Monday Meanderings

Boyfriend

Sadly, last night's evening walk included the task of taking down the signs we had posted to advertise our lost cat, Boyfriend. He has now been gone over two weeks and our only hope is that he somehow ended up with someone not astute enough to think that he might have an identification chip implanted. At least that is better than thinking that he might have suffered a nasty death via car or coyote. The scant remains of some animal were found close to our house, but there was no collar, no tags, no carcass. Mrs. lightning looked at the remains and said she is 98% certain it was not Boyfriend.

Funny how pets can grow on you. Boyfriend acted like he owned the house (typical cat) and even had his own special place reserved on our bed next to Mrs. lightning. We can only hope now.

Poker at The Shoe

On July 3 I decided to make the trek up to Harrah's Horseshoe Hammond to get in some quality poker time. I was in no hurry to leave the house while on vacation and ended up not getting to The Shoe until 3:00 in the afternoon. My first session did not go well. Lost part of my stack running into a straight flush a villain hit on the turn. I had a straight and was able to get away from the hand with flush possibilities and a paired board on the river.

I got flushed away again a few orbits later. One youngish guy at the table kept proclaiming that he was sooooo tight -- at a table filled with a few guys even older than me! Of course, when we saw what kind of crapola he was playing in a few hands it got pretty humorous. One old codger called a big river raise really light, knowing that he was likely ahead. After the young guy handed over about half his chips, all the "mature" players looked at each other and chuckled. So sure -- maybe being somewhat of a nit goes along with getting a tad older, but the young guns forget that wisdom also goes along with it.

Anyway, I was in a pot with this guy in the big blind with Q-J. He was on the button and raised. Based on his play, I gave him no credit at all for having a hand. I called. On the flop I had top pair (Jacks), good kicker. The flop had three crubs (foreshadowing here) and my kicker was the Queen of clubs -- third nut flush draw. The turn was a club, upgrading my hand to the third nuts. We got it all in and I found out that I ran into his flopped second nut flush -- K-9cc. Yuck.

I took a break to play dem good machines to lick my wounds. I went to one of my favorites, Werewolf Wild.

I hit the bonus and made a nice run, cashing out with a good profit. I then played Aladdin.

The magic carpet was good to me and I won back more of the chunk I'd lost. Nothing like covering poker losses with slot winnings!

I went back for a second poker session and had the deck absolutely smack me the first half hour -- even a little too good. I had pocket Aces and saw a flop of A-9-rag rainbow. One guy was along for the ride. The turn was another 9, filling me up. He stayed with me. On the river he led out and I had to decide whether or not to take him to value city or go all in. I decided to make a big value bet and he briefly hesitated, then called. He flipped over A-9 for a boat! How did he not push all in after my value bet? Someone asked him and he said "I just had a feeling that he had pocket Aces." So this guy saw a monster under the bed ... and there really was one there? I couldn't believe he didn't shove with a boat. Bah!

Note: I added this in after `Coach's comment.

A few hands later I had A-Q and saw a flop of Q-Q-rag. Ding! I had a shortie on my left who thought he would wait before shoving his Q-something. The turn was an Ace, filling me up -- one would think the perfect card for the villain to then shove. He didn't, however, and the river was ... dammit, another Ace! He folded his Queens over Aces boat on my river raise. Talk about bad luck.

I was in one big hand hours later against the table aggro guy. I was hoping to trap him and did so when I flopped a straight. Can we say double up?

And ... for those readers who have razor-sharp memories or write all the details down to analyze afterwards ... sorry, but you get the version from the guy with a psychology background who has a crap memory and is not motivated to write notes on his rare ventures into poker rooms. I guess one might say I am living more for the experience.

I ended my trip by slithering in at home at 7:00 a.m. Nothing like driving home during the wee morning hours after a long poker session! But ... at least I got to play poker, which always makes the trip a good one.

I still am on one last week of vacation with nothing major planned. I might take a trip with my wife and possibly a kid or two to St. Charles, Missouri. My wife loves its quaint downtown area with its shops and restaurants. My motivation: there would be a casino within walking distance of our hotel ...

Have a great week!