Another Gross Hand/No Way To Get Away

Just another in a series of beats, but no way I get away from this

Fairly swingy 1/3 game at Aria with about $3K on the table, I am doing very well in the game with $700 in my stack, Villain has $600.

On the button with only one limper, I have J9 Clubs , I raise to $12 , blinds fold and limper calls, pot is $27.

Flop is JJ9 rainbow, Bingo, Home Run, the nuts etc. Limper(Villain) bets $25 and I raise to $75, just wanting to end it there, hoping to dodge a turn /river card that hits an over pair, potential straight flush draws or a nine if he has 99 and flopped bottom set..Villain flats, Pot now totals $167.

Turn is a 2 which is no help. Limper bets another $50, I go to $150, Limper pushes his stack in and I call. Total pot roughly $1300.

Villain flips J10 and you know what happens next , a 10 on the river , Jacks over ten's v My Jack's over nines'. This game will kill you sometimes.

Long Time No Blog

Its been over two months since I have blogged. Dont know why, but time for an update.

In terms of poker, I have been really focusing on fine tuning my cash game skills and have made the move up from 1/2 to 2/5 NL, although I still play the deeper buy in 1/2 or 3 games at Venetian and Aria. Usually play 1/2 at Red Rock because it across the street from home and the 2/5 game is typically full and in my opinion very solid. Happy to report that I was up 12.5 buy ins for November.

Won a monster pot at Aria , getting lucky in a 2/5 game when I got involved in a three way all in spot with Aces V Kings V Queens. I had the King's and flopped a King which held up. Massive 4.5 buy in pot.

On the tournament scene, really haven't been playing many but did 9 way chip chop the Venetain noon daily.

The room at Aria is really growing on me. Its really action packed , great service and management. The only downside I see is the valet is convient but horribly slow and the self park is a complicated at best.

Besides my kids, the best thing happening in my life lately is some well needed weight loss. I am big guy at 6'5" and big boned back from my football days. Unfortunately, playing a lot of poker while at a table or in front of a computer screen is not a form of exercise. I found my clothes getting tight and my waistline expanded. While I was going to see my friends at 24 Hour fitness at least 4 times a week, I found my eating habits had become really poor.

On October 10, I made the lifestyle change, no more cokes, fast food , high calorie snacks, switched to Ultra when I have a beer etc. Trying to stay to a strict 1250 calorie per day diet. Also increased my weekly workouts to five per week and increased my cardio to 45 minutes per session. Proud to report that I am down 22 pounds and 3 inches in the waist. Pants/Shorts are getting baggy. 14 more pounds to go and once I make the key will be continued maintenance to keep the weight off.

Enough for now and good luck on the felt.

North Texas Championships at Winstar

In 2009, one of the largest tournament overlays in the US was the $3,000,000 guarantee at Winstar in Thackerville, Oklahoma. The overlay was something like $600,000 on a 2100 buy-in Main Event. This casino is huge and lies roughly 70 miles north of DFW Airport. This room dominates the Oklahoma and North Texas markets and has about 45 tables. During the day mid-week it is not uncommon to see 20 cash games going. Weekends are jammed packed. I have had a love hate relationship with the place as mentioned in previous blogs.

They are currently in the middle of what this year is now a $3,000,000 guaranteed series which includes a $2,500,000 Main Event. They aligned themselves with Greg Raymer this year after it was scheduled. Fossilman is definitely one of the nice guys in poker.

They have been getting really good Venetian Deep Stack quality numbers for there prelims. Registration is goofy with it opening at 9AM on the day of the event with an 11AM start.

So this morning at 845AM I find myself standing in a 300 person line to register for a $330 50,000 guarantee. Twenty minutes later I am in and have almost two hours to kill. No computerized registration system, pay, show a players card, get a wristband, get a seat plaque. To management, go to the Venetian of WSOP see how it works, buy a software program.

I am home at 4PM so obviously it didn't go well. Chipped up to about 10K from the starting 5K, busted two short stacks with what were really fairly easy calls. Lost T3700 with a 10 high flush to a Queen high flush.

Bust out hand was fairly standard, have queens in middle position and raise 3X, two flatters, flop is 222, checked around, turn is a 7, I jam for 25 big blinds and of course, one of the players has aces. Nice flat with the aces, every heard of three betting. On tilt at this point, but it to will pass.

