Only a buck 90 down for Friday in real green. Not bad, but definitely not what we want. Today is the 8-handed final table!
The weather conditions at Monmouth make hard fields even more difficult to choose amongst. About the only patterns established Friday (and they should continue today, since the weather's expected to stay the same, maybe a little less rainy) are:
-- Early speed isn't holding up too well (except my best-bet Gottcha Gold did stay strong enough for second and a lot of cashed tickets). So I'll look closely for solid steady late kickers.
-- Not many horses have off-track experience. If they've done well in gook, especially at Monmouth, they're special in my eyes.
-- Class will tell. No favorites won Friday, but these are the best of the best, so there's little difference between 2-1 and 15-1 except in the perception of their rabid supporters and the general public. So value hunting is rewarded.
-- With the balanced fields and off conditions of the track, waiting until the last minute to make final choices is the ONLY way to go. Just don't get shut out at the windows! Sorry I'm not live-blogging to tell you of late inspirations, but...
Brother Brian in Florida (that's middle brother, Brent's youngest and I'm oldest) had the biggest hit Friday. He nailed the Filly/Mare Sprint exacta of Maryfield and Miraculous Miss, which paid $374.80. Don't ask me how the boy did it, I haven't a clue. No he doesn't blog, sorry, you can't go read him instead of me. My best play was going heavy late on Corinthian in the dirt mile, especially pairing him with best-bet Gottcha Gold. Hey, 68, 69, they're close...
Today's order of business:
-- Juvenile Fillies (Race 4): Cannot decide between Indian Blessing and Irish Smoke. Guess I'll go for best value. WINNER: 5-Irish Smoke. DARKHORSE: 12-Grace Anatomy (that's for you, igee-babee!).
-- Juveniles (Race 5): War Pass is the probable favorite, but I was more impressed with Wicked Style and Slew's Tiznow in their last outs. You just never know with the kiddies (2-year-olds)... WINNER: 13-Wicked Style. DARKHORSE: 7-Pyro.
-- Filly/Mare Turf (Race 6): Is unbeaten Nashoba's Key for real? I think so, but I want better value and someone a little more battle-tested. WINNER: 2-Honey Ryder. DARKHORSE: 11-Simply Perfect.
-- Sprint (Race 7): Did I once say I like Gold? Let's try it again ... But beware of Commentator. WINNER: 10-Greg's Gold. DARKHORSE: 7-Idiot Proof.
-- Mile (Race 8): This was probably the hardest race for me to handicap, so many possibilities. Will have to really wait and see what the weather and track are like and how the foreigners are adapting to the conditions. This race will pay huge if I pair the right tandem. I don't like After Market, but I'll give late close looks to Cosmonaut, Kip Deville, Excellent Art, Remarkable News and especially the popular 3-year-old, Nobiz Like Shobiz. WINNER: 6-Trippi's Storm. DARKHORSE: 10-My Typhoon.
-- Distaff (Race 9): Todd Pletcher is the best trainer in the country, but he hasn't had much luck in Breeder's Cup races. That could change today, especially here where he has three good gals going. I'll for sure bet a Pletcher trifecta of his trio (Octave, Indian Vale, Unbridled Belle) and an exacta box of them. If Ginger Punch doesn't spoil the party, this will be fun. WINNER: 11-Unbridled Belle. DARKHORSE: 1-Balance.
-- Turf (Race 10): Foreign invader Dylan Thomas will probably be the biggest favorite of the day, and rightly so. Red Rocks pulled an upset in this race lat year, and history does have a way of repeating ... but not this time. English Channel could help bury Pletcher's jinx, and his rider John R. Velazquez could be the hottest jock today after struggling in Friday's Cup races (but dominating the undercard). I hate to back chalk, but a winner's a winner... WINNER: 7-Dylan Thomas. DARKHORSE: 4-Shamdinan.
-- Classic (Race 11): Any Given Saturday is scary hot this fall. So's Lawyer Ron, the probable favorite and "old man" of the field at age 4. I love Curlin, and his late kick may be perfect for the conditions. Or they might not catch probable pacesetter Hard Spun, a classy colt who I just don't think will hold on with this field. Sorry to those and the other entrants, but I have to stay with Street Sense. He won the Juvenile last year. He won the Kentucky Derby. He's campaigned intelligently this fall and is coming up perfectly for today. If the track doesn't whack the race, I Sense it'll be the Preakness all over again, but with vengeance at the finish line. Or Street Sense will beat Curlin by 5 lengths this time. WINNER: 2-Street Sense. DARKHORSE: 9-Tiago.
"Let's get ready to rumble!" "And down the stretch the come!" What other expressions can I rip off? "And here comes the bunny..."? How about "G'luck all!"...
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
Breeder's Cup -- Warm-up
I'm very happy with my poker play right now. Learning and improving and building confidence ... and reenforcing that it is very unwise for me to try to do two things at once. But today's not about poker, at least not right now. We'll chat more on it later. Let's get to the IMPORTANT stuff!!!
It's that time of year again!!! The Kentucky Derby is nice, but to a horse racing aficionado like me, Breeder's Cup Day is THE day to test one's skills as the best horses battle the best. To heck with poker; I was playing the ponies and perusing the Racing Form long before I really knew anything about the river, donkeys or Doyle Brunson. Poker will still be there after this weekend; for now...
This year Breeder's Cup Day is expanded to 2 days, with 3 new events today (Friday). I'll get to Saturday's Great Eight races late tonight or tomorrow morning. For now, with the contests on ESPN live this afternoon and easily wagerable at Bodog, other online connections and your friendly neighborhood track, casino or OTB, here's the Sham Sayz on what we want to see happen:
-- Filly and Mare Sprint (Race 8): Miss Macy Sue seems to be the smart horse and offers good odds, but I just don't feel her today. I dislike going with chalk (no value), but my bottom line has always been to pick THE winner; so it's hard to get away from Dream Rush and La Traviata. Brother Brent swears by Wild Gams and Oprah Winney. I think I've got my four-horse exacta and trifecta boxes; just hope they finish in a best-paying order. WINNER: 3-Dream Rush. DARKHORSE: 10-Baroness Thatcher.
-- Juvenile Turf (Race 9): Lots of studying and conversations Thursday evening (I should have been focusing on my poker game, but oh well, there's lots more chances in BBToo!) have switched my thinking on this race. I had loved Cherokee Triangle, but now I have to switch over to the foreign invaders: Achill Island, Strike The Deal and Domestic Fund. Brother Brent is supporting Gio Ponti. Bro's the stats man; I go more by instinct and feel, like on the felt. We thus make a good team, to the detriment of the pay windows. Sorry, bro, mine's gonna beat yours ... again. WINNER: 8-Achill Island. DARKHORSE: 4-Cherokee Triangle.
-- Dirt Mile (Race 10): Can Discreet Cat, so good last year as a 3-year-old and so touted until hurt earlier this year, be beaten now that he's back? I sure hope so! If so, this race is going to pay off fantastic, as there's a lot of evenly matched talent. Problem is, Brother Brent and I agree on this one, and that often spells expensive trouble! Gottcha Gold is a talented speedball at a good price; what's not to like? Even if he does have to worry about the likes of Xchanger, Wanderin Boy, Corinthian, Lewis Michael, the favored Cat ... But ya can't bet them all (like you shouldn't play every poker hand -- but who listens?). I love Gold horses; I love grays; I love the 69 combo (although women are more fun than horses, ya takes whatcha can gets!). I love fattening my bankroll in this race to position myself for Saturday's fun. WINNER: 6-Gottcha Gold (and be sure to exacta box him with 9-Xchanger). DARKHORSE: 3-Wanderin Boy.
Time to check the weather conditions, track biases and early-race tendencies. More laters. And they're off!!!...
It's that time of year again!!! The Kentucky Derby is nice, but to a horse racing aficionado like me, Breeder's Cup Day is THE day to test one's skills as the best horses battle the best. To heck with poker; I was playing the ponies and perusing the Racing Form long before I really knew anything about the river, donkeys or Doyle Brunson. Poker will still be there after this weekend; for now...
This year Breeder's Cup Day is expanded to 2 days, with 3 new events today (Friday). I'll get to Saturday's Great Eight races late tonight or tomorrow morning. For now, with the contests on ESPN live this afternoon and easily wagerable at Bodog, other online connections and your friendly neighborhood track, casino or OTB, here's the Sham Sayz on what we want to see happen:
-- Filly and Mare Sprint (Race 8): Miss Macy Sue seems to be the smart horse and offers good odds, but I just don't feel her today. I dislike going with chalk (no value), but my bottom line has always been to pick THE winner; so it's hard to get away from Dream Rush and La Traviata. Brother Brent swears by Wild Gams and Oprah Winney. I think I've got my four-horse exacta and trifecta boxes; just hope they finish in a best-paying order. WINNER: 3-Dream Rush. DARKHORSE: 10-Baroness Thatcher.
-- Juvenile Turf (Race 9): Lots of studying and conversations Thursday evening (I should have been focusing on my poker game, but oh well, there's lots more chances in BBToo!) have switched my thinking on this race. I had loved Cherokee Triangle, but now I have to switch over to the foreign invaders: Achill Island, Strike The Deal and Domestic Fund. Brother Brent is supporting Gio Ponti. Bro's the stats man; I go more by instinct and feel, like on the felt. We thus make a good team, to the detriment of the pay windows. Sorry, bro, mine's gonna beat yours ... again. WINNER: 8-Achill Island. DARKHORSE: 4-Cherokee Triangle.
-- Dirt Mile (Race 10): Can Discreet Cat, so good last year as a 3-year-old and so touted until hurt earlier this year, be beaten now that he's back? I sure hope so! If so, this race is going to pay off fantastic, as there's a lot of evenly matched talent. Problem is, Brother Brent and I agree on this one, and that often spells expensive trouble! Gottcha Gold is a talented speedball at a good price; what's not to like? Even if he does have to worry about the likes of Xchanger, Wanderin Boy, Corinthian, Lewis Michael, the favored Cat ... But ya can't bet them all (like you shouldn't play every poker hand -- but who listens?). I love Gold horses; I love grays; I love the 69 combo (although women are more fun than horses, ya takes whatcha can gets!). I love fattening my bankroll in this race to position myself for Saturday's fun. WINNER: 6-Gottcha Gold (and be sure to exacta box him with 9-Xchanger). DARKHORSE: 3-Wanderin Boy.
Time to check the weather conditions, track biases and early-race tendencies. More laters. And they're off!!!...
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Early-day quickie
Getting ready to go do some afternoon modelling work. One of my blog heroes, AlCantHang, sent me code to try to get up a banner on the now-under way Bloggers Tournament League towards a trip I think to Australia. Let's see how it works:
I like the looks of that! But a bit wide to the right! Help, Al? How do I "delete" (can't see the code in "edit mode", only the banner itself) and make it smaller and maybe flush-left instead of center. Or make my copy block wider? I'm such an online non-nerd! (Does that mean I'm a jock?)
