Royal Poker Blog

Is this the 2003 Tigers or the 2006 Tigers?

Can the Tigers piss on themselves any more?

Nice!

Just a quick post to let you know we returned home safe from Vegas. As usual it was a blast and I will provide a summary in the next day or so.

Somehow a beat up and less talented St. Louis team is in the World Series. After starting the series as a big dog they're now up 2-1 and favored by the bookies.

Go Cards!

In a short 12 hours we'll be leaving for Vegas. Long time readers of this blog know that Vegas trip reports always start, but rarely get completed. Look for a summary next week and maybe even a full report.

The Mets are pond scum. Go Cards!

So Taguchi?
Jeff Suppan?

Man I love October baseball...especially when it's your team with the unlikely heroes. Of course both Mr. Suppan and Mr. Taguchi graced my champion fantasy baseball team this year so I knew they had it in them!

St. Louis has the momentum and a win tonight would be a crushing blow for New York. The past two years I've watched the Cardinals take 100 win teams, both with the best record in MLB, and come up short. This team is not as good as either of those teams, but it has the feel of destiny.

-----

Season 1 Week 3 of Holdem Poker's Club Championship is today. OnGame will apparently be blocking US customers at some point.

Full Contact Poker has announced they will be switching networks.

The sleaze over at bwin (OnGame's owners) finally hit their out on 6th street with the much maligned OnGame Network Poker Classic. First, they reschedule since they can't get anywhere near the entries needed for this $5 Mil guaranteed event. They were staring at a $2 Mil overlay. Now due to the legislation they've changed it to a $100,000 added event.

There's a good history of bullshit on the official blog, but this part is the best.

This is to update you about changes to the Ongame Network Poker Classic poker tournament that have been made as a result of the new Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in the United States.

As all Ongame Network operators will no longer be accepting new US players or new deposits from existing US players after Monday October 16, we have eliminated the guarantees for a $5M purse and a $1M first prize. We expected approximately 60% of ONPC participants to qualify or buy-in directly during the last three weeks of October – this is an established pattern for high buy-in tournaments. Now, even with the Qualifier Frenzy and numerous other global marketing initiatives, we will not achieve an acceptable level of participation.

We will proceed with the ONPC as a $100,000-Added event this year. Ongame Network will add $100K to the existing (and still growing) prize pool of almost $2,000,000. Payouts will be percentage-based, as per the bottom section “If total players > 1001” detailed at www.ongameclassic.com/details/payouts/

The ONPC will continue as planned with its innovative format of an Online Final on November 4, a pause when 45 players remain, and then a Live Final in Barcelona on December 2. Players will continue in Barcelona with the same chip stacks they had when the online tournament paused. Ongame Network will pay for the flights, hotel and VIP treatment for all 45 live finalists.


60% buy-in during the last week for a $5000 entry event? Do they think they are Stars or Party? They had no chance to hit the guarantee and didn't want to pay the overlay so they're taking advantage of the legislation. You stay classy OnGame.

They are at least letting US players cash out their enries instead of playing.

-----

Event 3 of the Blogger Pour Tour has been announced and it is being hosted by the Ultimate Poker Forum.com Tournament Blog. I plan to be in Vegas next weekend so enjoy my blinds!

http://www.pokerstars.com/legislation/uigea/

Dear PokerStars Player -

As you are probably aware, the United States Congress recently enacted the Safe Port Act which contains provisions relating to Internet gambling.

PokerStars has received extensive expert advice from within and outside the U.S. which concluded that these provisions do not alter the U.S. legal situation with respect to online poker. Furthermore it is important to emphasize that the Act does not in any way prohibit you from playing online poker.

Therefore, our business continues as before - open to players worldwide including the US. You may play on our site as you did prior to the Act.

PokerStars believes that poker is a game of skill enjoyed by millions of players and we remain committed to providing you a safe and fun environment in which to play. We value your loyalty to PokerStars, and look forward to continuing to serve you with the best online poker experience, as we have for the past five years, six billion hands, and 40 million tournaments.


