Paradise Lost. Paradise won.

I noticed on Bonuwhores.com that Poker Stars were offering a double the normal player point promotion. They offer a US$50 bonus for joining which works our at US$1 an hour playing 25NL. Not the best bonus around and even with double points promotion it makes it reasonable but not spectacular. Cranked it up and deposited US$100. The connection was very ropey though and I was disconnected in the middle of a couple of hands (fortunately pre-flop). I thought I would quit before it happened in a decent sized pot but still ,managed to leave S$5 up. All dressed up with nowhere to play. Bah.

I'd previously deposited US$150 in Paradise Poker but had lost US$35 and with Poker Office not working on the site I'd decided Party even without bonii would be more profitable. I sparked up a 25NL table (5 handed). I thought I'd try it out with Poker Tracker. I was making little progress with getting Poker Tracker to work and was US$8 down and considering leaving then I caught a hand. Raised QJ on the button up to $1. Two callers. I was being floated a lot so rather than checking and waiting for someone to catch up I bet out and sure enough get a caller. Turn was a 5. I bet half pot hoping to keep him in the hand. He sticks around and I'm hoping a possible flush draw hits. It is a harmless 2 and I'm surprised to see him bet US$10 - almost pot. I know he has a big hand. JJ and QQ beat me but surely I would have faced a raise pre-flop. AJ, 55, J5, 22 or overplaying a high pair or AQ unlikely but possible. I put him all in for my last 10 and he called and shows 55 before leaving broke.

I play on for another hour or so and add another 8$ to my stack. Having dropped 2$ misplaying AJ at party earlier and finish the day +US$35.

Moocher returns from Dubai with an itchy mouse finger. Normally looser than a wizard's sleeve at the best of times his craving for action means he starts to see any two cards as playable. He hits a bad run. Cumulative losses not tallied as yet but looks like last week's profit may have a sizeable bite missing from it.

Playing loose does at least mean you get paid off on your big hands and Moocher's pocket kings see a perfect flop as two more arrive to quad him up. Loosey goosey opponent puts him all in there and then with a low pair. Lolz donkaments.