Random Thoughts

The pokerdotcom Runner-Runner Special... Again...

Good thing this was limit... bad thing is that (this site) keeps rewarding the idiots. It wasn't any big deal but this got me in particular with this idiot's justification after the hand. Here is the hand:

You Were Dealt (Kc, Ks)
slothinator Folds
DRPOKER48 Calls $1.00
yohche Folds
elCrotalo Calls $1.00
DamRiver Raised to $2.00
kraigmt Folds
flush4bobby Folds
four2flush Folds
racso329 Calls $1.50
Auditor Folds
DRPOKER48 Calls $1.00
elCrotalo Calls $1.00
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing Flop (4s,4d,2d)
racso329 Checks
DRPOKER48 Checks
elCrotalo Bets $1.00
DamRiver Raised to $2.00
racso329 Folds
DRPOKER48 Folds
elCrotalo Calls $1.00
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing Turn (8s)
elCrotalo Checks
DamRiver Bets $2.00
elCrotalo Calls $2.00
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing River (Ts)
elCrotalo Checks
DamRiver Bets $2.00
elCrotalo Raised to $4.00
DamRiver Calls $2.00
-------------------------------------------------
elCrotalo has (9s, Qs)
DamRiver has (Kc, Ks)
-------------------------------------------------
elCrotalo Wins $24.00 from pot 1 with : Flush, Queen High


(I even almost checked the river but still had the fish on top pair with a big kicker)

Now here is the thing that bugs me: I go on to type "donkey" and the donkey appears in my bubble chat, and then he says something in the likes of that's what happens when you slowplay... My memory may not be good at times but I was damn sure I didn't slow play the hand. I go to the hand history and my memory served me good here for whatever that's worth being that I raised the flop and raised his bet of 2 overcards on the flop... So, I tell the nimrod known as elCrotalo that I didn't slowplay the hand and asked him if he knew what slow play meant... He then comes up with that I checked the turn, in which I review and see that he checked and I bet it and tell him that I didn't and can't believe how a terrible play like this is rewarded continuing from the flop of having Queen high and no draw...

The table was unbelievable... A guy that hand before had his Aces cracked by some guy that called 3 bets w/Q4s and hit runner-runner flush as well... and then a couple hands later, some guy chased the river with a pair of 7s with 4 overcards on board and hit his set on the river...

BPT

The BPT Omaha H/L (hosted by Poker Pub's Beerman Mike) has been changed to a deep stack NL Event... As much as I suck at Omaha, I thought it would have been a nice change with the luck I've had at Holdem lately. It's still anybody's game and even your's truely has a (long) shot despite being in the top 50 right now... But I must say, I've been playing terrible in the past few BPT events (laydowns when I would have won and bad laydowns when I would have won) and my luck factor hasn't been stellar either so that's not a good combo... Maybe with school out of the way after tomorrow, my game will be more focused and successful... Have a blog and want to play in the final BPT Event for your share of $500 and possibly a trip and seat to Australia for the Aussie Miilions for free, sign up here for the BPT now!!

TNA!!!... NBA to Switch to Leather Ball on Jan. 1

First off, check out the TNA montage highlights from Turning Point last night...



Speaking of Turning Point, check out this great moment in TNA a couple years ago from Turning Point...



And while your at it, I happened to stumble upon the INCREDIBLE montage of the Greatest Moments in TNA (A must see for wrestling fans)



Good news for the NBA or at least the players...

From nba.com

NEW YORK, DEC. 11, 2006 – The NBA announced today that on January 1, 2007, it will return to the leather game ball made by Spalding, for the remainder of the 2006-07 season.
“Our players' response to this particular composite ball has been overwhelmingly negative and we are acting accordingly," said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “Although testing performed by Spalding and the NBA demonstrated that the new composite basketball was more consistent than leather, and statistically there has been an improvement in shooting, scoring, and ball-related turnovers, the most important statistic is the view of our players.”

"In the meantime, we will work with our players and our partners at Spalding to determine the best possible ball for the NBA."

The NBA Development League will continue using the new composite ball to evaluate its performance over a longer period of time. The WNBA will continue to use a different composite ball that it has used since 1998.

Spalding has been the Official Game Ball Supplier of the NBA since 1983.

Reminder, iMPACT! Tonight!!

Abyss Thrown onto the Barbwire!



For those of you in the east coast, less than two hours until the big show... I still got 4 hours and 50 minutes to go...

For you students out there, I hope you all did well on your final exams if you've already taken them and good luck to those that haven't yet.

Huge TNA Impact Preview for Tomorrow

After scrolling threw the TNA website, I must say that I am jacked for tomorrow's show. Two major PPV-material matches that include this preview from TNA:

PREVIEW FOR THURSDAY’S “iMPACT!” ON SPIKE TV
Broadcast highlighted by the “TNA All-Star War”

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling “iMPACT!” returns to SpikeTV this Thursday night at 9pm ET as TNA counts down the days until the Sunday, December 10 “Turning Point” Pay-Per-View event.

MAIN EVENT: TNA “ALL-STAR WAR” – NO RULES, NO MORALS, NO MERCY
Abyss vs. Sting vs. Christian Cage vs. Kurt Angle vs. Samoa Joe vs. Rhino
Prior to Sunday’s “Turning Point”, six of TNA Wrestling’s top stars will compete in a no rules, no morals, no mercy all-star brawl! With so much on the line heading into the huge Pay-Per-View event, who knows what chaos will erupt when all the major players in TNA compete in the same ring on one night!

Also on Thursday’s broadcast:

PETEY WILLIAMS VS. HOMICIDE
When Petey Williams protected the American Flag from torching at the hands of the LAX, he earned the rage of Konnan, Homicide and Hernandez. This Thursday night, Williams will go one-on-one with Homicide in a bout that is sure to feature the no-limits, high-flying X Division style of each star!

KEVIN NASH TO ADMINISTER PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS TO THE X DIVISION
In the ongoing preparation for the upcoming “Paparazzi Championship Series”, Kevin Nash has announced that Jay Lethal, Alex Shelley, Austin Starr, Senshi and Sonjay Dutt will all undergo psychological exams this Thursday night, administered by Doctor Nash himself!

All this and much more this Thursday night on “iMPACT!” on SpikeTV, including many more of your favorite TNA stars! In addition, more matches will be announced for the upcoming “Turning Point” Pay-Per-View event!

First off, the dream match that has never happened before of two phenomenal X-Division stars: Petey Williams vs. Homicide. This IMO is the battle of the two sickest finishers in wrestling today: Petey's "Canadian Destroyer" vs. Homicide's "Gringo Killa"!! Finishers aren't the only thing these two are great at... Expect some high-flying, innovative wrestling in this match people...

And then of course, the 6 man main event: Abyss vs. Sting vs. Christian Cage vs. Kurt Angle vs. Samoa Joe vs. Rhino!! Enough said... TNA is pulling off all the stops once again...

Students: forget studying for you finals, and wrestling fans, no excuses... Tune your tube on SpikeTV tomorrow at 9pm tomorrow for this explosive wrestling spectacle... I swear you won't be disappointed like that of the ECW December to Dismember PPV or any other WWE event. Hell, alone, the Williams/Homicide match will have more high spots than a normal two-hour WWE event... So tune in or else!!

Pokerdotcom Support Tanking...

The online support that I've received from pokerdotcom from the past had been first-class (aka Kris, which I thank you for) and was a big reason why I still play at the site... But as of late, I've noticed a downward spiral in their online support siimilar to my BPT position on the leaderboard keeps diminishing south (Where are you Kris??).

Take this email I received from them about a cancelled tournament that got "suspended" (a pop up stating that it was "suspended") 5 minutes before its start time while all other cash games and tournaments were running smoothly:

Hi Joey

Thanks for your email

Poker news is an affiliate tournament we are not aware of what time or
dates those tournaments will be running. You will need to contact the
affiliate for that information

Kind Regards,

Joab Johnstone
Poker.com Customer Support
http://www.PokerCS.com
support@pokercs.com

Noticed the bold part, "we are not aware of what time or dates those tournaments will be running"... Hello! It was suppose to be running right now and that is why I am contacting you!!

Now if that wasn't enough, check out this doozy where I'd sent an email about some people abusing their chat:

support@pokercs.com
to me

show details
Dec 4 (2 days ago)
Hi Joey,

Than s for your email,

Unfortunately we are unable to act on this kind of behavior with out
seeing the abuse first hand, so if this happens again in the future,
please copy and paste the chat into an email for us, or give us the hand
number that the abuse occurs in if its in a real money game.

Have fun and good luck!

Katie
Poker.com Customer Support
http://www.PokerCS.com
support@pokercs.com

I happened to have my mail open and responded with a paste about an incident from their chat abuse and yet have received a response...
I will continue to play at pokerdotcom, but if some of these things with online support don't improve...

If the BPT wasn't Bad Luck Enough...

