Free Sink!! Bring A Shovel!
Wyatt Is Helping Out More Then I
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Hot or Not?
There’s a fine line between funny and insulting, buzzed and drunk, and Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and their uniforms. Many people only look at the top layer and don’t go beyond the comprehension that yes she probably had breast implants and immediately tag her as shallow and ditzy but if you’re looking at them in HD or paid $1,000 for those front row seats and are following their every ripple and bounce wasn’t it worth it?
Every night I’ve played on the tables for the past week comment spew from the idiot box ranging from “you fish” to “idiot” to “I wish I had your babies”. Sorry, that job was locked up seven years ago and next month I’ll be as fertile as the cat. Omaha isn’t a game for those who can’t handle variance in the least. I’m sure if Felicia were to chart out the highs and lows emails and chats with her during my start towards playing four card bingo on a regular basis they’d rival a topography map of the Himalayas.
When you push stacks and regularly get to the turn being a 60/40 favorite despite holding the nuts, you’re going to lose far more often then getting your money in good while playing Hold Em’. Math is hard, losing as a favorite is harder, and comprehending you are gambling more while playing Omaha thus having your bankroll bounce more then the aforementioned double d’s above is the hardest. People can play this game for years and still not see how slight your overall edge is unless you push those small favorites consistently.
Quiz for you (and don’t cheat with Twodimes or Fuel’s PokerOven or whatever its called), you are playing No Limit Omaha 8 or Better 6-max ring game because that fifth shot of Maker’s is hitting the right spot and call an oversized 12BB pre flop raise (98.6% meaning Aces) with As 2s 4h 5d:
Board is 2c 3h Qs
If you firmly put the opponent on naked aces with no to little low draw, what’s your play?
If you said call the push and suckout, you’re half right but it’s the aces that would be sucking out. And the beauty of hitting with a hand like this is unless your opponent is some 2+2 or PocketFives poster, they will label you as a fish/donk/retard and if life in the fast lane of playing draws for stacks scares you? Just revert into value betting the nuts and you’ll get paid off. Simple isn’t it!
Except you miss your low and the other 13,248,098.4 outs and have to click on the “get chips” button. Now you’re probably cursing at those idiot blogs and poker message boards for giving you bum advice, like your friend’s decision to give that drunk stripper a ride home and end up driving around downtown Minneapolis for 45 minutes before dropping her back off without even a courtesy blow job.
Thanks for dropping by, now I need some cigar advice much like DP as I’d like to get something other then my usual Gurkha Torpedo for New Year’s.
Every night I’ve played on the tables for the past week comment spew from the idiot box ranging from “you fish” to “idiot” to “I wish I had your babies”. Sorry, that job was locked up seven years ago and next month I’ll be as fertile as the cat. Omaha isn’t a game for those who can’t handle variance in the least. I’m sure if Felicia were to chart out the highs and lows emails and chats with her during my start towards playing four card bingo on a regular basis they’d rival a topography map of the Himalayas.
When you push stacks and regularly get to the turn being a 60/40 favorite despite holding the nuts, you’re going to lose far more often then getting your money in good while playing Hold Em’. Math is hard, losing as a favorite is harder, and comprehending you are gambling more while playing Omaha thus having your bankroll bounce more then the aforementioned double d’s above is the hardest. People can play this game for years and still not see how slight your overall edge is unless you push those small favorites consistently.
Quiz for you (and don’t cheat with Twodimes or Fuel’s PokerOven or whatever its called), you are playing No Limit Omaha 8 or Better 6-max ring game because that fifth shot of Maker’s is hitting the right spot and call an oversized 12BB pre flop raise (98.6% meaning Aces) with As 2s 4h 5d:
Board is 2c 3h Qs
If you firmly put the opponent on naked aces with no to little low draw, what’s your play?
If you said call the push and suckout, you’re half right but it’s the aces that would be sucking out. And the beauty of hitting with a hand like this is unless your opponent is some 2+2 or PocketFives poster, they will label you as a fish/donk/retard and if life in the fast lane of playing draws for stacks scares you? Just revert into value betting the nuts and you’ll get paid off. Simple isn’t it!
Except you miss your low and the other 13,248,098.4 outs and have to click on the “get chips” button. Now you’re probably cursing at those idiot blogs and poker message boards for giving you bum advice, like your friend’s decision to give that drunk stripper a ride home and end up driving around downtown Minneapolis for 45 minutes before dropping her back off without even a courtesy blow job.
Thanks for dropping by, now I need some cigar advice much like DP as I’d like to get something other then my usual Gurkha Torpedo for New Year’s.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
A Gift Card? Sweet!
Work is determined to keep me in wraps for the week, hopefully this weekend I can get to the sideline pics I was able to take. Including my wife snapping off three pics of Purple Jesus' ass.
Action great. Result of game, not so much. I was told I was on TV during all of the Redskins TDs for a brief moment. Almost famous! But I'll never have GRob's hair.
Football players are big people.
Christmas was cool, Vegas monkey virus still not shaken off my back.
Hope everyone enjoyed the day as our last family gathering ended at 1:30pm yesterday, and by 1:45 we had all the decorations down due to the incoming kitchen by the end of the week. No idea why the wife was in such a frenzy to tear down the fake garland and multi-colored snowmen but its all packaged up for next year to make way for the new appliances and cabinets with crown molding as this year's paycheck is being used so we can nuke ready made mac and cheese packets in stainless steel style.
Oh, and poker still sucks. But at least I got called a fish!
Action great. Result of game, not so much. I was told I was on TV during all of the Redskins TDs for a brief moment. Almost famous! But I'll never have GRob's hair.
Football players are big people.
Christmas was cool, Vegas monkey virus still not shaken off my back.
Hope everyone enjoyed the day as our last family gathering ended at 1:30pm yesterday, and by 1:45 we had all the decorations down due to the incoming kitchen by the end of the week. No idea why the wife was in such a frenzy to tear down the fake garland and multi-colored snowmen but its all packaged up for next year to make way for the new appliances and cabinets with crown molding as this year's paycheck is being used so we can nuke ready made mac and cheese packets in stainless steel style.
Oh, and poker still sucks. But at least I got called a fish!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
One More Christmas Wish
NFL Sunday Week 16 and my repaired TV from the Packer drubbing 6 weeks ago is going to show a Vikings team that holds their own balls for a playoff spot.
Down Winfield and Rice today its smashmouth vs. smashmouth and not the day to be on the line for either team. I don't know if Gibbs will shy away from the great running tandem they have, but at the Metrodome there's usually only one team that hits triple digits from their backs.
Freeroll for those who beat the Doc today at FantasySportsLive. LIKE ME! Sign up for five bucks, win free mobneys, brag about giving the Jets fan a beat down.
Hope you are all crushing the Christmas weekend like pros as I'm lucky enough to get two days of nothing but blogs, poker, and mass quantities of barley hops in various flavors thanks to friends who were thoughtful enough to get me a 12 bottle variety pack of beer versus a gift card to Sharper Image.
NBC.
Tonight.
Skins vs. Vikes
Drizz hoping not to get killed on the sideline.
Down Winfield and Rice today its smashmouth vs. smashmouth and not the day to be on the line for either team. I don't know if Gibbs will shy away from the great running tandem they have, but at the Metrodome there's usually only one team that hits triple digits from their backs.
Freeroll for those who beat the Doc today at FantasySportsLive. LIKE ME! Sign up for five bucks, win free mobneys, brag about giving the Jets fan a beat down.
Hope you are all crushing the Christmas weekend like pros as I'm lucky enough to get two days of nothing but blogs, poker, and mass quantities of barley hops in various flavors thanks to friends who were thoughtful enough to get me a 12 bottle variety pack of beer versus a gift card to Sharper Image.
NBC.
Tonight.
Skins vs. Vikes
Drizz hoping not to get killed on the sideline.
Friday, December 21, 2007
HO HO HO PLO
Why am I up at 2am???
Because I'm sitting way short at the final table of my favorite $5 double stack PLO tourney at Full Tilt that's why!
Sigh, all this for a stack at my cash game, but for some reason this seems more important as I really don't play for the money, but more for the enjoyment of the game. Play one hand after the break, run into Aces and they hold.
GOOD NIGHT AND MERRRRRRRRRRRY Christmas!!!
Because I'm sitting way short at the final table of my favorite $5 double stack PLO tourney at Full Tilt that's why!
Sigh, all this for a stack at my cash game, but for some reason this seems more important as I really don't play for the money, but more for the enjoyment of the game. Play one hand after the break, run into Aces and they hold.
