So after a few hours of drunken sleep, I managed to get myself out of bed around 9:30 AM and grabbed a quick greasy breakfast to try to soak up the remnants of the previous night's libations. A little after 11, I meandered over to the Caesar's poker room and registered early since I didn't really have anything better to do.
My expectations for the tournament were exceedingly low. I was, of course, the stone cold worst poker player in the room. Since I couldn't get anything going in the early stages, I was stuck playing the brand of short stack poker I have grown accustomed to. Thankfully, I got exceedingly lucky a few times.
I did manage to drop one hammer to take down a pot pre-flop, and used my tighty image to pick up a few others with rather marginal holdings to stay afloat. Then I inflicted the first and worst bad beat I put on anyone. It folded to me on the button so I shipped around 12BB all in with A7o. Unfortunately for him, SB was sitting on JJ, called, hit top set, and watched me go runner-runner straight to steal 3/4 of his stack.
I managed to get my stack above the average in the room when I reraised (all in) a very active CJ with 88. I knew I had absolutely no fold equity, but was willing to race for the chance at a double. What I didn't expect was for the BB to consider himself getting good odds and call also. Instant nausea. However, it managed to hold up against 98s (BB) and AQo (CJ). Unexpected triple up. At some point, I busted Otis with some junk like QJo when I decided to defend my BB and it wasn't too much more to call.
Then I got moved to Al's table. Buckle in, it's going to get bumpy.
Blinds were up to something like 2k/4k with a 500 ante so there wasn't much play available to most of us. I open shoved 3 hands in a row at one point and, luckily, was only called the third time. When I had AA. That got me up to around 70k and was second in chips at the table. To Al. Blinds and antes started to eat away at my stack as the chip leader was just bludgeoning the table and nobody seemed to find anything they wanted to go to war with. At last, he managed to fold a hand and I looked down at AKs. Good enough, ship it. This time Bam Bam, immediately on my left, called all in with KK for about 1/2 my stack. An Ace right in the door provided my second filthy beat. Sorry man. But your bounty was killer.
Somehow, I managed to survive long enough to make it to the final table but found myself with the aggressive FTrain and Al, sitting on large stacks to my right. Trying to find a spot proves quite difficult under those circumstances. There were probably 5 or 6 hands that I would have gladly opened with, but none that I really wanted to reraise with, with no hope of receiving a fold in return. At the end, I made my last stand when I was able to get it in first, but with a measly A2s. I'm a bit surprised that Astin called with just 44, considering the number of times I had folded, but he did and spiked a set so that was that. My 6th place finish was about 80 places higher than I had anticipated going in, so I call that a win. Plus I was able to yuck it up with the rest of the die hards who had gathered to rail the last table. Good stuff.
Anyway, having spent the day detoxing, and now that the tournament was behind me, I realized that some food was in order before jumping back into the rum pool. A quick bite at the IP Burger Palace did the trick and I was all set to really immerse myself in that which is WPBT, but we'll save that part of the story for Part 3...
And there go another 5 minutes of your life you're not getting back...
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
WPBT 2009 - The Bacardi Diaries, Part 1
The question is, how does a non-writer make sense out of three days where time and space had absolutely no meaning? At some points, time seemed to be frozen, while at others, what seemed like 2 hours was actually 8. Night became day, day became night. The only constants being the people, the cards, and the booze although even that hierarchy shuffled itself numerous times.
Let's start at the beginning, then, shall we? I landed at McCarran on time, just after 6:30 PM local time. Coupled with a non-existant taxi line, I was checked into the IP by 7:30. Next stop was the MGM. Nothing like feeling conspicuously anonymous watching table 16 with awe, and just a bit of fear, waiting for someone I had previously met to remember that they had. Finally, I decided to press the issue and make some reintroductions which were met cordially. Either folks have the best recollections for names and faces I have ever seen, or are really good liars. Either way, I wasn't complaining.
After about an hour I ran into Falstaff, Doc, Rooster, and Kat. Thankfully, they did all remember me without too much difficulty. At that point, though, it was just about time to form up the convoy to GVR.
STEEL F'N PANTHER.
Holy crap. What an amazing time that is. I had written that into the to-do list right at the top, and will never miss another one. Between the old school hair metal and the free flowing alcohol, I managed to talk at least briefly with over half the folks that made the journey. The band played a single one hour set, but I was more than satisifed. Afterward, many of the folk decided to hang there at the poker room, but I caught a cab back to IP with CA April and CJ. Just in time to watch Iggy pouring Waffles into a cab bound for God knows where.
After a brief respite at the Geisha bar, it was finally time to put some money in play. Pai Gow, up about $15 plus about 5 Bacardi and diets. Craps, don't remember, but I do remember lots of cocktail service. Finally I went over to the poker room for a little 2/4 LHE. I never play cash NLHE when I've been drinking. Ever. And I certainly planned on the drinking to continue. There were about 7 or 8 already playing when I sat down and, over the next hour or two, they all either gave up or went broke. I shut down the table after playing an off duty dealer heads up and took her last $30. After tips (dealers and waitresses) and rake, I was probably still up about $80.
