01-13-2002, 04:13 AM
This trip had some unexpected hazards that I'm going to have to remind myself of next time I go. I drove down to Tunica and stayed at the Gold Strike. On my way down, I almost missed the turn for I-55 after crossing the bridge into Tennessee. By this time, it was dark out, and I exited the interstate on route 304. When I got near Tunica, I flew over a set of railroad tracks, fortunately I believe no damage was done, but I was surprised that the tracks were so rough. You would think they would put up a sign warning us travelers, especially since the speed limit was 55 mph.
Anyway, me and my mom checked into the hotel and went to eat at the food court. We decided to have burgers. After eating, we went to the poker tournament room on the 2nd floor. I was surprised that the place was packed. The smallest limit game was $30 - $60 Hold'em. If you were looking for big action this was the place. My mom decided to start playing slots and I decided to play an Omaha Hi/Lo $65 satellite. You received $200 in chips to play and the blinds started at $5 and $10. Lots of loose and lucky players. I ended up finishing 5th, no surprise here, that's usually the best I do at these types of satellites, but I wanted to play to get a feel for the competition.
After playing some nickel slots with my mom, I went to the room to await my next hazard. I took off my shoes and walked to the bathroom. When my feet touched the marble floor I slipped and bent my middle toe under. That was a killer. In the morning, it was purple and swollen. Next time, I stay at this place I'm going to have to bring rubber slippers.
On Wednesday, the 9th, I played the $500 Omaha Hi/Lo Tournament. I received $800 in tournament chips. The blinds started at $5 and $15. I was having bad luck. By the time I reached the third level I had been quartered twice and split a pot. I lasted until midway through the fourth level.
The blinds were $100 and $200 and I had $450 left, so I needed to scoop a pot soon. Early position player limps in, I'm next and raise it to $400 putting me just about all in with As-3s-3d-4c, I'm going to need a low flop to win. Anyway, three players behind me call the raise, definitely some loose action, but if I win the pot I'll be in good shape. Well, the flop is K-K-6 and I'm going to need a three to come on the turn or river to scoop this one. I threw in the rest of my chips and crossed my fingers. But, lady luck was not going to get me this one. There was no low and the guy that won the pot with three kings was the winner of the tournament, Geno Lawrenzi.
I checked out the results from the tournament and noticed that most of the money winners were from the midwest and southern states. It was refreshing to see that none of those Las Vegas or California players win.
After taking a break, I played a $65 No-Limit Hold'em satellite. When there was five of us left we decided to do a $65 save for second place. Eventually, it was down to two of us. I was playing against Jim from Alabama. Jim had the chip lead at first, but then I got lucky and I had the chip lead. We had moved in our chips before the flop, I had AK and he had AQ. Eventually, lady luck was not my friend, and Jim won two pots to do me in, but at least I got my money back.
After playing the satellite, I went to the poker room manager and got comps for me and mom to eat dinner. We both went to the Atrium Cafe and had French Dips, but were disappointed. There was hardly any meat on the bun. Furthermore, the bun was not even a French roll, it tasted like a cheap hot dog bun. Would you believe that it cost $9.95 for each one! We complained to the hostess about it and told her that we would never come back and eat there again.
After dinner, I played one more No-Limit Hold'em satellite, but busted out in 3rd place with no money. For the rest of the evening me and mom went to Binion's and played slots. I checked out the poker room their and it was packed. The waiting lists were long.
The next day, on the 10th, I played the No-Limit Hold'em tournament. By the end of the first break I was up to $1100, but I was going to have to double up soon if I wanted a chance to win. Anyway, here's the final hand I played. The blinds are $25 and $50, and I'm on the button with AK and $925 in chips. Two players limp in from middle position and the player to my right raises with the rest of his chips which is about $200. I decide to push in my whole stack. Then the player in the small blind calls and the limpers fold. The player on my left was playing a solid game so I figured he put me on AK. Anyway, we turned over our hands. The player on my right had A6 suited and the small blind had a pair of Jacks. The Jacks won, but if I had won that pot it would have put me close to being the chip leader.
