From: "sharisilk"
Date: Fri, 10 Aug 2007 05:02:12 +0000
Subject: [BARGE] BARGE trip report


This is my first post to the BARGE list.  Since I am banned from
almost all the moderated boards, I'll try to behave, but that won't
be easy. lol

After years of hearing about it I finally experienced my first
BARGE, and it was fantastic.  I had lots of fun, met people I've
known only from RGP, and a whole bunch of other great people too.

I want to thank the organizers and especially Peter who went out
of his way to make me feel welcomed, and even to find me backing
for a few events.  Also thanks to Steve Goldman for the backing.
I came pretty close to scoring in the main event, more on that
later.

I was in town already so i met some BARGERs as they arrived.  The
Virgin Queen was the first I remember meeting.  We played some NL
together and if I remember correctly he was killing the game.

I played in the stud hi/lo event.  I busted fairly early, but the
highlight had to be Razzo get a round of applause for busting first.

I was in Vegas for a few months so the days get confusing.  I
remember I was going to go to the smoker at the goldman's but got
put into the stud shootout.  Never really picked up a hand until I
made Aces up on 5th and got chased by pocket 77 who hit the set on
the river.  That's poker.  Never did make it to the smoker but I
heard I missed a great time.

Almost forgot to mention breakfast at the Egg & I, which was a
fantastic treat as I hadn't eaten many meals outside of Binions for
a couple of months.  I love the steak and eggs, but you can have
too much of a good thing.  The breakfast got even better when ICE
announced he was picking up the check.  THANKS.  I also got to play
next to him in a mixed game on Sat night, and he was a lot of fun
and very nice.

On the way back from the breakfast Bob O, Brenda and I stopped at
the tourist shop on the strip to pick up some bust out gifts.  I
found these rubber hands with the middle finger sticking up for
$.99.  There were actually hundreds of hands in various positions,
but I only wanted the ones giving the finger.  Brenda wanted one
or two also.  So I poured out this big barrel of hands and started
going through them to pick out the ones giving the finger.  There
were only a few.

When I busted out of the tournament and gave the give, Andrew (I
think) was playing with it, and I saw that all the fingers were
totally movable, again proving that I am somewhat brainless at
times.

I played a lot in the 4-8 mixed games and did ok.  It was a lot of
fun playing with Sharon Goldman, Sabyl and everyone else whose names
I don't recall because I suck at names (I said I was brainless,
didn't I?).  I had a great time with RGPers Joe Long, Omaholic,
Raider, Bronzedodger, and, of course, da pickels and Guy and of
course, Tanya.  Not to forget the unforgettable Patti, who lived
up to her reputation as a great player.  I also noted she made a
couple of scores on the poker machines (I was sitting at the machine
behind you). Played at 4 or 5 tables with Gavin, including a tourney
a few weeks b4 Barge.  He's really a sweet guy, and he looks much
thinner in person than on TV.  I truly think Tanya could drink him
under the table though.

Speaking of drinking, I got pretty toasted both Friday and Saturday
nights.  In fact, I'm really not a drinker and I probably consumed
more in those two days than I had in the previous 30 years.  I did
manage to secure some excellent weed during my stay in Vegas though,
and was rarely without.

Played the TOC, made it past about 2/3 of the field I think.  I
don't really recall any hands, I just never had a big stack or even
a small rush after the first round.  The fisrt hand of the tourney
I had pocket aces and caught the third on 4th st.  Once that happened
I knew I was doomed, lol.

On to the main event.  I managed to get down to 3 tables even though
I was short stacked throughout the tournament.  The blinds were
500-1500, and I had just paid them.  I only had 4000 left after
that, but I was feeling pretty good as I had 7 or 8 free hands to
look at, when they broke my table, and I wound up in the big blind
again.  One player went all in and another called and I found QJs,
so I also moved in.  Really had no choice. Out 28th.  A tiny little
bit of sour grapes here.  Seems to me that at 10 spots away from
the money they should have tried to pay more attention to previous
position, or done a complete redraw.  I know this happens to us
all, it has happened to be before, but I don't recall it ever having
that drastic an impact.  Anyway, just a suggestion from a newbie.

The banquet was great and I really enjoyed Gavin's talk.  He had
some interesting insights, and he did a great job.  I was so tired
that I missed the roast though.  I was the first on the list for
the mixed games, so I asked the brush to please call my room and
let me know when the games were starting.  I woke up a few hours
later, I guess they were really busy, and had to wait a while.  I'll
have to plan better next year and get SOME sleep instead of playing
all night for 2 days straight and getting drunk.  I guess I'm an
official Barger now.

THANKS to all.  I hope I can attend next year.
Pokerchimp