I'm in one of those moods where I have so much to say and I don't know how to say it. I come accross some funny shit every single day that is worth writing about and each time I curse myself for not being able to put it down on the virtual paper.
It would make for a great read, and I just can't seem to pull it off. I can't really classify it as writers block, considering I'm not really... a writer. Not in the way that I want to be... yet, that is. Anway, I guess I'll just keep pluggin' away and see how it turns out.
I guess it's partially because I don't have a whole lot of time to put something down worth posting. Or when I do have a great idea or topic, I'm never around the computer. Or maybe it's because I just don't want to go there (there being more open and honest about daily life) here on this space. I've been contemplating starting up a new blog where I could be more creative and tell "stories" that were "fiction"... although they would be loosely based on real life experiences.
Part of me fears that someone I actually know, that I don't want to know, knows that I have a blog. The other part of me, fears that people will actually start reading it and want more. Then I'll feel even more obligated to write and will eventually hate myself for even starting and then letting myself (and others) down for not following through. I do admit, I really didn't think I'd make it this far. I thought to myself "ahhhh I'll never be at that blogger gathering thingy in December, I doubt I'll be blogging six months from now anyway."
Boy was I wrong.
Anyway, eight days until I set foot in Vegas for my third time in 10 years, and twice in the last two months. I have a feeling that this trip will be much different than the last two.
Maybe I'll obtain a new perspective while I am away. I can take some time to speak with people who probably suffer from the same symptoms from time to time. For now... you get what you get from this brain, it is what it is.
28.11.07
26.11.07
Congrats Fuel You da Man!
A HUGE congrats to Fuel55 who finished in 12th place in the BC Poker Championships. I know he is a bit dissapointed that he couldn't final table the thing but he did a great job and played extremely well to make it that far. He should have a detailed post up shortly, so head on over there and give him the props he deserves. He was in a very good frame of mind the entire tournament and was continuously reciting positives thoughts and mantras as we had discussed over the few days leading up to the big dance.
I was so nervous for him that I decided not to watch most of the tournament and instead kept in contact with him via text messages from the 1/2 cash table on Saturday night. I dropped a half a buy in... no big deal though. When you get a guy to commit his stack after the flop with two over cards and then get sucked out on the river (hit his ace vs. my JJ) then what can you do...
My plan yesterday was to rail him in his quest for the $430K first prize and the TV final table... After he got knocked out at around 1am from Saturday's action I decided that I'd play golf on Sunday morning instead for the first time since I returned from Vegas in October.
No big stories here unfortunately... however I did hole out a putt from off the green of the first hole for a deuce ($10) and then chipped in on the 17th for an eagle (two) on a par four. I thought I might win a skin for that one and win another $300 (roughly) but someone else made an eagle as well and the hole was halfed. No skins, but I did make $20 for my deuces. Net loss was around $30, but the sunshine and the "fresh air" during the round made it for a great day.
I might play in the $10 rebuy tonight if my usual Monday night game doesn't get enough interest.
11 days.
I was so nervous for him that I decided not to watch most of the tournament and instead kept in contact with him via text messages from the 1/2 cash table on Saturday night. I dropped a half a buy in... no big deal though. When you get a guy to commit his stack after the flop with two over cards and then get sucked out on the river (hit his ace vs. my JJ) then what can you do...
My plan yesterday was to rail him in his quest for the $430K first prize and the TV final table... After he got knocked out at around 1am from Saturday's action I decided that I'd play golf on Sunday morning instead for the first time since I returned from Vegas in October.
No big stories here unfortunately... however I did hole out a putt from off the green of the first hole for a deuce ($10) and then chipped in on the 17th for an eagle (two) on a par four. I thought I might win a skin for that one and win another $300 (roughly) but someone else made an eagle as well and the hole was halfed. No skins, but I did make $20 for my deuces. Net loss was around $30, but the sunshine and the "fresh air" during the round made it for a great day.
I might play in the $10 rebuy tonight if my usual Monday night game doesn't get enough interest.
11 days.
22.11.07
Fake Beer vs. Real Beer
It would take 26211 bottles of O'Douls to kill me
vs.
It would take 24 bottles of Heineken to kill me
I don't think I could do either in the 3 hours they suggest...
"Please Note
These estimates are based on a three hour drinking period and they are not 100% accurate. The potency of drinks often depends on the bartender, metabolism, body type, alcohol proof, and a million other factors. Although the figures shown here are based on having a BAC (blood alcohol content) of .40, death from alcohol poisoning can occur anytime you have a BAC higher than .20. In other words, this is not medical advice. Do not use this as a serious metric for how much you can or should drink."
Ok good thing they told me in advance...
vs.
It would take 24 bottles of Heineken to kill me
I don't think I could do either in the 3 hours they suggest...
"Please Note
These estimates are based on a three hour drinking period and they are not 100% accurate. The potency of drinks often depends on the bartender, metabolism, body type, alcohol proof, and a million other factors. Although the figures shown here are based on having a BAC (blood alcohol content) of .40, death from alcohol poisoning can occur anytime you have a BAC higher than .20. In other words, this is not medical advice. Do not use this as a serious metric for how much you can or should drink."
Ok good thing they told me in advance...
21.11.07
2 more cashes... not in poker
Screw poker. I'm all about Fantasy Sports right now baby!!
The big one is the first one. I've now earned my way into the tournament of champions by way of having the highest weekly score vs. the rest of the field. I've also got the 2nd highest score of the year which could earn me an extra $50 if it holds up.
If you still are undecided on whether you should join FantasySportsLive.
Click here and make it happen: Schaubs
Use bonus code: "Schaubs" if you dare.
Make sure you set your teams early this week. Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers.
15 days!
