Jena Delk’s Blog

Hello Everybody!

I am taking some time off from traveling sooooooooo much.  My granddaughter, Addyson, is two years old.  It’s time for this Grandma to help create traditions for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  And, yes, she is the most beautiful toddler in the world.

My next planned poker trip will be in January.  I will be playing the WPT Southern Poker Championship at the Beau Rivage Casino.  The main event starts on January 24th with plenty of great preliminary events.  Get more information at this link: http://www.worldpokertour.com.

It’s Tuesday and my third day of play at the Beau Rivage Gulf Coast Championship. I have not had any success to write about. I have played three events now and only once got past the dinner break.  It makes me wonder what’s wrong with my game.

I am playing 1/2 NLH right now with my last bit of cash. I have been severely under rolled since I played the WSOP main event. I know I really couldn’t afford to play the main event, but I did it anyway. The main event is THE event of the year.  It was my best chance to further my fledgling poker career. Then I failed to cash. And the footage of me playing on the feature table did not make it to the TV screen. I would have been paid for wearing Full Tilt Poker gear. Thank you FTP for the opportunity!!

I don’t recognize any of the players at my table. The first hand I selected to play is pocket sixes. I am in the cut off. Middle position 2 opens for $10. 

The high jack seat calls and I bump it up to $30. Both players call and I flop a set.  It’s checked around to me and I push the remainder of my $100 into the middle. The original opener calls with pocket jacks. I was able to fade the flush draw to double up. The grind is on. I need to earn enough to enter tomorrow’s tournament.

Not having an adequate bankroll can really affect your game.  I find myself leery of playing big pots. I have missed some payoffs because I couldn’t risk my entire stack.

I’m on dinner break.  I am using this time to lay down and rest.  I was down to 2800 chips before break. With blinds of 800/1500/200, I shoved it in with Q8 spades with an UTG limper.  The big blind and the limper both call.  The flop brings all red cards, 3 K 2.  The big blind bets 6,000 and the UTG player folds.  The turn is a brick and the river is a glorious queen.  I more than triple up thanks to the inexperienced tournament player, who bet with air.  Now if I can just win the next hand I play, I will be back in the game.

My soft table has morphed into a challenging table.  Several  good thinking players have replaced those who have been knocked out.  Wish me luck as I go back fighting for my tournament life.

9/4/09 7:38 am

I packed until two am under the watchful eye of Kitty-Kitty.  It is always a challenge to pack for long trip.  I never know what I’ll feel like wearing when I get there…so I try to fit my entire wardrobe in one large suitcase.  I finally decided to make this primarily “black” trip.  By selecting a color for the trip, I am able to limit the number of shoes required.

Just as I drift off to sleep, it is time to hit the road. I am looking forward to a long nap during the trip!!  We left home around 6 m, stopping at the 7-11 for gas, and then onto McDonalds to fill my tank.  I devoured a Big Breakfast and downed yummy sweet tea. I am lying in the back seat while My Love drives me.

We will stop in Tallahassee to see where the kids are living. Three of our children are sharing an apartment. Can’t wait to see them!!  My eldest daughter and her husband share an apartment with Miss Independent and Kaleb.  Three Delk’s sharing a home without their parental units. There’s got be a reality TV show in there somewhere.

I was well prepared for today’s event. I had a great table draw.  It was a very late breaking table and I was in the one seat.  I know lots of people do not like this seat because it is hard to see everyone.  But I find the lack of players on both sides to be calming.  Plus this particular seat one provided me with a clear view of the entire room.  I was able to people watch to my heart’s content. 

I just had to take this picture of Thomas Gardner.  He is the dealer in this photo. Tom was very brave to volunteer to deal to the ladies event at the Beau Rivage in January 2009. It turns out he is an amazing good sport and able to take some good hearted ribbing. 

The table of ladies were rather rambunctious and engaged in conversations with Tom that was highly suggestive.  The flirting was laid on strong.  So much so that Tom actually blushed!  When this occurred, I just had to take his picture to memorialize this event.

I am not at liberty to share what specificially caused this blushing phenomenon.  But I assure you it will long be remembered by Tom and my table mates!

Aces cracked. 

 I try to make a few more hands, but had to abandon them due to heavy action.  My stack bleeds down to a M of 6.  I am looking for any unopened pot to get my tiny stack in with.  I am in late position with a j, 10 suited and the pot has been unopened.  I bet half of my stack, planning to shove on any flop.  I have one caller.  I hit a jack on the flop and my opponent checks to me.  I shove the rest of my chips.  My opponent goes into the tank and makes what appears a crying call.  She has AJ.  She lets out a huge sigh and exclaims, “I was convinced you had pocket jacks.”  I do not improve and make an early exit from the tournament.

Unfortunately, the poker gods did not shine on me for long today.  I started off very well.  I won many pots, most without a showdown.  Those that were shown down were monsters.  My image was very strong.   I overheard one of the ladies saying to her neighbor that she had to take a break because she was intimated playing with me.  This gal has a wonderful rail bird in her life; evidently he told her that she knew how to play, to get back in there and just to play her game.  Whenever you are on tilt or intimated on the felt, you should just go back to basics.  Play YOUR basics, your game, whatever style that may be.  The familiarity of this regimented play will center you.  Once settled, you can expand your game.