3/18/09
On A Roll...Right...
Just finished as chip leader for the mock poker tourny
to pick the 4 man team to represent AAA at the Corporate
Challenge of the City of Las Vegas. Whoohoo, we started
with 7 whoppin' entries, so I had to outlast 3 people to
make the team. It made it easier snapping up over half
the chips in play.
The actual tourny is on 6/2/09 at the Golden Nugget.
I think it will be like some type of shootout format,
where the team will combine their point results together
to get a final "score" for the company team.
I must be on a roll...hehe...
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Another Day, Another Dollar...
3/15/09
Another Day, Another Dollar...
This past weekend, some of the homies from the Bay and LA
came into town. Friday was pretty much a blur. If you know
me, I usually wake up automatically by 800 am or so, without
the use of an alarm. I actually slept in until about 1 pm on
Saturday. I would have slept in longer, but woke up due to
the smell of bacon, spam and eggs in the air.
Funny, just had spam and eggs at California Casino at about
600 am that morning. But yo, spam is good anytime of the day.
I did wake up at around 1030 am that morning to take a peepee,
but went right back to sleep, as soon as the tank was on empty.
Now I remember why I do not like taking tequila shots. It's
that damn headache you get the next day. I only had one
shot and maybe 3 other drinks spread out thru 5 or six hours.
That lone tequila shot, put the hammer to the head though.
I decided not to party with them on Saturday night, due
to the fact that I was feeling cheap (I didn't want to pay
for bottle service - I'm pretty much desensitized to the Vegas
club atmosphere in my old age), plus I wanted to have a clearer
head the next day, if I was planning to play in a poker tourny
on Sunday, which I planned to do (as I probably won't play for
the next couple of weeks, because of next weekend's trip
back home and work this week).
Anyway, I planned to play the 12 noon tourny at Caesar's.
Those plans got squashed, when I couldn't get a hold of a
couple of the poker homies that morning. They were probably
still sleeping in after partying the night before. I also
wanted to check out a couple of the last episodes of season
5 of the Soprano's. The past month and a half or so, I've been
rewatching each season. God, I miss that show and Entourage.
Maybe, I need to get into watching Big Love, a Mormon style
Soprano's on HBO, as well.
I decided to make the 3 pm tourny at Caesar's. It has a
buyin of $70.00, with a starting chips stack of $2,500.00.
I really don't like starting with a shortstack off the bat.
The noon tourny starts you off with $7,500.00 in chips, but
the 3 pm tourny would satisfy my poker tourny jones for the
day. Plus the blind levels went up every 30 minutes, so at
least you had more time to try to chip up each level.
Into the second level of blinds, I about doubled up my
starting stack to $5,000.00. I then proceeded to give
chips away until the end of the second level, where I went
back to my starting stack of $2,500.00. At least I was above
10 big bets and had some fold equity at the start of the
3rd level of blinds.
Again, I really had no premium hands throughout the
tourny. I had pocket Kings once where I went all in with about
7 big bets, with no callers. Better to win the dead money,
then get coolered by Ace Rag on the river.
The tourny started with about 55 people and would pay the
top 6 finishers. Luckily, we got down to 7 handed and we
all decided to give 7th place $60.00 for a bubble finish.
I was reading the other players pretty well and won a few
coinflips.
My all in over the top of another all in player with Ace/Ten
of Spades. I had the the other player outchipped 2 to 1,
but was looking to win the blinds/antes as well. I felt
the other player was just making a move with any hand,
and I was willing to race him with my ace suited hand.
Good thing the other player had King/Ten OS, I was
in the lead (which I thought anyway). We both flopped
a Ten on the turn, but no river King for him.
My all in with pocket Sixes, faded Ace/Nine OS (thanks for
the call you donk!, hehe - I can't believe I got called
by that hand. He practically called off all his chips
with that hand, after just putting in one bet initially.
Well, that's a call I wanted. The longer he took to call,
the better I felt, that I was ahead in the hand. Cool,
another double up.
