Well 2 days in and it is a little less exciting than I had expected. The people running the dealers and the events are really far behind. I generally am sitting and waiting for 1-2 hours before I even start dealing, and they have so many dealers I haven't worked a full 8 hour shift yet. Nothing extremely exciting so far... lots of poker celebs running around but none at my table. A few very loose No-limit games, but otherwise nothing exciting.
I have decided in my cash games I like this no-limit stuff.... 5 sessions of No-limit and up all 5, at least 2 buy-ins normally 3-4. I played this afternoon and was up 7 buy-ins at 1/2 NL with a $100 buy-in.
I finished up my Month 4 numbers and so far after 4 months I am not doing to bad. So far I have made $12,560 after taxes for an average of a little over $3,000 a month. It is less than I made as a computer engineer, but with a LOT less hours and a whole lot more upside.... So I can't complain to much at all... especially since I was in class for 2 of those months and travelling for 3 weeks.... So all in all, unemployed for about 3 months isn't TOOO bad to not be belly up.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Monday, June 26, 2006
Here comes the world series
I went to see Click last night, very good movie.. I enjoyed it quite a bit. It makes an interesting statement about what is important in life, and how you can get too caught up in what you HAVE to do and not what you really WANT to do. In the movie he misses his kids camping trip because his boss wants him to do a job for him. It really makes me appreciate the direction I have chosen for my life. I turned 35 a few weeks ago and I am more than halfway to retirement and couldn't be happier. I really feel like I am doing what *I* want to do and it really shows in my attitude and my work.
I finished the Imperial Palace 3 day gig on Sunday and start the world series on Monday at 10 PM. Once again, at the end of a temporary gig I was approached about a position with them. Obviously, my attitude and professionalism keeps attracting attention. Everywhere I go I meet more people and more people learn my name and my face. I have so many opportunities and options coming at me now I am actually have to turn stuff down.
I had orientation for the World Series of Poker on Thursday and got to see "THE ROOM" for the first time. 208 tables in a massive room... It is going to be insane seeing THAT many poker players in the same place playing. I got assigned "Swing7" shift which means I will be coming in everyday sometime between 2 PM and 11 PM. It is one of my favorite shifts and I am estatic to have drawn it. I can't wait to get started tonight and it is going to be a blast. I saw some of the dealers from Mandalay there, and it was nice to catch up with all my friends from class and previous jobs.
I finished the Imperial Palace 3 day gig on Sunday and start the world series on Monday at 10 PM. Once again, at the end of a temporary gig I was approached about a position with them. Obviously, my attitude and professionalism keeps attracting attention. Everywhere I go I meet more people and more people learn my name and my face. I have so many opportunities and options coming at me now I am actually have to turn stuff down.
I had orientation for the World Series of Poker on Thursday and got to see "THE ROOM" for the first time. 208 tables in a massive room... It is going to be insane seeing THAT many poker players in the same place playing. I got assigned "Swing7" shift which means I will be coming in everyday sometime between 2 PM and 11 PM. It is one of my favorite shifts and I am estatic to have drawn it. I can't wait to get started tonight and it is going to be a blast. I saw some of the dealers from Mandalay there, and it was nice to catch up with all my friends from class and previous jobs.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Good Bye Robert Morea. We will miss you
A good friend of mine Robert Morea passed away a few days ago from a lung infection. Robert had numerous medical problems over the years including a lung transplant, but he never let it get him down and always had the best attitude. Robert was a founding member of Team Draft with myself, Trevor and Will. He made every trip with us even going to Vegas just months after having a lung transplant. A better friend you could not ask for, and I would not have changed a thing about him... I just wish he could have been with us longer. Robert was an asset to his friends and a wonderful companion.. he will be dearly missed. Good Bye Robert... you have touched me and everyone around us. You are an inspiration to us all, and we love you.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Going Going GONE!
