Vegas So Far...

I left home on the beemer thursday afternoon, had a great ride through Utah (for you touring guys, highway 12 is the best ride I've ever been on), and spent the night in Cedar City.


Rolled on towards Vegas the next day, but I was enjoying myself too much. I got to meet a couple of guys on the Mesquite PD, and they gave me a little piece of official paper to commemorate this visit. I was only going 95. Sheesh.


Checked into the Hotel, showered, and made it to the 2+2 meeting a little late. Missed most of the BR discussion. Darn. My favorite line from the presentation: Sklansky says he chops to be friendly. LOL.


The best part was meeting all the 2+2ers and putting faces with names. Even Mike l. wasn't as bad as I thought. Loved Vince's new look. I vote we all chip in and buy him a big gold earring. I volunteer to do the piercing.


I have a great idea for next year. We get a room twice as big, and let S&M do their thing in the front, with people in chairs just like this year. But the rest of us can do our own thing in the back. I'm thinking free booze, chicken wings, and dancing girls. Maybe even a dancing guy for the Babe. Other suggestions are welcome.


The Bellagio hasn't changed much. Same room, same players. It was good to see old friends. (Hey Brett, great to see you. You gained weight... I can't freaking believe this. The 80 game hasn't even been going, but when Brett shows up, there are three games). I was lucky enough to get a seat with Sklansky on my immediate right. Why is that lucky you ask? Because, as usual, David isn't in his seat. He's out talking to people and watching the horses.


The action doesn't compare to the Commerce. In the three games, I counted three live ones. Whoopee. The 80 game at Bellagio costs the same as the 15 game at the Commerce. $7 per half hour. You can order food at the table, if you are in the top section, but you have to pay for it. The guy behind me had what looked to be a great meal, Sea Bass and Lobster. It only cost him $121. Other differences from the Commerce: No free limo rides to/from the airport, no $79 room rate, and even thought no one is blowing smoke in your face, you still smell it when you get back to your room.


Today, I'm going to check out the Shoe (rhymes with ewwwwwww). Yuck. But what else do you do at the wsop?


That's all for now.

Nice report!


I've been taking notes on the difs between CA and NV poker. One thing of note is that something as simple as no-food-service at the table has a deep trickle down effect on rules aned policies and behaviors and ultimately, money flow.


But hey, it's Vegas.


And what's up with the rules here on seat changes?

At first I thought, how could they not have changed to the obviously far-better and fair California method? Then I talked to some locals about it and, sure enough, the Vegas way is better in Vegas. As it is, is costs theoretical money to change seats and that deters seat changes and that deters lobbying and that's always such a big concern because, ulitmately, there is no food-service at the table.


I am NOT suggesting a rule change would make things better in Vegas. Not even close. I'm just saying, the chain of cause and effect for all these differences are not at first evident. And that the Vegas people do know how to run their games, just as we Californians do.


Tommy

I'm not so sure about the seat changes. Last night, twice, a player was allowed to move out of the BB and into the cutoff without posting or missing a hand. There were enough players missing from the table that he only skipped over two players.

"Even Mike l. wasn't as bad as I thought."


thanks! i was just happy no one beat me up, although bob morgan kinda leaned on me a little and made it clear id better watch my yap. yikes!

j/k really, bob seems like he'd be an intimidating force at a table and he even sweated a hand of mine and told me i played it perfect which was really encouraging.


"I have a great idea for next year. We get a room twice as big, and let S&M do their thing in the front, with people in chairs just like this year. But the rest of us can do our own thing in the back. I'm thinking free booze, chicken wings, and dancing girls. Maybe even a dancing guy for the Babe. Other suggestions are welcome."


completely agree. this q+a thing was nice but seemed mainly aimed towards newer players who were asking beginner questions that anyone who's read and reread the s+m stuff over and over like us know by heart (although it's always useful to hear again). i celebrated by playing drunk, tilted, and completely fishy hold em for several hours after the q+a. managed to do ok, won about $75. anyway, it'd be really cool to have like a big 2+2 get together/party (in LA maybe?), just a thought.


tommy is the greatest. what a nice guy, every bit as easygoing and wise as his posts. pleasure hanging with you guy. i even managed to withstand one of his button steals. he open raised with the puck and i think he looked at his cards. i called in the bb. i decided against checking in the dark even though i held A5o. the flop had 3 cards, but i dont remember what they were. it didnt matter because my check-raise was as automatic as his bet. i was telling myself it was more a value checkraise than anything, but in retrospect this guy's not messing around, i probably should have just folded (luckily he did muck, although this guy Jack kept bothering him so maybe he wasnt playing his A game). only other hand i remember i had AKo and he had JJ and we met on the river where he took it down. TIGHT player, aggressive player, betting in the dark repeatedly much to the rest of the table's amusement. he even got me starting to do it (an AA hand ill post on medium stakes). i know it'll get me into trouble sometime, but cant wait to start testing it out more and more.


also loved meeting dynasty, clarkmeister, pokerbabe, hdpm, bob morgan, vince, and esp. brett who's comments on how he's been doing this year are truly inspirational to me. plus now i know what he looks like so i can go stand at his table and watch him folding hand after hand. inspirational.


you guys are the best.


one last comment

Mikel. Thanks for the fun post. Re: Dancing boys for the Babe.......I like that, for sure. How would Clarkmeister look in a skirt? Woo-hoo! See you tomorrow (sunday) I hope. Babe

3 Bet Brett,


I like your idea for getting Vince an earring. I'll make a donation towards the purchase of it if it's made in the shape of S&M or 2+2. That's how I'll know who he is next time I come to Vegas.

It's been two years since I saw him, and there's just two many bald guys at the tables.


Oh yeah! Nice report, but slow down on the road.


Good Luck


Mark

Vince "cleans up" nice. With the gold earing, he will look like Mr. Clean instead of Mr. Hyde. Yea, earing will be stylish, for sure!

"tommy is the greatest. what a nice guy, every bit as easygoing and wise as his posts."


Anyone who's had the pleasure of spending even a small amount of time with Mr. Angelo is a lucky man.


"brett who's comments. . . are truly inspirational"


My favorite Brett comment: he watches me win a pot head-up from the small blind (I think I had two cards, maybe not)and says, "I don't recall that one on the hand ranking chart."