My all in with Ace/Eight of Spades against pocket Jacks,
brought me an Ace on the flop, plus I runner runnered
the nut flush. Lovin' it. Double up time again.
My all in with Ace/Six of Spades (while in the money),
got called by Ace/Ten OS. I rivered a straight. I
couldn't believe that I was called by that hand either.
There are such a range of hands that beat Ace/Ten OS.
I can't blame the guy, he did make the right call, if
he put me on Ace/Rag or a baby pair. I think even, if
I put another person on Ace/Rag or a baby pair, I would
fold Ace/Ten OS, if I had no money in the pot. But hey,
that call from the other player doubled me up.
I had to make a couple of key laydowns, where I felt I
was behind in the hand (even with top pair). The other players
showed their hands after I folded, and was indeed behind in the
hand. It's better to save chips, then dump them off needlessly.
Kinda' surprised myself gettin' that far without really
any premium hands. Well, I had pocket Jacks a couple of
other times - but I got no callers with my raises at those
times. I could have raised with air and still get the dead
money.
Oh yeah, my bust out hand was King/Eight OS. I had only
about 6 big bets at the time and was under the gun.
The dead money in the pot was about a 30% of my stack at
the time. I might as well try to steal it. I went all
in and was called by the chip leader (who actually deliberated
folding his hand). He called my with Ace/Ten OS (saw
alot of Ace/Ten combos throughout the tourny, weird).
Anyway, the flop came out Nine/Seven/Six rainbow. About
the best flop I could get. I was on a open end straight
draw with a King. I had ten outs twice (3 Tens, 4 Fives
and 3 Kings - on the turn and river - I'll take
that). The turn came a Jack - still have the same outs.
The river hit an Eight. The other player thought he lost,
by me making a pair of Eights. The dealer and I pointed
out that he made a straight. The luck tank ran out.
I can't say it's all luck - I was the one usually initiating
the action with my raises and all ins.
God, so close...When can I get a first place again?
Again, better to cash, than, bust out right before the money.
So close...
Maybe, I'm leadin up to the winner's circle again.
Feels cool...even though the amount I won is what Mr. Wynn
wipes his nose with each day.
Another Day, Another Dollar...
This past weekend, some of the homies from the Bay and LA
came into town. Friday was pretty much a blur. If you know
me, I usually wake up automatically by 800 am or so, without
the use of an alarm. I actually slept in until about 1 pm on
Saturday. I would have slept in longer, but woke up due to
the smell of bacon, spam and eggs in the air.
Funny, just had spam and eggs at California Casino at about
600 am that morning. But yo, spam is good anytime of the day.
I did wake up at around 1030 am that morning to take a peepee,
but went right back to sleep, as soon as the tank was on empty.
Now I remember why I do not like taking tequila shots. It's
that damn headache you get the next day. I only had one
shot and maybe 3 other drinks spread out thru 5 or six hours.
That lone tequila shot, put the hammer to the head though.
I decided not to party with them on Saturday night, due
to the fact that I was feeling cheap (I didn't want to pay
for bottle service - I'm pretty much desensitized to the Vegas
club atmosphere in my old age), plus I wanted to have a clearer
head the next day, if I was planning to play in a poker tourny
on Sunday, which I planned to do (as I probably won't play for
the next couple of weeks, because of next weekend's trip
back home and work this week).
Anyway, I planned to play the 12 noon tourny at Caesar's.
Those plans got squashed, when I couldn't get a hold of a
couple of the poker homies that morning. They were probably
still sleeping in after partying the night before. I also
wanted to check out a couple of the last episodes of season
5 of the Soprano's. The past month and a half or so, I've been
rewatching each season. God, I miss that show and Entourage.
Maybe, I need to get into watching Big Love, a Mormon style
Soprano's on HBO, as well.
I decided to make the 3 pm tourny at Caesar's. It has a
buyin of $70.00, with a starting chips stack of $2,500.00.
