Looks just like an angel, but angel's talking trash. You make conversation, but she's listenin' to your cash. The Full Bug - Van Halen
I haven't been to Vegas enough to offer much advice that hasn't already been given, especially by the Good Dr. Pauly. I can only offer some recommendations should you find yourself outside of the casinos and inside places where scantily clad damsels in distress are looking to be rescued by your cash.
Protocol
When you first walk into such a place, you need to quickly find out what the appropriate behavior is, for both you and the entertainers. Obviously you're expected to find a seat - but what comes next varies from place to place. Some places will have a single stage - others may have several - and often times it's appropriate to visit the stage with small denomination bills. Usually, you'll be treated to 20-30 seconds of attention, at the end of which you'll make your donation. The entertainer will let you know where your donation is to go taking that decision away from you. Here's a warning: do not give money to dancers who you wouldn't want to receive a lap dance from later on in the visit. More often than not, your small token of appreciation is taken as an invitation for more attention. Some people are uncomfortable saying no, and if you're one of those people, sit tight until the right circumstance avails itself.
Talent
What separates the good from the bad is the talent. Wouldn't it be nice to enjoy what you're watching? Sadly, this is not always the case. Here in G-Vegas, it's not uncommon to see performers who are sadly out of shape, past their prime or both. I am not a believer in giving unwarranted positive feedback. I do not give sympathy dollars to anyone. At these clubs, it's survival of the hottest, and I don't want anyone there who can't cut it. Do you? I didn't think so. One caveat: Not everyone can be a 10. Often times the hottest ones give the crapiest dances, just because they can. When you scale down to the 8.5's and 8's, often times you can get more mileage out of your dollars. From my perspective, these are the best encounters - the talent who's willing to give that extra effort to make your experience enjoyable. Sometimes it's a crap shoot and you get substandard looks with substandard dances. That sucks. That's why I advocate a visit to the stage with a few bucks. You can sometimes extrapolate their efforts on stage to those off the stage. It's not an exact science, as such, repeat visits are often necessary.
Approach
How the talent first approaches you is also a very important consideration. Beware the come-from-behind technique. Why? The answer is simple. Often times, those who approach you in this manner have something to hide. They'll peak their potentially decent looking faces over your shoulder and immediately ask for a dance. Do not answer yet. You have two choices. First, turn around and survey the landscape. If it's rife with rolling hills, you can now avoid a potentially bad experience. The other choice requires a buddy. Beforehand, you'll need to have a signal that he can relay to you inconspicuously such that you know whether to accept the offer or not. There are those rare beauties who use this approach, and you'll be kicking yourself for turning down the opportunity. It's rare, but it does happen. A hand signal, even a rolling of the eyes is often times enough of a signal for how you should proceed.
Choices
If you end up agreeing to some further attention, you'll more than likely have several options available to you. Don't go crazy here. A standard dance is more than likely just as good as any so-called extra attention the higher priced options will yield. I've been to places where the $10 version was not noticeably different than it's $25 counterpart. Start off low and your wallet will thank you.
Negotiation
Few people do this, but it is fine for you to attempt to negotiate a better rate. My first salvo is to tell them it will only cost them $10 to dance for me because I like them so much. Sometimes I'll cut them a break and allow them to entertain me for free. Generally speaking, you can sometimes get an unadvertised two-for-one special simply by asking. More time for less money is win-win in my book.
Enjoyment
This could be my biggest complaint about such clubs. If you're there dancing, and I'm there willing to pay, you better be in a good mood and enjoy your job while you're there. I can't tell you how many times I've been approached and an entertainer will begrudgingly ask me if I want a dance. With such piss poor enthusiasm evident, I'll say no every time. It's just not worth the money. I'm there for a suspension of my everyday realities, so don't bring your shitty attitude into my fun. No matter how hot you are, I don't want to hear about your boyfriend troubles, your money troubles, your legal issues or the fact that your kid is failing out of high school.
Drinks
Drinks are obviously expensive on the inside. The smart partakers will imbibe elsewhere first, getting properly lubed up on the cheap. I've had warmup sessions at Hooters where a pitcher or two of beer is a good way to get things started.
