2022 Year End Review

As per my blog's tradition, each year I will review my year based on the resolutions I have set for myself and look forward to the new year with great expectations. I am also pretty happy that I've kept this blog going for 7 years without fail, documenting my journey as a poker player and my involvement in the industry. I hope I can keep going and somehow I have a feeling the best is yet to come. 

Kirstenbosch, Cape Town South Africa

The first resolution I had for 2022 was to be hyper disciplined. I can't say I did that earlier in the year. As the economy started to falter, I felt the pressure to seek alternative sources of income and during that time I definitely deviated from my plans a bit. However in June/July I gave myself a wake up call and turned it around. I am proud to say I have been quite disciplined since then. For more than 1 year now I have stuck to my one-meal-a-day diet 95% of the time. I've not made a degen bet even with the World Cup nor table game bets even though I am often bored and stuck near a casino. I am more aware of my mental state during games and I've stayed patient and controlled in later tournaments in the year. 

Hanoi, Vietnam

In the beginning of the year I've set myself a goal to seek alternative sources of income. I did rely on crypto income for a while but when the whole economy started tanking I felt kind of lost. However later I did land a couple of additional sources of income, not a lot but enough to stop me from panicking and potentially doing something stupid. 

Montecasino, Johannesburg South Africa

I wanted to play more poker in 2022 and I definitely did compared to 2021. But I started traveling for poker after May. Some selfish idiot decided to call the cops on a juicy regular game so I had to seek alternative games. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise after all. This year I travelled to Manila, Hanoi (3 times), Ho Chi Minh, Genting Highlands, Phnom Penh (twice), Hoi An, Johannesburg and Cape Town. I played in 9 main events in total and cashed 4 of those. Final tabled 4 times at side events including two 2nd place finishes. Cashed a Mystery Bounty event for the first time in my career whilst picking up my 8th Hendon Mob country flag. Not too shabby for just 7 months of part time grinding. South Africa was extra special because it was the 20th country I've played poker in and now I've covered all 5 continents in the world. 

Danang, Vietnam

Health wise I didn't do much exercise but I have lost 9kgs from my highest weight and kept it off the whole year. The trick is simple, just one meal a day, a more aggressive intermittent fasting technique. It is not hard at all and this VIDEO is where I got the inspiration. Apparently it is not just to lose weight. It comes with plenty of health benefits. I want to live a long life and I think I can contribute to the world more if I get the time and opportunity. I encourage you guys to watch that video and try it for yourselves.

View from Signal Hill, Cape Town South Africa

This year was not a financially great year for me. Although I did make money through poker, I've lost my net worth from other things. We are still living in a recession and due to family reasons I can't be playing poker full time, so that limits my income and financial security. However this year was probably the happiest I have been in my life. I've learned to appreciate the blessings I have in my life that are more important than money and material needs. My poker buddy recently passed away, and over the years I've also lost two other poker friends, one to COVID and another who took his own life. It made me appreciate life more than anything else, and the importance to be happy and contented. I see some of my friends making millions, driving fancy sports cars but I doubt they are half as happy as I am. I would not trade the path I'm on with anyone of them. 

Hoi An, Vietnam

2022 was a year that I grew up a lot. Sounds funny coming from a guy my age, but I've learned so much about myself, my life and how I want to live it, what's important what's not, and what I want to do when I do reach my financial goals. Some people might think my faith is dumb but if they knew how happy I am, they would envy me. Everything that I have is from God, especially my positive outlook on life. However I feel my time to shine is coming, (trophy number 5? or my first ring/bracelet?) but even if it doesn't, I will continue to live happily in faith.

I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:11–13)

POKER GUIDE TO : Poker in South Africa

Never did I think I would ever play poker in South Africa but surprisingly I had a great time. The South Africans are a super friendly and hospitable group of people. Even before landing in South Africa I have already made a few friends and they offered me plenty of suggestions and advice making my trip much smoother. I met with most of them and they were just as nice in person as they were online. 