I really don't like starting with a shortstack off the bat.
The noon tourny starts you off with $7,500.00 in chips, but
the 3 pm tourny would satisfy my poker tourny jones for the
day. Plus the blind levels went up every 30 minutes, so at
least you had more time to try to chip up each level.
Into the second level of blinds, I about doubled up my
starting stack to $5,000.00. I then proceeded to give
chips away until the end of the second level, where I went
back to my starting stack of $2,500.00. At least I was above
10 big bets and had some fold equity at the start of the
3rd level of blinds.
Again, I really had no premium hands throughout the
tourny. I had pocket Kings once where I went all in with about
7 big bets, with no callers. Better to win the dead money,
then get coolered by Ace Rag on the river.
The tourny started with about 55 people and would pay the
top 6 finishers. Luckily, we got down to 7 handed and we
all decided to give 7th place $60.00 for a bubble finish.
I was reading the other players pretty well and won a few
coinflips.
My all in over the top of another all in player with Ace/Ten
of Spades. I had the the other player outchipped 2 to 1,
but was looking to win the blinds/antes as well. I felt
the other player was just making a move with any hand,
and I was willing to race him with my ace suited hand.
Good thing the other player had King/Ten OS, I was
in the lead (which I thought anyway). We both flopped
a Ten on the turn, but no river King for him.
My all in with pocket Sixes, faded Ace/Nine OS (thanks for
the call you donk!, hehe - I can't believe I got called
by that hand. He practically called off all his chips
with that hand, after just putting in one bet initially.
Well, that's a call I wanted. The longer he took to call,
the better I felt, that I was ahead in the hand. Cool,
another double up.
My all in with Ace/Eight of Spades against pocket Jacks,
brought me an Ace on the flop, plus I runner runnered
the nut flush. Lovin' it. Double up time again.
My all in with Ace/Six of Spades (while in the money),
got called by Ace/Ten OS. I rivered a straight. I
couldn't believe that I was called by that hand either.
There are such a range of hands that beat Ace/Ten OS.
I can't blame the guy, he did make the right call, if
he put me on Ace/Rag or a baby pair. I think even, if
I put another person on Ace/Rag or a baby pair, I would
fold Ace/Ten OS, if I had no money in the pot. But hey,
that call from the other player doubled me up.
I had to make a couple of key laydowns, where I felt I
was behind in the hand (even with top pair). The other players
showed their hands after I folded, and was indeed behind in the
hand. It's better to save chips, then dump them off needlessly.
Kinda' surprised myself gettin' that far without really
any premium hands. Well, I had pocket Jacks a couple of
other times - but I got no callers with my raises at those
times. I could have raised with air and still get the dead
money.
Oh yeah, my bust out hand was King/Eight OS. I had only
about 6 big bets at the time and was under the gun.
The dead money in the pot was about a 30% of my stack at
the time. I might as well try to steal it. I went all
in and was called by the chip leader (who actually deliberated
folding his hand). He called my with Ace/Ten OS (saw
alot of Ace/Ten combos throughout the tourny, weird).
Anyway, the flop came out Nine/Seven/Six rainbow. About
the best flop I could get. I was on a open end straight
draw with a King. I had ten outs twice (3 Tens, 4 Fives
and 3 Kings - on the turn and river - I'll take
that). The turn came a Jack - still have the same outs.
The river hit an Eight. The other player thought he lost,
by me making a pair of Eights. The dealer and I pointed
out that he made a straight. The luck tank ran out.
I can't say it's all luck - I was the one usually initiating
the action with my raises and all ins.
God, so close...When can I get a first place again?
Again, better to cash, than, bust out right before the money.
So close...
Maybe, I'm leadin up to the winner's circle again.
Feels cool...even though the amount I won is what Mr. Wynn
wipes his nose with each day.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The Taste Of Victory, Well A Sniff Of It At Least...
3/10/09
The Taste Of Victory, Well A Sniff Of It At Least...