Spending $$
This is a finer point of contention with many attendees. How much money should I spend? If you go with a group of people, sometimes one member of the group is going to have to take one for the team. If everyone at your table constantly refuses any dances, then eventually word will spread about how cheap you are and you'll get no further offers. You can't afford for this to happen. There's nothing worse seeing the hotties walk right by you. Don't even get me started on how embarrassing it is to get up from your chair and run down a target for a dance only to have her never show up to your table. It happens. You have to be prepared to spend at least a little, otherwise you really shouldn't go.
That's basically it in a nutshell. Have fun if you go.
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Monday, May 30, 2005
Medusa and the Money
Here's a running spewage about my Memorial Day $30+3 MTT on Party. 960 entered which surprised me. Apparently I'm not the only one with a day off today.
40 minutes in, I've played about 0 hands. Finally, I get AK on the button. Amidst 3
limpers (T30), I make it T150 ala Dan Harrington's recommendations. I get called by the BB and 1 limper. The flop is AJ7, BB checks, limper min-bets (sheesh) and I push. BB calls, limper folds. BB shows AJ and I'm cursing. River is a K!!! That never happens.
I'm shot to above average and can play some poker. 960 started and already 300 are gone.
Got rivered when I played AKs vs J7s when a club hit the river. J7s calls a 6x BB raise and then calls off all his chips on a draw. What can ya do? It's the break, half the players are out and I've played only about 6 hands, AK, AK, AK, AA, QQ, and 9Ts. The high pocket pairs only bought me the blinds and I won the biggest pot with 9Ts when I caught my nut straight. A flush draw squelched the betting, but winning the amount I won was fine.
13xBB now with 292 left. Avg. is 3300 and I'm at T1900. Need some cards soon, but no need to go crazy.
9.5XBB, 249 left. Avg. is 3850, still at T1900, I need to double up to get back to average.
6X BB, 210 left. Avg. is 4600, at T1200 - on comes Medusa, and I pick a hand to go with.
Survive the BB with J5o as it's folded to me. Medusa in action? 200 left, 100 pay.
2.5BB, 174 left, have never seen such a dry run of cards. Ever. I will probably have to pick my 1st Ace and go. Haven't seen an Ace in an hour.
I pick K7d. 2 callers, flop is 35T, no diamonds. 1 caller bets out the other with pocket 2's. River is a 7!!!! T2550. Unreal.
6.5XBB, on break 159 left. Avg. is 6000, I have T2550. Medusa!!!!
Made a tough laydown. A5o in the BB and 5 people see a flop of 235clubs. SB min bets and there's just too many people left to act behind me so I fold. The min bet takes it down.
A3o in LP, all-in for a steal. I fold pocket 2's next hand because two consecutive all-in's increase the odds of getting called. I really don't want to be called with that hand so I fold. 148 left.
Pocket T's after 1 limper in MP. Medusa!!!!! Big stack is thinking, calls w/76. I flop a set and win. She's starin' at you....with her eyes!!!!
Folded KQ UTG, after reading Harrington, I really don't like that hand in that position.
12.75XBB, 137 left. AVg. is 7000, I have T5100. Room to play again. Even at this stage of the game, I'm seeing really bad play. Someone called off 3/4 of their chips and folded post-turn. He was the J7s guy from above. He finished 130th.
Hurt in a battle of the blinds. 78 vs 62. I turned an 8, he rivered a 3rd 2. Ugh. T2700.
A7. all in. Blind steal. 6XBB, 121 left. 116 left. Still seeing unimaginable bad play. I can only say "Wow." to some of this. 66 putting someone else all-in on a board w/2 Aces after getting raised on the turn.
This is harvest time for sure, but you need the tools to do it (cards) and I haven't seen much still. Medusa still blares....
4XBB, 111 left. Avg. is 8600, I have T2400. Great, 110 left and it's hand-to-hand.
3XBB, 110 left. Avg. is 8700, I have T2400. Still hand to hand. On my table an AK beats an 88 with an A on the river. 108 left. 107 left. 105 left. 104 left.
1.5XBB 103 left. Laughable....
102 left. I just got the button, so I have a snowball's chance here. Fold A3 in LP.
101 left.
IN DA $$$. Thanks to Anthrax.
96th place after I push w/KQs lose to pocket 4's. Massive $10 profit. Massive I tell ya.