I landed in Johannesburg so I spent a few days there exploring the local cash games. According to most of the people I've met, COVID has pushed the cash game scene online and to private games. The only casino game anyone knew was at Montecasino. Typically it starts at around 7-8pm every night and game ends at 2am when the casino has to close. The only game is 10/25 ZAR (roughly USD 0.6/1.50) but I usually sit down with 10k ZAR (USD 570). Rake is 5% capped at 150 ZAR. There is a bad beat jackpot that's slightly easier to hit than others as one card plays. Most drinks are free and some days there are 2 tables. One thing I didn't like was they played up to 10 handed but otherwise the game was fun and reasonably soft. I've heard of many private games (most of them USD 3/6 or higher), some hosted by my newly made friends, unfortunately I didn't have to chance to partake. I hope to be able to try them out if I get to visit again.

Montecasino, Johannesburg

The tournament I joined was called Monster Jam Poker Tour (MJPT) or also known as the Sunbet Poker Tour. They have 5 stops all over South Africa every year but I think I probably chose the best one for my first experience. Cape Town is an amazingly beautiful city. I was truly mesmerized by the natural beauty of the cape. Johannesburg was not bad but Cape Town is in a league of its own. Table mountain stands majestically in the middle of the city surrounded by world class beaches that lined the coast, shades of clear blue water and clear blue skies, almost everywhere you turn is like a screensaver or wallpaper-worthy scenery. The tournament was brilliantly run as well. I have been regularly playing tournament poker since 2013, and I know how hard it is to please everyone. But not every organizer has the players' experience at heart. MJPT I felt was passionate about building the industry in the region and genuinely wanted everyone to have a good time. The atmosphere felt more like a extended friendly home game rather than a competitive tournament series. Almost everyone knew everyone else, players were chatty and friendly on the table, pros and recreational players all had a great time. They also had a world class live stream to boot. There is another brand of tournaments called ShuffleUp Poker or South Africa Poker Open, but I had an unpleasant experience in my limited interactions with them. Based on the data on Hendon Mob, MJPT has better turnouts and prize pools so no loss there I suppose. 

Camps Bay, Cape Town

One of the people I met on the tour was South African Poker Pro David Rosenthal, affectionately known as Bozo because he was the class clown in school and that nickname stuck since then. We were fortunately seated next to each other in the SHR and we quickly hit it off. We shared a similar sense of humor, love for poker and travel and even though we've just met, it felt like we've known each other all our lives. He made me feel at home and my trip was much more memorable because of his friendship and banter. We had the opportunity to have dinner together too and made plans to link up in Morocco and Taipei next year. I want to dedicate this article to him as only a few hours ago I received news that he passed away suddenly. We were just on a phone call a couple of days ago planning our hotels in Morocco and to hear that he's gone is hard to take. I told him in South Africa I have a feeling we will be lifelong friends and he agreed. Most of the people I met in South Africa were really kind and nice but David was a level above. Reading the comments on his Facebook now confirmed my impression of his character. He was well loved and respected, a truly wonderful human being, one of the rare ones. Till we meet again my South African brother. 😢

Till we meet again brother 👊

The lack of public cash games is a worry for the industry and a hinderance to the development of new players. David was very passionate about growing the poker industry. We discussed starting a Poker Association and poker school in South Africa and I might do that in his honor. Overall I had a great time in South Africa and gained so many friends including a life long brother only to be taken away so quickly. But it has only reinforced my passion to travel for poker. Win or lose, you might meet and make the most amazing friends, and the chances of doing that in friendly South Africa is just that much higher. 

Cape Town Monster Jam Poker Tour (MJPT) Report

South Africa, the 20th country I've played poker in, and I must say it's probably the most interesting, eye opening, most surprising trip I've had. Before taking the trip I've been told plenty of things about South Africa, so I had formed some preconceptions about the place and the people and boy was I wrong. Mind you there are places that are dangerous, and so far every house I've seen comes with a high fence and some even electrified, but if you're not street smart, there are dangers in any city or country. But the land is definitely blessed. Beautiful ocean, majestic mountains, wide open plains, incredible flora and fauna, it's hard not to fall in love with it. 

