Female poker geek anonymous

Was talking to a friend over AIM today. He had been away from poker for about 6 months and it was kinda weird talking to him about stuff. He had missed a lot of stuff that had happened in the beginning of 2010 in the world of online poker. As I began to recount all the things (Jason Ho, Stox multiaccounting and cheating scandal, Leatherass, Cereus security leaks), I found myself more and more jaded. Wow, this gambling world is really fucked up. I sometimes really wonder how I still win at poker (and believe me, this last month has been a big fat whooping 0).

With the UIGEA being implemented on June 1st this is going to be it. The DoJ, especially the New York branch is not kidding and the arrests in the last few weeks of the payment processors exemplifies that they mean business and this is not just talk. I know this has probably nothing to do with my puny little roll on the 3 sites I play on, but I’m still scared.

And I’m kinda pissed. During the last week Cereus (AP and UB) were discovered to have serious leaks in their security system. They don’t use SSL encryption, but rather XOR. I have solved many cryptographic puzzles with XORs, really nothing a good crypto::xor library couldn’t handle. And I’m a total noob, for people working in security this is inexcusable. But that’s not what pissed me off, I was expecting to hear some “statement” from Paul Leggett (sp?), poor guy should just wear an “I’m sorry” T-shirt everywhere he goes. No what I was pissed about was that poker players still kept playing there saying “but that competition is soft”. It is that exact behavior that will get you into trouble, quick buck to be made as you are being lead to the slaughterhouse. “What do I care that I’m supporting crooks, as long as I get this great RB and I can have these fish to myself”. You should be ashamed of yourself.

And I’m angry, but in a sad kind of way because I’ve been limit-grimstarred so often in the last few days, and then laughed at because I’m so dumb to sit with somebody waiting at a 6max table. Would it kill you to post “no thanks” or leave without playing a hand? Do you have to really rub it in my face that you play your button and then sit out (they don’t leave when they lose their button though ;-) )? Not only that but berate me for sitting with you? This is not something that happened once, but over and over again.

And just now, as I was typing this blog, this guy sat down. He’s good. Why is he sitting with me? Do I have “tilt” written across my forehead. Probably, because I don’t quit him. And I win, I mean Pokerstars wins the most, but I still win 50$ and what happens? I’m angry! Why would you sit with me? And I ponder. And I realize waiting for HUHU opponents is very unhealthy for one’s sanity ;-)

Oh, in case you didn’t notice the last paragraph was written in jest. hehe. But I will still make fun of you if I notice you playing at UB or AP, there!