Super Bowl XXX

I first became a fan of the Dallas Cowboys as a youngster watching the "Ice Bowl" on TV. I was amazed that anyone could play football under such brutal conditions.

My father had a friend, Ray Renfro, who became an assistant coach in the 1970's under Tom Landry. Texas Stadium had just opened and Ray invited us to come to Dallas and stay in the same hotel as the Cowboys, then attend the game. At that time the team stayed in a hotel, even for home games. Coach Landry felt that the team would be better prepared on game day if they were together the day before to go over game plans and any last minute changes.

We jumped at the chance and headed to big 'D' to see the Pokes take on the Los Angeles Rams in only the third game ever played at Texas Stadium. We met several of the Cowboys at the hotel (I even caught the same elevator as Coach Landry, but was too scared to say anything), and got to join the team Sunday morning for the team breakfast. I bet that would never happen these days!

We had several players at our table, including Mike Ditka and Walt Garrison. Pretty heady stuff for a 14 year old boy.

Later that morning we caught a bus to the stadium. Wow, it was something to see! I had attended several games at the Cotton Bowl, so this was quite an upgrade for the Cowboys. Our seats were on the 40 yard line, lower deck, behind the Cowboys bench. It was a great game, with Dallas beating the Rams 21-7.

After the game, we got to ride the TEAM bus back to the hotel. Talk about fun! Sitting to my right was Roger Staubach and Bob Hayes with Leroy Jordan and Dan Reeves front of me. Needless to say, it was a memorable weekend.

After that experience, I was a huge fan of the team. My father had followed them since their inception, and we always watched the games together on Sunday afternoons. It was a time of bonding as rooted for our favorite players.

Fast forward 20 years. The Cowboys were hosting the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game. Before the game, I gave Dad a call.

"I've always wanted to go to a Super Bowl" I said. "If the Cowboys win, lets go!"

My father answered as he did quite often.

"I'll have to ask your mother."

Fortunately, two things happened. The Cowboys won and Mom gave him her blessing to go to Arizona for Super Bowl XXX.

Our seats were upper deck, end zone, but I didn't care. We were at the Super Bowl! Dad's health had begun to deteriorate due to congestive heart failure and we had to stop a couple times on the way to our seats so he could catch his breath. When we got there, we were surrounded by fans of both the Cowboys and Steelers, plus a few who didn't care either way.

The game was close and exciting, with the Cowboys prevailing. We had taken a shuttle from our hotel to the stadium, with the driver telling us that the shuttle would leave 30 minutes after the game was over. When the game ended, we decided to stick around for the trophy presentation, which was happening right in front of us. Needless to say, we missed our shuttle.

It was late and we were hungry. We caught a city bus to a local cafe and had dinner while figuring out how to make the 20 mile trip back to our hotel.. Dad and I discussed the game we had just witnessed, and also some other games we had attended together over the years.

I still remember the special feeling of having shared this day with him. It's a memory I wouldn't trade for anything in the world!

And it happened 15 years ago today.

Streets of Pain

Streets of pain sinkin' like a rock in a river

Streets of pain never felt so cold

Streets of pain lower than a snake can slither

Not to mention all the stories never told

                              -Richard Marx

Runnin' bad, variance, downswing, whatever you call it, it ain't no fun. If you've been following my goal chart on the right side of the screen, you've noticed I topped out at 10% last week. Since then, it's gone 9%, 8%, and now 6%.

Last night was no exception. At the WBCOOP, my first three starting hands were A-T, A-A, and A-K. Because of my awesome poker skills, I turned my $3000T starting stack into... $2900T.

Woot!

The A-T and A-K both wiffed on the flop. I c-bet and was called on one and raised on the other. The A-A was a winner, but just a minimum amount. My final hand was running A-K into A-A. The villain was raising light from late position and I thought I finally had a chance to step on his toes. He raised 4X from the cutoff and I pushed for 14BB from the SB. Of course, he insta-calls with the nuts, but that's the way it goes when you're runnin' bad.

Later last night, the 18 man tourney I was playing was down to three players. I pushed my K-Q soooted into A-K for 5BB. What are the odds of running into that big of a hand at a three player table? Pretty high when the poker gods turn on ya'!

OK, I've vented and feel better now. Time to take a look at some hand histories to be sure it's truly variance and not a leak that is causing this blood letting.

Till next time, win the flips.

One Of Those Days

I got back from Dallas last night, but it was too late to play any poker. So after three nights of no virtual felt, it was back on the horse.

It was one of those days.

Got it in good. Lost. Got it in bad. Lost. Flips? Lost.

