Yes, it is indeed cold out there. I’m starting to seriously miss having a car, because riding my bike to work makes it feel like someone’s poured acid on my cheeks. Fortunately it’s a short trip, so it doesn’t kill me, but it’s still cold. Brrrrr.

Between work, christmas and new year’s, trips to parents, anniversaries and the sudden fanatical interest in a video game, I just haven’t gotten around to playing a whole lot of poker. I’m still trying to manage 1000 hands played per week, but even that seems to demand slightly more time than I really have available.

It’s also 2006, and I hope everyone will have a great year. As usual, I made my resolutions while heavily intoxicated. It will be interesting to see how they work out, but here’s my list (can’t get more official than this, can it?):

1. I will go to the gym twice a week, as opposed to once a week.
2. I will stop using tobacco.
3. I will build my bankroll to the point where I can play $5/$10 limit at the end of 2006, while simultaneously cashing out enough to pay off the minimum on my student loans.

The first one should be okay, as going once per week has worked out well during the fall.

No tobacco will be a bit taxing, but I’ll try my best. I’m on day three so far, and I’ve managed decently.

And the third one is why I need to play more hands than I currently do. By my calculations, I need to play in the ballpark of 30,000 hands with average results to move up to $5/$10, if I plan on cashing out half of everything I earn. Wish me luck on that one.

Actually, wish me luck on all three. I’ll need it!

Tip of the day: Don’t automatically slowplay all your big hands (trips/sets and up) on the flop. It’s so common that anyone who flops trips will check the flop that when I have it and bet, people call simply because they expect me to show anything but trips. I’ve gotten raised on the turn when the other guy hit two pair, because he simply couldn’t fathom that my bet representing trips would be that honest. Trapping has its place, but don’t overdo it.