After the tournament, I got the food comps and went to dinner. We played slots and went home the next day. Maybe next year I'll have better luck.
Lastly I wanted to mention that I received $20 in food comps each day, which I thought was generous. Another plus, was free bottled water and coffee was available for free for the players. I'll be back for this tournament next year.
Good Luck
Mark
Anyway, me and my mom checked into the hotel and went to eat at the food court. We decided to have burgers. After eating, we went to the poker tournament room on the 2nd floor. I was surprised that the place was packed. The smallest limit game was $30 - $60 Hold'em. If you were looking for big action this was the place. My mom decided to start playing slots and I decided to play an Omaha Hi/Lo $65 satellite. You received $200 in chips to play and the blinds started at $5 and $10. Lots of loose and lucky players. I ended up finishing 5th, no surprise here, that's usually the best I do at these types of satellites, but I wanted to play to get a feel for the competition.
After playing some nickel slots with my mom, I went to the room to await my next hazard. I took off my shoes and walked to the bathroom. When my feet touched the marble floor I slipped and bent my middle toe under. That was a killer. In the morning, it was purple and swollen. Next time, I stay at this place I'm going to have to bring rubber slippers.
On Wednesday, the 9th, I played the $500 Omaha Hi/Lo Tournament. I received $800 in tournament chips. The blinds started at $5 and $15. I was having bad luck. By the time I reached the third level I had been quartered twice and split a pot. I lasted until midway through the fourth level.
The blinds were $100 and $200 and I had $450 left, so I needed to scoop a pot soon. Early position player limps in, I'm next and raise it to $400 putting me just about all in with As-3s-3d-4c, I'm going to need a low flop to win. Anyway, three players behind me call the raise, definitely some loose action, but if I win the pot I'll be in good shape. Well, the flop is K-K-6 and I'm going to need a three to come on the turn or river to scoop this one. I threw in the rest of my chips and crossed my fingers. But, lady luck was not going to get me this one. There was no low and the guy that won the pot with three kings was the winner of the tournament, Geno Lawrenzi.
I checked out the results from the tournament and noticed that most of the money winners were from the midwest and southern states. It was refreshing to see that none of those Las Vegas or California players win.
After taking a break, I played a $65 No-Limit Hold'em satellite. When there was five of us left we decided to do a $65 save for second place. Eventually, it was down to two of us. I was playing against Jim from Alabama. Jim had the chip lead at first, but then I got lucky and I had the chip lead. We had moved in our chips before the flop, I had AK and he had AQ. Eventually, lady luck was not my friend, and Jim won two pots to do me in, but at least I got my money back.
After playing the satellite, I went to the poker room manager and got comps for me and mom to eat dinner. We both went to the Atrium Cafe and had French Dips, but were disappointed. There was hardly any meat on the bun. Furthermore, the bun was not even a French roll, it tasted like a cheap hot dog bun. Would you believe that it cost $9.95 for each one! We complained to the hostess about it and told her that we would never come back and eat there again.
After dinner, I played one more No-Limit Hold'em satellite, but busted out in 3rd place with no money. For the rest of the evening me and mom went to Binion's and played slots. I checked out the poker room their and it was packed. The waiting lists were long.
The next day, on the 10th, I played the No-Limit Hold'em tournament. By the end of the first break I was up to $1100, but I was going to have to double up soon if I wanted a chance to win. Anyway, here's the final hand I played. The blinds are $25 and $50, and I'm on the button with AK and $925 in chips. Two players limp in from middle position and the player to my right raises with the rest of his chips which is about $200. I decide to push in my whole stack. Then the player in the small blind calls and the limpers fold. The player on my left was playing a solid game so I figured he put me on AK. Anyway, we turned over our hands. The player on my right had A6 suited and the small blind had a pair of Jacks. The Jacks won, but if I had won that pot it would have put me close to being the chip leader.
After the tournament, I got the food comps and went to dinner. We played slots and went home the next day. Maybe next year I'll have better luck.
Lastly I wanted to mention that I received $20 in food comps each day, which I thought was generous. Another plus, was free bottled water and coffee was available for free for the players. I'll be back for this tournament next year.
Good Luck
Mark