Sunday, September 27, 2009 - Billy Kopp
Well, the golf has been put on hold a few times due to some rainy days here in the bluegrass state. However, there are a lot of other things going on right now. It was a crazy and exciting weekend as it will be my last here in Kentucky for some time. First I would like to mention my good friend and fellow poker player Doug who was not able to take part in the festivities due to having heart surgery sometime this week. It’s never the same when one of the biggest partiers I know is stuck in a hospital, and we all have to worry about his health. We got word Friday night that things are looking up and can’t wait until he can get back on his feet.
This weekend was a big one in Lexington due to the football game. Kentucky played Louisville which is only about 80 miles from here. This is always a huge and exciting game because many of us at Kentucky have friends from high school who went or go to Louisville. Everyone we know from there came up for the game and was a blast. My friend James from Boston even came down to get a glimpse of what it’s all about here. This is always a huge rivalry in football and basketball. Kentucky was the favorite by almost 14 points and barely sneaked out a victory. We had way too many turnovers but somehow managed to win. This is crucial because the apartment that I rented before I decided to move is on the biggest party street near campus. It’s so wild that I usually watch the game on TV and party with lots of people around here. That may also be due to the fact that in the SEC you can’t purchase alcohol at collegiate sporting events, but that’s debatable! Also, the partying and bar scene is never the same after a loss, so I was glad we managed to get a win my last weekend here.
I am officially leaving on Thursday to live with my friend in Las Vegas until I close on my house there. I have been rushing to get lots of things finished up here in Kentucky before the big move. I’m actually going to the post office right now. I realized that I have lost my passport, great timing About 12 days from now I will be in glorious Aruba taking part in the best poker tournament of the year. I’m going to cut this a big short so I can get some other errands finished as well. I hope all of you are running satellites or steps so that you can win a seat to the Aruba Classic. I would love to meet all of you out there in October. Best of luck!
Billy Kopp
Tags: Aruba, aruba classic, basketball, Football, Golf, Kentucky, las vegas, Poker Poker Poker, poker tournaments, Satellites, STEPS
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Friday, September 18, 2009 - Billy Kopp
Since my last blog, I have been playing more cash games and less multi table tournaments on Ultimate Bet. I really want to play cash games more often, especially live when I get to Vegas. The intense volume I am able to put in online is great practice and I am still turning a nice profit. The rest of the time that I haven’t been playing or blogging, I have been spending playing golf.
I’m trying to get back into the game of golf after not playing for about three years. I played golf in high school at a very small private school and was fairly decent. I remember buying my first set of irons for about $250. I wasn’t completely satisfied with them but they were new and what I could afford at the time. Throughout the four years I played in high school I felt that I was an inferior player partially because of the equipment I was using. The whole set of clubs that I bought in 2000 were still in my garage at the beginning of this year. Deciding to get back into the game, I told myself that I needed new equipment because mine was outdated and hindering my performance on the course. Clearly the reason why I was subpar in high school was because I had mediocre clubs and the small mark in my driver was definitely affecting how straight my drives were and was causing me to hit it in the rough more often (or so I thought).
One of my high school golf teammates now owns golf shop. I contacted him and got fitted for my new equipment that was going to make me a scratch golfer for sure. I got a whole new setup: custom bag, irons, woods, wedges, tees, balls, shoes, gloves, you name it. Man I looked good on the course the first day I got back out. I laced up my comfortable Adidas shoes, and strapped on my new leather glove. I’m on the first tee with my ProV1 golf ball (the best ball on the tour so they say, also to note the most expensive) teed up on a high 4 inch tee about to be sent a million miles down the fairway from the strike of this amazing new Taylor Made R9 driver that had just come out at the time. I address the ball and line up my shot. I take a proud swing and looked for the ball that should be straight down the middle of the fairway; however it is nowhere near there. I see the ball bouncing about 45 yards to left. Apparently I got too excited and pulled my head up and topped the ball. No problem, I haven’t played in three years I’ll just take a mulligan. I re-tee another one and address the ball. I crushed it! I crushed it 260yards to the left AGAIN but ending up in the rough an entire hole over. I continued to play and hacked up the course pretty badly. How could this be?? I have the best/ most expensive equipment and I played worse than when I was in high school with mediocre equipment.
All jokes aside, the equipment I now have is amazing and of better quality than the equipment of my past. It has already helped me in small ways the little that I have played. The main point is that regardless of how great or how poor your equipment is, the over bearing factor is more importantly the person or the user. Looking back, I loved golf but I didn’t really put in the time and effort to become a great golfer. I recall skipping the chipping and putting practices to rush to the driving range to crush drives. I didn’t practice correctly to improve myself throughout the years, but I was satisfied with being a “decent” player. I started back into the game recently with the wrong approach once again but didn’t realize it until now. I expected to go out and be just as decent or better than I was 6-10 years ago and then improve very quickly. Equipment aside, I am not in as good of shape and I also hit my clubs different distances now. I had not gone to the range multiple times before I got back on the course to get distances down on the clubs or to practice putting and chipping. Coming into the game blind after three years of no practice or coaching and expecting to do well was highly unrealistic.
