In what I hope to make a standing tradition, I headed to LV for a second year in a row to play in the Friendship Cup soccer tournament. The Friendship Cup is an all-mens soccer tournament played on very shitty fields with poor officiating but it met the all-important criteria of being in Las Vegas.
Last year I decided (was given permission to go) on the Wednesday before flying out on Friday. That was when I had one child. This year, with a 3 year old and 4 month old, I told my wife months before (before child number 2 was even born). So far in advanced that she forgot completely that she had agreed and began to question the wisdom of her decision. But by then it was too late as I already had made my reservations and was going regardless.
As I did the previous year, my cousin and I flew into Vegas Friday morning in time for me to play in a 12:00 tournament. Last year I played the Venetian 12:00 and managed to chip chop for 5th place money. This year, based on the sage advice of the Black Widow of Poker and Missing Flops I decided to play the smaller, softer, but equally well-structured Aria 1:00 tournament. After lunch at In-N-Out -- my cousin went to school in LA and likes to reminisce-- I made the tourney just in time. With 73 runners the top 7 spots paid and first place took $2,600.
Interesting side note: on Sunday I played the 1:00 again (let's not talk about it) and arrived about 10 minutes late. When I sat down a stack was sitting in front of me and had been blinded down. After 15 minutes the dealers were instructed to pull in all stacks for empty seats. About 5 minutes later a new player sat down and was given a full stack. After some questioning by the players the TD informed everyone that this was how it's done. I wasn't too upset since I had only lost T75 of my starting T8,000 stack but an interesting fact to remember: if you're going to be late for the Aria poker tournament you might as well be 15+ minutes late.
As play began I could only detect one soft spot in a woman from Vancouver Island (that's in Canada) who seemed to be calling a lot of spots in the first few rounds. Unfortunately she seemed to tighten up after losing a few pots. The atmosphere at the table, especially our end seemed friendly and social-- no wanna-be pros or grinding rocks to be found. It was hard for me to get a sense of the other side of the table as I was in seat 10. Nothing much of note happened for a while: I chipped up slowly only to lose a large chunk with a three-barreled bluff gone wrong.
Right before the first break in the BB I called an early position raise by my Canadian friend with Q6o. With around half our starting stack and blinds about to go up I was in one of my fatalistic "double-up-or-go home" moods. Long story short (because I can't really remember all the details), I hit the 6 on the flop, check-called the flop and turn and shoved when a Q hit the river. She called and turned over aces. Crrrrrraaaaaaacccccckkkkk!!!
Now, to be fair, had I known that she had aces I wouldn't have called pre-flop and had she put me all in on the flop I probably would have folded. But by the turn I was pretty sure I was going to make a move and shove on the river. Looking back now I realize that I didn't have a stack big enough to move her off her hand and that she probably wasn't capable to make a big lay-down and just lucked out.Needless to say my table image was pretty shot after that.
Realizing that people had pretty much pegged me as the fish at the table I tightened up and just played my cards with a few positional bluffs to keep me around average. Around the 8th level (600/1200/100) I began to start dwindling down again when I decided to raise in late position with TJo. The BB raised it to T9,000 (probably around 1/3 of my stack) and I called. Flop came 9 Q x rainbow and I raised all in. BB called and flipped over aces.
I would just like to point out that I had been up at 4:30 in the morning giving our son a bottle and by the time I had finished it was time to get ready for the airport so at that point in the tourney was pretty tired and a little slap-happy. I will be the first to admit that I was playing less-than-optimal poker at this point. Once again with this decision I clearly remember thinking "well, if I lose, I can go back to the room and take a nap."
Crrrrrraaaaaaacccccckkkkk!!!
Binked a K on the turn and the BB stood up and left the table in disgust even though he still had about T300 left after doubling me up. Now if there was any doubt in anyone at the table's mind that I was a complete luckbox I think I managed to put those doubts to rest.
