I have been working on my XC Drive TR, there are LOTS of pictures, but in the meantime wanted to post a blog entry about my time in Vegas thus far. I've been here since the night of the 30th, (this is basically the 3rd day) and:

-The night of the 30th got in very late and stayed in the Luxor. I've stayed there before, and frankly, I just slept a ton.
-Woke up and left the Luxor around 2pm. Went to check in to the house (which is OK... Not as good as last year, but serviceable. A little further out than I wanted, but oh well)
-House wasn't ready (they were cleaning) so went to get my car completely cleaned/basically detailed/get gas, killed time.
-That night (the 31st) I went to Nobu with Mikech. Mike is a good friend of mine, so it felt right to begin the Vegas trip out to dinner with him. We ordered a ton of food (it was awesome) and I treated-this is slightly important for one reason...
-We ran into LEGGOPOKER PRO Peter "Apathy" Jetten, Phil Galfond, Chuddo, and a few other guys - I think I semi-drunkenly stumbled into Raptor, but I dont fully recall (I had ordered a bunch of Assani Fishers) at Nobu. Although Vegas is not my home, there are many familiar people/places/sights, so it feels good to run into people I know / am friendly with right off the bat.
-We were going to sweat Ansky's final table (40k WSOP) but he had busted by the time we got out of Nobu (we ate late/took our time, so it was late) so instead I managed to get myself home and played Guitar Hero for about 4 hours.

-The following day I slept in again (love sleep!) and met up with LEGGOPOKER PRO Aaron "Aejones" Jones to play basketball. Starkey was also there - I really like Starkey, he's also pretty good at basketball. I sorta got punched in the face, my eye actually hurts me a little bit today, and although I was shooting well warming up, the heat just totally drained me. It was 100 degrees at 6oclock! I hadn't played for almost a week (the XC drive) and coupled with the heat meant I was burnt out in the middle of the 1st game.
-About that, was going to play bball today (I think Aaron is playing as I write this) but I need to go get groceries (and unpack! I still haven't done that!) so I may pass today.
-I got a call from Ryan (Sleepy Hippo, friend/housemate from last year) that he had JUST arrived, so we decided to go to dinner. We twisted plans a bit, switching from going to the Rio, to the Wynn, to deciding on the Venetian (I guess Craig wouldn't have been able to attend!)
-We ate at "Del Monicos" (I think that's the name) which I think was OK, but it doesn't hold a candle to Craft Steak. (It's a steakhouse). The group was Ryan "Sleepy Hippo," LEGGOPOKER PRO Aaron "Aejones" Jones, LEGGOPOKER PRO Andrew "Luckychewy" I have no idea how to spell his last name, Starkey, Travis "Barker" Barker, and me. In lieu of CCR, we decided to switch to a skill game. I'm bad at these skill games: We all guessed the price of the meal (input in our phones) and the furthest off had to pay. That person was me! So, just 3 days into Vegas, I've nearly racked up a 1k food bill. Awesome.
-Ryan, Travis, and I decided to actually play poker (yes, there will a be live poker recap below!) but first we headed off to the Rio to register for tomorrow's 1500$ 6max event. Then, we went to the Wynn - even though the Bellagio had a bunch of action, I feel comfortable in the Wynn, so had to play a sesh there.
-Spoke with the floorstaff into setting up a new 10-20 table... One guy I've played a fair amount with named Arsenio (no idea how to spell it) who is an OK live player (very tight and uncreative but does not payoff with inferior hands) at first was going to jump into the new table - I'm searching for the right words to put this without sounding egotistical, but hey, it was an ego boost... Basically, he saw me, we spoke a bit, he laughed then picked up from the new table to go back to a limit game or something, claiming he just didn't want to play with me. "You're too good" (In fairness it would've been 4 handed with him, a donk, Ryan, and me, which is kinda tough) Regardless, this was a very nice confidence builder, given I haven't played live poker in quite some time.
-Saw Jimmy (gobboboy) at the Wynn, he told me some funny PLO stories.

