Perhaps starting this past decade off with the threat of worldwide electronic failure, was just the right way to go. I mean, it totally makes sense now that we look back at these past 10 years that just flew right by us no?
Starting with all of the clocks in the world hitting 00:00 00 and probably bringing everything we know to a crashing halt, then finishing with the completely senseless deaths of the 135th - 138th Canadian Soldiers in Afghanistan, the 'ought' decade has been the least favorite of the ones this kid has managed to live through. In fact rather than lived through, I actually feel more like I survived 2000 to 2009. Maybe I should've gotten a tee-shirt deal going or something?
I think 9/11 then set the remainder of the tone, for this decade of loss and meaningless tragedy.
During this decade, my Father made the call that sent my world on life tilt. An instant before he said the word, my mind had already processed the meaning of Cancer to my Dad. But as a glimmer of hope shone through not only did my Father survive Cancer, he kicked the damming diseases ass! Hope had again been sown and for this kids family, we were intent on reaping our rewards.
Our struggles with Peb's Father Fred and the Cancerous creatures within him, have stretched out to two full years through this decade. It's only now with the clocks again about to change over into a new decade, that we potentially see a small and glimmering light near what looks to us, like the end of the tunnel. The seeds of hope are once again, firmly sown within the soil of our lives.
"Corporate espionage" reared it's ugly head as well, through this 'ought' decade. All the while cleverly disguising the true situation at hand. A back-stabbing and self promotional asshole, that was terminated just a short year after having me removed from my position within the organization. But being the conglomerate that is corporate Bedrock, they can't and won't admit to their failure at the time. Time passes and with that, the moment that was must have never actually been. The seed of hope couldn't be sown in this situation but rest assured, knowing that I was right and just at the time is a small comfort I do take to heart from this debacle.
With head up and heart full, I brought out benevolent Bam-Bam. His mission, to fight the good fight and bring a struggling organization to the forefront within it's industry. A much smaller company for certain, but one with the promise of gold at the end of the rainbow. Forgive me for channelling my inner Yoda but struggle on I did, make profit did they. As apparently is want to happen in these economically challenging times and a smaller family based operation, the profit is all gone and now.... so am I. The owners two new vehicles, new home and cottage by the lake and all of the memories he may store from dozens of trips across the globe, all that remain of my efforts over this past decade. I'd sown the seeds alright, only to watch his reaping damn near destroy the company.
And so I sit here at the end of a decade, I honestly can't wait to see go. Forgive me the half empty glass view of the 'ought' decade and what it's really meant to me, for there are still other difficulties too delicate to place in print across these pages. Things that my life as an open book, will just have to keep to itself.
All is not tragic though! I can maintain my half full glass going into the next decade, with just a few simple thoughts to keep me sane and satisfied.
The love of my life and the best thing that has ever happened to me, my Peb's is still by my side. For that I am eternally grateful. With each rise of the sun finding her by my side, I grow a love stronger than one could ever dream imaginable or real. But it is real and it really is happening to me. I shall always love you Peb's, with ALL that I am!
Along the way through these last few years, I've also sown a few seeds of hope going forward. Through you, my mostly invisible but occasionally huggable and touchable friends of Bedrock. I'm afraid that I'm not clever enough of a writer to properly put the words together to express my feelings for the friendships we've developed along the way but hopefully, they are conveyed in person when ever we do get together.
Friends and loved ones give me hope going into this next decade, hope that we'll all manage to enjoy and be prosperous throughout it. Hope that each one of us can sow the many seeds of love, joy and happiness as we go. Putting the bad behind and planning for nothing but good as we move along our chosen paths. May those paths bring me to you or you to me, as often as humanly possible. I hope that together, we can all reap the seeds of hope that we have sown in our friendships.
Happy New Year Bedrock! All the best to you and yours for this new year and hopefully, the entire decade to come.
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
12/31/2009
12/29/2009
I'm on both sides....
Right off the top, I hope Santa was good to all you good little boys and girls! I must have been really, REALLY good! I know I was spoiled rotten. :)
I played a fair amount of SNG's over the holidays, all culminating with a very small profit for my efforts. Nothing too fascinating to discuss really, as my weak/tight ways simply got me to the payoff positions for the most part.
But there were two hands of note that I would like to discuss, as I was on both ends of the spectrum when it came to hands I just don't know that anyone could have gotten away from.
This first hand lead to a pretty big win for yours truly.
On my BB with the level being $25 ANTE and $100/$200 for the blinds, UTG jammed his last $400 and change into the pot pre-flop. After seeing many of his plays to get down to that few chips in his stack, there was no way I wasn't going to call with my Asian-Jew. It folded around to the button who took a fair amount of time before finally making the call and for a moment, I considered letting it go instead. But for the amount to call, I think getting about $250 in to win $1540 is always the right way to go.
The flop came J-A-6 with two spades and the button bet out pot immediately. I decided to simply call, with the plan to make a move on a non-spade turn card. In the back of my mind, I was nervous about the possibility of being up against pocket Aces on the button. A slow played call pre, might have been the right play to get me to stay in the hand for a bit. I know it's not that likely, but it was a possibility based on the way previous hands had gone. The button player had lost and gained a couple of pretty substantial pots, all by slow playing hands like flopped sets.
The turn gave me the mortal nuts with the Ace of Hearts and after the button checked to me, it seemed appropriate to check behind as well. Hopefully, they'd make a hand on the river. The river card flushed to the Hearts with a 4 and after tanking for a fair amount of time, the button sent his entire stack into the middle.
The comment from the button was simply,
DJAYAND1: GG and NH. No way I could get away from that one :)
That stack and one other significant hand where my pocket Astins managed to hold on all in pre, propelled my weak-tight ass to a third place finish and some cash.
Then in another game, I happened to get myself into the other side of the same situation.
Holding A-4 pre-flop from the button at the exact same $25 ANTE and $100/$200 blind level, I limped in after UTG had also done so. I saw what I thought was a pretty solid flop for my hand. It came 4-9-4 with two diamonds. I made a bet of about 1/2 the pot and was only called down by the player that limped UTG. The third diamond on the turn, had me thinking I was done with the hand right there and then. I decided to check to see what would happen and if UTG did bet, I thought I'd take one stab at a re-raise to see if I could tell where I stood in the hand. UTG checked it from behind. Hmmmmmmmmm.....?
The two of clubs on the river gave me a boat, fours over twos. I bet out the pot hoping that UTG did in fact have the flush and in what was no surprise to me, he came over the top to put me all in. To me, that was one of the best sights I could have ever imagined!
*sigh
BamBamCan: GG and NH. Don't know how I could get away from that one
Obviously it seems that what goes around, does in fact come around as well.
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
I played a fair amount of SNG's over the holidays, all culminating with a very small profit for my efforts. Nothing too fascinating to discuss really, as my weak/tight ways simply got me to the payoff positions for the most part.
But there were two hands of note that I would like to discuss, as I was on both ends of the spectrum when it came to hands I just don't know that anyone could have gotten away from.
This first hand lead to a pretty big win for yours truly.
On my BB with the level being $25 ANTE and $100/$200 for the blinds, UTG jammed his last $400 and change into the pot pre-flop. After seeing many of his plays to get down to that few chips in his stack, there was no way I wasn't going to call with my Asian-Jew. It folded around to the button who took a fair amount of time before finally making the call and for a moment, I considered letting it go instead. But for the amount to call, I think getting about $250 in to win $1540 is always the right way to go.
The flop came J-A-6 with two spades and the button bet out pot immediately. I decided to simply call, with the plan to make a move on a non-spade turn card. In the back of my mind, I was nervous about the possibility of being up against pocket Aces on the button. A slow played call pre, might have been the right play to get me to stay in the hand for a bit. I know it's not that likely, but it was a possibility based on the way previous hands had gone. The button player had lost and gained a couple of pretty substantial pots, all by slow playing hands like flopped sets.
The turn gave me the mortal nuts with the Ace of Hearts and after the button checked to me, it seemed appropriate to check behind as well. Hopefully, they'd make a hand on the river. The river card flushed to the Hearts with a 4 and after tanking for a fair amount of time, the button sent his entire stack into the middle.
The comment from the button was simply,
DJAYAND1: GG and NH. No way I could get away from that one :)
That stack and one other significant hand where my pocket Astins managed to hold on all in pre, propelled my weak-tight ass to a third place finish and some cash.
Then in another game, I happened to get myself into the other side of the same situation.
Holding A-4 pre-flop from the button at the exact same $25 ANTE and $100/$200 blind level, I limped in after UTG had also done so. I saw what I thought was a pretty solid flop for my hand. It came 4-9-4 with two diamonds. I made a bet of about 1/2 the pot and was only called down by the player that limped UTG. The third diamond on the turn, had me thinking I was done with the hand right there and then. I decided to check to see what would happen and if UTG did bet, I thought I'd take one stab at a re-raise to see if I could tell where I stood in the hand. UTG checked it from behind. Hmmmmmmmmm.....?
The two of clubs on the river gave me a boat, fours over twos. I bet out the pot hoping that UTG did in fact have the flush and in what was no surprise to me, he came over the top to put me all in. To me, that was one of the best sights I could have ever imagined!
*sigh
BamBamCan: GG and NH. Don't know how I could get away from that one
Obviously it seems that what goes around, does in fact come around as well.
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
12/23/2009
Merry Christmas one and all....
Just a quick note to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. Either is appropriate I believe, *depending of course on what side of your bagel you happen to butter.
It's time to lock in some family time for us here at the cave and who knows? I may even start to like it a little.
My most sincere wishes for nothing but the best for each of you and for your entire family. Be safe, be smart and most of all, please don't drink and drive!
Merry Christmas Blogasphere!
(* stolen from a good friend who just happens to be Jewish. Not sure why, since I have no clue what the hell it really means. But hopefully there are those that know, it's directed their way with love)
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
It's time to lock in some family time for us here at the cave and who knows? I may even start to like it a little.
My most sincere wishes for nothing but the best for each of you and for your entire family. Be safe, be smart and most of all, please don't drink and drive!
Merry Christmas Blogasphere!
(* stolen from a good friend who just happens to be Jewish. Not sure why, since I have no clue what the hell it really means. But hopefully there are those that know, it's directed their way with love)
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
12/22/2009
Grading Bedrock....
As the end of another year approaches, I've taken a bit of time to look back at this place to see where I've let it take me. Dozens of the truly talented folk out there, are probably starting to look at their writing and make judgement on improvements made or not. Fortunately for me, I don't have that worry. As I'm about as far from an actual writer as I think it gets. So without the stress and strain involved in the actual details of the craft, I simply look back and reflect on the entertainment value I offer up here for you the reader. So there won't be any grade given here for English, Poetry or Journalism. No, we'll go with what we know!
Creative Writing = B
Just over 17,000 unique visitors took the time to stop by in the last year. Not quite doubling the numbers from the year before that. Good or bad stats I'm not sure, but the increase does make me believe that people are dropping by for something. I'd like to attribute this rise in readership, to the entertainment value that can be found on these pages. Laugh with me or at me I guess, at least I'm trying to provide a worthwhile service for our community. With that said, this brings us to the next category to grade.
Blogging = B+
During some intimate one on one time at The WPBT with a few of the folks that I truly admire and can't wait to read every single day, the conversations lead to why we started this and what we were hoping to get out of our blogs. As you can imagine, the answers were as diverse and eclectic as our group itself. But my answer has always been the same, I was turned on to reading the Tao of Poker by a friend. Then through Pauly, I found several other quality blogs to make my daily visits. I think like most, I started reading and reading and that soon lead to participation. Again like most I assume, it all started with something that made me want to comment. Then the comments came more frequently, as the material written seemed to draw me into it's world deeper and deeper. As one thing almost always wants to do, it lead to another, (writing in a combined effort with some friends) and then another. (Bedrock was formed)
The goal became so much more than simple participation, it turned into a sense of belonging. But during those same conversations just a short week ago in Vegas, the measurement of belonging came into question. How does one actually know if they belong?
For my take on things, I give you my top 5 referrers for 2009.
The Tao of Poker
The Black Widow of Poker
The Phonebook of Poker
The Break even of Poker
&
The Doctor of Poker
With very honourable mention going to both The Hippie of Poker and The Reporter of Poker.
Having the top 7 referrers for this site be the first 7 blogs that I linked here upon it's development, helps to give this kid just a small sense of belonging. I thank each of you so very much for that and also the much, much more you've helped and entertained me with, along the way.
Math = B-
I'm still not exactly taking the world of NLHE by storm. There is a light at the end of the tunnel however as even as recent as last night, I made gains to improve my play and my bankroll. Small gains of course, (it is me we're talking about OK) but gains none the less. I had another cash with a fourth place in a 90 player MTT last night and finishing in the top 12 of The WPBT at Caesars last week, did give me a little confidence boost that I was looking for. Add those results to a couple of wins live and several final tables at the bar Poker being played around these parts and who knows? Maybe there is hope for me yet.
Geography = A
I think I've pretty much cruised through this course of the program but naturally, there's always room for improvement. Trips South for a drink, further South for another drink and a couple of extra hours in the Red Rubble Rocket for six hours of pure and utter enjoyment, seemed to become the norm in 2009. The plus isn't on the A for one reason and one reason alone. Having to step back from EH-Vegas in the Spring, was the only thing missing from an otherwise perfect track record of travel. I'd like to say that not participating was one of the hardest decisions I think I've ever had to make but in actual fact, I know it was totally the right thing to do.
That all leaves us with the last grade of the year that was Bedrock.
Social Studies = B+
Because this mark is so critical to my total happiness, I see some serious room for improvement going forward. Yes, I did meet more of you this past year than in any year prior. But that's not good enough! Yes, I had several opportunities to reunite with those I'd met in the past but dammit! It's still not good enough. I'm hoping to make 2010 so much better in this area so if you're planning to be in my neighbourhood anytime in the coming year, you'd better damn well let me know!
For me, 2009 was passed with some enjoyable memories and a long list of needs improvement items going forward into 2010. A list I truly look forward to getting started on.
As always my friends,
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
Creative Writing = B
Just over 17,000 unique visitors took the time to stop by in the last year. Not quite doubling the numbers from the year before that. Good or bad stats I'm not sure, but the increase does make me believe that people are dropping by for something. I'd like to attribute this rise in readership, to the entertainment value that can be found on these pages. Laugh with me or at me I guess, at least I'm trying to provide a worthwhile service for our community. With that said, this brings us to the next category to grade.
