Victory at The Borgata

**Continued from Previous Blog Entry**

So, I finally get into the $40 + $10 Borgata Daily. $40 Re-Buys and $40 Add-Ons. A total of 132 Players. The top 18 players. Make the money. Everybody starts with T$1000 in chips.

The particulars for the tourney can be found here:

CLICK HERE

Because I was an alternate and was brought in late to the tourney, I started with 950 in chips by the time I came in. there were about 1.5 blind levels left before the re-buy period would end and I could re-buy and or add-on.

Long story short, I got caught up in a hand and called and all-in and lost. REBUY!!!!!

Anyway, I'm back in it and I take 1 or 2 pots before the add-on break. I'm sititng decent and its break time. I do the add-on of $40 for another T$2000 in chips. So, I go into the meat of the tourney with about T$4000 in chips. I'm feeling confident.

Well, I play a good tournament and I make it to the final table. Not just the final table. I make it to the final 3. Its at this point that the chip leader wants to discuss a deal. I think he realized that I was on his heels in second place and he could easily be going home with the 3rd Place prize.

He makes an offer that we add 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place money together and do an even 3 way split. 3rd Place dude agrees. Its now on me. Lets do the math. 1st place gets about $5900, 2nd gets $2900, and 3rd gets $1440. These are estimates. Well, I accept the deal. We split. $3453 per player. We each agree to tip the dealer staff $200. So, I walk with $3253 in fresh cash from a tourney where I layed out $130 dollars in entry money.

SWEET!!!!!!!!!!

I gotta admit, it sure feels good.

WSOP Circuit in San Diego, here I come.

Atlantic City Trip (The Trop, The Taj, and The Borgata)

I didnt have to work on Monday. So, I planned a trip to A.C. for this weekend. Scott and Scotty decided to ride up with me. We put the word out we were going. Next thing you know, about 10 of us from MD-Poker are making the trip up.

The plan was to leave early morning Sunday to get to The Trop in time for the 11am Sunday tourney. Check in the Borgata that afternoon and play cash games all night. Then, get up and play the Borgata Daily Tourney on Monday morning.

Well, I got up on Sunday morning and there was snow everywhere. I mean, we knoew it was coming. But we were so set on going, I wasnt going to let it cancel my plans. I drive a big truck. We can make it. So, I get up at about 4:30 an get ready. Get to Scotts place to pick them up and we hit the road.

Let me say this. The roads were terrible. Aall the way up to the Maryland/Delaware state line it was bad. I couldtn do no more that 40 mph. Finally, near the line it cleared somewhat and I was able to push it. Well, we make it to The Trop at about 10:30am. Get there and there is a massive line. Finally the guy comes out and says the tournament is a sell-out. Where did all these people come from on a Sunday in a snow storm?

So, I jump on the cell phone and call The Taj to see what they have runnin today. I reach the poker room and the staff tells me they have a $100 + $20 at 11am and 6:30pm. Cool. But its now 10:40. So, I rally the troops out of line and we leave our vehicles at The Taj and hail 2 cabs to shuttle the 10 of us over to The Taj. We get there in the nick of time. We get Taj cards, register and we're in.

Well, it wasnt a good tournament for me. Out of 92 players, I came in 21st place with the top 9 getting paid. Womp-Womp-Womppppp!!!!

So, I shoot over to The Borgata to catch up with my crew. They had busted out before me and shot over there to get some cash game action. I went to The Trop first to pick up my truck and then grabbed some sandwiches from White House for the crew, checked in, grubbed out and chilled for a minute. I was still in a zone after losing in the tourney. The only thing that would ease my mind was to try and try again. So, I made plans to play the 6:30 tourney at The Taj. Long story short, I didnt do well in that one either. Oh well. Maybe I have lost it. So, I shoot back to The Borgata. Hit the room and start thinking about what I did wrong today and what I have to fix for next time. After some soul searching, I decided to go downstairs and shoot some craps for an hour or two and then play some $6/$12 poker.

I didnt want to be up too late tonight because I wanted to be fresh for the Borgata tourney at 11. So, I go hit the craps table and win-lose-win-lose-win to get back to even and then quit. I shoot down to the poker room to play 6-12 limit for an hour or two and then hit the bed for the big game.

Monday Morning! I kinda overslept. So, it was a mad rush when I got up because I had to do shower and shave and pack before I went down for the tourney because Check out was 11 and the tourney started at 11 (We never check-out til 12ish anyway). So, I'm running late and I get down to the poker room and see a line for the tourney. Please dont let me miss this one. So, I get in line to register and when I get to the window, the cashier tells me it just sold out and that I could be the first alternate. I'm pissed at myself. But if you have ever stayed at The Borgata, you know they have the best beds in the world and you hate to get out of them.

