How, you may ask, can this happen? Well, we were down to the final two tables and they were kitty corner to each other. I was waiting for a hand to finish at the other end of our table (which I was not involved in) and decided to crane my neck to see what was going on at the table beside me.
I leaned back in my chair at the same time, and all of a sudden I felt my balance rapidly disappearing. In a mild panic, I torqued my body forwards and flailed out my arms, and narrowly averted a personal disaster. Only a slight chest muscle pull spasmed forth from the melee.
Other than the guy at the next table whose head I accidentally clobbered, and my seat mates (who were killing themselves laughing) I don’t think more than a few dozen people saw my little escapade.
Today, Friday, the daytime field was back up in size to 131 players with an entry fee of $150. First place was $4,853. In fact the first thirteen players would cash – plus $10 from each player for the bubble boy who came 14th.
I was pretty pleased with my play most of the day, except towards the end when I found myself in some tough situations with the blinds and raises so high. I would have to guess when it was prudent to lay down some pretty big hands, or when to push aggressively with others.
Each final table I have been at this week, the play has been much tighter than I have seen in my prior final table experiences. Basically, the first crack at a pot usually took it down, as people were almost all trying to move up the money board.
Eleventh through 13th were each paying only $324, and that’s where I finished. I misjudged my final hand completely. I should have cashed higher, but no one to blame but myself for misreading the situation.
I thought my hand was ahead of my opponent’s, and I could put him in a tough situation where he would have to fold rather than risk calling a very large re-raise bet. He saw it otherwise, and he was correct, and I made no miracle draws on the river. (After my re-raise he shoved me all in. I could fold and slink away or call - hoping (a) my original read was correct, or (b) for a minor miracle. I called)
I took my eye off the ball and gambled when I should have been thinking strategically, as I had been all day. It was way too early and I was too comfortable (ie not under an extreme shortage of chip pressure) to pull a stunt like the one I did.
The prize structure was as follows :
Place $ prize money
1st $4,853
2nd $2,912
3rd $1,941
4th $1,432
5th $1,076
6th $890
7th $728
8th $556
9th $445
10th $364
11th through 13th paid $324.
I don’t think the cards I picked up today were so great – best hand I saw all day was 99 and also AQ a few times, but definitely better than two days ago.
I do feel I mixed up my play more, and created a table image which was harder to play against than I had been all week so far.
A guy beside me, Craig, never really got his stack size going, and as a result found himself going all-in all day an inordinate number of times. He knew the law of averages were going to catch up to him. But at last count, he had done so successfully 18 times. Either he had won a showdown, or the other players had all folded and he had taken down the blinds and antes. Craig finally exited around 17th.
Craig’s father’s name is Russ, but they call him Ross. My father’s name is Craik, but most people have never heard of that spelling, and refer to him as Craig.
Neat coincidence I thought.
I am kinda bummed out about my mistake at the end, so I will not dwell any further here on this tournament. Other than it was a painful, but useful lesson.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Biding my time
I decided to extend my trip till next Tuesday, rather than check out today. Frankly, I would much rather spend my time here, doing what I do, than be back at our business grinding out mortgages and bankruptcies. (Don't tell our clients that !)
Last night I played several short sessions of blackjack - all but one of them profitable. I played briefly at the Venetian before dinner, and as new cards were everywhere in the double deck pit, I entered a shoe game at $15 per hand, where I had the table and dealer to myself. This, coupled with an available surrender option, is almost as good as it gets for a shoe game, though I still don't like it.
Because the shoes seem never ending, you can die a slow death, bleeding your chips away, and almost not realize it. Whereas, the finality of frequent new shoes at double deck forces me to take stock (inventory) of my chips each time.
Anyway, twice I realized it was not going so well in this shoe game. Sounds stupid I know but you are playing at a fast clip, varying from one to three hands; managing bet sizes; chatting with the dealer; glaring at newcomers who want to sit down with you; fending off buxom, beautiful cocktail waitresses who are sure NOW you must want a beverage; and dare I say it....ahem....keeping track of the cards. (Between 6 and 8decks). And all the time trying not to look too competent.
