Jena Delk’s Blog

I arrived in New Orleans yesterday morning at 9:30 am.  Too tired to play the noon event in the New Orleans WSOP circuit event.  So, I checked into the Hilton Riverfront and went straight to bed.  I woke up at 4 pm!  Exhausted for sure.   Thank goodness for these wonderful pillows and room darkening curtains.

I went to Harrah’s last night to check out the action around 8 pm.  The poker room is packed with a huge waiting list.  I play $1/2 NLH for an hour, making $72.  Not too bad.  Went card dead and getting really bored, which is a bad combination for  me.    At the dealer change the calling station picked up his stack, so I got up too.  No reason to pay time if my target is leaving and I am on the verge of playing bad. 

Jena outside Harrah

Then I went to the Theater to see what is going on with the prelims and SNG’s. I am happy to see a line for the SNG’s and a full room of players.  I get in line for the $120, and am seated in less than 10 minutes.  I didn’t cash in this one.  It’s now about 11 pm, so I decide to go back to my room.  Gotta get some rest to play the noon event.

I am preparing to play the $550 NLH event today by listening to Tips From The Bear.  Really good stuff!  Thanks Barry.

Bobby Knight, famous college basketball coach, said, “The will to win wasn’t as important as the will to prepare to win.”

The will to win has always been with me, within all of us. It is the preparation both mentally and emotionally that separates those who have the will to win, and those who can actually close the deal. I have the will to prepare to win.  So let’s get on with that win!

I have begun poker preparations for my trip to New Orleans for the last WSOP circuit event May 8th – 20th, 2009. Not only will I be participating in the preliminary events, as well as, the main event, but I will ultimately be defending my title as the Cajun Classic Queen. I earned this title in May of 2008 when I had the honor of winning the Ladies Only NLH event.

Jena Wins 2008 Cajun Queen Classic

I woke up around noon today, but was slow to get out of bed.  Mike and Jack had left the house very early for their usual Saturday fishing outing.  The sun was shining brightly and the breeze gently dancing through the palm trees. Looking out the window gazing at the beautiful view from my bedroom window I am finally able to drag myself from bed.  While tending to my personal needs, I planned my day.  I am going to re-read notes, review flashcards, and play online.

When writing up an article, I start with the title of the article, date written, and authors name.  Most of my notes are taken from Cardplayer and Bluff magazines.  There is an occasional note from Poker Pages, as well.  I enjoy reading from the poker greats.  Many of my favorite’s contemporary authors have done well for themselves over the past three years.

I have taken copious notes on my readings (both poker magazines and books) since I took up the hobby of playing poker. To date I have filled 4 steno pads with important concepts and ideas.  Before a major tournament, I like to re-read these notes. These annotations allow me to prepare myself mentally for my upcoming journey through the unending tsunami of red and black cards to come.

Being a Hoosier I understand all too well the importance of preparation as quoted by Bobby Knight. It is the groundwork of the game which will in turn lead to the greatest satisfaction of all, the win.   

Fran

I am lying in my bed, unable to sleep.  This has been one of the saddest days of my adulthood. It was time to put down Francheska, our Siberian husky.  Fran had been suffering with diabetes and severe weight loss.

It has been said a Siberian picks you; this is what the breeder was telling us when we arrived at the “puppy park”.  The park contained the litter’s parents, Spirit and Grace, as well as the wonderful pack of pups. The property was well shaded by several large oak trees. The smell of honeysuckle was in the warm air. The large extra lot was surrounded by a chain link fence. Scattered about the grounds were the usual gardening equipment: wheel barrel, rake, shovel, and rope swing.

And there were puppies playing everywhere. There were two red huskies with the remainder in various mixtures of black and white

I was drawn to Fran immediately as she dropped from the front paws only to lunge forward yelling to her brother, Roberto. Both of her bright blue eyes were surrounded by perfect black “mascara”. I swear she looked over at me and winked.   As Roberto was knocked to the ground, Fran bit at his ankles.

After a while of play, Fran came up to us.  She lay at our feet and promptly fell asleep, content with her selection.

Fran displayed this mischievous streak throughout her life:  ever escaping from the yard, consuming the family’s entire dinner (pot roast), or stealing snacks from the other pets. 

I miss her so much.

To increase the number of good days, I make an appointment with  my physical therapist at Smart Body Physical Therapy.  This is quite an undertaking due to the travel distance required.  For several years now, we (we= me + one of my drivers) have made the trek frequently.  

It takes three hours to drive from my home to Smartbody.   I have accomplished much from the back seat of my car.  (”No, not THAT”, get your mind out of the gutter)  Perhaps, I have called you from the road when the batteries on my ipod gave out.  I am thankful I do not get car sick.   Other activities include putting on make up, plucking eyebrows (one of my favs), and reading poker stuff.

 Many of you do not know about my health problems, as I have been careful to hide the signs.  I’ll spare much of the gory details. The bottom line is that I have permanent nerve damage that causes a multitude of issues for me. I have been classified by the Social Security Administration as permanently disabled.  From time to time this chronic condition of mine rears its ugly head in a BIG way. It’s on those days that I tend to lose my sunny disposition.

My time playing cards has been a great way to keep my spirits up.  If I feel good, I play. If I feel bad, I stay in bed.  When it’s hard to walk, I use a wheelchair.  Traveling out of town to play is the best for my condition.  I only go to places with 24 hour room service, a spa, and an attentive staff.  Housekeeping makes my bed, puts out fresh towels, and empties the trash—nice tip gets you all the help you need!

