Acadiana Poker Players dominate WSOP Circuit Biloxi!!

I am so happy for all of the guys who made Final Tables this past week at the WSOP Circuit at IP Casino and Resort. The Cash games were juicy and seeing some nice pictures from friends and their mountains of chips and Benjamins. There were also the great performances put on by some local players and good poker buddies.

First was Mr. Gene Dudek (Gene D) of Houma, LA who started out the avalanche of destruction as he finished 3rd place in Event 2. This was only the start of his phenomenal performance as he also went on to get 3rd place in Event 9 and came even closer to claiming his first Circuit ring in the $1k Event 10, but got 2nd for a nice $20k score. Overall Gene D earned $40,318 in 3 Tournaments and 95 circuit points which could earn him the Casino Champion and automatic Qualification for the Circuit National Championship played in Las Vegas!!


Next in Event 4, a regular at Shorty's Casino, Mr. Casey (Jordan) Andrus of Lafayette, LA placed 5th in Event 4 for a nice score of $3,660

I have already written about Ricky Romero of New Iberia, LA and his first WSOP Circuit Ring he earned for Event 5. What I did not tell you is that he Made another deep run vs. a very talented Final Table in Event 12. He was unable to over come many great pros but had a respectable finish of 6th place to get 5th overall in the Casino points leader board and earned $14,605 for his efforts along with some great hardware to show off!


The very next Day. Event 6 was the Six Handed NL Holdem and another familiar face claimed the title to this event! 21 Year old Caufman Talley III of Lafayette, LA displayed his phenominal aggressive skills as he battled his way through 197 even outlasting pretty tough pros like Mark Rose, BJ McBrayer, and Tim Burt. This is Caufman's 2nd win and 1st WSOP Circuit Ring as well and he earned $14,555 for this Triumphant victory!


You know how I told you about Gene D's dominate performance at this years WSOP Circuit. Well his partner in crime Mr. Bill "Wild Bill" Phillips of New Orleans, LA also did some destruction of his own. First Final Tabling the $1,000 Event 10 and placing 8th. He did not stop there as he continued to steamroll and went on his greatest tournament performance and earned his largest score of his career in the $1,600 Main Event. He almost pulled off the unthinkable and won the Championship and Automatic Qualification of the National Championship but lost a coinflip race Heads Up instead giving him Runner Up and a great story to share with his friends. He netted $73,531 in just 2 tournaments and Also got top 5 in the Casino points Leader board for the Circuit events. I'm pretty sure he will be making the trip to Vegas with Gene D regardless as well!


Jacob Naquin of Houma, LA also had a very impressive run at the Circuit Main Event as he made some spectacular plays and once held the chiplead at the final table! He had 2 unfortunate hands that would later cripple him and then eventually go on to take 3rd place earning a nice score of $50,862. This is the second time Naquin was extremely close to tasting victory only to have the fate of Luck steal it away (First time was Event 43 in Las Vegas for a WSOP Bracelet) but as phenomenal of a poker player he is, the time will soon come for him to be reigned champion! Great show sir.


There were many more Locals that cashed throughout these events, But I also want to congratulate the following for their great efforts!
Blake Barousse - won the opening Nightly event for $2k
Randal Dubois - 28th in Main Event for $3,187

here are some fun hands from the Main Event by Jacob Naquin and Bill Phillips via PokerNews.com
Bill Phillips hands
Jacob Naquin Hands

See you at Harrah's in December!
-Matt Stroud

Poker vs. Ricky Romero! (Congrats on first WSOP Circuit Ring) s/o to Caufman Talley also!

Ricky Romero

As I often do, I check the results of local tournament circuits and events across the gulf coast. (Mostly Biloxi, MS and along Hwy 90 of Louisiana) Recently I was excited to see a long time poker rival and friend got his first WSOP Circuit Ring at the IP Casino in Biloxi, MS. Ricky Romero (New Iberia, LA) was always a solid poker player with good understanding of the game and even though he wasn't the superstars you would see playing on ESPN or read about in Magazines, he was very patient and picked spots wisely to take advantage of his opponents weaknesses. Romero beat out 160 players in a $345 buy in tournament for a Prize of $12,208 and the Circuit Ring (See picture!)Event 5 Results

