Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Tier renewal in AC this weekend!
Heading to AC this weekend, April 14 and 15 for the annual tier renewal coupon giveaway. As a thank you for making premium this year (platinum or diamond) at total rewards casinos on Atlantic City, they give away over $500 in comp coupons in a booklet. Previous books have included $100 dining coupons, $50 spa vouchers, $25 store vouchers and more! Will post what I received this year!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Memorial Day Weekend in Vegas
I'm heading to Vegas for Memorial Day. My last coupon run (in March) was a rousing success! There were a few edits made to the original coupon run document - based on this year's coupons. Email me and I can send it to you as it's now too large for Google Docs!
Friday, November 19, 2010
Greatest Software EVER! PDF Watermark
Followers, as you know, I use my blog to tell you about all the greatest deals and bargains. I found this software called PDF Watermark at a-pdf.com and I can't even TELL you how much I use this thing. It's really great. You can create custom watermarks including date stamps and time stamps. I use this on all of my documents at work to prove when I received something and it really helps with CYA, if you know what I mean.
My favorite feature is the "hot directory mode". With this, you can actually put a file into a specified folder and have the software work for you. It will watermark and move your file wherever you need to. At $27, this has saved me so much time and effort that I recommend it to anyone out there.
Contact me directly if you have any questions about it. You can download the software here.
My favorite feature is the "hot directory mode". With this, you can actually put a file into a specified folder and have the software work for you. It will watermark and move your file wherever you need to. At $27, this has saved me so much time and effort that I recommend it to anyone out there.
Contact me directly if you have any questions about it. You can download the software here.
Monday, November 8, 2010
New Year's in Vegas!
Thanks to some really stellar wins in the last few weeks, I have been able to book New Year's in Vegas. Keep your eyes peeled for details on my next Vegas adventure!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Long time, No Post!
Well everyone - a lot has changed recently! I have moved to Maryland from Richmond and I am oh so much closer to the casinos. With the advent of live table games in DE, PA and WV, I'm never more than 90 minutes from a game.
Two weeks ago, I went to AC and won a $30 satellite into the $250 entry fee House of Blues Poker Open. Although I didn't finish in the money, I really got my money's worth for $30!
Stay tuned for the latest as I'm planning my next Vegas trip as we speak!
Two weeks ago, I went to AC and won a $30 satellite into the $250 entry fee House of Blues Poker Open. Although I didn't finish in the money, I really got my money's worth for $30!
Stay tuned for the latest as I'm planning my next Vegas trip as we speak!
Monday, September 28, 2009
League Champion!
As some of you know, I play in several leagues throughout Richmond. I have recently “converted” to a new favorite – Virginia Freeroll Poker (www.vafreerollpoker.com) The structure of our league is pretty good – all games are free, we play 3-4 games per night (time/space permitting.) As soon as enough players are out to open up a table, the next game begins. All games are for points, which are weighted based on how you place in the game. Players can also earn points by buying food/drink from the host of the game – various local restaurants. The season is 16 weeks, and I’ve been playing for about six weeks. In those six weeks, I accumulated enough points to be 19th in points. The top ninety compete each season for a large prize, and chip stacks at the final are determined by your points standings. I started with 4,000 chips. When I started at my table, I had the biggest stack on the table. I was surpassed the first hand by a player who started with 2500 earning nearly 1800 when he flopped quads to a boat.
Ok – I’m going to admit right now that I was a little bit cocky coming into this tournament. I had already picked out those whom I considered to be my “competition” – about 10 really good players, and was very pleased to see that only half of them made it to the final day of play (it was a two day tournament.) Unfortunately all five of them made it to the final table with me, but I was lucky that several people went out of the final table in the first twenty minutes or so of final table action. I started the final table as the chip leader, by a nose, but lost that lead immediately as my first hand (AK) ran into QQ which held up. A short stack had doubled through me, so I was still second in chips at this point.
The whole tournament, I was only all-in at risk twice. The first time was a flop of 6-6-8 in which I was short stacked and holding K8. Heads up, it's checked to me. I go all-in to an insta-call. He turns over A-6. I caught an 8 on the river. As promised, Chris, here's the shout out from my blog!