16.11.07
Bodog Blogger Tuesday Tournaments
For those of you living in a cave somewhere, there is a Tuesday tournament that I think most of you will be interested in joining. Smokkee has been promoting this tournament for a while now and I know that guys like Buddydank seem to be making some money (so you know anyone can do it)...
If you aren't registered at Bodog, I suggest you do so... and fast. Register here at Bodog Poker.
The details of the tournament can be found here so make sure you check it out!!!
You can win real cash (usually paid to the top 3) and they also give away a ton of tourney bucks that can be spent on other tournaments or even sports! Here's a snap shot of the last tournament's results.
Go check it out, you won't be dissapointed!
If you aren't registered at Bodog, I suggest you do so... and fast. Register here at Bodog Poker.
The details of the tournament can be found here so make sure you check it out!!!
You can win real cash (usually paid to the top 3) and they also give away a ton of tourney bucks that can be spent on other tournaments or even sports! Here's a snap shot of the last tournament's results.
Go check it out, you won't be dissapointed!
15.11.07
FantasySportsLive
I participate in the weekly blogger Fantasy Football pools and I really haven't had much success. I think I've finished 2nd once to get back most of my money, but for the most part, I've been a donater. Yesterday I noticed that they added NHL hockey! Helllllloooooo!!!
So at lunch I joined a contest and gave it a try. It is a similar format where you have a cap amount to spend on the various positions. You pick 1 goalie, 2 defense, 2 right wingers, 2 left wingers and 2 centers. I sweated the Canucks game last night (I really thought I needed a shutout from Luongo to get the win) and when they lost in an overtime shootout to Edmonton I thought I was toast. When I logged in this morning this is how it turned out:
So at lunch I joined a contest and gave it a try. It is a similar format where you have a cap amount to spend on the various positions. You pick 1 goalie, 2 defense, 2 right wingers, 2 left wingers and 2 centers. I sweated the Canucks game last night (I really thought I needed a shutout from Luongo to get the win) and when they lost in an overtime shootout to Edmonton I thought I was toast. When I logged in this morning this is how it turned out:
So even though the Canucks lost, I still managed to win! The point system is great. I originally had Jagr in there instead of Kane but decided to put Kane in because I had the cap room. Obviously the secret is that you don't HAVE to spend the cap... Anyway I'll take the little boost to the bank roll.
Meanwhile, I get OMGItspokerfool to commit his whole stack early on with TT when I limp, he raises on the button, I reraise 3x and then call his re-reraise all in with my KK (the only hand I raised in the 30 minutes or so I was there). The board comes 9-9-Q-8-J. GG me.
Congrats to Mike Maloney.
14.11.07
Refund
I attempted to satellite into the BCPC last night with Fuel. $85, 3,000 chips and 20 minute levels set this thing for what would eventually be a crap shoot push and fold fest at the end. I played extremely well early on but I am now sitting here kicking myself for making one of the worst calls of my life. It happens. My read was off. My thinking was wrong and I basically lost my head for a split second and made a dumb ass call with none other than... JackAce! Fawk!
Fuel and I were at the same table and while he was getting 10 high for numerous orbits, I was doubling up with my smooth called flopped set of 8's from the button. Things were going very well and I was continuing to accumulate chips and survive. A key hand that sent me into the chip lead early on with about 100 people left (140 to start) was when I held K9c in the CO. I raised the 300BB to 900 and got one caller... the button. She had just previously knocked out Fuel with some craptastic hand an orbit ago and I was ready to take back his chips!
The flop: 9h-Jc-10c
What a flop, I thought to myself. I led out with 1,000. She paused, and pushed all in with her remaining 4,0oo. I didn't take much time and made the call. I figured I was drawing, but had numerous outs (13-16?) and it was time to gamble.
She flips over aces of course. The turn is an Ace... of clubs! I make my flush but have to dodge the river pairing the board and it's a brick. I send her home. I'm liking my call there. Any thoughts? If she pushes or raises preflop I probably fold... or at least that is what I told the table.
Anyway I barely play another hand until I turn a flush and check it and extract another 5,000 chips or so from a guy on my immediate right when he can't get away from his flopped two pair. He comments "I should have pushed on the flop"... makes sense.
I am still chip leader and we are past the second break and down to 45. 9 players would earn their $1,100 entry into the BCPC.
Did I mention I moved tables 6 times? Does anyone find moving tables as annoying as I do? It's part of the game though and you just have to suck it up. I really couldn't get comfortable over the last hour as the tables kept breaking and they continued to pick the ones that were closest to the rest of the cash games first (mine!). I guess they wanted to final table to be all alone in the corner, who knows.
Ok so I finally pick up a hand - QQ, flop a set, call his all in and send him packing. Then I move again. I don't play a hand at my next table, and move again. I show up to my next table and the girl in seat one says to me "whoooaaa I've got chip envy" (Insert forshadowing here). Everyone laughed, ha ha very funny hot asian chick...
I am patient, very patient. I finally grab AKo in the SB when the blinds are 600/1200. It folds around to me and I raise it another 2,000 chips, or about 1/3 of the BB's stack. He thinks and pushes his remaining chips in there and it is 4,100 more. I call. He flips A4o.
River is a 4.
I tilt. I don't know what happened, but I should have just got up and walked away for a few hands. I didn't, and I paid dearly.
Meanwhile, Fuel is kicking some major donkey fish ass at the $2/5 NL table. He's managed to run his stack up to $2,300! Go Fuel!
The very next hand I pick up AJd. It folds around to me and this is where I lost it. Normally this is a spot where people will raise, and often I will mix it up. I decide that I'll keep the pressure on (although I am still steaming from that last hand) and raise it to 3,600. SB folds, and the BB (chip envy girl) pushes all in for another 7,000. This is my tournament.