I have discovered that no matter how little stuff I have, I STILL hate moving. Hooking up utilities, unpacking, setting stuff up, etc... It is beyond annoying. To top it off, I moved into an apartment with nothing... so I now have that empty room problem!
The past week has been swamped with stuff. The house sold and closes on June 30th, but I lost the keys to it.. so I had to track down a copy and get it to the agent (who managed to lose the one I gave them), I took and aced my final exam so I am officially graduated. I had an audition for a 3 day tournament at the Imperial Palace which I got a perfect score on. I also walked into the Rio and saw that the final freeroll for a world series seat required 50 hours between June 1 and June 15, unfortunately I didn't see it until June 8... So I put it into overdrive to hit 50 hours.
I also had the Station freeroll which I played very well until I managed to invent a new way to lose. Virtually guaranteed moving onto day 2 I made a dumb move and finished 120th out of 500 (top 100 move on to day 2).
The Rio freeroll was tonight, and it was really a very very nice structure. 30 minute rounds, 5000 in chips, 25/25 blinds to start. I lasted 3 hours before pushing in with KK and 5800 in chips and getting called by 66 who then flopped quads on me. I went out 24th out of 39. Not a bad showing... but that pot would have put me up near the chip lead and in good position to win the 10k first prize.
The past week has been swamped with stuff. The house sold and closes on June 30th, but I lost the keys to it.. so I had to track down a copy and get it to the agent (who managed to lose the one I gave them), I took and aced my final exam so I am officially graduated. I had an audition for a 3 day tournament at the Imperial Palace which I got a perfect score on. I also walked into the Rio and saw that the final freeroll for a world series seat required 50 hours between June 1 and June 15, unfortunately I didn't see it until June 8... So I put it into overdrive to hit 50 hours.
I also had the Station freeroll which I played very well until I managed to invent a new way to lose. Virtually guaranteed moving onto day 2 I made a dumb move and finished 120th out of 500 (top 100 move on to day 2).
The Rio freeroll was tonight, and it was really a very very nice structure. 30 minute rounds, 5000 in chips, 25/25 blinds to start. I lasted 3 hours before pushing in with KK and 5800 in chips and getting called by 66 who then flopped quads on me. I went out 24th out of 39. Not a bad showing... but that pot would have put me up near the chip lead and in good position to win the 10k first prize.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Whew... I need a nap
Well it is all over but the final paycheck, and it was one heck of a ride. I never realized sitting in a chair slinging cards around could be so tiring.. but it was. I ended up working 13 days straight without a day off and I am definately worn out and need some rest... Luckily I have nothing planned for the next 2 weeks so I plan to get some nice mid-afternoon naps.
The media circus at the WPT was amazing. They were like bees swarming around leaning over my shoulder, writing down everything. These guys were playing for a first prize of 1 million dollars, so any mistakes were definately NOT an option. I made sure to take my time and not make any mistakes, which I fortunately didn't. There was a line of laptops along one side, TV cameras and interview chairs on the other, a live radio show going on, and hordes of note taking peons.
I ended up finishing with 75 tournament downs for the event. Each down was 30 minutes in the box. I also picked up about 650 in tips from live games. I get my final check and tips on Friday so we will see how it all comes out in the end. It was certainly well worth the effort. I made a lot of great contacts, had a great time, and have established myself in the tournament world as a viable tournament dealer who anyone would be happy to have.
I managed to pick up some leads on new events and tournaments and am going to be pursuing those to keep this train rolling. Things do look very promising to say the least.
The media circus at the WPT was amazing. They were like bees swarming around leaning over my shoulder, writing down everything. These guys were playing for a first prize of 1 million dollars, so any mistakes were definately NOT an option. I made sure to take my time and not make any mistakes, which I fortunately didn't. There was a line of laptops along one side, TV cameras and interview chairs on the other, a live radio show going on, and hordes of note taking peons.
