Friday, June 30, 2006

Strike One....

“I’ve only got four bucks left” One girl said to her friend sitting behind our table. ”Wanna make it eight?” I wondered aloud. Matt and I were leaving the scene, a nearly empty dive bar named the X-Wife’s Place. These two were the only things to look at, so I quickly dialed a cab.

We had planned to go to Green Street, but after the kamikaze (65 in a 30) taxi driver dropped us off, we realized that we’d never get in after seeing a hundred or so people standing in line waiting. The X-Wives place was our only hope at getting a beer that night. I hate Utah and that 1AM last call crap. Here’s to 24 hour states like Nevada.

Last week was PHENOMINAL! I had a great week at poker and an even better one with my family. I am so proud of my daughter; she is a great climber, an excellent swimmer and very fun to be around. She almost made it to the top of the wall at the Gateway. I still can't get her to try a backflip off the low dive, but I'm getting there. Thanks for throwing us out of the pool Murray city. There was no lightning. You know it. I think they just wanted the day over with early.

I hope there isn’t too much of a letdown this weekend. If you’re reading my blog, stop. Get your ass to Wendover and make me some dough. I’m going to save as much of it as I can for the next two weeks for the Vegas trip. Most of it will go towards trying to satellite into the main event at the World Series of Poker. And beer. And Shots. Be prepared for Dial a Shots and some impromptu live blogging. At least I'm going to try. Leave a comment here for Dial a Shot requests. I can accomidate requests anytime from the 9th to the 12th.

How far do you think they got on that tire Matt?

J

Vegas Baby!, VEGAS!

Its official, and I can’t wait. We are booked for Vegas. I had to change from the Wynn, because we booked too late, but Fernando found Palace Station for dog dirty cheap – 32 bucks a night. We’ll be arriving Sunday the ninth, just in time for anything goes Sundays at Hogs and Heifers. Come join us….

J

Saturday, June 24, 2006

Rainbow Tournament Weekend

The week is halfway through. It has gone like nothing I could have ever imagined. It has been kind of slow. Only one of the tournaments has filled to capacity. But I’m loving it…

I played the Rainbow NL Hold’em tournament after work on Thursday, a $100 event with one optional $100 rebuy. I was pumped up to play because of my success in the tournaments earlier in the week. I had played poker at work for a few hours before, hitting the 20-40 for several hundred. I had budgeted $200 of the $500 I had in my pocket on this tournament. I did exactly nothing in the tournament, finishing quickly before the first break, but I didn’t add on, so I saved $100.

I played the $100 multi rebuy event yesterday afternoon, with much the same result. Stuck $300 and with the whole day off, I decided to buy in the 2-5 limit game and see what I could do. I was hot right off the bat, doubling up in less than 20 minutes. I took my $200 over to the No-Limit game and went wild. I was running over the table and taking down most pots without a showdown. It took just over 2 ½ hours to parlay my $100 initial buy in to $1700.

I left for dinner and a change of clothing and came back later in the evening to hammer a quick $200 more out of the game. I decided to stash everything but my latest $200 in winnings, which I wanted to take to the Wendover Ballet (Southern X-Posure). After calling a taxi, I ran into Stormi and Karma, 2 friends from work. They quickly agreed to join me in my adventure.

After we left Southern X-Posure, we headed to the Nugget for pool, air hockey, and much cheaper booze (free + tip). I had to wrap it up early to get home for work today, but I have had an awesome weekend so far.

Staying in tonight will be the biggest challenge I’ll face all week….

J

Thursday, June 22, 2006

The New Crew


Wow. It wasn’t unthinkable, but I didn’t expect it. Khamar won the World Series of Poker seat in the big tournament tonight. Then he helped me with my laundry. Seriously, this is cool. I have some of the best friends in the world, and one of them just gave me the perfect excuse to get out of work and go watch the main event in Las Vegas. Better yet, play in it. I gonna satellite in too. But huge congrats go out to you Khamar. Keep livin’ the dream!