Wow, it's been a few weeks since I last updated the
good old blog. Been busy workin' at AAA, part time at my
buddy's title business, and with some property management
issues. Plus, like I've said before - getting from point
A to point B in Vegas, is like driving from San Jo' to the
City - each damn way.
Anyway, after Vday weekend, my lady swung back from New
Mexico into Las Vegas the next weekend. Japes, his
girl and some of their friends were also in town for the
vacation and to play in some of the Deep Stack poker events
at the Venetian and Caesar's. Actually got to watch one
of his buddy's at the final table of a $300 event at
Venetian, the Friday after Valentine's day weekend. His
first tourny and he made a 4th place cash, which was good
for a great return on his $300. I'lll tell you this,
it was more than I made for my first place at Lucky Chances,
which now seems years ago, and if you remember that, that
was a good chunk of dolla' bills, hehe.
I decided to play a Mega Stack Poker tourny at Caesar's
the next day, on Saturday with JP. The buyin was for $340.00
total, which included the bonus, for a total of $15,000.00 in
tournament poker chips. The blind levels lasted 50 minutes
each. Pretty good value for the tourny, as you could have
a lot of play for the chipstack amount. Not necessarily
be gambo' gambo', but you could have the luxury of picking
your spots, without your tournament life on the line
in the first couple of rounds. A total of 155 players
played and they would pay the top 18.
The gameplan has pretty much been the same for me at each
tournament I play. I do not want to get into any big
confrontations early, unless I have the nut hand or if I have
a big enough stack to afford losing to some person who gets
lucky on me at the river. Playing small ball suits me these
days - I think back in the day, I would be willing to throw
it all in with Ace/King.
Recognizing spots to just call without putting a large
investment in the pot was a strategy that I wanted to employ
during the tournament. Ask Japes, he saw me do it time and
time again. I think everybody gets too hung up on raising
every hand and pot they enter. I think if you do that too
much, you can trap yourself in a hand. I'm not going to tell
you how I employed this strategy, hand by hand. I will tell
you it is a good way to build chips, without much of a hand.
You have to determine yourself when, how and who to employ
this strategy.
As in any poker tournament, there are times when you have to
get lucky. One hand I had, which Japes witnessed, and he
declared, "Vintage Scotty!". It's not like I wanted to get
lucky in the hand, but I was glad I did though. I made it
past the dinner break, Japes had already busted out, where
I found that my stack began to dwindle. Usually, if I am
around 10 to 15 big blinds, it is "All In" time. I just don't
do it indiscriminately. I try to find a good spot to make
my shove. Plus, I can't wait for pocket Aces or Ace/King
all day. This time, I shoved with a Five/Four of Diamonds.
I got one caller on the dealer button who had Ace/Ten OS.
I thought to myself, good it's a race, at least he doesn't
share any of my outs. The dealer dealt out Ace of Diamonds,
3 of Hearts and 5 of Hearts. What a flop, I have more outs
to win. 2 Fives, 3 Fours and 4 Twos, for a total of 9.
Ooh baby, the dealer dealt a turn card of Two of Diamonds.
Now I have a wheel straight, now the other player is drawing
to 3 outs for a chop (the remaining 4's in the deck). The
dealer dealt the river card which was an inconsequential
Ten of Clubs, which gave the other player a losing hand of
2 pair. I busted the other player, because I had $500 more
in chips. That was a nice double up. I didn't even celebrate,
cause it was still a long road ahead. Why should I celebrate,
we still had to get through 15 other players to get to the
money.
Back into grind mode now. After a few more hours, we
got to the money. We were now 2 tables of 9 each. To
make a long story short. I busted out in 11th place.
Made about 3 times my buyin, then gave 20% cut to Japes per
our trade. I guess I should be proud of the result.
Getting that far without having really any premium hands
is sometimes amazing to me. I only got pocket Aces once,
sometime in the early blind levels - where I raised it
under the gun, but got no callers at all (well, at least
I didn't bust out on them, lol).
