Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 1 of 4) [w/ cliff notes]
 

Trip Report LA to Vegas October 6 to October 15 (With lots of handz). This includes a time line of events. I hope you enjoy it. Cliff Notes are on the bottom.

Stats:
Hours of days for this trip (including travel days): 10
Hours of poker played: 47
Number of 2+2ers met/seen: 3
Number of poker rooms played in: 5

I decide to take a little break from my Actuarial studies (passed #1, on to #2 financial mathematics) and help my cousin along the side.

Lots of interesting handz played and telling of the people I met. This is all done in a chronological fashion with times.

So I’m helping my cousin who owns a computer rental company with a show by driving her truck down to LA to help out with a show by transporting and helping set up computers for the California REALTOR EXPO 2007 in Anaheim Convention center. We’re going to stay in LA for a week and spend the following weekend in Vegas to see some shows, gamble, etc. Another cousin of mine joined me. I offered a couple of meet ups, one in LA and one in Vegas, but only one took me up in LA.

October 6-7: Spent Saturday driving down to LA and hung with with family friends.

October 8: I meet my contact, the manager from the Las Vegas branch (this is a two store job) and get ready to do the job. We have a total of 110+ computers to set up in 3 locations along with a few fax machines, copiers, etc. We’re supposed to have a 3rd unknown guy show up, but he bailed on us. We start at 8:30AM and didn’t get done until 2:00 AM the following morning. And we’re still not done.

October 9: We get 3 hours of sleep, get up and finish the job. I get to get out by 10:30AM and go back to sleep. The other guy is tech support. He’s not so lucky.

After several hours of sleep, I get up and decide to go to Bicycle Casino (first time to visit since they cancelled Live at the Bike). When I get there, I see new tables and a new entrance to Yosh’s Sushi Bar which is all where the old room was when they were doing production work. I really miss that show.

2:30PM to 4:00PM: Played 300 to 500 5/5 blind NL. No hands of serious consequence. I order the Chicken Kabob. Note to Bike players: Chicken Kabob good.

4:00PM to 6:30PM: Moved to 5/10 blind unrestricted NL. Ok game, not crazy. There was also a $10/$25 going, but it seemed to have some good players. And in addition it had Mo. And if there’s anyone who’s a fan of Live at the Bike, he’s made some sick, sick plays…almost as if he can see the cards like the commentators do. So I pass that.

My only big hand: There’s like 4 limpers and I check my option with J[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]9[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]. Flop comes 9[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 7[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] 3[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]. I [stack = $1000] check, checks to MP [stack = $1200] who bets $20, MP+1 [stack = $750] calls, LP [stack = $1200] calls, folds to me. I sense weakness. I don’t like $20; I like $220. MP folds, MP+1 thinks and calls. Turn is a blank and now I’m past the point of no return. All-in. Virtual insta-call. Gulp. River blank. My hand is good. I said “I guess I didn’t want a diamond”, and he said “yup”. Must quit for 7:00 2+2 meet up.

7:00PM: Arrive in Commerce and see 2+2er brick. We meet and chat a bit. He says he’d rather play than eat (he’s at a $40). I wait out a few supposed no-showers, and decide to get on the $40/$80, but am unimpressed and wanted to play a table with brick.

7:30PM to 8:00PM: So I switched to $20/$40 and he finally joined me. Only hand of consequence I played, I raised a loose limper with 22 to isolate and it worked, and he called me down with A high (no I did not bet the river and missed a value bet). I was forced out of brick’s table and must moved to another. Left to play no-limit.

8:30PM to 2:30 AM: Played $10/$20 no-limit.

Hand 1: I limp with 88 UTG, like 5 more limpers and SB makes a BS raise to $60. BB folds, and I’m a wuss and decide not to re-raise and everyone calls. The flop comes J83r. SB bets like $60, I don’t like $60; I like $260. UTG + 1 [A solid player and plays solid cards who has some weak-tight tendencies and ok hand reading skills] points to the 8 and the 3 and says “Which one?” Bastard. Folds to SB who calls. Turn comes a blank maybe creates a flush draw, I dunno. SB checks, I shove the last of my $500 or so and SB turns 9[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]3[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] face up. If only I knew.

Brick was stuck bad and left at that point my stack had fluctuated between $600 and $1400. By then I had ordered Chicken Wings, Pad Thai Noodles, Fruit Plate, Coffee and Tapioca Pudding. And yes, I finished it all.

Hand 2: I limp AQo UTG, some laggy guy overplays some hands raises to $150 (he raises a lot, raised with A8s from SB before), two callers, I squeeze to $600, Laggy guy mumbles “F it -- all in”. Folds to me (I had 1.8K left or so and he covered), and I nodded my head and humbly folded.

Not too long after, I’m doing much better.

Hand 3: I [Stack = ~$2000] open raise with A[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]T[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] on button to $70 and called by loose passive in BB [Stack = ~$3000]. Flop comes J[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]T[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]T[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] 2 clubs. He checks. I fire $120 and he calls. Turn comes 4[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]. He checks. I take stock and decide to check back (debatable). River comes 8[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] and BB then bets $100. I take a moment and then chuckle a little. I know I have him, but he’s been very nice to me (letting me off the hook/showing cards to me) and I don’t think he’s calling a raise anyways. I opt to just call (flame away). He shows Q9o no club for a straight, and I take it down.

