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Vegas 2011 Part 14

Like any good Hotels which miss out floor 13 I will missing out Part 13 of my blog. I’m not superstitious but, hey! Why take a chance.

(The Rio has a floor 13, I know I have stopped on it and had the worse trip to Vegas ever. I did say good Hotels!)

Monday 27^th June

Vegas is far more than just casinos nowadays. They have found far more ways to relieve the unsuspecting visitor of they’re hard earned cash. The clever people of Vegas realised that when visiting , all common sense and self preservation instincts the average person possesses simply vanish the moment they hit town. People come here to simply to reduce their net worth in some form or another.

Everyone one know the phrase;

“What goes in Vegas, stays in Vegas!”

What you don’t know is they are talking about the money, everything else can piss off back to where it came from.

This is why the place is crammed with fancy restaurants, massive night clubs and glitzy shows. They can charge way, way over the odds for all of these things. Cos when people come to Vegas they have lost all concept of Money from the second they arrive until the second they leave. Where else can you go out and receive a four figure bill for drinks or food and think “well, that’s not too bad”. The realisation of what you have done becomes even more clear when the credit card bill falls through the door in a few weeks time. This memory sticks with you for a long time after. That is of course until you plan your next trip.

( I know people with 5 figure bills for drinks alone, and it wasn’t a 1 at the front of it I can tell ya!)

Another thing Vegas has to offer is the immense array of designer cloths and jewellery stores. Some are mega stores. Tiffany’s for instance, has opened a multi story shop which would compete in square footage with a small town Tesco.  If diamonds are so rare how the hell do you fill something this size full of the damn things.

When people are in Vegas they want to spend money. And when hubby is gambling wifey want to spend hubbys money. If he’s winning, cool! It’s like a freebie. If he’s losing well it’s easily justified, because if he can lose that much gambling wifey can spend the same on cloths and shiney things.

Sales are rare in Vegas, your average shopper doesn’t want cheap things. Cheap things put them off. If a store was to run adverts saying “50% Mark up on all items” I suspect the queue would be out the door. (And the blackjack tables crammed)

A friend of mine’s wife, who’s name I won’t mention, once went to a sale in Vegas and spent literally thousands on jewellery and designer hang bags. She rationalized the spending by stating the more she spent the more she saved Kev.

It’s not its not to say Vegas is overly expensive, in fact I would say compared to Oxford street I suspect it is quite reasonable. That’s because we live in Britian. Compare Vegas to the rest of the states and it is pricey. And the nearer to the strip the shop is the more expense it is.

Today I needed to do some shopping. Not only do I need more jeans but also new glasses. I should have known how bad I was going to run yesterday when my glasses fell apart in my hand while cleaning them before sitting in the cash game. I have a few options. One is the “Fashion Show Mall”. Situated right on the middle of the strip opposite the Wynn, you just know it will not be the cheapest of places. I don’t thinks so. As I have a car I drive out to the Premium outlet stores. I find the Levi shop and hunt around for an optician. Nothing! If I needed sun glasses I had about 20 stores to choose from, prescription lenses no chance. I asked someone for help and they told me where there was one. “The Fashion Show Mall”. OBVIOUSLY!

I park in the underground car park in the red section and head upstairs to find it. The place is about the size of Leeds and after asking direction I discover I could not have parked further away. After a brief 20 minutes walk I find the place and hand over my broken pair so they can copy the lenses. As you would suspect there are no NHS style specs here. $450 later he tells me my glasses would be ready in an hour.

I have to get Karl and Nicks dinner on after their tough day on the golf course so head back to the condo. I will make someone a nice wife one day.

 On my way out the opticians spot a set of stairs that say “green parking”.  Obviously I can avoid a long walk when I return in an hour or two for my new specs.

When I return I enter the car park from the opposite end of the Mall. I figure as I walked the full length of the place surely the green section must be “Just there”. After 10 minutes driving around (underground I might add) I finally see something I recognise. “Red Parking”. Bollox looks like I’m walking again.

I then go straight to the Venetian to try and cover the costs of my impromptu spending spree. I lost aces to 77 (no all in, I managed to lose the minimum) and twice I make a queen high flush but losing to a king high flush. (Only 3 to a suit on the board, we both flopped one, and I managed to lose the maximum). The only decent pot I recall was flopping a set of sevens but didn’t really get paid off. Despite this I finished $425 in profit. Mainly due to a guy who may win my favourite player of the year award. He played every hand. I mean every hand. If there was a 3 bet, no problem he called. He beat me in one pot where he called a 8x bet in the SB with 93 off suit. However he could not lose, and every time he made a hand he got paid off and was around 5 or 6k up. I managed to get the seat on his left. The drool was probably visibly dribbling down my chip. I pay my next half hour fee and go for a quick ciggy ready for a very late night. To my dismay he was racking his chips up when I returned and leaving with his profits. As did everyone else funny enough. SIGH!