I think my actual victory was that this was the first time
my girlfriend saw me play poker. She must have been bored
out her mind, but she did give me inspiration while playing.
Thanks hun!
And a first place would have been sweet as well, hehe...
Anyway, almost had the same result last Saturday at tourny
at the Orleans. Out of 69 players, I busted out at 13th,
just 6 away from the money. Jeez...
See you on the felt kids...
The Taste Of Victory, Well A Sniff Of It At Least...
Wow, it's been a few weeks since I last updated the
good old blog. Been busy workin' at AAA, part time at my
buddy's title business, and with some property management
issues. Plus, like I've said before - getting from point
A to point B in Vegas, is like driving from San Jo' to the
City - each damn way.
Anyway, after Vday weekend, my lady swung back from New
Mexico into Las Vegas the next weekend. Japes, his
girl and some of their friends were also in town for the
vacation and to play in some of the Deep Stack poker events
at the Venetian and Caesar's. Actually got to watch one
of his buddy's at the final table of a $300 event at
Venetian, the Friday after Valentine's day weekend. His
first tourny and he made a 4th place cash, which was good
for a great return on his $300. I'lll tell you this,
it was more than I made for my first place at Lucky Chances,
which now seems years ago, and if you remember that, that
was a good chunk of dolla' bills, hehe.
I decided to play a Mega Stack Poker tourny at Caesar's
the next day, on Saturday with JP. The buyin was for $340.00
total, which included the bonus, for a total of $15,000.00 in
tournament poker chips. The blind levels lasted 50 minutes
each. Pretty good value for the tourny, as you could have
a lot of play for the chipstack amount. Not necessarily
be gambo' gambo', but you could have the luxury of picking
your spots, without your tournament life on the line
in the first couple of rounds. A total of 155 players
played and they would pay the top 18.
The gameplan has pretty much been the same for me at each
tournament I play. I do not want to get into any big
confrontations early, unless I have the nut hand or if I have
a big enough stack to afford losing to some person who gets
lucky on me at the river. Playing small ball suits me these
days - I think back in the day, I would be willing to throw
it all in with Ace/King.
Recognizing spots to just call without putting a large
investment in the pot was a strategy that I wanted to employ
during the tournament. Ask Japes, he saw me do it time and
time again. I think everybody gets too hung up on raising
every hand and pot they enter. I think if you do that too
much, you can trap yourself in a hand. I'm not going to tell
you how I employed this strategy, hand by hand. I will tell
you it is a good way to build chips, without much of a hand.
You have to determine yourself when, how and who to employ
this strategy.
As in any poker tournament, there are times when you have to
get lucky. One hand I had, which Japes witnessed, and he
declared, "Vintage Scotty!". It's not like I wanted to get
lucky in the hand, but I was glad I did though. I made it
past the dinner break, Japes had already busted out, where
I found that my stack began to dwindle. Usually, if I am
around 10 to 15 big blinds, it is "All In" time. I just don't
do it indiscriminately. I try to find a good spot to make
my shove. Plus, I can't wait for pocket Aces or Ace/King
all day. This time, I shoved with a Five/Four of Diamonds.
I got one caller on the dealer button who had Ace/Ten OS.
I thought to myself, good it's a race, at least he doesn't
share any of my outs. The dealer dealt out Ace of Diamonds,
3 of Hearts and 5 of Hearts. What a flop, I have more outs
to win. 2 Fives, 3 Fours and 4 Twos, for a total of 9.
Ooh baby, the dealer dealt a turn card of Two of Diamonds.
Now I have a wheel straight, now the other player is drawing
to 3 outs for a chop (the remaining 4's in the deck). The
dealer dealt the river card which was an inconsequential
Ten of Clubs, which gave the other player a losing hand of
2 pair. I busted the other player, because I had $500 more
in chips. That was a nice double up. I didn't even celebrate,
cause it was still a long road ahead. Why should I celebrate,
we still had to get through 15 other players to get to the
money.