J

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Won Another One

I am killing it. I won the Wendover Nugget No Limit Hold’em tournament last night. That’s 2 wins and 3 cashes in the last 3 days.

I worked 9 ½ hours today, the first day of the Summer Spectrum of Poker tournaments at the Rainbow and Montego Bay.

Lots of no limit and 2-5 limit games today. We had Omaha and a 20-40 Hold’em game too. I got two pushes at the Omaha game and never saw the 20-40. Where is the justice from the poker gods? I guess I gotta pay my dues somehow.

The tournament was in full swing as I left, with the field at the Rainbow narrowed to 5 tables and the players just returning from break. The blinds were a little rough, because 10-20, 20-40 and 40-80 use so many $5 chips to make. The dealer I was following was chipping them all up, so I was constantly making change.

Someone’s getting lucky and winning a WSOP seat tonight. I wish it were me.

The action at the billiards bar in the Nugget is still good. There are lots of people out socializing every night, and the foreign population coming out to party in full force. Jose and Jason have something in the works tonight as I write.

Pictures to follow….

J

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

What a Rush!


Last night has to rank as one of the best in my poker lifetime. I could hit anything I wanted. I played in the Monday night No Limit Tournament at the Rainbow and won the whole damn thing. I had just finished my second reading of the Dan Harrington books on tournament poker, and it gave me a lot of confidence in my abilities. Once it started, I was seeing things go down just as Action Dan scripted. I really put the principle of first in vigorish to the test towards the end of the tournament, and it paid off. I took down a lot of blinds uncontested, which really helped. When I didn’t, I hit what I needed to stay alive. I had three defining hands which made my tournament:

The first hand was right after I had laid down 7-8 off, which eventually made a straight. After kicking myself for not taking the 3-1 odds the pot was offering my short stack, I looked down at AK of spades in my big blind. I wasted no time getting all my chips in. I hit both cards and tripled up. After that, it was on!

I push first with A6 off, called by pocket queens. No problem.

He flopped a set. I flopped the gutshot broadway straight. Spiked a king on the turn to hit. Thanks for the chips buddy.

Lots of chips now, maybe chip leader. My M is still low, about a 7. I gotta keep playing.

Push first with Ks10s. Oh shit. The big stack called. King on the flop. No problem.

Wow. I’ve got 40k in chips, and there is only 48k in play. I think I got this one…. No problem.

After that it was off to the Nugget to party with my new Lithuanian friends. And that’s a whole ‘nuther story….

J

Thanks PokerStars!

Sunday, June 18, 2006

Big Sunday Tournament

I wanted to win so badly. I crossed my fingers, but I couldn’t cross paths with the card I needed to win. I finished 21st in the PokerStars World Blogger Championship, in a field of 2200 players. I earned an Ipod Nano 4GB for my trouble. I felt really good about the way I played, but the blinds caught up to me. I was able to maintain my M factor over 20 for most of the tournament.

Happy Fathers Day.

J

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Work Hard Play Harder

I’ve got a lot planned in the next few weeks. My Vegas trip will be a nice break after working 7 days straight in the next week. Yes, its tournament time again. We have a big set of tournaments every quarter, starting on Wednesday. The casino is giving away $25,000, so I expect to be busy. After that its Vegas baby, Vegas!

Mitch tried to call me last night for dial a shots, but I guess I was already asleep. I need to get out a little more. I did stay up late enough to see a time life 80’s cd collection. I managed to write a few down and download them for my music collection.

I’ve played in two live tournaments in the past few days after finishing the Dan Harrington on Hold’em books. Good info, but it didn’t get me in the money either time.

Congratulations on the great bunny massacre Matt. At least you finally came to Wendover again.

I got to throw a shout out to Anjesca. (I hope my spelling is remotely close). Thanks for reading.

Happy birthday to Fernando... I hope you're enjoying Tahoe.

