NocturnalRob 0 Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 I've gotten sick of spending every weekend in either DC or NYC, so I decided to take off a little early this last Friday and head up to Atlantic City for the night. I had to be back on Saturday for a couple parties, but I figured that I could hit the tables hard, and at the very least get some more comp points at the Borgata. So my time table was 10pm on Friday (scheduled arrival...actual arrival was around 11pm) until 1pm on Saturday.Mistake Number 1 was "Going Greyhound." Sweet lord. I mean, yes, the fares are inexpensive, and...well, the fares are inexpensive. $60 roundtrip is well worth not having to worry about gas, parking, and tolls. Most importantly, I don't have to worry about staying awake on the drive home. I've had to rely too many times on rumble strips to wake me up.I ended up staying at the Borgata for the entire trip. For those of you who haven't seen the updates to the poker room, you should definitely try it out at least once. I'm impressed every time I go. Professional staff, clean room, competent dealers. A good time. So I put my name down for the 1/2 NL, 2/5 NL, and the omaha PL 2/4. Mistake Number 2 was waiting for my name to be called while at the blackjack tables. 30 minutes and -$200 later, I'm back. The omaha is dead in the water. I don't think they spread a table anywhere near my limits the entire time I was there. Maybe the Taj next time? They'd already past me on the 2-5, but I was next at the 1-2, so that's where I sat. The table they sat me at was a sober poker player's dream.Full table. All young guys except for three middle-aged men who were drunk off their collective asses. First hand I sit down for, the dealer asks me if i want to post or wait 2 hands for my blind. I say I'll wait. Drunk #2 accuses me of being "too scared to make money at this table" and raises it $50. Drunk #3 calls. Everyone else folds. They check it down. Drunk #2 has K8. Drunk #3 has J5. It was that kind of table.I bought in for $200, not realizing that the max buy-in is $300, but I tripled up the third hand i played when i flopped middle set on a 10 high board (666), and neither Drunk #2 nor Drunk #3 could lay down top pair.The next hand of note, I had J 9 in MP. I hadn't played a hand in about 30 minutes, so I raised to $8. Predictably, all three drunks called, plus a player in LP (very tight) and the big blind. Pot $49. Flop comes about as good as you can get-- K 10 8 , so I was pleased when the big blind went all-in for another $60. Figuring that I can get at least one of the drunks to call, I raise it to $150. Unfortunately, all three drunks fold, and the one player I was worried about--LP--calls for his last $130 or so. He flips over AK off, and BB flips over KJ off. The turn missed me, but I caught the Q on the river to rake the pot. I only played in about half a dozen hands for the first 3 or 4 hours. Not ideal when sitting at a table where the average preflop pot is hovering around $50 every time one of the drunks got involved, but finished that portion up about $450.Once the drunks lost all their money (I personally saw one guy rebuy for the max 5 times in 2 hours), the table tightened up and got short-handed. I stayed there for a few more hours, but couple feel myself getting bored and tired. And when that happened, I started to bleed off some of my money. And all it took was one hand for me to step in it.Mistake Number 3 involved an older guy who had bought in for the minimum of $80 around 5am, and had run it up to around $200 in about half an hour with a string of the most inconceivable calls--calling off 1/4 of his stack with bottom pair on the river. Unfortunately, this didn't sink in. I think it had something to do with the fact that he was playing a harmonica between every hand. So instead of asking to dealer to shut him up, I just put my iPod on, which led to me zoning out. So when i got JJ after folding for 3 rounds, I overplayed them horribly. I raise it up to $10--Harmonica Man and the button call. Flop comes A 10 4. I bet out a little more than half the pot (about $20) to see where I am. Harmonica Man calls and the button folds. The pot's around $70 at this point, and because all I can recall about this guy is that he could very easily have a 4.2, when a 7 comes on the turn, I bet out $50 trying to push him off the pot. Well, that didn't work either, because he just called again. Well, now I've basically screwed the pooch, all because I didn't pay attention to how bad this guy is, but even worse is that the pot is now $170, and Harmonica only has about $100 behind him. Well, the river does something beautiful to me. It throws out a jack. Well, as it turns out, this is one of 8 cards in the deck that beat me. I