Cancelled my nighttime model gig (still trying to get healthier), so I'll get home in time to play shakkee's (hope I got the name right, I'm BAD with names, dates, details, women, ...) weekly Blogger event at Bodog. And a PA Freeroll League game at Cake. Hate overlapping and multi-ing, but PA is Pot Limit Omaha and my primary goal is to get points with a top-25 finish. So I'll take that light and focus mainly on the tough bloggers. No games Monday, 9 hours of modelling (and traveling by bus, train, etc., when you don't drive adds a lot of dead time to a day). Did do a little provacateuring with some of my online forums. We'll see what develops.
More later. Smile...
I like the looks of that! But a bit wide to the right! Help, Al? How do I "delete" (can't see the code in "edit mode", only the banner itself) and make it smaller and maybe flush-left instead of center. Or make my copy block wider? I'm such an online non-nerd! (Does that mean I'm a jock?)
Cancelled my nighttime model gig (still trying to get healthier), so I'll get home in time to play shakkee's (hope I got the name right, I'm BAD with names, dates, details, women, ...) weekly Blogger event at Bodog. And a PA Freeroll League game at Cake. Hate overlapping and multi-ing, but PA is Pot Limit Omaha and my primary goal is to get points with a top-25 finish. So I'll take that light and focus mainly on the tough bloggers. No games Monday, 9 hours of modelling (and traveling by bus, train, etc., when you don't drive adds a lot of dead time to a day). Did do a little provacateuring with some of my online forums. We'll see what develops.
More later. Smile...
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Brought to you by the letter S!
Well, that was a weekend. From sad Saturday to so-so Sunday, the "s" words almost totally describe the way things went. Scream. Smile. Sick. Superb. Sweat. Sweet. Son-of-a-... Shock. Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious. You can take it from there... (I'm nothing if not challenging and entertaining to my readers and any inebriated wanderers who stumble across this page.)
So I'm worn out. Ready to watch the baseball and football games wind down. Somewhat satisfied (yes, there lurk more "esses" in Shamland! Wish this weekend's "esses" had more slashes through 'em, as in $$. My kinda esses!). Still searching and struggling for that breakthrough that's just around the corner and over the river and through the woods and ...
The Cliff's Notes version (do I have to pay royalties?):
Saturday -- Took 27th of 117 players in Bloody Battle 6.0 at Cake. Claimed one $10 bounty, so got nearly two-thirds of my investment back. But couldn't crash top 15 for their money. Chumley won the whole magilla, and I applaud my feltmate whom I've played often in Poker Analysis leagues and forum events. Crashed terribly in TPFC October Finals at new Wingows: 57th/69. Was still playing Bloody Battle when TPFC began; hmm... Took 3rd (of 6) in Aces Cracked League game at PokerStars, a $1 profit (small whoop!). At the same time, made stumbling quick exit (7th/11) from PA Buy-In League game at poker.com; but at least I made the final table and some league points (another small whoop!). Closed the night by spur-of-the-moment trying a $10K guarantee at Bodog for $22, played decent and finished 160th/414 ... but only money for 45, so nothing to whoop over.
Sunday -- Decided "no multi-tournamenting" this day. This is/was the right thing for me; could concentrate and focus on my felt situational surroundings (as much as possible with football on TV etc.). First three events were at VegasPoker247, and sham was 27th/112 in Rounder Radio freeroll (should've final-tabled!); won 18-player Muffmoney Mini-League Game 1 (for $2 entry I got back $20-plus and a seat in Muff's finals freeroll in Mid-December: for-real WHOOP!); and was 26th/60 in Poker Bowl Week 5. I can't remember how Poker Bowl ended (my lack of memory is something we'll have to live with and make fun of), but I do know it was ugly and just wrong. Then it was PA Freeroll League game of limit razz at AbPoke; it was Supersham early but then a quick collapse after I made the points (my first in the league this month), and I exited 23rd/40. Finally to Bodog for the Nationwide Poker Tour Online weekly game, and another fast start blowing up in my face (68th/86, nine paid, including 3 T$109 tickets).
I can tell you how the last one ended. Level 3, 15/30; I had A-x, board turns out 33344 with minimal betting from me and two others. Now, the prior hand's winner had shown quads. No way it happens twice in a row. Sham opens 300 after river, hinting of higher pair. One fold, other foe all-in. Sham has 'em covered, easy call. CHOKE! Another quad. Unbelievable. Still had a few chips left, but I was ready for the exit, and did a couple hands later.
And now I'm exitting from the blog for today. The ballgames beckon, and a busy week of work looms. Not much time for poker the next few days ... and Saturday is Breeders Cup Day, which mean brother Brent and I will be invading Fairmount Park and trying to hit every quinela and exacta they offer us. So for now I've just one "s" left: sayonara!!!
So I'm worn out. Ready to watch the baseball and football games wind down. Somewhat satisfied (yes, there lurk more "esses" in Shamland! Wish this weekend's "esses" had more slashes through 'em, as in $$. My kinda esses!). Still searching and struggling for that breakthrough that's just around the corner and over the river and through the woods and ...
The Cliff's Notes version (do I have to pay royalties?):
Saturday -- Took 27th of 117 players in Bloody Battle 6.0 at Cake. Claimed one $10 bounty, so got nearly two-thirds of my investment back. But couldn't crash top 15 for their money. Chumley won the whole magilla, and I applaud my feltmate whom I've played often in Poker Analysis leagues and forum events. Crashed terribly in TPFC October Finals at new Wingows: 57th/69. Was still playing Bloody Battle when TPFC began; hmm... Took 3rd (of 6) in Aces Cracked League game at PokerStars, a $1 profit (small whoop!). At the same time, made stumbling quick exit (7th/11) from PA Buy-In League game at poker.com; but at least I made the final table and some league points (another small whoop!). Closed the night by spur-of-the-moment trying a $10K guarantee at Bodog for $22, played decent and finished 160th/414 ... but only money for 45, so nothing to whoop over.
Sunday -- Decided "no multi-tournamenting" this day. This is/was the right thing for me; could concentrate and focus on my felt situational surroundings (as much as possible with football on TV etc.). First three events were at VegasPoker247, and sham was 27th/112 in Rounder Radio freeroll (should've final-tabled!); won 18-player Muffmoney Mini-League Game 1 (for $2 entry I got back $20-plus and a seat in Muff's finals freeroll in Mid-December: for-real WHOOP!); and was 26th/60 in Poker Bowl Week 5. I can't remember how Poker Bowl ended (my lack of memory is something we'll have to live with and make fun of), but I do know it was ugly and just wrong. Then it was PA Freeroll League game of limit razz at AbPoke; it was Supersham early but then a quick collapse after I made the points (my first in the league this month), and I exited 23rd/40. Finally to Bodog for the Nationwide Poker Tour Online weekly game, and another fast start blowing up in my face (68th/86, nine paid, including 3 T$109 tickets).
I can tell you how the last one ended. Level 3, 15/30; I had A-x, board turns out 33344 with minimal betting from me and two others. Now, the prior hand's winner had shown quads. No way it happens twice in a row. Sham opens 300 after river, hinting of higher pair. One fold, other foe all-in. Sham has 'em covered, easy call. CHOKE! Another quad. Unbelievable. Still had a few chips left, but I was ready for the exit, and did a couple hands later.
And now I'm exitting from the blog for today. The ballgames beckon, and a busy week of work looms. Not much time for poker the next few days ... and Saturday is Breeders Cup Day, which mean brother Brent and I will be invading Fairmount Park and trying to hit every quinela and exacta they offer us. So for now I've just one "s" left: sayonara!!!
Friday, October 19, 2007
Armadillo squashing zone ahead
I played in katitude's Friday Night Blogger Donkament Tournament at Full Tilt just now. If you look in the dictionary under "insane", you'll see a tableshot from this event. It's $1+$1 to enter, $1 unlimited rebuys the first hour, a $1 add-on and more all-ins than an adult film convention. (See, sham can do a blog without sinking to the depths and using words like "porn"...)
I only rebought 7 times. Had a self-set personal limit of $10 for the event, and stuck to it. I will not mention the name of my Buddy who rebought he said about 21 times; what a denk -- my hero! Hostess kat was up and down more than a ... never mind. Hoyazo built up an early lead at the other table and kept growing and growing ... dang this is getting dirtier, or is it just me?
Or maybe it was the bad beat (hey I was starving ... for chips) that ended someone's magnificent comeback from 19th of 22 left to 4th place when the nine-handed Final Table began. Three get paid, and handsomely, mind you; and I need some ca$h to get into Sunday's Big Game (or is it Big Event?).
Anyway, shamster smells a rat early at the final table, and this hand finds its preordained conclusion just like the script usually does:
Full Tilt Poker Game #3907897643: Friday Nite Blogger Donkament (29216578), Table 1 - 400/800 Ante 100 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:33:25 ET - 2007/10/19
shamanalix: Buddy said he did about 21 tonight; anyone beat that?
Seat 1: shamanalix (17,726)
Seat 2: katitude (30,980)
Seat 3: DontKnow (10,131)
Seat 4: junkbutton (28,280)
Seat 5: slb159 (20,593)
Seat 6: hoyazo (72,308)
Seat 7: pokerenthusiast (16,902)
Seat 8: SirFWALGMan (40,991)
Seat 9: riggstad (1,589), is sitting out
shamanalix antes 100; katitude antes 100; DontKnow antes 100; junkbutton antes 100; slb159 antes 100; hoyazo antes 100; pokerenthusiast antes 100; SirFWALGMan antes 100; riggstad antes 100
pokerenthusiast posts the small blind of 400; SirFWALGMan posts the big blind of 800
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to shamanalix [8c 8h]
riggstad folds
shamanalix has 15 seconds left to act
shamanalix raises to 2,600
hoyazo: i had to be very close
katitude folds
DontKnow folds
junkbutton folds
slb159 folds
hoyazo has 15 seconds left to act
hoyazo raises to 72,208, and is all in
shamanalix: riggs!!!!
pokerenthusiast folds
SirFWALGMan folds
SirFWALGMan: 21 rebuys lol
SirFWALGMan: thats not bad
shamanalix: u owe me for yesterday turkey
SirFWALGMan: someone did more before
shamanalix has 15 seconds left to act
shamanalix calls 15,026, and is all in
hoyazo shows [Kd Kh]
shamanalix shows [8c 8h]
Uncalled bet of 54,582 returned to hoyazo
*** FLOP *** [Jc 8s Qh]
shamanalix: oops
*** TURN *** [Jc 8s Qh] [Ts]
*** RIVER *** [Jc 8s Qh Ts] [9s]
hoyazo shows a straight, King high
shamanalix shows a straight, Queen high
hoyazo wins the pot (37,352) with a straight, King high
SirFWALGMan: lol nice!
hoyazo: haha
shamanalix stands up
A four-outer. Don't say the word "justice" to me; "justice" is a cash at Full Tilt for the overdue shamster. I should have known better than to gamble with snowmen, less than an hour earlier at the nearby Rounder's Radio freeroll (I hate doing 2 things at once!) a late stack my size went all-in, I dittoed from UTG where I'd limped, and the table leader called us both. TL had AT, pusher and I both had 88, an ace comes on the flop... I'm used to it; that's poker; doesn't bother me. Really!