Play at the final table was pretty strong except for one hand which I will outlay. Four players in the hand, one player all in, one player with only 800 chips remaining, the big stack and me (the second stack). The pot is 24,000. Flop comes 7-7-4. Big stack reaches for chips but does not bet. Checked around. Turn is a six (flop is rainbow.) Big stack leads out for 20,000 bet. I tell him “I hope you have the all-ins beat.” And fold my Q-J. Short stack calls for his remaining 800. Chip leader turns over 5-5, short stack turns over 10-10 and all-in turns over J-10. River – A JACK! Had that guy not bet a WEAK hand into two all-ins, we would have lost two players. Instead, they took their shares of the pot and they were still in. I’ll say it once, as I have a thousand times – Don’t bet an empty side pot unless you know your hand is strong enough to beat the all-ins! This holds especially true AT THE FINAL TABLE.
But I digress. Play progressed pretty quickly and by break, we were down to six players (this tournament paid to the top six.) At break, I had about 43000 in chips, the chip leader was 97,000 and the next closest to me was in the 30s, and three players with less than 15,000. Got dealt some *great* hands after the break and took down the blinds and some limps to boost my stack to 60k before we lost the sixth player, taken out by the chip leader. By the time we were down to three players, I had taken over the chip lead. Chip lead shifted to the player I eventually went heads up against, who was your typical “TAG” player. I was able to check raise him a couple of times to pad my stack so that he no longer had me tripled, and had me covered by about 35,000 in chips. Turning point came on this hand. I was on the big blind and had K-3 off suit. Min-raise from the button and I call. Flop comes K-9-6 with two clubs on board. I bet out 7,000. He announces a raise and puts out 18,000 in chips, followed by my 7,000. I say “That’s a string raise.” Dealer agrees and the raise is 11,000 to me. I call. Turn is a deuce of hearts. I say “Check to the raiser” He bets 25,000. At this point, I’m pretty confident that he’s betting either the nine or the club draw, so I call. River is a King of diamonds. I check – he goes all in. I call (all-in, at risk) and his whole body slumps down as I turn over my king. At this point, I have him crushed, maybe 6-1 chip lead. A couple hands pass and I raise with K-J off suit. He re-raises all in for maybe 20,000 which I of course call. He had A-10 suited. Flop is 8-8-K turn Q, river K for a full house. Good game, Darrell!
I just won a $1500 sponsorship into my selection of tournaments. I have chosen the $1080 WSOP Circuit Event 8 at Harrah’s Atlantic City. Wish me luck!!!
Ok – I’m going to admit right now that I was a little bit cocky coming into this tournament. I had already picked out those whom I considered to be my “competition” – about 10 really good players, and was very pleased to see that only half of them made it to the final day of play (it was a two day tournament.) Unfortunately all five of them made it to the final table with me, but I was lucky that several people went out of the final table in the first twenty minutes or so of final table action. I started the final table as the chip leader, by a nose, but lost that lead immediately as my first hand (AK) ran into QQ which held up. A short stack had doubled through me, so I was still second in chips at this point.
The whole tournament, I was only all-in at risk twice. The first time was a flop of 6-6-8 in which I was short stacked and holding K8. Heads up, it's checked to me. I go all-in to an insta-call. He turns over A-6. I caught an 8 on the river. As promised, Chris, here's the shout out from my blog!
Play at the final table was pretty strong except for one hand which I will outlay. Four players in the hand, one player all in, one player with only 800 chips remaining, the big stack and me (the second stack). The pot is 24,000. Flop comes 7-7-4. Big stack reaches for chips but does not bet. Checked around. Turn is a six (flop is rainbow.) Big stack leads out for 20,000 bet. I tell him “I hope you have the all-ins beat.” And fold my Q-J. Short stack calls for his remaining 800. Chip leader turns over 5-5, short stack turns over 10-10 and all-in turns over J-10. River – A JACK! Had that guy not bet a WEAK hand into two all-ins, we would have lost two players. Instead, they took their shares of the pot and they were still in. I’ll say it once, as I have a thousand times – Don’t bet an empty side pot unless you know your hand is strong enough to beat the all-ins! This holds especially true AT THE FINAL TABLE.
