My New Favorite Casino Game

Well, I know it has been quite some time since my last post. My life really hasn't been that interesting except for my friend's bachelor party this past weekend, while also driving to Michigan for my wife's cousin's wedding.

For starters, my buddy's bachelor party was another four-day binge (luckily for me, I only had 2 days). Last Thursday night, we partied at the Belterra Casino for a little gambling and golf. The night started off at the craps tables (who now offer 10x odds) but for some reason, the craps gods have not looked down nicely at me the last few times. This was no exception. Within ten minutes, I'm down $50 bucks. Well, let’s go try my hand at blackjack...that always works, right? Usually, but not tonight. I really can't stand when people hit their 12 with the dealer showing a 3 and I couldn't keep track of the number of times that happened. I watched another $5o go by the wayside within minutes.

Since we didn't arrive that early, and I knew we were playing golf in the morning, I didn't take a very large bankroll with me to gamble on. Also, since there aren't any poker tables around, I didn't see much reason. I guess that is my optimism coming out. Ended up hitting the ATM for a little more cash. I never lose when I go to the machine!

Sat down at 3 Card Poker. I hadn't played it before and Let It Ride was already closed down for the night. Figured I would give it a try. The dealer was nice enough to explain it to me and away we went. Basically, there are two bets to play. The "Pairs Plus" bet and the Ante/Play bet. The only way to make any money in the game is to always play the "Pairs Plus" bet. This is also how the casino is profitable at this game. Needless to say, since this was my first time playing, the cards fell my way. Within 20 hands, I was dealt the 9TJ spades. Hit the straight flush! $10 "Pairs Plus" bet on the table and I play the hand hoping for the dealer to qualify with a Q (not that I needed that - no matter what, my "Pairs Plus" bet was going to pay out). She qualifies with an AKx and I'm rewarded handsomely. 40-1 on the PP bet for a straight flush. Another $10 for the ante and $10 for playing the hand. I'm immediately up for the night. $450 in chips in front of me and I get to rake them all. I'm feeling great, that is until my friends decide to buy-in. Hey, this was my game...just me and the dealer.

I pocket those chips to make sure for once, that the alcohol racing through my system doesn't talk me into playing those too. All in all, I'm up $200+ for the night and I've paid for my whole weekend with that. Got to bed very late and woke late for golf. Played a little 5-5-5 on the course with my team and took two of those bets down too. It was good couple days for me.

Next time I'm at any casino, I'm looking for 3 Card Poker. It was fun to play and didn't require very many brain cells. That was an especially good thing for me at that point.

Awoke on Saturday morning (even before the asscrack of dawn) to drive to the in-laws place then to Michigan. Never been to Michigan before and the day of the Michigan-Notre Dame game probably wasn't the best day to drive up. Michigan was very nice (at least the area we were at).

Other than that, I have not been up to too much. I haven't logged any sessions on Party or Pacific since the Monty Memorial Tournament. I finally finished Positively Fifth Street by James McManus. I know what you are thinking..."Didn't you start that book like three or four months ago?" Well, yes. I never proclaimed to be the world's most disciplined reader. I can get started and then put a book down with no problem. It was slow for me to start with. Once he finally started the poker talk, I wasn't able to put it down. I will eventually type up my review on it, but I'm not sure when that will happen. I have picked up another book and I needed to give the brain a break from poker reading. Who's Your Caddy by Rick Reilly is absolutely hilarious. It is actually a welcomed relief from the constant poker reading I've been doing. I'm also looking forward to reading Championship No Limit & Pot Limit Hold 'Em by T.J. Cloutier.

This has been quite longwinded and I'm not sure I wrote anything that anyone would want to ready. With that said, go check out the greatest poker trip report ever written by Iggy. I'm sure that must have been some freaky shit playing poker while Hurricane Ivan was ripping through the country.