Hand 4: I [Stack = ~$2400] limp with a couple of limpers with J[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]T[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] on the button. SB throws in $10, BB checks. Flop comes 9[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]8[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]2[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]. Checks to me and I bet $60. SB calls, MP [Stack = ~$4000] (same as villain in Hand 3 above) doesn’t like $60; he likes $180. I think for a moment and call. SB folds. Turn comes a 3[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]. MP says “You’re on one of dem draws, aren’t you? Check”. I take a brief pause, and I check behind. River is the beautiful 7[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]. MP pauses and then checks. I bet $500. MP thinks for about 10 seconds and calls. Ship it!

I eventually leave the same amount up that brick was stuck from $40/$80.

To be continued…

Cliff Notes: I played lots of poker in LA and Vegas making some mad loot playing mostly no-limit and some limit poker, while along the way, I help my cousin with some computer stuff for her company. I meet 3 2+2ers and watch a couple of shows in Vegas before driving home. Cirque du Soleil’s “K8” circus show at MGM, ok ** 1/2 of ****. Mamma Mia at Venetian, great: **** of ****.

I tried to get 2+2 meet ups, but hope to attract more. I think I’ll sweeten the deal next time.

Next up: After my actuarial exam in November 7th. Arizona. New York. Minnesota. Tunica. Any suggestions for the next trip?

Garland

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 1 of 4) [w/ cliff notes]
 

So when is part 2-4 coming?

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 1 of 4) [w/ cliff notes]
 

Good stuff, waiting for the next 3 parts!

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 1 of 4) [w/ cliff note
 

[ QUOTE ]
So when is part 2-4 coming?

[/ QUOTE ]

One part per day: Part 2: Thursday, Part 3: Friday, Part 4: Saturday.

Garland

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 1 of 4) [w/ cliff notes]
 

[ QUOTE ]
Trip Report LA to Vegas October 6 to October 15 (With lots of handz). This includes a time line of events. I hope you enjoy it. Cliff Notes are on the bottom.

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL at using "Very long" in title. BOOOO for the cliff notes for the lazy people.

[ QUOTE ]
I wait out a few supposed no-showers,

[/ QUOTE ]

I thought the hygiene levels of 2+2'ers matched their higher-than-average intelligence.... um, wait....


[ QUOTE ]
By then I had ordered Chicken Wings, Pad Thai Noodles, Fruit Plate, Coffee and Tapioca Pudding. And yes, I finished it all.

[/ QUOTE ]


Standard

[ QUOTE ]
River comes 8[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] and BB then bets $100. I take a moment and then chuckle a little. I know I have him, but he’s been very nice to me (letting me off the hook/showing cards to me) and I don’t think he’s calling a raise anyways. I opt to just call (flame away).

[/ QUOTE ]


Courtesy minraise was called for here.

[ QUOTE ]

Next up: After my actuarial exam in November 7th. Arizona. New York. Minnesota. Tunica. Any suggestions for the next trip?

[/ QUOTE ]

G, go somewhere you haven't been before?

Look forward to the next one tomorrow.

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 1 of 4) [w/ cliff note
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
So when is part 2-4 coming?

[/ QUOTE ]

One part per day: Part 2: Thursday, Part 3: Friday, Part 4: Saturday.

Garland

[/ QUOTE ]

Boooooooooooooooooo - I need instant gratification dammit

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 1 of 4) [w/ cliff note
 

[ QUOTE ]
LOL at using "Very long" in title.

[/ QUOTE ]

It is 4 parts, remember.

[ QUOTE ]
Courtesy minraise was called for here.

[/ QUOTE ]

You're absolutely right; I missed the boat on that one.

[ QUOTE ]
G, go somewhere you haven't been before?

[/ QUOTE ]

I haven't been to any of them.

Garland

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 1 of 4) [w/ cliff note
 

Doesn't Moe look like Austin powers lol??!

And how would u describe the 5-5 NL games @ the bike?

http://www.forthegoodtimes.com/images/Austin.jpg

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 1 of 4) [w/ cliff note
 

[ QUOTE ]
Doesn't Moe look like Austin powers lol??!

And how would u describe the 5-5 NL games @ the bike?

[/ QUOTE ]

Nicely done!

I would describe the 5-5 NL game as pretty good, not really wild. However, your mileage may vary depending on time of day and opponents who enter the game.

Garland

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 1 of 4) [w/ cliff note
 

Thank you for posting this. I really enjoyed reading it. I hope to someday be able to take a trip like this.

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 1 of 4) [w/ cliff note
 

Hurry up. Give us our money's worth. Just kidding. Very good trip report looks like LA poker is juicy at all levels.

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 1 of 4) [w/ cliff note
 

part 2?

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 1 of 4) [w/ cliff note
 

...well-done report...will def read 2,3,4.

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 1 of 4) [w/ cliff note
 

ok garland it's now Thursday, we are people of impulse and instant gratification so you better get your second part posted pretty quick

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 1 of 4) [w/ cliff note
 

[ QUOTE ]
looks like LA poker is juicy at all levels.