Poker Update/Kids Start School Today

I am seem to blog every year on this day as the school year starts again. My kids will be in the 7Th and 8Th grade this year. They will go to the same school which makes a much easier drop off and pick up for me. Always a little melancholy on this day, as per my agreement with their mom, we go back to a more regular visitation schedule. Its best for the kids, not fair to go back and forth a lot during school, but still bums me out a bit. As every parent says they grow up way too fast. It seems like it was just yesterday, when my daughter threw a fit on the first day of kindergarten.

Some interesting rumors in the tournament poker world in regards to a WSOP Circuit event to potentially be held at Choctaw Casino in Durant, Oklahoma in January 2011. Durant is roughly 100 miles north of Dallas Fort Worth and I play this room a lot when I am in Texas. Would be real interesting to see what kind of numbers this could attract. It is a very nice room, but they have never hosted anything close to this in the poker world. Would help as I wouldn't have to travel to Tunica and could commute it.

Drove out here to Vegas from Dallas about 10 days ago, because I needed to bring some stuff for my house that just wasnt easily shipped. Not recommended, its too far, too long and if I see another mountain pass and/or road construction area, think I will puke. Major problem with driving here is I have to drive back in a few days, not one of my brighter moves.

I spent some time at the Detox Series at Hard Rock over the last week or so. I am not a Hard Rock regular but it is such a nice room, sad to see it go after this series. Good small setting series to meet a lot of people in the poker world, who maybe I had seen on TV, followed their Twitter, etc. Attended the 2+2 party for the event, had a bunch of laughs playing some crazy mixed games that night. No real success at all in this series. Busted the $100K in Level 4, the ME mega about half way though when I jammed top pair into a set.

I did end up with a seven way chip chop in the Venetian Noon Daily this week which was very plus EV for me. I was the shorty at 7 and the chip leader had a dinner reservation and it didn't take long to convince the table. Ended up with basically a little more than 4Th place money, that's one for the home team.

Cash games have been just a little above break even for me over the last week or so. big 3 buy in win at Red Rock last Sunday, followed by getting stacked at Mandalay Bay, I know MB, why I dont know. You need to a rule sheet to sit down at the place, Break even at the RIO, a few slight wins at Venetian and getting stacked at Hard Rock in one of my largest 1/2 pots of the year. That hand will get its own blog once I quit steaming.

Firmed up some plans

Made some firm plans to take a pure poker trip to my Vegas house this month. Will be in LV, from August 12 until the 25th or so. Going to play several events at the Detox Series at Hard Rock. Excited about this series as its being run by Matt Savage and crew. I am a little past the Hard Rock stage in life but I think there is going to be a good turnout for this series. In between Detox Events, going to be playing a few Venetian Daily's, cash at Venetian/Red Rock and hope to jump in some live PLO games. I have been playing some small stakes PLO High online and am really starting to get a good feel for it.

Here's hoping for a run good trip.

Family

Last posted that I would be going to Tunica for some WPO events. Had a change of heart and decided to take my daughter to my Vegas house for a week. While being a poker player and a sports bettor can sometimes be overwhelming, I have tried to keep a good balance to life. Family is more important than anything. As a divorced dad, I enjoy a great relationship with my kids, get to see them often and have a good non-confrontational relationship with their Mom.

I just returned from Las Vegas and am back in Texas. I played a whopping three hours of poker during the week and made a whopping $43. Felt guilty the whole time as my daughter was home alone although I was 5 minutes away at Red Rock. She approved of my poker time but it just didn't seem right and I quit after a couple of hours.

My daughter and I did all the tourist things. We walked all over the strip, ate nice meals at Naked Fish, Gordon Biersch, Hash Hash A Go Go and casual ones at In N Out and Pop's Cheese Steak. We went to see Salt and Grown Ups ( would recommend both) and finally made it the Beatles Love at Mirage. I think it was the best Cirque show I have seen with Lucy in the Sky my favorite scene. Makes me remember the Beatles did a lot of drugs in the late 60's. Of course, I was dragged to the tourist traps of the M&M's and Coca Cola Store but it was worth to see my daughter enjoy buying stuff for her friends with money she had saved on her own.