Blogging = B+
During some intimate one on one time at The WPBT with a few of the folks that I truly admire and can't wait to read every single day, the conversations lead to why we started this and what we were hoping to get out of our blogs. As you can imagine, the answers were as diverse and eclectic as our group itself. But my answer has always been the same, I was turned on to reading the Tao of Poker by a friend. Then through Pauly, I found several other quality blogs to make my daily visits. I think like most, I started reading and reading and that soon lead to participation. Again like most I assume, it all started with something that made me want to comment. Then the comments came more frequently, as the material written seemed to draw me into it's world deeper and deeper. As one thing almost always wants to do, it lead to another, (writing in a combined effort with some friends) and then another. (Bedrock was formed)
The goal became so much more than simple participation, it turned into a sense of belonging. But during those same conversations just a short week ago in Vegas, the measurement of belonging came into question. How does one actually know if they belong?
For my take on things, I give you my top 5 referrers for 2009.
The Tao of Poker
The Black Widow of Poker
The Phonebook of Poker
The Break even of Poker
&
The Doctor of Poker
With very honourable mention going to both The Hippie of Poker and The Reporter of Poker.
Having the top 7 referrers for this site be the first 7 blogs that I linked here upon it's development, helps to give this kid just a small sense of belonging. I thank each of you so very much for that and also the much, much more you've helped and entertained me with, along the way.
Math = B-
I'm still not exactly taking the world of NLHE by storm. There is a light at the end of the tunnel however as even as recent as last night, I made gains to improve my play and my bankroll. Small gains of course, (it is me we're talking about OK) but gains none the less. I had another cash with a fourth place in a 90 player MTT last night and finishing in the top 12 of The WPBT at Caesars last week, did give me a little confidence boost that I was looking for. Add those results to a couple of wins live and several final tables at the bar Poker being played around these parts and who knows? Maybe there is hope for me yet.
Geography = A
I think I've pretty much cruised through this course of the program but naturally, there's always room for improvement. Trips South for a drink, further South for another drink and a couple of extra hours in the Red Rubble Rocket for six hours of pure and utter enjoyment, seemed to become the norm in 2009. The plus isn't on the A for one reason and one reason alone. Having to step back from EH-Vegas in the Spring, was the only thing missing from an otherwise perfect track record of travel. I'd like to say that not participating was one of the hardest decisions I think I've ever had to make but in actual fact, I know it was totally the right thing to do.
That all leaves us with the last grade of the year that was Bedrock.
Social Studies = B+
Because this mark is so critical to my total happiness, I see some serious room for improvement going forward. Yes, I did meet more of you this past year than in any year prior. But that's not good enough! Yes, I had several opportunities to reunite with those I'd met in the past but dammit! It's still not good enough. I'm hoping to make 2010 so much better in this area so if you're planning to be in my neighbourhood anytime in the coming year, you'd better damn well let me know!
For me, 2009 was passed with some enjoyable memories and a long list of needs improvement items going forward into 2010. A list I truly look forward to getting started on.
As always my friends,
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
12/21/2009
In the groove....
Actually, it's a lot more like a gap!
The space and time between our Winter gathering and the upcoming Christmas celebrations, seems to be going rather blah for me.
The wind down from the WPBT is never easy for me. I miss friends immediately after entering the sliding doorways at the airport. I then spend a full week dissolving all the 'data,' stored in the mini-computer between these ears. I smile, I laugh and I stay awake at night, going over some of the times not fit for print here. (or anywhere else, if we all have an agreement)
Once settled on the fact that it really is all over, I'm supposed to get all wound up about the impending holiday.
But for the first time ever, I'm not.
Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas. I'm just not as wound up about it as I usually get at this time of the year. Not sure why either. Hopefully this mood or whatever it is during this gap between the two special events, runs it's course before the morning of the 25th.
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
The space and time between our Winter gathering and the upcoming Christmas celebrations, seems to be going rather blah for me.
The wind down from the WPBT is never easy for me. I miss friends immediately after entering the sliding doorways at the airport. I then spend a full week dissolving all the 'data,' stored in the mini-computer between these ears. I smile, I laugh and I stay awake at night, going over some of the times not fit for print here. (or anywhere else, if we all have an agreement)
Once settled on the fact that it really is all over, I'm supposed to get all wound up about the impending holiday.
But for the first time ever, I'm not.
Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas. I'm just not as wound up about it as I usually get at this time of the year. Not sure why either. Hopefully this mood or whatever it is during this gap between the two special events, runs it's course before the morning of the 25th.
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
12/17/2009
OK, let's sorta' Poker....
Saturday morning started with a tradition of sorts for Peb's and I. Breakfast at Bellagio. Now I know it's not the procedure, but damn it's a fine bit of grub to start the day!
We headed over to Caesars to get registered and after the now infamous 'ass-grab,' we met up with everyone around the Poker room. We had about 45 minutes or so to catch up with everyone and hear the stories from the night before. I do know one thing, 45 minutes was nowhere near enough time for those stories! We would have to wait for all the recaps.
As I sat down in seat #2 of table #54, I began to wonder what the hell I'd bought into this game for. I mean I'm no NLHE player and honestly, I felt a bit intimidated by the group sitting around the same table. There was Maudie, The Mark, Dr. Jeff and several others that are pretty high up in the rankings of Blogger NLHE play.
When you don't see the fish at the table....
Second hand into the game, it folds around to my SB. I make a standard 3x raise and get insta-called by Alyssa in the BB. Crap! That's both what I said and what I was holding. But then the flop hits my crap and I have to believe I'm good. I see the opportunity to get a few more chips into the pot and do so without hesitation. Call again. Hmmm.... The turn brought an Ace that could've helped to a low straight draw and also made the four-flush possible. We both checked. Then the river put the third club on the board, that also made a straight a very good possibility. I was totally OK with checking it down and showing my crappy two-pair. Alyssa hesitated and stared at her stack. Then she threw in a bet of 2/3 of the pot. Holding back the urge to grab chips and glub-glub my way out of chips so early, I tossed my cards into the muck. She said that she flopped an open-ender on her defense of her BB and honestly after seeing a few of her plays later, I have to believe her.
Then it came on in full force for me. Although I personally think it's hilarious that the 9-3 off-suit is called The Bammer by so many because of the number of times it gets dealt to me honestly, seeing it three, four and even five times in a row in a game, can get quite disgusting. I had lots of opportunities to show whoever was sitting on my right the hands, making for some rather funny comments during the game. The best of which I think came from someone I didn't recognize at my first table.
"Seriously! Are you letting go of those things when you muck them?"
That's when I heard a large moan and saw Pebbles stand up at her table.
I know that look and if you know anything about Peb's, it's not good. She was a cross between pissed, embarrassed and in shock. The red glow of her cheeks always makes a small hole in my heart. It was only Poker so there wasn't any tear alert needed, but it looked damn close! Peb's had just been coolered by Derek. Her pocket Jack's ran into Derek's pocket Aces and both of them managed to make a pretty good pot pre-flop. Then the flop of all flops came out, giving both of them their sets. Now Derek had just busted DRIZZ with pocket Aces a hand or two earlier, so there's no way she puts him on that hand. I don't know how she gets away from that hand and certainly, I don't see it as a bad play on her part to bust out there. But what do I know?
Shortly after that, there was a table break. I pull a seat between STB and AlCantHang. GREAT! At least the chat will be fun, I thought to myself. There was also Al and I struggling to decide who would tip the server. I'm pretty sure we broke out fairly even, as we'd each fumble for anything below a ten spot to tip with.
Besides Al giving me a courtesy double up on what he decided was a "pretty loose call," I don't think I played that many hands there. I did manage to suck out while holding A-K against J-J all-in pre, but the stacks were both so short, I don't know how the chips don't go in at that point. The blinds had escalated to ginormous by that time, and I knew I needed chips to go any further. "Let's gambool!" was all I could say. That's when I won a bounty that was re-bountied.
~Photo courtesy of Pauly
I won some "beer-goggles" brought to the fun by April.
It seemed like a few hours into the game when we busted down to the final two tables. I was actually in a small state of shock at that prospect. What the hell was I doing in the final 18?
That was about the time that the few Scotch and Dos Equis I did have, managed to make it deeper into my system. In a good way of course! I gained a small amount of confidence. My decision to make final table from that point on, was set.
If you know anything about me and NLHE, you'll know I do not have a Poker face. But I do like to talk it up a bit, so I used that to my advantage. If I kept up the inane banter at this table, who the heck could tell if I was bluffing or nutting? It actually worked out pretty good as a strategy. I dragged a few pots here and there when I played hands and/or otherwise, I shipped my cards into the muck. All the while, maintaining the "happy plays Poker" routine as my Poker face.
I had what I thought was one great opportunity to really get a stack going, after I re-raised a pre-flop raise from Change 100. I certainly thought she was going to jam it into the center for a moment there and I was certainly hoping. When she finally mucked after a pretty long thought process and several icy glares in my direction, I decided that showing my Aces there would be a good thing for my table image with this crowd.
We got down to six-handed at our table and I think the other table had six as well. (it might have been seven?) The blinds were astronomical and I was now sitting on 8x the BB. No one had a monster stack exactly and that could only mean one thing, jam or fold for almost everyone. I had folded down to those 8 BB's due to seeing nothing spectacular or even half descent on the way there. At that point I was honestly hoping for a hand on hand violence situation from the others, or a monster hand for myself. At least it was pretty easy Poker!
There was an early position jam just ahead of me and I looked down at Cowboy's. What do you do? You can make final table most definitely, by folding the next two or three hands. OR! You can go for the win. I took a few seconds to hash out the rational in my head and said "fuck it. I have to be ahead and these chips will give me the chance to do something that no one in our little circle of friends would have ever thought possible!"
I announced "all-in."
I could see that I was covered by a few chips and knew that my tourney life was on the line. Question : Was this a stupid play?
I flipped up my Kings and waited to get confirmation that I was up against a small Ace or even better, a smaller pair.
YAHTZEE! Ace friggin' King!!!!111!!!oneoneone!
Right or wrong, I got incredibly pumped up about my opponent only having a 3 outer. Then I heard the words that I think I'm supposed to love in this situation, "I'm Sorry, I folded A-5 off."
"Luckily I had total crap with a 2-8 off." was the only other hand I heard anything about.
Two-outer Bam-Bam!
Just a two-outer, that's all you've got to fade!
Uber-Tilt followed naturally, as the two-outer came immediately on the flop.
As DonKaaa would say, "death by unga-bunga."
So I pass my bounty over as I stare at the most painful board I think I've ever seen in my short NLHE experience. No final table for me, as I bust out 12th. I think. (maybe 13th.?)
I Made it to the other side of the table before I let the pressure release with a pretty loud "FUUUUUUUUUCK." in the middle of The Caesars Palace Poker room. I then apologised for being such an asshole to our Tournament Director, who happened to be standing right next to me.
"Sir, THAT was a bad beat. Happens all the time." he said, while putting a hand on my shoulder and smiling a smile of consolation.
So the good was I played some OK Poker.
The Bad was, I played some crap Poker.
The ugly was I folded J-J at my second table, to two raises pre-flop and found out my J-J was Gold.
Analysis = I suck at NLHE.
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
We headed over to Caesars to get registered and after the now infamous 'ass-grab,' we met up with everyone around the Poker room. We had about 45 minutes or so to catch up with everyone and hear the stories from the night before. I do know one thing, 45 minutes was nowhere near enough time for those stories! We would have to wait for all the recaps.
As I sat down in seat #2 of table #54, I began to wonder what the hell I'd bought into this game for. I mean I'm no NLHE player and honestly, I felt a bit intimidated by the group sitting around the same table. There was Maudie, The Mark, Dr. Jeff and several others that are pretty high up in the rankings of Blogger NLHE play.
When you don't see the fish at the table....
Second hand into the game, it folds around to my SB. I make a standard 3x raise and get insta-called by Alyssa in the BB. Crap! That's both what I said and what I was holding. But then the flop hits my crap and I have to believe I'm good. I see the opportunity to get a few more chips into the pot and do so without hesitation. Call again. Hmmm.... The turn brought an Ace that could've helped to a low straight draw and also made the four-flush possible. We both checked. Then the river put the third club on the board, that also made a straight a very good possibility. I was totally OK with checking it down and showing my crappy two-pair. Alyssa hesitated and stared at her stack. Then she threw in a bet of 2/3 of the pot. Holding back the urge to grab chips and glub-glub my way out of chips so early, I tossed my cards into the muck. She said that she flopped an open-ender on her defense of her BB and honestly after seeing a few of her plays later, I have to believe her.
Then it came on in full force for me. Although I personally think it's hilarious that the 9-3 off-suit is called The Bammer by so many because of the number of times it gets dealt to me honestly, seeing it three, four and even five times in a row in a game, can get quite disgusting. I had lots of opportunities to show whoever was sitting on my right the hands, making for some rather funny comments during the game. The best of which I think came from someone I didn't recognize at my first table.
"Seriously! Are you letting go of those things when you muck them?"
That's when I heard a large moan and saw Pebbles stand up at her table.
I know that look and if you know anything about Peb's, it's not good. She was a cross between pissed, embarrassed and in shock. The red glow of her cheeks always makes a small hole in my heart. It was only Poker so there wasn't any tear alert needed, but it looked damn close! Peb's had just been coolered by Derek. Her pocket Jack's ran into Derek's pocket Aces and both of them managed to make a pretty good pot pre-flop. Then the flop of all flops came out, giving both of them their sets. Now Derek had just busted DRIZZ with pocket Aces a hand or two earlier, so there's no way she puts him on that hand. I don't know how she gets away from that hand and certainly, I don't see it as a bad play on her part to bust out there. But what do I know?
Shortly after that, there was a table break. I pull a seat between STB and AlCantHang. GREAT! At least the chat will be fun, I thought to myself. There was also Al and I struggling to decide who would tip the server. I'm pretty sure we broke out fairly even, as we'd each fumble for anything below a ten spot to tip with.
Besides Al giving me a courtesy double up on what he decided was a "pretty loose call," I don't think I played that many hands there. I did manage to suck out while holding A-K against J-J all-in pre, but the stacks were both so short, I don't know how the chips don't go in at that point. The blinds had escalated to ginormous by that time, and I knew I needed chips to go any further. "Let's gambool!" was all I could say. That's when I won a bounty that was re-bountied.
~Photo courtesy of Pauly
I won some "beer-goggles" brought to the fun by April.
It seemed like a few hours into the game when we busted down to the final two tables. I was actually in a small state of shock at that prospect. What the hell was I doing in the final 18?
That was about the time that the few Scotch and Dos Equis I did have, managed to make it deeper into my system. In a good way of course! I gained a small amount of confidence. My decision to make final table from that point on, was set.
If you know anything about me and NLHE, you'll know I do not have a Poker face. But I do like to talk it up a bit, so I used that to my advantage. If I kept up the inane banter at this table, who the heck could tell if I was bluffing or nutting? It actually worked out pretty good as a strategy. I dragged a few pots here and there when I played hands and/or otherwise, I shipped my cards into the muck. All the while, maintaining the "happy plays Poker" routine as my Poker face.