PokerStars Management

The big news today was Firepay's decision to leave the US market. This is not trivial news. ZBTHorton on 2+2 seems to think that Neteller will stick it out...we'll see. I'm moving some more money out of Neteller just to be safe.

In other news I'm currently 3rd in the Blogger Poker Tour Standings (thanks to the host bonus) and 12th in Holdem Poker's Club Holdem.

Be sure to check out The Battle of the Ages page. What a fun way to showcase some of online poker's best talent.

Poker.com ate my cashout. Time to email support!

-----

In handicapping news I'm an incredible 11-2-1 the past three weeks. I won't claim any talent at this point yet though, mostly luck.

Announcer #1 – “Well folks you’re in for a real treat tonight on Sports Theatre!”

Announcer #2 – “That’s right! We’ve got a two of the most talented NFL actors portraying one of the hottest scripts in the country.”

Announcer #1 – “It’s been several years since Donovan McNabb and Deuce Staley parted ways and word on the street is that Staley is as mad as a scorned lover.”

Announcer #2 – “As mad as a scorned lover? Don’t you mean a mad scorned lover?”

Announcer #1 – “Ha, yes I do! The Eagles have unsuccessfully searched for another boy toy since the departure of deuce. Owens filled the void for a year, but Donny got sick of playing catcher and BAM T.O. is gone.”

Announcer #2 – “Now that relationship had some sparks! It’s pretty apparent that Donny needs a good teammate to be successful. I mean just look at last year.”

Announcer #1 – “Well, enough fond memories. Tonight Deuce and McNabb get together for the first stop in their reunion tour. Donovan McNabb will be playing the part of Mark Foley and Deuce Staley will be capturing the part of a 16-yearold Congressional page.”

Announcer #2 – “Put your hands together for Donovan and Deuce as they re-create the famous Foley IM chat.”

McNabb (7:25:14 PM): hey Auto response from

Staley (7:25:14 PM): scrounging for food...brb

McNabb (7:25:25 PM): ok

McNabb (7:25:35 PM): kep scrounging

Staley (7:31:51 PM): boo

McNabb (7:32:13 PM): bo dude

Staley (7:32:17 PM): lol

Staley (7:32:26 PM): whered ya go this afternoon

McNabb (7:33:39 PM): i am in pensecola...had to catch a plane

Staley (7:33:47 PM): oh well thats fun

McNabb (7:34:04 PM): indeed

Staley (7:34:14 PM): what are you doing in pensecola

McNabb (7:34:21 PM): now in my hotel room

Staley (7:34:39 PM): well ..like why did you go there

McNabb (7:35:02 PM): for the campaign

Staley (7:35:29 PM): have you officialy announced yt

McNabb (7:35:45 PM): not yet

Staley (7:36:06 PM): cool cool...

McNabb (7:37:27 PM): how my favorite young stud doing

Staley (7:37:46 PM): tired and sore

Staley (7:37:52 PM): i didnt no waltzing could make you sore

McNabb (7:38:04 PM): from what

Staley (7:38:34 PM): what do you mean from what

Staley (7:38:42 PM): from waltzing...im sore from waltzing

McNabb (7:39:32 PM): tahts good

McNabb (7:39:32 PM): you need a massage

McNabb signed off at 7:39:37 PM.

McNabb signed on at 7:40:35 PM.

Staley (7:40:44 PM): got kicked off?