Shoe blackjack is very streaky - and trust me, you know when you are on a hot streak or a cold streak - regardless of all the distractions. A hot streak at a shoe game, playing two hands especially; pressing and increasing your bet sizes, is probably for me one of the few times in a casino I feel the adrenalin rush.
Choppy shoes though are insidious, and easy to make mistakes in. This is all a long way of saying my shoes before dinner were choppy and I got stuck just under $300.
Dinner at TAO was pretty good, but not at all in the same league as Sushi Samba at the Palazzo the night before. Only good thing was we scored line passes for the legendary upstairs TAO nightclub for later that evening. Being true degenerates though, neither Svetlana nor I availed ourselves of the rare opportunity to actually get into the club without having to either promise our first-born child, or part with a few hundred dollars.
When we came out of TAO, we sent our new Russian friends (he with a watch you could buy a luxury car with), off to see LOVE at the Mirage - this happens to be my personal favorite show in Vegas.
{The Russian contingent did go to TAO nightclub later, and apparantly made it back to their rooms at the Bellagio by 6 AM.)
Svetlana and I went down to the Venetian to play, but new cards were in the offing. Sometimes I get lazy and don't want to leave the table for greener pastures when they are changing the cards. (They do so every two hours in single and double deck games)
But I always regret it, and this trip has been no exception. The floor staff think I am eccentric and irrational when I announce I am leaving, or demonstrate my "newcardphobia" in some other way.
But I have played way more hands than they have, and with respect, I believe I am right.
So we toddled off to the Mirage, since both they and Treasure Island have very good double deck games. I played a few shoes at a $50 minimum, and won $585. They wanted to change the cards so I decided to cash out. Svetlana wanted to play more so she took my spot (good luck trumps necardphobia I guess)
I went to play two types of slot poker where I won a total of $1.40, but killed valuable time that might have been very expensive anywhere else. (Regular readers will know I play to win, however small, at slots poker)
Sveta actually did well with the new cards, so she cashed out and we headed off. She back to the Venetian and me onto Treasure Island.
It was so quiet in Treasure Island I was able to play in their "Hi limit" room at only $25 per hand - which I have not seen ever before anywhere.
I was able to cash small profits at two tables before calling it a night. A quiet day all around in Las Vegas.
Last night I played several short sessions of blackjack - all but one of them profitable. I played briefly at the Venetian before dinner, and as new cards were everywhere in the double deck pit, I entered a shoe game at $15 per hand, where I had the table and dealer to myself. This, coupled with an available surrender option, is almost as good as it gets for a shoe game, though I still don't like it.
Because the shoes seem never ending, you can die a slow death, bleeding your chips away, and almost not realize it. Whereas, the finality of frequent new shoes at double deck forces me to take stock (inventory) of my chips each time.
Anyway, twice I realized it was not going so well in this shoe game. Sounds stupid I know but you are playing at a fast clip, varying from one to three hands; managing bet sizes; chatting with the dealer; glaring at newcomers who want to sit down with you; fending off buxom, beautiful cocktail waitresses who are sure NOW you must want a beverage; and dare I say it....ahem....keeping track of the cards. (Between 6 and 8decks). And all the time trying not to look too competent.
Shoe blackjack is very streaky - and trust me, you know when you are on a hot streak or a cold streak - regardless of all the distractions. A hot streak at a shoe game, playing two hands especially; pressing and increasing your bet sizes, is probably for me one of the few times in a casino I feel the adrenalin rush.
Choppy shoes though are insidious, and easy to make mistakes in. This is all a long way of saying my shoes before dinner were choppy and I got stuck just under $300.
Dinner at TAO was pretty good, but not at all in the same league as Sushi Samba at the Palazzo the night before. Only good thing was we scored line passes for the legendary upstairs TAO nightclub for later that evening. Being true degenerates though, neither Svetlana nor I availed ourselves of the rare opportunity to actually get into the club without having to either promise our first-born child, or part with a few hundred dollars.