Now as one of the table's big stacks I caught a rush and managed to eliminate three players in an orbit with QQ, AKh and AJ v A5. Down to two tables I got moved to the other table where I was able to put pressure on the smaller stacks. Once we were down to 13 players we went almost an hour without losing a single player. Down to 11 the following hand came up. With a little over T100,000 I was the big stack in seat 1 with the 2nd biggest stack in seat 10. Limped to me in the BB I raise it up with 66, only the SB calls. Flop comes 876 rainbow. I lead out for a pot-sized raise and SB calls. K on the turn and I check behind. River J and the SB goes all in and I snap call. If he has KK, JJ, 77, 88, 45 or 9T, well god bless him. Instead he turns over A5s and I am the monster stack going into the final table.
Can't really remember much once we got to the final table. I know I continued to pressure everyone else at the table and hovered between having 30-40% of all the chips in play. Down to 8 I was given a hard time for not wanting to kick in some for the bubble. While the guy in the 3 seat asked me incredulously why I wouldn't want to take $200 from the first place money and give it to the bubble a short stack got knocked out and the discussion became a moot point.
Now I don't know where I learned this, but somewhere along the line I was lead to believe that the chip leader should be the one to propose a chip chop and not a short stack. Apparently no one else got that memo because as soon as we were down to 7 the short stacks were proposing a chip chop. Luckily for me a medium stack on the other end said she didn't want to chop thus saving me from being "that guy." I was actually pretty close to agreeing when were down to 6 until the shortest stack, who would have gotten $460 for her share said that she wanted $500. Now I should say that this woman was very easy on the eyes and had a sexy Slavic accent thing going for her, but when she tried to pull that shit it turned me off very quickly. In less than an orbit we lost her and I agreed to a 5-way chip chop for a little less than first-place money.
As has been my MO for the last three trips to Vegas, I was basically on a free-roll for the weekend and proceeded to give back to the local economy via the pai gow tables, although this trip I also tried to channel my inner Phil Ivey and played craps and made the sentimental Seahawks sports bet.
21 January 2011
22 June 2010
Early Father's Day Vegas excursion
Took a quick little overnight trip to Vegas last week. This trip was even approved by the wife as it was ostensibly to have a meeting with my manager who was in LV with his family from San Diego. I had a productive meeting and pleasant lunch with my manager and his lovely family. Having taken care of the important things I turned my attention to poker.
I originally planned on playing the Venetian 12:00 tourney but they are in the middle of their Deep Stacks and I didn't quite feel like putting down $550 for a tourney. I had toyed around with the idea of heading out the Rio to play their $200 buy-in 1:00 tourney but instead decided to play the 1:00 Aria tourney for $175 after a positive review of the tourney by the B.W.O.P. I have nothing but positive things to say about the staff and dealers who put on a well-run tournament. With automatic shuffling machines and dealers who keep the action moving along you get a lot of hands in during each 30 minute round.
As I took my seat at the table I recognized none other than the Poker Grump taking a seat (thankfully) two seats to my left. In one of the first hands of the orbit I picked up Kings and got called down all the way by a guy who would bust out a couple hands later with the sucker end of a straight. Just to tip my hand to the Grump that I knew his identity I pointed out that 2-4 would have been a winner (I think the board was T 3 T 5 6) . Unfortunately I would bust the Grump with Aces vs his AKs in the third round when I re-raised the one player who might have been raising light. As he sat in the BB contemplating his move I silently willed that the Grump would fold and the original raiser would make a move but it was not to be. Luckily the Poker Grump stuck around long enough that I was able to formally say hello (right after busting him out of a tourney didn't seem appropriate) to him and Cardgrrl who was also playing the tourney.
After that I managed to stay around twice the chip average for most of the tourney. I used my tight image and imposing stack to push a few players off hands and take a fair number of uncontested pots. It wasn't until we were down to the final three tables that had a suck-resuck when my AQo caught a J on the river to make a Broadway straight against a KJ that caught a King on the flop.
The biggest hand came when we were down to 11 and I raised-called an all-in on a board of 8h 8x 2h with AK (no heart). The BB turned over KJ and the turn and river came 8 -8 to give me quad 8s with an Ace kicker. With that hand I had over 200,000 in chips and almost a third of the chips in play when we got to the final table. When we got down to 6-handed (top 7 paid) we did a chop. With 179,000 in chips and the biggest stack I theoretically took 1st. Not bad for 6 hours of work.
