Vegas & The Aftermath - Diary

[Elliot]

Thank you.     
Been meaning to send you some videos but obviously not the 'old way'.    Just stuff from YT people have filmed during the last week of gigs at Nott/RAH.

Welcome to the dark side Elliot.

Cheers, Soop

And Tikay while you're out there in the west maybe try to catch some live music if it fits into your schedule.

Junior Brown would be worth a shot if you can. Something a bit different but I think you'd enjoy it...(check YT vids)      https://www.juniorbrown.com/tour/

Or maybe Buddy Guy. That would be something else live! (I've seen him once but in the UK)      https://www.buddyguy.net/

Depends how long you're out there and where you travel to.

[Machka]

Congratulations on your retirement tikay, how are you feeling about this now it has finally come around?

Sad that I missed the closure of the other forum, I would liked to have sent a farewell message to all over there.  Shame the forum hasn't been archived off somewhere, bit of a fiasco if you ask me.

I will be following the Vegas posts with interest and now you have all the time in the world, the reignited regular posting in your diary...

[tikay]

Sorry for radio silence. I seem to have energy problems, I get back from poker & am completely whacked. But I've just awoken from a 13 hour sleep so am a little refreshed & will try & do a few replies & posts.

[tikay]

hope you're enjoying Vegas, my idea of bliss is those OrleansO8 cash games

Hi Simon.

Agree, its as relaxing as it can be, hard to win much or lose much at Limit O8 & there are some amazing characters there.  

On the way back to my room last night after an early exit at GN, I had a look at the Orleans Limit O8 Cash Game wait lists. $4-$8 had 3 tables running & 23 on the list, $8-$16 3 tables & 15 on the list, & even $15-$30 had 2 tables & 9 on the list. The place was absolutely heaving.

How's your health these days, has it stabilised?

Oh, I shared a few tables with an old sparring partner of yours the other day, I'll be very surprised if you are not acquainted with him. He mainly plays at GN when in Vegas but Orleans too.  


https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=4434

He won the GN thing two days ago & I looked him up on Hendon, does very well indeed at stakes up to $300, & has over 300 cashes to his name. Excellent player at those stakes.


https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=4434

His name is Walter Smiley, a very inappropriate name for one who only smiles when he lays a huge slowroll on an opponent who thinks he's scooped. Don't think I've ever seen a worse (better?) slowroller in my life. Has chronic catarrh too as anyone who has shared tables with him will testify, and to be fair, to expectorate into a rubbish bin some 6' distant as he regularly does is a lost art. Not at all a pleasant experience to have him to your immediate left or right, it must be said. Gotta respect his game at the stakes he plays though. I almost feel bad for saying it, but on occasion I've told him to his face & it does not even register with him, he's a thoroughly unpleasant individual. For balance, I don't suppose he's mad keen on me, & it was him that went home with 1st prize so there's that.

[tikay]

I can't reply to everyone individually, but thank you to everyone who posted. Once I've replied to everyone I'll try & get up to date on my poker adventures, such as they are. Bet you can't wait. 

Shaz/supernova, THREE new left hips? I'm sure Oscar Wilde would have an appropriate retort for that.

alanc - thank you.

Elliott. Buddy Guy? I'd travel a very long way to see him. Need to do it soon though, he must be nearing 90. Someone suggested I go see The Pixies in Vegas. I gave them a listen & they were surprisingly good considering they have such a naff name.

[tikay]

Not a bad start for an old fart  (you can use that as a paragraph title in your upcoming book on your retirement years)

Was meant to post something on your goodbye thread next door last night, but was a little 'tired' after a Bank Hol day out, so didnt play at all and forgot.....oops.
Anyway, VBOL out there. And once again, thanks for all your help and support over the years.

Hi Alan.

It really has been my pleasure to try to look after "my" players Next Door all those years & I hope I did it in a fair way to everyone. Have to say, my "goodbye" thread was the most amazing thing ever.  Sadly, the Forum closed before I could thank everyone or copy it. Too late now.

That book title deffo merits consideration.