[/ QUOTE ]

Just wait. Part 2 gets better!

Garland

Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 2 of 4) [w/ cliff notes]
 

Trip Report LA to Vegas October 6 to October 15 (With lots of handz). This includes a time line of events. I hope you enjoy it. Cliff Notes are on the bottom.

Stats:
Hours of days for this trip (including travel days): 10
Hours of poker played: 47
Number of 2+2ers met/seen: 3
Number of poker rooms played in: 5

October 10:

I text to Joetall to see if he’s free. He offers late lunch, and I’m just sitting in my hotel room relaxing and watching ESPN broadcasts of the WSOP on Pokertube.

3:00PM to 5:00PM: Another free day before I have to retrieve the computer stuff. I got to meet Joetall at Mimi's Cafe for a late lunch. We got to talk a lot about poker, other good limit players, stupid debates on 2+2, Deucescracked, Boston sports teams (since San Francisco sports teams suck), Tommy Angelo and such. We have similar mindsets. Good times. I think we talked for almost two hours.

5:30PM to 12:00 Midnight: Arrive at Commerce and wanted to play 10/20 no-limit. Saw Bart Hanson of Live at the Bike and 2 final WSOP TV tables fame in a short 3-4 handed game. In the one hand I saw, old guy limped on button, Bart raised out of BB with K5o, old guy called. Flop J44 2 hearts, Bart continuation bets, old guy thinks for a moment and shoves for ~1K (I dunno), Bart (covers) hollywoods for a good 30 seconds and finally passes. Bart gets moved over to main game. African American guy moves to his spot and another player comes in, so it’s about 5 handed now. I buy in for 1k. I always buy in short or relatively short 50x or 100x. F the haters. I’m there to make money not make good impressions. Besides, invariably I have to play deep stacked down the line.

Hand 1: This is my 2nd hand at the table, and it's only 5-handed still. There’s a limp from a couple players including the African American to my right, and I’m [Stack = $980] in SB with KJo and I’m thinking “I should really raise this hand”, but fail to do so and only throw in $10. Flop K85 2 clubs. I fire $60, BB [Stack = $1500] doesn’t like $60; he likes $150, others scram, I think about the Bart Hanson hand for a little while and feel I’m ahead and then push. Now he thinks for a minute or so and the more he thinks the more comfortable I feel… sort of. He calls and the board fails to do anything significant. I lose to his K5o (ironic twist, eh?), and I’m a donkey.

Lesson learned: Raise your Goddamned hands and don’t be a coward.

I get moved to another table which is ho-hum. Some ok action. But then Jack arrives along with some African American gamble guy who everyone is salivating over. Jack is this really tall guy who sometimes wears a Motorola suit (walking ad?). He likes to buy in to cover the table. I learned a lot from this guy including how to induce gambling and creating an image of looseness that actually can disguise a TAG and prevent him from looking too nitty (not that he is, but it can work for me!).

For example:
(1) Jack convinces everyone to put in a straddle for several rounds.
(2) Jack convinces everyone at the table to put in $100 blind (on my button no less [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]) and let the board run.

Hand 2: Straddle is on. There’s something like 4 limpers to me including African American [stack = ~$1000] on Button. I’m [stack = ~$840] SB with A[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]. I don’t like $40; I like $220. Everyone folds to button and he calls. Flop comes 644 with 2[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]. Button tries to checks out of turn, but I didn’t do anything. I just bet $200 and he snap shoved, and I snap called. His 75o failed to improve. Ship it!

Hand 3: Straddle is on. 4 limpers to me on my straddle including BB. I [stack = ~$2000] have AJo no heart. I don’t like checking my straddle; I like $200 more. Weak loose passive MP calls [stack = ~$2000], African American [stack = ~$1400] most of the time passive post-flop Villain in hand 2 right above calls in SB. Flop comes Q53 one [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]. Check around. J[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] on turn. SB checks, I fire $500, MP calls, SB calls. Wow. River pairs the 3 with no flush. Check around. I show, MP mucks, SB shows T[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]6[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]. Ship it!

Despite losing two buy-ins early on, and one debacle of a fold that was already well documented in high stakes no-limit, I still manage to come a little in the black. God, do these high stakes no-limit posters ever let up? I think I know why I only post there every half a year, they're so cliquish and immature. I feel many of them are wanna-be high stakes gamblers, and many don't even want to put villain on a hand. Even when I admit a mistake, I get stoned. I mean, what's worse? Folding a possible chop for maybe $750 or needlessly throwing away your tournament life 4-betting a trash hand all-in with no fold equity where the top prize is $800,000. According to the clique, I believe it must be the former. Anyways, I'm ranting now...

I’m hungry as I haven’t eaten dinner, and I’m not done playing poker yet. Solution? Bicycle Casino.

To be continued... [Next up: mikel in action]

Cliff Notes: I played lots of poker in LA and Vegas making some mad loot playing mostly no-limit and some limit poker, while along the way, I help my cousin with some computer stuff for her company. I meet 3 2+2ers and watch a couple of shows in Vegas before driving home. Cirque du Soleil’s “K8” circus show at MGM, ok ** 1/2 of ****. Mamma Mia at Venetian, great: **** of ****.