I originally planned on playing the Venetian 12:00 tourney but they are in the middle of their Deep Stacks and I didn't quite feel like putting down $550 for a tourney. I had toyed around with the idea of heading out the Rio to play their $200 buy-in 1:00 tourney but instead decided to play the 1:00 Aria tourney for $175 after a positive review of the tourney by the B.W.O.P. I have nothing but positive things to say about the staff and dealers who put on a well-run tournament. With automatic shuffling machines and dealers who keep the action moving along you get a lot of hands in during each 30 minute round.
As I took my seat at the table I recognized none other than the Poker Grump taking a seat (thankfully) two seats to my left. In one of the first hands of the orbit I picked up Kings and got called down all the way by a guy who would bust out a couple hands later with the sucker end of a straight. Just to tip my hand to the Grump that I knew his identity I pointed out that 2-4 would have been a winner (I think the board was T 3 T 5 6) . Unfortunately I would bust the Grump with Aces vs his AKs in the third round when I re-raised the one player who might have been raising light. As he sat in the BB contemplating his move I silently willed that the Grump would fold and the original raiser would make a move but it was not to be. Luckily the Poker Grump stuck around long enough that I was able to formally say hello (right after busting him out of a tourney didn't seem appropriate) to him and Cardgrrl who was also playing the tourney.
After that I managed to stay around twice the chip average for most of the tourney. I used my tight image and imposing stack to push a few players off hands and take a fair number of uncontested pots. It wasn't until we were down to the final three tables that had a suck-resuck when my AQo caught a J on the river to make a Broadway straight against a KJ that caught a King on the flop.
The biggest hand came when we were down to 11 and I raised-called an all-in on a board of 8h 8x 2h with AK (no heart). The BB turned over KJ and the turn and river came 8 -8 to give me quad 8s with an Ace kicker. With that hand I had over 200,000 in chips and almost a third of the chips in play when we got to the final table. When we got down to 6-handed (top 7 paid) we did a chop. With 179,000 in chips and the biggest stack I theoretically took 1st. Not bad for 6 hours of work.
19 February 2010
CFF Charity Tourney
A few days ago Andy Bloch (@Andy_Bloch) posted on Twitter that he was coming to Seattle to play in a charity tournament for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. I've always been a fan of Mr. Bloch and the way he carries himself at the table (at least what they shown of him on TV) so I was intrigued. Also my wife used to work in CF research and what I learned from her about the disease is that Cystic Fibrosis is something that I would not even wish upon my worst enemy, or likely their children since people with CF do not have long life expectancies. So with the possibility of playing poker with my wife's blessing, and for a good cause, I looked into it further.
The website for the event was somewhat vague on the details except for that the buy-in was $300. Well, for $300 you get a "VIP Player & Casino Guest Night Ticket" which I imagine is their way to work around probably some stupid state gambling law. "The Draw" (aka first prize) is a seat to the World Series of Poker Main Event. Now, calling it "the Draw" is a little confusing. I think they meant that the draw of the poker tournament is the ME seat, but of course it could also be read as there is a drawing for the seat. Unfortunately not much useful information (e.g. number of entrants, structure etc.) was available on the website.
After badgering Mr. Bloch with my questions on Twitter I decided I should just call the number listed on the website and ask. So I called and talked to very helpful woman who gave me probably as much information as she could. And here it is.
The number of entries will be capped around 180. There will be unlimited rebuys and an add-on for either $60 or $80 (she was doing this all from memory and not at her desk) for the first few levels. The early rounds will likely be about 45 minutes and will shorten as the field is reduced with the aim being to wrap up the tourney around midnight (starts around 7:00 after the conclusion of a live auction). Mr. Bloch said that the event was a shootout however the woman I spoke to mentioned that tables would be collapsed down so it's unclear if that is indeed the case. She did say that the final table would be 9-handed. As of Friday there were about 100 people already registered for the event.
I imagine a lousy structure with a very mixed level of play. But it's for a good cause and I might get to meet Andy Bloch so sign me up!