I first met Ricky when I was 18. I was going to college at UL and was invited to a Home tournament with a bunch of old guys (ages 40-70) with 2 tables for a $30 buy in. These guys have been friends and playing against each other for a long time and the best part about it was they didn't allow women at their game haha. It was a guys night, talking about guy stuff and not having to worry about offending anyone. They were good people and it was good fun so I started playing there consistently as they had a point system. I never really worried about the points and just wanted to make the money when I played (Didn't play there as often as the others) but Ricky was one of the better players of the group. He was good at getting into his opponents heads and throwing them off their game. I allowed him to do this to me at times but now I don't even pay attention to what he says since I know why he is doing it. Well one day it got down to me and him heads up and every now and then we chop to split first and 2nd place money but I wanted to play him heads up. We were even in chips, but when he asked if I wanted to chop I told him I kinda want to play it out so if I win "I could beat a local poker legend". I said this kind of jokingly but he is a good player and I always love the challenge of beating solid poker players. Romero already had a few cashes from Tournaments at Tunica, MS and also the Seven Clans Tournament at Coushatta in Kinder, LA and also had alot more experience then me but I was still wet behind the ears and like a sponge soaking up as much knowledge as possible (still try to today as the game is always evolving) I go on to beat him in the Heads up match and I think it kind of irked him and that is when our Rivalry began.

Since that day We have always tried to outplay each other at the table no matter where we are at. Whether at a friendly house game, or at the local Casino in the weekly tournaments. We definitely respect each others game but we never back down to a challenge either. We have even shared advice with each other and roomed in Biloxi, MS during a tournament Circuit (when I was being a bum). Ricky is a very humble and friendly guy but he is also very competitive to say the least. I am proud to have gotten to know this man over the years and Since some days he has had my number, and other days I have had his, I am confident that one day, I too will be able to get to the final table of a Circuit event, and one day, I will get that Circuit Ring as well. Seeing Ricky share his story with the regulars yesterday at the weekly tournament at Shorty's Casino was fun to listen to and everyone congratulating him on his victory. He has built up a nice resume in tournament success and hopefully this can lead to even more success, but I can also say that once my Bankroll is in order I hope to be right there with him. All it takes is one big score but it is no easy feat.

Speaking of the Tournament at Shorty's
I went play because I got 10 out of 13 right on the football pick'em contest so I was thinking I had a chance to win some money....well yea I was completely mistaken but In the tournament it started out really slow.
The first table I was at, the best hand I saw was 77 preflop and got no action (thankfully) but there were multiple spots where I bluffed to steal pots to keep me above my starting stack. Even though at one point I got down to 4k (starting stack is 8k) by the First Break and Add on Period, I worked my stack up to 10.7k so after the add on I had 18.7k which was good to do some work with. At the new table I got involved in a hand where I raised in EP with A7 Suited to 1800 at blinds 300 600 (I hate the Wednesday tournament structure btw....way too fast) and get a caller from the SB who usually just plays big cards and doesn't get out of line. the flop comes A Q J and SB checks to me so I continue to bet 2400 and she doesn't take long to call. Then the turn peels off a 7 giving me 2 pair and there is now about 10k in the pot. I think I have the best hand at this point then bet 6k and SB calls again. River is a 5 and she shoves all in. This was an odd play as I put her on something on the flop but I think she would have reraise me sooner with a Set and checked again if she had the straight to let me hang myself....then I look at her and she is just staring at me aggressively. This gave me the feeling that she didn't want a call with the (Act Strong mindset) she was giving me. I made the call and she shows AK for top pair top kicker. she had me covered by 1900 chips and "Couldn't believe I made that call" but I wasn't about to tell her that I picked up the tell on her.

After that I got huge respect from the table and was getting nice hands and picking good spots to work up the CL at my table. But I was also getting tired (For some reason don't play my best after being at work all day) and kind of lost interest and started bleeding off my stack. First made a bad decision to call a super short stack for about 1/10 my stack to try knock out a pretty good opponent. I had 87 and he showed KK and I hit my 7 but nothing more than that. Then an overly aggressive older gentlemen that was wearing multiple women's rings for some odd reason went all in UTG for 12k. I had 37k and put him on a hand like 33-99. I figured QcJc was good enough to make the call and got the others to fold. He turned over 66 and the flop was Ac 10d 9s giving me open ended draw with 2 overs....well I completely miss and more of my chips disappear. At this point I felt like I was just going through the motions and should have like stepped away from the table or stood up and stretched or something to wake my ass up. I guess my head just wasn't into the grind last night. I get 66 in the bb at blinds 1000 2000 with a 200 ante and I have 23k in my stack. It is folded to the SB who raises to 5k (He has 27k in his stack) If I would have really thought about it, Him as well as most others at the table would bet small when they wanted a call and bet big when they didn't. Only 2 people did not do this other than myself at the moment. Well instead I went over the top of him all in since I had 10-11 bbs and figured if he has 2 overs I like this spot. Well he snap called and I knew I was facing an over pair instead. He turns over QQ and there is no 6 to save my life So I collect my things and walk out. I started out playing very well but kind of lost momentum as I felt myself getting fatigued.