So, I sign up to be first alternate. I have up to 40 minutes or so to get a spot in the tourney since it is a re-buy tourney. So, I go play some $3/$6 Limit to burn some time. Today must be my lucky day. I sit down and immediately take down 2 hands. Then comes a hand where I'm dealt K7 suitesd. What the hell. I'll limp. Flop comes K77. No way! Way! lol I flopped a boat. But I'm still getting action. To the point where its capped post flop, turn and river. If this dude had Pocket Kings I'm going to be pissed. Turns out he had 7-5 and caugh a 5 on the turn for a boat. But mine reigned supremt. Pot was about $200 something dollars by the river. Sweet. WOuldnt you know as I'm raking in the chips, the lady comes and tells me my spot was open for the tourney. So, I start racking my chips to depart. I know the table was heated to see me leave. So, Grab my chips, cash-in and then sit down at the tourney.

I'm tired of typing now. So, I'll pick up this entry on my next post.

Stay Tuned!!!

Thursday night at Bumper's...

Well, its time to get back in the saddle again after a second place finish on Sunday. So, I decided to play Bumper's Thursday night game which was being held at Chip's place.

I came out the gates real strong. We start with 10000 in chips and I was up to about 16000 in no time. And there wasnt any bluffing. I just caught a lot of good cards. But the I started to get somewhat reckless. I actually had abandoned my game and then realize it. Thats when I got caught in a trap set by Bumper himself. Called one of his All-Ins and I was crippled. He played his hand nicely. A few hands later, I was done for the night. I was seriously on TILT.

I'll end this story right here.

After over 5 hours of play...

I came in 2nd Place tonight!!!!

Started with 22 players and I finished in 2nd. I'm not going to lie, I made a bone head play on the last hand and practically gave the thing away.

My two pair ran into his set (trips). GAME OVER.

Well, Second Place wasnt bad. $275. However, First was $550. Thats what I had my eyes set on. Oh well. There is always next week.

-Big Syd

Its Official! Game, Tonight at Scotty's Place...

Talk to Scotty and we worked out all the details. There will be a game tonight at 8. We are going to cap it around 20 or so players tonight.

Maybe I can get a decent finish tonight since I wont have to play the role of the host. Its so much easier to play poker when you dont have the distractions of people calling you every 5-10 minutes for something. I'm feeling good about tonight's game.

GAME TIME!!!

The GAME might be back on!!!

Just woke up to discover that one of my poker buddies, Scotty, is willing to host the game at his place tonight. So, if we can work out a deal, the game is a go for tonight. I'll just have to try and get the word out again and let people know we are playing tonight.

Monday Blues...

Not much news on the poker front for me today. Was going to play in the MD-Poker league game tonight but was not able to get my account setup and funded before the start of the tourney. I'll play next week.

Also, as a result of the snow plow not clearing a large enough path on my street, I'm going to cancel the game for tomorrow. Parking will be a big problem up and down the street if I do have it. So, I'm going to send out an announcement to cancel it in a little bit. Thats about it.

-Big Syd

Snow and Poker...

Well, Friday, I didnt play any poker. Lets just say it was a day of rest from poker. However, I picked up the chips on Saturday and Sunday. Played lots of poker online. Mainly because the DC Area got hit with snow. So, what better indoor activity to do than poker.

Mainly played on Full Tilt Poker on both Saturday and Sunday. Had an average run. Played about 10 Sit-N-Gos total. Got a 1st Place, 2 Second, and a thirds. Wasnt bad. Made money. So, I'm cool.

Also, Md-Poker.Com held a private MTT PokerStars on Saturday evening since everyone was snowed in. I jumped in and was busted out real early. I think I was the second person down. No Biggie. I went out on a good hand. No way could I put her on 89o for the straight. No Frikkin Way. Anyway, I was out early and back on FTP playing Sit-N-Gos on Full Tilt Poker.

The Saga continues. I'm going to bed now. Big Game on Tuesday. We'll see what happens then.

-Big Syd

Inauguration Day Poker on Full Tilt...

No work today as a result of Inauguration Day. Decided to play a toourney on Full Tilt Poker this afternoon. Started at 1. $10 + $1 Buy-in. 92 Players. Top 9 finish in the money. I finished in 11th place. Yep, damn near bubbled again. However, this time, I really didnt mind. As I got closer to the money, decided that I wasnt gonna concern myself with squeaking into the money. If I lose, I onlylost $11. I wanted to play to win. So, I made some moves to try to do just that. However, it didnt work out as planned. But it was a well played tournament played. I was actually satisfied in my play from today. Made some nice calls and called a few player's bluff and got paid. I think my game is really coming around to be a very decent game.

Pre-Inauguration Tourney at Scott's

Tonight, Scott (MixedBruh) held a tourney at his place since a lot of us do not have to work on Thursday because of Inauguration Day. Didnt know how the turnout was gonna be since we got a first big snow today. Well, believe it or not, we had 24 players to show. Very nice turnout.

