It's now Wednesday and heading back to the real world after a very successful trip. Other than one more foray into tournament poker on Monday, my card play was mostly limited to two deck blackjack at several different locations. I was in a zone the entire time - playing with great discipline and care. Funny, but each time I sat down to play, I was almost reluctant and proceeded with great caution each time.
This actually fits real well with my hit and run strategy at the tables. Other than this morning's 1.5 hours at the Venetian, and last night's two hour struggle at Treasure Island, my average session was well under 30 minutes. I did not actually play that much, but I made a profit in fifteen of my eighteen sessions this trip.
The losing session at Ceasar's on Sunday had been a six deck shoe game, so perhaps no surprise. Last night at Treasure Island, I got stuck $400 really quickly at the DD table in the open area, so I migrated to the "high limit" area to repair the damage. I use quotations, as it is the first casino I have played in here in years where the hi limit table minimum started at only $50. This is great.
Better yet, and almost unbelievably, if I felt like coming down to $25 a hand (one or two spots) the staff just turned a blind eye. Very relaxed, very friendly location. I played there several times this trip - a great haven when the table limits in my "office" at the Venetian are uncomfortably high.
In spite of these amazing conditions, I still ended up down $200 on the night - losing a further $200 in a DD game, and recouping $400 in a shoe game. I was getting tired, and worried I would begin to bet carelessly, so I packed it in.
That left me refreshed this morning so I went down to my favorite place in Las Vegas (the two deck games in the Venetian) and played heads up with several dealers. It was good at first, then I began to slip and slide to a loss position of $600 before pulling it out in the last 20 minutes for a session profit of $700.
The main excitement was when an Asian hi stakes Baccarat player decided to take a break and come play with me with his "last $5000" - at $1000 per hand. He decided I was a good player and so he bet under me - matching my bets and plays completely. If I pressed, he would raise his bets to $2000 or $3000 per hand. If I alternated between one hand and two, he would come along for the ride.
The first two hands we played were blackjacks, so he pulled up a chair and began to take this seriously. In the space of about 60 seconds, my table went from a sleepy, quiet corner game to a game where three supervisors admired our plays and action with great interest, while a bevy of onlooking kibitzers enjoyed the fun.
We got him up $15,000 in 20 minutes or so, and that's where I made most of my profit. He dawdled off happily to the Baccarat room again, while I came down a notch or so.......flight is beckoning........to be continued.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Tales from the tables - Halloween trip 2009 III
Wednesday morning continued
The hi rolling Asian could not stand prosperity. He came out of the VIP room ten minutes later with a hang dog expression on his face, and asked me if I could "do it again" for him with his last $3000.
To be honest, much as I like the fun, I felt his action was a bit of a distraction for me and my pittance betting, but of course I agreed nonetheless.
Example, soon he was down to his last chip, and I was playing two hands. He placed his $1000 on the first spot, with my bet nestled on top. The second spot had my bet only. The dealers need to know whose money is on the spot and who will be playing the hand at all times - especially when players are pooling.
So he kinda took over this hand with no one realizing it or objecting. So the dealer looked for his hand signals, not mine. After drawing a card, he thought for a while and asked for another. As soon as he did he balked and said NO NO I don't want it. But the 2 of hearts was already on the felt.
He waived off further cards - I had no idea what had happened as we are not allowed to peek at each other's cards technically - especially when Big Brother and his minions are all around the table like a sherrif's posse. (But it sure felt like he had accidentally hit a "made hand")
Seeing that two on my right fostered a bad feeling about my own hand as I was looking at 6-3, and the two would have been made to feel right at home.
Sure enough the next card was an 8 and I stopped at the death level of 17, noting a 19 was there for me if his deuce had been left in the deck.
All the cards were now exposed. Dealer had 18. I lost. Hi roller had 19, having accidentally hit on 17 and drawn my 2.
So I won $50 on his spot, he won his $1000, but I lost $150 on my own (where I had been pressing stronger cards)
Finally, to get to the point of the story, as soon as he left the table, the supervisor came over to the dealer and told him to give me $100 from his tray - explaining that if I had been playing both spots myself (as I had been till then) I would have lost the first hand and won the second.
Nice touch by the Venetian - I had not complained one word - but they were looking out for me.
Earlier in the day, my travel companion had insisted we go downtown to the legendary Fremont Street - where you can still see those same casinos they flashed in 60's and 70's movies. It's too bad everyone I bring to Vegas wants to do this - I don't think there is much endearing about the area - not when you have been poshed beyond belief at Wynn, Bellagio, Encore, Venetian etc.
So I amused myself for an hour at a saloon/casino called "The Fitz". You know these places are of a different standard when you buy in for $200, and the dealer takes his time inspecting each and every $20 bill to ensure they are not fake !
I ran up my stake to $475 and had serious concerns about their ability to deal with this at the Cashier's Cage when it came time to cash out. Yes, they actually did call down to the blackjack pit to confirm it really was me and I really did win these chips honestly before they released the money to me. LOL.
There was also an ill fated foray into the Deep Stack poker tournament at the Venetian on Monday. A two day event with a strong field of 117 players, and a nuts shrivelling entry fee of $1080. First placed was around $33,000 and thirteen players would cash.
I was flush with my winnings from Sunday's poker tournament and decided to parlay the money into a bigger cash by playing with the big boys and girls. Hah - they kinda had me for breakfast and dinner !
The quality of play in this event was an order of magnitude better than the Sunday tourney at The Wynn - it felt like I was on my heels the whole time - to be sure - a great poker experience and if I want to improve, I have to play in stronger games - but the cost of tuition can be pretty high!
I actually lasted till 9.15 pm - when the field was down to 31 players, and the average stack size was around 60,000 chips. I had always been below average stack size the whole day. T'was much harder to take down decent sized pots when I finally got cards, (can you spell TELLS ?) and in general most of the players were playing small ball poker.
So I had around $47,000 in chips with the blinds at $800 and $1600, and the antes $200 per hand. I picked up A8 suited in hearts in mid position, and opened for $5000 - which was the norm at this table. It usually attracted only one customer per hand, as the pots got large pretty quickly.
All folded to the small blind who made it $10,000 to go. He had my stack well covered. Still, with position, and needing to bet only a further $5000 to stay involved in a $23,400 pot I naturally called and got to see a flop of JH 3H JC.
SB checked. I was not sure of my best move. I could check and look for a free card. I could bet and try to guage where he is at in the hand. I decided to check. Keep it as small as possible. Next card was the heaven sent 8 of hearts, giving me the nut flush, however this was a dangerous board.
