Too much poker to play

TUCKER, Ga. -- "I'm going to laugh if I win with this," I say to Drew, showing him the 72 of spades.

Early in the morning, Drew has pushed all-in with A7o. Bibb shows me his TT and says "Should I call with this?" It's 4-handed and Sham, who's already tripled up, has already passed out.

Bibb calls and makes a quad on the river, busting both of us of our $5 buy-in ($.10/.20 mixed games). I called because I had only a few dollars of my original buy-in left, and I had to get out of there soon to work today.

I like the texture of our home game when it gets late and shorthanded. It's like a poor man's version of Ted Forrest or Phil Ivey burning the candles to see more cards and have a chance to break even.

The mixed games are good because I usually don't play 2-7 Triple Draw or badugi online and I feel I'm gaining good experience on learning the relative strength of my hand versus an opponent's. I kept raising Drew (who kept raising me) when I had been dealt two A's in A-5 Triple Draw. I ended up winning with a 6-high to the ace.

With Bibb, I had a 9-6 in 2-7 Triple Draw, but felt he really had a strong hand, given his inexperience to the game. He ended up having a number three, or the third-best hand (2,3,5,6,7). Just calling him to showdown felt right.

I felt the same way in the heads-up H.O.R.S.E. freezeout with Mark earlier this week. All the while I felt my hands were just strong enough to bet and win. Of course, I made my draws much of the time! LOL

Back in the ATL, the Cryptos have been very juicy, keeping me from even starting my Empire bonus, although I only have about 8 days left of the original 10 to clear it. I've been on steady burn on Full Tilt, too, and am about a tenth of the way through that bonus.

Man, so much poker, so little time.