This will sound awfully pretentious, but I AM seriously considering writing my life story. Not to publish as a book, there'd be 10 copies sold if I'm lucky, but I just have the urge to chronicle the ups & downs of my life.

I really have had THE most extraordinary life. And to be fair, I expect everyone thinks their life is special, & they are right.

But I don't think anyone can imagine my highs & lows. Some - many - were self-inflicted, others unfortunate, lots were just right place, right time, & of course huge dollops of luck, mainly of the good version.

The more I think about it, the more extraordinary I think my life has been & it might encourage others to overcome the various adversities we all face in life.

Anyway, we shall see. How old is your beloved Son now? Is he dating girls yet? Do you make him accompany you to Stoke City games?

[Karabiner]

Sorry for radio silence. I seem to have energy problems, I get back from poker & am completely whacked. But I've just awoken from a 13 hour sleep so am a little refreshed & will try & do a few replies & posts.

I'm not surprised you're tired, it always took me three days to get over the jet-lag and I've not been for fifteen years!

[tikay]

Congratulations on your retirement tikay, how are you feeling about this now it has finally come around?

Sad that I missed the closure of the other forum, I would liked to have sent a farewell message to all over there.  Shame the forum hasn't been archived off somewhere, bit of a fiasco if you ask me.

I will be following the Vegas posts with interest and now you have all the time in the world, the reignited regular posting in your diary...

Ahh, thanks Aaron.

The retirement question is a terrific one. I'm going to bore the pants off everyone by replying to that as it will be at length, but first let me get up to date on my poker adventures & accidents & then I'll return to it.

I will, for now, just say that the actual retirement moment is at Midnight (UK time) tonight, that's when my Contract expires & I become unemployed for pretty much the first time in 61 years. And at exactly midnight tonight, access to my Company Laptop will cease as they will remove all my Passwords  & Log-Ins etc.

I've used my Company Lappie every single day for almost 19 years but that all ends in 8 hours time. I've got me a nice new personal lappie with me though, I just have to learn how to use it. Or even open it. It's a brand new second hand one, a factory reconditioned Lenovo, cost me a whole £250. Somewhat extravagant, but as I've managed without a PC the last 19 years by using the Company one, I don't suppose I can complain. 

Anyway, I'll return to the Retirement thing after I've updated some poker stuff.

[tikay]

Sorry for radio silence. I seem to have energy problems, I get back from poker & am completely whacked. But I've just awoken from a 13 hour sleep so am a little refreshed & will try & do a few replies & posts.

I'm not surprised you're tired, it always took me three days to get over the jet-lag and I've not been for fifteen years!

Thanks Ralph.

With hindsight, it was unfortunate planning on my part. On the Friday I went up to Glasgow for the SPT, returned home on Monday, headed across to Woodhall Spa on the Tuesday, played 18 holes, then drove onwards to Skeggy where we stayed overnight. Then 18 holes at Seacroft, after which I chauffeured Moulty back to Nottingham & then onwards to my home in Ilkeston. Was only home long enough to throw some clothes in a suitcase then drive down to London to stay overnight in a cheapo IBIS so I would not get stressed out driving south the next day. Then the near 11 hour flight, together will all the associated queueing that comes with flying these days. THEN an exceptionally long day of poker followed by playing TWO tourneys the next day, since when some lengthy runs but no cigars.

Will hindsight, that was all a bit ambitious for one in his late 70's.

How is your chest now? (Ralph has been "quite unwell" for some time, though it came with the bonus of weight loss due to loss of appetite).

Looking forward to some golf with you once you are fully recovered.     

[tikay]

First person I bumped into at the WSOP was KevMath who always makes a fuss of me. Say what you like, it's always nice when folks seem genuinely pleased to see you.

Those familiar with Mr Mathers can't help but notice his weight loss - think he's lost about 6 stone. Not ill or anything, just decide to lose some weight.

Meanwhile, I seem to be shrinking in height terms, but expanding at the waistline. Impressive moobs too.

[Karabiner]

Sorry for radio silence. I seem to have energy problems, I get back from poker & am completely whacked. But I've just awoken from a 13 hour sleep so am a little refreshed & will try & do a few replies & posts.

