"If It Wasn't for Skill....

...You'd win em all" -Nick "Two Plus Two" Hatley talking to me.

A golden quote no doubt, although I'm sure it showed up first somewhere on 2p2, built from one of Hellmuth's famous rants. "If it wasn't for luck, I'd win em all" he said after busting out of another WSOP event. This remake of the quote was based off one of my standard blackjack heaters in Vegas. Obviously blackjack is much less of a skill game than poker and a game that you will always lose at over any large sample but hey, I GUESS I GOT A FEEL FOR IT.

Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on who you are), I don't have much else to talk about today. Enjoy your MLK day breaks and I'll write again soon.

M

Greetings and Hello from Las Vegas

DISCLAIMER: This is a message from Mike Finn and does not necessarily represent the views/opinions of StandardBull.com.

Greetings and Hello from Las Vegas…If you’re reading this it means you really like me (thanks Mazin) or you’re really really bored (Rash). I don’t know how many guest blogs I’m gonna get on this rag of a website…so if you’re planning on finishing the whole thing…grab a Dr. Pepper, cheese balls, and strap in…because this is doozy of an update…and now without further Apu…

Before I get into what it’s like living in this city, I’d like to point out to anyone attempting the same feat…take every dollar you have…and burn it…pretty much what it takes to move across the country…stick a woman in the passenger seat and take every dollar you have…double it…and burn it…bingo. I have literally started my life over…my IRA, savings, everything is gone. This is without a doubt the hardest thing I’ve ever tried to do. I refuse to fail. PS, I’d like everyone to know that due to the financial constraints of a woman and new residence plus the fore mentioned “refuse to fail” attitude…my gambling has been nearly non-existent. Were it not for the (very) occasional $10 football parlay and two hour session of No Limit Texas Hold’em…I would have done more betting for dollars back in Raleigh…::sigh::

“You’re moving to Vegas Mike?? I could never do that…I’d die!” The rate of deaths to new residents in Las Vegas in inversely proportional to the intelligence of said new residents…if I have to explain that last sentence to you…I don’t recommend the road trip.

I’ve found that of the 2 million and three people who live here…one million hate it, one million love it, and three are undecided (weirdos). The people who hate it usually have zero dollars due to the 24 hour access of booze, boobs, dice, and boobs. The one million who love it make all their money off the one million who hate it…and the circle of life is complete.

Driving across the country in a Honda Accord Coupe towing a U-Haul only sounds like a barrel of monkeys. In reality it’s an epic journey requiring 18 tanks of gas and touching the speed limit only if you’re going downhill. The trip can be done in three days…but we decided to stretch it out over 3.5 days nearly missing the signing of the lease for the Vegas chapter of The Estate which would have been brutal considering the consequence was sleeping in the car for three nights…no spank you…

The house is nice as Jay, Birch, her Mom, my Mom and Dad, Trey, Laura, Mazin, Rash, and Bryan can all attest to…built in 1994 it’s a little different than what we’re used to…but after some TLC and the woman maxing out a credit card (mine) it’s quite the little dwelling. Open invite to anyone reading this…come visit…twice…

I started this residence as a transfer at the local Chili’s…literally making $34 a week. After numerous individuals explaining to me there’s no way I could get a job on the strip in Vegas without previous experience…I secured a job as a Race and Sports Book writer at Bally’s/Paris. Cool job, but after a week you’re pretty much maxed out in the “challenging” category. While continuing to get similar advice from people who “know” how this city works, “There’s no way you can get a poker job on the strip without experience.” I got hired at Mandalay Bay as a poker dealer after living here for 8 weeks. Yes it’s a brag and I’m pretty damn proud of it. Since the crux of getting hired in a poker room is you have to start at the bottom, I’ve only been getting 15-25 hours a week. The pay is great, but the lack of hours crushes the bottom line.

In an effort to supplement my income, I kept searching for another part time job. Somehow I’ve been hired by two more poker rooms (The M (www.theMresort.com) and The Venetian ß GIANT brag (www.Venetian.com)…which may spell the end of my tenure at Mandalay Bay considering my boss’ attitude on split availability has the approximate texture of stale toast. I’m doing what I can to take advantage of all this now as once dental school starts (Fall 2011?) there won’t be any time to work.

The visits of friends and family have been great. The first acquaintance from home to partake in the new chapter was Mr. Tony Rose…thanks buddy.

