QUEEN-BEEz HIVE " SPIRIT WITHIN POKER n LIVING"

PokerNetWork "Blog Challenge Winner"

2010-04-23T01:16:00.000-07:00

POKER NETWORK

Here is the winning blog entry written by Clintsmydad

The world is my onion
Due to a $150 carrot I have decided to allow the world into my little life for a few moments a week. If government departments and anyone else, may want to one day use this blog as evidence, I have to say that the majority of this blog is fiction .
So to start with a little about myself. I used to be a very sociable easy going outdoor type with no weird habits and a super fit body. This however was 2004 - the year before I was cursed to find online poker. As the majority of players know poker players are strange, online players are worse. I am one of these unfortunates who has sacrificed his body for the cause. I'm an individual who is now socially inept and so awkward in almost all situations that I cringe at the thought of actual social interaction.
I grew up in pubs watching races and playing pool, winning and losing from the age of 10. When I was about 13 I saw some men playing poker in the corner and thought "that looks a bit gay", I mean I would play a little blackjack from time to time, but sitting there not doing much seemed a slow boring exercise. But when I had nothing to do, I would sit and watch. This taught me two valuable lessons: losers always lose and always have more money than the other guy your playing.
After a few weeks of watching I asked a few questions, learnt some basics of draw and stud and then lost interest again. I mean why would O want to sit there for hours playing to win a few dollars when I could just play the winner at pool? Playing for 3-4 hours seemed pointless when I could make that kind of money in 2 or 3 games of pool. So I sort of just left it at that but still watched occasionally. About a year later we changed pubs and I found at the new place in Newcastle their pool game was a little stronger. After getting skinned by a few who were just too good, I decided I needed to change things up . I could still play well enough to beat 90% of players but the only money you could win was too small and even at 14 my reputation preceeded me. So I switched to basketball and learnt that fighting Tongan kids to make sure you got paid wasn't worth it. Then one day some old guys were playing bridge in a corner and I went over and started talking to them. They were nice guys but terrible teachers. After about 20 minutes I realised i had no interest in bridge. The game was breaking up and they asked if i wanted to play. I declined but started playing with the cards when a guy that had one to many sherbets came over and asked if we were playing poker. Without hesitation i replied "we are now" and that's where this crazy adventure started.

CONGRATS

CHECKOUT ALL THE OTHER ENTRANTS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( click on each entrant link to read their Blog )

BALANCE IN POKER n LIVING!

2010-04-23T00:58:00.000-07:00

I have seen poker affect many families and relationships, including mine at times. Players highly driven switch off to their surrounds and tend to forget the living side of life.

I hear it daily from players that their partner, friends and family are over them playing so much poker, even to the stage of presenting these players with heavy decision options, US or POKER!

THIS CAN BE AVOIDED – so easily.

Bringing BALANCE to Poker n Living will reduce the negativity surrounding your poker, but will also improve your poker and living. Allowing time for poker and personal will in fact balance out so well you will actually thrive in both.

How are you able to play your best poker when there is nagging and negativity in the back ground? Switching off our poker urge will allow us to truly enjoy our personal time with friends, families and hobbies.
It’s all about balance resulting in the best life around POKER n LIVING in a positive environment.

I too am guilty of time spent more on my poker journey than with family, friends and getting other things done. They snap me back into line, but I tend to drift back to more poker than living. I decided both are special to me and I could not be happy if I lost one.

SO..................

I have now put together a schedule for myself and going to be strict at implementing this, creating a balance lifestyle for myself and family. WOW!!!!!!! It will be hard and will take a lot of strong will power. I do believe it will actually improve both my areas in POKER n LIVING.

Here is an example of what I mean. If we are working a job that takes many hours, we neglect our loved ones due to no time and eventually we burn out, resulting in poor work functioning and low morale for social and family. We then have no balance and no productivity in either our WORK or LIVING.

This has happened to me and I learnt a huge lesson. BALANCE!!!!!!!! Is the key to pro-active productivity?

My schedule is on the wall now for the family and myself to stick to. I am happier and functioning well in POKER, LIVING and WORK.

Let us stop having to choose between POKER n LIVINGS. We can do it all with a little BALANCE in our lives.

KEY HERE: Balance POKER n LIVING to function your best in both.

BEE

ATTITUDE - "Best Gift Of All"

2010-04-23T00:56:00.000-07:00

When I say,
"I can't" and expect the worst,
I become weak & unhappy.

When I say

"I can", and thrive success,
I am filled with confidence & happiness.

BRING IT ON!

The best gift of all – ATTITUDE

I confirm this to myself over and over. I know it works for me.
Yet for some reason I fall back into old patterns at times allowing my attitude to be negative and knowing life is far more productive with a positive attitude, I still dwell at times in the negative.
I am even guilty at times allowing a negative attitude to kick in from past experiences expecting the worst to happen again. Of course my attitude is not going to improve with these thoughts, it is going to get far worse and I know this, but I’m too busy in the negative, feeling weak and unhappy to snap out of it, yet for some reason I allow this attitude to stick around for awhile.

Then out of the blue!

I decide enough is enough and my attitude is automatically transformed from one of negativity to positivity, confidence, success and happiness. This attitude switch is very important and it is how we all should approach life even in the hardest of times.

It is up to me what attitude I am wearing today for social and work. My attitude makes a difference to the outcomes of what my day and results bring. My attitude also reflects onto others. I would rather be a positive role model than a negative one.

