6/26 : Recovery

So I lost about $3500 a few nights ago, ouch.  However, that night I was able to cut it to $1500 and then woke up the next morning and took out the rest.  It was a relatively quick comeback, probably no more then 9-10 hours total.  I'm glad that I'm able to make this sort of recovery faster these days, and I'm especially happy that I extended my bankroll to 6k rather then the tiny 3k I used to use.  Once I get my car all paid off (I got a 2006 Jaguar X-Type 3.0) I'm going to work on building my bankroll a little more to eventually become a more serious poker plays.  Maybe I'll eventually put hours in rather then settling for minor profits daily.   Anyways, hope everythings working out for everyone -Maxv2.  

6/18/08

So I might drive to California to see this movie called "The Go-Getter" 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5rvx3JFJCU

It's only playing in Oregon and California, and I think it'd be a worth while trip to both clear my head and see a movie that looks really interesting.

And the Celtics won the championship tonight.  I think that's pretty awesome.  I really enjoyed watching them crush Kobe and Phil Jackson's spirit as well.  Outplayed. 

6/14/08 : Game 4 and 5

So I forgot to post my reaction to winning game four.  I think you can understand why.  I was excited; and watching Ray Allen burn Sasha for a back breaking lefty layup was a perfect ending.  Anyways, I just hope we don't get lax and blow game 5.  I know we have the comfort of two straight home court games coming, but I'm totally fine with ending it in LA.  

So I picked up a new album, She and Him Volume 1.  It's a duet of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward.  It has a poppy Norah Jones feel.  I liked it, so I picked up tickets to the show in North Hampton, MA on the 24th.  Should be fun, me Jay and possibly his girlfriend Alyssa are going.  They've been friends of mine since freshman year of college.  I recommend checking it out if you're running out of music, although it is summer so a new really good album should be released just about everyday starting soon.  Have a good weekend -maxv2

6/12/08 : Back from Boston

So my friend Jay had a job interview down in Boston, so I decided to accompany him on his trip. We drove down to Portland then took the Downeaster into Boston. That thing is amazing, they even have free wifi on it now; highly recommended. Anyways, it was sad to see the Celtics lose...but it was relatively expected. However, we put up a serious fight. I thought we did a really good job showing them that the fourth quarter of game 2 was just us being retarded, they can't ACTUALLY put up 40 a quarter on us. So tonight's game 4, I really have no bold predictions or expectations. I'm really just hoping that we can steal one of the next two in LA to make lives easy on ourselves. If we go into game 6 with a 3-2 lead I think there will just be too much confidence going into home court for LA to handle. So lets hope KG actually slept last night, and we can make something special happen tonight.
Here's a random hand from a $345 that really made today an easy day after coming out flat and dropping two $115's then rebounding with this and a $230 to end up +295 for now.

Seat 1: dannyp1988 (1720 in chips)
Seat 2: maxv2 (1280 in chips)
dannyp1988: posts small blind 10
maxv2: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to maxv2 [9s 9d]
dannyp1988: raises 60 to 80
maxv2: calls 60
*** FLOP *** [8c 3h 6s]
maxv2: checks
dannyp1988: bets 100
maxv2: raises 300 to 400
dannyp1988: raises 300 to 700
maxv2: raises 500 to 1200 and is all-in
dannyp1988: calls 500
*** TURN *** [8c 3h 6s] [Ac]
*** RIVER *** [8c 3h 6s Ac] [Kh]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
maxv2: shows [9s 9d] (a pair of Nines)
dannyp1988: shows [Qh Th] (high card Ace)
maxv2 collected 2560 from pot

I mean, at the point where he had committed 700 chips, you have to realize that he's getting decent money on the 23% chance that he has as long as I don't have a monster. For all he knew I could've had 45 or 57 and he'd just have to hold a coin flip. Although in reality he could've easily minimized this to a -180 chip drop...instead of 1280. Anyways gl everyone -maxv2

6/8/08 : Good Day 

First off I'd like to say that people are making more and more ridiculous calls.  It's refreshing to get caught bluffing by a guy who calls off with K6 on a 69JQ8 board then spinning it for 3 straight wins after that.  I mean honestly, I'm not one to talk.  I make some far out calls, it's one of my strengths (or weaknesses on some days).  But I fail to see the logic behind some of these calls.  I usually have a thought process behind my calls atleast.  