But I digress. Play progressed pretty quickly and by break, we were down to six players (this tournament paid to the top six.) At break, I had about 43000 in chips, the chip leader was 97,000 and the next closest to me was in the 30s, and three players with less than 15,000. Got dealt some *great* hands after the break and took down the blinds and some limps to boost my stack to 60k before we lost the sixth player, taken out by the chip leader. By the time we were down to three players, I had taken over the chip lead. Chip lead shifted to the player I eventually went heads up against, who was your typical “TAG” player. I was able to check raise him a couple of times to pad my stack so that he no longer had me tripled, and had me covered by about 35,000 in chips. Turning point came on this hand. I was on the big blind and had K-3 off suit. Min-raise from the button and I call. Flop comes K-9-6 with two clubs on board. I bet out 7,000. He announces a raise and puts out 18,000 in chips, followed by my 7,000. I say “That’s a string raise.” Dealer agrees and the raise is 11,000 to me. I call. Turn is a deuce of hearts. I say “Check to the raiser” He bets 25,000. At this point, I’m pretty confident that he’s betting either the nine or the club draw, so I call. River is a King of diamonds. I check – he goes all in. I call (all-in, at risk) and his whole body slumps down as I turn over my king. At this point, I have him crushed, maybe 6-1 chip lead. A couple hands pass and I raise with K-J off suit. He re-raises all in for maybe 20,000 which I of course call. He had A-10 suited. Flop is 8-8-K turn Q, river K for a full house. Good game, Darrell!
I just won a $1500 sponsorship into my selection of tournaments. I have chosen the $1080 WSOP Circuit Event 8 at Harrah’s Atlantic City. Wish me luck!!!
Monday, September 14, 2009
WPT Ladies Event
I knew it was serendipity when I saw the number of entrants – 269. Why? The Ladies’ WSOP tournament that I entered in March had the exact same number of entrants! After 11 grueling hours of play, I was finally in the money. At this point, the average chip count was around 110k and I was sitting on 160k. A small raise comes from my right and I call with KQ of hearts. Flop comes Q-Q-2. Same bet from my right and I just call. 9 on turn. Double that bet from right and I push all in to an insta-call. She flips over 9-9. Wish I’d just pushed on the flop because I would have taken down a 100k pot instead of *losing* 120k. I then doubled up my short stack a couple of times and managed to hang on to final table. Went out 9th when my pocket fours ran into pocket Kings. I’ll take it :)
http://borgatapoker.blogspot.com/2009/09/saturday-recap-event-7-winners.html
http://borgatapoker.blogspot.com/2009/09/saturday-recap-event-7-winners.html
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The Streak Continues
I decided to try out a non-Bounty tournament at my "Honey hole Money hole" - Harrah's. Saturday's $80 8:15 tournament seemed a good bet.
I have to say, there were better players at this tournament than others. I went over an *hour* having played only one hand. I made some of the sickest lay downs imaginable. I can honestly say that my good *folds* are what won me the tournament.
At the final table - everyone voted on a 7-way split of the prize money so that everyone would take home third place money ($500.) I didn't really want to, but I went with the majority. All in all - a good showing.
That makes my current final table stats 16 out of 17 tournaments played in AC/LV.
I have to say, there were better players at this tournament than others. I went over an *hour* having played only one hand. I made some of the sickest lay downs imaginable. I can honestly say that my good *folds* are what won me the tournament.
At the final table - everyone voted on a 7-way split of the prize money so that everyone would take home third place money ($500.) I didn't really want to, but I went with the majority. All in all - a good showing.
That makes my current final table stats 16 out of 17 tournaments played in AC/LV.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Another weekend in AC
Well, this time I went to AC for a much needed "girl's weekend." No monetary goals in mind, other than using my winnings to have a little fun. I played again in the midnight bounty tournament at Harrah's. Made the final table, but ended up going out ninth.