I could see Table Mountain from my hotel

But what surprised me the most is the people. Strangers still greet each other politely, hold doors open, apologize for being in the way or bumping into you even though it's not their fault. I was giving way to a lady from an opposite direction on a narrow path, she took the time to say, "thank you for being a gentleman". Everywhere you go, people greet each other, "how's it" is the most common, but also with sincerity. I've made so many friends from this trip, some I know will be lifelong. The organizers kept mentioning the Malaysian guy, so random people would walk up to me, say my name, shook my hand, gave me fist bumps, offering compliments and congratulations, it was such a nice feeling and I felt a bit sad for it to end. 

Did you know South Africa has Malay culture

It's hard to run a perfect tournament series, and Monster Jam had it's share of hiccups and challenges. But overall it's run with passion, a willingness to further the industry in their region, and a super friendly family-feeling vibe which I loved. If you've watched the livestream production it's definitely the best I've been on. (and I've been on WSOP and WPT streams) And if you're wondering, yes I turned my AJ into a 5-bet bluff and got lucky. There were dead money and I thought I could get the cold caller to fold..... 

Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens

First event of the series I felt rusty, and maybe overly excited. When it was blind vs blind, sb opened 8x so I jammed with KJcc only to be snapped off by AA. Who opens 8x with AA on the sb?!? But the next one I did well to finish 2nd for my biggest score this year. Could have won it had I not been 2 outered but that's poker. I followed that up with my first mystery bounty ITM for a small profit but fizzled out in the main busting 2 bullets. Overall a profitable series and I made money for my friends who bought action as well so can't complain. A multiple cash series and a sniff at a trophy, 2/5 ITM rate, I'll take it. 

Blue ocean market indeed

Will I return? Given the opportunity you betcha! One thing other players need to learn from the South Africans is to loosen up on the table. Not your ranges, but your mouth. Poker is a social game, not a prostate exam. We were cracking jokes at every table, making friends, having a good time. It made recreational players enjoy the process and feel less intimidated. If you want to grow an industry you have to reduce the hostility, and increase the hospitality. This will forever be one of my most memorable poker adventures. 

Slap a mat on it and let's play poker

Beautiful market and produce

Your life, my dream

Your life, my dream. How many times I've heard people say this to me. Of course on the outside my life looks really cool. Travel the world, play a game to make money, seemingly no worries, no stress. Of course I admit, I am a very happy person, but there are things you don't see and don't know. 

Taj Mahal 2012

I for one, am not financially rich. A lot of people assume I am because of the life I live. I have a very mediocre bankroll at best. Thankfully I still win more than I lose usually so it's not too bad. But some months I barely can keep up with my expenses. If I had no income for a few years I would be broke. But yet I chose this life, happily. Sure I want to be rich, I want more money, I want to earn as much as I can like anyone else, but more so I want to live. 

Amsterdam 2018

Imagine this. If you've been told, you have one year to live, what would you do? Would you still grind at your job, trying to save for the "future"? Would you still go to work the next day? Would you still worry about your business, mortgage, or bank account? Or would you spend your time on important things? Your loved ones, your family? Eating the things you want to eat, going to places you want to visit, doing the things you've always wanted to to?

The problem is, most people don't know which day is their last. And when they do, it is too late. Someone did a survey with old people, and asked them what their biggest regret was. Surprisingly, most people did not regret what they did, but rather they regretted what they didn't do. They wished, they had done things differently, took that job, went on that trip, moved to that country, bought that house, took that risk, took that leap of faith. 

WSOPE Rozvadov 2021 (where I got crushed)

Happiness is not a destination, happiness is a choice. We are all trying to attain things that we think can get us happiness. Most people think it's money, some think it's health, others think it's a big house, nice car, hot girlfriend, fame or power. But some of the unhappiest people on earth are super rich, super famous, super powerful, and some have tragically taken their own lives. I used to think Anthony Bourdain's life was my dream, but he too ended it himself. But what if I told you there's a shortcut to happiness? And it starts with yourself. 

