Treasure Island, Day Three!

Once again we wake up rather early in the morning. I start to rustle and hear Cory mumble something about opening the curtains a little bit to let in some light. I do exactly as he requested, and when I say "exactly" I mean that I grabbed those curtains and flung them open as quickly as I could. By his reaction, you'd have thought he was melting or something.

Cory had dibs on the first shower today and noticed the large drawing of an ass now on the mirror. That was for you, buddy!

We get dressed and walk downstairs to see if the "24 hour poker room" is still going.

Nope! It's closed until 10:30. Guess it just sounds cooler to say it's "24 hours everyday" instead of saying "It's 24 hours if there are people still playing, otherwise our dealers go home and we re-open at 10:30 am."

We kill time playing some slots and video poker around the corner. I managed to turn my $20 into $.21. Awesome.

We sign up for the 11:00 am poker tournament. $65 buy in, and we end up with 26 players. The blinds are in 20 minute levels and you start off with 3,500 in chips. Cory and I are at the same table, and the first hand I start with pocket deuces. I don't get fancy with it since there are 5 people in the hand and just call the blind to see what happens. I nailed a three of a kind, and fired away. I had one caller. On the turn I bet about $500 and again he called. The river cost him when I bet $1,200 and he still called. My set was good, and I took more than half his stack in the first hand.

From there I was on fire. I'd bluff at the right times stealing the pot, or no one would call my pre-flop raise. I guess I was the bully.

Cory almost doubled up through me when the board showed Q-10-10-Q-6. He moved all in, and I thought my ace kicker would have been good. I folded, and he nicely showed me his queen. Okay, maybe I was wrong. Soon after I knocked out the player on my left when a flop came out showing K-5-2. He went all in, and I called with my 5-9. He had a 5-6 and my nine kicker ended up playing.

Just before the break I had pocket kings for the first time this trip. A new player at our table led out and bet $400. I raised it to $1,500. He thought about his hand and since the timer was going for our ten minute break, I told him to throw it away since I knew he was beat. He said he folded tens, and I believed him.

After the first hour, I'm already sitting at about nine thousand in chips which is more than enough to keep me going. I'm feeling pretty good at the moment.

Play resumes and it just goes down the tubes fast. One player goes all in, and gets two callers, one being myself. It's 99 against K-10, against my horrible A-8. A ten hit, and I lost some chips. About four hands later, Cory decides to raise significantly pre-flop and I announce I'm all in with my Ace King. He calls and turns over pocket queens, so I'm at least happy to see it's a race. He flops a set, and turns a boat. I made a straight on the river, but to no avail.

As the blinds moved upward, I became very selective with my hands. I called an all in from a player who had my covered. My AJ beat his A6 so I was still alive.

However, my end came when I moved in with QJ of spades only to be called by a baby pocket pair. They held up, and I was busted. How quickly the mighty fall.

Cory moved onto the final table, and ended up taking down fourth place for a $125 payout. He had the hand dominated with his AK calling the chip leader's all in bet with A2. The deuce hit on the river sending Cory to the rail as well.

From here we opted to search for some food. I recommended Isla since I figured they'd be a better choice than the damn deli again. They were only serving a few table items since the restaurant side doesn't open until 4:00.

I started with a Don Julio tequila flight for myself and Cory ordered the Partida Anejo Martini. All I know is, it had some honey, and a lot of lime juice in it. For food we opt for some quesadillas, and the nachos. The quesadillas were okay. Cheesy and melty with a small bed of pureed beans on the bottom. The nachos were monstrous. Very good, and filling. Once we started to get to the best part of the plate, we were full and couldn't finish.

I found the flight to be rather decent. I'm a fan of the chasers. Basically it consists of tomato juice with a heavy dash of Tabasco.

From here Cory wanted to look for something to do after he had some food in his stomach. I told him "oh, we're not done here yet, fella!" I told him to order a tequila flight off the menu, but that didn't really sound too appealing to him. I couldn't convince him, so I asked the bartender to assist in helping us make some selections. I was looking for an after dinner sipping tequila, and Cory also wanted something more on the mild side as well.