Well, since the BPT wasn't enough, I decided to try the $60 tourny satellite tourny that I won and look at the sucker that sucked out on me again... Again, can I catch a fucking break?? I've gone to the breaking point now that if poker.com didn't have such great online support or offer so all these great promotions, I'd dump them

You Were Dealt (Ad, Jc)
angel45 Calls 40
BBBuer Folds
DamRiver Raised to 160
blufferin87 Folds
dirkyc Folds
RoleyPoley Folds
angel45 Calls 120
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing Flop (2s,5c,4d)
angel45 Checks
DamRiver Bets 250
angel45 Calls 250
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing Turn (3s)
angel45 Checks
DamRiver All In for 850
angel45 Calls 850
-------------------------------------------------
angel45 has (3d, 7d)
DamRiver has (Ad, Jc)
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing River (6s)
-------------------------------------------------
angel45 Wins 2,580 from pot 1 with : Seven High Straight

Great Ron "The Truth" Montage Along w/Killa Song

TNA Wrestling fans, those that love Ron "The Truth" Killings, here is a great montage video with badass song (sounds like its by Limp Bizkit). If you don't know who Ron Killings is, this video should make you love the guy (wrestling-skill wise and maybe more for few women that read my obscure blogs and rants hehe). Also, check out Truth's Myspace page where this video can also be found:

BPT: Can (Shoud) I see a Flop with The Battle of AK vs Jacks... Two Different decisions: Two Mistakes

Well, I don't have the exact hand history for the 1st battle of my AK vs JJ but I had re-raised the opponent to 200 after his raise and then I called allin... The reason I did this was because it was the loosiest guy at the table and I remember last weak in this same scenario where I folded and the guy showed AQ... So its my jinx hand AK vs Jacks and I don't improve:

Now with that in my head (and against a tighter opponent), I get another AK and pot from UTG and then get a reraise... With that last debacle from last hand... I decide to fold but before I do, I ask "cparsley" to show and he agrees and rabbits (good gesture) only to show another mistake by me:

BlackTyson Posted Small Blind 50
JayNYC Posted Big Blind 100
Dealing Cards
You Were Dealt (As, Kc)
DamRiver Raised to 350
moneym8 Folds
caroon Folds
cparsley Raised to 1,200
Irongirl Folds
Deathjuice2 Folds
Zakinvegas Folds
Xorc1st Folds
BlackTyson Folds
JayNYC Folds
DamRiver Folds and Shows As Kc
-------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------
cparsley Wins 1,700 from pot 1
cparsley Rabbits (Jc , Jd)
Community Cards (4s , Ad , 7s , 3d , 8c)

Rabbit cam shows that I would have won... (argh, doh, NOOO!!)...

And then a few hands later, I get this very weak reraise and put him on Kings (he had AK) but since I had the nut flush draw from the flop and a good amount of my chips in there, I had to commit myself...

caroon Posted Small Blind 50
cparsley Posted Big Blind 100
Dealing Cards
You Were Dealt (3d, Ad)
Irongirl Folds
Deathjuice2 Folds
Zakinvegas Folds
Xorc1st Folds
BlackTyson Folds
JayNYC Folds
DamRiver Raised to 300
moneym8 Folds
caroon Raised to 500
cparsley Folds
DamRiver Calls 200
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing Flop (9d,Jd,4h)
caroon All In for 1,545
DamRiver All In for 777
-------------------------------------------------
caroon has (Kh, Ac)
DamRiver has (3d, Ad)
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing Turn (Ks)
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing River (3h)
-------------------------------------------------
caroon Wins 768 from pot 2 with : Pair of Kings
-------------------------------------------------
caroon Wins 2,654 from pot 1 with : Pair of Kings
DamRiver OUT

Shitty River

Well, the hand history is pretty crappy but this is all they got at PokerBlue (At least there software and online support are way better than Absolute Poker). I am at a full 2-4 FL game and am second to act with A-A (Yeah... or not...) My screen name, DamDaRiver couldn't be more perfect for this situation:

Only 2 More BPT Events

That's right boys and girls... The fall classics of the BPT are winding down to its epic conclusion. Whether my tables are donkalicious or full of bad beats, this next tourny will most definitely be "flopilicious" (the host).

I am currently in the top 30 where my goal is to reach the top 20 to qualify for the big Aussie Millions tourny qualifier and this could be my last chance as this is the last NL Holdem event as the final event will be a Omaha EO Tourny hosted than by none other by my poker bud "Beerman" Mike.

If you haven't downloaded pokerdotcom yet, please do so here. Still want to play in the BPT, join here. You got nothing to lose and everything to gain. $500 Freerolls and a chance to win a free seat to the HUGE Aussie Millions tourny in January.

Down with Coach Nate McMillian! Give him the Pink Slip and Start Sergio Rodriquez!!

Although the young up-and-coming Blazers are struggling with the injuries of Brandon Roy, and Darius Miles (and Joel Pryzbilla who just returned yesterday), you cannot blame all of their loses due to injury. I think big big factor in why the Blazers have been playing so poorly is because of piss-poor decisions by Coach McMillian.

Even though McMillian rebuilt the Sonics for one year (mainly b/c of Allen and Lewis), he hasn't done shit with the Blazers except take them to their lowest winning total in history last year of 21 games. Congrats Nate... quite an achievement.

The mind-boggliing question I have right now is that why the hell is Sergio Rodriquez not playing more minutes or even better yet, why isn't he starting?! Dammit, this guy helped the Spain International team win a freakin' gold medal and his game can definite be compared to that of 2-time MVP Steve Nash... only younger. Sergio hadn't play a single useful minute in his career and it took two garbage minute-sparked comebacks from over 20 points to games that were winnable to get Coach McMillian's lackluster attention. Now, Sergio gets to play mainly 10 minutes a game, mainly the 1st half and then sits the second half out while opponents blow our asses (no not in that way) in the 2nd half.

Whatever the Blazers have done the past 2 years, it hasn't worked and I think it's time for a change. The fun and gun offense used by Steve Nash in Phoenix has completed turned their last place team around into NBA Title contenders. Sergio has the potential to do the same thing here in Portland, but fucking idiotic coach has got his head so far up his ass, he can see what he had for dinner last night!! And how's this for a knee-slapper: The Blazers were actually interested in getting one of Phoenix's assistant coaches a couple years ago before they decided to take Nate McMillian... Imagine El' "Rodrigo-Nasho" combined with Brandon Roy and throw in MVP contender Zach Randolph in there and you have your big 3 that teams need... Again, another Blazer brilliant decision...

Another Pokerdotcom special

Can I catch a fucking break. Again all in preflop and am 80% to win but of course:

Jerimiah Posted Small Blind $0.50
DamRiver Posted Big Blind $1.00
Dealing Cards
You Were Dealt (Ts, Tc)
Jerimiah Calls $0.50
DamRiver Raised to $4.00
Jerimiah All In for $29.25
DamRiver Calls $26.25
-------------------------------------------------
Jerimiah has (6h, 6d)
DamRiver has (Ts, Tc)
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing Flop (6c,5h,3h)
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing Turn (3s)
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing River (8d)
-------------------------------------------------
Jerimiah Wins $60.00 from pot 1 with : Full House, Sixes over Threes

Coolered Again with Aces

Playing in the $50K Tourny at pokerdotcom and for the first time playing these things, I have a good chip count with about 75 players to go before the money and it could look like that I would make more than the minimal $5... But then, this debacle of a hand came about:

Antes Posted
-------------------------------------------------
heels88 Posted Small Blind 300
gmann19 Posted Big Blind 600
Dealing Cards
You Were Dealt (As, Ah)
Stormswift Folds
DamRiver Raised to 2,000
IAMADONK Folds
raischst Folds
ant83on Folds
shuperstar Folds
Lights0ut All In for 6,690
guruchu Folds
heels88 Folds
gmann19 Folds
DamRiver Calls 4,690
-------------------------------------------------
Lights0ut has (Kh, Ks)
DamRiver has (As, Ah)
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing Flop (2s,Qs,Kd)
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing Turn (2h)
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing River (Td)
-------------------------------------------------
Lights0ut Wins 14,780 from pot 1 with : Full House, Kings over Twos


What can I do to change this unholy luck? I get all my money in preflop and he has 2 outs. I can't tell you how many times I've lost with A-A to K-K (or even junk). I would go out 54 places before the money and a great opportunity for a possibly $5K that I fought so hard for was clogged into the toilet (analogy for fighting hard) and now down the drain...

Absolute Fails to Correct their Mistake... Another Screw Job... FUCK THEM

I made an earlier post title "What Comes Around, Goes Around" (to read it, go under the September archieve and it should be the 1st one at the top) on how shitty the poker company Absolute Poker is. Well, they actually had a chance to make up for their piss-poor decision making they did earlier by their "new" (but in essence, the same untrustworthy people from before).

This new rake back scheme came about in early October and finally, today, almost 2 months later on Nov. 26, I get the same horse shit response that will make me continue to not play at your leech's site. I would like to now post some of the emails I got that were not honored:

11/4/2005

Hello Joe,

Since you attempted to register your account through an affiliate at the
initial registration of the account, you will be able to be tagged to
raketherake. Please be patient, as this will be done manually.

Cheers,

Lindsay Johnson
Team Absolute
Affiliate Relations
lindsay@absolutepoker.com

***The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to
which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged
material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or
taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or
entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited and offenders may
be prosecuted. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and
delete the material from any computer.***


-----Original Message-----
From: friedrice33@aol.com [mailto:friedrice33@aol.com]
Sent: Friday, November 04, 2005 4:03 PM
To: lindsay@absolutepoker.com
Subject: idle-account issue

Hi Lindsay.

I talked to Jessica from ****** about my idle issue and she told
me to email you about this. I have never made a deposit into my AP
account and have been idle for probably 6 months (probably close to a
year or more). If there is any way I can be retagged to RakeTheRake,
please let me know.

Thank you,

Joe



11/6/2005

Hello Joe,



Since your account is being manually retagged you will not have to enter this code. All you have to do is log into your account and begin playing again.



Cheers,



Lindsay Johnson

Team Absolute

Affiliate Relations

lindsay@absolutepoker.com



***The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited and offenders may be prosecuted. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer.***






--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: FriedRice33@aol.com [mailto:FriedRice33@aol.com]
Sent: 06 November 2005 00:46
To: lindsay@absolutepoker.com
Cc: jessica@raketherake.com
Subject: Re: idle-account issue



Hi Lindsay and Jessica.



I was reviewing the steps about signing up. Since I am not a New Player (idle), how would I go about entering the bonus code RTRBONUS ?