40 minutes in, I've played about 0 hands. Finally, I get AK on the button. Amidst 3
limpers (T30), I make it T150 ala Dan Harrington's recommendations. I get called by the BB and 1 limper. The flop is AJ7, BB checks, limper min-bets (sheesh) and I push. BB calls, limper folds. BB shows AJ and I'm cursing. River is a K!!! That never happens.
I'm shot to above average and can play some poker. 960 started and already 300 are gone.
Got rivered when I played AKs vs J7s when a club hit the river. J7s calls a 6x BB raise and then calls off all his chips on a draw. What can ya do? It's the break, half the players are out and I've played only about 6 hands, AK, AK, AK, AA, QQ, and 9Ts. The high pocket pairs only bought me the blinds and I won the biggest pot with 9Ts when I caught my nut straight. A flush draw squelched the betting, but winning the amount I won was fine.
13xBB now with 292 left. Avg. is 3300 and I'm at T1900. Need some cards soon, but no need to go crazy.
9.5XBB, 249 left. Avg. is 3850, still at T1900, I need to double up to get back to average.
6X BB, 210 left. Avg. is 4600, at T1200 - on comes Medusa, and I pick a hand to go with.
Survive the BB with J5o as it's folded to me. Medusa in action? 200 left, 100 pay.
2.5BB, 174 left, have never seen such a dry run of cards. Ever. I will probably have to pick my 1st Ace and go. Haven't seen an Ace in an hour.
I pick K7d. 2 callers, flop is 35T, no diamonds. 1 caller bets out the other with pocket 2's. River is a 7!!!! T2550. Unreal.
6.5XBB, on break 159 left. Avg. is 6000, I have T2550. Medusa!!!!
Made a tough laydown. A5o in the BB and 5 people see a flop of 235clubs. SB min bets and there's just too many people left to act behind me so I fold. The min bet takes it down.
A3o in LP, all-in for a steal. I fold pocket 2's next hand because two consecutive all-in's increase the odds of getting called. I really don't want to be called with that hand so I fold. 148 left.
Pocket T's after 1 limper in MP. Medusa!!!!! Big stack is thinking, calls w/76. I flop a set and win. She's starin' at you....with her eyes!!!!
Folded KQ UTG, after reading Harrington, I really don't like that hand in that position.
12.75XBB, 137 left. AVg. is 7000, I have T5100. Room to play again. Even at this stage of the game, I'm seeing really bad play. Someone called off 3/4 of their chips and folded post-turn. He was the J7s guy from above. He finished 130th.
Hurt in a battle of the blinds. 78 vs 62. I turned an 8, he rivered a 3rd 2. Ugh. T2700.
A7. all in. Blind steal. 6XBB, 121 left. 116 left. Still seeing unimaginable bad play. I can only say "Wow." to some of this. 66 putting someone else all-in on a board w/2 Aces after getting raised on the turn.
This is harvest time for sure, but you need the tools to do it (cards) and I haven't seen much still. Medusa still blares....
4XBB, 111 left. Avg. is 8600, I have T2400. Great, 110 left and it's hand-to-hand.
3XBB, 110 left. Avg. is 8700, I have T2400. Still hand to hand. On my table an AK beats an 88 with an A on the river. 108 left. 107 left. 105 left. 104 left.
1.5XBB 103 left. Laughable....
102 left. I just got the button, so I have a snowball's chance here. Fold A3 in LP.
101 left.
IN DA $$$. Thanks to Anthrax.
96th place after I push w/KQs lose to pocket 4's. Massive $10 profit. Massive I tell ya.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Friday, May 27, 2005
Entitlement
I shouldn't post while I'm over-tired and coming off a few day long losing streak. But I will.
I'm just gonna ramble a bit about some thoughts I've had recently. They mainly focus on my bankroll and YTD profits. Perhaps some of you also think the same way, perhaps some of you don't.
They say that losing players don't keep track of their results for a variety of reasons. I may have mentioned it before, but I've been keeping track of mine ever since I began playing for nickels and dimes back in 1992. The stakes have grown and the games have changed, but I've been pretty diligent about keeping an accurate tally.
