I stayed up late playing poker last night and could not get up for my workout today. I did make some money last night, so it wasn't a total lost. But, I slipped back into playing poorly this week, making calls that I know I shouldn't have, so I needed the win. I am down 12 for the week, so I should be able to make it back. An interesting hand that I will dissect here is one from at SNG I played last night. We were 3-handed and I was the chip leader by alot. I raised on the button with 99. The small blind went all in for about 2k. I had about 7k left and I made the call. I think at this point I made a mistake. I was in a commanding position and could have let the other two fight it out for second and third place. What could this guy have to go all-in against the chip leader? An A, a pair, two Broadway cards. Against an unsuited ace, I was about 70% to win. Against an unsuited ace with a J, I was only 56% to win. In any case, this may have been a marginal call. I was probably only slightly more likely to win than in a coin-flip and given my chip-lead, I should have just folded and let him fight it out with the other guy. I went from chip-leader to out in third.

I am getting ready for my trip to Canada. I bought a new bait casting reel. The last time I went to Canada I bought one that did not work so well. I have never used one, and my spinning reels work quite well, so I don't know exactly why I bought it. It just goes to my competitive nature. I want to be able to use a casting reel. Anyway, the new reel is fantastic. The braking mechanisms and anti-backlash features work like a charm. I was able to cast pretty good last night during a practice session. I will take it to a lake sometime soon to see how it works on water. In the meantime I will keep using it in the yard.