My Vegas Trip Report! (Nightmare)

I left on Wednesday afternoon from Toronto. My buddy and I were flying Continental, figured we'd get a decent size plane for a 3 hour trip to Houston (layover) The plane was a continental express jet! This was the smallest plane i've ever been on. 2 seats on one side of the plane, and one seat on the other. I think it only held about 120 people. (if that) To go to the bathroom, you had to duck the whole way down the isle or you'd hit ur head. Sleeping on this plane was a challenge, oh and to top it off NO INFLIGHT MOVIE!!

We get to Houston for an hour layover, and get a bite to eat. Felt stupid wearing my Jacket in the terminal. If only I could tell em' I came from Toronto, they would understand. I ended up holding my jacket the whole time. The girls that worked at this airport had porn star qualities, and features which was nice! Finally, they called us to Board for Las Vegas. I kept imagining that awful plane and hoped we didn't have to use that one again! (No one should be tortured like that) To my delight we got on a 737 Airbus. 3 seats on either side of the plane! (Now that's an aircraft i'm accustomed to) With an Inflight Movie! The 3 hour trip from Houston to Las Vegas seemed like 5 because my buddy and I were so excited, we couldn't wait to get off the plane!

Finally we arrive to LV airport and take a Shuttle to our hotel. My last vegas trip we stayed at the Luxor, this time we ended up at Tropicana. From the outside this hotel looked pretty decent. Once we entered the hotel, the Check-in line was longer then the check-in at the airport. They only had 3 stations open, and one manager on duty station with the MOD just standing there not doing anything! You would think he would try and check some people in, but he was just an ordament. An hour later (no exaggeration) we got to the front of the line, and got checked in. It was awkward rolling my suitcase through the casino floor. We get to the room, and see the tacky decor. 80's Curtains and 17" TV with a broken window screen.

I decided to shower before we made our way down for some dinner, the shower pressure at the Tropicana was like rain drops. Kinda made me upset, took twice as long to get the shampoo out of my hair! We finally made our way down to the Luxor to eat at the Pyramid Cafe. I liked the variety of food you can get there, and it was so cheap. My buddy got fish and chips, and I got the ultimate Sandwich. After dinner it was off to the Tables!

As we get close to the Luxor poker room, we see a large gathering take place outside of Cris Angels production office. We went to see what all the fuss was about. It was Cris himself in his office with his crew. Although no one was allowed in the office but him and his crew, everyone got to see what was happeneing through the windows. There was a sign on the window that read "CRIS ANGEL TAPING TOMMOROW @ 1pm in Excalibur" (More on this later)

Time for the nightmare to begin: Vegas was packed with lots of tourists, but these tourists ranged from Gamers, Young Couples, and Horny old Men. That's because of the 2 major conventions in town. The Consumer Electronic Show, and AVN (PORN)

We started our poker session at the Luxor, I bought in for $100 and folded through an orbit just to see what was at my table. No one at my table was rock, 8 people would see a flop and 3 would end up at the showdown. Pre flop would consist of 2 bets at most times. I knew if I wanted to win, I would have to either play tight and get lucky for my hands to hold up! After 4 hours of play I was down $30 dollars.

It was 5am and all the 2/4 tables were empty around the 3 strip hotels I was close to. I'm only a limit player and I had an itch to play poker. I thought i'd just call it a night an try again tommorow. As I got back to the Tropicana there was a 1-2NL game going on, I just wanted to watch but was talked into buying in. The cashier said, this is easy pickings for you. Seat 5 is drunk! I had never played NL before, and I thought I would give it a shot. I bought in for $100. There was only 5 of us at the table. Drunk guy, an Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore type couple (He was 25 and the GF was like early 40's) and Drunk guys friend.

I knew that in NL tight is right, and to get paid off on your best hands. This table never raised pre-flop unless drunk guy raised it. The way he raised to was crazy, He took his 2 hands over his stack and just scooped and threw whatever into the pot, then the dealer would have to stack his chips to get the total amount he raised. I knew he was strong when he did this, because they were awkward amounts, and he also showed his cards. Any pocket pair he would raise to $15 any 2 face cards he would make it $6-7 pre-flop. He then threw out other amounts to throw us off and he showed hands like 7-2, 8-T. He was the big talker at this table, he made no sense and just rambled.

I ended up playing all my blinds, and I called raises with a big Ace and saw only 5 flops and missed. I finally picked up a strong hand KQ of hearts. I raised it to 6 dollars, and the whole table called me. The flop came down K x x rainbow. Awesome flop for me! Everyone checked, and I bet out 12 dollars half the pot. Everyone folded except drunk guy. He went ALL IN for 60 dollars. I thought to myself, a set?!? 2 Pair?!? I then reflected on his raising patterns, if he had a pair he would have raised $15 preflop. I make the call, he turns over 77 and my hand holds up! He then re-buys for $100 dollars.