Most importantly though the week reminded me how blessed I am to have healthy kids, who I have a great relationship with.

After all the grinding, bad beats etc., nothing is better than family.

Trip Colorado/New Mexico -Hard Rock Albuquerque

Just got back home in Texas from a quick 3 day road trip of some 1600 miles with my 13 year old son. The purpose of my trip was to look at a potential ranch investment in Southern Colorado. I looked at a 400 acre ranch in the high mountain country just south of Red Wing Colorado. I would be one of several investors in the ownership group.Absolutely a gorgeous piece of property with a great stream through it, trout ponds , some amazing views, roughly 7000 feet in elevation. We rode four wheelers throughout the property and had a blast. The property has a new metal building on it and I could see turning that into a lodge/cabin. We get a satellite dish and Internet, I am in. Its always great to get out into nature. Investment decision is pending.

It was good to spend some quality time with my son although most of it was in the car , away from the distractions of TV's and Internet.

Decided to stay the second night in Albuquerque at a brand new Hard Rock Casino and Hotel which was previous called Isleta. Guess the Indian tribe did a deal with Hard Rock similar to others around the county. Although its 627 miles from my Texas house and 589 miles from my Vegas house, I really like this place. Hotel room was perfect and a good deal at $109. My son, wanted to order room service and watch movies, so of course I had to venture downstairs and play a bit.

They have a 10-12 table room and were spreading some limit up to 2-10 spread and 1/2 and 5/10 No limit. I was shocked but the 5/10 game was full and had a couple of names on the list. Looked like about 8 to 10K on the table. The floor, which was damn friendly, said the game is local and full Thursday-Sunday nights.

Played about 3 hours of 1/2 and made $86 after paying for a few beers $5 a piece. Apparently weird alcohol laws in New Mexico casinos. The game was full(9 handed) and was a mix of 5 locals, and the 4 of us out of towners. There were two really creative and tough local rocks, that I didn't want to tangle with. Another local played maybe two-three hands and hour. Fourth local was a calling station, spewing guy, who blew through at least $700. He was at least 70, wearing suspenders, you know the type.

Not a lot of bluffing and people were not afraid to keep on calling and would bet the crap out of their made hand on the river. I knew it was going to different when about two orbits in , six limpers to me in the BB and I popped it up to $17 with AK off suit. Got five callers, flop was 6-6-2 rainbow and the small led out for $100, easy fold. Shows, 6-7 suited, keep calling $17 pre-flop, Sir. Had to lay down King's, Jack's and AK twice, all post flop when I knew I was beat.

A hand between myself and one of the solid local rocks still has me thinking. I was on the button with AK suited and called a $20 bet pre by UTG +2. $43 in the pot and before the dealer turns the flop over, the rock bets $30 in the dark. Now I have seen this a lot in Vegas but by typically younger drunk guys, but not so much by an older rock. He hadn't done before to this point about two hours into the game. Flop comes 10 8 5 no hearts. I am thinking this has got be queens plus and fold my AK face up and he flips AQ. Guy bluffed the hell out of me. Nice bet, Sir.

Made some good progress when my Queens were good in a multi-way pot and the local spewing guy paid me off a few times. Lost a fairly big pot with Jacks which tripped on the river, bad Jack for me as it gave the guy a flush that he was obviously chasing and he pushed way over my $50 river bet, another easy fold.

I really liked this little room, it's quiet, a bit away from the main floor, nice chairs and felt, great floor and nothing close to a dealer error in 3 hours or so. Will be back the next time I pass through.

Didn't Make It Back To Vegas and July Plans

Have not blogged in a while, so thought I would update. I left Vegas On June 3 with every intention on coming back around June 20 for another week of tournaments. I came down with a really bad upper chest cold and basically was down for two weeks. Maybe it was a really bad case of the poker room flu but it was the worst I have have felt in a number of years. Also I have been spending some quality time with my son this month. At 13, he has had a rough last few months, with a the life changes he is going through. I am happy to report things for him seem to be going a lot better and his behavior, while a challenge, seems to be improving. He is such a great kid. In the end, my kids are way more important than poker anyway.