So, onto the session: (Ended up playing just over 3 hours, a decent amount was HU with Ryan, since the donk only bought in 1k, then got up to leave for a while... a 4th guy came to play, was kinda short, but I busted him kinda soon... And then we got moved to the main game) Keep in mind I annotate hands in my phone to keep track, and my memory is pretty solid, so the details should be spot on. Here goes:

I bought in 12.5k.
3handed, early on Ryan opened the button to 80 (he varies 60 or 80 and is incredibly loose on the button, he bought in about 7 or 8k, and the donk bought in ~1200 and had maybe 1400 at the time of this pot? This was probably the 2nd orbit) I called with A3dd and the BB overcalled. I led the flop 3way for 140 into 240 on q43 w 2h 1d, and they both folded. This was the 1st pot won in Vegas, WOOOOOO.

A 4th guy sat down (a young asian guy) - I straddle 4handed 100% of the time unless the guy on my left is abusing the straddles... Maybe I'll detail the strategy of "why" at some point, but with Ryan in the SB, the positions were great for me to essentially put in an extra blind w/ the button and last action). I had 53hh, and btn/sb folded, asian called, I made it 1 more chip. Haha, sometimes it's ok to steal initiative when people are just calling the straddle with a trash hand. 53hh also happens to have some playability, but since the guy only had about 2k, maybe less, with less than 50bb stacks a real raise is awkward. Anyway, I hit yahtzee - QT7 w 2hh, he cc my near pot bet of120. The 4h fell on turn, he had perhaps ~1200 so I bet 360 and he folded. Obviously I want to bet an amount that can make PSR acceptable for me to shove the river. Always good to hit flushes.

The next orbit, in my straddle I had q4o, he completed and this time I checked. The flop came KK9r, and he led for 40. He led in a hurky jerky fashion and very quickly, and on this texture unless he's the type to "see where he is" with a 9, I have the best hand often, so I value called. I'd probably bluff raise any non gutter ball, slowplay (not even kidding, it's a genuine slowplay in a limped pot with the psr of this nature) a 9 or better, and lump my marginal high cards (Q or A high that I didn't pop up in the straddle) into that range. Turn came a 6, and he checked, so I felt pretty good - I didn't need to float (essentially bluffing, but nothing else better folds, it's moreso protecting your equity in a small pot - had 240 in there?) but I lost when the river came another 6, he bet 100, he never has a K, rarely a 9, and I'm never getting merged by an ace, but as was the case he had T6o. So, right read on the flop, but I don't mind the payoff.

That said, the next orbit, in the BB, I pickup AKo... Ryan raises the button to 80, he calls, I made it 340, ryan folded, and he shoved. I snapped - he had lost a pot prior to this, so he only had about 1k total, and he ended up having a legit hand. (8s) I won though, and he left. At this point, the donk decided to leave, so I was playing Ryan HU. We have played some HU last year, and I think very highly of his game, so it's fun.

Ryan raised to 60, and I called t7dd out of the BB. Ryan looks at his cards before raising, (I generally just dark raise to 80 HU) but even though he looks, Ryan plays 100% of buttons. (I don't think he's ever folded a button first in over 100s of hands that we've played, MAYBE once) Flop came T52r w/ 1 diamond. We're very deep - I cover him, he had 8k or more, and basically I'm not looking to get my stack in here. (heh) But that doesn't mean I can't put 2 bets in on the flop. He bet 100, and I meant to raise to 260 (half pot raise basically) since Ryan literally does not respect any c/r. (He's not folding anything) However, it's been a while since I've played live, and I put out 160, not 260, so I had to minraise. Ryan was kinda happy to only call 100, not 160, oh well. Turn came the 2d, which is a great card - I have top pair and a flush draw! He could have a 2, for sure, but some % he 3bets a bigger pair on the flop. (In the dynamic we have, it's really really possible) Basically, I think I have the best hand and draw a lot though. There's 520 in there, and if I didn't turn a flush draw, I'd probably check to let him bet his floats and call, but now I want to build a pot. So, I potted it (maybe a mistake, a bet of 520 is "better" or more correct if c/r the amount I meant to, or if the pot was 660!) and he tanked and folded. He probably folded something like A4, knowing him.