My confidence is boosted and I continue to play my blinds cheap and big Aces. In my BB I get dealt 7c Tc everyone folds to the drunk guys raise of $15 dollars, I see the flop because I think I tilted this guy, i'm suited and I saw Daniel call and win with this hand too. Flop comes 8 J 9 (I flop the Nuts) I check, He then asks me..."How much are you willing to call?" I don't respond, I just want his chips to go in the middle. He makes it $15 dollars, I announce "ALL IN" without hesitation, or reading the board he calls! I was excited when he turned over his set of 8's and I said "I FLOPPED A STRAIGHT" Turn card is a 6, river card is a 6. Runner Runner to ruin my first time NL experience. He then said to me, "You can take a couple of chips to tip the valet"

My face turned red as I left the poker room, I felt like Daniel when he lost to quads against Gus. I then ended up sleeping for 14 hours!

*TRIP REPORT TO BE CONTINUED*

Comments

  • djalikool wrote: »
    Flop comes 8 J 9 (I flop the Nuts)
    Wouldn't the nuts be QT?
  • I think I tilted this guy, i'm suited and I saw Daniel call and win with this hand too. Flop comes 8 J 9 (I flop the Nuts)


    your gamblers Anon group would be pleased with this read.

    Get help buddy....again.
  • Wolffhound wrote: »

    your gamblers Anon group would be pleased with this read.

    Get help buddy....again.

    Please give me some signed copies of your poker book so I can pass them out at my next Anon Meeting.
  • djalikool wrote: »
    Please give me some signed copies of your poker book so I can pass them out at my next Anon Meeting.
    Chapter 1: Red

    Chapter 2: Baron

    Much love Wolff, can't wait to see you at Royal Cup III :D

    /g2
  • Though crass.. Wolffy brings up a point..

    Look... you've been told a few times that people, most of whom I doubt even know you well, think you're dancing a fine line.

    Maybe 6 months ago now, you come on here and post about your gambling addiction, the debt it cost you, and the strain on your relationships. Now, here you are posting about a trip to vegas strictly to gamble, and you've lost $130 in the first night.

    Fact is djalikool, you're not playing poker, you're gambling. A good poker player folds that hand, and doesn't look for a reason to call with it like "I saw Daniel do this, and they're suited". I know you've caught flack for this before, and will again, but this is the last time you'll hear it from me.

    You have relapsed - a common thing with addictions - you are gambling again, EDIT FOR BEANIE (and doing so very poorly) and are chasing the high rather than the good play. You need to stop and get help now, or your history will repeat itself.

    Mark
  • DrTyore wrote: »
    Fact is djalikool, you're not playing poker, you're gambling.
    DrTyore wrote: »
    you are gambling again, and doing so very poorly.
    Based on your comments, folding is "poker" not "gambling". So doesn't this mean he is gambling well but playing poker badly? If he made correct decisions, wouldn't that be gambling poorly? Your statements seem to contradict each other... ;)
  • Smartass...
  • ATM_GP wrote: »
    First off thank you to Sloth for pointing out this thread...as most of you have correctly stated I don't follow this forum enough, I wish I had of because of the excellent opinions.

    A few clarifications and comments I'd like to make (and sorry if this sounds like a rant, only Molson Canadian can come up with a true rant..god Bless the "I am Canadian Joe" :) )

    1- I never saw the final article until I read the first posting on this board...guess the Records not even nice enough to tell you when you might be printed so you can get a copy....hahah gotta love that..

    2 - there was a miss quote, yes I said it was a lazy man's sport, however I did not say the bit about being lucky, at least not in the way it was brought across. I obviously can't remember to the word but I'm sure I would have said something more to the point of you still need luck. With my loses I have tried to figure out why I lose so much. Some say I'm reckless (thanks I resembled that once upon a time) some say I'm lucky when I did win. Some actually said I knew what I was doing at times...man did I have THEM folled :) What I realized was that skill, education, and training are as much a part of this game as any other. And much like every other sport, and yes others will disagree about it being a sport, I firmly believe that some people are good, some are bad and some excell. I happened to find out that at NL Texas Hold Em I fall under the "stick to the 3 pitch league" for those that like baseball.