GOOD NIGHT AND MERRRRRRRRRRRY Christmas!!!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Its A Holly Jolly Drunken Christmas
One family Christmas gathering down four more to go.
Is there anything better then seeing bacon wrapped lil' smokies coated in brown sugar while going through the different pot luck offerings that makes you wonder if these relatives just took the contents of their refrigerator and tossed them into an overpriced Tupperware container?
Maybe the open bar can beat that but we'll leave the bacon vs. alcohol debate among those who are far more qualified to wax poetic about such things.
And if you've ever had to throw away something prior to a flight and got pissed about it... here's your hero.
A man nearly died from alcohol poisoning after quaffing a liter (two pints) of vodka at an airport security check instead of handing it over to comply with new carry-on rules, police said Wednesday.
The incident occurred at the Nuremberg airport on Tuesday, where the 64-year-old man was switching planes on his way home to Dresden from a holiday in Egypt.
New airport rules prohibit passengers from carrying larger quantities of liquid onto planes, and he was told at a security check he would have to either throw out the bottle of vodka or pay a fee to have his carry-on bag checked as cargo.
Instead, he chugged the bottle down — and was quickly unable to stand or otherwise function, police said....
Clearly he violated the one drink of water per shot rule.
Any Skins fans that want easy money versus the Vikes? Place your bets in the comments area, I'm currently on a five game losing streak with these damn prop bets.
Is there anything better then seeing bacon wrapped lil' smokies coated in brown sugar while going through the different pot luck offerings that makes you wonder if these relatives just took the contents of their refrigerator and tossed them into an overpriced Tupperware container?
Maybe the open bar can beat that but we'll leave the bacon vs. alcohol debate among those who are far more qualified to wax poetic about such things.
And if you've ever had to throw away something prior to a flight and got pissed about it... here's your hero.
A man nearly died from alcohol poisoning after quaffing a liter (two pints) of vodka at an airport security check instead of handing it over to comply with new carry-on rules, police said Wednesday.
The incident occurred at the Nuremberg airport on Tuesday, where the 64-year-old man was switching planes on his way home to Dresden from a holiday in Egypt.
New airport rules prohibit passengers from carrying larger quantities of liquid onto planes, and he was told at a security check he would have to either throw out the bottle of vodka or pay a fee to have his carry-on bag checked as cargo.
Instead, he chugged the bottle down — and was quickly unable to stand or otherwise function, police said....
Clearly he violated the one drink of water per shot rule.
Any Skins fans that want easy money versus the Vikes? Place your bets in the comments area, I'm currently on a five game losing streak with these damn prop bets.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
From Around These Parts
A joke only Midwesterns would understand....
Wisconsin is planning to do its own, entitled "Survivor - Wisconsin Style"....
The contestants will start in Milwaukee, travel up to Sheboygan and on to Manitowoc and Green Bay.
Then they will head over to Wausau and up to Rhinelander and Minocqua.
From there they will proceed up to Ashland and Superior. Then back down through Hayward, Rice Lake, Balsam Lake, Chetek, over to Eau Claire and all the way down to Madison and back over to Milwaukee.
Each contestant will be driving a pink Volvo with Minnesota license plates and a large bumper sticker that reads:
Brett Favre is Gay.
Hillary in 2008.
Deer hunting is murder.
Go Vikings!
The first one that makes it back to Milwaukee alive wins.
Mookie tonight, no Aussie trip on the line, but you might see a Drizz there because Full Tilt is offering double points on all ring games now until the end of the year, and since the wife is on a workout kick right now I'd like to snag an iPod if possible.
Otherwise I'm sure she'd look good in the Mike Matusow signed thong.
Wisconsin is planning to do its own, entitled "Survivor - Wisconsin Style"....
The contestants will start in Milwaukee, travel up to Sheboygan and on to Manitowoc and Green Bay.
Then they will head over to Wausau and up to Rhinelander and Minocqua.
From there they will proceed up to Ashland and Superior. Then back down through Hayward, Rice Lake, Balsam Lake, Chetek, over to Eau Claire and all the way down to Madison and back over to Milwaukee.
Each contestant will be driving a pink Volvo with Minnesota license plates and a large bumper sticker that reads:
Brett Favre is Gay.
Hillary in 2008.
Deer hunting is murder.
Go Vikings!
The first one that makes it back to Milwaukee alive wins.
Mookie tonight, no Aussie trip on the line, but you might see a Drizz there because Full Tilt is offering double points on all ring games now until the end of the year, and since the wife is on a workout kick right now I'd like to snag an iPod if possible.
Otherwise I'm sure she'd look good in the Mike Matusow signed thong.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Santa Claus Knows If You've Been Bad or Good
Wyatt isn't showing any signs from taking that nasty spill (knock on wood) but he did get a letter from Santa Claus last night about the new Transformers and toys coming his way if he behaves from now until Christmas.
Every other sentence coming from his four year old mouth:
"Is he still watching me?"
Too cute for words.
Cute isn't how I'd describe that win last night by the men in purple but even with trying to give away the game, the Vikes pulled it off and head into a big wild-card potential game on Sunday night versus the resurgent Redskins. And guess who's gonna be on the sidelines?
That would be me.
Sadly, I will not be modeling the Packers t-shirt from Mrs. Chako, as I'll be part of the sideline radio crew for KFAN. Seeing that the last game I attended was against the Packers five years ago, pumped would be a tepid adjective towards seeing this game live. I'll have to keep the fanboi in me down as Purple Jesus dashes for another touchdown and every interception by Winfield as I'll be working.
So if you're watching the game on TV look for the beanpole holding up one of those dishes on the sidelines and laugh when a wave of Purple and Red bodies roll over him.
WPBT Venetian regrets: Loved it all, didn't get to that steak dinner with The Bracelet (but I blame that man-eating blackjack dealer), missed out on 4am Pai Gow with Otis, chatting up with PokerPeaker, playing in that mixed game with BWOP and F-Train (that one was my drunken fault but I blame Garth the enabler!!!), playing a little more poker with the bloggers as $2/$4 limit at the Flamingo before my flight felt like the poker purgitory with some of the worst mix of rocks/idiots I've ever seen, I had to be tapped awake two different times in two hours.
"We'll have next time" is the theme for those I missed out on seeing. And if you attended you'd know that the saying rings true. I'll be in the G-Vegas area this summer hopefully to partake in a homegame and while the IP's Pai Gow tables may be nearing the wrecking ball, I'm sure we can find someplace else in Vegas to search for steak and eggs.
Every other sentence coming from his four year old mouth:
"Is he still watching me?"
Too cute for words.
Cute isn't how I'd describe that win last night by the men in purple but even with trying to give away the game, the Vikes pulled it off and head into a big wild-card potential game on Sunday night versus the resurgent Redskins. And guess who's gonna be on the sidelines?
That would be me.
Sadly, I will not be modeling the Packers t-shirt from Mrs. Chako, as I'll be part of the sideline radio crew for KFAN. Seeing that the last game I attended was against the Packers five years ago, pumped would be a tepid adjective towards seeing this game live. I'll have to keep the fanboi in me down as Purple Jesus dashes for another touchdown and every interception by Winfield as I'll be working.
So if you're watching the game on TV look for the beanpole holding up one of those dishes on the sidelines and laugh when a wave of Purple and Red bodies roll over him.
WPBT Venetian regrets: Loved it all, didn't get to that steak dinner with The Bracelet (but I blame that man-eating blackjack dealer), missed out on 4am Pai Gow with Otis, chatting up with PokerPeaker, playing in that mixed game with BWOP and F-Train (that one was my drunken fault but I blame Garth the enabler!!!), playing a little more poker with the bloggers as $2/$4 limit at the Flamingo before my flight felt like the poker purgitory with some of the worst mix of rocks/idiots I've ever seen, I had to be tapped awake two different times in two hours.
"We'll have next time" is the theme for those I missed out on seeing. And if you attended you'd know that the saying rings true. I'll be in the G-Vegas area this summer hopefully to partake in a homegame and while the IP's Pai Gow tables may be nearing the wrecking ball, I'm sure we can find someplace else in Vegas to search for steak and eggs.
Monday, December 17, 2007
WPBT The Venetian Day Three: Go Pack!!
Monday morning I slipped out without waking the warthog to do some gambling in my jammies and find a decent hot chocolate after a whole previous day of gambling euphoria I lost exactly $5. Clearly Vegas needed more of this idiot’s money.
Sunday began in the spacious Imperial Palace sports book which resembles more of a northern dimly lit bar versus the glitz and glamour of the Vegas strip. But, we call it home for its tolerance toward our degenerate poker playing group to drink (two liters of water) and shout at the various TVs freely when our perfectly handicapped four team parlays go down the tube. After having to wager on the Cowboys and Yankees due to my lost prop bets, I thought I’d go all the way with the fanboi sport fan picks and take Duke and North Carolina to win the Final Four in 2008.