I highly recommend you all check out Dane Cook’s Tourgasm on HBO. It is a badass comic reality tour. I laughed my ass off. Sundays, I think. I don’t know…. Just look it up.

J

Sunday, June 11, 2006

It’s Vegas time again! The World Series of Poker is just a few weeks away, and I want to play in at least one event. Come join my friends and I for event #17, the $1000 buy in NL Hold‘em event on Monday, July 10th. I found a great deal for the airfare and lodging on the internet. I can get you roundtrip airfare and 2 nights at the Wynn Resort for a great price. I’m planning to hit Club JET at the Mirage, and we’ll definitely go downtown for a stop at Hogs and Heifers (The REAL Coyote Ugly).
Here’s the plan and the price:



Southwest Airlines Flight: 567 - 2 Seats
Departs SLC: 10Jul06 07:10am
Arrives LV: 10Jul06 07:30am
Southwest Airlines Flight: 2113 - 2 Seats
Departs LV: 12Jul06 08:15pm
Arrives SLC: 12Jul06 10:30pm
Wynn Las Vegas - 1 Room
Check-in: 10Jul06 Check-out: 12Jul06
Total price for two: $564.20 ($282.10 each)

If you’re interested, you need to get your own room and flight reserved ASAP. (By the 20th of June for sure) The website offering this deal is www.swavacations.com. I can book it for you if you need. Email me at jrdurham1@yahoo.com with any questions or to RSVP. Everyone’s Invited! Bring your friends!
J

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

FORE!


After partying the night away with Rick, Kamar and Nykky last night, I spent today golfing and drinking free beer at the employee appreciation tournament for the Rainbow, Peppermill and Montego Bay. It was a blast, even though I had to get up at 7:40 this morning. I was paired with Fernando, my old roommate Peter and Shane, a complete unknown. We drew the 4th hole for the shotgun start, and it was on from there. We met the first beer girl at the sixth hole. I had made a commitment to not drink while golfing this year, trying to improve my game. Today was a major exception to that rule. We took full advantage of the 1 club length rule to improve your lie (it was a best ball tournament). I think we birdied every hole. At least that’s what we wrote down. We came in around 15 under. The winning team claimed they shot a 46 or 48. Yeah right. It didn’t really matter since we were there for fun, not the competition. I was having a great time, playing the part of Stiffler from American Pie for the day. All you need to do to pull off a Stiffler impression is to question everyone’s manhood, pull constant practical jokes and combine regular words with profanity at least every other sentence. Somehow I pulled it off and we ended up having a great time. We finished up around 3 pm. After the awards ceremony Fernando, Peter and I headed to the Nugget to play pool. Actually they played pool while I stuffed my face, eating a foot long Subway Club sandwich and a full order of Mongolian beef from the Chinese joint upstairs. I was starving! I didn’t make it much longer after that, so I stumbled home for a much needed nap. I was supposed to get up for a poker tournament around 7, but that didn’t happen. I did get up around 9 or so and watched the news while playing a 180 player sit n go on PokerStars. I finished 60th, way out of the money. I’m going to try again right after I finish this post.

Hey Rick, sorry if I got you in trouble with your girl, tell her the blog is fiction……

J

Saturday, June 03, 2006

Follow the White Rabbit

I won again. Only $30, but I’ve been picking good lately. I bet the under on the Heat-Detroit game. I think it will be a Heat-Dallas Finals, but I’m not sure. Tonight might tell.

Straight home after work last night, I played PokerStars right when I got through the door. I took second in a $5 single table. I played a $5, 27 player multi with Joe afterwards. No money to be found there. I was out 12th or so. I did finish ahead a few dollars for the night.

I’m watching the original Matrix movie. I forgot how badass some of the scenes in this thing are. If any of you listened and rented Grandma’s Boy, watch the Matrix. You’ll get the whole black outfit thing. That programmer does a pretty good imitation. Oh, yeah, take the red pill, not the blue…..