In high school I played better than I do now due to some coaching and the help of my peers. I also put in more time walking on the course and reading greens in practice rounds than now and I was only merely decent then. Although I ride in a cart now because I’m too lazy to walk the course, I’m still capable of studying the course, greens, etc. and need to, to become remotely decent at the game of golf. I played years and years of online poker tournaments to put in intense volume to gain experience. I met other successful players (peers) to talk to about hands and gain advice and more experience. I sacrificed sleep, school, outings with friends, joining a fraternity, and even my health at times to get to where I am today but it has paid off!
I put 100% of my competitive spirit into poker and made it a large part of my life. To become the golfer I want to be, I would have to put in the same hours and practice and make the same sacrifices as I did for poker to be classified as a professional in another field by my peers. Realistically, I can’t devote that amount of time to golf as I have and do to poker to become great at golf at this time in my life. I am satisfied being am amateur golfer but no longer just a decent golfer. I want to be a good golfer and I am going to need to spend lots more time preparing myself to play on the course. Currently I am only finding time to get in a quick 9 or 18 holes and it has been a major waste of time. The relaxation part of golf has become stressful and counterproductive due to playing poorly. I am going to the range tomorrow to start the process of preparing myself to become a good golfer. I need to get a few golf lessons in, so let me know if someone out there reading this wants to trade a few golf secrets for a few poker secrets!
Until next time, hit ‘em straight and hope to see you joining me in the cash games on UB.
Billy Kopp
Tags: Adidas, Billy Kopp, Golf, Poker Poker Poker, ub, Ultimate Bet, Vegas
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Wednesday, August 26, 2009 - P0ker H0
It’s great to be home after a long 5-day weekend getaway with the “boys”. It started last Thursday when John Orr, Jon Green, Wisco, and I flew from Madison, WI, out to Portland, OR, to meet up with Phil Hellmuth and a couple of other buddies, for a golf extravaganza. We got to golf at some of the nicest courses in the United States…..Pumpkin Ridge and Riverside. Two beautiful courses in Portland and some of the most unbelievable scenery there is! Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, and the Columbia River were some of the sites we saw. There were many excellent restaurants, too. The food was unforgettable! Now I understand why Debo has been trying to get me out there for all these past years. Lots to see and do.
After arriving Thursday evening and a 4-hour poker session, we called it a night so we’d be in good shape for golfing in the morning. We headed out for Pumpkin Ridge on Friday, and wow, what a place! They treated us like kings (Not sure if that was because we were with Phil or not! ). I teamed up with Wisco and John Orr against Phil, Jon Green, and Jon’s brother-in-law Steve (an obvious ringer!). We sure took a thumping! Between Steve’s 300 yard drives, Jon’s irons, and Phil’s one-handed putting, we lost too much $$$$ to say in a blog. My wife might read this! That night I tried to get even by playing poker. I lost too much $$$$ to say in a blog. My wife might read this!
Saturday, same teams at Riverside this time. The course was a lot tougher and Phil wasn’t making his one-handed putts, so we broke about even for the day! So, I really felt more like a winner! We went to one of the nicest restaurants in Portland, El Gauchos, for dinner. After running up a bill of about $2400 between seven of us, Phil rented their cigar and wine room for a night of poker. The game was really wild. We played five-handed in a 5-10 game. Near the end of the night, I got into a big hand with Phil. Phil opened the pot for 25 and everybody called, as did I in the big blind with 5-8. The flop came 4-6-7 with two diamonds. The fact that I had the nuts made me feel good until Phil led out for 200. I reraised him 500 more, and he called. Phil was playing really loose all night, so I put him on either a diamond draw, a set, or who the heck knows with him! The next card off was the ten of diamonds. Now I’m in a tough spot. I have about $2700 in front of me, as does Phil. There is about $1500 in the pot. I don’t want to check raise here because knowing Phil he could have just about anything or just a diamond which I don’t want to let him see for free, or a free card for his set, two pair, or whatever. So I shove the $2700, like an idiot! Phil snap calls with the nuts and rakes about a 7K pot. GG me!
Sunday, Steve and Wisco were done playing golf. So, the new teams were John Orr paired up with Phil, and Jon Green with me. Jon and I golfed out of our minds and had Phil crying like a little baby, especially at the end when I won almost every dime back that I had lost the previous two days! (I called my wife. We took the house off the market! 
Weekends like this I’ll remember the rest of my life. But the one week I guarantee you’ll always remember is coming up in October….Aruba, Baby! See you on the beach! H0
Tags: Aruba, Debo34, Golf, John Orr, Jon Green, P0ker H0, Phil Hellmuth, Poker Poker Poker, Wisco
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Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - Debo34
I can’t believe it…my son Jarod turns 15 this week! For those of you who have met him before he is a little taller than he was 3 years ago when I brought him to Aruba. WTF he is over 6′1″ tall now. He has been reading the learners permit book and is ready to go in and get that done. Now I know why my parents were the way they were. This next weekend I have plans to go up to Portland and meet up with the Wisconsin boys, H0, Wisco, Jon Green, and of course Phil to hang and do some golfing. Should be a fun time.
