Vegas - My Video Poker Triumph

[Disclaimer] - Super old news, but I just haven't found the time (and motivation) to post anything until today.

I dunno what it is about Vegas...
Well I guess I do know. Liquor, gambling, silicone, clubbing, buffets... The finer things in life =P

My Video Poker Vegas story begins with my gf and I ready to hit up the club, Tryst.
All pimped out as we enter the Wynn, I'm looking around for something to pass the time while we wait for some friends to arrive.
Then, the Video Poker machine catches my attention.
This should give me the 2 minutes of enjoyment that I need before they arrive.
After inserting money, 20 credits appear on the screen.
Time to get down to business.

My friends watch intently as I go on a big run.
Obviously it's a little fixed, but I'm using all my odds knowledge to my advantage.
"It's simple math," I say as I decide to try for 2 chances of Jacks or Better instead of the 2 outer for a low 3 of a kind.

All of a sudden, the hand hits me...
3 of a kind Jacks in the hole.
Obviously I'll keep the 3 of you.
Blam! Another Jack comes! I've hit my 1 outer for the win.
The wonderful midi sounds floods my ears as it double my credits.

I cash out, with a big grin on my face, ready to hit a club with double my Video Poker riches.


It definitely sounds great when I put it that way...
Here's the full story...


Hmmm there must be something cheap I can do to pass the time...
Then I see it.
Oooo, they actually have $0.05 Video Poker at the Wynn?! I was happily surprised. I can afford that. That'll give my 20 credits on my dollar! What value! =)

I go into my pocket to fish out a dollar.
Oh crap, I only have $20's on me.
I turn to my friend, and say, "Can you spot me a dollar? I'll even pay you back if I lose..."
Obviously he doesn't care about the dollar as he hands it to me.

The 4 of a kind was still true...
But I felt like such a noob walking over the cash-out machine, putting in my ticket, and waiting intently while it reads, "Paying out $2.00."
It was definitely perfect timing to have a guy watching behind me as I collect my huge winnings!
I look at the man, and muster a, "Yes, I can finally retire!" He smiles... and I take my $2 and walk away.

Obviously many people in the world disagree, but it's the thrill of the competition that gets me going, not the amount of money on the line.

After getting a text from the friends saying that she'll be a little late, I play a little more.
My friend and I are both playing now, cause I was able to give him back his dollar, and I have a new dollar. =)
I end up upping my stack 50% in the second session before it's time to go, and my friend broke even.

So that night I could say I officially beat the Casino.
Of course it was only $1.50, and I spent much more than that at the club... Oh well... Was still fun.

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Favorite Vegas Games: Poker, then Blackjack, then Video Poker

Bringing Cards to Your Workplace

Do you like cards as much as I do? Well you can do what I did and bring card games to the lunchroom at work.

It can be a very delicate operation because it may be frowned upon by the higher-ups, but if you introduce it correctly, it can be the most enjoyable part of the day. =P

1. Never play any games for money.

I don’t have to tell you that gambling is illegal in the workplace (except for lottery tickets or if you work in a casino) so don’t do it.

In the past we were playing poker daily, so you could hear chips being thrown around. On numerous occasions higher-ups would come up to us and ask, “Are you guys playing for money?” This is not a time to be sarcastic. Just say no!

2. Don’t be too loud

We’ve had our rowdy moments. As long as you try to keep it to an “acceptable level,” you shouldn’t have any problems.

3. Invite other People in the Lunch Room

The most flack you’ll get would be from the regulars in the lunchroom that feel like you’re invading their personal lunchtime. Make attempts to invite them to join, then they won’t feel left out, and you could make some work friends on top of that. If they decline, at least they’ll get a sense of acceptance that you’re sharing the space with them.

4. Have Fun

What’s the point of playing if you aren’t enjoying yourself? We have a group of 11 of us that play whenever we have the chance, so we always have at least 7 people to throw friendly jabs at while we eat and play. =P

We’ve primarily played Texas Hold’em in the past, with stints of President, Euchre, and Hearts. Currently we’ve been playing this game called Redbeard. Never heard of it? Well I’m not even sure if that’s the real name for the game… More on that next time…
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Current Fav Card Games: Redbeard, Texas Hold’Em, Omaha Hi/Lo

Pokerstars Freerolls

I've always thought of poker freerolls as crapshoots. Normally 5000 entrants or more, and only 50 some odd people will make the next round. And then you have to make the cut twice more...

Obviously there's "some" skill involved... Cause Chris Moneymaker was able to win the World Series. (Moneymaker is another topic completely) But all the stars in the sky have to align just right in order to win it all.

So another day, another freeroll entry. This time it's to win a $17000 package to Vegas to meet Daniel Negreanu and get a learning session from him, and $2000 in spending cash.
This one's for Canadians only. Check it here.

