Well here we go,

This is going to be a poker entry so those of you reading for trip info there won't be much. So I was up early yesterday around 9:00am, the poker tourney started at noon. Left the MGM at around 10:00am thinking that I would get some food at the RIO. Shirley was not playing in the tourney and decided that she would not come over unless I made the second day. The RIO was nuts, there were so many people everywhere line ups for food, for EVERYTHING. I just decided to have some star bucks and try and find my seat. I was at table 46 seat 8. I was happy to be on the end, that way I could see everyone without have to look one way to the other. I found my seat and with in 10 minutes of that they cleared out the room, so they could start setting up. When they cleared out the room it was even more nuts. There must have been 5000 people standing around, and the line up for the buy-in was CRAZY long. I'm glad that I bought in the day before late in the afternoon.

Well eventually the doors open and the masses poor into the room. I make my way to my seat, and slowly my tables fills. As the guys are sitting down I'm not overly happy with my tables composition. I have all mid-aged men, I mean guys ranging from 29 to 39 and they all handle themselves well. They all look very comfortable, they all handled there chips with confidence, no stupid questions, like,"what are the green ones worth?" or "how many chip do we have?". It seem clear that all 9 other guys had some clue. I tried not to make too many assumptions until I saw there play.

The last guy to sit down in the ONE seat, was a guy named Chris, I played with him at least 10 times previously in New York at Turning Stone. Big guy that moved out here last year. Very solid "crazy" poker player, someone who I didn't really welcome at my table so early.

So we started with 3000 chip, and the levels were 60 minutes long. The blinds started 25-50, the button started in seat 10, good for me! I folded that first 10-15 hands before I played a hand. I'm going to write out most of my hands. I took notes so that I wouldn't forget. I actually wrote out every hand I played. Here we go

1) I was in late position with AQ there was one raiser in MP, I called. both blinds fold. to this point we had not seen a river. The board came 558. He checked I bet 3/4 of the pot and he folded. Winner! I was happy to win a pot, first one out of the way!

2) I was UTG and found KdQd. I limp, MPs calls, LP raises to 250. BB calls, I call, MP calls. Four people call. The board comes Qs 7d 4d. I fire out 800 and everyone folds!

3) In the small blind everyone folds to me I have A7, I raise to 200 and scoop the Big Blind. I really did write out every hand I played

4) This was a big hand, I have AsJs in late position, one caller who I now know is not very strong at all, I raise to 250. I get a caller behind me on the button. The "not so strong guy" folds the board comes Qs 9c 4s. I check, button checks turn comes 7c. I bet 800, button calls. river comes 8s and the button starts putting on an acting job. Before I even do anything he sighs, slumps his shoulders. I look at him and he spreads his chips out to try and show me how many he has. I had him covered but just barely. I have the NUTS, but I'm now also 100% positive that this guy has a flush too. so I think and think, how do I get him to put in all his chips? he has 1700 or so left. so I decided to bet 800. sure enough he comes over top all-in. I insta-call. WINNER. I now have 6200 chips

5) I pick up JJ in MP I raise to 250 everyone folds, I have a great image at this point

6) I have 89s on the button, there are three callers, I call sb calls BB checks. 6 way action to the flop 4c 6h7d. SB Checks, BB Checks, Check, MP bets 200, fold, I call. We end-up heads-up. Turn come Ts. I make the NUTS! He bet 400, I raise to 1200, and he pushes! I call we have that same hand. Chop chop

7) This is a hand that I need some help with. I think I make a mistake. We are now playing 50-100. I have 6000 chips. A new guy (2850 in chips) at the table in LP raises to 300. I call in the big blind with Kd Qd. heads up to the flop. Flop comes Td 4c 9d. He bets 675 out of turn. I haven't acted yet. I think and think. I just call. Turn comes 3h I check he pushes for 1875. I fold. Should I have pushed on the folp?

8) I folded for along time between hand 7 and 8. Almost a full level. well I did limp twice with KQ and 99 but folded on the flop. Anyway I pick-up 22 in late position, I limp hoping to hit big. But the Big Blind raises to 400. Three people fold to me. I call hoping to hit, and maybe out play him after the flop. Heads-up and the flop comes 8h 8d 6d. Once I see the flop, I know he has NONE of it and he is going to be scared. he leads out 600. I raise to 1800 and he folds.

9) We are getting close to the break. I pick up 88 in LP. A guy in EP (short stacked 1800 chips or so) raises to 350. I call. Board comes Qc 7h 3d, he leads out 350. I saw this guy continuation bet twice before and lay down to a flop raise. So I go into the tank for abit, and I decided to push him all in for 1500 or so. He calls right away and shows AQ. I lose. I'm happy with the move.

10) They announce that we are on the last hand before break and I look down and see JJ. YIKES!! I was thinking here we go! anyway I over bet 600 and everyone fold! THANK GOD!

I make the break with 5125 in chips. I was at a high of 6400 but all in all I was happy with the way things were going. After the break things turned. Turned ugly! in fact that is the end of my notes! LOL I have to recall everything from the top of my head now.

Well, the next level was 100-200, and I went card dead! I think played 4 hands this level.

11)I called a raise with 99 and had to fold on the flop

12)I raised with AQ and had to fold on the flop.

13)I re-raise with TT and had to fold to a AQ4 flop.

The next level was 100-200 with a 25 chip ante.

14) This was a defining hand for me in the tourney and I need no comments on the hand, just shake your heads in the comfort of your homes!. I was in the BB with AJ and chip leader at our table raises to 600, I have 4600 I call. board comes 862 chip leader bets out 600 I call hope to steal it on the turn. Turn comes 2, and I fire 1200. Chip leader pushes all in. I fold! I'm down to 2200.

15) With the Blinds and ante eating away at me I have 1675, I push when everyone folds to me in LP with 87s everyone folds

16) 2 orbits later everyone folds to me in LP I push with Q7s. the big blind calls with AJ I lose and am out!

What can ya do?

I have more poker stories event stories but my fingers are tired so that's it that's all I'm done, there will always be next year!

Eric