put him all in, he calls and flips over the KQ for a straight. I took a break after that hand. Looking back on it, there's nothing I really could have done. Even if I had slowed down on the turn and just checked, the river still would have come the same, and the result would have been the same. But I was just flabbergasted. The preflop call in a shorthanded game is fine. But the postflop and turn calls? So I locked up my seat and went to the Metropolitan for some steak and eggs. Yum.When I got back, the table was starting to break up. Harmonica Man had apparently busted within 30 minutes of me leaving. He played taps on his harmonica when he busted. Haha...so I cashed out my chips and made Mistake Number 4.Seriously, I need to stay away from the blackjack tables. My second session there...I've never been bent over that badly, and been embarassed so quickly by a dealer in my life. It's really not even worth mentioning other than I was actually down another $200 placing the $10 minimum bet before my borgata card was swiped. It was...shocking. So I took a walk. The people awake at 6am in a Casino never cease to amaze me.When I got back to the poker room around 6:45, another 1-2 table was setting up, so I bought in for $300 (hey, the max!), and got mowed down to about $100 courtesy of an ill-timed bluff (learn to develop a table image before believing that people will give you credit for a monster) and a river suckout. I bought in for another $100 (boo, not the max), hoping to break even and just go sleep off the night at the Greyhound station. I finally got a laugh when a father-son team sat down at the table. The father was at the table until I left, and was an extremely solid player in my mind. But the son was the source of amusement. He sat down, and within a minute, he had on a black jacket with the collar up, a black brimmed hat on with the brim down low, black wraparound shades, his iPod on, a big gold chip that said "Only Play the NUTZ" on it, and a picture of his dog. It took about 15 seconds for the table to start laying into him, and he did not take it well. Think of all the comments that people make when you get a player like that at a 1-2 table, and that was pretty much the entire conversation for 30 minutes. Then he doubled up when his aces held up against queens, and he stood up, yelled "That's right, baby," did a fist pump, pointed at the guy that lost and said, "Total facial!" No one said a word for about 5 seconds, and then everyone started laughing hysterically, even the dealer. Even better was the fact that his father stood up, dragged him to the side, and got in his face. They both came back about 30 seconds later. The son apologized to the player he beat, apologized to the table, and then cashed out his chips. After he left, his father also apologized, which I thought was nice, albeit unnecessary. Well, I got up to about $400 after a few more hours until i got cracked in the face by the deck for 2 hands. And 2 hands was all I really needed to make the trip worthwhile.Hand #1--In the BB with 7 6 , and a min-raise from MP and 2 callers, I call. Flop comes 9 7 6 . I bet out $14 into a $17 pot and get 2 callers. The turn comes 8 and I bet $45 into a $61 pot, and MP immediately bumps it to $90. Folded to me, and I just make the call (any thoughts here? In retrospect, i probably should have just pushed for the rest of my stack). Well, the turn came out 10 , completing my straight flush. I bet out $50 into roughly a $250 pot, knowing that if he had the straight on the turn, he would pump it again. And he did, and I called, scooping about an $800 pot. It turns out that he had J10, so I was in pretty bad shape after the turn. But it was my first live straight flush, so I was pretty pleased.Hand #2--The very next hand i get dealt AK off in the SB, and bet out $10. I get one caller from MP who was the only limper, and the flop comes Q J 10 . Figuring a check here would just look like a trap, I decide to play it strong, betting $20. MP raises it to $50, and I push for another $800 or so, having him well covered. The only hand I can really put him on is Ax with the flush draw. QQ, JJ, or 10.10, he wouldn't have limped. He wouldn't have limped with AK either. So I'm a little better 50/50. And after the last pot, I'll take a race for $300. Ride the wave, as they say. Well, he thinks for a minute or so, and just stares at me. I start stacking my chips from the last hand. He eventually calls and flips over...K8 of clubs?? Soooo...the only way I'm losing is to runner runner clubs? Well, the turn came 3 and the river was the 6 . The guy got up, shook my hand, wished everyone luck, and walked. There was no explanation given, and everyone was flabbergasted. But I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so