Saturday 25^th of June

Nick had made day two of the $10k Omaha event but got knocked out when he ran pocket aces into someone else pocket aces, it was to be the end of another disappointing event. Afterwards he and Karl cheered themselves up shopping for more golf equipment. (Women do shoes and cloths, men do golf and games consoles and Skalie does beer and craps)

 They joined me for some grub at the condo and then we headed over to a pool hall on Sahara Road. Quite a scary part of town I have to admit. If you have ever seen “TheWire” it was kinda like the neighbourhood Avon Barksdale and Stringer Bell live in.

I played Nick at 9ball for 10 bucks a frame. Now this is a man who might not be running too well at poker at the moment but he more than made up for it at pool. The guy must be the luckiest pool player alive. After I rush to a 4-1 lead he then flukes the 9 ball and follows it up with back to back 9 balls potted off the break to take a sick 5-4 lead. However after he extended the lead to 15-11 I pull out some world class play to win 8 frames on the trot to go 19-15 ahead. Knowing his luck was changing he then reverted to every stroke in the book to put me off. Racking balls before I had potted the 9ball, standing in line of my shots, trying to get in my head with mind play and dropping his cue when I took my shot. It was deplorable. After this he bemoaned his luck constantly until it changed back heavily in his favour. Victor Meldrew the second!  In the end we finished 24-24. I did give him a good trouncing on the basket ball game before we left though.

We headed down to the strip for more drinks and after a few in Harrah’s Piano bar we went to the Carnival Bar next door. This place has been a little disappointing this year, instead of a live Band blasting out classics they have moved to a more Rave/dodgy 90’s house/Rap type thing. Playing songs like the fresh prince of Bel-Air and other stuff so cheesey I have had to suppress the memories.

Two guys were valiantly trying to impress a couple of girls with exceptionally impressive body popping and break dancing moves, but before they could close the deal a guy slips in between them as smooth as you like wearing what could only be described as a costume from the “It’s a Knock Out” TV show from the 70’s. It looked like a huge rubbery Jelly suit. After closer inspection we realised it was in fact his actual body and the custom made comedy trousers were actually his normal attire. Me and Nick fell about laughing. Get in there that man!

(I did ask one of the gangster rap/break dancing guys what it was like to get blown out for fatty but he wasn’t seeing the funny side and refused to comment.  We decided to move on shortly after)

Sunday 26^th of June

Went to the Venetian for my usual cash game, starting with $2000. It was possibly the fishiest table I have seen since I got here. A combination of old time rocks and passive fish who have to see every flop. Including a few superstars from previous sessions.

 I was optimistic when hitting a set and a straight in the first few hands. Disappointingly though I only won $35 and $45 respectively. I was picking up some juicy starting hands and like AQ TT ect but falling to connect with anything. That along with the myriad of draws I kept flopping and missing I was over $1500 down so had pull up another $2000.

One of the AQ’s lost to a mighty 92 after I had made it 80 to go preflop. And another was when a flop came down Ace high two hearts, both the other players involved making a flush on the turn.

One guy had straddled to 20 bucks and the player next to him thought he was re-straddling to $40. However this bet is not live in this game and so was just a blind min raise, meaning he won’t get the option to raise any limpers. Armed with this knowledge I call for 40 with QT. As does the Button, both blinds and the real straddler. The flop is a fantastic KJ9 and I think my evening is about to change for the good. After it is checked to me I figure someone must have some of that flop so bet out $100. The button and the small blind both call. The turn is a 6 and the small blind bets out 200. I know he has something here. He’s an old boy and his moves are pretty straight forward. I figure him for 2 pair. I raise him to $480 the button passes and he calls.  To my dismay the river is another 9 and he bets $500 into me. I reluctantly call and he flips over J9 for the full house, wonderful. Had the river done anything but pair the board I was betting $900 and I am certain he would have paid me off. I decide to pick up the $1000 I have left in front of me and call it an early night $3000 down and hope for better things tomorrow.

