Thursday, September 28, 2006
Watch Out Florida!
Time for vacation.
Time for a post.
Yes, its true sports fans…. I’m posting again. I have so much to tell…. Where do I start? Maybe with the $30000+ bad beat at the Rainbow. Maybe with the killer hot streak I’ve been on betting NFL football. Maybe with my vacation to Orlando coming up in ten days. Maybe with the love of my life….
Yeah, I said it, the love of my life. Marina is the best thing to ever happen to me in this millennium. That is why I am going to Orlando with her for a week in October. I don’t know why we picked Orlando. It just sounded fun, and the price was right. I’ve never been to the east coast or Florida, and Marina has never been on vacation (NEVER). I found everything on expedia.com. They are having a $100 off any booking of 3 nights or more until October 8th to celebrate their tenth year in business. Happy birthday and thanks a lot Expedia!
Marina and I have been faithfully attending the Monday night football parties hosted by the rainbow casino. We each bet $10 and usually take the underdog and the “under” on the points. It’s been working well so far. I am also picking winners like crazy, winning 8 out of my last 9 bets, including several 2 teamers and a 3 teamer last weekend. I hope my luck continues for the entire year.
Work has been good at the Rainbow, and the bad beat jackpot has been jacked all the way up to over $30000. I need to hit it or deal it. I haven’t been playing much as of late, so I guess I have to deal it. Ill keep you all posted.
My apologies to everyone (Matt, Mitch, Joe, anyone else?). I’ve fallen out of touch with over the summer. Go ahead and blame the girl, I don’t care. I love her.
J
Thursday, September 07, 2006
I'm Sorry for my Lack of Dedication!
Just as an excuse for my slacking, I offer the following apology. What can I say…? I’m in love. I met the most wonderful woman, and she makes me happy. We're together so much, I can’t take the time to type. I’ll work it in more as much as I can.
J
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Baseball in the Summer
I’ve been away from my blog for awhile for a very good reason. For those of you that don’t know, I am in love with the most amazing woman. Its crazy and it makes you do funny things. I haven’t been inclined to write anything for the past few weeks since I’ve been spending most of my free time with her, and mentioning anything about that would get my ass kicked if I were to write about it…
I owe everyone an apology for not finishing my Vegas trip report. I’ll try, but no guarantees. Work has been good lately, with lots of action on the weekends. I’ll try to post more about it.
Kamar went to Vegas this past week and played in the main event of the WSOP. I’ll have more details on that as they become available.
TTFN
J
Monday, July 17, 2006
Vegas Post #1
Fernando didn’t carry his luggage on; instead he decided to check it. That was another hour waiting for the bag. Instead of staying by the pickup area, we dashed upstairs to get our first Vegas beer. The sports bar we found was packed with people watching the final few penalty kicks at the end of the World Cup Finals Soccer match. We couldn’t get in, but the game quickly ended and we were able to sit down after the place emptied. Te service was great. We were served immediately and offered $2 shots with our beers.

We met cool guy from New Zealand and sat around drinking beers and shots for an hour or so. After that it was off on a suicide ride through the streets of Vegas with mike. Yeah, I know, I didn’t capitalize his name. He doesn’t deserve it. He was an ass everywhere we went.
Damn, this is taking forever.
First stop was Palace Station, where we checked in to our rooms and got settled for the evening. After a quick change of clothes we headed down to the Guadalajara bar, which is really just one of a million video poker bars in Vegas. We spent the better part of 3 hours drinking at the bar until hunger reared its ugly head. I demanded to be fed, so the 3 of us went over to the Broiler, a steak and seafood restaurant right next to the Oyster bar.
Fernando started off with his usual – two dozen raw oysters. We ordered a shitload of seafood. Calamari, shrimp, scallops, fried clams, and codfish – nothing survived. We ate and ate and ate. And drank.
To be continued….
Friday, July 07, 2006
Tearing It Up In SLC

I saw a couple of movies this week, Superman Returns and Nacho Libre. Superman was awesome. Nacho was funny, but a little juvenile and plotless. The feces smeared on the face scene was way too much for me. I guess poop is not very funny when smeared on someones face.

I have two shifts left before Vegas. I am giddy to the point of not being able to sleep well. How sick is it that I work in a casino, and then I go to the casino capital of the world for vacation? I don’t even care, I love it. Remember, faithful Vegas readers, Hogs and Heifers downtown on Sunday night. Any questions?
J
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Slummin' at the Laundromat
Its time for some poker playing (Etiquitte) lessons. Here are some important tips for the masses:
1. Don’t put your cards under the button if you want to fold. Just throw them in like everyone else. Just ‘cuz you know how to slide them under a plastic disc, it doesn’t make you cool, a pro, or anymore Rico Suave like than you already are. Digging them out from under there is time consuming, and puts your cards at risk of being exposed. Stop slowing the game down trying to be cool.
2. The same goes for the dollar tip you put on top of your cards when you muck the winner. Don’t get me wrong, I love the dollar, but just throw it to me. Serving it up on a KEM platter does nothing for me. However, I don’t mind $5 chips at all. You can send those in however you want.
3. Don’t leave on your button. You held your piss through the blinds; one more hand won’t kill you. Respect your neighbors, don make them post double blinds. This is for forward moving button games only. In stationary button games, players can go when they want.
4. God gave you a mouth, use it. Don't leave us all wondering what you are doing when you throw some odd amount or are staring off into space. If you want to call, SAY CALL! If you want to raise, SAY RAISE! If you need time, just ask.
5. Don’t check a hand down with your buddies or perceived friends. If you do, don’t be obvious. Soft play is cheating; I don’t care how you do it. Nothing turns me off more than being bet out of a pot and then having two poindexters check it down.
6. Don’t ask the dealer “did I tip you?” If you’re not sure, just throw some more, it’s the right thing to do, trust me. Besides, I’m going to say no anyway…..
I’ll post some more when I think of them. In the mean time, I’ve gotta go. I think Mr. Chattyshirt is trying to steal my laundry.
J
Leftovers
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Slow Saturday
I do have a lot to show for it, but it still sucks when you see a FAT no limit game and cant sit down due to bankroll issues. I’ve tried it in the past, but you really do need a generous buffer when playing no limit, at least the way I play. A few hundred just won’t cut it when some jackass sucks out his gutshot and you can’t reload. You have to be able to come back and punish him for daring to take your chips in such a manner.
Funny stuff in the Salt Lake Tribune today about one of the poker rooms in Salt Lake getting busted. Check out this link - http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_4001808. I know almost everyone involved. I hope they don't come down too hard on them...
Salt Lake City and Utah in general are so damn tight. Not to go on a rant here, but why cant grown ups choose what they do with their own money and what time of night they’d like to buy a beer. There’s a lot to be said for 24 hour adulthood here in Nevada. Almost all of it is positive, only the auto insurance rates suck.
Only four games for most of the day at work. Happy 4th of July. I’m glad most of my coworkers are on vacation.
Support Illegal Downloading!
J
Friday, June 30, 2006
Strike One....