When we came out of TAO, we sent our new Russian friends (he with a watch you could buy a luxury car with), off to see LOVE at the Mirage - this happens to be my personal favorite show in Vegas.
{The Russian contingent did go to TAO nightclub later, and apparantly made it back to their rooms at the Bellagio by 6 AM.)
Svetlana and I went down to the Venetian to play, but new cards were in the offing. Sometimes I get lazy and don't want to leave the table for greener pastures when they are changing the cards. (They do so every two hours in single and double deck games)
But I always regret it, and this trip has been no exception. The floor staff think I am eccentric and irrational when I announce I am leaving, or demonstrate my "newcardphobia" in some other way.
But I have played way more hands than they have, and with respect, I believe I am right.
So we toddled off to the Mirage, since both they and Treasure Island have very good double deck games. I played a few shoes at a $50 minimum, and won $585. They wanted to change the cards so I decided to cash out. Svetlana wanted to play more so she took my spot (good luck trumps necardphobia I guess)
I went to play two types of slot poker where I won a total of $1.40, but killed valuable time that might have been very expensive anywhere else. (Regular readers will know I play to win, however small, at slots poker)
Sveta actually did well with the new cards, so she cashed out and we headed off. She back to the Venetian and me onto Treasure Island.
It was so quiet in Treasure Island I was able to play in their "Hi limit" room at only $25 per hand - which I have not seen ever before anywhere.
I was able to cash small profits at two tables before calling it a night. A quiet day all around in Las Vegas.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Another day, another poker tourney
The truth is not every day is exciting in Las Vegas - at least not when you approach the whole thing as a business, rather than as an escape from reality as many do.
Yesterday, I woke up a bit bug eyed, and decided to forego poker tournaments. Did a little shopping; pampered myself, and the Blackjack dealers and I played ping pong with my various buy-ins. That is, I won some, lost some; slightly down on the day - due to the extra saki I had at dinner. (Big rookie mistake - never ever drink and gamble)
Today I recovered that loss and a bit more in the morning's blackjack, and then had my stiff neck and shoulders massaged by a 92 pound masseuse who was strong like a bull. It was hard to contain my yelps as she pounded the twists and knots.
Then it was time for the mid day Venetian poker tourney - the $150 buy in. It turned out to be pretty boring.
I played almost five hours, and had no hands nor cards to speak of. I only saw one pair (sevens only) in the first half hour and that was it for the whole session.
Still, I survived, barely, to level 10, and 17th of an original 85 entrants. But I had no chance today. I just got to exercise my patience skills, and ultimately my survival and small stack skills - and even then I did not do much of that.
Svetlana has made some new Russian friends - so she has been giving them her insider's knowledge of Vegas's high end shopping all day. I believe we are all going to TAO for dinner tonight (One of Tiger's old haunts)
Yesterday, I woke up a bit bug eyed, and decided to forego poker tournaments. Did a little shopping; pampered myself, and the Blackjack dealers and I played ping pong with my various buy-ins. That is, I won some, lost some; slightly down on the day - due to the extra saki I had at dinner. (Big rookie mistake - never ever drink and gamble)
Today I recovered that loss and a bit more in the morning's blackjack, and then had my stiff neck and shoulders massaged by a 92 pound masseuse who was strong like a bull. It was hard to contain my yelps as she pounded the twists and knots.
Then it was time for the mid day Venetian poker tourney - the $150 buy in. It turned out to be pretty boring.
I played almost five hours, and had no hands nor cards to speak of. I only saw one pair (sevens only) in the first half hour and that was it for the whole session.
Still, I survived, barely, to level 10, and 17th of an original 85 entrants. But I had no chance today. I just got to exercise my patience skills, and ultimately my survival and small stack skills - and even then I did not do much of that.