I ended up finishing with 75 tournament downs for the event. Each down was 30 minutes in the box. I also picked up about 650 in tips from live games. I get my final check and tips on Friday so we will see how it all comes out in the end. It was certainly well worth the effort. I made a lot of great contacts, had a great time, and have established myself in the tournament world as a viable tournament dealer who anyone would be happy to have.
I managed to pick up some leads on new events and tournaments and am going to be pursuing those to keep this train rolling. Things do look very promising to say the least.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Only in Vegas
Only in Vegas can you sit at a table and play 4/8 with Elvis and a Blonde in a bikini wearing sunglasses and acting all serious. At least Elvis was having a good time... The funniest thing was I asked Elvis wear he was from and he said LA!
Yesterday was the first day of the main event... and everyone was out. TV Cameras, interviews, pictures, rows of laptops lined up, people walking around doing chip counts, etc. It was a crazy media event... media credentials required of course. Everyone who was anyone was there. Phil Ivey, Daniel Negranue, Mike Matusow, Phil Laak and his girlfriend Jennifer Tilly. Even Shannon Elizabeth showed up to take on the big boys. It was insane... and I loved it :)
Yesterday was the first day of the main event... and everyone was out. TV Cameras, interviews, pictures, rows of laptops lined up, people walking around doing chip counts, etc. It was a crazy media event... media credentials required of course. Everyone who was anyone was there. Phil Ivey, Daniel Negranue, Mike Matusow, Phil Laak and his girlfriend Jennifer Tilly. Even Shannon Elizabeth showed up to take on the big boys. It was insane... and I loved it :)
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Better watch the slowplay
The main event starts tomorrow, so of course with 4-5 table pushes and few breaks I went out and played poker until 3 AM... but I will survive. One thing I have noticed about these high limit players is they are action JUNKIES. They have 4-5 grand riding on a baseball game, $300 last longer bets with the entire table of a 10 person Sit and Go, etc... they love to gamble and if there isn't money involved then they are bored. I can honestly say I don't see the excitement in betting if the flop will be more red than black.
I hit the Rio tonight with a ton of energy and came out of the gate on fire. Unfortunately noone else at the table got anything and I ended up with mostly blinds and small pots so I was up a modest 40 bucks. Now this is where the story should end... but as you might have guessed it doesn't. I then proceeded to go on a sick run of getting rivered with 1 and 2 outers and ended up tilting badly and pressing to get back at them and dropped 350 before I decided to get out of that game... You might think the story ends here... but NO. It was only 11 PM, why go home now... So they started up a 1/2 No-limit game and I have been wanting to give it a try, so I decided to give it a go. I took my remaining 46 dollars in chips and another 100 in red I bought and went to the 1/2 game. Shortly after sitting down I take down a nice pot with JJ against AK on the turn and am over 200 in chips... sweet, this no-limit thing is EASY.
It wasn't always so easy as I got JJ again against a flopped flush and put 45 dollars more than I should have into the pot. I then missed a few draws and had to rebuy for another 100 as I dwindled down to a net of over 500 down. The night took an upturn finally around 12:30 AM as I got 66 UTG. I raised it to 5x bb ($2 BB so $10) and it is reraised to $20 and called by one other player reluctantly. I put the raiser on a big ace and the caller on a weaker ace (meaning one ace is dead and I am a bigger favorite) so I reraise all-in to isolate and the original raiser called, the other player folded. The raiser had AQ suited and nothing came and I stacked him to double up. Interestingly the caller SAID he had JJ and would have won... if he did, he played that hand absolutely AWFUL....
A little while later the guy to my left lays down a hand to a reraise and is shown the bluff and is now steaming. My read on him is he wants to get his money all-in ASAP and is looking to check/raise someone all-in to do it. I limp on the button with K6 off-suit and he raises a small amount. Folded back to me, and I call. I figure if I can hit a flop I can stack him and it will be easy to get off of. Flop is AKx and he checks. I smell a trap as this guy is steaming and check. The turn is a gorgeous 6, giving me 2 pair and he checks again. I "Fall for it" and bet $20 into a $60 pot. He check-raises all-in and I call before he even finishes saying all-in. He shows AJ for the "Trap" and I stack him. He leaves in disgust.
