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.