Svetlana has made some new Russian friends - so she has been giving them her insider's knowledge of Vegas's high end shopping all day. I believe we are all going to TAO for dinner tonight (One of Tiger's old haunts)
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
It ain't over till it's over
Last night's tournament took an unexpected twist after I busted out in 7th. The monster stack (at least 70 % of the chips in play) got off his game a bit and allowed a few players to double up on him and chip away at his lead. Shortly thereafter they got to five people and the chip stacks were now balanced enough they decided to chop most of the prize pool. They each took $1,500, and left $1,000 available for the actual winner to take home.
The Vietnamese huge stack actually busted out in 3rd place, and two little guys chopped the remaining $1,000.
If you had seen the big stack - you would know how dramatic this was. The rest of us were so puny in comparison - and yet, he came in third. The Alaskan on my right, who was in worse shape than I was at one point, came all the way back to win - shades of Joe Cada at the WSOP main event.
The Vietnamese huge stack actually busted out in 3rd place, and two little guys chopped the remaining $1,000.
If you had seen the big stack - you would know how dramatic this was. The rest of us were so puny in comparison - and yet, he came in third. The Alaskan on my right, who was in worse shape than I was at one point, came all the way back to win - shades of Joe Cada at the WSOP main event.
Another final table
Well my eyes are bone tired right now. I just exited the 7 pm Venetian poker tournament ($120 entry) - at 1.30 AM; after an hour and a half at the final table.
The blinds were going up every 20 minutes in this one - putting more pressure on everyone. We made it up to level 15, with blinds of $6,000 and $12,000 with antes of $2,000. (Against a starting stack of only $7,500.)
I came 7th; with the top nine being paid. 95 entries - 7th was worth a paltry $433 - to make more than $1,000 you had to come 3rd and first was worth $2600 or so.
There was one ginormous stack (a very good Vietnamese player and a nice guy to boot) and the rest of us were in survival mode - dodging his stack and hanging on for dear life.
My highlight hands were early in the tournament - at one point I was chip leader with around $45,000 when the average stack was only $15,000. (I was on fire for about an hour)
But I went totally card dead for two, maybe three hours and my stack was whittled away by escalating blinds and lots of heavy betting action before me when I did get half a hand. (ie something borderline playable)
Over that two hours, several players (in the room) caught up to me, and a few overtook me big time.
I also found myself being bullied a bit by not one but two aggressive players on my left who "came over top of me" literally every time I made a move. Must be one of those "leaks" in my game I mentioned.
So all in all, with an adverse playing position, and poor cards, I am actually quite ok with coming seventh - placing ugly, I shall call it. I feel I extracted the most I could from what I was dealt. (At least, from what I know - maybe a better player would not have allowed himself to lose such a strong early position)
Lots of cool hands, but I am saving them for another medium.
And again, someone had a bright idea when we got down to ten players and the final table. As only nine players would technically cash, we each put $20 into a pool - yielding $200, so that "the bubble boy" would not go home empty handed.
Ironically, the second biggest stack at the final table was first to go when he was suckered beautifully into making an all in bet by the big stack.
And it's not really the money (although I do expect to win money at something or other most days). My blackjack play today was also profitable - I played back to back 4 tables in one session this afternoon, squeezing out profits where the cards were favorable, and dodging bullets when they were not.
Three plus tables and one minus helped pad the bankroll somewhat.
I know it's a good trip when I never need to touch my bankroll - I had some cash left over from my last trip which I used to sit down in my first BJ game on Sunday, and I have just been building it ever since in chips and cash.
Again, I emphasize, nothing spectactular, but slow and steady is good. I try to win by taking as little risk as possible and for the shortest time possible. (Poker tournaments fit that - yes they can run a long time, but it's only the entry fee at risk)
The blinds were going up every 20 minutes in this one - putting more pressure on everyone. We made it up to level 15, with blinds of $6,000 and $12,000 with antes of $2,000. (Against a starting stack of only $7,500.)
I came 7th; with the top nine being paid. 95 entries - 7th was worth a paltry $433 - to make more than $1,000 you had to come 3rd and first was worth $2600 or so.
There was one ginormous stack (a very good Vietnamese player and a nice guy to boot) and the rest of us were in survival mode - dodging his stack and hanging on for dear life.
