Nine players made it to the NPP virtual felt this evening. A good turnout for a cool summer night after Memorial Day weekend. And we crowned a new champ!
The players did notice a slower pace to tonight’s game as compared to last week’s free for all. On to the recap:
10 min: I think I (Faldo) missed a chance to get BigLou out early as I hit a King’s over full house and didn’t see it. I was talking to my wife and trying to answer an email while starting this tourney – so I will use that as an excuse. But he raised me with his Eight’s over full house and I only called with what I thought was two pair!
Would you have called an all-in, Lou?
26 min: Beerhog gets crippled when his (K8) hits a flop of [3JK]. I had bet and got called by Duder and Hog. The turn is a [K] and I bet 3 times the blind; get raised 7 times the blind by Beerhog, and we get raised 18 times the blind by Duder! I type – WTF!, and fold my (AK). Beerhog did not fold and got to see Duder’s (JJ) and full house.
39 min: A rare double elimination (and I think Rownder did the last one too). The short-stacked Beerhog (9th) gets all-in with (77) and likewise for Tigercub (8th) with (Ad 2d). They both go out as Rownder’s (AK) spikes an [A] on the turn.
55 min: BigLou (7th) makes a bluff move with (KJ) and a board of [853], but Duder is holding (87) and he gets a [7] on the turn for good measure.
Break:
ArcticBlast 3440
Duder 3255
Rennzzo 2900
Mikeniks (Faldo) 2040
Rownder 1315
Aqualung 550
65 min: Aqualung’s bad luck held off one hand as his (Kc 9c) hit a flush against Rownder’s (AQ) to keep him alive. Then the action heats up!
70 min: Duder cripples ArcticBlast by hitting a flush.
71 min: ArcticBlast (6th) has to go all-in with (Jd 5d) and is called by Rennzzo with (K3) and a [K] comes on the flop anyway.
72 min: Aqualung (5th) goes all-in with (KT) and me (Faldo) (KJ) and Rennzzo (A5) dutifully call. Rennzzo’s Ace wins the pot.
73 min: Rownder (4th) goes all-in with (KJ) and is called by Rennzzo with (KQ). Rennzzo hits a [Q] on the flop to end Rownder’s night.
Yes, that is Rennzzo taking out three players in three minutes! But now the struggle begins. A nice three way battle begins.
75 min: Faldo survives an (Ah 7h) all-in against a call by Duder with (98). The board went like this: [6 9 Jh] [8h] [5] – and I survive with the straight.
80 min: I get healthier as my (JJ) holds up against Rennzzo’s (KJ). The way he was slaughtering players, I was worried the whole time – even against a three outer. I make a little run in the next 7 minutes to climb to 2nd place in chips!
84 min: Rennzzo gets crippled as his (KK) gets run down by Duder’s (AQ) with an [A] on the turn. But he recovers with the hand of the night.
88 min: Discussion time on how this hand was played. So many options – which is why we love this game.
Blinds 100-200, 25 ante; SB Rennzzo 2800 chips, BB Duder 5500 chips, Dealer Faldo 5200 chips.
I (Faldo) make it 1000 to go with (AQ). Rennzzo goes-all in and Duder calls. What to do? I think fold is the correct play here, but I called. All-in would have been silly.
I figured I double the chance to take at least 2nd and for some reason my gut told me to call. My gut lied to me. Go figure. My gut made me fold to a stone cold well played bluff by Rennzzo earlier. Got to love my card reading ability - not!
The flop comes [TT9] rainbow and Duder and I check. The turn is the [J] completing the rainbow and Duder bets 1000!
He better have (TT) if he is going to bet here in my opinion. Wait for the river if you can’t lose. I know it is poker and he wants to make a side pot, but only an idiot would call here unless he has you beat. I'm an idiot.
I should have folded, but I did have a gut shot straight and if I pair the Ace I could win it all here also. I didn’t think anyone had a T or 9, but I knew the J was live and I was behind. I called and hoped for my card. What was I thinking??? This is me and Poker Stars for crying out loud!
The river is a [2] and Duder bets 1600. Even though the pot is huge, I have to believe him now. Wish I had those 1000 chips back as I muck.
Rennzzo has the higher two-pair (AAJJ) over Duder’s (JJTT) and takes the chip lead! I’m now back where I started in distant 3rd.
We continue to battle for quite a while as I keep winning a hand at the last minute. I did get some alligator blood hands from Poker Stars to stay alive.
107 min: Duder (3rd) finally goes all-in with (AK) and a flop of [A68], but the player killer Rennzzo has (66). Tough lose there for last week's champ.
I (Mikeniks-Faldo) limp into second place and Rennzzo wins his first NPP Tourney! Welcome to the Walk of Fame Rennzzo!
Don't look now, but another horse is making a run at the 2nd quarter seat!
1st – Rennzzo 22 pts
2nd – Mikeniks (Faldo) (22 pts)
3rd – Duder 26 pts
4th – Rownder 30 pts
5th – Aqualung (7 pts)
6th – ArcticBlast 16 pts
7th – BigLou 26 pts
8th – Tigercub 21 pts
9th – Beerhog 7 pts
Nahanni 26 pts
Boother 14 pts
Doneill 11 pts
Sev4TSev 3 pts
McGuiness 3 pts
Total points race on the side of the blog.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Sunnybrook Holding Freeroll on June 2nd
Farrell reports:
Win a seat at the Heartland Poker Tour Main Event!
Freeroll June 2nd, 7pm, registration begins at 5:30pm
$0 buy-in
$10 add-on
$10 rebuys
Unlimited for the 1st hour or 1st time limit (not sure which)
12 minute blind rounds.
Cash games available:
M-F 5:30 pm to 1:30pm
Sat 2pm to 1:30 pm
Sun 2pm to 10pm
Tournaments
Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat and Sun.
Sunnybrook Golf and Bowl
17 Mile and Van Dyke, Sterling Hts.
Win a seat at the Heartland Poker Tour Main Event!
Freeroll June 2nd, 7pm, registration begins at 5:30pm
$0 buy-in
$10 add-on
$10 rebuys
Unlimited for the 1st hour or 1st time limit (not sure which)
12 minute blind rounds.
Cash games available:
M-F 5:30 pm to 1:30pm
Sat 2pm to 1:30 pm
Sun 2pm to 10pm
Tournaments
Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat and Sun.
Sunnybrook Golf and Bowl
17 Mile and Van Dyke, Sterling Hts.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Duder1123 Wins NPP Tourney #20-8
Nine of us entered it and it seemed we were all in a hurry to watch the Pistons or Tigers.
Lots of all – in action tonight - until we got to heads up at least.
6 min: Rownder takes a cold deck special early when his (KK) runs into Tigercub8189’s (AA). I hate when that happens. He’s crippled, but in typical Rownder style, he battles back.
15 min: Biglou93 (9th) goes all-in with (AT) and a flop of [JT6] but last week’s winner Doneill is holding (QQ).
27 min: Rownder gets healthier when his (JT) all-in beats Beerhog’s (44).
32 min: The cold deck continued for Beerhog (8th) as his slow play of (TT) and a flop of [KKT] gets run over by Rennzzo’s (JJ) when a [J] comes on the turn. I had to fold QQ myself when those two went crazy. Lucky me.
33 to 40 min: Rownder won 8 hands without a showdown in this stretch to triple up his stack. Giving Rownder chips is like pouring gas on a campfire.
46 min: I (Faldo) have to make a move with (Jd 9d), but ArcticBlast calls me with a hand of (Qh 4h), but I survive when I flop a [J].
48 min: Duder survives an all-in with (K6) against Doneil’s (A9) with a [6] on the turn. The tide turns for him there, and my tide after surviving an all-in never materialized.
49 min: ArcticBlast (7th) gets cold-decked as his (A6) and a flop-turn of [A78A] runs into Tigercub8189’s (AT), who adds a [T] on the river for good measure.
52 min: Tigercub continued to cold deck people as Rownder (6th) had no choice but to go all-in with (Q8) and a flop of [TQJ] and the Cat is sitting there with (QT). Ouch!
55 min: Doneil (5th) can’t repeat as tourney winner as his (AK) hits the flop of [KJ2], but Duder had (22).
Break:
Rennzzo 5195
Tigercub 4562
Duder 4283
Faldo 960
62 min: I’m (Faldo) in trouble and my (98) all-in gets action in two places and hits a flop of [J3T]. Looking good, but I never improve and I’m out on a bubble again.
64 min: Tigercub (3rd) ran into a spiked river by Duder, which crippled his stack. He goes all-in with (KQ) against Rennzzo’s (99). The flop has a [9] in it and the Cat runs out of lives – and chips.
Heads up with Duder with 10,000 and Rennzzo with 3500. Quick ending? Not so fast. They battle for almost another half hour!
65 min: Duder 10000 – Renz 3500
68 min: D 6500 – R 6500
70 min: D 9000 – R 4500
71 min: D 4000 – R 9500
73 min: D 3000 – R 10500
76 min: D 6000 – R 7500
80 min: D 4500 - R 9000
88 min: D 4000 - R 9500
90 min: D 7000 - R 6500
91 min: Duder raises all-in with (33) and Rennzzo (2nd) calls with (KQ). The flop comes [388] and Duder wins his second NPP tourney! Nice job and great battle guys!
1st – Duder 21 pts
2nd – Rennzzo 12 pts
3rd – Tigercub 21 pts
4th – Mikeniks (Faldo) (15 pts)
5th – Doneill 11 pts
6th – Rownder 27 pts
7th – ArcticBlast 16 pts
8th – Beerhog 7 pts
9th – BigLou 26 pts
Nahanni 26 pts
Boother 14 pts
Aqualung (6 pts)
Sev4TSev 3 pts
McGuiness 3 pts
Total point race is on the right side of the blog.
Lots of all – in action tonight - until we got to heads up at least.
6 min: Rownder takes a cold deck special early when his (KK) runs into Tigercub8189’s (AA). I hate when that happens. He’s crippled, but in typical Rownder style, he battles back.
15 min: Biglou93 (9th) goes all-in with (AT) and a flop of [JT6] but last week’s winner Doneill is holding (QQ).
27 min: Rownder gets healthier when his (JT) all-in beats Beerhog’s (44).
32 min: The cold deck continued for Beerhog (8th) as his slow play of (TT) and a flop of [KKT] gets run over by Rennzzo’s (JJ) when a [J] comes on the turn. I had to fold QQ myself when those two went crazy. Lucky me.
33 to 40 min: Rownder won 8 hands without a showdown in this stretch to triple up his stack. Giving Rownder chips is like pouring gas on a campfire.
46 min: I (Faldo) have to make a move with (Jd 9d), but ArcticBlast calls me with a hand of (Qh 4h), but I survive when I flop a [J].
48 min: Duder survives an all-in with (K6) against Doneil’s (A9) with a [6] on the turn. The tide turns for him there, and my tide after surviving an all-in never materialized.
49 min: ArcticBlast (7th) gets cold-decked as his (A6) and a flop-turn of [A78A] runs into Tigercub8189’s (AT), who adds a [T] on the river for good measure.
52 min: Tigercub continued to cold deck people as Rownder (6th) had no choice but to go all-in with (Q8) and a flop of [TQJ] and the Cat is sitting there with (QT). Ouch!
55 min: Doneil (5th) can’t repeat as tourney winner as his (AK) hits the flop of [KJ2], but Duder had (22).
Break:
Rennzzo 5195
Tigercub 4562
Duder 4283
Faldo 960
62 min: I’m (Faldo) in trouble and my (98) all-in gets action in two places and hits a flop of [J3T]. Looking good, but I never improve and I’m out on a bubble again.
64 min: Tigercub (3rd) ran into a spiked river by Duder, which crippled his stack. He goes all-in with (KQ) against Rennzzo’s (99). The flop has a [9] in it and the Cat runs out of lives – and chips.
Heads up with Duder with 10,000 and Rennzzo with 3500. Quick ending? Not so fast. They battle for almost another half hour!