It must have been around 5:00 AM by then and I had been up for around 26 hours, but since day 1 was merely an appetizer, I decided to grab a couple hours of sleep before the main course. On tap for Saturday... the tournament at Caesar's followed by shenanigans yet to be determined.
And there go another 5 minutes of your life you're not getting back...
Let's start at the beginning, then, shall we? I landed at McCarran on time, just after 6:30 PM local time. Coupled with a non-existant taxi line, I was checked into the IP by 7:30. Next stop was the MGM. Nothing like feeling conspicuously anonymous watching table 16 with awe, and just a bit of fear, waiting for someone I had previously met to remember that they had. Finally, I decided to press the issue and make some reintroductions which were met cordially. Either folks have the best recollections for names and faces I have ever seen, or are really good liars. Either way, I wasn't complaining.
After about an hour I ran into Falstaff, Doc, Rooster, and Kat. Thankfully, they did all remember me without too much difficulty. At that point, though, it was just about time to form up the convoy to GVR.
STEEL F'N PANTHER.
Holy crap. What an amazing time that is. I had written that into the to-do list right at the top, and will never miss another one. Between the old school hair metal and the free flowing alcohol, I managed to talk at least briefly with over half the folks that made the journey. The band played a single one hour set, but I was more than satisifed. Afterward, many of the folk decided to hang there at the poker room, but I caught a cab back to IP with CA April and CJ. Just in time to watch Iggy pouring Waffles into a cab bound for God knows where.
After a brief respite at the Geisha bar, it was finally time to put some money in play. Pai Gow, up about $15 plus about 5 Bacardi and diets. Craps, don't remember, but I do remember lots of cocktail service. Finally I went over to the poker room for a little 2/4 LHE. I never play cash NLHE when I've been drinking. Ever. And I certainly planned on the drinking to continue. There were about 7 or 8 already playing when I sat down and, over the next hour or two, they all either gave up or went broke. I shut down the table after playing an off duty dealer heads up and took her last $30. After tips (dealers and waitresses) and rake, I was probably still up about $80.
It must have been around 5:00 AM by then and I had been up for around 26 hours, but since day 1 was merely an appetizer, I decided to grab a couple hours of sleep before the main course. On tap for Saturday... the tournament at Caesar's followed by shenanigans yet to be determined.
And there go another 5 minutes of your life you're not getting back...
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Winter Gathering - A Preamble
Need a little time to reflect upon my 3 days amongst the luminaries, dignataries, and other random degens at the WPBT, 2009 Edition. However, I did figure I would run through Pauly's check list after the fact to see how I did at a high level.
1. Cut back on sleep immediately. I never sleep well anyway, so this was not a problem.
2. Sip, don't chug. Does sipping really fast count as chugging?
3. Water and Motrin are your best friend. Tylenol, check. Water, probably could have used more.
4. Bring a cell phone charger. Check.
5. Take pictures. FAIL
6. Ask before you post pictures on the internet. N/A
7. Speak your mind and stay in the moment. Mission accomplished, hopefully. Level of assholedness to be determined by peer review.
8. Understand that it will be impossible to spend quality time with everyone. Obv.
9. Don't be Gigli. Is final table Gigli?
10. Never underestimate the importance of a $20 tip. FAIL
11. Food is fuel. The tank seemed to be getting pretty good mileage out in the desert.
12. Wear comfortable shoes. Always.
13. Bring a watch. That's what cell phones are for.
14. Keep your gambling bankroll separate from your other cash. Other cash?
15. $50 bills are bad luck. Natch.
16. Avoid the slots. There are slots in Las Vegas?
17. Don't tell people at your poker table that you have a poker blog. I don't really have one, so not a problem.
18. Bring a jacket and sunglasses. Jacket was a good call. But doesn't one need to actually see the sun to need glasses to defend against it?
19. Never burn the locals. Just 2/4 LHE donkey poker. Nothing too bad.
20. Don't get rolled by a hooker. There are hookers in Las Vegas?
21. Avoid hangovers. Stay drunk. Check and mate.
22. Get off the Strip. STEEL PANTHER!!!
23. Don't die. Month isn't over yet, but it didn't happen in Nevada.
And there go another 5 minutes of your life you're not getting back...
1. Cut back on sleep immediately. I never sleep well anyway, so this was not a problem.
2. Sip, don't chug. Does sipping really fast count as chugging?
3. Water and Motrin are your best friend. Tylenol, check. Water, probably could have used more.
4. Bring a cell phone charger. Check.
5. Take pictures. FAIL
6. Ask before you post pictures on the internet. N/A
7. Speak your mind and stay in the moment. Mission accomplished, hopefully. Level of assholedness to be determined by peer review.
