From: Rebecca Kerl
Date: Tue, 9 Aug 2016 15:46:16 -0700
Subject: [BARGE] Redbird Report BARGE 2016

My BARGE was in question this year. With everything going on this summer
and spending weeks in the ICU with our au pair, plus moving again shortly,
we weren't sure if we could make it. My dad was supposed to fly up and pick
up Selah and fly back with her, but with his blood clot and cancer
diagnosis just weeks before, he was not allowed to fly and we didn't have
our au pair to stay with Selah since she was in the ICU. My sister was
staying with my dad, so at the last minute we arranged for her to fly up on
Saturday and stay with us and then she flew back to NM with Selah on
Sunday. We stopped at the hospital on Sunday after dropping them at the
airport to find out that our au pair had bacterial meningitis. I really
wasn't sure we should leave. Monday morning I still wasn't sure, but we
decided to go.

We arrived in Las Vegas and David Kluchman had just arrived on his flight
and was waiting at our gate. We shared an Uber downtown. We checked in at
the D and got to pick from a suite on the 29th floor or 31st floor. Since
both were prime we needed to figure out a way to pick, so we asked the girl
checking us in if her birth year ended in a even or odd number. (even was
29, odd 31) It was odd (5, also prime) so we ended up on the 31st floor.

We unpacked and hung out before heading over to get our badges. We settled
in to play the Monday tournament. I won my first table along with Patti. We
had to wait for all the tables to finish to head to the next round. The top
2 finishers from each table advanced to the final table, and cash. Two
tables finish and we are down to three on my table- Bozo, Masa and me. I go
card dead and Bozo tries a few times to take Masa out but they keep
chopping. I finish 7th for the bubble.

I did get a cute stuffed Donkey from Ron. This is inspired Jodi to get me a
cute painted donkey that she saw in a store and I got it from her the next
day!

Tuesday we meet friends for lunch and I "win" CCR. We go play the 26 game
mix and I make it about 9 games before flaming out. I'm also getting
updates all over on our au pair. Things are not good. I go to dinner and
"win" CCR again. I'm not feeling very "BARGE" and tell Dean I think I
should go home. I sit in the PLO/Binglaha game and that helps my mood. I
decide to hang in there.

Wednesday is a blur, Thursday I skip CHORSE because it's always such a loud
clusterF and by this point in the week I typically need a break to
recharge. I meet a local friend for lunch and I go and buy myself a pretty
bracelet from my favorite pawn shop downtown. I meet up with Dean and we go
have more food with Sharon, the McBrides and Scott S. Eventually a huge
crowd of people from CHORSE join us and my stepson and his buddy arrive
from Arizona. We head back for PLO. Sharon was having some shoe issues so I
ran to my room so she could borrow a pair of super comfy sandals.

I'm at a tough table and can't get anything going. Eventually we break but
the damage has been done. However, we did make a Kerl/Goldman family last
longer prior to the event and somehow I outlast Sharon and she has to pay
me her last longer first. I go out shortly after. Then Zach goes out and
all hopes are left on Dean.

While he's playing, I go play the lowball game. It's fun and I pull off a
great snow job. I was dealt a 5 and then AAAA. I raise, stand pat and fire
out a bet. My opponent folds and I show the bluff because you have to show
that kind of hand. I go back up to check on Dean when the game breaks. He's
hanging in there but has some work to do.

Dean makes the final table along with Dan. He's average to short stacked.
Then he starts chipping up. Dan goes out and we win the family last
longer!  Then he's 4 handed, 3 handed, heads up..... He gets in a pot where
he has his opponent, Dave F, covered and dominated. He had flopped a set
and Dave had an over pair. Turn is a blank, and then maximum pain as the Q
falls on the river to give Dave a higher set. The next hand they get it all
in, and Dave wins. I tell dealer Troy that he has now c-blocked me for the
night.

Friday we play the TOC and I once again flame out early. I'm frustrated but
it's ok. I stop back at the pawn shop with Dean to check out some gorgeous
earrings. Dean gives me the ok and I go back and buy them. I then start the
10-20 HORSE game. We get a full table quickly and are having fun. My AA and
KK go down in flames. We head up to the symposium and then a dinner at the
steakhouse. Dinner is slow, but decent. After dinner we head to karaoke.
Dean spends some time with his kid and they head over later. Zach does a
great job on the Safety Dance and everyone is into it. We are having a
great time and I realize that I am happy for the first time in a long time.

We head back to the hotel room and I have this feeling wash over me. I
can't describe it but it's a calm assurance and I am certain that I will
win the NLHE. I even post on Facebook that everyone is playing for second.
I fall into a deep sleep. Saturday am I put on my fishnet stockings that I
have been promising Peter that I would wear.

I get to my table and I'm in the 1 seat. Next to me is Katie, Dann, Masa,
Alex, John Grout, Rodney, and my apologies for not recalling the 4 and 10
seats. I have a great reason, I promise! I start off with some good hands
early and then go dead for a bit. I hear applause starting and look up to
see my stepson being the first eliminated from the NL tournament. well done
Zach, go enjoy your Saturday.