65 min: Duder 10000 – Renz 3500
68 min: D 6500 – R 6500
70 min: D 9000 – R 4500
71 min: D 4000 – R 9500
73 min: D 3000 – R 10500
76 min: D 6000 – R 7500
80 min: D 4500 - R 9000
88 min: D 4000 - R 9500
90 min: D 7000 - R 6500
91 min: Duder raises all-in with (33) and Rennzzo (2nd) calls with (KQ). The flop comes [388] and Duder wins his second NPP tourney! Nice job and great battle guys!
1st – Duder 21 pts
2nd – Rennzzo 12 pts
3rd – Tigercub 21 pts
4th – Mikeniks (Faldo) (15 pts)
5th – Doneill 11 pts
6th – Rownder 27 pts
7th – ArcticBlast 16 pts
8th – Beerhog 7 pts
9th – BigLou 26 pts
Nahanni 26 pts
Boother 14 pts
Aqualung (6 pts)
Sev4TSev 3 pts
McGuiness 3 pts
Total point race is on the right side of the blog.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Doneill Wins in His 1st NPP Tourney
I am writing this while I return on the plane from Las Vegas. It was great to see the turnout of eight players while I was slugging it out with the mopes in Caesars’ Palace.
I see a new player joined in and that is great. Doneill, please comment and tell us about yourself.
Aqualung did tell me Denny is the husband of a woman (not that there is anything wrong with that) who works with Aqualung’s wife. Welcome to the league Denny. Send your email to npokerp @ yahoo, so I have it in case the password needs changing.
Here is the finish of the last tourney and the point standings for the 2nd quarter:
1st – Doneill 10 pts
2nd – Rounder73 27 pts
3rd – Rennzzo 5 pts
4th – ArcticBlast1 16 pts
5th – Biglou 26 pts
6th – Tigercub8189 16 pts
7th – McGuiness007 3pts
8th – Aqualung85 6 pts
Nahanni 26 pts
Boother 14 pts
Mikeniks-Faldo 12 pts
Duder 11 pts
Beerhog 7 pts
The grand total race is on the side of the blog.
I see a new player joined in and that is great. Doneill, please comment and tell us about yourself.
Aqualung did tell me Denny is the husband of a woman (not that there is anything wrong with that) who works with Aqualung’s wife. Welcome to the league Denny. Send your email to npokerp @ yahoo, so I have it in case the password needs changing.
Here is the finish of the last tourney and the point standings for the 2nd quarter:
1st – Doneill 10 pts
2nd – Rounder73 27 pts
3rd – Rennzzo 5 pts
4th – ArcticBlast1 16 pts
5th – Biglou 26 pts
6th – Tigercub8189 16 pts
7th – McGuiness007 3pts
8th – Aqualung85 6 pts
Nahanni 26 pts
Boother 14 pts
Mikeniks-Faldo 12 pts
Duder 11 pts
Beerhog 7 pts
The grand total race is on the side of the blog.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Last Vegas Tourney – Same as the Others – Unfortunately
Well, at least I’m consistent. I can honestly state here for the record – that in the nine tournaments I entered, I hit maybe four flops. I had AA exactly once - in the big blind - and it was folded around to me. It’s been brutal.
JW and I are over at Caesar’s Palace for my last tourney of the trip. Boother is absolutely right! What a beautiful poker room!
Last day/night in Vegas and Bronco76 has his lady with him, so the pools and the clubs were calling.
JW gets knocked out of this 50 player tourney early with a six-outer. He turned the Ace-high straight on the turn with (QJ) – went all-in – and lost to the caller who hit his Ten on the river for a Full House of TTTKK. Ouch.
I make it to the final two tables, but I had to suck out to do it. I have 2400 in chips and the blinds are 200-400 with a 50 ante, with 22 players left. I raise to 2000 with (Ad 3d) – hoping for action.
A player with a big stack and (Ks 9s) moves all-in on me after a flop of [Js 6d 9h]. Just what I wanted, but as usual, the flop is a whiff. I am pot committed now - so I call and spike the Ace on the river. I get the rightly deserved and insincere “Nice catch” comment.
I finish 16th when I move all-in again from the SB (Ad 9d) and the BB calls me with (JT). I don’t count this hit as one of the four flops for the trip [2s 3d 9h]. Not exactly a powerhouse. And of course a [Ts] comes on the turn with no help on the river.
I shake the man's hand and head to the bar just outside the Rio's famous Seafood Buffet and POUND beer until our group shows up for dinner. They were an hour late so I was a little trashed when they got there. But a good trashed - not a sloppy trashed - even though I had two beers getting to the Rio and 5 while waiting! I don't think I was a sloppy drunk, but my wife seemed not to happy with me when she got there.
Better luck next time in tourneys, I guess. First time going home a poker loser in Las Vegas. Of course I usually played hours of ring and either no tourneys or one. But still, I should have done something different or better.
And once again congratulations to JW! What a rush to watch my nephew win one.
JW and I are over at Caesar’s Palace for my last tourney of the trip. Boother is absolutely right! What a beautiful poker room!
Last day/night in Vegas and Bronco76 has his lady with him, so the pools and the clubs were calling.
JW gets knocked out of this 50 player tourney early with a six-outer. He turned the Ace-high straight on the turn with (QJ) – went all-in – and lost to the caller who hit his Ten on the river for a Full House of TTTKK. Ouch.
I make it to the final two tables, but I had to suck out to do it. I have 2400 in chips and the blinds are 200-400 with a 50 ante, with 22 players left. I raise to 2000 with (Ad 3d) – hoping for action.
A player with a big stack and (Ks 9s) moves all-in on me after a flop of [Js 6d 9h]. Just what I wanted, but as usual, the flop is a whiff. I am pot committed now - so I call and spike the Ace on the river. I get the rightly deserved and insincere “Nice catch” comment.
I finish 16th when I move all-in again from the SB (Ad 9d) and the BB calls me with (JT). I don’t count this hit as one of the four flops for the trip [2s 3d 9h]. Not exactly a powerhouse. And of course a [Ts] comes on the turn with no help on the river.
I shake the man's hand and head to the bar just outside the Rio's famous Seafood Buffet and POUND beer until our group shows up for dinner. They were an hour late so I was a little trashed when they got there. But a good trashed - not a sloppy trashed - even though I had two beers getting to the Rio and 5 while waiting! I don't think I was a sloppy drunk, but my wife seemed not to happy with me when she got there.
Better luck next time in tourneys, I guess. First time going home a poker loser in Las Vegas. Of course I usually played hours of ring and either no tourneys or one. But still, I should have done something different or better.
And once again congratulations to JW! What a rush to watch my nephew win one.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Monday Done...and So Am I
At least I remained undefeated in my sports betting in Las Vegas.
I bet the Wings-Dallas game OVER 5 and the final was Wings 5, Dallas 2.
That moves me to 9 - o in sports betting in Las Vegas!
But 1 win in 12 races in another run of horse bets puts my Las Vegas record at 2 wins in 137,768 horse races.
Needless to say, I'm down a little betting the horses. A sane man might think of concentrating on betting only sports and leave the horseys alone. I said a sane man.
You might have noticed that I am delaying explaining my Monday night tourney night. I'm trying to delay having to re-live the pain.
I'm starting to feel these poker tournaments are about as much fun as rubbing aluminum foil over your fillings or repeatedly banging your funny bone on an iron post.
I went back to the Paris as the boys (Bronco and JW) wanted me to wait for them and we would leave for the Caesars tourney together. I got a call late that they were still at the New York - New York. They asked if we could move the Caesars tourney to tomorrow and I said fine. So I went back to the Paris because of the payout structure - not the tourney itself.
As I stated this is a turbo SNG. Thirty-six players in this one.
I stole two pots with junk to stay ahead of the blinds for the first two rounds. But the table went crazy! Some drunk from Boston got moved to the table and was going all-in every hand! He lost his first two hands to lesser stacks and had exactly 400 in chips left with the blinds at 200 - 400.
I had 3200 in chips at this moment. But he keeps going all-in - with both decent and awful hands and wins seven straight all-ins! He now is the monster at the table. I know all-in is my only option and my cards are all big spacers. Another huge stack joins the table and that stops the insanity.
I get blinded down to 1600 just before I become the BB. I am moved to the other table (only 2 tables left), where I am still the big blind. Two UTG limpers and then one player goes all-in for 1600 and I also go all-in for the same amount with (QQ). Maybe here is where I can get back into the tourney. I just need the same good luck JW had at basically the exact same time in the tourney.
Both UTG limpers call our all-in and four of us see the board as the two UTG's check it down.
I hit trip Queens on the flop of [KQ2]. A [6] on the turn and an [A] on the river. Everyone mucks when they see my trips except for the second UTG who is holding [JT].
As I said, this is getting very old. No hands or flops, but when I get them -I lose.
I will be ready to do battle tomorrow none the less. They can't beat you unless you quit.
I bet the Wings-Dallas game OVER 5 and the final was Wings 5, Dallas 2.
That moves me to 9 - o in sports betting in Las Vegas!
But 1 win in 12 races in another run of horse bets puts my Las Vegas record at 2 wins in 137,768 horse races.
Needless to say, I'm down a little betting the horses. A sane man might think of concentrating on betting only sports and leave the horseys alone. I said a sane man.
You might have noticed that I am delaying explaining my Monday night tourney night. I'm trying to delay having to re-live the pain.
I'm starting to feel these poker tournaments are about as much fun as rubbing aluminum foil over your fillings or repeatedly banging your funny bone on an iron post.
I went back to the Paris as the boys (Bronco and JW) wanted me to wait for them and we would leave for the Caesars tourney together. I got a call late that they were still at the New York - New York. They asked if we could move the Caesars tourney to tomorrow and I said fine. So I went back to the Paris because of the payout structure - not the tourney itself.
As I stated this is a turbo SNG. Thirty-six players in this one.
I stole two pots with junk to stay ahead of the blinds for the first two rounds. But the table went crazy! Some drunk from Boston got moved to the table and was going all-in every hand! He lost his first two hands to lesser stacks and had exactly 400 in chips left with the blinds at 200 - 400.
I had 3200 in chips at this moment. But he keeps going all-in - with both decent and awful hands and wins seven straight all-ins! He now is the monster at the table. I know all-in is my only option and my cards are all big spacers. Another huge stack joins the table and that stops the insanity.
I get blinded down to 1600 just before I become the BB. I am moved to the other table (only 2 tables left), where I am still the big blind. Two UTG limpers and then one player goes all-in for 1600 and I also go all-in for the same amount with (QQ). Maybe here is where I can get back into the tourney. I just need the same good luck JW had at basically the exact same time in the tourney.
Both UTG limpers call our all-in and four of us see the board as the two UTG's check it down.
I hit trip Queens on the flop of [KQ2]. A [6] on the turn and an [A] on the river. Everyone mucks when they see my trips except for the second UTG who is holding [JT].
As I said, this is getting very old. No hands or flops, but when I get them -I lose.
I will be ready to do battle tomorrow none the less. They can't beat you unless you quit.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Monday:1st half - Almost and Not at All - Then More Rude Casino Workers!
The Lovely wakes me up early as she is leaving for the Grand Canyon nice and early. She has to get a couple of "you should be going with me" shots in there before exiting. I am tired from the late night tourney last night (and blogging the results before turning in).
But I am up and what the heck. It's Vegas baby!
I hurry to the close by O'Shea's tourney ($45) - which gets group of twenty one entries.
I squeak into the final table when my all-in with (66) spikes a [6] with four callers!
They are paying three spots {$300, $175, $110) , and I stay around as my (JJ) outlasts an (AK).
Down to five as the short stack and I am in the BB with (Ks Qs). It folds around to the SB and chip leader, who limps in. I have some fold equity so I go all-in. After a long think, he calls with (55).
The good news is I flopped [KQ], but the lone spade is ...of course [5s]! Well, at least I didn't bubble. I got that going for me.
On to Bally's for a little bigger and classier tourney - $65 entry and 39 entries. Paying five places {$768, $480, $288, $211, $172}.
I don't make it past the second blind increase. My (JJ) gets caught by (AK) and my desperation all-in with (Ac 5h) never had a prayer.
But Bally's has a nice poker room. Real nice.
So I head over to Planet Hollywood for the next available tourney. It is a $70 buy-in. When I go to pay my entry an hour and a half early, the young poker manager says if I join the PH Player's Club, instead of $4000 starting chips, I will get $4500 - and of course no cost to join.