After plopping down a significant wager on the Vikes and five or six parlays, I took my seat with BG and The Bracelet to watch my parlay fall one by one in slow motion during the morning games. At least the all meat pizza rocked despite my stomach still doing flips from the near handle of Cap’n I consumed at the Venetian. With the morning game out of the way, it was time for my Vikes to dominate the 49ers and pull me close to even for the day with one live ticket left:
Seattle -7.5 and Browns -3.
Seattle locked it up early, but the Browns game would flip-flop more then a presidential candidate at a $10,000 a plate fundraiser. They win! They kick a fuckin field goal?!?!?! They recover an onside kick and run it back! They’re going to down the ball…. Oh wait he’s still running, and running, RUN FORREST RUN!!! TOUCHDOWN!!! There may have been grown men dancing and cheering like Jessica Alba just ran through the sportsbook naked holding pitchers of beer.
Bonus money is the sweetest money and after my gallon of water and green tea it was time to start up some real gambling as I set out to play SERIOUS POKER with the very sexy BWOP and Not-so-fat F-Train who looked like he did a thousand sit ups a day to get back to his dollar bill weight. Mixed game, anything non hold em would suffice, Mirage? Natch. TI? Smoove new room but no. Venetian? Mixed game not going. Ugh. Now my feet were started to get heavy as all I wanted was sit down and give away money so the executive decision was made to get dropped off at the IP as they headed down to the Bellagio. Seat open at Pai Gow? Would I like to play? Sure but no drinking yet. Seated with Speaker, Garth, Garth’s lovely girlfriend Gretchen, Betty Underground minus ½ cup size but we wouldn’t hold that against her as she looks great, and the Pai Gow Princess Maigrey drinking would need to start again.
“I’ll just have what they’re having” as the chest sparkles rang out from the waitresses uniform. A Newcastle was placed in front of me and for some reason I felt compelled to grab a fresh drink with every passing. “You have to finish that one before you get a new one!” as I’d chug down the drinks and hand it off as the other hand deftly grabbed a full one.
After nearly thirty minutes of trying to convince the first dealer to smile were rebuffed like my attempts to get laid in high school. SERIOUS PAI GOW! Thankfully the Great Stone Wall of China left and we continued our good time with the pit bosses and dealers afterwards despite losing all the chips in front of me after a few hours and having to defer an invite to rejoin F-Train and BWOP at the Wynn to Betty “I don’t think he’s in shape to do that” it was time to play some craps and with a vacant table we continued our roaming party with the dice. With Speaker soft as a down comforter tosses continued, I had my fire bet out and licking my chops at the 25-1 odds if another point was rolled. My make-an-ass-out-of-myself meter hit a weekend high when a hard eight was rolled when I did some white-boy touchdown dance as our end of the table was suddenly flush with cash.
But as we deferred the dice to the other end not one point was made, and with the Nordic winds of change the phones came out to check the time and hunger pangs overtook the needs to bet the yo and a crusty potato/cheese/egg/meat skillet hit the spot to close up day three in wonderland.
Monday morning I’d wake up too early and decent from the Flamingo in search of breaking even for the weekend in my jammies but end up giving away a few car payments instead as I’ll wrap this up tomorrow with a few regrets about people I missed at the gathering.
Thanks for dropping by, now if you are in need of a song to sing along with tonight as I’m sure Dr. Chako’s wife will be doing during every Vikes touchdown, here you go. SKOL VIKINGS LETS GO!!!
Skol Vikings! Let's win this game
Skol Vikings! Honor your name
Go get that first down
Then get a touchdown
Rock 'em, sock 'em, FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT! FIGHT!
Go Vikings, run up the score, you'll hear us yell for more!
V-I-K-I-N-G-S
Skol Vikings, let's go!
Sunday began in the spacious Imperial Palace sports book which resembles more of a northern dimly lit bar versus the glitz and glamour of the Vegas strip. But, we call it home for its tolerance toward our degenerate poker playing group to drink (two liters of water) and shout at the various TVs freely when our perfectly handicapped four team parlays go down the tube. After having to wager on the Cowboys and Yankees due to my lost prop bets, I thought I’d go all the way with the fanboi sport fan picks and take Duke and North Carolina to win the Final Four in 2008.
After plopping down a significant wager on the Vikes and five or six parlays, I took my seat with BG and The Bracelet to watch my parlay fall one by one in slow motion during the morning games. At least the all meat pizza rocked despite my stomach still doing flips from the near handle of Cap’n I consumed at the Venetian. With the morning game out of the way, it was time for my Vikes to dominate the 49ers and pull me close to even for the day with one live ticket left:
Seattle -7.5 and Browns -3.
Seattle locked it up early, but the Browns game would flip-flop more then a presidential candidate at a $10,000 a plate fundraiser. They win! They kick a fuckin field goal?!?!?! They recover an onside kick and run it back! They’re going to down the ball…. Oh wait he’s still running, and running, RUN FORREST RUN!!! TOUCHDOWN!!! There may have been grown men dancing and cheering like Jessica Alba just ran through the sportsbook naked holding pitchers of beer.
Bonus money is the sweetest money and after my gallon of water and green tea it was time to start up some real gambling as I set out to play SERIOUS POKER with the very sexy BWOP and Not-so-fat F-Train who looked like he did a thousand sit ups a day to get back to his dollar bill weight. Mixed game, anything non hold em would suffice, Mirage? Natch. TI? Smoove new room but no. Venetian? Mixed game not going. Ugh. Now my feet were started to get heavy as all I wanted was sit down and give away money so the executive decision was made to get dropped off at the IP as they headed down to the Bellagio. Seat open at Pai Gow? Would I like to play? Sure but no drinking yet. Seated with Speaker, Garth, Garth’s lovely girlfriend Gretchen, Betty Underground minus ½ cup size but we wouldn’t hold that against her as she looks great, and the Pai Gow Princess Maigrey drinking would need to start again.
“I’ll just have what they’re having” as the chest sparkles rang out from the waitresses uniform. A Newcastle was placed in front of me and for some reason I felt compelled to grab a fresh drink with every passing. “You have to finish that one before you get a new one!” as I’d chug down the drinks and hand it off as the other hand deftly grabbed a full one.
After nearly thirty minutes of trying to convince the first dealer to smile were rebuffed like my attempts to get laid in high school. SERIOUS PAI GOW! Thankfully the Great Stone Wall of China left and we continued our good time with the pit bosses and dealers afterwards despite losing all the chips in front of me after a few hours and having to defer an invite to rejoin F-Train and BWOP at the Wynn to Betty “I don’t think he’s in shape to do that” it was time to play some craps and with a vacant table we continued our roaming party with the dice. With Speaker soft as a down comforter tosses continued, I had my fire bet out and licking my chops at the 25-1 odds if another point was rolled. My make-an-ass-out-of-myself meter hit a weekend high when a hard eight was rolled when I did some white-boy touchdown dance as our end of the table was suddenly flush with cash.
But as we deferred the dice to the other end not one point was made, and with the Nordic winds of change the phones came out to check the time and hunger pangs overtook the needs to bet the yo and a crusty potato/cheese/egg/meat skillet hit the spot to close up day three in wonderland.
Monday morning I’d wake up too early and decent from the Flamingo in search of breaking even for the weekend in my jammies but end up giving away a few car payments instead as I’ll wrap this up tomorrow with a few regrets about people I missed at the gathering.
Thanks for dropping by, now if you are in need of a song to sing along with tonight as I’m sure Dr. Chako’s wife will be doing during every Vikes touchdown, here you go. SKOL VIKINGS LETS GO!!!
Skol Vikings! Let's win this game
Skol Vikings! Honor your name
Go get that first down
Then get a touchdown
Rock 'em, sock 'em, FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT! FIGHT!
Go Vikings, run up the score, you'll hear us yell for more!
V-I-K-I-N-G-S
Skol Vikings, let's go!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
No Broken Crown
Sorry for the delay of the trip report, maybe tonight when I dive into this handle of Cap'n I just acquired from Costco.
A not so funny thing happened while there as Wyatt was inside the cart and the front wheel broke popping him up and onto the cement head first. Now, I have to go fill out something at the store in case he starts getting dizzy.
From my history with head injuries, I was exactly shouting Pai Gow when this happened. Hopefully he's ok in two days, because that's when I fear something might show.
A not so funny thing happened while there as Wyatt was inside the cart and the front wheel broke popping him up and onto the cement head first. Now, I have to go fill out something at the store in case he starts getting dizzy.
