Sunday, April 26th

(this will hopefully be the last installment of what was quite possibly the sickest day of an epic trip)

After enjoying my ‘free’ dinner I returned to the tables. I played my absolute A game, which included befriending a dealer.

First, a hand:

Folded to the HJ who limps, button (who thinks ‘expert’ play in LHE entails making big folds) raises, I channel Oink and cool call in the SB, BB folds, HJ call.

Flop: JT9 all diamonds
Checked to button who bets, I c/r, HJ folds, button calls

Turn: 8 offsuit
I bet, button folds

I try to be nice to everyone at the tables, so after button mucks and grouses about the hand for a little while I assure him that he, ‘didn’t fold the best hand.’ Mostly because that’s the sort of lie we tell all the time at the poker table.

Him: ‘Oh, I know I didn’t fold the best hand. If I had the best hand I wouldn’t have folded. Trust me.

Me (thinking): Okay dude, I guess we’re done trying to talk. But thanks for giving me so much information about how you think and play the game while I gave you none. And, for what it’s worth it looks like you just folded a pair and oh by the way, my semi-bluffing range there is HUGE there, but whatever.

An interesting incident occurred later at the table. There was an off duty dealer (who I’m going to politely refer to as Grouch) at the table and there was some minor problem with the game mechanics. I didn’t see exactly what it was, but it was clearly on the same level as someone splashing chips into the tray or something like that. In other words – common, no big deal, and easily rectified.

Grouch was really upset about it, blamed the on duty dealer (who I’ll henceforth refer to as the Dealer) and then refused to toke her when she (Grouch) dragged the pot. I was across the table in the 10 seat, saw/heard all this, and just decided to toss the dealer a white chip as she raked in the cards. She seemed very surprised by this, leaned over, whispered thanks, and seemed very genuinely grateful.

Now in some ways I find this whole incident depressing. There was a minor problem at the table and it was within my power to rectify it for only $1. Yet clearly this dealer was accustomed to and expected everyone to do nothing.

Anyway, back at the table Grouch saw what I did and called a cleaning person over (it was late at night so they were sweeping out under the tables). In an incredibly passive aggressive maneuver, she tipped the random cleaning staff person $2. No problem, I thought – Grouch is terrible at poker (and down as usual), while I’m up a rack. So I drag the next pot and tip $2.

Unfortunately, Grouch won quite a few pots during this rotation, refusing to toke each time. So I just covered those (again, it’s pretty easy to part with ~$5 when you have stacks everywhere). The dealer was very appreciative and we got to talking and laughing (about how bad Grouch is, etc.). It was fun – like I said I like being nice at the tables.

I’m going to try to not fall victim to the sort of machismo poker players are prone to (yeah sure, you’re great at cards and every woman loves you), but I’m pretty sure I could have picked the dealer up. It just seemed like she was trying to get in my game (eye contact, arm touching, waving goodbye etc.). In other words, ship the dealer.