Putting the 'happy' in Happy Poker New Year (part 1)

[Midnight Rose]

You Know You're Addicted To Poker When...
  ...you find yourself at a local casino without your computer;
  and, not knowing which of the chips you already have,
  you call another addict to ask him to look through your
  Michigan gallery to check for you.

I really should've known, but was actually a bit surprised when Michael drove us just ahead of Monday's blizzard to Mount Pleasant, MI for a New Year's Eve concert featuring one of our favorite jazz vocalist groups, The Manhattan Transfer.  That would've been cool enough on its own; but the better part of that surprise is where the concert was being held: Soaring Eagle Casino, woohoo!

We checked into our hotel a few blocks away, and after some pre-festivities celebrating, we headed for the casino.  I wish I had known for sure that this was where we were going; I still had a few dollars left in my poker account after last year's drubbing, but Michael said he was covering me for a $100 buy-in, and he would use $60 for 3 Card Poker.  This didn't leave me much for chip harvesting, but we wouldn't have a lot of time for that anyway, I told myself. 

Then I realized that I couldn't remember which chips I still needed from Soaring Eagle.  So I did what any chipper would do: I called Wedge Rock to ask him to look through my gallery and let me know.  I left what had to be the most bizarre message imaginable, then we went off to the concert.

Afterwards, I checked my voicemail and trooper that he is, Wedge left me a message going into detail about what chips I had and how they compared to what Chipguide showed as available for the casino.  Unfortunately, I could only hear part of his answer, and wound up just going for the one chip I knew I didn't yet have:



BTW Wedge, I kept an extra one for you to have, in appreciation for your efforts.

[ChrisChip10]

I really should've known, but was actually a bit surprised when Michael drove us just ahead of Monday's blizzard to Mount Pleasant, MI for a New Year's Eve concert featuring one of our favorite jazz vocalist groups, The Manhattan Transfer.  That would've been cool enough on its own; but the better part of that surprise is where the concert was being held: Soaring Eagle Casino, woohoo!

Nice hubby there, the Manhattan Transfer is a great group.  Casinoing to boot.  Have the Hap Hap Happiest New Year since Bing Crosby ...ing danced with Danny Kay!

[Detroitdad]

That is a beautiful chip. If in the future your out there I would definitely buy one off of you.

Can't wait for the rest of the story,

later,

B

Happy New Years!!!!

[Midnight Rose]

Hungry now, we headed to the crazy long buffet line, expecting dinner.  We were happy to find they were serving the less expensive breakfast buffet (the bonus being that the food would be fresher).  I had already picked up my Player's Club card and the voucher for $10 in table games chips that I chose rather than credits for slots.  Michael, not being a collector, didn't want to stand in that line, so he abstained.  But since the buffet line was so long, he agreed to go get his own card (and, more importantly, his own chip voucher).  I was still in line by the time he got back.

We finally ate, with another bonus: they had some dinner food still left.  So we stuffed ourselves with crab, shrimp, and breakfast items while the other silly people stood in another long line just for self-serve omelets.  Suckers!  They were still waiting by the time we left. 

It turned out to be a good thing that Michael acquiesced to my desire for more chips.  We went to the cashier's cage to turn in our vouchers for what I expected would be passable chips that I could put into my trader stock.  I was extremely happy to be given this two-sided beauty - now the coolest Michigan chip I own - instead:

[austin5string]

I was extremely happy to be given this two-sided beauty - now the coolest Michigan chip I own - instead:

That's a beauty, Rose..  And I love reading your stories..

~A5S

[Midnight Rose]

As cool as those chips are - and they are very, very cool - they couldn't hold a candle to the chip "collecting" I did in the poker room. 

Soaring Eagle has done a good job of upgrading that room; they now have high-tech LCDs set up for keeping track of the games, just like the bigger Michigan casinos.  I was pleasantly surprised to see interest lists set up for Omaha/O8 as well a 7CS; but more than anything, I wanted to play the HORSE game that was listed.  $10/$20 is too much for my roll and skill set, though; I lamented this to the boss, and he changed the game to $3/$6 for me, which I thought was awesome.  Not surprisingly, no one else signed up for it, so I was seated at $3/$6 LHE instead, oh well.  But he said that if I come back, just call first and they'll post a HORSE list again.