Thursday 23^rd June

Back to the Venetian for the cash games today and sat down on the must move table with just $1000 bucks. The first hand I play I call a raise on the button with 57 of clubs. The flop comes down 8 9 K with two clubs. Happy days! A flush draw and straight draw, I should be fav. The bb bets out 120 and the original raiser just calls. I raise it to $300 and the bb folds with the other guy calling. He checks the turn which was the 10 of spades and I push my last $660 into the pot expecting him to fold.

“CALL

The river is a blank and he flips over aces taking my first $1000 bucks. Great start!

Two hands later I again flop and flush and straight draw, only to miss again. Well to be fair I am only about a  60%+ favourite to win these hands and have hit once already this trip, maybe I am being greedy to expect to hit another.

I reload for $2000 this time in the hope of catching one of the players before they move, doh! Too late!

Despite this awful start I managed to pull it back over the next few hours and was actually ahead by around $1000 when I raise with 10 J of club from the button. The guy in the blind, who could quite possibly be the worst player I have ever seen on these levels re-raises to $160. Knowing he will stack off to me very lightly I make the call and the flop is Qc 10d 4c. He checks and I bet out $270. He calls. The turn is the 8 of diamonds and he instantly pushes $800 in the middle. The 8 now gives me a gutshot straight draw too but the guys body language told me I don’t need to hit anyway. I call and the river is the jack of diamonds and he flicks over the 47 of diamonds for a winning flush. Well played, moron!

I did manage to get most of the money back from him just by allowing him to bluff into me over and over again. Add this to a few more victims and I was $4000 up. Not bad considering the start I had.

About 4.30 my phone begins to ring and its Nick telling me he had won a satellite to the $10,000 omaha. This was probably the first bit of good fortune he’d had all trip (off the golf course at least). He wanted to celebrate and I cash in and meet him at a club.

It isn’t the first time I ever went on the lash at 5 o’clock, but it is the first time I did it at 5am. Only in Vegas!

Friday 24^th of June

We could only book a car for 28 days, something to do with the servicing. Being the conscientious poker players we are we did nothing about booking another one until our current car expired. The car was due back yesterday and a new one started today so I was expecting to pay for 1 day late charge. You’d think wunt ya!

They charged me for 2 days because I was 1 hour late. In addition to this there was daily extra driver fees, the tank of petrol they insisted I pay for, Insurance ($46 for 2 days jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez), customer facility charge (WTF is that), Airport access fee (excuse me), state tax, rental tax (what there is extra tax just because it’s a rental. What about mug tourist tax too?), uninsured motorist protect and supplemental liability insurance. In all it came to $609. I really do believe that when the mob left the casinos they moved into car rental. The margins are much bigger!

This put quite a dent in last nights winnings.

Having only just found out about the secret location of the Microgaming party I dashed over to the Palazzo to meet the Ladbrokes qualifiers. Along we Rugrat and Sudsy I met the polish winners of the dream team. I thought I would break the ice and introduce myself.

“Hi mate, I’m skalie”

“Hello”

“I am going for a drink with these guys next week if you would like to join us?”

“HELLO!!!!!!!!”

I repeated myself but he just looked blankly at his friend who then did the same to me. To be fair his English was much better than my polish, French, Spanish, Scandinavian or any other language.

(This is not the first time people have struggled to understand me in Vegas, strange really, especially when I don’t even have an accent!)

After everyone started to leave to enjoy the rest of their evening I decided to dash to the Rio and play the $550 super satellite. This didn’t go well. Nor did the cash game afterwards dropping another 2k on that. Serves me right for being disloyal to the Venetian.

I got a text from Julian earlier in the evening asking if we had a spare bed at the condo for Saturday night. I told him should have been more careful when playing Pai Gow. Turns out I had the wrong end of the stick. He was not able to get a room at the Wynn or in fact anywhere else in the whole of Vegas. A room at the flamingo was available for $900 but I have stopped there and too say that was a little over priced was an understatement. In fact I would expect a year there for that much, with breakfast.This was mainly  due to a giant convention on over the weekend and a “Rave” attended by some 250,000 revellers.

A “RAVE” are you serious, I never understood this nonsense in the 80’s, who brought them things back. In the desert heat, dancing off their face on acid and ecstasy they will be dropping like flies. I heard the under over bet for the number dead is 37. That is not a joke by the way, it’s what they expect.

Praz asked if I would be going?

“I would rather have my hair set on fire and put out with a sledgehammer………………………………………….again!”

