From: "Don Perry" Subject: [BARGE] barge. no poker content BARGE 2002, my favorite BARGE to date, they get better every year, perhaps because I get to know more people each year, and get to know the "old" ones better. This year's BARGE was great because a.) I made it, and b.) I made it standing up. LenG lost the last longer he made with a guy in our home game. He ( LenG ) had $ 10 on Timothy McVeigh to survive longer. My room at Binion's was a vast improvement this year, with no Fremont St. Experience coming in the window,a decent mattress, and an air conditioner no louder than, hmmmm, a Kawasaki 350. The dealers at Binion's were IMHO outstanding, and fun to play with. They really do "get" Barge, and enjoy the antics. The best line I heard at BARGE this year was from a Binion's dealer who shall remain nameless. The announcement came over the poker room speaker that all poker dealers were required to work overtime. Kidding, I asked our dealer if they would get time and a half for overtime. Deadpanned response from dealer, " Yeah. The locals will tip 75 cents. " The badges were excellent this year, what with the nifty neck straps and the pins and chips are works of art. Has anyone noticed Art Santella looks very much like Satan ? Particularly so when dressed in black, smoking a cigarette and sweating a game, laughing his evil laugh. My high points for 2002: Seeing Bob Ogus sprinting around on his new hip, pain free and shot out of a cannon. Winning the stud tournament. Seeing everyone again. Getting Kevin Un's bounty. Very nice badge Kevin, thanks, sorry you picked that spot to go all in. My low point for 2002: Peter Secor's banquet address, announcing the winner's of the Stud Tournament. Nice job Foldem. I guess I forgive you since you had a hand in setting the whole thing up. My concerns for next year: IMHO Binion's is the only place that will really let BARGE be BARGE. I am upset to hear that the poker tables next to the main poker room are being replaced with slots. I think that this might slow the antics of some of you. My thanks to Chuck, Mike, Peter, Pat Milligan, John Miller ( who ?, you might ask . ) and to George Smith and staff at Binion's, and to Frank Brabec and the staff at the Oasis for a great BARGE Hangover! For those that missed it , I suggest you come next year if Frank sets it up. The locals in Mesquite all consider 67o the best 2 starting cards, and straddle and drink and generally play cards, well, kinda like Quick on tilt. Thanks to Maverick, for not attending (after all his bullshit), and thanks to Maryann whose picture will adorn my cocktail waitress collection. By the way, what's up with Nolan's hair ? Is he auditioning for a remake of Cape Fear, or just letting his freak flag fly ? I look forward to gathering you all again on some cloudless desert evening in August of 2003. Bless you my children. Go, and sin no more.