McNabb (7:41:24 PM): must have

Staley (7:41:57 PM): ugh tomorrow i have the first day of lacrosse practice

McNabb (7:42:27 PM): love to watch that

McNabb (7:42:33 PM): those great legs running

Staley (7:42:38 PM): haha...they arent great

Staley (7:42:45 PM): thats why we have conditioning

Staley (7:42:56 PM): 2 days running....3 days lifting

Staley (7:43:11 PM): every week

Staley (7:43:14 PM): until the end of march

McNabb (7:43:27 PM): well dont ruin my mental picture

Staley (7:43:32 PM): oh lol...sorry

McNabb (7:43:54 PM): nice

McNabb (7:43:54 PM): youll be way hot then

Staley (7:44:01 PM): haha...hopefully

McNabb (7:44:22 PM): better be

McNabb (7:46:01 PM): well I better let you go do oyur thing

Staley (7:46:07 PM): oh ok

Staley (7:46:11 PM): have fun campaigning

Staley (7:46:17 PM): or however you spell it

Staley (7:46:18 PM): lol

Staley (7:46:25 PM): ill see ya in a couple of weeks

McNabb (7:46:33 PM): did any girl give you a haand job this weekend

Staley (7:46:38 PM): lol no

Staley (7:46:40 PM): im single right now

Staley (7:46:57 PM): my last gf and i broke up a few weeks agi

McNabb (7:47:11 PM): are you

McNabb (7:47:11 PM): good so your getting horny

Staley (7:47:29 PM): lol...a bit

McNabb (7:48:00 PM): did you spank it this weekend yourself

Staley (7:48:04 PM): no

Staley (7:48:16 PM): been too tired and too busy

McNabb (7:48:33 PM): wow...

McNabb (7:48:34 PM): i am never to busy haha

Staley (7:48:51 PM): haha

McNabb (7:50:02 PM): or tired..helps me sleep

Staley (7:50:15 PM): thats true

Staley (7:50:36 PM): havent been having a problem with sleep though.. i just walk in the door and collapse well at least this weekend

McNabb (7:50:56 PM): i am sure

Staley (7:50:57 PM): i dont do it very often normally though

McNabb (7:51:11 PM): why not

McNabb (7:51:22 PM): at your age seems like it would be daily

Staley (7:51:57 PM): not me

Staley (7:52:01 PM): im not a horn dog

Staley (7:52:07 PM): maybe 2 or 3 times a week

McNabb (7:52:20 PM): thats a good number

McNabb (7:52:27 PM): in the shower

Staley (7:52:36 PM): actually usually i dont do it in the shower

Staley (7:52:42 PM): just cause i shower in the morning

Staley (7:52:47 PM): and quickly

McNabb (7:52:50 PM): in the bed

Staley (7:52:59 PM): i get up at 530 and am outta the house by 610

Staley (7:53:03 PM): eh ya

McNabb (7:53:24 PM): on your back

Staley (7:53:30 PM): no face down

McNabb (7:53:32 PM): love details

Staley (7:53:34 PM): lol

Staley (7:53:36 PM): i see that

Staley (7:53:37 PM): lol

McNabb (7:53:39 PM): really

McNabb (7:53:54 PM): do you really do it face down

Staley (7:54:03 PM): ya

McNabb (7:54:13 PM): kneeling

Staley (7:54:31 PM): well i dont use my hand...i use the bed itself

McNabb (7:54:31 PM): where do you unload it

Staley (7:54:36 PM): towel

McNabb (7:54:43 PM): really

McNabb (7:55:02 PM): completely naked?

Staley (7:55:12 PM): well ya

McNabb (7:55:21 PM): very nice

Staley (7:55:24 PM): lol

McNabb (7:55:51 PM): cute butt bouncing in the air

Staley (7:56:00 PM): haha

Staley (7:56:05 PM): well ive never watched myslef

Staley (7:56:08 PM): but ya i guess

McNabb (7:56:18 PM): i am sure not

McNabb (7:56:22 PM): hmmm

McNabb (7:56:30 PM): great visual

McNabb (7:56:39 PM): i may try that

Staley (7:56:43 PM): it works

McNabb (7:56:51 PM): hmm

McNabb (7:56:57 PM): sound inetersting

McNabb (7:57:05 PM): i always use lotion and the hand

McNabb (7:57:10 PM): but who knows

Staley (7:57:24 PM): i dont use lotion...takes too much time to clean up

Staley (7:57:37 PM): with a towel you can just wipe off....and go

McNabb (7:57:38 PM): lol

McNabb (7:57:45 PM): where do you throw the towel

Staley (7:57:48 PM): but you cant work it too hard....or its not good

Staley (7:57:51 PM): in the laundry

McNabb (7:58:16 PM): just kinda slow rubbing

Staley (7:58:23 PM): ya....