From my history with head injuries, I was exactly shouting Pai Gow when this happened. Hopefully he's ok in two days, because that's when I fear something might show.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
WPBT The Venetian: Day Two Lighting Up Success
“I need a birthday present”
Each year for the past three I have spent in the company of this merry band of thieves in Las Vegas.
The first year was spent trying to stay vertical and watching others fall to the Excal wheel. I made the final two tables, but fell with a short stack.
The second year was spent watching myself fall and wondering if the casinos would be the only ones getting my gambling money. I made the final two tables, but fell to a suckout.
This year was spent trying to prove to myself that I can play this game while blowing through tip money for some of the hottest waitresses on the strip. I made the final table, but fell to being unable to shove my money in and one hand (SERIOUS POKER PEOPLE!!!) I’ll open the floor to opinion that I didn’t even consider a third option for.
The day began with the loveable Gracie on my left with her Curious George bust out prize taunting my every move. PokahDave to her left was fortunate enough to view my Pai Gow superiority the evening before as I played the part of PaiGow Pimp by playing behind on April’s and Betty’s hands for about an hour until the killjoy high school principle pit boss came over to squash our fun. Grubby was intent on grabbing any piece of swag on the table to Dave’s left, including open-pushing a hand with about 1,203,764 times the big blind when a free book was announced for the winner of the next pot. I’d hate to see what he’d do for a 50% reload bonus on Full Tilt.
While most people were bounced around the room, I played at two tables the entire time, which made it easy to become friends with my table mates and those well-endowed goddesses in red and gold. Now, prior to the tourney after a slice of some heavenly pizza at Enzo’s (not as good as the slice in Key West, but definitely top 5) with Bobby “Blackjack Hates Me” Bracelet and Linda from Pokerworks (thank you for your stories!!), I broke a twenty into ones for each drink so I’d have enough tip money to last the tourney.
I ran out after six hours into the tourney.
So much for preparation. To be honest I thought I’d be smoking my Gurkha cigar with a shot of whatever at the bar with the bloggers long before that, but I won a key coin flip against a short stack, then tripled up with a push monkey move and didn’t have to show my cards, and next thing I notice we’re setting up for the final table. There’s eight hours of poker play sandwiched within this story but my rum addled mind wasn’t big on details as much as just having good fun with the dealers and table mates.
Sitting on ~45K I wasn’t in horrible shape and could afford to be a little patient, but with the loop costing $14K a piece it was getting close to push and pray territory for many of us. I never got the chance to push and pray, I was never able to open push, I never had cards to call. No one’s fault except the cards just didn’t favor me and when the two short stacks doubled up, I was left in the wind and ended up blind calling the Rooster’s Jacks with whatever trash was in my big blind.
Now… for SERIOUS POKER!!!!1111
Caldwell opens UTG for 14K with the blinds at $2K/$4K/$1K with 40Kish behind, you’re in the money with 13 left, folds around to the hero in the small blind holding AQo with 44K behind. You have a tight-ish image but people recognize that the waitress is now on a first name basis with you after bringing a fresh drink every trip regardless if you finished the first one.
a) Push and take the coin flip figuring he’s not folding a pair (I put him on a range of 88-JJ)
b) Fold (Pussy poker rules!!!)
c) Call for a possible give-and-go on a high card flop but no need to hit a pair
d) Think about What Purple Jesus Would Do and run over him while high stepping into the endzone
I thought about it for a bit and figured with the amount of play left I’d fold for a better spot but wonder if I didn’t give away my shot at the big cash right there.
After going busto, I stumbled over to the Venetian side bar where Al was holding court with a fast drifting Waffles. Received birthday hugs from the hotties, and had a great 30 second debate with Betty Underground while she enjoyed the Hemmingway cigar I brought.
Why was it “odd” to see a woman enjoy a cigar that isn’t a white house intern and was using it in a way the tobacco rollers in the Dominican Republic intended? In any regards that night further entrenched my love for this group as time and time again they know how to present the same activities in Vegas but put a twist on them like you’re looking at a scrambled Rubik Cube. It’s always the same shape, and you might get all the colors aligned, but its never the same way to the solution.
My thanks go out to Falstaff for getting us a tourney that showed a little bit of the high life for us degenerate sort. Congrats to the Rooster (now in Technicolor-Link!) for effectively playing a great tourney game. And many thanks to the poker room staff at the Venetian for their professionalism (maybe a little too far with the strictness but firm and fair is accepted everywhere including while having sex).
Thanks for dropping by, tomorrow “will you smile for a tip?”, “I have two flush draws!!”, “I think he’s a little too drunk for that”.
Each year for the past three I have spent in the company of this merry band of thieves in Las Vegas.
The first year was spent trying to stay vertical and watching others fall to the Excal wheel. I made the final two tables, but fell with a short stack.
The second year was spent watching myself fall and wondering if the casinos would be the only ones getting my gambling money. I made the final two tables, but fell to a suckout.
This year was spent trying to prove to myself that I can play this game while blowing through tip money for some of the hottest waitresses on the strip. I made the final table, but fell to being unable to shove my money in and one hand (SERIOUS POKER PEOPLE!!!) I’ll open the floor to opinion that I didn’t even consider a third option for.
The day began with the loveable Gracie on my left with her Curious George bust out prize taunting my every move. PokahDave to her left was fortunate enough to view my Pai Gow superiority the evening before as I played the part of PaiGow Pimp by playing behind on April’s and Betty’s hands for about an hour until the killjoy high school principle pit boss came over to squash our fun. Grubby was intent on grabbing any piece of swag on the table to Dave’s left, including open-pushing a hand with about 1,203,764 times the big blind when a free book was announced for the winner of the next pot. I’d hate to see what he’d do for a 50% reload bonus on Full Tilt.
While most people were bounced around the room, I played at two tables the entire time, which made it easy to become friends with my table mates and those well-endowed goddesses in red and gold. Now, prior to the tourney after a slice of some heavenly pizza at Enzo’s (not as good as the slice in Key West, but definitely top 5) with Bobby “Blackjack Hates Me” Bracelet and Linda from Pokerworks (thank you for your stories!!), I broke a twenty into ones for each drink so I’d have enough tip money to last the tourney.
I ran out after six hours into the tourney.
So much for preparation. To be honest I thought I’d be smoking my Gurkha cigar with a shot of whatever at the bar with the bloggers long before that, but I won a key coin flip against a short stack, then tripled up with a push monkey move and didn’t have to show my cards, and next thing I notice we’re setting up for the final table. There’s eight hours of poker play sandwiched within this story but my rum addled mind wasn’t big on details as much as just having good fun with the dealers and table mates.
Sitting on ~45K I wasn’t in horrible shape and could afford to be a little patient, but with the loop costing $14K a piece it was getting close to push and pray territory for many of us. I never got the chance to push and pray, I was never able to open push, I never had cards to call. No one’s fault except the cards just didn’t favor me and when the two short stacks doubled up, I was left in the wind and ended up blind calling the Rooster’s Jacks with whatever trash was in my big blind.
Now… for SERIOUS POKER!!!!1111
Caldwell opens UTG for 14K with the blinds at $2K/$4K/$1K with 40Kish behind, you’re in the money with 13 left, folds around to the hero in the small blind holding AQo with 44K behind. You have a tight-ish image but people recognize that the waitress is now on a first name basis with you after bringing a fresh drink every trip regardless if you finished the first one.
a) Push and take the coin flip figuring he’s not folding a pair (I put him on a range of 88-JJ)
b) Fold (Pussy poker rules!!!)
c) Call for a possible give-and-go on a high card flop but no need to hit a pair
d) Think about What Purple Jesus Would Do and run over him while high stepping into the endzone
I thought about it for a bit and figured with the amount of play left I’d fold for a better spot but wonder if I didn’t give away my shot at the big cash right there.
After going busto, I stumbled over to the Venetian side bar where Al was holding court with a fast drifting Waffles. Received birthday hugs from the hotties, and had a great 30 second debate with Betty Underground while she enjoyed the Hemmingway cigar I brought.
Why was it “odd” to see a woman enjoy a cigar that isn’t a white house intern and was using it in a way the tobacco rollers in the Dominican Republic intended? In any regards that night further entrenched my love for this group as time and time again they know how to present the same activities in Vegas but put a twist on them like you’re looking at a scrambled Rubik Cube. It’s always the same shape, and you might get all the colors aligned, but its never the same way to the solution.
