During my week of play vs. deal, I knew Craig Cunningham was coming into town and we were going to meet, if I could keep my butt in Bellagio’s Poker Room long enough for it to happen. The worst of it is that I was there on Thursday night, playing in a game when he came in…and we missed. LET THIS BE THE WAY IT HAPPENS: if you are coming in – looking for me – go to the PHONE desk in the back of the room, ask for me there. Valerie is usually the phone girl and she knows if I’m on duty or have gone home. Don’t ask other dealers. Don’t ask the Floor People at the front podium. Don’t look for me before 6:30 p.m.
Check back in a few for the rest of this entry – Word Press is messin’ wit’ me.
Finally, the errant dealer/player is back. I didn’t plan it that way – that I would put up the beginning of a post and then be whisked away by life – it just happened. I’m even having a difficult time remembering where this was going. Possibly because I’ve had a few glasses of wine and at least 40 hours have gone by since I started it…but I’ll wing it from here.
Craig found me on Thursday night, after we missed in the first hour of my shift. We connected, said hello, and went to the front brush – putting Craig on the list for $4-8 and requesting that we both be in the same game. The downside is that my camera was out of service and I couldn’t take a picture of the two of us, but don’t think that was the only downside – he beat the shit out of me on the first hand we played. I opted to visit the restroom and posted behind the button, looking down to J-8C. The bet was raised. I called. The Flop brought K-J-? with two clubs. Action, action, action. The Turn brought a Club, the original raiser bet, Craig called, I raised. Craig called…umnhhh!!! The River brought a blank and Craig bet into me, I raised to hear him state that he couldn’t believe he was going to lose with that hand – as he called. Woops! Take it Craig. He had Q-9C. Ouch!
Carol, the ‘sexologist’, was on my left. Yes, she is a Dr., has published book/books and gives lectures/speeches around the country, and has been a part of the poker world I know off and on for the last 10-12 years or so. We’ve had a few bumpy spots but we get along pretty well now. She has a tendency to talk a lot and she didn’t slow down here.
I think I won one pot in the hour and a half I played with Craig. Maybe I’m hoping I won one pot. The hands were like nonfat milk trying to churn itself into butter. I – at least – managed to visit a bit with Craig before giving it up for the night. Kewl meeting you Craig. Next time I’ll be armed with the new camera, or perhaps the old one will be out of the Sony Clinic and back home.
As soon as I found out I was off the clock, I was a run away. I ran straight across town, to the coach, knowing that I had a full day ahead of me on Friday…that would include camera shopping.