I state that I am not in Vegas enough to make use of it. But he is persistent and says, "The line is right over there and will only take like ten minutes."
I glance over at the line of - Oprah watching, 5-cent nickel slot and George Clooney loving Clinton voters - snaked around a roped off queuing line that appears a 1st glance will take at least a half hour to get thru.
I say, "Wow. I don't know," wondering if 500 more chips is worth the hassle as fast as blinds go up in this town.
He says in a real smart tone - remember, he is half my age if he is a day - "Listen pal, I'll sell you 4000 in chips right now. But if you don't want 12% more chips just for standing in line for a couple minutes, I can't help you."
I stare at him for a moment wondering if my hat says, "Be rude to me" instead of "Kimber" on it. I say, "You talked me into it," and walk right towards the line, then right past the line and out of Planet Hollywood probably for good.
I walk over to the MGM Grand (the place with some bad memories of I think poker cheating many years ago) and check it out.
The room is 1st class and the busiest of any of the rooms I have seen this trip. They hold a nightly $90 buy-in tourney at 7pm and the poker room manager says they usually have 90 to 110 players.
I may do that tomorrow for my last tourney. On to Caesar's Palace this evening I think.
But I am up and what the heck. It's Vegas baby!
I hurry to the close by O'Shea's tourney ($45) - which gets group of twenty one entries.
I squeak into the final table when my all-in with (66) spikes a [6] with four callers!
They are paying three spots {$300, $175, $110) , and I stay around as my (JJ) outlasts an (AK).
Down to five as the short stack and I am in the BB with (Ks Qs). It folds around to the SB and chip leader, who limps in. I have some fold equity so I go all-in. After a long think, he calls with (55).
The good news is I flopped [KQ], but the lone spade is ...of course [5s]! Well, at least I didn't bubble. I got that going for me.
On to Bally's for a little bigger and classier tourney - $65 entry and 39 entries. Paying five places {$768, $480, $288, $211, $172}.
I don't make it past the second blind increase. My (JJ) gets caught by (AK) and my desperation all-in with (Ac 5h) never had a prayer.
But Bally's has a nice poker room. Real nice.
So I head over to Planet Hollywood for the next available tourney. It is a $70 buy-in. When I go to pay my entry an hour and a half early, the young poker manager says if I join the PH Player's Club, instead of $4000 starting chips, I will get $4500 - and of course no cost to join.
I state that I am not in Vegas enough to make use of it. But he is persistent and says, "The line is right over there and will only take like ten minutes."
I glance over at the line of - Oprah watching, 5-cent nickel slot and George Clooney loving Clinton voters - snaked around a roped off queuing line that appears a 1st glance will take at least a half hour to get thru.
I say, "Wow. I don't know," wondering if 500 more chips is worth the hassle as fast as blinds go up in this town.
He says in a real smart tone - remember, he is half my age if he is a day - "Listen pal, I'll sell you 4000 in chips right now. But if you don't want 12% more chips just for standing in line for a couple minutes, I can't help you."
I stare at him for a moment wondering if my hat says, "Be rude to me" instead of "Kimber" on it. I say, "You talked me into it," and walk right towards the line, then right past the line and out of Planet Hollywood probably for good.
I walk over to the MGM Grand (the place with some bad memories of I think poker cheating many years ago) and check it out.
The room is 1st class and the busiest of any of the rooms I have seen this trip. They hold a nightly $90 buy-in tourney at 7pm and the poker room manager says they usually have 90 to 110 players.
I may do that tomorrow for my last tourney. On to Caesar's Palace this evening I think.
Faldo Unsuccessful in O'Shea's Tourney
My wife got tired after seeing her first Las Vegas show with her sister (Beatle's show of some kind) and the walk to the Bellagio. Besides they are heading to the Grand Canyon tomorrow and wanted to turn in.
I still had my poker legs so Idropped her off and headed to O'Shea's. I got in a 30 - player tourney there with a $45 buy-in.
It's a little casino on the strip and is part of the Flamingo family and is basically right next door to the Flamingo and across the street from Caesars Palace.
They run six tourneys a day: 9am, 1pm, 5pm, 9pm, midnight and 3am! So you can find tournament action around the clock there. Sweet!
Plus, O'Shea's has their live action ring just inside the casino, and passer's by can sweater the action there. The tournaments are held deeper inside the casino.
I forgot to get the payouts, but they are permanently posted on the wall in the event of 2, 3, 4 or 5 full tables of players. Maybe I will get them later if I remember to or play there again.
I was not too happy when I left. Not mad as much as wondering if I will ever get a decent run of cards in a tournament this trip. It may not happen. No law says I will.
My tale of woe was another string of 73, 84, 93, K2, and 72 hands. At least these did not flop winners of gigantic pots for me if I had stayed. I was not hitting hands or flops with anything. In the first 3 levels of blinds, I played exactly 2 hands and had to fold after the flop. I was getting low in chips.
I finally get (QQ) and simply limp in from UTG +1, because I know the man on the button will raise. One limper follows me and the button fires in a big raise. Easy all-in call for me, and the limper folds.
The Button holds (KsTs) and hits a [T] on the flop. but a [Q] on the turn allows me to make the break with some chips.
After the break, my garbage collection of hands continues. I finally make a stand and go all-in first with (Kh Qh), while I still have five times the blinds.
A big stack in the big blind considers folding as everyone else has. But he knows I have been sitting there like a tree stump except for the (QQ) hand and makes the call with (Ad 4d).
I get my [Q] on the flop but two diamond are also there. He hits a diamond on the turn and an Ace on the river he didn't need and I am out in 12th.
The bride is heading to the Grand Canyon tomorrow and I will try to break out tomorrow.
It sure was exciting watching JW win it all!
I still had my poker legs so Idropped her off and headed to O'Shea's. I got in a 30 - player tourney there with a $45 buy-in.
It's a little casino on the strip and is part of the Flamingo family and is basically right next door to the Flamingo and across the street from Caesars Palace.
They run six tourneys a day: 9am, 1pm, 5pm, 9pm, midnight and 3am! So you can find tournament action around the clock there. Sweet!
Plus, O'Shea's has their live action ring just inside the casino, and passer's by can sweater the action there. The tournaments are held deeper inside the casino.
I forgot to get the payouts, but they are permanently posted on the wall in the event of 2, 3, 4 or 5 full tables of players. Maybe I will get them later if I remember to or play there again.
I was not too happy when I left. Not mad as much as wondering if I will ever get a decent run of cards in a tournament this trip. It may not happen. No law says I will.
My tale of woe was another string of 73, 84, 93, K2, and 72 hands. At least these did not flop winners of gigantic pots for me if I had stayed. I was not hitting hands or flops with anything. In the first 3 levels of blinds, I played exactly 2 hands and had to fold after the flop. I was getting low in chips.
I finally get (QQ) and simply limp in from UTG +1, because I know the man on the button will raise. One limper follows me and the button fires in a big raise. Easy all-in call for me, and the limper folds.
The Button holds (KsTs) and hits a [T] on the flop. but a [Q] on the turn allows me to make the break with some chips.
After the break, my garbage collection of hands continues. I finally make a stand and go all-in first with (Kh Qh), while I still have five times the blinds.
A big stack in the big blind considers folding as everyone else has. But he knows I have been sitting there like a tree stump except for the (QQ) hand and makes the call with (Ad 4d).
I get my [Q] on the flop but two diamond are also there. He hits a diamond on the turn and an Ace on the river he didn't need and I am out in 12th.
The bride is heading to the Grand Canyon tomorrow and I will try to break out tomorrow.
It sure was exciting watching JW win it all!
'JW' Wins at the Paris!
Forty-nine players (45 and 4 alternates) signed up for this turbo SNG for the standard $65 buy-in. Tournament over in just over two hours! Faldo, Bronco76 and JW (Aqualung's and my nephew) were part of it. I told them about the payout at the Paris being friendly and they wanted to try it. Good judgement!
I didn’t see how Bronco got knocked out, but his report was that he was basically card dead and lost his coin flip all-in with 3 tables left.
JW was at my table. We hooked in a hand where I re-raised his standard raise, to let him know I had a great hand (KK). He called with (AQ) and spiked an [A] on the flop. JW bet a lot, and I had to lay them down.
But as the action continued, JW was – at one point – with less chips (1200) than I had (2500) {blinds 200 – 400}. He went all-in with (KQ) and got a caller with (AJ). The flop was a super friendly [AJT], and no boat arrived. That was the kick-off to a great run!
I finished 15th as my all-in with (AJ) lost to a (KQ) who hit the [K] on the river.
I did not see the action until it went to a final table of nine players. JW stood 7th in chips when he arrived there.
With seven players left and now being low chip man, JW calls an all-in with (66) and is thrilled when his opponent turns over (55). A nice double up! The 55 guy is gone shortly.
The chip leader takes out the bubble man when his (Q8) beats the short stack, who held (A8) when a [Q] hits the turn. Five left and all get paid.
JW picks up some chips uncontested with raises. Finally the chip leader calls with (44) and JW has (AA). With three left, JW has the lead!
JW’s (AK) beat (AQ) to take out the 3rd place chip count guy, setting up the heads up competition. JW has the much bigger stack.
It doesn't take very long to end as JW's (AT) is all over the short-stack with (8d 4d). But an all-black flop with an [A T 6d) in it and JW wins his first Las Vegas tournament!
1st - $966 – nice payday JW!!!
2nd - $604
3rd - $362
4th - $266
5th - $217
JW was VERY kind by returning Bronco’s and my entry fee back to us, and then he told Bronco, “The drinks are on me!” – and away they went into the Las Vegas night! I was considering tagging along but my wife wanted me to see the flower garden in the Bellagio and the light show outside the Bellagio with her.
Going partying in Vegas with two young guys with found money - or looking at flower arrangements with my wife? Decisions, decisions.
I never saw so many chrysanthemums, and the light shows I noticed are fifteen minutes apart.
I didn’t see how Bronco got knocked out, but his report was that he was basically card dead and lost his coin flip all-in with 3 tables left.
JW was at my table. We hooked in a hand where I re-raised his standard raise, to let him know I had a great hand (KK). He called with (AQ) and spiked an [A] on the flop. JW bet a lot, and I had to lay them down.
But as the action continued, JW was – at one point – with less chips (1200) than I had (2500) {blinds 200 – 400}. He went all-in with (KQ) and got a caller with (AJ). The flop was a super friendly [AJT], and no boat arrived. That was the kick-off to a great run!
I finished 15th as my all-in with (AJ) lost to a (KQ) who hit the [K] on the river.
I did not see the action until it went to a final table of nine players. JW stood 7th in chips when he arrived there.
With seven players left and now being low chip man, JW calls an all-in with (66) and is thrilled when his opponent turns over (55). A nice double up! The 55 guy is gone shortly.
The chip leader takes out the bubble man when his (Q8) beats the short stack, who held (A8) when a [Q] hits the turn. Five left and all get paid.
JW picks up some chips uncontested with raises. Finally the chip leader calls with (44) and JW has (AA). With three left, JW has the lead!
JW’s (AK) beat (AQ) to take out the 3rd place chip count guy, setting up the heads up competition. JW has the much bigger stack.
It doesn't take very long to end as JW's (AT) is all over the short-stack with (8d 4d). But an all-black flop with an [A T 6d) in it and JW wins his first Las Vegas tournament!
1st - $966 – nice payday JW!!!
2nd - $604
3rd - $362
4th - $266
5th - $217
JW was VERY kind by returning Bronco’s and my entry fee back to us, and then he told Bronco, “The drinks are on me!” – and away they went into the Las Vegas night! I was considering tagging along but my wife wanted me to see the flower garden in the Bellagio and the light show outside the Bellagio with her.
Going partying in Vegas with two young guys with found money - or looking at flower arrangements with my wife? Decisions, decisions.
I never saw so many chrysanthemums, and the light shows I noticed are fifteen minutes apart.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Faldo Moves to the Paris Casino to Donk Some More
Well, I found poker heaven in Vegas, although I didn't stay long.