The website for the event was somewhat vague on the details except for that the buy-in was $300. Well, for $300 you get a "VIP Player & Casino Guest Night Ticket" which I imagine is their way to work around probably some stupid state gambling law. "The Draw" (aka first prize) is a seat to the World Series of Poker Main Event. Now, calling it "the Draw" is a little confusing. I think they meant that the draw of the poker tournament is the ME seat, but of course it could also be read as there is a drawing for the seat. Unfortunately not much useful information (e.g. number of entrants, structure etc.) was available on the website.
After badgering Mr. Bloch with my questions on Twitter I decided I should just call the number listed on the website and ask. So I called and talked to very helpful woman who gave me probably as much information as she could. And here it is.
The number of entries will be capped around 180. There will be unlimited rebuys and an add-on for either $60 or $80 (she was doing this all from memory and not at her desk) for the first few levels. The early rounds will likely be about 45 minutes and will shorten as the field is reduced with the aim being to wrap up the tourney around midnight (starts around 7:00 after the conclusion of a live auction). Mr. Bloch said that the event was a shootout however the woman I spoke to mentioned that tables would be collapsed down so it's unclear if that is indeed the case. She did say that the final table would be 9-handed. As of Friday there were about 100 people already registered for the event.
I imagine a lousy structure with a very mixed level of play. But it's for a good cause and I might get to meet Andy Bloch so sign me up!
06 September 2009
Dealers watch out!
I probably can give Anguila a run for his money as worst poker blogger out there, but I thought I would make a feeble attempt at a post for those thousands of readers I have out there whose lives are empty without a blog posting to read (which one is the dripping-with-sarcasm font?).
I was reading a Life as a Central City Floor post about a player who feigns not to understand English when trying to shoot an angle. While not totally related I was reminded of an incident while playing a tournament at Caesar's a while back. I don't know why I felt so strongly about this then but it obviously bothered me enough at the time to say something and still is in my memory months later. This incident probably has less to do with poker than with my broader belief system and values and sense of fairness.
We're all familiar with the English-only rule at the poker table and how the level of enforcement varies from card room to card room. Normally I'm not bothered by two people exchanging a few words in another tongue if it's fairly obvious that they aren't discussing a hand in play. At some point in the tournament I heard a discussion at the table behind me. The dealer was trying to enforce the English-only rule with a player and two of his friends who were sweating him. It caught my attention not only because of the dealer's raised voice, but also because he tried to warn the players in both English and then German. It got to a point where the TD was called over and after straightening things out the TD went so far as to make an announcement over the PA system to all the players.
Flash back to sometime during the earlier stages of the tournament, an older gentleman sat down to play. I definitely remember it was early in the tournament because he didn't last all too long. This gentleman was a jovial, friendly man with longish, silver hair and an obvious accent. His play was terrible but he managed to dole out some suck-outs to accumulate some chips. Sometime during the course of play the dealer and player somehow determined that they shared a common (native?) language. I couldn't place the language but the conversation seemed to be of the "where are you from?" "do you still live there?" "business or pleasure?" vein. It was fairly brief and soon enough the dealer got pushed.
Honestly I didn't think much of it and I most definitely didn't think that in any way was the dealer trying to give the player any information that would give him an edge in the tournament. But after the incident with the Germans I felt like I had to say something. I mean, if the TD is going to go so far as make an announcement to all the players, then the dealers can't be sending out mixed signals by conversing in other languages with the players. So at the next break I pulled aside the TD and told him what I had seen at our table. The TD took a very serious interest when I related the story and immediately went to our table to look through the dealers who had dealt at our table to identify the dealer in question. Something about the way the TD looked after he figured out who it was told me that this probably wasn't the first problem he'd had with the dealer in question and briefly made me question whether I had done the right thing.
Unfortunately I probably should have focused more on my own play than worry about dealer infraction because I played like a donkey and busted out shortly after the break.
I was reading a Life as a Central City Floor post about a player who feigns not to understand English when trying to shoot an angle. While not totally related I was reminded of an incident while playing a tournament at Caesar's a while back. I don't know why I felt so strongly about this then but it obviously bothered me enough at the time to say something and still is in my memory months later. This incident probably has less to do with poker than with my broader belief system and values and sense of fairness.
