NIght at the Movies

Helen and I had a dinner-and-a-movie date night on Wednesday.

She's been wanting to see "Lion" so we drove over to Red Rock to catch a 7 p.m. showing. Before the movie, we enjoyed a buffet dinner at Red Rock. Using a "buy-one, get one free" coupon we had received in the mail, we strolled into the buffet where the cashier told me we could use my points to pay for the meal. So it was a free dinner for us!

We checked out the buffet items and she opted for General Tsu Chicken, steamed veggies, pasta salad and a mushroom salad. I always fill Helen's plate for her at the buffet and got just what she requested. I piled my plate with fried chicken, breaded shrimp, green beans, steamed broccoli and salad. For dessert, she wanted something chocolate, so I got a piece of chocolate cake for her and I picked cherry pie with chocolate ice cream. It was a tasty meal!

The movie was interesting, but a bit too long. It went two hours and could have been 10-15 minutes shorter with tighter editing. It's the story of a boy from India who gets separated from his family, adopted to an Australian family and eventually returns to his Indian village to reunite with his mother. It'll probably win some awards.

Earlier in the day, I went to Planet Hollywood to play poker. I ended up losing $40 and that was sort of a success since - for the second day in a row - I lost my buy-in without minutes of taking a seat. This time I had A-A with about $90 in front of me. I bet $12 and got a single caller. The flop came K-9-2 of mixed suits. I bet $15, hoping the other guy had a king. He apparently did because he raised it to $40 and I quickly went all-in for the rest of my chips. He quickly called, showing A-K as I showed my A-A. His prayers were answered when a King hit the turn and I had to re-buy for another $100.

About an hour later, I had about $120 in front of me when I was dealt 2-3, both spades. Not a great hand, but I was hoping I might hit a tiny straight. And I was able to see a flop for only $2, so not much at risk. The flop came 2-2-7, giving me 3 deuces! I bet $5 and was called by 2 guys. The turn was a 3 - giving me a well-hidden FULL HOUSE! This time I checked it, giving one of the other guys a chance bet at the pot. And it worked - a guy bet $25,causing the other guy to fold. I hemmed and hawed, then just called, thinking that a raise might chase him out of the hand.

The river was a 10 and my foe bet $45. Again I stalled and looked as worried as I could before shoving in my last $80 or so. He called and mucked his cards when I showed my full house.
So I got back what I had lost earlier. And was happy to finish down only $40.

By playing for 3 hours, I also received a voucher for a free buffet at PH. If you use it for lunch it's a $20 value. But it's also good for dinner, a $33 value. Today I plan to get another one and we can use them this weekend when we stay at Paris, right next door to PH.

And so our adventure continues...