Anyways, tonight's game 2.  All of this talk about the Lakers not being able to rebound being down 0-2 is crap.  That's a reasonable comeback to make, but it wouldn't be easy.  So it'd be REALLLLY nice to put the pressure on them.  I applaude Doc for his coaching in game one (except for leaving Cassell in too long).  And I hope the focus is on the same areas in this game.  Aggressive drives to the hoop to put LA in the penalty, and REBOUNDING.  We dominated the glass, let's do it again.  -maxv2

6/5/08 : Game One Down

Was that Paul Pierce or Willis Reed? I'm not sure, but 15 points in the 3rd quarter on a sprained knee...amazing.  This game reminded everyone how good the Celtics really are.  Everyone picking L.A. in less then 7?  Are you kidding me?  Did you forget that we won 66 regular season games and just took down the team with the 2nd best record in the league in 6?  I can't wait to see the reaction to what the Celtics just threw down.  Beat L.A. -maxv2

6/5/08 : Game 1 Tomorrow

This thing has been hyped like now other.  Can't say that I really blame the league for doing it either.  This is the optimal matchup for ratings and revenue.  I've decided there's no way I can go into this as a pessimist.  After watching all year I have a strong feeling that we have a very strong possibility of winning this.  

First of all we simply need to push leads early.  We were so effective all year at producing overwhelming margines that demoralize teams.   I have high hopes that we can put together enough cohesion to produce atleast 2 blowouts at home.  From there? Putting Detroit in the penalty with 7 minutes left in the fourth quarter seemed to workout.  Why not try that again? Give it to Paul late.  Simple as that.  Yes KG can draw fouls too, but Paul picks up a much higher possibility of drawing a foul then KG.  It may seem ineffective while it's happening, but Doc...show some coaching ability and put fourth an abstract strategy that works.  Please.  

Anyways, as for the real world. I went down to Bar Harbor tonight to visit my friend Alex.  The place is beautiful.  Everytime I visit that place it's an enjoyable experience, and tonight was.  Even though it was pouring out, we just went out to a local bar for a while then went and watch the new Indiana Jones movie...Aliens? come on...lol.  Anyways I think I fell in love with a foreign girl who said three of the most beautifully accented words I've ever heard.  She  definitely in her mid-20's, but on vacation with her parents...awww.  Anyways, Beat LA -maxv2

6/2/08 : Seriously, does everyday need to be a marathon?

Today...yet another downswing to start.  Dropped $2250 to start the day losing to one guy like 5 times then taking a $550 off of him to make me feel less like an idiot.  I wasn't playing really well early, and he had pretty red hot cards; and I'll give him a little credit he was ok.  
Anyways, I went down to watch my brothers band play earlier today in Portland at the Big Easy.  It was a pretty good show and I'll post some pictures once I pull them from my camera.  Hope everyone's doing well themselves, good night.

5/30/08 : Going to the NBA Finals...Wow

This is like a dream.  All I can think of is how far we've come from last season.  Last year I drove down from Orono to about 8 games with my friends from school, we watched one win and seven losses...Now? The tickets were a little more expensive this year, but we still made it out to two games, Golden State early in the year and Game 2 of the first round vs. Atlanta. Both...blow out wins.  It's been an amazing transition and makes it worth grinding out the last 5-6 years of mediocracy.  