I had what I thought was one great opportunity to really get a stack going, after I re-raised a pre-flop raise from Change 100. I certainly thought she was going to jam it into the center for a moment there and I was certainly hoping. When she finally mucked after a pretty long thought process and several icy glares in my direction, I decided that showing my Aces there would be a good thing for my table image with this crowd.
We got down to six-handed at our table and I think the other table had six as well. (it might have been seven?) The blinds were astronomical and I was now sitting on 8x the BB. No one had a monster stack exactly and that could only mean one thing, jam or fold for almost everyone. I had folded down to those 8 BB's due to seeing nothing spectacular or even half descent on the way there. At that point I was honestly hoping for a hand on hand violence situation from the others, or a monster hand for myself. At least it was pretty easy Poker!
There was an early position jam just ahead of me and I looked down at Cowboy's. What do you do? You can make final table most definitely, by folding the next two or three hands. OR! You can go for the win. I took a few seconds to hash out the rational in my head and said "fuck it. I have to be ahead and these chips will give me the chance to do something that no one in our little circle of friends would have ever thought possible!"
I announced "all-in."
I could see that I was covered by a few chips and knew that my tourney life was on the line. Question : Was this a stupid play?
I flipped up my Kings and waited to get confirmation that I was up against a small Ace or even better, a smaller pair.
YAHTZEE! Ace friggin' King!!!!111!!!oneoneone!
Right or wrong, I got incredibly pumped up about my opponent only having a 3 outer. Then I heard the words that I think I'm supposed to love in this situation, "I'm Sorry, I folded A-5 off."
"Luckily I had total crap with a 2-8 off." was the only other hand I heard anything about.
Two-outer Bam-Bam!
Just a two-outer, that's all you've got to fade!
Uber-Tilt followed naturally, as the two-outer came immediately on the flop.
As DonKaaa would say, "death by unga-bunga."
So I pass my bounty over as I stare at the most painful board I think I've ever seen in my short NLHE experience. No final table for me, as I bust out 12th. I think. (maybe 13th.?)
I Made it to the other side of the table before I let the pressure release with a pretty loud "FUUUUUUUUUCK." in the middle of The Caesars Palace Poker room. I then apologised for being such an asshole to our Tournament Director, who happened to be standing right next to me.
"Sir, THAT was a bad beat. Happens all the time." he said, while putting a hand on my shoulder and smiling a smile of consolation.
So the good was I played some OK Poker.
The Bad was, I played some crap Poker.
The ugly was I folded J-J at my second table, to two raises pre-flop and found out my J-J was Gold.
Analysis = I suck at NLHE.
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
12/16/2009
We may be strange, but those Cowboy's....
Occasionally we see things that make us shake our heads in disbelief and wonder. Sometimes the scene is one of horror, say a car crash or a miss-treated child. Sometimes the scene is one of humour, like blooper shows on TV or AlCantHang dancing in the aisles of the IP. Whatever the case may be, these scenes also have some type of addictive quality to them. You know you really should look away but somewhere deep inside you, there's something stopping you from turning your head.
After Golf Friday, Peb's and I got cleaned up and headed out to the MGM for the fun. That was where we came upon one of those special moments where we both knew we should just look away, but neither of us could avert our eyes from the spectacle.
The spectacle that was, Table #16!
A $1/$2 table that at that point in time, had approximately 4,500 - 4,800 dollars in play on it. It was The core G-Vegas crowd and a few select others, including IGGY and DRIZZ. Stacks ranged in size from massive to minuscule and one thing seemed evident right from the start, every hand could generate a monster pot and most likely, probably would.
I did my best to pay attention to the play, despite also wanting to spend a little time chatting with the likes of Waffles, Rooster, Derek and others. As good as it was to see everyone and get a few moments to get caught up with each of them, the table drew my eyes back to it repeatedly.
"All-IN."
"CALL."
"The HAMMER."
"The NUTS."
"Two pair."
"Quad Ducks."
"Boat."
"Nut Boat."
"Ace high."
"You're good."
"Rebuy on #16"
Followed by the roar of laughter.
I can't be positive but I am fairly certain that as I was talking to Waffles, I think I saw one hand played totally blind. But not your standard deal it out and we'll see what happens blind. More like an entire table betting on their blind hole cards based on the flop, turn and river kind of blind!
I think one of my better quotes of the weekend happened at this table, when I noticed BadBlood was sitting next to Otis' monster stack. BadBlood's stack may have contained five or six chips at that point.
"I want a stack and a story!" I exclaimed.
At first it was a joke of course but not being an actual part of that game, I'd love a little insider view of what was actually going on.
As the folks of our WPBT crowd came and went like the surf lapping up onto a warm beach, the dynamic of the area around table #16 changed incredibly. With each wave of new bloggers to the area, came new stories. There were new ideas of what to do next and most certainly, new laughs and smiles with the meeting of friends old and new. If there is such a thing as joyous electric AND eclectic, it was happening on the border of the MGM Poker room.
At a lull in the action both at table #16 and in the general area, Peb's and I snuck out the back door for a little one on one time. Just enough time to shake out a few cobwebs from the early am. cold, but hopefully not enough to miss out on anything too terribly special that might happen. $20 should do it I thought to myself. "Let's go grab a Penny slot and a drink or two Peb's." I said hoping to see that grin. Well I didn't even get the word slot out, before she'd grabbed my hand and smiled in that way that makes me melt.
She'd found her Lobstermania game and almost immediately after dropping the $20 bill in the machine, our drink orders were in and we were well on our way to laughing like idiots. I've said it a thousand times I know but I still have not clue one, how the hell you win anything at Penny slots! When betting 15 lines, a line of 5 seagulls pays you 4 credits. Yet with the same bet and the seagulls scattered all over the bloody screen, the damn thing chimes off 150 credits to the good for you. The only thing I do get on this one particular game though, is the Lobster fishing BONUS part. Pick the traps and hope for biggin's!
As I was sipping on an exceptionally good Scotch, (to me for $20 into a Penny slot, a 15 YR. old Glen anything seems like gold!) and Peb's was spinning her magic, I saw Doc Chako and The Wife heading right towards us. NICE! I looked around for Julia, (The keeper of the over-poured and under paid for Scotch) to order a quick round. The couple-Chako appeared to be in no rush as they were meandering down the aisle, all the while making simple moves together to avoid the staggering masses in a rush to somewhere important to them.
"They make such a great looking couple don't they hun?" I asked Peb's.
Too focused on the line of crap that seemed to be paying her 400 credits at the time, she replied "Who does?"
"The Chako's."
She finally took her eyes of the screen in front of her and must have noticed the direction I was focusing towards.
"OH. They do look great don't they!" I heard her say.
That's when it happened. They just strolled right on by us, oblivious to our presence before them.
"OH NO THEY DID NOT JUST DO THAT!" I exclaimed. I jumped out of my seat beside Peb's and ran after the two of them with a purpose. But what purpose? "What do I do when I catch them?" I actually said out loud, to no one but myself. And that was the moment that I made what could have been a pretty dangerous decision.
I grabbed The Wife's ass!
At the very last second, I found myself ducking in preparation for the soon to come right cross to the jaw. What was I thinking? The Wife is a farm girl at heart. Sure she's all executive and shit but deep down inside, she has to know how to protect herself. As she spun around in shock, I saw the partially formed fist that came natural to her. Thankfully and mercifully for me, we made eye contact before I needed an excuse for my newly minted black eye! And then we laughed. We laughed a lot! The old saying "what comes around goes around," certainly came to life for the two of us, as The Wife paid me back completely and in full, as I made my way to the Poker Room on Saturday morning. Right there in the main aisle of Ceasar's Palace and in front of a packed bar of spectators, The Wife grabbed my ass and made me practically jump out of my skin. Fine then, we're even! (until we're not anymore!) :)
After parting ways with both Chako's, Peb's and I cruised back to see the wrath of Table #16. A quick count of the stacks I could see, revealed that the table was now holding somewhere around six large! INSANE!
We made our way around the sportsbook and right there in the middle of a bunch of crappy slots, sat my baby from my Vegas days gone by.
The Electronic Horse Racing machine!
If you haven't ever played on this thing, you MUST! It used to be just outside of Gilley's place at The Frontier. You grab a roll of quarters and bet anywhere from one of them to all of them, on any combination of two out of the five horses in the field. Odds are given early and you have about 30 seconds before each race to bet. It's a riot on it's own but considering that there's room for around 12 players to play in every race, it really lends itself to a social atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the town.
Picture if you will on one side of the machine, it's four deep in Cowboy's. The other, four deep in drunken Brit's. At the far end there was a small group of twenty somethings blasted out of their freakin' minds and on the other end, me and my Peb's. Let the battle begin!
$20 in quarters, a very rough count of a half dozen scotch, at least the same in beer and I think Peb's managed to scarf down somewhere between 5 and 6 Rye and Gingers later and we had what Peb's would call all day Saturday, "A SCREAM!" Anyone that saw me early enough on in the day Saturday will attest, I was all "SCREAMED" out!
I made money on Cowboy's betting both with me and against me. Folks were dropping $10 bills over my shoulder and challenging me to win again. In many case I lost a quarter on the race itself, only to then pick up the $10 and shove it in my pocket because I "lost." Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
The one weird spot however was as I was in the Men's room doing the beer reduction process, a stranger showed up behind me and stood there.
"What size are your feet?" I heard from his general direction. I looked back and asked, "Excuse me?" "Your feet. What size are they?"
Now I'm so freaked out, it's just not funny.
After apologies for disturbing me and some of the really freaking weird dissolving from the situation, it turns out that he was making me an offer to trade his boots for my shoes.
Cowboy's in Vegas are really, REALLY fucking strange!
That's it for now.
Let's try and Poker in the morning, shall we?
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
After Golf Friday, Peb's and I got cleaned up and headed out to the MGM for the fun. That was where we came upon one of those special moments where we both knew we should just look away, but neither of us could avert our eyes from the spectacle.
The spectacle that was, Table #16!
A $1/$2 table that at that point in time, had approximately 4,500 - 4,800 dollars in play on it. It was The core G-Vegas crowd and a few select others, including IGGY and DRIZZ. Stacks ranged in size from massive to minuscule and one thing seemed evident right from the start, every hand could generate a monster pot and most likely, probably would.
I did my best to pay attention to the play, despite also wanting to spend a little time chatting with the likes of Waffles, Rooster, Derek and others. As good as it was to see everyone and get a few moments to get caught up with each of them, the table drew my eyes back to it repeatedly.
"All-IN."
"CALL."
"The HAMMER."
"The NUTS."
"Two pair."
"Quad Ducks."
"Boat."
"Nut Boat."
"Ace high."
"You're good."
"Rebuy on #16"
Followed by the roar of laughter.
I can't be positive but I am fairly certain that as I was talking to Waffles, I think I saw one hand played totally blind. But not your standard deal it out and we'll see what happens blind. More like an entire table betting on their blind hole cards based on the flop, turn and river kind of blind!
I think one of my better quotes of the weekend happened at this table, when I noticed BadBlood was sitting next to Otis' monster stack. BadBlood's stack may have contained five or six chips at that point.
"I want a stack and a story!" I exclaimed.
At first it was a joke of course but not being an actual part of that game, I'd love a little insider view of what was actually going on.
As the folks of our WPBT crowd came and went like the surf lapping up onto a warm beach, the dynamic of the area around table #16 changed incredibly. With each wave of new bloggers to the area, came new stories. There were new ideas of what to do next and most certainly, new laughs and smiles with the meeting of friends old and new. If there is such a thing as joyous electric AND eclectic, it was happening on the border of the MGM Poker room.
At a lull in the action both at table #16 and in the general area, Peb's and I snuck out the back door for a little one on one time. Just enough time to shake out a few cobwebs from the early am. cold, but hopefully not enough to miss out on anything too terribly special that might happen. $20 should do it I thought to myself. "Let's go grab a Penny slot and a drink or two Peb's." I said hoping to see that grin. Well I didn't even get the word slot out, before she'd grabbed my hand and smiled in that way that makes me melt.
She'd found her Lobstermania game and almost immediately after dropping the $20 bill in the machine, our drink orders were in and we were well on our way to laughing like idiots. I've said it a thousand times I know but I still have not clue one, how the hell you win anything at Penny slots! When betting 15 lines, a line of 5 seagulls pays you 4 credits. Yet with the same bet and the seagulls scattered all over the bloody screen, the damn thing chimes off 150 credits to the good for you. The only thing I do get on this one particular game though, is the Lobster fishing BONUS part. Pick the traps and hope for biggin's!
As I was sipping on an exceptionally good Scotch, (to me for $20 into a Penny slot, a 15 YR. old Glen anything seems like gold!) and Peb's was spinning her magic, I saw Doc Chako and The Wife heading right towards us. NICE! I looked around for Julia, (The keeper of the over-poured and under paid for Scotch) to order a quick round. The couple-Chako appeared to be in no rush as they were meandering down the aisle, all the while making simple moves together to avoid the staggering masses in a rush to somewhere important to them.
"They make such a great looking couple don't they hun?" I asked Peb's.
Too focused on the line of crap that seemed to be paying her 400 credits at the time, she replied "Who does?"
"The Chako's."
She finally took her eyes of the screen in front of her and must have noticed the direction I was focusing towards.
"OH. They do look great don't they!" I heard her say.
That's when it happened. They just strolled right on by us, oblivious to our presence before them.
"OH NO THEY DID NOT JUST DO THAT!" I exclaimed. I jumped out of my seat beside Peb's and ran after the two of them with a purpose. But what purpose? "What do I do when I catch them?" I actually said out loud, to no one but myself. And that was the moment that I made what could have been a pretty dangerous decision.
I grabbed The Wife's ass!
At the very last second, I found myself ducking in preparation for the soon to come right cross to the jaw. What was I thinking? The Wife is a farm girl at heart. Sure she's all executive and shit but deep down inside, she has to know how to protect herself. As she spun around in shock, I saw the partially formed fist that came natural to her. Thankfully and mercifully for me, we made eye contact before I needed an excuse for my newly minted black eye! And then we laughed. We laughed a lot! The old saying "what comes around goes around," certainly came to life for the two of us, as The Wife paid me back completely and in full, as I made my way to the Poker Room on Saturday morning. Right there in the main aisle of Ceasar's Palace and in front of a packed bar of spectators, The Wife grabbed my ass and made me practically jump out of my skin. Fine then, we're even! (until we're not anymore!) :)
After parting ways with both Chako's, Peb's and I cruised back to see the wrath of Table #16. A quick count of the stacks I could see, revealed that the table was now holding somewhere around six large! INSANE!
We made our way around the sportsbook and right there in the middle of a bunch of crappy slots, sat my baby from my Vegas days gone by.
The Electronic Horse Racing machine!
