Wednesday, April 26, 2006


Time to move down?
Current mood: awake

Poker
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$10/20 No Limit has been a rollercoaster ride. Playing today I went down 3 buyins ($6k) in about 3 hours. Although I'm fine right now, I believe the stress is getting to me slowly. That is a huge amount of money and I'm not sure I'm ready to deal with these kind of swings.

My last session before today, I started down $4k but somehow finished up $4k. It was insane. I posted hands on my comeback here: forum/viewtopic.php?t=13375

Briachek was watching me play and commented about how the money didn't even seem real. Just throwing around hundreds and thousands of dollars on petty bluffs or calling preflop raises with "correct odds." It must be an interesting game to watch objectively.

Anyway, I've decided to move back down to $5/10 for a while. I'm beating $10/20... but only barely beating my winrate over $5/10. I want more money in my bankroll to back me up before I take this up again .

I also want to get a little stress off my back. I've got my performance coming up and I'm moving in a month. It's hard to keep focus on a higher limit table with all of these things going on.

At the moment, I'm just tired of pulling "xastons" and going up and down like a mofo. Up $4k, down $4k. Up $10k, down $6k.. then finish the month only up a couple of buyins. I don't need that crap right now.

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Acting

My friend and lead actor Joel collapsed on stage at rehearsal... it was a crazy thing but it turns out he's ok. If you want to hear more about that, check out the personal journal.

My acting is improving, but still needs work! I can tell my projection can sometimes be too low.. and my movement needs to be more steady. I've come a long way though.. I'm proud of what I've accomplished.

I really enjoy doing all of my more poginant scenes. When I yell at the opposing lawyer, state my principles, or when I plead with my love... it's just a ton of fun.

I think it's going to be a great show to watch. I better get it on video.

I have found your journal very educating and great to read.

I have learned from all the struggles you have encountered being a pro-player. I can only imagine what playing for those stakes can do to you.

Good to see you found the acting to be another goal getting you in contact with other people and keeping it real at the tables.

Keep up the good work so I can learn some more.

Tom

Monday, May 01, 2006


At the Parent's.
Current mood: calm

Poker
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I love it when I completely ignore the advice I give to myself. In my last blog post, I said something to the effect of, "I'm not going to play 10/20NL for a while."

So I logged in to 10/20NL today on Bodog. Anyway, happy news as I won a little over a buyin. To justify my decison, I was at my parent's house late at night which meant no distractions, my focus was on, and the tables were soft. (Actually, I'm just a degenerate gambler.)

I made a $500 bet which was a mistake. Other then that I played very well. I made a big and brave calldown with a good read. Here's some commentary on the hand:

Mike Sexton: Welcome to the World Poker Tour of Bodog. Where capped buyins of $2000 can be lost in a single hand!

Vince Van Patton: Don't we normally have games for millions of dollars, Mike?

Mike: Well.... the viewership has dropped significantly since Shauna Hiatt left. Who knew she brought in over 75 percent of our vievers with those lucious..... Well anyway, Vince, on with the show!

Vince: Lets go down to the felt and meet our players! First to act, Chip Whet!

Mike: Chips is looking down at an ugly Queen Ten offsuit. He's under-the-gun as they say, what will he do? Vince, he's getting out chips!

Vince: Don't do it Chip. Don't do it. That queen ten is uglier then TJ Cloutier's wife!

Mike: He's raising it, Vince! What a bold move by the gambler!

Vince: Folded around to the button.. the great Kennyg! He's KGcrazy, if you know what i mean!

Mike: What the hell was Steven Lipscomb thinking when he hired you? Didn't you teach tennis or something Vince? Damn't I'm a real poker player, what the hell are you?

Vince: I'm your father, son. Your mum is pretty hot by the way.

Mike: Kennyg looks down at King-Jack of spades. What will this legend of poker do? He's getting out chips! He's just going to call the bet. He wants to see a flop.

Vince: Here we go!

Mike: Nice color commentary, idiot. The flop is Jack of clubs, six of hearts, and 8 of hearts. Kennyg has top pair!