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.



J
Vegas Baby!, VEGAS!
J
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Rainbow Tournament Weekend
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 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
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
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

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
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?
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 have registered to play in the PokerStars World Blogger Championship of Online Poker!
This Online Poker Tournament is a No Limit Texas Holdem event exclusive to Bloggers.
Registration code: 4720077
Monday, May 01, 2006
The Day We Missed the Mexicans
I am psyched for the tournament tonight. I read a very good post by Pauly on his blog. You should check it out. I think it has helped me find some insight in keeping my mind focused. I have been in the money the past two weeks, finishing 7th and 10th. I am definitely ready for a win.
I stocked up on some Sprite and fried chicken from Fred’s Market. Thank god they were open at least…..
Last night was and adventure. It started at the Nugget and ended up at Fernando’s place. We were doing our best to get shitfaced while sitting on opposing couches and taking flash photography in the dark. I think we called it random picture theater. Pictures will post as soon as I get them.
Ok, players. Come out to Wendover and play a little. It’s been too slow lately. I need to make more money. So come play, and tip well.
J
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Sunday Ramble
Terry is on fire lately at the NL games at work. I’m not going to give the amounts, but it looks like he is doing well for the past few days. There is almost always a no limit game at the Rainbow lately. We spread a 4-8 Omaha a few days a week. I like dealing it because there is a $37,000 jackpot just waiting to be dealt. Even if the dealer gets screwed, there is almost a guarantee of a $1000 day. I love those days…..
I’m working on my illegal mp3 collection. I’ve got it pretty well stocked while watching vh1 and downloading along. I do love the ‘80’s. I love the 90’s too.
J
Another Week at the Rainbow Casino

This past week was awesome. I spent a few days with my daughter in
Poker has been a bust this week. It is so nice outside; nobody is coming out to play lately. I’ve tried prop playing a little, but I haven’t seemed to make any progress. I should wait for awhile to build a bankroll and play NL a little more. There is a lot of money just sitting there on the table waiting for a prepared mind to show up and take it.
I ran into a
I had one of those dreaded nights at
I am continuing the house hunt here in town. This hotel arrangement is good, but I am missing a kitchen big time. A patio with room for a bbq grill would be nice too. If anyone sees a good deal, let me know.
Keep the faith!
J
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Flopped the Nuts
This was one of those sweet moments while starting a tournament on PokerStars tonight. It was a hell of a good way to get started.
PokerStars Game #4785658438: Tournament #23938837, $1.00+$0.20 Hold'em No Limit - Level II (15/30) - 2006/04/29 -
Table '23938837 4' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: newbiest (1080 in chips)
Seat 2: bitsyboo (1870 in chips)
Seat 3: moe1down (1580 in chips)
Seat 4: jurgermister (1000 in chips)
Seat 5: boofisher (1155 in chips)
Seat 6: CheesySamy (1860 in chips)
Seat 7: gratis (3435 in chips)
Seat 8: WEST WENDOVER POKER DEALER (1830 in chips)
Seat 9: cowpokedad (1260 in chips)
WEST WENDOVER POKER DEALER: posts small blind 15
cowpokedad: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to WEST WENDOVER POKER DEALER [
newbiest: raises 30 to 60
bitsyboo: folds
moe1down: folds
jurgermister: folds
boofisher: folds
CheesySamy: folds
gratis: calls 60
WEST WENDOVER POKER DEALER: calls 45
cowpokedad: folds
*** FLOP *** [8c Ts 9h]
WEST WENDOVER POKER DEALER: checks
newbiest: bets 120
gratis: calls 120
WEST WENDOVER POKER DEALER: calls 120
*** TURN *** [8c Ts 9h] [4d]
WEST WENDOVER POKER DEALER: checks
newbiest: bets 900 and is all-in
gratis: calls 900
WEST WENDOVER POKER DEALER: raises 750 to 1650 and is all-in
gratis: calls 750
*** RIVER *** [8c Ts 9h 4d] [Kd]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
WEST WENDOVER POKER DEALER: shows [
gratis: shows [8s 8d] (three of a kind, Eights)
WEST WENDOVER POKER DEALER collected 1500 from side pot
newbiest: shows [Td Ah] (a pair of Tens)
WEST WENDOVER POKER DEALER collected 3270 from main pot
cowpokedad said, "nh"
Sunday, April 23, 2006
A Little Close to Home
http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_3737978
I wonder if I know any of the dealers.......