I called (after agonizing for about 3-4 minutes) when this should have been an EASY fold, even in a blogger event! Why did I call? I have NO IDEA now that I look back at it. I guess I was putting here either on a re-steal (not likely with these donks) or a small pocket pair. Never did I consider that she had a better ace, and that is where my mistake was. I didn't consider or put her on a reasonable range. I am a bonehead.
I couldn't sleep all night. This was my chance and I blew it. If I had folded there, I would have still had an above average stack with 45 to go. What the fuck was I thinking!!!!
I took my remaining 7,000 chips and tilted them off after we moved tables AGAIN and I went out around 30th. Weeeeeeeeee.
I am still very choked that I couldn't at least fold that hand. I obviously do not get it.
So I've decided to take another break, take some time (read, study etc), and scrap the whole notion of playing in the BCPC all together. I'd rather rail Fuel then waste another dime. I'll be more prepared next year... but for now, I've got a lot of work to do if I think I can take that next step.
I guess it boils down to staying focused at all times and making the correct decisions. I lost that focus and it cost me.
Sometimes the calls you don't make are the ones that will win you the tournament (or at least a fawking seat at the BCPC).
Needless to say, I'll be sending back all the support from yesterday's post tonight as I prepare to kick ass in the Mookie.
later.
Fuel and I were at the same table and while he was getting 10 high for numerous orbits, I was doubling up with my smooth called flopped set of 8's from the button. Things were going very well and I was continuing to accumulate chips and survive. A key hand that sent me into the chip lead early on with about 100 people left (140 to start) was when I held K9c in the CO. I raised the 300BB to 900 and got one caller... the button. She had just previously knocked out Fuel with some craptastic hand an orbit ago and I was ready to take back his chips!
The flop: 9h-Jc-10c
What a flop, I thought to myself. I led out with 1,000. She paused, and pushed all in with her remaining 4,0oo. I didn't take much time and made the call. I figured I was drawing, but had numerous outs (13-16?) and it was time to gamble.
She flips over aces of course. The turn is an Ace... of clubs! I make my flush but have to dodge the river pairing the board and it's a brick. I send her home. I'm liking my call there. Any thoughts? If she pushes or raises preflop I probably fold... or at least that is what I told the table.
Anyway I barely play another hand until I turn a flush and check it and extract another 5,000 chips or so from a guy on my immediate right when he can't get away from his flopped two pair. He comments "I should have pushed on the flop"... makes sense.
I am still chip leader and we are past the second break and down to 45. 9 players would earn their $1,100 entry into the BCPC.
Did I mention I moved tables 6 times? Does anyone find moving tables as annoying as I do? It's part of the game though and you just have to suck it up. I really couldn't get comfortable over the last hour as the tables kept breaking and they continued to pick the ones that were closest to the rest of the cash games first (mine!). I guess they wanted to final table to be all alone in the corner, who knows.
Ok so I finally pick up a hand - QQ, flop a set, call his all in and send him packing. Then I move again. I don't play a hand at my next table, and move again. I show up to my next table and the girl in seat one says to me "whoooaaa I've got chip envy" (Insert forshadowing here). Everyone laughed, ha ha very funny hot asian chick...
I am patient, very patient. I finally grab AKo in the SB when the blinds are 600/1200. It folds around to me and I raise it another 2,000 chips, or about 1/3 of the BB's stack. He thinks and pushes his remaining chips in there and it is 4,100 more. I call. He flips A4o.
River is a 4.
I tilt. I don't know what happened, but I should have just got up and walked away for a few hands. I didn't, and I paid dearly.
Meanwhile, Fuel is kicking some major donkey fish ass at the $2/5 NL table. He's managed to run his stack up to $2,300! Go Fuel!
The very next hand I pick up AJd. It folds around to me and this is where I lost it. Normally this is a spot where people will raise, and often I will mix it up. I decide that I'll keep the pressure on (although I am still steaming from that last hand) and raise it to 3,600. SB folds, and the BB (chip envy girl) pushes all in for another 7,000. This is my tournament.
I called (after agonizing for about 3-4 minutes) when this should have been an EASY fold, even in a blogger event! Why did I call? I have NO IDEA now that I look back at it. I guess I was putting here either on a re-steal (not likely with these donks) or a small pocket pair. Never did I consider that she had a better ace, and that is where my mistake was. I didn't consider or put her on a reasonable range. I am a bonehead.
I couldn't sleep all night. This was my chance and I blew it. If I had folded there, I would have still had an above average stack with 45 to go. What the fuck was I thinking!!!!
I took my remaining 7,000 chips and tilted them off after we moved tables AGAIN and I went out around 30th. Weeeeeeeeee.
I am still very choked that I couldn't at least fold that hand. I obviously do not get it.
So I've decided to take another break, take some time (read, study etc), and scrap the whole notion of playing in the BCPC all together. I'd rather rail Fuel then waste another dime. I'll be more prepared next year... but for now, I've got a lot of work to do if I think I can take that next step.
I guess it boils down to staying focused at all times and making the correct decisions. I lost that focus and it cost me.
Sometimes the calls you don't make are the ones that will win you the tournament (or at least a fawking seat at the BCPC).
Needless to say, I'll be sending back all the support from yesterday's post tonight as I prepare to kick ass in the Mookie.
later.
13.11.07
The BCPC is a week away...
... and I still haven't decided if I should fork over the $1100 entry fee for the 1 day, 500 person tournament next Monday.
There are a few issues here, the main one being obvious... money! I mean I have the money, but shelling out $1100 for one tournament seems a bit much... don't you think?
The thing is, I know I can outplay 80% of that field. I know this for sure. Combine that with a bit of luck, and I actually do like my chances to at least get in the money. However, if I am playing in this thing... I'm playing to win.
So I guess my other option is to sell some of my stake. Which would work out to $11 for a 1% share.
$11 doesn't seem like much, but if I can get maybe 40% of that covered, I'd be willing to give it a shot. 1% could earn you up to $1,250 per share.