Thank you,



Joe



In a message dated 11/5/2005 3:12:28 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, Lindsay@absolutepoker.com writes:

You can download it again whenever you want, because you still have a valid account with AP.



Cheers,



Lindsay Johnson

Team Absolute

Affiliate Relations

lindsay@absolutepoker.com




Note the phrase highlighted here, "All you have to do is log into your account and begin playing again." Ok, you get my rake and then you fucking ignore me... there is no reason for anyone to do business with slime like this.



11/22/2005

Hello Joe,

Your account is properly tagged to RTR. Please let me know if
there is anything else I can help you with.

Best regards,

Lindsay Johnson
Team Absolute
Affiliate Relations
lindsay@absolutepoker.com

***The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to
which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged
material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or
taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or
entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited and offenders may
be prosecuted. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and
delete the material from any computer.***

-----Original Message-----
From: friedrice33@aol.com [mailto:friedrice33@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, November 21, 2005 4:47 PM
To: lindsay@absolutepoker.com
Subject: retagging to RTR

Hi Lindsay, how are you doing? I hope all is well.

I wrote to Jessica from RTR today and said I should still try to contact you once more.

I had an idle account for a year a so, and she recommened me to contact
you in order to try to get my account retagged to RTR. You said it should have been retagged, but I am still unable to see my
statistics from RTR 2 1/2 weeks later.

My screen name is THESTUDENT and my account number is either 252127
(according to the info that RTR received) or 164309 (old account
number?).

Thank you and regards,

Joe


Well, I didn't save all my emails from Lindsay but I think this was the last one before she completely ignored me when I continued to send her emails why my rake was being paid back...

So there you go folks... Although Absolute is US friendly, they are scum-sucking leeches in general and I urge ALL players to abandon ship with AP, Absolutely Piss-poor now!!

I Finally Updated My Myspace Page

Probably been about 2 months or so since I've updated my Myspace page but since Thanksgiving break is here and I have some extra time, I thought I'd waste some of my existance doing that. I have a dark backround with Tifa (from Final Fantasy VII) as my desktop. I have also added some classic Family Guy clips that should make you "poop" yourself. Have a look here boys and grrls and tell me what you think...

VKM = Vincent Kennedy McMahon and now Voodoo Kin Mafia

BG James and Kip James, formerly "The New Age Outlaws" ("Road Dogg" Jesse James and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn) and formerly of the "James Gang", have now been repackaged with this new, "VKN" "Voodoo Kind Mafia" gimmick that resembles the DX WCW Invasion. Quite a redebut for the dynamic tag team duo and quite a statement on Impact this week as they called out Paul Levesque ("Levick"), aka Triple H and Michael Hickenbottom, aka Shawn Michaels, and Vincent K. McMahon himself. Wrestling fans, if you missed Impact (shame on you), check it out:

Bad Time for a Disconnect

A bizarre thing happened just now: I had a terrbile disconnect when I was playing at pokerdotcom and I get Aces and didn't know that recently, they made a no-limit in capping in their fixed limit games. I had my internet running and was able to check my gmail at the time as well so it was just the poker client running funny. I should have definitely won a lot more. With all this preflop raising, I knew my opponent had Kings (or at worst Aces as well). I decided to stop capping preflop just in case a King would peel off. My opponent still had about $20 to go so I am missing an extra $20 in my bankroll b/c of this debacle:

JokerM Posted Small Blind $0.50
DamRiver Posted Big Blind $1.00
Dealing Cards
You Were Dealt (Ad, Ac)
yupeng Folds
midus1 Folds
holdem14me Raised to $2.00
jecha45 Folds
Steakneggs Folds
OscarNuggman Folds
villim Folds
JokerM Folds
DamRiver Raised to $3.00
holdem14me Raised to $4.00
DamRiver Raised to $5.00
holdem14me Raised to $6.00
DamRiver Raised to $7.00
holdem14me Raised to $8.00
DamRiver Calls $1.00
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing Flop (Jd,Th,7c)
DamRiver Bets $1.00
holdem14me Raised to $2.00
DamRiver Raised to $3.00
holdem14me Raised to $4.00
DamRiver Calls $1.00
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing Turn (7d)
DamRiver Bets $2.00
holdem14me Raised to $4.00
DamRiver Raised to $6.00
holdem14me Raised to $8.00
... *(This is where I disconnected)

Thank goodness there was an allin protection here and I was able to salvage a profit from this insane hand.

BPT Event House of Blues!

Fifteen minutes and counting before BPT Event 5: The House of Blues gets underway. I am looking to improve my piss-poor 80ish finish from the previous tournament and make my way back into the top 20th on the overall leaderboard...

The TV dinner has been devoured and the orange juice quenched... Let's rock to "the house of blues" baybee!!

*** NOTE: Busted out to Skinski when he raised on button 3x to 300 and I having a miserable KJ decided to take a stand figuring Skinski was stealing and put my last 1000 and change in. He hits and Ace and I miss my gutshot...

60 Minute Adrenaline Rush Times 2!!

TNA Broadcaster Mike Tenay is known for saying, "Your 60-min adrenaline rush is next" and yesterday it was a 120-minute adrenaline rush! An incredible primetime debut of fore TNA Impact that saw spectacular matches and some surprising face/heel (aka good guy/bad guy) turns.

Everyone remembers the classic matches between America's Most Wanted (AMW) and The Naturals. The Naturals got the best of them when they were the heels (bad guys) 12 months ago while AMW got the better of them 6 months ago when they were heels. Ironically yesterday's Impact, both teams officially switched rolls again but in different scenarios. AMW had been in a grudge w/the LAX after a sick attack by the LAX and to AMW's valet Gail Kim. When LAX tried to burn the US flag, none other did America's Most Wanted return (from the face ramp. TNA has 2 entrances. The one with the red floor is the face ramp and the one with the clear ground is the heel ramp) to save the burning of the flag. In another surprising twist of fate, when LAX left the building to burn the flag along w/heel but fan favorite Candian Petey Williams, he saved the burning of the flag and sacrificed himself for it.

2 weeks ago, The Naturals were still entering from the face ramp but last week on Impact when they attacked Team 3D, it looked like another heel turn. It was official as they entered from the heel ramp to take on Team 3D in a tables match: a match Team 3D has never lost... until now.

Chris Sabin had obviously been foreshadowed to turn heel and when he ran up the face ramp but ignored to save his bud Sonjay Dutt from Samoa Joe, the turn was official. In what I thought was the match of the night, featuring Sabin, Styles and Daniels, Daniels would pin Sabin to become the new X-Division Champion! Lots of crazy shit in this match including Daniel's combo move of a Rock Bottom and STO Takedown to Sabin in Styles w/1 move!! and Style's Moonsault into a inverted DDT and (normal) DDT to Sabin and Daniels!!

Barbwire cage match didn't disappoint. I thought Christian was gonna die with the amount of blood he lost and when Rhino put the barb wire in Christian's face to make the blood guzzle worst, damn! Highlight of the match had to be the gore on Christian through the cage!!

The long await to see Kurt Angle's first match in TNA wasn't Kurt's best but damn, the fans went crazy!! Those hundreds of fans in the TNA audience were just as loud, if not louder than a WWE arena!! Kurt is getting killed and gets hit with Abyss' deadly (2nd finisher) Shock Treatment and (main) finisher Blackhole slam and kicks out of both!! Kurt counters and hits the 3 clean German suplexes on the 350-pd monster!! Kurt counters into a victory roll into an Ankle Lock and makes Abyss submit for the 1st time ever!! Kurt then gets hammered after the match by Samoa Joe and Abyss... Sting comes and makes save and brawls back at Abyss to the back... In the back Sting is hung like a pinata and is slugged by his own bat by Abyss. Joe is alone w/Kurt and now Kurt is busted open and is getting choked out... Joe vs Angle at Genesis should be off the hook!!

Primetime Baybee!!

As the theme song says for TNA wrestling superstar "Primetime" Elix Skipper, "Just say it... Say my name... Primetime baby!"

Wrestling fans where you're a Lady and gentleman, boys or girls, children of all ages, TNA iMPACT's big 2 hour primetime debut is tonight at 9pm. If your excuse of not watching TNA on Thursday nights before was because it was on at 11pm, well junior, you can no longer use that excuse ass-clowns!

I expect this show to be PPV quality featuring Christian Cage and Rhino in the 6-sided bard wire steel cage match!! Also, Kurt Angle makes his wrestling debut for TNA when he faces "The Monster" Abyss!!

The one I am looking forward to most is the triple-threat X-Division match between Champ AJ Styles vs Chris Sabin vs Christopher Daniels for the X-Div Championship. Three faces (although it appears Sabin is turning heel aka bad guy!), three agile superstars, one match that I think that will steal the show.

Wrestling fans: this is not a wrestling show you should miss tonight. Tune your tubes to Spike TV at 9pm, sit down, drink a cold one, and enjoy the show mofo's!!

Unfortunately, the Blazers are Back to Normal, Mario Lopez gets Screwed

Blazers

Well, every good thing has to come to an end as the Blazers returned to their sucky-ass ways. The loss of ROY canidate and sensation Brandon Roy has definitely hurt the team, but I must say that I am impressed with Sergio Rodriquez. His shooting isn't the best but that can develop but his killer speed, his ball-handling, and driving skills are phenemenal so similar to that of Steve Nash. Sergio is obviously younger and has great potential to run the West-coast offense in Portland as Nash does in Phoenix. How good can the Blazers be with this guy... I sure hope our crappy coach lets this guy play some quality time in the future...

Lamarcus Aldridge also looks like a great prospect for the future and if Coach McMillian is smart event, we will be seeing him replace Udoka in the starting lineup very soon...