The Paris Poker Room had a tourney with a $65 buy-in. They cut the entries off at 36 players. I huslted over after my loss at the Monte Carlo, but was not in a great frame of mind.
I entered the tourney, and entered the sports book where I lost two horse bets while waiting. That help my attitude. Then my son just called to tell me that both him and his couzin failed to cash also at Monte Carlo.
Just as I asked him for details, I was told rudely by a sports book worker that cell phones were illegal in the sports book. If my $65 for the tourney was not already 100 feet away in their cash register, I would of told the guy what he could do with his sports book. But I told my son that some, "This asshole says I can't use my phone. Talk to you later," and I hung up. The guy seemed to contemplate a response, but walked away.
I tend to get surly when losing. Another improvement in my frame of mind before the next tourney.
The Paris tourney is first class. Tourney clock on the wall and the payouts are generous! Thirty-six players makes a pool of $2100. They paid five places -
1st - $768
2nd - $480
3rd - $288
4th - $211
5th - $173
This means The Paris Poker Room only took $180 out of the pool of $2100! Compare that to the Imperial Palace taking $440 out of a pool of $1320.
The Paris is the best bargain I've seen so far!
I continued playing like a donkey as the promise I made in the last article was not made until after this tourney. Again I folded - as I was supposed to - two weak hands that would have won me some big pots.
This was stacked on top of my Monte Carlo misses and donkey play, the horse losses and the rude Paris employee. I was trying not to get tilty, but I don't think I was thinking as clear as I usually do. I won't blame it on being tired because I didn't feel tired.
Here is the hand that spelled the end for me. I am medium-low in chips and am in the big blind after the first break. I have 1100 left after posting the 200 big blind. It folds around to the small blind who calls. I look at (Ah 3h) and decide to raise it to 500 and he calls. Not what I wanted to hear.
The flop is [7s As Qc]. Yeah, that may be my salvation or my tap out. The small blind checks. What to do?
Checking is totally wrong, but is all-in correct? I will be able to see another full lap to pick a spot if I don't go out here. A small bet will get me a call - which I don't want. So I bet $500.
There is an old adage, 'try not to play a big pot with a small hand.' I ignore that wisdom. This was almost as stupid a play (I'm thinking now) as checking. I just committed myself, but didn't use the all-in hammer. If I wanted him to fold, all-in was the move, not this weenie bet.
He calls and now I have no idea where I am at. Like I said, someone else has taken over playing my cards and my brain must be out on the strip handing out call-girl cards to passer-byes with the illegal aliens.
If anyone wants to dispute my play on this hand as being 'not so bad', I would love to hear why. ...Somebody? Anybody?
The turn is [6c]. Well, that did nothing for me, but built another flush draw I none of. He checks and I check. Again, showing weakness, but I'm lost in the hand and on tilt besides.
The river is a [4d]. That's a blank I think, but the SB goes all-in and after a think, I fold leaving me with next to nothing in chips. I double up once but fail on the second attempt. I exit wondering why I am going for Donkey of the Year honors in Las Vegas my first day playing.
The SB guy didn't show what he had, but he got knocked out soon after as his trips ran into a runner-runner straight. I happen to be just outside the poker room calling my son when he exits, so I asked him what happened to him - and what did he have in our hand (As6s).
Definitely heading back to the Paris for some tourneys. The payouts are ripe, but I will still hit some casinos for poker I have never played in before also.
I WILL REPRESENT NPP TOMORROW!!!!! - Nik Faldo
The Paris Poker Room had a tourney with a $65 buy-in. They cut the entries off at 36 players. I huslted over after my loss at the Monte Carlo, but was not in a great frame of mind.
I entered the tourney, and entered the sports book where I lost two horse bets while waiting. That help my attitude. Then my son just called to tell me that both him and his couzin failed to cash also at Monte Carlo.
Just as I asked him for details, I was told rudely by a sports book worker that cell phones were illegal in the sports book. If my $65 for the tourney was not already 100 feet away in their cash register, I would of told the guy what he could do with his sports book. But I told my son that some, "This asshole says I can't use my phone. Talk to you later," and I hung up. The guy seemed to contemplate a response, but walked away.
I tend to get surly when losing. Another improvement in my frame of mind before the next tourney.
The Paris tourney is first class. Tourney clock on the wall and the payouts are generous! Thirty-six players makes a pool of $2100. They paid five places -
1st - $768
2nd - $480
3rd - $288
4th - $211
5th - $173
This means The Paris Poker Room only took $180 out of the pool of $2100! Compare that to the Imperial Palace taking $440 out of a pool of $1320.
The Paris is the best bargain I've seen so far!
I continued playing like a donkey as the promise I made in the last article was not made until after this tourney. Again I folded - as I was supposed to - two weak hands that would have won me some big pots.
This was stacked on top of my Monte Carlo misses and donkey play, the horse losses and the rude Paris employee. I was trying not to get tilty, but I don't think I was thinking as clear as I usually do. I won't blame it on being tired because I didn't feel tired.
Here is the hand that spelled the end for me. I am medium-low in chips and am in the big blind after the first break. I have 1100 left after posting the 200 big blind. It folds around to the small blind who calls. I look at (Ah 3h) and decide to raise it to 500 and he calls. Not what I wanted to hear.
The flop is [7s As Qc]. Yeah, that may be my salvation or my tap out. The small blind checks. What to do?
Checking is totally wrong, but is all-in correct? I will be able to see another full lap to pick a spot if I don't go out here. A small bet will get me a call - which I don't want. So I bet $500.
There is an old adage, 'try not to play a big pot with a small hand.' I ignore that wisdom. This was almost as stupid a play (I'm thinking now) as checking. I just committed myself, but didn't use the all-in hammer. If I wanted him to fold, all-in was the move, not this weenie bet.
He calls and now I have no idea where I am at. Like I said, someone else has taken over playing my cards and my brain must be out on the strip handing out call-girl cards to passer-byes with the illegal aliens.
If anyone wants to dispute my play on this hand as being 'not so bad', I would love to hear why. ...Somebody? Anybody?
The turn is [6c]. Well, that did nothing for me, but built another flush draw I none of. He checks and I check. Again, showing weakness, but I'm lost in the hand and on tilt besides.
The river is a [4d]. That's a blank I think, but the SB goes all-in and after a think, I fold leaving me with next to nothing in chips. I double up once but fail on the second attempt. I exit wondering why I am going for Donkey of the Year honors in Las Vegas my first day playing.
The SB guy didn't show what he had, but he got knocked out soon after as his trips ran into a runner-runner straight. I happen to be just outside the poker room calling my son when he exits, so I asked him what happened to him - and what did he have in our hand (As6s).
Definitely heading back to the Paris for some tourneys. The payouts are ripe, but I will still hit some casinos for poker I have never played in before also.
I WILL REPRESENT NPP TOMORROW!!!!! - Nik Faldo
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Faldo Donks Off His Chips the Next Tourney at the Monte Carlo
I don't know why it started but I know when. Actually, I know why too. And I will fix it tomorrow. I should have fixed this leak in my game before, burt sometimes it takes a kick in the teeth ...and looking like a donk in Las Vegas to bring it home.
I will represent us better tomorrow.
My next stop was the Monte Carlo and another $50 buy-in and another $10 got you another $1000, and who wasn't taking that? My son Bronco and my nephew JW are playing also. 27 players enter.
It is a beautiful poker room with HD TV's on the wall for sports. But none had a tournament clock operating. Everything was handled the old fashion way - on a call out from the tournament director. Very strange considering how classy the room is.
I never did get the payouts. I was not there that long.
Here is when I became a donk. Two limpers come in before me on hand 3 and I find (87) in middle position. I decide to much and the flop comes [864] A a small bet and 5 callers. The turn is a [5] - naturally. I folded. Another small bet and a standard raise, and four callers!
The river is a [K] with three all-ins and my straight would have taken it down as trip 4's did. Huge pot and I got none. GRRRR - but no problem - it's early.
2 hands later - (JT) one from under the gun. UTG calls and I muck. Six callers - flop [JJ6]. Action and bets with a [T] on the river. Another monster is not mine!
Button (Ks Qs), raise four callers and they all call. Flop [Ad 5d 4d] and two call a good bet and I have to fold.
Late middle position with [99], raise again and the same woman that raised me out of the last hand I played goes all-in. I muck it.
I am officially starting to tilt as every move I make or don't make is wrong. Not that I am playing badly, but my attitude and confidence is starting to slide.
Now I am medium low in chips. One lap later in middle position, I enter first with a raise with (Kd Td). This same woman raises double and I am the only caller. Maybe a re-raise here gets me the pot - maybe.
The flop is [KKJ]. I bet half of what I have hoping to win it here. I hope she wants to fold any straight draw or smaller pair. She calls. The turn is a [Q]. Now the straight is out there.
I check but I think I have to call her bet. She checks too. Maybe my small pair read is correct and now I think maybe I missed my chance to take the pot. The river is a [2]. Safe enough.
I check hoping my trips win but she goes all-in. Straight? Or did she have (KJ) from the jump or did the [Q] turn give her the boat? I still have chips left although not much. I can't think of a single hand I can beat unless she is on a pure bluff - and a bluff attempt would be silly considering how short stacked I am.
I want to fold, but my hand shoves the rest of my chips in and she does have (KQ).
My nephew whispers, "What a cooler!" But was it?
Or did I misplay the hand on every street and then simply throw the rest of my chips away?
I have to quit letting past results in hands upset my judgement later in the tourney. I should be past this point by now, but I have not been.
I will be tomorrow.
I will represent us better tomorrow.
My next stop was the Monte Carlo and another $50 buy-in and another $10 got you another $1000, and who wasn't taking that? My son Bronco and my nephew JW are playing also. 27 players enter.
It is a beautiful poker room with HD TV's on the wall for sports. But none had a tournament clock operating. Everything was handled the old fashion way - on a call out from the tournament director. Very strange considering how classy the room is.
I never did get the payouts. I was not there that long.
Here is when I became a donk. Two limpers come in before me on hand 3 and I find (87) in middle position. I decide to much and the flop comes [864] A a small bet and 5 callers. The turn is a [5] - naturally. I folded. Another small bet and a standard raise, and four callers!
The river is a [K] with three all-ins and my straight would have taken it down as trip 4's did. Huge pot and I got none. GRRRR - but no problem - it's early.
2 hands later - (JT) one from under the gun. UTG calls and I muck. Six callers - flop [JJ6]. Action and bets with a [T] on the river. Another monster is not mine!
Button (Ks Qs), raise four callers and they all call. Flop [Ad 5d 4d] and two call a good bet and I have to fold.
Late middle position with [99], raise again and the same woman that raised me out of the last hand I played goes all-in. I muck it.
I am officially starting to tilt as every move I make or don't make is wrong. Not that I am playing badly, but my attitude and confidence is starting to slide.
Now I am medium low in chips. One lap later in middle position, I enter first with a raise with (Kd Td). This same woman raises double and I am the only caller. Maybe a re-raise here gets me the pot - maybe.
The flop is [KKJ]. I bet half of what I have hoping to win it here. I hope she wants to fold any straight draw or smaller pair. She calls. The turn is a [Q]. Now the straight is out there.
I check but I think I have to call her bet. She checks too. Maybe my small pair read is correct and now I think maybe I missed my chance to take the pot. The river is a [2]. Safe enough.
I check hoping my trips win but she goes all-in. Straight? Or did she have (KJ) from the jump or did the [Q] turn give her the boat? I still have chips left although not much. I can't think of a single hand I can beat unless she is on a pure bluff - and a bluff attempt would be silly considering how short stacked I am.
I want to fold, but my hand shoves the rest of my chips in and she does have (KQ).
My nephew whispers, "What a cooler!" But was it?
Or did I misplay the hand on every street and then simply throw the rest of my chips away?
I have to quit letting past results in hands upset my judgement later in the tourney. I should be past this point by now, but I have not been.
I will be tomorrow.
Faldo Fails at Imperial Palace
The $60 buy-in tourney only attraced twenty-two players, so it was more of a SNG than a tourney.
What I liked: The Poker Room Floorman was Rick Marianetti - who will be on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" on Monday night. He will be the bald guy.
He was very helpful and gave me a sheet with all the tourneys within walking distance of the Imperial Palace. A very nice gesture indeed.