SB checked. I bet $15,000 and he insta shoved all in. His stack had me covered, so if I am wrong here I am about to become a railbird. Still, what does he have? Pair of jacks? (I'm dead)
Jack and a high kicker? (I am ahead)
Pair of 3's ? (then he flopped a full house)
Pair of 8's (then the free card I gave him just matured his hand into 8's full of jacks)
Jack 3 or Jack 8? (then he has a full house - but I don't believe he would reraise me pre flop with either hand)
A high heart flush of his own? (Maybe H KQ?)
Anyway, I am told good players always try to define their opponents' range to help them with such decisions. This entails looking far deeper than I just described above. It entails going back to each key moment in the hand and determining what range of hands your opponent could have for those particular actions (and then mapping those hands against the hands that are relevant to the situation at hand)
Fine and dandy - but I have a decision to make, and many of these decisions are made at the end of the day with less than perfect information, and may also rely on a combination of instinct and hope.
Besides, most importantly, I was pretty much pot committed - a fact my opponent must have realized when he shoved me all - in. That is, I was priced in to call almost regardless. To fold would have decimated my stack size down to $22,000 - definitely a step in the wrong direction.
Though I would fold in such a situation if the cards screamed at me to do so - i.e. if I truly believed I was drawing dead - but here I felt I had a shot.
So all in all, I decided to take my last stand here and now and called.
The guy turned over AJ suited in spades, and well whaddaya know - I am ahead with one more card to come.
Of course, Texas Hold ' em is a seven card game - you can't tell the dealer to stop after the turn - just cause your ahead of your opponent.
So out came the river card - the Jack of diamonds - aaaaaaargh ! Busted by quad jacks !
You might think I was sickened by all this. I mean nine hours of play for naught, not to mention my wallet was lighter by $1080. But no. First of all, you have to remember that shit like this is happening all around the room all the time. We do it to others; we see it done to others; and it happens to us.
Maybe there is no such thing as a "bad beat" - it's really just another term for a lower percentage outcome to manifest - he did have his chances on this hand - several outs. An Ace, an 8, a 3 or a jack were all good cards for him. I just needed the river to be anything but those cards.
So I was almost serene as I wandered away from the poker area over to the DD BJ game at the other end of the casino with one goal in mind. Get back my tournament entry fee !
Happy endings ! I cashed $600 before calling it a night (It had been $800 at the end of the penultimate shoe, but the final shoe started off weak and I did not want to dial back to zero profits.)
Next morning, I went down to "the office" again and cashed another $1000 heads up with one of my favorite dealers.
One day I should write an entry about dealers I like and pay me; dealers that kill me seem to enjoy doing so (and so I don't like to play them); and dealers I have become friendly with but cannot play them as they are gifted winners for their bosses.
Anyway, I have no complaints about this trip - other than I really did not play enough sessions of blackjack considering how well I was playing. I took time for long walks, a swim, a hot stone massage, a show - Terry Fator - it's true the guy DOES have talent, and some fantastic meals.
Best of all, I fought the cigarette demons successfully during the entire trip - an important step in my late found journey to better health and common sense.
The hi rolling Asian could not stand prosperity. He came out of the VIP room ten minutes later with a hang dog expression on his face, and asked me if I could "do it again" for him with his last $3000.
To be honest, much as I like the fun, I felt his action was a bit of a distraction for me and my pittance betting, but of course I agreed nonetheless.
Example, soon he was down to his last chip, and I was playing two hands. He placed his $1000 on the first spot, with my bet nestled on top. The second spot had my bet only. The dealers need to know whose money is on the spot and who will be playing the hand at all times - especially when players are pooling.
So he kinda took over this hand with no one realizing it or objecting. So the dealer looked for his hand signals, not mine. After drawing a card, he thought for a while and asked for another. As soon as he did he balked and said NO NO I don't want it. But the 2 of hearts was already on the felt.
He waived off further cards - I had no idea what had happened as we are not allowed to peek at each other's cards technically - especially when Big Brother and his minions are all around the table like a sherrif's posse. (But it sure felt like he had accidentally hit a "made hand")
Seeing that two on my right fostered a bad feeling about my own hand as I was looking at 6-3, and the two would have been made to feel right at home.
Sure enough the next card was an 8 and I stopped at the death level of 17, noting a 19 was there for me if his deuce had been left in the deck.
All the cards were now exposed. Dealer had 18. I lost. Hi roller had 19, having accidentally hit on 17 and drawn my 2.
So I won $50 on his spot, he won his $1000, but I lost $150 on my own (where I had been pressing stronger cards)
Finally, to get to the point of the story, as soon as he left the table, the supervisor came over to the dealer and told him to give me $100 from his tray - explaining that if I had been playing both spots myself (as I had been till then) I would have lost the first hand and won the second.
Nice touch by the Venetian - I had not complained one word - but they were looking out for me.
Earlier in the day, my travel companion had insisted we go downtown to the legendary Fremont Street - where you can still see those same casinos they flashed in 60's and 70's movies. It's too bad everyone I bring to Vegas wants to do this - I don't think there is much endearing about the area - not when you have been poshed beyond belief at Wynn, Bellagio, Encore, Venetian etc.
So I amused myself for an hour at a saloon/casino called "The Fitz". You know these places are of a different standard when you buy in for $200, and the dealer takes his time inspecting each and every $20 bill to ensure they are not fake !
I ran up my stake to $475 and had serious concerns about their ability to deal with this at the Cashier's Cage when it came time to cash out. Yes, they actually did call down to the blackjack pit to confirm it really was me and I really did win these chips honestly before they released the money to me. LOL.
There was also an ill fated foray into the Deep Stack poker tournament at the Venetian on Monday. A two day event with a strong field of 117 players, and a nuts shrivelling entry fee of $1080. First placed was around $33,000 and thirteen players would cash.
I was flush with my winnings from Sunday's poker tournament and decided to parlay the money into a bigger cash by playing with the big boys and girls. Hah - they kinda had me for breakfast and dinner !
The quality of play in this event was an order of magnitude better than the Sunday tourney at The Wynn - it felt like I was on my heels the whole time - to be sure - a great poker experience and if I want to improve, I have to play in stronger games - but the cost of tuition can be pretty high!
I actually lasted till 9.15 pm - when the field was down to 31 players, and the average stack size was around 60,000 chips. I had always been below average stack size the whole day. T'was much harder to take down decent sized pots when I finally got cards, (can you spell TELLS ?) and in general most of the players were playing small ball poker.