Of course, no money for this, although I *did* get $30 of my $70 entry back in bounties. Then, I went to the $1/$2 no-limit table and managed to win a couple hundred. Sounds good, but I promptly wasted it all on my weekend! My winnings paid for Friday & Saturday night in a 1 1/2* hotel, 1 $40 buffet at Harrah's, 1 knock off coach wallet, 1 bottle of perfume, 2 bottles of wine, a $30 dinner at a gluten-free Italian place, various McDonald's/Wendy's trips, 4 new shirts from Lane Bryant & Ashley Stewart, a tank of gas and a partridge in a pear tree :P My only expenses were a one hour massage and some tolls for the weekend, so basically mission accomplished. I felt relaxed and refreshed when I got back!
Of course, no money for this, although I *did* get $30 of my $70 entry back in bounties. Then, I went to the $1/$2 no-limit table and managed to win a couple hundred. Sounds good, but I promptly wasted it all on my weekend! My winnings paid for Friday & Saturday night in a 1 1/2* hotel, 1 $40 buffet at Harrah's, 1 knock off coach wallet, 1 bottle of perfume, 2 bottles of wine, a $30 dinner at a gluten-free Italian place, various McDonald's/Wendy's trips, 4 new shirts from Lane Bryant & Ashley Stewart, a tank of gas and a partridge in a pear tree :P My only expenses were a one hour massage and some tolls for the weekend, so basically mission accomplished. I felt relaxed and refreshed when I got back!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Another day, another bounty
Decided to go up to Atlantic City this weekend on a lark. Again, I decided to try my way with $55 gambling money. Again, I was able to pad my bankroll up to about $120 and then buy into the $70 bounty tournament. This was a daytime tourney, so much fewer players. There were only 28. Ended up winning the tournament - cashing for $689 and taking down $20 in bounties (which I tipped the dealers with.) Spent a little on a room and lost $120 at Tropicana. (Why I go there I have no idea - please remind me never to do that again!) Still a good return on my $55. Who's with me next weekend? ;)
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Harrah's Midnight Bounty Tournament
I decide at this point to sink our winnings into the midnight tournament at Harrah's (just under our rooms.) It was a $70 buy-in with $10 bounty per knock out (meaning you get $10 for every person you put out of the tournament.) Worst luck ever, when we signed up, they assigned Davy & I to the *same table*. We did our best to avoid each other, but that rarely works out.
Within the first hour, Davy managed to snag one $10 bounty and I got two. Davy made several small mistakes with failing to raise properly and they really really cost him as his better hand was sucked out on. After that, he was on the critical list and was quickly out. I picked up 2 more bounties over time and continually had just over the "average" chip stack - never really getting low stacked or big stacked. Before you knew it, they announced the final table.
The only girl at the final table, I looked around at the chip stacks. The "big stack" had about 200k, with blinds at 5k and 10k. The low stack had about 35k. My stack was 75k and that put me at about 6th out of the 10. Sometimes when you're playing - you just know you've got it. I was dealt a couple of great hands that let me steal some blinds and squeeze up to 90k. Then I just sat back and watched them annihilate each other. When we were 1 away from the money, I ended up all-in for my tournament life with 9-9. Guy across lets me know that he *folded* 9-9 and the caller called me with Q-J off suite. Luckily, the nines held up and I doubled up through what was a very big stack. With the blinds up to 15k & 30k, this was significant. We made some jokes about splitting the pool, but no one was game. We took up a collection for the "bubble" to get his buy in back and the very next hand the bubble was burst. Fifth place went out shortly thereafter and we were down to four. At this point, I had raised a couple of hands preflop with no callers and my stack was close to 200k - 3rd biggest stack. The smallest stack then crippled the 2nd biggest stack, who soon thereafter went out to me and I was the 2nd biggest stack.
The small stack tried to convince the big stack to do a split and then play for "the change" - or about $200 for the winner on top of the split. He refused, and in two hands I trapped him and he was out. Guess he should have taken the deal :P
At this point, I had about double the other player's stack. $1212 for first and $698 for second - he offered a split. Looking at my stack, I refused. I then played and won the next five hands in a row and it was all over. Final hand he had J-2 and pushed all in. I called with Q-J and a Q fell on the flop to seal his fate. I cashed out with $1212 + $40 in bounties, which I gave to the dealer pool for the tip.
Since some of my winnings were still back at the room, we were up overall about $1300 for the weekend at this point. I quickly rushed to the cash counting Bank of America ATM and deposited $1100 before I spent it.