The tourney was well run, the tourney clock always visible, and the dealers were fist rate.
What I didn't like; The rake!
22 players is a total pool of $1320. It played three places.
1st - $440 (50%)
2nd - $264 (30%)
3rd - $176 (20%)
So far, so correct.
But the rake was $440!!!! The casino came in 1st place too!
Freddie Deeb, who forgot more about poker odds than I know, says that the casinos normally finish 3rd - 4th every tourney. So where does the Imperial Palace get off taking 1st - 2nd?
[Ed. Note: If you take the full prize fund, normally the casino takes 10% of the prize pool - which equates to taking 4th in a tourney. Imperial Palace got a 2nd place finish percentage on the entire pool - which then equaled the payout for 1st place.]
The dealer mentioned that they seem to only get 3 tables or less of players for the weekend tourneys, but 4 or 5 tables going during the week. Maybe they back off the rake with more tables - but I doubt it.
These tourneys are no way profitable long term. The rake is just too massive.
I also didn't like the fact I finished 12th. Not blaming my loss on it, but 4 of the 11 guys on my table were poker buddies and some whip-saw betting and Robin Hood poker took place. I guess two guys in the same posse were on the other table.
Anyway, it is on to the Monte Carlo for a $60 tourney over there. My son and nephew are getting in also. Should be a good time. Report to follow. - Nik Faldo
What I liked: The Poker Room Floorman was Rick Marianetti - who will be on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" on Monday night. He will be the bald guy.
He was very helpful and gave me a sheet with all the tourneys within walking distance of the Imperial Palace. A very nice gesture indeed.
The tourney was well run, the tourney clock always visible, and the dealers were fist rate.
What I didn't like; The rake!
22 players is a total pool of $1320. It played three places.
1st - $440 (50%)
2nd - $264 (30%)
3rd - $176 (20%)
So far, so correct.
But the rake was $440!!!! The casino came in 1st place too!
Freddie Deeb, who forgot more about poker odds than I know, says that the casinos normally finish 3rd - 4th every tourney. So where does the Imperial Palace get off taking 1st - 2nd?
[Ed. Note: If you take the full prize fund, normally the casino takes 10% of the prize pool - which equates to taking 4th in a tourney. Imperial Palace got a 2nd place finish percentage on the entire pool - which then equaled the payout for 1st place.]
The dealer mentioned that they seem to only get 3 tables or less of players for the weekend tourneys, but 4 or 5 tables going during the week. Maybe they back off the rake with more tables - but I doubt it.
These tourneys are no way profitable long term. The rake is just too massive.
I also didn't like the fact I finished 12th. Not blaming my loss on it, but 4 of the 11 guys on my table were poker buddies and some whip-saw betting and Robin Hood poker took place. I guess two guys in the same posse were on the other table.
Anyway, it is on to the Monte Carlo for a $60 tourney over there. My son and nephew are getting in also. Should be a good time. Report to follow. - Nik Faldo
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
BigLou93 Wins NPP #18-6, for 2nd Win of the Quarter
Eight players finally made it to the game this evening. Rownder was a little late registering and Nahanni was a little late starting and ArcticBlast were a lot late getting started. But all made it in plenty of time to be factors.
21 min: Beerhog gets crippled early as his (AQ) ran into BigLou93’s (QJ) with a flop of [QJ5].
25 min: Mikeniks-Faldo gives Beerhog some life as my (55) fails as his (A3) hits an [A] on the flop. Don’t give chips to Beerhog as he will make you pay for your generosity.
39 min: Nahanni gets her stacked whacked as she tries to take ArcticBlast out with (33) and a flop of [A24]. But Arctic puts the freeze to her as his (KK) holds up against the straight draw and trips catch.
44 min: Last week’s winner Tigercub8189 (8th) exits first as his big hands early earned him no chips. Then with a flop of [448], he goes all-in with a semi-short stack and (A8). BigLou9393 calls him with (48)! Ouch!
48 min: A short-stacked Nahanni (7th) doesn’t get the Faldo gift pack of chips. She goes up against real card players, instead of me, with (AT). Both BigLou93 and Duder (K9) call her. The flop is [359]. Duder bets and BigLou93 gets out of the way. Duder trips his 9’s on the turn to end the lady’s night.
59 min: I’ve (Faldo) told everyone – never, NEVER go all-in short-stacked right before the break. I am convinced the Poker Stars software is designed to clean up the debris right before breaks.
I’m (6th) short-stacked, thanks to my 70 hand run of garbage cards and rotten play. I read BigLou9393 for a draw of some kind with a flop of [As 7s 2c]. I go all-in with (KJ) hoping to buy it or hit a pair. BigLou93 had paired the ducks, no help arrives of course and I am out of there.
Gee, yet another bubble finish for Faldo. Go figure.
Break:
BigLou93 4345
ArcticBlast 2850
Duder 2835
Rownder 1000
Beerhog 970 (way to come back!)
64 min: ArcticBlast (TT) and a shorter-stacked Rownder (AT) hook up with Rownder all-in and hitting an [A] on the flop. They virtually change positions in chip count.
66 min: ArcticBlast (5th) gets hit with nearly simultaneous death blows as his (QQ) runs into Rownder’s (AA). A tough run for Blast after the break, that is for sure!
73 min: Rownder (4th) tries to make a grab for the gusto but the cards do not cooperate for him this time. Now short-stacked again, he makes his stand with (JT) and runs into BigLou93’s (KT).
75 min: Duder (3rd) was getting grounded into dust by the big stack, BigLou93 (as was Beerhog). Duder goes all-in with (77) and BigLou93 calls with (QJ) and BigLou93 hits the straight on the turn to end the night for Duder.
80 min: That leaves the Beerhog (2nd), who made a great comeback and dodged the bullets without ever having a big supply of chips the whole night. He dribbles in his last little bit with (Ts 3h) and a flop of [8s 7s 3s], for a pair of 3’s and a flush draw. BigLou93 calls with (54) and hits a straight on the river to close it out!
Nice win BigLou and way to tough out a place finish Beerhog.
1st – BigLou93 25 pts
2nd – Beerhog 7 pts
3rd – Duder 11 pts
4th – Rownder 20 pts
5th - ArcticBlast 13 pts
6th – Mikeniks-Faldo (12pts)
7th – Nahanni 26 pts
8th – Tigercub8189 16 pts
Boother 14 pts
Aqualung (6 pts)
Sev4TSev 3 pts
McGuiness 3 pts
Total point standings are on the right side of the blog.
21 min: Beerhog gets crippled early as his (AQ) ran into BigLou93’s (QJ) with a flop of [QJ5].
25 min: Mikeniks-Faldo gives Beerhog some life as my (55) fails as his (A3) hits an [A] on the flop. Don’t give chips to Beerhog as he will make you pay for your generosity.
39 min: Nahanni gets her stacked whacked as she tries to take ArcticBlast out with (33) and a flop of [A24]. But Arctic puts the freeze to her as his (KK) holds up against the straight draw and trips catch.
44 min: Last week’s winner Tigercub8189 (8th) exits first as his big hands early earned him no chips. Then with a flop of [448], he goes all-in with a semi-short stack and (A8). BigLou9393 calls him with (48)! Ouch!
48 min: A short-stacked Nahanni (7th) doesn’t get the Faldo gift pack of chips. She goes up against real card players, instead of me, with (AT). Both BigLou93 and Duder (K9) call her. The flop is [359]. Duder bets and BigLou93 gets out of the way. Duder trips his 9’s on the turn to end the lady’s night.
59 min: I’ve (Faldo) told everyone – never, NEVER go all-in short-stacked right before the break. I am convinced the Poker Stars software is designed to clean up the debris right before breaks.
I’m (6th) short-stacked, thanks to my 70 hand run of garbage cards and rotten play. I read BigLou9393 for a draw of some kind with a flop of [As 7s 2c]. I go all-in with (KJ) hoping to buy it or hit a pair. BigLou93 had paired the ducks, no help arrives of course and I am out of there.
Gee, yet another bubble finish for Faldo. Go figure.
Break:
BigLou93 4345
ArcticBlast 2850
Duder 2835
Rownder 1000
Beerhog 970 (way to come back!)
64 min: ArcticBlast (TT) and a shorter-stacked Rownder (AT) hook up with Rownder all-in and hitting an [A] on the flop. They virtually change positions in chip count.
66 min: ArcticBlast (5th) gets hit with nearly simultaneous death blows as his (QQ) runs into Rownder’s (AA). A tough run for Blast after the break, that is for sure!
73 min: Rownder (4th) tries to make a grab for the gusto but the cards do not cooperate for him this time. Now short-stacked again, he makes his stand with (JT) and runs into BigLou93’s (KT).
75 min: Duder (3rd) was getting grounded into dust by the big stack, BigLou93 (as was Beerhog). Duder goes all-in with (77) and BigLou93 calls with (QJ) and BigLou93 hits the straight on the turn to end the night for Duder.
80 min: That leaves the Beerhog (2nd), who made a great comeback and dodged the bullets without ever having a big supply of chips the whole night. He dribbles in his last little bit with (Ts 3h) and a flop of [8s 7s 3s], for a pair of 3’s and a flush draw. BigLou93 calls with (54) and hits a straight on the river to close it out!
Nice win BigLou and way to tough out a place finish Beerhog.
1st – BigLou93 25 pts
2nd – Beerhog 7 pts
3rd – Duder 11 pts
4th – Rownder 20 pts
5th - ArcticBlast 13 pts
6th – Mikeniks-Faldo (12pts)
7th – Nahanni 26 pts
8th – Tigercub8189 16 pts
Boother 14 pts
Aqualung (6 pts)
Sev4TSev 3 pts
McGuiness 3 pts
Total point standings are on the right side of the blog.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Tigercub8189 Wins His First NPP Tourney
It may have been a shorter table with only six starters, but all were previous winners – so it was not going to be cakewalk. But with the cards the Tiger was getting, maybe it was. He hit a ton of hands – especially down the stretch – which is always nice when it happens to you.
I would not know about that phenomenon …but I hear things.
53 min: Mikeniks-Faldo (6th) is the first victim. Duder crippled me early. Then Biglou and Nahanni tag-teamed my panic all-in by both of them calling. Biglou hit the wheel straight and I was left to keep score alone in Cleveland.
58 min: Nahanni (5th) followed me out the door by breaking the cardinal rule: Short stack never plays with less than 2 minutes to go before break. The software will kill you.
She has (67) and the flop comes [A68]. She was two-timed also by ArcticBlast and Duder, who both had an Ace and split her chips.
Break:
Tigercub 3260
Biglou 2577
Duder 1918
ArcticBlast 1245
ArcticBlast starts the 2nd round with a couple of big blind special hands of (72) and (32) that double him up quickly!
68 min: This was not good for the early chip leader Duder (4th). Duder is now forced to make a move with (AJ) and runs into ArcticBlast’s (AK).
83 min: A lot of hands were being hit by Tiger who slowly ground his two opponents into Cat-chow. Last week’s winner Biglou (3rd) has to go all-in with his (A6) when the flop comes [687] with a [7] on the turn. But the Tigercub is lying in wait with (KK).
88 min: The end comes with another run of cards for Tiger. ArcticBlast (2nd) is forced to put the rest of his chips in with (K7) and Tiger can easily call with (97). Flop [65J], and Arctic is alive. But a [9] on the turn and a [9] on the river and Tigercub8189 has his first win!
Good job Tiger!
1st – Tigercub 16 pts
2nd – ArcticBlast 12 pts
3rd – Biglou 15 pts
4th – Duder 6 pts
5th – Nahanni 26 pts
6th – Mikeniks (12 pts)
Rownder 17 pts
Boother 14 pts
Total Point Standings are on the side of the blog.
I would not know about that phenomenon …but I hear things.
53 min: Mikeniks-Faldo (6th) is the first victim. Duder crippled me early. Then Biglou and Nahanni tag-teamed my panic all-in by both of them calling. Biglou hit the wheel straight and I was left to keep score alone in Cleveland.
58 min: Nahanni (5th) followed me out the door by breaking the cardinal rule: Short stack never plays with less than 2 minutes to go before break. The software will kill you.