Cesky Krumlov 2020

There are only two types of unhappy people in the world. The first type is "unhappy because they don't have what they want". I want money, I want power, I want a big house, but I don't have it so I am unhappy. The second type is "unhappy because they have the things they don't want". I don't want cancer, I don't want this shitty job, I don't want this stress, but I have it so I am unhappy. Which one are you? The solution for the first type is stop wanting things. Be appreciative of the things you have. You are alive. You have internet access. You have a phone, or computer (since you're reading this). You have money in your bank. You are already doing much better than millions of people in the world. The solution to the second type is appreciate the other things you don't have. Your life is not in constant danger, you don't have to worry about food, or clothes, or somewhere to sleep. Only once you have accepted your status quo only you can progress as a happy person. Then from then on, whatever you get is just bonus.

So next time if you want to say this to me again, why not say, "I'm living my dream life"? You owe it to yourself. 

Hoi An Poker Dream Report

Never thought I would go on this trip but I am glad I did. Let's start with the positives. The resort we were in had probably the best service I have ever experienced in my life. From the bellhops, waitresses to housekeeping, reception staff, the service was impeccable! Even better than my experience in Japan. It kind of makes up for the location as it was far away from anything, 20 minutes from Hoi An town, 45 minutes away from Danang. Food options were limited and expensive, and other than tournament poker, there was nothing much else to do. 

Luxurious stay at a beach resort

Hoi An market by day

Hoi An at night

Just like the first event in Genting, the Poker Dream turn out was impressive. I was surprised to see contingents of Koreans, Thai, Filipinos and Malaysians came all the way to support. However I must say the field was not soft compared to most events in Vietnam. The inexperience of the team still showed when it came to the procedures and scheduling. There were days where there wasn't much to play if you bust early. Cash games although separate from Poker Dream were also poorly organized. I can't believe that with so many poker players stuck in a far away resort with nothing much to do, on most days they couldn't even get one table to run. There was one day I played heads up just so there was a cash game. 

1000bb stack but was the short stack!

When we first landed into Danang, there was a super heavy rain that caused a flash flood. It was so bad that our driver wouldn't take us to the resort so we had to abandon "ship" and stayed a night in Danang. So by the time we got there, I could only play the Deepstack as my first event. Thank God I ran deep in that event and eventually final tabled. Can't complain as I laddered up a couple of spots when some of my table mates committed ICM suicide. Other events weren't so smooth for me but I picked only 5 events to play. I ran deep in the main event again but only to fizzle out on day 2. Card dead pretty much the whole day and the only time I had QQ they were cracked by 99. But to cash 2/5 events isn't bad, and this was my 4th Main event cash of the year (total I played 8 main events this year). 50% itm rate for main events is a pretty good achievement in my opinion. 

Mr Gorilla hiding behind my big stack!

As rare as the cash games were, I managed to play 4 sessions. There was one particular session that was super fun. Blinds were USD 2/4 but there were two whales that were raising USD 80/100+ preflop. I managed a comeback in that game and booked a win. I won all 4 sessions of my cash games for a modest profit. 

Tournaments         + 166.65m
Cash games           + 19m
Buy action            - 19m
Sold action           - 69.165m
All expenses         - 35.58m (airfare + hotel + food + shopping + incidentals)

Overall                 +61.9m (approx USD 2.5k)

Favourite photo of the trip

Not a huge profit, but considering this trip is probably the most lavish I have had in a while, and we got a free vacation to Danang and Hoi An, and that I made some money for my friends, I am pretty happy with the result. 

Hanoi WPC Report (lots of photos)

Hanoi has become my favorite poker destination recently. Even though this was my first WPC (World Poker Championship) series, I knew it was going to be a stunning success. A few months ago players were raving about how WPT Hanoi main event hit 777 players. Well, WPC smashed that to reach 1020 players! Congratulations to WPC and the Grand Loyal Poker Club for a successful series. 

Before my previous trip to Hanoi, I slipped, fell and hurt my ribs pretty badly. But I cashed in the main and had a profitable trip overall. This trip didn't start smoothly. I couldn't get a taxi at 5am to the airport, got bullied by the airport ground staff, I almost rage quit my trip right then. Then when I was in Hanoi, I was hit by a bike from behind while walking and once again while on a bike. I also found out my favorite Hanoi cash game was closed for the week, so my go-to trip saver wasn't there for me! Couldn't get my first mystery bounty cash and I thought to myself, not another bad week please.