So if you are interested, let me know in the comments here, and if you are serious, then send me $11 for each 1% stake to "Schaubs" on Full Tilt. IF I don't get enough, or decide against going because of the lack of interest (most likely) then I will surely send it back right away.
I've never put out a proposition like this before, so I am interested to see if there are any backers. I just feel like I should be playing in this since its right in my back yard.
So far Fuel and Simon are in, along with a couple of my other Monday night buddies.
Maybe I should shut up and buck up. Arrrrrg.
There are a few issues here, the main one being obvious... money! I mean I have the money, but shelling out $1100 for one tournament seems a bit much... don't you think?
The thing is, I know I can outplay 80% of that field. I know this for sure. Combine that with a bit of luck, and I actually do like my chances to at least get in the money. However, if I am playing in this thing... I'm playing to win.
So I guess my other option is to sell some of my stake. Which would work out to $11 for a 1% share.
$11 doesn't seem like much, but if I can get maybe 40% of that covered, I'd be willing to give it a shot. 1% could earn you up to $1,250 per share.
So if you are interested, let me know in the comments here, and if you are serious, then send me $11 for each 1% stake to "Schaubs" on Full Tilt. IF I don't get enough, or decide against going because of the lack of interest (most likely) then I will surely send it back right away.
I've never put out a proposition like this before, so I am interested to see if there are any backers. I just feel like I should be playing in this since its right in my back yard.
So far Fuel and Simon are in, along with a couple of my other Monday night buddies.
Maybe I should shut up and buck up. Arrrrrg.
8.11.07
Vegas Day 3 Continued
Trip Report - Day 3, Part 2
Here are the first three for those of you just joining us:
Vegas Day 1
Vegas Day 2
Vegas Day 3, Part 1
With a 2,500 chip starting stack I knew that it wouldn’t be long before I had to start making some moves and putting the tough decisions on my opponents as much as possible. I played very tight early on and was in shock as to what I was witnessing. All I had to do is pick up a hand and I would surely extract some chips from some unsuspecting donk.
60 people were registered but they continued to let people in as alternates (5 more) as others were knocked out in the first 2-3 levels. Blind levels were 30 minutes and started off at 25/50. I opted not to play much, but rather observe and determine who I could take advantage of, who were the rocks, and who were the donkey calling stations. It didn’t take long.
I don’t think I played more than four hands in the first hour and had my stack up to almost 5,000 before the first break without having to go to showdown (table image can do wonders when you want to accumulate chips in a hurry). I had KK and QQ with no action. I knocked out a lady when I called her min raise with my 7’s from the BB. I checked my set (cuz I’m tricky and unpredictable) and got her to move all in with her over pair Kings (gee is that what a min-raise means?) I insta-call and I am in or around the top 5 in the tournament.
I was always aware of what the average was and tried to stay at least 20% above that number. It was continuously increasing and a couple of the better players at my table were taking advantage and stealing blinds like mad. I decided to take a stand when I was dealt AJs (it was the best hand I had seen in the third hour and we were down to three tables) and re-popped the chip thief that I suspect was just getting a lot of good cards (or so he said). He instantly went all in, and of course I folded (after a short and agonizing decision put on for my opponents) and moved on. That cost me about 20% of my stack as I tried to pull off what I thought was a re-steal. Turns out he had QQ. Good fold me.
Anyway, we finally get down to two tables and my M is running thin. I don’t get a single playable hand in the first two orbits and I am now in push or fold mode. The blinds are climbing now and it is time to make some moves and take some chances. After all, 9 spots were paid and if I wanted any chance whatsoever to make it to the top three I needed to double up, and fast.
My phone kept ringing. It was Lola. She was supposed to call me 3 hours earlier with some news on our apartment. I kept ignoring the calls because I had to. I thought I could wait until the next break, but she kept calling! I excused myself and sure enough… we had received two offers! One for our asking price and one for more than the asking price… Just like that, I had potentially just made more money than what would be the first place tournament winnings. My mindset had changed in the blink of a phone call. I wanted first, and nothing less.
All I could keep thinking was “man, it feels like I am free rolling now.” I look down at my BB dealt hand (the blinds are now 300/600/50) and I see two black eights. I have roughly 5,600 chips after posting my BB and someone (my read was semi-tighty donk) in MP raises it to 1,800. Folds around to me and I auto push.
He really wanted to fold (he was so close to folding damn it!), but in the end he called… with pocket fours! Perfect!... ummm until the second card is a 4. Fawk! IGH in 16th place with nothing but an apartment offer on my mind and am questioning whether I made the correct move. I think I did, I am fine with it anyway.
I stick around for oh, maybe, another minute shaking my head in disgust. The rest of the table also felt bad (not really) and I bolted out of there to catch up with the crew at Okada. I ran to my room, got changed and headed down to the lobby and caught a cab. I felt like I was in a hurry, so I tried to wave down a cab. There was a long line of them there and they just sat there. Apparantly they can’t go anywhere unless the valet/cab arranging dude waves them up. I jump in, make another call to Lightning36 and leave him a message in response to his message and the phone tag continued.
After dinner we then caught a cab downtown to see the Freemont show. A couple more calls to Lightning36 and we still hadn’t managed to meet up. At this point I wasn’t sure it was going to happen at all... So I resided to the fact that I wouldn’t be meeting up with Lightning36 and was still kicking myself for not being able to meet with SinCityGirlCarmen. Time constraints and my duty to adhere to what the crew collectively wanted to do prevented me from being a little more independent than I am use to. December will be a totally different experience I have no doubt.
Final Day Summary: We went home… most of us were empty handed; none of us won any money. Some came back with clothing instead…
Here are some figures from my various gambling activities:
Table games: my biggest loser by far. I probably dumped at least $400 into dumb games like roulette, craps, black jack, 3 card poker, video poker and slots. All those games can lick my ass. I hate them all more than I did before I got there. If anyone sees me playing these stupid games in December please pull me aside and remind me that I hate them.