My highlight hands were early in the tournament - at one point I was chip leader with around $45,000 when the average stack was only $15,000. (I was on fire for about an hour)
But I went totally card dead for two, maybe three hours and my stack was whittled away by escalating blinds and lots of heavy betting action before me when I did get half a hand. (ie something borderline playable)
Over that two hours, several players (in the room) caught up to me, and a few overtook me big time.
I also found myself being bullied a bit by not one but two aggressive players on my left who "came over top of me" literally every time I made a move. Must be one of those "leaks" in my game I mentioned.
So all in all, with an adverse playing position, and poor cards, I am actually quite ok with coming seventh - placing ugly, I shall call it. I feel I extracted the most I could from what I was dealt. (At least, from what I know - maybe a better player would not have allowed himself to lose such a strong early position)
Lots of cool hands, but I am saving them for another medium.
And again, someone had a bright idea when we got down to ten players and the final table. As only nine players would technically cash, we each put $20 into a pool - yielding $200, so that "the bubble boy" would not go home empty handed.
Ironically, the second biggest stack at the final table was first to go when he was suckered beautifully into making an all in bet by the big stack.
And it's not really the money (although I do expect to win money at something or other most days). My blackjack play today was also profitable - I played back to back 4 tables in one session this afternoon, squeezing out profits where the cards were favorable, and dodging bullets when they were not.
Three plus tables and one minus helped pad the bankroll somewhat.
I know it's a good trip when I never need to touch my bankroll - I had some cash left over from my last trip which I used to sit down in my first BJ game on Sunday, and I have just been building it ever since in chips and cash.
Again, I emphasize, nothing spectactular, but slow and steady is good. I try to win by taking as little risk as possible and for the shortest time possible. (Poker tournaments fit that - yes they can run a long time, but it's only the entry fee at risk)
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Barely time to warm my seat !
I have really enjoyed poker this past week. It feels like my semi regular online play in the past couple of months has improved my overall game. I still have a couple of leaks I am working on (2 that I know about - there may be more)
Today's tournament at the Venetian I busted out with the blinds only 50-100 !!! I still had $7,425 of my starting chips and was in the BB with 98o. Five players before the flop which was J107 rainbow. I led out with $300; which was folded around to a guy in late position who bumped it to $1,000. I re-raised to $2,500 as everyone got out of the way. He shoved and I called of course.
He turned over J7 suited (only runner runner makes the flush though)
But as the river was a 7, I was out real early from this tournament.
My question is this. Should I second guess my re-raise? Seems to me I want all the chips in the middle here anyway, but pros hate to get busted early - even on bad beats; so should I have simply called his raise and played conservative? My gut says no, you have to put yourself in position to amass chips and this was a pretty good position to be in.
I note that I could easily have won one (maybe two) of the first two events I played in - especially last night - I can't emphasize enough how enjoyable it was to be at a final table for almost 3 hours.
It was weird cause an English guy left the other table as soon as the bubble was burst and he had a big stack. Around $140,000. He had to catch a plane. So they blinded him down. His stack came to the final table with around $115,000 - which was like second or third stack at the time.
The supervisor would not allow any chopping while his chips were still here. He eventually finished 5th in absentia. At that time we discussed chopping based on chip count.
I had $208,000; villian had $594,000 and the two small stacks had around $60,000 each.
I would get a few hundred less than second place outright - but before I could veto, one of the small stacks vetoed cause she saw no benefit versus playing. (She was right - the OTHER short stack came second at the end of the day)
Another thing I liked was when we got down to the bubble the two tables had agreed each player would pony up $10 so that bubble person would not walk away empty handed - get like $140; and this would eliminate funky bubble play - which it did.(13players were cashing)
Maybe I should be upset - as I "lost" $800 by failing to place second; or the cards hurt me on the final hand to cost me $2,600, but I don't really mind - I am more upset at not getting the W than the $. (weird, eh!)
Must be all the years of playing bridge for no money - just for the W, that bring out that thinking in me.
Not your typical gambler's profile is it??
