The OMEN

Working in the loop does have it's advantages. One being that there is easy access to Taste when there aren't 6 million people there. So today my co-worker and I moseyed over and took in the sites, smells and tastes.

So as I was walking along the main drag, I'm looking at all the booths, trying to choose between 18 different kinds of pizza, 4 kinds of Fried Dough (none of which are as good as Pizza Villa's Beer Nuggets)...where was I? Oh, yes...Who do you think had a booth?

That's right...PEPE LOPEZ! And I have photographic proof. Now, I can only remember two things about that night. One is the constant screaming of his name PEPEEEEEE LOOOOOOOOOOOPEZ. And the other was winning. So I'm taking this as a sign that Magic Man will rule next time.

One more thing

Squeaky placed 2nd, 2nd and LAST in the three tournaments. Normally, that's a career outing for the mousy one. However, upon closer inspection, his night hinged on one key hand that doomed him to a second place finish in Tournament 1.

Doc was down to his last few chips, about $1,000 and the blinds were gonan eat him up within a few hands. Squeaky was in the pot, when Doc - the last person to act, went all in. Due to Squeaky's call, and the folded blinds, there was $2,000 in the pot, and it would cost Squeaky $500 to call.

For those of you bad at math, and we here at the MPT love all of you, that's $500 to win $2,000 or 4-1 pot odds. Squeaky was the big stack at this time, and had been playing very well. With such a low stack, Doc was probably going to make that move with any moderate hand.

What, you say, are Squeaky's odds? Let's say Doc has AA and Squeaky has 27o. The odds (according to the internet, which we all know is always correct), are about 4.5-1. Given the fact that Doc is going to play a wider range of hands, the odds are almost certainly better than that. Hell, even if Doc had an overpair to Squeaky's under pair, it's still 4-1. So basically, Squeaky gave away his money in that hand. As the chip leader, with the ability to eliminate the competition, he ran screaming into the woods to his doom.

Squeaky, next time, make that play against me too, would you? I need the help.

New Linky

In an effort to put all references to Saturday night further and further down page, and eventually out of my memory, I just wanted to let you know I've added a new link. It's just under my idol's (Paul Phillips), and it's called TAO of Poker.

The guy's name is Pauly. Right now he's blogging LIVE! from the WSOP. It's more fun reading about his neighbors while living in Vegas than the WSOP stuff: "I hate your fuckin' kids," the male's voice boomed. "If they were mine, I would have disowned them years ago."

Check it out.

Ech

Cubs win. Sox lose. And I place out of the money in 3- yes 3 straight tourneys. At the moment, I have a very small attention span regarding last night. I sucked out, I lost a coin flip, I lost with QQ to KJ...I lost with KJ to Squeaky's QQ when he limped preflopped and miracle of all miracles, I flop a J high board rainbow.

Hightlights:

Musky Boy arguing that betting into a better hand is indeed a suckout - becuase he was ahead and checked on the flop.

Flipper: Living up to his nickname.

Khyle, Musky, and Squeaky being bitter when exiting, but Regulator strangely calm.

The best part of the entire night of course was Squeaky being taught a lesson in poker by Doc tow in a row. Doc was behind 3.5-1 when he pimp-slapped Squeaky around so badly, that he won in 3 hands. In the second tourney, Squeaky gained 2nd again to Doc's win.

News&Notes: You will all be sorely disapointed that Musky and Khyle's bet has been retired. If you recall, the bet was that in a full 8 man or better tourney, they ended heads up, the loser would have to wear an embarrasing T-Shirt (more embarrasing than even a Cubs jersey). However, as time went on, it seemed analagous to the Clippers and Hawks having a bet over the next to win an NBA Championship.

So, now with that load released from our minds, surely our play will rise to the expected level.

And, oh yes. Musky Boy exited 1rst and 2nd in the first two tourneys. And Khyle exited second in the last one.

Because I'm a Giver

While the wife and I were walking the kids around the neighborhood, Musky informed me of a rather dismal situation. Beginner's Luck (damn, were we on the spot with that nickname or what?), informed Musky that he would be bringing 'cigars' to the game Saturday. But he said he was bringing Swisher Sweets. While I can only hope that it was a joke, I can only go on Musky's word that he seemed serious. The short story is that unless you're the type of person to drink this, you're not the type of person that would smoke Swishers or Phillies either.

Keep in mind that while Cigars are a hobby of mine, they're Doc's lifestyle. So should he make recommendations (assuming he can ever figure out how to comment here), then take his over mine.

Here are a couple suggestions for moderately priced but great cigars:
Padron Palmas ; La Gloria Cubana; Partagas; Punch

Punch is probably the only real strong cigar in that bunch. And while a good La Gloria is my favorite Cigar, they've been uneven for me at times. You can get any of these at Aromas Cigars at the Mills. Go in entry E, and turn left.

Trust me on this. By the way, Musky loves the smell of cigar smoke, so you'll be helping him out if you blow some of it his way during the game. He LOVES that.

Anticipation High

After the recently aborted "Not the Master of My Own Domain" had to be moved from Musky-land to Squeaky-ville, we again have plans to play Saturday at Musky-land. Hopefully our gracious and gregarious host's plans will not be foiled this time. Our attendance has been flagging as the weather gets warmer, so it's nice that I have a story of inspiration to share.

Our very own Squeaky has thrown off the yoke so to speak. Mrs. Squeaky had demanded that he go to her family reunion in Arkansas - over poker weekend. I'm sure Squeaky was torn between both his sincere love for family reunions and the state of Arkansas, and poker night.

But he decided that his dedication to his fans and the MPT outweighed his love of Arkansas. Initially Mrs. Squeaky wasn't so keen on his choice. So Squeaky did what he had to....he whined incessantly. And just days ago, he released a press statement indicating that he is now a for sure for our Saturday event.

Word on the street (literally, our Street) is that Musky Boy has moved him to near the bottom of his uber-secret whipped list.

As for me, I think most of my Saturday will be spent buying Fiji Water in preparation for the nights activities, buying several cigars, and checking my basement every 30 minutes.

June 1

Yesterday was a pretty interesting day. It was a big news day, with Deep Throat's story being revealed. At least I had something to read on the train besides Card Player and the depressing Metro section of the Trib.

At lunch, a co-worker and I went out and passed by a single-toothed homeless person. As she asked for money, I did my normal "no eye contact" thing. But as I passed her, she suddenly stopped rambling in her semi-coherent manner, and said "Why are you wearing a gray T-Shirt under a Brown shirt? It doesn't make any sense."

Internally, I started to defend myself: "But this T-Shirt kicks ass, it WICKS sweat away. I don't care what fashion says..." This went on for about 30 seconds before I realized how ludicrous the situation was.

Later, after work I was on my way to the train when I got an Email from Musky Boy asking if I was messing with him. I checked the blog out, and lo and behold, Felicia saw not only my post but his comments and promtply gave him a metaphorical slap upside the head. Which induced a rather uncharacteristic apology from fishy-boy.

So I logged on to my Yahoo! Messenger on my phone...from the train (feeling oh-so-geeky), and chatted with her for a little bit. She was very cool, as I presumed she would be. I just told her that Musky is an ass. But don't worry Musky, you're our ass. That is unless you decide to move, in which case, you're beneath our former entertainment director.

Then, late last night I watched the LOST pilot. It was pretty cool watching it now, knowing everything we know. Picking up little black/white and number references. Then, as I watched a Futurama Episode for the 3rd time, I thought, maybe Musky is right, and I do watch too much TV.