I couldn't resist cause only 1586 people entered the tournament and 1000 people get a ticket to the semi-final round.
Knowing the online poker player syndrome (loose, loose and more loose), I just had to bide my time, and play big hands only.

The tourney started at 8:15pm... Ended at 8:49pm...
I played 10 hands out of only 37 hands total lol.
I won 4 of those hands I played.

I wish all freerolls were this easy. =P

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Current Fav Games: Online Poker, Wii Fit

Free Money from Poker?

Could it be true?
Apparently yes!

A few months ago I received a letter and CD in the mail from mansionpoker.com offering me:
"$15 FREE CASH - NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED"

It goes on to say that there's no catch and it's an exclusive opportunity blah blah blah... I totally didn't believe it, but I left it on a chair to collect dust.

So recently I found it on the chair again, and decided to give it a go.
Now it took me a good 30 minutes after installation to find the area to put in the bonus code, but I actually got $15 for free!

I was reading up on it and saw that it's very stringent before you're allowed to pull your money from Mansion Poker. Apparently they ask for a copy of your passport or driver's license. It's talked about on numerous sites and confirmed on mansion pokers' website here

If I'm able to turn my $15 into $500 then perhaps I'll consider it. =P

Despite my brother's suggestion to make one attempt in the biggest tourney I can afford with the $15, I decided to take the "slow and steady" approach, and take on the limit tables at 5cent/10cent.

After 3 sessions I'm happy to report that I'm up to $18.92! Lol retirement here I come!

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Current Fav Games: Mansionpoker, Wii Fit

10 Signs That You're Addicted to Games

Somewhere along the line I realized that I can't live without games.
And I'm not just talking about Video Games. I'm talking about any game. Perhaps any activity that involves competition. And I always intend to win. =P
If it weren't for working, eating and sleeping, I'd probably be playing some sort of game 24/7.

So how do you know whether you're addicted?
If you can relate to the 10 signs of an addicted gamer, then I pray that you also got game with the ladies...

1. You've made up games

Gamers will turn any situation into an opportunity to find a new, super-awesome game.
Relaxing by the water? Turn rock skipping into a clay shooting competition.
Eating breakfast out? Use the creamers as baskets to play mini basketball.
I've even made a game with a poker table top and poker chips but without playing cards. (don't ask)

2. All-You-Can-Eat = Competition

8 friends going to an all-you-can-eat restaurant spells trouble. When they split us up into two tables of 4, it means war... I have left many restaurants unable to walk, and afraid of burping.

3. You don't go easy on your girlfriend

I'm sure a lot of guys don't follow this rule, but I've always followed the adage that it is my duty to try to win if I'm playing any game. It doesn't matter who you are, I will try my best, and that includes against the girlfriend. It just happens to be that a lot of the games I play include her. But as a bonus for kicking her butt for a while, she's improved very quickly, and is now a force when we play poker! (I also can't beat her at Dr. Mario)

4. You skipped school to play the release of a video game

One of the most disappointing games of all time, but I called in sick for Mortal (Kombat) Monday. Sweat replaced glory and all (Super Nintendo version). I never made that mistake again... Until Zelda, Ocarina of Time came out. =)

5. You've waited in line over 10 hours for that gaming system

It was a really fun time. I arrived at around midnight at the nearest Best Buy. I had some friends along for the ride. We watched Heroes, and played Handball and Hacky Sack. We chatted with the rest of the gamers in line about their favorite old video games, and we came away with 2 Nintendo Wii's and 1 PS3.

6. You've participated in a tournament that wasn't Poker or a Video Game

The tournament I entered was for Magic: The Gathering, the collectible card game. Yes I felt out of place, and didn't win a match, but I wanted to see what the fuss was all about. And I'll admit, I had a great time.

7. You've played a game from sunset to sunrise

Sometimes when the planets align just right, you can find a game that will immerse you to the point of forgetting about the natural calls of life. I'm sure Halo 3, Final Fantasy 7, Metal Gear Solid have all had their close to 24 hour sessions, but I was willed to wait in line for 10 hours, not sleep for over 48 hours, and play incessantly with every friend that wanted to try it out, when the Nintendo Wii and Wii Sports came out.

8. You can play poker seriously, even when it's NOT for money

How many people out there can honestly say that they can play their best poker, even if there's no money on the line?
Oh really? I remember when you said, "Meh I call, it's not for real anyways."

9. You've lost friends over a sport

It was our weekly basketball game in the gym I rent out for invites only. I remember my brother getting fouled by this guy (friend of a friend) under the basket, and I called foul for him. It was already pretty chippy at that point, so patience was wearing thin. A few angry words later and we were shouting, ready to fight. Luckily we were pulled apart before anything happened. I haven't seen that guy again...

10. You've forced a friend to repeat a year of school from a game

This one is so far-fetched for most people... But not for me... It was a game I introduced to 4 others in Residence at university. We were all addicted to the game. It was sick. Would I take it back if I could? Hell no... More on that next time.