I am really addicted to the World Cup and have watched almost every game. As I write this, I am waiting on Argentina/Germany to start. Yesterdays Uruguay/Ghana game was the best yet. I am so impressed with the ability and athleticism of these players.

My plan for July is to go to Tunica for a few WPO events at Gold Strike and take a vacation with my daughter later in the month. Not sure when I will be back to my Vegas house, my tenants are there through the WSOP, may make it back the last week of the month. Definitely I will be there in August for Matt Savage's Detox Series at Hard Rock.

Texas Casino Change and a Gross Slowroll

Did you know that the largest casino in terms of gaming square footage between Las Vegas and Atlantic City is in Thackerville, Oklahoma. Just 65 miles north of Dallas-Fort Worth lies Winstar World Casino, a gigantic slot palace, with a large poker room and some raked black jack tables. Winstar is also home to the River Tournament now aligned with Greg Raymer. Last year they had a $600,000 overlay in a $3,000,000 guaranteed event. I would assume this was the largest overlay in the US.

Anyway, due to a former dating relationship, I have been keeping myself out of Winstar and going to another Oklahoma casino for over 2.5 years. Seems the ex girlfriend is a big time regular and I took the high road by going somewhere else. Trying to be civil with this person but we just can not communicate on the same page. Well, finally enough is enough and I have decided to start playing again at Winstar when I am in Texas. Principally the reason is distance and action. This place has plenty of action with games 24/7 and is only a one hour drive from my home.

Last night I experienced what I though was one of the worst slow rolls, lack of etiquette that has been dealt to me in a long time. I was in a very nitty 1/2 game where the standard raise was about $7 and a big rise was anything over $15 or so. I am in the BB and looked down at two black aces. Action is folded to the button who makes it $7, SB calls and I pop it to $30, both players call fairly quickly. Flop is QJ9 two hearts which is not the best flop for aces with all the draws out there. SB bets $30 and I decide to push for my remaining $190 or so. Button thinks for a bit and pushes his $225 stack in. SB tank for a bit and folds. So here were are, two of us all in no more action, roughly $450 in the pot.

As soon as he calls I flip my cards and say what you got, guy does not reply, nor does he flip his cards. I start asking him to flip his cards he doesn't, Turn is a J, making my hand Aces and Jacks, tell him again to flip his cards, he wont. River is a queen and he explodes, fist pumps, yells etc, still not flipping his cards. At this point I have had enough and start yelling at the guy that he has slow rolled me, he just stares. Finally, dealer says sir show your cards, he flips AQ for the runner runner queens over jacks boat.

I understand that policies from casino to casino differ on when to flip cards in an all in situation in a cash game. I always flip immediately because obviously I want to know where I stand and I think its the courteous thing to do. Why the gamenship and lack of courtesy, the hand is over at this point. I just don't get it.

Oh well that's poker, and thankfully the casino had a $100 aces cracked promotion that I didn't even know about.

Made A Venetian DSE Final Table

Thought I might be able to blog daily above my tourneys through my first weeks WSOP/Related Vegas Tourneys schedule. Learned really quickly that 12 hours of poker a day takes it out of you and the ability to blog falls down the food chain.

Long story short I final tabled the Venetian DSE Event #2, a $340 Buy In event. Its my largest recorded live cash to date, although I have larger cashes in daily's/freerolls that are not reported by the various poker ranking sites.

I was damn lucky to be alive at the money level of 45 players. I had been all in and well behind twice during the day but caught cards for the suck out. The worst of the two was all in pre flop with jacks against aces, called for the river jack and caught it. The player next to me told me that he thought the guy with the aces was puking in the bathroom afterwards. It has happened to me about time it happens in my favor. The other was a push of A6 hearts against 6's right before dinner break, ace on the flop.

The third hand after the money broke I got very lucky. Blinds were $2000/$4000 and I had about 70,000 in my stack, I raised in MP to $10,000 with A7 diamonds and was called by two players behind. Flop came AJ7 two hearts, I jammed my stack in, player behind pushed for his stack $150,000 or so and guy on the button called. Player behind turned over 7's for trips, button turn over KQ hearts for the nut flush draw. Turn was a low heart giving the button his flush. River was a beautiful Ace of Spades giving me top boat aces over sevens, MP second boat sevens over aces and button a destroyed nut flush. It was such a cooler for the other two and I scooped the main pot of $210,000. Later I busted the broken flush player who pushed Q4 off for $60,000 and I called with 9's. Cruised into Day 2 sixth in chips with $238,000.