She has (67) and the flop comes [A68]. She was two-timed also by ArcticBlast and Duder, who both had an Ace and split her chips.
Break:
Tigercub 3260
Biglou 2577
Duder 1918
ArcticBlast 1245
ArcticBlast starts the 2nd round with a couple of big blind special hands of (72) and (32) that double him up quickly!
68 min: This was not good for the early chip leader Duder (4th). Duder is now forced to make a move with (AJ) and runs into ArcticBlast’s (AK).
83 min: A lot of hands were being hit by Tiger who slowly ground his two opponents into Cat-chow. Last week’s winner Biglou (3rd) has to go all-in with his (A6) when the flop comes [687] with a [7] on the turn. But the Tigercub is lying in wait with (KK).
88 min: The end comes with another run of cards for Tiger. ArcticBlast (2nd) is forced to put the rest of his chips in with (K7) and Tiger can easily call with (97). Flop [65J], and Arctic is alive. But a [9] on the turn and a [9] on the river and Tigercub8189 has his first win!
Good job Tiger!
1st – Tigercub 16 pts
2nd – ArcticBlast 12 pts
3rd – Biglou 15 pts
4th – Duder 6 pts
5th – Nahanni 26 pts
6th – Mikeniks (12 pts)
Rownder 17 pts
Boother 14 pts
Total Point Standings are on the side of the blog.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
The Legend of the White Whale – Part IV
In Part III, I described the poker game run by my travel softball team’s coach, sponsor, general manager, .990 batting average pinch-hitter, bookie and big bettor – Frank.
In the game were only three real players; Frank, Fat Russ and Frank’s protégé - and game starting shill – Nik Faldo. And I was not a real ‘playa’. But the competition was so weak, that I was able to squeak out about $200 a poker night on average. Which $200 a week back in the 1970’s was some decent cash for a starving college student.
Our softball team played against the best in Michigan and sometimes, the country. We did it on a budget completely paid for by Frank – at around $50,000 a year. We played against many corporate sponsored teams like Stroh’s, Miller High Life, and big manufacturing company sponsors that would spend about $250,000 to $500,000 a year – for a softball team, if you can believe it. So it was serious stuff.
I found the team thru Frank’s brother ‘Ted’, who had played baseball with me in high school. We met by chance, and he told me to try out, and the rest is a 15 year softball career – waste of time! But it was great fun and adventures.
As a ‘small market’ team, Frank was forced to take a lot of the great softball players that had been thrown off the other teams for bad behavior or that were attitude problems. We truly were the Oakland Raiders of Michigan softball and Frank had us in black and silver uniforms to boot. Teams were uncomfortable playing us and had absolutely no desire to get – let us say – on our bad side. And with just about any team we played, one of our players had an axe to grind with them – so even though we were not the best all the time talent wise – we were always motivated.
The police on more than one occasion escorted some player of ours off the diamond (in cuffs) for some parole ‘paperwork problem’ - and some of our tournament games always seemed to have extra ‘security’ around. Frank once told me as I stood in the on deck circle, “You know Little Faldo (I was the smallest player by far at 5’ 9”, and a weight-lifting, solid 200 lbs.), I think you are the only guy in the starting line-up who has not been in jail.” A few of the guys on the team also worked as Frank’s ‘Fund Allocation Collection Agents’.
I was working at a plating company – hanging parts on the line - on midnight shift, showering, going to college, then going home and passing out. I would get up, study and do a little homework, then go to work.
Frank called me and said, “I rented a gym so you idiots can play catch and maybe do a little basketball and volleyball to stay in shape – as long as you don’t kill each other. Be there at 7pm.”
I told him I couldn’t because of my schedule. He said, “How much are you making in that stupid job?” I told him my take home was $125 a week. He said, “I’ll give you $100 a day to answer my phones on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.” My introduction to sports betting, booking and real poker playing was about to start!
I did this for a couple of years, which really helped me get thru my college classes. Sleep, study time and nearly triple pay sure helped. Plus I was making money betting and booking bets at college. But when I started dating the current Mrs. Faldo, she was not impressed at all with my ‘day job’, so I had to quit working for Frank.
My replacement? Enter the league bench player, - The White Whale.
The first night the White Whale was there for the start of the poker game (he was not playing – just there because the phones had just quit ringing), he sits down to watch. The Whale knows me and Frank, and is in awe of the ex-Detroit Lions. He doesn’t know the McDonald’s franchise owners or the building contractors, but does know Fat Russ thru doing business with him for Frank.
This is who the White Whale decides to start on. As I told you before, the White Whale had a quick and sarcastic wit that makes the stuff on this blog look lame. Heck, Don Rickles looked lame compared to the White Whale. And ‘Fat’ Russ is an easy target. Russ is always in a good mood and is laughing the barbs off, but all of a sudden he can’t win. He gets a little on tilt and the cards turn ugly. He really takes a pounding and loses a bundle (I got some of it).
The next week – the same. The next week – the same! Russ can’t seem to win with the White Whale watching the game! Although the jokes and the put downs don’t appear to be upsetting Russ, they must be. It is helping Frank and I immensely however! In addition, Russ goes on a month long sports betting losing streak, with The Whale answering the phones at Frank’s!
Frank tells me later what happens. Russ meets Frank for lunch and tells him to fire The Whale and ban him from watching the game . Russ is convinced that the White Whale is a jinx! If Frank doesn’t ban The Whale, he’ll quit the game.
Frank knows that Russ is his only competition in that poker game and that Russ is winning thousands in the game and really doesn’t want to quit. So he basically tells Russ – fine – quit. But Russ threatens to hurt Frank’s betting layoff ability if he doesn’t do something about The Whale. They compromise and decide that Fat Russ will pay The Whale $100 to stay away from the table.
But in addition, Frank must call Fat Russ from now on. If Russ wants Frank, he will page him and Frank can call Fat Russ back. Russ is afraid that The Whale would pick up the phone if he calls Frank. And Russ cannot be able to hear The Whale’s voice while talking to Frank and the Whale cannot be mentioned while conducting business.
So the first poker night of the arrangement, the Whale leaves as planned and Russ cleans up! Hurt me pretty good too! He hurt everyone! He won everything! Sports included!
The next week, the Whale leaves, but Russ starts off losing again – big time. He says loud enough for just the table to hear, “That fucking Whale is still here!”
He gets out of his chair and as fast as his 345 pound frame could move, he goes up the stairs. There in the living room is The Whale – watching TV with the sound down, eating the last of a submarine sandwich and drinking beer he had brought in a cooler! Russ literally throws The Whale out of the front door (no small feat because The Whale was not tiny either) and locks the door!
Fat Russ spent the rest of that game checking to see if the Whale had snuck back into the house. Russ, by the way, lost most of his sports bets that night too!
And for every game after, if Russ lost a tough hand, the search for the Whale was renewed.
Another legend of the White Whale is made - and this one will literally change the course of poker history -within a year. More in Part V.
In the game were only three real players; Frank, Fat Russ and Frank’s protégé - and game starting shill – Nik Faldo. And I was not a real ‘playa’. But the competition was so weak, that I was able to squeak out about $200 a poker night on average. Which $200 a week back in the 1970’s was some decent cash for a starving college student.
Our softball team played against the best in Michigan and sometimes, the country. We did it on a budget completely paid for by Frank – at around $50,000 a year. We played against many corporate sponsored teams like Stroh’s, Miller High Life, and big manufacturing company sponsors that would spend about $250,000 to $500,000 a year – for a softball team, if you can believe it. So it was serious stuff.
I found the team thru Frank’s brother ‘Ted’, who had played baseball with me in high school. We met by chance, and he told me to try out, and the rest is a 15 year softball career – waste of time! But it was great fun and adventures.
As a ‘small market’ team, Frank was forced to take a lot of the great softball players that had been thrown off the other teams for bad behavior or that were attitude problems. We truly were the Oakland Raiders of Michigan softball and Frank had us in black and silver uniforms to boot. Teams were uncomfortable playing us and had absolutely no desire to get – let us say – on our bad side. And with just about any team we played, one of our players had an axe to grind with them – so even though we were not the best all the time talent wise – we were always motivated.
The police on more than one occasion escorted some player of ours off the diamond (in cuffs) for some parole ‘paperwork problem’ - and some of our tournament games always seemed to have extra ‘security’ around. Frank once told me as I stood in the on deck circle, “You know Little Faldo (I was the smallest player by far at 5’ 9”, and a weight-lifting, solid 200 lbs.), I think you are the only guy in the starting line-up who has not been in jail.” A few of the guys on the team also worked as Frank’s ‘Fund Allocation Collection Agents’.
I was working at a plating company – hanging parts on the line - on midnight shift, showering, going to college, then going home and passing out. I would get up, study and do a little homework, then go to work.
Frank called me and said, “I rented a gym so you idiots can play catch and maybe do a little basketball and volleyball to stay in shape – as long as you don’t kill each other. Be there at 7pm.”
I told him I couldn’t because of my schedule. He said, “How much are you making in that stupid job?” I told him my take home was $125 a week. He said, “I’ll give you $100 a day to answer my phones on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.” My introduction to sports betting, booking and real poker playing was about to start!
I did this for a couple of years, which really helped me get thru my college classes. Sleep, study time and nearly triple pay sure helped. Plus I was making money betting and booking bets at college. But when I started dating the current Mrs. Faldo, she was not impressed at all with my ‘day job’, so I had to quit working for Frank.
My replacement? Enter the league bench player, - The White Whale.
The first night the White Whale was there for the start of the poker game (he was not playing – just there because the phones had just quit ringing), he sits down to watch. The Whale knows me and Frank, and is in awe of the ex-Detroit Lions. He doesn’t know the McDonald’s franchise owners or the building contractors, but does know Fat Russ thru doing business with him for Frank.
This is who the White Whale decides to start on. As I told you before, the White Whale had a quick and sarcastic wit that makes the stuff on this blog look lame. Heck, Don Rickles looked lame compared to the White Whale. And ‘Fat’ Russ is an easy target. Russ is always in a good mood and is laughing the barbs off, but all of a sudden he can’t win. He gets a little on tilt and the cards turn ugly. He really takes a pounding and loses a bundle (I got some of it).
The next week – the same. The next week – the same! Russ can’t seem to win with the White Whale watching the game! Although the jokes and the put downs don’t appear to be upsetting Russ, they must be. It is helping Frank and I immensely however! In addition, Russ goes on a month long sports betting losing streak, with The Whale answering the phones at Frank’s!
Frank tells me later what happens. Russ meets Frank for lunch and tells him to fire The Whale and ban him from watching the game . Russ is convinced that the White Whale is a jinx! If Frank doesn’t ban The Whale, he’ll quit the game.
Frank knows that Russ is his only competition in that poker game and that Russ is winning thousands in the game and really doesn’t want to quit. So he basically tells Russ – fine – quit. But Russ threatens to hurt Frank’s betting layoff ability if he doesn’t do something about The Whale. They compromise and decide that Fat Russ will pay The Whale $100 to stay away from the table.
But in addition, Frank must call Fat Russ from now on. If Russ wants Frank, he will page him and Frank can call Fat Russ back. Russ is afraid that The Whale would pick up the phone if he calls Frank. And Russ cannot be able to hear The Whale’s voice while talking to Frank and the Whale cannot be mentioned while conducting business.
So the first poker night of the arrangement, the Whale leaves as planned and Russ cleans up! Hurt me pretty good too! He hurt everyone! He won everything! Sports included!
The next week, the Whale leaves, but Russ starts off losing again – big time. He says loud enough for just the table to hear, “That fucking Whale is still here!”
He gets out of his chair and as fast as his 345 pound frame could move, he goes up the stairs. There in the living room is The Whale – watching TV with the sound down, eating the last of a submarine sandwich and drinking beer he had brought in a cooler! Russ literally throws The Whale out of the front door (no small feat because The Whale was not tiny either) and locks the door!
Fat Russ spent the rest of that game checking to see if the Whale had snuck back into the house. Russ, by the way, lost most of his sports bets that night too!
And for every game after, if Russ lost a tough hand, the search for the Whale was renewed.
