Trip Report Day 6&7 (July 28 & 29th)

After a dissapointing WSOP where I was bad beated and lost two satelites to the Main Event. They say if you can't win the satelite, you're not good enough to play in the actual event. Here hoping I can qualify next year.

I have the alarm set for 11am so I could wake up and play the $80+50 at the Caesar's. Somehow I elect not to and then wake up at 1130 to quickly shower and get the hell over there. Its about a 10 minute walk and I step into the pokerroom at about a bit past 12 assuming I can register late only to see a massive 100+ person line for late registrations WOW. Guess all the players not playing in the Main Event decided to play this decently structured tourney. Anyhow I get in like 1/2 way through level two (50/100), so about 1 hour late. 20 minutes later, I'm given a 20 minute break. After the break on 100/200 A25 and get some cards going. I increase my stack through some hand value betting it the whole way and am up to 6000-6500 ish probably. On 200/400 I get into a big pot where I have AA (action, I forget) and triple up to 15-17K in chips. I keep playing my TAG style, raising limpers with hands. There is a player moved to my right. During his time there I have seen him limpraise KK UTG, and TT UTG+1 (only to run into QQ in that one). He limpes in LP (maybe Cutoff) and I pump it up to 3200 on 400/800 blinds with 55. He limpraised all in for something like 14K I think. I count out my chips, If I make the call and lose, I have about 5-6K but if I fold I have about 15K. I think it out, he could have AQ AK, but if he he's limp raising his big pairs again i'm a huge underdog. After about 2 minutes I fold it up and let him take it asking him to tell me later on. I don't tilt or steam, but my action slows up and I dwindle a bit. I later find out he had AQ, oh well.

Moved to a new table, we get the 600/1200 A100 blinds (25 raced off, I lose). During this level, I am moved to a table with HUGE stacks to my left and also very agressive to my left, meaning not many pots are folded around to me, or if so, too UGLY to push. I am down to 8000 at the last hand before the break. The blinds would hit me in 2 hands and I would lose my fold equity at 1000/2000 blinds with 200 ante. I elect to shove JTd and the player elects not to double me up with KTo PHEW.

On 1000/2000 level, I push one hand (TT?) and soon after I see a nice AJh hand on the cutoff, but see the TIGHTEST PLAYER finally raise a hand, I insta muck it without much though. I go on to see raises after raises in front of me, no play with my connectors or trash broadway hands or weak aces. Until finally, 5 minutes before the 2000/4000 level, I push my 9-10K all in from cutoff with Q5d hoping to pick up the blinds. I run into AA GG Me. Top 30 paid and I was ousted in like 38th I believe. Oh well, cashing didn't really concern me, more off winning and making the final table. So my conclusion from this tourney, good 40 minute level for the price, and good 4500 starting stack. But awful blind double up structure. I heard the Venetial gets you 3000 chips + 30 minute levels, but more slow rising, which could be better, may check it out next time.

It was then about 5-6pm and I decide to head out for some shopping. I hop in a cab and hit up the Las Vegas Premium Outlets. Man, I should have went sooner. Tonnes of deals, Nike SHOX for $49.99 and other great store prices. I won't bother you like a woman about my clothing fashion, but if you're doing shopping, bring another suitcase to carry all the extra stuff. I've learned.

While at the Premium Outlet store, I saw a Sushi Buffet and ate there for an 30 minutes. I definately didn't get my $25 worth, but I had a craving for some raw fish :P as I didn't want to eat any prior to me playing in any events.

Headed back to Harrahs and started the packing up and cramming everything into a suitcase + carryon bag. At about 2am, I wasn't tired and headed down for my first cash game action in Vegas.