So no cashes Friday for Shaman Alix (that's what a shamanalix is, for those who asked; the anal is only my current medical problems). Took 18th of 91 players at a midday Rounders Radio FR at Carbon (prize only for first place). Lost a smidgen trying video poker and blackjack at betED, where I just can't access their sports book for some dumb computer reason. All my play money going to waste sitting there...
Got a good feeling about the weekend. Gonna try a 5 am (my time) freeroll at Doyle's Room to try to get a few pennies there (I liked the look of the old Doyle's a lot better). Model 10 am-1 pm for an open drawing group, then rush home for Bloody Battle 6.0 at Cake -- there are some sweet sweet prizes and bounties for the grabbing. (I sure pray Cake's software holds up!!!) BB 6.0 is at 3 pm; the TPFC finals are at 5 pm at new Wingows, where me and my Maximum Poker League pals will attempt to clean up. Then at 7 pm comes the Aces Cracked private game at PokerStars; come play with us for 10+$1, the password is "acescracked". Also a Poker Analysis Buy-In League game at 7 p.m at poker.com; I really need a big finish in that one, so it looks like multi-tasking time again.
I sure hope the "bad beat goddesses" are done tugging with my ... Nevermind. Play nice...
I only rebought 7 times. Had a self-set personal limit of $10 for the event, and stuck to it. I will not mention the name of my Buddy who rebought he said about 21 times; what a denk -- my hero! Hostess kat was up and down more than a ... never mind. Hoyazo built up an early lead at the other table and kept growing and growing ... dang this is getting dirtier, or is it just me?
Or maybe it was the bad beat (hey I was starving ... for chips) that ended someone's magnificent comeback from 19th of 22 left to 4th place when the nine-handed Final Table began. Three get paid, and handsomely, mind you; and I need some ca$h to get into Sunday's Big Game (or is it Big Event?).
Anyway, shamster smells a rat early at the final table, and this hand finds its preordained conclusion just like the script usually does:
Full Tilt Poker Game #3907897643: Friday Nite Blogger Donkament (29216578), Table 1 - 400/800 Ante 100 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:33:25 ET - 2007/10/19
shamanalix: Buddy said he did about 21 tonight; anyone beat that?
Seat 1: shamanalix (17,726)
Seat 2: katitude (30,980)
Seat 3: DontKnow (10,131)
Seat 4: junkbutton (28,280)
Seat 5: slb159 (20,593)
Seat 6: hoyazo (72,308)
Seat 7: pokerenthusiast (16,902)
Seat 8: SirFWALGMan (40,991)
Seat 9: riggstad (1,589), is sitting out
shamanalix antes 100; katitude antes 100; DontKnow antes 100; junkbutton antes 100; slb159 antes 100; hoyazo antes 100; pokerenthusiast antes 100; SirFWALGMan antes 100; riggstad antes 100
pokerenthusiast posts the small blind of 400; SirFWALGMan posts the big blind of 800
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to shamanalix [8c 8h]
riggstad folds
shamanalix has 15 seconds left to act
shamanalix raises to 2,600
hoyazo: i had to be very close
katitude folds
DontKnow folds
junkbutton folds
slb159 folds
hoyazo has 15 seconds left to act
hoyazo raises to 72,208, and is all in
shamanalix: riggs!!!!
pokerenthusiast folds
SirFWALGMan folds
SirFWALGMan: 21 rebuys lol
SirFWALGMan: thats not bad
shamanalix: u owe me for yesterday turkey
SirFWALGMan: someone did more before
shamanalix has 15 seconds left to act
shamanalix calls 15,026, and is all in
hoyazo shows [Kd Kh]
shamanalix shows [8c 8h]
Uncalled bet of 54,582 returned to hoyazo
*** FLOP *** [Jc 8s Qh]
shamanalix: oops
*** TURN *** [Jc 8s Qh] [Ts]
*** RIVER *** [Jc 8s Qh Ts] [9s]
hoyazo shows a straight, King high
shamanalix shows a straight, Queen high
hoyazo wins the pot (37,352) with a straight, King high
SirFWALGMan: lol nice!
hoyazo: haha
shamanalix stands up
A four-outer. Don't say the word "justice" to me; "justice" is a cash at Full Tilt for the overdue shamster. I should have known better than to gamble with snowmen, less than an hour earlier at the nearby Rounder's Radio freeroll (I hate doing 2 things at once!) a late stack my size went all-in, I dittoed from UTG where I'd limped, and the table leader called us both. TL had AT, pusher and I both had 88, an ace comes on the flop... I'm used to it; that's poker; doesn't bother me. Really!
So no cashes Friday for Shaman Alix (that's what a shamanalix is, for those who asked; the anal is only my current medical problems). Took 18th of 91 players at a midday Rounders Radio FR at Carbon (prize only for first place). Lost a smidgen trying video poker and blackjack at betED, where I just can't access their sports book for some dumb computer reason. All my play money going to waste sitting there...
Got a good feeling about the weekend. Gonna try a 5 am (my time) freeroll at Doyle's Room to try to get a few pennies there (I liked the look of the old Doyle's a lot better). Model 10 am-1 pm for an open drawing group, then rush home for Bloody Battle 6.0 at Cake -- there are some sweet sweet prizes and bounties for the grabbing. (I sure pray Cake's software holds up!!!) BB 6.0 is at 3 pm; the TPFC finals are at 5 pm at new Wingows, where me and my Maximum Poker League pals will attempt to clean up. Then at 7 pm comes the Aces Cracked private game at PokerStars; come play with us for 10+$1, the password is "acescracked". Also a Poker Analysis Buy-In League game at 7 p.m at poker.com; I really need a big finish in that one, so it looks like multi-tasking time again.
I sure hope the "bad beat goddesses" are done tugging with my ... Nevermind. Play nice...
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb ...
I am soooooo on tilt this second. Better post something in the blog, before I break something elsewheres in the room.
What's wrong with the shamster, you query? Well, he played like a total armadillo, that's what's wrong. Bottom line, I was chip leader at second break of the Riverchasers Online Poker Tour event at Full Tilt. Well over 20K chips, only 10 rivals left, mixing the game up, reading well, even winning a couple of races (that's unusual!). Holding my own with some of the best regulars of the Riverchasers and Bloggers clans -- and that is extremely tough competition indeed!
And then? Splat!!! Couldn't win/hit/read/cry for anything. Doubled up foes right and left. Kept firing in a near-irrational, over-expectant manner. And the next thing you know, the final table of 9 players (six to be sweetly paid) was set -- and shamalamadingdongdorkdonk was on the rail, 10th.
That kind of day. Made the final table and earned points in the Poker Analysis Buy-In League game at Absolute ... but seventh was still two spots short of the cash. Did well early in the day playing micro Pot Limit Holdem (a rare game for me to try) at Full Tilt, then gave it all away in a couple of hands.
Only good news today was that Doyle's Room is going to start letting U.S. players play there again, starting tomorrow (Friday, Oct. 19). I always enjoyed that site. Only bad thing is Doyle's won't allow players who live in the 11 Unlucky States that have "specific laws against online poker." Those 11 states (can't think of 'em off the top of my head, but know they include Illinois, Wisconsin, New York, Nevada, 7 more) will be from here on referred to by me as "O'Shunned's Eleven". (Get it? Word play on "Ocean's 11"? Eh, never mind; just keep feeding sham his medz...)
Been a "so close!!!" kinda week on the faux felt. Got 42nd of 73 in the initial Bluff Weekly League game Wednesday at Carbon; whoever gets the most points in the league between now and mid-April wins a WSOP 2008 Main Event seat. Tuesday at Carbon was 8th of 127 in Rounder Radio Freeroll -- but only the winner earned the ticket to a Sunday $20K. At the same time as the Rounders game, I was playing the Online Poker Blogger Tour weekly game at Bodog ... and doing well. But the shamadillo just doesn't multi well for long; crashed 11th of 17 among the bloggers. And I won't even talk about the Carbon $1K freeroll Tuesday afternoon...
Enough looking back! Let's look ahead!! And here's something that'll be a lot of fun over the coming months:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2349/1571714069_c70df3e44d.jpg
Busy weekend ahead. Hope to be shamster, not shamadillo. Highlights planned include: Bloody Battle 6.0 Saturday afternoon at Cake ($10 bounty on everyone! This'll be wild! Plus more prizes!). The always-challenging Aces Cracked private event Saturday night at PokerStars (if you haven't visited this, or the forum at aces-cracked.net, you're missing some great folks and a fun fun game!). Poker Analysis Buy-In League game Saturday at poker.com and PA Freeroll League game Sunday at Absolute (limit razz!). And more. But the mind's clouding, I need to go punch a pillow.
Rah Rutgers!! Rah Red Sox! (Though Cleveland wraps up the series Saturday.) Rah nice new doctor of the shamster (probably not the ulcers or the liver, doc says; now we'll have to look elsewhere to get to the bottom of the bleeding problem. What's a colonoscomy, colonoscopy, colonkaliope, didn't he play shortstop for...?).
Ouch. Here pillow pillow pillow...
What's wrong with the shamster, you query? Well, he played like a total armadillo, that's what's wrong. Bottom line, I was chip leader at second break of the Riverchasers Online Poker Tour event at Full Tilt. Well over 20K chips, only 10 rivals left, mixing the game up, reading well, even winning a couple of races (that's unusual!). Holding my own with some of the best regulars of the Riverchasers and Bloggers clans -- and that is extremely tough competition indeed!
And then? Splat!!! Couldn't win/hit/read/cry for anything. Doubled up foes right and left. Kept firing in a near-irrational, over-expectant manner. And the next thing you know, the final table of 9 players (six to be sweetly paid) was set -- and shamalamadingdongdorkdonk was on the rail, 10th.
That kind of day. Made the final table and earned points in the Poker Analysis Buy-In League game at Absolute ... but seventh was still two spots short of the cash. Did well early in the day playing micro Pot Limit Holdem (a rare game for me to try) at Full Tilt, then gave it all away in a couple of hands.
Only good news today was that Doyle's Room is going to start letting U.S. players play there again, starting tomorrow (Friday, Oct. 19). I always enjoyed that site. Only bad thing is Doyle's won't allow players who live in the 11 Unlucky States that have "specific laws against online poker." Those 11 states (can't think of 'em off the top of my head, but know they include Illinois, Wisconsin, New York, Nevada, 7 more) will be from here on referred to by me as "O'Shunned's Eleven". (Get it? Word play on "Ocean's 11"? Eh, never mind; just keep feeding sham his medz...)
Been a "so close!!!" kinda week on the faux felt. Got 42nd of 73 in the initial Bluff Weekly League game Wednesday at Carbon; whoever gets the most points in the league between now and mid-April wins a WSOP 2008 Main Event seat. Tuesday at Carbon was 8th of 127 in Rounder Radio Freeroll -- but only the winner earned the ticket to a Sunday $20K. At the same time as the Rounders game, I was playing the Online Poker Blogger Tour weekly game at Bodog ... and doing well. But the shamadillo just doesn't multi well for long; crashed 11th of 17 among the bloggers. And I won't even talk about the Carbon $1K freeroll Tuesday afternoon...
