Your Crack At Stardom

Besides the fact that I, like other bloggers, have gotten cracks at writing for established poker sites (Go CC!), I've also decided that I want to take my shot at stardom and fame in the poker world.

The big thing is of course, the WSOP. I was offered a seat in a satellite to the main event, but considering situations at home (and short notice at work and not wanting to leave my absolutely adorable daughter), I passed up the seat and allowed a member of the site I write for to take my satellite seat. Of course, the sunuvabich wins his way in. I can't begrudge anything--I'm just kidding--and I wish him the absolute best, as I do for everyone else I know who won their way to the Main Event.

However, this will not be my path to glory. My path is a little different, and the person who took last year's path really didn't do as much as another player who made the Final Table did. My path to glory is going to be (with the wife's absolute blessing, nonetheless) the US Poker Championships (USPC) at my home casino, Trump's Taj Mahal in Atlantic City.

I'm currently searching for online sites to try and satellite my way in, and absent those opportunities, I'll be down there playing in the satellites and Super Sats into the ME (or even a preliminary event that I'll use winnings to buy in to the ME directly) from now until all hell breaks loose in September.

Wish me luck in my quest for glory.

Resolution

Wow--where to begin?

First, I'd like to thank everyone who through comments, email, and just by being out there and posting great things on their own blogs were just fantastic in this whole thing.

We've reached a compromise. (Why do I feel like I'm negotiating some sort of labor deal? I almost feel like I should have a lawyer next to me as I type this...)

The wife was right in one way. I really did need to scale back my hours playing. This isn't my job--it's just a very lucrative, profitable hobby for me. I was playing like it was my job, and like someone was going to take it away from me.

I explained the whole money side to her-- it's really nice to be able to show a lot of positive returns in the equation--and she seems to understand more of where everything comes from. She understands that poker is very important to me, and I think she really understands now that I actually derive revenue from even just spewing my thoughts on this game across the internet.

I'm not playing as much as I did before, but I'm also spending REAL time with my beautiful daughter, time that if I decided to toss it away, I could just never get back. I'm not sacrificing family time for poker anymore, in the sense that I'm planning sessions, as if I were going to Atlantic City, and it's being blocked off as my own time. I've also begun playing those "spontaneous sessions" when the baby's safely (and deeply) asleep.

We've come to the compromise that poker and family aren't mutually exclusive, nor should they ever be.

And an aside, QL (you know who you are, I'm sure), I'm honored that you read my humble blog, and while I didn't take your advice per se, I did in a slightly different way. Thank you.

Remember kids, the other bloggers (CC, TripJax, etc) are all very right--communication is vital to any relationship, and the maintenance of those communication lines are even more vital to the survival of those relationships. Be open about what you want to accomplish with poker, and what you want from the game. Also be realistic about your goals. Be honest with your SO (significant other) about what you do, and set boundaries--for both of you.

Again, thanks all for your support.