Throughout the years, especially in the last two, I've reached all-time highs - a new peak in the ever-changing profit and bankroll numbers. Once I reach a new peak, feelings towards the game change. I feel like I'm entitled to remain at this new peak and keep moving upwards. Any temporary dip gets me overly disappointed in myself for not being able to maintain my new high.
And that's just odd.
We all know how bankrolls fluctuate. I shouldn't be surprised when mine dips. I need to control my borderline obsession with these numbers. It's distracting me from playing proper poker and changing my focus towards results-oriented play. What follows is BadBlood playing bad poker.
Very bad poker.
To wit:
Last night at casa de G-Rob things started off with a bang. I'm dealt AJ and I'm in a pot against KK and QQ. The flop is JJx and I more than double up on the very first hand. Things went downhill from there.
Why?
Because on the first hand I set a level for myself such that when I lost the next pot, I thought too much of where I had been and not where I currently was. Does that make sense?
I hate to post up such a whiny post so close to Vegas when everyone is getting so geared up. Me? I have to say that right now, I'm glad I'm not playing in Event #2. I'd focus too much on a $1500 loss and not playing good poker.
I have exaclty 6 days to change.
I'm just gonna ramble a bit about some thoughts I've had recently. They mainly focus on my bankroll and YTD profits. Perhaps some of you also think the same way, perhaps some of you don't.
They say that losing players don't keep track of their results for a variety of reasons. I may have mentioned it before, but I've been keeping track of mine ever since I began playing for nickels and dimes back in 1992. The stakes have grown and the games have changed, but I've been pretty diligent about keeping an accurate tally.
Throughout the years, especially in the last two, I've reached all-time highs - a new peak in the ever-changing profit and bankroll numbers. Once I reach a new peak, feelings towards the game change. I feel like I'm entitled to remain at this new peak and keep moving upwards. Any temporary dip gets me overly disappointed in myself for not being able to maintain my new high.
And that's just odd.
We all know how bankrolls fluctuate. I shouldn't be surprised when mine dips. I need to control my borderline obsession with these numbers. It's distracting me from playing proper poker and changing my focus towards results-oriented play. What follows is BadBlood playing bad poker.
Very bad poker.
To wit:
Last night at casa de G-Rob things started off with a bang. I'm dealt AJ and I'm in a pot against KK and QQ. The flop is JJx and I more than double up on the very first hand. Things went downhill from there.
Why?
Because on the first hand I set a level for myself such that when I lost the next pot, I thought too much of where I had been and not where I currently was. Does that make sense?
I hate to post up such a whiny post so close to Vegas when everyone is getting so geared up. Me? I have to say that right now, I'm glad I'm not playing in Event #2. I'd focus too much on a $1500 loss and not playing good poker.
I have exaclty 6 days to change.
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Lottery Results
I bought 5 tickets. I matched 0 numbers. The good news is that nobody else won and the jackpot will be an "estimated" $218 million. That's good, because $180 was simply not going to cut it.
****
Lately I've been prepping Mrs_Blood for some live casino Hold 'em action and she's been a pretty decent student. She tested her mettle last night in a friendly $20 buy-in .10/.25 blind NL ring game. She nearly tripled up. I lost two buy-ins in what was clearly a case of do as I say, not as I do.
An interesting hand came up that prompted G-Rob's ire directed at me. G-Rob and Mrs_Blood had played a hand to the river and had checked it down in the last betting round. G-Rob, first to act, paused after the river card came up and Mrs_Blood erroneously acted out of turn and checked. I mentioned that fact, and G-Rob immediately bet out $5 into a $2 pot. Knowing exactly what he was doing, but not knowing anything about Mrs_Blood's cards, I implored her to call.
I told her G-Rob only bet out (classic overbet!) because he heard you check out of turn. So she did call and ended up beating G-Rob's 10-high. The "only one player to a hand" issue came up wherein I responded thusly:
In any other serious game with any other player involved, I'm not saying a word. But if you try to take advantage of the Mrs with me at the same table, I'm speaking up.
Sue me.
:)
****
More live action with a little more at stake tonight at casa de G-Rob. Perhaps he'll let Mrs. G-Rob play and get some revenge on me, but I'm not sure she's too much into poker.
I got a bit tired of organizing and hosting games. I have about 25 people on my mailing list and the affirmative responses kept getting smaller and smaller. It will be refreshing and fun to simply play a game rather than worry if the game I'm hosting will be sustainable for the duration of the evening.
