I'm a better poker player than weight loss guru

So Ari Pietarinen and I have this prop bet going...who can lose 20 lbs. the fastest. Truthfully, the only thing I'm losing right now is hope that I can lose weight. I've gone to see my doctor about my thyroid, I've tried cutting carbs, I've hurt my stupid back and can't exercise for a while...

whine, whine, whine and complain.

Ari's lost 5 lbs while I've gained three. Yup! I've gained three. I don't know if its my monthly cycle coming. I don't care. I am not losing. I am gaining. I'm trying all I can. Until this morning when I chucked it and ate myself sick.

I think I'd rather play poker ;(

Losing weight and playing poker can both be a grind. The truth is...I will get back on track and figure out what is going on, but...I don't have to like the process. It's like when you're covering holes in your game. You hate that they're there, but you know that once there they've gotta be dealt with.

As does this.

Peace!

Deanna and Ari's Weight Loss Challenge

Usually I don’t do prop bets. I think they’re silly. I mean you don’t wanna see me wearing a silly hat at a live event or a chicken costume. That’d be nuts. However, I’m trying to lose weight. I’ve got a bit to lose, but I’m taking it one pound at a time and one incremental, measurable goal before I go to the next.

My pal, Ari Pietarinen, the PokerSpokesman, mentioned that he’d like to lose some weight too. The Finnish poker player, offered me a prop bet I couldn’t refuse.

The first person to lose 20 lbs. in 90 days or less pays the other $20 in his/her PokerStars account.

We're counting 90 days from March 3rd when Ari launched the video below at arispoker.com!

the duhhhh challenge

In my never-ending quest for poker knowledge – and sheer love of satire, I have set up a new challenge based on Tom Dwan’s durrr challenge. Known as the “duhhhh challenge”, I have been playing the dude behind PokerTweet.com and TwtMedia.

The two of us have played together many times before and know each other’s games rather well. However, we don’t have the bankroll of an Antonius, Ivey or Dwan (who else really does?). The original deal was 100 pennies and the best of 100 hands challenge.

We had to scrap that since it wouldn’t work with the Pot Limit Omaha stakes online. Instead, we've been playing a best of 21 heads-up match-up in the Sit & Go area at Full Tilt Poker.

So far, @TwtMedia is ahead 5-4!!!!!

Twitter Poker Tour - Sponsoring Tonight's Event

This Thursday (3.12.09), I am sponsoring the Twitter Poker Tour (#TPT) on behalf of Tourneyblog. A former Twitter Poker Tour champion - I won the Thanksgiving event, I have added $20 to the prize pool to sweeten the pot.

$10 will go to the first place finisher, which I hope to be me. I've been wanting to be the first #TPT two-time champ since I won the event in November 2008. $5 goes to the second place finisher and an additional $5 will go to the guy or gal who can take me out of the event...

if they can.

Visit twitterpokertour.com for more information on this event and/or to sign up to play today!

Don't Bet Against Jesus

So, the other day, my friend and I were discussing the LA Poker Classic Main Event. (Yes, I am a poker geek, y'all and if you haven't figured that out yet - where have you been?) He said to me, "Chris Ferguson is going to win. He just became chip leader and I put my odds on him."

I gave Jesus 50 to 1 odds and he said, "hmmm? sounds good." Next thing I know we're betting, and I'm betting against Jesus. OMG! I'm going to hell.

With 63 players left, I felt Jesus wasn't going to make the final table of the event so I took the action.

I now realize that @TWTMedia is smarter than I am because he knew that Jesus had the goods to deliver. Sure, he finished sixth at the final table but HE MADE THE FINAL TABLE.

Poker lesson learned - DON'T BET AGAINST JESUS!

Here are the LAPC 2009 Final Results:

1) Cornel Cimpan - $1,686,760
2) Binh Nguyen - $935,424
3) Mike Sowers - $654,797
4) Chris Karagulleyan - $430,963
5) Pat Walsh - $310,964
6) Chris Ferguson - $240,538

Check out @TWTMedia on Twitter or at pokertweet.com!

Why are Scandinavian Poker Players so sexy?

I may be married, but I've got eyes. Usually, I don't treat poker players as eye candy, and, let's face it, ladies -- there's not a lot of eye candy at the tables for the most part, but...

I have to admit this weakness I have for male Scandinavian poker players. Oh God they're hot!

The recent EPT Copenhagen tournament only served as a blatant reminder that the gods have genetically blessed Scandinavia and the poker gods seem to have doubly blessed them. My word! We all know Gus Hansen is beautiful and Patrik Antonius, don't get me started on the Poker Adonis.

However, did y'all get a gander at the EPT Copenhagen Champion. He's 19 and named Jens Kyllonen. He's a Finn and there's nothing wrong with this young man. I feel naughty for typing it, but...you look at his picture and tell me I'm wrong.

You Gotta Love It

To play poker professionally, you should love the game. Let's face it - I love poker. It's my passion, but there are some people out there who play the game and consider it a chore. I'm not talking about people who have a bad day or something. I'm talking about people who really think poker is a chore, a drudgery, a drag, man.

I can't really relate to them. I just can't. Poker is a game. It's fun and you should have fun playing it. If it's not fun, don't do it. You have a choice.

You don't have to play.