A New Decade...

Closed out 2019 with a combination win at both blackjack and poker in the same little cardroom (the corporation covers the bj antes, so it's still a profitable game - notwithstanding the spread limitation they've imposed for the purpose of thwarting counters).

I've recently added live poker back to my repertoire, and it's working out well thus far.  I stopped playing live poker several years back, in the wake of my failed relationship with a ”professional" high stakes player who ultimately convinced me that my approach to the game was suboptimal.  In hindsight, I realize now that I'm actually a better player than she was.

Playing higher-stakes blackjack has also helped my poker game in ways I hadn't anticipated - owing to the fact that the swings in bj have helped foster the "healthy disregard for money" that is vital for any successful poker player or AP.  I find myself using chips as tools much more effectively now - allowing me to "play the player" much more than I'd ever done in the past.  

It will be interesting to see how much poker factors into my AP exploits in 2020...

On the road...

At an interstate Denny's, getting an afternoon grand slam breakfast.  Started the day with a nice win at a travel stop casino with $200 maximums and not the greatest deck penetration.  But, caught an extremely positive shoe and won more from them then they're likely used to in about 20 minutes.  Made up a bit for a miserable couple of days in the region I just left.

Heading to my last stop on this cross-country trip that was necessitated by my dad's passing earlier this year.  With the old family home now vacant, I had to make one final visit to arrange for visits from property managers and clear out everything I planned to keep.  Filled up my dad's car with sentimental items, and in the process of driving it back across the country.  I like to think it's the old family vacations we used to take when I was a child that makes me love life on the road as much as I do.  Thanks, Dad.

Been hitting casinos all along the way, with a purpose - slightly up at the tables for the trip, but pretty much flirting with the breakeven line at this point.  Would like my last stop to push me well into the black...

Sidelines...

Broke my leg playing hockey over Memorial Day weekend, which led to blood clots and a pulmonary embolism I'm told nearly claimed my life.  Can't say that I now feel any greater sense of purpose or anything - but it does so happen that things seem to now be falling into place for my grand plan.

Did some recording with my producer yesterday up in Los Angeles, and floated the idea of creating albums just like Jeff Lynne would do with the Electric Light Orchestra back in the 70s... with a complete (32 piece?) string section.  Matt confirmed that this is certainly doable - with an option to record in Prague (phenomenal musicians at a fraction of what the cost would be in the U.S.).

Music being what it is these days, there are some really phenomenal musicians out there who love the idea of working on records they think are cool.  I'm not suggesting I'm an amazing artist or anything, but the feedback I've gotten thus far does seem to indicate that pros who have tons of experience working with some pretty successful artists do enjoy working on my projects.  I think they see me as a throwback to a different era.  Well, whatever the reason - it's amazing to know that I'll have access to the personnel required to create the project that I want.  All it will take is some money. 

Spent a lot of time last week figuring out a manual algorithm for identifying the most cost-effective flight schedules for nine regions of the country over the course of a year.  The idea is to take one extended trip per month (to those nine regions, plus another three that are more local and won't require flight), each consisting of a Friday through the following weekend (10 days) with a target of 45 hours of play during each.  The remaining weekends each month will be split among 3 more local regions that I hit regularly - with an aim of getting in another 40 hours per month among the three of them.  That total target of 85 hours per month should get me to 1,000 hours per year - and a projected win of over $100K at my simmed winrate.  That should go a long way towards creating a base for my recording endeavors.

For now, I need to be patient, as I've yet to regain full use of my broken limb.  Hopefully I'll be travelling regularly by the 1st of January.       

Round 2. Game 2

Sitting in a sports bar just before noon in a nearby southwestern city awaiting the start of the Islanders game.  Yes, it is late April and they are still playing - a relatively rare occurrence in recent decades for this franchise.  Hopefully they can pull this one out and tie up the series against a young, hard-working Carolina team.

Played last nite for a bit at one of the nearby Vegas style casinos - one of those spots where I seem to consistently win, and never seem to garner too much heat.  A function of quick hits and playing the later shifts, most likely.  Was in for 1500 last nite before pulling out a 650 win after a couple of hours.  Added to my 750 win the nite before at a spot about 2 hours north, well... not a bad result for four hours of work.

Spent last weekend in a northern city where they have the best JoB video poker game in the country.  Normally I expect to give this spot some expected value on this game in exchange for the resulting comps - but this was an odd weekend where I literally killed it playing video poker (5 single line royal flushes in 4 days on a 50-play machine), but got crushed in blackjack.  The last couple of days are a good start towards recovering from that debacle...

Slow Day at the Office...

Biding my time doing the 9-5 corporate thing behind my closed door for the day.  I had a frank conversation with my C-level boss a few months ago, in which I explained I'd need to start working remotely on a relatively full-time basis in order for me to continue rendering services. 

We have a great working relationship, and I've been with the company for more than a decade, so... since I have a fairly critical position and do it well, the concession on their part isn't a huge stretch -  particularly when accompanied by the unsolicited promise that I'd never ask for any meaningful raise, promotion, etc.  It's just what I need, and what I feel I've earned the right to "request" given my UFA status (to put things in JT terms).

Rather than leave the office cold-turkey, I've been easing into it by working remotely unannounced from time to time... slowly pushing the envelope ever further.  Today is my first day in the office after having worked from home last Thurs/Fri and yesterday.  I will make another in-office appearance tomorrow before departing for the remainder of the week (and heading to Las Vegas)...

Thursday...

Title of a great Jim Croce song.  Also happens to be the current evening of the week.  Just opened the four Bruce Springsteen CDs I ordered from Amazon; discovered one to be warped and unplayable.  A visit to the website and a few clicks later, and I've been promised a replacement in a matter of days.  There is something to be said for the online world...

I loved online poker, and then came black Friday - killed it for all of us.  A couple of years ago, I decided to refresh my earlier card counting training from years before and get back into the live blackjack circuit.  A decidedly different (and less efficient) medium than the online poker world, but the opportunity for vast profit abounds with the right mindset and mental preparation.  

I don't know how much I'll play this weekend, as I have a social engagement which may take up a fair amount of time... but I will certainly be making the rounds at least during the day Saturday, if not sooner.