Within the first hour, Davy managed to snag one $10 bounty and I got two. Davy made several small mistakes with failing to raise properly and they really really cost him as his better hand was sucked out on. After that, he was on the critical list and was quickly out. I picked up 2 more bounties over time and continually had just over the "average" chip stack - never really getting low stacked or big stacked. Before you knew it, they announced the final table.
The only girl at the final table, I looked around at the chip stacks. The "big stack" had about 200k, with blinds at 5k and 10k. The low stack had about 35k. My stack was 75k and that put me at about 6th out of the 10. Sometimes when you're playing - you just know you've got it. I was dealt a couple of great hands that let me steal some blinds and squeeze up to 90k. Then I just sat back and watched them annihilate each other. When we were 1 away from the money, I ended up all-in for my tournament life with 9-9. Guy across lets me know that he *folded* 9-9 and the caller called me with Q-J off suite. Luckily, the nines held up and I doubled up through what was a very big stack. With the blinds up to 15k & 30k, this was significant. We made some jokes about splitting the pool, but no one was game. We took up a collection for the "bubble" to get his buy in back and the very next hand the bubble was burst. Fifth place went out shortly thereafter and we were down to four. At this point, I had raised a couple of hands preflop with no callers and my stack was close to 200k - 3rd biggest stack. The smallest stack then crippled the 2nd biggest stack, who soon thereafter went out to me and I was the 2nd biggest stack.
The small stack tried to convince the big stack to do a split and then play for "the change" - or about $200 for the winner on top of the split. He refused, and in two hands I trapped him and he was out. Guess he should have taken the deal :P
At this point, I had about double the other player's stack. $1212 for first and $698 for second - he offered a split. Looking at my stack, I refused. I then played and won the next five hands in a row and it was all over. Final hand he had J-2 and pushed all in. I called with Q-J and a Q fell on the flop to seal his fate. I cashed out with $1212 + $40 in bounties, which I gave to the dealer pool for the tip.
Since some of my winnings were still back at the room, we were up overall about $1300 for the weekend at this point. I quickly rushed to the cash counting Bank of America ATM and deposited $1100 before I spent it.
Drunken Poker
I had to take over 30 minutes in the room drinking coffee to sober up enough to play poker. I was still not tip top, but I was ordering fake red bulls (stupid casinos give me "Zoom") left and right. My streak continued and by the time we got back to bed, we were up $200.
Headed to the Emeril cooking demonstration. For some reason, I thought we'd get some *food* for this $75 ticket but that was incorrect. You just got to smell the food. ARGH! Ended up using some of dad's food comps to gorge on the buffet directly after. I personally tried to ensure the extinction of all crab again, and I think my effort was valiant.
Headed to the Emeril cooking demonstration. For some reason, I thought we'd get some *food* for this $75 ticket but that was incorrect. You just got to smell the food. ARGH! Ended up using some of dad's food comps to gorge on the buffet directly after. I personally tried to ensure the extinction of all crab again, and I think my effort was valiant.
Poker Perfect Storm
Ok - I'm a pretty good player - not the best in the world, but I can hold my own. This weekend it was like I was King Midas and everything I touched turned to gold. Play was softer than Santa's belly, which sure helped. I actually had a hand that went like this-
me - AK. I raise to $4 pre-flop and get 5 callers. Flop comes A-7-J. I bet, 2 callers. Turn is a 4. I bet, 1 caller. River is a 5. I bet, same one caller. He turns over 5-3. Really?! Thanks for your money.
Every table I bought in for $20, and every table I got up with $50+. By the end of the night, I was dancing as I had about $200. Davy was at $65 so we were about $158 ahead.
Meeting up with Dad, he lets us know he's over $300. I go to get ready for my Colicchio time with Anna (my stepmom). We get all dolled up and head for the pool at Harrah's.
