#52: “A Financial Fortnight in Review – Real World & Internet Poker World”

Friday, February 13th
The Real World is trying to heal itself by making everyone spend: The US Congress approves the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the Australian Senate approves a $42-billion economic stimulus package. At the same time, I am trying to heal myself by staying in bed and taking copious amounts of pain-killers. I play very little poker, playing just 9 games and cashing in just one for a $200 net loss.

Net Total: -$200 (-$200)

Saturday, February 14th
Valentine’s Day doom and gloom in the Real World as Lloyds Banking Group warns that HBOS will register a loss of £8.5 billion for 2008. Meanwhile, I drag my fluey ass out of a 24-hour slumber to play the Ironman Freeroll. I play it like I want to go back to bed and unintentionally end up taking down my biggest ever payday. Weeeeeeee for a $4200 day!

Net Total: +$4000 (+$4200)

Sunday, February 15th
It’s a slow-news day in the land of the living. It’s a bad news day on the cyber-felt as I lose the $5K Ironman SNG and finish the day down $200.

Net Total: +$3800 (-$200)

Monday, February 16th
In the Real World, it is announced that the UK’s economy is expected to contract by 3.3% throughout 2009. Meanwhile, on the Full Tilt tables, my net-worth increases by about the same % as I win $750 in a 4-hour session.

Net Total: +$4550 (+$750)

Tuesday, February 17th
A crazy day in the Real World: GM and Chrysler inform the U.S. federal government that they will need additional loans of $21.6 billion. Stanford Financial Group Chairman (and cricket enthusiast) Allen Stanford is charged with fraud. In Ireland, Irish Nationwide Chairman Michael Walsh resigns over his involvement in questionable loan arrangements with Anglo Irish Bank. A less than crazy day in cyber-land as I make $200 in a 3-hour morning session and lose it back in a 3-hour evening one.

Net Total: +$4550 (=)

Wednesday, February 18th
Bad news abounds: GM announce that they will cut 47,000 jobs throughout 2009. Switzerland’s UBS AG admit that they helped American clients avoid taxes and agree to pay the US federal government $780 million in fines and restitution. My financial situation takes a turn for the worse as I spend 5 hours donking off $300 on the tables.

Net Total: +$4250 (-$300)

Thursday, February 19th
I struggle through a long 6-hour marathon session only to break-even again. Wouldn’t it be nice to be Saab get a $400 million bailout from Poppa GM when things aren’t going well.

Net Total: +$4250 (=)

Friday, February 20th
I lose $400 in the morning and another $200 in the evening. Oh and it turns out it wouldn’t be nice to be Saab after all as the company files for bankruptcy protection.

Net Total: +$3650 (-$600)

Saturday, February 21st
Approximately 120,000 people march in Dublin to protest the government’s handling of the country’s economic and banking crises. I would have been better off joining them as I shipped $800 over 2 sessions to the Full Tilt donks!

Net Total: +$2850 (-$800)

Sunday, February 22nd
The European Council meets in Berlin to discuss the current economic crisis. Damn right it’s a crisis. I just had my new worst day in poker ever!… Buh-Bye $1250!

Net Total: +$1600 (-$1250)

Monday, February 23rd
The Dow Jones and S&P 500 fall to their lowest levels since 1997 but no matter coz I made $1450 in a quickfire 3-hour evening session! It should have been more as I donked a huge chiplead in a MTT but I won’t complain.

Net Total: +$3050 (+$1450)

Tuesday, February 24th
Ireland’s Stock Exchange falls to its lowest level since 1995! With the help of two $69 45-player tourney victories and a 3rd place in an Omaha MTT, my sharkscope graph climbs to its highest level ever! Ship the $2900!

Net Total: +$5950 (+$2900)

Wednesday, February 25th
Optimism from Ben Bernanke who, in a speech before the Senate Banking Committee, said that, if the bailout and stimulus package stabilize markets and unfreeze lending, we might see an end to the ‘severe contraction’ as soon as this year. Spurred on my that great news, I decided to be a good Capitalist and blow some dough, losing a quick-fire $550 in 3 hours.

Net Total: +$5400 (-$550)

Thursday, February 26th
It’s my last day in Ireland before I head to the States where it is reported that there are now over 5 million people unemployed. Lots to do and organise so I only have time to play a social $20 HORSE and PLO SNG with some of the Bellybusters and BadBeatsPoker.net guys. Luckily I win both plus a ton of side-bets with Dr Fill – $150 profit for the two wins plus another $200 in side action! Schweeeeeeeeet!

Final Net Total: +$5750 (+$350)

Summary
5 profitable days. 7 unprofitable days. 2 break-even days. 14 days where ‘The Real World’ edged closer to the brink of catastrophe.