The second day I decided to focus on the main event. My first significant hand that I remembered was J5dd. Yes it is not usually in my range, but the previous weekend on the Poker Cruise, we all had a lot of fun playing and winning with J5. Long story short, I won a big pot vs 44 on the big blind on a J93dd46d board. I ended the day as the 2nd chip leader of 1A with 24x starting stack and in the money already. The next day with not much else going on, I joined the freezeout event and ran deep into the FT for my second FT of the year. However I committed ICM suicide when I told myself I have to fold any hand except QQ+ and threw away at least 1-2 pay jumps. I hope I learned from this experience.

My favorite Pho in the world, Pho Bien

Day two of the main event had 128 players left from a field of 1020. I have given myself a way to gauge how good I am playing. If I win by making more bluffs and hero calls vs value bets that's a well played session. The other way around means I just ran good or got lucky. Throughout the day I had only 2 value bet hands so I won mostly from bluffs. So I am still happy I outlasted almost 1000 players for my 3rd main event cash of the year. But so frustrating to be so close to real amounts of money. 

Lucas Palace

MK Club

Athena Poker Club

Back to my trusty cash game, this trip I tried playing at 3 other poker clubs. If I have the chance I might write a more detailed review of the rooms. But first session at Athena Poker Club I was already stuck 40m. First 20m was top pair vs naked flush draw, run twice, lost both. Then second 20m I flopped two pairs on a wet board lost to a straight. Then I had my first Japanese speaking game experience at MK Club. It was quite fun although on the small and tighter side. One guy played one hand the entire session and yes it was aces that flopped top set too! But I took the opportunity to learn the numbers in Japanese. Did you know 7 in Japanese is Nana? So my old poker room in Phnom Penh was nana nana nana in Japanese. The third room was in a different part of town called Lucas Palace. Blinds were small but decent action. Won some back to ease the trip. 

chả cá

Home cooked meal

Bún đậu mắm tôm

A big part of my attraction to Hanoi is the food. This trip I tried Bún đậu mắm tôm and chả cá. Both are served with the pungent smelling shrimp paste so it's not as popular with foreigners. But I really enjoyed the Bún đậu. It's something I would never have had myself if my Vietnamese friend didn't bring me. If you are looking for something more suited to western palates I recommend Chops (for burgers and very nice fries) and Pincho for Spanish style Tapas. 

Pincho Tapas bar

Tournaments         + 60.88m

All expenses         - 28m (airfare + hotel + food + shopping + incidentals)
Cash games          - 6.75m

Overall                  + 26m (approx $1.1k)

Well, not a great profit margin by any means, but a free trip with my favorite person in the world, she got some shopping done too, nice hotels, great food (no expense spared), my 2nd FT and 3rd main event cash of the year, experiencing 3 different cash games, making new friends, all while not really having much value bet spots throughout the week other than 1A in the main, after a 6 week long downswing, I will take it. I am hoping to parlay this trip into another profitable one in Hoian during the Poker Dream series. Hope to see some of you guys there too!

Ajisai Japanese Apartment

Penang Poker Cruise - REVIEW

I just came back from the first ever legal poker game based out of Penang. I wanted to write this review when my mind is still fresh and also to give the other guys joining a heads up of what to expect. Disclaimer I was approached to assist in the promotion of this room because of my network in the region and also my experience of running poker clubs. However I am NOT the host / owner and like all my reviews I try to be as honest as I can for the reviews to be worth reading. 

Two tables ready of action

I arrived at the Swettenham Pier entrance at about 9:20am and there I was greeted by one of the Poker Mojo staff at the gate with my ticket ready. It was unusually packed today so there was a queue to get on the ship. However after speaking with one of the port policeman he said today's crowd is way higher than normal, usually queues were fast and easy. 

I blurred the players' faces for privacy

The poker area was located on the bottom deck called Atlantis Deck. It is quite a nice area away from the crowded baccarat and roulette tables. But not too secluded where they still had a few curious uncles walking by and watching us. One of them actually sat down to play too. The game was RM 5/10 with 5% rake, capped at RM 70. Definitely higher than what we are used to, but 30% lower than it's other legal competitor in the country. No rake pre flop, no rake for chopped pots, I think that's a good start. There was a drinks cart 10 meters away offering free water, coffee and tea. 