I'm not surprised you're tired, it always took me three days to get over the jet-lag and I've not been for fifteen years!

Thanks Ralph.

With hindsight, it was unfortunate planning on my part. On the Friday I went up to Glasgow for the SPT, returned home on Monday, headed across to Woodhall Spa on the Tuesday, played 18 holes, then drove onwards to Skeggy where we stayed overnight. Then 18 holes at Seacroft, after which I chauffeured Moulty back to Nottingham & then onwards to my home in Ilkeston. Was only home long enough to throw some clothes in a suitcase then drive down to London to stay overnight in a cheapo IBIS so I would not get stressed out driving south the next day. Then the near 11 hour flight, together will all the associated queueing that comes with flying these days. THEN an exceptionally long day of poker followed by playing TWO tourneys the next day, since when some lengthy runs but no cigars.

Will hindsight, that was all a bit ambitious for one in his late 70's.

How is your chest now? (Ralph has been "quite unwell" for some time, though it came with the bonus of weight loss due to loss of appetite).

Looking forward to some golf with you once you are fully recovered.     

I honestly don't know how you are able to manage a schedule like that Tony - I am a relative wimp in comparison.

I'm pretty much fully recovered from my illness now thank you but have not managed more than nine holes yet - still building up stamina - and have very little power. I've never been long by any stretch of the imagination but the ball seems to go nowhere off the tee even when I think I've made solid contact. I wouldn't be at all surprised if you outdrive me when we do eventually get to have a game.

I hope you feel like giving us some updates soon, hopefully many pages of them to enjoy with my morning coffee as I thoroughly enjoy the vicarious wsop via yours Stu's and Rob's updates. Run well.

[tikay]

Talking of the WSOP, you now have to have a Smartphone to play the WSOP, & use the WSOP+ App. God knows how the old boys in the Seniors & Super Seniors will cope.

So when your table breaks, you don't get given a seat card, you open the App & it sends you a Message with your new seat/table allocation. The world is changing so fast.

Here's the Messages I got whilst playing the WSOP Limit O8. First, a simple "seat change" message, then the actual seat & table.

Oh, & if you have an AOL e-mail addy (many older folks still do) then you can't register or play. WSOP say an AOL e-Mail addy is not a thing.

[tikay]

Sorry for radio silence. I seem to have energy problems, I get back from poker & am completely whacked. But I've just awoken from a 13 hour sleep so am a little refreshed & will try & do a few replies & posts.

I'm not surprised you're tired, it always took me three days to get over the jet-lag and I've not been for fifteen years!

Thanks Ralph.

With hindsight, it was unfortunate planning on my part. On the Friday I went up to Glasgow for the SPT, returned home on Monday, headed across to Woodhall Spa on the Tuesday, played 18 holes, then drove onwards to Skeggy where we stayed overnight. Then 18 holes at Seacroft, after which I chauffeured Moulty back to Nottingham & then onwards to my home in Ilkeston. Was only home long enough to throw some clothes in a suitcase then drive down to London to stay overnight in a cheapo IBIS so I would not get stressed out driving south the next day. Then the near 11 hour flight, together will all the associated queueing that comes with flying these days. THEN an exceptionally long day of poker followed by playing TWO tourneys the next day, since when some lengthy runs but no cigars.

Will hindsight, that was all a bit ambitious for one in his late 70's.

How is your chest now? (Ralph has been "quite unwell" for some time, though it came with the bonus of weight loss due to loss of appetite).

Looking forward to some golf with you once you are fully recovered.    

I honestly don't know how you are able to manage a schedule like that Tony - I am a relative wimp in comparison.

I'm pretty much fully recovered from my illness now thank you but have not managed more than nine holes yet - still building up stamina - and have very little power. I've never been long by any stretch of the imagination but the ball seems to go nowhere off the tee even when I think I've made solid contact. I wouldn't be at all surprised if you outdrive me when we do eventually get to have a game.

I hope you feel like giving us some updates soon, hopefully many pages of them to enjoy with my morning coffee as I thoroughly enjoy the vicarious wsop via yours Stu's and Rob's updates. Run well.

