Cards for the Cure 2013
Posted on January 27, 2013 by Ching under Poker.
Brian and I played in the Susan G. Komen Cards for the Cure poker fundraiser yesterday. Brian registered for the event on the 14th. I wasn’t going to play at first because of my Saturday morning Zumba class. Pat Thompson of Wheels Studio agreed to sub for me (Thanks, Pat!) so I was able to play. I was torn at first because I didn’t want to abandon my class on the second week of the session but then all of my friends were playing and I didn’t want to be the only one left out and I really, really, really wanted to play. I kept going back and forth. I finally just registered on the 22nd, two days before the pre-registration cut off, so I wouldn’t be able to change my mind.
We took our time on Saturday morning. Brian’s usual routine is to watch Saturday morning cartoons in bed. Yesterday was no different. He wanted to finish Ben 10 before we could leave so we didn’t get out of the house until about nine o’clock. After stopping by Scooter’s to get coffee and the bank for cash, we were off the Hyatt. We figured we were pre-registered so we’d be able to just walk in with our receipts. Not so much. I think that’s what everyone who pre-registered thought because when arrived at the hotel around 9:30 AM, the line was crazy long.
The tournament started late because of the long lines at registration. I think it was almost eleven o’clock before we could get started. I remember thinking that I could have checked in to get my table number at eight, taught my Zumba class at ten, and then come back to play in the tournament. I think that’s what I’m going to do next year since they probably won’t start on time anyways.
Our team didn’t do so well in the tournament. A few members were out before the first break. I only lasted until about three o’clock in the afternoon, which was a bummer. I really wanted to have a good finish and help the team win some gift cards. Oh, well. At least I made it past lunch. And, I outlasted several other people.
Brian and Cory were still in but, as several of us were already out, Jay, Becca, April, Vic, and I all decided we would go to the Kansas Star instead. Vic and Jay played in the poker room. April, Becca, and I decided to try $5 slots and Let It Ride. I did pretty well at Let It Ride. I was up $190 when I got up, so I almost made up for our $200 Cards for the Cure entry fee. I lost $20 in the slot machines, though. We had some other expenses that day (like food and booze) so we’re still down overall. But, hey, at least $200 of it is tax-deductible. LOL.
Brian had a little disaster with the truck so he and Cory never made it to the casino. We all ended up back at the Hyatt instead. We walked by the ballroom around nine o’clock in the evening and the tourney was still going strong with three full tables. We decided to hang out at the pool. I think the highlight of the evening was meeting this guy Jordan. He and his girlfriend were hanging out at the only working hot tub. When he saw how disappointed we were that the other hot tub wasn’t working, he invited us to join them. He even gave Jay one of his beers. They didn’t stay very long. Maybe we were being obnoxious. Who knows? But he came back down a few minutes later and gave us a bottle of his homemade wine. So maybe they really just had to go.
Anyway, Jay and the others eagerly tried it. I was having none of that. You know how, as a child, you’re not supposed to take candy from strangers? Well, as a grown adult, you really shouldn’t drink homemade wine from random people you meet at the hotel pool. Jordan seemed nice enough, but then so did Alan in The Hangover
When Brian and I left to go home, the tournament was still going. Jonathan (one of the friends we made when we used to play poker at Fingers back in the day) and several of the Mucking Misfits were still there cheering on one of their teammates, Michael Abay. When I woke up this morning, I found out that Mike won the tournament. His #1 finish pretty much sealed their team victory so, aside from winning the coveted trophy and $10K for himself, he also helped secure $200 gift cards for every member of their team. Way to go, Mike!
The funny thing is we had one more spot left on our second team and I was trying to recruit Jonathan the day before. He told me that he was already on a team. Clearly, he made the right choice. LOL.
Even though our team lost and I didn’t finish as well as I hoped, I still had a lot of fun. I had a great time playing cards and hanging out with our friends who we really don’t get to see that often any more. It was also great to see all the familiar faces of the local poker scene. The event really brought out some of the best players in the area. It also made me realize that I’m really, really rusty.
Over the last couple of years Brian and I have spent most of our free time working out at the gym. We’re making a slight change this year and are bringing poker back in the mix. We’re thinking of playing at Nilla’s (it’s quite convenient now that we live just down the street from it) once or twice a month to stay sharp. Obviously, not playing poker for years and then playing in tournament against almost a thousand players is not the best strategy. I’ll be more prepared next year. Until then, as they say on the WPT, may all your cards be live and your pots be monsters!
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