We're all familiar with the English-only rule at the poker table and how the level of enforcement varies from card room to card room. Normally I'm not bothered by two people exchanging a few words in another tongue if it's fairly obvious that they aren't discussing a hand in play. At some point in the tournament I heard a discussion at the table behind me. The dealer was trying to enforce the English-only rule with a player and two of his friends who were sweating him. It caught my attention not only because of the dealer's raised voice, but also because he tried to warn the players in both English and then German. It got to a point where the TD was called over and after straightening things out the TD went so far as to make an announcement over the PA system to all the players.
Flash back to sometime during the earlier stages of the tournament, an older gentleman sat down to play. I definitely remember it was early in the tournament because he didn't last all too long. This gentleman was a jovial, friendly man with longish, silver hair and an obvious accent. His play was terrible but he managed to dole out some suck-outs to accumulate some chips. Sometime during the course of play the dealer and player somehow determined that they shared a common (native?) language. I couldn't place the language but the conversation seemed to be of the "where are you from?" "do you still live there?" "business or pleasure?" vein. It was fairly brief and soon enough the dealer got pushed.
Honestly I didn't think much of it and I most definitely didn't think that in any way was the dealer trying to give the player any information that would give him an edge in the tournament. But after the incident with the Germans I felt like I had to say something. I mean, if the TD is going to go so far as make an announcement to all the players, then the dealers can't be sending out mixed signals by conversing in other languages with the players. So at the next break I pulled aside the TD and told him what I had seen at our table. The TD took a very serious interest when I related the story and immediately went to our table to look through the dealers who had dealt at our table to identify the dealer in question. Something about the way the TD looked after he figured out who it was told me that this probably wasn't the first problem he'd had with the dealer in question and briefly made me question whether I had done the right thing.
Unfortunately I probably should have focused more on my own play than worry about dealer infraction because I played like a donkey and busted out shortly after the break.
23 May 2009
Meh
Out around 30th out of 92 runners. Not much I can do when the BB decides to call my EP All-in with AJo against my Queens. I got my money in good which is all I can hope for. With blinds at 500-1000 and a 50 blind and me with around T6,000, I think all in was my only move. Even if I bet half my stack I have a feeling he would call and then call me when the flop comes T-K-blank. I mean, if you're the kind of guy who calls T5,000 with AJo I'm sure you're going to call with a gutshot.
Luckily the table games were kinder to me and I was able to win my buy-in and then some. A little extra gambling money for Vegas.
My buddy LPC worked his ass off only to get 15th, which won exactly as much as I did. Especially unfortunate because we had swapped a quarter ourselves. Oh well.
Luckily the table games were kinder to me and I was able to win my buy-in and then some. A little extra gambling money for Vegas.
My buddy LPC worked his ass off only to get 15th, which won exactly as much as I did. Especially unfortunate because we had swapped a quarter ourselves. Oh well.
22 May 2009
Going to the show
I tried to start this long, literary post about my upcoming trip to LV; I even had a little snippet of movie dialog to start off with, but sadly I am no Pauly. The title of the post comes from Bull Durham, where Crash (Kevin Costner) is talking about his 21 days in "the show" (the major leagues). I remember how people around him in the bus stop to listen, hanging on his every word.
For poker players, the WSOP is "the show." Of course, the main event is the show of shows, but to play in any event-- even a $1,500 buy-in event-- is enough of a dream (or at least the first step) for many. To be able to say that you played in the WSOP, even if it's just for a few hours, is something you will have for the rest of your life.
But do I want to spend a majority of my bankroll on one event? I think it's pretty safe to say that the answer is "no." Especially when Caesars and the Venetian will be running their Mega Stacks and Deep Stacks tournaments respectively and I can play in 2 fairly big, deep-stack events for about two-thirds the price. I might take a stab or two at winning a satellite to the $1,500 but I just can't see buying in directly. Of course, if I go deep in my first tourney I would consider buying into the WSOP event, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.
Until then, the dream of going to the show may just have to wait a little longer.