I aim to find the positive in all I do and learn.

My goal each day is to stay positive and find the good in all I'm dealt.

Bring it on! The best gift of all – ATTITUDE - making the difference in living for a brighter future.

BEE :-)

Everybody knows high school can be tough " FIND YOUR TRIBE "

2010-04-23T00:54:00.000-07:00

While in the staff room on break I was watching TV, not really paying attention as too busy facebooking on my Iphone. My ears pricked to a comment I heard: " What I know now I wish I knew back then ". I put my phone down and spent the rest of my break listening to Rebecca Sparrow about a book she has recently written titled FIND YOUR TRIBE.

Rebecca went on to mention so many important points about teenagers of today and if only they knew a few keys that we have all learnt becoming adults. Sarah Murdoch's comment "An insightful book that is inspiring, uplifting, motivating and really funny! Packed with common sense tools to get through those tricky teenage years" has inspired me to also promote this book to you guys in the hope of easing the stress for many teenagers who struggle daily at high school including my own.

The saying, can not put an old head on young shoulders yes I believe is true. Kids don't want to hear it. This book is written in a way that kids are wanting to read it.

I wish I had this book when I was a teenager and I'm very keen to purchase it for my 4 teenagers.

I really believe the best way to learn is through others experiences.

My teenage experience was this - the ultimate was to hang with the popular group, be sporty and a smart arse to the teachers was all cool. Many times I did and said things that naturally I didn't want to do, but i did to be accepted. This is sad. If I went back to school now I would end up an A grade student, respect for myself and my views and beliefs.

SO I SAY IF THIS BOOK HELPS - BRING IT ON - FOR ALL OUR BABIES............

888 POKER FAIRYTALE

2010-04-20T20:28:00.000-07:00

Our Luke Burnham is well on the way to securing his winning prize of a 15K WSOP package for his awesome video clip.

CHECK IT OUT!!!!!!!!!! 888 POKER FAIRYTALE

Luke is one very creative and special man who's passion for poker and wonderful family brings the best out of him.

The votes in this competition are based on how many times this clip is viewed. Please pass this onto everyone and while having a laugh at Luke's idea of a fairytale you are also voting for him.

Not only has Luke in the passed done these sort of clips he is also known for his clever rap clips.

Wishing you all the best Luke and good luck. You are already a winner in our eyes.

QUEEN-BEEz HIVE DEEPSTACK POKER CHALLENGE - 11.4.10

2010-04-11T03:42:00.000-07:00

WINNER - QUEEN-BEEz HIVE DEEPSTACK POKER CHALLENGE - Denise " RED " Scott

Our first BEEz Challenge at Sin-City Seagulls was held today with great success and Denise taking it down for the girls. The play was exciting with some pretty mind blowing beats, resulting in players being knocked out of the event in shock. This adrenaline pumping game is one of our main drives that returns us to the felt for more. What I enjoyed most about today was looking around at the players facial expressions and the connection we all have with our passion for poker. The HIVE promotes true sportsmanship and boy did I have to hold my tongue when my QQ all - in was called by a 69 suited rivering a straight and bubbling me for final table. I was gutted to play that many hours and going out like that I wanted to kick and scream as we all hate to lose. At the end of the day I do believe every player has the right to play any 2 cards they wish and be respected for their decision to put their chips in. I do not understand his calling, but its not up to me to approve his decision. I just have to accept it, shake his hand and know there is always another game to play. Mind you I am first to admit I too have made some very dumb calls, sucked out and smashed players off the tables. So, I guess what go's around comes around and we all experience this during our poker journey often.

Many players today experiencing for the first time a deepstack event enjoyed the challenge, which is also a HIVE goal. Players in our local area had a choice of free roll or the casino for cash tables. Sin-City Seagulls poker room has now opened the doors for these players to experience other events while developing their skills in other structures of poker. This is a fantastic step forward for the area and many players are now working on their skills, setting goals to enter bigger tournaments away from our region.

Our next HIVE deepstack will be held 16th May - See events for details......

CONGRATULATIONS to Denise " RED " Scott for taking down the game today. I'm sure she will be there next month to defend her title.

POKER HYGIENE "For a Fresher Future"

2010-03-16T16:29:00.000-07:00

I bet I’m not the only one that has sat down at the felt and all of a sudden gasp for fresh air as the player to the right is in dire need of a shower, or some deodorant. How about the player with the offensive bad breath that has to lean over and talk to you in the quiet whisper, hence him literally being in your face, while you try to hold your breath. Or the intoxicated player bellowing his alcoholic breath mixed with night’s dinner including garlic while belching out “I’m all-in” with a drunken grin. These are just a few experiences I have had while playing poker.

I remember when I first started playing the free roll league, a player every time when in dealer position licked his fingers while dealing each card. Now how gross is that when you think about it. Imagine if every player licked his fingers prior to dealing each card.

How about when you move to another table and a player is really hacking a severe cough and wiping his nose with his hands then grabs his cards. Again in our league illness spread within the league due to poor hygiene. I remember one player sitting down with really gunky eyes, rubbing them saying they have the worst conjunctivitis ever. Now that is so contagious, why on earth are they at poker? Or at least why are they not considerate to other player’s well being and take hygiene precautions to reduce others being infected.