I very much doubt I'll outdrive you Ralph, I'm very short no matter how hard I try.

The amazing thing is Tom (Red). Only been playing since last Autumn, & uses a set of clubs that cost about £8 (including bag) at a Car Boot, has  - & I'm neither being rude or exaggerating - he has THE worst & most agricultural golf swing of any man ever. He very often falls over backwards when he really goes for a big one.  And yet he drives it miles, right up with all the experienced big hitting low handicappers, bet he averages 250 yards with his Driver & when the circumstances are right I've seem him drive a 300 yard green several times. Bit wayward though, & very often lands on the wrong fairway. At Breadsall recently he not only hit his drive onto the wrong fairway, it was the wrong Course too. And still got his Par iirc.

[tikay]

Well I was singing from the rooftops when I cashed twice in a day to complete a 6-timer but it call came to a shuddering end after that since when I've been discretely quiet...

Tourney # 3 was at The Wynn, all very posh & suave. In point of fact, although it's the "Wynn Summer Series" or whatever, I think the cardroom is actually in Encore.

I was never really mentally comfortable, I never quite settled, & I doubt I was ever over starting stack. Table was mostly internet whizzos & I felt really out of place & outclassed. One lovely lad to my immediate right though, was relentless but he always had the goods. Poker feels so unfair when you are card dry (or out of your depth) & everyone else is getting involved, but of course on different days the boot is on the other foot. Anyway, this lad was Chinese & had THE most impeccable table manners. He spoke no English, & my Chinese is somewhat limited, so we communicated by body language, & when I tapped the table or gave him a "good hand" fist pump he would bow every time. Most odd but most lovely too.

Anyway, did no good.

One oddity is that the Wynn's Ferrari Showroom has gone - now it's a McLaren dealership. Just imagine a UK casino - even DTD - having it's own in-house McLaren dealership. The mind boggles.

[tikay]

Next up was a lovely little $240 Big O at Golden Nugget which turned out to be a comedy of errors in so many ways, some self-inflicted. (This was the one the lovely Walter Smiley won).

The plasma said 6 players paid - or so I thought. In fact it was 7 paid. The payout had top 6 on the left hand sidebar & 7th on the other side, which somewhat carelessly I never saw. Had I seen that I would never have played the fateful hand on what was, in fact, the money bubble.

I'm probably 2nd in chips & in seat 8, sort of next to the Dealer. (We play Big O 8 handed). 8 of us remain.

Seat 2, the shortie, pots it, 45,000, & he's pot stuck so won't be folding. Over in Seat 8 I raise to isolate & even though I'm 2nd chip the blinds are monsta so it's most of my stack. That's OK, I've got plenty.  

Now things go horribly wrong. Seat 1 (he can't see me the other side of the Dealer & is steaming drunk) says "CALL" & puts in 45,000.

I mean, you can see where this is going, right?

Floor is called, Shortie insists he has to call the full bet from me, & I sit there & say nothing, because I just know how this will pan out. Anyway, Floor say he either calls the full bet or forfeits the 45,000, & he slurs "call". Correct Ruling of course.

And as you can guess, he got there with his utter spanners & I'm down to dust. He's only just returned from a 2 Orbit penalty too, his second penalty for abusive behaviour.

And it's only now, to my utter horror, I realise there are SEVEN paid, not 6.

But I've got 2 BB so it has to go in, & of course it plays SIX way, inevitably. I actually flop a flush which was good until the board paired on the River & Drunk Bloke had a J-2-2 Boat.

Self-inflicted misery. I don't get mad or cross or anything when pokering, but I deffo had a curly lip for 10 minutes. Chances like that don't come along every day & I wasted it by sheer carelessness.  

Just to compound my irritation, Shortie was a player I've given the nick of Cyril the Sniff. He has a cold but lacks either a handkerchief or manners, so sniffs every 30 seconds. Which, for reasons I can't explain because I don't know, annoys me intensely. Surely people should understand the need for basic manners? Meh.

And in every Tourney I've played since, he's been in in the seat adjacent to me. Now that's proper run-bad.

Here, meet Mr Sniff.