Disco Demolition Night - 30th Anniversary

Yes -- I was a Chicago White Sox fan in 1979 (and still am). I was working a summer job as a security guard at Illinois Benedictine College (now Benedictine University), usually 11pm until 7am the next morning. This was, of course, after working a 5pm-10pm evening factory shift at Tellabs, a telecommunications equipment provider. Fun summer between my junior and senior years in college.

The night security gig at IBC was usually boring -- unless, of course, there was a volleyball camp on campus, which meant lots of flirting with young, athletic girls. To pass the time, we used to listen to the radio -- Steve Dahl on WLUP, "The Loop." I am proud to say that I was a card-carrying member of Dahl's Insane Coho Lips Anti-Disco Army. One of Dahl's favorite games was to announce that he and his army were going to "take over" a disco. He would announce which disco and which night, and anywhere from one to five thousand people would show up. Thus was born Disco Demolition Night -- 30 years ago at old Comiskey Park. Entry fee: 98 cents and a disco record, which would be blown up between games of the White Sox - Detroit double header.

With thousands of fans over capacity (many had snuck in) and drunk or high, the disaster was just waiting to happen. After Dahl had a demolition expert blow up all the disco records, fans stormed the field, which was littered with record shards, and even started fires in several parts of the field and the stands. The field was destroyed and the fans would not leave, prompting the forfeiture of game two. This was the last American League game that was decided by forfeit.

As for me ... as much as I wanted to go, going to baseball games just did not jibe with a 65-80 hour work week. I like to think that I have few regrets in my life, but damn -- I wish I had gone and become part of baseball history.

We All Grow Up Sometime

This guy was best known for winning a bet for some guys ... by eating his boogers! Yes -- it's him!

Poker Sucks Sometimes

July4 Full Tilt $28,000 Guarantee. I was playing a good, steady game. A shorter stack raised pre-flop and I had K-K. I went all in and was called by a stack a little bit bigger than mine. I was horrified to see what we all had. Virtually no outs. Out in 233rd. What a game we play, huh?

Midweek Musings

Midweek Mookie Win and Skillz Cash Against Small Fields

We need to keep bloggers in Las Vegas more often. At least then I am able to cash in the weekly blogger tournaments. I got second in the Skillz game last night and won against a small but talented Mookie field tonight. It was good to get the Mookie monkey off my back. I won the second one I played in, and then went winless until tonight. I got a few second places and made some final tables, but just could not seal the deal. Streak broken.

Always Bad Chit When I Am Away

Every time I head to Las Vegas, something bad happens at home. This year I didn't even make it all the way to Las Vegas before the disaster happened. I called home during my brief layover in Denver and found that my wife had been in an accident in our van. An unlicensed driver turned right in front of her. The damage is somewhere between $3,000 and $6,000. And of course, the guy who owned the car my wife hit (brother of the driver) has his auto insurance through a high-risk insurance agency, so of course they have been doing everything to delay paying and making things right. We hope to get our van back in just over a week.

Calling All Bloggers

Stop by Mondogarage's blog and offer a few words of encouragement. Mondo's wife has a serious medical problem and is doing her best to fight through it. Although I only know Mondo through his blog and the blogger tournaments, I do know that this has to have taken a toll on him. Mondo is a good guy (despite his over-the-top Obama support - he he) and could certainly use our support, prayers, karma, and whatever.

Blackhawks Changes on Day 1 of Free Agency

The Chicago Blackhawks added Marian Hossa and lost Martin Havlat and Nikolai Khabibulin. No way they were going to keep the Bulin Wall since they are paying so much money to Christobal Huet. Although Havlat was a fan favorite, he lost many games to injury. Getting Hossa instead of Havlat will improve the Hawks.

Unfortunately, the Vancouver Canucks resigned Daniel and Henrik Sedin. Geez -- they would have looked great wearing the red, black, and white ...

Live Poker Possibilities in July

Now that my World Series of Poker is over, I might look to play in a couple of tournaments in Indiana. The Heartland Poker Tour is at the Majestic Star Casinos in Gary this month, and the 4th Annual Denny Crum Poker Open is at the Horseshoe Casino Southern Indiana. Both casinos are within a reasonable distance of my house. The bar for blogger poker performance has been set high in Las Vegas this summer. Time for me to do my part.