Food is not bad but not great

Before you start thinking why I only have positive things to say so far, there are negatives to this poker room as well. The obvious one it's on a floating casino. Once you board you can't leave until the ship docks again 8-9 hours later. There's some entertainment to keep you occupied and a nice outdoor deck by the pool but that's about it. You lose data access on most networks once you're out in the open sea. WiFi is not free and it limits your usage to messaging apps only. However it seems to work with everything else on the laptop. Food on board is mediocre but you can pay for better meals if you want to.

Nice outdoor deck

The game I played in was friendly, fun, full of action, and soft. One poor dude lost about RM 10k and one lucky newbie turned his RM 500 buy in into RM 6000. They offered a jackpot and yours truly hit the second royal flush of my life to claim a RM 1500 bonus. I ended up winning almost RM 3000 for the day. They offer insurance as well but at the same time allowed running twice if there are 11 outs or more. I think that's fairer to be given this choice rather than be forced to run once when buying insurance is mathematically impossible. 

Finally back to winning ways this month

My second ever Royal Flush in 23 years of playing

There are lots of room for improvement and I understand working with a Malaysian monopoly can be frustrating. But considering it was their first run I would say I was overall pleasantly surprised with the experience. It may not become my regular grind but if I wanted a safe place to play over some weekends it would be a great choice. 

Amazing People from My Journey

In my 23 years of playing poker, I have met thousands of people. Some of them bad, but some of them were amazing. This article is about some of the amazing people I have met along the way. Hopefully it will inspire all of us to be better people too. The list will not be too comprehensive as I have met so many people, I might miss a few stories here and there, and some of which have become my lifelong friends and they don't need reminding of how great they are. 

About 10 years ago I often frequented Macau to play some live poker. At the time I was working in Malaysia and was earning a measly salary. Every trip to Macau was a big deal as the cost was high and each buy in was about 1-2 months' salary. I remember vaguely that I lost a few hands in that session, even was taunted by a reg by showing me his bluff, but the last hand I flopped a small set only for my opponent to turn a bigger set and stack me. I guess I had that dejected look on my face. As I was walking away from the table, another player probably in his late thirties or early forties came up to me. He offered to buy me dinner at the casino restaurant which initially I politely declined. He said he had unused points and he wanted to grab a bite anyways. After losing a bunch of money a free meal sounded pretty good so I went. I forgot what we talked about during the meal, nor how he looked like or even his name. But what I still remember feeling to this day is how kind he was because I needed comforting and a friend. I don't remember if we spoke about the hands but all this time I feel thankful that someone showed that they cared and did a nice thing for me. I doubt I would recognize him if I see him again, nor would he remember me if he saw me instead. He has inspired me to be this person for other up and coming players. I thank him and wish him the best in life. 

I met Basil and Winnie at a couple of tournaments in the Philippines. We had mutual friends so were introduced, chatted a bit but didn't really get to know each other that well. A few years later I was involved in an online poker club on PPPoker and invited Basil to be my agent for players in his network. We did that for quite a while until I suddenly decided to move to the city he was based in. Finding ourselves strangers in a new city, Basil and Winnie took us in like old buddies, as family even. They would offer to take us out, showed us around, brought us to their family gatherings and celebrations. Our experience there wouldn't have been so nice without their warm hospitality and friendship. To be honest we barely knew each other but it felt so comfortable with them as if we've known each other our whole lives. I am glad we are still friends and still see each other once in a while.

I used to live and play poker in Vietnam so I understand the culture very well. The first time I took notice of Quoc Bao was from an online hand discussion on Facebook. River was dealt and a foreign player opened then mucked his winning hand by mistake. Vietnamese player got the floor to help him claim the pot by a technicality. Although well within the rules but I have zero respect for players who try to win this way. But knowing Vietnamese culture, some players pride themselves in getting these advantages, slow rolling, angle shooting, etc. Quoc Bao voiced out his opinions against the Vietnamese player's actions and the actions of the floor and the rest of the players. Even though I didn't know the guy at the time, I had instant respect for him. Granted now that I do, he's more American than Kim Kardashian so maybe it doesn't count. But for a Vietnamese to voice out against their negative culture deserved my admiration, and he's a pretty decent guy too. 