Staley (7:58:32 PM): or youll rub yourslef raw

McNabb (7:58:37 PM): well I have aa totally stiff wood now

Staley (7:58:40 PM): cause the towell isnt very soft

McNabb (7:58:44 PM): i bet..taht would hurt

Staley (7:58:50 PM): but you cn find something softer than a towell i guess

McNabb (7:58:59 PM): but it must feel great spirting on the towel

Staley (7:59:06 PM): ya

McNabb (7:59:29 PM): wow

McNabb (7:59:48 PM): is your little guy limp...or growing

Staley (7:59:54 PM): eh growing

McNabb (8:00:00 PM): hmm

McNabb (8:00:12 PM): so you got a stiff one now

Staley (8:00:19 PM): not that fast

Staley (8:00:20 PM): hey

Staley (8:00:32 PM): so you have a fetich

McNabb (8:00:32 PM): hey what

Staley (8:00:40 PM): fetish**

McNabb (8:00:43 PM): like

McNabb (8:00:53 PM): i like steamroom

McNabb (8:01:04 PM): whats yours

Staley (8:01:09 PM): its kinda weird

Staley (8:01:14 PM): lol

McNabb (8:01:21 PM): i am hard as a rock..so tell me when your reaches rock

Staley (8:01:23 PM): i have a cast fetish

McNabb (8:01:27 PM): well tell me

McNabb (8:01:32 PM): cast

Staley (8:01:44 PM): ya like...plaster cast

McNabb (8:01:49 PM): ok..so what happens

McNabb (8:01:58 PM): how does that turn you in

Staley (8:02:02 PM): i dont know

Staley (8:02:04 PM): it just does

Staley (8:02:08 PM): ive never had one

Staley (8:02:16 PM): but people that have them turn me on

Staley (8:02:27 PM): and if i had one it would probably turn me on

Staley (8:02:29 PM): beats me

Staley (8:02:32 PM): its kinda weird

Staley (8:02:50 PM): but along with that i like the whole catholic girl look....thats our schools uniform

McNabb (8:03:02 PM): ha thats wild

Staley (8:03:14 PM): ya but now im hard

McNabb (8:03:32 PM): me 2

McNabb (8:03:42 PM): cast got you going

McNabb (8:03:47 PM): what you wearing

Staley (8:04:04 PM): normal clothes

Staley (8:04:09 PM): tshirt and shorts

McNabb (8:04:17 PM): um so a big buldge

Staley (8:04:35 PM): ya

McNabb (8:04:45 PM): um

McNabb (8:04:58 PM): love to slip them off of you

Staley (8:05:08 PM): haha

McNabb (8:05:53 PM): and gram the one eyed snake

McNabb (8:06:13 PM): grab

Staley (8:06:53 PM): not tonight...dont get to excited

McNabb (8:07:12 PM): well your hard

Staley (8:07:45 PM): that is true

McNabb (8:08:03 PM): and a little horny

Staley (8:08:11 PM): and also tru

McNabb (8:08:31 PM): get a ruler and measure it for me

Staley (8:08:38 PM): ive already told you that

McNabb (8:08:47 PM): tell me again

Staley (8:08:49 PM): 7 and 1/2

McNabb (8:09:04 PM): ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

McNabb (8:09:08 PM): beautiful

Staley (8:09:38 PM): lol

McNabb (8:09:44 PM): thats a great size

Staley (8:10:00 PM): thank you

McNabb (8:10:22 PM): still stiff

Staley (8:10:28 PM): ya

McNabb (8:10:40 PM): take it out

Staley (8:10:54 PM): brb...my mom is yelling

McNabb (8:11:06 PM): ok

Staley (8:14:02 PM): back

McNabb (8:14:37 PM): cool hope se didnt see any thing

Staley (8:14:54 PM): no no

Staley (8:14:59 PM): she is computer dumb though

Staley (8:15:01 PM): it makes me so mad

McNabb (8:15:04 PM): good

McNabb (8:15:08 PM): haha

McNabb (8:15:11 PM): why

Staley (8:15:23 PM): cause she cant do anything

McNabb (8:15:31 PM): oh well

Staley (8:15:41 PM): she couldnt figure out how to download a file from an email and open it