My thanks go out to Falstaff for getting us a tourney that showed a little bit of the high life for us degenerate sort. Congrats to the Rooster (now in Technicolor-Link!) for effectively playing a great tourney game. And many thanks to the poker room staff at the Venetian for their professionalism (maybe a little too far with the strictness but firm and fair is accepted everywhere including while having sex).
Thanks for dropping by, tomorrow “will you smile for a tip?”, “I have two flush draws!!”, “I think he’s a little too drunk for that”.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
WPBT Venetian Day One: Are Those Real?
As I looked at the tram leaving the government center in downtown Minneapolis going towards the Northwest plane that was scheduled to transport myself to the land of free Cap’n Cokes in exchange for playing games rigged in the favor of stony faced asian dealers, I figured I was conserving my luck for later use.
Armed with my Drizzt novels, and chilled by an Alberta clipper blowing through the downtown area, I stepped onto my train to freedom for the next three days. Every “responsible” parent/adult should cut and paste their daily schedules into the trash bin at least once a year for journey that contains no ending. While there are activities to meet and greet those scribes you read on the daily/weekly basis and get to know about their struggles with this game we love, going to the WPBT Winter Classic should be about taking care of YOUR agenda. If you want to play in that mixed game at the Venetian, do it. If you want to get rolled by a stripper, pick one up at the Geisha Bar and pass out after smelling the stench despite her promise that you’re the first customer of the day. If you want to tilt a cowboy at the poker table by telling him about the corduroy g-string you’re wearing from the Wranglers surplus store, the poker table is place where lies are rewarded.
For me, this is what Vegas is about. Satisfying my degenerate instincts to drink a little too much, gamble a little too big, laugh a little too loud, make new friends, and go home with the same smile on my face that reflected off the window seat while leaving the Lindbergh terminal on Friday morning.
After getting settled into the hotel with Speaker and the Bracelet it was time to seek out some –EV gaming and random blogger sightings. I believe I was met first by the wondrous BWOP (she is indeed the Black Widow of poker) as her suddenly slimmer escort F-Train as they were about to hit up a little Pai Gow action. Then Gary strolled in with his beautiful wife, PokerPeaker got up from the poker room to say hello after complimenting the waitress on the amount of glitter she sprinkled on her chest (actually that might have been me), then the crew of Pauly, Change100, and Derek rolled by on their way to lunch.
After seeing BG looking for a poker game, and a new table was being opened I decided to sit down with my usual small penis compensating chip stack at a $2-$4 table. “We’re out of chips sir” the brush calmly relayed after only giving me five racks. As compensation for fun, as $2-$4 limit with any bankroll size isn’t going to tingle anyone’s groin area from excitement, we made the game fun by showing down crap hand after crap hand and chatting it up with the three guys to my left who had to suffer from my re-straddles, lame metaphors, and jokes that could only be understood with that red stripe of plastic that decodes the answers to board games.
MGM Grand time was announced and after Speaker spent the entire second half of a college basketball game getting his hair ready; we headed over on the monorail to the emerald city. The mixed game is a treat for those who like holding more then two cards, and get to know their fellow bloggers via something other then a chat box. A face to the name, a name to the face, where a certain female individual was bent on removing my chip stack from in front of me by offering what was probably the best massage I’ve ever received with my clothes on and of course playing in every. Single. Hand. That I was in for four hours. After Maigrey and BWOP decided that little tower of checks was too neat and managed to spread them out in a puddle of blue and red, I have no idea if I won or lost while playing. But, winning isn’t I’m there, so I considered whatever I may have won/lost as time paid for the conversations with the people I genuinely credit for saving my soul.
Gambling may have many negative connotations to it, but to me, finding those like minded bloggers and being able to discuss how to cool down a frequent re-raiser at the tables, and how to get your 18 month old to eat broccoli in the same conversation has been a life saver. Because four years ago, I wasn’t anything. I didn’t feel. I didn’t wake up in the morning; I drifted through the day as quickly as possible. I didn’t love; I roomed with a woman that tolerated me for reasons unknown. Then, I started reading about people with similar hobbies, similar struggles. Life steadily improved; not only for myself, but rebirthing a love to that special woman I took a vow with seven years ago. My kids now get to see their man/child dad, instead of a paycheck and someone to demand that they’d be quiet while watching Matlock re-runs on TV Land.
I am not a writer in the traditional sense of someone who can entwine words, sentences, and punctuation into a story can reads like a song. My formal writing education consists of a sleeping walking through community college Freshman Comp and watching old Star Trek re-runs for English credits in high school. But, I can hammer out a few letters about things that I hold tightly from the heart like my beloved Vikings, my wife and kids, and this silly little game we gather from several points on a map to meet in Las Vegas for three days of losing a little bit of yourself, and gaining so much more back.
Thanks for dropping by, tomorrow prepare for the four horsemen as Drizz makes the final table and smokes a cigar with a woman?!!?!?!
Armed with my Drizzt novels, and chilled by an Alberta clipper blowing through the downtown area, I stepped onto my train to freedom for the next three days. Every “responsible” parent/adult should cut and paste their daily schedules into the trash bin at least once a year for journey that contains no ending. While there are activities to meet and greet those scribes you read on the daily/weekly basis and get to know about their struggles with this game we love, going to the WPBT Winter Classic should be about taking care of YOUR agenda. If you want to play in that mixed game at the Venetian, do it. If you want to get rolled by a stripper, pick one up at the Geisha Bar and pass out after smelling the stench despite her promise that you’re the first customer of the day. If you want to tilt a cowboy at the poker table by telling him about the corduroy g-string you’re wearing from the Wranglers surplus store, the poker table is place where lies are rewarded.
For me, this is what Vegas is about. Satisfying my degenerate instincts to drink a little too much, gamble a little too big, laugh a little too loud, make new friends, and go home with the same smile on my face that reflected off the window seat while leaving the Lindbergh terminal on Friday morning.
After getting settled into the hotel with Speaker and the Bracelet it was time to seek out some –EV gaming and random blogger sightings. I believe I was met first by the wondrous BWOP (she is indeed the Black Widow of poker) as her suddenly slimmer escort F-Train as they were about to hit up a little Pai Gow action. Then Gary strolled in with his beautiful wife, PokerPeaker got up from the poker room to say hello after complimenting the waitress on the amount of glitter she sprinkled on her chest (actually that might have been me), then the crew of Pauly, Change100, and Derek rolled by on their way to lunch.
After seeing BG looking for a poker game, and a new table was being opened I decided to sit down with my usual small penis compensating chip stack at a $2-$4 table. “We’re out of chips sir” the brush calmly relayed after only giving me five racks. As compensation for fun, as $2-$4 limit with any bankroll size isn’t going to tingle anyone’s groin area from excitement, we made the game fun by showing down crap hand after crap hand and chatting it up with the three guys to my left who had to suffer from my re-straddles, lame metaphors, and jokes that could only be understood with that red stripe of plastic that decodes the answers to board games.
MGM Grand time was announced and after Speaker spent the entire second half of a college basketball game getting his hair ready; we headed over on the monorail to the emerald city. The mixed game is a treat for those who like holding more then two cards, and get to know their fellow bloggers via something other then a chat box. A face to the name, a name to the face, where a certain female individual was bent on removing my chip stack from in front of me by offering what was probably the best massage I’ve ever received with my clothes on and of course playing in every. Single. Hand. That I was in for four hours. After Maigrey and BWOP decided that little tower of checks was too neat and managed to spread them out in a puddle of blue and red, I have no idea if I won or lost while playing. But, winning isn’t I’m there, so I considered whatever I may have won/lost as time paid for the conversations with the people I genuinely credit for saving my soul.
Gambling may have many negative connotations to it, but to me, finding those like minded bloggers and being able to discuss how to cool down a frequent re-raiser at the tables, and how to get your 18 month old to eat broccoli in the same conversation has been a life saver. Because four years ago, I wasn’t anything. I didn’t feel. I didn’t wake up in the morning; I drifted through the day as quickly as possible. I didn’t love; I roomed with a woman that tolerated me for reasons unknown. Then, I started reading about people with similar hobbies, similar struggles. Life steadily improved; not only for myself, but rebirthing a love to that special woman I took a vow with seven years ago. My kids now get to see their man/child dad, instead of a paycheck and someone to demand that they’d be quiet while watching Matlock re-runs on TV Land.
I am not a writer in the traditional sense of someone who can entwine words, sentences, and punctuation into a story can reads like a song. My formal writing education consists of a sleeping walking through community college Freshman Comp and watching old Star Trek re-runs for English credits in high school. But, I can hammer out a few letters about things that I hold tightly from the heart like my beloved Vikings, my wife and kids, and this silly little game we gather from several points on a map to meet in Las Vegas for three days of losing a little bit of yourself, and gaining so much more back.