****************WARNING WARNING WARNING***************************

The following is an in depth description of a hand I played. I posted it on www.krackedkings.com

For those of you not interested turn away now.

One hand stood out enough to discuss last night. I don’t like talking hands through but this one stuck in my mind.

It’s a 5/10 NL game and I am sat with over $5000 in front of me.  A player UTG raised to $50 one guy called and I call with Ah Jc and the BB made up the bet.

This is not a call I would usually make but I could see from the people sat behind me most were going to fold meaning I would have position. The original raiser always bets the pot on the flop and then usually gives up on the turn if he has nothing, making him very easy to play. The other caller was on tilt.
The flop is jh td 2h.
(In the forum I said it was the 6 of hearts not the 2, a mistake but in no way changed how the hand played out)
Raiser bets 150 (As expected) tilt guy folds, I call as does the bb.
The turn is the 7d
Initial raiser checked to me (Again as I expected) I bet 350.

The guy in the BB raises to 900 and the initial raiser folds. I really was not expecting this, I though he was drawing. I fold in a flash should the other guy have re-raised.

Now the 7 of diamonds looks like a complete blank to me. I cannot see it improving this guys hand unless he has 89.

What could he hold. Well I hold the Ace of hearts so the nut flush is not a possibility. Judging by the way the guy had played on the occasions I had sat with him QK, Q10 or Q9 of hearts would almost certainly re-raise the flop. Again any set the guy could have (JJJ unlikely when I am holding a jack) would have to raise the bet on the flop. There is a very strong change either the other guy or I have a nut flush draw and considering how deep we were it would be a terrible flat call. He  don’t know where the ace of hearts is. The only hand beating me therefore is 89. I think it is more likely he hold QK of diamonds or Q9 of diamonds. I make the call.

The river comes the 10 of hearts and he pushes for $3300. The river now means he defiantly does not have 89. On a paired and flushed board when it looks like an opponent is chasing a nut flush he cannot possibly push for value. He was way too good a play like that. (Some clowns do push here, the player mentioned earlier in the blog for instance.)
I stare at him hoping for a tell but he gave away nothing. Every inch of my body is telling me to call. I was now certain he had QK. However I pass. Why?

Well having had such a bad start to the evening I could fold and still be level on the night. Besides there was a lot of value on the table and with only $2000 more left in my pocket I would struggle to pull it back if I made a mistake and I was wrong. Add to the fact I had dropped 20k over the last few weeks in events and cash games it was crucial I kept my confidence up for the next few days, a big loss would definitely damage it.

He turned over a King of spades meaning he could not possibly have the winner and later told me he did indeed have QK and had he had known I was capable of breaking a hand down in such a way, he would not have made the move. And in fact was disappointed in himself on playing the hand poorly, he got away with it this time though.

Trust me, had he made this move a week or so early I would snap call. There is often more to decisions than just the cards.

Sunday 19^th of june

Julian Gardener and his lovely wife Kerry were in from Cheshire today so decided to join them for a drink over at the Wynn. Its one of my least favourite hotels but being a posh Cheshire couple they are unlikely to meet me at O’Shea’s.

I found them Playing Pai Gow with Ram Vaswani. Ram has been having a rough time of it in recently so it was good to see him back in Vegas trying to break the casino with high stakes Pai Gow.

Ram is not a prevalent face on the Poker circuit these days but on the few occasions I have met him he is an absolute gent.

(Ram is currently 5^th in the $10k horse event with 24 left, c’mon that man!)

Julian is normally quiet a sharp cookie on the gambling front, however he nearly lost this reputation when giving me a poke in the ribs and despite trying to cover his mouth with his hand he loudly said “PSSSSSSSSSST, should she have paid you then.” Despite the din I pretended not to hear him and just smiled at the dealer and collected my “Bonus” 100 bucks.

It was now time for Julian’s craps lesson.

Now there is a old saying at craps “Tidy Chicks, throw great dice!” So we let Kerry go first.

There is always an exception to the rule.

(To be honest, I haven’t seen a chick throw any winning dice all trip, maybe the phrase should be “Tidy chicks with low cut tops throw dice badly! But its fun to watch.”

My throw next, so we sent Kerry to play the slots and I managed to reverse the damage.

Now I’ve been looking for a suitable craps apprentice for some time now and Jules is the first man with the potential. He learnt quickly and was smashing the table. At which point Kerry came back and started asking silly questions. “CLEAR OFF OVER THERE YA BOK!” the whole table shouts, including the dealers. They were on tips!