So I had around $47,000 in chips with the blinds at $800 and $1600, and the antes $200 per hand. I picked up A8 suited in hearts in mid position, and opened for $5000 - which was the norm at this table. It usually attracted only one customer per hand, as the pots got large pretty quickly.
All folded to the small blind who made it $10,000 to go. He had my stack well covered. Still, with position, and needing to bet only a further $5000 to stay involved in a $23,400 pot I naturally called and got to see a flop of JH 3H JC.
SB checked. I was not sure of my best move. I could check and look for a free card. I could bet and try to guage where he is at in the hand. I decided to check. Keep it as small as possible. Next card was the heaven sent 8 of hearts, giving me the nut flush, however this was a dangerous board.
SB checked. I bet $15,000 and he insta shoved all in. His stack had me covered, so if I am wrong here I am about to become a railbird. Still, what does he have? Pair of jacks? (I'm dead)
Jack and a high kicker? (I am ahead)
Pair of 3's ? (then he flopped a full house)
Pair of 8's (then the free card I gave him just matured his hand into 8's full of jacks)
Jack 3 or Jack 8? (then he has a full house - but I don't believe he would reraise me pre flop with either hand)
A high heart flush of his own? (Maybe H KQ?)
Anyway, I am told good players always try to define their opponents' range to help them with such decisions. This entails looking far deeper than I just described above. It entails going back to each key moment in the hand and determining what range of hands your opponent could have for those particular actions (and then mapping those hands against the hands that are relevant to the situation at hand)
Fine and dandy - but I have a decision to make, and many of these decisions are made at the end of the day with less than perfect information, and may also rely on a combination of instinct and hope.
Besides, most importantly, I was pretty much pot committed - a fact my opponent must have realized when he shoved me all - in. That is, I was priced in to call almost regardless. To fold would have decimated my stack size down to $22,000 - definitely a step in the wrong direction.
Though I would fold in such a situation if the cards screamed at me to do so - i.e. if I truly believed I was drawing dead - but here I felt I had a shot.
So all in all, I decided to take my last stand here and now and called.
The guy turned over AJ suited in spades, and well whaddaya know - I am ahead with one more card to come.
Of course, Texas Hold ' em is a seven card game - you can't tell the dealer to stop after the turn - just cause your ahead of your opponent.
So out came the river card - the Jack of diamonds - aaaaaaargh ! Busted by quad jacks !
You might think I was sickened by all this. I mean nine hours of play for naught, not to mention my wallet was lighter by $1080. But no. First of all, you have to remember that shit like this is happening all around the room all the time. We do it to others; we see it done to others; and it happens to us.
Maybe there is no such thing as a "bad beat" - it's really just another term for a lower percentage outcome to manifest - he did have his chances on this hand - several outs. An Ace, an 8, a 3 or a jack were all good cards for him. I just needed the river to be anything but those cards.
So I was almost serene as I wandered away from the poker area over to the DD BJ game at the other end of the casino with one goal in mind. Get back my tournament entry fee !
Happy endings ! I cashed $600 before calling it a night (It had been $800 at the end of the penultimate shoe, but the final shoe started off weak and I did not want to dial back to zero profits.)
Next morning, I went down to "the office" again and cashed another $1000 heads up with one of my favorite dealers.
One day I should write an entry about dealers I like and pay me; dealers that kill me seem to enjoy doing so (and so I don't like to play them); and dealers I have become friendly with but cannot play them as they are gifted winners for their bosses.
Anyway, I have no complaints about this trip - other than I really did not play enough sessions of blackjack considering how well I was playing. I took time for long walks, a swim, a hot stone massage, a show - Terry Fator - it's true the guy DOES have talent, and some fantastic meals.
Best of all, I fought the cigarette demons successfully during the entire trip - an important step in my late found journey to better health and common sense.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Halloween in Vegas
Arrived last night late and was not prepared to play - great people watching though as Halloween was in full bloom. Lots of underdressed Christine Aguilera look alikes -also French maids, playboy bunnies, Little Bo Peeps, Heidi's, nurses, etc. - all of which kept an old guy like me entertained for a while, but the poor girls must have been freezing !
Has taken a while to get used to not smoking in a casino environment - at first I was craving - then I was grossed out; and it varies from hour to hour.
The poker room is a good place for a reforming smoker and the BJ table is not !
Decided my game was not sharp enough to warrant entry into today's Deep Stack ($550 entry) at Venetian - ended up entering a tourney at the Wynn - their entry fee was $225. Only 33 players but a 20000 chip starting stack though the blinds accelerated real fast.
Five places paid - first $2100 or so ; 4th over $800 and 5th over $400.
The final table as a group were nervous and wanted to chop as soon as we got there - except the chip leader (and I said nothing as he was already against it)
We got down to 6 players slowly and the levels were 4000-8000 and a 500 ante. I was third stack. They all wanted to chop and it was up to me to agree or not.
The new chip leader had about double my stack (he had just won a major suck out with A10 vs AK - on the river) - but at the same time I was 1 hand or so away from taking his place and also rather enjoying myself - but we all knew how unpredictable the outcome could be.
Plus half of them wanted to quit; have dinner; and then enter satellites for tomorrow's $1070 entry at the Venetian.
So who was I to argue? We each took $1080 away and broke up the game just under 6 hours after we started.
I played pretty well - I realized after that I was never all-in for all my chips the whole time.
There were lots of suck outs today - AQ was killed twice by A4o and twice by KQo and KQs.
Aces were not safe either - One hand the button three bet pre flop with his Aces and the BB called with sevens. The flop was 776 and the button shoved !!
I got river-lucky a couple of times on key hands - For example I had AC QS vs a shorter stack JJ all-in. The first four cards were bricks but the flop included two clubs; the turn was a club; and the river a club also causing the Jacks to fall on their swords and exit stage left.
I played some blackjack at the Mirage this morning. Got down $400; bought another $500 and ended up $500 after a 1 shoe rush.
Went for a long walk up the strip tonight and lost $280 playing shoe BJ at Caesars cause I needed a diversion.
Now I head downstairs to my "office" at the Venetian - for my first play here of the trip.
It's all good !
Has taken a while to get used to not smoking in a casino environment - at first I was craving - then I was grossed out; and it varies from hour to hour.
The poker room is a good place for a reforming smoker and the BJ table is not !
