Want to come and hear me sing in the most amazing Hall in Carnegie Hall?

On Monday, December 4, 2006 at 7:30pm, I (along with 150+ fellow members of The New York Choral Society) will "Celebrate Christmas at Carnegie Hall" with the Young People's Chorus of New York City under the baton of John Daly Goodwin.

Those who have come before know how much fun it is to experience a full orchestra and big chorus on stage, including the extraordinary Young People's Chorus of New York City. They sing, they weave, they bop!

For over 5 years the New York Choral Society has been delighting family audiences with its popular Christmas at Carnegie Hall concert. From jingling bells to jubilee to jazz, this is a concert with something for everyone. The program includes the ever popular Gloria by John Rutter, Freedom Trilogy by Paul Halley, Libby Larsen's Ringeltanze with handbell choir, a medley of traditional carols by Conrad Susa, the Hallelujah Chorus and excerpts from jazz legend Dave Brubeck's La Fiesta de la Posada.

Adapted from Mexican Christmas tradition and influenced by Mexican folk music La Fiesta de la Posada tells the story of Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging on the eve of her giving birth. Paul Halley's Freedom Trilogy uses the folk music traditions of South Africa and American Gospel and Jazz. It celebrates the season with the timely themes of "peace on Earth" and freedom for all.

Please join the NYCS family on December 4 for an evening we promise will put you in the holiday spirit!

Seats range from $20 to $75.

On one of the Poker forums that I follow, someone posted the question "Is Jack Ten a good or bad hand in NL holdem."

Lot's of people love this hand, and the person asking the question sited Amarillo Slim's book saying that it is the best hand.

So, I replied with my own feelings on that hand. Here is what I said...

Jack Ten is one of the best hands, provided that you can fold when you hit it. I mean, if you don't make a straight, then get ready to get out.

Remember these things about Jack Ten

1. Making top pair is not good. No matter which one you pair your kicker is likely out kicked.

2. Making a pair, with a straight draw does not give you pot odds to call any bet. I have seen people call huge bets because they were up and down with a pair. Assume someone else has a set and then count your outs remembering that some of your "outs" give them a boat.

3. If you have 2 pair then someone else either has the straight already, or is drawing to it. Be ready to lay it down if any of the following cards is on the board or hits the board. 7, 8, 9, Q, K, A

3b. Don't count on your boat redraw. You only have 4 outs.

4. If they are suited, a Jack high flush is not invincible. If the flush comes and someone is pushing hard, they might be bluffing, but they might have a suited A-rag.

So, as I said before, you pretty much want to flop a straight with Jack Ten, or maybe see a flop like JJT, but otherwise, let it go.

So, naturally, a few hours later I was playing and I got dealt Jack Ten of spades. The flop was 9 T J rainbow, and I completely ignored my own advice and doubled up the guy who had K Q and flopped the straight. In my own defense, I had recently taken a few hits when I didn't bet enough to stop people from chasing their draws. So, with top 2, I bet aggressively to prevent any draws from calling. My oppenent made a small bet on the flop and then called my pot sized re-raise. Both of which made me think draw, maybe with pair. On the turn, I made another pot sized bet (now for about 200) and this time he went all in for another 20. Obviously, I had to call 20 for 400 pot. In that case I did have odds to chase my boat. I don't think there is any way this could have played out differently. I can't flat call his small bet on the flop, because if he is drawing (which is more likely than his flopping the straight) I can't let him see a card cheaply. And, even if I made a smaller bet on the turn, say half the pot, when he re-raises me all in there are enough hands that I can put him on that I can beat to give me odds to call anyway.

However, I found the irony of this happening the same day that I made my above post particularly amusing.

Congrats to my cousin Matt Sosnow who ran in the New York Marathon yesterday. It was his first time and he did great. Finished in about 4 and a half hours and felt very positive about the whole experience. Way to go Matt!!!

Next time, it's you and me, Nancy!