so...I have to admit: I am a brick and mortar virgin. And up until today, I was a face-to-face, in the flesh, hold 'em virgin.

It ended today. At work.

I work with a guy, G, who, I guess, you could call my poker mentor. He's a seasoned player, and he's taken me under his wing, inviting me to various home games, and indulging me in my small stakes poker talk. He plays 1/2 on the train with a friend of his; now we're playing .25/.50 at lunch.

I know it's small stakes, but let me say, it's really different playing heads up right across the table from someone. I think online play definately slows things down, and gives you a second to think.

I did really well, though.

I'm up $5.50, which is good for the 6 or 7 hands we played. I don't think I lost, and I only folded once.

Highlights:
-Had a KQs. Flopped K-8-4 rainbow; turn 6; river 4. Beat his eights and fours.
-Had QJo. Flopped Q-9-3; turn 10; river 3. I didn't get the straight, but I beat his tens and treys, with a pair of San Francisco waiters.