Jena

I am sporting a new pair of glasses these days.  I have never worn sunglasses at the table because it darkened the cards too much for my liking.  Enter Rudy Project.  These shades help conceal my eyes and still allows me to see my cards.  They are very comfortable and lightweight.   So, do you like the new look?

It only took me 18 years to succeed, but I did it! I got my husband, Michael with an April Fools prank. This is no easy task!  Michael knows when I am NOT letting the truth get in the way of a good story.   Let me tell you what happened.

 Michael came home from work in the early afternoon.  It was a beautiful, sunny day.   We sat on the balcony enjoying  the outdoors and each other.  We talked over the events of the day.  I mentioned the abundance of April Fools pranks I read on Facebook.  I shared some of the funnier ones.  I inquired if anyone had gotten him.  No came the expected reply. 

Michael left the house to do some errands and came home with an iPhone. (Not on errand list, BTW) Boy, did he ever need a new phone.  The one he was using was about four years old.  This phone was a rejected phone from our daughter, Kaitlin.  This phone was definitely showing its age!  Oh, I digress.

This purchase improved his mood considerably.  So we began our evening together, full of warm fuzzy feelings.  Mike was downloading iTunes, updating his music, and just finding out what his new phone can do. 

A bit later, Michael got up to use the restroom, leaving his iPhone behind.  The phone rang and I took the follow up call from AT&T.  After I got off the phone, I went to the bathroom and tapped on the door.

“Michael, your girlfriend just called!”

“What?!”

“I said your girlfriend just called…”

“Excuse me, WHAT did you just say”

“Your GIRLFRIEND called”

There was a long pregnant pause.  I could tell Michael was struggling to regain his composure, as he said in a loud, firm voice, “I do NOT have a girlfriend.” At this point, I could not keep from smiling a self-satisfied smile.  I knew I was getting to him.  I let out a giggle.  Opps!  I couldn’t take it anymore and exclaimed, “April Fool!” 

I heard an audible sigh of relief, as he replied, Ohhhhhhhhhhh!

Poor guy!

Jennifer getting ready to win a pot.

The Jennifer Harman Charity Poker Tournament wrapped up earlier this month at Grand Sierra Resort in Reno.  There was an amazing turn out and over $111K was raised for the National Kidney Foundation. This no-limit tournament allowed teams and individuals to play for wonderful prizes.   All the participants seemed to be enjoying themselves, and were happy to re-buy frequently (which proved very good for the charity).

The LIPS team came in 3rd place in the team competition.  It was a fun event that allowed time for getting to know another side to the poker industry.  There is no way I can tell you better than the crew at Greasie Wheels Productions.  From the typing of Lisa Wheeler, herself, I do believe.  Travel to this link for all the details.  http://GreasieWheels/Events_Blog/Entries/2009/3/11

We had an open seat at our table.  All the table-mates smiled as the tournament director approached with Jennifer Harman following along behind.   I was lucky enough to have Jennifer sit down right next to me.   This allowed for closer observation.  Jennifer did not wait much time to get into the action.   She limped UTG with QQ, three people came along with her to see a jack high flop.  Ms. Harman checked the flop noncommittally.  She knew that anyone holding a descent jack would not let the flop go unchallenged.  After the AJ went all-in, as expected, Jennifer called with her remaining chips.  It was odd the table seemed surprised to behold the QQ she tabled.    Nicely done.  Jennifer was graciously taking pictures, signing autographs, and shaking hands while she played.  Again, I say, nicely done.

Kudos go out to Lupe and friends who stuffed 400 gift bags for the participants. The gift bags were amazing.  We received sunglasses, coffee mug, scarf, gloves, bottle of wine, cork screw,  Full Tilt Poker hat and tee shirt, GSR hat, cupcake (yummy!) in a Chinese food take out box.  It seems they thought of everything.

Today, I got up after a good night’s sleep.  I ate a healthy breakfast and went to the poker room to play a couple of hours.  The staff was just putting together a new 2/5 game, so I bought in for $500.  The table was composed of several very accomplished cash players (locals) and a LAG Asian.  These players joined our game to wait for the 5/10 to start up for the day.   At this point, I should have not played this table.  I knew several players were capable of outplaying me, but I thought I could play careful to avoid their traps.  I was doing fairly well, especially after doubling up.   We got it all in with KK vs. AA pre-flop.  My KK were good when I 4-flushed for a double up to $860. 

In the second hour, two of the sharks left and were replaced by unknowns.  The Asian remained.  This guy would play ATC Preflop for up to $45.  I saw him capable of firing three barrels without making more than second pair with crappy kicker.  So, I should have known to be very careful, when I peeked down UTG to see Ad, As.  I bet $30, which was a large bet for me to open with pre-flop.  It was called in two places, one of which was the Asian in the small blind.  The flop comes 575, with two diamonds.  Check.  Check.  I c-bet $115.  This was a usual c-bet amount for me. The first checker folds and the small blind goes into the tank.  He asks how much do I have.  As I spread my stack of 100’s, he asks,’ Whatcha got, a big pair?”  To which I do not respond or make a sound.  I do not allow myself to breathe fast or stiffen.  I hold a relaxed posture.  He tinkers with his chips and says, “All in”.  Now the action is back to me.  This is where I lost my presence of mind and “insta-called” by pushing all my chips in as well.  I lacked the discipline to evaluate what he could make that move with.  I am sure it was clear to the table this guy had a 5. 

This was an amateur mistake of grandiose proportions.  This same mistake has cost me many a tournament and countless dollars.  Why can’t I learn to avoid this? Over the past three years, the amount of times I fall into this trap has certainly lessened, but it still crops up from time to time. 

I did leave the table after this hand.  I just wish I had said, “Why did I play like a girl?” to the guya as I left!