The pool area is beautiful and there are booths everywhere with food, wine, desserts and drinks. After obtaining some Moet & Chandon, we get in line for some sort of beef dish. Got into a slight altercation with some line cutting Jersey Girls - but I took care of that - shoooot. :P We ate one of just about everything - from Lobster guacomole to steak tartar to sashimi to shrimp ceviche to Baileys Lattes. I probably gained 3 pounds and I was definitely drunk off my ass. Only bummer was that Colicchio never showed up. I was pretty pissed to be stood up - so of course I stalked him to the after party. I mean, I just happened to see him at the after party. Yeah....
me - AK. I raise to $4 pre-flop and get 5 callers. Flop comes A-7-J. I bet, 2 callers. Turn is a 4. I bet, 1 caller. River is a 5. I bet, same one caller. He turns over 5-3. Really?! Thanks for your money.
Every table I bought in for $20, and every table I got up with $50+. By the end of the night, I was dancing as I had about $200. Davy was at $65 so we were about $158 ahead.
Meeting up with Dad, he lets us know he's over $300. I go to get ready for my Colicchio time with Anna (my stepmom). We get all dolled up and head for the pool at Harrah's.
The pool area is beautiful and there are booths everywhere with food, wine, desserts and drinks. After obtaining some Moet & Chandon, we get in line for some sort of beef dish. Got into a slight altercation with some line cutting Jersey Girls - but I took care of that - shoooot. :P We ate one of just about everything - from Lobster guacomole to steak tartar to sashimi to shrimp ceviche to Baileys Lattes. I probably gained 3 pounds and I was definitely drunk off my ass. Only bummer was that Colicchio never showed up. I was pretty pissed to be stood up - so of course I stalked him to the after party. I mean, I just happened to see him at the after party. Yeah....
Look out Jerky Boys
So, we went to the Food & Wine Festival in A.C. After several snafus, this is how the money ended up breaking down by the time we were there - I loaned my dad $100, had $55 for me, $52 for Davy and $60 held back for meals that were not already paid for.
We arrived to our $9 hotel rooms (thanks Expedia refer a friend) in Absecon around 4 am. Bleary-eyed, the hotel operator had some difficulty identifying our names on the reservations, which gave us some panic as none of us could dial the UK from our cell phones, but eventually he became literate and we got to our rooms. We stayed at the Crystal Inn & Suites. As my name is Crystal, I thought it might be lucky. The room was surprisingly nice for the price - marble topped furniture, a nice new room. One little shampoo and the chappiest towels I've ever seen in my life, but plenty of pillows and a clean room are sure hard to find in Absecon - I might even stay there for full price! If you go Sun-Thur, only book one room because they give you $20 specials - your choice of a jacuzzi upgrade, second room or second night for $20. Damn fine deal.
Whilst I was dreaming, dad of course hurried to the nearest casino and he was up to $130 by the time we woke up in the morning. I then insisted we fill the car with gas, which brought him back to $100 lol.
Our first stop was the Taj Mahal to play some $2/$4 limit. Dad went to the neighboring Showboat. Bought into one $2/$4 table with $20 and cashed out with $85. Davy bought in with $20 twice and cashed out with $32 for an $8 loss. Up to $155 between us after waitress tipping. Dad picked us up and was up to $145 himself.
At this point, it was time to check into our free room at Harrah's that was part of the package deal. We had the sweetest lady at the checkin and Dad was laying on the Southern Charm thick, so we got a sweet Bayview upgrade. Tower was directly over the poker room, which was super nice for me as well. The room was beautiful and the beds were fluffy. Took a quick shower and got ready for some more poker. Rooms cost us $13 a day in tax, which I dutifully charged to my credit card so as not to "waste" any gambling money :)
We arrived to our $9 hotel rooms (thanks Expedia refer a friend) in Absecon around 4 am. Bleary-eyed, the hotel operator had some difficulty identifying our names on the reservations, which gave us some panic as none of us could dial the UK from our cell phones, but eventually he became literate and we got to our rooms. We stayed at the Crystal Inn & Suites. As my name is Crystal, I thought it might be lucky. The room was surprisingly nice for the price - marble topped furniture, a nice new room. One little shampoo and the chappiest towels I've ever seen in my life, but plenty of pillows and a clean room are sure hard to find in Absecon - I might even stay there for full price! If you go Sun-Thur, only book one room because they give you $20 specials - your choice of a jacuzzi upgrade, second room or second night for $20. Damn fine deal.
Whilst I was dreaming, dad of course hurried to the nearest casino and he was up to $130 by the time we woke up in the morning. I then insisted we fill the car with gas, which brought him back to $100 lol.