McNabb (8:15:53 PM): haha

Staley (8:16:14 PM): and she only does it like a million times a day

Staley (8:16:16 PM): oh well

Staley (8:16:18 PM): whatever

Staley (8:16:53 PM): well i better go finish my hw...i just found out from a friend that i have to finish reading and notating a book for AP english

McNabb signed off at 8:17:43 PM.

72 Entrants with the top 10 scoring some cash. Everyone gets some all important points towards the Blogger Poker Tour leaderboard.

My starting table:

natsdad
DamRiver
me
isinm2006
DavidMalek
mortguns
stuarthomegame
freeroll26
DaMatrix

-----

I haven't played much with the new poker.com interface, but I like it. We've got our first victim as OhioMike places in 72nd.

At the first break...

55 / 72 players remaining
I'm 44 / 55 and haven't been very active

Time to double up!

Got my double up with JJ in SB vs. button with AJ. Thanks Purechaos! Actually, pure made a fine button bet and my re-raise was not enough to get a fold.

Wow these blinds are fast...

-----

out in 42nd as JJ in the SB runs into KK in the BB.

-----

Congratulations to natsdad for winning Event #2!

Remember that today is Event #2 of the Blogger Poker Tour. The start time is 4:00 pM EST or 15:00 Poker.com time.

If you're having trouble finding the tournament on Poker.com try this.

-Click the Tournaments tab near the top middle of the Poker.com interface.
-Select the "Special" filter tab.
-Look for BPT S2E2 Royal's Bluff Till You Drop Bender at 2006/10/7 15:00
-The password is "royalbender" - no quotes

Good luck to everyone and have fun!

Don't forget that tomorrow is event #2 of Poker.com's Blogger Poker Tour. To summarize a previous post...

Why should you play?

1) Its a Freeroll
2) Only 74 players entered last event.
3) Its a $500 Freeroll with the top 10 getting the cash.
4) There are only seven events and the top 20 players qualify for the championship.
5) That's 25% of the field making the finals. It's still 20% if we get 100 people.
6) Once you make the final...how about 1 in 20 chance of a $12,500 Aussie Millions package?
7) Everyone who makes the final gets at least a $275 grand coupon on poker.com
8) Its a Freeroll for goodness sake!

The tournament is open for registration on Poker.com and starts this Saturday at 4:00 PM EST.

-----

Despite 0-3 in cashes I played well last night. I was a solid favorite each time the big money went in. Twice I was crippled by horrible calls and that's fine. I want those calls.

First off, congratulations to the Tigers and the Cardinals. As of now the Mets are up 1-0. Screw the Mets. The Mets are pond scum!

I'm not sure if it's the pending legislation or simply home conflicts, but I have played virtually no poker the last week. Tonight I change that a slight bit by playing three tournaments.

I'm playing...

(1) The Bluff Poker Tour $11 event on Absolute Poker.

(2) The $30 RA - $90K Guaranteed on Paradise.

(3) The $20 RA - $25K Guaranteed on Pokerroom.

All of these events started at 9:00 EST. I'll post updates at the first break.

-----

Remember that the Blogger Poker Tour Event #2 is taking place this weekend. I'm hosting Royal's Bluff Until You Drop Bender this Saturday at 4:00 PM EST. It's for bloggers, it's a freeroll, it's got $500 cash and potentially a huge Aussie Millions package.

Get signed up at the Blogger Poker Tour. The password is: royalbender

-----

Thursday Updates...

First break:

Absolute, currently OUT. UTG limper with 44 calls my all-in button push for 10 BBs. I have AJ make trips, but lose to his set = boat.


Paradise, currently 153 of 746: 110=$$


Pokerroom, currently 97 of 425: 70=$$

Mets are up 2-0. Go Dodgers!