They were spreading a 3-6 limit, 1-2 NL (60 min, 200 max) and a 2-5 NL (200 min, 500 max). I joined the 1-2 for 200. While sitting down, first hand I saw a guy raise to 25 pf and call a reraise to about 80 (maybe more or less). He proceeds to checkraise all in on a 3flush board. Other player calls the bet as he is pot commited having only about 80-100 behind him. Checkraiser has KQs for the flopped flush and other player has AsQx (could have been AQo as well) and proceeds to miss his flush. I thik the checkraiser was a loose donkey which is why he got a call from AQ. Big pot, about $500-600 I threw in my blinds first hand, as it gives you a sense of a looser image. First hand, I got AK. I raise it to 10. Loose guy + unknown call I see a 963 flop and throw out 15 as a continuarion bet which is okay and bad. Loose player folds, other guy calls. Turn is a blank and I fire 25 this time (when I should have went into check/fold mold) and player calls. River is an ACE, I hit my card and bet out 30 to be raised to 100. Being the donkey cash game player that I am, I call the bet to lose to 99, wow I suck I should have stopped and thought. GG $150. I rebuy and have $200 in front. Imed next hand I get AKh and raise it to 10. Player who beat me last time calls and SB or BB raises it to 35. Feeling the game may be loose I call the bet as does the other player. Board comes out KQx and I hit my card, top pair + top kicker, but feel its an awful board. I could still be losing to AA/KK/QQ but beating AQ/JJ and tying AK. I call his $40 bet on the flop, as does the other player seeing what he would do on the turn. If he showed weakness I would pounce. He bets 75 on the turn, and I stop and mull it over and eventually fold but other player calls and folds on the river. SB/BB has AA, other guy had JT. On the BB, I get AK and this time I crapped myself and checked it and checked folded it on an 8 hi flop that was limped 6-7 ways preflop, i think I should have led out 10. Not to narrow down the action, but to build a pot (just to lose again :P). On the SB, I get AT and see a flop 4 way (me, BB, loose player + set/JT player). Flop comes down T65 and I flop top pair. I check it it and loose player bets out 30, holy over bet. Other guy calls, and I call (probably should have raised there, I know I know, cash game fish/donkey). Turn is a 9, I check and call off a $40 bet, as does other player. I think, what card do I want besides an Ace/Ten. I figure a 5 would be okay and boom a 5 appears. I throw out a $30 blocking bet and loose player quickly mucks, but the Set/JT player miniraises me to $60. I instantly think ARHJDHJAHKAFHAD what have I got myself into again, I am the biggest fish ever. But with $120+$90+$90 in the pot and only 30 to call, I cry call and he shows A6, MHIG!!!!

Loose player then leaves with like over $1300 in front of him. Play tightens up and becomes a grindfest where I lose $50 (raised $10 to $50 on flop) when I somehow enter a pot with T4 and flop bottom two pair only to fold to a push on the turn (JT4K) from a tight young talkative trash player who you can see is only grinding top hands and capable of folding top pair (as he does to me later on) who showed Q9. I eventually cash out $350 losing $100 overall. But the loose player came back and eventually hopped over the 2/5 NL where I saw him make some crazy plays. ON 678 board he calls an all in with K6, other player showed 45, board comes out 95 for a chopped pot, sickening lol. He later gets it all in legitamately with KK vs AA only to spike a K on the flop.

I head back to the room get 4 hours of sleep and head out back to Toronto.

I hope you enjoyed reading these Trip Report, maybe I'll have some better ones with me winning something and actually deep thinking hands.

Trip Report Day 5 (July 27th)

After another late night. Today was my last shot for me to win into the Main Event. With 2 x $500 lamers in my pocket, I was hoping for a grand shot. I planned to wake up for the 1pm event Mega Satelite, but slept through it, oh the burn and tears of playing poker HAHA. Because I missed it, I tried to sleep in as much as possible only to not feel tired at the table, which didn't work either.

I think I woke up at 3-4pm. Showered up and out the door. Arrived at the RIO, Saw a LONG registration line and thought, Dam I should have registered last night. I probably waited 1.5 hours to sign up as it was about 6 pm when I was registered. I then found out now more single table satelites except $1030 where winner gets 4 x $2500 lamers.

Using my $10 voucher (you get it when you sign up for $1000+ events I guess) I went to get some dinner (or lunch...dunch?). I went for a slice of pizza and grrrr, I felt a bit tired after eatting. Don't you just hate that, oversleeping + eating = tired, weird :P

I finally get seated, I know noone. Loose player is playing a lot of pots and has 4-5x his stack to like 14,000 by level 2. Previously, I saw loose player bet out A9 on a Q9x flop only to push to a raise. Raiser had a flush draw I believe, but I thought the A9 move was very loose, not much of a read from what I can remember on raiser. So that hand affected me when I got AT on the SB with him limping. I got a free limp from the SB on 25/25 Blinds with ATs. YES 25/25!!!! The flop comes down AJ3, and I fire out a 100 chip bet. Folded to the loose player who then reraises to 400. I think it over a bit, I still have lots of chips, but he could be reraising A9? QJ? And after thinking for about a minute, I push it in. He reacts hesitatnly, and for a second I think I'm good. No AJ and maybe my kicker is good. He proceeds to count off the chips and call me. He has J3, oops mis step and I am ousted. I should have folloed the procedure if that early and you don't know where you're at, just muck it and move on. Live and learn I guess, I played it AWFUL, but everyone is entitled to donkey mistakes, it just cost me $1000.