Sports Betting: I decided to lay a few bets on the Sunday football as it would be much more enjoyable (as it is at home) if there were some teams to cheer for. I’m pretty green to the whole sports book thing, so it goes without saying that I didn’t fair too well in that department. I tried a 4 game parlay and got 3 of 4. $10 would have paid $90 which would have been great. Prior to that, we all laid a nice bet on the Red Sox to win game 6. Sure enough we won that and bet it again on Sunday to come out with at least $400 collectively. The Canucks were also playing the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday and we put up another $200 and turned that into $420 after the Canucks pummeled them into a 4-1 defeat. Easy money. So overall I think I was up about $60-80 in total sports betting. Easily my most profitable “game” of the whole trip.
Prop bets: They only lasted one day, and I broke even (See Day 1).
Poker – Cash Games – I came out ahead about $30.
Poker – Tournaments & SitnGos – Stuck for $265.
Well that about wraps it up. I look forward to getting back there in t-minus 4 weeks!!
See you then.
Here are the first three for those of you just joining us:
Vegas Day 1
Vegas Day 2
Vegas Day 3, Part 1
With a 2,500 chip starting stack I knew that it wouldn’t be long before I had to start making some moves and putting the tough decisions on my opponents as much as possible. I played very tight early on and was in shock as to what I was witnessing. All I had to do is pick up a hand and I would surely extract some chips from some unsuspecting donk.
60 people were registered but they continued to let people in as alternates (5 more) as others were knocked out in the first 2-3 levels. Blind levels were 30 minutes and started off at 25/50. I opted not to play much, but rather observe and determine who I could take advantage of, who were the rocks, and who were the donkey calling stations. It didn’t take long.
I don’t think I played more than four hands in the first hour and had my stack up to almost 5,000 before the first break without having to go to showdown (table image can do wonders when you want to accumulate chips in a hurry). I had KK and QQ with no action. I knocked out a lady when I called her min raise with my 7’s from the BB. I checked my set (cuz I’m tricky and unpredictable) and got her to move all in with her over pair Kings (gee is that what a min-raise means?) I insta-call and I am in or around the top 5 in the tournament.
I was always aware of what the average was and tried to stay at least 20% above that number. It was continuously increasing and a couple of the better players at my table were taking advantage and stealing blinds like mad. I decided to take a stand when I was dealt AJs (it was the best hand I had seen in the third hour and we were down to three tables) and re-popped the chip thief that I suspect was just getting a lot of good cards (or so he said). He instantly went all in, and of course I folded (after a short and agonizing decision put on for my opponents) and moved on. That cost me about 20% of my stack as I tried to pull off what I thought was a re-steal. Turns out he had QQ. Good fold me.
Anyway, we finally get down to two tables and my M is running thin. I don’t get a single playable hand in the first two orbits and I am now in push or fold mode. The blinds are climbing now and it is time to make some moves and take some chances. After all, 9 spots were paid and if I wanted any chance whatsoever to make it to the top three I needed to double up, and fast.
My phone kept ringing. It was Lola. She was supposed to call me 3 hours earlier with some news on our apartment. I kept ignoring the calls because I had to. I thought I could wait until the next break, but she kept calling! I excused myself and sure enough… we had received two offers! One for our asking price and one for more than the asking price… Just like that, I had potentially just made more money than what would be the first place tournament winnings. My mindset had changed in the blink of a phone call. I wanted first, and nothing less.
All I could keep thinking was “man, it feels like I am free rolling now.” I look down at my BB dealt hand (the blinds are now 300/600/50) and I see two black eights. I have roughly 5,600 chips after posting my BB and someone (my read was semi-tighty donk) in MP raises it to 1,800. Folds around to me and I auto push.
He really wanted to fold (he was so close to folding damn it!), but in the end he called… with pocket fours! Perfect!... ummm until the second card is a 4. Fawk! IGH in 16th place with nothing but an apartment offer on my mind and am questioning whether I made the correct move. I think I did, I am fine with it anyway.
I stick around for oh, maybe, another minute shaking my head in disgust. The rest of the table also felt bad (not really) and I bolted out of there to catch up with the crew at Okada. I ran to my room, got changed and headed down to the lobby and caught a cab. I felt like I was in a hurry, so I tried to wave down a cab. There was a long line of them there and they just sat there. Apparantly they can’t go anywhere unless the valet/cab arranging dude waves them up. I jump in, make another call to Lightning36 and leave him a message in response to his message and the phone tag continued.
After dinner we then caught a cab downtown to see the Freemont show. A couple more calls to Lightning36 and we still hadn’t managed to meet up. At this point I wasn’t sure it was going to happen at all... So I resided to the fact that I wouldn’t be meeting up with Lightning36 and was still kicking myself for not being able to meet with SinCityGirlCarmen. Time constraints and my duty to adhere to what the crew collectively wanted to do prevented me from being a little more independent than I am use to. December will be a totally different experience I have no doubt.
Final Day Summary: We went home… most of us were empty handed; none of us won any money. Some came back with clothing instead…
Here are some figures from my various gambling activities:
Table games: my biggest loser by far. I probably dumped at least $400 into dumb games like roulette, craps, black jack, 3 card poker, video poker and slots. All those games can lick my ass. I hate them all more than I did before I got there. If anyone sees me playing these stupid games in December please pull me aside and remind me that I hate them.