Super Mario

Emmitt Smith should win most improved dancer throughout the season but there is no way that he should have beaten out "Super" Mario Lopez for the Dancing with the Stars Championship. Despite breaking some of the rules early (gotta love the rebels), Mario was the best dancer from start to finish and because of Len's abhor and loathing to Mario, I think the ol' Reality screw-job that takes place in many of the popular reality shows once again occurred. Oh well, no biggie. Show is still great and enjoyable to watch and all that was on the line was a disco-ball trophie...

Ugly Mofo' of a Beat

Another pokerdotcom special as it appears as I have been getting a lot of beats involving the ol' runner-runner technique here. This was at the limit 1-2 table so good thing it wasn't NL or I would have lost it all on the flop. My analysis of the hand will be in parenthese ():

Figuroao Posted Small Blind $0.50
AJ2390 Posted Big Blind $1.00
Dealing Cards
You Were Dealt (Qd, Qh)
fstgrndr55 Folds
mnfatts Folds
Mayhem77 Folds
jon0499 Raised to $2.00
sakana Folds
DamRiver Raised to $3.00
MrBernstein Raised to $4.00
Ccarcharias Folds
Figuroao Folds
AJ2390 Calls $3.00
jon0499 Folds
DamRiver Calls $1.00

(Pot odds, especially in limit. I actually think MrBernstein has A-A, K-K, or even A-K)-------------------------------------------------
Dealing Flop (Ks,Qs,Kd)
AJ2390 Checks
DamRiver Bets $1.00
MrBernstein Raised to $2.00
AJ2390 Folds
DamRiver Raised to $3.00
MrBernstein Raised to $4.00
DamRiver Raised to $5.00
MrBernstein Calls $1.00

(I rule out K-K in my opponents hand and think he has A-K with all the raising going on)
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing Turn (Jh)
DamRiver Bets $2.00
MrBernstein Calls $2.00

(What, no more capping. I now have MrBernstein on A-A in the pocket)
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing River (Js)
DamRiver Bets $2.00
MrBernstein Calls $2.00

(Terrible river card as the board has paired twice, but I figure that since MrBernstein called on the turn, I think he has A-A and will pay it off because of all the money thats in the pot already, but cluckity-fuck, he has A-K to beat my counterfeited full house via the running Jacks)
-------------------------------------------------
DamRiver has (Qd, Qh)
MrBernstein has (Ad, Kh)
-------------------------------------------------
MrBernstein Wins $31.50 from pot 1 with : Full House, Kings over Jacks


Well, fellow poker bloggers. There's my analysis throughout the hand. What do you guys think? What would you have done differently? Even if i check the river, I'm sure I'd have to call $2 at the end in a $30 pot... Just another one of those days I guess...

WTF?! No Blazer Choke and Infact, a MONSTER Comeback

Alrighty Blazers fans or not, but if you weren't at the Rose Garden last night (unfortunately I wasn't and saw quite a few empty seats there), then you probably missed the NBA basketball game of the year to date this far and right now, I am thinking, "Why the fuck wasn't this game on TV in our area?!"

As mentioned in the previous blog, the game was against the currently # 1 Hornets who had just come off their 1st lost and they looked to rebound from this. It appeared as if they were gonna walk away with this one early as Portland was stinking up like Fat Bastard's shit scenes in "Austin Powers" as after the 1st quarter, our (Trail) Blazers only scored 13 points and trailed by an astounding and most likely insurmountable 25 points ! Hell, if I was at the game and saw that 1st quarter, I might have just stormed off to exits and slap myself in the face for this ugly debacle.

With Brandon Roy ailing off after 7 minutes of play and no points and never to return because of his heel injury, I really didn't see a way for the Blazers to come back, but low-and-behold our MVP "Zbo" Zach Randolph to once again tear it up for another 30+ plus point game and 10+ more rebounds (glad he is on my fantasy team). Zach did have a supporting cast with Jarrett "Jack 'em Up" Jack and "T-Law" Travis Outlaw laying down the law from the bench with 16 points and 6 BLOCKS!!

Seeing the highlights from the game, Blazers turn the biggest deficit of the game of 27 points into a three point lead, until a clutch and tough turn around shot from downtown by Peja Stojakovic that tied the game. That guy is unbelievable. Randolph would get the ball the next play and would quick-drive to the hoop and get foulded with just seconds left. Zbo makes the 1st (whew, usually that's the toughest one) but would miss the 2nd, and the deadly Stojakovic would get the ball and launch a shot from 3/4s of the quart and when I saw this highlight, I was almost certain it was going in as it was straight on but fortunately hit the back-iron for the miss and the BLAZERS COMEBACK and WIN!! I swear if the shot was an inch harder, it would have banked of the glass and gone it or if it was an inch shorter! Blazers are now an unbelievable 2 games over .500 at 4-2 and although the season is still very early, NOBODY could have predicted this incredible start!!

Blazers Still Over .500 Mark... Tough Opposition Tonight Though...

Without rookie sensation Brandon Roy or big man Joel Pryzbilla, the game vs. the red hot Lakers didn't look good for our Blazers. However, the Portland Rose Garden magic put some kind of trance on Zach Randolph and the Blazers as the Blazers won the grudge match versus our rivals convincingly and thus, was the 5th time in a row the Blazers have beaten the Lakers at games in the Rose Garden. "Zbo" Zach Randolph put together an incredible back-to-back 30+ points game with a colossal 36 points and 10 rebounds. MVP material so far boys and grrls and because of him and Roy, the Blazers are still over .500 mark at 3-2!

Things don't look to be easier tonight though vs. the #1 ranked Hornets from NBA.com and the fact that they killed the Blazers in the games from last season. Both teams are improved from last season and it could come down to the Brandon Roy factor playing or not playing because of a left heel injury.

Full Tilt Poker Review and Rakeback Deal

Phil Ivey, John Juanda, Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, "The Professor" Howard Lederer, "The Great Dane" Gus Hansen, Jennifer Harmen, Mike "The Mouth" Matasow, and many other of today's p pros play at Full Tilt Poker. Endorsed by today's paramount pros and USA friendly, Full Tilt Poker is emerging as one of today's most potent online poker rooms.



Full Tilt is offering new players a juicy 100% signup bonus up to a massive $600. The bonus might be a little more difficult to clear at lower limit levels, but it should still be an enticing bonus to go for with all the donkeys and fishes from Party and Pacific flocking and swimming over to donate their money to you.

FTP also offers variety other than Holdem including Razz, Stud, and Omaha. You can typically find Phil Ivey, Mike Matasow, and Gus Hansen playing at the highest stakes offered at FTP (most recently, the Omaha games is where they've been playing at) if you want to be entertained and amazed by the pros' plays.

For any new players that sign up at Full Tilt Poker and use the Bonus Code EATSLEEPPOKER, I will offer you a cool 27% rakeback deal on your play. Email me if you have any questions about this tight over.

Shazam to Oh Sh(az)it!

ROY of the year leading contender of our Blazers had to be the "shiznit" leading the Blazers to two comeback wins versus our rival Sonics and most recently, against the undeafeated Timberwolves. With such stellar performances, nba.com recently re-ranked the top rookie prospects of this year and put our boy Roy in 1st! Unlike ex-Blazer rookie of the year Damon Stoudamire (who basically stunk it up real bad here in Portland after 3 promising seasons in Toronto), Roy is earning his stripes in the Rose City. Shazam!!

However, word out is that after the game vs. Minnesota, Roy aggrevated a heel injury that was unreported and by the time the Clipper went about yesterday, it got worst. If this injury is severe, we can expect the return of the shit performance the Blazers put on last year... Oh sh(az)it!!

Coolered at the BPT

One thing is for certain: I hate Omaha. Check out this cooler. I'd fold this hand preflop but it was a BB special/cooler setup for my demise...

stuarthomegame Posted Small Blind 15
DamRiver Posted Big Blind 30
Dealing Cards
You Were Dealt (7c, 8c, Qc, 4c)
bolcs5 Calls 30
KiwiWiz Folds
lifesagrind Folds
gohabs1234 Calls 30
thepurdle Calls 30
newfie25 Calls 30
stuarthomegame Calls 15
DamRiver Checks
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing Flop (2c,Jc,6c)
stuarthomegame Bets 120
DamRiver Raised to 300
bolcs5 Folds
gohabs1234 Folds
thepurdle Raised to 1,200
newfie25 Folds
stuarthomegame Folds
DamRiver All In for 1,805
thepurdle Calls 905
-------------------------------------------------
thepurdle has (2d, 5s, 5c, Ac)
DamRiver has (7c, 8c, Qc, 4c)
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing Turn (2s)
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing River (As)
-------------------------------------------------
thepurdle Wins 4,510 from pot 1 with : Full House, Twos over Aces

Another player said he folded a flush too and I figure like in Stud or Razz, I keep track of the cards. If I am only dealt two clubs, I fold this hand but since I had 4 clubs and 3 flopped, I didn't put my opponent on the better flush (set is what I put him on), but what can you do, that's poker and I got coolered once more... :(

Enjoy it While it Lasts (3 of them)...

Why Pistons Why?!



