Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:32:08 -0700
From: Joe Long
Subject: [BARGE] EMBARGO  Trip Report

I had a great time as usual at EMBARGO, and I want to extend another 
huge THANK YOU to the organizers.  This will be a short report for a 
short event.

Played the Thursday DC tournament.  Limiting it to ten games was a big 
improvement, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.  I got to play each of the 
"*ARGE" variants during the tournament.  I caught some good hands and 
made it to the final table, with five places being paid. We did a save 
for the bubble, which turned out well for me.  I'd gone card dead, the 
short-stacks wouldn't die, and at six players Nick C. on my right was 
the short stack and I was second shortest. Then the game changed with my 
turn to call the game, and I made a strategic blunder.

In a flop game, Nick was going to be all-in in the SB and I would be 
all-in in the BB.  So I should have called a split stud game to maximize 
the number of opportunities I would have to win some chips.  But I 
hadn't been thinking about a game to choose, and I didn't stop to think 
about it, I just said "badugi."  Then Nick and I had one caller.  Even 
so, at that point there was only one chance in six (before the cards 
were dealt) of my going out in sixth place:  specifically, Nick had to 
win and the other player had to be second.  If I win, of course, I'm 
good, and if the other player wins Nick and I both go out with him 6th 
and me 5th.  Nick not only won the hand (with me last, so I'm out), he 
went on from there to finish 2nd in the tournament.  A big hairy 
Conga-Rats, Nick!  Ron dominated the game late (and called Hold'em 
whenever it was his call), Nick tried to make a deal but Ron wanted to 
play it out with his huge chip lead heads-up.

Friday morning some of us went for a four-mile run, something I enjoy.  
It's a tad easier in January than in August.  The were kind to me and 
let me set a pace that I could handle.

Friday night Chowaha.  I had Dan G. on my left (uh-oh) and he had an 
interesting bust-out gift (yay!).  Doesn't he always?  This one was a 
book on curses around the world.  I got lucky and got the book.  I had a 
$10 last-longer bet with Un and we both made the final table. I'd been 
card dead going into it and that didn't change.  I went out in 8th place 
and Un went out 7th.

I was looking forward to the Heads-Up tournament, I wish I'd gotten to 
play more rounds, but I was one of the two-and-out guys.  In my first 
round I started well, getting a 3:1 chip lead after about 25 minutes and 
then catching pocket Kings.  I limped to tempt my opponent into shoving, 
which he did with J8.  I felt pretty good when a "safe" flop came giving 
him no jack, eight or draws.  Then -- turn jack, river eight.  Now we're 
back even in chips but with huge blinds.  I got squat after that and he 
went on to win.

I'd rather forget my second round, it seemed that whatever I had my 
opponent had better, plus he came back over the top when I made a move.  
He owned me.  That match took less than ten minutes for me to lose.  
Nevertheless I loved the opportunity and I hope that we do this again.

I didn't mention all the dealer's choice cash games I played, every 
day.  A big part of my motivation to come to *ARGE events, since that's 
the only time I get to play them.  My results were mixed, but I did not 
show a profit, except in enjoyment.  Thanks, guys, for some great games.

I didn't get to Dan's on Sunday since I needed to take an early flight 
back.  See y'all in August!


-- 
Joe Long aka ChipRider
A++ G+ PKR+ PEG+ B+ M+