Sports Betting: I decided to lay a few bets on the Sunday football as it would be much more enjoyable (as it is at home) if there were some teams to cheer for. I’m pretty green to the whole sports book thing, so it goes without saying that I didn’t fair too well in that department. I tried a 4 game parlay and got 3 of 4. $10 would have paid $90 which would have been great. Prior to that, we all laid a nice bet on the Red Sox to win game 6. Sure enough we won that and bet it again on Sunday to come out with at least $400 collectively. The Canucks were also playing the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday and we put up another $200 and turned that into $420 after the Canucks pummeled them into a 4-1 defeat. Easy money. So overall I think I was up about $60-80 in total sports betting. Easily my most profitable “game” of the whole trip.
Prop bets: They only lasted one day, and I broke even (See Day 1).
Poker – Cash Games – I came out ahead about $30.
Poker – Tournaments & SitnGos – Stuck for $265.
Well that about wraps it up. I look forward to getting back there in t-minus 4 weeks!!
See you then.
7.11.07
Instantly better
Do you think there will ever be instant replay in golf? I think baseball is next...
And it's about time! Problems solved.
If I ever found out that Tiger used steriods... I'd be crushed.
And it's about time! Problems solved.
If I ever found out that Tiger used steriods... I'd be crushed.5.11.07
7 useless things that I didn't put much effort into
It's become apparant that I can't hide any longer. Sooner or later one or two people are going to see that I have not been tagged for the latest meme. I don't like them much at all, but find it rude to at least not participate... I mean it took me at least 7 minutes to get this down:
Astin and Yabi... what goes around comes around.
A). Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog...
B). Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself...
C). Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs...
D). Let each person know that they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
1. I use to play competitive badminton... but gave up shortly after I realized that being an alternate on your provincial team sucks balls. You never get to play!
2. I am continuously changing my facial hair... I really want to rock a moustache for more than just a weekend one day. I just shaved my goatee off this morning and now have nothing left but a soul patch. It will probably come off in a day or two and I'll start something else. A beard is also something I've never gone through with to its fullest capabilities. One day...
3. I can't burp. I've never been able to do it voluntarily. Everytime I tell someone this they find it quit shocking. I don't really have an explanation as to why, I've tried learning numerous times without any luck. Once in a while one will squeek out, but that is if I've had a "soda." I refrain from having anything carbonated at all cost... except beer. I don't even know if beer qualifies as carbonated.
4. I've never had a fawking hole in one... can you tell that I'm bitter? I've come close many many times. The latest was when I almost holed it on three different occasions in one round... on my birthday. All were tap in birdies, but damn it is it too much to ask for an Ace already? Maybe in 08.'
5. I drive a 2002 Jetta 1.8T. My new dream car is the latest Audi R8. I've already started saving.
6. If I was a chick and had nice boobs and a nice rack, I'd never leave the house.
7. Lola's favorite number is 7.
I'm going to pull a BuddyDank and refrain from tagging (torturing) anyone any further. If you are reading this and would like to participate... feel free! No need to be tagged, it's not really about all that anyway IMO. Just another way to get to know your fellow bloggey.
Astin and Yabi... what goes around comes around.
A). Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog...
B). Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself...
C). Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs...
D). Let each person know that they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
1. I use to play competitive badminton... but gave up shortly after I realized that being an alternate on your provincial team sucks balls. You never get to play!
2. I am continuously changing my facial hair... I really want to rock a moustache for more than just a weekend one day. I just shaved my goatee off this morning and now have nothing left but a soul patch. It will probably come off in a day or two and I'll start something else. A beard is also something I've never gone through with to its fullest capabilities. One day...
3. I can't burp. I've never been able to do it voluntarily. Everytime I tell someone this they find it quit shocking. I don't really have an explanation as to why, I've tried learning numerous times without any luck. Once in a while one will squeek out, but that is if I've had a "soda." I refrain from having anything carbonated at all cost... except beer. I don't even know if beer qualifies as carbonated.
4. I've never had a fawking hole in one... can you tell that I'm bitter? I've come close many many times. The latest was when I almost holed it on three different occasions in one round... on my birthday. All were tap in birdies, but damn it is it too much to ask for an Ace already? Maybe in 08.'
5. I drive a 2002 Jetta 1.8T. My new dream car is the latest Audi R8. I've already started saving.
6. If I was a chick and had nice boobs and a nice rack, I'd never leave the house.
7. Lola's favorite number is 7.
I'm going to pull a BuddyDank and refrain from tagging (torturing) anyone any further. If you are reading this and would like to participate... feel free! No need to be tagged, it's not really about all that anyway IMO. Just another way to get to know your fellow bloggey.
2.11.07
Vegas Day 3
Trip Report – Vegas Day 3, Part 1
Actual poker content.
I woke up early as planned and headed down to the poker room just before 7am. My plan was to grind out 3 hours of sober poker before NFL Sunday started and see if I could get unstuck from Friday/Saturday morning. When I got down there, it was obvious that most of the drunks had gone to pass out already. There were two tables to choose from – The first one was a 3/5 NL game where there were only 4 players playing. One guy (who turned out to be a pro from Europe and came to the Mirage every two months to prey on the unsuspecting donkeys) had a stack worth at least $3,000. When he finally cashed out he had three racks of reds and another half rack of greens and blacks. I didn’t catch his name, but all the dealers knew who he was.
So anyway, I decided that my obvious move would be to sit down at the 1/2 table as planned. At first I was a little worried that it was just full of locals trying to use the same strategy as me, and in hindsight, there were a couple. However, the majority of the table was full of exactly what I had hoped. Drunks. Drunks that had been there since the previous night, or had rolled in there after a night of drinking and partying (sound familiar?) who had decided to play a little poker and donk it up… and donk it up they did.
I remember when I went to bed the night before seeing a few people that stood out to me. Well this one girl was still there when I arrived that morning! She was wearing a pink hoodie and had a rack and a half sitting in front of her when I sat down across from her in the 10 seat (bought in for only $160 for some reason) to start the morning. I immediately posted my blind as I was sitting in the SB and decided that I wanted to jump in there right away and see what damage I could do. I look down at my cards… pocket aces! Wow, first hand of the morning and I get dealt pocket aces. What a deal, I thought to myself as I processed the table and tried to set up my image for the rest of the morning. I didn’t really know what angle I should take. Although I knew one thing… don’t get tricky fool! After all, this is 1/2 NL with at least 50% of the people who I considered to be drunk donkeys. The last thing I wanted was for my aces to get cracked on the first hand of the morning... right?