I tried to get 2+2 meet ups, but hope to attract more. I think I’ll sweeten the deal next time.

Next up: After my actuarial exam in November 7th. Arizona. New York. Minnesota. Tunica. Any suggestions for the next trip?

Garland

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 2 of 4) [w/ cliff notes]
 

Jack is really a nit...though he does try to cultivate a gambling image. he hollywoods a little too much for my taste. good luck at the tables...was the black guy heavier with a huge lower lip? i know that sounds bad lol

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 2 of 4) [w/ cliff note
 

[ QUOTE ]
Jack is really a nit...though he does try to cultivate a gambling image. he hollywoods a little too much for my taste. good luck at the tables..

[/ QUOTE ]

Try?

[ QUOTE ]
.was the black guy heavier with a huge lower lip? i know that sounds bad lol

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, and there might be two of them out there.

Garland

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 2 of 4) [w/ cliff note
 

..... taps foot.

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 2 of 4) [w/ cliff note
 

I don't think Garland swings that way (not that there's anything wrong with that).

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 2 of 4) [w/ cliff note
 

I'm curious why one player is referred to as the African American and the others are referred to as MP or SB, etc.

What is the significance?

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas
 

[ QUOTE ]
This is all done in a chronological fashion with times.


[/ QUOTE ]
Yep. Definitely an actuary. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

(Then again, having passed 2 exams, nearly 3, myself, who am I to say anything?)

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 2 of 4) [w/ cliff note
 

Could be only black guy at the table. Could also be that since he is a main actor in a few hands he gets more than a position description. I have heard that along with button and cutoff, they are now calling MP2 the African American(squeezed from both sides? It is a joke.)

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 2 of 4) [w/ cliff note
 

Probably because saying "asian guy limps, asian guy limps, asian guy raises, asian guy calls, asian guy re-raises, asian guy folds" would be confusing.

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 2 of 4) [w/ cliff note
 

[ QUOTE ]
I'm curious why one player is referred to as the African American and the others are referred to as MP or SB, etc.

What is the significance?

[/ QUOTE ]

Probably cause the African American was a very memorable character. Heavy set, huge lower lip, afro, glasses and several all-in pre-flop blind hands set him apart from the other players. So I probably exchanged "African American" for "button" (or whatever) unconsciously. Definitely not racially motivated as if I got involved with a hand with tall Jack, I'd probably refer to him as "Jack" rather than MP or LP or whatever as he was really a character too.

Sorry for the delay as I'm sprucing up part 3. Should be up soon.

Garland

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
This is all done in a chronological fashion with times.


[/ QUOTE ]
Yep. Definitely an actuary. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

(Then again, having passed 2 exams, nearly 3, myself, who am I to say anything?)

[/ QUOTE ]

How was the 2nd exam? I heard it's easier than the 1st, but I had next to no knowledge of financial mathematics. Heck, I didn't even know what a a bond was or what "amortization" meant last month. Any advice?

Garland

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas
 

let's GO GARLAND! Waiting for report 3 while sitting at my desk at work. GOGOGOGOGO [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 3 of 4) [w/ cliff notes]
 

Trip Report LA to Vegas October 6 to October 15 (With lots of handz). This includes a time line of events. I hope you enjoy it. Cliff Notes are on the bottom.

Stats:
Hours of days for this trip (including travel days): 10
Hours of poker played: 47
Number of 2+2ers met/seen: 3
Number of poker rooms played in: 5

October 11:

Decide I have to finally eat dinner after midnight, and didn’t get all my poker fix, so I go to the Bicycle Casino one more time.

12:30AM to 2:30AM: Find a short-handed (6 players or so?) $5/$10 no-limit and hop on. Some loose passive players and some good pro players. Maybe not the best game, but not the worst either. I buy-in for $1000 and order lasagna. It wasn’t really that good, but by that time some of the specials and other things I wanted weren’t being served. Oh well, food is food. Free food to boot!

Hand 1: I [Stack = ~$1000] raise in MP with 8[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]7[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] to $30 and I’m called by SB [Stack = ~$1000] (nice person, but aggressive post-flop player). and BB [Stack = ~$1300] (solid player who likes to show cards, somewhat more passive than he should be). Flop comes: T[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]6[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]4[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] giving me a double-gutter. Checks to me. I plan a continuation bet that I can safely call a reasonable check-raise as well as reasonably taking it down sometimes. I choose $50. SB doesn’t like $50; he likes $150. BB cold-calls. Wow. I hesitate for a moment and call as well. Turn comes a 7[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] !#@$!#@$. SB pushes. BB flashes the T[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] and folds. I fold. SB claimed to have an overpair, which I believe. It would give me 13 outs due to the improvement on the turn, but still not quite enough odds to call his push. In addition, I don’t truly know if he flopped a set or not at the time. I think that if the turn came a spade or an overcard to his supposed pair, he would easily freeze and give me a free card, or I have the opportunity to steal in position.

Hand 2: I [Stack = ~$600] raise to $55 with A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]Q[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] UTG+1 and get 6 callers! Flop comes A[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]K[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]8[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]. Checked to me, and I push what’s left of my desolate stack. Then it’s like the calm before the storm. Folds to button (SB in hand 1) and he goes all-in. Others fold. I know he has 88 before we even flip the cards over. I fail to runner, runner him, and he wins again.