Today's tournament at the Venetian I busted out with the blinds only 50-100 !!! I still had $7,425 of my starting chips and was in the BB with 98o. Five players before the flop which was J107 rainbow. I led out with $300; which was folded around to a guy in late position who bumped it to $1,000. I re-raised to $2,500 as everyone got out of the way. He shoved and I called of course.
He turned over J7 suited (only runner runner makes the flush though)
But as the river was a 7, I was out real early from this tournament.
My question is this. Should I second guess my re-raise? Seems to me I want all the chips in the middle here anyway, but pros hate to get busted early - even on bad beats; so should I have simply called his raise and played conservative? My gut says no, you have to put yourself in position to amass chips and this was a pretty good position to be in.
I note that I could easily have won one (maybe two) of the first two events I played in - especially last night - I can't emphasize enough how enjoyable it was to be at a final table for almost 3 hours.
It was weird cause an English guy left the other table as soon as the bubble was burst and he had a big stack. Around $140,000. He had to catch a plane. So they blinded him down. His stack came to the final table with around $115,000 - which was like second or third stack at the time.
The supervisor would not allow any chopping while his chips were still here. He eventually finished 5th in absentia. At that time we discussed chopping based on chip count.
I had $208,000; villian had $594,000 and the two small stacks had around $60,000 each.
I would get a few hundred less than second place outright - but before I could veto, one of the small stacks vetoed cause she saw no benefit versus playing. (She was right - the OTHER short stack came second at the end of the day)
Another thing I liked was when we got down to the bubble the two tables had agreed each player would pony up $10 so that bubble person would not walk away empty handed - get like $140; and this would eliminate funky bubble play - which it did.(13players were cashing)
Maybe I should be upset - as I "lost" $800 by failing to place second; or the cards hurt me on the final hand to cost me $2,600, but I don't really mind - I am more upset at not getting the W than the $. (weird, eh!)
Must be all the years of playing bridge for no money - just for the W, that bring out that thinking in me.
Not your typical gambler's profile is it??
Back in the saddle again
I arrived back in Vegas Sunday afternoon to test and improve my skills once again; gather material; and hopefully win some money. My focus this trip is on poker.
So far, poker has been terrific. Truly enjoyable. Yesterday, I was in a one day event, $150 entry, which ran for nine hours and got up to Level 14 blinds structure (usually this event finishes after 6 hours or so) Final table play alone was well over two hours. So many hands and stories - but they will be dealt with another time. I ended up third - cashed $1980 or so.
I was a strong second with three players left; gunning for the chip leader who had at one point $700,000 chips of a total in play of a bit over $900,000. Near the end I had around $370,000 and she had $430,000, and the third stack had around $70,000 and he was playing well, but hoping for a miracle. Blinds were $8,000 and $16,000, and antes $3,000. Fo perspective, we had begun the event each with only $7,500.
I picked up QQ on the button. Playing three handed, I was dealer and first to speak. I opened with a raise to $90,000. LHO folded, and villain came over top of me, all-in. That had been her style all day, with a wide range of hands - it's how I had chipped up off her stack. I knew I could fold, and safely wait for second place guaranteed money, but this was my chance to win the tournament right then and there (effectively I would cripple her stack if I win this hand)
I called. It was fun - we had a gallery of interested spectators - people who had been eliminated earlier; spouses and whatevers; poker room staff, etc.
Villain flipped over A10 offsuit, and we were in a race - with the edge being mine of course. Which is how it played out until the river card, when an ace hit the felt.
I took it really well, except I was likely a bit numb - after so much intensity, all of a sudden, I had no more hands to play.
(Second place was worth $800 more, and first place was around $4,500 - so that was a big swing)
The night before, I also went deep in a tournament. We got down to two tables from an original 97 players; entry fee $120, and I was comfortably above average stack size, around $45,000 and playing well. I had a great table placement - I had such a read on everyone and the three players to me left had blinds that were very easy to pick off.
With KJ suited in mid position I opened for $8,500 and the guy opposite me (who I had played at the same table with all night) came over top of me and shoved all in. I folded of course.
