

The lesson I learned today was this: When you've established your stack for the next stage of the tournament you have to have a much bigger hand to CALL any mid-to high level bet. Eventhough your chip stack can afford to call 15-30% of your stack, losing your chip position after you already reach