30 players returned and nothing much happened for me other than I busted a short stack for $50,000 called his push with AJ hearts which held. It only took about 90 minutes to get to the final table and I entered with an average stack. Just never could get much going, losing a two pair pot to a better two pair for $125,000. Also caught aces and probably over raised in early position, with no callers.

Blinds were $10000/$20000/$3000 and I had about $240,000 left going into my bust out hand. I was in the big blind and it was folded to the small who looked like he was going to fold but just limped. I looked down a 7's and jammed it in. Small Blind snapped called me with J10 off and caught a jack on the flop.

I was out the door in 7th for a $4200 payday, all in all I was lucky to be that far, but disappointed I didn't go further.

Event 1- Summer Schedule- Coolored

Played my first event today, a $160 Buy In at Binions which got 178 runners. Starting stacks were $12K. Damn my table was interesting, told the table it was well worth the buy in just for entertainment value. Player banter back and forth, calling the clock, dude raising with 72 and breaking a guy, etc.

I won the first hand of the tourney, never a good sign for me, and only won two more hands during the first three levels. Was as low as 8600 and went into break with 10K or so.

Made it through, the 4th level unscathed but really wasn't chipping up. Could not defend my blinds all day, just junk cards.

Coolored for my stack in level 5 with the following hand:

Blinds were 200/400/50 and I opened UTG for 1500 with two black aces, folds to MP3 and he raises me to 4000, back to me and I push for my remaining 9000 or so. He insta calls and flips two queens, I dodged the flop and there it came on the turn, a queen and I was out the door. Had the player exactly where I wanted him, but sometimes this game will make you sick.

Not much you can do, but say good game and shake the guys hand. Happy with my play today, really card dead or when I was raising nobody would play. On to Venetian for the start of the Deep Stack tomorrow.

First Week WSOP/Vegas Series Schedule

Finally took the time to plan my first week of the poker mania that takes over Las Vegas from late May to mid July each year. Due to some unexpected responsibilities with my kids in Texas, I am only going to be in town about 15 days during this time frame. If any of you have a 13 year old son who might be going down the wrong path, you know what I mean. I am without question a parent first, poker has to come a distance second.

Last year I only played 4 events and spent a lot of time at the 2/5 cash table at the RIO which was very rewarding. I was basically a break even in the tourneys I played. The highlight was going fairly deep in a Venetian 550, finishing 25/704 after wining entry via a $130 single table. The low point was a Caesars $340 when I was cruising along 10 from the money and fell in love with 8's, misplayed the hand every way possible and crippled myself. I also played the first WSOP 1000 which in my opinion was a shove fest donkament and I lasted a whopping four levels.

So here is the schedule. If I make Day 2 in any event, I will not play the event scheduled for that day.

5/27 Binions Classic- $150 Just a practice session, first live event in a month or so, got to give Downtown some business.

5/28 Venetian DSE $340

5/29 Venetian DSE $340

5/30 Day off (Indy 500/Nascar 600) May play the WSOP nightly

5/31 WSOP $1500

6/1 Ceasers $225 Mega Stack- Need to redeem myself from last year and need a change of pace.

6/2 Venetian DSE $550

Thats roughly $3k in buy ins with I am sure some cash mixed in. All I need is a run good one time.

Good Luck to all and see you at the tables.

What would you do

A couple of years back, the WSOP TV coverage had a spot on a handicapped gentleman that basically did not have arms and was playing the Main with his feet. I felt at the time that it was a heart warming story and how cool it was that the guy didn't let his disability get in the way of his desire to play cards.

I think disabilities sadden all of us, and every day I am thankful that neither myself or my kids suffer from them. I don't park in handicap spaces and go out of my way to assist someone who is handicapped and in need of a door opened an elevator held etc.

Yesterday I was faced with a very interesting situation. I am in Texas for a month to get out of Vegas until the WSOP and see my kids and relax. The poker bug got me so I decided to take a little drive up to Choctaw Casino in Oklahoma for some cash.