Las Vegas Trip Report

I left from the Indianapolis Airport on Thursday, June 18. Since it was Southwest's anniversary celebration, the first drink was free. Not a bad way to start the trip. A good omen perhaps?

I spent six nights at the Imperial Palace. You can't beat the location and the room was cheap. No problem checking in or out (I used the express check out), and had no long waits with the elevators. I was only in the hotel to sleep, and it once again suited me just fine.

WSOP Tournament Report

I played in the WSOP Event # 43 -- the Seniors NL Hold Em World Championship. I was, of course, one of the younger players, which was interesting. I had heard that this tournament was fun, and that it was. Players were serious about their poker, but they took everything in stride. No whiny or butthole youngsters who think they are God's gift to poker.

Unfortunately, the measly 3,000 starting chips hampered a lot of regular poker play. My table was solid and pretty tight with only one maniac. Unfortunately, I was never able to get any action from him when I had a good hand. The levels lasted one hour, which was great, but my table was way tight. We had only lost one player (flopped set of Queens vs a flopped set of Kings) in the first 3 1/2 hours, and then my table was broken. I was moved to one with players with much bigger stacks.

About six hours into the tournament and seeing my M fall to single digits, I woke up to find Q-Q in early position. The player to my right (another shorty) went all in, so of course, I did also. No one else came in the hand, and I was horrified to see that I was up against 8-8! I was knocked out of a WSOP circuit event earlier in the year when my K-K couldn't hold against 8-8. At home, our grandfather clock kept chiming at 8 minutes after the hour for some reason. Just before I left for this trip, my wife and I joked about my need to avoid 8's.

Well, you guessed it -- the flop brought an 8 and I got no help on the turn or river. Out. Just like that.

The deflation I felt was unbelievable. This was my first Las Vegas WSOP tournament. I went out when I was an 80% favorite. Ouch.

My wife was able to console me somewhat over the phone. She did remind me that I would look back on this a little differently after I got home. She was, of course, right. At least I got my money in good. There will be a next time. But it still sucked.

Bloggers, Bloggers, and More Bloggers

One of my goals this trip was to meet as many bloggers as possible. I am happy to report that I met several.

cmitch - We had lunch at the Rio. Mitch was nursing a hangover. I was probably making his head go bong with my excited conversation since I was hyped and ready to go with the WSOP. For some reason I expected him to be much younger (gotcha!). Quality guy.

Bayne - Had a good conversation with him at the Paris sports book bar. Talked a little O-8 and NL Hold Em. Gave me some insights into other bloggers since he has met several. I'll bet he is really fun when he gets a few brews in him!

Shabazz Jenkins - Had a few beers with Jeremy just outside the Bally's poker room. He was a little bummed since he had been making good progress in the deep stack tournaments but had gotten screwed several times. Talked about poker and family life since he now has a very young one at home. Nice guy and tough tournament player.

Memphis MOJO - Played a little 1-2 NL at Bally's with Dave and had dinner with him one night. He was pretty much as he appears in his blog and his blog comments -- a really nice guy. I hope that I'll get to see him again in a few weeks if I take my family on a two-day trip to Memphis.

CK - Met her during a break in WSOP Event # 46. Bubbly and energetic, it is easy to see why so many people like her.

LJ - Recognized her during the first break in my WSOP tournament. Punked her big-time by acting like a total doofus asking about locations of bathrooms and bitching about them. Thanks for the encouragement during my tournament, LJ!

TuscaloosaJohnny - Briefly met him at the Rio. He was just coming for his trip and I was on my last night.

lucko - Met him while on break on my tournament. He was sweating sprstoner, who was down to the final two tables in a tournament.

The BIG Hand

One of the many reasons I love to play cash games at Bally's is the high hand jackpots. I had never won one, however ... until this trip. On Saturday, June 20, I walked into the Bally's poker room early in the afternoon. I sat down and folded three hands before I played my first one. I was dealt A-10clubs. I limped in and saw two clubs on the flop, including the Queen. One player raised and I called. The turn was a King of clubs, giving me the nut flush -- and a Royal Flush draw. My opponent checked, so I of course checked behind. The river was the Jack of clubs, giving me my first brick and mortar Royal Flush! Unfortunately, someone had hit the clubs Royal Flush recently and the high hand jackpot was only $681. I did accept it, however -- he he.