Decided my game was not sharp enough to warrant entry into today's Deep Stack ($550 entry) at Venetian - ended up entering a tourney at the Wynn - their entry fee was $225. Only 33 players but a 20000 chip starting stack though the blinds accelerated real fast.
Five places paid - first $2100 or so ; 4th over $800 and 5th over $400.
The final table as a group were nervous and wanted to chop as soon as we got there - except the chip leader (and I said nothing as he was already against it)
We got down to 6 players slowly and the levels were 4000-8000 and a 500 ante. I was third stack. They all wanted to chop and it was up to me to agree or not.
The new chip leader had about double my stack (he had just won a major suck out with A10 vs AK - on the river) - but at the same time I was 1 hand or so away from taking his place and also rather enjoying myself - but we all knew how unpredictable the outcome could be.
Plus half of them wanted to quit; have dinner; and then enter satellites for tomorrow's $1070 entry at the Venetian.
So who was I to argue? We each took $1080 away and broke up the game just under 6 hours after we started.
I played pretty well - I realized after that I was never all-in for all my chips the whole time.
There were lots of suck outs today - AQ was killed twice by A4o and twice by KQo and KQs.
Aces were not safe either - One hand the button three bet pre flop with his Aces and the BB called with sevens. The flop was 776 and the button shoved !!
I got river-lucky a couple of times on key hands - For example I had AC QS vs a shorter stack JJ all-in. The first four cards were bricks but the flop included two clubs; the turn was a club; and the river a club also causing the Jacks to fall on their swords and exit stage left.
I played some blackjack at the Mirage this morning. Got down $400; bought another $500 and ended up $500 after a 1 shoe rush.
Went for a long walk up the strip tonight and lost $280 playing shoe BJ at Caesars cause I needed a diversion.
Now I head downstairs to my "office" at the Venetian - for my first play here of the trip.
It's all good !
Monday, August 31, 2009
Leaving Las Vegas - Always a happy ending
I thought I was done with this particular blog segment, but Vegas has a knack of keeping you involved right to the end. We left the hotel at 10.15 and arrived at the airport in plenty of time for our noon hour flight. More time than we needed, since they advised us our flight had been pushed back to 1.15pm.
Normal people would find a quiet corner to rest in, and wait for their flight. Not us - we inveterates! We walked directly over to the taxi stand; headed back to the Venetian; dumped our luggage in our original room - the keys still worked; and headed downstairs for an hour of blackjack.
In the taxi on the way Svetlana found a penny on the floor. She was really pleased as for sure this meant Lady Luck would smile on us.
She was right. We bought in for $600 at a $25 table; never were down more than $175; and by the end of an hour we were to the good $725.
Subtract $40 for the two extra cab fares, and a happy ending was still had by all !
Normal people would find a quiet corner to rest in, and wait for their flight. Not us - we inveterates! We walked directly over to the taxi stand; headed back to the Venetian; dumped our luggage in our original room - the keys still worked; and headed downstairs for an hour of blackjack.
In the taxi on the way Svetlana found a penny on the floor. She was really pleased as for sure this meant Lady Luck would smile on us.
She was right. We bought in for $600 at a $25 table; never were down more than $175; and by the end of an hour we were to the good $725.
Subtract $40 for the two extra cab fares, and a happy ending was still had by all !
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Vegas in August part 10 - the final day - mostly BJ
This morning I played some DD before my swim and caught $350 more. After swim and lunch and a nap, we just went down to the tables for our last evening in town. I noted the changing of the cards again; gave the new decks a whirl but they were too choppy, so I told Sveta I had to keep distracted for 10 - 15 minutes till the cards got worked in - so here I am working on this blog entry.
Fast forward to 10 PM, and we had another great dinner - this time at Sushi Samba in the Palazzo - though we ate no sushi - unless you count the kobe beef roll. a mix of Peruvian, Brazilian, and Japanese dishes in their three different kitchens. We like to bring guests here - they usually really like it.
The blackjack before dinner was boring and non eventful. We ebbed and flowed (taking turns with the same chips) and unfortunately our playing partners in 4th seat and anchor got tired of hitting their 15's and 16's against the dealer's face cards.
The first time it happened, I stayed in the shoe - against my normal principles - I got lucky to win the next hand with a blackjack, before dealer pulled a 6 card 21 on the other players. Then I remembered why I usually sit out in such situations.
I decided to give them a second chance in the next shoe. It was going to be our last shoe before dinner anyway as the supervisor staff were lurking with freshly minted cards to poison our chip stacks with.
But our playing partners were not up to the task again, and we lost 3 $75 bets in a row; the third happening after another brake-stop on 16 against dealer's 8.
The session ended down a bet or two - nothing to show for our time at the table, but no damage either.
I am assuming I am done for the trip. Although our results have been pretty modest, and I failed to cash in my three poker tourneys, it was still a real good time - as it usually is. Airfares and entry fees covered; food and room comped; and a wee bit extra for the stash. It's all good.
Fast forward to 10 PM, and we had another great dinner - this time at Sushi Samba in the Palazzo - though we ate no sushi - unless you count the kobe beef roll. a mix of Peruvian, Brazilian, and Japanese dishes in their three different kitchens. We like to bring guests here - they usually really like it.
The blackjack before dinner was boring and non eventful. We ebbed and flowed (taking turns with the same chips) and unfortunately our playing partners in 4th seat and anchor got tired of hitting their 15's and 16's against the dealer's face cards.
The first time it happened, I stayed in the shoe - against my normal principles - I got lucky to win the next hand with a blackjack, before dealer pulled a 6 card 21 on the other players. Then I remembered why I usually sit out in such situations.
I decided to give them a second chance in the next shoe. It was going to be our last shoe before dinner anyway as the supervisor staff were lurking with freshly minted cards to poison our chip stacks with.
But our playing partners were not up to the task again, and we lost 3 $75 bets in a row; the third happening after another brake-stop on 16 against dealer's 8.
The session ended down a bet or two - nothing to show for our time at the table, but no damage either.
I am assuming I am done for the trip. Although our results have been pretty modest, and I failed to cash in my three poker tourneys, it was still a real good time - as it usually is. Airfares and entry fees covered; food and room comped; and a wee bit extra for the stash. It's all good.
Vegas in August - part 9 Saturday Blackjack
Well it's Sunday Afternoon - and tomorrow we come home. It's been a great time. Last night we were comped to see Joan Rivers putting on a limited engagement show at the Venetian Showroom. Star gazing saw Louie Anderson, Jerry Springer,(or a look alike), Petula Clark, and David Brenner in the audience.