When I arrived the 1/2 list had about five names on the list, with four tables going. After a brief wait, I was seated in a game and there in Seat 8 was a handicapped guy with no arms playing with his feet. I dont think it was the same guy from the WSOP. I admit it, its hard not to stare and I tried my best not too. I also was quick to notice three table change buttons on the table and it was obvious what was going on. I also texted some friends with the whole "You wont believe this" text. After some thought I tried to do my best and not stare and just concentrate on the game. Fail, of course, and it was all I could think about. I didn't request a table change and as we cycled through players, the table change requests kept coming. Finally after a couple of hours the guy went broke with top two that got flushed out. He left and the game returned to some sense of normalcy.

I struggling with my attitude and the fact that I was tilted while he was at the table and really could care less about the game. I kept trying to focus on I was there to win and take his money, but I backed down the two times he raised me.

Question of the day, what would you do, ask for table change, go on about your business or be uber tilted like I was.

Crazy Swings at the Venetian/Big 1/2 Hand

Played about 5 hours of cash in the 1/2 NHLE game at Venetian yesterday. Ended up meeting some fellow AVPers, Grange 95 and Poker Grump who were at my table. Good guys to play with.

For the day I ended up .33 of a buy in ($300) after being down 1.8 buy ins. Ran AK into Aces twice early and finished off my first buy in when I pushed with AK on K -7-5 flop, into a guy who had pocket 5's, quickly had to rebuy. Go stick my ATM card into the kiosk and all the screens start flashing and it breaks, at that point didn't think it was going to be my day.

Was down another 1/2 buy in with a stack of roughly $180 when the following hand occurred. I was in MP and looked at QQ, popped it to $13 and both the button and BB called. Flop was 9-10-J, (2 clubs) Big Blind makes it 125 to go, I push for my remaining $165 or so , button calls and BB dumped his remaining $40 or so in. We are three to the turn pot of $560 or so, big blind and myself all in.

BB turns over 78 for the made straight, Button turns over two clubs for the flush draw. Turn is a blank and I am down to 3 kings or 3 eights, plus need to dodge clubs. River is a beautiful K diamonds and I scoop. Its about time that I actually river someone instead of being the one who is rivered.

Hard Rock Tulsa

Survived the foot of snow in Dallas late last week and was able to make it up to the Hard Rock in Tulsa. They are in the middle of their Oklahoma State Championship Series. Decided to leave early Friday evening due to the potential for bad roads Saturday Morning. Basically it was 4.5 hours driving in a freezing fog storm.

Played 1/2 for about 8 hours all night Friday until 830 Saturday morning. Play was wild and 1/2 was playing basically 1-2-7-25. Ended up plus 2 buy ins after being down to .4 of a buy in. Donked off some chips by calling an all in of AKQ board with AQ, obviously dude had J10. Not lot of memorable hands, just steadily raking 50-70 dollar pots. Should have won more but dropped some chips with my KK against 34 off. I had raised to $25 pre dude called out of the big, caught 2 pair and called my bets on every street. Not much I could have done about it.

Saturday, they had a $340 buy in 100K Gty, No Limit event, field had a ton of alternates and final count was 805. Structure was real good with 10K chips, 40 minute levels starting at 25/25. I had a ton of huge hands in the first three levels but couldn't get much play from the table and built up to 15K. Next three levels was card dead, tried to steal and or open strong with terrible cards and kept getting 4 bet. Busted at level 7 300/600/75, jamming A9 Diamonds, into AJ for my last 10BBS.

Hard Rock is my favorite Oklahoma Casino, it used to be called Cherokee, and they did a deal with Hard Rock last August. Tons of improvements to the place, trying to make it look like Hard Rock Vegas. Definitely not the same crowd, lots of cammo and overalls. They have a 30 table poker area (not much of a room) tons of action.

Trip was plus EV, due to cash games and a $350 slot win.

WSOP Circuit Tunica

Sitting in the Little Rock airport coming home from WSOP Tunica. Just thought I would blog on what a great event this was. This was absolutely one of the best run events. The structure was 10K in chips with 30 minute levels starting at 25/25. There was a ton of play for the buy ins, events started on time, floor was great, registration process a breeze.