Enough looking back! Let's look ahead!! And here's something that'll be a lot of fun over the coming months:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2349/1571714069_c70df3e44d.jpg
Busy weekend ahead. Hope to be shamster, not shamadillo. Highlights planned include: Bloody Battle 6.0 Saturday afternoon at Cake ($10 bounty on everyone! This'll be wild! Plus more prizes!). The always-challenging Aces Cracked private event Saturday night at PokerStars (if you haven't visited this, or the forum at aces-cracked.net, you're missing some great folks and a fun fun game!). Poker Analysis Buy-In League game Saturday at poker.com and PA Freeroll League game Sunday at Absolute (limit razz!). And more. But the mind's clouding, I need to go punch a pillow.
Rah Rutgers!! Rah Red Sox! (Though Cleveland wraps up the series Saturday.) Rah nice new doctor of the shamster (probably not the ulcers or the liver, doc says; now we'll have to look elsewhere to get to the bottom of the bleeding problem. What's a colonoscomy, colonoscopy, colonkaliope, didn't he play shortstop for...?).
Ouch. Here pillow pillow pillow...
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Armadillos: The new donkey/fish
Someone (Miami Don maybe?) said at the Blogger Tourney tonight at Bodog that I should run with my idea that fish and donkeys are passe; the new targets at our poker tables should be armadillos. (Wonder if armadilloes are the females? Mind wandering... Who said armadildos?)
Anyway, Irongirl and others can vouch that The Sham has long espoused that armadillo is/should be the next poker buzzword. After all, that cute little Southwestern U.S. animal has thick skin, thinks highly of itself as it attempts to scuttle across the road to the next promised land ... and usually winds up flatter than a pancake thanks to a semi or speeding road monster. Like many poker peeps you play with. So be kind to the armadillos; they never knows what hits 'em.
I don't feel like typing. Still bleeding ulcer problems; got a doctor visit scheduled for the morn. If this don't bankrupt me and they don't strap me down in a hospital room (with or without padded walls), I'll TRY to type more tomorrow night on poker. Suffice it to say that a luckbox named pokerpeaker (great player, nice guy, off to Vegas fun this week with the wife (his, I don't got none!), told ya he was a real luckbox); anyways pokerpeaker fatally crippled my fine performance in the weekly Online Poker Blogger Tournament Tuesday night at Bodog. I had pocket 6's, him A7; flop AAx, he didn't raise a ton (sneaky devil) and I called; turn a 6, I raised a ton and got us both all in (I had him by maybe 500 chips -- you KNOW I have no memory, barely remember who I am) ... and of course he makes his longshot outer when a 7 rivers to make his boat bigger than mine. Shamster goes out 11th shortly thereafter. These are great, great players, mind you; and it does wonders for my confidence to know that I CAN hang with them successfully. But I shoulda woulda coulda!!! I was robbed...
Next week revenge. It's been going so good lately! Cashed in 3 of 5 events Saturday, including 3rd (of 45) in the Holdem Radio Saturday Night Special at Cake for $41.25 (shoulda won that event, too, honestly). Been playing well but blowing bubbles the last 3 days. More on all that come the promised, proverbial "later."
Now to try for a little sleep. I hate/fear doctors. I just do NOT really want to know!!! The rest of ya, stay happy...
Anyway, Irongirl and others can vouch that The Sham has long espoused that armadillo is/should be the next poker buzzword. After all, that cute little Southwestern U.S. animal has thick skin, thinks highly of itself as it attempts to scuttle across the road to the next promised land ... and usually winds up flatter than a pancake thanks to a semi or speeding road monster. Like many poker peeps you play with. So be kind to the armadillos; they never knows what hits 'em.
I don't feel like typing. Still bleeding ulcer problems; got a doctor visit scheduled for the morn. If this don't bankrupt me and they don't strap me down in a hospital room (with or without padded walls), I'll TRY to type more tomorrow night on poker. Suffice it to say that a luckbox named pokerpeaker (great player, nice guy, off to Vegas fun this week with the wife (his, I don't got none!), told ya he was a real luckbox); anyways pokerpeaker fatally crippled my fine performance in the weekly Online Poker Blogger Tournament Tuesday night at Bodog. I had pocket 6's, him A7; flop AAx, he didn't raise a ton (sneaky devil) and I called; turn a 6, I raised a ton and got us both all in (I had him by maybe 500 chips -- you KNOW I have no memory, barely remember who I am) ... and of course he makes his longshot outer when a 7 rivers to make his boat bigger than mine. Shamster goes out 11th shortly thereafter. These are great, great players, mind you; and it does wonders for my confidence to know that I CAN hang with them successfully. But I shoulda woulda coulda!!! I was robbed...
Next week revenge. It's been going so good lately! Cashed in 3 of 5 events Saturday, including 3rd (of 45) in the Holdem Radio Saturday Night Special at Cake for $41.25 (shoulda won that event, too, honestly). Been playing well but blowing bubbles the last 3 days. More on all that come the promised, proverbial "later."
Now to try for a little sleep. I hate/fear doctors. I just do NOT really want to know!!! The rest of ya, stay happy...
Monday, October 15, 2007
Las Vegas 2007 Wrap-Up
Got so many things I never concluded and told and added up about the wonderful Vegas Adventure in the Summer of '07. So I'm inserting a post here that will grow from nothing to who-knows-how-big in the next month or so. All the Vegas info and stats will finally find a home. So you may want to keep checking back for updates to this item; I'll put "updated xxx" at the start when it changes.
(As for back to the present, a bleeding ulcer Sunday from too many beers and shots and wine from a Thursday night outing returned to haunt me and kind of cut my weekend short. I'll wrap up the weekend in my next post. First comes a full day of modelling Monday: 3 classes at University of Missouri-St. Louis. Monday night there's a Poker Analysis Buy-In League game (H.O.R.S.E.) at 7:30 pm St. Louis time at PokerStars (should get home with 10 minutes to spare!) to aim for, and maybe the Maximum Poker League's TPFC League at Cake (7 pm, probably home too late for it) and/or Rounders Radio at Carbon (8 pm). We'll see.)
The Vegas wrap-up. Where do I begin? We'll decide next time...
(As for back to the present, a bleeding ulcer Sunday from too many beers and shots and wine from a Thursday night outing returned to haunt me and kind of cut my weekend short. I'll wrap up the weekend in my next post. First comes a full day of modelling Monday: 3 classes at University of Missouri-St. Louis. Monday night there's a Poker Analysis Buy-In League game (H.O.R.S.E.) at 7:30 pm St. Louis time at PokerStars (should get home with 10 minutes to spare!) to aim for, and maybe the Maximum Poker League's TPFC League at Cake (7 pm, probably home too late for it) and/or Rounders Radio at Carbon (8 pm). We'll see.)
The Vegas wrap-up. Where do I begin? We'll decide next time...
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Sham's Blog: Las Vegas 2007 (Wed 6/13)
(Part 12 and conclusion of "Letters Home" series originally printed in Aces Cracked Forum at aces-cracked.net)
"Entry 11, 8:57 am Wednesday, 6/13:
Last post from Vegas. No more wandering, I'm staying put at Orleans until the airport shuttle comes at 12:45. Flight leaves at 4 pm; wish they had a live poker room at the airport!!! Withdrawals!!! After this it's breakfast buffet, pack, checkout, and hit the cash poker games until time to go. Or maybe blackjack. Finished last night at BJ tables; lost the first $60 I played, rather quick. On way to room, on a whim decided to try $100 at another table. I love card-cold but friendly dealers! Half-hour later headed for room (via cashiers) with $202 from that table, so my BJ was a profit to end the day.
Thank goodness. I played three tourneys Tuesday. I played very well, but donkeyness and the usual sham bad luck did me in. First at Excalibur got third and $144 in $35 buy-in (turbo-style). Even room manager said he thought I'd win, I was playing great, but a guy ticked me off and I tried to eliminate him with my A9; he had TT and I couldn't improve. Short-stacked, I pushed mid-pair following hand and same villain called with A7 ... and hit two 7s on flop. I shoulda offered 3-way chop earlier, but got greedy for the top prize and the glory.
The games got worse. TI in the afternoon, $60 buy, I went out 21st when dominating A9 vs A4 saw her land a 4 on the turn ... and she had me barely covered. I knew she was bullying and trying to steal, I made right call. Just not my luck.
And it got worse that night at Orleans, $85 NLHE. TWICE my pocket aces wound up cracked by straights; first time I was all-in, made me re-buy earlier than I wanted to (first level). Second time I didn't call off my last 1200 after the river, I knew he'd hit on me, another straight (he told me later I was right, he had open-ender so stayed cause he was every-hand good gambler and big table chip leader. I'd openly laid down QQ to him earlier in tourney on turn because his betting worried me, and sure enough he'd flopped set. Wish I had his card luck this day.) The had after Crack Two, my last 1200 went in with A9, rival had KT, happy double-up coming ... but I knew as dealer was about to flip over the river card that doom had come. "It's a king," I told table ... and it was. "Why didn't you call for a deuce or something else?" chip leader asked, while hand-winner's jaw dropped. "Because I just knew it; can't change what is," I replied, as I left the table 69th and on a 2-no-cash tourney losing streak.
I gotta get back to Vegas real real soon!!! More Friday, a wrap-up. Back to the online wars..."
"Entry 11, 8:57 am Wednesday, 6/13:
Last post from Vegas. No more wandering, I'm staying put at Orleans until the airport shuttle comes at 12:45. Flight leaves at 4 pm; wish they had a live poker room at the airport!!! Withdrawals!!! After this it's breakfast buffet, pack, checkout, and hit the cash poker games until time to go. Or maybe blackjack. Finished last night at BJ tables; lost the first $60 I played, rather quick. On way to room, on a whim decided to try $100 at another table. I love card-cold but friendly dealers! Half-hour later headed for room (via cashiers) with $202 from that table, so my BJ was a profit to end the day.
Thank goodness. I played three tourneys Tuesday. I played very well, but donkeyness and the usual sham bad luck did me in. First at Excalibur got third and $144 in $35 buy-in (turbo-style). Even room manager said he thought I'd win, I was playing great, but a guy ticked me off and I tried to eliminate him with my A9; he had TT and I couldn't improve. Short-stacked, I pushed mid-pair following hand and same villain called with A7 ... and hit two 7s on flop. I shoulda offered 3-way chop earlier, but got greedy for the top prize and the glory.
The games got worse. TI in the afternoon, $60 buy, I went out 21st when dominating A9 vs A4 saw her land a 4 on the turn ... and she had me barely covered. I knew she was bullying and trying to steal, I made right call. Just not my luck.
And it got worse that night at Orleans, $85 NLHE. TWICE my pocket aces wound up cracked by straights; first time I was all-in, made me re-buy earlier than I wanted to (first level). Second time I didn't call off my last 1200 after the river, I knew he'd hit on me, another straight (he told me later I was right, he had open-ender so stayed cause he was every-hand good gambler and big table chip leader. I'd openly laid down QQ to him earlier in tourney on turn because his betting worried me, and sure enough he'd flopped set. Wish I had his card luck this day.) The had after Crack Two, my last 1200 went in with A9, rival had KT, happy double-up coming ... but I knew as dealer was about to flip over the river card that doom had come. "It's a king," I told table ... and it was. "Why didn't you call for a deuce or something else?" chip leader asked, while hand-winner's jaw dropped. "Because I just knew it; can't change what is," I replied, as I left the table 69th and on a 2-no-cash tourney losing streak.
