Well, Hello 2021

Here we are knocking on 2021, and, based on my poor posting record, one could conclude that I have shriveled up and gone away.

On the contrary. In 2018 I got caught up watching all the pros on Twitch. I guess there was plenty of action and trash talking there so I lost steam for writing here. Went to Miami in January, then Cozumel. Later in 2018, I scheduled a trip to Reno to participate in the October Run It Up Reno tournaments. Cancelled last minute in order to stay on East Coast for other events.

In 2019, I continued to watch Twitch and play Pokerstars. I was in Vegas in January and made a little ‘fun’ money. Not a ton, just enough to pay for the trip, the first class tickets, a couple of nice meals including Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill in Caesar’s Palace, and a Celine Dion show.

Had much fun during the days hiking the Valley of Fire, driving over to Isis, Utah to check out the Red River Ranch, and hike the Snow Canyon State Park in St. George, spending a day outdoors at Hoover Damn… doing absolutely nothing but talking trash and breathing. Clearing my head during the day sure did keep me sharp playing poker at night. I made some great ‘hero’ calls during those sessions.

In 2020, I’ve spent much less time on Twitch. Kinda feel that that has run its course – for me. It’s an interesting business model for grinders/streamers. Spent a ton of hours end of May – early Sept watching YouTube and whattevah other ‘channel’ that would deliver the 2020 WSOP tournaments. It is not summer unless you have the WSOP and @tuchonsports. Dave was at the top of his game as usual. Didn’t enjoy all of his guests. Some just blubbered not knowing what to say or started conversations about unrelated topics – but – others were stellar analysts, and I learned a ton from those.

I especially enjoyed Ryan “joeyisamush” Depaulo‘s win inside his car parked outside of a whole foods market. I happened to be online and that was hilarious!

I think players not having to reveal themselves from the start probably had a large negative impact on the 2020 WSOP viewership. I’m a poker fanatic and even I didn’t hang in there when there was no one I recognized – unless the flops or play was extraordinary.

After the WSOP presentation, I watched mostly Daniel Negreanu who was streaming every day from Cabo on his GG Poker. It’s 2020 and U.S. citizens still have to leave the country to play poker on line… so ridiculous.

Kudos Grandes go to Mike Matasow for this summer’s tribute to Mike Sexton just prior to his passing. It was a good change to hear The Mouth stop whining and do something compassionate for someone else. I’m a big Mike Sexton fan, so, appreciated that session a ton.

Was sad to learn of Darvin Moon‘s passing as well as Mike Sexton’s this summer. Oh, and the horrible death of Susie Zhao. I followed all the scuttlebutt about Brad Booth‘s disappearance, and, was happy to learn of his re-appearance 60 days later.

Been keeping up with poker news on YouTube, Dat Poker Podcast, JoeIngram1, and… many many more.

Watched the Dnegs vs Polk Heads Up challenge last night, and, will continue to keep up with that.

Adios for now amigos. Hasta nos vemos.