It took about 3 weeks for me to make it back to the felt. Remember, I'm a guy who was playing as often as 5 times a week as recently as a few months ago.
I wrote a post called "Goodbye to some Forever" when my work schedule changed again. I really can't play more than once a week anymore.
But something more signifigant has happened.
After Bonnaroo, after more time at home with my family, after enjoying the company of friends away from the table....I just didn't enjoy playing poker. That's new.
GRANTED
I've been playing terribly. I mean, I've never been very good at poker, but I'm absolutely HORRIBLE the last few months. I've had big wins at times but that solely a factor of good cards and lucky flops. When the deck runs cold, like it did this past Friday, I can't win.
I won one hand on Friday. At one point I folded pre-flop, including from the blinds, for a solid 2 hours.
As Senor Blood said then, "That's how good poker works".
I agree, of course, but I'm still not having fun.
THE PROBLEM
I wear my iPod to any serious poker game. Of course, so does everyone else. Blood wears those giant noise-cancelling ones. It helps me concentrate and cancels out a lot of the outside noise.
But they're also a problem. I mean, when I was playing several times a week and had at least one night (Rick's game) set aside for playing poker with friends while watching the NFL, having a beer or two, and generally shooting the shit.
That won't happen anymore.
Now the ONLY poker is very serious poker.
Now let's assume I use my only night out each week to play poker. When am I enjoying time with friends?
I'll be honest, dear reader, serious poker is a fascinating diversion, but I'll take a great time with good friends first.
I think Bonnaroo brought that home.
A cold beer on a pretty evening with my family and friends is more fun that watching other people scowl over bad flops while ignoring you to thier own headphone beat.
I played online Saturday and DID enjoy that. Perhaps that's because it's time I intended to spend alone anyway.
AS I STOOD UP
Leaving the game Friday, I told the table they'd never play poker with me again. Anyone who knows me well knows I'll almost certainly back down from that proclaimation. Still, I went 3 weeks without playing before last week and I'm fairly certain I can do that more often.
Then again, I played online Saturday night.
G-Vegas...find yourself another fish.
Unless you want somone to join you in DRINKING like a fish. Then feel free to drop me a line.