She was very raunchy and very funny - an awesome performer - and 76 years old !
Why Joan Rivers, you ask? Well, we've seen just about every show we want to see here in the past. Most of the Cirque shows, and a few others. We are not big fans of aging 50's and 60's musicians cashing in on memory lane, so that eliminates half the entertainment.
We had dinner at Valentino's after, which is one of the restaurants we like in the Venetian. Not too fancy, but always good food with a home cooked feel, and a nice vibe in the place.
Problem now was it was early and neither of us wanted to go to bed - especially on a Saturday night in Vegas - but I did not see optimal blackjack table conditions, and did not feel like anymore poker that day.
So I killed time at a 5 cent multi play poker machine while Svetlana did battle at the $50 tables in the double deck pit.
I wondered over a bit later and she had moved tables (usually not a good sign) and this time she was at a $100 table - also not a good sign. I knew she would be uncomfortable if I saw her early in play there - she would already be nervous, so I circled around the room looking for entertainment.
With great reluctance I sat down at a $25 shoe game in a corner of the room that was not so busy. Bought in for $150 and ran it up to $475 in 1/4 of a shoe. Some guy with smelly armpits decided he should get in on the action, and leaned over my shoulder to bet the spot to my right - effectively taking my cards - which were pretty hot.
I did not vent - this is one's lot in the floor, and just another one of the obstacles you have to overcome - like bad players; grumpy dealers; changing cards, streaking cards; etc.
But I pulled in my reins and began to breathe through my mouth. I did make a point of not moving over to allow him comfort to take a seat though - but he was happily flat betting his $25 and winning 4/5 hands.
After ten minutes of this, I understood nothing was going to change, so I finally got up with a $250 profit, and gave my chair to smelly armpits.
I decided it was prudent to check in on Svetlana, and was relieved to find her smiling, and up several hundred. She was equally relieved to see me, as the pressure was getting to her and she wanted me to bet her spot, as she felt it was solid. The guy beside her had just taken out his fourth $5000 marker. He was a liquidator from New Jersey - things, not people, he assured me.
So liquidator and I got into a comfortable setting and began to play. His bets typically ranged from $500 to $1600 and a couple of times $2000 or $2500. I was somewhat lower needless to say.
We began to win right away - especially NJL (New Jersey Liquidator). So they changed the cards and Sveta and I went into the Salon for an upscale bathroom break, and to rub shoulders with incredibly rich Asian gamblers in their private lounge.
We came back to a new dealer, and a new player - a dour Iranian guy sucking on an unlit cigarette in the third seat, with Harry the NJL still on first base. (I was in anchor)
There was no magic with this new confluence of circumstances, and the gains from before were quickly passed back to the dealer's tray.
We switched tables in an effort to stem the tide but that didn't work either. Fortunately, the dealer at the orginal table, Gilbert, returned from his break, so we went back to him to help repair the damage.
This worked out fine. I ground out a win of $970. More importantly, Harry the NJL, my new best friend, won back all but $1500 of his $20,000 - and had the sense to get out before his fortunes reversed.
He was betting heavy and winning more hands than he was losing - which of course we all pray for in a given session, but in the long run simply cannot be.
The dour Iranian took NJL's place, and he was last seen grinding away in flat betting mode while we repaired to our rooms for a good night's sleep.
So for us, a good ending to a tough day (poker wise).
She was very raunchy and very funny - an awesome performer - and 76 years old !
Why Joan Rivers, you ask? Well, we've seen just about every show we want to see here in the past. Most of the Cirque shows, and a few others. We are not big fans of aging 50's and 60's musicians cashing in on memory lane, so that eliminates half the entertainment.
We had dinner at Valentino's after, which is one of the restaurants we like in the Venetian. Not too fancy, but always good food with a home cooked feel, and a nice vibe in the place.
Problem now was it was early and neither of us wanted to go to bed - especially on a Saturday night in Vegas - but I did not see optimal blackjack table conditions, and did not feel like anymore poker that day.
So I killed time at a 5 cent multi play poker machine while Svetlana did battle at the $50 tables in the double deck pit.
I wondered over a bit later and she had moved tables (usually not a good sign) and this time she was at a $100 table - also not a good sign. I knew she would be uncomfortable if I saw her early in play there - she would already be nervous, so I circled around the room looking for entertainment.
With great reluctance I sat down at a $25 shoe game in a corner of the room that was not so busy. Bought in for $150 and ran it up to $475 in 1/4 of a shoe. Some guy with smelly armpits decided he should get in on the action, and leaned over my shoulder to bet the spot to my right - effectively taking my cards - which were pretty hot.
I did not vent - this is one's lot in the floor, and just another one of the obstacles you have to overcome - like bad players; grumpy dealers; changing cards, streaking cards; etc.
But I pulled in my reins and began to breathe through my mouth. I did make a point of not moving over to allow him comfort to take a seat though - but he was happily flat betting his $25 and winning 4/5 hands.
After ten minutes of this, I understood nothing was going to change, so I finally got up with a $250 profit, and gave my chair to smelly armpits.
I decided it was prudent to check in on Svetlana, and was relieved to find her smiling, and up several hundred. She was equally relieved to see me, as the pressure was getting to her and she wanted me to bet her spot, as she felt it was solid. The guy beside her had just taken out his fourth $5000 marker. He was a liquidator from New Jersey - things, not people, he assured me.
So liquidator and I got into a comfortable setting and began to play. His bets typically ranged from $500 to $1600 and a couple of times $2000 or $2500. I was somewhat lower needless to say.
We began to win right away - especially NJL (New Jersey Liquidator). So they changed the cards and Sveta and I went into the Salon for an upscale bathroom break, and to rub shoulders with incredibly rich Asian gamblers in their private lounge.
We came back to a new dealer, and a new player - a dour Iranian guy sucking on an unlit cigarette in the third seat, with Harry the NJL still on first base. (I was in anchor)
There was no magic with this new confluence of circumstances, and the gains from before were quickly passed back to the dealer's tray.
We switched tables in an effort to stem the tide but that didn't work either. Fortunately, the dealer at the orginal table, Gilbert, returned from his break, so we went back to him to help repair the damage.
This worked out fine. I ground out a win of $970. More importantly, Harry the NJL, my new best friend, won back all but $1500 of his $20,000 - and had the sense to get out before his fortunes reversed.
He was betting heavy and winning more hands than he was losing - which of course we all pray for in a given session, but in the long run simply cannot be.