Imagine how many male/female players actually wash their hands after they have been to the loo. At one tournament recently I was chatting with a female player in the ladies, I noticed she didn’t wash her hands and returned to the felt to be dealer shortly. What about the big sneeze into the hands that are about to pick up the cards. Players say bless you to the sneezing player, as if bless you my friend for now placing you germs all over the cards.

I know I am guilty of saying nothing, being polite and putting up with all these unhygienic antics while in poker tournaments, but really feel it’s time to speak up to these players. Maybe if I say something, someone else might as well and poker will hygienically clean up a tad, making it fresher for all poker players.

If we all make an effort poker would have a fresher future.....................

BEE

BALANCE IN POKER n LIVING!

2010-03-15T18:22:00.000-07:00

I have seen poker affect many families and relationships, including mine at times. Players highly driven switch off to their surrounds and tend to forget the living side of life.

I hear it daily from players that their partner, friends and family are over them playing so much poker, even to the stage of presenting these players with heavy decision options, US or POKER!

THIS CAN BE AVOIDED – so easily.

Bringing BALANCE to Poker n Living will reduce the negativity surrounding your poker, but will also improve your poker and living. Allowing time for poker and personal will in fact balance out so well you will actually thrive in both.

How are you able to play your best poker when there is nagging and negativity in the back ground? Switching off our poker urge will allow us to truly enjoy our personal time with friends, families and hobbies.
It’s all about balance resulting in the best life around POKER n LIVING in a positive environment.

I too am guilty of time spent more on my poker journey than with family, friends and getting other things done. They snap me back into line, but I tend to drift back to more poker than living. I decided both are special to me and I could not be happy if I lost one.

SO..................

I have now put together a schedule for myself and going to be strict at implementing this, creating a balance lifestyle for myself and family. WOW!!!!!!! It will be hard and will take a lot of strong will power. I do believe it will actually improve both my areas in POKER n LIVING.

Here is an example of what I mean. If we are working a job that takes many hours, we neglect our loved ones due to no time and eventually we burn out, resulting in poor work functioning and low moral for social and family. We then have no balance and no productivity in either our WORK or LIVING.

This has happened to me and I learnt a huge lesson. BALANCE!!!!!!!! Is the key to pro-active productivity?

My schedule is on the wall now for the family and myself to stick to. I am happier and functioning well in POKER, LIVING and WORK.

Let us stop having to choose between POKER n LIVINGS. We can do it all with a little BALANCE in our lives.

(Next time the misses asks you to do the dishes for example. Do them BEFORE you play poker, otherwise they don’t get done and you are in the shit and poker is blamed once again.)

KEY HERE: Balance POKER n LIVING to function your best in both.

BEE

PRIVATE GAME ONLINE

2010-03-13T14:27:00.000-08:00

Holding private games online has many benefits including playing with people you know, not being abused for having ago at a hand, being able to grow your poker in a fun environment. The HIVE has held many games and the results are positive for players involved. Our next game is on Poker Stars and the details are below. You are all more than welcome to join in the HIVE fun bringing your game to the online felt. Best of luck and look forward to seeing you in the HIVE. Joining the group QUEEN-BEEz HIVE " Spirit Within Poker n Living " on facebook will keep you update with what is going on the HIVE.

QUEEN-BEEz HIVE

Venue: POKER STARS

Go to lobby - Private - QUEEN-BEEz HIVE

Date: 29th March, 2010

Game ID: 252239319

Entry $11

Password: beepoker

Start: 19.30 AEST

Rego: NOW OPEN

The HIVE games promote good sportsmanship, fun and awesome poker. Please respect all players and their decision to play any 2 cards.

Condition of entry: NO ABUSIVE CHAT

U UP FOR A CHALLENGE?

2010-03-09T03:31:00.000-08:00

Head on over to PokerNetWork to take on this challenge.

Pen to paper or should I say fingers to keyboard in a challenge that could win you $50 on either Poker Stars or Full Tilt personally by me.

How? Simply post a blog written by yourself about yourself.
Why? Every hand has a chance in winning.
When? From now till 21st April, 2010. Winner announced 22nd April in the forum.
Content? Nothing about strategy, statistics, or anything along those lines. This blog is about your poker road from the very beginning till now. The more exciting you make it the more votes you may attract.
Conditions? No swearing or abuse to anyone.
Members and entrants have the opportunity to vote for the blogs they enjoyed reading.
THE BLOG with the most votes on April 21st will be our winner.

This is a personal challenge for everyone to take time out and remember how they got into poker, why they stayed, what their dreams were, have they achieved them, and where they are today.

Anyone wishing to take on this challenge, please register the title of your blog in the forum - Main notice board on PokerNetWork - U UP FOR A CHALLENGE. All entrants will be listed and winner announced 22.4.10 in this section on PokerNetWork.

Voting for your favourite blogs is easy too. Simply click the + to the right of blog.

GOOD LUCK - may the best blog win the pot!

Any further questions contact me @ Cindy QUEEN-BEE Morgan Facebook.

BEE

POKER ABILITIES “We all have them”

2010-03-05T14:40:00.000-08:00

Poker is fast tracking round the world and seeping into every nook and cranny.

The very young to the retired are being sucked into this brilliant revamped sport of poker. In my short lived experience compared to many of you playing the game one thing comes to mind, knowing your own poker abilities is the best weapon.