I gotta get back to Vegas real real soon!!! More Friday, a wrap-up. Back to the online wars..."
Sham's Blog: Las Vegas 2007 (Mon 6/10)
(Part 11 in the "Letters Home" series originally printed in aces-cracked.net.)
"Entry 10, 8:50 am, Monday 6/10:
I'm bored and lonely.
Everyone's gone. No one to share successes and failures with. Won a private tournament yesterday at Imperial Palace, chopped when head's-up and settled for $400 (first place pre-deal was $480) and the side booty for the champ (T-shirt, book). Game was HORSE. That makes eight tournament cashes for me in Vegas this trip, four straight ... I think. I'll do summary when I get home. Right now the exhaustion and exertions are getting to me; propbably decompress and veg the last two days. And pick a couple tourneys to take shots at, like the $340 Deep Stacks NLHE at Venetian today (same place I super-donked last week). Almost surely today's 7pm NLHE here at Orleans. Maybe 1p at Planet Hollywood or 2p at Paris instead of Venetian, I don't know. The 11p at Caesars is another I want to take another shot at, though might save it for Tuesday night, my final tournament of this trip. Don't like Caesars only pays nine places I was told -- although IG cashed for a 'teens finish on Friday? Looked for ig at WSOP women's Sunday after winning ImpPal tourney; couldn't find her, although I looked in all 3 women's areas. That Rio is a madhouse; the summer's not over, I may come back and get on the right side of the tables before it's all over. Still plan a day poolside vegging, now looking at Tuesday for it if Mirage's pool is open 7 days as I was told.
That's all for now, and this may be my last message from Vegas. It has been sensational!!! So much fun with all of ya; wish more of you could've made it -- next year!! Sorry that paul got sick, and that paul and rk got addicted to the slots (and won!) on Saturday. We all need to start blogs (if we don't have one) ... and plan for next year's Aces Cracked Vegas Convention.
OK, back to the felt wars and the recovery process. Thanks for reading, and see ya Saturday at PStars for our weekly game..."
"Entry 10, 8:50 am, Monday 6/10:
I'm bored and lonely.
Everyone's gone. No one to share successes and failures with. Won a private tournament yesterday at Imperial Palace, chopped when head's-up and settled for $400 (first place pre-deal was $480) and the side booty for the champ (T-shirt, book). Game was HORSE. That makes eight tournament cashes for me in Vegas this trip, four straight ... I think. I'll do summary when I get home. Right now the exhaustion and exertions are getting to me; propbably decompress and veg the last two days. And pick a couple tourneys to take shots at, like the $340 Deep Stacks NLHE at Venetian today (same place I super-donked last week). Almost surely today's 7pm NLHE here at Orleans. Maybe 1p at Planet Hollywood or 2p at Paris instead of Venetian, I don't know. The 11p at Caesars is another I want to take another shot at, though might save it for Tuesday night, my final tournament of this trip. Don't like Caesars only pays nine places I was told -- although IG cashed for a 'teens finish on Friday? Looked for ig at WSOP women's Sunday after winning ImpPal tourney; couldn't find her, although I looked in all 3 women's areas. That Rio is a madhouse; the summer's not over, I may come back and get on the right side of the tables before it's all over. Still plan a day poolside vegging, now looking at Tuesday for it if Mirage's pool is open 7 days as I was told.
That's all for now, and this may be my last message from Vegas. It has been sensational!!! So much fun with all of ya; wish more of you could've made it -- next year!! Sorry that paul got sick, and that paul and rk got addicted to the slots (and won!) on Saturday. We all need to start blogs (if we don't have one) ... and plan for next year's Aces Cracked Vegas Convention.
OK, back to the felt wars and the recovery process. Thanks for reading, and see ya Saturday at PStars for our weekly game..."
Sham's Blog: Las Vegas 2007 (Fri 6/8)
(Part 10 in the "Letters Home" series originally printed in aces-cracked.net.)
"Entry 9, 10:50 am Friday (I think it is, who can tell any more) 6/8:
When you don't get to bed until 5 a.m. (or was it 6?) and insanely crawl out of bed at 10ish because some of the crew is playing a noon tourney at Caesars, you know you are truly certifiable. That's me.
Being up late was worth it, though. Paul (poor tired sniffling Mr. Group Leader), Randy (he made it here and found us, as did Lori) and I played the 11 pm $40 + $2 + $20 tourney at Sahara. Randy (rk) went out early; must still be the jet lag, or not yet used to the Vegas felters as Paul (penn) and I have become. I finished 6th for $230 (minus a tip for the dealers). Paul beat me (boooooo!!!!!) for his first tourney cash of the trip, finishing 4th. He can brag about it himself ... if he ever wakes up. We expect to see him maybe around dindin time.
Lori (Irongirl, IG) got in nicely, though I don't think she's played any poker yet. She and rk are targetting the nooner at Caesars, $110 buy-in with long levels. Yeah, I'm gonna drag my body over and support them. May play, may just do cash table ... or may sleep in a corner. RK and Ig both called our room this morn, the sadists. I did chat with ig, she's playing the WSOP women's event Sunday and was off to register. Hope it goes smoothly and she's careful; when you walk the Vegas streets (and even casinos) with cash, you must be wary and alert.
Not much game report today. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe when I get home. So many tales to tell. Bottom line from Thursday for me was three tourneys played, two cashes, two finals tables and over $200 profit for the fay. This is getting a tad better. Now to get one of the 4-digit paydays and convince myself I'm not dreaming...
I'll let y'all go (I hate that expression!!!) and go ig and rk hunting. Really wish y'all were here!!! Next summer let's plan plenty in advance, and get the group here to partake of Sin City's bounty ... or at least the booty flying around here for those able to grab some.
Love and miss y'all. Play happy..."
"Entry 9, 10:50 am Friday (I think it is, who can tell any more) 6/8:
When you don't get to bed until 5 a.m. (or was it 6?) and insanely crawl out of bed at 10ish because some of the crew is playing a noon tourney at Caesars, you know you are truly certifiable. That's me.
Being up late was worth it, though. Paul (poor tired sniffling Mr. Group Leader), Randy (he made it here and found us, as did Lori) and I played the 11 pm $40 + $2 + $20 tourney at Sahara. Randy (rk) went out early; must still be the jet lag, or not yet used to the Vegas felters as Paul (penn) and I have become. I finished 6th for $230 (minus a tip for the dealers). Paul beat me (boooooo!!!!!) for his first tourney cash of the trip, finishing 4th. He can brag about it himself ... if he ever wakes up. We expect to see him maybe around dindin time.
Lori (Irongirl, IG) got in nicely, though I don't think she's played any poker yet. She and rk are targetting the nooner at Caesars, $110 buy-in with long levels. Yeah, I'm gonna drag my body over and support them. May play, may just do cash table ... or may sleep in a corner. RK and Ig both called our room this morn, the sadists. I did chat with ig, she's playing the WSOP women's event Sunday and was off to register. Hope it goes smoothly and she's careful; when you walk the Vegas streets (and even casinos) with cash, you must be wary and alert.
Not much game report today. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe when I get home. So many tales to tell. Bottom line from Thursday for me was three tourneys played, two cashes, two finals tables and over $200 profit for the fay. This is getting a tad better. Now to get one of the 4-digit paydays and convince myself I'm not dreaming...
I'll let y'all go (I hate that expression!!!) and go ig and rk hunting. Really wish y'all were here!!! Next summer let's plan plenty in advance, and get the group here to partake of Sin City's bounty ... or at least the booty flying around here for those able to grab some.
Love and miss y'all. Play happy..."
Sham's Blog: Las Vegas 2007 (Thur 6/7)
(Part 9 in the "Letters Home" series originally printed in aces-cracked.net. Yeah, I missed a day; you'll note the posts getting shorter and spacier. I say it's because I was winning and tiring and had trouble accessing a computer. You believe me of course???)
"Entry 8, 9:07am Thursday 6/7:
Just a quickie; it's laundry morning, and more self-medicating for the worsening cold.
Felt weird yesterday not to be able to post. Aces Cracked forum site was down, it said. Boo. Glad to see it working today.
Up to three cashes for the trip, though still behind in the long run including food, hotel, transport, etc. I'll organize my notes while the laundry's spinning. Second cash came in NLHE at Orleans on Tuesday (?) for $240-ish; think I was 7th? Wednesday played three tourneys, all NLHE: cheap turbo at Excalibur (wild!), $340 Deep Stacks Extravaganza at Venetian (pulled a Donk-of-the-Year-candidate play, blame it on the cold meds, I don't wanna talk about it), and the $60 evening Aladdin -- I mean Planet Hollywood. At least at the last one I proved I'm still alive, though maybe some would say I'm just lucky. An IG got me started, I got the monster pp's when I needed them and with four left we cut a chop deal on the remaining prize pool. I walked away with $500; big chip leader took $1000. So for the day in tourneys I made $40 or so profit. Also won a tote bag in PH's daily free slots tourney. Whoop.
The gang arrives today, it seems. Going to get really nutso. Looks like the 11p game at Sahara will be day's main fun; although ig may be bowling with the bloggers and skip that. One move at a time; I confuse too too easy. Only game I have possibly planned before is Orleans nooner ... if laundry's done. Gotta get well. More laters..."
"Entry 8, 9:07am Thursday 6/7:
Just a quickie; it's laundry morning, and more self-medicating for the worsening cold.
Felt weird yesterday not to be able to post. Aces Cracked forum site was down, it said. Boo. Glad to see it working today.
Up to three cashes for the trip, though still behind in the long run including food, hotel, transport, etc. I'll organize my notes while the laundry's spinning. Second cash came in NLHE at Orleans on Tuesday (?) for $240-ish; think I was 7th? Wednesday played three tourneys, all NLHE: cheap turbo at Excalibur (wild!), $340 Deep Stacks Extravaganza at Venetian (pulled a Donk-of-the-Year-candidate play, blame it on the cold meds, I don't wanna talk about it), and the $60 evening Aladdin -- I mean Planet Hollywood. At least at the last one I proved I'm still alive, though maybe some would say I'm just lucky. An IG got me started, I got the monster pp's when I needed them and with four left we cut a chop deal on the remaining prize pool. I walked away with $500; big chip leader took $1000. So for the day in tourneys I made $40 or so profit. Also won a tote bag in PH's daily free slots tourney. Whoop.
The gang arrives today, it seems. Going to get really nutso. Looks like the 11p game at Sahara will be day's main fun; although ig may be bowling with the bloggers and skip that. One move at a time; I confuse too too easy. Only game I have possibly planned before is Orleans nooner ... if laundry's done. Gotta get well. More laters..."