8. Understand that it will be impossible to spend quality time with everyone. Obv.
9. Don't be Gigli. Is final table Gigli?
10. Never underestimate the importance of a $20 tip. FAIL
11. Food is fuel. The tank seemed to be getting pretty good mileage out in the desert.
12. Wear comfortable shoes. Always.
13. Bring a watch. That's what cell phones are for.
14. Keep your gambling bankroll separate from your other cash. Other cash?
15. $50 bills are bad luck. Natch.
16. Avoid the slots. There are slots in Las Vegas?
17. Don't tell people at your poker table that you have a poker blog. I don't really have one, so not a problem.
18. Bring a jacket and sunglasses. Jacket was a good call. But doesn't one need to actually see the sun to need glasses to defend against it?
19. Never burn the locals. Just 2/4 LHE donkey poker. Nothing too bad.
20. Don't get rolled by a hooker. There are hookers in Las Vegas?
21. Avoid hangovers. Stay drunk. Check and mate.
22. Get off the Strip. STEEL PANTHER!!!
23. Don't die. Month isn't over yet, but it didn't happen in Nevada.
And there go another 5 minutes of your life you're not getting back...
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
48 And Counting
Just 48 more hours until my plane to Vegas should be somewhere over Kentucky.
Of course, I'm currently 3/4 of the way through a 14 hour a day work bender trying to bang out 7 days worth of deliverables in 4 days so I fully expect the time to pass pretty quickly.
Plus I needed to get something else in this space to take the place of that last piece of crap I posted. Kids and work. Work and kids. Lather, rinse, repeat.
See ya Friday evening, Sin City.
Of course, I'm currently 3/4 of the way through a 14 hour a day work bender trying to bang out 7 days worth of deliverables in 4 days so I fully expect the time to pass pretty quickly.
Plus I needed to get something else in this space to take the place of that last piece of crap I posted. Kids and work. Work and kids. Lather, rinse, repeat.
See ya Friday evening, Sin City.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Poker Under The Sea
Seven days and counting. And based on what follows, it is abundantly clear that I need to get away. Too much kid stuff and not enough adult debauchery. That. Shall. Change. For a long weekend, at least.
In lieu of anything thought provoking or even interesting in the least, here's some nonsense about what the poker scene would look like in Bikini Bottom.
Sponge Bob Square Pants - Also known as Bikini Bottom Square, Sponge Bob traded in his jellyfishing net for a seat at the aquatic felt. Much like his previous hobby, though, he has an affinity for refusing to scoop any pot he wins, preferring to release the chips back into the wild. Needless to say, when he is playing, the rail can become quite the profitable location.
Patrick Star - Although Patrick lives under a rock, that classification certainly cannot be applied to his game. Playing every hand, inevitably someone will need to call for a clock at which point Patrick will usually attempt to order a sandwich from the dealer. Other than his best friend, no one really likes being at the table with him.
Eugene H Krabs - Tiring of sobbing uncontrollably every time he was forced to post a blind or ante, Mr. Krabs decided to make some easy money opening the Krusty Kasino. This player friendly establishment offers such amenities as a 25% rake and full price cocktails at the tables.
Sandy Cheeks - She's from Texas y'all, nuff said.
Squidward Tentacles - The underwater poker brat is constantly perplexed by the play of all of the bottom feeders surrounding him at the table. Squidward tries to apply level 3 thinking to his opponents, like Patrick, who don't realize that they aren't actually at Super Weenie Hut. The result? The blow ups are spectacular.
Ugh, I could go on but why bother? Dumbest. Post. Ever. T-7 days until the Vegas retreat. Boy do I need it.
And there go another 5 minutes of your life you're not getting back...
In lieu of anything thought provoking or even interesting in the least, here's some nonsense about what the poker scene would look like in Bikini Bottom.
Sponge Bob Square Pants - Also known as Bikini Bottom Square, Sponge Bob traded in his jellyfishing net for a seat at the aquatic felt. Much like his previous hobby, though, he has an affinity for refusing to scoop any pot he wins, preferring to release the chips back into the wild. Needless to say, when he is playing, the rail can become quite the profitable location.
Patrick Star - Although Patrick lives under a rock, that classification certainly cannot be applied to his game. Playing every hand, inevitably someone will need to call for a clock at which point Patrick will usually attempt to order a sandwich from the dealer. Other than his best friend, no one really likes being at the table with him.
Eugene H Krabs - Tiring of sobbing uncontrollably every time he was forced to post a blind or ante, Mr. Krabs decided to make some easy money opening the Krusty Kasino. This player friendly establishment offers such amenities as a 25% rake and full price cocktails at the tables.
Sandy Cheeks - She's from Texas y'all, nuff said.
Squidward Tentacles - The underwater poker brat is constantly perplexed by the play of all of the bottom feeders surrounding him at the table. Squidward tries to apply level 3 thinking to his opponents, like Patrick, who don't realize that they aren't actually at Super Weenie Hut. The result? The blow ups are spectacular.
Ugh, I could go on but why bother? Dumbest. Post. Ever. T-7 days until the Vegas retreat. Boy do I need it.
And there go another 5 minutes of your life you're not getting back...
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