Archive for "Poker"
Poker at Harrah’s NKC
Posted on September 12, 2009 by Ching under Poker, Travel.
I don’t really like to toot my own horn, but I’m going to take this opportunity now to do so. Brian and I did extremely well during our poker trip to Harrah’s over Labor Day weekend. Believe it or not, at least one of us cashed in every tournament we played.
We originally planned on playing four tournaments altogether: one on Saturday, two on Sunday and one on Monday. However, we found out later that the Monday poker tourney was at 1 PM and not 10 AM as we expected. We had to scratch that one off our list because we would finish too late for the drive back to Wichita, and still function normally the next day. We are spontaneous but sensible after all.
So we played three poker tournaments. The first one was at 10 AM on Saturday. Brian didn’t make the final table, but I carried the torch for us and cashed in third place.
The next day we signed up for both the 10 AM and the 7 PM poker tournaments. Brian and I both made the final table on both tourneys. Can you believe it? It was amazing enough to both make the final table together once, but we did it twice!
I got knocked out in seventh place, but all the other players gave me $5 each so that I could get my buy-in back. I gave $5 to Gary, the nicest dealer they have in that poker room, so I didn’t really make any money. But who cares? I had a lot of fun and Brian was still in. Yes. He actually outlasted me and cashed in fourth place.
During the evening tournament, though we both made it to the final table, I once again got knocked out before the money. Brian knocked me out this time, of all people. I was all in blind, though, because I didn’t have hardly any chips left. Brian miraculously (and I say it’s a miracle because he didn’t have much more chips than I did when the final table started) outlasted a whole bunch of other people. The evening tournament is a $50 buy-in, 40-player tournament. Since the field is smaller (compared to 60 players in the daytime tourneys), they only pay five places instead of six. Brian was one of four players left in the game.
The chip leader, who happens to be the nicest man on Earth, proposed a four-way chop. When the chip leader suggests a chop, you don’t think about it. You just say yes. LOL. Everyone agreed and got $364 each. It was the best cash we had the entire weekend. Go, Brian!
Anyway, I had done really well in the Sunday tourney the weekend before by taking fourth place and raised the bar on Saturday by taking third. I guess Brian didn’t want me to get too ahead of him in winnings because he truly stepped it up. We are once again pretty even in terms of poker prowess. I think I have more final table showings than he does, but if you add up the prize money then he’s got me. His cashes total more than mine. I’m sure of it. And that’s what really counts. It’s pointless to make the final table if you fall short of cashing, you know?
Whereas I am consistent, Brian has endurance. The dude is like a cockroach. Once he makes the final table, he just won’t go away. Thus, his cashes are usually greater than mine. Lately I found that I get too aggressive too soon after making the final table so I get myself knocked out. Anyway, between the two of us, we are a poker duo to reckon with. I’m actually trying to find some Jack & Jill tournaments because I’m just convinced that we are the perfect pairing for it. Hmm… Where to play next?
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Power & Light Highlights
Posted on September 7, 2009 by Ching under Poker, Travel.
Brian and I started our day early at Harrah’s. We had to be there by 8:00 AM to get registered for the 10:00 AM poker tournament. This is the same as the one that I had placed fourth in on Sunday. Brian busted out early. I didn’t have much left so I was thinking that I would bust out right behind him. He went downstairs to play Texas Shoot Out. He was thinking that I’d be coming down the escalator at any minute but, as luck would have it, I caught some cards and doubled and quadrupled up. Managed to make it to the final table and cash. I finished third this time.
On our way out, around 2:00 PM, we were hoping to stop by and see Bree. We didn’t hear back from her, but we did run into someone we hadn’t seen in several years. It was nice to see Mano after all this time. He used to be one of the poker posse, five years ago. We all just kind of went our separate ways and we hadn’t seen Mano in forever. Until Saturday.
Anyway, we opted to go back to our hotel and explore Power & Light that afternoon. Found out how close we were to the entertainment district when we were walking over to McFadden’s. We opted to go there for lunch at the travel concierge’s recommendation.
McFadden’s is probably the best sports bar (not that I’ve been to many) that I’ve ever been in. They have a guy there whose sole job is to play loud music during commercials to maintain the energy. In addition to all of the flat screens throughout the bar, they’ve got this huge screen in the middle.
The food prices are pretty reasonable too. Brian and I got plenty of food for a lot less than what breakfast cost at Lilly’s just a few hours prior. And, we had a really pretty server to boot.
After lunch Brian and I explored around Power & Light a bit before heading back to our hotel.