I just found out another Poker friend of mine, Mr. Caufman Talley III (Lafayette, LA) just won a Circuit Ring as well in the 6 handed $345 buy in for $14,555!!! Event 7 Results This is Caufman's 2nd Live tournament win and 3rd Final Table. His Live debut was in New Orleans where he played 2 tournaments and final tabled both of them. Only being 21, this kid as well as his poker mentor Blake Barousse have phenomenal poker skills and feared at the table regardless of where they play! This is making me want to be in Biloxi, MS so bad but I must wait until December when I go play the Winter Bayou Classic at Harrahs Casino from Dec. 8 - 18. I am so happy my Acadiana Poker Player buddies are having success in Biloxi and hope they continue to crush!

Caufman Talley III

- Matt Stroud

BankRollerCoaster Pt. 2

When you last read, I was explaining the occurences of my first melt down involving my Poker bankroll that did not completely make me broke but put a healthy dent in my Roll. Enough of which would stick to my mind and possibly affect my play leading to the next meltdown that resulted Early this year.

Louisiana State Poker Championships, Isle of Capri Lake Charles
Once again, I regained my confidence, Cashed or Won 4 straight weekly tournaments at the local casino as well as went on a span of either Winning or cashing consecutively in my home game as well from Early January up until Late march. I was close to being back even from what I lost in the time span of October-November 2010 and couldn't wait to continue climbing up the later. I went spend a weekend in Lake Charles for the Louisiana State Poker Championships in the month of April 2011 and pulled of a Nice profit playing the 5 5 NL cash games there but the first day was rocky as I was in the negatives. The following day I had a huge day grinding the cash games from 10 am - 9 pm to pull a $1200 profit, giving me a $400 profit for the weekend. This was a good thing, but again, I felt a need to chase the money I had loss and showed more compulsive tendencies rather than well thought out calculated risks. I was playing in Lake Charles in preparation for the next upcoming Tournament event series in New Orleans, LA in May.

The WSOP Circuit Regional stop Harrah's New Orleans
I was going to make my name here, I was planning to play multiple tournaments and go deep in atleast one. I brought a significant amount of my bankroll to do so and only planned on using half of it. This was another bad idea and lack of discipline managing my bankroll. Especially with the previous occurences I have been having with my brand new habit of chasing my money. The first day I arrived, I went directly to the 1/2 NL table as I never had a losing session (out of about 8 experiences) at Harrahs casino in New Orleans. knowing this I was extremely confident, but needless to say I was about to get the coldest deck I could ask for and definitely the worst timing possible. It started out with my AA getting cracked by KK for a $300 pot leaving me short stacked so I bought in for another $200. I then got involved with a guy who fell in love with his flush draw and shoved the flop when I flopped 2 pair. Naturally the pattern of this trip was I call when way ahead and get drawn out on saying good bye to my chips. I ended the day with a $400 loss and figured I would make up for it on day 2.

I entered the biggest field in a $340 tournament with 676 entrants (I believe Captain Tom Franklin went on to win this event) and was put at the same table as a friend of mine oddly enough. I really liked my table as they were very easy to read. I picked my spots perfectly, avoided players when I had to, got involved with the weak players when I had to, things were going great. got passed the dinner break. Our table broke up and I was moved to a new table on the short stack and the aggressive Chip Lead of the table was to my direct Right. This sucked for me as I had to pick spots to take blinds and rebuild my stack but yet avoid getting derailed by this guy who seemed to almost raise every other hand. The first two times I shoved my 12-17bb stack everyone folded and i raked the antes and blinds. but the last time....the Big Blind decided to wake up with KK and my 10 9 suited didnt touch the flop what so ever. I was out 130-140ish and the top 80 paid.
I still wanted to play though (thinking I can try to atleast get my buyin back....more chasing thoughts) and buy in to a $125 sit n go. I come out 5th when I shove 77 and get called by JJ and get knocked out.