Our first stop was the Taj Mahal to play some $2/$4 limit. Dad went to the neighboring Showboat. Bought into one $2/$4 table with $20 and cashed out with $85. Davy bought in with $20 twice and cashed out with $32 for an $8 loss. Up to $155 between us after waitress tipping. Dad picked us up and was up to $145 himself.
At this point, it was time to check into our free room at Harrah's that was part of the package deal. We had the sweetest lady at the checkin and Dad was laying on the Southern Charm thick, so we got a sweet Bayview upgrade. Tower was directly over the poker room, which was super nice for me as well. The room was beautiful and the beds were fluffy. Took a quick shower and got ready for some more poker. Rooms cost us $13 a day in tax, which I dutifully charged to my credit card so as not to "waste" any gambling money :)
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Atlantic City here I come
So, my last trip to Atlantic City was not all that fruitful, but my dad was with me. He managed to get SUPER rated while he was there and now we keep getting crazy offers in the mail. Just in the past few weeks - he's gotten $100 Fri, $100 Sunday; $200 Friday; $150 Fri & $150 Sat offers. PLUS we got an amazing package to the Atlantic City Food & Wine festival at the end of the month. I'm all for a free trip and for meeting Tom Colicchio - so I'm there. Wish me luck!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
A recent parlay
With the remaining part of my Vegas budget burning a hole in my proverbial pocket, I decided to make a $50 deposit at good old Absolute Poker during one of their 100% match bonus times. Although I qualified for only a whopping $5 bonus, over the past week I have won two and cashed in an additional seven $5 or less tournaments. I just cashed out $150 of my $282 bankroll for an additional $100 win off my initial Vegas investment. Woohoo!
http://www.thepokerdb.com/
davdison - absolute poker/ultimate bet
http://www.thepokerdb.com/
davdison - absolute poker/ultimate bet
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Stop #25 - Golden Gate (last stop)
After quick stops at Del Taco & In-N-Out Burger for takeout for the plane, we head back to the Golden Gate to retrieve our luggage and redeem our coupons for free decks of cards. As they were all out, we got dice and a keychain, which is just as good. Also, they told me that my card had been assigned $5 in slot play per day (doh! why didn't I check this on Saturday when we first went to Downtown!?) so I was able to turn that into a nice $7 win for my last free money of the trip.
Tucking my remaining $ into my pocket, we head for the airport. Arriving there, I input Davy's confirmation number and out pops his boarding pass. Heading for the Delta area, I put mine in to get this message in red "IT IS TOO LATE TO CHECK IN FOR THIS FLIGHT" showing a flight departure time of 7:20 PM (at this point it is almost 9:00 PM.) Panicked, I check my itinerary. Sure enough, I had written down the ARRIVAL time instead of the departure time. OMG OMG.
Thinking on my feet, I remember a rule from my flyertalk time - the so-called "Flat tire rule." Rushing to the counter, I inform him of my unfortunate flat tire. Looking like he trusts me just about as far as he can throw me, the gate agent nonetheless finds me a flight, with the same connecting flight out of Atlanta for an on time arrival. Unfortunately, this costs $50 which I begrudgingly hand over.
The agent assigns me a comfy bulkhead. Upon finding out that movies cost $6 and games are $5, I decide sleep is preferred. Unfortunately, the lady next to me was headed home for emergency surgery and the poor thing kept fidgeting and waking me up. As I had to be at work at noon (with a 9:30 AM arrival time from my red eye,) I was truly red eyed.
I finally arrived in Richmond on time, and paid $28 for my airport parking. In all, I came home from Vegas with $316, for a total trip cost of $284 for two people, including airfare, hotel, car rental, buffets, steak, lobster, show tickets, airline fiascos, enough booze to float a boat, and a weekend of gambling. Not too shabby.
Tucking my remaining $ into my pocket, we head for the airport. Arriving there, I input Davy's confirmation number and out pops his boarding pass. Heading for the Delta area, I put mine in to get this message in red "IT IS TOO LATE TO CHECK IN FOR THIS FLIGHT" showing a flight departure time of 7:20 PM (at this point it is almost 9:00 PM.) Panicked, I check my itinerary. Sure enough, I had written down the ARRIVAL time instead of the departure time. OMG OMG.