Back into grind mode now. After a few more hours, we
got to the money. We were now 2 tables of 9 each. To
make a long story short. I busted out in 11th place.
Made about 3 times my buyin, then gave 20% cut to Japes per
our trade. I guess I should be proud of the result.
Getting that far without having really any premium hands
is sometimes amazing to me. I only got pocket Aces once,
sometime in the early blind levels - where I raised it
under the gun, but got no callers at all (well, at least
I didn't bust out on them, lol).
I think my actual victory was that this was the first time
my girlfriend saw me play poker. She must have been bored
out her mind, but she did give me inspiration while playing.
Thanks hun!
And a first place would have been sweet as well, hehe...
Anyway, almost had the same result last Saturday at tourny
at the Orleans. Out of 69 players, I busted out at 13th,
just 6 away from the money. Jeez...
See you on the felt kids...
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The Great Dane...
2/17/09
The Great Dane...
Not talking about the dog, but Gus Hansen's book called
"Every Hand Revealed". It's his book that came out last
year, detailing the hands he played (or hands he did
not play), on his way to winning the Aussie Millions in
2007.
I guess you could say, it's not your typical poker strategy
book - meaning you do step A, then step B and then step C,
if doing those things in order, you will end up in the
money. It's more of a diary or journal of key hands that
he was involved in during the tournament and how he played
them. For example, he talks about playing Ace/King in
different situations. I think some books just plainly
say to raise that hand preflop to filter out the junk
hands. If you happen to get called, bet (or raise) on
the flop if you hit your hand, if not, let it go. Gus
goes into better detail on what he plans to do with that
type of hand, what his reads are on the opposing player
(or players) in the hand with him and what he believes
what type of reaction he will get from the other players
before he commits any further action in the hand.
That's probably why I like the book and that it did not
take me that long to get through reading it. It really
gave me a picture of how he played through the tournament
and what went on in his mind during that time.
If you like the A, B, C's type of poker books, this one
ain't for you. But if you like to truly delve into the
mind of one of the world's best players (and probably
gambling degenerates, just kidding Gus) - this is probably
the book for you.
The Great Dane...
Not talking about the dog, but Gus Hansen's book called
"Every Hand Revealed". It's his book that came out last
year, detailing the hands he played (or hands he did
not play), on his way to winning the Aussie Millions in
2007.
I guess you could say, it's not your typical poker strategy
book - meaning you do step A, then step B and then step C,
if doing those things in order, you will end up in the
money. It's more of a diary or journal of key hands that
he was involved in during the tournament and how he played
them. For example, he talks about playing Ace/King in
different situations. I think some books just plainly
say to raise that hand preflop to filter out the junk
hands. If you happen to get called, bet (or raise) on
the flop if you hit your hand, if not, let it go. Gus
goes into better detail on what he plans to do with that
type of hand, what his reads are on the opposing player
(or players) in the hand with him and what he believes
what type of reaction he will get from the other players
before he commits any further action in the hand.
That's probably why I like the book and that it did not
take me that long to get through reading it. It really
gave me a picture of how he played through the tournament
and what went on in his mind during that time.
If you like the A, B, C's type of poker books, this one
ain't for you. But if you like to truly delve into the
mind of one of the world's best players (and probably
gambling degenerates, just kidding Gus) - this is probably
the book for you.
V-Day Weekend...
2/16/09
V-Day Weekend...
My girl came down from the Bay this weekend for Valentines
Day, on Friday. It feels great to see her after a what seems
a long 3 weeks of seeing her last in Vegas.
We had dinner at this Italian restaurant Onda, located at
the Mirage. It seemed like I didn't have to get reservations,
as they accomodated walk in customers at the time. But it is
better to be safe than sorry, especially during this weekend.
We both opted for their set Valentine's menu. We first
started with a salad and ravioli. The entree we both picked
was the ribeye steak. We only got thru about a third of it
each. Like true Filipinos, we got it boxed for baon later.