As for cards? Haven't played much over the last two days.  I've had a lot of things to take care of, some overlaying school work that I've needed to finish up and basic errands to run.  I'll get serious after this weekend.  However, I have to head down to Portland for Saturday and Sunday to watch my brothers band compete in Battle of the Bands (Saturday) and play in their biggest gig thus far at the Old Port (Sunday) playing with As Fast As and The Pete Kilpatrick band (?).  Anyways, it should be fun...I'll catch up later. -maxv2

5/29/08 : Lakers in 5?

It'd be interesting to see, something tells me the Spurs aren't interested in giving up so early though.  While I think the Lakers will inevitably take the series, I see the Spurs stealing this game 5.  

Anyways, cards was frustrating...but not AS frustrating as they've been.  I ended up +155 and really unmotivated to extend that at all.  Sort of a day off if you will; I have some stuff to take care of.  I have to make in my buy-in for the WSOP Main Event tomorrow and book tickets for everyone coming with me.  About 8-10 of my friends will be coming out with me and cramming into my hotel room, it should be pretty awesome.   Oh and the Pirates are winning 7-1, that's good...they've been losing with a little more regularity lately.  Jason Bay's been consistently good though, I just wish he had more RBI opportunities.  Freddy Sanchez isn't having a very good year thus far, hopefully he can turn it around. 

5/28/08 : Thank You Celtics

Ray Allen was amazing, finally.  That was a huge performance by him KG and Perk.  It was also scary to see how shut down Detroit could be if they actually tried throughout the game.  Their defense in the fourth was amazing. Oh and me and my friends also decided that we will now be calling "Rip" Hamilton, "Dick" Hamilton for the rest of the series.  

5/28/08 : HEADACHHHEEE!!!

I think my head exploded, reincarnated itself and then exploded about 4 seperate times over the last 2 days.  I've made a little bit of money throughout, about $350...but nowhere near the hassle.  The only positive in it all is the fact that I've racked up a crap load of fpp's.  Anyways, I need to sleep or I might die.  

5/25/08 : AC Trip

Just got back from Atlantic City, played a little 1/2nl at Tropicana. We really didn't go down there to play cards though so we gambled the rest of the day and broke even doing it...which in my book is a win. At the roulette table we got ID'd and the guy said "Wierd, both ID's say McLovin" and this girl goes "really?"...lol, her boyfriend gave her a death stare and she apologized.

And I'm obviously happy with how the Celtics are playing. Game 3 was a huge win. I haven't been watching ESPN lately because I've been in AC, so I don't know what the analysts are saying. But this opens up a huge opportunity to put the series out of reach in game four and possibly lead to a short series and some rest for the finals. That'd be nice. And I have to say that game 7 vs Cleveland was one of the most impressive performances I've ever seen out of Paul Pierce. Probably THE most impressive. Lebron was unstoppable, but luckily so was Paul and our supporting cast made it a little easier to come away with the win.

5/11 : Hellllloo

So I got this cool dashboard widget that automatically signs me in and lets me blog from my dashboard instead of loading up blogger.com to do so.  So, that means maybe I'll blog more often, because of sheer convienance.  I also have this word a day thing that never updates, so I'm stuck on Subjusc meaning dark or dull in color...atleast I have that word down, right?

2/5 : Whew

SO I played a little tired today, which is usually a bad idea. I managed to get up $70 and stop...mostly because my eyes are closing on me. The workout wasn't all that hard today, just 1 200 3 100's and 3 50's at 100%, but lifting after killed me...not to mention I only got four hours of sleep last night. Anyways, things have worked out for me. I'm no longer part of the 4x400 team and am strictly doing speed workouts. It's cool finally training for what I'm supposed to be training for, however I do miss working out with my friends on the team on a regular basis. Anyways here's some hands of the day.