The initial donk (who had gotten up for a while, why we were playing HU) sat back down, and Ryan opened his button to 80. I had KQo in the SB, and normally I'd reraise ryan here... although KQo is also a tweener. Essentially, neither nut or air, it's ok to flat. What tilts me even further to just calling is I don't want to shut the BB out - this is the "Dubness rule of poker". So I called. BB overcalled, and the flop came T52 w/ 2 hearts, i had the Kh. Hey, I was going to 3bet, so I may as well use that money to bluff lead, right? Besides, I have 2 overs, bdoor straight and flush draw! My thinking at the time was I'd lead strong and marginal hands because I'd want to trap the fish in the middle; although Ryan would cbet often, I can't c/r those hands because that would blow the fish out of the pot who would call with any pair. So, I thought a bluff would get some respect - also, I lead a bunch of 3way pots (like the 1st hand) so this is in no way out of character. Fish folded and Ryan called the 160. At this point, since Ryan loves FPS, he could have anything here. Turn was a T, which isn't a great bluff card - but going back to my initial thinking ("I could lead a marginal hand like a ten to trap the fish") I decided I should bet again. Also, although Ryan peels too many draws on poor boards, I thought the paired board would chase him off his gutshots (which beat me). He probably raises some % of the time with a fd on the flop so deep, too. Anyway, he called again. So much for that. River was the 8h, I checked, and he bet 1340. I actually gave this the old-tank, since I thought a c/r could be believable, (repping a boat) but the truth is if Ryan ever actually has a flush he will never fold, and he probably wouldn't fold a ten... And he's not betting something like 77. Well, maybe, but rarely. I folded, and afterward he told me also had KQ. Nice play.

The next orbit he raised his button to 80, and I flatted KTo with the same philosophy as earlier. Fish of course overcalled. Flop came K83r, and this board (type 1) I know I can earn a bet from Ryan who often has ~3% or less equity and get an overcall from the fish with any pair. My hand isn't good enough to c/r for value (especially this deep)... Leading is also an option, but there are fewer hands ryan can raise as a semibluff, so him raising actually puts me in a bad spot, which is unfortunate since TPmiddleK is actually a marginally STRONG hand 3way/this dynamic. (You don't want to be in bad spots with those types of hands!!!) So, I checked, BB checked, and Ryan bet 160. I called, and the fish folded. Turn was the 10, putting badugi on board- YAHTZEE! I have top 2, which is the sick nuts. I checked with the intention to c/r, since Ryan will bet all strong 1 pair, worse 2 pairs, and many bluffs, and will never fold any 2pair and will probably not fold a strong K. However, he foiled me by checking back. Phooey. River was a 7, putting the board K T 8 7 3 no flush draw. When he checks back the turn he either is PC a weak king (sometimes but rarely) or has air or a middle pair. He may bet some of his stronger middle pairs for value, and he actually could bet complete air (most people dont take the bet check bet line as a bluff since it LOOKS like a bluff so much, but this is Ryan - he lives to bluff). I check, Ryan bets 220, and I make it 800. Ryan thinks for a second, and as soon as I made it 800, I kinda felt like this was getting 3bet. I could never have J9 or 96, and my hand vs a 3bet is the same as 76 or KK. He made it 1000 more on top. This is a tough spot - I called because:
a. This was the top of my range (so even though it's a bluff catcher in my eyes, I can then more or less fold pairs I turned into bluffs but call with the stronger portion of my situational range, thereby balancing and not being exploitable to a smart player like Ryan who REALIZES I can never have a straight here)
b. It was only 1k more on top, giving me a good price, and Ryan is actually sick enough to have a bluff utilizing the information above (especially if he feels my value range is somewhat narrowed, it gives him a good bluff price)
c. I really thought all J9 combos 2nd barrel the turn. Ryan's MO is bet bet bet with everything, so I thought if I lost, it would be to 96. So when I narrow his combos of value, it makes it an OK call.

Anyway, he showed me 96o, and I'm really not positive if this was an alright call or not. Oh well, Big pot round 1 went to the Sleepy Hippo!