It comes around to me and it has already been raised (I think it was to $10 total) in early position and called 3 times. I decide to call as well and we see a flop of K-A-4 rainbow. I check my monster and don't bet my set, because, well... just because that's all. C-bet of $10 by the raiser (weak), one caller (the pink hoodie chick PHC), so I decide to slow play my monster and just call. The turn is a Jack. Ok, now there is a draw available. I check. C-better checks and the PHC bets out $15 (seems weak too). I decided enough is enough and I raise it up another $30. One fold, and after some thinking PHC folds as well. So I did the #1 thing that you should never do when playing in a cash game… I showed my set of Aces. Why? I think at the time I just wanted everyone to know that I wasn’t about to screw around. I took down the decent pot (flipped the dealer a red chip) and folded for about 30 minutes as I tried to study the table. After all, I was ahead by a bit now and had an above average stack.
The other hand that I remember (and let’s face it, you are really only looking for two or three big hands to maximize your session) was when I was dealt AKo in the SB. This one would be interesting, I could just tell as soon as the action got going. Three callers for $2, and then the button (A Canadian from Ottawa I might add) decided to raise it to $12. I just call (because as Fuel says – AK is a rag hand) and so do 2 others. The flop comes down J-K-6 rainbow. I check (so sneaky huh) and it checks around to the button. The button bets out $15, which, to me, seemed like a C-bet. Does everyone c-bet now or what. Man. Anyway, I stop and pause and think. I finally decide to raise it up. “I raise” I state and put out another $30 on top. It folds around to the Canadian and he looks me down. He talks a big game (even mentioned how he lost thousands at another hotel already… we weren’t impressed as one guy stated “why are you here at 1/2 then?) and tries to intimidate me.
I have to be honest, at the time I actually was a bit worried that I was beat here already… but I was only concerned with Aces or a set right? I mean I am a TPTK donkey from time to time, so what should I do if he re-raises me?
He tries to get information from me by talking and asking me questions, but I won’t budge. He finally says “I don’t think you’ve got it” and all I could come up with was “Got what?”
He said it again – “I don’t think you’ve got it” as he pulls out two stacks of reds (enough to cover me as he had at least another stack sitting there that he left behind) and says “I’m all in.” Ok, so now what the fuck do I do? I really thought he might have Jacks or sixes. But his range includes a whole lot more for sure. I decide that I’m either going back to bed, or doubling up. “I call” I stated firmly. He flips over… KQc!! I show him my hand and as I am doing that he says “oh man you do have it…” ummmmm, thank you, thank you for your chips fellow Canuck. The guy to his right chimes in and says “well what did you think he had, he’s only shown two hands so far and the other one was Aces.” The Canadian said "well I thought that if he had AK that he would have re-raised me preflop!" LOL. ouch.
Woo hoo! Double up and I am unstuck just like that. I walk away with $371 total about an hour later, just in time for the morning games.
I head back to the room and grab CD and we get some breakfast. CD orders a steak and eggs (back to back to back steaks including that night’s dinner at Okada - 3 steaks in a row! LOL) and I go with the standard go to – bacon and eggs with sourdough toast. It was very good.
Later that day we decide to hit up the mall. But before we do that, we must get in our other sports bets for the day (although I already had my football parlay crappy bets done the night before). The Canucks were playing Columbus and we all jumped on it, and big. We pulled together about $200 in total and let it ride on our home team. They easily won (4-1) and we scored $440 total. Not a bad deal at all! We also bet on the Red Sox at $50 a pop and made a nice return (I think we won $35 on each $50 bet) and came out ahead for the day in the sports betting department.
At the mall I grab a pair of shoes (another adventure that is filled with a bunch of waiting and more waiting for my size) and the rest of the guys hit up some of the other shops where we can buy clothes for what seems like a steal of a deal compared to a few years ago when our dollar was worth 75 cents (It currently sits at about 1.05 now suckas).
When we get back it’s about 30 minutes until game time and I decided that I would play in the Sunday night tournament. The cost was $125 each and you got 2500 chips... a total donkfest is what I thought Chad might call it, in fact I remember him telling me that the Mirage was full of tighty old farts... and he was right. There turned out to be 65 players in total with a top prize of just over $3,000 for first. The tournament only paid 9 spots (the final table).
I was feeling confident and… hungry. I hadn’t eaten since breakfast so I quickly ran to the coffee shop and grabbed a bagel. It was an onion bagel, and it was damn good... but man do they give a lot of frickin' cream cheese! 4 bucks, not a bad snack at all.
I get to my table as the first hand is being dealt. I selected the lucky 10 spot when I registered and remembered sitting there a day ago for a sitngo. Hopefully my luck would change this time, I really felt like I could take this thing down!!
To be continued…
Actual poker content.
I woke up early as planned and headed down to the poker room just before 7am. My plan was to grind out 3 hours of sober poker before NFL Sunday started and see if I could get unstuck from Friday/Saturday morning. When I got down there, it was obvious that most of the drunks had gone to pass out already. There were two tables to choose from – The first one was a 3/5 NL game where there were only 4 players playing. One guy (who turned out to be a pro from Europe and came to the Mirage every two months to prey on the unsuspecting donkeys) had a stack worth at least $3,000. When he finally cashed out he had three racks of reds and another half rack of greens and blacks. I didn’t catch his name, but all the dealers knew who he was.