    3- Thank you djalikool for your post, if I knew this system well enough I would quote but I have had the same ideas given to me about how to beat my addiction. It is better to lower the gambling addiciton then to try and go cold turkey. For Flint Bones who has many counsellers in your family....how many of them deal with gambling addictions. From the ones that I have talked to all seem to share the same idea. Now your point with alcohol and drugs is very true..the difference being that once you convince a gambler to go to lower limits and they can still get the same rush it is not the same as drugs and alcohol in that both of those chemical alterations to ones body are a combination of desire for more, and the chemical's ability to assist in that desire. Gambling "highs" are completely self induced and as such can only be feed by ones own brain...teach that brain that winning a $0.86 cent pot at $0.10 and $0.20 limit poker is the same feeling as willing the $500 pot at a $1 -$2 NL game and you've assisted in curing the gambler of a potentially huge debt issue down the road. I know many won't believe this..but enough training and enough want to change by the individual and this can happen. I have not quit completely (just don't get invited to the same game since I don't come to this site as much as I should have, I do miss Tyson's, Shoppee's, Shannon's tournaments) I did want to make the Bristol H.O.R.S.E tournament but as mentioned I wasn't able to get the final details I needed.

    4- This forum is an amazing place, and when I took the time to do my research here and study what others had to say I did find my game improved. I also think it is an amazing source for addition thoughts on ones game. I have noticed some comments as to who's responsibility it is to assist the troubled gambler. I think some of these suggestions are fantastic and I find it an interesting thought process for the group. It shows a level of responsible game playing that was completely missed by the article..and one I might write an editors feedback to. I wonder if the Record would even print it if I wrote it????

    5- A suggestion if you feel a friend has a gambling problem... if they only gamble on poker..then GET THEM TO READ THIS SITE RELIGOUSLY...it would have saved me a lot of money if I had...if their gambling is on everything then highly suggest they seek assistance. A few of my friends from work use to joke that I was also busy at the casino because I knew how to play EVERY game and knew the odds for most....these were guys that I always felt were smarter then me so I didn't quite understand why they didn't know how to play the different games..their repsonse was that they didn't need to, they'd just wait until a seat became available at a game they knew...that to me was one of the first signs that I had a problem..I didn't care the game..just wanted in on the action.

    And finally and the most important. I apologize to all that may have been offended by the article or anything I have said above. I didn't do this to get it off my chest or to put a negative spin on any of the activies of groups of people I know. I did this because someone asked my opinion. I am no smarter, braver, or whatever the hell you want to call it then anyone else..I just tend to like to talk..and I got pulled in by someone that wanted to listen. Interesting that he told me he wouldn't give specifics on how much I lost and then look at that, big bold numbers :) go figure...

    To all of those that I have played with... I hope to see you at the tables again..just won't be sitting with huge stacks or a bank card in front of me anymore :)

    Graham


    YOU GUYS ARE ALWAYS BUSTING MY BALLS. RELAPSE THIS, YOU NEED HELP, GO BACK TO GA....Guess me and Graham should go together huh?

    You guys don't even know the facts. I only brought a small amount of money with me to Vegas. Part 2 of my Vegas Trip report was going to be about the Cris Angel Taping that I was in. But I guess I won't post anymore, because everyone is so concerned about my 7c Tc hand.
  • I for one would like to know how the rest of your trip went; what you spend your money on, is nobody's business but your own. When did this site become about judging others? personally, I think most people on this site have a gambling problem, but at least you were big enough to face your demons in front of others. Just tell them to piss off and move on.

    pokerJAH
  • djalikool wrote: »
    YOU GUYS ARE ALWAYS BUSTING MY BALLS. RELAPSE THIS, YOU NEED HELP, GO BACK TO GA....Guess me and Graham should go together huh?

    You guys don't even know the facts. I only brought a small amount of money with me to Vegas. Part 2 of my Vegas Trip report was going to be about the Cris Angel Taping that I was in. But I guess I won't post anymore, because everyone is so concerned about my 7c Tc hand.
    I'm confused, did Graham go to Vegas with you?

    /g2
  • YOU GUYS ARE ALWAYS BUSTING MY BALLS. RELAPSE THIS, YOU NEED HELP, GO BACK TO GA....Guess me and Graham should go together huh?

    You guys don't even know the facts. I only brought a small amount of money with me to Vegas. Part 2 of my Vegas Trip report was going to be about the Cris Angel Taping that I was in. But I guess I won't post anymore, because everyone is so concerned about my 7c Tc hand.

    If you have gone so far as to admit that you have a gambling problem and have gone over the line in the past, then you have shown that you don't have the abilty to control yourself. Now, that being said, everyone attacking you to losing $130 to a drunk guy in NL is a little overboard. The game is high variance and losing an all-in doesn't mean anything.