If you have read my last 2 blogs you know that they have been 2 of my ” favorite Aruba moments”. They are in no particular order, just fun memories I have of my 6 straight years going to Aruba. Aruba moment #3 – The Debo. This moment was pure circumstance, I believe it was Aruba 2006. This was the first year that Phil’s Penthouse party was partially planned. In previous years it was a small, impromptu get-together. Soon after word spread about the fun that was had at these parties and UB stepped in and gave it a little structure. So that day wisco, H0 and I were hanging with Phil watching college football before the party started. The people from the Radisson started coming in and bringing some food and drink to cater the party. The selection was fairly small for drinks, consisting of Champagne, Grey Goose vodka and for some reason they had a couple of bottles of watermelon pucker. Just before any of Phil’s guests arrived Wisco, his friend James (Madtownmell) Mell and myself headed to get a drink at the bar. Wisco asked what I thought we should drink and I told the bartender to give us 3 Vodka with Sprite and a splash of pucker. We made a toast and started drinking. After a couple rounds of these, Wisco and James decided this name needed a drink and decided this drink was forever to be called “the Debo”. As the night went on people would ask what we were drinking, and of course we would just simply say “the Debo”. By the end of the night I would estimate that 50+ people had a Debo in their hands at one time. When all was said and done 44 bottles of Grey Goose Vodka were empty.
The next night something funny happened. We were at the awards party at the Radisson pool and we walked by the bar, and the bartender who we still swear to this day was not at Phil’s party, yells out “Hey, you guys ready for a Debo”? We of course got a big kick out of this. The Debo is still a drink of choice for a few people on the island and has since spread to the drink menu at Players Sports bar in Madison, Wisconsin. I know from time to time The Debo is mentioned in the writings of UB blog master Gene Bromberg. He took a liking to the Debo on that first night and was cussing me the next day. Gene and I talked about ordering them at this year’s WSOP party but decided that the Debo should be reserved for Aruba. If you are one of the fortunate people who get to experience Aruba this year, come find me and your first Debo will be on me.
Debo
Tags: Aruba, Debo34, drinking, Gene Bromberg, Golf, Jon Green, P0ker H0, Phil Hellmuth, Radisson, ub, Wisco, WSOP
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Sunday, August 16, 2009 - P0ker H0
I don’t like to dwell on the negative, so I’m putting the last few months behind me and looking forward to the next couple of months. First there was a disappointing month at the WSOP and just before my Main Event day, my older brother, Alan (”BigAls”), passed away. That took a lot out of me. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of him. It’s been hard getting back to a normal life and my daily grind, but I know my brother would be kicking me in the…. So now I want to focus on what’s coming up and the positive things.
These last few weeks I’ve been doing really well online. Winning the Wednesday Night 80K was a nice start to get the ball rolling! Plus going deep in the UB 200 last Sunday didn’t hurt either. Now this Saturday I’m getting excited, or nervous (not sure which) about going skydiving! Yes, I said skydiving! It’s something I’ve always wanted to do for a long time, and now that I have the opportunity, I can’t pass it up. Wish me luck and watch for upcoming pictures and blog about my experience.
The following weekend, I have a trip planned to Portland, Oregon. Well, not just me. I’m flying out there with some good buddies, the great Wiscomurray, Mr. Jon Green, and Jon Orr, who owns all the McDonald’s in South Central Wisconsin and the private jet we’re flying in! :):):):) The cherry on this Portland sundae is that it’s not a poker trip! It’s all golf, Baby! We’re meeting up with my good friends Gary “Debo34″ DeBernardi and 11-time bracelet winner and hometown boy, Phil Hellmuth, for a fun-packed weekend of golfing on three world-class golf courses. I really enjoy golfing with Phil. Betting with Phil on the golf course is a lot more profitable than betting with him on the poker tables. There’s always a lot of action, but little golf skills! Wish me luck and watch for upcoming pictures and blog about my experience.
Then after that, I’m off to Vegas, Baby! I’m teaching at the WSOP Academy again at Caesar’s Palace. I look forward to this because I get to teach alongside some amazing players and get so much out of it myself. If you get an opportunity to attend one of these academies, do yourself a favor. It is the best investment a poker player can make for his career. A few weeks after Vegas, it’s the cherry on my poker year sundae! ARUBA, Baby!!! This is a must attend! Anyone reading this has got to get yourself to Aruba. It’s not as hard as you think. UB has a ton of tournaments and promotions. There’s no excuse not to be there! For those of you who don’t come to Aruba….wish me luck and watch for upcoming pictures and blogs about my experience! :):):):)
Good luck at the tables. See you on the beach………H0
Tags: Aruba, Caesars Palace, Gary DeBernardi, Golf, Phil Hellmuth, Poker Poker Poker, poker tournaments, ub, Vegas, WSOP
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