Feeling like shit, I quickly get a beer and just chug it, maybe this can all be a dream. I originally planned to come back on the 29th so I could watch so Main Event action on the 28th if I didn't qualify, but after losing out on two satelites, my WSOP 2006 was over and I wouldn't be coming back to the Rio. I brought a Black Hoody for myself, two Tees for friends and a red hoody for my brother. I headed back ASAP to Harrah to just get over it. Had a couple more drinks and I was out to sleep.

Trip Report Day 4 (July 26th)

After busting out of the $1500 NLHE and making a long trip back to Harrah's. I had the munchies and ordered room service at 2am in the morning. A burger, the second most expensive meal of my trip. It came up to somewhere around $18 after giving a nice 20% tip on the BILL (good karma I hope). Slept at like 5-6 am which caused me to wake up around 3-4pm. They must be doing construction as I heard massive drilling at around noon. Luckily i'm a heavy sleeper and can sleep through an earthquake (if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything).

The plan for the day was to hit the RIO, play a satelite and win my way into the Main Event through the Mega Sat. I arrived at around 5pm. The Mega Sat started at 8pm. I decided to play a single table satelite $175 buyin. It was AWFUL. Whenever I got in with the best hand, I would lose, I would only win a hand if there was no show down. I think I didn't play a hand the first level. But early on, I picked up QQ made a raise. Check a Q hi flop (you need to trap and pick up chip early so you have some chips to gamble or call loose pushes or even push yourself). I bet the turn and value bet the river. Prob increased my stack by 50-70% up to like 1400-1800. On the 50/100 level, UTG pushes all in for 400. I see 88 on the SB and make the call. I'm up against 25. Board comes out something like 35x46 and he makes a straight on me. I survive, win a small pot. On 100/200 the SB goes all in for 425 and I call blind getting like 3:1 pot odds call. He has T8 and I have Q8. I close my eyes, say no T, flop spreads a T. Down to like 1000 in chips. It gets folded to me and I push all in with 88, the 25o player see AT and makes the call. A flop GG me.

Feeling a bit supersticious, I revert to my good luck NY Giants Jersey as I deck my colared shirt into my bag, no fancy dress shirt here, baller is coming out to play now. Sign up for the Megas Sat for 500 lamer + 560 cash.

Get something to eat and chillax until the Megas Sat starts. T3000 chips, 40 minute levels, I predict it will take until level 12 or more to win into the seat. Thats about 10 hours of playing. I take my seat, I see overbets after overbets and awful play left and right. People coming in for 8-10x the bet, calling gutshots etc etc. First big hand after playing like pretty much only the blinds or marginal limps, I get AhQx on the SB. I raise it up from 100 to 300. LAGGY BB calls. Flop comes down KQJ (all hearts). I lead out for 300, he calls. Turn is Qo (i made trips + nut flush draw + straight draw) and bet 500 this time. River is the 7o and I think I have the best hand as all he's been doing is calling. I lead out for 600, a value bet and he mulls it over and calls T9 fearing I had the flush. Dam, when a LAGGY player calls down, its hard to think you're beat on that board. So 1/2 my stack gone.

Nearing the first break. I raise it to like 300 pf with 88 (50/100) and LAGGY player goes all in for like 500-600. The preflop overbetter sees the bet and flat calls. What am I to think, overbetter has a hand, NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOO just a loose donkey. I need to squeeze the player out the pot and push the rest of my 1600 or more (maybe 1800) chips. Overbetter thinks and eventually mucks. LAGGY thinks hes way overbeat, but see I was reraise ISOing with a mid pair. LAGGY has A9 and board comes out 9xxxT. I later find out overbetter had T9 and is complaining how I reraised an all in and how he could have won the pot. Psft, learn some poker first buddy and then come back to me calling a raise+reraise all in with T9. Althought I always keep my language clean at the table, no disrespecting anyone in person I don't want a beat down. This guy was double my size (width wise).

Hit the break, come back and I later get involved off the BB when a constant miniraiser opens from third position I believe. SB calls I call min with AT. Flop comes down QTx, chk around. Turn is a blank or a low card and I fire out like 2/3 of the pot only to be quickly raised by the min raiser. I mull it over, I don't have many chips, but could he have made a set? AQ? I muck it out of position and no read. Down to my last 600 or so in chips, I see KT on 75/150 and I muck it for some reason, no idea why (maybe a limper) oh well Kxx flop no idea if I was good.

Moved to a new table I somehow get it all in with A7 vs K4. K hit GG ME.