If you haven't ever played on this thing, you MUST! It used to be just outside of Gilley's place at The Frontier. You grab a roll of quarters and bet anywhere from one of them to all of them, on any combination of two out of the five horses in the field. Odds are given early and you have about 30 seconds before each race to bet. It's a riot on it's own but considering that there's room for around 12 players to play in every race, it really lends itself to a social atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the town.
Picture if you will on one side of the machine, it's four deep in Cowboy's. The other, four deep in drunken Brit's. At the far end there was a small group of twenty somethings blasted out of their freakin' minds and on the other end, me and my Peb's. Let the battle begin!
$20 in quarters, a very rough count of a half dozen scotch, at least the same in beer and I think Peb's managed to scarf down somewhere between 5 and 6 Rye and Gingers later and we had what Peb's would call all day Saturday, "A SCREAM!" Anyone that saw me early enough on in the day Saturday will attest, I was all "SCREAMED" out!
I made money on Cowboy's betting both with me and against me. Folks were dropping $10 bills over my shoulder and challenging me to win again. In many case I lost a quarter on the race itself, only to then pick up the $10 and shove it in my pocket because I "lost." Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
The one weird spot however was as I was in the Men's room doing the beer reduction process, a stranger showed up behind me and stood there.
"What size are your feet?" I heard from his general direction. I looked back and asked, "Excuse me?" "Your feet. What size are they?"
Now I'm so freaked out, it's just not funny.
After apologies for disturbing me and some of the really freaking weird dissolving from the situation, it turns out that he was making me an offer to trade his boots for my shoes.
Cowboy's in Vegas are really, REALLY fucking strange!
That's it for now.
Let's try and Poker in the morning, shall we?
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
12/15/2009
The hooker, the golfer & the laughter....
Friday started like just about any day in Vegas should start. We were sitting at the Denny's just up the road from the IP, waiting for our Slams to arrive and sipping on some really bad coffee. Pretty much par for the course, unless of course you count the hooker sitting next to us.
Words cannot describe the way she was sitting there next to Peb's, in her electric banana yellow mini-dress that was hiked up just above the business end of well... her business I guess! With her hands shaking from whatever self medication she happened to be juiced up on at the moment and the poorly applied make up from the night before practically dripping down her face, there she sat eating the T-Bone Steak & Eggs protein platter. That naturally became an instant conversation starter for yours truly.
"I see you're not getting enough protein in your system lately?" I said as we made our first real eye contact.
"Sign of the times around here." She replied.
"But it's my birthday too, so I thought I deserved some real meat in my mouth for a change." she finished with a chuckle.
Typical for the tourist in most sitting around the general vicinity, the neck snaps as they all looked away in disgust could almost be heard in unison. I on the other hand, wished her a very happy birthday. What the hell right? I figure if you can't garner a little good karma from being nice to a half naked working girl eating breakfast at a Denny's packed with people that are disgusted by her, when can you? But maybe that's just me.
After breakfast, we were scheduled to meet up with our ride out to The Las Vegas National Golf Club. It was finally the day for our inaugural Bloggers, Booze & Balls Golf outing and fortunately for us, F-Train was kind enough to offer us a ride. We would be riding along with DRIZZ and JJOK as well. Besides the hooker, this was a pretty good crowd to start our day off with!
DRIZZ showed up wearing the prescribed khakis that were, "not denim." But all he had on to cover the top portion of his giant frame, was a regular polo like Golf shirt. At a whopping 38 degrees at the time, I thought that this might end up being an issue! F-Train was next to arrive and as a group, the four of us waited for JJ. And waited, and waited, and waited! Joe Speaker arrived in the Valet area, as he was supposed to be meeting Schaubs there as well. So we waited together. And waited, and waited, and waited some more. I went in to make the cattle calls. On the second call to JJ's room, I finally got in touch with him. He was on his way down. Then Speaker got a text from Schaubs, he was headed in the right direction too. We were on our way soon enough, straight down Flamingo Boulevard. Only one issue though, LVNGC is NOT on Flamingo! F-Train's internal GPS, was apparently not reacting well to the cold. Silly thin-blooded locals. :)
The teams had been set and went off the tee as follows;
1) Dr. Chako, his buddy C, Katkin and Astin's pal N.
2) Schaubs, Speaker & Astin's pal M.
3) F-Train, Pebbles, Astin's friend E and J.D.N.
4) Myself, DRIZZ, JJOK and rast minute surprise guest CK, who just managed to make it out for the fun after all!
We each threw $10 into the pot for a winner takes all purse and off we went to Golf. From the early trash talk at the practice range to the banter at the first tee, you could tell that this was going to be a great day for everyone. I can only really talk about our group on the day, but I am hoping for a few stories out of the others when they get the chance.
For team Bam-Bam, one thing remained throughout the entire competition. Holy shit did we laugh! From my rental club tilt brought on by several of the clubs in the bag having different flex shafts, to DRIZZ's nearly hypothermic state for the first 9 holes of play, something always had us in stitches along the way. A lot of the times I was laughing so hard that it hurt, came from Astin, the designated photographer for the day of fun in the sub-arctic conditions. Not many can make me laugh the way Astin does. Sorry to say for him, I just get his sense of humour and timing. That has to be scary for the poor kid!
Moments of hilarity included but were not limited to, CK winning the first closest to the pin contest. Man she stuck it close! But there's an old saying that 'there are no pictures on a scorecard,' so we won't mention exactly HOW the ball ended up that close to the pin. I personally see nothing wrong with utilizing all of the facilities available to you on the course. Maybe that's even why they put that concrete barrier around the pond in the first place? :)
I rode the entire 18 holes with DRIZZ. If you don't find yourself laughing out loud after just 10 minutes with him, you'd best check your pulse my friend. As we approached the 18th. tee, DRIZZ looked over and thanked me for the fun. ME? I replied by telling him how much my cheeks hurt from smiling and laughing all along the way. When we arrived at the green for the hole, we were met by Joe Speaker and his great big smile and laugh. That was when I gave Speaker credit for the quote of the weekend so far, despite already having 1000's to choose from.
"What are you laughing at?" He was asked.
"I don't know. There's just something about seeing you that makes me... happy."
~Joe Speaker~ Dec. 11, 2009
It's this kids humble opinion that in that one short sentence, Mr. Speaker manages to sum up what the WPBT is really all about.
This game also had a long drive competition on one of the holes. Something I'm pretty sure that almost everyone was willing to concede to either DRIZZ with his powerful softball rip at the ball, or Schaubs, the designated golfer in the crowd. After a few holes of play, I was also thinking that JJ could fit into the mix for the power hitters in our group. He hit a few a ton! When we got to that particular tee, we saw the long-drive marker being brought back by a cart out in the group ahead. Obviously, they were the first to hit the fairway. DRIZZ's power failed him at the least opportune time, (despite finally buying a coat at the turn!) and JJ, well JJ apparently liked the looks of the other fairway over to the right a lot more. AND I MEAN A LOT MORE! :) I did manage to hit the center of the fairway but with very little roll after it hit the ground. No long drive for me. CK then took her shot at the trophy but sadly, she also came up a bit short. We got to the marker to reveal the name of the biggest power hitter of us all, only to find ourselves rolling on the ground at the thought of getting to use the line, "Don't mess with 130lbs. of fury!" F-Train had bested us all!
There was also another closest to the pin contest held, one that my beautiful wife managed to stick not too far away from the hole. So that left out group in total hysterics, as the three winners were CK, Peb's and F-Train. It was nice to see all of the girls that played, get a prize of some sort! :) Something that did not get wasted on the entire group of us, as CK made the announcements back in the clubhouse. Sitting here typing this, my cheeks are beginning to hurt once again. Holy crap I laughed a lot that day.
The big winners were Team Chako. Although the whole "bring a ringer to golf day" issue, is still under review by the committee. ;) Team Schaubs finished just 2 shots back of Chako's group and Team Bam-Bam, just one shot off of that pace. The power hitting and pin seeking Team F-Train brought up the rear, but seemed to have an awful lot of fun along the way. I think their score may have been attributed to the not one but TWO 20 minute visits with the beer cart. If it wasn't that, it had to be the bad ju-ju they deserved for sending the beer cart away from us, just before we managed to get to it. SAVAGES !
Speaking of the beer cart, I can't begin to tell you what a trooper April was through all of this. It was beyond cold for Vegas and the wind was cutting to say the least. Your support for all of this fun in some pretty crappy conditions, was really quite incredible! The same goes for my friend Astin. He really had no reason to be out there with us at all, yet there he was. All 18 holes and covering all four groups, despite the blueness of his freezing cold hands. (or was that the gloves?) :) I think because of his steadfast support of this group of idiots out in the cold, his karma increased by a multiple of ten! But that's another story.
Speaker called it "cat-herding" to get everyone out for the fun. I call it a joy and a pleasure. I really hope we all get to do it again, (in warmer weather please!) in the very near future. Mixing my passion for golf with friends new and old, just can't be beat for a really great time. I thank everyone who participated for making this kid's Friday afternoon, such an incredibly amazing part of the 2009 WPBT.
I also thank CK for doing so much to get this all organized. The fact that she could make it out to join us after all, was the best part of the day for sure. Rot's and Rot's of Ruv partner. You are the bestest!
This is getting a bit long'ish so, we'll try and cover the rest tomorrow. Stop by and see what happens if you can. I'm going to try and put the final touches, (pardon the pun) on the ass-grab, re-ass-grab hand of the weekend.
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
Words cannot describe the way she was sitting there next to Peb's, in her electric banana yellow mini-dress that was hiked up just above the business end of well... her business I guess! With her hands shaking from whatever self medication she happened to be juiced up on at the moment and the poorly applied make up from the night before practically dripping down her face, there she sat eating the T-Bone Steak & Eggs protein platter. That naturally became an instant conversation starter for yours truly.
"I see you're not getting enough protein in your system lately?" I said as we made our first real eye contact.
"Sign of the times around here." She replied.
"But it's my birthday too, so I thought I deserved some real meat in my mouth for a change." she finished with a chuckle.
Typical for the tourist in most sitting around the general vicinity, the neck snaps as they all looked away in disgust could almost be heard in unison. I on the other hand, wished her a very happy birthday. What the hell right? I figure if you can't garner a little good karma from being nice to a half naked working girl eating breakfast at a Denny's packed with people that are disgusted by her, when can you? But maybe that's just me.
After breakfast, we were scheduled to meet up with our ride out to The Las Vegas National Golf Club. It was finally the day for our inaugural Bloggers, Booze & Balls Golf outing and fortunately for us, F-Train was kind enough to offer us a ride. We would be riding along with DRIZZ and JJOK as well. Besides the hooker, this was a pretty good crowd to start our day off with!
DRIZZ showed up wearing the prescribed khakis that were, "not denim." But all he had on to cover the top portion of his giant frame, was a regular polo like Golf shirt. At a whopping 38 degrees at the time, I thought that this might end up being an issue! F-Train was next to arrive and as a group, the four of us waited for JJ. And waited, and waited, and waited! Joe Speaker arrived in the Valet area, as he was supposed to be meeting Schaubs there as well. So we waited together. And waited, and waited, and waited some more. I went in to make the cattle calls. On the second call to JJ's room, I finally got in touch with him. He was on his way down. Then Speaker got a text from Schaubs, he was headed in the right direction too. We were on our way soon enough, straight down Flamingo Boulevard. Only one issue though, LVNGC is NOT on Flamingo! F-Train's internal GPS, was apparently not reacting well to the cold. Silly thin-blooded locals. :)
The teams had been set and went off the tee as follows;
1) Dr. Chako, his buddy C, Katkin and Astin's pal N.
2) Schaubs, Speaker & Astin's pal M.
3) F-Train, Pebbles, Astin's friend E and J.D.N.
4) Myself, DRIZZ, JJOK and rast minute surprise guest CK, who just managed to make it out for the fun after all!
We each threw $10 into the pot for a winner takes all purse and off we went to Golf. From the early trash talk at the practice range to the banter at the first tee, you could tell that this was going to be a great day for everyone. I can only really talk about our group on the day, but I am hoping for a few stories out of the others when they get the chance.
For team Bam-Bam, one thing remained throughout the entire competition. Holy shit did we laugh! From my rental club tilt brought on by several of the clubs in the bag having different flex shafts, to DRIZZ's nearly hypothermic state for the first 9 holes of play, something always had us in stitches along the way. A lot of the times I was laughing so hard that it hurt, came from Astin, the designated photographer for the day of fun in the sub-arctic conditions. Not many can make me laugh the way Astin does. Sorry to say for him, I just get his sense of humour and timing. That has to be scary for the poor kid!
Moments of hilarity included but were not limited to, CK winning the first closest to the pin contest. Man she stuck it close! But there's an old saying that 'there are no pictures on a scorecard,' so we won't mention exactly HOW the ball ended up that close to the pin. I personally see nothing wrong with utilizing all of the facilities available to you on the course. Maybe that's even why they put that concrete barrier around the pond in the first place? :)
I rode the entire 18 holes with DRIZZ. If you don't find yourself laughing out loud after just 10 minutes with him, you'd best check your pulse my friend. As we approached the 18th. tee, DRIZZ looked over and thanked me for the fun. ME? I replied by telling him how much my cheeks hurt from smiling and laughing all along the way. When we arrived at the green for the hole, we were met by Joe Speaker and his great big smile and laugh. That was when I gave Speaker credit for the quote of the weekend so far, despite already having 1000's to choose from.
"What are you laughing at?" He was asked.
"I don't know. There's just something about seeing you that makes me... happy."
~Joe Speaker~ Dec. 11, 2009
It's this kids humble opinion that in that one short sentence, Mr. Speaker manages to sum up what the WPBT is really all about.
This game also had a long drive competition on one of the holes. Something I'm pretty sure that almost everyone was willing to concede to either DRIZZ with his powerful softball rip at the ball, or Schaubs, the designated golfer in the crowd. After a few holes of play, I was also thinking that JJ could fit into the mix for the power hitters in our group. He hit a few a ton! When we got to that particular tee, we saw the long-drive marker being brought back by a cart out in the group ahead. Obviously, they were the first to hit the fairway. DRIZZ's power failed him at the least opportune time, (despite finally buying a coat at the turn!) and JJ, well JJ apparently liked the looks of the other fairway over to the right a lot more. AND I MEAN A LOT MORE! :) I did manage to hit the center of the fairway but with very little roll after it hit the ground. No long drive for me. CK then took her shot at the trophy but sadly, she also came up a bit short. We got to the marker to reveal the name of the biggest power hitter of us all, only to find ourselves rolling on the ground at the thought of getting to use the line, "Don't mess with 130lbs. of fury!" F-Train had bested us all!
There was also another closest to the pin contest held, one that my beautiful wife managed to stick not too far away from the hole. So that left out group in total hysterics, as the three winners were CK, Peb's and F-Train. It was nice to see all of the girls that played, get a prize of some sort! :) Something that did not get wasted on the entire group of us, as CK made the announcements back in the clubhouse. Sitting here typing this, my cheeks are beginning to hurt once again. Holy crap I laughed a lot that day.