The dour Iranian took NJL's place, and he was last seen grinding away in flat betting mode while we repaired to our rooms for a good night's sleep.
So for us, a good ending to a tough day (poker wise).
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Vegas in August part 8 - Deep Stack Poker Tourney
First I want to say I had the pleasure of sitting beside Tony Korfman, a very funny guy who gave me an autographed copy of his book early in the deep stack tournament. His website link is here http://www.pokergas.com/
Tony chopped the WSOP seniors event in 2007, and had just won the previous day's daily tournament at the Venetian.
Tony looks like Mr. Las Vegas. Wearing a bright red blazer, gold watch, gold bracelet, gold buttons, and a large distinguished man to boot who made me feel small forward on Shaq's team. All the poker room staff know him, but he was actually quite self effacing about his own resume.
What about this tournament? I sure had my chances - but to cut to the chase I did not cash (again!) The entry fee was a steep $550 (specially on Saturdays) and there were only 50 entrants - paying the top 5 - with first place north of $8400.
I had been quiet for 25 minutes, with the blinds still only $25/$50 and original stacks of $15,000. I held K10 of spades in first position. I wanted to play a hand and figured if I came in no one would raise me unless they had a monster as I was already pegged as the table's "nit".
So I put in $150, and a total of six of us went along for the ride.
The flop was S9 S2 5H
I had nothing except the spade flush draw. Nonetheless, I decided to weed a couple of people out and bet $300 after two checks to me. A guy in mid position called, as did FTP cap in the SB.(Full Tilt Poker cap)
Next card was the club 5, and the action was on me after SB checked again. I bet $1000, and this got rid of the guy in the middle, and kept the interest of FTP cap.
The river was the diamond 5, so we have a board that looks like 92555.
I felt I had been representing a pair, and not a bad one at that. SB checked again and I bet $3000 trying to grab this pot once and for all. But he called and flipped over 102 offsuit for the weakest possible full house - but good enough to beat your fool-no-one hero.
Still, although I had immediately lost 1/3 of my stack, it felt like I got some respect from the table for my moves - as they all thought he was nuts to call me - but he was good enough to call me I guess.
A little later the table chip leader had the misfortune of holding pocket Aces and got a walk when not even the SB looked him up - the only walk I saw for the first 4 hours.
The blinds were now up at $50/100 and I held A10 of spades, in first position. I bet $300, and got 2 callers, including Tony Korfman on my immediate right in the BB. The board was A of clubs, 8 and 2 of spades - a pretty great flop for me.
Tony checked and I bet $700. The other guy got out of the way, and Tony called. The next card was the spade 6, and other than straight flush draws I was looking really good. Tony checked and I bet out $1500. He called.
The river was the diamond king, so I finally had the nuts. He checked again and I dithered. He reminded me it was my turn to bet and as I responded he said whatever you bet I am calling you - a bit of gamesmanship to be sure.
Anyway I bet $3500 which he happily called. I don't know what he had but I had gotten back what I had lost the previous orbit.
Shortly after the blinds were at $100/$200 and I had 108 of hearts on the dealer button. The guy three off the BB bet $700 to go, and I called, as did the BB.
The flop was QH 7H 6S.
So I had a heart flush draw and a gutshot straight draw. I hoped the betting would not get too heavy with three players still involved.
The BB checked, and the guy in the middle bet $1000. I dunno what is right - I think I am supposed to call, which I did, as did the BB.
The turn was 5 of clubs - so now I have an open ended straight draw, as well as the flush draw.
BB checked and the guy in the middle stuck in $4000 - now what am I supposed to do - we are not at the river yet and 1/3 of my stack will be in this pot - and I don't know what the guy on my left plans to do yet.
I called as did the BB. The river was a red king - it seems helping no one - we checked down the river and the BB scooped a nice pot with Q6 offsuit.
Meanwhile FTP and the guy in the middle were getting personal. Not with words but with their action. I did not catch all the betting, but suddenly there was a hand where FTP had all his chips in with Q7 of diamonds in his hand and a flop of 952 rainbow.
Middle guy had a far bigger stack and he called with 109 suited. FTP hat spiked a queen on the turn and middle guy was NOT a happy camper - $28000 pot.
Middle guy seemed to be steaming after that. Shortly after I had AK suited in clubs in the hijack seat and FTP bet $700 in first position. I called as did the SB (middle guy)
The flop was J of spades, and 8-5 of hearts. Middle guy shoved right away with his last $8375.
I had about $9500 left. FTP got out of the way and it was up to me. Who knew if middle guy had a made hand or a drawing hand but I did not want to essentially put my tournament on the line so early; so I folded and showed my hand. (something I almost never do)
The first major hand I won was holding 88 in first position. The blinds were 100/200 with a $25 ante. I bet out $400 and I got five callers, including Tony on my right in the BB.
The flop was 346 rainbow and Tony instantly went all-in with around $2200. With this flop I felt I had to stay involved but I really did not want multi way action so I raised all-in myself with my $8775.
Ben two to my left called me and everyone else folded. We turned over.
Tony had flopped a straight - gulp, but I was ahead of Ben with his pair of 5's and a gut shot straight draw.
The turn was an 8 - giving me a set of 8's; but still behind Tony. The river was a 6 - yes - a 6, and my pair of 8's had now converted to a full house and I cleaned up the whole pot. I sheepishly shook Tony's hand and thanked him again for his autographed book.
He signed the inside something to the effect
"To Ross the blogger, whatever the f*** that is !
Best regards, Tony Korfman"
If you visit his website or read his book, you'll understand that this is his schtick -and nothing to take personally.
So now I was in business with a stack of over $20,000 - around average.
I thought I played another hand real well and got lucky a bit later. I had Ace of clubs and nine of spades in early position. The blinds were $200/$400 with a $25 ante.I raised it up to $900, and the BB looked me up, as had another guy in the middle.
The flop was 6 and 4 of clubs, and the ten of hearts. The BB checked and I bet out $2200 with basically nothing to show for my bravado.
The button folded, and the BB called.
Next card was the club 8 - so now I at least had a club flush draw. BB checked to me and I checked too - happy for the free card.
The river was the glorious ten of clubs. BB checked to me and I only had to figure out how much to bet.
I put out $4000; he called, and he put his Queen high flush on the table - so of course I won.
He had the flush at the turn, so he could have squeezed me out of the pot had he bet big after the turn - but the free card he gave me destroyed him. I guess my hand was hard to read, or he was not really sure how best to play - as he knew he had the winning hand after the turn. Still I was not complaining.