Simply pulling up a chair and playing will not give the satisfaction and desire to return for more. With a committed heart, mind and soul to the game our walk away is different, now being full of emotion and the desire to improve, getting more out of each and every game. We are the players with potential success within the world of poker.

Growing within ourselves and learning our own natural abilities taking them to the game like Tennis players prepare with rackets, balls, and towels and so on. We also need to prepare for our game confidence, instinct, awareness, water and our natural abilities. Topped off with our passion and drive will eventually result in personal satisfaction of a job well done.

Most people can learn poker!

This is why poker is exciting; all players arrive with their own natural abilities igniting the play into adrenalin pumping action. Poker would be so boring if we all turned up baring the same abilities, playing the same form of poker and cards. Many players come and go, leaving the driven players to continue improving their game due to new players. Poker to me will always be a lifetime of learning.

Playing poker is easy! Winning and achieving in poker takes hard work.

Taking our time in getting to know our natural abilities, growing our strengths while improving our game will challenge us to continually return to the felt as our hunger for more is thriving.

All walks of life gather together to play a card game, bringing to the felt a mix of personality, skills and natural abilities. It is far from luck that we see regular players on the final felts. These players have passion and many hours putting in the time within themselves, their game, and have found their natural abilities that work for them on the felt. These players have developed their skills to make a living from this awesome game of poker.

We can achieve almost anything our hearts really have passion for.

All good things come to those that put in the effort.

What are your natural abilities you feel add to your game and why?

BEE

FINAL COUNT DOWN " Music To My Ears"

2010-03-04T14:57:00.000-08:00

After playing for hours and hours

Hearing “we are hand for hand” brings with it for me a moment that seems to last forever, like time in slow motion. I begin to tense up with excitement, become very aware like my senses have really kicked in, folding hand after hand, confidently making moves on weaker players when possible.

The music continues with “we are no longer hand for hand” finally relaxing and eager now for the final countdown. This is the part of the poker game I enjoy especially when I’m low stack. Getting in amongst the chip action and confidently trying to ship them my way heading for the win. It’s time to chip up or get out with my prize money already under my belt, for I strive the win not just another placing.

The best feeling for me at this point is when I have chips and I’m able to really enjoy this poker game watching players fight for their poker tournament life, sitting back knowing I’m in a sweet position of CHOICE in the hands I play. I feel on top of this world and love the final countdown.

Hand for Hand and no longer hand for hand are music to my ears and I could replay it daily if possible, but I have a long way to go in my learning before this becomes daily music to my ears.

Bubble moment! How do you find this part of the game?

QUEEN-BEEz HIVE Buzzes into Sin-City Seagulls

2010-03-02T17:33:00.000-08:00

Sin-City Seagulls will be hosting QUEEN-BEEz HIVE ( BEE POKER ) on a Wednesday night. This is exciting news for me and any local players wishing to catch up each week for a game and pursue their dreams.
BEE poker is expanding and has always been built on the freedom for any player to simply PLAY THEIR GAME in a social fun HIVE making dreams reality. I believe without new players, poker would eventually fold and our dreams of a future within poker would become THAT! just a dream.
I created BEE Poker as a step up from free roll, giving myself and players the opportunity to improve our game to the next level and pursue our dreams within the poker industry. My private games online are fun and a fantastic way in learning online skills and meeting players from all over the world.
NOW having the opportunity to play live each week at Sin-City Seagulls, where players and myself in the local area will be able to band together, play beyond the free roll structure, improving our skills even further and setting goals to meet our dreams. Building a support network and pursuing dreams is the reality within the QUEEN-BEEz HIVE.
My passion is POKER and the LOVE for all players.
I'm just a player like you thriving on the game, learning and pursuing a dream. Join me Wednesday nights if you wish and setting goals supporting each other to compete in tournaments around Australia/NZ. You have to BEE in it to win it, so bring it on.
Thank you Sin-City for giving the HIVE a home and a chance for all players to pursue their dreams.
Please note locals this is to add to our experiences. I am not meaning give up what you're doing now within your league for example. Just putting one night away a week if you wish to pursue a dream is up to you. I LOVE APL TOO ( I do both )- WE CAN HAVE IT ALL with the right attitude and determination.

BEE POKER WEDNESDAYS

2010-03-01T21:00:00.000-08:00

I'm very proud to announce QUEEN-BEEz HIVE will be held every Wednesday night at Sin-City Seagulls poker room from now on till further notice. This is a great move for the HIVE. In the HIVE we enjoy fun, friends and poker. BEE poker as we call it. All BEE POKER games have been online till now, so it will be great to play live. Everyone in my local area is welcome and your friends too.

ATTITUDE " CRAMPS IMPROVEMENT "

2010-02-24T17:48:00.000-08:00

A couple of nights ago we held my Beez Buzz Poker game at our local poker room Sin-City Seagulls ( sincitypoker.com.au ). My friends arrived and we were all keen to hit the felt and play some awesome poker. Out of every game I like to take a lesson that I can improve my next game with, but also my every today life experiences.

One thing I noticed in this game that I have noticed many times in other games is attitude. Our attitude maps our whole makeup for the situation at hand. Many players will become negative after losing a pot. This is noticed in comments they make, facial expressions, voice tone, even how they treat others. Not only does this affect their future seat at the table, it also affects the players around them. I too have been guilty of this at times and have ended up out of the game early, due to my own stinking attitude. One player in our Beez Buzz game did just that. Not only was he out of the game early he changed the whole feel of the table. Angry at himself for even being in the pot he took it out on others. Instead of breathing it off, learning from it and chipping back up to enjoy the rest of his game. This is what I have been spending a lot of time on and I'm finding that to play poker there comes lost pots. No one can will them all. You need to enjoy the wins, learn from the lost pots and move on to the next hand fresh not carrying the attitude from the last pot lost.