Despite losing some back we finished about 2k up each. Oh and after Kerry had charged us “Shoes Tax” for ‘shooing’ her away.

Monday 20^th of June

It was the Omaha 5k at the Rio for most people but I elected for the $1600 event at the Venetian. I joined in level 3 and on the very first hand saw two people get it all in with AA vs QQ. Queen on the flop and it was a very quick event for someone. Two hands later and another all in coup, this time AA vs KK. Aces held up this time. The table broke soon after.

On my new table there was a guy obviously on tilt and desperately throwing in his chips hoping for a call. After a guy raises in early position I flat call with AK hoping said guy will raise behind. I wasn’t disappointed. I set him all in, he calls in a flash with 99. The board brings no helps for me and he wins a 30k pot. Ok, I’m disappointed now.

After a raise and 5 callers I push with pockets twos hoping the initial raiser (same guy) will isolate with AK or something giving me a juicy coin flip. He did indeed isolate, however his hand was KK not AK. Sigh! Still no help for Skalie.

Having only played for 2hours I played a little cash. Card dead and running bad I quit early and returned back to the condo and my sling box.

About 11pm nick calls and asks what I am up to and would I like a drink. I have to register for the $2.5k event at the Rio for the following day so pick him up in the car. I tell him I have no desire for a beer but I’m happy to drop him off wherever he wants too go.

Half hour later we have dropped car off and in a taxi to the Irish bar! He was very persuasive.

Tuesday 21^st of June

Having lasted less that two hours in the Venetian yesterday I was determined to beat it today. Easy peasy! Just an hour and a half, sigh!

Now close to 9k down for the trip I gotta start making money. After nipping hope for lunch I pop over to the Venetian for a cash game. Despite seeing very little all day I grind out a nice little $1700 profit. And I mean grind, so much so there are no memorable hands to even talk about.

Weds 22^nd of June

I have decided no more tourneys until I am back winning on the trip. I have spent close to $20k in various events from satellites to bracelet events. The cash has been kind on the most part and had that been all I did I would be in a very nice position right now.

After the first 2 hours of cash I don’t think I won a hand. I reloaded another $1500 and now had just over $2100 in front of me. Folded to me I raise to $40 in the cut off with AT of Diamonds. The button calls and the flop comes 9 high 2 diamonds. I lead out for $70 and get called. The turn is a lovely 10. I bet out $200 and again he flats calls. I feel sure he is chasing a flush too and I am delighted to see the queen of diamonds on the river. With around 1800 in front of me I wonder how I can get the lot in. The guy is a good player and would pounce on weakness I am sure. I bet out $250 in the hope of it looking like a blocker bet. He dwells before raising it to $690. Delicious! I dwell for a few seconds before pushing my $1600 into the middle. He thinks for an age before reluctantly calling with a king high flush. For a second I was worried he’d pass.

Later I raise to $40 with QT of hearts. The guy to my immediate left re-raises to $80. Very suspicious! The big blind reluctantly calls and I call the extra $40 bucks. Well he did make it cheap and now I have massive value. The flop is 679 with 2 hearts, giving me a gutshot and a flush draw with two over cards. I feel sure the guy has a big pair but the chap in the BB could easily have a set. The BB checks as do I and the other guy bets $200. My action will all depend on the BB. If he calls I flat call, if he folds I will set the other guy all in for his last $700. He folds and I move all in. DINK! King of hearts on the turn and its all over. Good to hit a few of these for a change.

MORAL: Don’t get too jiggy with hands you may struggle to past post flop.

Without losing many big pots I finished the day around $2400 to the good, and felt great to have two winning cash sessions back to back. Lets hope for a hatrick tonight!

Sorry for the delay in this guys. Obviously enthusiasm for these little stories is very dependant on how well I am running and it’s been a tough week. Not a disaster though, and roughly level for the trip thus far. Been taking it easy last few days and will be back with a vengeance next week. Here a quick update of what’s been happening. Sorry if it’s brief but really not had huge amounts to talk about.

Mon 13^th June

Headed over to the Venetian for the cash game. Not a good day and after several beats (a 2 outer on the river for a 3.5k pot) I recorded my worst cash result yet. I decided to call it a night early when Nick calls and tells me everyone is off to the Palms to watch a movie. The Hangover 2.

Gotta say it wouldn’t be my pick but decided to join them anyway. I jumped in the car and finally started to run well, every set of lights seemed to flick to green en-route. Turns out I wasn’t running that well after all. If I had been delayed I might have missed the film and spent the 2 hours doing something more fun, like cutting my toenails.

