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Hey everyone, I decided it was time for me to stop lurking and start posting. This marks my first actual post... Hopefully this isn't off topic even though it took place in a B&M casino. I apologize ahead of time for the lack of details. As this was my first live event of this sort and my head was buzzing and my memory is sketchy.

I was in Vegas last weekend and, as the clever ones amongst you already know, I played a 100+15 at the Mirage. This was my first weekend of live poker and my first live SNG. I sat down at the table ready to wade through a rock garden of crafty veterans... wow I couldn't have been more wrong.

1500 starting chips with 15 minute levels. Top 2 spots pay. That's important. Unfortunately. 700/300 maybe.

On maybe the third hand I picked up a couple Cowboys UTG+2. UTG+1 minraised and I smoothcalled with the intention of jamming to any kind of a reraise. (This was based on the action in the first two hands which can best be described as maniacal.) Sure enough, the button complied and bumped it to maybe 600. UTG+1 calls and I insta-shove. The button seems to be in a total quandry and ends up calling. UTG+1 calls quickly as well. Hummmmm am I in trouble? NOPE! button rolls over AJo and UTG+1 proudly shows his Q9 soooted. AJo guy (bahaha) then explains why he "had to call there." All I heard was heeeee haaawwwwww. My hand held up and I had the early triple up. Right here things start to go wrong. The dealer looks at me and says "make sure you tip the dealer when you win this." Why don't you just put me on the cover of SI already. I just replied with "let's not get the cart before the horse." After that I picked up a few small pots while the entire table proceeded to gift their stacks to grandma in the 8 seat. Finally, it got three handed with Grandma, a friendly Asian man, and myself. Grams had the chip lead and I had a few more than the other guy. With the blinds and anties getting up there I was playing pushbot party SNG style with most Aces. The lady informed me at one point that I "better watch out, someone is going to call me eventually." REALLY?!? Is that how these things end? Eventually I picked up A10 on the button, jammed and the Asian fellow called with 88. I didn't improve and was crippled. After that they folded way too much to let me creep back into it. A bit later, I was in the BB with KJ, they limp/complete (standard, they were serious limptards.) I jam with the KJ. Grams calls with A2. Board comes A Q x, K, x. No river miracles and I'm out in third. At that point I congratulate them both and leave while quietly wishing horrible tragedy on them. Just kidding. Kind of. After walking outside to get some air I came back in to find them finishing the chop. DAMN YOU and your chop!

I really, really, really wanted to win that thing but it just didn't happen. Despite all my steals, I know for one thing that I was playing my button poorly. Folded some hands I should have at least made a small raise with.

I play 22s to 55s on party and can honestly say the play at this thing was well below the 22s. To sum it up, if you guys are in Vegas, hit those Mirage SNGs.