J-Dawg's Poker Extravaganza

"Texas" Cheeseburger!

I played my first session of live poker last night at J-Dawgs. We had 10 runners show up for some food and fun.

Bobby Dee grilled some burgers which were quite tasty. I topped mine with some jalapeno cheese to give it a little kick. As Andy Griffith used to say on the Ritz cracker commercial, "Mmmmmm, mmmmm." A few Lay's barbecue chips, Girl Scout cookies for dessert, and we were ready to put some cards in the air.

I won a decent pot in the first hand I played in this $20 buy-in, dealer's choice limit game. I rivered my straight playing hold 'em, adding around $6-7 to my coffer. Unfortunately, that was the high point of my evening, as I finished with a $15 loss. Fifteen bucks isn't a lot of money, but it's a pretty good hickey for this game. Oh well.

Riverboat J was the big winner again. The guy was just a card rack, hitting draws left and right. No doubt he's one of the better players at the table, but he's really been runnin' goot lately! Farmer Harry also had a big night, cashing in a little north of $50. J-Dawg won the High Hand Jackpot with a full boat, aces over threes. Ray Ray was on the receiving end of the beat down last night, coming in second time after time and walking away almost $40 lighter. Ouch!

Poker at Tin Man's tonight. Hopefully I can make up some of my losses from last night.



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The blackjack covers I ordered from the Gamblers General Store came in the other day, so I have a weekend project. Saturday I have to work at the antique/gift store where Ms Lucki Duck and I display our merchandise, so it will be Sunday before I tackle it. But, the weather is suppose to be nice, with temperature in the 70s, so I'll probably set up in the garage and knock it out.

Till next time, win the flips.

Poker League Invitation

I've been invited to participate in a local poker league. Beginning in April, ten players will meet the first and third Monday of each month for the next year. First prize is a seat to the WSOP Main Event plus travel expenses. There is no second place.

My dilemma is two fold. First, the buy-in is $1200, not exactly "small potatoes." Second, Monday night is a problem, as I currently bowl in a league on Mondays. My poker bankroll has grown large enough to handle the buy-in, but the larger problem is the conflict with bowling. I really enjoy rolling the rock!

Plus, I'm already playing live poker two nights a week. A third might be too much and cause me to burn out on the game.

I don't know.

Currently I'm playing on Fridays with two of the league players, Tin Man and RandomOrder. They're both accomplished players whom I respect, but I feel my game is on par with theirs, so I feel like I could be competitive in the league.

I told them that I would give them an answer Friday, so I guess I have some cyferin' to do between now and then.

Till next time, win the flips.

There's No Place Like Home

Ms. Lucki Duck and I pulled into our driveway last night around 11. Our flight from Vegas to Houston arrived 20 minutes early, unheard of on our return trips in the past. We then boarded a "puddle jumper" and landed in the Heart of Texas right on time.

We knew we were "back to reality" as my new friend lightning36 likes to say. Dirty dishes in the sink, clothes in the hamper, plus one pissed-off cat. "I dare you leave me here" she hissed.

Then there was the dirty laundry still to be unpacked and thrown on the pile.

But, all in all, it's good to be back. As Dorothy will attest, "There's no place like home."

How long till we can go again?

Till next time, win the flips.

Lucki Duck Leaves Vegas On A Winning Note

I headed over to Treasure Island after lunch today to play some $1-3 NL, but there was a waiting list. Rather than waiting, I took the tram over to the Mirage, but ran into the same thing. I was off again, this time across the street to Harrahs. There was a waiting list there also, but the hostess said the $60 tourney had just started if I wanted to play. I agreed and was seated immediately.

I was the BB in my first hand and looked down at A-K. Wow, an actual hand.

Maybe today is my day!

I wiffed the flop and although I had raised 3.5X, I had four callers behind me. I checked, the player to my left bet 2/3 pot and was raised. I did the prudent thing and folded.

Maybe today is not my day.

I did get my share of playable hands and was able to build a healthy stack heading into the final table. Players started dropping pretty quickly as the antes and blinds climbed and before you knew it we were down to five players. That's when I got on my first rush of the trip! I won four hands in a row with starting hands of A-J, A-K, A-K sooooted, and A-T. I knocked out two players and was about even in chips with an older woman. The third player was down to 5BB and looking for a place to push. Both remaining players were playing too tight three-handed. The SS was able to double thru the lady a couple of times, which gave me the chip lead. Both of my adversaries now had equal stacks, so it was the perfect time to get aggressive and start stealing pots.

I was the BB with K-4 when the older lady completed her SB after the button folded. She pushed her remaining stack on a K-9-8 board. I insta-called with my top pair and she tabled Q-9 for second pair. The turn and river didn't help her and I was heads-up with a huge chip lead.

A few hands ;ater my opponent pushed for 3BB with K-9 sooooted and I called with A-J. An ace on the turn wrapped it up for me.

WHEEEEE!

I'll still go home with a small loss for the week, but the payout from winning the tourney kept it from being a rough week money wise. Also, knocking out the final four players was kind of cool too.

And it's nice to head home on a winning note!

Till next time, win the flips.

Bloggers Unite!

Yesterday was a fun one in the gaming capitol of the world. I received a text from lightning36 and we agreed to meet at Ballys poker room.