Poker Room Report

Bally's - My favorite room. Great friendly dealers including Tricia and Gianna. Tricia almost dealt me my second Royal -- if only she had given me the Queen of hearts, not clubs, on the river. I also had four clubs to a second Royal Flush after one flop. Man, would a second Royal have been spectacular or what? Friendly play and below average players are the hallmarks of this room. Oh -- and Liliane's raspy voice shouting "Cocktails? Anyone want a drink?"

MGM - Only played for a few hours and made a small profit. I still like this room, but wish they had high hand jackpots there.

Caesar's Palace - Played a short time there but could not get moved to Memphis MOJO's table. I haven't liked the cash games there ever since I ran my K-K into A-A ...

Hard Rock - Only one table going. Great eye candy as gorgeous women in swim suits parade past the poker room. Sat at a table with a couple of drunk cowboys, though, and didn't like the atmosphere.

Misc

** Had a successful trip at the cash tables. The Royal Flush at Bally's didn't hurt.
** What is the issue with Jager Bombs? I ordered one at MGM and was told that they do not serve it without ice. I ordered one at Hard Rock and was told that the drink was not comped and that it would cost $3. I guess the crappy economy and the cost of Red Bull conspired against me.

** The Victorian Room at Bill's Gambling Hall still is my late-night restaurant. Excellent steak and eggs special.

** Met Penn and Teller and got a program signed for my son, a big fan.

** Saw almost all the big names in poker, which is always fun. And ... Clonie Gowan is sizzling hot !!

** The WSOP experience was great. I will plan on playing one or two events next year.

Off to Las Vegas for the week. Cheers!

Getting Ready for Las Vegas

My summer 2009 trip to Las Vegas should be interesting. It will be my first trip to the new Indianapolis Airport. Long term parking is still cheap, thank goodness. I'll be leaving June 18 and returning June 24.

I will be staying at the Imperial Palace. Granted, it is a far cry from some of the most recent places I've stayed (Bellagio, Encore, Wynn), but it is okay when one spends little time in that casino or in the room. Can't beat the location -- right in the middle of poker country on the strip.

Where will I hang out? Ballys has been my "home" poker room for some time. The vibe is great and the players tend to be pretty poor -- and friendly. MGM Grand is usually my second choice if I need a change of pace. Maybe I'll even play at the IP -- who knows?

I plan to play the Seniors WSOP event, maybe one at Binions. I'll be staying for six nights, so there is plenty of time.

I'll be playing in the Seniors tournament with Memphis MOJO, so I imagine that I will get to meet him. I also hope to meet some other short-term visiting bloggers -- maybe bayne, CMitch, Shabazz Jenkins, and/or Tuscaloosa Johnny. I also hope to connect with some of the people anchored in Las Vegas for most of the WSOP.

What do I hope to accomplish? Well, the bar has been set high for bloggers. LJ just took 10th place in a WSOP H.O.R.S.E. event. sprstoner took third in Event # 13, and CK took 39th place in an event. As someone said, perhaps this is the Year of the Blogger.

My goals:

1) Cash in my WSOP event

2) Make a decent profit at the cash tables

3) Meet as many bloggers as possible

4) Get someone with a car to take me to In-N-Out Burger -- I need to try one!

Less than two days until I leave. I can't wait.

btw: No -- I do not really wear a hoodie and sunglasses at the poker table!

Quick Weekend Update

1) Yowsa --- I begin a vacation from work tomorrow. I feel like I have been crawling to the finish line the past few weeks. Man, do I need it!

2) I'm going to the White Sox - Cubs game on Wednesday. Growing up in the far west Chicago suburbs, I am one of those rare people who roots for both teams. However, the White Sox have always been my main team. This will be the first time that I will wear my White Sox hat in Wrigley Field. I hope to make it home in one piece Wednesday evening.

3) I will be leaving for Las Vegas on Thursday. I plan on playing WSOP Event #43 -- Seniors No-Limit Hold’em World Championship -- on June 22. I figured that I would rather be one of the young guys than the old guys (if I played a regular event).

4) I have exchanged phone numbers with a few bloggers and hope to meet a few of the people I have played against the past few years. I am getting really excited about going. Las Vegas - what a great place!