Vince: Chip is getting out some chips though! Uhoh...

Mike: It looks like he's betting $125. No no no wait. Bodog will not accept multiples of $5, Vince. Instead he will by rule, bet the minimum of $20.

Vince: Will Kennyg call this bet or raise do you think?

Mike: I expect Kenny to call and try to get this gambler to bet some more money. Kenny is reaching for chips! Wait, wait. Kenny isn't moving.. it looks like he's completely frozen!

Vince: He's immobile! You know I never saw this problem when we did the Pokerstar's Carriabean adventure?

Mike: Bodog is always an adventure, Vince. ....Look he's back now! Just in time to see the $20 bet. He raises to $140! The gambler Chip is wheting his appietite as he calls.

Vince: Smooth Mike. Very smooth.

Mike: The turn is a deuce of spades. No help to either player. Both players check. I'm surprised Kennyg didn't bet in this spot, Vince. It might have been a mistake.

Vince: Speaking of mistakes, have you seen TJ Cloutier's wife?

Mike: The river brings the ace of diamonds! BINGO BANGO BONGO. Chip Whet bets $450 into a now $900 pot! What will this legend of Bodog, the best 5/10 Bodog player in the world do?

Vince: He's making the call!

Mike: Unbelievable Vince! He's done it! What a champion!

Vince: But let us not forget the book of proverbs, Mike. He who troubleth his own house, shall (note from kenny: random vain advertisement for my play.)

(note: Mr. TJ Cloutier, I'm just joking! You are the man.)
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Acting

Three performances down, three to go! Friday night went very well... I had a ton of energy and seemed to nail everything. My heart did stop for a moment as my mind went completely blank on one of my most important lines... when I plead for Rachel to not testify against me. Luckily, I had done a ton of line work before the show, and it came back to me in a split-second. heh. That split-second felt like 10 minutes.

Saturday night I wasn't feeling great about my performance. I couldn't find the energy I had on Thursday or Friday night. Jim told me it was normal...

I determined to make myself better in ACT II and somehow pulled it off. I'm not sure exactly what I did, but I got the energy back and finished off well.

I have a bunch of friends coming over the weekend. I'm looking foward to hearing their experience with watching the play. I'm gonna nail it all next weekend. I have to

nh kenny! I love the parts about TJs wife

Thursday, May 04, 2006

The Daily Grind.
Current mood: amused

I feel more like a professional poker player again. I've gotten in some good hours this week and I'm running great. 5 straight winning sessions with decent cards. I'll take that.

I won't play over the weekend as I want to have my complete attention on my performance of "Inherit the Wind." As detached as I try to be with poker, it still gets me emotional on occasion. I can't have that before a performance. I refuse to let any of my peers down. I hope to shine this weekend in front of my friends!

Sunday, May 07, 2006


The Review

Inherit the Wind was completely panned in it's only review. I had never even heard of the paper before, but he owned us.

He had some personal comments for me espeically. This is paraphrasing but very close: "Kenny Gould, playing Bert Cates, was outmatched by the rudiments of acting but was somehow more believable than xxxxxx playing Rachel."

First of all, Abi does an incredible job playing Rachel. I think she steals the show. Second, he might be right about me On the day he caught me, at least. Saturday (the day he reviewed) was our worst day by far. We had something called second night letdown. I just couldn't build my energy level. I got a little bit more energy in ACT II but by then your character is already defined.

Anyway, the review has actually helped me in someways. I read it before I go out on stage now... it gives me the energy level I need. I refuse to be as bad as he says I am, so I'm always looking to improve.

I must admit I was pretty down when I came home last night. After all I've put a lot of work into this, only to be crapped on by that guy. But at the end of the day there's nothing I can do but my best.

I think I've nailed the last two shows and I plan to do the same tommorow. It's the last show and I want to go out in a bang. When all is said and done, this has been a great and challenging experience for me. I don't regret one minute of it.

But after tommorow, my focus will return to poker. Look out fellas. I'm a machine.

(hmm.. anyone from BTP catch that? )