Hand 1: Uh oh...is this going to be a rough night?
Seat 1: maxv2 (1585 in chips)
Seat 2: FloppedFlush (1415 in chips)
maxv2: posts small blind 15
FloppedFlush: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to maxv2 [Ac Ad]
maxv2: raises 60 to 90
FloppedFlush: raises 210 to 300
maxv2: raises 1285 to 1585 and is all-in
FloppedFlush: calls 1115 and is all-in
*** FLOP *** [8c 6d 5c]
*** TURN *** [8c 6d 5c] [Kd]
*** RIVER *** [8c 6d 5c Kd] [7s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
FloppedFlush: shows [9h 9d] (a straight, Five to Nine)
maxv2: shows [Ac Ad] (a pair of Aces)
FloppedFlush collected 2830 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2830 | Rake 0
Board [8c 6d 5c Kd 7s]
Seat 1: maxv2 (button) (small blind) showed [Ac Ad] and lost with a pair of Aces
Seat 2: FloppedFlush (big blind) showed [9h 9d] and won (2830) with a straight, Five to Nine

Hand 2: NM, we're ok
Seat 1: vboll (1205 in chips)
Seat 2: maxv2 (1795 in chips)
vboll: posts small blind 15
maxv2: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to maxv2 [5d As]
vboll: raises 60 to 90
maxv2: calls 60
*** FLOP *** [8h 4d 2c]
maxv2: checks
vboll: bets 120
maxv2: calls 120
*** TURN *** [8h 4d 2c] [3h]
maxv2: checks
vboll: checks
*** RIVER *** [8h 4d 2c 3h] [8s]
maxv2: bets 300
vboll: raises 695 to 995 and is all-in
maxv2: calls 695
*** SHOW DOWN ***
vboll: shows [Tc 8c] (three of a kind, Eights)
maxv2: shows [5d As] (a straight, Ace to Five)
maxv2 collected 2410 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2410 | Rake 0
Board [8h 4d 2c 3h 8s]
Seat 1: vboll (button) (small blind) showed [Tc 8c] and lost with three of a kind, Eights
Seat 2: maxv2 (big blind) showed [5d As] and won (2410) with a straight, Ace to Five

1/31 : From All Angles

Things don't seem to be going my way lately outside of cards (I've been running pretty well). I'm trying to get the point across to my coaches that I want to strictly train for hurdles and cut out the 400 workouts I've been doing. Needless to say it hasn't been the easiest process that I've dealt with. It's my senior year and all I really want is either an America East Championship in 55's or to break the school record of 7.62. Either works for me, but I've decided that those are my goals. This training regime I'm on right now however...doesn't feel like it's going to help me get there. I hope that things work out, but if they don't...well that sucks.

1/28 : Oook

So I got home yesterday from the Terrier Invitational. I did alright, all I ran was 55m hurdles...which was pretty awesome. I ran 7.82 in trials went into final ranked 4th, then ran 7.96 (throw up) in finals for 6th. I don't feel terrible about it considering there was about 35 kids running, but I don't feel great. here's a link to my races

Trials:
http://www.flocasts.org/flotrack/races.php?vid=7816
Finals:
http://www.flocasts.org/flotrack/races.php?vid=7856

Poker was annoying as crap today. I lost Aces to 98o for a game and then continued to drop 700, make it back, then split about 8 sets until finally going up $130 for the day. It was long. I survived though, and made a lot of FPP's while I was at it.

Here's a hand for the day:
Finally! I get a break!
PokerStars Game #14876149303: Tournament #75398925, $110+$5 Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level IV (50/100) - 2008/01/27 - 22:22:09 (ET)
Table '75398925 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: maxv2 (875 in chips)
Seat 2: Churchill83 (2125 in chips)
maxv2: posts small blind 50
Churchill83: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to maxv2 [Qc 8h]
maxv2: raises 775 to 875 and is all-in
Churchill83: calls 775
*** FLOP *** [8c Jd Qh]
*** TURN *** [8c Jd Qh] [7h]
*** RIVER *** [8c Jd Qh 7h] [Ad]
Churchill83 said, "gg"
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Churchill83: shows [Kh Ac] (a pair of Aces)
maxv2: shows [Qc 8h] (two pair, Queens and Eights)
maxv2 collected 1750 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1750 | Rake 0
Board [8c Jd Qh 7h Ad]
Seat 1: maxv2 (button) (small blind) showed [Qc 8h] and won (1750) with two pair, Queens and Eights
Seat 2: Churchill83 (big blind) showed [Kh Ac] and lost with a pair of Aces