Tuesday 14^th June

I was awoken in the early hours by some serious banging. Thinking it was someone at the door I got up only to realise they were fixing the roof. It was relentless. So bad it turned Nick into a young Victor Meldrew, grumbling and moaning about a trolly banging up and down the walkway outside the condo.

Today gave the cash a miss and instead I played the $1090 event at the Venetian. After grinding it out for several hours I finally donked everything off. The blinds are 150/300 and I flat call a raise with 99 on the button. The flop is 8 3 4, two diamonds. The guys bets out 1200 and I re-raise to 3200 leaving myself about 10k. He calls and the turn is a 5, he immediately pushes all in. I foolishly call and he turns over A 2 for the straight. Mad with myself I call it a night.

Wednesday 15^th of June

Time for something completely different. I have a shot at the Omaha. Not a game I am very proficient at but it was only $560 and I fancied a change. After getting rivered by a two outer for a bigger full house I started hitting everything. And by the end of 1^st break I had close to 50,000. By the 4^th break I had 40,000 and out and hour after that. Not quite what I was hoping for. However, despite not making the money it’s the closest I have come this trip to cashing in a tourney and did enjoy myself. Long time since I can say that in a poker event.

Thurs 16^th of June

Jeff convinced me to go out on the razz and we headed over to the Mirage to meet the Liverpool crew. After a few drinks in the Revolution bar we headed to a club where we had got “passes” to get in for 20 bucks and drink all we wanted. Turns out everyone has these passes. I think they hand them out on the street corners. Considering it was $11 plus tip for a Jack Daniels and coke in all the other bars we decided to drink what we could before jumping in a Limo to New York New York and the Irish Bar. Finally some Guinness.

Everyone else was moving to the piano bar but as they were playing a few Pogues numbers at the time I said I would catch up with them in 10 minutes. Ten minutes turned into over an hour and the temptation of the black stuff was just too tasty to resist.

On my way home  thought I would nip into the Tuscany Casino, situated over the road from our condo for a little craps. With just a few bucks on me and didn’t expect to be there too long. I was wrong, I finally left breaking even around 7am but way ahead on the drinks front.

Friday 17^th of June

Due to the events of the previous day, very little happened. Except the odd bit of snoring and catching up on lots of TV.

I used to think the Sky + box was the greatest discovery since electricity, but it has been surpassed. THE SLING BOX!

For those of you who don’t have one, get one. You can watch all your Sky TV from anywhere in the world where you have an internet connection. Is possible the best 100 quid I have ever spent.

Saturday 18^th of June

Decided to take another day off from the poker and instead went for a round of golf. Nick and myself were joined by Michael Grecco. Due to negotiation breakdowns in handicaps I decided to sit out on the betting today. Nick and Michael played $25 for 1^st 9 holes. $25 on back 9 and $50 overall. With a $25 bonus for any birdies and $100 for any eagles. (lets be honest, these would not have been good bets for me anyway)

Nick hustling skills have really come on well this trip and was 4 up after the first nine. Michael however fought back strongly winning the first 3 holes in the back nine. Until Nick hit a birdie for a $25 bonus to stop the rot. After chipping in for eagle and $100 a hole or 2 later, Michael feared the worst. And after a little tantrum and a lot of swearing he only halved the back nine. Giving Nick a little $200 profit. The golf is definitely kinder than the poker is to him at present, let’s hope that turns soon.

Friday 10^th of June

A bad session at cash was long over due and today it a happened in grand style. After losing a 3.5k pot with QK on a king high flop to a gut shot straight (I shamefully paid him off for 1k on the river, convinced he’d missed a flush) I then lost another sizable pot to the same guy. Again to a gut shot when I was holding pocket kings. The very next hands I limp (slightly tilty) with 83 of hearts against a straddle. The big blind makes up the 10 bucks and the straddle checks. I flop two pair only to lose another big pot when an ace hits the turn. The big blind had slow played pocket aces. Sigh!

I quit just over $3k down knowing I would tilt off more if I continued so decided to hit town with Tim Blake. After a meal Karl drops us as the Bellagio. At the bar we play video poker for the free drinks. After putting in a $100 it’s gone after 4 spins. Oops! I had it on $25. Obviously I realise I should cut my losses and stop so even more obviously I plough in several more bills. Luckily I get it back and I finished $100 in profit. PHEW!

