Ladies Triumph in RunGood Challenge

[Content Disclosure: 99% Poker, 16% Sexist Gibberish]

I would be remiss and subject to severe pummeling if I did not acknowledge that of the 12 starters in the PokerListings RunGood Poker Blogger Challenge, there were 8 men, 3 women and Dan invited. After three weeks of preliminary competition, the field was down to three of each. But the final results show once again the superiority, strength, skill and guile of the stronger gender. Amy finished 3rd, Michelle took home runner-up honors and Kristin pocketed the big cash.

For the others of us, appropriate bowing and scraping has ensued.

Artistic Note: The final RunGood photo selection was not my choice, complaints should be sent to: mcpig@pokerlistings.com

Party Has Brand New Software

[Content Disclosure: 98% Poker, 8% Life, 3% Waiting for Barney]

As many of my loyal and all of my disloyal readers know, I write for several websites. My two biggest jobs are PokerBlog.com and the Beginner's Blog at OnlinePoker.com. These sites are operated by Party Gaming and in a strange twist of governmental bureaucracy, I cannot play poker on the Party Poker site. Since the 2006 passage of the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act, U.S. based players cannot access Party Poker. Besides driving many of us a bit nutso over this strange act of governmental restriction on personal freedom, there is also the plain truth that for many poker players Party Poker was our favorite site.

Well here is the current good news/bad news for U.S. players and the good news/great news for every other poker player on the planet. First, there's new Party Poker software, which now makes the Party Poker site one of the most amazing player interfaces anywhere on the web. The tables are faster, more intuitive and just easier to use. The Party Poker lobby also has a new, completely updated design. Play is more fun for all the poker players with Party access. Great job tekkies!

On the other side of the coin, the U.S. Congress after nearly two long years has made its first move to quash the draconian restrictions of the UIGEA. Representative Barney Frank's House Finance Services Committee has reported out a piece of legislation, which begins the slow march back to full access for all U.S. poker players. Once this legislation works its painfully slow way through the legislative process, we will all have access again to the party at Party Poker.

Run Good, Run Bad and Walk Away

[Content Disclosure: 99% Poker, 1% whining]

The first RunGood challenge from the gang at PokerListings will have its grand finale next Saturday. I will be there cheering on some of my poker buddies but alas, it will be from the rail. I finished up a perfect 3 for 3 in goose eggs when I busted early in yesterday's third round of qualifying. To save me from the ignominy of reporting the disaster, anyone interested can read the report from Matt of PokerListings. Some big bucks will be on the line Saturday and I intend to be there for serious sideline harassment as would be appropriate for this great finale.

There is rumor of a second RunGood event coming later this year and I have been told there may be "Mercy Invitations" for those of us who played like guppies in this tournament. Thanks again to the Good Run staff at PokerListings for a fun series of events.

Another Saturday, Another Saturday

[Content Disclosure: 67% Poker, 54% Exceptionally Poor Poker, 3% Random Commentary on Life]

I want to thank the boyz at Poker Listings both for the RunGood tournaments and for the cool picture on the right. I like good pictures and I like well funded freerolls like the RunGood blogger tournament. Unfortunately, I seem to currently...

Hmmm, how to phrase this exactly...

Well, I guess it would be....

I SUCK AT POKER!

Yes, I believe that covers it. Fortunately, that means I get more free moments to continuing on the deadline for the Matusow book. I have a couple of ancillary interviews for the book this week, which should get me out of the writing cave.

Those Who Can't

[Content Disclosure: 111% Poker]

Those who can't do; teach.
Those who can't teach; manage.
Those who can't manage; well they can't manage.

I am not a big fan of slightly insulting aphorisms but today they apply to me. Besides listening to Mike's comments on chapters one to four; I also played two poker tournaments earlier today. The Run Good PokerListings Blogger Series began today. All you had to do was finish in the top six of twelve to earn some points towards the big finale. I didn't.

While I was there on PokerStars, I played the Saturdays with Pauly and managed to be near the top of the leaderboard for most of the tournament until my brain disengaged around the end of listening to Mike in chapter four. I know, I know, I know; when you play poker online you should pay attention. I know.

Those that can't play poker, write about poker.


Next Saturday, same donkey time, same donkey station.