1/19 : Where's the excitement

Life's been boring lately, I find myself engulfed in meaningless forms of entertainment that consume a large portion of my time throughout the day. Why I do this? I have no idea. My mind just simply refuses to take care of the things that I need to get done. It really just comes down to whether or not I want to do something. If I don't, I put it off for incredible amounts of time. I guess my new years resolution will be to improve upon this.

Anyways here's some hands of the day (I only played two 230's and won them both).

Hands One: Of course he calls in with 87s *sigh*
PokerStars Game #14673513529: Tournament #74400685, $220+$10 Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level II (15/30) - 2008/01/19 - 15:16:21 (ET)
Table '74400685 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: Churchill83 (765 in chips)
Seat 2: maxv2 (2235 in chips)
Churchill83: posts small blind 15
maxv2: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to maxv2 [Qs Ah]
Churchill83: raises 60 to 90
maxv2: raises 1710 to 1800
Churchill83: calls 675 and is all-in
*** FLOP *** [Qh 2c 9h]
*** TURN *** [Qh 2c 9h] [6s]
*** RIVER *** [Qh 2c 9h 6s] [7d]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
maxv2: shows [Qs Ah] (a pair of Queens)
Churchill83: shows [8h 7h] (a pair of Sevens)
maxv2 collected 1530 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1530 | Rake 0
Board [Qh 2c 9h 6s 7d]
Seat 1: Churchill83 (button) (small blind) showed [8h 7h] and lost with a pair of Sevens
Seat 2: maxv2 (big blind) showed [Qs Ah] and won (1530) with a pair of Queens

Summary: Ha! for once my AQ holds, game over.

Hand Two: ...Thanks?
PokerStars Game #14673592965: Tournament #74400385, $220+$10 Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level III (25/50) - 2008/01/19 - 15:19:30 (ET)
Table '74400385 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: ElDentisto (795 in chips)
Seat 2: maxv2 (2205 in chips)
maxv2: posts small blind 25
ElDentisto: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to maxv2 [Tc Qh]
maxv2: calls 25
ElDentisto: checks
*** FLOP *** [9s Td 3c]
ElDentisto: checks
maxv2: bets 100
ElDentisto: raises 645 to 745 and is all-in
maxv2: calls 645
*** TURN *** [9s Td 3c] [6s]
*** RIVER *** [9s Td 3c 6s] [8d]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
ElDentisto: shows [9h 5d] (a pair of Nines)
maxv2: shows [Tc Qh] (a pair of Tens)
maxv2 collected 1590 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1590 | Rake 0
Board [9s Td 3c 6s 8d]
Seat 1: ElDentisto (big blind) showed [9h 5d] and lost with a pair of Nines
Seat 2: maxv2 (button) (small blind) showed [Tc Qh] and won (1590) with a pair of Tens

Summary: I know the blinds were a little higher, but this seems a little over-aggressive to me on this guys part. I actually had the feeling like I was either behind or barely out-kicking him. Lucky for me he was just being kind of dumb.

1/15 : Sprained Ankle :(

Sadly I sprained my ankle a little while ago. Doing hurdle drills I essentially came down with all of my weight rolling my ankle causing a high ankle sprain. It just sucks because I get the feeling it's a lot more serious then my coaches understand. It's been about 8-10 days now and the progress has been very stagnant. As much as I want to compete, this injury is less then ideal for hurdles. Girls can get away with it with lower hurdles, but the amount of pressure I'm landing with on 42 inch hurdles is going to be painful. I could just be a pessimist, but unless something magical happens over the next week and a half things won't be looking good.