In every today life we also become fronted with situations that also change our attitude which results in probably not the best outcomes, due to our eyes and ears closed to the possibility that we may learn from this.

I remember at work recently a complaint was put in regarding my voice coming across too intimidating while calling the bingo. Now my manager approached me and of course when she started with the negative I automatically went into defense mode ( only hearing the negative ). I was not rude in anyway, but I'm sure my body language expressed my feelings at the time. I took it so personally not really thinking about what the manager was even saying at the time. This on my part was far from professional and will not help me step up into the position I'm striving for within my job.

Both on the table and in life the lesson here is take the loss or issue with pride. Accept the outcome and learn from it. These are moments where we need to pull the positives out to improve our game and our daily life experiences.

I did go away thinking about what my manager had said eventually. I also noticed my bingo shifts ceased. I gave it a lot of thought and decided if and when I do get another bingo shift I will try a different approach for the players and see if the result is positive. Now it was only one player that complained ( probably cause she had a barny with hubby ) but at the end of the day my job is to promote customer service. My job is to please the customers not have them feeling intimidated due to my voice while calling bingo.

My moment came due to a sick staff member. Here is my chance I thought, my chance to show the customers and staff I am suitable for this shift and do have room for improvement. I smiled, lightened up my voice and softened the tone while calling bingo. The results and feel in the room were fantastic and management thrilled. I am now working bingo tomorrow.

I could have walked away and not taken notice of my managers comments, not learnt from it, and missed out on shifts I do really enjoy. Because I took the time to improve myself, I achieved something and now still moving in the direction I have set goals to achieve in.

So whether you are on the table slapped with a pot loss or struck by an issue in everyday life. Take a breath, think and pull the positive to learn, improve and grow.

Chat soon
BEE

Head Rail "That is where it stays"

2010-02-22T02:20:00.000-08:00

Been busy the past few days doing the mum thing, work and squeezing poker in where I can.

My passion is poker in case you didn't know that.

I remember like it was yesterday winning my first pot. My adrenaline was pumped and I started to shake. The feeling was awesome and one I will never forget in a hurry. I remember back then I took more risks as I really didn't know much about the game. The more I learnt, the more I could see how much was involved. I spent hours and hours learning everything there was to know.

One important tool I picked up on was poker is a life time journey and even then there will still be stuff to learn. Poker is evolving into one of the most played games around I feel. Even in the past 3 years I have been playing, I have seen tables with maybe one female to the other day I sat for a game and the whole table were woman bar one male.

One thing that frustrates me about this game is ME, myself and I. I am my worst enemy on the felt and I'm sure many players can say the same thing. I put this to the test a couple of weeks ago. I sat down to play and was way too keen to get involved resulting in me being very low stack early and struggled to survive till the break. On returning I sat with 1300 chips, blinds being 100/200. I made a decision in the break that this game was not over unless MYSELF interfered. By allowing the cards to come to me and not chase the win or be too aggressive at the wrong time my stack should start to rebuild. Many people would put it down to luck, but I see it as you have to make your own luck sometimes. To cut a long story short I walked away from my head, leaving me, myself and I on the rail and played poker easily, slowly building my stack, making some luck and finally placing 2nd.

Maybe this is a good way to look at every today life as well. Walk away from my head, deal with situations easily and slowly with thought. Let life's issues not be a race to be answered, but time in the thought process resulting in a win with right decisions made.

As for my cooking venture! I cooked up a storm, garlic focaccia topped with chopped tomato, onion, red n green capsicum, cheese and Italian dressing. So quick to whip up and yummy.

Chat soon

BEE

ENERGY " Positive Grows Finally "

2010-02-20T02:19:00.000-08:00

Last nights meal cooked from scratch with no processed sauce or microwaved spaghetti was a challenge and a success. I was so proud of myself, while my confidence grew in abundance. Julia Child's original cook book here I come! I can't remember the name from the movie, but it's something like French Cooking. * note to myself * must search this on the internet, unless one of you know the name and leave it in the comment section for me. Thanks heaps.

Now that I have the cooking side of my life moving in a positive direction that will eventually result in me going from boring cook to yummy cook, its time to concentrate on other areas of my life.

Old Me!

Normally involves waking up Saturday morning, farmville, facebook, bit of house work, hanging with kids and finally preparing to head off to work getting out of my pjs.

MY Personal Challenge stepped in this morning!

I was not keen let's face it and actually said to myself I will start tomorrow. We all tend to get in our rut and motivating out of it is hard, for me anyway. I dragged myself out of bed, looked in the mirror and said " two choices Bee, which is it ". "Ok! OK! I'm doing it". I not only fitted more in on this Saturday than I have in a very long time, I also learnt today do not encourage the gossipers by listening, walk away. I noticed while being polite and listening this was negative energy, politely excusing myself and walking away. I realized I needed all my energy for my personal challenge, not having it drained my gossiping crap.