*** (If photo is just a blank white, click on it to see the atom-nuts of one Terry Porter. I used the progra "Paint" so if anybody knows how to clear the white, please help me out) ***

To start off topic one, I must say that although I am a HUGE Rasheed Wallace fan, I can no longer support the Detroit Pistons. You may be asking yourself, why would you turn on Sheed? Well, I was disappointed that they let the Heat through to the finals and of course giving Shaq another ring, but that is not the reason or grudge I have on Sheed. The reason is that shitty coach Flip Saunders (and possibly Joe Dumars) hired ex-Blazer and thief-in-the-nigh Terry Porter. Now, the NBA considers Porter to be one of the nicest guys to have played in the NBA, but oh contrare ladies and gent. Here is a little anedote about Porter's real true colors: Terry Porter once had his car fixed at my father's auto-body shop about 15 years ago. He hit the road without paying the bill and still owes my dad $2,000 (but with interest, it should be a ton more). You play in the frickin' NBA and you are making millions yet you cannot afford $2000 to pay to have your Mercedes replenished?! It was a mistake that my dad let him go without paying but since he had former Blazers and teammates of Porter like Jerome Kersey and Kevin Duckworth in before jackass Porter fit their bills for their car repairs, he thought he could have trusted Porter... If the Blazers never win a championship again, that will be ok by me as long as that numb-nuts Terry Porter doesn't get one for (assitant) coaching.



Blazers Above .500!!

Speaking of the Blazers... Sure our unbeloved Portland Trail Blazers have a perfect record for the first timesince 1.5 years ago ((yes I said unbeloved... Have you seen attendance without Rasheed Wallace...). The status will most likely not last for long so I say its time to enjoy it until tonights game vs. the improved Golden State Warriors.



BPT Top 20

As of today's overall BPT standings, I am currently in 12th place of the overall points leaders but as I say this, things could go south on me as the next event is the debut of the Omaha Hi Event for the tour tomorrow, which will be hosted by feared female player IronGirl (or at least I fear her). I should enjoy my top 20 status until tomorrow because I consider myself a weak Omaha player so everybody, prepare to take my chips!! ;-)

If you haven't had a poker.com account let, I suggest you get in on the fun. US Friendly, great online support, and of course, has it shares of bad players. Still haven't registered for the BPT and want a free shot at possibly winning a seat into the Aussie Millions, it's not too late!!

BPT Action Updates, I'm out now

Bad Laydown

Well, I figure it was too early to go broke with this hand and after reading about my poker bud Mike's hand involving his AKs (folded properly may I add) vs. opponent Irongirl's AA, I get the AK as well and heres what happened. I figured bgnd007 limped and then I raised and then limper did a Phil Hellmuth insta-push, I figure I was dead but oh contraré (rabbit cam also shows that my hand would have held up):

stinaguy Posted Small Blind 15
Rahaboss Posted Big Blind 30
Dealing Cards
You Were Dealt (Kc, As)
starkstatic Folds
NeoBahamut Folds
ATheGuruK Folds
bgdn007 Calls 30
DamRiver Raised to 125
burnley1 Folds
astinaguy Folds
Rahaboss Folds
bgdn007 All In for 1,785
DamRiver Folds and Shows Kc As
-------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------
bgdn007 Wins 1,985 from pot 1
bgdn007 Rabbits (Ah , Qd)
Community Cards (Ad , 3h , 4d , 9h , 5d)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

1:50pm

I get my chips in with the best hand and it holds up:

urnley1 Posted Small Blind 75
astinaguy Posted Big Blind 150
Dealing Cards
You Were Dealt (8d, 8h)
XXRockinXXD Folds
Rahaboss Folds
starkstatic Calls 150
NeoBahamut Folds
ATheGuruK Folds
DamRiver Raised to 600
RILEY31 Folds
burnley1 Folds
astinaguy Folds
starkstatic All In for 1,870
DamRiver All In for 810
-------------------------------------------------
starkstatic has (4d, 4h)
DamRiver has (8d, 8h)
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing Flop (Qh,5h,9h)
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing Turn (6d)
-------------------------------------------------
Dealing River (5s)
-------------------------------------------------
starkstatic Wins 610 from pot 2 with : Two Pair, Fives and Fours
-------------------------------------------------
DamRiver Wins 3,045 from pot 1 with : Two Pair, Eights and Fives
_____________________________________________________________________________________
1:57 Took a hit versus a semi-short stack where my 7s ran into Aces. I almost folded it but I had my opponent on two overs or a smaller pair the hand above this post. :-(
_____________________________________________________________________________________
2:00 Currently in 42nd out of 67 with just over 1900 in chips. Not a good turn of events before the break. Other noteables:

1st: CawtBluffin: 10,460
2nd: lightning: 9,270
3rd: NeoBahamut: 8,065

63rd: imjusthere4thebeer 985
_____________________________________________________________________________________
2:08 Not even 10 minutes after the break, I get busted. I hit mid pair in an unopened pot. I bet and got a caller. A 3-card straight hit on turn and decided to represent that. Had most my chips in already but to my dismay, my opponent hit a flush on me and am out in 62nd place.

Take Two... Monitor, Mouse, Action

A reminder to all that it's less than 15 minutes before the 3rd BPT Event gets underway. Last week, there were some technical difficulties so today is the rescheduled date. I'm ready. I got my Costco chicken-bake meal (yummy), my Fruit Punch Gatorade, and my new (but basic iPod) pumping me up! Game time!!

Sweet TNA Bound For Glory Video Highlights!!

TNA Wrestling put up some wicked highlights of their "SuperBowl of Wrestling" Bound for Glory. This includes the great, intense, innovative, and high-flying action that is TNA.



Pyros, my favorite finisher Petey William's "Canadian Destroyer", AJ Styles' cross-body block of the steel cage, Homicide's quick and sick "Gringo Killah" (my 2nd fav. finisher), Kurt Angle/Samoa Joe confrontation II, and the modified look of the Sting!! Wrestling fans, check out the video here!!

The Headbutt Heard Around the World!!

No, I am not talking about soccer player Zinedine Zidane's great headbutt to the Italian from the World Cup (although he is an inspiration to us all). No, no, no junior. I'm talking about the one, the only, Olympic God Medalist, Kurt frickin Angle!! Kurt's headbutt not only made a huge impact on Samoa Joe but to all the wrestling fans in the world (would have definitely made Zinedene Zidane proud). I say this as a shock because Kurt Angle has had neck surgery and many other injuries out there and then he goes for the juggernaut that is of a Samoan (coconut) head!! Definitely the greatest moment of wrestling this year on cable TV. To view, click here and scroll down (also recommended from the show is Chris Jericho's music video "Enemy" that features great music from Chris and great TNA video montage packages!!).

The show, TNA Impact. Samoa Joe refuses to relinquish the TNA/NWA World Title but that was no surprise... until the entrance of one Kurt Angle!! May I add, a pretty sweet entrance video and bad ass entrance. The Impact audience went absolutely beserk! The TNA fans are the best and rowdiest fans in wrestling but Kurt Angle's entrance was the most bonkers I've seen the fans react. Damn, I wish I was there! If that wasn't enough, the intense stare down between Angle and Joe stirred up more of my and the fans' interest and then Angle explodes on Joe with a VERY STIFF headbutt!! (They slow-motioned the replay and it was sick)! Immediately after the headbutt, Joe's forehead is gushing with blood!! Crowd's now on a rampage fever!! Then an Olympic Slam!! Holy Shit!! This is awesome!! TNA! TNA!! TNA!!! Kurt then grabs the NWA Title and the excitement is incredible. A bloody Samoa Joe gets up and Enzygiri kicks Angle in the head. Brawl insues and officials try to break it up as the crowd is still going beserk!!

Seriously, Kurt Angle is the craziest mo'fo out in wrestling. What's to come at the Bound For Glory PPV this Sunday... I can only imagine (it's a damn shame the Tigers World Series game will be happening at the same time in Detroit and it would be a disaster if attendance/PPV buyrates go down before this because I really think this is "the Wrestlemania" of wrestling)...

BPT Event # 3 This Sunday

A reminder that poker.com's thrid event in the BPT will be this Saturday. Your's truely is currently in 7th place going into this event and I'm hoping to maintain a good points performance or better yet, not break anymore mouses after getting beat by runner-runner cards (Event 1: My sixes flopped a set to my opponents top pair and I got runner-runner flushed out; Event 2: I flop top pair of Kings and Natsdad hits runner-runner straight on me.)

Speaking of bad beats, I took this nasty one yesterday curtousey of poker.com yesterday that I think I'll write about now because I am here and brought up the subject. I know you don't want to hear about more bad beats, but this one just symbolizes the luck I've been going through for the longest time. The action was very loose. I am at a $1-2 NL table. After seeing a flop of A-8-4 with two clubs and me holding (Ac, Qc), I check, a five dollar bet insues followed by a raise to $20. Now, previous hands, I've seen players stick it all in with middle pair and people calling with top pair no kicker so now I have hit top pair, good kicker, and the nut flush draw. I stick the rest of my money of about $120 in the pot. I get the initial better to fold and get a call from the raiser. He flips over A-8 for 2 pair which is sick (but it gets sicker). Why couldn't you have had Jack-5 when you loosie-goosies called off earlier when a Jack came. I figure he had maybe an A-10, A-J, A-6s but I was obviously wrong. Holy enchalada Batman, the turn is a non-pairing club giving me the nut-flush. Had my luck turned around... I'am about to rake in a $250 pot?!... whoops, the non-great 8 unholily (is that a word?) spiked on the river giving my opponent the deadman's full boat and making me a deadman.

Dammit, its time to rebound. Maybe I should bye me a Buddah and rubs its belly for luck...

Seriously... Chris Jericho to TNA!?

Here is an intriguing article and interview with Chris Jericho conducted by none other than TNA Wrestling

“Life is about possibility. It is about tearing down walls so that we may see farther; traveling new roads so that we may experience greater; shattering old ways of thinking so as to understand better.”

It was a dreary Sunday evening in Chattanooga when I saw Fozzy in concert for the first time two years ago. I arrived tired and with modest expectations. After all, I knew Chris Jericho personally, worked with him professionally and saw him cheered hundreds of times by thousands of fans as a wrestling superstar. This, on the other hand, was a small venue. And surely this music thing must be some quirky, fleeting hobby of his.

