Back to Ballys

Yesterday morning Helen and I were both looking forward to getting back into our Vegas routine - for her that meant reading, calling friends and family and generally relaxing at the apt. while I headed out to play poker and make a couple of sports investments.

About 8 a.m. I headed to the Suncoast to make a couple of hoops bets, both losers due to Syracuse losing to Butler. Then I stopped by the post office to mail an ebay package and buy some stamps. I got there right at 9 a.m. when they open and there was NO line at all. That's a first.

Then I headed to Ballys for some poker, arriving about 930. There was one 1-2 no limit game going and I put my name on the short wait list. After about 15 minutes I got called to the game and was seated in the 9 seat, two to the right of the dealer. It's not one of my favorite seats, since it's a L-O-O-N-G way from the flop making it difficult to easily read the cards some times.

Anyway, I bought in for $100 and was up and down early. I was catching some good cards, several pairs and A-K twice. One nice pot came my way when I had pocket 6s and the flop came 5-6-A. After the dust settled I raked in the chips, much to the chagrine of the guy in the 10 seat who had three 5s to my three 6s!

But the key hand of the day came about 1 o'clock when I looked down to see A-J of spades. The flop came J-J-4 of different suits. I checked and one guy bet $20. I hoped he had a A-K or a pair of Qs and was the only one to call his bet. The turn was a 7 of hearts - no apparent help. He suddenly went all in for $105 and I spent about a full minute trying to figure out what he might have. I hoped he had two pair and not 4-4. Finally I called...

The river card was a 10 of clubs - no apparent help. And my opponent showed his hand - J-Q of hearts. I showed him my A-J and sat back as the dealer shoved more than $250 in chips my way!!

Soon after that I racked up my chips and cashed in for $291. Subtract the $40 in hoops bets and my profit for the day was $251. I enjoyed a hefty chicken salad sandwich (comped with my club points) and drove home. Along the way I made a stop at the middle eastern market and picked up some hummus, tabouli, pita bread, lebne and olives. That was Helen's dinner, while I enjoyed some leftover alfredo pasta and chicken. Dessert was Butter pecan and chocolate fudge ice cream.

Tonight we'll be watching MSU and I may make an investment in the Spartans. So our adventure continues...