I landed on the Don Julio 1942 selection which came in a nice brandy snifter glass, with a tall chaser. By the looks of things, Cory was convinced to try a Agavero tequila.

The Don Julio 1942 was nice and didn't sting. Cory's tequila was almost on the sweeter side. Neither had any sort of hot burn to them and were very decent.

We finish our various tequila selections and charge the meal to the room. Within a few minutes I’m feeling warm and toasty from the agave-based libations.

Cory and I both agree that a poker game at the moment sounds like a good idea. We check out the TI card room and easily find two seats at the same 1 – 3 no limit table. We quickly noted the older gentlemen in the five seat with approximately five to six hundred dollars in front of him. I can only describe him as a “super maniac.”

When the bet would come his way, he’d pop it up anywhere from $20 to $45 without even looking at his cards. Typically the table would fold and the blinds would be his. In the occasional event he did receive a caller his bet on the flop would often be more than enough scare anyone away who’s still involved with the hand. Sometimes he looked at his cards, but most of the time he bet blindly.

He wanted every hand to cost about $25 before the flop. Everyone at the table was just praying for a powerful starting hand so they could acquire some of his gradually growing stack.

I did make a $40 call with my A 8 of hearts to see a flop with him. I was relieved to see an ace come out with the first three cards. Once the river was out, the maniac from Corpus Christi asked me how much I was willing to call. I thought he was trying to scare me, but simply answered back “why don’t you bet it Sir, and we’ll find out.”

The bet was now $100 from him, and I couldn’t say “I call” fast enough. I did have him from the flop, but turns out he made a straight on the river with his baby cards. Most of the table near me let out a disappointing sigh when the chips went his way.

We later witnessed him make a $100 call after the flop with only a gut shot straight draw. Of course he did nail the jack he needed to make a triumphant hand. We were all beside ourselves.

Cory decided to step into the ring to try his fate. After another significant pre-flop raise the flop came out showing Q-8-9. Our maniac led out and made yet another colossal bet. Cory hesitated for a moment but then confidentially shoved in his entire stack. The maniac didn’t hesitate too long to call. Cory turns up a pocket pair of queens giving him three of a kind, but was actually behind when his opponent turned up jack-ten for the flopped nut straight. The turn was a card from heaven producing another nine giving Cory a full house, and crushing any hopes of another winning hand for Mr. Maniac from Texas. I’m glad someone took some cash from him.

Not much later I lost my poker allowance for that session. I made a huge bluffing attempt to take down a pot with a board showing 6-7-7-6-10. I was hoping for a fold, but only got a call from a kid holding a 7 in his hand for a full house. Ow.

I told the dealer to hold my place. I figured since Cory was still playing I’d make another attempt. I quickly stop into the room and re-load on some cash. When the elevator returns to the main floor I find Cory standing out in the lobby. He had cashed out with a nice hefty profit.

Instead of going back to the poker room, we decide to kill some time at some neighboring slot machines. I typically hate the one armed bandits, but that didn’t prevent me from feeding it a light afternoon snack. It certainly had no qualms devouring my cash. I did manage to get another tequila drink out of the session. Soon a slot attendant came by and I had to complain. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think that these machines are built to beat me?” She politely gave an insincere laugh, and Cory and I left to wander into the craps pit. But not before I heard a slot machine behind us racking up credits. Some young couple hit a quarter slot for a few hundred bucks. I just had to get a picture to remember how much I despise slots.

Two tables were going, with one being full closest to the walkway. We bought into a table near the high limit slot area. Again things started off on fire for us. Points and hard way bets were hitting, and things couldn’t have been better. The session lasted a good while, and after a quick time check it was only 5:00 pm. We colored up, and left with a $200+ profit each.

