From: "Tim Gomes"
Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2006 19:05:09 -0700
Subject: [BARGE] (fwd) RE: [BARGE-announce] Trip Reports

This was my first BARGE tourney ever and I do not see how or where to
post
the reports so if it is not too much trouble, could you post mine.  Here
it
is:

I was referred to BARGE to a friend and long time BARGEr.  I have been
playing for about a year; mainly in home games that I host.  My first
day in
the stud tournament I was at the table and there was one seat empty.
Then,
lo and behold, down sits Gavin Smith.  I recognized him right away as he
is
one of my favorite players.  Boy was I intimidated, honored, and blown
over
seeing him sitting with me.  WOW!  That was a thrill in itself.  
Then I hung in being low-stacked most of the tournament and went
heads-up
with him.  I was completely elated.  My only regret is I did not get an
autograph/or picture of him.  Playing in that heads-up match with Gavin
and
having Gavin tell me I had played a very good game all tournament was
the
most awesome experience I could have ever asked for.  And to be able to
do
it with a low buy-in was simply astonishing.  Now, I did not beat him
but I
did make a huge come-back which was very impressive to me
because....well, I
was playing against Gavin Smith ;).  I think he is a great player and
again,
one of my favorites to watch and playing against him was such an honor
and
made the entire trip worth it.  WOW!!!
Thanks Gavin, Chuck, Peter, and all the BARGErs out there.  I will be
there
again next year, you can count on it.  
And, now my wife and I are going to Atlantic City for the one at the Taj
in
March.
Keep up the good work and please pass this along to Gavin if you can or
tell
him thank you for helping to make our trip the most memorable I will
have in
a very long time.
Tim Gomes
First-time (but definitely not last-time) BARGEr.