Having learnt my lesson about compulsive gambling I reflect on my lucky escape for a few minutes before hitting the craps. Try as I might I cannot get a run together this trip and we lose 800 bucks between us in no time. Tim decides to have a throw, and after losing a few dice over the top of the wall (Knocking out some poor unsuspecting punter no doubt) he gets his aim in and more importantly hit us some points. Several Jack Daniels later and we are cashing in over 5k and nearly 2k each up, get in! Knowing how lucky Blakey is I cannot believe it has taken me this long to introduce him to craps.

Not nearly inebriated enough we get a Taxi to the Encore where he is stopping. After going to the bar we order two drinks and start playing video poker.

“$23.50” says the barman.

“I beg your pardon!”

“$23.50, you don’t get free drinks unless at the gaming tables. We reluctantly hand over the money (Minus the tip). This is another reason to hate these new lard-de-dar casino’s. They might look spectacular but they are obscenely expensive and I despise the way even the barmen (whose life has hardly turned out like they’d imagined, I’m sure) look down their nose at you.

We decide to invest $500 each of our profits into a craps game, despite the fact I was loathed to lose anything in that place. It was a wise choice and again Tim was on fire.

I did have one perfect roll myself. I say perfect, perfect from the casino’s stand point. I lump on the money only to throw a seven straight after the point. No point hanging around eh!

On the table was Luke Swartz. Now we have all seen him on the telly and read articles about him. I don’t think I am being controversial by saying he comes across at a bit of a dick. However I have met him several times now and have to say he is a funny and likeable kid. I assume it’s the alter ego of “Full Flush”, the online alias he uses that emerges when the camera’s start to roll. I suppose it’s worked out for him and got him a sponsorship deal, so good luck to him. I have met many far less likeable people on the poker circuit I assure you.

We called it a night about 3k up each and I was now $2000 up on the day. A miracle had happened.

Tim went bed and I was on the way to the taxi rank when I bumped into a little Irish guy called Derek. He just appeared from nowhere and told me my winning run at craps had not finished yet. It did occur to me that no one else could see Derek but I had no reason to think he was lying. Maybe it was his little green hat and suit, or even the long ginger beard. It could easily be the soft Irish accent but he wooed me into to thinking he was a man I could trust. Besides this was the day of miracles! Anyway cut a long story short he was a lying Irish sack of shit and I lost 1800. I turned round to say what the fuck. But I couldn’t find him anywhere. The little green bastard better hope I don’t bump into him again, that’s all I can say.
Anyway I did scrape a small 200 profit on day.

I should have known the real good luck charm had gone to bed.

Saturday 11^th of June

After a bad day at cash I decided to play the $1500 WSOP event at the Rio. I registered late in the  day hoping of not only avoiding the queues but to try and shorten the day. (Besides, I needed a lie in).  It didn’t work, the queue was ridiculous.

James Akenhead was also in the queue, and after getting knocked out in the first 15 minutes of play with Aces all in pre-flop he had taken over four times longer to register for the event than he actually did playing it. My luck was not much better and after seeing very little in the way of cards I was knocked out about 8.35pm.

(I made the diner break with 2000 chips left, had to hang around for an hour and a half only to get knocked out 2^nd hand back, sigh!)

I did consider some single table satellites but instead decided to have an early night.

There is plenty more time left of the trip, no point pushing it unless running well.

Vegas 2011 Part 5

Friday 3^rd June

Having been knocked out the 5k so late in the day I decided to give the poker a miss today, besides some friends were in town and I hadn’t had a night out since I got here. Dave was getting married on Tuesday and everyone was in town for a long weekend. I waited for them in the Nine Fine Irishmen bar at New York New York at 8 pm.

At 8.45pm my phone rings and it’s the groom to be, Dave.

“Hi mate, its taking us longer than we thought to get there we are just passing Treasure Island now!”

They were stopping at the Stratosphere, it’s a long way out and with Vegas traffic on a Friday night it can take some time. I said OK and just before I hung up I realise something.

“DAVE! Are you walking?”

“Yes”

“You daft sod, go to Treasure Island and get a cab, your not even half way”

They’d already been walking for the best part of an hour.

After a few drinks we caught a Limo to O’Shea’s, this is probably the first time in the entire history of O’Shea’s anyone has got a limo to it. If you have ever been, you would understand why. The place is cheap though, and as my friends were here on a budget I thought it best to show them some of the more pocket friendly places.