Two hands later, I picked up KK and the same thing happened. I was not looking for a fight (his stack had me covered after the prior hand) but I wasn't going to avoid it either. I called, and his face fell as he tabled 1010.
Except it was my face which exited the table when a ten fell on the flop and nothing material came thereafter. I came 15th, and I am sure I would have been top 3 if I had one that hand. (The guy who flopped the set in fact chopped first with two other players)
Only the final table paid in this event, so no cash there.
I have played sporadic short spurts of blackjack - winning four times, losing once.
I have played 8 short, modest sessions of slots - winning 8, losing none. All with a buy in of either $50 or $100. All a form of poker, called Spin Poker (5 cents minimum unit bet, up to nine hands and five units per hand)
Only person not happy is my casino host, as no blackjack play makes it very hard to rate me, and comp stuff like rooms and meals. I don't care - the room is already known to be free, and I don't eat much if I am involved in a tournament.
Apparently there is a big WPT event being held at the Bellagio this week - I might wonder over to check it out. (I highly doubt I will enter anything though)
So far, poker has been terrific. Truly enjoyable. Yesterday, I was in a one day event, $150 entry, which ran for nine hours and got up to Level 14 blinds structure (usually this event finishes after 6 hours or so) Final table play alone was well over two hours. So many hands and stories - but they will be dealt with another time. I ended up third - cashed $1980 or so.
I was a strong second with three players left; gunning for the chip leader who had at one point $700,000 chips of a total in play of a bit over $900,000. Near the end I had around $370,000 and she had $430,000, and the third stack had around $70,000 and he was playing well, but hoping for a miracle. Blinds were $8,000 and $16,000, and antes $3,000. Fo perspective, we had begun the event each with only $7,500.
I picked up QQ on the button. Playing three handed, I was dealer and first to speak. I opened with a raise to $90,000. LHO folded, and villain came over top of me, all-in. That had been her style all day, with a wide range of hands - it's how I had chipped up off her stack. I knew I could fold, and safely wait for second place guaranteed money, but this was my chance to win the tournament right then and there (effectively I would cripple her stack if I win this hand)
I called. It was fun - we had a gallery of interested spectators - people who had been eliminated earlier; spouses and whatevers; poker room staff, etc.
Villain flipped over A10 offsuit, and we were in a race - with the edge being mine of course. Which is how it played out until the river card, when an ace hit the felt.
I took it really well, except I was likely a bit numb - after so much intensity, all of a sudden, I had no more hands to play.
(Second place was worth $800 more, and first place was around $4,500 - so that was a big swing)
The night before, I also went deep in a tournament. We got down to two tables from an original 97 players; entry fee $120, and I was comfortably above average stack size, around $45,000 and playing well. I had a great table placement - I had such a read on everyone and the three players to me left had blinds that were very easy to pick off.
With KJ suited in mid position I opened for $8,500 and the guy opposite me (who I had played at the same table with all night) came over top of me and shoved all in. I folded of course.
Two hands later, I picked up KK and the same thing happened. I was not looking for a fight (his stack had me covered after the prior hand) but I wasn't going to avoid it either. I called, and his face fell as he tabled 1010.
Except it was my face which exited the table when a ten fell on the flop and nothing material came thereafter. I came 15th, and I am sure I would have been top 3 if I had one that hand. (The guy who flopped the set in fact chopped first with two other players)
Only the final table paid in this event, so no cash there.
I have played sporadic short spurts of blackjack - winning four times, losing once.
I have played 8 short, modest sessions of slots - winning 8, losing none. All with a buy in of either $50 or $100. All a form of poker, called Spin Poker (5 cents minimum unit bet, up to nine hands and five units per hand)
Only person not happy is my casino host, as no blackjack play makes it very hard to rate me, and comp stuff like rooms and meals. I don't care - the room is already known to be free, and I don't eat much if I am involved in a tournament.
Apparently there is a big WPT event being held at the Bellagio this week - I might wonder over to check it out. (I highly doubt I will enter anything though)
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