And remember, there is no spoon.

J

Friday, June 02, 2006

Lazy Friday, Woke Up Early for Golf


Man, you gotta see Grandma’s Boy. It just came out on DVD. I watched it last night and almost crapped my pants laughing. The best part has to be the fat kid hanging with the playboy model all night at the house party, rubbing on her generous orbs for 13 hours. Or the lion getting loose. I’m not sure which, but I’m taking a poll. I just wish Adam Sandler wasn’t such a pussy. He could’ve done more than produce. I guess he must be worried about his image. That should tell you right there that it is funny as hell. Definitely not for children.

I am sick of golf tournaments here in Wendover. Every time I try to go out golfing, they’re having some generic “Dave’s Plumbing and Heating” or “Ed’s Outhouse Construction” golf tournament. Goddammit, I’m local. I want priority. I know at least $7 of my sales tax went to the golf course, and I want justice. Or a tee time. Whatever.

I need a taco.

Maybe the gut truck is open…..

Dallas looked good last night putting the Suns away. I picked them to go all the way at the beginning, and it’s starting to look like I might be right.

I work at 5pm tonight, and I’m looking forward to it. I think I have one shirt left for work. If anyone knows a good maid/laundry doer, let me know. Hey, I just am too busy to get around to mundane tasks.

J

Grandma's Boy Rocks


Man, you gotta see Grandma’s Boy. It just came out on DVD. I watched it last night and almost crapped my pants laughing. The best part has to be the fat kid hanging with the playboy model all night at the house party, rubbing on her generous orbs for 13 hours. Or the lion getting loose. I’m not sure which, but I’m taking a poll. I just wish Adam Sandler wasn’t such a pussy. He could’ve done more than produce. I guess he must be worried about his image. That should tell you right there that it is funny as hell. Definitely not for children.

I am sick of golf tournaments here in Wendover. Every time I try to go out golfing, they’re having some generic “Dave’s Plumbing and Heating” or “Ed’s Outhouse Construction” golf tournament. Goddammit, I’m local. I want priority. I know at least $7 of my sales tax went to the golf course, and I want justice. Or a tee time. Whatever.

I need a taco.

Maybe the gut truck is open…..

Dallas looked good last night putting the Suns away. I picked them to go all the way at the beginning, and it’s starting to look like I might be right.

I work at 5pm tonight, and I’m looking forward to it. I think I have one shirt left for work. If anyone knows a good maid/laundry doer, let me know. Hey, I just am too busy to get around to mundane tasks.

J

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Wow, a month already?

Ok Matt, here is the post I promised. And you know I keep my promises.

On a positive note, I am working on my games. Poker and golf mostly. I spent some of my cash on the Harrington on Hold’em series. Very good books, I am seeing some differences in my game online already.

I surfed the couch at Matt's place last night. We sat on the porch and drank beer till 2am. That’s pretty late for Utah. We played a $10 sit’n go on PokerStars. Matt was showing me some of his style and all but guaranteed a win. I’ll be damned if we didn’t pull it off. Won the thing heads up with a 5-2 off suit. Caught a deuce on the flop and it was over. Thanks for the good advice Matt.

This weekend is the annual MDA (Muscular Dystrophy) ride here in Wendover. LOTS of cool bikes. It’s usually a good time, so If you haven’t been to Wendover lately (or ever), come on out. Make sure to give a shout to Fernando, Martin and Shawn at the billiards bar downstairs at the Nugget. Come down to the Rainbow and play some poker too. We’ve been having some sick no limit games lately. Big, big, stupid big pots. Lots of $$$ up for grabs. Big swings, but easy money for the patient. We had a good 10-20 with a half kill last weekend too. Maybe we’ll get lucky and spread another this weekend.

Until tomorrow…. (I promise)

J

Pokerstars Blogger Championship

I'm gonna win!


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Registration code: 4720077