Remembering Ron the lecturer from the course the other day, I followed his advice and implemented them into my shift at work today. I tell you what! it made such a difference. Simply changing my attitude turned a dull 4 hour shift into a pride driven 4 hours of learning and improving my skills. The smile planted on my face was enough for everyone to see I was happy to be there, and I was.

After today I would rather be tired from positive energy than negative.

I can see though I'm in the honeymoon period of my self challenge, its all new and exciting. I'm sure the excitement is going to wear off and I will be left with the decision to carry on or take the easy road and revert back to old habits. I pray I'm strong enough to push through this moment for I do see a more positive, less stressful, happier future by continuing this path I am making for myself.

Question for US!

How often do we put things off for later, instead of grasping the moment and just doing it?

Self Challenge! Go do something right now that has been put off..... When I finish here I am going to go and finally rid the sock basket of the missing pairs. I swear washing machines eat socks, don't you?

Chat tomorrow

BEE :-)

PS. I changed a few things in my poker game today, which I'm happy about. Ah will chat about it tomorrow. Sock basket awaits and I'm keen for bed.

THE HIDDEN DEUCES - " Quacking Silently in Poker "

2009-10-26T23:35:00.000-07:00

How often in a hand have you been quacked by the deuces of poker?
It amazes me every time I see it unfold the player holding pocket deuces taking down big pots especially due to the unnoticed deuce on the board.

Now the deuces, quacks, ducks, pocket two’s I feel are the silent hand of the poker game waiting to quack their way to success. I love looking down and seeing their cute little beaks in my hand, warming them while seeing a flop. Players just don’t seem to put their opponents on the pocket deuces and often getting smashed due to their silent little quack. It’s like these little babies don’t matter in the game, resulting in winning many hands.

In many poker tournaments I have been on the other end of the little suckers losing many chips and thinking why I didn’t see that. While most times I do look down at their cute little beaks and I do decide to play them I chip up normally by their precious little sister hitting the flop.

Don’t under estimate the deuces in online poker, free poker, poker tournament any poker game for that matter as they do waddle home and chirp you nicely.

Have you ever quacked or been quacked by these little suckers?

I would rather quack than be quacked!

MISCLICKED MOMENT - "Poker Self Destruction Online"

2009-10-20T13:51:00.000-07:00

Hearing often players saying they have misclicked during an online poker game, I often wondered how players could make such a destructive error.

I finally experienced the misclicked moment myself online, now knowing the gut wrenching feeling I will be completely understanding to others that experience this self destructive error. I now completely understand the chain of events that may follow due to the emotions of the misclicked error that set in.

Not only did my error cost me greatly in my ring game, it also cost me my poker tournament chips and nearly cost me my other game as well. At the time of my fatal error I was happily in three poker games, a ring game and two deep tournaments. I was cashed up in the ring game nicely and sitting well in both tournaments. My mind was set on the job at hand and felt pretty confident I would pull off a fine poker performance.

Then out of the blue it happened! With me clicking the all-in button instead of fold, player instantly calling and bye bye healthy chip stack to zero in ring game. As I’m dealing with this emotion my other game pops up with medium pockets, and what do I do? Go all-in of course causing a chain reaction and eventually out two players before the money. Desperate to recoup my losses I sank deeper into my last poker game I was left in. Placing second sure helped my bankroll.

What did I learn from this? Make sure my games are spread out and not on top of each other. Also control your emotions.

COASTAL BEE LINE - "Migrating Poker"

2009-10-18T15:57:00.000-07:00

While sitting on the beach running the sand through my toes, looking out past the headland waiting patiently for what I look forward to each year.
The whales!

Our beautiful coastal stretch is painted with these amazing creatures while they travel up to warmer waters. One thing I have noticed over the past years is on the way up the whales seem relaxed, playful and in no hurry to reach their destiny. When I see them heading home, it’s like they bee line in a hurry leaving not much time to play along our coastal stretch.

This the whales and I have in common when I’m playing in a poker tournament. My trip north is the seating, beginning and settling in period of the poker game. I also enjoy as the whales seem to, the heading home bit of their journey, where I bee line final table and too get excited about reaching my destiny.

Probably the only difference between us is the whales follow the same path each year, where for me my path is different and challenged every time I take the journey. I do treasure as do the whales the different experiences each and every time I take the journey from the beginning to the end of my poker tournaments.

FINGER PRINT IN POKER - "Marked by a Hand"

2009-10-17T21:37:00.000-07:00

How often do we hear I had suited Doyle 10/2 , Dead Man’s A/8 , even a lot these days in my local area Queen-Bee A/Q or Mini-Bee Q/10 in a poker game. There are so many names out there for hands that you can now even search the net for lists including snow men 88, Big Slick AK, the Ladies QQ and so on.
Players have favourite hands that they love to play in poker tournaments and start to be known for them like a finger print in poker.
For example:
A poker player in our local free roll league loves the hand 6/9 even calling raises with it, knowing he is in with a chance, he believes. It is truly amazing how often this hits and smashes big hands including AA, for this player. When he does take down a pot he stands up out of his seat and at the top of his voice bellows “BULLDOZER” the free roll players love it, bringing hype to the game.
Frequently heard at the tables is when players turn over their cards, I’ve got Negreanu or Joe’s hand. These players are just some of the finger prints now stamped in poker.
What is your favourite hand and why or should I say Finger Print in Poker?

