Well, Elizabeth went off to take a friend for a birthday dinner. So, I went off to Rivers.
The timing was right because I wanted to test the hypothesis that softer players play around 4PM. That was not the case this time.
Then again I joined an active game, not a new game.
New games usually are my favorite. Less money to overwhelm, and usually a mix of player skill levels.
The game I joined was terrible. Betting was high and heavy, and one fellow with about a thousand dollars was just bullying. He acted two players after me. That was not where I wanted him.
8/4/22
Elizabeth had a gathering of her book club here at the house, and so I had to vacate the property.
Rivers seemed a good refuge. This is my second trip since coming back from Florida.
I can't find the other trip. There too I broke even on the VP, but I lost $130 when I went "all-in" with Ace high flush on the turn only to have 4-10 offsuit call me and score a 4 for a river full house. The pot was large. My all-in bet was $91. Oh, well.
I arrived on this trip about noon and was put at a newly starting table.
This session was terrible. Most of these players knew one another and how each played. I just kept getting drained. My one good hand was when I held A-A and my woman opponent held K-K. She made a good push out bet and everyone ahead of me folded to me. I made an all-in bet which was just a few dollars more than her bet. Two more folded. She called.
My Aces held up and that was a good pot, bringing me back from almost obscurity.
I got my payback when another fellow beat my pocket pair of queens with his pocket pair of Aces.
In the end I left $180 down and limped over to the DD Bonus VP, hoping I'd get a royal.
They have a full-pay pay table in one section. It earns no points, but it a great deal. I was up and down and played almost two hours, cashing out even.
No Aces or Royal, just a few good quads.
Now normally I go up to treat myself to John Ricitello's for my supper, and I certainly thought I would do that, especially since the Savoy up near Turning Stone is closing, so that sort of old fashioned Italian restaurant is getting harder to find.
But I just did not have enough appetite, and some days I just don't want to eat alone, even if the spot is a favorite and the food grand.
I won't drive home that early in rush hour traffic, so I checked to see about playing poker again. After a few minutes, I again was at a new starting table.
It was so much better.
There were some players who I did not think played very well. One was to my right, had bought in for a good bit of money, and at first I was just happy to have what I expected would be good position on him.
My first hand was pocket Aces. A decent bet put me head to head with this well funded fellow. On the turn I had trips. I checked to see the river card as $300 is the high hand award, and four Aces is worth having. Then I bet what I thought he would call, and he did.
That one hand got me almost even for the day.
The next hand I got A-10 suited, and by the river it had become two pair, so I took another good pot from the same fellow. He was very unhappy. Two hands we had played and his stack was greatly diminished.
He did not say, "Nice hand."
I liked the action at the table. There were two and later three young guys who knew one another and they bantered with each other, so it was the tone of the kind of game I love, and a grand break from just a bunch of grumpy old men just talking the poker.
I don't get into many conversations, because I wear a mask. It isolates me talk. I don't like that part. I do like that it covers my tells.
I did play at least one hand poorly, chasing a straight and calling my one opponent. I did not catch. He did not bet the river and only had A-K but I did not even have a pair to beat him.
I liked showing because it gave the impression that I am not always as tight as I really am.
I did not like having lost the hand.
In the end it was a relaxed evening. And when I left at just before 7PM I was $45 ahead for the day.
So since I started this move to no limit poker, in Florida, I am ahead $470. Not a bad score.
Some things about this poker room I love and some I do not. We can't replenish chips from the dealer. We have to go to the cage. Next time I'll buy more than my usual $130 buy in and put the excess in my pocket.
I'm not a slot player, but I saw a guy not get signed into the poker because the time he spent at that table actually averaged back against his slot time and cost him comp money. Seems a bit crazy to me.
The dealers are all good, keep the game going, are friendly and accommodating and often full of humor. The room itself is quiet with comfortable seats. The dealers were remarking on the new felt tops which were easier for the dealers as the cards "popped". I'm not certain what that means.
The casino floor by afternoon was very, very loud. Next time I'll bring my noise reduction earphones. There was on Irish slot turned up very high and overwhelming.
They have dropped the senior day of $55 rooms for those over 55. Otherwise, I might stay and play two days in a row.
The RESTROOMS are close and easy to find. They seem to have good security, which I would use were I to hit a large payout because there are a few seedy characters usually just outside the door.
I can't comment on slots as I never play them. But for 55 and older who earn 55 points on a Wednesday, there are drawings for a few hundred dollars starting at 4PM.
I'm not impressed with the food. I like the little Asian place, but it is a bit too table close for covid and not on my diet anyway. The cafeteria has regular hamburger and fries sort of meals, and there is a dessert area with really rich looking cooking, cakes. etc. Again, off my diet.
I can't beat John Ricitello's. I spend $20 for a grand meal and portions are such that I take half home. There are great homemade pies, but Ii
rarely indulge.
DRIVING
Driving is a great challenge for me. It is better now as the Outback car has electronics for lane changes and such, but I am anxious. As a result, I rarely drive anywhere.
This new phone GPS route to the casino is so much better than the old one. It avoids all the crazy ramps and such that have confused many of my guests and usually sent me in the wrong direction. I developed my own route through the city, but now the GPS gets me there much easier than either of those.
It even warned me of a speed trap.
And coming home, I was astounded at how little traffic was on the expressway. I think rush hour has changed since the old days, so I just need to wait it out.
And now I think the supper hour might be the best time to play poker.
So, all in all a good day of gambling.