Now I was up in the mid to high twenties and feeling ok.
I stayed quiet for a while, and got a sweet extra $18000 when the SB decided I was joking with my Aces in the BB and he put me all in with AQ after a three card rainbow rag flop.
So now I was table chip leader with over $50K. I feel like a putz for not making it to final five. I made the classic mistake of getting involved in a huge pot with the other big stack at the table – FTP cap guy.
I had AQo in the SB, and the blinds were I think $300/$600 with a $75 ante. He bet $1500 in early position, a guy in the middle called and so did I. The flop was Q73 rainbow.
I led out for $5000, and FTP called and middle guy folded. The turn was a three in the fourth suit. I was not sure where I stood in the hand. I checked – the pot was already around $15-$16000. And FTP splashed $25,000 into the pot.
It felt like he did not want me to call – this was an overbet. On the other hand – should I care? Should I not just let this go and wait for another spot against another player? He could have a set (unlikely to be queens) or he could have QJ, KQ, AQ, Q10 even. Yes KK and AA are possible, but with this guy at this time I was sure not. Still with so many possible hands, you can see I was not in a comfortable position - I should have executed a squeeze play pre flop, and maybe raised it up to $4500 or so.
What to do? Well no sense in calling I thought as we are headed towards all the money in so I decided it’s all in or fold. I went all in and he called after much thought and turned over KQ.
You have guessed the outcome – the river was a king and I barfed inwardly as I passed over all but $9000 or so of my chips to the new tournament chip leader.
All you good players out there – tell me I was wrong to call – I must have been – look at the result.
But I was determined not to tilt or steam – although I am sure many were waiting for me to do so. I hung in and rebuilt back to around $25,000.
The blinds were getting pretty high and we were down to two tables. $1000/$2000 with a $300 ante. Each orbit was costing $5400 or so.
I was trying to play poker but my options were limited since to see a hand all the way to the river was costing my stack size it seemed. I got blinded down to around $21,000 until I picked up KK in the BB. OK here is my time.
My LHO (Ben) limped in; as did the next guy, as did a fourth guy – I hoped I could squeeze them all out with an all-in move.
But LHO and his LHO both called ! Well this was a chance to triple up. I was sure I had the best starting hand.
Flop was 10 clubs 8 and 7 of spades. I suppose people might be flushing and straightening, but it still felt I had a chance. The other two guys both got it all in for a separate side pot and now I did not like my chances. If three people like their hands this much, two of us will be wrong!
LHO flipped a pair of sevens to show his set; and his LHO was gunning for the Ace high spade flush.
Neither a spade nor a king came on the turn or river and two of us subsided. 15th and 16th. There were only 50 entrants because of the large entry fee – and only five places paying.
First was $8400 or so and fifth around $1700 with a prize pool of around $24,000 plus.
I came back to watch the ending – six players left with two large stacks - $192000 and $250,000 and four smaller stacks. The big stacks took home $5000 each; two other guys took home $3900; one guy took $3400 and the little guy in sixth still took home $2900. Four of the six were from my original starting table. The guy who put me out with 77 was one $5000 winner and FTP cap guy was a $3900 winner.
Sigh ! Good news is I am not that far off in my game for this sort of thing – but you still need luck even if your game is good enough. But I truly enjoy the grind and battle of a tournament – though many cash players would say I am nuts since I can invest so much time for no return whereas they can be making their average hourly rate at the regular tables.
But until I improve, this milieu is fine for me.
Tony chopped the WSOP seniors event in 2007, and had just won the previous day's daily tournament at the Venetian.
Tony looks like Mr. Las Vegas. Wearing a bright red blazer, gold watch, gold bracelet, gold buttons, and a large distinguished man to boot who made me feel small forward on Shaq's team. All the poker room staff know him, but he was actually quite self effacing about his own resume.
What about this tournament? I sure had my chances - but to cut to the chase I did not cash (again!) The entry fee was a steep $550 (specially on Saturdays) and there were only 50 entrants - paying the top 5 - with first place north of $8400.
I had been quiet for 25 minutes, with the blinds still only $25/$50 and original stacks of $15,000. I held K10 of spades in first position. I wanted to play a hand and figured if I came in no one would raise me unless they had a monster as I was already pegged as the table's "nit".
So I put in $150, and a total of six of us went along for the ride.
The flop was S9 S2 5H
I had nothing except the spade flush draw. Nonetheless, I decided to weed a couple of people out and bet $300 after two checks to me. A guy in mid position called, as did FTP cap in the SB.(Full Tilt Poker cap)
Next card was the club 5, and the action was on me after SB checked again. I bet $1000, and this got rid of the guy in the middle, and kept the interest of FTP cap.
The river was the diamond 5, so we have a board that looks like 92555.
I felt I had been representing a pair, and not a bad one at that. SB checked again and I bet $3000 trying to grab this pot once and for all. But he called and flipped over 102 offsuit for the weakest possible full house - but good enough to beat your fool-no-one hero.
Still, although I had immediately lost 1/3 of my stack, it felt like I got some respect from the table for my moves - as they all thought he was nuts to call me - but he was good enough to call me I guess.
A little later the table chip leader had the misfortune of holding pocket Aces and got a walk when not even the SB looked him up - the only walk I saw for the first 4 hours.
The blinds were now up at $50/100 and I held A10 of spades, in first position. I bet $300, and got 2 callers, including Tony Korfman on my immediate right in the BB. The board was A of clubs, 8 and 2 of spades - a pretty great flop for me.
Tony checked and I bet $700. The other guy got out of the way, and Tony called. The next card was the spade 6, and other than straight flush draws I was looking really good. Tony checked and I bet out $1500. He called.
The river was the diamond king, so I finally had the nuts. He checked again and I dithered. He reminded me it was my turn to bet and as I responded he said whatever you bet I am calling you - a bit of gamesmanship to be sure.
Anyway I bet $3500 which he happily called. I don't know what he had but I had gotten back what I had lost the previous orbit.
Shortly after the blinds were at $100/$200 and I had 108 of hearts on the dealer button. The guy three off the BB bet $700 to go, and I called, as did the BB.
The flop was QH 7H 6S.
So I had a heart flush draw and a gutshot straight draw. I hoped the betting would not get too heavy with three players still involved.
The BB checked, and the guy in the middle bet $1000. I dunno what is right - I think I am supposed to call, which I did, as did the BB.
The turn was 5 of clubs - so now I have an open ended straight draw, as well as the flush draw.