****
Lately I've been prepping Mrs_Blood for some live casino Hold 'em action and she's been a pretty decent student. She tested her mettle last night in a friendly $20 buy-in .10/.25 blind NL ring game. She nearly tripled up. I lost two buy-ins in what was clearly a case of do as I say, not as I do.
An interesting hand came up that prompted G-Rob's ire directed at me. G-Rob and Mrs_Blood had played a hand to the river and had checked it down in the last betting round. G-Rob, first to act, paused after the river card came up and Mrs_Blood erroneously acted out of turn and checked. I mentioned that fact, and G-Rob immediately bet out $5 into a $2 pot. Knowing exactly what he was doing, but not knowing anything about Mrs_Blood's cards, I implored her to call.
I told her G-Rob only bet out (classic overbet!) because he heard you check out of turn. So she did call and ended up beating G-Rob's 10-high. The "only one player to a hand" issue came up wherein I responded thusly:
In any other serious game with any other player involved, I'm not saying a word. But if you try to take advantage of the Mrs with me at the same table, I'm speaking up.
Sue me.
:)
****
More live action with a little more at stake tonight at casa de G-Rob. Perhaps he'll let Mrs. G-Rob play and get some revenge on me, but I'm not sure she's too much into poker.
I got a bit tired of organizing and hosting games. I have about 25 people on my mailing list and the affirmative responses kept getting smaller and smaller. It will be refreshing and fun to simply play a game rather than worry if the game I'm hosting will be sustainable for the duration of the evening.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
My Luck is Your Luck
Kindly wish me good luck as I play South Carolina's Powerball Lottery tonight. The prize is 180 million which translates into a 60 million post-tax lump sum. Here are some of the things I will do if I win:
I'll gladly pickup the bill at the blogger after party.
I'll also ante up some free buy-ins to Event #2 for anyone who feels like playing.
CJ, Pauly, Grubby......FREE WHORES! Ok, Chad too.
G-Rob can have that sex change operation he's been mentioning.
To Al, an entire gross of SoCo bottles. Drink that deck, baby! Leftovers go back to Philly for Big Mike.
Iggy can have bone extensions put in his shins for an extra few inches of height. And the Road House Special Edition DVD.
Felicia can get an upgrade to her PC with those new 286's that are out.
Professional Poker Player(tm) Chris Halverson gets an HDTV, HD satellite stuff, and an HD TiVo. He must however burn all poker related shows to DVD and disperse them at his own expense to whomever wants them.
FilmGeek gets cash to buy a new lightsaber and all the SpaceBalls merchandise he wants. Not sure why he likes Dark Helmet so much...
Otis can have some crutches for his inevitable fall. Gold-plated ones.
Daddy gets free passes to every zoo in North America.
Bob gets a personal assistant who confirms his junk status at regular pre-defined intervals.
That should cover some of it. Anyone else want anything, let me know.
I'll gladly pickup the bill at the blogger after party.
I'll also ante up some free buy-ins to Event #2 for anyone who feels like playing.
CJ, Pauly, Grubby......FREE WHORES! Ok, Chad too.
G-Rob can have that sex change operation he's been mentioning.
To Al, an entire gross of SoCo bottles. Drink that deck, baby! Leftovers go back to Philly for Big Mike.
Iggy can have bone extensions put in his shins for an extra few inches of height. And the Road House Special Edition DVD.
Felicia can get an upgrade to her PC with those new 286's that are out.
Professional Poker Player(tm) Chris Halverson gets an HDTV, HD satellite stuff, and an HD TiVo. He must however burn all poker related shows to DVD and disperse them at his own expense to whomever wants them.
FilmGeek gets cash to buy a new lightsaber and all the SpaceBalls merchandise he wants. Not sure why he likes Dark Helmet so much...
Otis can have some crutches for his inevitable fall. Gold-plated ones.
Daddy gets free passes to every zoo in North America.
Bob gets a personal assistant who confirms his junk status at regular pre-defined intervals.
That should cover some of it. Anyone else want anything, let me know.