    To the peanut gallery: Do you attack djalikool if he posts a winning trip report? If the answer if no, then STFU. You are just being results oriented and attacking the guy cuz he lost.


    To djalikool: If you can restrain your gambling to just vegas and only make trips when you can afford it and with money you can afford to lose, I don't see a problem. But also admit to yourself that you have to potential to self-destruct and take actions to ensure that while you are gambling, access to money that ISN'T gamble-worthy is restricted.
  • A quick mini-defense.

    djalikool's results mean nothing... he claimed to be an admitted victim of gambling addiction, and now he's posting about his latest gambling ventures. I for one was concerned for him. I don't know him, but I know what terror addictions can cause, and how easy it is to deny you are relapsing. I'm done with this now... GL to you djalikool.

    Mark
  • BBC Z wrote: »
    If you have gone so far as to admit that you have a gambling problem and have gone over the line in the past, then you have shown that you don't have the abilty to control yourself. Now, that being said, everyone attacking you to losing $130 to a drunk guy in NL is a little overboard. The game is high variance and losing an all-in doesn't mean anything.

    To the peanut gallery: Do you attack djalikool if he posts a winning trip report? If the answer if no, then STFU. You are just being results oriented and attacking the guy cuz he lost.


    To djalikool: If you can restrain your gambling to just vegasand only make trips when you can afford it and with money you can afford to lose, I don't see a problem. But also admit to yourself that you have to potential to self-destruct and take actions to ensure that while you are gambling, access to money that ISN'T gamble-worthy is restricted.
    No one was attacking his post-flop play (other than minor misread of the nuts). The issue was brought up with his justification of pre-flop call with T7s, "I saw Daniel call with this hand and win".

    /g2
  • g2 wrote: »
    No one was attacking his post-flop play (other than minor misread of the nuts). The issue was brought up with his justification of pre-flop call with T7s, "I saw Daniel call with this hand and win".

    /g2

    Actually FWIW that hand is not a ridiculous hand to call with in a NL game:

    a It is very well disguised
    b You will be able to get away from it easily if you miss
    c Has the potential to bust big hands
  • DrTyore wrote: »
    Smartass...
    Good read!

    I wasn't attacking Ali, I was making fun of DrTyore. Unfortunately, that's an addiction I can't control, and have no desire to stop ;)
  • cadillac wrote: »
    Actually FWIW that hand is not a ridiculous hand to call with in a NL game:

    a It is very well disguised
    b You will be able to get away from it easily if you miss
    c Has the potential to bust big hands
    I completely agree... and anyone who has played against me can vouch.

    But quoting how a pro played a hand once is not on that list ;)

    Besides, do you really need to disguise your hand when calling a drunk guy's raise?

    /g2
  • [QUOTENow, that being said, everyone attacking you to losing $130 to a drunk guy in NL is a little overboard. The game is high variance and losing an all-in doesn't mean anything. [/QUOTE]

    btw, I also lost a big all-in bet on Saturday night to a sober guy. Although my call was likely more acceptable (I think). He goes all-in blind (yes blind) for $85 and I call instantly with AK. He hit his 5 of course. Got to love 1/2!
  • BBC Z wrote: »

    To the peanut gallery: Do you attack djalikool if he posts a winning trip report? If the answer if no, then STFU. You are just being results oriented and attacking the guy cuz he lost.


    I have been attacking djalikool regardless of the results for quite a while now. Actually it has nothing to do with the play or cards it has to with the fact that he has an adimitted addiction, posted that he couldn't control and was seeking help and then in a very short time seemed to overcome said addiction and now has no problem. It sounds like a dangerous road and I am just being an ass by reminding him that he does in fact have a problem and clearly it has not be controled. But again, I am an ass.
  • Well I guess I will never win this argument. Everyone thinks they know me to well. Thank you to those who defended me and my call with 7c Tc. When I said "I saw Daniel win with this hand" I meant that it was a disguised hand. After I lost to that All in I didn't play NL again. I stuck to the 2/4 tables. Before my trip I budgeted how much I should bring to Vegas, and I spoke to a forum member too, where I should play and what tourney's I should enter. Here is a quick synopsis of Day 2

    Day 2 - Went to the Cris Angel live taping. It was taped inside of Excalibur at the Tournament theatre. Cris was hog tied and dragged by a car, he had to free himself, which he did successfully. The theatre was packed and there had to be over 100 Camera's while it was being taped. The whole thing lasted an hour and half.

