Posts Tagged ‘dealer’

Blog long over due

Monday, August 17th, 2009
I must extend my apologies to my friend, Thomas Gardner for the tardiness of this blog.  He has been very patient.  I promised this write up way back in January.  I guess better to be late than never…
 
The room was abuzz with excited chatter from all the ladies as they readied themselves for the start of the tournament.  The ladies come from all walks of life to play the Ladies Tournament.

I was well prepared for today’s event. I had a great table draw.  It was a very late breaking table and I was in the one seat.  I know lots of people do not like this seat because it is hard to see everyone.  But I find the lack of players on both sides to be calming.  Plus this particular seat one provided me with a clear view of the entire room.  I was able to people watch to my heart’s content. 

I just had to take this picture of Thomas Gardner.  He is the dealer in this photo. Tom was very brave to volunteer to deal to the ladies event at the Beau Rivage in January 2009. It turns out he is an amazing good sport and able to take some good hearted ribbing. Black men CAN blush!  Who knew?
The table of ladies were rather rambunctious and engaged in conversations with Tom that was highly suggestive.  The flirting was laid on strong.  So much so that Tom actually blushed!  When this occurred, I just had to take his picture to memorialize this event.
I am not at liberty to share what specificially caused this blushing phenomenon.  But I assure you it will long be remembered by Tom and my table mates!
Aces cracked. 

I am under the gun with pocket aces.  The blinds are 75/150.  The UTG player limps as well as one other player.  I raise the pot to 450 and UTG calls.  Two see a flop of [9 J 9, rainbow].  UTG bets 600. I call.  The a turn is a [2].  UTG bets 1,000.  I re-raise to 2,000.  UTG calls.  The river is a [Q].  UTG bets 1,000 and I call to lose to trip queens on the river.  Ouch! It least I did not go broke with this hand. 

 I try to make a few more hands, but had to abandon them due to heavy action.  My stack bleeds down to a M of 6.  I am looking for any unopened pot to get my tiny stack in with.  I am in late position with a j, 10 suited and the pot has been unopened.  I bet half of my stack, planning to shove on any flop.  I have one caller.  I hit a jack on the flop and my opponent checks to me.  I shove the rest of my chips.  My opponent goes into the tank and makes what appears a crying call.  She has AJ.  She lets out a huge sigh and exclaims, “I was convinced you had pocket jacks.”  I do not improve and make an early exit from the tournament.

Unfortunately, the poker gods did not shine on me for long today.  I started off very well.  I won many pots, most without a showdown.  Those that were shown down were monsters.  My image was very strong.   I overheard one of the ladies saying to her neighbor that she had to take a break because she was intimated playing with me.  This gal has a wonderful rail bird in her life; evidently he told her that she knew how to play, to get back in there and just to play her game.  Whenever you are on tilt or intimated on the felt, you should just go back to basics.  Play YOUR basics, your game, whatever style that may be.  The familiarity of this regimented play will center you.  Once settled, you can expand your game.