I took my newly found profits and bought into a five-dollar blackjack game. There was only one other player at third base sitting with his girlfriend. The table was fun but quiet. We all noted how cold the area became once the crowds would flood in once the Siren show was concluded outside.

I moved down two tables and wanted to try a few more hands at Pai Gow Poker. For the most part I was running in place and managed to talk Cory into buying in as well. I did get frisky with a few of my bets, which resulted in either a push or a win for me. Before too long my profits were dwindling which I didn’t care for. So what better way to make that money back than to play the mini baccarat table on the main floor? I was the only person playing and my banker bets weren’t hitting as frequently as I felt they should. I started moving towards the felt when I would hit a slight rush in cards. Back to my original profit!

After about thirty quick hands I moved back over to Pai Gow Poker where Cory was still seated. Not much longer we hear a girl asking if anyone would want a massage. I asked if it was a dollar a minute like some other properties, but at TI it’s two bucks a minute. I gave her two red chips and told her to give Cory a massage for five minutes. When she was done he returned the favor, and I got a five-minute massage as well.

She mainly worked on some tension I had in my right shoulder and neck area. She didn’t let up and really got into applying the pressure. She stood up on the chairs at one point to get a better angle. Cory managed to get a picture, but was reprimanded by the pit boss for taking snapshots towards the pit area. We played dumb since we didn’t really care at that point anyway – we had our picture. After the repeated popping noise subsided in my shoulder I tipped her another five bucks for her time. Her name was Kathleen (not Kathy!) and she was on her way.

About this time for some mysterious reason the craps table was summoning us to play again. This time the table was significantly less crowded and Cory and I were the only ones heaving the dice. Point made, Kevin takes his odds, lays some additional bets…. “Seven out!” Okay, maybe it was a fluke.

Cory tries his luck this time, and the same thing happens. We couldn’t believe the ass kicking the dice had in store for us. The downward spiral continues and we soon busted. Just before my last roll I asked the pit boss if there was anyway we could keep the two dice we were using in our brief session. He wouldn’t even contemplate it. I know I can buy them in the gift shop, but I wanted those dice. I briefly pondered just scooping them up, turning around, and running like hell, but I really didn’t have anywhere to go, and in my current condition I probably would have run straight into a slot machine.

Fine! Keep your stupid dice! I didn’t really want them anyway!

From here Cory and I part ways He heads back to the room while I decide on checking out Social House. To my dismay when I show up it’s completely shut down and locked up for business. Turns out they’re closed on Tuesday’s. Awesome.

I manage to run into Kathleen the masseuse one more time and we pose for a picture.

I manage to make my way back to Isla and scan over their menus. Food wasn’t my top priority at the moment, so instead I settle on another tequila selection.

I also managed to strike up an amusing conversation with a fellow from Hawaii. He is a self-proclaimed tequila fanatic and had a lot to say on the topic. He seemed well informed and gave me a few tips on ordering or purchasing various brands.

A few texts later Mr. Scotch and his son were on their way over to meet me at Isla. I had managed to taste a tequila which reminded me very much of the various selections of scotch I’ve had the privilege of tasting due to his efforts. They made their way over in short order and I insisted on buying a round. At first he was a little doubtful of the idea of drinking a glass of tequila, but after some coaxing he soon had a glass of Casa Noble Anejo in his possession.

He too was surprised at the smoothness of the brand. After nursing the first drink, our eyes darted over the other mysterious and unfamiliar bottles lining the wall. Mr. Scotch landed on trying a Herradura Seleccion Suprema, which is a cognac type of tequila that rests in barrels for 49 months and considered to be a limited edition tequila masterpiece.

I hope he enjoyed it – I just looked up the retail cost of a bottle. Yow!

After closing out my tab, we made our way over to the Treasure Island poker room for one final session. Mr. Scotch and I were able to get onto the same table seated next to each other on the dealer's right. The tequila had ample time to work its way through my system and I was now feeling no pain.