    After Cris Angel we got a bite to eat at McDonald's (I tried there Snack Wrap) We don't have that here in Canada. It's 2 Chicken Fingers wrapped in a pita with Ceasar dressing and lettuce and bacon. Pretty good stuff!

    At 6pm Luxor held a $65 dollar tourney, when I got there it was full. I then sat down at 2/4 and played a few hands when I heard "One seat remaining in the tournament for anyone intrested in playing" I mucked my hand out of turn and went up to the Poker desk and entered.

    I started with 600 chips blinds were 25/25, I won the button to begin the tournament. This was an advantage, because the blinds were so high to start with, I got to see a full orbit of cards before feeling "Short Stacked"
    I was card dead and someone noticed I hadn't played any hands. "It's okay to limp in" he said...the table laughed. I finally did limp in with AJo I was in late position, the reason I limped was because chip leader was a bully. If a pot was raised, he would re-raise to sandwich some players. I was playing my usual game the "Trap" I missed the flop completly, and folded. I was down to 300 chips blinds were 150/200 I could only see 2 more free cards before it was time to bust out. My last set of free cards I saw Pocket 9s, this was a no brainer the remaining chips went in the middle as did 2 other people. A4h vs 99 vs 45c Flop was 6 8 5, the turn brought a nice 7 river card an Ace. The dealer started pushing the chips to the person that held 45 and I said, I have a higher straight, the floor came over and the pot returned to me. This gave me more leverage and more bluffing amo, also my tight table image help me win a big pot. I had the button and I didn't even look down at my cards I threw in a $500 dollar bet one caller. After he called I looked down at 72 unsuited, flop was A 3 8 rainbow. He checked, I moved all-in he thought about it for awhile, I took a sip of my drink making it look like I wasn't worried. He then folded face up and showed his pocket 4's.

    It was down to the final 3, every hand the dealer button would move all in. I saw Ace rag in the BB and the dealer said "ALL IN" SB folded, and I called instantly. He had 89o I had Ace 4 flop was A A 7 turn card was a blank and river was a blank. I now had the chip lead going into heads up, but not by much. Heads up ended in 2 hands, I got dealt 77 I moved all in and he calls with J9 flop comes a J and I don't improve. I am crippled, and I laughed how about we chop the pot "DEAL or NO DEAL?" no surprise, he said "No Deal" I move my last few chips in blind he calls 52o vs k4 we both miss the flop turn and river, and K high wins. I win $160, he won $420. He didn't tip the dealer, so I gave the dealer $10.00 on his behalf, and she appreciated.

    I then asked for a food comp, and took my $4 food comp to the Pyramid Cafe and got a pizza :)

    *TO BE CONTINUED*
  • Those Lexor SnG's are horible. Basically a Bingo fest.

    I found the 2/4 Limit game to be easy and I doubled my buy-in when I played it (the second time when I wasn't drinking.)
  • BBC Z wrote: »
    If you have gone so far as to admit that you have a gambling problem and have gone over the line in the past, then you have shown that you don't have the abilty to control yourself.

    To the peanut gallery: Do you attack djalikool if he posts a winning trip report? If the answer if no, then STFU. You are just being results oriented and attacking the guy cuz he lost.


    .

    My comment had nothing to do with djalikool's success or lack there of in Vegas. Review his posts since he posted his heartfelt cleansing post about going to GA and regaining his perspective etc...

    Since then it seems like he stuck his toe barely back in the water (Playmoney/Freerolls) and now trips to Vegas etc, another post about crashing and his friends and family being concerned seems like its right around the corner.

    Good luck DJ. Hope it works out, I much like Donald Trump do not have the right/power to comment on what people should be doing with their life/money... but, I hope history doesn't repeat itself.
  • Wolffhound wrote: »
    Good luck DJ. Hope it works out, I much like Donald Trump do not have the right/power to comment on what people should be doing with their life/money... but, I hope history doesn't repeat itself.


    So if you're Donald Trump does that make BBC_Z Rosie O'Donnell????
  • So if you're Donald Trump does that make BBC_Z Rosie O'Donnell????

    Not a chance, I respect BBC_Z
  • punctuation error?

    believe it or not, i'm in favour of cutting dj and graham some slack on this. they've discussed their problem and how they cope with it. i wish them both success.
  • pkrfce9 wrote: »
    believe it or not, i'm in favour of cutting dj and graham some slack on this. they've discussed their problem and how they cope with it. i wish them both success.
    Totally agree. But can I still make fun of Mark? :biggrin:
  • beanie42 wrote: »
    Totally agree. But can I still make fun of Mark? :biggrin:

    Who can't??
    :)
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