What was bizarre to me though was that I was seated at a very short table, with only 6 of us to start, and I know there was at least one other $3/$6 table going.  But I prefer short-handed tables anyway, so I was cool with that.  Not as cool, though, was the fact that I was immediately seated in the BB, without a chance to observe the table as I prefer.  Well, I thought it wasn't cool at first.  But not for long.

Our dealer would've made Gobbs proud; she swiftly chucked the cards out there, keeping the game going smoothly and efficiently,  After I watched three limps to the button, one of the other two women players at the table raised to $6.  SB folded; I look down to see AKd, and smooth-called.  Much to my surprise, the other players folded.  After the hand, I found out why.

Flop came K-rag-rag, rainbow; I bet, button called.  And right then, I knew I was ahead.  I put her on pocket Jacks, maybe Queens at best (for her); Ace-ugly at worst.  Turn was a blank; I bet, she raised, I re-raised, she called. 

I forgot to see what kind of cards they were using, but there's no mistaking the always-stylish Ace of Spades...and when it hit the river, button audibly moaned.  I started to check it, but I knew that she knew I had it, so I bet out; she sighed, showed her Queens face up as she was folding, and said that she had been playing tight all night, dammit, that this was the first time she raised pre-flop only to lose to my aces.  I felt sorry for her (and cringed at how much she sounded like I have since last October) and showed her my hand...and felt Michael smiling from behind me as I stacked all those chips.

Another female sat to my left, raising immediately from the BB.  Folded around, and I had straightening chips (T9o, I think), so I called to see a flop.  Got a gutshot but checked it; when she bet, I let it go.  Folded a few other hands like that, kept one hand longer than I should have (though with a minimal loss), then found myself with Cowboys on the button.  The woman from my first hand had already limped in before me, as did the cutoff; I raised, and everyone else but her folded.

Second verse, same as the first.  A raggedy, uncoordinated flop hit with a T being the highest card.  She checked, I bet, she called.  Lather, rinse, repeat to the river, another T.  She checked, and though I had thought about value betting once more, I checked behind.  She flipped up KQo.  I emotionlessly took another big chunk of her money. 

By then, the buffet was starting to catch up with me, and I made some preliminary plans to cash out.  The table seemed to be breaking up anyway, and the stragglers behind said they wanted to join the other table.  The dealer, surprisingly, didn't handle this well, and I wasn't staying just for another $3 blind fee, so I walked away having won almost 2x what I brought to the table; it was my first real win in months, and I'm taking it as a sign of good things to come.  I watched Michael play some 3CP for a small loss, then we scooted back to the hotel for a much-deserved coma.

Not a bad way to start the year, eh?  Happy Poker New Year, y'all!

[Wedge Rock]

Rose -- that sucks you didn't get my VM...  I couldn't tell from your description if my phone cut out, your phone cut out, or the background noise was too much.

Funny thing, Rose called and left a cryptic message (cryptic for non-chippers) around 7:30 p.m.  Lucky for her I have kids now, otherwise, New Year's Eve would have been 3:00 a.m. at earliest.  But we got home around 11-ish.  My wife played the message while I unloaded the car.  And when I walked int he door, she said, "Rose called...I have no idea what its about."  I replayed the message and knew instantly what my call to duty was.

I checked Michigania against the Chip Guide and tried to explain as best I could what current chips were out there and what you had in your collection.  Even though you didn't get the full message, I'm glad you came back with something harvested.

As you know, I collect eagle chips, so I'll gladly trade/buy the Soaring Eagle snapper!

Ph yeah, and that $5 chip rocks...  Did you post it on TCB yet?  They will go ape over there.

Congrats on the great husband and the great way to ring in to new year!

[ChrisChip10]

I like those unround chips!  I noticed that one says "Saginaw".  As you are in Michigan, I will assume this is the place that has the 4-speed factory that was used in Corvettes...

No  for that though, a Saginaw 4 speed is a long way from the rock crusher or the Super T-10 (mine)!

OH YEAH!  Poker...

New years eve party 13 of us elected to have a cash holdem game.  Three drop outs early filled in by the rest of the wives (mine was in from the start).  I trippled my $2 and taught several young-uns not to gamble if they really want to play Halo.  Also drained a few adult's stacls...

Not quite the yield Rose had, but still....

[Midnight Rose]

Rose -- that sucks you didn't get my VM...  I couldn't tell from your description if my phone cut out, your phone cut out, or the background noise was too much.