Monday, May 23, 2005
Have Game Will Travel
It was just under a year ago that I took a risk that has turned out to be very +EV on the social scale. I'd only been blogging for a few months and played in only 1 blogger tourney, so I was quite new to the scene and had certainly never met anyone in person whose blog I had read.
After a few misfires (I emailed CJ thinking he was Otis), I finally realized Otis lived very nearby. I weasled my way into a Brad-o-Ween tourney invite and met a great bunch of guys, many of whom have become friends.
When I realized there were a couple more bloggers from our Palmetto state, I figured it was my duty to extend some invites to my home game, just as Otis had extended an invite to me. One week, the Big Pirate showed up; the next week it was Gamecock. Each took a risk driving more than an hour to play in my home game and meet someone who could have easily been a dick. (Aside: Maybe I am, and nobody will tell me.) (Aside #2: I predict G-Rob will call me a dick in the comments.)
Returning the invite, Big Pirate invited me to his home tourney this past Sunday.
It was great. I met a great bunch of guys with similar interests (duh, poker) and managed to confirm that my live tourney play is still much less than stellar. Finishing 9th was simply a formality, I did last longer than the host so I've got that going for me. *cough* re-raise with 9's *cough* I managed to win the tourney buy-in back in a ring game, which appears to be a strength of mine. I can't count the number of times I've lost in a tourney and won back the buy-in plus some extra afterwards. I shouldn't bother trying to win a satellite to Event #2, I should just play some Rio side games. Stop laughing.
The point of this post is that even if I didn't win a dime back in the live game, the trip would have been worth it. I'm sure I'll be playing more poker with Pirate and Gamecock in the future, they've tentatively reserved a spot in the BadBlood Poker Superstars Invitational on July 2nd and 3rd. Blogging this stuff has brought me friendships I'd have never made before and for that I'm glad. Time for a group hug.
Sheesh, who said that? That was quite......well, you know.
****
In other blogger news, there have been quizzes floating around, asking who among you scraggly-ass wannabe's can beat me in arm wrestling. One must only look to "This Is Spinal Tap" for the answer. During a pre-concert buffet, Nigel picks up one green olive and notices the pimento inside of it. He laments that another similar green olive is in fact pimento-less. "Look, this one has a little guy in it. But this one, who's in here?"
Exactly. NO ONE! \m/
After a few misfires (I emailed CJ thinking he was Otis), I finally realized Otis lived very nearby. I weasled my way into a Brad-o-Ween tourney invite and met a great bunch of guys, many of whom have become friends.
When I realized there were a couple more bloggers from our Palmetto state, I figured it was my duty to extend some invites to my home game, just as Otis had extended an invite to me. One week, the Big Pirate showed up; the next week it was Gamecock. Each took a risk driving more than an hour to play in my home game and meet someone who could have easily been a dick. (Aside: Maybe I am, and nobody will tell me.) (Aside #2: I predict G-Rob will call me a dick in the comments.)
Returning the invite, Big Pirate invited me to his home tourney this past Sunday.
It was great. I met a great bunch of guys with similar interests (duh, poker) and managed to confirm that my live tourney play is still much less than stellar. Finishing 9th was simply a formality, I did last longer than the host so I've got that going for me. *cough* re-raise with 9's *cough* I managed to win the tourney buy-in back in a ring game, which appears to be a strength of mine. I can't count the number of times I've lost in a tourney and won back the buy-in plus some extra afterwards. I shouldn't bother trying to win a satellite to Event #2, I should just play some Rio side games. Stop laughing.
The point of this post is that even if I didn't win a dime back in the live game, the trip would have been worth it. I'm sure I'll be playing more poker with Pirate and Gamecock in the future, they've tentatively reserved a spot in the BadBlood Poker Superstars Invitational on July 2nd and 3rd. Blogging this stuff has brought me friendships I'd have never made before and for that I'm glad. Time for a group hug.
Sheesh, who said that? That was quite......well, you know.
****
In other blogger news, there have been quizzes floating around, asking who among you scraggly-ass wannabe's can beat me in arm wrestling. One must only look to "This Is Spinal Tap" for the answer. During a pre-concert buffet, Nigel picks up one green olive and notices the pimento inside of it. He laments that another similar green olive is in fact pimento-less. "Look, this one has a little guy in it. But this one, who's in here?"
Exactly. NO ONE! \m/
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