Another legend of the White Whale is made - and this one will literally change the course of poker history -within a year. More in Part V.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
BigLou93 Wins His 1st NPP Tourney!
Biglou’s run of dead cards in this league came to an end in a big way. He had the goods all the way thru the night. He beat eight players on his way to the victory. On to the action:
47 min: Forty-seven minutes? That is a testament to how tough this tourney is.
A short-stacked Rennzzo (9th) has to make a move when his (76) pairs the turn. But BigLou had paired his (AK) on the flop.
52 min: Tigercub, McGuiness and ArcticBlast (8th) all see a flop of [Jd Qd 5s]. Only Tigercub and Arctic bet and call and see the turn of [8c]. Another bet and call to the [8d] river. Danger Will Robinson! They get all-in and the Tiger shows a higher two pair.
53 min: The next hand, Rownder (7th) raises and gets called by BigLou. The flop of [Th 7s Kh] gets Rownder to bluff all-in with (Ad 8d) and Biglou calls with (KT). Rownder got no miracle runner - runner.
Break:
BigLou93 4360 (would the jinx be broken?) YES!
Tigercub 2300
McGuiness 2265
Mikeniks-Faldo 2070
Nahanni 1720
Duder 785 (sitting out all tourney)
67 min: Tigercub calls the blind and Nahanni (6th) checks the blind. The flop is [4c 2d 7c]. Nahanni bets with (5c 4d) , Tiger raises with (Kc Ks) and Nahanni calls. The turn is a [8c] which gives Nahanni the straight and flush draw.
She checks and Tiger bets. Nahanni raises and the Tiger just calls. The river is a death card for Nahanni [Ac], as it gives her a flush that loses to the bigger one. Her chance for a three-peat is over. Nice run Nahanni! I still lost my MC card over this.
75 min: McGuiness (5th) got a little unlucky here. We have Duder1123 sitting out with his chip stack being blinded off. If we can just hang on, we all know at least two ‘free’ points are available just for breathing. But by the same token, if you are playing to win, sitting on your hands will not get you 1st place.
McGuiness sees a flop with (A3) and bets a flop of [4A7] and is called by the red hot Biglou with (TT). When you are as hot as Biglou was, you know help is on the way. The turn is a [T] and Biglou sets up the trap net.
Poker Stars adds some more bait with a killer [3] on the river and McGuiness bites for a double up and sees the trip tens end his night.
77 min: Insult to injury for SpoonyG as Duder (4th) blinds out 2 minutes later.
88 min: The hand of the night! BigLou calls the blind with (Kc Qc), I (Mikeniks-Faldo) raise with (AK), and Tigercub (3rd) re-raises with (66) and is called. The flop of [4c As Ac] is a possible cooler for all involved.
Tiger is the short stack and is basically committed. Does Faldo try to take the Cat out by himself or keep Biglou around for side pot profit? The way the cards were rolling for Biglou – and with the size of his stack, he probably only folds with an all-in bet by me – provided he doesn’t have pocket 4’s. I screwed up by not betting him out on the flop.
Tiger goes all-in as expected and both me and Biglou call. The turn is a [Js]. There is the card I had to avoid Lou seeing. At least it was not a club. Now I am worried he could have a straight, but I incorrectly put him on a small pair he is hoping might win with no betting.
We both politely check as we try to put the Tiger to sleep.
The river is an ugly (for me) [Tc]. I bet a good size bet telling BigLou I have the Tiger beat with trips or the straight I am bluffing – but he has me beat with a real straight - and a flush! Ouch!
I see my card reading ability remains awful. Almost as bad as my heads up play - as you will see.
92 min: The night ends for Faldo (2nd) as short-stacked, I get all-in with (QJ) and Biglou correctly calls with (85). I get a [J95] flop for the lead and am pretty happy with my chances to fight on. But an ugly [5] on the river ends it.
Congratulations to BigLou on his 1st NPP win. It won’t be the last.
1st – BigLou93 10 pts
2nd- Mikeniks-Faldo (12 pts)
3rd – Tigercub8189 6 pts
4th – Duder1123 3 pts
5th – McGuiness 3 pts
6th – Nahanni 25 pts
7th – Rownder 17 pts
8th – ArcticBlast 5 pts
9th – Rennzzo
Boother 14 pts
Total point race available on the side of the blog.
47 min: Forty-seven minutes? That is a testament to how tough this tourney is.
A short-stacked Rennzzo (9th) has to make a move when his (76) pairs the turn. But BigLou had paired his (AK) on the flop.
52 min: Tigercub, McGuiness and ArcticBlast (8th) all see a flop of [Jd Qd 5s]. Only Tigercub and Arctic bet and call and see the turn of [8c]. Another bet and call to the [8d] river. Danger Will Robinson! They get all-in and the Tiger shows a higher two pair.
53 min: The next hand, Rownder (7th) raises and gets called by BigLou. The flop of [Th 7s Kh] gets Rownder to bluff all-in with (Ad 8d) and Biglou calls with (KT). Rownder got no miracle runner - runner.
Break:
BigLou93 4360 (would the jinx be broken?) YES!
Tigercub 2300
McGuiness 2265
Mikeniks-Faldo 2070
Nahanni 1720
Duder 785 (sitting out all tourney)
67 min: Tigercub calls the blind and Nahanni (6th) checks the blind. The flop is [4c 2d 7c]. Nahanni bets with (5c 4d) , Tiger raises with (Kc Ks) and Nahanni calls. The turn is a [8c] which gives Nahanni the straight and flush draw.
She checks and Tiger bets. Nahanni raises and the Tiger just calls. The river is a death card for Nahanni [Ac], as it gives her a flush that loses to the bigger one. Her chance for a three-peat is over. Nice run Nahanni! I still lost my MC card over this.
75 min: McGuiness (5th) got a little unlucky here. We have Duder1123 sitting out with his chip stack being blinded off. If we can just hang on, we all know at least two ‘free’ points are available just for breathing. But by the same token, if you are playing to win, sitting on your hands will not get you 1st place.
McGuiness sees a flop with (A3) and bets a flop of [4A7] and is called by the red hot Biglou with (TT). When you are as hot as Biglou was, you know help is on the way. The turn is a [T] and Biglou sets up the trap net.
Poker Stars adds some more bait with a killer [3] on the river and McGuiness bites for a double up and sees the trip tens end his night.
77 min: Insult to injury for SpoonyG as Duder (4th) blinds out 2 minutes later.
88 min: The hand of the night! BigLou calls the blind with (Kc Qc), I (Mikeniks-Faldo) raise with (AK), and Tigercub (3rd) re-raises with (66) and is called. The flop of [4c As Ac] is a possible cooler for all involved.
Tiger is the short stack and is basically committed. Does Faldo try to take the Cat out by himself or keep Biglou around for side pot profit? The way the cards were rolling for Biglou – and with the size of his stack, he probably only folds with an all-in bet by me – provided he doesn’t have pocket 4’s. I screwed up by not betting him out on the flop.
Tiger goes all-in as expected and both me and Biglou call. The turn is a [Js]. There is the card I had to avoid Lou seeing. At least it was not a club. Now I am worried he could have a straight, but I incorrectly put him on a small pair he is hoping might win with no betting.
We both politely check as we try to put the Tiger to sleep.
The river is an ugly (for me) [Tc]. I bet a good size bet telling BigLou I have the Tiger beat with trips or the straight I am bluffing – but he has me beat with a real straight - and a flush! Ouch!
I see my card reading ability remains awful. Almost as bad as my heads up play - as you will see.
92 min: The night ends for Faldo (2nd) as short-stacked, I get all-in with (QJ) and Biglou correctly calls with (85). I get a [J95] flop for the lead and am pretty happy with my chances to fight on. But an ugly [5] on the river ends it.
Congratulations to BigLou on his 1st NPP win. It won’t be the last.
1st – BigLou93 10 pts
2nd- Mikeniks-Faldo (12 pts)
3rd – Tigercub8189 6 pts
4th – Duder1123 3 pts
5th – McGuiness 3 pts
6th – Nahanni 25 pts
7th – Rownder 17 pts
8th – ArcticBlast 5 pts
9th – Rennzzo
Boother 14 pts
Total point race available on the side of the blog.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Legend of the White Whale – Part III
Writing this to ease the pain of losing yet another player from the NPP Tuesday game:
In this segment we will have to veer away from the White Whale himself – before continuing with the continuing saga that is - the White Whale. I have to set up the situation first.
Fat Russ was a bookie, just as my softball coach “Frank” was. But Russ was a much bigger bookie than Frank. Frank usually laid off bets he didn’t want or were too big to handle - to Russ.
Russ, I’m pretty sure, dealt with the top of the bookie chain in those days in the Detroit area. Organized crime guys and money movers to Las Vegas itself. Russ was not involved in any of that mob stuff, but that is where you had to go in those days to move the volume of action he took and wanted.
Fat Russ would come to watch our softball games when he had to give or get money from Frank. But what Russ loved to do was watch the other teams practice before the start of their game and have Frank make a run line on this game.
Frank would make a line and Russ would pick a team – either giving or getting runs – and these two would bet $1000 a game. Now there might be one, two or three games in between our game time - and some on multiple diamonds! I never found out who came out on top in these bets, but I'm positive it was Frank. Russ, since he was there anyway, just wanted the ‘action’.
I might have told some of this story to some of you at our NPP card games.
Russ also played poker at Frank’s regular game. It was a Wednesday night game of rich plumbing contractors and electricians, local TV sports reporters, McDonalds’ restaurant owners, Detroit slum lords, other bookies and ex-Detroit Lion football players.
Frank had recruited me as a shill to help get the game started. He basically gave me my 'real' poker start. He taught me the game and staked me in the game. All profit was mine and all losses were on him. The stakes for the game were $10 - $20 limit – but unlimited betting when heads-up. Which back in the 1970’s was not considered a small game. What a deal for me!
I was to play until I got the ‘signal’ that he needed that seat for a pigeon. Obviously, he could only beat me out of his own money. Not a good situation for him. I would usually play from 7pm to midnight, then claim I had class in the morning (I usually did too) and cash out.
Texas Holdem, Omaha and Omaha Hi/Lo was dealt some. But the game we played the most was 5-stud Hi/Lo and you could exchange a card (3 times) for $5. That means there were seven betting rounds ($10 normal - $20 with a pair showing or when the five cards were out) and most reached $80 a player per round. It got real bloody – but everyone had a ton of cash. There were thousands of dollars on the table and in everyone’s pockets – but mine. I occasionally walked out with some of it.
Well most of the time I did walk out winners. I was doing well enough to where Frank still funded me, but I had to pay him back for bad nights before I could take the gravy. I was not a good player, but these guys were even worse. Except for Russ and Frank of course, I was the best player there.
What I remember about playing against Russ was; he was never late to the game and always took the seat to left of Frank. Worst seat in the game, except probably to Russ’s right. I never understood why Russ sat there.
Russ played poker without any fear of losing. Russ let absolutely no pain ever shown on his face. He was always in a joking mood – win or lose - and completely fearless. And he was capable of any move at any time for any amount of money.
Even Frank couldn’t get a handle on Russ or wrestle control of the table away from him – even though he had position on him every single week!
But Russ did have one Achilles Heel, despite his steel resolve at the poker table.
That weakness was – the White Whale! I will explain that in Part IV.
In this segment we will have to veer away from the White Whale himself – before continuing with the continuing saga that is - the White Whale. I have to set up the situation first.
Fat Russ was a bookie, just as my softball coach “Frank” was. But Russ was a much bigger bookie than Frank. Frank usually laid off bets he didn’t want or were too big to handle - to Russ.
Russ, I’m pretty sure, dealt with the top of the bookie chain in those days in the Detroit area. Organized crime guys and money movers to Las Vegas itself. Russ was not involved in any of that mob stuff, but that is where you had to go in those days to move the volume of action he took and wanted.
Fat Russ would come to watch our softball games when he had to give or get money from Frank. But what Russ loved to do was watch the other teams practice before the start of their game and have Frank make a run line on this game.
Frank would make a line and Russ would pick a team – either giving or getting runs – and these two would bet $1000 a game. Now there might be one, two or three games in between our game time - and some on multiple diamonds! I never found out who came out on top in these bets, but I'm positive it was Frank. Russ, since he was there anyway, just wanted the ‘action’.