Sham's Blog: Las Vegas 2007 (Tue 6/5)
(Part 8 in the "Letters Home" series originally printed in aces-cracked.net)
"Entry 7, 9:15 am Tuesday 6/5:
The song remains the same. Thought getting back to Omaha H/L would get me back to the cashing line. Nope. Played Binion's Classic Event 5 $150 Lim Om 8/b at 2 pm Monday, and 6 2/4 hours later the short-stacked sham went out 53rd (maybe 51st, they aren't that accurate when players bow out) as moves didn't quite work. There were 283 entrants, so my finish is OK, but only 28 got paid, so my finish is definitely not OK.
I was making good calls, few chases, good fold (even laid down AAxx preflop because of heavy early betting, and turned out wise as another player had other rockets and another landed his trip king). We started with 4,000 chips, I built mine to 13,600 (with average 4,879) at break at end of level 6, then got as high as 16,700 (ave. 8085) late in level 9. Then came the deep freeze: no good hands for an hour with heft blinds, the once or twice I stuck my toe in the water it got bit by the flop, and I could do nothing about the bullies. Still had 11,500 chips end of level 11, but blinds went up to 2000-4000 and level 12 was the end for me.
I had chances my last two hands. Hoping for nut flush, with A3 at low, I fought two foes to the river. But no fifth spade, no straight filler, and I knew one of the others had A2. So folded amidst river betting with 3.5 K chips left. Most went in following hand as BB, only one caller, again missed straight, he had an ace the board paired and thus a higher two pair, and hasta la proxima shaman!
Today the noon NLHE at Orleans. Then cash games at Rio and/or Palms. I had hoped to use yesterday's Omaha as springboard to enter today's WSOP Omaha H/L event, but twas not to be.
Bought chloroseptic for scratchy throat. Breaking even at small BJ forays. Luck be a lady tonight! (And this afternoon!). Hope I have something (cash, energy, sense of humor) left when y'all get here.
More later..."
"Entry 7, 9:15 am Tuesday 6/5:
The song remains the same. Thought getting back to Omaha H/L would get me back to the cashing line. Nope. Played Binion's Classic Event 5 $150 Lim Om 8/b at 2 pm Monday, and 6 2/4 hours later the short-stacked sham went out 53rd (maybe 51st, they aren't that accurate when players bow out) as moves didn't quite work. There were 283 entrants, so my finish is OK, but only 28 got paid, so my finish is definitely not OK.
I was making good calls, few chases, good fold (even laid down AAxx preflop because of heavy early betting, and turned out wise as another player had other rockets and another landed his trip king). We started with 4,000 chips, I built mine to 13,600 (with average 4,879) at break at end of level 6, then got as high as 16,700 (ave. 8085) late in level 9. Then came the deep freeze: no good hands for an hour with heft blinds, the once or twice I stuck my toe in the water it got bit by the flop, and I could do nothing about the bullies. Still had 11,500 chips end of level 11, but blinds went up to 2000-4000 and level 12 was the end for me.
I had chances my last two hands. Hoping for nut flush, with A3 at low, I fought two foes to the river. But no fifth spade, no straight filler, and I knew one of the others had A2. So folded amidst river betting with 3.5 K chips left. Most went in following hand as BB, only one caller, again missed straight, he had an ace the board paired and thus a higher two pair, and hasta la proxima shaman!
Today the noon NLHE at Orleans. Then cash games at Rio and/or Palms. I had hoped to use yesterday's Omaha as springboard to enter today's WSOP Omaha H/L event, but twas not to be.
Bought chloroseptic for scratchy throat. Breaking even at small BJ forays. Luck be a lady tonight! (And this afternoon!). Hope I have something (cash, energy, sense of humor) left when y'all get here.
More later..."
Sham's Blog: Las Vegas 2007 (Mon 6/4)
(Part 7 in the "Letters Home" series originally printed in aces-cracked.net)
"Entry 6, 8:35 am Monday 6/4--
A brief one. Didn't go downtown to Binion's Classic yesterday. Decided to invest instead in today's event there, which is Omaha H/L $150 freezeout. Nervous but optimistic.
Yesterday never saw penn after he tripped up with 9 minutes left in first level of Orleans $80 NLHE tourney. I went out last hand before break, severely short-stacked, shot at quadrupling my last 700 with KQ and 3 callers. KJx flop, then ace on turn, one foe chased off the other two and sure enough he had AJ. I didn't get K or T on river, and a very disappointing bye-bye.
After deciding against long trip to Binion's, decided on center strip big clubs action. Timing was perfect to catch shuttle and get me to paris, but they've cancelled their afternoon events (mostly) because of WSOP. Boo. OK, then it's cash game time at my favorite club: Bellagio. So oppulent! Worth the 70-minute wait to get a seat at 4-8 Limit HE. Briefly, bought in for $150, bought another $100, down to half that, won back-to-back $120 pots to finally be back in the black (2 3/4 hours into sitting down), then lost shot at third biggie when no one honored by pocket rockets (I bet thm as much as I could, even tried to run off 3 crazies with river check-raise to show I wasn't joking!). They stayed, one landed his Broadway on the river and I droppde $44 for the hand. Maybe I should go back to NL, if it weren't for my icy cold streaks... Finally ended the session after 3 1/2 hours seated and down a whopping seven dollars. Better entertainment than a ballgame or movie...
Sore throat, gargling a lot, hope it doesn't worsen. Today Binion's Classic at 2 pm, plus (maybe last time) downtown galavanting. Tuesday Orleans nooner, then Rio and Palms for the day. Wednesday Venetian Deep Stacks $300 NLHE (and taking my suit along to check out their pool). Thursday morning laundry. Then things get real serious around here!
More later. Keep em comin'..."
"Entry 6, 8:35 am Monday 6/4--
A brief one. Didn't go downtown to Binion's Classic yesterday. Decided to invest instead in today's event there, which is Omaha H/L $150 freezeout. Nervous but optimistic.
Yesterday never saw penn after he tripped up with 9 minutes left in first level of Orleans $80 NLHE tourney. I went out last hand before break, severely short-stacked, shot at quadrupling my last 700 with KQ and 3 callers. KJx flop, then ace on turn, one foe chased off the other two and sure enough he had AJ. I didn't get K or T on river, and a very disappointing bye-bye.
After deciding against long trip to Binion's, decided on center strip big clubs action. Timing was perfect to catch shuttle and get me to paris, but they've cancelled their afternoon events (mostly) because of WSOP. Boo. OK, then it's cash game time at my favorite club: Bellagio. So oppulent! Worth the 70-minute wait to get a seat at 4-8 Limit HE. Briefly, bought in for $150, bought another $100, down to half that, won back-to-back $120 pots to finally be back in the black (2 3/4 hours into sitting down), then lost shot at third biggie when no one honored by pocket rockets (I bet thm as much as I could, even tried to run off 3 crazies with river check-raise to show I wasn't joking!). They stayed, one landed his Broadway on the river and I droppde $44 for the hand. Maybe I should go back to NL, if it weren't for my icy cold streaks... Finally ended the session after 3 1/2 hours seated and down a whopping seven dollars. Better entertainment than a ballgame or movie...
Sore throat, gargling a lot, hope it doesn't worsen. Today Binion's Classic at 2 pm, plus (maybe last time) downtown galavanting. Tuesday Orleans nooner, then Rio and Palms for the day. Wednesday Venetian Deep Stacks $300 NLHE (and taking my suit along to check out their pool). Thursday morning laundry. Then things get real serious around here!
More later. Keep em comin'..."
Sham's Blog: Las Vegas 2007 (Sun 6/3)
(Part 6 in the "Letters Home" series originally printed in aces-cracked.net)
"Entry 5, 9:25 am Sunday 6/3:
The WSOP is worse than I said. Everyone complaining about the cards' numbers etc. being too small (for TV), and they're right. Lines and player treatment are awful. Over 1,000 alternate players for Even 3; I gave up on it. Better ways to spend my money. Even the cash games are all but squeezed out (poor Harrah's/Rio!), too many tourney tables needed. Things should calm a tad next week.
Oh, hi! As you may surmise, I'm feeling much better today!! A nap/siesta is a wonderful thing!! Played my first live blackjack in years yesterday, and only lost 40 bucks -- and got that mostly back thanks to the Cavs. Played ring games here at Orleans 7:15p-3:20a yesterday, down almost $400 at one point, came back well at $1-2 NLHE table to finish the session just $33 behind. Enthused. Back to the tourneys today, a $75 NLHE nooner at Orleans and then maybe 5p Binion's Classic $150 Lim HE. Tonight will be ring games at Bellagio, Caesars or Mirage; time to find some rich tourists who are feeling generous!
Too many kids at the pool still, durn it. Need a session over at the European Pools of Mirage, Ceasars, TI, Statosphere etc. soon. Venetian is nice too; that may be the Monday plan, as they also have a great Deep Stacks Extravaganza tourney that day.
Time to roll. Who won Saturday night? Was there even enough for a game? I miss being able to do much on computer. Oh, and Randy, love the Sahara 11p tourney; I would've recommended Caesars' new 11p tourney, but they said they're shutting it down while WSOP is in town. Concentrate more on getting players' ring-game cash.
Ciao fer now..."
"Entry 5, 9:25 am Sunday 6/3:
The WSOP is worse than I said. Everyone complaining about the cards' numbers etc. being too small (for TV), and they're right. Lines and player treatment are awful. Over 1,000 alternate players for Even 3; I gave up on it. Better ways to spend my money. Even the cash games are all but squeezed out (poor Harrah's/Rio!), too many tourney tables needed. Things should calm a tad next week.
Oh, hi! As you may surmise, I'm feeling much better today!! A nap/siesta is a wonderful thing!! Played my first live blackjack in years yesterday, and only lost 40 bucks -- and got that mostly back thanks to the Cavs. Played ring games here at Orleans 7:15p-3:20a yesterday, down almost $400 at one point, came back well at $1-2 NLHE table to finish the session just $33 behind. Enthused. Back to the tourneys today, a $75 NLHE nooner at Orleans and then maybe 5p Binion's Classic $150 Lim HE. Tonight will be ring games at Bellagio, Caesars or Mirage; time to find some rich tourists who are feeling generous!
Too many kids at the pool still, durn it. Need a session over at the European Pools of Mirage, Ceasars, TI, Statosphere etc. soon. Venetian is nice too; that may be the Monday plan, as they also have a great Deep Stacks Extravaganza tourney that day.
Time to roll. Who won Saturday night? Was there even enough for a game? I miss being able to do much on computer. Oh, and Randy, love the Sahara 11p tourney; I would've recommended Caesars' new 11p tourney, but they said they're shutting it down while WSOP is in town. Concentrate more on getting players' ring-game cash.
Ciao fer now..."
Sham's Blog: Las Vegas 2007 (Sat 6/2)
(Part 5 in the "Letters Home" series originally printed in aces-cracked.net)
"Entry 4, Saturday 6/2, 10 am-ish:
I don't know if there will be anything left of me when y'all get here. This life is draining. But I love it. What a way to go.
Brief today. Still no real internet access to make posts and even read my mail. Thirty minutes, bah...
WSOP at Rio is an insane madhouse times 100. You have to have a registered WSOP player card to even play the satellites. The line was taking over 3 hours at midnight yesterday. No WSOP for me until early next week when things calm. May try the ring tables there though as you do not need that dang card (I think).
