Chinese New Year

All potential opponents on the felt beware!!!! The year of (V-) Ox has begun!

A Changing Tide???

The two following rulings may be the start of something good for the online poker industry:

1) Finally a judge that doesn't use outdated historical precedent to make a ruling

http://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/article/5939/pennsylvania-judge-rules-poker-is-a-game-of-skill

2) Well this one is and has been completely ridiculous from the beginning

http://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/article/5940/kentucky-appeals-court-says-dont-touch-domain-names

Massive Relief

I just took down a 4000+ player $55 tourney in Stars for 26K. I'm wasn't even feeling happy right afterwards. It was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders, and I just felt very relieved. I haven't made much money for a while, and even though this isn't a huge score, it sure goes a long way for me right now. To say I needed it is an understatement. Hopefully, this is a sign of a change going forward.

Courtesy Poker Blog

Semi standard hand but I enjoyed the talking afterwards:

Stage #1410839822 Tourney ID 2118847 Holdem Multi Normal Tournament Pot Limit $40 - 2009-01-15 21:17:55 (ET)Table: 14 (Real Money) Seat #7 is the dealer
Seat 1 - ASSEENONTV ($3137.50 in chips)
Seat 2 - PIMASTER ($4227.50 in chips)
Seat 3 - HEAVENSMONEY ($3460 in chips)
Seat 4 - ZILEX69 ($742.50 in chips)
Seat 5 - MYNINETOFIVE ($2360 in chips)
Seat 6 - 3BARRELEDU ($4325 in chips)
Seat 7 - BLUEBAYOU17 ($3140 in chips)
Seat 8 - 2DIMES ($2810 in chips)
Seat 9 - LUCKYACES08 ($2747.50 in chips)
2DIMES - Posts small blind $20
LUCKYACES08 - Posts big blind $40
*** POCKET CARDS ***Dealt to PIMASTER [10d 10h]
ASSEENONTV - Folds
PIMASTER - Raises $100 to $100
HEAVENSMONEY - Calls $100 (cant fold pre)
ZILEX69 - Folds
MYNINETOFIVE - Folds
3BARRELEDU - Folds
BLUEBAYOU17 - Folds
2DIMES - Folds
LUCKYACES08 - Folds
*** FLOP *** [8s Kd 9c]
PIMASTER - Bets $150
HEAVENSMONEY - Calls $150
*** TURN *** [8s Kd 9c] [3d]
PIMASTER - Checks (he cant help bluffing)
HEAVENSMONEY - Bets $280
PIMASTER - Calls $280
*** RIVER *** [8s Kd 9c 3d] [6s]
PIMASTER - Checks
HEAVENSMONEY - Bets $1120
PIMASTER - Calls $1120
*** SHOW DOWN ***HEAVENSMONEY - Shows [10s Qd] (king high)
PIMASTER - Shows [10d 10h] (One pair, tens)
PIMASTER Collects $3360 from main pot

HEAVENSMONEY: man what a bs call
PIMASTER: ty!
PIMASTER: bs means big stud right?
HEAVENSMONEY: keep calling me next time youll double me up punk
PIMASTER: that wont hurt too much anymore

Happy New Year!

..............and #$^%^& 2008.

Hopefully, a year from now I won't be regretting that statement and longing for the glory(?) days of 2008.