SLOW DOWN - "Hearing The Shuffle"

2009-10-17T17:12:00.000-07:00

We tend to be busy and missing some important signs to look for in our poker game.
Signs that once noticed bring simplicity to our game.

Have you ever stopped to wonder!

Why he shuffles in his seat
Looking beyond you with a passion of defeat

Or the tossing of his chips
For he will mess up and make a slip

Slow down for you to see
And finally have that passion of glee

For all is seen with eyes wide open
Slowing down is pure devotion

The signs are there for you to rein
Slowing down eventually is your gain.

Again we practice our play and not consider the other areas that need constant work. I believe the main area to work on in your poker game is not only in poker strategy also your actual surroundings and players.

POKER LEAGUE PLAYERS - "Food For Thought"

2009-10-17T04:18:00.000-07:00

FINE TUNED

“Un Oiled Machine”

You are so fine tuned running like a superb racecar.

Think back a moment!
To the earlier days back firing running rough totally out of tune.

The days you were nervous, unsure, and completely out of your comfort zone.

We let the obvious slip away!

Our road to improving our own mechanics is so set in our minds, completely forgetting our surroundings and the other new player’s machinery.

All of us at one stage were the new player, an unturned racecar.

Learning what poker was all about.
Remember how that felt!

Let me refresh your memory…

Remember driving to the venue.
That was nerve racking in it’s self.

Plucking up the courage to ask who IS in charge.
Filling out the forms,
Trying to listen to the instructions from the one they call TD.

All of a sudden, he’s there again in your mind saying; don’t mess up the deal,
I’m sure A straight beats two pair,
I know I’m going to make such a fool out of myself.

All of a sudden you are interrupted from your nervous train of thought,
As you realize it’s time to be seated.

Boy! I’m so the black sheep at this point in time.
You start to think why I am putting myself through this stress.

Is it worth it?

As you sit down noticing how the players on your table know so much.
The way they shuffle and listening to the bad beat stories they are sharing.

They are really fine TUNED to this game, your inner self whispers.
Not even entering your head they were once like you.

The game starts.

Now this is when everything becomes really over whelming.

Remember!

What are blinds, cut the cards, what’s that?
Bugga! You notice two players before you have to deal.

Oh no it’s me soon.
I so can’t do this.
I’m going to mess it up.
They will think I’m such a loser.
I can’t even concentrate.
What do I do with this, do I bet, should I fold?
Oh crap it’s my turn to deal.

Few that was stressful enough.
There is so much more to this game than I thought.
Not even at the break yet.
Am I enjoying myself? I’m not sure.

My head hurts.

We so quickly forget how much pressure and expectations
New players put on their ENGINE.
I often wonder! How many new players play one game and not return?

Not much time is taken from your life to simply take a moment to be understanding for a new player.

Next game!

A suggestion from me to you!

Make a point of saying hello to the new player, being yourself, showing them around, introduce them to someone on the table, make sure they know he’s new, make a point of asking in the break how they are traveling, be a little more patient,
Remind them you too used to be new.

You are giving this new player a positive out look into the world of poker. It really gives this player more of a chance in returning for another game.

Down the road this new player may become your friend.
He may even do exactly what you did for him for someone else.

What do you get out of it?

FOR WITHOUT NEW PLAYERS – POKER WOULD EVENTUALLY FOLD

BULLET TRAIN! - "Full Steam Ahead On Queen-Bee"

2009-10-16T19:47:00.000-07:00

If someone said to me “BEE, jump in an internet poker game and I reckon you would run into a bullet train for an hour and a half.” My response would have been “WHATEVER”, as I would be quick to learn it is more than possible, IT HAPPENED to me.

Seating down for a re-buy poker tournament online at Raidbet.net it never entered my head that a continuous bullet train was headed my way. Within 27 minutes of the game commencing I had ran into the AA bullet train three times to the same player I might add, followed two re-buys and a very sad look on my face. Getting over the impact this bullet train just had on me, I settled into the game to have it happen again and decided to get out while I could still walk.

I moved onto another online poker site Fulltiltpoker.com and into a nine player sit n go. With confidence that this game will be great compared to my last game, I started to relax into the hands.

Finally AK in position and I’m ready to sting, only to run into the AA bullet train again being smashed.

I’m pretty injured by this stage and very low stack. Is it something I’m doing or the poker gods are just not on my side today?

Sitting majorly injured low stack, I had to make a move and J, 10 was my go ahead.

You guessed it!

Head on into the AA bullet train, didn’t even see the head lights coming.

Who else can say they have been hit by the bullet train six times in an hour and a half?

CAME WADDLING HOME - "Duck Hits River"

2009-10-16T15:20:00.000-07:00

Being a fairly new poker player in 2007, I was still learning and enjoying my poker game. This hand played out surely had the poker gods on my side.

The rest of the table folding into the blinds and small blind only calling, I check my 82. As you can see the flop of QQ2 gave me a peace, small but a slice. Small blind player was one of our older experienced poker tournament players and he of course checked his trips. I too checked, seeing the turn another deuce now giving me a full house. Small blind again checks followed by me betting my full house, not giving it a thought being a new player he could have a Queen giving him a bigger full house.

He re-raises! Hello Bee! This should have sent off an alarm bell!

No it didn’t and I pushed all-in with him instantly calling. Wow! He has a Queen, opps on my part, seeing the river shocked the whole table. For I had as they told me back then a one outer to survive in this tourney and down came the waddling deuce to save me.