Today's a rest and recover day. Plan to stay at Orleans. Ring poker in their room. Lay at pool. Afternoon nap (have not an even semi-good night's sleep yet; I hurt. Dang hyper-sensitivities and insomniac traits.). Then may try Rio and WSOP lines late late tonight, like 2 am ifI got my "nap".
Hey those recommendations on how to play blackjack smart seem to work on the slots. A formula? Wow. I might have to play the tables even...
Poker Friday? (Was that yesterday? The days...) Well, there was that Binion's Classic downtown (where we wound up spending almost the whole day). Briefly, I did OK. Not happy, always want to do better. Field of ... now I can't find my results sheet. Thought it was in bag here, but must've grabbed wrong one. Dang! Time's running out. What can I remember? I think 286 entrants in $150 NLHE; I didn't cash, but did finish about 44th, so close as 28 paid (top prize over $10K) ; Paul and I wound up at same table in level 4 (?), and I was there when he went out (I didn't do it!!); flopped a little straight flush early on, but too early in tourney to do any damage, only crippled one foe to double-up me a little below my 4,000 starting money. After today's rest, I may try Binion Classic's $150 Limit HE on Sunday.
OK, no copy editing. More laters I hope. Stay well; bring adrenaline!!!"
"Entry 4, Saturday 6/2, 10 am-ish:
I don't know if there will be anything left of me when y'all get here. This life is draining. But I love it. What a way to go.
Brief today. Still no real internet access to make posts and even read my mail. Thirty minutes, bah...
WSOP at Rio is an insane madhouse times 100. You have to have a registered WSOP player card to even play the satellites. The line was taking over 3 hours at midnight yesterday. No WSOP for me until early next week when things calm. May try the ring tables there though as you do not need that dang card (I think).
Today's a rest and recover day. Plan to stay at Orleans. Ring poker in their room. Lay at pool. Afternoon nap (have not an even semi-good night's sleep yet; I hurt. Dang hyper-sensitivities and insomniac traits.). Then may try Rio and WSOP lines late late tonight, like 2 am ifI got my "nap".
Hey those recommendations on how to play blackjack smart seem to work on the slots. A formula? Wow. I might have to play the tables even...
Poker Friday? (Was that yesterday? The days...) Well, there was that Binion's Classic downtown (where we wound up spending almost the whole day). Briefly, I did OK. Not happy, always want to do better. Field of ... now I can't find my results sheet. Thought it was in bag here, but must've grabbed wrong one. Dang! Time's running out. What can I remember? I think 286 entrants in $150 NLHE; I didn't cash, but did finish about 44th, so close as 28 paid (top prize over $10K) ; Paul and I wound up at same table in level 4 (?), and I was there when he went out (I didn't do it!!); flopped a little straight flush early on, but too early in tourney to do any damage, only crippled one foe to double-up me a little below my 4,000 starting money. After today's rest, I may try Binion Classic's $150 Limit HE on Sunday.
OK, no copy editing. More laters I hope. Stay well; bring adrenaline!!!"
Sham's Blog: Las Vegas 2007 (Fri 6/1)
(Part 4 in the "Letters Home" series originally printed in aces-cracked.net)
"Entry 3, 9:42 am Friday 6/1--
Only a couple seconds. Will find a computer downtown somewhere for lengthier report. Paul and I are playing the 2 pm NLHE Binions Classic $150 Event No. 3. Wish us luck; I hate to knock him out heads-up at final table, but...
Yes, I got first cash of the AC Convention. Finished 10th of 124 entries in Lim Omaha H/L; for $85 entry fees I cashed $265. Ticked not as high a fiish as Penn earlier in day elsewhere, and that I didn't do better. Took two "bad beats" with me ahead to make me first-gone at final table ... the perils of being short-stacked and unlucky. More on it later.
Having coffee downstairs today whilest penn was in business center, I met the most beautiful blonde from Indy. A Gator grad, she's only here through Saturday (pooh) then has to hurry home to her 3-year-old daughter. siiiiiigh... Maybe I'll hurry back from downtown after the Binoon's event; she said something about wanting to see a movie in her free time after her convention meetings. Eat your heart out rk; and no Mark I am not hallucinating!!! Shamster is an amazing thing...
Gotta run. Miss y'all. Sorry I had wrong week fer ya rk, glad you and ig will be here same time!!! Look out Vegas!!!"
"Entry 3, 9:42 am Friday 6/1--
Only a couple seconds. Will find a computer downtown somewhere for lengthier report. Paul and I are playing the 2 pm NLHE Binions Classic $150 Event No. 3. Wish us luck; I hate to knock him out heads-up at final table, but...
Yes, I got first cash of the AC Convention. Finished 10th of 124 entries in Lim Omaha H/L; for $85 entry fees I cashed $265. Ticked not as high a fiish as Penn earlier in day elsewhere, and that I didn't do better. Took two "bad beats" with me ahead to make me first-gone at final table ... the perils of being short-stacked and unlucky. More on it later.
Having coffee downstairs today whilest penn was in business center, I met the most beautiful blonde from Indy. A Gator grad, she's only here through Saturday (pooh) then has to hurry home to her 3-year-old daughter. siiiiiigh... Maybe I'll hurry back from downtown after the Binoon's event; she said something about wanting to see a movie in her free time after her convention meetings. Eat your heart out rk; and no Mark I am not hallucinating!!! Shamster is an amazing thing...
Gotta run. Miss y'all. Sorry I had wrong week fer ya rk, glad you and ig will be here same time!!! Look out Vegas!!!"
Sham's Blog: Las Vegas 2007 (Thur. 5/31)
(Part three in the "Letters Home" series originally published in aces-cracked.net. Back at the AC forum some folks posted comments about earlier "letters", and their Vegas plans. You'll have to go to aces-cracked to see the comments; lazy ol' me will be hanged if he's gonna reprint them too!)
"I think Lori and Randy are in and out of Vegas separate weeks. Probably for the best for the future of mankind and our planet. Ok, to work:
Entry Two -- 7:50am Thursday 5/31 (I think that's the day; already I've toally lost track...):
Big news I guess is Paul got in, I remembered his last name properly and I haven't smothered him with a pillow in his sleep yet (I hate snorers) (I hate humans?). Anyways, we really didn't talk until this morning, as he was crashed from jet lag by the time I got back by the room Wednesday.
Only poker I played Wednesday was 2 hours at 2-4 Limit HE table at Mandalay. Up $30 real early (like in 10-15 minutes), a long dead spell and wound up the session ahead almost $5. Not good hourly wage, but had never done well in past at Mandalay, so that's a positive.
Lot of big faces still in WPT at Mandalay for 2nd day. They're moving real fast, will get day off probably before Saturday TV final. At one table next to each other I recognized Juanda, Lucy (not JJ) (?) and Black Widow Ericka S. (who won a prelim event, she's more than just a blackjack player!). Others still in included Phil Laak, Barry Greenstein, more. Got real jealous walking behind press row, had urge that I should be sitting there and working.
At the Orleans they give you 30 free minutes a day on their computer to tenants. Notmuch time and only during biz hours. I'm spending 1/3of it editing. So forgive the errors. Too much to do, must be brief.
Paul and I are off to tourney 10a at Gold Coast. Back here for noon and 7p tourneys, though I might go lay poolside instead of the midday one. If Randy's at the Sahara, it's 11p tourney will be a must for me. They got a good Eagles tribute band free, I understand, so that's another plus. Sayed at Sahara last summer.
Should hit 100 tomorrow. I love hot. Tomorrow theWSOP opens I love poker. At 2 pm tomorrow Paul and I and Randy are gonna do the Binions Classic Event 2, I think; registration starts 2 hours prior.
OK, no more now. Gotta clear my mail, and see how much I lost a PA League title by. :O( I dont think clear in mornings to do this blogging really, either. Gotta find one with more time, even to pay for it. Good skills all till later..."
"I think Lori and Randy are in and out of Vegas separate weeks. Probably for the best for the future of mankind and our planet. Ok, to work:
Entry Two -- 7:50am Thursday 5/31 (I think that's the day; already I've toally lost track...):
Big news I guess is Paul got in, I remembered his last name properly and I haven't smothered him with a pillow in his sleep yet (I hate snorers) (I hate humans?). Anyways, we really didn't talk until this morning, as he was crashed from jet lag by the time I got back by the room Wednesday.
Only poker I played Wednesday was 2 hours at 2-4 Limit HE table at Mandalay. Up $30 real early (like in 10-15 minutes), a long dead spell and wound up the session ahead almost $5. Not good hourly wage, but had never done well in past at Mandalay, so that's a positive.
Lot of big faces still in WPT at Mandalay for 2nd day. They're moving real fast, will get day off probably before Saturday TV final. At one table next to each other I recognized Juanda, Lucy (not JJ) (?) and Black Widow Ericka S. (who won a prelim event, she's more than just a blackjack player!). Others still in included Phil Laak, Barry Greenstein, more. Got real jealous walking behind press row, had urge that I should be sitting there and working.
At the Orleans they give you 30 free minutes a day on their computer to tenants. Notmuch time and only during biz hours. I'm spending 1/3of it editing. So forgive the errors. Too much to do, must be brief.
Paul and I are off to tourney 10a at Gold Coast. Back here for noon and 7p tourneys, though I might go lay poolside instead of the midday one. If Randy's at the Sahara, it's 11p tourney will be a must for me. They got a good Eagles tribute band free, I understand, so that's another plus. Sayed at Sahara last summer.
Should hit 100 tomorrow. I love hot. Tomorrow theWSOP opens I love poker. At 2 pm tomorrow Paul and I and Randy are gonna do the Binions Classic Event 2, I think; registration starts 2 hours prior.
OK, no more now. Gotta clear my mail, and see how much I lost a PA League title by. :O( I dont think clear in mornings to do this blogging really, either. Gotta find one with more time, even to pay for it. Good skills all till later..."
Sham's Blog: Las Vegas 2007 (Wed. 5/30)
(Continuing the "letters from home" series originally printed in aces-cracked.net ...)
"Entry One -- 9:15 am Wednesday 5/30
OK I made it here. That's the good news. Bad news is no computer access yet; don't ask how the hooker got me linked up to this quickie (I'm kidding about the hooker ig! I'm not kidding about the hooker rk!)
Boy is Paul gonna be mad when he gets here and can't sign in because I couldn't remember his last name. I guessed. Twice. Hope he can find me at Mandalay Bay. I'll be there 5 pm Vegas time to 7 pm trying to crack the tough tables. Miss him there, maybe return to Orleans and look for him in its poker room 8-10 pm. He can leave his stuff in his car, curse me and still play poker, I guess. I'll have to look around some more.
So far so good ... mostly. Only played poker once, that in night tournament at Caesars. Details later when I'm awake/can find computer access. Just know that I finished 16th of 80-odd, but only 9 got paid. First in the $60 (plus $10) event was over $1400 -- which would have paid for a WSOP entry. Boooooo. Donk.
More soon. I miss my 'puter."