I didn't cash in either of the events I played and I am now 0-4 for 2010 in live events. Tuesday I went fairly deep busting in 150 something out of 400+, ended up busted at 500/1000/100 when I pushed J10 on a flop of 1052 for my last 13BBS. Congrats to the guy with the set of 2's.

Yesterday I was just card dead for the first 5 levels playing 5 hands in 2.5 hours, and never hitting the flop. Only lost 1K in chips due the very deep stack early structure. Chip up a bit in the next few levels, ended up crashing at 400/800/75. Was crippled when I called a 10K all in and lost. I had AK dude had 8's and his 8's held. Really don't think I would have played the hand any different.

I have been critical of Tunica in the past due to some bad WPO experiences. While there is nothing to do in Tunica, was pleased with Harrahs its staff and hotel was a steal at 30 per night.

Next live events for me will be Venetian DS events in a couple of weeks

Heartland Poker Tour at Red Rock

Played my first live events of the year this past weekend. I had seen a couple of the Heartland Poker Tour Final Tables on TV. This tour is centered in the Midwest and offers satellite only prelims into typically a $1000 to $1500 Main Event. You can just outright cash buy in to the Main, but the prelims really force a satellite in structure.

I had interest in this because I had heard the play was fairly weak and I felt an interesting dynamic brewing between Red Rock(Stations) and Heartland. Until a couple of weeks ago there had been almost no local Vegas interest or advertising. No one at Red Rock really knew what to expect in terms of number of players etc. On the other hand, Heartland was pumping this event on its website, was flying in over 200 players between four air charters from various Midwest cities and promoting this as its Vegas Vacation.

What occurred included a sold out $250 Mega Friday night and a sold out Main Event on Saturday. I was locked out of the Main.

I play both the Thursday and Friday $250 Megas. Thursday I was cruising along and we were down to 60 or so with 29 seats up for grabs, Got it in with 10's unfortunately against Jacks, was crippled and busted 50th. Played next to Marlon Shirley, the worlds fastest para-athlete who got some good face time during the WSOP- Helluva of nice guy. David Plastik was also at my table for a bit with a real short stack and was jamming it all in. I know he was jamming light but no cards to show him down.

Friday the Mega was a joke and I ended up in the pit next to the loudest bar in the place. Table started 10 handed went to 9 back to 10 and then up to 11 in Level 3. Back to 11 was to accommodate some dude who had satellited in but was locked out. He was threatening to call the gambling board and they let him in. What a joke. Really should have been out in Level 4 with AQ diamonds all in against aces on J107 board two diamonds. Caught the case K on the River to double up. Lost a bunch of chips again with 10's against Jacks. Jammed my last 8 BBS with A10 suited into Aces and out the door.

Heartland is an interesting concept and looks like its growing within the Midwest. Most players are older not that great but friendly as hell.

A Great Start

I ended my self imposed live cash poker ban on New Years Day with a trip to Choctaw Casino in Durant Oklahoma. Choctaw is my favorite of the two big casinos north of Dallas. I just think their customer service is so much better than Winstar. Excited about the expansion of Choctaw which opens in February.

I played 1/2 NLHE for about four hours and ended up making 1.8 buy ins on my original $200 buy in. I played my new strategy of either betting or folding pre flop. I think in my last few sessions I had limped or min raised way too much and it resulted in some stupid beats. Not much spectacular to report just grinded my stack up. Most memorable pot was 4's with position on a 9-4-9 flop. Pot was raised to $15 pre with two of us besides the raiser along for the ride. UTG bet $45 on the flop, next up called and I went to $100. Fold,Fold and I scooped. Some might ask why I just didn't flat, I felt that one of the two players left in the hand had a decent pocket pair and I didn't want them to catch up. Turns out UTG told me later he had 10's.

I know its just one session but it felt good to make some dough after four consecutive losing games.

Online I had min cashes in 4 tourneys all in on satellite wins, biggest cash was in the Stars 200K gty.

Also had my best weekend of the year in sports betting , going 5-1-1 in NFL and college and made 15 units. Maybe next year I should just wait and bet the NFL on its last weekend and playoffs. All ready have made a 10 unit play on TCU tonight.

I know its only January 4 but it feels good to get the poker and gambling year off to a good start.