Thanks for dropping by, tomorrow prepare for the four horsemen as Drizz makes the final table and smokes a cigar with a woman?!!?!?!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
WPBT: The Venetian Prelude
I may have traded seventeen screens of football and horse racing for Blues Clues when I got out of bed this morning, but my mind is still processing another great time during the WPBT Winter Classic.
New friends revealed.
Old friends cherished.
Liver demolished.
Thank you again for putting up with this man/child for three days. I'll do a proper write up once the angry bees in my head leave and I get used to the single digit weather again.
Congrats to The Rooster on his win at the tourney, and thanks to Falstaff for getting such an awesome structure that allowed us to play poker instead of a slot machine.
New friends revealed.
Old friends cherished.
Liver demolished.
Thank you again for putting up with this man/child for three days. I'll do a proper write up once the angry bees in my head leave and I get used to the single digit weather again.
Congrats to The Rooster on his win at the tourney, and thanks to Falstaff for getting such an awesome structure that allowed us to play poker instead of a slot machine.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Minnesotan to English
*Burp*
Two card poker sucks, take me to a Pai Gow table immediately
Hognuts.
Bonus bets.
Cap'n Coke.
Free Boobies.
Bloggers.
Steak n' Eggs.
Penny slots.
No whammies.
Tomorrow.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Its Because You Want To
Because The Rooster thinks I need to lighten the fuck up (and he’s right) here’s some quick hits from WPBT tripin’ past:
My first thoughts about meeting those invisible internet friends from December 2004:
5) Meet the bloggers IRL The trip reports from Vegas only stoked the fire that I have been wanting to meet the bloggers out there. I know sometime this year I'll be able to meet up with Chris at Canterbury but I'd also like to attend the next WPBT event. Since my friends don't share the poker bug or the need to wager on the winner of a game of Dance Dance Revolution. It would be an honor and a learning experience to meet such people. Just give me a 3-4 month forwarning to get my liver and stomach in shape. I just hope my ghostly Minnesota whiteness doesn't frighten anyone.
http://nickleanddimes.blogspot.com/2004/12/resolutions-for-new-year.html
Meeting the bloggers for the first time in June 2005:
Professional Craps Shooter Bill Rini pulled off a similar feat to the 1987 Minnesota Twins in his worst-to-first finish.
Congrats Bill!!!
I'm sure he didn't miss getting Gigli again.The after party set up by AlCanParty at LaCantina features too many shots of tequila and some rather disturbing karoke. Unfortunately I couldn't stay long due to my parent's being in town and I wanted to hang with them for at least one afternoon.So, me and the wife headed back to Freemont Street via the 301 bus instead of a cab.Great choice.For the next hour we were on the bus to go from MGM Grand to downtown Vegas. I fell asleep due to the mix of overheatedness, lack of rest, and yeah I drank a little too. Unfortunately there were no crack whores hitting on me to keep me awake unlike certain metrosexual bloggers.
Maybe I need a frilly shirt to attract these saucy (or is it sauced?) ladies.
Finally getting back to Fremont Street, we checked out a nice car show being displayed up and down the street. My mom pointed out a Chevy that my dad's parents once used to haul all seven boys on road trips. Stopped off to get a couple of 99 cent drinks that only downtown can provide. The maragarita was tasty from the Fremont Casino. However... the fruity drink from the casino with the seductive deep fried twinkie eater above it, sucked about as hard as she was working the pastry. I'm known for drinking just about anything and not caring, but that drink ruined my buzz. Bleh.
http://nickleanddimes.blogspot.com/2005/06/wpbt-aladdin-day-three.html
Seeing GRob’s hair look like he spent the morning sitting in a typhoon while playing a morning poker tourney and watch how real degenerates roll at the hepatitis infested Plaza, set the tone for the next two years of these trips.
The Winter Classic final day December 2005:
I had lost track of time unfortunately and suddenly only had 45 minutes to pack up, check out, and get my ass over to Mandalay Bay for a NFL/Horse betting orgy. Checking out was fairly quick but a little confusing since Chad was staying an extra day and he didn’t *ahem* make it back the previous night. But the beautiful desk clerk was able to get the ball rolling quickly with a smile.
The hotel may be on its way out with all the confusing elevators and constant construction, but the staff and comps definitely made up for it. Thank you Imperial Palace for holding our tournament and keeping the bar properly stocked.
20 minutes to kick off and I’m sitting on the monorail heading for MGM Grand, knowing I still need to dash down the strip to get to another monorail from Excal to Mandalay Bay. I may or may not have run over a few blue haired slot queens in the process. With five minutes to spare I spot Mike in line to place a few parlay bets and after exchanging greenbacks for worthless pieces of paper I collapsed into a chair. I also may or may not have been in a comatose daze while trying to keep up with all the action going on. Betting on a horse race here and there while watching my parlay bets crumble on the big screens.
Pure Bliss.
Bloggers screaming for Too Drunk to Call and Mr. Otis, me getting shouted at by a be-thonged waitress for being too engrossed in the games, and finally taking a shot at the $25 Pai Gow tables (which didn’t work out too well). I pushed hard in those final hours but the house took the money, and Drizz went home only spending money on non-gambling things. Is a push considered a win in this case? I managed to gamble for four days straight yet the only money I spent was on the hotel, food, cab rides, and god knows how many tips.
Like the Aladdin tournament, I left Vegas in awe of this little community of bloggers and how open and welcoming they are. Going to Vegas with my wife is certain kind of fun but she doesn’t really drink nor gamble much, the WPBT crew brings the real Vegas out for me at least. Yeah, I did not partake in an adult entertainment, as I missed out on hitting up the strip clubs once again but I got to do everything else I wanted on the trip.Thanks again everyone, and can’t wait till next time.
http://nickleanddimes.blogspot.com/2005/12/wpbt-imperial-palace-day-4.html
Remember horse handicapping by the name of the equine is the nuts.
The infamous strip-wide wheelchair ride December 2006:
Friendship is what makes Vegas to me. Of course, I looked at the waitresses, and looked again, then one more time for good measure, but being around people with similar interest yet having totally different backgrounds is refreshing from a daily life that leans towards a gray-monotone background. That’s why I chop out enough money to fly around to WPBT-type events.That and the free wheelchair rides that you don’t recall rock as well. Can anyone fill in the blanks?
Thunderstruck
Since I spent most of Friday morning apologizing for the previous night’s journey to the drunken abyss, the silent treatment doled out by the spouse was deserved and earned ten times over. But, again I was bailed out by a little Daddy and Al tag team (and a $100 bribe) and she at least put on a happy face.The brunch at the Wynn was probably the best meal I’ve ever tasted outside of the really really good shrimp and hush puppies platter at Long John Silver’s about two years ago. Seriously, the teriyaki steak, Kobe beef meatballs (massaged cow!), brick oven pizza, and decadent vanilla ice cream to top it off was as a fine of a meal as this simpleton has ever had. While snarfing down as much eats as possible, Falstaff gave me a birthday present only a true Drizzt Do’Urden geek like myself could appreciate. The soft-spoken kilt-toting thespian was thoughtful enough to grab my favorite author for a signed copy of Homeland by R.A. Salvatore (picture of the book coming on Thursday with promised Christmas picks of the little ones for the gracious hostess of the Wynn brunch, thank you Gracie!). Yes, gay man hugs were given and the thoughtfulness of the gift from Menzoberranzan still gets me. Thank you sir and ma’am.
http://nickleanddimes.blogspot.com/2006/12/do-you-sudoku.html
This was rock bottom personally, and the rise of the phoenix all wrap into the stale smoke filled air of the Imperial Palace and its peppy dealer-a-tainers. After this trip it solidified my friendships with those that can only be touched by typed words over a series of tubes, and with my wife. We finally got out all the things that we had bottled up like a shaken Coke and managed to re-find that friendship that started on an Anoka County Fair softball field nearly 10 years prior. No more drifting through the day, living was on the agenda again instead of just making sure the mortgage payment was mailed off on time. Hugs are daily, kisses mean something other then a façade for the kids, and we enjoy beating each other in Guitar Hero (she scored a 100% on a song before I did damn it).
2 days, and like a couple of other guys… I’m already playing the penny Wheel of Fortune Big Spin while downing my usual cocktail.
Thanks for dropping by, now hop over to Mike’s site to place your bets on horses for the WPBT tourney. Here’s my stable:
Otis – Dark horse, is weak against gravity but strong against check-raises
Speaker - his hair would make the final table on its own, I hope what’s underneath it doesn’t screw it up.