I've met Pham Bao at international tournaments, always polite, courteous and happy to chat. Eventually he also became one of my agents for the Vietnamese market. However at one point him and his team started to owe me a decent sum of money. At first he would clear a little at a time, but at one point he said to me that he was in a bad situation and will pay me back when he can. I didn't think too much about it because if I got back every dollar everyone in the world owed me, I would have enough to retire. Four years later, out of the blue Pham contacts me and paid me back in full. Again I had little respect for most Vietnamese people I know, but for him to keep to his word, I was very impressed. Even if he were doing better, he could have kept quiet and kept the money to himself. But he didn't and he earned my trust by doing that.  

Last year I visited Spain and we stopped briefly in Valencia. Overall Spanish people are quite friendly but this guy Paco stood out. The first day I met him he would give me advice about traveling around Spain, places to eat, and made me feel comfortable in his country. It's one thing to chat on the table but another to offer ones friendship to someone you've just met. 

This year I was playing a lot in Hanoi. Very typical Vietnamese game, and you feel the culture strongly as the foreigner. When I first met Quang Nguyen I felt a different vibe from him even though he is Vietnamese. I told him I could see his cards. He thanked me but asked me why I didn't just keep it to myself and used it against him. I said I don't want to win like that, and he instantly replied that he is the same. I don't know anyone in that room who wouldn't want to peek at my cards when I am playing them. In another session he waited for a seat and finally got it. But because there was a whale behind him on the list, Quang being a much better player than the whale and that he wasn't a regular, he got bullied and had to give the whale his seat. But instead of fighting he let it go. Sure, standing up for yourself can be a positive attribute but in this situation I felt he handled himself really well and more Vietnamese people should learn to think and act like him. But I also later found out that Quang is probably more Australian than Vietnamese. Goes to show the importance of culture and education. 

I met these last two guys in my recent trip to Cambodia. The first one is Eddie from Pakistan. As soon as I sat down on the table, I knew he was a nice friendly guy. He seem to know everyone and anyone. He would fist bump any guy that sat down and spoke to them as if they have known each other for a long time. But instead he is just that friendly and have made friends with almost everyone there in his few days in Cambodia. So naturally we became friends too. He was discussing an incident about a guy pulling an angle claiming he didn't see his cards but he actually flopped the nuts. He even said later he spoke to the guy and told him that wasn't cool. A few days later that guy, Eddie and I happened to be on the same table and Eddie pointed him out to me so I wouldn't be angled by him as well. One morning I went to a game that was running since the night before. Stacks were deep, players tired and tilted, needless to say it was an amazing game. Unfortunately I ran bad and was stacked twice pretty quickly for $3000. I didn't have that much cash on me and didn't feel like walking all the way back to the hotel and coming back again so I quit the game and walked out. As I was outside Eddie came out for a smoke. He saw me and said I should jump back in as the game was so good. Indeed it was, the best I've seen the whole week. I told him I didn't have enough cash and without hesitation he replied "you could have asked me and I would lend it to you". As touched as I was, I told him I appreciated his gesture and trust but I have just met him a couple of days ago. It wouldn't be right for me to borrow from him and I didn't. I messaged him again just today and one of his messages to me was "let me know if you need anything, ever." I would never take advantage of his generosity, maybe just let him buy me a beer the next time I see him, but what a guy. 

