Diary of a Poker Diva – Liz Lieu

Yesterday was the first day of my World Series. I was ready to play, though definitely a bit tired because Jace didn’t sleep well. My sweet cat is back from the hospital and taking his medications like a good boy, but he has several health issues to deal with. His energy spurts come at odd hours of the night, but I believe that’s a sign that he’s happy and trying to beat these infections.

So, a little tired but excited, I headed over to the Rio and took my seat in the Amazon Room. The Pavilion Ballroom was completely full of tables and players, so my section was in good old Amazon. Familiar place, but I felt that this year was going to be different.

(photo courtesy of Pokernews.com)

It was the $1,000 NLHE tournament – Event 3, Day 1A – and I started off well. On the third hand of the day, I looked down at pocket jacks from the small blind. Seat 2 raised to 100 preflop, and I called. The flop came 9c-5s-9s. When Seat 2 bet, I check-raised to 300, and he reraised to 600. I called, and the turn brought a 9 that we both checked. The river was a 5, so I bet 1,000, and Seat 2 pushed all-in. I called all-in and showed my jacks for the double-up. Wheee! Off to a great start.

I lost a few chips during the first level and ended it with 5,200. But it was the second level that was utterly frustrating. There were three of us all-in preflop. I got my chips in with pocket kings, another player came along with pocket jacks, but the other guy had pocket aces. It played out just as you think it would, and I was gone. Out. Eliminated.

(photo courtesy of Matt Waldon)

So, my 2010 WSOP didn’t get off to the amazing start I planned, but it was only one of the 23 events I’m playing. As I said, the lack of sleep didn’t help me today, but it was the bad run of cards and luck in the second level that did me in.

I went home and curled up with Jace to calm me down, which definitely worked. He is such a peaceful presence in my life, despite his bursts of energy and tough times with the infections.

My next event is Monday, with the $1,500 NLHE in Pavilion Yellow, table 156, seat 8. I’m gonna give it my best shot!

Cheers!

Many people in poker understand the feeling of wanting to lay low before the World Series of Poker. For nearly two months, we’re playing tournaments, being social, lacking sleep, and keeping our schedules full no matter how hard we try to do otherwise. So my sparse updates on this blog lately are mostly because I’m trying to take some time for myself and relax in Las Vegas before the WSOP starts.

The other thing taking up much of my time is by beloved new cat Jace. You’ll remember that I adopted him earlier this month from the Nevada SPCA. He’s already been such a blessing in my life, such an amazing companion with so much love to give! I even noticed recently that the brown markings on either side of his body are each in the shape of a heart. Look at the pictures! My friends are shocked that the markings are so obvious, and it only serves as one more sign that we found each other at the right time in our lives. He’s just the most loving little boy.

Jace is not in the best health, though. He’s over two years old and he’s been living in a shelter, so it’s not surprising that he has health issues, but the vet we’ve been going to hasn’t been able to help. Jace was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection/virus, ear mites, and most recently an eye infection that the vet says is a result of the infection spreading. The ear mites have been taken care of, but the infection isn’t going away despite the antibiotics, eye drops, and steroid shot to help clear his breathing.

Yesterday, I finally got fed up from seeing my boy suffering so much, and I took him to a veterinary hospital that specializes in cats. He was admitted to the hospital overnight so they could properly monitor him and diagnose the problem. Waiting to hear back is very hard! And going home without him was sad, though I know he’s getting amazing care and I look forward to bringing him back home soon. He’s very happy here with the big windows and so many fluffy places to lounge around. 🙂

In other news, I’ve decided on my WSOP schedule! I looked over the schedule and picked my events. It looks like I’m setting myself up for some long grinds, but I’m mentally and physically ready to bust my ass and do well this year! Here’s a look at the events I plan to play:

Event 3 – $1,000 NLHE
Event 5 – $1,500 NLHE
Event 8 – $1,500 NLHE
Event 9 – $1,500 PLHE
Event 11 – $1,500 NLHE
Event 17 – $5,000 NLHE
Event 18 – $2,000 LHE
Event 23 – $2,500 LHE Short-handed
Event 26 – $2,500 NLHE Short-handed
Event 29 – $10,000 LHE World Championship
Event 32 – $5,000 NLHE Short-handed
Event 35 – $10,000 NLHE Heads-Up World Championship
Event 36 – $1,000 NLHE
Event 38 – $10,000 PLHE World Championship
Event 39 – $1,500 NLHE Shootout
Event 42 – $1,500 NLHE
Event 44 – $2,500 Mixed HE
Event 47 – $1,000 NLHE
Event 49 – $1,500 NLHE
Event 53 – $1,500 NLHE Shootout
Event 54 – $1,000 NLHE
Event 56 – $2,500 NLHE
Main Event – $10,000 NLHE

That was exhausting just making the list! Yes, there are 23 events there, though the list may be shortened or changed when I make Day 2s and final tables of some events, preventing me from playing others. 😉

The WSOP is just a few days away, and I hope to see a lot of friends at the Rio this summer!

Cheers!

Since Monte Carlo, I’ve been relaxing in London. The last few tournaments I played were rather frustrating, so I needed to do some meditation and find my happy place again. 🙂

The last few weeks in London have been very tranquil. Sure, I took care of some business and put some things in motion with my attorneys, but I made a big effort not to work too much. I spent a lot of time with my cats, did a lot of jogging, bicycling, and other exercising, and I got back to my healthy diet. All of those things do wonders for the mind as well as the body; it’s really true! I’ve been getting in a good mindset for the upcoming WSOP as I will be grinding in quite a number of events this year.

I did return to Las Vegas this week, and though I’m suffering from jet lag, I immediately headed out to the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), a no-kill shelter that houses tons of animals. I was specifically looking at the older cats, as kittens often are the first to get adopted and those cats that are a few years old wait longer for families. As I was sitting in the room with so many cats (wanting to adopt a bunch of them!), one captured my heart right away. He is an ginger/white short-haired tabby, about four years-old, with the most loving and gentle personality.

During the time I spent with him, there was another gray female cat who kept hissing at him, even trying to attack him for no reason, but my loving boy just looked at the other cat, looked away, and went back to resting. What a great disposition! We bonded instantly, which made the decision quite easy. I filled out all the paperwork, then took my adopted handsome boy to his new home.

I gave him a new name, Jace, which means Healer, for several reasons. One is that pets are naturally healing; they’re so calm and unconditionally loving that their presence seems to heal almost anything. Two is that he came to me with an upper respiratory infection/virus, which means I have to nurse him back to health. But he’s a Healer, and I just know he’ll be fine.

As far as poker goes, I’ll be laying low until the World Series of Poker begins in a few weeks. It’s coming up so quickly! I’m not exactly sure which events I’ll be playing as of yet, but I’m going to work that out in the next week or so when I have time to take a closer look at the schedule. But I will be at the Rio… I hear that it’s the “Year of the Woman” so I guess it’s my time to participate in that, right? 😉

Hope to see many of you at the WSOP this summer! And in the meantime, make a visit to your local animal shelter if you can. There are so many loving, incredible animals there that could use homes.

Cheers!