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.