I might have told some of this story to some of you at our NPP card games.
Russ also played poker at Frank’s regular game. It was a Wednesday night game of rich plumbing contractors and electricians, local TV sports reporters, McDonalds’ restaurant owners, Detroit slum lords, other bookies and ex-Detroit Lion football players.
Frank had recruited me as a shill to help get the game started. He basically gave me my 'real' poker start. He taught me the game and staked me in the game. All profit was mine and all losses were on him. The stakes for the game were $10 - $20 limit – but unlimited betting when heads-up. Which back in the 1970’s was not considered a small game. What a deal for me!
I was to play until I got the ‘signal’ that he needed that seat for a pigeon. Obviously, he could only beat me out of his own money. Not a good situation for him. I would usually play from 7pm to midnight, then claim I had class in the morning (I usually did too) and cash out.
Texas Holdem, Omaha and Omaha Hi/Lo was dealt some. But the game we played the most was 5-stud Hi/Lo and you could exchange a card (3 times) for $5. That means there were seven betting rounds ($10 normal - $20 with a pair showing or when the five cards were out) and most reached $80 a player per round. It got real bloody – but everyone had a ton of cash. There were thousands of dollars on the table and in everyone’s pockets – but mine. I occasionally walked out with some of it.
Well most of the time I did walk out winners. I was doing well enough to where Frank still funded me, but I had to pay him back for bad nights before I could take the gravy. I was not a good player, but these guys were even worse. Except for Russ and Frank of course, I was the best player there.
What I remember about playing against Russ was; he was never late to the game and always took the seat to left of Frank. Worst seat in the game, except probably to Russ’s right. I never understood why Russ sat there.
Russ played poker without any fear of losing. Russ let absolutely no pain ever shown on his face. He was always in a joking mood – win or lose - and completely fearless. And he was capable of any move at any time for any amount of money.
Even Frank couldn’t get a handle on Russ or wrestle control of the table away from him – even though he had position on him every single week!
But Russ did have one Achilles Heel, despite his steel resolve at the poker table.
That weakness was – the White Whale! I will explain that in Part IV.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Nahanni Wins Two in a Row!
Ok guys. Time to man up! The Lady is kicking our butts!
I, Faldo, not only had to burn my Male Chauvinist Card because of this, but I was so traumatized by Nahanni’s win last week, I hit LIMIT instead of No Limit for the tourney.
My mistake, but it really didn’t take any longer - a little over 2 hours.
On to the game:
35 min: BigLou exits (10th), but I didn’t see the hand as we were still at two tables, and I was on the other one.
53 min: Duder (9th) bet all his chips with (A9) pre-flop and was called by McGuiness with (Q9). The flop had a [Q].
That took us to the break and much cussing at Faldo was begun. But Faldo mentioned that it really would not take that much longer than a NL tourney.
Trust Faldo. They didn’t.
Don’t ever doubt Faldo. They did.
Aqualung 3395 (hint: curse held)
McGuiness 2840
ArcticBlast 2447
Nahanni 2165
Mikeniks (Faldo) 1440
Rownder 1403
Sev4TSev 735
Tigercub 575
65 min: A short-stacked Tigercub (8th) bets it all with (A5) and is called by Aqualung’s (JJ). Good night sweet Cat.
75 min: Sev4TSev (7th) has to go with (AT) and runs into McGuiness and his (AJ).
90 min: I (Mikeniks – Faldo) (6th) went card dead since about the 45 minute mark. Shocking, I know. I finally get (AK) to make a stand and McGuiness correctly calls me with a straight draw and hits it. Bubble boy AGAIN for Faldo!!!!
102 min: McGuiness (5th) points as his (A6) runs into ArcticBlast’s (JJ).
110 min: Aqualung (4th) goes out. I was emptying the Heineken - via bladder - that was being forced on me by the waitress in the hotel bar. Damn her!
Not really damn her. I think she has been programmed by a foreign government to over-serve potential WSOP Champions. Not her fault and certainly not mine. How could it be?
2nd Break:
Nahanni 9634
Rownder 4142
ArcticBlast 1224
Anyone catch that WSOP comment? Beer talking.
121 min: ArcticBlast (3rd) has to move with (A4) and Rownder (64) paired his sixes.
130 min: Rownder (2nd) had to go with (A5) and Nahanni’s (T8) got tens on the flop and it was over. Congratulations to Nahanni for two in a row – even with a change in games. Impressive win!
1st – Nahanni 25 pts
2nd – Rownder 17 pts
3rd – ArcticBlast 5pts
4th – Aqualung (6 pts)
5th – McGuiness 2 pts
6th – Mikeniks(Faldo) (5 pts)
7th – Sev4TSev 3 pts
8th – Tigercub 1 pt
9th – Duder
10th - BigLou
Boother 14 pts
Total point race is on the blog.
I, Faldo, not only had to burn my Male Chauvinist Card because of this, but I was so traumatized by Nahanni’s win last week, I hit LIMIT instead of No Limit for the tourney.
My mistake, but it really didn’t take any longer - a little over 2 hours.
On to the game:
35 min: BigLou exits (10th), but I didn’t see the hand as we were still at two tables, and I was on the other one.
53 min: Duder (9th) bet all his chips with (A9) pre-flop and was called by McGuiness with (Q9). The flop had a [Q].
That took us to the break and much cussing at Faldo was begun. But Faldo mentioned that it really would not take that much longer than a NL tourney.
Trust Faldo. They didn’t.
Don’t ever doubt Faldo. They did.
Aqualung 3395 (hint: curse held)
McGuiness 2840
ArcticBlast 2447
Nahanni 2165
Mikeniks (Faldo) 1440
Rownder 1403
Sev4TSev 735
Tigercub 575
65 min: A short-stacked Tigercub (8th) bets it all with (A5) and is called by Aqualung’s (JJ). Good night sweet Cat.
75 min: Sev4TSev (7th) has to go with (AT) and runs into McGuiness and his (AJ).
90 min: I (Mikeniks – Faldo) (6th) went card dead since about the 45 minute mark. Shocking, I know. I finally get (AK) to make a stand and McGuiness correctly calls me with a straight draw and hits it. Bubble boy AGAIN for Faldo!!!!
102 min: McGuiness (5th) points as his (A6) runs into ArcticBlast’s (JJ).
110 min: Aqualung (4th) goes out. I was emptying the Heineken - via bladder - that was being forced on me by the waitress in the hotel bar. Damn her!
Not really damn her. I think she has been programmed by a foreign government to over-serve potential WSOP Champions. Not her fault and certainly not mine. How could it be?
2nd Break:
Nahanni 9634
Rownder 4142
ArcticBlast 1224
Anyone catch that WSOP comment? Beer talking.
121 min: ArcticBlast (3rd) has to move with (A4) and Rownder (64) paired his sixes.
130 min: Rownder (2nd) had to go with (A5) and Nahanni’s (T8) got tens on the flop and it was over. Congratulations to Nahanni for two in a row – even with a change in games. Impressive win!
1st – Nahanni 25 pts
2nd – Rownder 17 pts
3rd – ArcticBlast 5pts
4th – Aqualung (6 pts)
5th – McGuiness 2 pts
6th – Mikeniks(Faldo) (5 pts)
7th – Sev4TSev 3 pts
8th – Tigercub 1 pt
9th – Duder
10th - BigLou
Boother 14 pts
Total point race is on the blog.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Aqualung Finishes 8th in Poker Stars Omaha H/L Tourney
Another final table by a NPP stable member. Aqualung bested 608 players and won 14 times his entry.
The fatal blow when his great hand of (2s Kd Kh Ac) gets killed by a (234Q) on a board of
[7Q6]
[Q]
[A]
The villian gets the nut low and trip Queens, and that ended the run - but a great run it was! Nice going Aqualung.
PS: Faldo cashed in 2 of 5 tourneys yesterday to break about even, but no final tables.
The fatal blow when his great hand of (2s Kd Kh Ac) gets killed by a (234Q) on a board of
[7Q6]
[Q]
[A]
The villian gets the nut low and trip Queens, and that ended the run - but a great run it was! Nice going Aqualung.
PS: Faldo cashed in 2 of 5 tourneys yesterday to break about even, but no final tables.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Faldo Sat and Went in Hudson, MI
Biglou runs a Sit 'n Go (SNG) tourney game at a house in Hudson - by invite only. Plenty of beer and pizza is ordered without incident. Rennzzo was there also - of the NPP Tuesday group.
I did get some more advertizing out for our Tuesday league so we may see some more new players from that area.
There is a pregame warmup at an American Legion hall near the house - driver, PW away, so everyone can 'warm up' and still stumble to the game.
(But for DavetheDog - driver, 4 iron punch out, 3W, 3W (cuss), rescue club, 5 iron, 9 iron, PW (chunk- cuss), PW, putt, putt, putt (cuss), putt)
The buy-in is a friendly $20 and the blinds go up in big increments. Not that fast (every 20 min with one jump up per twenty minute cycle if one player gets knocked out), but big jumps. A table of nine usually finishes in an hour and a half.
The ousters play a variety of $1 poker games on the side table until the next game starts. It is a $1 ante and you may bet a buck and call the buck if you think you can win. Cards speak. Total dealer's choice. Hey, it's $2 a hand.
One of the players had purchased two domestic rabbits from another player for breeding. They were at the game and that brought every 'rabbit on a stick' joke you could think of to the fore front.
The dinner of $2 coney dogs at the bar had it's effects on the players as the night wore on, if you know what I mean.
It was my second time playing (0 - 0 - 1 = 3) and I finally won the last tourney of the evening to break about even (1-0-0=4) = (1-0-1 = 7).
The hand that saved me went like this: the blinds had just kicked up to $50 - $100. And when you start with only $150 in chips...uh, it's go time!
I get all in with (66) and am called by a bigger stack with (AK). Ok, a race. I'll take it.
The flop is [QJT]. Ouch. Well, it looks like I am going to match the Tigers and go 0 for 7. But the turn is a [K] and the river is a beautiful [A]. Splitsville! That was the turning point.
A great time and plenty of laughs.
This American Legion hall holds holdem tourneys on Saturday - paying $1000 for first and paying eight places for a $50 entry. Cash bar and food available. There is a golf course right next to the hall. Are you all thinking what I am thinking? Road trip!
I did get some more advertizing out for our Tuesday league so we may see some more new players from that area.
There is a pregame warmup at an American Legion hall near the house - driver, PW away, so everyone can 'warm up' and still stumble to the game.
(But for DavetheDog - driver, 4 iron punch out, 3W, 3W (cuss), rescue club, 5 iron, 9 iron, PW (chunk- cuss), PW, putt, putt, putt (cuss), putt)
The buy-in is a friendly $20 and the blinds go up in big increments. Not that fast (every 20 min with one jump up per twenty minute cycle if one player gets knocked out), but big jumps. A table of nine usually finishes in an hour and a half.
The ousters play a variety of $1 poker games on the side table until the next game starts. It is a $1 ante and you may bet a buck and call the buck if you think you can win. Cards speak. Total dealer's choice. Hey, it's $2 a hand.
One of the players had purchased two domestic rabbits from another player for breeding. They were at the game and that brought every 'rabbit on a stick' joke you could think of to the fore front.
The dinner of $2 coney dogs at the bar had it's effects on the players as the night wore on, if you know what I mean.
It was my second time playing (0 - 0 - 1 = 3) and I finally won the last tourney of the evening to break about even (1-0-0=4) = (1-0-1 = 7).
The hand that saved me went like this: the blinds had just kicked up to $50 - $100. And when you start with only $150 in chips...uh, it's go time!
I get all in with (66) and am called by a bigger stack with (AK). Ok, a race. I'll take it.
The flop is [QJT]. Ouch. Well, it looks like I am going to match the Tigers and go 0 for 7. But the turn is a [K] and the river is a beautiful [A]. Splitsville! That was the turning point.
A great time and plenty of laughs.
This American Legion hall holds holdem tourneys on Saturday - paying $1000 for first and paying eight places for a $50 entry. Cash bar and food available. There is a golf course right next to the hall. Are you all thinking what I am thinking? Road trip!
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