Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 11:55:58 -0700
From: Joe Long
Subject: [BARGE] EMBARGO Trip Report

Short summary:  I had another great time at this year's EMBARGO.  Many 
thanks again for all the hard work of the organizers in putting this 
together.

Thursday my flight was delayed twice, then the check-in line at the Quad 
was a half-hour.  I stayed there because it's the cheapest rate that I 
found within walking distance of the Aria (1.05 miles).  But by the time 
I got headed out the door I had to run most of the way, and got there 
five minutes before the HORSE tournament started.  I apologize to my 
seat neighbors if I was bit gamy.

I had a terrible run in the tournament, and an early out (I think about 
the fifth person out).  I got on the list for the mixed game, and once 
it opened I got to enjoy one of the things that I come for, our reindeer 
games.  Things started out badly here, too, and I got down to about $25 
before it turned around and I ended up doubling my buyin -- just before 
3am.  That's where I called it a night.  Then a nice stroll back to the 
Quad.  I found out that even at 3am I didn't need the jacket I brought, 
so I left in the room the rest of the trip.

Friday I didn't do much until the Chowaha tournament.  That one started 
off a bit rough too, and by the middle I was short-stacked, but I hung 
on and made the final table.  We agreed to a save for the bubble (7th).  
Then we were down to six, and David Lawful and I were both somewhat 
short (he had me covered by a little) when we got into it.  I went out 
in flaming style -- David flopped quad nines!  He then went on to win 
the tournament, bringing the Chowaha title back to Colorado.  Big hairy 
conga-rats!

We discovered at EMBARGO that we're neighbors, about a mile and half 
from each other in Lone Tree.  Kat and I moved there in November; we're 
downsizing as I approach having to retire someday.  We gave up the 
horses last spring and no longer need horse property.

I finished the night in a 4/8 HORSE about 2am or so.  Dropped a hundred.

Saturday, I got halfway in the bounty tournament but didn't collect a 
single bounty.  The one time I was all-in with a shorter stack she 
sucked out (normal suckout, not a bad beat, so don't ask me for a 
dollar); she went out about ten minutes later.  After getting quite 
short I went on a rush, and came back up some, but still below average 
with the blinds going up.  Then I got pocket nines and had a raise in 
front of me.  I thought about how to play it, decided that just a 
min-reraise would look stronger than shoving, and so did that.  He 
tanked for a bit then shoved.  I tanked for a bit then called.  My 99 
against his AK; what I was hoping for at that point (not an overpair).  
Well, he gets a King on the flop, then a third club on the turn took 
away one of my two remaining outs (he had the Ace of clubs).  Another 
King on the river seals the deal.

I think some people don't like bounty tournaments with the reduced prize 
pool.  I enjoy them, and I'd be happy to see this again.

At this point all the tables are full with long lists.  I ask about a 
mixed game and I'm told "No one has asked for an interest list."  So I 
did, and was the first to sign up.  An hour later no one else had signed 
up.  I expected at that point that it would be a long time before a 
mixed game got started, maybe past midnight, soI left in search of a 
game.  First I got in a 2/4 hold-em game at the Flamingo.  Clueless 
players, but I usually find 2/4 dull as dishwater.  Then the clueless 
got lucky in every hand I played, I only bought in for $60 and it went 
without me winning a single pot.  I did share a pot, though, when I had 
red KK and the board came all clubs.  The two other players who stayed 
to the river didn't have a club either so we chopped it up.

After "brunch" at the Hash House a Go Go I got in a 4/8 HORSE at the 
Venetian, had a good time there and a good profit.  That's still my 
favorite poker room on the strip, and second only to Binions of all the 
rooms that I've played in.  I played there until 2am then left because I 
had an early flight home.  Overall I was up for the three days (live and 
tournament combined).

Bottom line, I had my usual great time, and I'm already counting the 
days until BARGE.  Thanks again to everyone whose hard work made this 
possible.


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