From: "Kirk T Oshiro" Subject: [ESCARGOT] ESCARGOT Trip Report 2003 Date: Tue, 04 Feb 2003 17:10:52 -0800 Greetings all, Trip report of sorts - Circumstances beyond our control resulted in my early exit. Apologies for anyone I missed at Saturday night's dinner . . . Thursday 1/30 Took Thursday and Friday off from work (I'm a local SoCal) to participate in the Thursday Nooner (7-Stud Hi/Lo). Hi/Lo is by far my best tournament game, measured in; Wins, Final Tables, Money, and Consistent late tournament results. This day was not an example of one of those. Was card dead much of the time, couldn't put together many four card lows (or combo low with straight or flush draw). Was able to steal a few early pots with threatening upcards. Just after final rebuy period, my stack was crippled when rolled up 6's didn't fill and lost to 5-9 straight. Soon after table broke and was left to steal antes in desperation with any reasonable hand (i.e. Any pair, three low, three high to a straight etc.). Eventually I was caught. Went nearly all in with 5's w/6 start, ended up losing to Aces-up in the end. a T on 5th killed any chance to escape with a low. With plenty of tournament left, I made a quick exit to Commerce to regroup and check out the Satellite Action for LA Poker Classic. With an early start for the Casino Employee event, there was not much action to see, let alone participate. Sat in on a 9-18 HE trickled away $53, in 3-4 hours, action game but too few hands to play, let alone win more than a handful of pots. Came back to the Bike to participate in the 1/2 PLOH & 1/2 PLOO(High) tournament. Having never played either game I looked at it as a great learning experience. I ended up busting out after the first break. Trying to avoid confrontation and building my stack picking up blinds, I made a very costly error, although not enough of the hand can be remembered to analyze. I'm pretty certain in PLO and Limit terms my play was poor all the way around - To Sabyl's benefit. Fortunately for her, that huge chunk out of my stack powered Sabyl to a 2nd place finish - congratulations. With my last handful of $25 chips I opted not to call Lou Krieger's pot sized raised with JQos on the button. Instead I called Flash Eric's pot sized raise with 'Presto' - only to see that Eric had 99. No help for either of us, in a 'Flash' I was gone. As Lou said (paraphrasing) as I stood from the table - "Went all in with Presto and the only thing you have to show for it is Karma" Friday 1/31 Arrived at Bike late afternoon. Played in a loose (too loose) 6-12 Hold'em game until tournament time. In two hours I fluctuated between +$120 and -$80. Ended on the downside. In the LHE Tournament I had a great time. Started at the Table with Russ, Kyle, and Dan Goldman. Was able to build up my stack after sparring with Kyle and Dan. Russ was mostly quiet (no hands) but the table had a semi serious discussion regarding next year's ESCARGOT Thursday Tournament. Moved to a new table, with North Shore, Dan (not Goldman), Dan Goldman, Mr. Bob, ADB OZ and others. Although I had increased my stack slightly at the first table, I found myself to be near the bottom of the totem pole at this one. With some pre-flop raises with AJs, AQs, and 77 I was able to significantly (and quietly according to Dan) build up my stack. During the time a couple of interesting hands take place: Hand #1 seat #3 - pleasant gentleman from Virginia raises UTG. I'm seat #6 with KQos. Thanks to the pics there is a great shot of this table: http://ygc.collectionsoftware.com/escargot'03/Img0432.JPG with only a second thought I muck, 2-3 way action sees a flop - 9TJ rainbow. At this point I kind of lose my train of thought, but there was no improvement for either hands and I believe Seat 3's KK takes the pot. Hand #2 By now Russ Fox is moved (again) and takes seat #2. In one of his first hands he raises UTG. By the time the action gets to me there are two callers. I look at my cards and for the briefest moment consider calling because of the speculation of a 6-way pot (Russ, two callers, me, and potentially the two blinds). I muck, the flop is seen 4 handed - 2 3 4 rainbow. Russ leads the betting the whole way and takes down the pot with 44 - for a set on the flop. Keep in mind until I read the "Official Results" this morning I had not learned that Russ won this event! My pre-flop holding? - 56os. Hindsight being 20/20, opportunities were missed, however I feel I clearly made the (long run) correct fold - these points are up for discussion if anyone cares to chime in. So despite the alternative-reality fantasies - how did things really happen? Close to the blinds, Dan Goldman throws in a pre-flop raise. I find KK, make it three bets. North Shore Mike Caps with an all-in raise short of completion. Dan and I just call. See a Jack high flop, Dan checks, I bet, North Shore is all-in, Dan folds. Turn over the cards. KK for me, AK for North Shore. Turn A, River A. One A was good enough but reality dictated the second was required for good measure. OBTW - what was Dan Goldman holding? AcKc! This effectively cripples my stack and I resorted to blind stealing to build up again. Of course Mr. Bob intercepted my first attempt with JdKd when he found AcQx on or near the button. Mr. Bob was the chip leader throughout my stay at the table, carefully maintaining and building his stack. Perhaps Mr. Bob sensed weakness, or more likely opportunity, as my now crippled stack could not hurt him if I won. Flop was favorable for me K Tc rag club. Turn another rag club. So my chances of holding on are significantly (more than double) reduced. Any Ace (3), Jack (3), or remaining clubs (7) ends my run. Reality bites - river is a red Ace. In speaking with North Shore after he busted out, I learned that I helped power him to 13th, a few spots out of the money. I only hope that of the remaining field of 12 they were not on North Shore's list of Last Longers . . . Saturday 2/1 Sadly I regret to say that a family emergency kept me away from the dinner festivities. I was looking forward to Barry Tanenbaum's speaking engagement. Congrats to Ellis and Nolan who put up strong performances at the NLHE Shoot Out to Match Play event. Great job to all the organizers of Escargot '03. Thanks again to the Bike for being gracious hosts. Looking forward to next year. Kirk Oshiro