The big winners were Team Chako. Although the whole "bring a ringer to golf day" issue, is still under review by the committee. ;) Team Schaubs finished just 2 shots back of Chako's group and Team Bam-Bam, just one shot off of that pace. The power hitting and pin seeking Team F-Train brought up the rear, but seemed to have an awful lot of fun along the way. I think their score may have been attributed to the not one but TWO 20 minute visits with the beer cart. If it wasn't that, it had to be the bad ju-ju they deserved for sending the beer cart away from us, just before we managed to get to it. SAVAGES !
Speaking of the beer cart, I can't begin to tell you what a trooper April was through all of this. It was beyond cold for Vegas and the wind was cutting to say the least. Your support for all of this fun in some pretty crappy conditions, was really quite incredible! The same goes for my friend Astin. He really had no reason to be out there with us at all, yet there he was. All 18 holes and covering all four groups, despite the blueness of his freezing cold hands. (or was that the gloves?) :) I think because of his steadfast support of this group of idiots out in the cold, his karma increased by a multiple of ten! But that's another story.
Speaker called it "cat-herding" to get everyone out for the fun. I call it a joy and a pleasure. I really hope we all get to do it again, (in warmer weather please!) in the very near future. Mixing my passion for golf with friends new and old, just can't be beat for a really great time. I thank everyone who participated for making this kid's Friday afternoon, such an incredibly amazing part of the 2009 WPBT.
I also thank CK for doing so much to get this all organized. The fact that she could make it out to join us after all, was the best part of the day for sure. Rot's and Rot's of Ruv partner. You are the bestest!
This is getting a bit long'ish so, we'll try and cover the rest tomorrow. Stop by and see what happens if you can. I'm going to try and put the final touches, (pardon the pun) on the ass-grab, re-ass-grab hand of the weekend.
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
12/14/2009
Where to begin....
***editors note***
What you are about to read is missing several key links. Please do not think of me as a bad blogger. It would be better if you could think of me as someone that has 79 miles of dial-up that really kicks ass! It's just that today the ass it's kicking so hard, is mine!
= = = = = =
"It's the most wonderful time of the year."
It most certainly is!
No, I'm not ready to start talking Christmas just yet. I mean the 2009 WPBT Winter gathering.
The only possible downsides there could ever be to such a wondrous thing are;
a) It went by WAY too fast and is sadly over already
&
b) I have to try to put into words, how amazingly fortunate I am to have had these past 3 days.
Now I know that no intelligent being stops by here, to admire my skilled and deft writing craftsmanship. There are REAL writers out there for that and as a group, we should all know that we're damn lucky to have them. When I look at the fact that each of those gentlemen has called me a friend and also that our time around a gaming table/bar has created experiences that I for one will never forget, I just wish I had the ability and skill set to convey my gratitude properly through this space. Alas, my usual mumbling and muttering is just going to have to do. Hopefully as we stumbled, (almost always literally!) into one another, I did a much better job of getting that point across in person.
Peb's and I got in to Vegas earlier than ever on Thursday, having checked in to Bally's and holding our first drinks of the trip by noon. That was where we gave in to the first of our four major Vegas vices. The Lobstermania Penny slots.
Three hours, $20, 4 Scotch, 6 beer and 5 C.C. and Gingers later, I thought we'd gotten the trip off to a pretty good start.
Since it was just about 4:00pm local, (7:00pm actual body time) we headed over to The Flamingo for something to eat. Cow and Crab served the purpose just fine thank you very much. The second of our Vegas vices, had just gone by the wayside.
Knowing that everyone would start filing into The Geisha bar at The IP fairly soon, vice #3 was also about to bite the dust. We grabbed two seats at our Let it Ride table just outside the bar and started the -EV amusement. Our seats allowed us the perfect vantage point to see everyone as they arrived. New friends were made and old friends were grabbed and squeezed to no end. Manly man hugs and "I have been waiting to squish you forever" hugs with the ladies ensued, almost as often as the exceptional cocktail service made it's rounds around our table.
I wasn't up huge, but I was indeed up. That is of course until the ulti-cooler made an appearance to stop by and, "just say hello." Sixteen hands! That's how many hands both Peb's and I lost straight, once F-Train stopped by for a visit. The first hand after he left to go say hey to the folks over at Pai Gow, I get a no-brainer win and Peb's turns a set into a boat for a much bigger score. I then went on a streak of six winning hands in a row. I tossed a green $25 chip over to the Pai Gow table, asking them to keep the cooler right by their sides if they would. Slightly funny side thought though! The screams of "Pai Gow" seemed to settle right down over there, once F-Train joined in on the fun. Coincedence? Hmmmmm....... Just sayin'. :)
We eventually made our way over to the Geisha to take part in The AlCantHang Experience. Truly the only show you're ever going to see in Vegas, worth the price of admission. The crowd grew and grew and as the night went on, The Geisha Bar was ours. I even got to meet Poker Grump, who I'd only known by name until that point. Of course I did what I always do when I get well lubricated and meet new people! I miss-told a hand history to perfection, confusing the hell out of both Pauly and The Poker Grump. Good times!
Well after a few hours of settling in for some great conversations with almost everyone, I saw the Let it Ride table just sitting there. ALL ALONE! Empty.
Grabbing hands and arms and using any other means available to me at the time, I called for The Blogger Let it Ride Olympics to begin. Dragging DRIZZ, CK, Recess, Dr. Chako and several others along for the fun.
That's when in comes my friend and fellow BB, BadBlood.
Blood : Let it ride Bammer.
Bammer : OK.
Blood : Damn!
Bammer : Hahahahaha. That's OK, it happens.
Blood : Here. (he hands me $20)
Bammer : What's that for?
Blood : Let it Ride.
Bammer : OK
Blood : Well, maybe look at one.
We pick the center card and reveal The Queen of Hearts.
Blood : Good enough. Let it Ride.
Bammer : Hahahahaha. Sure!
We hit two pair and get paid.
Blood : Let it Ride again Bammer.
Bammer : You sure?
Blood : Let's just look at one.
We pick the center card and reveal once again, The Queen of Hearts.
Blood : That's good enough. Let it Ride.
Bammer : Okey Dokey.
We flop a Queen for a pair and get paid.
Bammer : Here you go. (attempting to hand Blood his profit)
Blood : Let it Ride Bammer. Trust me.
Bammer : Blood dude, seriously? Take the cash.
Blood : Bammer, trust me.
Bammer : Can we look at one again?
Blood : Sure.
We pick the center card and reveal to our amazement, The Queen of Hearts.
Blood and Bammer : (in near harmony) Let it Ride!
Here's how that worked out for us.
I guess a straight's not too shabby!
But then again, maybe it is!
With conversation at the table that will most likely never be repeated without ALL of the exact same participants around at the same time, DRIZZ took the game to the next level. Prompting what I think is the only tweet that everyone was pretty happy to bring their phones over to show me.
Otis : Let it Ride is the new Pai Gow!
I don't know a whole lot about what the Casino's really think about us invading their little corner of the world, but I do think I know one thing about The IP. I think that they'd pay out this little pot over and over again,
just for the pure enjoyment that is the DRIZZ, "Quadzilla" celebration dance.
If the first day's events were any indication at all, this was going to be one hell of a great weekend!
We'll see if I can get another day done tomorrow, including why no one should mess with 130 lbs. of fury!
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
What you are about to read is missing several key links. Please do not think of me as a bad blogger. It would be better if you could think of me as someone that has 79 miles of dial-up that really kicks ass! It's just that today the ass it's kicking so hard, is mine!
= = = = = =
"It's the most wonderful time of the year."
It most certainly is!
No, I'm not ready to start talking Christmas just yet. I mean the 2009 WPBT Winter gathering.
The only possible downsides there could ever be to such a wondrous thing are;
a) It went by WAY too fast and is sadly over already
&
b) I have to try to put into words, how amazingly fortunate I am to have had these past 3 days.
Now I know that no intelligent being stops by here, to admire my skilled and deft writing craftsmanship. There are REAL writers out there for that and as a group, we should all know that we're damn lucky to have them. When I look at the fact that each of those gentlemen has called me a friend and also that our time around a gaming table/bar has created experiences that I for one will never forget, I just wish I had the ability and skill set to convey my gratitude properly through this space. Alas, my usual mumbling and muttering is just going to have to do. Hopefully as we stumbled, (almost always literally!) into one another, I did a much better job of getting that point across in person.
Peb's and I got in to Vegas earlier than ever on Thursday, having checked in to Bally's and holding our first drinks of the trip by noon. That was where we gave in to the first of our four major Vegas vices. The Lobstermania Penny slots.
Three hours, $20, 4 Scotch, 6 beer and 5 C.C. and Gingers later, I thought we'd gotten the trip off to a pretty good start.
Since it was just about 4:00pm local, (7:00pm actual body time) we headed over to The Flamingo for something to eat. Cow and Crab served the purpose just fine thank you very much. The second of our Vegas vices, had just gone by the wayside.
Knowing that everyone would start filing into The Geisha bar at The IP fairly soon, vice #3 was also about to bite the dust. We grabbed two seats at our Let it Ride table just outside the bar and started the -EV amusement. Our seats allowed us the perfect vantage point to see everyone as they arrived. New friends were made and old friends were grabbed and squeezed to no end. Manly man hugs and "I have been waiting to squish you forever" hugs with the ladies ensued, almost as often as the exceptional cocktail service made it's rounds around our table.
I wasn't up huge, but I was indeed up. That is of course until the ulti-cooler made an appearance to stop by and, "just say hello." Sixteen hands! That's how many hands both Peb's and I lost straight, once F-Train stopped by for a visit. The first hand after he left to go say hey to the folks over at Pai Gow, I get a no-brainer win and Peb's turns a set into a boat for a much bigger score. I then went on a streak of six winning hands in a row. I tossed a green $25 chip over to the Pai Gow table, asking them to keep the cooler right by their sides if they would. Slightly funny side thought though! The screams of "Pai Gow" seemed to settle right down over there, once F-Train joined in on the fun. Coincedence? Hmmmmm....... Just sayin'. :)
We eventually made our way over to the Geisha to take part in The AlCantHang Experience. Truly the only show you're ever going to see in Vegas, worth the price of admission. The crowd grew and grew and as the night went on, The Geisha Bar was ours. I even got to meet Poker Grump, who I'd only known by name until that point. Of course I did what I always do when I get well lubricated and meet new people! I miss-told a hand history to perfection, confusing the hell out of both Pauly and The Poker Grump. Good times!
Well after a few hours of settling in for some great conversations with almost everyone, I saw the Let it Ride table just sitting there. ALL ALONE! Empty.
Grabbing hands and arms and using any other means available to me at the time, I called for The Blogger Let it Ride Olympics to begin. Dragging DRIZZ, CK, Recess, Dr. Chako and several others along for the fun.
That's when in comes my friend and fellow BB, BadBlood.
Blood : Let it ride Bammer.
Bammer : OK.
Blood : Damn!
Bammer : Hahahahaha. That's OK, it happens.
Blood : Here. (he hands me $20)
Bammer : What's that for?
Blood : Let it Ride.
Bammer : OK
Blood : Well, maybe look at one.
We pick the center card and reveal The Queen of Hearts.
Blood : Good enough. Let it Ride.
Bammer : Hahahahaha. Sure!
We hit two pair and get paid.
Blood : Let it Ride again Bammer.
Bammer : You sure?
Blood : Let's just look at one.
We pick the center card and reveal once again, The Queen of Hearts.
Blood : That's good enough. Let it Ride.
Bammer : Okey Dokey.
We flop a Queen for a pair and get paid.
Bammer : Here you go. (attempting to hand Blood his profit)
Blood : Let it Ride Bammer. Trust me.
Bammer : Blood dude, seriously? Take the cash.
Blood : Bammer, trust me.
Bammer : Can we look at one again?
Blood : Sure.
We pick the center card and reveal to our amazement, The Queen of Hearts.
Blood and Bammer : (in near harmony) Let it Ride!
Here's how that worked out for us.
I guess a straight's not too shabby!
But then again, maybe it is!
With conversation at the table that will most likely never be repeated without ALL of the exact same participants around at the same time, DRIZZ took the game to the next level. Prompting what I think is the only tweet that everyone was pretty happy to bring their phones over to show me.
Otis : Let it Ride is the new Pai Gow!
I don't know a whole lot about what the Casino's really think about us invading their little corner of the world, but I do think I know one thing about The IP. I think that they'd pay out this little pot over and over again,
just for the pure enjoyment that is the DRIZZ, "Quadzilla" celebration dance.
If the first day's events were any indication at all, this was going to be one hell of a great weekend!
We'll see if I can get another day done tomorrow, including why no one should mess with 130 lbs. of fury!
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
12/09/2009
Gone Drinkin' ....
As I begin to realize that I'm trading this view at 9:00am this morning,
in for this view
in just over 24 hours, I'm getting just a touch giddy.
I'm tradin' blowin' snow, for blowin' dough!
I say good trade me!
Oh and for those that aren't sure what I look like but want to find me at the WPBT, here's a quick pic for reference.
See you there and nowhere else 'cause for right now, this kids Gone Drinking with good friends.
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
in for this view
in just over 24 hours, I'm getting just a touch giddy.
I'm tradin' blowin' snow, for blowin' dough!
I say good trade me!
Oh and for those that aren't sure what I look like but want to find me at the WPBT, here's a quick pic for reference.
See you there and nowhere else 'cause for right now, this kids Gone Drinking with good friends.
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
12/08/2009
Bloggers, Booze & Balls......... The WPBT Golf
Well it's almost finally here.
The inaugural Bloggers, Booze & Balls Golf game goes this Friday at the beautiful Las Vegas National Golf Club.
As a special treat, we'll have our very own and might I add very special Beer Wench with us on the course. Then as an added bonus almost akin to drawing flaming 7's back-to-back, all of the high and low lights will be caught on film, courtesy of our official event photographer. They'll be riding together natch, so there's no hiding anything alcohol related out on the course. Just as it should be!
Now on to the rules and of course, the teams involved.
Yes we will be playing a scramble format. Meaning that everyone hits from the tee deck, then as a group you pick the shot you like best and move the remaining Golf balls to that location. Then you all hit from that spot and pick the result you like best from those shots and all move to that location as well. This process of everyone hitting each shot from where the team decides is the best spot and moving to the best location each time, is repeated until the ball is holed out on the green.