I rebuy for another $1000, but nothing happens and this game is slow and plays mostly small, and I really want to stick a chopstick in my eye by now. At this point I’m disenchanted and glance over to the table nearby see mikel in a short-handed $40/$80 limit and peek at the action. Then I walk over and take a closer look. I like short-handed, especially because I can play a more open style (you have to actually), and because they take less rake.

2:30AM to 6:30AM: I buy into the $40/$80 limit game. I’m not going to put most of my hands up as they are already in the medium stakes limit forum, but a few of the “astounding ones” I observed with mikel in action.

Hand 1: Not too astounding, really. Personally, I would call down to the river and raised then, but his line isn’t bad. I was observing this hand before I joined. I might have messed something up as I caught the action from the flop on. Pre-flop, I don’t know if mikel raised the button or was CO or what but he had 97 [This actually makes a difference as the pot would have been inflated in a raised pot vs an unraised pot]. But if he raised he was called by 3 others including SB, BB and UTG. Flop comes: 8 5 2r. Check to mikel, he bets called by BB, check-raised by UTG (who invariably has top pair or better), mikel 3-bets, SB folds, UTG calls. Turn 7. Check, mikel bets (In my experience, they never fold top pair here), UTG calls. River: 7. Check, mikel bet UTG calls and mike takes it down with runner runner trips.

Hand 2: Limps around several people and button raises. Mikel cold calls in SB. And the other limpers call. Flop comes AJ9 forgot if there was a flush draw. Checked to limper who bets, button raises, mikel cold-calls, limper 3-bets, button calls, mikel calls. Turn comes J and mikel donks, limper raises again, button folds after much agony and mikel calls. River is a blank. Mikel checks, limper bets, and mikel flashes QJ and says “I have to have chopping outs somewhere, right?” and folds. Limper never showed his hand. Kind of surprised of cold-call of QJ pre-flop, and I’m not too sure of the flop call either.

Hand 3: The most astounding of the three. EP players limps, mikel limps in MP, Button calls, SB calls (or folds forgot). I just check with 55 from BB. Flop comes QQ8r. Checks to mikel who bets, button calls, folds to EP who thinks and then check-raises. Mikel thinks and calls, button hesitates and folds. Turn comes high card J or something. EP checks. Mikel yells “go!”. River comes something big (I really forgot). Check check. EP turns over ATo. Mikel turns over A2o for a chop. I let go of the best hand [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]. I’m thinking fold the flop check-raise, if not 3-bet. Or bet the turn. Or bet the river. Or I dunno. I’m not worthy.

What’s surprising about his play was all the cold-calling of raises (for example T9s right in front of open raiser and getting paid off by him when he flopped top pair against what seemed like AK from opener) and open limping on button in short handed. That kind of got me thinking.

Hand 4: Here’s a hand I actually did play against mikel (like a little girl no less). Pre-flop he raises in CO (I’ve seen him open limp, but I know he also gets out of line too). I find A3o in the BB and just call. Flop comes 222. Of course this flop probably didn’t change the leader, and I probably still have the best hand. But I just didn’t know how he’d react to a donk. I check to induce a bet, and sure as the sun rises, he continuation bets, and I just continuation call. Dealer turns a 4. I check to induce again, but he just says “go” to check just like he did in Hand 3, so I’m very sure he has absolutely no showdown hand at all and couldn’t stand a turn bet if I decided to lead. River comes an 8. Now since I’ve played so passively like this, there’s no way I’m betting and getting called by worse (maybe K high, but I don’t even think he’s that strong). So the best I can do is check to induce a bluff. I check, he bets, and I think for a few seconds and slide my 8 plastic red friends in front of me. “I got there! I got there!” exclaims Mike and he tables J8o. Nice hand sir. Goodbye by trusty red friends.

That’s just the beginning really as I had a rush, and then a set back and then a mini-rush again. I won’t get into it all as they weren’t all that interesting, but it doesn’t hurt when you flop 3 sets and one quad.

7:00AM to 8:00AM: Drive through the God-awful LA traffic back to the hotel at Anaheim where I realize that the other guy from Vegas was checking out that day. That means even if I have to strike (read: take down) the equipment at 3:00ish, the check out is at 11:00AM. Sh*t. I call to try to get a late check-out. They say 11:30 is the best they can do. I get my 3 hours of sleep, then get up, check out, and then get some lunch (pizza and cheese sticks). When I get back to my parking spot, I realize that I have an empty van with some dirty blankets to try to get some sleep. However, I’m too involved with posting on 2+2 and go to work sleep deprived.

3:00PM to 10:00PM. My cousin not only hires 1, but 3 others for this teardown job. And they all show! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]. So now it’s a 5 person job to strike down the equipment. It “only” takes about 7 hours to finish everything. And then I head to home, but on the way, there’s an accident on I-5 that eats up 2 lanes and delays me for about an hour. And then on a main road near Arcadia (Rosemead, I think), there’s another major accident that causes everyone to detour around. LA traffic I tell ya.