For poker players, the WSOP is "the show." Of course, the main event is the show of shows, but to play in any event-- even a $1,500 buy-in event-- is enough of a dream (or at least the first step) for many. To be able to say that you played in the WSOP, even if it's just for a few hours, is something you will have for the rest of your life.
But do I want to spend a majority of my bankroll on one event? I think it's pretty safe to say that the answer is "no." Especially when Caesars and the Venetian will be running their Mega Stacks and Deep Stacks tournaments respectively and I can play in 2 fairly big, deep-stack events for about two-thirds the price. I might take a stab or two at winning a satellite to the $1,500 but I just can't see buying in directly. Of course, if I go deep in my first tourney I would consider buying into the WSOP event, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.
Until then, the dream of going to the show may just have to wait a little longer.
13 May 2009
Tips for the WSOP newbie
Pauly has a great primer for food options at the WSOP. Although I've never played myself, I thought I'd throw in a few of my own general Las Vegas/Poker Tourney tips.
Much as I am maligned for doing so, I have a man purse that I use almost exclusively when in Las Vegas. It's a sleek little black Diesel bag that's a throwback from my metro days. If you are insecure about a man purse a backpack would do just as well. Here is a list of things of obvious and not so obvious things I carry in it.
* thoughts on water. I'm not a miser, but I just can't bring myself to pay $5 for those bottles of water they have in the hotel room. As I said earlier, I like to walk around in Las Vegas, so one of my first jaunts is down to the Walgreens (?) on the strip. I go down and pick up a couple of liters of water and the above mentioned candy and snacks. I usually do this in the evening when it's a little cooler and the walkways aren't as crowded.
** If it's my bankroll that's making my pockets bulge, so be it, but unfortunately I've never had that problem.
Much as I am maligned for doing so, I have a man purse that I use almost exclusively when in Las Vegas. It's a sleek little black Diesel bag that's a throwback from my metro days. If you are insecure about a man purse a backpack would do just as well. Here is a list of things of obvious and not so obvious things I carry in it.
- a light jacket. for some reason I always get cold in casinos and poker rooms, but not when I'm walking around or outside, so I keep this folded up for when I need it.
- drugs. another thing that often happens to me is getting headaches. I don't know if it's the dry air or the copious amounts of alcohol often consumed, but I get bad headaches in Vegas. Sure, I could go to the gift shop and buy some, but I'd no doubt pay way too much and I'd also need to leave the table, so instead I just carry some Tylenol at all times. I also have some claritin if my allergies act up.
- candy. We've all been there. You've been up all night and haven't brushed your teeth. Your breath stinks and you know it and the others at the table know it. That's why I carry an assortment of mints and hard candies. Those melting strips are also nice. And if you like gum bring your own. Good luck finding that in the gift shop. I think someone once told me that the casinos don't sell gum because the don't like having to pull it out of the carpet and from the bottom of tables. Also, offering candy to others at the table makes friends, which might be especially nice if you're playing next to Liz Lieu or Jennifer Leigh.
- water. I know it's "free" in most places, but sometimes you are stuck at the table from hell with the cocktail waitress who comes around every hour if you're lucky. Also, I actually like to walk around the Strip when I'm in Las Vegas so it's always nice to have some with you when you're not at a table. Usually I'll just take a bottle with me from the table and fill it with water fountain water or a big bottle in my room.*
- Snacks. Pauly touched on this in his blog, but I think this is especially true if you're in an all-day tourney. I personally don't function well when I'm hungry so a couple of energy bars in the bag are good emergency food.
- Misc. Stuff. iPod, note pad, pen, card protector, tournament structure sheets, stripper flyers, whatever (Liz Lieu's phone number after you give her candy...). I guess you could just stuff your pockets, but I'm not a big fan of the bulging pockets look.**
* thoughts on water. I'm not a miser, but I just can't bring myself to pay $5 for those bottles of water they have in the hotel room. As I said earlier, I like to walk around in Las Vegas, so one of my first jaunts is down to the Walgreens (?) on the strip. I go down and pick up a couple of liters of water and the above mentioned candy and snacks. I usually do this in the evening when it's a little cooler and the walkways aren't as crowded.
** If it's my bankroll that's making my pockets bulge, so be it, but unfortunately I've never had that problem.
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