But with near scratch golfers competing against several 30 handicaps, we need a certified way to close the differential between the two. So the one minor difference in this scramble format that some may not be accustomed to is, this will be an 8-hole Equitable Scramble. Meaning that each Golfer within the group is held responsible for a certain number of tee shots required during the game. Now before you go getting your knickers, (Hmmm... that reminds me to get them packed!) in a knot, be aware of this one simple fact. The tee shots that must count for a particular golfer, are NOT on any specific hole in question. As a team, you may decide what tee shot to use for any of the golfers in your group. You just have to use the allotted number for each golfer at sometime, throughout the 18 holes of play. Within each group, only 8 holes maximum will be affected by this rule. Remember as well, these are tee shots only. All of the remaining shots are wide open!
The groups have been put together using a complex formula that included;
- each player's handicap and ability
- the potential fun factor involved within a group
- familiarity within the group
- Blood Alcohol Content Potential ( used as a tie-breaker )
- Last minute additions & cancellations
So the following is how the current version of the groupings appears at this particular time. Beside each name is the number of tee shots that the team MUST use, from that player during the round.
On the tee @ 10:30am
Dr. Chako - 2
Colin - 0 (friend of Chako)
Katkin - 3
N - 3 (friend of Astin)
On the tee @ 10:40am
Schaubs - 0
Joe Speaker - 4
M - 4 (friend of Astin)
On the tee @ 10:50am
F-Train - 2
AlCantHang - 2
Pebbles - 2
E - 2 (friend of Astin)
On the tee @ 11:00am
Bam-Bam - 2
JJOK - 3
DRIZZ - 3
We, (very sadly!) lost Riggstad and the best partner a kid could ever have in organizing this entire thing CK, due to unforeseen circumstances. So as you can see, there are two spots still available at the last minute. Please contact me at the e-mail address to the right there, if you think it might be fun to join in on the fun. Just $99 for Golf on an amazing venue, Cart, two FREE drinks AND one hell of a lot of fun!
Let the games begin!
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
The inaugural Bloggers, Booze & Balls Golf game goes this Friday at the beautiful Las Vegas National Golf Club.
As a special treat, we'll have our very own and might I add very special Beer Wench with us on the course. Then as an added bonus almost akin to drawing flaming 7's back-to-back, all of the high and low lights will be caught on film, courtesy of our official event photographer. They'll be riding together natch, so there's no hiding anything alcohol related out on the course. Just as it should be!
Now on to the rules and of course, the teams involved.
Yes we will be playing a scramble format. Meaning that everyone hits from the tee deck, then as a group you pick the shot you like best and move the remaining Golf balls to that location. Then you all hit from that spot and pick the result you like best from those shots and all move to that location as well. This process of everyone hitting each shot from where the team decides is the best spot and moving to the best location each time, is repeated until the ball is holed out on the green.
But with near scratch golfers competing against several 30 handicaps, we need a certified way to close the differential between the two. So the one minor difference in this scramble format that some may not be accustomed to is, this will be an 8-hole Equitable Scramble. Meaning that each Golfer within the group is held responsible for a certain number of tee shots required during the game. Now before you go getting your knickers, (Hmmm... that reminds me to get them packed!) in a knot, be aware of this one simple fact. The tee shots that must count for a particular golfer, are NOT on any specific hole in question. As a team, you may decide what tee shot to use for any of the golfers in your group. You just have to use the allotted number for each golfer at sometime, throughout the 18 holes of play. Within each group, only 8 holes maximum will be affected by this rule. Remember as well, these are tee shots only. All of the remaining shots are wide open!
The groups have been put together using a complex formula that included;
- each player's handicap and ability
- the potential fun factor involved within a group
- familiarity within the group
- Blood Alcohol Content Potential ( used as a tie-breaker )
- Last minute additions & cancellations
So the following is how the current version of the groupings appears at this particular time. Beside each name is the number of tee shots that the team MUST use, from that player during the round.
On the tee @ 10:30am
Dr. Chako - 2
Colin - 0 (friend of Chako)
Katkin - 3
N - 3 (friend of Astin)
On the tee @ 10:40am
Schaubs - 0
Joe Speaker - 4
M - 4 (friend of Astin)
On the tee @ 10:50am
F-Train - 2
AlCantHang - 2
Pebbles - 2
E - 2 (friend of Astin)
On the tee @ 11:00am
Bam-Bam - 2
JJOK - 3
DRIZZ - 3
We, (very sadly!) lost Riggstad and the best partner a kid could ever have in organizing this entire thing CK, due to unforeseen circumstances. So as you can see, there are two spots still available at the last minute. Please contact me at the e-mail address to the right there, if you think it might be fun to join in on the fun. Just $99 for Golf on an amazing venue, Cart, two FREE drinks AND one hell of a lot of fun!
Let the games begin!
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
12/07/2009
Points of interest....
NO! I do not mean the one on top of my head.
I'm all a buzz with the WPBT getting ready items on the checklist so, just a bit of quick hit for today.
Point #1 -
The WPBT Warm Up went off pretty much as expected Friday night. Well, except for the head count. Great friends made for a hell of a couple of hours killed, on the way to WPBT time. I'd pay $2.75 an hour for that much fun, over and over again. Thanks to those that did show up. It was truly a great deal of laughs.
Although I equally appreciate everyone that played in the game, special thanks go out to a good friend that really does make me LOL. A LOT!
Congrats to Numbono for winning the game. Well deserved Sir!
= = = = = =
Point #2 -
I've mentioned my pride in Not-So-Mini-Peb's here many, many times before. Most of that was focused on her innate ability to pick just the right moment and lighting, for what I personally think can only be called her amazing photography.
She's previously entered two rather serious contests around these parts in the youth category. Her first ever, she won the whole damn thing. Nervous for her going into her second competition, I was a little worried that she'd just expect to do it again. When her shots ended up taking first and third places at that one, it was a bit tight getting my puffed out chest back through the door I entered the building by. THAT'S MY GIRL!
This year based on her stone age of 19,000,000, she was in tough entered in the adult category. Undeterred as always, my baby entered five shots I could only call spectacular. I was worried it was a bad case of Daddy's pride blinding me at the time, as soon as she referred to them as, "not too bad."
What can I say except,
Geeky Rock N' Roller FTW !
= = = = = =
Point #3 -
Is a gratuitous self brag, so skip on down to the next blog on your list. There's really not that much left to see here kids.
I don't put much stock in such things to be honest. Read here or don't, that's always been my credo.
I do what I do, (can't call it writing! That's for certain) because it's a release for me. It's also a small way to stay in touch with the friends I've made along the way. For each of you, I'm sincerely appreciative of how fortunate I've managed to become.
Not having a unique "brand" or monopoly on the name and up against some pretty big hitters in the world that utilizes the moniker BamBam, it just made me feel all fuzzy to see the blog up top there.
It is what it is.
Silly really.
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
I'm all a buzz with the WPBT getting ready items on the checklist so, just a bit of quick hit for today.
Point #1 -
The WPBT Warm Up went off pretty much as expected Friday night. Well, except for the head count. Great friends made for a hell of a couple of hours killed, on the way to WPBT time. I'd pay $2.75 an hour for that much fun, over and over again. Thanks to those that did show up. It was truly a great deal of laughs.
Although I equally appreciate everyone that played in the game, special thanks go out to a good friend that really does make me LOL. A LOT!
Congrats to Numbono for winning the game. Well deserved Sir!
= = = = = =
Point #2 -
I've mentioned my pride in Not-So-Mini-Peb's here many, many times before. Most of that was focused on her innate ability to pick just the right moment and lighting, for what I personally think can only be called her amazing photography.
She's previously entered two rather serious contests around these parts in the youth category. Her first ever, she won the whole damn thing. Nervous for her going into her second competition, I was a little worried that she'd just expect to do it again. When her shots ended up taking first and third places at that one, it was a bit tight getting my puffed out chest back through the door I entered the building by. THAT'S MY GIRL!
This year based on her stone age of 19,000,000, she was in tough entered in the adult category. Undeterred as always, my baby entered five shots I could only call spectacular. I was worried it was a bad case of Daddy's pride blinding me at the time, as soon as she referred to them as, "not too bad."
What can I say except,
Geeky Rock N' Roller FTW !
= = = = = =
Point #3 -
Is a gratuitous self brag, so skip on down to the next blog on your list. There's really not that much left to see here kids.
I don't put much stock in such things to be honest. Read here or don't, that's always been my credo.
I do what I do, (can't call it writing! That's for certain) because it's a release for me. It's also a small way to stay in touch with the friends I've made along the way. For each of you, I'm sincerely appreciative of how fortunate I've managed to become.
Not having a unique "brand" or monopoly on the name and up against some pretty big hitters in the world that utilizes the moniker BamBam, it just made me feel all fuzzy to see the blog up top there.
It is what it is.
Silly really.
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
12/04/2009
Frantic Friday : The 2009 WPBT Edition....(NSFW)
It's finally almost here for real!
The WPBT Winter gathering is just around the corner now, with things kicking off next Thursday and running into the wee hours of the Sunday to follow.
Obviously there will not be a Frantic Friday in this little corner of the intertubles next week, as I'll be too damn busy living it live and in person! (those are the bestest Frantic Fridays for sure)
Many gathering newbies have approached me and asked, "what can I expect from this thing Bammer?" and I find the best answer is always, "Expect nothing and everything!"
With this group, damn near anything will and has happened at any moment. That's the real beauty of it.
But I guess there are a few things that have sort of become staples of our little get togethers in
and perhaps I can share my thoughts on just a few of them with you here.
Now to some, Vegas is considered
as far as vacation spots go.
All they can see is the "Sin City" side of the place. The 'porn slappers' handing out business cards, or the non-stop barrage of trucks with scantily clad ladies plastered onto the sides of them, driving back and forth on the strip. Hell most of the folks I watch while I'm there, seem just disgusted by the site of both.
Yet for some strange reason they appear immune and unaware of the hooker sitting beside them at the Geisha Bar. They are not disgusted at all by the fact that some fairly hawt chick is sitting next to them asking for a drink, with 95% of her
showing.
These are the times that I just love to be a people watcher! You can actually see the facial expressions change on these folks when their thoughts turn from all that's going on around them is disgusting, and they switch gears to hey! This seems to have a lot of
Oh there's potential there alright! It's just that your H1N1 shot you got before travelling, doesn't have anything in it to protect you from what that particular potential has to offer.
Yes what happens in Vegas should stay in Vegas and those decisions, are totally up to you of course! But in your attempt at
to have a great time while there, just try to be careful if you can.
I've personally found that at our gatherings wherever they end up taking place, the absolute best times almost always occur
Now I won't be as bold as to speak on anyone else's behalf here, but I'm quite certain that a favorite part of our gatherings to-date for many of you out there, has to be some of the
that's gone on.
I know a few of them have made me a little weak at the knees!
So what I guess I'm trying to say is, it doesn't matter if you're planning on just sitting down and
or if you're a slightly higher roller and some form of
is in your plans for our Winter gathering, have as much fun as you possibly can kids.
I personally have found that I do some of my best work in that department, by letting
become a major factor!
I do have one request of those coming out for our round of
though!
For those of you we'll see out on the course on Friday, please dear God! Always remember to not only be very, VERY, VERY nice to our own personal
because of all of the wonderful things she has done. But I emplore you, please keep pointing her back in my direction!
To all my old friends, it's less than one week away now. I can't begin to tell each of you how much Peb's and I look forward to getting to see you once again.
To my newer friends, PLEASE try and make the effort to catch up with me! I truly want to meet as many of you as I can. If you're unsure of how to locate me, just try one of the following.
1) Ask a veteran and they can probably point me out.
2) Check near the closest bar.
3) Take a look at a Let It Ride table and find the guy with a tall glass of Scotch.
or
4) Walk into any casino we're supposed to be gathered at during that time and ask everyone where you can find
Chances are I'm either being one, or I'm the one standing next to it and drooling.
OK, that's enough fun for now. I know that this wasn't any good as far as real advice goes. For that, I'll have to direct you over here to Pauly. Even if you're not going to be at our gathering next week, it's damn fine advice for anyone travelling to Vegas.
Remember, tonight is the unofficial WPBT kick off kids! The WPBT Warm Up goes at 10:00 PM ET on FullTilt. All the details including the P/W, can be found on the previous post.
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
The WPBT Winter gathering is just around the corner now, with things kicking off next Thursday and running into the wee hours of the Sunday to follow.
Obviously there will not be a Frantic Friday in this little corner of the intertubles next week, as I'll be too damn busy living it live and in person! (those are the bestest Frantic Fridays for sure)
Many gathering newbies have approached me and asked, "what can I expect from this thing Bammer?" and I find the best answer is always, "Expect nothing and everything!"
With this group, damn near anything will and has happened at any moment. That's the real beauty of it.
But I guess there are a few things that have sort of become staples of our little get togethers in
and perhaps I can share my thoughts on just a few of them with you here.
Now to some, Vegas is considered
as far as vacation spots go.
All they can see is the "Sin City" side of the place. The 'porn slappers' handing out business cards, or the non-stop barrage of trucks with scantily clad ladies plastered onto the sides of them, driving back and forth on the strip. Hell most of the folks I watch while I'm there, seem just disgusted by the site of both.
Yet for some strange reason they appear immune and unaware of the hooker sitting beside them at the Geisha Bar. They are not disgusted at all by the fact that some fairly hawt chick is sitting next to them asking for a drink, with 95% of her
showing.
These are the times that I just love to be a people watcher! You can actually see the facial expressions change on these folks when their thoughts turn from all that's going on around them is disgusting, and they switch gears to hey! This seems to have a lot of
Oh there's potential there alright! It's just that your H1N1 shot you got before travelling, doesn't have anything in it to protect you from what that particular potential has to offer.
Yes what happens in Vegas should stay in Vegas and those decisions, are totally up to you of course! But in your attempt at
to have a great time while there, just try to be careful if you can.
I've personally found that at our gatherings wherever they end up taking place, the absolute best times almost always occur
Now I won't be as bold as to speak on anyone else's behalf here, but I'm quite certain that a favorite part of our gatherings to-date for many of you out there, has to be some of the
that's gone on.
I know a few of them have made me a little weak at the knees!
So what I guess I'm trying to say is, it doesn't matter if you're planning on just sitting down and
or if you're a slightly higher roller and some form of
is in your plans for our Winter gathering, have as much fun as you possibly can kids.
I personally have found that I do some of my best work in that department, by letting
become a major factor!
I do have one request of those coming out for our round of
though!
For those of you we'll see out on the course on Friday, please dear God! Always remember to not only be very, VERY, VERY nice to our own personal
because of all of the wonderful things she has done. But I emplore you, please keep pointing her back in my direction!
To all my old friends, it's less than one week away now. I can't begin to tell each of you how much Peb's and I look forward to getting to see you once again.
To my newer friends, PLEASE try and make the effort to catch up with me! I truly want to meet as many of you as I can. If you're unsure of how to locate me, just try one of the following.
1) Ask a veteran and they can probably point me out.
2) Check near the closest bar.