Out came the cameras and into my memory as one of those hands that the poker gods did have a say in.

Don’t you just love poker?

I’m sure many of you have a hand that the poker god’s blessed you with. I would love to hear about it.

Predictability or Diversity - "Taking advantage of all cards"

2009-10-15T20:33:00.000-07:00

Nothing frustrates me more than these sorts of statements in a poker game “can’t believe you called my raise with that” for one. How about this “Oh My God you Donk, How can you call that? Or better still “Thought I was playing poker not bingo”. This tells me that these players are more comfortable with predictability.

Clearing one thing up before we proceed regarding our poker game, imagine if your poker playing opponents were able to verbally expose their cards to you prior to calling your raise. You are sitting with AA pre-flop and BB says “I have A4, would you like me to call?” I’m sure you would reply exactly what I would “HELL YEAH” great poker strategy knowing you are so ahead only needing to dodge the outs there possibilities of them winning the hand (but they do).
So why on earth is it that when we do get called by these hands and they do suck out big time do we come back with these above statements myself included, I am just as guilty of this at times.

Is it because we prefer winning on predictability poker strategy, instead of the emotions of diversity? Yet while saying this it all changes when we decide to be the caller it’s all ok, because we love to win, so we see an opportunity to be diverse and go for it (taking risk). So why do we allow it for ourselves and not for others. Human competitive nature and not liking to lose is the answer here I fell. I’d be interested to know what you feel!

Please someone also tell me where is the poker rule book that says you can only play, call or whatever cards over ten? That any cards under that if you play you are a donk, crap player and so on.

Let’s look at this from another angle. The angle I and many other players see. To me there are many cards all potential winners. Why not use every card to your advantage whenever possible to play poker. I will enter into any pot that I choose to be amongst with any two cards. Why? It’s simple! There is no such rule you only play high cards.

Imagine how boring poker would be if it was played just that way. No exciting play, suck outs, adrenaline rushing chasers and so on. Players would play less, eventually no poker at all and it’s literally back to bingo, sadly leaving us with no online poker or live poker games to thrive on.
If a player is willing to put the chips in on the two cards in his hand, think to yourself go for it as you now have action. Enjoy what the hand brings be it good or bad. This is what returns us to the tables constantly. No one likes to be out of the game ever. How boring again if no one got out. Where is the challenge in that?

So bring on all the players who are diverse in playing all cards like me for it’s all of us that bring the excitement to the poker game.

Using your teachings and brains on the felt will chip you up when used at the right time. The feeling of making the decision to enter into a pot with for example 89 suited and smashing the AK, QJ to bits. Sitting back and rejoicing in the fact you chose to play, you chose to back that hand at that point.

I too have been hit up with “How could you play that after my raise” and I think well, caller, caller, and caller mmmmm nice pot while putting them on high cards. “I will see a flop”. Gee I’m glad I did use my poker strategy (ship those chips to me).

Feel free to comment on whether you prefer diversity in the game or predictable play. For me diversity all the way, even though it drives my emotions, this is why I play poker and return for more.

POPEYE OF POKER " Plenty of Physical spinach required"

2009-10-14T21:01:00.000-07:00

I used to think poker was a lazy sport, sitting all day doing nothing physical.

Then I entered my first big event through one of our local free roll leagues, to be played over two very long days.

My physical spinach preparation was simply NOTHING. I was of course mentally prepared, yet never gave a thought to being physically prepared.

What I learnt from that event or should I say what my body told me was you are too unfit for poker and far from a Popeye of strength.

Serious deep poker tournament players not only need to prepare mentally they also need to be full of physical spinach to help the body cope with the mental stress that is part and parcel of the poker game.

Physical spinach will give your body the fuel to take on the mental stress in tournaments and internet poker being able to with stand the hours required in reaching final tables.

Top this off with plenty of water during the event and you are sure to reek the benefits of all that bike riding, walking, gym time, swimming or whatever it takes to build your body fitness into a Popeye of poker.

Don’t be the marshmallow be the Popeye!

ATTITUDE - "Best Gift Of All"

2009-10-13T22:38:00.000-07:00

When I say,

"I can't" and expect the worst,
I become weak & unhappy.

When I say

"I can", and thrive success,
I am filled with confidence & happiness.

BRING IT ON!

The best gift of all – ATTITUDE

I confirm this to myself over and over. I know it works for me.
Yet for some reason I fall back into old patterns at times allowing my attitude to be negative and knowing life is far more productive with a positive attitude, I still dwell at times in the negative.
I am even guilty at times in poker tournaments allowing my negative attitude from previous hands to expect the worst to continue. Of course my game is not going to improve with this negative attitude, it is going to get far worse and I know this, but I’m too busy in the negative, feeling weak and unhappy to snap out of it, yet for some reason I allow this attitude to stick around for awhile.

Then out of the blue!

I decide enough is enough and my attitude is automatically transformed from one of negativity to positivity, confidence, success and happiness. This attitude switch is very important for me when playing online poker as well. Playing at home everyday online can easily send me into the Yuk attitude and there goes my game and into a bad run.

It is up to me what attitude I am wearing today for social and work. My attitude makes a difference to the outcomes of what my day and results bring. My attitude also reflects onto others. I would rather be a positive role model than a negative one.

I aim to find the positive in all I do and learn.

Bring it on! The best gift of all – ATTITUDE