I'll just think of it as a $300 error in my favor.The only other eventful thing from the trip was when the window on the side of the Greyhound bus shattered heading back to DC, and people were flipping out. Fortunately, the break was on the outside pane, so it wasn't a big deal.So that was it. I finished the night up around $800. Obviously I should learn to steer clear of the blackjack tables. I've always enjoyed reading everyone else's trip reports, so I hope this wasn't too tedious. And if you managed to get through the entire thing, let me know if you have any advice on how to avoid the blackjack table. I guess, what do you do when your table is really boring and you need to take a break? I naturally find myself drifting to the table games, which generally leads to me losing money. Any tips, aside from "stay away from the table games?" Also, I'd jumped from $400 to about $1200 in two hands. How much do you tip in that event? I'm normally of the mind that you keep your tips consistent regardless of pot size ($1-4), because the dealer doesn't determine the cards that come out. Then again, I was so excited that i ended up tipping the dealer $50 total over both hands. I'm a big believer in tipping, but does anyone have any comments or advice on that?Anyway, told you it was going to be long. I'm headed back to the Borgata on October 6th. If anyone's planning on being there, let me know. Link to post Share on other sites
AcesUp46 0 Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 Muahahaha...the "total facial" kid is hilarious.... Link to post Share on other sites
Zeatrix 0 Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 When I'm bored I grab something to eat and think to myself: Blackjack is a -EV game... Link to post Share on other sites
Verdimme 0 Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 Good read. Link to post Share on other sites
Dr_Shakes 0 Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 Was long, but didn't feel long reading it.As far as the Jacks hand I think that was played fine.Interesting Report, Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites
mrdannyg 274 Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 don't mind the long read, since you were kind enough to include paragraphs.$50 is a lot to tip, but if that was all then its fine. usually people tip a buck or two each hand, plus big ones, and end up giving away a lot of money. you should help out the dealers, but no need to dump off a large amount of your profits.as for blackjack, the best solution i've heard is to just find a place to go when you're bored away from them. check out the sportsbar or something. if you have to go grab chips from the cage or something, try to take a route past the slot machines instead of the table games. Link to post Share on other sites
Pot Odds RAC 23 Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 So that was it. I finished the night up around $800. Obviously I should learn to steer clear of the blackjack tables. I've always enjoyed reading everyone else's trip reports, so I hope this wasn't too tedious. And if you managed to get through the entire thing, let me know if you have any advice on how to avoid the blackjack table. I guess, what do you do when your table is really boring and you need to take a break? I naturally find myself drifting to the table games, which generally leads to me losing money. Any tips, aside from "stay away from the table games?" Also, I'd jumped from $400 to about $1200 in two hands. How much do you tip in that event? I'm normally of the mind that you keep your tips consistent regardless of pot size ($1-4), because the dealer doesn't determine the cards that come out. Then again, I was so excited that i ended up tipping the dealer $50 total over both hands. I'm a big believer in tipping, but does anyone have any comments or advice on that?Good read. Thanks for sharing.Stay away from the table games. Seriously. It is that simple - you are just going there knowing you are going to throw away your $. Just say "no"...and I tip a buck or two consistently even on small pots, but may toss an extra couple of bucks on bigger pots. Sharing the buz is fine I guess, but I am a little cheap Link to post Share on other sites
Gooser 0 Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 sweet read - total facial makes me laugh cause i know a lot of players like that Link to post Share on other sites
PokerFan 0 Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 I did not know that Greyhound was still operating or that anyone actually rode on one...hmmmm Link to post Share on other sites
Mercury69 3 Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 Total Facial...wasn't that a sci-fi porno movie? Link to post Share on other sites