On the way back to the hotel, we stopped by Cosentino’s Market. It’s a lot like Dillon’s Marketplace, only way better. They have artisan chocolates and the best pastries. And, they have two seating areas so you can enjoy the free wi-fi in comfort.
Dinner that night was at Gordon Biersch.
More pictures from dinner to follow.
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Poker at Uncle Roy’s
Posted on August 23, 2009 by Ching under Poker.
Since Highlands temporarily closed, Brian and I hadn’t been playing poker. We were itching to play poker after a long hiatus so we decided to try Uncle Roy’s home game. We heard it was the place to play. We had never been there before so I had to call and ask for directions.
When we got there, there weren’t any signs. If it weren’t for recognizing Roy’s vehicle, I’m not sure we would have known that we had arrived at the tournament venue. The door is nondescript and it reminded a lot of Teddy KGB’s place in Rounders. I felt like I should know a secret knock or code word or something.
Jitters aside, Brian and I did pretty well that night. He ended up taking second and I took third, so we both made the money. I guess that is typical. First timers always seem to do well. On that note, we are going to wait a week and hope the regulars forget we were ever there. Then when we return in a couple of weeks, we can be first timers again.
Seriously though, they have the big game this week. Brian and I can’t afford the buy in. That and we are saving our money for a Saturday tournament at Harrah’s NKC.
Good luck to all. See you guys in a couple of weeks!
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Brian’s Birthday
Posted on June 15, 2009 by Ching under Poker, Things to Do, Travel.
Brian and I were a little nutty and decided to spend Brian’s birthday in Kansas City. In order to save some money, we decided to do a day trip. In other words, driving up and coming back home without staying overnight. This meant getting up way early in order to make it in time for the 80-person $30 buy-in poker tournament at Harrah’s.
As you can see from the picture on the left, Brian wasn’t exactly elated to be up that early. He was really excited to play in the tournament, though.
Neither of us did well in the tournament, but I did outlast him. He went downstairs to play our favorite Texas hold ’em table game when got knocked out. I played for a few minutes after I got knocked out also. We would have played that table game longer, but we were both really hungry. When we cashed out, we made back our tournament buy-ins. About the only thing we lost was the $20 I put in a slot machine while waiting for Brian to come out of the restroom. Not bad, all in all.
Our next stop was Dave & Buster’s, our favorite place at Legends Mall. We usually do an “eat and play” combo and have fun for hours. I made Brian play Virtual Tennis with me. It is my favorite game at D&B because it’s the only game where I can beat Brian. We played a few shooting games (those are Brian’s favorite) and a racing game. He always beats me at those. I normally beat him at skeeball, but not that day. I fared horribly.
We walked around Legends for a while before finally heading home. We actually ran into Mike and Trisha (a couple we play poker with at Highlands) there. They were on vacation and doing some shopping. We didn’t really buy anything except for a denim jacket for me. I’d outgrown my other two. I had an XS one that I gave away after I picked up a size S a few years ago. I outgrew that one too so now I had to get a M one. 🙁
There were some amazing sales going on at the Ann Taylor and Banana Republic outlets, but I just couldn’t get myself to spend any more money. We spent quite a bit already this year.
Brian did pretty well gifts-wise. He got his Nokia E71 (early birthday present), his Munny (which he is yet to paint/decorate), and some brothel tokens. Oh, and his new Dell notebook arrived just in time for his birthday; although, it’s not technically supposed to be a birthday present. The DTR (also known as “the tank top” because it is the biggest laptop you have ever seen) died. I’m still kind of suspicious of its demise. It seemed like a weird coincidence that it happened around the time of his birthday. Smells like foul play to me. =P (I’m kidding, baby!)
With the exception of the year that I got him the big screen (which he hacked up with a chainsaw a few years ago), I think this is his most expensive birthday yet. Now we have to do a budget to recover from all this wanton, unfettered spending. It is a little irresponsible and so unlike us.
Anyway, spending the day in Kansas City playing poker and arcade games was a lot of fun. Driving up and back in one day was a little crazy, though. We probably won’t do that ever again. Next time, we are spending the night.
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Ashley’s Last Day/Night at Highlands
Posted on May 31, 2009 by Ching under Poker.
Even though we had a rotten night of cards, I’m really glad that we decided to come to Highlands last night because it was Ashley’s last night there. She found a day time job (10 am to 6 pm, M-F) at a daycare, which will allow her to have her evenings and weekends free. I’m really happy to see Ashley move on, but at the same time am kind of bummed that we will no longer be seeing her at Highlands. Good luck, Ashley. We will miss you.
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