-----


Paradise, currently OUT. KJ called my AQ large raise. KJ called a 2/3rds pot bet on a flop of AKQ. Turn T and I'm busted...shit!

Pokerroom, currently OUT. Crippled by a horrible call by a horrible player. I'm not upset b/c I want those calls. Busted when 99 lost a race to AK.

Royal's Bluff Till You Drop Bender is now online. The password is: royalbender

Tell your friends to get signed up!

Shane sent the table graphic over last night and he thought the tournament would be up today, but alas it is not as of this posting. Hopefully they'll get it setup soon so everyone can begin registering.

Once again the password should be:

royalbender





-----

A Fantasy Baseball Draft Gone Right

April 4^th 2006 The Cat and I sat down for another FBB draft. Like the previous year we played in 12-man 5X5 NL only pay league on ESPN. We selected a league that fit our draft schedule and did not know any of the other 11 players.

If you’re not familiar with 5X5 here’s a quick explanation. If you know all of this just jump down to the draft.

5 X 5
BATTING	PITCHING
· Composite Average (AVG) · Total Runs · Total Home Runs (HR) · Total Runs Batted In (RBI) · Total SB	· Total Wins (W) · Total Saves (SV) · Total Strikeouts (SO) · Composite Earned Run Average (ERA) · Composite Ratio (WHIP)

The team's statistics are generated only by players on the team's active roster. Players on the bench and National League pitchers' hitting statistics do not contribute towards team statistics. The list below gives a brief description for each category:

ERA -- Earned-Run Average
A measure of the efficiency of a pitcher by multiplying earned runs allowed by nine, then dividing by that pitcher's innings pitched.

Earned Runs x 9 / Innings Pitched

WHIP -- Ratio
The "WHIP" ratio stands for "Walks, Hits, Innings Pitched." This ratio determines the average number of hits and walks allowed per inning by any given pitcher.

Walks + Hits / Innings Pitched

Accumulating Points
In rotisserie scoring leagues, team totals are ranked from best to worst in each of the statistical categories, and points are awarded for each place based on the season-to-date cumulative totals. For example, the first-place team in a category receives 10 points, the second-place team nine, and so on until the last place team with one point. In the case of a tie, both teams will be given the average of the number of points due the position - e.g., two teams tied for first in a category would each be given 9.5 points for that category, with the next team given 8. The same algorithm holds for ties between more than two teams.

Categories with averages
Categories that are expressed as averages (e.g. AVG or ERA) will only be displayed to two or three decimal places, but for scoring purposes will be compared to as many decimal places necessary. Thus, two teams displayed as having the same average in a category will be awarded different point values unless the ratios are exactly the same. Raw totals are available on the Box Score pages.

Starting pitchers games limits and innings pitched minimums
The games-started limit is 180 games for full-season teams , an average of one start per day of the season. Teams drafting after the start of the season will have a games-started limit on a prorated basis. A team will not accumulate statistics for starting pitchers following the day during which its games started limit is reached. Therefore, it is possible that a team may slightly exceed the 180-game maximum. For example, an owner may have 179 games started near the end of the season. If they then start 5 pitchers in a single day, their games-started total will be 184. Having now reached the maximum (180), the team will no longer be credited with any additional stats for any subsequent day.

GAMES STARTED LIMITS FOR STARTING PITCHERS
Maximum Games Started Per Season	180
Maximum Games Started Per Midseason	90

Relief pitchers' statistics are not affected by the games-started limit. If a pitcher who is traditionally a starter appears in relief, it is considered a relief appearance, and is not restricted by the games-started limit.

In addition, pitchers for full-season teams must have accumulated a minimum of 800 innings (400 innings for midseason teams) pitched by the end of the FLB season. We maintain this minimum to counter the strategy of merely using relief pitchers in an attempt to dominate the saves, ERA, and WHIP pitching categories.

