From: "Steve"
Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 04:20:38 -0700
Subject: [BARGE] Scoop's 2010 Trip Report, or How to Go to Barge and still be a Pu77y
X-BeenThere: barge@conjelco.co


I probably bit off more than I could chew by attending BARGE this
year. While I have been able to deal with health issues close to
home, is was more difficult in Las Vegas in August. I did not have
a chance to visit with everyone I know or even meet many new people.
My apologies for my anti-social behavior, just a wish to get thru
all this crap so I can come back next year and participate!

My original plan was to drive over Thursday,  just play a couple
events and take it easy. My good friend Bill Campion was turning
80 in Las Vegas on the 3rd and I had to be there. So now I had to
spend 5 days in Vegas. Normally not a bad thing, but not this year.
So my lovely Peg stepped up and drove me to Vegas early, stayed a
day, flew home to the farm, and then flew back to Vegas on Saturday
to drive me home!  I was delivered to BARGE 2010.

We left Santa Rosa about 5 AM and was able to beat all the East Bay
traffic while heading out to I-5. It gets no better than the Dead
and Jerry week on Sirius radio, so the ride to Vegas is smooth,
exciting and fast, we pull into South Point Hotel about 2:30 PM,
with no problems. We have a surprise party @ 6 so we get checked
in and run some errands. Needless to say, this long day has already
taken its toll on me and I barely make the party and we are back
at the hotel at 8 PM. Go to bed while it is still light out.

I decided to stay at South Point due to free rooms and $100 free
slot play. It is very far from downtown, I know, but my BARGE
schedule was light and I like free. I only spent about $25 driving
back and forth so it was +EV. We wake Wednesday and have a light
breakfast. I have a meeting to attend but have some time so we find
some playable VP machines and take a seat. I download $20 of my $50
free play as does Peg. Before I spend $10  I draw to a naked Ace
of Diamonds and hit a 4 card draw Royal for $1000! WooHoo! I think
I am freerolling! I also play on Thursday, hit another $800 win at
VP. Lose a little back so I leave Las Vegas up $1450 in VP without
ever using my own money. I LOVE THIS!

After seeing Peg off to the airport, I headed to Binion's to get
my badge and have some fun! But it soon becomes reality that I
should be resting somewhere else so I leave and return to South
Point. Are you starting to see a pattern here?

Thursday morning I get up early, my BARGE is officially starting!
Team CHORSE! With the deadheads!? Many thanks to Grizz, Len, Bingo,
deadhead and JRX for inviting me to participate, breakfast was good
times, we took a shot and almost got there. I was happy to play and
looking forward to getting there next year!  Sticking with the theme
for the week, I bail on Yo giving her a ride to the smoker and blow
the smoker off, hoping someone can take my spot. I need my rest for
the TOC.

I love this tourney, but almost don't make it. I get very little
sleep and at 8 AM about 90% sure I will not show for the TOC. I
awake at 9:15, feel better and head out, deciding to take a shot
at making this work. I do ok for about the first 4 hours and then
start to fade. It had JZK on my left and snapped off his aces, sorry
bout that, wish that could have happened on Saturday in the NL
instead! Russ "The Messenger of Doom" Fox and I are sitting with
an empty seat between us, soon filled by Brian Micon. He starts to
whine about who would organize a 10AM start to a tournament during
a drinking convention. I look at him and say, "you must be a Virgin".
With Zbignew on his left and Russ on his right, Brian got a good
dose of BARGE history and was impressed, but still sleepy, LOL!
Matt G busted me in the TOC with about 56 left, I see he used my
chips to cash, I hope he put all those drink tickets I could not
use to good use as well!  I am able to survive the Cal, er, symposium,
get a chance to hook up with  The Chicless Syndicate. We buy many
players and I am still waiting to find out if I owe money or get
money? My only bad beat of the week came here. With my back to the
stage and not paying attention to the action, I am using my hands
to make a point at my table and bid $40 for Ben Gamble. I like Ben
and all, but we all know that it is my mouth that usually gets me
into trouble, not my hands!  I once again missed all the great games
in the poker room for a chance to sleep, I am such a pu77y.

Saturday I wake feeling better, and look forward to playing well
in the NL. Only problem is that IFSATG. I am out before the group
picture is taken, KK no goot.  I was at my table for such a short
time, I hardly remember who was at my table. Bart Simpson and Kyle
were there, not sure who else.  I stick around for an hour or 2, I
give my banquet ticket back to the organizers and am back at South
Point before my wife gets in from NorCal.

Many thanks to Peter, Mickdog and Nick, all your hard work makes
it easy for the rest of us to have a great time! Thank you Rodney,
for all you do, you are a true pro!  The staff at Binion's were the
best as always, let's hope they are still around next year.  While
I am very happy to been able to attend BARGE2010, I hope that my
health is better next year, I can participate more and get a chance
to visit more with everybody.  I really appreciate the well wishes
and I wish I had more chance to get out and meet more of you this
year.

scoop