Jena Delk’s Blog

Jena is chasing me in my dreams

In the past two years I was in Las Vegas for seven weeks to cover the whole WSOP for IntelliPoker.com and PokerStarsBlog.de. I had to write reports about the performances of the Germans and the Team PokerStars Pro players. So every day I had to take pictures of the players with my camera. If you take pictures of the players every day, you will recognize them after a while. I knew that Jena was playing the year before - how could I forget her smile - but I didn’t get to know her in person ;). During the WSOP 2008 we had some nice but small chats.  

This year I’ll be in Vegas for only two weeks (if I don’t qualify for the main event). So it isn’t surprising at all that I catch up every piece from Vegas and the WSOP that I could get. I follow the news, blogs, Facebook and Twitter. I saw Jena’s status reports at Facebook and I was happy to see, that she is also playing in a lot of events this year and not only the Ladies Event like some other female players do. So far so good.

 A few days ago I had a very strange dream, I dreamed that I was already in Vegas and drove in a car through the streets, searching for something I don’t remember. After  a while I saw a highway sign, and I couldn’t believe what I saw – it was a sign of the “Jena Delk Highway”. I caught myself thinking, “Wow, is she so famous that they named a highway after her?”. Then I woke up. It was so funny that I told it Jena at MSN Messenger, and I could imagine her laughing ;). I guess my dream has something to do with her status message at Facebook, but who knows, maybe it is a sign of something special – I wouldn’t be surprised, if they name a highway after the first woman who wins the main event. So go for it Jena, and don’t forget to sell me a share :D. And if it isn’t going to happen, there is still a job for the first female president of the United States of America. If so forget the share, I would only need a Greencard in that case :D. I’m really looking forward to see you in Vegas, meanwhile good luck at the tables.

The one event I had circled on my calendar was the Ladies Event that I’d hoped would finally be my coming out party. There were just over 1,000 ladies, which meant I’d have to wade through some tough tables. I felt confident going into the day’s play and it showed as I won the first three pots of the day. But, as the broken record went, I ended up with the short stack and had to make a move. Busto! 

(A special thanks to BJ Nemeth for the beautiful photograph he captured of me.  Did you all know that BJ is especially handsome?  See his amazing Photo Blog  at http://tweet.pkrrd.com/nation/photos/posts/wsop-day-12-women-take-over-the-amazon-room-while-negreanu-nears-a-bracelet )

The one shinning spot of the trip would have to be the cash games. People! I shouldn’t have to tell too many of you who frequent the series, but for those who don’t…the cash games are very lucrative! Many times I would get to a table and manage to come out in the black. Time after time, I would be playing close to the vest and it would pay off.

I busted out of Event #11 pretty fast. So I went back to the Hilton to rest.  After several hours resting on my very comfortable Serenity bed, I got up and showered. Then I rested some more!  Still loving those room darkening shades. Then I got a great burger and fries (with mayo- yum) from Fuddruckers located inside Harrah’s New Orleans. 

8 PM

I decided to play some cash.  While I had some great hands (quad Jacks!), so did others. I ended up down for the night. Looks like I will be grinding in the cash games tomorrow afternoon if I can drag myself out of my  room.  I am having great physical challenges in the casino tonight.

Thursday-6 AM

I arrive at the River Blend Café, looking for something good to eat and maybe some coffee. There are two gentlemen are sharing a coffee while looking over their newspapers.  The place is quiet in the early morning hour. I enjoy looking over the many baked goods.  A friendly voice calls out, “Turn away, don’t do it.  Just walk away” as I salivate over the cinnamon pecan sticky bun.  I look up and smile at the lady.  I am finally able to pull myself away from the high calorie glorious treat and select a banana nut muffin, strawberry yogurt, and a large coffee. 

8:11 AM

Finally made it to bed.  Now if I could just sleep.

10:12 AM

Pain continues. Sleep eludes.

6:31 PM

I was able to get some sleep this afternoon.  Then I probably spent way too much time on Facebook and Twittering.  I really enjoy networking and keeping track of my friends and family.  My body is still not ready to venture from my hotel room or even my bed.  Good thing it is very comfortable. 

9:07 PM

I am still in bed.  I am watching the season finale of Grey’s Anatomy.  I am a bit lonely.  Life on the poker road can get that way sometimes. I hope I am well enough to play tomorrow’s noon event at the Bayou Poker Challenge.

I have been enjoying playing poker at the New Orlean’s Bayou Poker Challenge.  The numbers of players in each event have been great.  The changes made to the structure have been enjoyed by everyone except perhaps the dealers.  The dealers are working long hours due to the improved structure.

I anticipate a weekend packed with players of all kinds.  So come join the fun.  And remember, play like a girl!

What does a mother of four, grandmother of one, do on Mother’s Day?  Hmmm, let’s see. I got up at 11 am.  My daughter Katie was the first to call to wish me a Happy Mother’s day. I had to cut the conversation short in order to have time to write this blog.   

I am in New Orleans playing the WSOP circuit preliminary events—-ALONE.  Yes, that’s right; I generally travel without my husband.  Shocking!  Good thing we have one of the strongest marriages I can imagine.  Mike is an amazing man.  Wish every wife could have a husband treat them like Mike treats me.  The world would be a much happier place, that’s for sure!

I walked outside the casino last night around 2 am.  There was a lovely moon glow in the warm New Orleans air.  The man in the moon was smiling down on me.  Looking at the moon, tears welled up in my eyes as I said out loud, “Happy Mother’s Day, Mom”.  I sure do miss my Mom. She passed away way too soon. 

11:45 am: It looks like the Moms and wives are winning this Mother’s Day. Bet there are lots of church going and brunch eating today! Only 96 players have registered for event 4.  There is only 15 minutes before its scheduled start. Yesterday there were 331 for the same buy in amount.  So, will this field be full of single dads and hardcore poker players with very few ladies sprinkled in?  Let’s go see.

12:30 pm:  Gerard Melancon just came into the theater. (Oh, the theater is the room where the tournaments are being held)  One excellent jockey, that man. Gerard always adds fun to any game he is a part of. Beautiful wife and family too.  Good people.1:07 pm:  Just won a huge pot AJ suited vs. KQ off suit in a multiway pot. The blinds are 100/200. 5 limpers.  I bumped it up to 1100 on the button. The quiet short stack in the 6th seat pushes it all in.  I call.  Flop K Q 10. Knocked the guy and got to stack a 6,000 pot.

Level 8: I go all in with 12 big blinds from middle position. The big stack in the cut off seat smooth calls. Blinds 300/600/75 at a 9-handed table. Everyone else folds.

      Flop Q 7 J

      Turn 2.

      Asshole at the end of the table calls for a king. 

     River: K

     Out in 46th place.

     Trip queens NO GOOD!

Ah well, wishing you all a Happy Mother’s Day….now go play like a girl!

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.