Was I ever wrong.

When the band took the stage at Rhythm and Blues that December evening, I was instantly impressed. Their energy was rampant; the crowd raucous. This was not the Chris Jericho I thought I knew. He truly was the “Ayatollah of Rock-n-Rolla”!

Their sound is varied. “It falls somewhere between Pantera and Journey,” Jericho told me, “heavy, with melodic vocals and tons of guitars solos.”

True. But what really amazed that night me was how natural Chris Jericho looked on stage playing the lead role of rock-n-roll superstar. It seemed so easy, so effortless. And he was having fun.

“On stage, our mission is to make sure everybody in the crowd has a great time,” says Jericho. “And we always succeed.”

Chris Jericho became a wrestling fan when he was a young boy, watching television with his grandmother in the family room on Saturday nights. The Rockers, Hulk Hogan, Ricky Steamboat, Owen Hart and Outback Jack were just a few to make a lasting, first impression. But make no mistake: music was his very first passion in life.

“I had every Beatles record by the time I was ten years old and formed my first band at 12.”

He includes the Beatles, Dream Theater, Iron Maiden, Metallica and Helloween as his favorite bands of all-time. They also inspired him to pursue his passion for making music even when he was working full-time as a professional wrestler. That’s why he was so dedicated to Fozzy.

“I started playing in a band to emulate the musicians who made up the fabric of my soul,” he said. Then, with a devilish grin, he added, “Oh yeah, and for the chicks!”

The similarities between wrestling and music are undeniable.

“They’re both hard-hitting, aggressive forms of entertainment that feed off of the reactions from the fans who are experiencing the magic,” Jericho notes. “Both are legitimate forms of art and we are all artists.”

Chris Jericho is much more than an artist: he is a genuine human being. He listens to his heart when others become slaves to the status quo. He is not afraid of taking chances. He leads when most others only follow. Last year, he left the world of professional wrestling at the apex of his career because his heart was calling him to explore new worlds. And he has never looked back.

In the summer of 2003, I, too, left a job when it would have been easy to stay. I, too, felt the calling to leave the world of comfort and safety, to break down the walls of illusion, to venture into an unknown adventure. Driving through the parking gates at work for the final time on my very last day, B.B. King’s, “The Thrill Is Gone” played on the stereo. I immediately began to cry. At that very moment, I felt vulnerable and alone. Fifteen minutes later, when the tears subsided, I checked my voice mail. There was a message from Jericho. He just wanted to wish me well and lend his support. In typical fashion, he even left a droll comment that made me laugh. It was a small gesture, but it made a profound impact. Simple, genuine acts of kindness at times like that become great memories that are never lost to time.

As a wrestler, Chris Jericho’s favorite memory is becoming the first ever Undisputed World Champion, followed by his show-stealing match with HBK at WrestleMania 19. Despite a hectic schedule, he still manages to keep abreast of current storylines. He lists Samoa Joe and LAX as two of his top five performers in the business. And he was absolutely stunned when he heard the news that Kurt Angle was heading to TNA.

“I think it’s amazing,” Jericho told me. “It’s great for the business, for TNA and for Kurt. He needs to be the destroyer guy and not the cowboy hat guy, though.”

Between acting, writing, touring, hosting television and radio shows, recording a new record in the studio with Fozzy, or working on a litany of other projects in the entertainment industry, Chris Jericho’s work schedule is as full as ever. But he’s enthusiastic because he’s following his heart. He has broken down the walls of safety and constraint and has grown tenfold as a person because of it.

Does that mean the countless Jerichoholics who cheered him for all those years while he performed in the ring will never see him wrestle again?

“The hundreds and hundreds of Jerichoholics have dwindled down to about 47 over the last year,” he said. “But there are 22 of them in Peoria alone, so I’m huge there. I might have to return just for them!”

If he does come back, will it be in a ring with four sides…or six?

“Never Say Never Mr. Bond”, he replies, shaken not stirred.

Cardinals are Unbearable and so are the Bears

Trying something other than poker, I decided to use the Sportsbook at Mansion Poker to bet on the Bears vs Cards game Monday night. I had been doing pretty well picking winners when not betting over at HBO's Beat the Host for fun game with a 60-26 record picking before Monday's unbelievable game. I figure the bears to have a hammerlock on this game as they are the number one defense in the NFL and up in the top 5 in offenses as well versus the lowly Cardinals who's defense is pretty awful and there offense still in the works with new QB Matt Linert. So my $12 goes into the bet with the spread where the Bears have to win by 11 points in order for me to win.

After the 1st missed long-ball opportunity by the Bears and then a 3-and-out, I sort of knew that when I started to put real money on the line, I was going to be screwed... and I was right. Bears haven't given up a single touchdown all year in the 1st quarter... Holy shit!! They gave up 2... to the Arizona Cards?!

Halftime score: 20-0 Cards and now I know my money is long gone. But WTF, to add insult to injury, the Bears come back from the 20 point deficit and win 24-23 after a 41 yard field goal miss by Cards kicker Neil Rackers!! Rex Grossman: 4 interceptions and 2 lost fumbles; Bears had no offensive touchdowns, and still pull it out. The only thing believable from this game is that the Cardinals still choke and suck but because you have the choke part in it, their loss isn't big enough to cover the Bear's spread so I wanna say thanks alot Cards. If you would have listened to commentator Tony Kornheiser and quit after getting the first "1st down" before the Bears, you guys wouldn't be so disappointed in blowing a 20-point lead and everybody that bet on the Bears would be happy with your failure.

Well, I thought this game was a gimme but cluckity-fuck, I must be a feakin' jinx to myself. Finally put something on the line and the Bears shoot me in the foot... Oh well, what can you do. That's football...

Another Follow-up on Poker333, The Worst Poker Site Ever When it Comes to Decision Making!!

I thought I would share with you the email I received after I let them have it for not giving me my money when they decided to suspend all US player's accounts back on October 3rd without prior warnings:

Hi there Joey,

Thank you for the email.

Account: pppr00884982

Unfortunately, the decision to have United States banned from online
gambling was not made by the Casino. This matter came to light fairly
sudden and without warning to us. It was not our intention to have your
account locked, but as per the procedure of your State laws, we were
forced to close the accounts at the time we did. Please believe that as
much as this matter is affecting each US citizen who enjoys online
gambling, it has a huge impact on our business as well.

We hope to offer you the opportunity play at our Casino groups again,
sometime in the near future.

Best wishes in all your future endeavors, Joey.

Should you require further assistance, feel free to contact Piggs Casino
support desk, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Kindest regards,

Tyler
The Palace Group Support

This is what I had to say about their stinky farts coming out from their mouths or in this case, the computer email:

Hi there,

Some interesting notes for you to take in your unprofessionalism in not paying me and your excuses:

* Many sites including poker behemoth Party Poker and Pacific gave warnings and let their players play until the end of October 12th. If a top poker site like that can give their players a heads-up on things, there shouldn't be a reason for you to just lock my account and not let me play to clear my restrictions.

* Sites Paradise Poker and Hollywood Poker (Pokerroom skins) aren't taking new deposits BUT are letting their US players play for 30 more days before they shutdown to US players. That's an adequate amount of time instead of just locking accounts with no warnings.

* Sites like PokerStars, Absolute, poker.com, Bodog, UltimateBet, and True Poker are a few of the sites still sticking with US players.

These sites mentioned, even the ones shutting out US players eventually, have professionalism and honor that will make me to continue to play there or hopefully play there in the future. Your poor decision in shutting out players and not refunding them is at the bottom of my list and I will choose not to play at your site (or recommend anybody else) in the future.

Joey

I should also note their line I bolded in their email, "Please believe that as much as this matter is affecting each US citizen who enjoys online
gambling, it has a huge impact on our business as well." I guess since it is affecting there business, they find it logical and think that it compensates them by them taking my money since they figure US accounts won't be playing there for a long, long time, if ever...

Black Friday is Upon Us...

The Title itself says it all for the online poker community. For once, I can say that I am not proud to be an American and that this country sucks!

If you are an onlinen poker player, you need to get your voice heard. Call your Congressman/woman, join the Poker Player's Alliance, and sign this petition to fight for your poker rights!!

To Senator Jon Kyl, Rep. Jim Leach, Rep. Bob Goodlatte, and last but not least, Republican Senator Bill Frist, I say this because I have the "freedom of speech": I hope you motherf*cking, c*ck-sucking, sons-of-b*tches rots in hell! May (the poker) gods have no mercy on your souls and may the 20+ million online poker players in the US conquer this underhanded and uunfathomable act by you leeching low-lifes!!

Chris Jericho Possibly the Next Big Star to Jump to TNA?!

TNA's "WrestleMania" of wrestling Bound for Glory (BFG) is upon us on and just as the big Kurt Angle signing as stunned the wrestling world, there is a possibility that TNA has got its hands on the 1st (and only Undisputed Champion) Chris Jericho!! Jericho has been MIA for a long time fulfilling his music dream with the band FOZZY and maybe he is thinking about getting back into the squared-circle... I mean the 6-sided ring. Although Jericho won't be wrestling... yet, Jericho will be performing with his band at BFG and could there very well be another huge announcement from TNA that will shock the wrestling world again...??

Reminder: Kurt Angle Debut on TNA Tonight!!

TNA has teased the debut of Kurt Angle for the past couple of weeks but tonight, "Oh it's true, it's damn true!! or should I say "It's real, it's damn real" as his new catch phrase.

The word around is that Kurt will not be in the ring but instead, will be giving a taped "closed-door" interview that from what I hear, is a must see. Rumormill says that Kurt will be talking about why he joined TNA, but more interestingly, he will speak about the WWE as well in regards to why he left, and will also jaw-jack about Vince McMahon!!