October 12:

11:00AM to 4:00PM Drove to Vegas in about 4 hours trading our full van for an empty one at the Vegas office. Discrepancy in time you might ask? We did get to Vegas in 4 hours (at 3:00PM). The extra hour is for the traffic we had to plod through on I-15 once we arrived.

5:00PM to 6:00PM Note: We haven’t eaten lunch yet and are starved. Ellis Island on Kovel and near E Paradise has this wonderful deal for people with players cards (and anyone can get it). $7.99 for half rack of BBQ ribs and half BBQ chicken with all the fixings. $1.00 for a Microbrew (for those who drink). It was great, but we couldn’t finish it all. We leave to check in to our hotel.

6:30PM to 9:00PM: We are close enough to MGM to walk (where our show is). I played at MGM’s $2/$5 blind no-limit game. No hands of memorable consequences. I learned something about Jack from the other day and straddled my first hand and announced to the table that I will continue to straddle if 2 other people straddle. This will be referred to thereafter as the Standard Straddle Offer (SSO). This actually flies (at times 3 or 4 others straddle), and I can better identify the gamblers who are willing to be loose right away.

9:00PM to 10:30PM: Watched Cirque du Soleil’s “K8” show. It was pretty good, but had some moments of lull. I think I wanted to nap a few times. Good acrobatics and stuff. Nice hand puppet show. Other stuff was impressive, but dreamy. Maybe I just needed more sleep. ** ½ of ****.

11:30PM to 4:00AM: Great $5/$10 unrestricted no-limit game back at the MGM card room. I see people raising too little pre-flop, incorrect bet sizes on the post-flop streets. In addition, it was a loose-passive game. Someone lost their relatively big stack postflop with QQ to KQ when a Kxx flops, so I think I can be very comfortable putting my stack out with marginal one pair hands (Overpairs, TPTK).

Hand 1: SSO not in effect. I [Stack = ~$1300] limp in late position with 8[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]7[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] with a couple of other limpers, weak loose kind of passive button [Stack = ~$10000] limps. Flop comes 9[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]5[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]2[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]. Check to Button who bets $30 into pot of $60. Folds to me, and I decide to gamble and call. Turn 6[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] BINGO. I check. Now button bets $100. I don’t like $100; I like $400. He pauses and thinks and thinks and calls. River K[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]. I bet another $400 and button folds.

Hand 2: SSO in effect. I’m [Stack = ~$1700] in the straddle position. Loose UTG+1 [Stack = ~$4000] guy limps, limper, loose passive CO [Stack = ~$800] limps. BB completes. I wake up with T[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]T[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] in the straddle. I don’t like to check my straddle; I like to make it $125 to go total. UTG+1 calls and CO calls. Flop comes 8[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]6[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]5[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]. I fire $275. And then it's like the calm before the storm. UTG+1 thinks for a few moments, but seems like an eternity. UTG+1 doesn’t like $275; he likes $800 fanning his bills out on the felt like a peacock fanning its tail proudly. I'm thinking "I'm probably folding to this". CO pauses for a moment, sighs and then pushes in his stack. "That cinches it" my brain goes. I flash my TT and fold. UTG+1 obviously called any supposed remainder of CO’s stack. Turn: 8[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] River 2[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] Cards? UTG+1 86o [I saw he also called a significant raise with 86o earlier, so I think he has something for that 86 hand, and probably still will after that win] CO? 55. UTG+1 sucked out huge. I really felt bad for CO who wasn’t really running well to that point. He was a really nice guy and took the beat extremely well and just walked away from the table. Graceful quiet exit and then an empty seat.

To be continued...[Last days with some smaller no-limit action]

Cliff Notes: I played lots of poker in LA and Vegas making some mad loot playing mostly no-limit and some limit poker, while along the way, I help my cousin with some computer stuff for her company. I meet 3 2+2ers and watch a couple of shows in Vegas before driving home. Cirque du Soleil’s “K8” circus show at MGM, ok ** 1/2 of ****. Mamma Mia at Venetian, great: **** of ****.

I tried to get 2+2 meet ups, but hope to attract more. I think I’ll sweeten the deal next time.

Next up: After my actuarial exam in November 7th. Arizona. New York. Minnesota. Tunica. Any suggestions for the next trip?

Garland

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 3 of 4) [w/ cliff notes]
 

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Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 4 of 4) [w/ cliff notes]
 

Trip Report LA to Vegas October 6 to October 15 (With lots of handz). This includes a time line of events. I hope you enjoy it. Cliff Notes are on the bottom.

Stats:
Number of days for this trip (including travel days): 10
Hours of poker played: 47
Number of 2+2ers met/seen: 3
Number of poker rooms played in: 5

October 13:

12:00PM: Ate prawns with angel hair pasta at Venetian. Yummy. The Grill at Valentino has some nice choices in their menu.

1:00PM to 2:00PM: Watched a fun magic show/comedy performed by Nick Lewin (it was supposed to be Mac King). Nice free show (well you have to pay for one drink each). *** of ****. Good value. Good laughs, but don't let him take your $20 bill!

2:00PM to 4:00PM: Head to the Venetian where the room is huge and spacious. Very nice feel in there. I start with the $2/$5 $500 ($1000?) max. No real big hands of consequence. I got bluffed on my last hand at the table, my straddle no less [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img].