Having not really gambled since I got here I had a little session of craps, confident after a drink or two that things would go my way. HMMMMMMM! Luckily I had only brought 1500 bucks out with me.

Saturday 4^th of June

My friends had gone to see some show at the Strat about Alien stripping Vampires from Mars or summut. As appealing as that sounded I decided to try and repair the damage I had done the night before. I sat in my usual cash game at the Venetian and was about 500 up when my mate Finchy had turned up. He too had come for the wedding. I couldn’t leave him on his own so I called it a night with the small profit.

Now Finchy is no gambler. In fact he can’t get his head around what I do nor why anyone would risk hard earned money on the roll of a dice or a turn of a card. Mainly because the man is a jinx. He has to be the unluckiest man alive and on the very few bets he has had in his life he has always instantly lost. Even gloating fails to work for him. Being a Preston fan and sworn enemy to all that is Blackpool he sent me a gloaty text when Preston were beating Burnley 3-1 in the championship early in the season. I warned him what happens when he does things like this and he shouldn’t get cocky with 10 minutes to go. Preston lose 4-3. Obviously! Finchy the jinx strikes again.

I showed him how to play video poker at the bar in order to get free drinks. With just a $20 investment he had cashed out 40 bucks and had 4 drinks into the bargain. Maybe his bad streak was about to end.

Sunday 5^th of June

Today I left my friends to their own devices and sat down to play cash all day. It was a long old grind, and I don’t think I won a pot over 800 bucks all day. After a poor bluff at the end of a 12 hour shift, I decided to call it a night $1000 down.

My first losing session in this game.

Monday 6^th of June

Dave had lived his whole life in Chorley, but on a visit to the states he met the love of his life Steph. In order for them to be together and indeed for Dave to stay in America they needed to get married. Obviously Vegas is the first place that would jump to anyone’s mind.

It wasn’t to be a wedding to rival that of Prince William and Kate but I am sure they happy and we all had a great day. In attendance was Dave and Steph, obviously! Dave’s dad Harry, his brother Larry, Steph’s daughter Hannah, Finchy, Heath and his Wife Suzie and of course yours truly. After the ceremony Dave said thanks for coming. I said “Anytime!”. Not that I’m expecting him to get married that often. It’s just something I say. I have a habit of putting my foot in it.

Being a small affair a large reception was not required so Dave and Steph took us to a casino I hadn’t been to before, the Palace Station to watch a comedian call Louie Lol. A small theatre I wasn’t expecting too much but I have to say we had a good night. The drinks were cheap and the guy was funny, well worth a visit.

By the time the show had started Dave was getting a little worse for wear. The drinks had been flowing and he began some pretty loud heckling. Now Dave is normally one of the quietest people you would ever wish to meet. Maybe it was the excitement of the wedding but this was really out of character. Lets be honest, when sat with your wife in her wedding dress it’s hardly the best of ideas.

The compare pointed to his mic and said

“There is a reason they don’t hand these out at the door” then turn to Steph and said

“Is this how you pictured your wedding when you were a little girl, a Vegas chapel in the afternoon and comedy show at night”

You would think he’d learn his lesson but did the same when Louise Lol was on. Initially annoyed at Dave’s interruption he mention he had been warned about the drunken groom from England. Despite the a few jokes about deportation he handled the thing very well and treated Dave quite gently. Even buying the happy couple a drink. Respect to the man, personally I’d have thrown his ass on the street and got security to give him a slap for good measure, like in the old days when Frank was the star.

Tuesday 7^th Of June

A quiet day followed by a meal in one of my favourite restaurants “Joes Crab Shack.”

Having not bought presents, Finch and Myself treated the newly weds to a meal before everyone left.

Finchy was determined to have a gamble before he left. He had $400 to blow and he wanted to play craps so I agreed to match it and we go halves. Despite trying to explain the rules, over and over again, he simply stood there looking bored and asked silly questions. And at $460 down I decided to give him back him money and continue on my own. It was no good, nobody wins when Finchy is in town. A busy vibrant table full of winners soon went quiet when Finchy the Jinx was stood by it.

Wednesday 8th of June

With my mates all on flights back to their various parts of the world it was back to work. I thought about playing a tournament but instead went to the Venetian for the 5/10 NL. Things didn’t start well and lost 800 pretty quickly. However, as Finchy’s flight got further and further over the Atlantic things began to improve, finishing the day $3500 in profit. Finchy you are one of my longest and best mates, but boy you are a Jinx!