Who gives a rat's ass about work wrestling fans (even if you've never seen TNA before in which I would say, "what's up with dat)! Show up for work/school late or don't show up at all! Set your tubes to Spike TV tonight at 11pm to catch this monumental moment in TNA and wrestling history itself!!

Stiz-ars Holds Firm!!

After some speculation that PokerStars would be dumping US players soon after Party will abandon ship (probably tomorrow sometime on Friday the 13th), PokerStars turns their boat around back to the United State. Here is the excerpt of some shining light, or shoul I say, shinning star from PokerStars:

Dear PokerStars Player -

As you are probably aware, the United States Congress recently enacted the Safe Port Act which contains provisions relating to Internet gambling.

PokerStars has received extensive expert advice from within and outside the U.S. which concluded that these provisions do not alter the U.S. legal situation with respect to online poker. Furthermore it is important to emphasize that the Act does not in any way prohibit you from playing online poker.

Therefore, our business continues as before - open to players worldwide including the US. You may play on our site as you did prior to the Act.

PokerStars believes that poker is a game of skill enjoyed by millions of players and we remain committed to providing you a safe and fun environment in which to play. We value your loyalty to PokerStars, and look forward to continuing to serve you with the best online poker experience, as we have for the past five years, six billion hands, and 40 million tournaments.


PokerStars Management

Speaking of Stiz-ars, I mean Stars, all of my fav stars still on Dancing with the Stars are still in. "A.C. Slater" from Saved by the Bell, aka Mario Lopez still remains and is probably the most talented dancing celebrity on the show. The bald Joey Lawrence (basically a "waoh" like he did on Blossom when I saw his new lack of a hairdo) still remains and is no slouch on the dance floor either. And of course, there is the ever-loveable Jerry Springer who got the encore dance last night, however, was in the bottom two but managed to survive. The action is getting more intense as all the Stars received high remarks of no less that a 24 (out of 30). Next week, the couples will be performing two dances in stead of one more and the question on everybody's mind is, "How much more can Jerry Springer take?" :-D

Response from Poker333 aka The Palace Group Gaming

Well, I sent an email to this worthless and deceitful poker site after they decided to halt US poker players play at their site and thus, suspended all US player's accounts on October 3rd (they unprofessionally sent an email on the same day and gave no warning beforehand that they would be suspending the US' accounts)...

Today, eight long days later, I finally get a reply from those fuck-nuts and here is what they "professionally" said:

Hi there Joey,

Account pppr00884982

Kindly note that unfortunately the balance of $138.00 will not be refunded to your NETeller due to the fact that you have not met the
Terms and Conditions of the no deposit bonus which you received on the
31 March 2005.

We trust that we have been of assistance.

Should you require any further assistance or have any suggestions,
please feel free to contact our friendly help desk. We are available 24
hours a day
7 days a week for your convenience.

Kindest regards,

Justin
Customer Service Representative
POKER 333
MEMBER OF THE PALACE GROUP

www.thepalacegroupgaming.com

Note that I bolded some of the texts in the email. How the fuck could they use the words "Kindly" and the phrase, "We trust that we have been of assistance." Well, gluckity-fuck! I am happy as a clam that I won't be getting my $138. You will never see another cent from me and it's my given right to make sure that nobody else gets screwed by your sorry-ass company and poor business professionalism! Eat my shorts with ketchup!

Let's Start a Black Armband Weekend!!

We all know how strong and how successful Lance Armstrong "Livestrong" yellow armbands were when the athlete was biking the Tour De France.

Now during the poker debacle and turmoil in the US, our time of playing online poker could be running out thanks to one numb-nuts catalyst Senator Bill Frist. I have posted about signing an online petition to protest the ban of online poker and to join the Poker Player's Alliance and now, another idea has been generated by my poker buddy Bruce (Williams). Here is what Bruce suggests to all poker players:

A form of civil protest against the "anti-poker bill", especialy since res. George W. Bush will be signing it into law on Friday, Oct. 13.
My plan: Poker players and their supporters wear black armbands for the (hopefully temporary) death of some of their freedom of choice. Wear it if you're playing in a brick&mortar. Wear it if you're playing online. Wear it if you're going to the store or a concert or a ballgame or a jog in the park. When someone asks what's that about, say how you're supporting poker and protesting government infringement and sneakiness on your freedom.

A few more details: Wear the armband 72 hours (good ol' 7-2, a poker icon), from 10:02 am ET Friday Oct. 13 to 10:02 am ET Monday Oct. 16 (10:02 in honor of Doyle Brunson; the ET because that's the time zone where Congress came up with the law; don't know if Bush is signing it in D.C. or on the campaign trail). Friday-Monday because many poker players play into the wee hours and to/past breakfast with a good game going.

If we wanted to do something more organized, we could do it (again) the weekend of Nov. 3-6 -- which is the weekend before the U.S. elections. But some kind of gesture after the bill's signed Friday would be timely and important; this issue and the evil political games can't get swept under the rug by apathy. I will be wearing a black armband for poker this weekend, online, at Harrah's and everywhere!
Thanks for listening. Feel free to spread this idea/post any way you think will help.

World Poker Tour, What are you Thinking?!

Posted by Earl Burton, The World Poker Tour has expressed its thoughts about the online gaming crisis in the US. It's quite different than the thoughts of their lead commentator Mike Sexton and certainly surprised the shit out of me since I thought us poker players were suppose to stand together:

In an oddly optimistic press release following the passage (and pending signing) of legislation regarding financing of online gaming and poker accounts, World Poker Tour Enterprises added their thoughts to the current situation recently. In the communiqué, WPTE encouraged poker players worldwide to focus on the bright future ahead for poker instead of the downsides of the current legislation.

With the passage by Congress of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 last week, "The Justice Department has been very clear that it believes online gaming to be illegal in the United States and our policies have been always been tailored accordingly," said Adam Pliska, General Counsel of WPTE. "This law clarifies the rules and makes it possible for everyone to move forward on an even footing."

Steve Lipscomb also added his bright outlook when he commented, "It was a wide-spread love of this game and the reinvention of poker as a televised sport that ignited the poker phenomenon and that is what will continue to drive the future of the sport. WPTE remains committed to growing the domestic poker market through traditional franchise opportunities like consumer products, sponsorship and events."

While WPTE will not be directly affected by the recent legislation (their online poker site has always refused American action as they are an American company), the bright outlook the company is espousing is strange at the minimum. Part of the drive that has brought many to the poker community has been the advent of online poker. People who may have played only a few times a year on vacation trips to gaming Meccas could play at any point with the online game. This added to their excitement for the game and also allowed them to become proficient enough to be able to battle against some of the greatest players in the world.

Another factor to consider on this front is the effect that the loss of online satellites will have on tournaments in the future. Both the World Poker Tour and the World Series of Poker have seen tournament fields explode due to the opportunity of players to earn their way into events through inexpensive online satellites. In 2005, of the 5619 players who came to the felt, PokerStars alone sent almost twenty percent of the field to the Championship Event of the World Series. Poker historian and "jack of all trades" Nolan Dalla emphasized this point when he discussed his thoughts on the ramifications of the online legislation and noted with sadness that future tournament participation will actually fall as these online satellites are eliminated.

While many might like the departure of online players from B&M tournaments, it is extremely possible that the tournament poker scene could revert back to the point where only the richest (and, in some cases, the best) poker players can afford to participate. The potential dream of an online qualifier vanquishing the best in the world (such as the startling Chris Moneymaker breakthrough at the 2003 WSOP) will vanish and the sharks will once again have to compete amongst each other. We could be potentially looking at tournament fields falling now instead of showing the steady increases of the past few years (and, in the case of the WSOP Main Event, massive increase) and slowly falling back to levels of the pre-Internet days, where only those who can afford it or can qualify in live satellites make the fields.

Even though there are an estimated 50 million poker players in the U. S. alone and casinos adding poker rooms left and right, most Americans aren't within a two hour drive of those rooms. This is one of the reasons that the online game is necessary. It gives Joe Sixpack the opportunity to participate in an American pastime, potentially earn his way to a major tournament and, if the stars align, make a significant change in their life. These are a few of the reasons that this writer feels the WPTE's rosy look at the online legislation is puzzling, to say the least.

Wrestling Wars are Heating Up Again!

It's not the great "Monday Night War" that was once a showdown between the WCW and WWE(F), but the WWE's competition is getting stiffer. This week mark's a big week in wrestling starting off with the mediocure PPV WWE No Mercy. Thing's will be interesting in that the Raw this week will be a "homecoming" episode and will be three hours long. The question is, "Will there be any big surprises or better yet, will there be any five-star matches? I'm thinking there will be some surprises but I am not counting on any superb matches and will be lucky if there are a few matches greater than 3.5 stars. One thing for sure is that Kurt Angle won't be at "homecoming."

Now on to the main event IMO. Although only sixty-minutes long, this week's TNA Impact is a must watch. After 2 weeks of teasing of a Kurt Angle appearance, Kurt Angle will debut on Impact and will be interviewed. Rumor has it that Angle will talk about the reason why he joined TNA and will talk about his former boss Vince McMahon, who amazingly said some noble things about Kurt on a recent WWE Byte this Q&A session. Plus, the storylines of Sting debuting some "color" paint on his face has me in a nostalgia for seeing the old colorful paint Sting with short blond hair once more. Is that the angle (no pun intended) they are shooting for...?!

Final Table: BPT Event # 2

Well, last time during the BPT Event #1, the final hand I mercifully went out on was with pocket 6s where I floped a set and my opponent flopped top pair and ended up hitting running flush cards to knock me out in 23rd.

Disappointing as that was, it was time to rebound. Different from last year, these events are now only once every other week instead of weekly, so if you screw up once, its an up-hill climb to try to reach the top 20 to get a chance to play for the seat to the Aussie Millions.