A lively discussion breaks out and I have spent the week avoiding all
discussion of politics but today I decide to just say "screw it" and start
jumping in. Chips are moving around the table, players are coming in and
out, we get Chris Jepsen and Steve Markowitz at the table. John Grout moves
all in and I look down and see 63hh and I am on the button. I had some
chips to play with and it wasn't too much to call, so I called. Dann goes
in the tank and eventually folds. I show the 63, explain that I wouldn't
respect myself if I didn't call with birthday and Dann loses his mind
briefly. John had Q10, but it's no good against birthday and to the rail he
goes. Dann would have lost so he was glad he didn't call me. Katie is
replaced by Len, I think. We break shortly after and I end up at a table
with Lori, Rick M, Justin, and Susan. Warren and Bree move in for awhile,
Alex joins us later. Lori and Rick are helping me learn to be Canadian
since I am moving there soon. Dean busts out. We keep playing and then
Rodney joins the table. We decide to take an early dinner break since Russ
needs to change.

I also decide to change because I don't want to be cold and run back to the
room. I make it back in time for dinner. I can't eat. Too wound up, but I
am super sore. I go out in the hall and lay down. Daniel sees me on the
floor and asks if I am ok. I tell him that I am still in the tournament and
I am just resting and stretching. He laughs and says "do what you gotta
do."
People are asking me how my stack is and if I am doing ok. I say I'm great
and I'm going to win so I am not worried about it.

I came back in for the speech. I like it, as I have done a similar program
and it made a huge difference for me. I know it's not for everyone but
there are some things to take away and try. I loved the Q and A. I went up
and got a photo with him after before I headed back downstairs. We had 29
left and I was super focused. People started busting out. Doug was
accumulating a huge stack on his table. Alex was accumulating chips on
mine. Kevin eventually moved over. I finally get some cards and win a pot
with QQ and the very next hand I get KK. I raise all in and folds around to
Larry Stone. He calls. Shows AK. I double up. We got down to the bubble and
I proposed a save since hand for hand is slow and it's Barge. It's approved
so we play on. I get 99 in the SB, folded to me and Kevin is short stacked
in the BB. He wakes up with 10-4 and hits a 10 on the river I think. Sigh.
But he goes out and somehow I manage to make it to the final table. I'm
short stacked but that's how I like it.

Final table is Erin, Rick B, Len, John Campbell, Susan, Rodney, me, Alex
and Doug. I still feel like I am going to win. Doug and Alex get into a
huge pot almost immediately and its AK vs AQ. Alex sucks out with a flush
with his Q. Doug is stunned and now Alex has a giant chip lead. I just
focus on playing my game and I double up a few times. Doug is eliminated
and then Rick. We play more and I now realize I am second or third in
chips. I see Zach there and I am happy. I ask him to go get Dean. Usually I
don't like Dean there, but this time I want him. He lets me know he is
there. I go back to focusing. Then John Campbell goes out. Then Susan. Then
Erin. Then Len. There are a lot of people watching. I'm surprised. I
realize we are 3 handed and it's Alex, me and Rodney all from the same
starting table!.

We throw chips around, and eventually I take a huge amount of chips from
Alex and then knock him out. I'm heads up and now it's time to win. Troy
comes in to deal and Dean starts toking him to try to bribe him not to
screw me like he did to Dean during the PLO. We get all in and I have A6 vs
Rodney's AK. Flop comes down with a 6 in the window! But.... there is a K
on the flop too. Rodney doubles through me and I am down to less than two
big blinds. I say, well, I am going to win so I guess I have some more work
to do. I get my chips back. We take a quick break. While we were playing I
heard some good 80s one hit wonders playing in the casino and we laugh
about it. I stretch and settle in, prepared to play all night if I have to.
I start winning back more chips and then Rodney shoves all in on me. I have
A9. I call and everyone crowds the table. Rodney has K8. Flop comes down
5Q10. Blanks. Turn is a 3. River is a 3. The realization of winning hits me
and all I can do is just put my head in my hands as everyone is applauding
and cheering. Dean rushes over and hugs me tightly. I think I thank Rodney
for a great tournament (if not, I am sorry!) My stepson and his buddy are
there, so excited and happy. People come over and congratulate me. Lots of
hugs and kisses. At some point I start crying. We take photos. I get my
trophy and get paid. I am too tired to go celebrate and since it's almost
3am at this point, Dean decides to stay up since he has to leave for the
airport at 4:30 to get Selah. He leaves the hotel and I fall asleep around
5am. I wake up at 9am. My brain is just too wound up.

I go see Larry and Claudia, Gillian and Gerry, Kevin, QB, Sabyl and Susan
at brunch. I can't eat, but I chat for a bit and then texts me that he is
headed back to the hotel with Selah. I leave but stop by the dealer tourney
on my way. I say hi and goodbye to the Kluchman's and Anderson's and then
go back to my room. Selah sees me and she gives me a big hug and says
congratulations!  We have some time so we pack up and then decide to treat
her to one of her favorite places. She LOVES Kids Quest, so we go to
Boulder Station and let her play for a bit while we play some poker. After
the alarm goes off we pick her up and head to the airport. Dean had to add
her to our reservation so he gives Selah and I the seats in 1st class and
he takes the bulkhead seat. JZK is on our flight and is behind me. We play
some Chinese on the flight before we land. Selah was very well behaved.
Thank goodness for iPads and headphones. We get home about 9:30pm. I make
dinner and then we all head to bed. Another great BARGE in the books and I
can't wait to design my chip set!

I really enjoyed seeing everyone and spending time with various people,
playing new games, meeting more people and deepening friendships. It is a
bright spot in an otherwise pretty crappy year. I needed all of you, so
thanks for being there for me. I can't wait to see you all again.

Redbird