4:00PM to 6:00PM: Venetian $5/$10 Unrestricted. Painfully card dead, and small playing game. No SSO. Really, really card dead. On a side note, there’s a $25/$50 with $100 ante on the button with a minimum of $10,000 to buy in. This starts at 3PM on Saturdays. I thought this seemed like the Gabe Thaler hosted game that was discussed in B&M. I asked the floor about the $100/$200 blind game and they said they sometimes have that and even bump it to $200/$400. Unfortunately, I left $10,000 with my cousin, so I couldn’t buy in [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]. I was in front of the cashier right next to the Salon room. I saw Bob Bright inside playing, and around 4:30PM or so, in came Gabe to the cashier right in front of me to get chips for the game, and then he said “hi” to one of the players on our table and then exited for the big game in the Salon room.

Hand 1: I [Stack = ~$800] raise after two limpers with AJo to $60 on button. Only loose UTG+1 [Stack = ~$2000] calls. Flop comes AT7 2 clubs. He checks I bet $90, and UTG+1 calls. Turn comes offsuit J. He checks. For some inexplicable reason I think something is up. A straight is possibly completed. I check (definitely not the norm). River comes an offsuit K. UTG+1 looks ready to pounce, but then backs off and checks. I bet a stupid $50 for value. UTG+1 sighs and calls and says “Your Q is good”. I show two pair. He shows JJ for his turned one outer. I didn’t play it that well, but I somehow someway saved my stack.

6:00PM to 9:00PM: Spent this time going to Bellagio, waiting in line for their buffet and eating. It was a pretty good buffet, but I wasn’t overly impressed. It wasn’t really worth the ~$35 per person in my view.

9:00PM to 3:30AM: I go to the Bellagio card room and look around expecting a line to get into a game. No! I can get into many games right away. Lots of empty tables and empty seats. Nice. I look at the limit games and see Roy Cooke. I look at the $25/$50 no-limit game, $10/$20 no-limit games (didn’t notice any name players) and finally settle upon a $5/$10 $400 min game. Lots of mistakes: Too loose, pre-flop raises are too small, bet sizing post-flop incorrect. I buy in for only $500 and see if I can grow this thing. I am glad to see that the game is raked by time at $6/half hour. $2/$5 is also raked at $6/hh and $10/$20 is $7/hh.

Hand 1: I [Stack = ~$500] raise UTG+1 with AA to $40. I get re-raised by a very nice young guy on my left who happened to be tattooed [Stack = ~$800] to $100. I say nice because the first thing he said to me when I sat down and fidgeted around in my chair with wheels that barely moved was “Are you comfortable?”, implying that he could move over to accommodate me. In poker terms, this also seems to translate to not getting value bets, not bluffing and being very honest. Maybe my theory is right, maybe it’s wrong, but I’m going with it. I decide to be tricky and just call. Deeper I definitely want to get more money in, but I’m banking on a rag flop and don’t want to scare JJ, QQ or AK away. Flop comes Axx. This is good and bad. Good as in I basically have a lock, bad in that I’ll be lucky to get much if anything. I check. UTG+2 bets only $50 (yup, he doesn’t have AK) and I call. Turn comes Q. God please hit him. I check, and he checks behind. Nope, he’s got KK methinks. River is a blank, and I bet $110 hoping he puts me on a Q or a lower pair or just can’t bare the thought of folding KK. He pays me off and I told him “I had you all the way” and he flashes KK. And I missed out on doubling up through him pre-flop.

I did only ok in that game.

October 14:

12:00PM to 3:00PM: I go with my cousin to Wynn to eat and play, but can’t agree on a place to eat there. I look at the poker room, but it appears that there is a short $5/$10 game that wasn’t too good. I wanted to go back to the hotel near MGM to get my forgotten iphone and eat a buffet at MGM, but she had other ideas, and we split with me going back to the hotel room to get some food at a local restaurant and then watch the Cowboys/Patriots game in my hotel room. When housecleaning comes, I decide to stop being a couch potato and walk over to MGM to play some poker.

3:00PM to 6:00PM: MGM grand. I leave to find the highest game MGM plays which is $2/$5, $500 max. A lot of people are watching with great enthusiasm in regards to the Cowboys/Patriot game.

Hand 1: There are 2 limpers and I [Stack = ~$500] raise A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]J[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] on button to $25, which is called by loose BB [Stack = $265] and two others. Flop comes A[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]6[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]2[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]. Check to me, I bet $50 ready for check-raise, and I would push all-in. However, only loose BB calls. Turn comes 5[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]. Checks to me. I think he could be on a spade draw too and opt to let him draw for free. He might bluff into me on the river, which I’ll call. If he has an A and is behind, he has 3 outs at best. River comes 2[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]. BB checks. I value-bet $75, and BB suddenly and disturbingly raises to $190 all-in. I look at the board and think “there’s no way he has a 2”. I think for a few seconds and called, and he showed A7o. Ship it!

