Wednesday, November 8, 2006

KNOW WHEN TO HOLD 'EM.....AND WHEN TO FOLD 'EM!

Last night I got to participate in my very first Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament. Now this tournament wasn't for any cash stakes or anything like that; It was a fun tournament, hosted by the local sports radio station, WFAN. The way it worked was simple. The radio station opened up the tournament to all members of the fan club and the first 120 people got to play in the tournament. Prizes for the winners included a 32" Flat Screen TV, a weekend trip to Vermont, and a host of other prizes.

I signed up just because I'd never participated in such a tournament before and wanted to see how I'd do against a room full of sharks. I extended the invite to a host of others and THE GOOD SAMARITAN and DIRTY SANCHEZ signed up to play as well. The best part of of all of this: OPEN BAR during your time playing. So if you lasted a good while, your chances of getting boozed up on the house was very good. The tournament took place at CITY CRAB, a well-known seafood restaurant in Gramercy Park, so I knew that the grub would be good as well.

All told, about 118 people showed up to play. As luck would have it, all three of us were placed at the same table. DIRTY SANCHEZ was the first to leave the table.... after a number of gin and tonics and the donning of a ridiculous-looking Chicken hat. That and the distraction of a hot blonde sitting next to him was his ultimate downfall. At least he was able to keep his bracelet and feed us multiple drinks as he happened to bump into a former co-worker who happened to be running the event. Sweeeeet!

I was bounced at #75, due to some poor betting strategy, no doubt due to multiple Gentlemen's drinks and being distracted by all of the chaos all around me. Overall, I did better that I expected and I was cool with that. THE GOOD SAMARITAN, however, lasted pretty long and just missed making the Top Ten. He was a bit bummed out about that, but he had a great showing nevertheless.

Overall, it was a pretty cool experience, although I don't know if I'd be into playing tournaments as a career. Too many strange types for my taste. But I can at least, check that off my list of things I always wanted to do.

Don't forget: Wednesday is LADIES NIGHT with $2.00 Mixed Well Drinks (for the ladies), and $4.00 Amstel Light, Coors Light and Blue Moon Ale all night long!


NUFF SAID