I did finally ship one tournament which kept it from being a disastrous day. My final tally for the day was minus $23, not too bad, all things considered.

Tomorrow starts our bowling league, so no poker until at least Tuesday.

Till next time, win the flips (unlike me).

Road Trip

Ms. Lucki Duck and I will be spending our weekend at the Dallas Market Center. If you've never been, it's an incredible market for retailers. All 50 states and 78 countries are represented at the show, descending on Dallas to display their products. Jewelry, furniture, floral arrangements, glassware, electronics, etc. There's not much they don't have. And at wholesale prices!

The Dallas Market is housed in two buildings. Market Hall is a five story building and is where JFK's motorcade was heading on that fateful day in 1963. The larger building, the World Trade Center is 15 stories (I think), and you need the better part of a week to see the entire show. Planning is essential when you only have a couple days to spend.

Our slogan is "Gifts And Collectibles From Around The World," so we will be looking for new items for our gift store and website. It will also be fun to visit old friends and place orders with some of our current vendors. Plus, Ms. Lucki Duck is in her element and it will be fun to watch her work. She has a Third Degree Black Belt in shopping!

Till next time, win the flips.

Online Poker Funds Seized

So, what do we think of this?

Over $8 million has been seized by authorities in the state of Washington since last October. Coupled with the feds in New York seizing $34 million last June, that's a lot of lost money for online poker players in those states.

Read the details here.

Should we be worried that our online bankrolls might not be safe?

Seven From Heaven

We had eight runners plunk down $5 each for Tin Man's NLHE Tourney last Friday. Jaime and Chas missed again this week and we figured it was because they probably lost their bankroll at the casino last week. I hope we're wrong.

I was unusually active early in the tournament, but I kept picking up good starting hands. I won a nice pot off of Bluffin' Bev early, but lost most of it to Philly Fanatic a few hands later. I busted in fifth when I  missed the flop and tried a stop and go against Bev with 6BB left. Unfortunately, she hit top pair and called.

Dead Duck!

Bev and Philly Fanatic chopped first with Lil' Annie Okie taking third.

The $2 cash game was pretty wild. I couldn't get any traction and had to re-buy three times. I finally won a few hands, buiding my stack above the $8 level when I was dealt pocket eights. The flop brought another snowman and I bet 1/2 pot. Bluffin' Bev was my only caller. The turn paired the board, giving me a full house. I bet out again and Bev stayed with me. The river was harmless and I pushed for my last $4. Bev hemmed and hawed, but finally called with her two pair and I pulled a nice pot.

I stayed around the $15 level when I got into another large pot, this time with Tin Man. I limped from UTG with T-9 offsuit. Philly and Tin Man both called. The flop of T-9-7 hit me hard and I bet 2/3 pot. I figured I would either get called by a straight draw or maybe top pair, but I had to re-think the hand when Tin Man pushed for his last $3.

Could he have a set? Tin Man usually plays his middle pairs strong, raising 4-5X the BB. He had limped, so I didn't really think he had a pocket pair. That left the J-8 and 8-6 for the flopped straight as the only hands that I was behind. Hitting the perfect flop for your hand doesn't happen too often, so I made the call and was thrilled to see him table T-7 for top and bottom pair, leaving him a two outer. WHEEE! Big pot coming my way!

The turn?

Seven.

Sometimes poker sucks.

Till next time, win the flips!

You Can't Stop Him, You Can Only Hope To Contain Him

J-Dawg was en fuego last night at his Poker Extravaganza.

Starting with a $20 buy-in in our dealer's choice limit game, he cashed in for a record $90! Not only did he pull pot after pot, he also won the High Hand Jackpot with quad Kings.

Unbelievable!

Glass Man had a grip on the HHJ most of the night when he flopped a double full house at Coconut (play all three hole cards). The flop was 9-9-6 and Glass Man had 6-6-9 in his hand. The river brought the fourth 9 and also won him a nice pot. However, his hold on the HHJ was crushed by the J-Dawg Express.

We couldn't stop him and couldn't even contain him as he ran over the table. Pretty lousy host in my opinion!

Ray Ray and I were the only other winners last night, cashing out for $33 and $30 respectively. Ollie the Accountant, Bobby Dee, and Stamps were the big losers, with Jimbo also taking a bit of a hit.

The food was good as was the company, plus I took home a little coin. Not a bad way to spend a cold January evening.

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I mentioned Chris Moneymaker's run a couple days ago at the  Pokerstars Caribbean Adventure Main Event. Unfortunately, he busted in 11th place, just missing the final table, which will be televised. A nice run though. Better luck next time Chris.

Until next time, win the flips.