Thinking on my feet, I remember a rule from my flyertalk time - the so-called "Flat tire rule." Rushing to the counter, I inform him of my unfortunate flat tire. Looking like he trusts me just about as far as he can throw me, the gate agent nonetheless finds me a flight, with the same connecting flight out of Atlanta for an on time arrival. Unfortunately, this costs $50 which I begrudgingly hand over.
The agent assigns me a comfy bulkhead. Upon finding out that movies cost $6 and games are $5, I decide sleep is preferred. Unfortunately, the lady next to me was headed home for emergency surgery and the poor thing kept fidgeting and waking me up. As I had to be at work at noon (with a 9:30 AM arrival time from my red eye,) I was truly red eyed.
I finally arrived in Richmond on time, and paid $28 for my airport parking. In all, I came home from Vegas with $316, for a total trip cost of $284 for two people, including airfare, hotel, car rental, buffets, steak, lobster, show tickets, airline fiascos, enough booze to float a boat, and a weekend of gambling. Not too shabby.
Stop #24 - Big Horn?
After the depressing Riviera, we headed for the seedy Big Horn casino (I’ll give the caveat here that I’m not actually sure whether we went to the Big Horn or the Long Horn cause I had a coupon for both and I only went to one. If the description sounds wrong to you, please let me know.)
The place kind of looked like a Western Diner and it must be a local Hispanic hangout, because everyone there, including the staff was Hispanic. The cashier was a tiny cage in the corner and that was also where you got your player’s card. I ordered a pina colada, but they said they didn’t have any, but they had strawberry daiquiris. Believe it or not, they were FANTASTIC and I quickly got a brain freeze from trying to drink it too fast.
Through my throbbing eyes, I look down at a blackjack table. Davy attempted to sit at third base again, but I nipped that right in the bud. Negative – wait your turn! The dealer made a mistake on the hand he was dealing and accidentally hit a guy who waved off, pit boss came out and made an awesome ruling which made everyone at the table winners, so they were feeling good.
My first hand – Blackjack! Hell yes - $30 richer. Davy’s hand was a 14 against a dealer eight. Sarcastically looking at me and asking if he should hit, I give him a shove and does. It’s a seven! OH YES - $20 more. After tipping the wonderful maven who informed me of the daiquiris, we left there with $395.
The place kind of looked like a Western Diner and it must be a local Hispanic hangout, because everyone there, including the staff was Hispanic. The cashier was a tiny cage in the corner and that was also where you got your player’s card. I ordered a pina colada, but they said they didn’t have any, but they had strawberry daiquiris. Believe it or not, they were FANTASTIC and I quickly got a brain freeze from trying to drink it too fast.
Through my throbbing eyes, I look down at a blackjack table. Davy attempted to sit at third base again, but I nipped that right in the bud. Negative – wait your turn! The dealer made a mistake on the hand he was dealing and accidentally hit a guy who waved off, pit boss came out and made an awesome ruling which made everyone at the table winners, so they were feeling good.
My first hand – Blackjack! Hell yes - $30 richer. Davy’s hand was a 14 against a dealer eight. Sarcastically looking at me and asking if he should hit, I give him a shove and does. It’s a seven! OH YES - $20 more. After tipping the wonderful maven who informed me of the daiquiris, we left there with $395.
Stop #24 - Riviera
The Riviera reminded me of an empty Hilton built in the seventies. Everything was kind of dated in a used-to-be-fancy kind of way. The place was relatively empty and the patrons looked like an ad for gamblers’ anonymous. There was a guy peddling lotion at a little dingy shop on the way in. Heading for the player’s club, we are informed that there are two promotions – one is you pay $20 for $40 in slot money that can only be used on special machines and only pays for a jackpot (hrmm….uh no.) The other is that new members have their choice of a free show ticket (Crazy Girls, etc.) or a randomly awarded slot play of $1 - $500. Davy says “Slot play,” which of course makes my decision as I’m not going to a show alone. He gets $1, I get $2, which nets us nothing because we stick our meager $3 winnings into a Harley Davidson slot. Should have taken the tickets.
$347.
$347.
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