I find that I'm more ~~talkative~~ mouthy at the poker table when I have a few drinks in me. I was talking more than I should have, and actually started to catch some cards. Before too long, Mr. Scotch and son called it a day and left me alone to the remaining sharks at the card table. I bid them a good night, and settled back down to focus on the task at hand.

A few rounds later who walks into the poker room to sit down directly across from me, but none other than the masseuse Kathleen I had met earlier. If I had known she played poker I might have tipped her more. She bought in for $100 while I had about doubled my $200 buy in. Out of the corner of my eye I see Cory walking into the card room. Me in my drunken genius for some reason find it funny and appropriate to blurt out "Hey, Cory! Look who's here! It's Kathleen! You know....the girl that was rubbing our stuff on the floor earlier." She looks at me and says "You mean your back?" Um, yeah.....

I try to convince Cory to buy in, and he considers his options. In the mean time, a kid wearing a pink t-shirt in the 5 seat makes a $20 bet pre-flop. "Really?" I ask as just before I call. The rest of the hand is a slight blur to me, but I recall the board had a pair of eights on it, and not much else. He goes all in at the river, and again I inquisitively ask "Really? I mean, really?" I ended up announcing a call, and he confidently turns up pocket sixes giving him two pair. I review my hole cards....look at the board......look back down at my hole cards..................look back at the board..... I end up very slowly tipping my hand towards him so that he can see the pocket nines in my possession giving me a higher two pair. He slams the table with his hands and gets up and storms out of the room cursing me not so quietly under his breath.

According to my eye witness, I really slow rolled the guy which truly is a dick thing to do. But now that I think about it, he was wearing a pink shirt, so fuck that guy!

Turns out I was also making friends with the 1 through 5 seats. The entire other side of the table was pretty much gunning for me...calling me a horrible poker player, etc... I had to correct them and said if they really wanted to see horrible poker players, they should visit the El Cortez. They might make some friends there as well.

Kathleen didn't put much stock into my play either. On two separate hands she instantly called my $75 bets on the river, and only to her detriment. I won both times. Guess she thought she could beat the drunk. I did manage to give her another chance. During a later hand I put out a $100 bluff on the river. I had absolutely nothing, and after sliding out my stack, I put my head down and looked into my green tea. I thought "what the hell is that crap floating in there?" About that point she folded. I didn't turn up the bluff since I already had enough buddies at the table.

During the session my $200 grew to just shy of $800. In the end I cashed out with $500 and change. Yes, I took a picture of the stack at the counter, and I'm sure that probably pissed off all my new pen pals that were still sitting at the table.

Here's where I wander back to the elevator's while looking over my shoulder for anyone coming after me from the poker room. I made it safely to my room, and called it a night.

Since Tuesday the 6th, we only checked out, I'll continue with the report on this page.

We woke up bright and early. I recall going to bed around 5:00 AM Vegas time, so I likely got five hours of sleep. Let's just say the tequila was still with me, and decided to kick my ass around a little bit more. The first time on this trip, I had a hang over. I really just wanted to throw up, die, or both.

Kahunaville is what we landed on for breakfast. The waitress comes over and asks what she can get us to drink. I look up at her through the slits I once called eyes, and whispered "you don't have to yell....." I ordered a water, orange juice and coffee to help me get on the mend.

For breakfast / lunch I ordered the Kahuna Omelette with no onions or peppers. Chorizo and eggs is one of my favorite combinations for breakfast hangover food. Cory again opts for a steak and egg combination.

Once finished there, we head back up to the room. I call the Players desk and find that between Cory and I we managed to get $30 taken off the bill. Cory then scans over the final bill on the TV screen and makes an astonishing realization. "No wonder you're hung over, you silly bastard, you ordered over $100 worth of tequila last night!" Yeah, maybe he's onto something. That might have had something to do with it......

Our limo driver was Sandra again and we take the quiet ride to the Southwest terminal. Nearly two hours waiting at the airport, and a 2 and a half hour flight later we're back in Omaha.