I played a satellite and structures are obviously super fast in those. I tried to bully the table and folds to my button and I have 34 suited. I opened and was 3 betted by the big blind. I defended in position and flop was T45 (or something like that). He surprisingly checks and I check back. turn another T and he checks again. Thinking he has AK or over cards I jammed to protect my small pair but he tanks and finally calls off with 77. I spiked the 4 on the river though to give him a bad beat. I felt bad so I genuinely apologized to him. He was tilted obviously and busted soon after. As he was leaving the table he gave a middle finger, pointed towards the table. I felt nothing about it because it was understandable that he was upset. However what happened after was amazing. 10-15 minutes later he came back to the poker room, tapped me from behind and apologized! He said he was upset but regretted what he did. I took no offense at all but I was so amazed by his gesture. To know that you made a mistake is one thing, but to have the humility to return and apologize is a totally different level. Hats off to this man. During the next few days, I would actually make an effort to seek him out and talk to him. I wanted him to know I held no ill feelings and actually was impressed by how he acted. I wished I had taken his contact so I could show him this article. 

These are some of the amazing people I have met in my poker journey. I am sure there will be more. But for every amazing person, I have probably met 10x that in shitty ones. What impressions are you giving others you come across? Are you an inspiration or a disappointment? Some of these guys I will never meet again in my life, but their impact will be forever remembered. So if you meet others on the poker tables, even if it's just for a fleeting moment, your actions and words can mean a lot. Be that amazing person for someone else. 

Cambodia WPT Report

I have dreaded to write this post mortem because it has been an ugly trip. I was feeling really upbeat about the trip at first, and had a good feeling about it all along, first cash game session I turned quads and got paid on the river but it all went downhill from there.

I was expecting a much deeper run

Returning to Phnom Penh is always bitter sweet for me. I have a lot of memories of the place, good and bad. It was a key place for my poker career and wherever I go I seem to have some reminders of what happened there. One day I might sit down and write my entire experience down but it makes for a nice movie script actually. 

On the bright side I made some nice new memories this trip. Having dinner with the boys after our Andrew Neeme meet up game. The meet up game itself was quite memorable as well. We played the stand up game and I won the first hand against Andrew. It was also featured on Andrew's YouTube vlog. Took pictures with him and Vince Van Patten and they with Mr. Gorilla too. Called Vince as Lon because some genius pointed at him and said that's Lon McEachern (the WSOP commentator) I guess I was too tired and drunk to realize that mistake until I look back at the photo and thought to myself, why would a WSOP commentator show up at a WPT event and then it hit me. I hope he didn't take offense. 

Andrew Neeme

Vince Van Patten

I made day 2 of the main running super hot early in day 1. By level 3 I had 8x starting stack. It fizzled out in the middle losing AA to 22 and QQ to 77 in pretty significant pots before clawing back with a decent stack for day 2. Manage to outlast 1000+ players only to finish with a modest cash. Another few pay jumps would have made the trip a nice one but couldn't win a couple of key flips at the end. 

But my usual bread and butter cash games got my butt kicked real well. One, two, three, four, five outers hit for my opponents, but me missing fifteen, sixteen, seventeen outer draws. The downswing started a week before WPT and is still going as of yesterday. This is not my worst downswing but every beat I take feels like a kick in the stomach. This year I have been a committing to becoming a better player, better person, better friend, better son, better partner. I have cut out all degen stuff in my life, committed to be an honest person with friends and business partners, recommitted myself to be loyal to my partner which is always a challenge as there are so many temptations especially when we travel, focused on improving my skills and I feel that I am playing the best poker in my entire career, helping people whenever I can both in giving but also teaching, sharing, encouraging, caring without expecting anything back. But to lose session after session, and the way I lost, lately has me feeling dejected and depressed. I cut my trip short yesterday because I couldn't take another losing session.

This blog is to document my poker journey and it wouldn't be fair to just report the rosy results and hide the ugly ones. Including cost and losses the WPT was a -9k trip. Including my entire downswing since early August its probably like -12k USD. I can take that hit but emotionally it has been draining because I felt it was my time to shine. The amount of effort I've put into bettering myself, I expected to be rewarded. 

Before losing JJ vs 99 all in pre flop (hit his one outer 9) but I had 17 outs but missed

But it is not all doom and gloom. Every time I see the people I love, I feel blessed again. I have a wonderful partner that I would never have dreamed of. She is loving, supportive, in short just the perfect woman for me. Regardless of how I do financially, I am so blessed in other aspects of my life. Money isn't everything and money isn't anything if I'm not happy, and I AM happy. I just wish I was rich too 😆