The stage was set for some very exciting Big Syd Poker. Once again. I placed on the bubble. Coming in 5th Place for the second night in a row. I feel that I played some real good poker tonight. However, when I sit back and think about it, there were 1 or 2 hands i felt I should have played differently. Had I done so, I probably would have won the damn thing or at least placed 2nd. Oh well. No need to cry over spilled milk.

Great Tournament, Mixed. Hope you do it again in the future.

Tonight's Results...

1st Place: Jesse
2nd Place: Wayne (IveGotAGun)
3rd Place: Joe (JoeMooney86)
4th Place: Pittsburgh Tommy's Friend

and coming in 5th Place (On the Bubble=No Money): Big Syd

5 handed (Top 4 get paid). I'm sitting at 2900 with the blinds at 400-800 or 500-1000. I look down to see two pretty face cards under my hand. KJc or KQc (I forget which one). UTG, I go all-in with the 2900. It folds around to the BB who is probably chip leader. He thinks about it. Then says I probably shouldnt do this, but what the heck. He calls. Turns over 36o. WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, you know how the story goes. A 3 on the Flop. GAME OVER.

Big Syd's Poker Night (1/18)

Well, tonight is the night. Looks like we will have about 20 players minimum tonight. To break from the norm, I think I'm going to have chicken strips from Chik-Fil-a instead of the usual Pappa Johns Pizza (The only pizza company that will deliver).

I just got back from BJs Wholesale club. I had to pick up the usual poker snacks (slim jims, brownies, oatmeal crem pies, and crackers and cookies) and drinks and ice.

I think I'm going to play a focussed game tonight and try to win the damn thing. Its really is hard to do when you are the host and people are calling on you for every little thing. We shall see.

Lets Shuffle Up And Deal!

-Big Syd

MLK, Jr's Day!!!

Had the day off and did nothing but watch my daughter's basketball team win 1st Place in the Holiday Tournament that they played in all weekend.

Decided to play a tourney on Party Poker just to keep my game fresh. I'm still gunning to make the ship for the Party Poker Million. So, I played in a Satellite event. What a Bone-Head play I made. Got in the tournament. Went to make raise and realized I was in a Limit Hold'em Tourney. Not a No-Limit. I felt like a Doofus for that one. No prob. I let me daughter play it out just for kicks. She didnt do too bad either.

Oh well. My Weekly tournament is tomorrow. I'll get some action there.

-Big Syd

$80 Single Table Tourney on a Sunday Afternoon

At the last minute, I decided to play in Aaron Smalley's Sunday evening game just for kicks. Wasnt really up to poker but I felt I needed some action to stay fresh.

10 Players. I busted out in 9th Place. Simply was not into the game. Got there late and left early. Aint no Biggie. I'll bounce back.

End of Story!

-Big Syd

Added Event at Harrahs, Might as well play

Today, I played in the second added event at Harrahs for the WSOP Circuit. It was a $500 + $60 No Limit Hold'em Event.

I arrived at Harrahs to check-in around 11:30am (Tourney starts at 12) only to find out the start time has been pushed back to 1pm. No Biggie. They did the same thing last Friday for the first event I played in. Actually, this is perfect. I now have time to grab some breakfast.

I shoot downstairs to Reflections restaraunt and get a big breakfast. Pancakes and bacon. SOme of the hottest and biggest pancakes I have seen in my life. I'm stuffed by the time I finish. I read a little Card Player magazine to burn some time as well.

Tournament time. About 172 players are registered. Same setup as last week. $1000 in chips. Blinds go up every 45 minutes. Start at 25-25 then 25-50, 50-100, 75-150, 100-200, then 100-200 w/25 Ante and so on. Not much room to sit back and coast. Gotta make some moves early.

Well, I made it to dinner break. 29 players remain. Top 18 make it to the money. I'm short-mid-stacked. Time to bust a move after the break. I take the Dinner voucher they gave us and shot down to Reflections and got the Prime Rib Dinner. Not bad. I think I was just hungry. Crushed it.

Now its time to grind it out to the money. And I do. I finished in 12th place. I'm feeling good about that. 172 players entered. Top 18 finish in the money. I finished in 12th. I recieved $1204 for my finish. Not much. However it means I did break even for the 2 events I played on this tour stop. I guess I can't complain.

Here is a write-up from the event that appeared on The Internet:

http://www.pokerpages.com/tournament/result11260.htm

Well, now, its off to The Borgata to check-in and play some poker and craps. I play some $6/$12 for about an hour and I'm down bad. Cards were about as cold as they can come. And when I get Pocket Queens, flop comes with an Ace on the Flop and a Kinng on turn. I give up poker for the trip and then shoot to the craps table. Play there for about an hour or two and call it a night. It is now 3:30 in the morning. I have to hit the road by 9ish to make it back to Maryland for my son's basketball game. So, I crash for the night. Man, I tell you, The Borgata has the beds I have ever slept in. I sleep like a baby in that thing. And because I had checked in late and they only had big suites left, they hooked a brother up. I love The Happy Place!