Dessert was a caramel like flan for me, she picked the
strawberry gelato with chocolate syrup and ligonberries.
Not a bad deal for a 3 course meal.
The atmosphere was a pleasant surprise. A slight clean Euro
bar entry area, which opened into their larger dinner area with
a Tuscan feel. There are a ton of restaurants in the Mirage,
so kudos to them for giving each of them a nice and different
architectural feel to all of them.
We weren't in the party mood, so we opted to watch "He's Not
That Into You" at the Brenden movie theatres at the Palms.
Pretty much my fave movie theatre on the Strip (and the only
one I've ever gone to in Vegas). I thought the movie was
pretty good - not essentially a chick flick, but a good
comedic relationship movie. It's funny, because the storyline
was chock full of truths, in different perspectives. I guess
you can really relate to movies when you've experienced the
same kind of things.
Anyway, I'll get back to chillin' with my lady at SB's...
Also got to think about my strategy going in to the Venetian
Deep Stack NLHE tourny I may play this upcoming week. Some
of the homies from the Bay will be coming in this week as well
to play. If I don't get to play, I'll probably put up some
money for somebody's buyin for a share if they happen to cash.
Got to get in the action somehow, hehe.
V-Day Weekend...
My girl came down from the Bay this weekend for Valentines
Day, on Friday. It feels great to see her after a what seems
a long 3 weeks of seeing her last in Vegas.
We had dinner at this Italian restaurant Onda, located at
the Mirage. It seemed like I didn't have to get reservations,
as they accomodated walk in customers at the time. But it is
better to be safe than sorry, especially during this weekend.
We both opted for their set Valentine's menu. We first
started with a salad and ravioli. The entree we both picked
was the ribeye steak. We only got thru about a third of it
each. Like true Filipinos, we got it boxed for baon later.
Dessert was a caramel like flan for me, she picked the
strawberry gelato with chocolate syrup and ligonberries.
Not a bad deal for a 3 course meal.
The atmosphere was a pleasant surprise. A slight clean Euro
bar entry area, which opened into their larger dinner area with
a Tuscan feel. There are a ton of restaurants in the Mirage,
so kudos to them for giving each of them a nice and different
architectural feel to all of them.
We weren't in the party mood, so we opted to watch "He's Not
That Into You" at the Brenden movie theatres at the Palms.
Pretty much my fave movie theatre on the Strip (and the only
one I've ever gone to in Vegas). I thought the movie was
pretty good - not essentially a chick flick, but a good
comedic relationship movie. It's funny, because the storyline
was chock full of truths, in different perspectives. I guess
you can really relate to movies when you've experienced the
same kind of things.
Anyway, I'll get back to chillin' with my lady at SB's...
Also got to think about my strategy going in to the Venetian
Deep Stack NLHE tourny I may play this upcoming week. Some
of the homies from the Bay will be coming in this week as well
to play. If I don't get to play, I'll probably put up some
money for somebody's buyin for a share if they happen to cash.
Got to get in the action somehow, hehe.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Basketball In The Bay...
2/13/08
Basketball In The Bay...
Through thick in thin, the only NBA Team I've been a fan of
are the Warriors. Lovin' it when Floyd was Sleepy, TMC was
runnin' thangs, and seeing our perennial drafts of the first
round fizzle out (re: Vonteego Cummings, where is he now?).
Oh yeah, I forgot some of the funky contracts we signed
players like Jason Caffey and Adonal Foyle to (but hey,
he will probably make a great diplomat or international
political figure in the future - when was the last time we
saw an diplomat lead the NBA in rebounds and blocks, hmmm?).
It was great seein' things pick up for the Warriors in the
last couple of years. Gettin' Baron Davis was a steal. He
made his time at Oracle, feel like the Showtime days of the
Lakers with Magic. Wow, so that's what a playoff atmosphere
feels like. I almost went a third of my life not knowin' if
the City would make it back to the postseason.