On the cards front, things have been easier. I made back the $2300 that I lost and have some breathing room in the account.

Here's some news I've yet to share. My friend Kory and I are working to start up our own production company. The basic layout that we'll be working with is at http://www.bangarangclothing.com/riff-raph/index.html take a look and tell me what you think. I'll be in charge of web-design and will also work editing music video's and such. I put together that basic outline, but have plans to add some features that actually give it some functionality. Anyways, I'm heading to bed peace -Max

1/11 : Brink of busting

So I was literally down to merely a few dollars and a bunch of FPP's over the last few days. I had recently cashed out 2k and left myself with a small 2200 bankroll which I blew through pretty quickly during a tough downswing. Luckily I placed in one of those top 4 out of 10 for $215 tourney dollars and have rebuilt to $1750. Kind of crazy being down to it though, an interesting feeling; character building if you will. I feel back on track though, and hopefully will actually be a winning player in 08. Here's some interesting hands of the evening.

Hand 1: Holy crap...a coin flip win?
PokerStars Game #14473877257: Tournament #73415779, $110+$5 Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2008/01/11 - 03:02:17 (ET)
Table '73415779 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: maxv2 (1510 in chips)
Seat 2: Carenski (1490 in chips)
maxv2: posts small blind 10
Carenski: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to maxv2 [Ad Ks]
maxv2: raises 40 to 60
Carenski: raises 100 to 160
maxv2: raises 1350 to 1510 and is all-in
Carenski: calls 1330 and is all-in
*** FLOP *** [3d 2c 8s]
*** TURN *** [3d 2c 8s] [4s]
*** RIVER *** [3d 2c 8s 4s] [Kc]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Carenski: shows [Qs Qd] (a pair of Queens)
maxv2: shows [Ad Ks] (a pair of Kings)
maxv2 collected 2980 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2980 | Rake 0
Board [3d 2c 8s 4s Kc]
Seat 1: maxv2 (button) (small blind) showed [Ad Ks] and won (2980) with a pair of Kings
Seat 2: Carenski (big blind) showed [Qs Qd] and lost with a pair of Queens

Summary: Mmmmhhhmmm....haven't won one of these in a while. It felt good to win a flip for an entire game, straight gambling.

Hand 2: What were you thinking?
PokerStars Game #14473892922: Tournament #73415756, $110+$5 Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2008/01/11 - 03:04:01 (ET)
Table '73415756 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: maxv2 (1330 in chips)
Seat 2: harleez181 (1670 in chips)
harleez181: posts small blind 10
maxv2: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to maxv2 [Ad 9c]
harleez181: calls 10
maxv2: raises 60 to 80
harleez181: calls 60
*** FLOP *** [9s Qc 9d]
maxv2: bets 120
harleez181: calls 120
*** TURN *** [9s Qc 9d] [6d]
maxv2: bets 300
harleez181: calls 300
*** RIVER *** [9s Qc 9d 6d] [3c]
maxv2: bets 830 and is all-in
harleez181: calls 830
*** SHOW DOWN ***
maxv2: shows [Ad 9c] (three of a kind, Nines)
harleez181: shows [As 8c] (a pair of Nines)
maxv2 collected 2660 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2660 | Rake 0
Board [9s Qc 9d 6d 3c]
Seat 1: maxv2 (big blind) showed [Ad 9c] and won (2660) with three of a kind, Nines
Seat 2: harleez181 (button) (small blind) showed [As 8c] and lost with a pair of Nines

Summary: This guy was really bad, I don't understand some people. Simple as that. I mean, I'm not one to talk. I try and make some really thin calls and fails constantly, but I'm pretty sure I would've let this one go...