Bobby Bracelet – 860th best poker player in the world? How many can make this claim except the 860th best poker player in the world? He might punch like 95 year old with a broken wrist, but the Bracelet has game and not just with the ladies.
Myself – I’ve made the final two tables in the last two WPBT live events I’ve played and with the game alternating between Chinese Poker, Rummikub and Euchre there’s no reason to doubt a top 4 finish.
Gracie – You look into those beautiful eyes and Cheshire Cat smile and call off those chips while she flips over yet another winner.
My first thoughts about meeting those invisible internet friends from December 2004:
5) Meet the bloggers IRL The trip reports from Vegas only stoked the fire that I have been wanting to meet the bloggers out there. I know sometime this year I'll be able to meet up with Chris at Canterbury but I'd also like to attend the next WPBT event. Since my friends don't share the poker bug or the need to wager on the winner of a game of Dance Dance Revolution. It would be an honor and a learning experience to meet such people. Just give me a 3-4 month forwarning to get my liver and stomach in shape. I just hope my ghostly Minnesota whiteness doesn't frighten anyone.
http://nickleanddimes.blogspot.com/2004/12/resolutions-for-new-year.html
Meeting the bloggers for the first time in June 2005:
Professional Craps Shooter Bill Rini pulled off a similar feat to the 1987 Minnesota Twins in his worst-to-first finish.
Congrats Bill!!!
I'm sure he didn't miss getting Gigli again.The after party set up by AlCanParty at LaCantina features too many shots of tequila and some rather disturbing karoke. Unfortunately I couldn't stay long due to my parent's being in town and I wanted to hang with them for at least one afternoon.So, me and the wife headed back to Freemont Street via the 301 bus instead of a cab.Great choice.For the next hour we were on the bus to go from MGM Grand to downtown Vegas. I fell asleep due to the mix of overheatedness, lack of rest, and yeah I drank a little too. Unfortunately there were no crack whores hitting on me to keep me awake unlike certain metrosexual bloggers.
Maybe I need a frilly shirt to attract these saucy (or is it sauced?) ladies.
Finally getting back to Fremont Street, we checked out a nice car show being displayed up and down the street. My mom pointed out a Chevy that my dad's parents once used to haul all seven boys on road trips. Stopped off to get a couple of 99 cent drinks that only downtown can provide. The maragarita was tasty from the Fremont Casino. However... the fruity drink from the casino with the seductive deep fried twinkie eater above it, sucked about as hard as she was working the pastry. I'm known for drinking just about anything and not caring, but that drink ruined my buzz. Bleh.
http://nickleanddimes.blogspot.com/2005/06/wpbt-aladdin-day-three.html
Seeing GRob’s hair look like he spent the morning sitting in a typhoon while playing a morning poker tourney and watch how real degenerates roll at the hepatitis infested Plaza, set the tone for the next two years of these trips.
The Winter Classic final day December 2005:
I had lost track of time unfortunately and suddenly only had 45 minutes to pack up, check out, and get my ass over to Mandalay Bay for a NFL/Horse betting orgy. Checking out was fairly quick but a little confusing since Chad was staying an extra day and he didn’t *ahem* make it back the previous night. But the beautiful desk clerk was able to get the ball rolling quickly with a smile.
The hotel may be on its way out with all the confusing elevators and constant construction, but the staff and comps definitely made up for it. Thank you Imperial Palace for holding our tournament and keeping the bar properly stocked.
20 minutes to kick off and I’m sitting on the monorail heading for MGM Grand, knowing I still need to dash down the strip to get to another monorail from Excal to Mandalay Bay. I may or may not have run over a few blue haired slot queens in the process. With five minutes to spare I spot Mike in line to place a few parlay bets and after exchanging greenbacks for worthless pieces of paper I collapsed into a chair. I also may or may not have been in a comatose daze while trying to keep up with all the action going on. Betting on a horse race here and there while watching my parlay bets crumble on the big screens.
Pure Bliss.
Bloggers screaming for Too Drunk to Call and Mr. Otis, me getting shouted at by a be-thonged waitress for being too engrossed in the games, and finally taking a shot at the $25 Pai Gow tables (which didn’t work out too well). I pushed hard in those final hours but the house took the money, and Drizz went home only spending money on non-gambling things. Is a push considered a win in this case? I managed to gamble for four days straight yet the only money I spent was on the hotel, food, cab rides, and god knows how many tips.
Like the Aladdin tournament, I left Vegas in awe of this little community of bloggers and how open and welcoming they are. Going to Vegas with my wife is certain kind of fun but she doesn’t really drink nor gamble much, the WPBT crew brings the real Vegas out for me at least. Yeah, I did not partake in an adult entertainment, as I missed out on hitting up the strip clubs once again but I got to do everything else I wanted on the trip.Thanks again everyone, and can’t wait till next time.
http://nickleanddimes.blogspot.com/2005/12/wpbt-imperial-palace-day-4.html
Remember horse handicapping by the name of the equine is the nuts.
The infamous strip-wide wheelchair ride December 2006:
Friendship is what makes Vegas to me. Of course, I looked at the waitresses, and looked again, then one more time for good measure, but being around people with similar interest yet having totally different backgrounds is refreshing from a daily life that leans towards a gray-monotone background. That’s why I chop out enough money to fly around to WPBT-type events.That and the free wheelchair rides that you don’t recall rock as well. Can anyone fill in the blanks?
Thunderstruck
Since I spent most of Friday morning apologizing for the previous night’s journey to the drunken abyss, the silent treatment doled out by the spouse was deserved and earned ten times over. But, again I was bailed out by a little Daddy and Al tag team (and a $100 bribe) and she at least put on a happy face.The brunch at the Wynn was probably the best meal I’ve ever tasted outside of the really really good shrimp and hush puppies platter at Long John Silver’s about two years ago. Seriously, the teriyaki steak, Kobe beef meatballs (massaged cow!), brick oven pizza, and decadent vanilla ice cream to top it off was as a fine of a meal as this simpleton has ever had. While snarfing down as much eats as possible, Falstaff gave me a birthday present only a true Drizzt Do’Urden geek like myself could appreciate. The soft-spoken kilt-toting thespian was thoughtful enough to grab my favorite author for a signed copy of Homeland by R.A. Salvatore (picture of the book coming on Thursday with promised Christmas picks of the little ones for the gracious hostess of the Wynn brunch, thank you Gracie!). Yes, gay man hugs were given and the thoughtfulness of the gift from Menzoberranzan still gets me. Thank you sir and ma’am.
http://nickleanddimes.blogspot.com/2006/12/do-you-sudoku.html
This was rock bottom personally, and the rise of the phoenix all wrap into the stale smoke filled air of the Imperial Palace and its peppy dealer-a-tainers. After this trip it solidified my friendships with those that can only be touched by typed words over a series of tubes, and with my wife. We finally got out all the things that we had bottled up like a shaken Coke and managed to re-find that friendship that started on an Anoka County Fair softball field nearly 10 years prior. No more drifting through the day, living was on the agenda again instead of just making sure the mortgage payment was mailed off on time. Hugs are daily, kisses mean something other then a façade for the kids, and we enjoy beating each other in Guitar Hero (she scored a 100% on a song before I did damn it).
2 days, and like a couple of other guys… I’m already playing the penny Wheel of Fortune Big Spin while downing my usual cocktail.
Thanks for dropping by, now hop over to Mike’s site to place your bets on horses for the WPBT tourney. Here’s my stable:
Otis – Dark horse, is weak against gravity but strong against check-raises
Speaker - his hair would make the final table on its own, I hope what’s underneath it doesn’t screw it up.
Bobby Bracelet – 860th best poker player in the world? How many can make this claim except the 860th best poker player in the world? He might punch like 95 year old with a broken wrist, but the Bracelet has game and not just with the ladies.
Myself – I’ve made the final two tables in the last two WPBT live events I’ve played and with the game alternating between Chinese Poker, Rummikub and Euchre there’s no reason to doubt a top 4 finish.
Gracie – You look into those beautiful eyes and Cheshire Cat smile and call off those chips while she flips over yet another winner.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Hoy'd Again
Is there any Pats fans out there that felt good about that win?
Unlike the Pats, I didn't get several re-dos last night in the Hoy, as I ran my second decent hand of the night, Kings, into the hammer, with the only stack at the table that could really hurt after building a decent stack into the second hour.
Actually he had aces.
And they held up, as they should.
Its B.S. to trying to justify folding KK preflop in a 6-max tourney, maybe I felt Aces with the min re-raise, maybe I felt a stir after my wife gave me a birthday present that I'll get use out of, maybe there's life out there outside of planet Earth.