3) Take a look at a Let It Ride table and find the guy with a tall glass of Scotch.
or
4) Walk into any casino we're supposed to be gathered at during that time and ask everyone where you can find
Chances are I'm either being one, or I'm the one standing next to it and drooling.
OK, that's enough fun for now. I know that this wasn't any good as far as real advice goes. For that, I'll have to direct you over here to Pauly. Even if you're not going to be at our gathering next week, it's damn fine advice for anyone travelling to Vegas.
Remember, tonight is the unofficial WPBT kick off kids! The WPBT Warm Up goes at 10:00 PM ET on FullTilt. All the details including the P/W, can be found on the previous post.
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
12/03/2009
The WPBT Countdown is on....
It started at more than a year and ever so slowly, the countdown worked it's way on down to months. What seems like forever ago, it reduced itself down to just weeks. Now the countdown is officially, all the way down to just days.
I've got a special Frantic Friday planned for tomorrow, dedicated to our WPBT gatherings and what the "newbies" can expect.
Just thinking about being together with so many good friends, (most of whom just happen to be seriously HAWT chicka's!) is keeping a perma-smile glued on this kids face!
Hopefully those of you with no social life other than slinging artificial chips around on the virtual felt on a Friday night, will be able to join in on The WPBT Warm Up H.O.R.S.E. game we're holding on FullTilt tomorrow.
10:00 PM ET.
P/W = vegasin1week
You'll find it under the private tournies tab, or you can go ahead and be lazy.
Player search me as BamBamCan and join in.
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
I've got a special Frantic Friday planned for tomorrow, dedicated to our WPBT gatherings and what the "newbies" can expect.
Just thinking about being together with so many good friends, (most of whom just happen to be seriously HAWT chicka's!) is keeping a perma-smile glued on this kids face!
Hopefully those of you with no social life other than slinging artificial chips around on the virtual felt on a Friday night, will be able to join in on The WPBT Warm Up H.O.R.S.E. game we're holding on FullTilt tomorrow.
10:00 PM ET.
P/W = vegasin1week
You'll find it under the private tournies tab, or you can go ahead and be lazy.
Player search me as BamBamCan and join in.
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
11/30/2009
The WPBT Warm Up & Turkey talk....
First off - The WPBT Warm Up.
Alright kids what is it, like 10 sleeps 'till the WPBT gathering officially gets under way? WAY TOO LONG! Having no patience for waits such as this, I asked AlCantHang to co-host a little WPBT Warm Up event with me. (read: I asked him to do all the work and I'd just tag my name on at the end somewhere!) We figured a pre-WPBT event would help serve a few important purposes.
1) It gives everyone going to our gathering a chance to make a few mobneys. Mobneys that of course, can be used to buy Al and I a drink at the gathering. :)
2) With a good showing of support for the event and a win by Al or myself, we'd at least have some idea of how we were going to pay for approximately 1% of our planned bar tab at this years gathering.
3) It gives those that have to miss this years event, a chance to participate in the WPBT in at least some small way.
4) Hopefully it helps everyone to kill a few more hours of the friggin' wait.
So this Friday December the 4th at 10:00pm ET, there will be a WPBT Warm Up held on FullTilt. The game will be deep stack H.O.R.S.E. for a measley $10 + $1 buy-in.
As you can see,
I'm already registered.
The very clever P/W = vegasin1week
Al and I hope to see a strong showing of WPBT gatherers for this one! As starting The 2009 WPBT gathering with bragging rights like a win in this event, surely has to be hard to beat!
Whether you're actually going to make this years gathering or not, we hope to "see" all our friends out for this event.
If you get the chance, pimping this event will obviously gain you magic karma bonus points for life!
:)
= = = = = =
As mentioned sometime last week, I sat down at the virtual felt with a few of my good friends in Pauly's Turkey Cup last Thursday night. What a great time!
Now that may have been because of the Donkey start I had, where I luck-sack cracked Aces. Totally miss-read the hand, but sucked out just the same.
We'll mark that one down in the category of, races I win. Okay, Okay! So we'll have to start a new file for that one, since I've never won a race before.
My starting table where I was placed just to the left of the lovely Mrs. Dank, improved once again with the additions of my fellow BB and CHANGE 100.
That made for a much prettier table indeed!
UH, CHANGE that is!
BadBlood tossed 400 into the pot for a raise on my big blind soon after. Having a little fun rather than actually playing Poker, I made it 700 on top of his raise.
It was probably just the opportunity for that screen cap. that made me make a hammer raise there, but who knows? Maybe it was a "little" Poker after all.
As is typically the case for me, I went out on a pretty good read. I put Shiesty on a mid to strong Ace here and quite honestly said, "gotta' be the Asian-Jew" out loud, before jamming my stack into the middle. There was a quick call and all the chips were in the middle pre-flop.
I was off by one card on my read and naturally, I was kicked in the junk.
Great chat did follow though;
Badblood44: Damn Bammer. I thought you were always making that stuff up.
BamBamCan: I won a race once.
Badblood44: The guy must've been a cripple!
That left me with 500 chips and a prayer. I jammed with 9-10 into a pot that would quadruple me up, but it was not to be. So out I go.
32 place of the 84 runners. Great time though and as always, it was great to "see" everyone along the way.
Well, that's it for now. I hope everyone can see fit to pimp and participate in The WPBT Warm Up this week.
Ten sleeps kids!
Just ten more sleeps 'till Vegas!
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
Alright kids what is it, like 10 sleeps 'till the WPBT gathering officially gets under way? WAY TOO LONG! Having no patience for waits such as this, I asked AlCantHang to co-host a little WPBT Warm Up event with me. (read: I asked him to do all the work and I'd just tag my name on at the end somewhere!) We figured a pre-WPBT event would help serve a few important purposes.
1) It gives everyone going to our gathering a chance to make a few mobneys. Mobneys that of course, can be used to buy Al and I a drink at the gathering. :)
2) With a good showing of support for the event and a win by Al or myself, we'd at least have some idea of how we were going to pay for approximately 1% of our planned bar tab at this years gathering.
3) It gives those that have to miss this years event, a chance to participate in the WPBT in at least some small way.
4) Hopefully it helps everyone to kill a few more hours of the friggin' wait.
So this Friday December the 4th at 10:00pm ET, there will be a WPBT Warm Up held on FullTilt. The game will be deep stack H.O.R.S.E. for a measley $10 + $1 buy-in.
As you can see,
I'm already registered.
The very clever P/W = vegasin1week
Al and I hope to see a strong showing of WPBT gatherers for this one! As starting The 2009 WPBT gathering with bragging rights like a win in this event, surely has to be hard to beat!
Whether you're actually going to make this years gathering or not, we hope to "see" all our friends out for this event.
If you get the chance, pimping this event will obviously gain you magic karma bonus points for life!
:)
= = = = = =
As mentioned sometime last week, I sat down at the virtual felt with a few of my good friends in Pauly's Turkey Cup last Thursday night. What a great time!
Now that may have been because of the Donkey start I had, where I luck-sack cracked Aces. Totally miss-read the hand, but sucked out just the same.
We'll mark that one down in the category of, races I win. Okay, Okay! So we'll have to start a new file for that one, since I've never won a race before.
My starting table where I was placed just to the left of the lovely Mrs. Dank, improved once again with the additions of my fellow BB and CHANGE 100.
That made for a much prettier table indeed!
UH, CHANGE that is!
BadBlood tossed 400 into the pot for a raise on my big blind soon after. Having a little fun rather than actually playing Poker, I made it 700 on top of his raise.
It was probably just the opportunity for that screen cap. that made me make a hammer raise there, but who knows? Maybe it was a "little" Poker after all.
As is typically the case for me, I went out on a pretty good read. I put Shiesty on a mid to strong Ace here and quite honestly said, "gotta' be the Asian-Jew" out loud, before jamming my stack into the middle. There was a quick call and all the chips were in the middle pre-flop.
I was off by one card on my read and naturally, I was kicked in the junk.
Great chat did follow though;
Badblood44: Damn Bammer. I thought you were always making that stuff up.
BamBamCan: I won a race once.
Badblood44: The guy must've been a cripple!
That left me with 500 chips and a prayer. I jammed with 9-10 into a pot that would quadruple me up, but it was not to be. So out I go.
32 place of the 84 runners. Great time though and as always, it was great to "see" everyone along the way.
Well, that's it for now. I hope everyone can see fit to pimp and participate in The WPBT Warm Up this week.
Ten sleeps kids!
Just ten more sleeps 'till Vegas!
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
11/26/2009
Occasionally and forever....
Occasionally, the wind blows me in a direction that might not be the best.
Occasionally, words fall from my mouth that should have consequences.
Occasionally I fall, wondering if I'll ever manage the strength to pick myself up.
Occasionally, I look around and wonder what it was I did.
Occasionally, I make a rather large mistake.
Occasionally, I make a bunch of little ones.
Occasionally, I try too hard.
Occasionally, I don't try hard enough.
Occasionally I say, "things just happened."
Occasionally, I know that I let them.
Occasionally, I'm sure I've let you down.
Occasionally, I've let myself down too.
Occasionally I wonder what it is, that you see in me.
But then there's forever.
Forever is how long it seems to me, that we have been soul mates.
Forever is how long you've lifted my spirit, when all seems so bleak.
Forever put quite simply, is what I can only hope to spend with you.
Happy Birthday Peb's.
You will always have all of the love I hold in my heart.
Somehow by some strange miracle, I hope that you realize that I will always love you.
With all that I am.
Occasionally, words fall from my mouth that should have consequences.
Occasionally I fall, wondering if I'll ever manage the strength to pick myself up.
Occasionally, I look around and wonder what it was I did.
Occasionally, I make a rather large mistake.
Occasionally, I make a bunch of little ones.
Occasionally, I try too hard.
Occasionally, I don't try hard enough.
Occasionally I say, "things just happened."
Occasionally, I know that I let them.
Occasionally, I'm sure I've let you down.
Occasionally, I've let myself down too.
Occasionally I wonder what it is, that you see in me.
But then there's forever.
Forever is how long it seems to me, that we have been soul mates.
Forever is how long you've lifted my spirit, when all seems so bleak.
Forever put quite simply, is what I can only hope to spend with you.
Happy Birthday Peb's.
You will always have all of the love I hold in my heart.
Somehow by some strange miracle, I hope that you realize that I will always love you.
With all that I am.
11/25/2009
The Tao of Turkey....
We typically call it "pimping" when we spread the word about others exploits or endeavours here on the intertubles of Poker blogging. Considering the enjoyment I get out of reading about his exploits at The Hooker Bar, that definition could probably be considered appropriate I guess. But with Thursday being Thanksgiving South of the border, it only seems fitting for me to consider today's post just that.
Thanksgiving!
You see Pauly's running a little pre-WPBT get together over on Stars this Thursday night and for me personally, I see participating in it as a good way to say thanks for everything he provides for me to read throughout the year.
When given the right opportunity to just pick up and head out to see any select group of my temporarily invisible friends, most know that I'll do just about anything I can to make it happen. When it does all come together what most of them fail to realize is, I think I get FAR more out of the experience than they do.
Sometimes though we're held hostage by the situation at hand and the only way we can manage a little get-together time, is over the virtual felt of the games we all love to play and write about. Not much would make me happier than to be sitting at a table slinging chips face-to-face, with this old school core group of degenerates that I now consider my friends. But until a few more entirely too fuckin' long days go by, I will have to manage to get by "seeing" everyone at Pauly's Turkey Cup.
It's this kids humble opinion, that you should too.
All the facts are there on the banner but just in case, you can look under the Private tab in Tournies to find the event. For the ultimate in laziness after gobbling down the third piece of Pumpkin Pie that's helping to hold down the half a Turkey you can't believe you managed to shove down your gullet, I'm already registered in the game. Just do a 'find player' for BamBamCan under the requests tab.
I hope to see everyone out for the fun.
To all of our friends to the South, Peb's and I sincerely hope you have the Happiest of Thanksgivings. You deserve nothing less! If only for all of the smiles and laughs you've provided us with, over the last several years.
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
Thanksgiving!
You see Pauly's running a little pre-WPBT get together over on Stars this Thursday night and for me personally, I see participating in it as a good way to say thanks for everything he provides for me to read throughout the year.
When given the right opportunity to just pick up and head out to see any select group of my temporarily invisible friends, most know that I'll do just about anything I can to make it happen. When it does all come together what most of them fail to realize is, I think I get FAR more out of the experience than they do.
Sometimes though we're held hostage by the situation at hand and the only way we can manage a little get-together time, is over the virtual felt of the games we all love to play and write about. Not much would make me happier than to be sitting at a table slinging chips face-to-face, with this old school core group of degenerates that I now consider my friends. But until a few more entirely too fuckin' long days go by, I will have to manage to get by "seeing" everyone at Pauly's Turkey Cup.
It's this kids humble opinion, that you should too.
All the facts are there on the banner but just in case, you can look under the Private tab in Tournies to find the event. For the ultimate in laziness after gobbling down the third piece of Pumpkin Pie that's helping to hold down the half a Turkey you can't believe you managed to shove down your gullet, I'm already registered in the game. Just do a 'find player' for BamBamCan under the requests tab.
I hope to see everyone out for the fun.
To all of our friends to the South, Peb's and I sincerely hope you have the Happiest of Thanksgivings. You deserve nothing less! If only for all of the smiles and laughs you've provided us with, over the last several years.
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
11/24/2009
Look what wee Todd did....
WOW! I see that this is post numero 500. That should be big news in this little corner of the intertubles all on it's own. Surprisingly though, bigger things have been going on.
I look pretty good as a winner huh!
As mentioned here a few times before, Peb's and I have been slinging a few chips with the fine folks from The Canadian Amateur Poker Tour. It gets us out of the cave once in a while and with the WPBT coming up, it's good to get the feel of actual chips in our hands. Rather than just clicking some stupid little button.
There's also a few added side bonuses like hanging out with Brudder Carson and DonKaa, who also make the trek out for some fun. Throw in the fact that the games are played at what we can finally call our own little Pub down the road, and it all makes for a pretty great night of Poker.
I'd bitched and complained about free bar Poker on several occasions, comparing the standard play in NLHE free rolls to basically getting repeatedly kicked in the junk. Of course it really can be like that, particularly when you continually get in with the best of it, only to have miracle runner-runners come along to take away all of your steam. But that can happen in any game and I may have been a little too hard on this game at first.
The President of The Canadian Amateur Poker Tour is a hard working guy, trying to really make something out of his vision for Poker around this area. He even deals the final table, making sure that everything is done just right. It is still in it's infancy and quite naturally, there will be some small hiccups along the way on any given night. But Kelly's always there to get everything straightened out and running back to as smooth as the players will allow. If you're in the area of one of the C.A.P.T. games at your local establishment, I suggest you give it a shot.