Then back to this season. What if Ellis was healthy at the
beginning of the season? What if Baron Davis stayed in the
Bay? I hate asking those questions to myself and my fellow
Warrior fans. But it has sure looked pretty good lately.
Some nice wins against West Coast playoff tier teams.
We can still win.
We will win.
Keep hope alive.
Basketball In The Bay...
Through thick in thin, the only NBA Team I've been a fan of
are the Warriors. Lovin' it when Floyd was Sleepy, TMC was
runnin' thangs, and seeing our perennial drafts of the first
round fizzle out (re: Vonteego Cummings, where is he now?).
Oh yeah, I forgot some of the funky contracts we signed
players like Jason Caffey and Adonal Foyle to (but hey,
he will probably make a great diplomat or international
political figure in the future - when was the last time we
saw an diplomat lead the NBA in rebounds and blocks, hmmm?).
It was great seein' things pick up for the Warriors in the
last couple of years. Gettin' Baron Davis was a steal. He
made his time at Oracle, feel like the Showtime days of the
Lakers with Magic. Wow, so that's what a playoff atmosphere
feels like. I almost went a third of my life not knowin' if
the City would make it back to the postseason.
Then back to this season. What if Ellis was healthy at the
beginning of the season? What if Baron Davis stayed in the
Bay? I hate asking those questions to myself and my fellow
Warrior fans. But it has sure looked pretty good lately.
Some nice wins against West Coast playoff tier teams.
We can still win.
We will win.
Keep hope alive.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Back In The Piker's Lane...
2/5/08
Back in the Piker's Lane...
Are you a Piker? Waiting for the whistle to blow, tellin'
you when to get off work...
Whew...work is not that mentally demanding, but clockin'
in day to day has some getting used to. Well, after
6 or 7 months of dealing with the green felt, it can be
a life change. Early retirement was not for me, hehe.
Being a contractor is not so bad for now. Being paid
every week, makes it a little easier on the wallet from
Uncle Sam.
Anyway, it's all good. I will save my UI for when I
really need it. Interacting with people at work, other
than poker degenerates seated around a leather and felt
bound oval table, can be reassuring in a social sense.
I still have that rapport with all walks of life. Does
that make sense? To me it does, I guess. Hehe. Maybe
that's what makes me a better than average poker player
(in my own mind, lol). A good sense of what people feel,
before they act. Hmmm, I guess poker is like life, huh?
I do miss playin' though. It's been a few weeks.
Starting to get withdrawal symptoms - I'm beginning to
shuffle chips in my sleep. The Venetian Deep Stack Series
is goin on now - but I may just have to wait until some of
the poker crew from the Bay is in town in a couple of
weeks. I'll have to do a couple of warm up tourny's in
the meantime. I guess, I haven't completely retired from
the poker life, hehe.
Back in the Piker's Lane...
Are you a Piker? Waiting for the whistle to blow, tellin'
you when to get off work...
Whew...work is not that mentally demanding, but clockin'
in day to day has some getting used to. Well, after
6 or 7 months of dealing with the green felt, it can be
a life change. Early retirement was not for me, hehe.
Being a contractor is not so bad for now. Being paid
every week, makes it a little easier on the wallet from
Uncle Sam.
Anyway, it's all good. I will save my UI for when I
really need it. Interacting with people at work, other
than poker degenerates seated around a leather and felt
bound oval table, can be reassuring in a social sense.
I still have that rapport with all walks of life. Does
that make sense? To me it does, I guess. Hehe. Maybe
that's what makes me a better than average poker player
(in my own mind, lol). A good sense of what people feel,
before they act. Hmmm, I guess poker is like life, huh?
I do miss playin' though. It's been a few weeks.
Starting to get withdrawal symptoms - I'm beginning to
shuffle chips in my sleep. The Venetian Deep Stack Series
is goin on now - but I may just have to wait until some of
the poker crew from the Bay is in town in a couple of
weeks. I'll have to do a couple of warm up tourny's in
the meantime. I guess, I haven't completely retired from
the poker life, hehe.
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