From: John_Davis@ultimatesoftware.com
Subject: Barge 2000

This was my second BARGE (I've also attended SARGE and MARGE in
Mississippi) and I agree with others that we were welcomed at Binion's more
than we were at the Orleans in 1999.  There were several dealers that came
in to our games during their off time, just to join in the fun.  And maybe
they thought we were pushovers.

I've played in tournaments in many casinos in five different states over
the past two years and can honestly say there is less dead money in the
BARGE NLHE tournament than in almost any tournament I've played.  If you
come to BARGE thinking it's easy to beat this group, you're wrong.

But BARGE isn't about +EV, it's about fun and friendship.  Good thing,
because I've made more friends than money in these events  :)

I almost didn't make the trip since I wasn't sure exactly when my daughter
would make me a grandfather.  As it turns out, they are inducing labor
today, so I'll be one soon.  I arrived just in time for the Team Chorse
event.  Our team didn't do well, but at least we didn't bust like we did
last year.  This lasted so late, that I didn't do anything else on Friday.

I didn't make it to the Calcutta, but heard that Paul Stine and I went for
$150.  Not sure, but guess that was about average.

On Saturday, I ate breakfast with Tom Overton and his wife, then went
straight to the NLHE tournament.  As it turned out, I was sitting right
next to Paul Stine, who was my Calcutta partner.  I did well to start off
and was up early to almost double my stack.  No big wins, just a little
here and there.  But as the blinds increased, that amount became worth less
and with about half the players remaining I went out with little fan fare,
never getting involved in a hand that could have made a big difference.

Late Saturday was my first exposure to Chowaha.  What a fun game!!  I
dropped $200 in that game, but probably tipped at least that much, so I
probably broke even on my play.  I didn't stay up long enough to make it to
the main table (I was at the must move table).  Patti was funny and was
tipping like crazy.  With one new dealer at our table she won a pot and
asked him did he have big hands.  He looked at her wondering why she was
asking.....then she said whatever you can grab, you can have for a tip.
Turns out he had big hands!!

On Sunday, I entered the noon NL tournament at the Orleans.  I was doing
great and was the chip leader at my table and probably of the tournament
when we were down to four tables.  I had AK and made a preflop raise of
about 3 times the big blind.  Was called by one player.  The flop was
something like, 258 rainbow.  The other player checked, so I went all-in
thinking he had none of that and he would fold.  He picked up his cards
like he was about to fold, thought about it for a while and finally called,
which put him all in.  Well, I didn't improve and he won with 75o.  I can't
believe he would risk going bust with that weak of hand.  My stack was
badly damaged and I didn't make the final table.

On Sunday night, I entered the Limit Orleans Tournament.  I never could get
any chips.  Crunch, who I understand made it to the final table, was
drawing out on us.  In one hand I had KJ, was able to get in cheap and the
flop contained two Jacks.  Crunch stayed in for runner runner QT to make a
straight.  That hurt my stack and left me with little chips as they broke
our table.  On my next table, I got AK and raised preflop.  The flop was
KQx.  I bet and was raised.  The turn was a K, so I bet my last chips.  My
opponent has pocket Quees and won with a full house.....IGHN.

But all in all the trip was lots of fun and I look forward to next BARGE
and also the upcoming SARGE and MARGE.

JohnnyD