Neophyte, Video Poker Queen, lightning36, and Lucki Duck.

Ms. Lucki Duck and I arrived around 11 local time. She went to play some video poker and I found lightning at a $1-2 no limit table. He was able to get a table change and we were able to sit next to each other and visit between hands. We played for an hour or so, found Ms.Lucki Duck, and headed to one of the casino restaurants for some grub. While we were playing, Neophyte showed up at the poker room. There weren't any open seats at our table (probably because everyone wanted to play with a celebrity,,, lightning), so he was seated at another $1-2 game. He did join us for lunch, with his wife, Video Poker Queen (VPQ) also coming.

It was a great visit, with all of us mostly talking about our kids and the joys and challenges associated with raising a family. Since all of us have children that are similar ages, it was interesting to hear what other parents are facing and I definitely recognized the pride lightning and neo had for their kiddos. It will probably go down as the highlight of the trip, unless I hit a progressive today!

I had another rough day in the casinos. I dropped a few sheckles at Ballys, then a little more when Ms. Lucki Duck and I walked over to the Paris casino. I did get to see a woman sitting at the video poker machine next to me hit for 5,000 with a straight flush. Even more amazing is that it was a pat hand, with the woman not drawing any cards.

From there we headed over to Treasure Island where I played a tourney there while Ms. Lucki Duck headed next door to the mall to do some damage. My streak of poor starting hands continued and I only played three hands in the tournament. I don't know how many 9-4, 8-3, 7-4, 6-4, etc hands I have gotten out here this week, but it's been an amazing run. I was the BB and checked my K-Q of hearts. The flop was all diamonds, with no K or Q. I checked, one player bet, one raise, two calls and I folded the only hand I was involved in for the first hour of the tournament.

My busto hand was the infamous A-Q. The big stack had been bullying the table and min raised from UTG. There was one caller, who had been playing loose/passive, so I pushed for my final 8BB. The only hands that scared me were

A) A-A
B) K-K
C) Q-Q
D) A-K

So, which do you think it was? If you said "D", you are a winner! Oh well, I feel like I played the hand the only way I could, it just didn't work out like I hoped.

On my way out of the casino, I saw a penny slot called "Ducks In A Row." I figured it was a sign, there was no way a duck machine would let Lucki Duck down! I sat down and played for about 30 minutes and each time I hit something the machine would tell me what a Lucky Duck I was. However, the bottom line is that I left $17 lighter. Not so lucky.

Today's our last full day in Vegas, let's hope Lady Luck comes a callin'!

Till next time, win the flips.

Food, Poker, and Fun

Yesterday was quite an improvement over the day before. Ms. Lucki Duck was feeling much better, so we headed to Planet Hollywood for an early lunch at PF Changs.





We both really like Changs and since we don't have one where we live, we always try to have at least one meal there when we're in Vegas. We opted for the beef lo mein and a couple of egg rolls. We weren't disappointed as the meal was as good as expected.

PF Changs at Planet Hollywood

We played a little video poker before we left and donated $25 to the Planet Ho cause before walking the mall. One store had an impressive display of autographs of all the Presidents from Washington to Obama. For only $200K, you could take this bad boy home! I passed.

Monte Carlo

From there we drove to the Monte Carlo. They have a real nice poker room and I try to spend a little time there each trip. The dealers are fun and the drink service is excellent. Comfortable chairs, nice tables and several flat screen TVs make it a very pleasurable experience. Except for the cards.

I dropped a benji there in about three hours of play. My last hand was indicative of my day there. I flopped bottom two pair and got it all -in against the table calling station, who tabled ace high. Of course, runner-runner hearts for his flush and I was done. Well played sir, well played.

Gambler's General Store

I knew it wasn't my day, so I cut my losses, found Ms. Lucki Duck and headed for the Gambler's General Store to pick up a couple of blackjack table covers for our casino party business, It's time to re-cover the tables, so I have a project waiting as soon as they arrive.

Pawn Stars Store

From there we drove over the the pawn shop where "Pawn Stars" is filmed. It was a madhouse, so we just waved hello as we drove by,

All in all a good day in Sin City. I just hope Lady Luck decides to shine on me before we leave Friday.

I'm heading down to Ballys this morning to meet lightning36, then we'll have to see what the rest of the day brings. Should be a fun day!

Till next time, win the flips.

Rough Day In Vegas

Yesterday was a rough one. Ms. Lucki Duck finished her shower and sat down to start stage two, make-up and hair.

"I don't feel too good," she said. "I'm nauseated and feel like I've been drugged. I can hardly keep my eyes open."

Uh oh.

She went back to bed and slept for a couple hours, but tossed her cookies when she woke up. Back to bed for a few more hours and she said she felt a little better when she awoke this time. She decided she felt well enough to go down to the casino and give it a try.

We walked over to the Wynn and played a little video poker. She was able to win another $80 on the night, even though she wasn't feeling 100%. The girl was still on fire in the casino!

I dropped a benjamin there, $50 at video poker and another $50 at an Egyptian themed slot. I don't remember the name of the machine, but it played the old Bangles song "Walk Like An Egyptian" when you hit something. I like the song, just not $50 worth.

Ms. Lucki Duck is up and around and feeling much better this morning, so we should be able to get out and see the city today. Should be a lot of fun!

Till next time, win the flips.