Not sure.  I caught bits and pieces, but it sounded like you were talking to me from the moon.  It was ok, though; I really appreciated that you made the call, either way.

As you know, I collect eagle chips, so I'll gladly trade/buy the Soaring Eagle snapper!

Nope, sorry, not gon' happen.  You will take this chip for free, and you will like it, daggonit!

Ph yeah, and that $5 chip rocks...  Did you post it on TCB yet?  They will go ape over there.

Nope, not yet, but as soon as I get caught up on HPT, I'll scoot on over there.

Congrats on the great husband and the great way to ring in to new year!

Thanks hon.  It was great, and he is awesome.

[Midnight Rose]

I like those unround chips!  I noticed that one says "Saginaw".  As you are in Michigan, I will assume this is the place that has the 4-speed factory that was used in Corvettes...

No  for that though, a Saginaw 4 speed is a long way from the rock crusher or the Super T-10 (mine)!

Dude, I told you, I'm a girl.  I have no idea what it is that you just said!  I think "Saginaw" in this context is the tribe name of the people that own the casino.

New years eve party 13 of us elected to have a cash holdem game.  Three drop outs early filled in by the rest of the wives (mine was in from the start).  I trippled my $2 and taught several young-uns not to gamble if they really want to play Halo.  Also drained a few adult's stacls...

Halo?  Is that a Hold 'em variation?

[K ALL IN 9]

Halo?  Is that a Hold 'em variation?

[LuckyDog Poker Art]

Great story, Rose.  Sounds like a perfect New Year's Eve for you and Michael.  Loved your description of your poker game and very happy to hear you did well.  I'm guessing the concert was as good as your buffet, chip collecting and poker winnings?

[bigstu]

Rose ,ost likely heading up to the kennel club Sat morning do you have one of these puppies.

and did you get the chip I sent you last Friday?

[Midnight Rose]

Great story, Rose.  Sounds like a perfect New Year's Eve for you and Michael.  Loved your description of your poker game and very happy to hear you did well.  I'm guessing the concert was as good as your buffet, chip collecting and poker winnings?

I forgot to come back to this.  In order of coolness: the buffet, the concert, the collecting/winning - and most of all, the pleasure of my husband's company.

Rose ,ost likely heading up to the kennel club Sat morning do you have one of these puppies.

and did you get the chip I sent you last Friday?

I do have the $1, thanks hon; and yep, got the chip, and love it.  Thanks again.  Your envelope should hit your mailbox soon.

[Midnight Rose]

Here's Michigan for you: this time last week, we were recovering from a blizzard.  Yesterday, I rode my bike in 50+ degree weather.  Today, I'm sick as a dog from the change in weather.  And tomorrow, the sn*w is due to come back.  Oh well; it was good while it lasted.

[austin5string]

Here's Michigan for you: this time last week, we were recovering from a blizzard.  Yesterday, I rode my bike in 50+ degree weather.  Today, I'm sick as a dog from the change in weather.  And tomorrow, the sn*w is due to come back.  Oh well; it was good while it lasted.

I'm glad you posted this, Rose.. It reminded me -- I have to send you a sound clip from Lewis Black.. I think about you every time I hear it..

~A5S

[Midnight Rose]

Here's Michigan for you: this time last week, we were recovering from a blizzard.  Yesterday, I rode my bike in 50+ degree weather.  Today, I'm sick as a dog from the change in weather.  And tomorrow, the sn*w is due to come back.  Oh well; it was good while it lasted.

I'm glad you posted this, Rose.. It reminded me -- I have to send you a sound clip from Lewis Black.. I think about you every time I hear it..

If he's the comedian I'm thinking about, I'm looking forward to it.

[austin5string]

Here's Michigan for you: this time last week, we were recovering from a blizzard.  Yesterday, I rode my bike in 50+ degree weather.  Today, I'm sick as a dog from the change in weather.  And tomorrow, the sn*w is due to come back.  Oh well; it was good while it lasted.

I'm glad you posted this, Rose.. It reminded me -- I have to send you a sound clip from Lewis Black.. I think about you every time I hear it..

If he's the comedian I'm thinking about, I'm looking forward to it.

I have a feeling he is.  I'll send it tonite.

[K ALL IN 9]

im a fan of lewis black too. can u send me the link too.? maybe i can make the same connection you have