The Big Three Oh!

So, Vegas treated me well. And it is not just because of the sweet shorts that Lenny gave me for a BDay present -- the gaming tables were also kind. For this trip, specifically it was the poker table. And to drill-down to an even greater level of specificity, the poker tables at the Flamingo Hilton in sunny Las Vegas, Nevada.

Jules and I entered a $60 buy-in tournament that began at 10am. We sat down amongst a field of 41 players ranging from seasoned vets to downright hacks like myself. The first half of play saw some tremendous cards sneak their way into my hands including multiple two pair plays, a straight, and a full house -- dueces over aces. The first half also sent Jules packing as he couldn't handle the novice heat at the table :)

I was able to ride out my chip lead through the rest of the tournament and claimed 1st place victory after an exciting heads up match with multiple "all-in" calls against some Canadian fellow. The poker match culminated in a final hand where the Canuk went all in on a J-7 against my Q-9 spades. I called with a commanding chip lead as I smelled blood. When the flop turned over a J, I thought my lunch would be further postponed and I would soon be slurping down another coffee and Bailey's while preparing for the next round of battle. But a Queen surfaced on the turn and victory was just one flick of the dealer's wrist away. I don't remember what that last card was, but I do remember the feeling of winning my first significant poker tournament. Sweeeeeeet.

I'm not going to tell you how much I won, but I will say that 3 places got paid and I got a tax form.