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2006

Looking Back II: Atlarge Trip Report

by John "Helix" Moser
Readers know I got some challenging news to deal with last week and at the last minute needed to change some travel plans. Once completed, travel from the midwest went according to schedule with the "positive ev" exception that I got to Philly two hours early. This translated into catching earlier trains and checking into the Taj on Thursday afternoon about an hour and half early.
"Wow, time for rest".(ding!)
At about 6:00PM I was up and in the poker room ready for the Taj $120 NL Tourney. Last year I missed cashing by two places but thought I really played well; that is for a guy with lousy cards. This year I didn't last long enough to remember any details of play. What I do remember is a very different structure than the year before. This year, after what seemed like only three rounds, we started paying antes, "wtf!". So there was forced gambling and the field was quickly decimated. At this point, if I recall, my QQ went down easily with players looking at draws to stay alive.
Note: Next year try the Borgata.
"Ok, lesson learned! Now for some kibitzing."
There's Suddenly (looking green around the gills, prm (always good to see), Goldie(terrific guy and a great organizer), some assorted ADBs, with, I'm sure, many more familiar people coming tomorrow.
Friday morning with coffee and eggs at the Taj's Bombay Restaurant and in comes Barry K.(Mr Raise), and Russ P., the man who would become this years HOE Champ. Barry asks me to join their table and I'm glad to do so. Casual conversation ensues until we drain the extra cup of Joe and head to the poker room. Goldie's there, Russ F., many 8-2's and other familiars as well. This year's "sooper secret" surprise was really a pretty nice hooded sweatshirt with an Atlarge emblem on the front. "Well done Goldie!"
Last years HOE Champ, Uncle Al, and Lew are at my HOE table. It's a fairly active table and Uncle Al is the first one busted! How can this be? Then I met Steve C.(Death Valley). This guys has an absolute knack for dragging river cards. He put me out of my misery with completed back to back straight draws against high pairs. Later, in the NL Tourney I was at his table again. He can play.
Later that afternoon I played $5-$10 for an hour; plus $90! (ding!)
The Pokerstars Banquet was simply superb. There was so much good food, fresh fruit, plentiful desserts, drinks, and good company. I sat with Scottro, Oscar(tomorrow's NL Champ), Nick and Matt M.(brothers and good guys), Barry K., and Russ F.(cali Russ, the accountant). (I apologize, as I may have overlooked someone.)
While walking down to breakfast Saturday morning and passing the poker room, I saw some die hard argers still hanging in from the night before. "More power to 'em!"
The No Limit tournament was a gas. Goldie and the Taj modified the structure to accommodate us and in the process we played a long time for the buy in. I ran for periods hot and cold and thought I was getting enough good cards to keep me in until the later rounds. That turned out to be false. I ended up on a short stack at an active table. John H., Oscar, a new arge acquaintance Mitch K.(a slightly older guy like me), at least five newbies and Steve(Death Valley were at there. Desperate at one point, I went all in with pair of nines and got two callers. I didn't improve and won the hand. "That's an active table!"
When I was short stacked again, and in the small blind, I called a small raise. Pizzaman, in the big blind, re-raised and two of the three of us were all in again. This time I was dominated and went out 89th in the field. By this time John H., Death Valley, and Mitch were all busted out. "Time to find the pink chip game"
What fun! The Atlarge pink chip game is just a blast. This year I was at a table that didn't get awfully "lit up". We were playing close to the vest and fairly straight forward poker. There were fairly decent sized pots, yet I don't think the entire time we played anyone was more than two stacks off. There were two locals, Marshall, Jerrod, Jeff S., Michelle, Kim and Eric H. A good time was had by all and I think most of my donation went to Kim and Eric. (Apologies again to forgotten players at the table.)
By about 10:30 I'm in bed thinking about traveling home early the next morning.
If I haven't mentioned it, thanks to Goldie for all his work in organizing this event, Pokerstars for sponsorship, and the Taj for all they do to make us welcome.
This was an great arge event.
Out.