The Daily Donkey

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Las Vegas, Poker and Toilet Paper

On August 8th we set out to Vegas to play poker cash games and participate in a private tournament at the Venetian Casino for members of chiptalk.net (casino chip collectors).

When we got on the plane we were seated in the last row (you know...where the cool kids sit) and it didn't take long before we had the action jitters. Chris pulled out some cards and we started playing tournaments 3 handed without chips (Matt kept the counts on paper). For 2.5 hours we played 8 tournaments and just about broke even for everyone. Here I'm showing a live hand which for me is a MONSTAH'!




And now...a very good sign of things to come. While still flying in Nevada the stewardesses announced a game. Put your name on a dollar bill and drop it in a trash bag that was going around. They had a girl pick the winning dollar out of the bag and the name thats called out wins the loot. I won! Not even in Vegas yet and ~$130 richer. Just before they drew the winning dollar I made a pact with Matt, Trinistand and Evil that if any one of us was called then the winning pot would be spent on our opening meal after landing. "The Roll" as we laughingly called it paid for our taxi to the Venetian and our Cafe style lunch. Thank you flight number whatever it was!



Check out the height of the $1's. I felt like a Jr High School gangsta taking bets on kickball.





Another good sign. The second game on the airline was to unravel a roll of toilet paper starting in the front row going to the back row (us). It was side A versus side B. Winning side gets free drinks. Our side won! Man this is getting better....here is the winning roll. I think this TP went into retirement.



Our NH home games up here know that King-Ten is my favorite hand...and we always joke that if an opponent has KT it will fail if I'm in the hand. How funny was it that 2 of the people I busted held KT. First victim is Matt who should have known better (feeling my sarcasm yet?). We got in our chips preflop and I hit the straight...but not after laughing when I look over to Matt who has his hands up thinking his hand hit the flop. The Queen was a quick scare (saw the paint first...not a king please!).



After I took the above picture I asked Matt to give me his "agony of defeat" pose. Tsk Tsk...not very sportsmanlike. We are not allowed to take pics inside the Venetian poker room so don't tell anyone about these okay? Thanks.



The other KT victim was jadillon. He 3x BB raised late in the tournament and I pushed. He took a long time to call (longest wait in the tourney) and finally made the call as his chips were getting low. He threw the cards down when I rolled the Kings. From there, LuckyChick and I went heads up for what I believe was 3 hands or so.



Winnah Winnah. I was pretty psyched. I'd like to thank Guinness beer and Jagermeister for getting me through the tournament. The table you see in the background is where Negreanu was at teaching a poker weekend course. I wish I had more tournament pictures but these are what I have. Hope to see what other pics are floating.


Here we are outside of the Venetian having some cigars that Jadillon brought. Not pictured are 99%Evil, ButtonPotato, LuckyChick and BlondWidow.

Left to right is Trinistand, Matthew, Harlequin, Jadillon and some freak off the street.



I'd like to thank Bobby for a sweet meal.


I'd like to thank the Bellagio 5/10 NLHE cash games for providing me with funds to go to Foxwoods later...errrr...finish the basement. Evil and I saw Mike Sexton playing 10 feet away from the cage when cashing out before flying back. This chick is hot...but I was too nervous to say hello.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Rib Fest 2008

What do you get when you have an all day party dedicated to cooking ribs, drinking kegs then playing cards until early morning in the GarageMahal? A kick ass day! Rib Fest part II was rockin this year...

Curt and Rich chowin down.


Tricky downing his traditional Dr. Pepper after rib'n it up.


Jay looking for last bites.



Wifey doesn't look happy....but she's in the kid section
and our kids are probably going crazy.


Petey and Nigen pointing at some idiot taking photos.


Troy looks like he just put the big hurt in Whiteys bathroom.


Lisa (and Kevin) were good hosts!


A record 3 women played in the game.
We had 2 tables after the beer die game ended.


Chris (Evil) likes poker. Pete likes that $20 bill.



Yes, people in their 30's do still play beer die.



People buying in for the opening game around 8pm. Folks were in rare form by this time...I'm wearing my 2nd place ribbon on my necklace...my ribs were DEEELICIOUS. Combined with my don't hassle the Hoff T-Shirt I was quite a fashion setter.


Freddies return to the ring!


Pokah was treating me good. This is my official donkFace.


Shhhh..don't tell anyone...I'm BLUFFING.




We finished cards at 4:30am then went into Whiteys house to cook up some eggs and toast while watching the first half of Full Metal Jacket. This is Nigen leaving at 6am. Thats a solid 18 hours of partying. Sometimes I feel old...sometimes I don't.