Planet Pokerwood

Yesterday's poker session took place at Planet Hollywood, which was buzzing with cowboys in town for the National Finals Rodeo.

I drove to Bally's and parked, then hiked through Paris to the PH where I had not played poker in a few years since they relocated the poker room. A few years back the PH management moved the poker room from its own private area to the center of the casino where it's not really a room, but a roped off area with passersby all around.

Anyway, after about a 15-minute wait I got a seat at a $1-2 no limit table. It was kind of interesting because MOST of the players were VERY inexperienced.

In fact, while I was waiting a guy approached the room manager and asked about games. The manager said they had a $1-2 no limit game going and the guy asked what the 1-2 meant. The manager explained that was the size of the blinds and I was SHOCKED that this guy didn't understand what 1-2 meant and yet he was willing to play in a Vegas poker room. Unfortunately this guy didn't get a seat at my table...

After playing for about 15 minutes I could tell who the good players at my table were. There were only 3 of us who seemed to be experienced players. Within an hour I was up about $75 with no huge hands, just collecting several $15-30 pots. One BIG hand pushed me way up. Here's how it unfolded:

I was dealt J-9 of Hearts and called the $2 ante. The flop came 10h-As-8h, giving me a STRAIGHT FLUSH draw, plus a straight draw. One guy bet $15, another called and I called, leaving 3 of us in the hand. The turn card was a 7c, giving me the J-7 straight.

The first bettor, who I figured had an Ace, tossed in $25, the 2nd guy called and I quickly raised it to $75. The first guy called and the 2nd guy folded. I showed the straight and the first guy showed his A-10, a losing two pair. That healthy pot put me up about $175.

My friend Terry called and wanted some six team parlays - in fb, hockey and hoops. They both went down. As of this morning, he still has a 6-team nfl ticket that would pay $1,000 if it hits. I have a $10 fb teaser ticket from two days ago that will pay me $100. I need Titans +13, Minn ovr 43 and Cowboys +2.

Terry and Gary are thinking of coming out next month. That's always fun when they hit town!

No other big poker highlights and I was never able to get up over $200, eventually walking with a profit of $144.

To celebrate our win, I stopped at a Famous Dave's BBQ place and got a sampler platter that Helen and I really enjoyed. It was loaded with ribs, chicken, pulled pork, beans, slaw, potatoes and muffins. Will be munching on the leftovers today while watching some football as our LV adventure continues...