EnglishPoker 0 Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 Good read .... i also tend to stray towards the house games.. Roulette a killer.. Resist.. Link to post Share on other sites
NocturnalRob 0 Posted September 25, 2006 Author Share Posted September 25, 2006 as for blackjack, the best solution i've heard is to just find a place to go when you're bored away from them. check out the sportsbar or something. if you have to go grab chips from the cage or something, try to take a route past the slot machines instead of the table games.thanks for the comments, guys.yeah, i need to start playing Pai Gow again. Any game where the ultimate goal is to break even and get comped steak and eggs. Good times... Link to post Share on other sites
gloyner 0 Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 thanks for the comments, guys.yeah, i need to start playing Pai Gow again. Any game where the ultimate goal is to break even and get comped steak and eggs. Good times...Heh, yeah I was gonna say learn to play Pai Gow, 200$ at a 10$ min table will last a hell of a lot longer than it will at a blackjack table. Link to post Share on other sites
Money022 0 Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 Was the kid in the outfit Eric Molina? Sounds like just as big of a d00che.Very nice read. Link to post Share on other sites
firingblind 0 Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 Great post, good read. :)Exactly why I troll these forums Link to post Share on other sites
M101A1-105 0 Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 Good read. Staying away from the BJ tables is easy... just don't go there. Anytime I take a break, I just head outside for some fresh air and get my mind back on the game. Why try to get your mind fresh for poker by playing another game? Just don't go there. For tipping, I think 50 bucks is generous. Even on the big pots you describe. I, too, like to throw a buck even on the small pots. About the only exceptions are walks with maybe one limper. Don't forget the chip runners and if you want help on the list, bump the brush on the way in or out...they will remember next time. Link to post Share on other sites
FourFlusher 0 Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 Excellent post, well written and thoughtful.Anytime I see a trip report that starts out with "mistake #1" I think I'm going to read a disaster story...glad you enjoyed it and took some money home. Link to post Share on other sites
SweetDaddyFreak 0 Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 TOTAL FACIALThat line made the post Link to post Share on other sites
iggymcfly 0 Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 Learn to count cards and play basic strategy. Even if you lose track of the count sometimes and don't spread your bets too wide to avoid suspicion, you'll at least make it a neutral EV game. It's really not that hard either; all it takes is a little bit of practice before you go to the casino. Link to post Share on other sites
7s7c 0 Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 I was there last Sat from about 4pm till midnight. It's prob the best place to play in AC now in terms of drunk donks late night. Unbelievable really. Link to post Share on other sites
CBass1724 1 Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 Why not try multi-tabling? That will keep you busy enough to stay away from blackos-jackos.... Link to post Share on other sites
eYank 0 Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 Good read. yeahno more BJ for u lol Link to post Share on other sites
NocturnalRob 0 Posted September 25, 2006 Author Share Posted September 25, 2006 yeahno more BJ for u lolyeah, at least until the next time i'm at a casino Link to post Share on other sites
ricker 0 Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 well done sir, great read, people take notice, this is how you make a trip report. Link to post Share on other sites
Berak 0 Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 Hand #1--In the BB with 7 6 , and a min-raise from MP and 2 callers, I call. Flop comes 9 7 6 . I bet out $14 into a $17 pot and get 2 callers. The turn comes 8 and I bet $45 into a $61 pot, and MP immediately bumps it to $90. Folded to me, and I just make the call (any thoughts here? In retrospect, i probably should have just pushed for the rest of my stack).It's obvious your up against the made straight on the turn. You can't lay down here as you got so many outs, but re-raising all in would only be a good play if your pot committed and it isn't clear how much you have left here. You basically have 13 outs most likely. Your opponent is the one who should have pushed on the turn with your raise, IMO. Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now