As Shark lonnie and master Omaha player Doug "Conn-man" would say, onward. BPT's Event # 2 Royal's Bluff Til You Drop Tourny with a coincidence is at my first table immediately to my left.

I managed to keep my stack healthy throughout most of the tourny for the 1st two hours (well last time for the 1st Event, I should up like 45 minutes late so I better be doing better). Speaking of Royal Bluff, I made a nifty bluff in this hand. I get dealt an Ace-Jack of diamonds from the BB when I was raised 5x the big blind by "stuarthomegame" so I figured my opponent wasn't as strong as Popeye (well maybe since spinach is all that safe now, his hand was like that of a greasy fried chicken from Popeye's). I call his raise and the flop came Q-4-2 with 2 spades so I completely wiffed like A-Rod of the Yankees has been doing lately. I checked and he put out a very small bet so I popped it and got a fold. I had the chips to make the moves now so I was cruising as if I would make the final table as one of the chip leaders...

(Side note on the Royal Bluff theme going on: There was one hand were I got dealt K-5o in the BB with the button and the SB in play. Flop came 2-4-K. I bet and then got raised like 6x my bet. It was still early so I didn't want to go out with a situation like this so I fold the mofo. My buddy and skilled poker player "Beerman" Mike says that my King was good. My oppenent said he had a King with as well so the only hand I could have barely beat was K-3 if that was the case.)

However, right before the final table came (maybe 11 or 12 people left), I took a hit with one of my jinxed hands recently of AK and raised 3x only to get reraised to Quackpot's QQ where I was committed and Quack's QQ held up and took my chip count down from about T15,000 to about T8,000. I went into the final table in 9th place and things didn't look to good. I finally get a big hand of Kings in the SB with about T6,000 after an UTG limp in to booboy119543 (I think it was this screen name or the one next to him) and fold arounds from everyone else. He had a lot of chips at the time of over T30,000. Blinds were 750-1500 so I push my 6,000 and change in there and he calls with A-10o. Somehow, my hand holds up and am back into the game right...

Wrong, a couple hands later, after Porkrind333 had lost a big pot, and accussed (in last year's Grand Final) screen name purechaos of being a "maniac", "Porkrind333" became the maniac. I raised in an unopened pot in middle position with A10o to 4500 (same blinds as before). Porkrind pushes all in for about 2100 more so I have to call and he flips over 5-6 of diamonds and manages to pair instead of the CDU I should have gotten there.

Now I am in second to last in chips. The play had loosened up so I was folding for the next 8-12 hands and I don't have the chips to bluffy anybody. I finally get Queens and raise to 3x and Porkrind is in the BB again and pushes allin. I have to call and to my surprise, he only has a A-2o. I end up hitting the Queen on the flop and it holds up. I steal some pots and get my chips up to about T60,000, almost as much as the chip leader for the longest time at the final table "natsdad" (who once was literally hanging on by a g-string bikini!! Great job coming back!!). The final three included me, "natsdad", and "iyatoni". "Iyatoni" was pretty short and was pushing all-in or folding every hand. With Q-9 on the button, he pushes about 15,000 or so in and gets called my "natsdad" with A-7. A nine flops and that's all she wrote as "iyatoni" doubles and is now in the game.

The dagger in my heart came when I get an AKs on the button and raised 3x. "natsdad" in the SB makes an over-raise and pushed all-in. I say its my jinx hand but don't think I could fold as I put him on a weaker Ace actually, but instead he turns over "The Gretsky Hand" of 9-9. Glory be, I see a nice looking flop of 6-K-7 with no flush draw possibility. The turn is the 2nd worse card I could have seen )(behind the 9) of an 8 giving "natsdad" an open-end and holy hell to my luck, the 10 peels on the river completing the straight and knocking me out disappointingly in 3rd (site note: "natsdad" ends up winning so congrats to him and everybody else that made the final table).

Well on the bright side of things, I won $75 and accurred a great amount of points to be in the top 20... for now. Look forward to the next one and maybe, your's truely will be the host.

On another side note (I got to be more organized when I write these things but it's hard after poker-gods awful beat I just took. Hint, another side note, check out "Stone-cold" Beermans blog for in depth and probably number 1 recap of the BPT!), I am surprised that there aren't many more people in these tournys. It is a free chance at $500 every other week with only 72 participants, and then a shot of 1 and 20 to win a seat at the Aussie Millions if you do well. Please support poker.com for that they also have made to the public that they will continue to allow US players to play at their great site. Come one, come all. It's not too late to sign up!!

Warning: Stay Away from PiggsPeak aka Poker333

As the title says, don't play at this untrustworth site. Poker333 is a skin of Prima, which usually has great sites like Royal, bet365, etc. They gave no previous warnings of shutting out US player's accounts untit an email sent on October 3rd, in which they said that my account would be suspended as of October 3rd. What kind of horse shit timeline is less than 24 hours?! I have over a hundred bucks in my account there so this really sucks like a fat kid playing Dodgeball. Therefore, I also encourage non-US players to abandon Poker333 before something could happen to you to!!



Dear Joey

I regret to inform you that, in line with our terms and
conditions, we will be forced to close your casino account,
pppr00884982, with immediate effect.

This is due to uncertain legislation in your state with
regards to online gaming.

Please note that any funds in your account balance greater
than $20 will be refunded back to you via a payment
method of your choice.

On behalf of all at Piggs Casino, I thank you for your loyalty
up to now and we hope to be able to provide you with a premier
online gaming experience sometime in the future.


Regards,

Samantha White
Casino Manager

Reminder: TNA Impact Tonight at 11pm!!

Alright folks, time for a break from the poker posting. I know this ain't a wrestling blog, but dammit, I've been a wrestling fan for too damn long to ignore. Well maybe not a full ignorance from poker as I would love to see the most hated man in the poker world today and as Daniel Negreanu put it, the "Slimey" and snake-like Senator Bill Frist be put inside the six-sided ring against the likes of a wrestler like Samoa Joe and over course, the crowd of course will be chanting, "Joe's gonna kill you!" Whata fantasy that would be!!

Now to current wrestling: Most people that watch wrestling probably are WWE fans (formerly the WWF). Well, there is another (and better) alternative out there today that I think many aren't aware of and that many should be aware of if they are going to watch "wrestling" at its best. I've side-shifted the WWE and have a new favorite in TNA. As the WWE is tanking downhil (lose of Austin, Rock, and more recently, the stunning Trish Stratus, and TNA big acquisitions from the WWE Christian, and the biggest hit, Kurt Angle). TNA is also on the rise in that it finally received a prime time slot which will be affective in November.

Not convinced, here are some photos courtesy of TNAwrestling.com of some of the recent action at the No Surrender event.

Bill Frist, You are a Disgrace to (the) US. All US Poker Players Make your Voices Heard!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/30/AR2006093000024_pf.html

Internet Gambling, Port Deals Reached

By Jonathan Weisman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, September 30, 2006; A08



House and Senate negotiators reached agreement last night on legislation to tighten maritime and port security regulations and, in a last-minute move, added an unrelated measure that seeks to ban Internet gambling.

At the same time, House negotiators prevailed in their fight to strip out $4.5 billion in rail and mass-transit security funds included in the Senate provision.

The port security and Internet gambling legislation was headed for passage in both the House and Senate last night, as lawmakers rushed to leave Washington for their fall reelection campaigns. Senate Republican and Democratic leaders announced it would be passed by voice vote after the House's late-night vote.

Lawmakers from both parties had been crafting the port security measure for more than a year, but its passage became politically critical after a Middle Eastern government-owned company's purchase of U.S. port operations triggered a political melee in Washington early this year.

The final agreement requires radiation scanning of all containers at the top 22 U.S. seaports, orders the Department of Homeland Security to develop response and recovery plans for a terrorist attack, and sets firm deadlines for the implementation of a transportation worker identification and screening system. It authorizes $2 billion in port security grants between 2001 and 2011.

The changes angered some Democrats, who helped craft the original port security legislation but were largely blocked from the final negotiations. The Senate had overwhelmingly approved the authorization of $3.5 billion for mass-transit security grants and $1 billion for freight and passenger rail programs, but House Republicans balked at the cost.

"If Republicans leave town [after] stripping out all the sections protecting major sectors of out transportation sector, God help us if there's an attack," said Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.).

Senate Minority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.), whose home-state casinos are split over the Internet gambling measure, briefly weighed scuttling the bill over the provision before agreeing to go along, aides said.

House and Senate Republican leaders pushed hard to secure the Internet gambling measure, which some Republicans viewed as a chance to clear their names after they allowed disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff to scuttle a similar measure six years ago.

Proponents of the crackdown said the industry, which is mostly based overseas, provides a front for money laundering, some of it by drug sellers and terrorist groups, while preying on children and gambling addicts. Americans bet an estimated $6 billion per year online, accounting for half the worldwide market, according to analysis by the Congressional Research Service.

A coalition of on-line poker players and gambling Web sites tried to thwart the Internet gambling provision. Michael Bolcerek, president of the Poker Players Alliance, argued that it could put familiar Web sites such as Party Poker and Pacific Poker out of business while pushing gamblers to "rogue Web sites with no protection for children and no protection for problem gamblers."



If you are like me and don't believe this horse shit that's coming out, we need to get our voices out there dammit!! Sign a petition here if you are one of the multi-millions of Americans that play online poker.

For the jackasses from your state that voted to ban online poker just because the damn bill was attached to Port Security (total irrelevant to the poker topic), without debate a.k.a. no good reason, please do not re-elect them for their stupity. To find out who voted to ban online poker, click this link and while your at it, join the PPA to get your voice heard and to prevent the ban of online poker!!