I don't have all the answers, but I do know that poker isn't really fun right now and that won't change until Friday.
3 days.
Unlike the Pats, I didn't get several re-dos last night in the Hoy, as I ran my second decent hand of the night, Kings, into the hammer, with the only stack at the table that could really hurt after building a decent stack into the second hour.
Actually he had aces.
And they held up, as they should.
Its B.S. to trying to justify folding KK preflop in a 6-max tourney, maybe I felt Aces with the min re-raise, maybe I felt a stir after my wife gave me a birthday present that I'll get use out of, maybe there's life out there outside of planet Earth.
I don't have all the answers, but I do know that poker isn't really fun right now and that won't change until Friday.
3 days.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Commodore Casino
~ This is a paid advertisement ~
I like to gamble.
That is well known if you read here regularly. But, a source of gambling was cut off because of the UIGEA and my usual source of de-tilting slots and table games away from the
While I’m still sitting behind the iron curtain of online gambling it doesn’t mean others can’t enjoy it. As I take a look at Commodorecasino.com it has everything a slot junkie like me would love to play. There’s multi-reel games with the must have bonus rounds in all denominations that are unique from Commodore. They also carry a wide range of classic table games, just like being in Vegas right on the comfort of your couch if you enjoy playing from your laptop like many online players do.
Ever since my first trip to Grand Casino Hinckley when I turned 18, I’ve always enjoyed Virtual Horse Racing. While the real thing may hold an edge for the gritty handicapper, you can feel like your standing on the rail with Commodore’s 3D racing.
Also for the punters in Europe and
A Little Give and Go
Besides the cold weather in these parts, a thawing happened over the weekend. No, it wasn’t the cards on the poker table as those continue to bend the long odds in the opposite direction of my chip stack. As I’ll tell you, I hate seeing friends get the short stick more, like getting Aces on two tables at the same time getting one cracked and one folded around to his big blind while short stacked in a tourney.
The warmth around the house didn’t come from the heating ducts, although with the 20 below wind chills, the Wii Guitar Hero controller would probably still be stuck to my hands and I have to type up my TPS reports with the whammy bar this morning.
No, the new car smell around the house is due to a grey cloud being lifted as normal conversations and laughs returned to our little plot of land near the highway. Despite a certain trip I will be indulging in the next four days (I have mentioned said trip right?) the family points have been stored up to enjoy the annual poker blogger journey guilt-free to the valley of sin and free drinks at the Pai Gow table being dealt by Svlanana the former star point guard for the Belarus Bobcats or Xi who moonlights as a hand model and has done commercials for Palmolive and Sonic Burgers.
Its funny how a little gloomy weather mixed in with the usual flow of life around the house can strike a wrong chord that gives off a fingernails-on-chalkboard tone. Up here you never get used to the weather; you just run to the nearest internet kiosk or laptop and bitch about it on your blog. To be fair I haven’t been a beacon of sunshine as my poker losings and general stress over the past month has felt about as comfortable as getting back splash while taking a dump after that second helping of kung po chicken and fried rice. That’s when you give yourself a time out like sending your kids to the couch or their rooms for refusing to eat that delicious casserole you made from the last cup of Bisquick, cream of mushroom soup, whipping cream and some mystery meat leftover from your Aunt Mary’s Thanksgiving Day feast.
My time out consist of girly chat boxes, NFL football in proud display on the television monitor, kids dreaming of investing the rest of my bankroll into Transformers and play kitchens with utensils in their beds, and a little poker of course. The poker wasn’t relaxing as Daddy suffered through those aces mentioned above, and the fruity Apricot Pyramid in my hand managed to revert me into a calling station except for a bubble finish on a token SnG when I got my money in good and the RNG at Full Tilt decided to punish me for gloating about the Vikings with a few 80/20 beats.
I didn’t mention the Vikes?
Yes Jim, I'm talking playoffs (don't look at the last few weeks of posts for my waffling).
I don’t know if the Raiders woke them up or that Lambeau bitch slap they got three weeks ago, but wow they’re looking good. The Vikes are not Cowboys or Packers good, but with Jackson moving when he should and not throwing like a Division 1-AA third stringer, this team is watchable. Purple Jesus regained his form and made a mockery out of some horrible tackling by the Lions, especially his touchdown run where the cornerback looked like he was try to tackle Barry Sanders’ ghost and got stood up like me one week before the senior prom (not that I’m bitter Cyndy!!!).
Happy family, happy Drizz, bankroll looking like it just spent two days in one of Jigsaw’s death traps. I’ll take plus family karma over winning a race with pocket tens any day.
Thanks for dropping by, now did my bad eyesight deceive me watching the Sean Taylor sound bite before the Skins/Buffalo highlights on Sportcenter, but did I see a laminated sign with “The Meast” Taylor on it? If so, props to the KissMeSuzy fans if they did it. Best sports parody site out there, go this second and read. Especially fellow Vikes fan BigDaddyDrew, the man is a genius.
The warmth around the house didn’t come from the heating ducts, although with the 20 below wind chills, the Wii Guitar Hero controller would probably still be stuck to my hands and I have to type up my TPS reports with the whammy bar this morning.
No, the new car smell around the house is due to a grey cloud being lifted as normal conversations and laughs returned to our little plot of land near the highway. Despite a certain trip I will be indulging in the next four days (I have mentioned said trip right?) the family points have been stored up to enjoy the annual poker blogger journey guilt-free to the valley of sin and free drinks at the Pai Gow table being dealt by Svlanana the former star point guard for the Belarus Bobcats or Xi who moonlights as a hand model and has done commercials for Palmolive and Sonic Burgers.
Its funny how a little gloomy weather mixed in with the usual flow of life around the house can strike a wrong chord that gives off a fingernails-on-chalkboard tone. Up here you never get used to the weather; you just run to the nearest internet kiosk or laptop and bitch about it on your blog. To be fair I haven’t been a beacon of sunshine as my poker losings and general stress over the past month has felt about as comfortable as getting back splash while taking a dump after that second helping of kung po chicken and fried rice. That’s when you give yourself a time out like sending your kids to the couch or their rooms for refusing to eat that delicious casserole you made from the last cup of Bisquick, cream of mushroom soup, whipping cream and some mystery meat leftover from your Aunt Mary’s Thanksgiving Day feast.
My time out consist of girly chat boxes, NFL football in proud display on the television monitor, kids dreaming of investing the rest of my bankroll into Transformers and play kitchens with utensils in their beds, and a little poker of course. The poker wasn’t relaxing as Daddy suffered through those aces mentioned above, and the fruity Apricot Pyramid in my hand managed to revert me into a calling station except for a bubble finish on a token SnG when I got my money in good and the RNG at Full Tilt decided to punish me for gloating about the Vikings with a few 80/20 beats.
I didn’t mention the Vikes?
Yes Jim, I'm talking playoffs (don't look at the last few weeks of posts for my waffling).
I don’t know if the Raiders woke them up or that Lambeau bitch slap they got three weeks ago, but wow they’re looking good. The Vikes are not Cowboys or Packers good, but with Jackson moving when he should and not throwing like a Division 1-AA third stringer, this team is watchable. Purple Jesus regained his form and made a mockery out of some horrible tackling by the Lions, especially his touchdown run where the cornerback looked like he was try to tackle Barry Sanders’ ghost and got stood up like me one week before the senior prom (not that I’m bitter Cyndy!!!).
Happy family, happy Drizz, bankroll looking like it just spent two days in one of Jigsaw’s death traps. I’ll take plus family karma over winning a race with pocket tens any day.
Thanks for dropping by, now did my bad eyesight deceive me watching the Sean Taylor sound bite before the Skins/Buffalo highlights on Sportcenter, but did I see a laminated sign with “The Meast” Taylor on it? If so, props to the KissMeSuzy fans if they did it. Best sports parody site out there, go this second and read. Especially fellow Vikes fan BigDaddyDrew, the man is a genius.
Sunday, December 02, 2007
... And On the Third Week He Rose Again
Purple Jesus decided to come back this week in fulfillment of the scriptures. And carry the Vikings back into playoff contention.
Amen.
Motor City Kitty brothers up for the usual $10 bet?
(please please please bet on them Bracelet) .
5 Days.
Amen.
Motor City Kitty brothers up for the usual $10 bet?
(please please please bet on them Bracelet) .
5 Days.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Shoveling Snow Was Not On the Honey-Do List
This happy, one finger Minnesotan salute is brought to you from under the foot of snow we received today.
Please take me down to the paradise city where felt is green and the girls are pretty (and not wearing 5 layers of gore-tex).
5 days folks.
SKOL VIKES versus the Motor City Kitties!!!
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