Hand 2: I [Stack = ~$800] limp after a couple of limpers with 7[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]4[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] SB calls, BB [Stack = $320] checks. 8[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]7[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]4[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]. Semi-aggressive BB leads $30 and all fold to me. I think he could be on diamonds but I cannot tell right away. He could literally have me crushed, and I don’t think I can make a good decision with an all-in from him should I raise the flop. His turn bet sizing will be more telling if it blanks, and I opt to just call hope to see a safe card and then see what happens. Turn: 2[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]. That’s a very nice card. Now he leads for $40, so I don’t think he has much by his bet size and his body language, but also probably not just a naked flush draw as they often check then. I raise his $40 to $140. He fiddles his chips in a way that he’s trying to figure how much he’s going to get paid if he hits (at least I think that’s what he’s thinking). Then he exults “All-in”, and it’s $150 more to me. Sh*t. Maybe he does have me crushed. Why do I have a sneaking feeling that 2 helped him? If he actually made 2 pair with the 2, I kill his 72 or 42. But I can’t help the feeling he still has a flush draw. So I call. The river 8[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], and I throw up a little inside. SB shakes his head in a way I’m sure I have a winner. I tell him to open his cards, but he’s not mucking. I’m sure he has a missed draw, but I don’t know why he didn’t muck. I don’t reveal my cards, and finally he shows his hand and it makes sense: K[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]2[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]. So the 2 did help him.

7:30PM to 10:00PM: Mamma Mia at Mandalay Bay. Was a fantastic show full of energetic performers, fun songs and great humor. Highly recommended, especially if you've never been to a live musical before: **** of ****.

11:30PM to 2:00AM: Last session in Vegas. $2/$5 game and late night dinner.

Hand 1: I am dwindling my stack from $500 (due to some loose pre-flop calls) and have to leave the next morning, so I can't stay late. I [Stack = ~$280] make a relatively loose limp from EMP after a limper with A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]6[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]. MP raises to only $20 and 4 people call including myself. Flop: 662 two hearts. Check to me, and I lead $40 to look like a feeler/heart draw and induce a raise. MP doesn’t like $40; he likes $140. BB thinks for awhile making me think he’s on hearts and folds, folds to me and I push all-in for $120 more. He calls and says “no hearts”. I reply “no set”. Turn nothing, river A, and I get to go home without a losing last session.

Lesson: Don't raise to 4x the blind with your big pair after several limpers, let everyone in and have someone get lucky to bust you.

October 15:

10:30AM to 7:30AM: Drove back to San Francisco with only one stop for gas and no food. Wanted to get back home ASAP.

The end

Cliff Notes: I played lots of poker in LA and Vegas making some mad loot playing mostly no-limit and some limit poker, while along the way, I help my cousin with some computer stuff for her company. I meet 3 2+2ers and watch a couple of shows in Vegas before driving home. Cirque du Soleil’s “K8” circus show at MGM, ok ** 1/2 of ****. Mamma Mia at Venetian, great: **** of ****.

I tried to get 2+2 meet ups, but hope to attract more. I think I’ll sweeten the deal next time.

Next up: After my actuarial exam in November 7th. Arizona. New York. Minnesota. Tunica. Any suggestions for the next trip?

Garland

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas
 

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[ QUOTE ]
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This is all done in a chronological fashion with times.


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Yep. Definitely an actuary. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

(Then again, having passed 2 exams, nearly 3, myself, who am I to say anything?)

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How was the 2nd exam? I heard it's easier than the 1st, but I had next to no knowledge of financial mathematics. Heck, I didn't even know what a a bond was or what "amortization" meant last month. Any advice?

Garland

[/ QUOTE ]
Not sure...that was the first exam I took, because 'Theory of Interest' was the introductory act sci class where I went to college, so amortization and such was the first thing I learned. Plus, I hear the exam I took (May 2005) was ridiculously easy for FM.

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 4 of 4) [w/ cliff note
 

good job running well.

nice trip report. B buffet wasnt worth it? standard nothing special?

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 4 of 4) [w/ cliff note
 

[ QUOTE ]
good job running well.

nice trip report. B buffet wasnt worth it? standard nothing special?

[/ QUOTE ]

They have a lot of everything. Cold king crab legs if you like them (I don't). Also Sushi, and other things, some fancy. Good desserts at the end. Was disappointed by no lobster.

I just didn't feel the value was there for $35+tax+tip I paid. I'm sure different people will say different things about it. Make it $20 or maybe $25, and I'd probably go again. I heard lunch is a better deal.

Garland

Re: Trip Report: LA and Vegas (Very long. Part 4 of 4) [w/ cliff note
 

[ QUOTE ]
I was in front of the cashier right next to the Salon room. I saw Bob Bright inside playing, and around 4:30PM or so, in came Gabe to the cashier right in front of me to get chips for the game, and then he said “hi” to one of the players on our table and then exited for the big game in the Salon room.

[/ QUOTE ]

funny little anecdote related to this - apparently their staff also refers to the area just outside of that room as the Salon as well... and when I was playing 5/10 there during the WSOP, they tell some lady that the 5/10 game is in the Salon... so... that's where she goes, and walks up to a table of $50/100 or $100/200 NL (I forget exactly) filled with the likes of Phil Laak, Joe Hachem, David Williams, and several other famous people (Antonio Esfandiari and Gabe Thaler I think, although I'm not quite sure anymore).