Every now and then I receive an email from someone that I want to share with the rest of the poker world. Such is this one:
Begin email***
Linda,
So-o-o-o-…..Calling me out on the Internet. Well, I guess I am up to the challenge but I will distill my trip into a couple of ancedotes suitable for printing.
Overall (surprise!) I lost in Vegas but it ended kind of quirky. Ironically, upon my return, I played online poker and re-cooped all of my losses and then some in one night so again….surprise!Arrive Friday – Bellagio 2/5 NLH. Could not get a hand, could not win a hand.
The highlight was the extremely nice hug from Linda when I arrived. Consider it from my perspective. Guy mets cool lady several months ago while playing cards (me). Talks about her web site (you). She obviously has intellect, charm, fierce passion and she puts up with my crap. So, basically she’s a keeper. We talked briefly months ago. I send e-mail to announce meekly my return, really not believing this lady would remember me and upon my arrival….BIG HUG!
I am a person who can be very non-reactive about big or even little things but that was very nice and as a true guy, I will break the guy code by saying a word I never do…. it was heart-breakingly sweet.. It basically made me want to hug you SOME MORE!
Anyhow, back to inane distorted reality called poker. Lost on 2/5. The guy to my right was a table/rules captain. Kept dogging the dealer and other players about minor perceived infractions, etc. I never said anything. Finally, after several hands, I started counting out loud, LOUDLY, “5, 6, 7” after each hand. Finally, some people started asking my why I was doing it. I told them I was counting how many hands had passed since last infraction and the table captain was STILL talking about it!!
We had words, he and I but it was not directly to each other. We were both talking to the table. On the next hand, he is STILL talking about stuff. I was in the 2s and people across the table in the 7,8,9 seat were having a conversation.
I asked firmly to the people across the table why they were still talking? They stopped and looked at me quizzically. I pointed at the table captain and said, “Why would you miss these pearls of wisdoms? Obviously, I am not allowed to.”
Eventually, lose. Go to bed.Saturday – more same. Hang out with Dad (Mean Gene). Went to Bellagio. More bad cards even when I was feeling confident. Went to MGM, saw Carrottop (hey, safe humor – took my Dad. He enjoyed it). Dinner at a casual Wolfgang Puck restaurant (Dad had hamburger, I had pizza). Lost more playing craps, etc. Go to bed.
Sunday – because I had missed Friday’s night Bellagio tourney, I knew I wanted to play the Mirage 5PM $300 NL tourney. Played two satellites; close but no cigar but met a couple of people (1 guy, 1 girl) whose company was very fun, very knowledgable about the game.I buy into the tourney, am sat next to the girl named Renee (I hope I have that right). Fun conversation, she is dealt great cards (KK, etc.). I am playing OK. Well into the tourney, I am dealt QQ (both red). She and I are playing headsup. Flop has 2 clubs and I think there is a 5 there. On turn, another 5 of clubs – so now 3 clubs. We both bet strongly. Last card is the Queen of spades (yipee). Renee bets but I try to value bet so just raise her $100 bet to $300. She looks at me quizzically but calls. My full house wins. She shows me the Queen of clubs but I think she had AQ of clubs.
During this time, she had phone call. Her boyfriend is flying to Vegas from LA. She is happy.
Later on, she busts out but again, very happy to see boyfriend. She mentioned he played poker. She asked me do I know Amir Vahedi? (Umm..yeah. I get cable). She says that is her boyfriend. Renee was so sweet (again, with the word) and just plain nice. I was glad for her and Amir.
Last story in tourney. Started with about 50 players, pay top 5, I am part of last 14. So is old poker pro Charlie Shoten. Another table captain, rules, etc. I don’t say anything. He goes all in – black J-10 versus pair of 6s of another player. One of the 6s is a heart. Board is all small red cards, the highest being a 10. I say to myself barely outloud ‘I wonder if there is a flush out there’. This stops the dealer, player and Charlie which was not my intent. They all look, confirm pair of 10s is good.
Charlie, being old, cantankious, etc., literally yells at me “Sir, do not give me a heart attack. Let the dealer do their job”. This is loud enough where all surrounding tables look at me and Charlie is painting me as an idiot. Remember, I am the guy who has not said one word so I immediately get mad (think Mean Gene’s son).
I immediately reply in equally loud voice “Sir, admonish me unjustly at your next convienience. Wait … you already did…”.
Anyhow I get bounced in around 12th place.End of Vegas story.
I win a few hundred playing craps. I had pre-paid room but first night, we slept near elevators, very loud. Dad complained. They comped one night of room so I was refunded $300 at last minute. Wallet was happier but still slightly sad.
That’s it. I fulfilled my duty. Use stories as you see fit.
I will be back in mid-May. Hopefully to win a satellite to play the WSOP 2005.
Linda, as always, great to see you. Your ‘dark’ introspective post did concern me as well but I know you are laying it out, sort of ‘self-therapy’.
Have a drink of wine. Remember, the world is just background on the play of our lives.
Just say your lines and don’t bump into the furniture….
Ron…
End of email***
Thanks, Ron, loved it!