ACTIVE ROSTER
BATTING - 13 PLAYERS	PITCHING -- 9 PLAYERS
· 1-First Baseman (1B) · 1-Second Baseman (2B) · 1-Shortstop (SS) · 1-Third Baseman (3B) · 1-Catcher (C) · 5-Outfielders (OF) · 1-Middle Infielder (2B/SS) · 1-Corner Infielder (1B/3B) · 1-Utility Player (UTIL)	· 9-Pitchers -- any combination

Bench
Each team has three bench slots which can hold any combination of batters and pitchers. Statistics generated by players on a team's bench do not get applied to the team's combined total statistics.

-----

The Draft

Here’s a link to the final player rater list if you want a reference point.

Round #1 – Overall Selection #3

We log on and find ourselves in the horrible 3^rd draft position. Pujols and Lee will already be gone and we’re debating between Wright, Bay or taking a flyer on Beltran. We finally settle on Beltran.

Grade A

Beltran finished the season ranked 11^th and was much higher before taking September off. Wright finished in 20^th and Bay in 22^nd. They both would have been decent picks.

Obviously Reyes, Howard, or Soriano would have been better hitters, but no way you take them 3^rd. We were set on taking a hitter so Carpenter or Oswalt were both out.

Round #2 – Overall Selection #22

Jimmy Rollins – ranked 19th

Grade A

We wanted a steals, runs, avg guy and Rollins was the best on the board. Hanley Ramirez would have been better, but good luck calling that. Holliday, Berkman, and Smoltz all were better picks overall too.

Round #3 – Overall Selection #27

Andy Pettitte – ranked 53^rd

Grade C-

Not a complete bust. Smoltz, Webb, Arroyo, Harang were all still there.

Round #4 – Overall Selection #46

Matt Holiday – ranked 8^th

Grade A+

We got lucky with a steal here.

Round #5 – Overall Selection #51

Tim Hudson – ranked 102nd

Grade D

Horrible pick period.

Round #6 – Overall Selection #70

Armando Benitez – ranked 184

Grade C-

This pick looks worse than it was. There were very few legitimate closers left at this point.

Round #7 – Overall Selection #75

Aaron Rowand – ranked 179

Grade D

Great potential if he would stop hitting walls and other players. Rowand missed way too many games.

Round #8 – Overall Selection #94

Garrett Atkins – ranked 18th

Grade A+

AVG .329 | HR 29 | RBI 120 | OBP .409 | SLG .556 Jesus!

Round #9 – Overall Selection #99

Preston Wilson– ranked 115th

Grade C

Standard

Round #10 – Overall Selection #118

Jeff Suppan– ranked 107th

Grade B-

Jeff had a horrible first half and was one of the best post All-Star Game.

Round #11 – Overall Selection #123

Joe Borowski– ranked 80th

Grade B+

Joe ended up being key to us getting 11 points in saves.

Round #12 – Overall Selection #142

Jose Vidro – ranked 200^th +

Grade C-

A decent pick if Vidro stayed healthy. Of course, that is always his problem.

Round #13 – Overall Selection #147

Scott Linebrick– ranked 138^th

Grade C

It’s not worth going any further as the pickings get too slim and we don’t have any really late steals. As you can see 3 of our first 4 picks were great and we got a very lucky steal with Atkins at pick #94. Those 4 guys gave us 4 players in the top 19. That’s pretty damn good in a 12-player league.

Free Agents

We also had several key free agent pickups.

Takashi Saito - ranked 27th
REC 6-2 | SV 24 | ERA 2.07 | WHIP .91

Adam Wainwright - 177th
REC 2-1 | SV 3 | ERA 3.12 | WHIP 1.15

Chris Duncan - 155th
AVG .293 | HR 22 | RBI 43 | OBP .363 | SLG .589

That’s it for the regular season. Go Cardinals!

As expected everything is pretty chaotic in the online poker world today. Lou Krieger has a good update on what sites are closing their doors to US customers. Obviously it's a huge blow to the online poker world with Party shutting down US cutomers. How can Stars, Full Tilt and Paradise not follow suit?

As for Royal's Bluff Till you Drop Bender!

I've requested a password of "royalbender" but have not received confirmation and the tournament is not posted yet. I'll let you guys know if I hear something.