Sadly I must report that this will be my last play for the year and upcoming year. I sat and thought about my life and what I want to accomplish and for some reason the tossing of cards wasn't in the agenda. It's going to be hard to let go of any type of gambling for the next year or two, it's been a part of my life for so long now. That's right...no 3 card poker, no ponies, and no poker. I mentioned to a dear friend of mine that this was the path for the coming years and she was rather shocked, as I'm sure most of you are since this is the first public announcement of it. I sit here almost in tears thinking of all the characters I will be leaving behind...most of all I will miss the degenerate gamblers/drinkers (you know who you are), and of course my blogger friends.

I wanted this to end on a high note but I'm just a bit broken up about this. All the time and effort I put into my game seems to be a waste. I have about a million and one poker/gambling books that I must put on a shelf and no longer lay next to my bed to pick through when getting ready for bed.

In closing, I wanted to send a shout to the following:

My Father, Elias V. Ochoa. Papa, thanks for showing me at the pool table at a young age that there is other ways to make money.

My Mother, Rosie Reyes. Mom, thanks for always being supportive about my ways of life...I know you really never approved of me playing the ponies in college and now cards...but thanks for sticking by me through big bankrolls and small.

My Sister, Elena Huizar. Elena, I know you hate that I gamble. I'm sorry, but it really did pick me, I didn't pick it. I send you a hug for all your support through all this and I know, I know, God doesn't approve.

Well that's it for now. I will try and get as much gambling in as possible before the WPBT classic.