BB checked and the guy in the middle stuck in $4000 - now what am I supposed to do - we are not at the river yet and 1/3 of my stack will be in this pot - and I don't know what the guy on my left plans to do yet.
I called as did the BB. The river was a red king - it seems helping no one - we checked down the river and the BB scooped a nice pot with Q6 offsuit.
Meanwhile FTP and the guy in the middle were getting personal. Not with words but with their action. I did not catch all the betting, but suddenly there was a hand where FTP had all his chips in with Q7 of diamonds in his hand and a flop of 952 rainbow.
Middle guy had a far bigger stack and he called with 109 suited. FTP hat spiked a queen on the turn and middle guy was NOT a happy camper - $28000 pot.
Middle guy seemed to be steaming after that. Shortly after I had AK suited in clubs in the hijack seat and FTP bet $700 in first position. I called as did the SB (middle guy)
The flop was J of spades, and 8-5 of hearts. Middle guy shoved right away with his last $8375.
I had about $9500 left. FTP got out of the way and it was up to me. Who knew if middle guy had a made hand or a drawing hand but I did not want to essentially put my tournament on the line so early; so I folded and showed my hand. (something I almost never do)
The first major hand I won was holding 88 in first position. The blinds were 100/200 with a $25 ante. I bet out $400 and I got five callers, including Tony on my right in the BB.
The flop was 346 rainbow and Tony instantly went all-in with around $2200. With this flop I felt I had to stay involved but I really did not want multi way action so I raised all-in myself with my $8775.
Ben two to my left called me and everyone else folded. We turned over.
Tony had flopped a straight - gulp, but I was ahead of Ben with his pair of 5's and a gut shot straight draw.
The turn was an 8 - giving me a set of 8's; but still behind Tony. The river was a 6 - yes - a 6, and my pair of 8's had now converted to a full house and I cleaned up the whole pot. I sheepishly shook Tony's hand and thanked him again for his autographed book.
He signed the inside something to the effect
"To Ross the blogger, whatever the f*** that is !
Best regards, Tony Korfman"
If you visit his website or read his book, you'll understand that this is his schtick -and nothing to take personally.
So now I was in business with a stack of over $20,000 - around average.
I thought I played another hand real well and got lucky a bit later. I had Ace of clubs and nine of spades in early position. The blinds were $200/$400 with a $25 ante.I raised it up to $900, and the BB looked me up, as had another guy in the middle.
The flop was 6 and 4 of clubs, and the ten of hearts. The BB checked and I bet out $2200 with basically nothing to show for my bravado.
The button folded, and the BB called.
Next card was the club 8 - so now I at least had a club flush draw. BB checked to me and I checked too - happy for the free card.
The river was the glorious ten of clubs. BB checked to me and I only had to figure out how much to bet.
I put out $4000; he called, and he put his Queen high flush on the table - so of course I won.
He had the flush at the turn, so he could have squeezed me out of the pot had he bet big after the turn - but the free card he gave me destroyed him. I guess my hand was hard to read, or he was not really sure how best to play - as he knew he had the winning hand after the turn. Still I was not complaining.
Now I was up in the mid to high twenties and feeling ok.
I stayed quiet for a while, and got a sweet extra $18000 when the SB decided I was joking with my Aces in the BB and he put me all in with AQ after a three card rainbow rag flop.
So now I was table chip leader with over $50K. I feel like a putz for not making it to final five. I made the classic mistake of getting involved in a huge pot with the other big stack at the table – FTP cap guy.
I had AQo in the SB, and the blinds were I think $300/$600 with a $75 ante. He bet $1500 in early position, a guy in the middle called and so did I. The flop was Q73 rainbow.
I led out for $5000, and FTP called and middle guy folded. The turn was a three in the fourth suit. I was not sure where I stood in the hand. I checked – the pot was already around $15-$16000. And FTP splashed $25,000 into the pot.
It felt like he did not want me to call – this was an overbet. On the other hand – should I care? Should I not just let this go and wait for another spot against another player? He could have a set (unlikely to be queens) or he could have QJ, KQ, AQ, Q10 even. Yes KK and AA are possible, but with this guy at this time I was sure not. Still with so many possible hands, you can see I was not in a comfortable position - I should have executed a squeeze play pre flop, and maybe raised it up to $4500 or so.
What to do? Well no sense in calling I thought as we are headed towards all the money in so I decided it’s all in or fold. I went all in and he called after much thought and turned over KQ.
You have guessed the outcome – the river was a king and I barfed inwardly as I passed over all but $9000 or so of my chips to the new tournament chip leader.
All you good players out there – tell me I was wrong to call – I must have been – look at the result.
But I was determined not to tilt or steam – although I am sure many were waiting for me to do so. I hung in and rebuilt back to around $25,000.
The blinds were getting pretty high and we were down to two tables. $1000/$2000 with a $300 ante. Each orbit was costing $5400 or so.
I was trying to play poker but my options were limited since to see a hand all the way to the river was costing my stack size it seemed. I got blinded down to around $21,000 until I picked up KK in the BB. OK here is my time.
My LHO (Ben) limped in; as did the next guy, as did a fourth guy – I hoped I could squeeze them all out with an all-in move.
But LHO and his LHO both called ! Well this was a chance to triple up. I was sure I had the best starting hand.
Flop was 10 clubs 8 and 7 of spades. I suppose people might be flushing and straightening, but it still felt I had a chance. The other two guys both got it all in for a separate side pot and now I did not like my chances. If three people like their hands this much, two of us will be wrong!
LHO flipped a pair of sevens to show his set; and his LHO was gunning for the Ace high spade flush.
Neither a spade nor a king came on the turn or river and two of us subsided. 15th and 16th. There were only 50 entrants because of the large entry fee – and only five places paying.
First was $8400 or so and fifth around $1700 with a prize pool of around $24,000 plus.
I came back to watch the ending – six players left with two large stacks - $192000 and $250,000 and four smaller stacks. The big stacks took home $5000 each; two other guys took home $3900; one guy took $3400 and the little guy in sixth still took home $2900. Four of the six were from my original starting table. The guy who put me out with 77 was one $5000 winner and FTP cap guy was a $3900 winner.
Sigh ! Good news is I am not that far off in my game for this sort of thing – but you still need luck even if your game is good enough. But I truly enjoy the grind and battle of a tournament – though many cash players would say I am nuts since I can invest so much time for no return whereas they can be making their average hourly rate at the regular tables.
But until I improve, this milieu is fine for me.
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