A little while later I got to demonstrate the power of position... I have the button and limp with J/9 suited. The Big blind raises a signifigant amount and I call. The flop is A/9/x and he checks. I make a stab at the pot and he lays down his QQ. He shows me and goes "Good laydown", and I show him the J/9, a little while later I would stack him with a flush vs his top pair.
I ended up busting 4 guys out of the game and running from 500 down to 57 down to end the night, including being up 300 at no-limit. Not to shabby for my first attempt at No-limit.
Now off to bed.. Main event.. time for the big time baby.
I hit the Rio tonight with a ton of energy and came out of the gate on fire. Unfortunately noone else at the table got anything and I ended up with mostly blinds and small pots so I was up a modest 40 bucks. Now this is where the story should end... but as you might have guessed it doesn't. I then proceeded to go on a sick run of getting rivered with 1 and 2 outers and ended up tilting badly and pressing to get back at them and dropped 350 before I decided to get out of that game... You might think the story ends here... but NO. It was only 11 PM, why go home now... So they started up a 1/2 No-limit game and I have been wanting to give it a try, so I decided to give it a go. I took my remaining 46 dollars in chips and another 100 in red I bought and went to the 1/2 game. Shortly after sitting down I take down a nice pot with JJ against AK on the turn and am over 200 in chips... sweet, this no-limit thing is EASY.
It wasn't always so easy as I got JJ again against a flopped flush and put 45 dollars more than I should have into the pot. I then missed a few draws and had to rebuy for another 100 as I dwindled down to a net of over 500 down. The night took an upturn finally around 12:30 AM as I got 66 UTG. I raised it to 5x bb ($2 BB so $10) and it is reraised to $20 and called by one other player reluctantly. I put the raiser on a big ace and the caller on a weaker ace (meaning one ace is dead and I am a bigger favorite) so I reraise all-in to isolate and the original raiser called, the other player folded. The raiser had AQ suited and nothing came and I stacked him to double up. Interestingly the caller SAID he had JJ and would have won... if he did, he played that hand absolutely AWFUL....
A little while later the guy to my left lays down a hand to a reraise and is shown the bluff and is now steaming. My read on him is he wants to get his money all-in ASAP and is looking to check/raise someone all-in to do it. I limp on the button with K6 off-suit and he raises a small amount. Folded back to me, and I call. I figure if I can hit a flop I can stack him and it will be easy to get off of. Flop is AKx and he checks. I smell a trap as this guy is steaming and check. The turn is a gorgeous 6, giving me 2 pair and he checks again. I "Fall for it" and bet $20 into a $60 pot. He check-raises all-in and I call before he even finishes saying all-in. He shows AJ for the "Trap" and I stack him. He leaves in disgust.
A little while later I got to demonstrate the power of position... I have the button and limp with J/9 suited. The Big blind raises a signifigant amount and I call. The flop is A/9/x and he checks. I make a stab at the pot and he lays down his QQ. He shows me and goes "Good laydown", and I show him the J/9, a little while later I would stack him with a flush vs his top pair.
I ended up busting 4 guys out of the game and running from 500 down to 57 down to end the night, including being up 300 at no-limit. Not to shabby for my first attempt at No-limit.
Now off to bed.. Main event.. time for the big time baby.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
I don't like to lose
I have discovered something about myself... It doesn't matter if I want to win or not, I still don't want to LOSE. We had a dealers tournament tonight at Mandalay Bay with a $55 buy-in and the top 4 of the 60 person tournament got an entry into the $1000 super-satellite where the top 10% got entries to the 10k main event. So we are talking a $55 investment to possibly win over 1 million dollars... But it is one heck of a long shot, and I have to play for at least 5 days to get ANYTHING back from it. (1 day of a Super Sat, and 4 days of the main event before I reach the money). I am making about $300 a day dealing the WPT events, so that means I am giving up $1500 in earnings at a miniscule chance of winning a whole lot of money... If I KNEW I was going to win I would do it in a heartbeat... however I would really rather have the guaranteed $1500 right now.