"Entry One -- 9:15 am Wednesday 5/30
OK I made it here. That's the good news. Bad news is no computer access yet; don't ask how the hooker got me linked up to this quickie (I'm kidding about the hooker ig! I'm not kidding about the hooker rk!)
Boy is Paul gonna be mad when he gets here and can't sign in because I couldn't remember his last name. I guessed. Twice. Hope he can find me at Mandalay Bay. I'll be there 5 pm Vegas time to 7 pm trying to crack the tough tables. Miss him there, maybe return to Orleans and look for him in its poker room 8-10 pm. He can leave his stuff in his car, curse me and still play poker, I guess. I'll have to look around some more.
So far so good ... mostly. Only played poker once, that in night tournament at Caesars. Details later when I'm awake/can find computer access. Just know that I finished 16th of 80-odd, but only 9 got paid. First in the $60 (plus $10) event was over $1400 -- which would have paid for a WSOP entry. Boooooo. Donk.
More soon. I miss my 'puter."
Sham's Blog: Las Vegas 2007 (Mon 5/28)
When I headed to Vegas last summer, I still didn't have a blog going. Being the computer unsavvy dweeb I am, I figured the easiest way to "get one going" was a daily diary at aces-cracked.net. It was fun. Made the days in Vegas more "real", and helped anchor me a bit. Of course, things petered off and never got finished, but...
That's the sham, you'll learn. So anyway, I'm reprinting those "letters home" in the new blog here. Thus keeping everything in one place.
This was the start, a sort of "Prequel". No editting allowed, they're just as they appeared. Enjoy:
"Mon May 28, 2007 2:22 pm
OK. So I still haven't been able to get an "official" blog going. Lovely Lori suggested we keep the unlucky homebound masses (and each other) updated on the Great Las Vegas Invasion -- Aces Cracked Mini-Con I -- with posts here in the forum's "secure" section. Sounds good.
So I played a warmup $2.20 NLHE tourney at Full Tilt about an hour ago. Hone the game. The game's still just what it was: Sharp and unlucky! Lost a third of my 1500 starting chips by end of first level to over-aggressors; get AKs just before blinds rise from 15-30. Table bully goes 3xBB, I raise 3X his bet, he calls. Flop contains Axx rainbow. I bet, he raises, I go all in, he calls. I show AK, him A9o; nicely done, I should double up. Yes, the turn is a 9s. Suddenly I trail 2 pair. Still can come back with spade or king. River: fuggeddaboudit. Bye Bruce! The poker goddesses are laughing themsleves silly I'm sure. I certainly hope this isn't an omen for the week. I did play the hand "correctly"! (Big deal!)
OK, here's the first-week Vegas itinerary. Nothing written in stone, of course. But it's a starting plan:
-- Tuesday: check in; maybe play an hour in The Orleans' room to make a presence; head over to Rio and check out WSOP situation and events; may play there or next door at Gold Coast; get Palms card across street (one of the very few Vegas casino player cards I do not already have); after dinner hit Caesars/Bellagio/Mirage corner, find best action; play 11p Caesars tourney, my 1st tourney of trip; check out Pure, which is supposed to be extra hot with Locals Night on Tuesdays (and its Pussycat Dolls Casino, of course).
-- Wednesday: Some Orleans ring action; to Mandalay Bay to see what's happening second day of WPT championship event; downtown to get info on Binion's Classic and probably pre-register for Friday's $150 NLHE (Event 2); stop by Venetian on way back south for further info on Deepstacks Extravaganza; possibly play a little Venetian or T.I. or Wynn's; head back to Mandalay for evening fun and to meet Paul. Told him to look for the "dorky professor" in the red StL fisherman's hat and librarian glasses-on-a-cord.
-- Thursday: play Orleans noon (NLHE) and 7 pm (Om hi/lo) tourneys; back to Rio for satellite and cash game action before and after. -- Friday: Watch WSOP official opening at noon. Then off to play Binion's Classic Event 2, 2 pm. Plan to be a contender there all day and night.
-- Saturday: WSOP Event 3, $1500 NLHE, noon (unless conflict with Binion's). WPT event at Mandalay also has its final (TV) table this day, and poker manager might get me tickets for them if she gets extras and I'm around/interested.
-- Sunday: Poker. Or maybe a day relaxing/reenergizing at friends' place in East Vegas. They host pool parties every Sunday. Better than Hard Rock's. Like me, they're naturists. Then again, Hard Rock pool hops on Sundays. And then there're the "European" pools at Mirage, Caesars, Mandalay or Stratosphere to consider (those may factor into Thursday's rest/energize pre-tourney plans). But hopefully I'll still be climbing the money ladder in one of the aforementioned multi-day big tournaments.
To be continued, and revised I'm certain. Don't forget the bail money, igee-babee!!!
That's the sham, you'll learn. So anyway, I'm reprinting those "letters home" in the new blog here. Thus keeping everything in one place.
This was the start, a sort of "Prequel". No editting allowed, they're just as they appeared. Enjoy:
"Mon May 28, 2007 2:22 pm
OK. So I still haven't been able to get an "official" blog going. Lovely Lori suggested we keep the unlucky homebound masses (and each other) updated on the Great Las Vegas Invasion -- Aces Cracked Mini-Con I -- with posts here in the forum's "secure" section. Sounds good.
So I played a warmup $2.20 NLHE tourney at Full Tilt about an hour ago. Hone the game. The game's still just what it was: Sharp and unlucky! Lost a third of my 1500 starting chips by end of first level to over-aggressors; get AKs just before blinds rise from 15-30. Table bully goes 3xBB, I raise 3X his bet, he calls. Flop contains Axx rainbow. I bet, he raises, I go all in, he calls. I show AK, him A9o; nicely done, I should double up. Yes, the turn is a 9s. Suddenly I trail 2 pair. Still can come back with spade or king. River: fuggeddaboudit. Bye Bruce! The poker goddesses are laughing themsleves silly I'm sure. I certainly hope this isn't an omen for the week. I did play the hand "correctly"! (Big deal!)
OK, here's the first-week Vegas itinerary. Nothing written in stone, of course. But it's a starting plan:
-- Tuesday: check in; maybe play an hour in The Orleans' room to make a presence; head over to Rio and check out WSOP situation and events; may play there or next door at Gold Coast; get Palms card across street (one of the very few Vegas casino player cards I do not already have); after dinner hit Caesars/Bellagio/Mirage corner, find best action; play 11p Caesars tourney, my 1st tourney of trip; check out Pure, which is supposed to be extra hot with Locals Night on Tuesdays (and its Pussycat Dolls Casino, of course).
-- Wednesday: Some Orleans ring action; to Mandalay Bay to see what's happening second day of WPT championship event; downtown to get info on Binion's Classic and probably pre-register for Friday's $150 NLHE (Event 2); stop by Venetian on way back south for further info on Deepstacks Extravaganza; possibly play a little Venetian or T.I. or Wynn's; head back to Mandalay for evening fun and to meet Paul. Told him to look for the "dorky professor" in the red StL fisherman's hat and librarian glasses-on-a-cord.
-- Thursday: play Orleans noon (NLHE) and 7 pm (Om hi/lo) tourneys; back to Rio for satellite and cash game action before and after. -- Friday: Watch WSOP official opening at noon. Then off to play Binion's Classic Event 2, 2 pm. Plan to be a contender there all day and night.
-- Saturday: WSOP Event 3, $1500 NLHE, noon (unless conflict with Binion's). WPT event at Mandalay also has its final (TV) table this day, and poker manager might get me tickets for them if she gets extras and I'm around/interested.
-- Sunday: Poker. Or maybe a day relaxing/reenergizing at friends' place in East Vegas. They host pool parties every Sunday. Better than Hard Rock's. Like me, they're naturists. Then again, Hard Rock pool hops on Sundays. And then there're the "European" pools at Mirage, Caesars, Mandalay or Stratosphere to consider (those may factor into Thursday's rest/energize pre-tourney plans). But hopefully I'll still be climbing the money ladder in one of the aforementioned multi-day big tournaments.
To be continued, and revised I'm certain. Don't forget the bail money, igee-babee!!!
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
PokerStars' Blogger Tournament
Would someone please tell me why this site keeps rejecting my password when I try to re-sign in, and I have to keep getting a new one? I hate computers! (sigh ...)
Since I'm in the process of blog-moving, I probably won't be eligible Sunday. But this is a tournament not to be missed, whether you're a player or watcher (I'll definitely be there next year if not this Sunday!). Good action, and at THE best on-line site -- PokerStars was my first for both free and pay play, and it remains my favorite web poker site. Got to use up some of my 241,486 play dough again one of these days! So here's the Big Event, enjoy (go igeee-babeee!):
Since I'm in the process of blog-moving, I probably won't be eligible Sunday. But this is a tournament not to be missed, whether you're a player or watcher (I'll definitely be there next year if not this Sunday!). Good action, and at THE best on-line site -- PokerStars was my first for both free and pay play, and it remains my favorite web poker site. Got to use up some of my 241,486 play dough again one of these days! So here's the Big Event, enjoy (go igeee-babeee!):
I have registered to play in the PokerStars World Blogger Championship of Online Poker!
This Online Poker Tournament is a No Limit Texas Holdem event exclusive to Bloggers.
Registration code: 4952390
Moving Day!
I was not happy with my old blog host. So here I am. If this site is good enough for Irongirl and Al and Falstaff, it's good enough for me. Seemed easy enough to set up ... and I DO need easy!
You're going to have to forgive the clutter the next 48 hours or so as I get things moved over and arranged. Intend to cut-and-paste all the old blog items from Shamanalix Says (B2evolution hosted that) and from the Aces-Cracked.net forum "Blog Letters from Vegas" series last May/June. Third time's the charm, and I intend/hope to be HERE a while ... if Google, Blogger and you readers allow me.
Hey, how about a little poker in the first post at my new home? Wouldn't that be different??
You don't want any? Ok, then, forget it... Guess I'll just go out to the virtual car and move in another box.
Gotta psyche and rest myself up for the big Bluff Poker League preseason freeroll at 9:30 ET tonight at Carbon. The regular season runs Oct.17-April 16 on Wednesdays. Thank you Bluff; I really missed the old Tour, cut short by the Bush-Frist-Gestapo's sneak attack on our freedoms to compete at poker and other internet funs.
Back soon...
You're going to have to forgive the clutter the next 48 hours or so as I get things moved over and arranged. Intend to cut-and-paste all the old blog items from Shamanalix Says (B2evolution hosted that) and from the Aces-Cracked.net forum "Blog Letters from Vegas" series last May/June. Third time's the charm, and I intend/hope to be HERE a while ... if Google, Blogger and you readers allow me.
Hey, how about a little poker in the first post at my new home? Wouldn't that be different??
You don't want any? Ok, then, forget it... Guess I'll just go out to the virtual car and move in another box.
Gotta psyche and rest myself up for the big Bluff Poker League preseason freeroll at 9:30 ET tonight at Carbon. The regular season runs Oct.17-April 16 on Wednesdays. Thank you Bluff; I really missed the old Tour, cut short by the Bush-Frist-Gestapo's sneak attack on our freedoms to compete at poker and other internet funs.
Back soon...
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