Friday night after check in, I played some 10-20 Stud and won about $200. Wanted to play pot-limit holdem, but was not very sharp after the long drive. Saturday I bust out quick in the holdem tournament with pocket 10s which became three tens on the turn losing to a flush on the river. Most of the rest of the day is spent playing pot-limit, its $3-5 blinds and about half the players are veterans of previous RGP PL games. Even very good players often get crushed in this kind of game, but I manage to win about $700 before dinner. Dinner was nice, more for the company than the food. In future RGP outings I would like to branch out into playing craps or do silly drinking things, instead of just poker.
After dinner Saturday, I am on the list for pot-limit, but play 10-20 holdem. Nice game with several RGP players, one interesting hand I am dealt KQd on the button. Flop is 10-J of Diamonds and a blank. Two bets to me, I raise. Turn is a blank only one bet two callers. River is the 9 of diamonds giving me the nut staight flush. Guy to my left bets, call, I raise, he raises, other guy folds, raise, raise, raise, raise. Finally I am all in. I had originally thought he had the nut flush on the first first two raises. The guy was a regular fat guy poker player with big gold jewelry so he looks like he hangs out at the casinos. By the third raise I put him on the straight flush which is what he had when he happily turned over 7-8 of diamonds announcing straight flush. I meekly say me too, and show him my nuts.
Sunday I bust out of the stud tournament and head straight home. I would have played all day but my brother had to testify in a trial. I will be in Vegas May 5-12 for the world series, hope to see some of you there. Also looking forward to Fargo and maybe Barge.
Jim Tolliver (JT)