Headed Back to A.C. for WSOP Circuit Event

Caught my son's instrumental music recital this evening. Then, ran home, packed my bags and hit the road to A.C. to play in the WSOP Circuit again. I figured It'd be best if I drove up there tonight and got a good night's rest for the next morning rather than getting up early on Friday morning and driving up and playing.

I had folk that were in A.C. all week staying at Showboat. So, it wasn't gonna cost me anything to stay there Sunday night. I was tired but I made the drive anyway.

Got to town, registered and now I'm at Showboat getting ready to get some sleep for the big game tomorrow.

-Big Syd

Big Syd's Poker Night - Tsunami Relief Fundraiser

I decided to donate all fees for tonight's game to The Tsunami Relief Fund. On top of that, I also decided to match the fees, dollar for dollar, collected tonight from the tournament. Here is a copy of the message I sent out in my Game Invite:

Poker Players:

I'm doing something a little different and special this week. We all know about the Tsunami disaster that struck recently. Well, this week's game will also serve as a fundraiser for Tsunami Relief.

I have decided that for this week only, for every player that buys into the tourney, I will donate the $10 fee to the Tsunami Relief Fund. Not only that. I will also personally match the $10 for each player up to 27 players.

So come on out and play some good poker and do some good at the same time for those in need.

-Big Syd

Total donation for Tsunami Relief? $540

Oh yeah. I busted out tonight when my pocket Aces got cracked by a dude who called my raises and All-IN with pocket 2's. He caught anothet 2 on the flop. Aint that a blip?

-Big Syd

WSOP Circuit (A.C.) Event #1

628 Players. Top 54 finish in the money. I finished in 75th place. I'm Pissed!!!

-Big Syd

Arrived in A.C.

Well, I made it to A.C. I think I did it in record breaking time. Didnt stop not one time. Not even to use the bathroom.

When I got to A.C., I immediately headed over to Harrahs to register for the event. Registration was smooth. No wait or anything.

After I finished registration, I headed over to The Borgata to check in. Got my room and unpacked. Then I headed down to the poker room to see who was in town. Ran into Jay and Oz who I know from a Virginia game I play in sometimes in Old Town Alexandria. Also ran into Travis and ALex from MD-Poker. Also saw Pat O. from MD-poker.com as well.

I was tempte d to sit down and play some cash games. However, I didnt want to take myself out of tournament mode. So, I passed on all Cash games and retired to my room to get some rest for the big day.

Tournament start Friday morning at Noon. I'm already registered. So, I just just have to get there about 11ish or 11:30ish and check-in and get my seat assignment.

Good Night!

-Big Syd

Headed to A.C. for WSOP Circuit...

Well, I decided to play in the $500 + $60 NL Hold'em Event (Event #1) at Harrahs in Atlantic City. I'll be driving to A.C. as soon as I get off work.

I'm Amp'd!!!

-Big Syd

Big Syd's Poker Night (1/4)

Had my regular game Tuesday night game. We had about 24 players tonight. Cash game lasted til about 3 in the morning. I'm sleepy.

Good Night!

-Big Syd

Happy New Year!!!

Welcome to a new year! With the New Year upon us, I have decided to start Poker Blog to document my life in today's poker world.

As many of you know, I host a weekly poker tournament on Tuesdays. It is a No Limit Hold'em Tournament that attracts about 20-27 players each week. I also have a ring game ($1/$2 NL Cash Game) that starts up as well as players bust out. If you are in the Washington, D.C. or Baltimore Metro Areas, you might want to contact me and stop by one Tuesday.

Besides Tuesdays, I usually play in Bumper's game which is held on Thursday nights (Usually in Annapolis, or Davidsonville, or Glen Burnie). Its a real good game as well. I like to think that both my game and his game have done much to offer good poker games in the MD area.

Other than these two weekly games, I also jump in other tourneys held throughout the area when time permits. I alos like to travel to Atlantic City and play in some of the daily tournaments held at The Borgata and The Trop.

Later this month, The World Series of Poker Circuit comes to Harrahs in Atlantic City. This Circuit is a new tour that is similar to the WPT (World Poker Tour) that many of you watch on The Travel Channel every week. However, this tourney will be televised by ESPN. I have made plans to play in some of the lower buy-in events. I'll be sure to keep you posted.

Well, enough for now. Dont want to be long-winded with these entries. However, there will be times when I cant help it.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you'll come back and visit again. I'll keep you up to date on the up and up!

-Big Syd