I have $180 left in my wallet and decide to put it down at 1/2 NL again. My table is mostly filled with loose drunks and passive nits. I am doing great and taking advantage of this table. I work my stack up to $735 and did something I told myself I wouldnt do. I gave myself a number to reach before I got up from the table. I was shooting for $800 when 3 hands knocked me down to $320. First, 2 pair lost to a rivered straight. Next, drunk guy was calling with A high and I have JJ on 10 high flop trying to bet him off the hand. Ace hits turn and drunk guy went from talking non stop to immediately quiet (while rotating in circular motions of drunkness of course) then shoves all in.....we both had about $500 and I just rolled my eyes then folded. Very Next hand I am UTG and look down at QQ. the standard raise was $12-15 and I had a very loose image and was raising alot so this passive nit in late position reraised to $40. I go in the tank, try to put her on a hand and figure she thinks im trying to bully the table again so I reraise her to $150 (I now wish I would have just flatted to see the flop and spike the Q because I would have stacked her if I did so.) She immediately goes all in for about $600 and has me covered. If I call this and lose I would be broke and just the way she played it screamed AA or KK here. I go in the tank...I then look at her and she is looking at the felt, not me and I ask her....Do you have Aces or Kings?? and she looks at me and say, "Which one do you want it to be." (I was thinking to myself JJ but I knew I was beat and folded the Queens face up to show her I had a huge hand. She later told me it was Aces and I played with the person back home that was sitting on the left of her that she flashed her cards to. When I brought the story back up again at our local casino she did confirm that it was pocket aces. Back to the cash game I managed to get back to $500 after a couple hours, then at 3 am, my last hand I played was 9d 8d and flop fell 8s 9h 3s. I bet got 2 callers and a drunk rich looking frat kid says "All in" then smirks at his goofy Frat brother who thought he was the comedian of the table. I Called and the other 2 folded. the pot was just over $1000 and the frat boy showed As 5s...I needed to sweat any spade to take down this pot...and of course on the river. the Q of spades slaps me in my face.

Local Casino Tournaments
This was just disgusting and I continued to try to play the local casinos tournaments and cash game but could tell that I was playing bad due to the beats that I have experienced in New Orleans. I wasn't playing my A game and was trying to play through it instead of taking a much needed break. I continued to play once or twice a weak until mid July at casinos when my last straw was 3 horrible cold decks in a row. The First experience seemed like every other pot I was involved I had 2nd best and then left when I misplayed AA in early position against a super aggro rich guy and allowed pocket 8s to see a flop as well because I failed to Reraise everyone else off the hand preflop. Naturally on the flop he gets his 8 and I don't catch up. The next week I play the tournament and flop top 2 pair and lose because someone decided to try and be superman by shoving Ah Qs on a Kh 10d 9h board and I have Ks 9s not going anywhere. The turn and river are running Hearts and I get knocked out because a guy who normally plays super Tight and I put him on AK shoves with Ace high and sucks out. Finally I am getting bad beats and shove my short stack with AK off and get called by 3 4 off and he said he was calling cause 4s having been hitting every flop. This may be true because the dealers are incapable of correctly washing the deck after each hand and of course the 4 hit and I don't catch up. This hurt my roll down to about $400. I was no longer able to play at the casino safely and needed to take a break for multiple reasons but mostly to build my confidence back up.

Since that time I have not been at the casino and been just playing home games and small cash games .25 .50 to try and rebuild as well as putting money to the side. I have learned from my mistakes and trying to practice better bankroll management skills. I have been studying more and more during the days that I do not play. I will do my best to make sure I don't repeat the faults that I have recently because with proper bankroll management I could be sitting on a profit instead of in the negatives for trying to chase my money. I did not respect my limits and showed poor decisions rather than keeping a level head and trying to make the best decisions financially and strategically.Since then, I have noticed a turn around in profits once again and my confidence is beginning to come back.

I hope you can learn from the mistakes that I have made reading this. Success in poker is majorly correlated with the management of your bankroll. The best players in the world could also go broke with poor habits or decisions. Good practice will create more success!

Good Luck,
Matt Stroud