Feeling to need to win, I hit up another $175 SNG. I sit down, a bunch of young player who I think will actually be a tough table. Not many donkeys this time. After I see the play unfold, I think most are solid well rounded players. I think I went card dead for the first 30-40 minutes. Folding and winning uncontested pot so essentially just maintaining my equity for when I go push fold. 4 or 5 handed, on 100/200 blinds I open push 700 from the SB with A7. BB thinks and makes a 2:1 call with JTo. Flop comes KQx (3 flush flop, JT has a flush draw I do not). That is 19 outs (65%) for JT to win the hand. Board blanks out and I hold up. The game then goes 4 handed and what we being to describe as who can squeeze out the best cards. The players to my right and left both probbably had about 3000 chips each with the rest dispersed between me and the other player.

On the 100/200 level, button (player to right) raises to 500. I have about 1200 chips and what could be the best hand with KQ on the SB. I felt compelled to play, but I figured I had to play it strategically. With my chips, I aimed to pull off a stop and go. I would call and push almost all flops. My call opens up the pot odds to the BB who comes along for the ride getting 4:1. Flop comes down nicely QTx giving me top pair. No need to pull the stop and go now, I need to get value for my top pair. I check, BB checks, button makes a 600 CB (Continuation Bet). I insta push for 700 as strength to hopefully get the SB from calling something like Tx (possibly getting a good price to do so). The Button calls and says he needs to get lucky with A4. I hold and am up to 3000 ish in chips. We revert back to a game of preflop poker and squeezing as the blinds are 150/300. The player to my left is now UTG and pushes all in for something in the neighbourhood of 1200-1500 chips. Button folds. The SB who likes to slide his cards over each other on the felt and then squeezes does so and then instapushes as well. I say, I'm going to need to squeeze a big one to make this call. First card, I squeeze....an ACE! I say first cards REALLY NICE, lets squeeze a twin. I squeeze it hard and its an....KING. Well its probably of the the 3 (maybe 4) cards I could squeeze to make the call. Its AK (me) vs A2 (UTG) vs A4 (SB). Board comes out 36x5 BLANK. I hold and now have a 6000 vs 4000 chip lead. He asks if I want to chops. I offer him 40% of 1620 and I would pay the tip. Meaning he gets 650. He mulls it and decides to play it out, while dealer is shouting WINNER ON TABLE BLAH BLAH, I tell the dealer hold up, let him think. We play it out, and I say I'm not a pushover headsup. First hand I raise it 3x with AJ on the button I win. Next hand he limps, I check 57. Flop comes out like 2 paints, chk chk. I fire 400 on the turn and take it down. Next hand I limp the button with like 63 (Harrington says its incorrect to flat out fold the button). Next hand, I forget. Next hand I lim 89o on the button and make a bet with air on the flop and win it. Decisive hand comes up, button raises it from 300 to 700. I make the call with K9o. Flop comes out 9xx and I aim for the checkraise to chip him down but he mull it and checks. Turn is the gin card (K). I again go for the checkraise and he pushes all in, I insta call and his KT doesn't river me. YAYAYAY $1500 Lamers + $120 ($20 tip for dealer, karma points).

I sell off one of my $500 lamers for $500 cash and sit at another $175 Single Table Sat. A hand comes up where I have about 750 chips on 50/100 where a guy to my immed right pushes all in for 675. I squeeze 99 and ask for time remaining on the clock, it was about 4 minutes. Thinking it over, I would have to pay 300 in blinds probably leaving me with 450 if I got no hands the rest of the orbit and made this fold. Decisely, I decided to gamble it up, oops he had AA, down to 75 chips. Next hand I look at the first card, a King and push it all in. 4-5 see the flop and board comes out like QQTQ and 2 players get it all in on the turn when I say, someoen please flip up the Q so I can see I'm dead. One player shows KQ(or QJ) and other shows AT JT?. I flip mine over, show the King, and move it to reveal another King HAHA. I laugh and say I only looked at one card. Oh well. I stick around and chat it up with some other players I spoke with before. Then watched the final table of the Deuce to Seven Loball draw event. Danial Alaei vs David Williams heads up with Evelyn Ng annoucing the action. I saw seated across the table from the rope. Better comfortable view as opposed to sitting on metal benches. Later one some lady comes up to me and taps me on the shoulder and says are we allowed to sit over there. I look at her, she looks familiar and say, "Sure, go ahead. I prefer the nice view from here." while looking from her to Evelyn/Table (Although Vanessa Rousso does look better in person, she was a table across from me in the 1500 event). She hops over the rope followed by...The Grinder...it was Lily Elviro (Mrs Grinder). I also see the end of the 7 Card Stud H/L event which Jeff Madsen final tabled for his fourth time this year (where he won 2 btw). He places third and some guy won. Picture of the bracelet attached.

I watch a bit, talk a bit, get tired and head out the long walk of shame back to the hotel. End of day, unless we want Taxi Ride recap...YAWN