I can't bring myself NOT to play in the dealers tournament, the chance to play against my fellow dealers was too much fun to pass up... and of course I had to do well, and then I wanted to win! Unfortunately they paid top 4 and I bubbled out in 5th. BAH! It sucked even worse as I got my pocket 9's busted by 8/3 off when I was the short stack. I really did feel I played pretty well but I still have a lot to learn about tournament poker, when to make moves, reading players, etc.
Another interesting tidbit from the dealers tournament... Back when I was in Atlanta playing bar tournaments there was a dealer who dealt on occasion who I heard other players commenting was a "Vegas dealer who was visiting friends here". I watched her deal a few times and was amazed.. she was so fast, and so accurate, and had such good control of the game. It was like she was flying around the table she was so good. I could only hope to be even half as good as she was one day.... now fast forward to our current tournament and the dealer in the box is this cute blonde with a slight accent. She mentions she is from Atlanta and it suddenly dawns on me THAT is why she looks familiar (I thought it was just because she was cute and blonde... it happens, leave me alone). So we talk a little and she confirms she used to deal at Jeffries and Rafters and that was where I knew her from. She starts up dealing and I realize just HOW much better I am now than I used to be... Now she looks very good as a dealer, but no better than I am... It is just amazing how much of a difference it makes when you have a different perspective.
My plan during the WPT events was to play after work one day, and then go to bed early the next. This would allow me to play a decent amount and still keep up on my sleep (it is hard when you prefer to sleep 10 hours a day if allowed to). Tonight was suppose to be my playing day, however I ended up in the dealer tournament for over 4 hours... so home I am and I will play after work tomorrow night.... so now I have to get to bed so I can be well rested and play until 1 or 2 AM tomorrow night if the games at the Rio are good.
I can't bring myself NOT to play in the dealers tournament, the chance to play against my fellow dealers was too much fun to pass up... and of course I had to do well, and then I wanted to win! Unfortunately they paid top 4 and I bubbled out in 5th. BAH! It sucked even worse as I got my pocket 9's busted by 8/3 off when I was the short stack. I really did feel I played pretty well but I still have a lot to learn about tournament poker, when to make moves, reading players, etc.
Another interesting tidbit from the dealers tournament... Back when I was in Atlanta playing bar tournaments there was a dealer who dealt on occasion who I heard other players commenting was a "Vegas dealer who was visiting friends here". I watched her deal a few times and was amazed.. she was so fast, and so accurate, and had such good control of the game. It was like she was flying around the table she was so good. I could only hope to be even half as good as she was one day.... now fast forward to our current tournament and the dealer in the box is this cute blonde with a slight accent. She mentions she is from Atlanta and it suddenly dawns on me THAT is why she looks familiar (I thought it was just because she was cute and blonde... it happens, leave me alone). So we talk a little and she confirms she used to deal at Jeffries and Rafters and that was where I knew her from. She starts up dealing and I realize just HOW much better I am now than I used to be... Now she looks very good as a dealer, but no better than I am... It is just amazing how much of a difference it makes when you have a different perspective.
My plan during the WPT events was to play after work one day, and then go to bed early the next. This would allow me to play a decent amount and still keep up on my sleep (it is hard when you prefer to sleep 10 hours a day if allowed to). Tonight was suppose to be my playing day, however I ended up in the dealer tournament for over 4 hours... so home I am and I will play after work tomorrow night.... so now I have to get to bed so I can be well rested and play until 1 or 2 AM tomorrow night if the games at the Rio are good.
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