The most recent visit was by the Three Caballeros…better known as Jonathan “Legal in Wyoming” Rash, Msauce, and Bryan “Run Good” Robinson. This was my first opportunity to burn any liquid assets trying to dominate the city. Were it not for a run in with spearmint gum chewing jerk, literally the size of a Rhino and his two big round goons…we’d have been up on the trip…lesson learned…by the way guys…yesterday I sat in a 46 person tournament at The M and wound up chopping first and second…assuming you were all in for a cut…I owe you some flow (it means “cash” Zack)

The woman moved home to finish school…so we’ve hit the proverbial “pause” button on the relationship until she’s got the degree and I’ve had the opportunity to financially get back on my feet and can actually afford her (at least in principal)…which of course means that during this break she can do whatever she wants but I can’t…obviously ;-)

To keep in the rhythm of the previous posts…a few comments as well as 2010 “resolutions” of my own:

1 – I am now and forever assuming a piece of anyone selling action (Rash, Mazin, Bryan, Nick, Zack, Ebe, etc.) So keep a running tab and either ship the Full Tilt or send me a bill…seriously…don’t leave me out just because you don’t know if I want a piece…the answer is “yes”.

2 – I will run two marathons by April at a sub 3 hour pace…boom

3 – I will do the P90X in 89 days (aka get back into shape and stay in shape at or above the level of Jon Rash)…I love it…but I HATE it…

4 – Make 10K in poker without playing a hand because I will have bought 10% of the action on Mazin and Rash who’re going to cash for 50K+ each

5 – Rash…I’ve read the bible…it doesn’t get really really good til the end…

6 – Take a giant step towards Dental School (other than leaving my friends, family, and life to move across the country and start from scratch)…meaning acquire Nevada Residency, dominate any classes UNLV can throw my way…and simply crush all “Nay Sayers” (or “haters” in skreet speak) who doubt my ability to succeed…

7 – Be as cool as Mazin and sexy as Zack

8 – Watch the fountains of the Bellagio at least twice a month

9 – Simply eat three meals a day that consist of more than hot dogs and bagels

10 – Have more pennies to spend…and then don’t spend them.

11 – Be that 6 figure score and spread the wealth to all who helped me get where I am…you know who you are…and the spreading of wealth will be epic

12 – My house is always open to you…call me when your plane lands and I’ll be there to pick you up…simple as that…

Call late and call often, 702.556.6293, Mike@Finneran.Biz

143

Mike Finneran

2009: MEH 2010: OH YEAH

First, everyone (by everyone I mean Finn) please go read Rash's much awaited return post below this one.

2009 was a roller coaster year for me. It started out really really bad, then got good, then got very very good and just slowly crept back to bad from fall towards the end of the year. I had a hell of a lot of fun though and made some pretty good friendships so overall it was a good year. I am very excited for 2010. I just have a new outlook on things the last couple weeks and hopefully it will show when I start grinding again. I had a pretty nice December but I was forced to stop playing (hey thanks Howard) but hopefully that situation will be soon resolved.

I was going to write out a long goal post, but I thought it would make me look like a huge douche. I read rash's posts and most of my suspicions were confirmed but I decided to write a few out anyway. If for nothing else it should make for some good laughs at the end of the year right? I don't have nearly as many goals as my tiny compatriot, but here goes.

1) TRACK EVERY SINGLE KIND OF MONEY EARNED OR LOST IN 2010. This isn't an issue with poker because of Hold em Manager, but to track all the money I lose sports betting (shipped a bet on NEW YEARS DAY THOUGH) and playing props with the run good captains I made myself an excel spreadsheet. I can also track profits from the game (huge lol) or whatever else I do.

2) Make 50k doing whatever in 2010. This will primarily be through poker I assume, but whatever I have to do hopefully I can look back with 50k profit at the end of the year. Like rash, I didn't make near that in 2009, but I've had months that put me on pace for that many times and with my staking arrangement I should be able to put in lots of hours.

3) Continue improving. I've gotten so much better in 2009. I want to start learning the mix games and improve my MTT game. I don't think I'm very far away in the MTT aspect but I will be starting from almost scratch in the mixed game aspect. Hopefully by the end of the year there won't be any mainstream (played on the internet) form of poker that I do not consider myself a favorite in an average lineup.

4) Lose weight. Who doesn't include this in the new years resolution amirite? This actually won't be that hard because of the track record I've set in 2009. If I can manage to literally get up and do anything I should be able to lose a few pounds. With this goes drinking more water. I used to hate water, but I have been drinking more and more water lately. Hopefully I can start by just limiting soft drinks or beers to just dinner. Speaking of this I am thinking about making a prop bet that I can't go one month drinking just water and milk. Hit me up if you want the price, I will be getting huge odds to this LDO.

5) Travel More. I love to travel but due to my financial state I haven't been able to really at all the latter part of 2009. This has to change.

1/2 of the Standard Bull family leaves for Vegas tomorrow. We'll see if my prediction of a HUGE 2010 for us gets off to a good start or not. Oh and in reaction to rash's predictions about us I will be handling all of those by summer. Except for the Ebe one. Well I think I can convince him to quit his job by then, but no promises on the girlfriend part.

Later on