So anyway, I decided that my obvious move would be to sit down at the 1/2 table as planned. At first I was a little worried that it was just full of locals trying to use the same strategy as me, and in hindsight, there were a couple. However, the majority of the table was full of exactly what I had hoped. Drunks. Drunks that had been there since the previous night, or had rolled in there after a night of drinking and partying (sound familiar?) who had decided to play a little poker and donk it up… and donk it up they did.
I remember when I went to bed the night before seeing a few people that stood out to me. Well this one girl was still there when I arrived that morning! She was wearing a pink hoodie and had a rack and a half sitting in front of her when I sat down across from her in the 10 seat (bought in for only $160 for some reason) to start the morning. I immediately posted my blind as I was sitting in the SB and decided that I wanted to jump in there right away and see what damage I could do. I look down at my cards… pocket aces! Wow, first hand of the morning and I get dealt pocket aces. What a deal, I thought to myself as I processed the table and tried to set up my image for the rest of the morning. I didn’t really know what angle I should take. Although I knew one thing… don’t get tricky fool! After all, this is 1/2 NL with at least 50% of the people who I considered to be drunk donkeys. The last thing I wanted was for my aces to get cracked on the first hand of the morning... right?
It comes around to me and it has already been raised (I think it was to $10 total) in early position and called 3 times. I decide to call as well and we see a flop of K-A-4 rainbow. I check my monster and don't bet my set, because, well... just because that's all. C-bet of $10 by the raiser (weak), one caller (the pink hoodie chick PHC), so I decide to slow play my monster and just call. The turn is a Jack. Ok, now there is a draw available. I check. C-better checks and the PHC bets out $15 (seems weak too). I decided enough is enough and I raise it up another $30. One fold, and after some thinking PHC folds as well. So I did the #1 thing that you should never do when playing in a cash game… I showed my set of Aces. Why? I think at the time I just wanted everyone to know that I wasn’t about to screw around. I took down the decent pot (flipped the dealer a red chip) and folded for about 30 minutes as I tried to study the table. After all, I was ahead by a bit now and had an above average stack.
The other hand that I remember (and let’s face it, you are really only looking for two or three big hands to maximize your session) was when I was dealt AKo in the SB. This one would be interesting, I could just tell as soon as the action got going. Three callers for $2, and then the button (A Canadian from Ottawa I might add) decided to raise it to $12. I just call (because as Fuel says – AK is a rag hand) and so do 2 others. The flop comes down J-K-6 rainbow. I check (so sneaky huh) and it checks around to the button. The button bets out $15, which, to me, seemed like a C-bet. Does everyone c-bet now or what. Man. Anyway, I stop and pause and think. I finally decide to raise it up. “I raise” I state and put out another $30 on top. It folds around to the Canadian and he looks me down. He talks a big game (even mentioned how he lost thousands at another hotel already… we weren’t impressed as one guy stated “why are you here at 1/2 then?) and tries to intimidate me.
I have to be honest, at the time I actually was a bit worried that I was beat here already… but I was only concerned with Aces or a set right? I mean I am a TPTK donkey from time to time, so what should I do if he re-raises me?
He tries to get information from me by talking and asking me questions, but I won’t budge. He finally says “I don’t think you’ve got it” and all I could come up with was “Got what?”
He said it again – “I don’t think you’ve got it” as he pulls out two stacks of reds (enough to cover me as he had at least another stack sitting there that he left behind) and says “I’m all in.” Ok, so now what the fuck do I do? I really thought he might have Jacks or sixes. But his range includes a whole lot more for sure. I decide that I’m either going back to bed, or doubling up. “I call” I stated firmly. He flips over… KQc!! I show him my hand and as I am doing that he says “oh man you do have it…” ummmmm, thank you, thank you for your chips fellow Canuck. The guy to his right chimes in and says “well what did you think he had, he’s only shown two hands so far and the other one was Aces.” The Canadian said "well I thought that if he had AK that he would have re-raised me preflop!" LOL. ouch.
Woo hoo! Double up and I am unstuck just like that. I walk away with $371 total about an hour later, just in time for the morning games.
I head back to the room and grab CD and we get some breakfast. CD orders a steak and eggs (back to back to back steaks including that night’s dinner at Okada - 3 steaks in a row! LOL) and I go with the standard go to – bacon and eggs with sourdough toast. It was very good.
Later that day we decide to hit up the mall. But before we do that, we must get in our other sports bets for the day (although I already had my football parlay crappy bets done the night before). The Canucks were playing Columbus and we all jumped on it, and big. We pulled together about $200 in total and let it ride on our home team. They easily won (4-1) and we scored $440 total. Not a bad deal at all! We also bet on the Red Sox at $50 a pop and made a nice return (I think we won $35 on each $50 bet) and came out ahead for the day in the sports betting department.
At the mall I grab a pair of shoes (another adventure that is filled with a bunch of waiting and more waiting for my size) and the rest of the guys hit up some of the other shops where we can buy clothes for what seems like a steal of a deal compared to a few years ago when our dollar was worth 75 cents (It currently sits at about 1.05 now suckas).
When we get back it’s about 30 minutes until game time and I decided that I would play in the Sunday night tournament. The cost was $125 each and you got 2500 chips... a total donkfest is what I thought Chad might call it, in fact I remember him telling me that the Mirage was full of tighty old farts... and he was right. There turned out to be 65 players in total with a top prize of just over $3,000 for first. The tournament only paid 9 spots (the final table).
I was feeling confident and… hungry. I hadn’t eaten since breakfast so I quickly ran to the coffee shop and grabbed a bagel. It was an onion bagel, and it was damn good... but man do they give a lot of frickin' cream cheese! 4 bucks, not a bad snack at all.
I get to my table as the first hand is being dealt. I selected the lucky 10 spot when I registered and remembered sitting there a day ago for a sitngo. Hopefully my luck would change this time, I really felt like I could take this thing down!!
To be continued…
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