Why am I up at 4:30 in the morning?
It’s New Year’s Eve and I guess it’s typical to look back at the year that’s about to pass. I’ve been thinking about what I accomplished this year, and I wasn’t too happy about it. A bad night playing poker probably soured my mood. And losing weight [...]

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When I started writing about poker at the end of 2003 the idea of me playing in a World Series event was laughable. I was just this yinzer from Pittsburgh with no game who sat in a cubicle all day. Four years later I’ve logged lots of hands, read a few dozen books, and written [...]

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Rather than write a 5,000-word screed about how much I hate my fantasy football team (that can wait till tomorrow), I will instead wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Ate and drank well yesterday, will eat and drink well today. Took about a million photos of the baby, and got a picture where my Dad is [...]

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Played a little tournament tonight, 1300 runners, finished 72nd. I hit a two-outer on the river early on that would’ve crippled me otherwise and got paid off on the few hands I actually played. After we made the money I doubled up with A-Q against A-J and I thought, "You know, I haven’t lost a [...]

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I was supposed to go dahntahn to meet some folks at a pub and have a few Bass Ales, but after a day stalking the malls I came home, fed myself, and fell sound asleep. I’m not a napper, never have been, but lately I’ve been conking out for an hour or so fairly often. [...]

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Every time I go out of town–and especially when I get around all my blogging buddies–I’m seized with a sudden burst of ambition. When I get home, I tell myself, I’m gonna write more, post more, put all the plots and schemes bouncing around my head into motion.
I’ve been home from Vegas for a week [...]

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First, the Steelers stink out the joint for the second week in a row…his interception notwithstanding, would it have been legal to waive Anthony Smith at halftime? Since he hilariously opened his mouth a fortnight ago the defense has allowed a 400-yard passer and 250 yards rushing in back-to-back games. And #27 has been responsible [...]

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Been home for two days and Vegas feels a million miles away. Haven’t unpacked my suitcase, there’s laundry piled up in the hall, and the sink is full of dirty dishes. I’m always full of energy and ambition when I get around my blogging brethren, and then I get home and pffft. I guess I [...]

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I guess I dozed a bit on the flight home because three-and-a-half hours passed in the blink of an eye. When I printed out my boarding pass I switched my seat from the window to an aisle seat in the exit rows. Good move–there was an empty middle seat, and TONS of leg room. Something [...]

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I’m sitting at the Budwiser Bar at McCarran Airport, an hour until my flight boards. I instantly remembered the bartender from when I was here two years ago–the Steelers beat the Bears to start the win streak that culminated in their Super Bowl victory, and as my brother and I sipped suds a woman fresh [...]

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