The guy left for the main game, so it was back to HU. I dark raised my button to 80, (I had J6o no diamond) and Ryan smoothed. Flop was J52 w/ 2 diamonds. He check-called 120. Turn was an offsuit 4, he checked, I bet 320, and he made it 1020. I called in rhythm. River brought an offsuit ace, putting the board J 5 2 4 A, diamonds missed. He bet 1720, and I tanked. Kinda tough decision; straight got there, if he's merging me he wins, if he can ever bet Ax he wins (I don't see how thats possible but who knows) etc. Anyway, I called, he had T8dd. I could be wrong but I didn't think he could/would value bet less than a 3 in this spot (although his turn c/r range could certainly have 54 or J5 etc, but those probably check the river... probably) Also, I didn't think he'd call pf 63 too often, and if he did, he probably would've c/r the flop rather than c-c oop there. Who knows, diamonds missed, he bluffs a lot, scary board but I have a pair, yay. Big pot round 2 went to me!

He raised to 60 (his standard HU) I called with 85hh. Flop came A84 w/ 2 clubs and 1 heart. I c/r 100->400. Normally i would never do this with middle pair, but I also had a bdoor heart and straight draw; we're very deep, there are also draws here he could peel. (After the hand he commented the only hand he DIDNT think I could have was an 8... normally he's right, but for those reasons above I like the c/r) Turn was a 4, which is a bad card. I obviously wanted a 5, 6, 7, 8, or heart. I checked and he checked it back. River was the Kh, I checked, and he showed AJ and won. I'm not unhappy with this hand.

He raised to 60, I 3bet to 200 with 96hh and he called. Flop came K54 w/ 1 heart. I bet 320 in the dark which he called pretty fast. Turn was the 2nd most beautiful card in the deck - the 3h. He called my bet of 900. River came an offsuit 4 (really, how do I miss so many outs??) and I bet 2320. I'm not sure how I feel about this bluff, but I basically was upset I missed a million outs. He folded, claiming A3 (had I gotten looked up by that I would've felt sick!) and I suppose this was "Round 3 win" but it wasn't that big but hey felt nice. Not much to say here, except I thought it would work, and I got lucky that it did. That was the last hand before we both were moved to the main game.

The main game was playing 7 handed, I raised AQo from UTG. Ryan 3bet the button to 280. I called. Flop was A84 w/ 2 hearts, I had the Ah. I checked, he bet 320 (he reloaded even more, so I think he had 12k or so, and I covered) I called. Turn paired the 8, and I c/c 920. River was the Kh, which I thought was a pretty terrible card. I checked, he bet 2660, and I finally folded. Later on he told me he had J8s, so that card actually saved me money. (but the turn cost me money )

Btn open limped, 6 handed at this point. Sb completed, I checked my favorite hand, j9. Flop was jt6 with 2 clubs, I bet 40 sb calls. Turn 9, I bet 120 he cr 200 more. I called pretty fast. River 5, he bet 480, I made the call, he showed 96o and I won. I don't think I can 3bet the turn or raise the river, but he was pretty bad. Who knows.

Down to 4h, Kto in my straddle, ryan called out of the SB, the bb makes it 100 more, 3way to a f flop of j77r, pfr bets 160. I know raising represents nothing, but hey, the pfr looked weak, I thought a nearly pure bluff raise was a good idea, and Ryan still needs to have a hand to do something. So, I made it 620 but ryan coldcalls. Welp, plan foiled! Pfr folded, we checked it down and he won with j9o. (Can only bluff Ryan once a night... if that)

I Btn opened t8o, sb who said he won a 2k circuit event called, ryan folded. Flop was k98r, chk chk. Turn T, he cc 120. River blank, he cr my bet of 320 to 1320, I folded pretty fast. I really dont think I can call here, just a suck spot.

Ryan 3bets in the BB after I raise on the button, get the SB flatcaller, after a limper to from 120 to 520. I had ATs and folded on k73 w 2cs, he said he had 10s. I thought about 4betting, so kinda good thing I didn't.

Last hand of the night (game broke after this) Ryan raises button to 80 sb calls, I make it 400 w black kjo sb calls. SB is horrible, obv. Flop was jt6 monotone (all hearts), he chk shoves over my 700 bet, I snap and he says you're good. No heart on turn or river and I win. (he only had about 1800 though)

All in all, decent session. No big hands, but was fun to get back into the live thing. Going to play tomorrow's tourney, hopefully that goes well! I should have the trip report done and posted tomorrow. (Of the XC Drive) later! (I made a bit under 2k in total, so 1st WSOP event paid for, just working on the dinner tab now )