Up here we don't have access to the best Free Bar Poker running South of the border. But I think if Kelly keeps working as hard as he has been on the C.A.P.T., he might be able to make it the Riverchasers of the North! That can't be anything but great news, for all the kids hanging out around Bedrock!
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
I look pretty good as a winner huh!
As mentioned here a few times before, Peb's and I have been slinging a few chips with the fine folks from The Canadian Amateur Poker Tour. It gets us out of the cave once in a while and with the WPBT coming up, it's good to get the feel of actual chips in our hands. Rather than just clicking some stupid little button.
There's also a few added side bonuses like hanging out with Brudder Carson and DonKaa, who also make the trek out for some fun. Throw in the fact that the games are played at what we can finally call our own little Pub down the road, and it all makes for a pretty great night of Poker.
I'd bitched and complained about free bar Poker on several occasions, comparing the standard play in NLHE free rolls to basically getting repeatedly kicked in the junk. Of course it really can be like that, particularly when you continually get in with the best of it, only to have miracle runner-runners come along to take away all of your steam. But that can happen in any game and I may have been a little too hard on this game at first.
The President of The Canadian Amateur Poker Tour is a hard working guy, trying to really make something out of his vision for Poker around this area. He even deals the final table, making sure that everything is done just right. It is still in it's infancy and quite naturally, there will be some small hiccups along the way on any given night. But Kelly's always there to get everything straightened out and running back to as smooth as the players will allow. If you're in the area of one of the C.A.P.T. games at your local establishment, I suggest you give it a shot.
Up here we don't have access to the best Free Bar Poker running South of the border. But I think if Kelly keeps working as hard as he has been on the C.A.P.T., he might be able to make it the Riverchasers of the North! That can't be anything but great news, for all the kids hanging out around Bedrock!
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
11/23/2009
2009 WPBT Gathering Challenge : The early odds....
All three of you that read here know, I'm no Greek and my name's not Jimmy. Then there's that OTHER fact, I-AM-NOT-A-GEEK!
So putting odds to a bunch of degenerates sitting down to play a little two card lottery called NLHE, ought to be right up my alley right?
RIGHT!
Luckbox thought he'd challenge the gang to a little three person last longer bet, at our Winter Classic gathering coming up in a few days or so. I figured what the hell! Someone has to lay odds on the teams that have been entered in the thing so far.
Why not me?
So here we go!
Team Up For Poker (but mostly Frolf) - Otis, G-Rob & The Luckbox
On paper alone, this team seems to be capable of standing up to the best of us! But then again, they are counting on Otis being able to stand up. Not a guarantee as we all know. There's also the Caesar's Palace thing going on. You know! The air rammed in at hyper-sonic speeds and a ventilation system un-equaled anywhere else on the strip. Poor G-Rob stands no chance when it comes to cards, while having to worry so much about "the do." I am a touch worried about The Luckbox though! I've heard he'll be accompanied by the lovely "Lady Luck" this time around and lord knows if I understand the power of anything, it's having that special someone behind you!
Let's lay 777 - 1 on this team.
= = = =
Team Wheelchair - Drizz, AlCantHang & Milwaukee Steve
FUCK ME!
A drunk, a drunk and a drunker! Face it folks if there's one thing I do know, it's how to hang with the drunk kids! This team smells of alcohol and river cards! BEWARE! If it wasn't for the multiple Cap'n Cokes and the thought of The Wife in a purple thong, hmmmmmmmmmmm.........
What was I saying again?
Oh yeah, Drizz! The dealer will only be giving him two cards instead of the usual four so right off the bat, this dudes playing at only 50%! Then there's the fact that Caesar's hasn't carried SoCo behind any of it's bars since Cher left to find out who the hell "Chas" Bono was. Let's face it, Al is fucked!
It's the Beer drinking cheese curd eater that we all need to watch out for I think.
Blood Alcohol Content for this team alone, probably makes them a heavy favourite.
0.51 - 1 and as always, wheelchairs will be standing by.
= = = =
Team Waffles - Waffles, Jordan & The Doc
Right off the bat I'll hold back any comments, at least until the laughter somewhat subsides.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Done yet?
Here's how I see it. Waffles doubles up the very first hand with a standard 3x raise pre-flop. He hits his double gutter on the river after jamming his stack in on the draw, and then realizes he's made an amazing and miraculous cracking of pocket aces. Unfortunately for the team, they happened to be Jordan's aces. The very next hand after being dealt pocket ducks, Waffles can't believe some idiot would call his all-in pre-flop with nothing but pocket 3's. He's left crippled with a starting stack and after not improving on the flop, turn or river on the third hand of the event, Waffles jams his stack in with the hammer and as we all know, that only works for the rest of us!
The crazy part about all this is, no one actually see's The Doc at the event. It appears that his attempt to finally stay awake through a Steel Panther show on Friday night, seems to have gotten the best of the old fellow!
33 1/3 - 1
= = = =
Team Gambling Tales - Falstaff, Special K & Mr's Falstaff
SRSLY! MRS. FRIGGIN' FALSTAFF!
I guess Phil Ivey was busy huh?
OK so Falstaff starts taking notes on a hand. That turns into a Pulitzer prize winning novel and when all is said and done he just smirks and say's, "Hey! We've all had to make our Choices right?" Unfortunately for team Gambling Tales, Special K ends up being "that guy." A flopped set of ladies will be no match for the player making "a move." I just pray it's not my move when it happens! The lovely Mrs. Falstaff damn near conquers all and quite naturally, final tables this be-yatch!
666 - 13
= = = =
Team Just a Girl - F-Train, CK & The Wife
This ones really quite easy, as they just never really get off the ground. Once of course the captain is found to be quite hetrosexual and in fact, kind of into Women of the Asian persuasion. The first ever "red-card" in Poker is thrown down at the start, leaving Team Just a Girl down to only two players. CK and The Wife continue to limp and raise pre-flop despite getting no action, leaving only the blinds being shoved their way by the dealers. They both eventually blind out saying, "MEN! Can't live without them, can't kill them!"
69 - 1
= = = =
Team Tao of Pot - Pauly, Derek & Change 100
Despite making a valiant effort in this match, eventually the blind structure ensures that there will be two 4:20's in this here tournament. The blinds just eat away at them like the munchies. Their stacks might as well have been the pretzels on the hooker bar at The Rio. Who knows what they're really made of, but everyone's had their hands in them.
4:20 - 1
= = = =
As far as I know right now, that leaves us with one final team registered.
Team Canada - Fuel, Schaubs & Bam-Bam
In an attempt to find something bloggable, (by his standards) Fuel jams Presto an unprecidented 55 times throughout the event. Un-effing-believably, it holds EVERY single time! With cries of jubilation ringing across the Poker room of "Presto is GOLD!" this gets our lad quite deep into the game. Schaubs on the other hand, is much more methodical in his approach to reaching the final table. Breaking the event down into an 18 hole format, our Schwabbles makes a Tiger'esque putt in the form of a case card King on the river, after running his pocket Kings into pocket Aces late in the event. This flopped set over set huge pot win, propels Schaubs to final table with the chip lead. From there, Schaubs just takes the remaining players, "one hole at a time."
This leaves yours truly, the one true wildcard in the entire event! In an attempt to throw me of my fold, fold, fold, fold game, several degenerates come up with a plan to send the young Asian Cocktail Waitress with the man made cleavage my way. Totally distracted and unable to actually think about what it is I'm doing, I miss-read several hands quite pathetically, only to find my Ace high is good enough to take down the pots. The evil plan gets altered accordingly and the hawt Redhead working at the front of the room, is sent to my table next. Nearly over the top with excitment at the sight of those luscious red curls and the near perfect ass that goes with them, I make the mistake of the tourney with only twenty one players remaining. In a move to tip the little cutie, I inadvertantly topple my largest stack over the line and into the pot. "Raise" I hear the dealer say. Once I realize the error that has just occured, I don't even look at my hole cards when two players with short stacks go all-in.
We'll just have to see how that works out for me the day of, as I'd hate to ruin the surprise for anyone that's going to be there. Including me!
This team is Canadian and therefore the odds continue to shift. Here's what they've looked like so far.
Gretzky - 1
Crosby - 1
Bourque - 1
Lemieux - 1
Jovanovski - 1
Brodeur - 1
Yzerman - 1
all before settling in at favorites with,
Orr - 1 odds
With numbers like that, I can't say I like anyone elses chances!
As more teams are entered, perhaps we'll take another look at the odds as the event gets closer. Good luck everyone and as always....
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
So putting odds to a bunch of degenerates sitting down to play a little two card lottery called NLHE, ought to be right up my alley right?
RIGHT!
Luckbox thought he'd challenge the gang to a little three person last longer bet, at our Winter Classic gathering coming up in a few days or so. I figured what the hell! Someone has to lay odds on the teams that have been entered in the thing so far.
Why not me?
So here we go!
Team Up For Poker (but mostly Frolf) - Otis, G-Rob & The Luckbox
On paper alone, this team seems to be capable of standing up to the best of us! But then again, they are counting on Otis being able to stand up. Not a guarantee as we all know. There's also the Caesar's Palace thing going on. You know! The air rammed in at hyper-sonic speeds and a ventilation system un-equaled anywhere else on the strip. Poor G-Rob stands no chance when it comes to cards, while having to worry so much about "the do." I am a touch worried about The Luckbox though! I've heard he'll be accompanied by the lovely "Lady Luck" this time around and lord knows if I understand the power of anything, it's having that special someone behind you!
Let's lay 777 - 1 on this team.
= = = =
Team Wheelchair - Drizz, AlCantHang & Milwaukee Steve
FUCK ME!
A drunk, a drunk and a drunker! Face it folks if there's one thing I do know, it's how to hang with the drunk kids! This team smells of alcohol and river cards! BEWARE! If it wasn't for the multiple Cap'n Cokes and the thought of The Wife in a purple thong, hmmmmmmmmmmm.........
What was I saying again?
Oh yeah, Drizz! The dealer will only be giving him two cards instead of the usual four so right off the bat, this dudes playing at only 50%! Then there's the fact that Caesar's hasn't carried SoCo behind any of it's bars since Cher left to find out who the hell "Chas" Bono was. Let's face it, Al is fucked!
It's the Beer drinking cheese curd eater that we all need to watch out for I think.
Blood Alcohol Content for this team alone, probably makes them a heavy favourite.
0.51 - 1 and as always, wheelchairs will be standing by.
= = = =
Team Waffles - Waffles, Jordan & The Doc
Right off the bat I'll hold back any comments, at least until the laughter somewhat subsides.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Done yet?
Here's how I see it. Waffles doubles up the very first hand with a standard 3x raise pre-flop. He hits his double gutter on the river after jamming his stack in on the draw, and then realizes he's made an amazing and miraculous cracking of pocket aces. Unfortunately for the team, they happened to be Jordan's aces. The very next hand after being dealt pocket ducks, Waffles can't believe some idiot would call his all-in pre-flop with nothing but pocket 3's. He's left crippled with a starting stack and after not improving on the flop, turn or river on the third hand of the event, Waffles jams his stack in with the hammer and as we all know, that only works for the rest of us!
The crazy part about all this is, no one actually see's The Doc at the event. It appears that his attempt to finally stay awake through a Steel Panther show on Friday night, seems to have gotten the best of the old fellow!
33 1/3 - 1
= = = =
Team Gambling Tales - Falstaff, Special K & Mr's Falstaff
SRSLY! MRS. FRIGGIN' FALSTAFF!
I guess Phil Ivey was busy huh?
OK so Falstaff starts taking notes on a hand. That turns into a Pulitzer prize winning novel and when all is said and done he just smirks and say's, "Hey! We've all had to make our Choices right?" Unfortunately for team Gambling Tales, Special K ends up being "that guy." A flopped set of ladies will be no match for the player making "a move." I just pray it's not my move when it happens! The lovely Mrs. Falstaff damn near conquers all and quite naturally, final tables this be-yatch!
666 - 13
= = = =
Team Just a Girl - F-Train, CK & The Wife
This ones really quite easy, as they just never really get off the ground. Once of course the captain is found to be quite hetrosexual and in fact, kind of into Women of the Asian persuasion. The first ever "red-card" in Poker is thrown down at the start, leaving Team Just a Girl down to only two players. CK and The Wife continue to limp and raise pre-flop despite getting no action, leaving only the blinds being shoved their way by the dealers. They both eventually blind out saying, "MEN! Can't live without them, can't kill them!"
69 - 1
= = = =
Team Tao of Pot - Pauly, Derek & Change 100
Despite making a valiant effort in this match, eventually the blind structure ensures that there will be two 4:20's in this here tournament. The blinds just eat away at them like the munchies. Their stacks might as well have been the pretzels on the hooker bar at The Rio. Who knows what they're really made of, but everyone's had their hands in them.
4:20 - 1
= = = =
As far as I know right now, that leaves us with one final team registered.
Team Canada - Fuel, Schaubs & Bam-Bam
In an attempt to find something bloggable, (by his standards) Fuel jams Presto an unprecidented 55 times throughout the event. Un-effing-believably, it holds EVERY single time! With cries of jubilation ringing across the Poker room of "Presto is GOLD!" this gets our lad quite deep into the game. Schaubs on the other hand, is much more methodical in his approach to reaching the final table. Breaking the event down into an 18 hole format, our Schwabbles makes a Tiger'esque putt in the form of a case card King on the river, after running his pocket Kings into pocket Aces late in the event. This flopped set over set huge pot win, propels Schaubs to final table with the chip lead. From there, Schaubs just takes the remaining players, "one hole at a time."
This leaves yours truly, the one true wildcard in the entire event! In an attempt to throw me of my fold, fold, fold, fold game, several degenerates come up with a plan to send the young Asian Cocktail Waitress with the man made cleavage my way. Totally distracted and unable to actually think about what it is I'm doing, I miss-read several hands quite pathetically, only to find my Ace high is good enough to take down the pots. The evil plan gets altered accordingly and the hawt Redhead working at the front of the room, is sent to my table next. Nearly over the top with excitment at the sight of those luscious red curls and the near perfect ass that goes with them, I make the mistake of the tourney with only twenty one players remaining. In a move to tip the little cutie, I inadvertantly topple my largest stack over the line and into the pot. "Raise" I hear the dealer say. Once I realize the error that has just occured, I don't even look at my hole cards when two players with short stacks go all-in.
We'll just have to see how that works out for me the day of, as I'd hate to ruin the surprise for anyone that's going to be there. Including me!
This team is Canadian and therefore the odds continue to shift. Here's what they've looked like so far.
Gretzky - 1
Crosby - 1
Bourque - 1
Lemieux - 1
Jovanovski - 1
Brodeur - 1
Yzerman - 1
all before settling in at favorites with,
Orr - 1 odds
With numbers like that, I can't say I like anyone elses chances!
As more teams are entered, perhaps we'll take another look at the odds as the event gets closer. Good luck everyone and as always....
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
