Date: Tue, 07 Aug 2007 16:05:01 -0700 From: Mark Trombley Subject: [BARGE] Barge Moments and Comments Just a few standout moments this year: Winning about 6 CP hands in a row from JP Massar, including at least three scoops. I then proceeded to give it all back. At one point Ice sat down and started playing, and after scooping me twice in a row tells me “I’ve never played this before, have you noticed any mistakes?.” “You mean you’ve never played with 2-7 in the middle?” “No, I’ve never played Chinese poker.” Heads up with Gavin in the stud shootout, I was outchipped 11-1, then came back to nearly even before finally losing. Gavin might not have been playing his best, though, since he was well into the double-digits on Bacardi & Diet Cokes. Congratulations on the engagement, Gavin, and best of luck! Definition of farming: going through the entire NL tournament with a below average stack, but making it to the money and then folding my way into fourth place. I really hate playing that way, but got short stacked early and decided I owed it to my owners (Rich and QB) to hang in there. Congrats to Pickels, and condolences to Bingo, I know he wanted it in the worst possible way. Other observations: What in the world has happened to video poker? I walked around several casinos and didn’t see a single DW machine with a favorable paytable. Maybe there are other 99%+ games out there? Unfortunately, DW is the only one I have optimal play memorized for. Chowaha. I don’t get it. Sure it’s unique, but damn dull. Sharon Goldman’s hair. Dazzling. Two thumbs up. Binion's was much improved. Nice to see them put some money in to get it dressed up. Next: guest rooms. Someone made an observation that BARGE has a high concentration of middleaged bald guys, and there’s some truth to it. My first BARGE in 1998 I was 43, and I felt like I was older than average. Quite a few people have nearly caught up with me, and I still have most of my hair. Thanks to Peter, Chuck and Mickdog for a well organized and fun event.