I went to Tuna Club last night to play in their advertised 1/2 PLO game. It’s rare when one can find live PLO in the NE United States, and I was downright giddy with anticipation.
After work, I headed downtown to the club. I stopped on the way at a new burger place that opened nearby and took my food to-go, hoping that I would not arrive to a full table and a waitlist. It was still early, about 6:45 or so, but the room was running a promotion, 10% of your buy-in back for the first 5 people to arrive before 6:15. I figured at the very least, it would bring in enough players to get the game off.
Imagine my heartbreaking surprise, then, when I arrived to see that the room was practically empty. There were four staff members and one player waiting around. As I entered, I mentally thought to myself that I would wait it out for a little while, but if the game did not start within a reasonable amount of time, I was out of there. After all, I had other fish to fry.
While I was at Tuna Club, wifey Kim was packing for our New Orleans trip, scheduled for Wednesday through Sunday. She had plans with the girls tonight (Tuesday), requiring that she pack a bit early. I had spoken to her earlier in the evening and she already sounded stressed. But we had already discussed the PLO game and she understood that it was a rare game to be spread. Frankly, I could’ve told her it was the weekly NLHE game and it would’ve been okay. God bless wifey Kim; she never limits me.
Now, faced with sitting around for probable hours hoping for a game to start versus helping my wife, poker was drawing slim.
In the meanwhile, the five people waiting around (including staff) were setting up a turbo SNG for $10 a head, merely to pass time. I jumped in and it was a lot of fun, since chips stacks were intentionally short. There was a lot of shenanigens and less than optimal poker, more so from my opponents, but even though I played fairly well, I went out in the two games, first to a two outter and then to a cointoss when the blinds were uber high.
As fun as it was, after the second game, it was a little past 8pm, and I decided that I had enough. I said my goodbyes and then suddenly some of the table perked up. “Why are you leaving so soon?” I explained my situation and made it clear that it looked like the PLO game wouldn’t be happening. The table then seemed to scramble for me to stay. I think they offered another SNG and I said no. One of the dealers then suggested that we start some NLHE. Others goading me into playing and I asked the stakes. I was told their usual: 2/5. “I don’t usually play 2/5.” Someone then quickly offered, “1/2 them?” By this time, there was one additional player, but I assume that some of the dealers would play NLHE, whereas they would pass on the PLO.
But here’s the thing: I was there for the PLO. If I wanted to play NLHE, I could come to the room any night. But I wanted to try out the rarely-spread game. Sadly, I guess I chose the wrong night (as did the club) since there were some major tournaments going on in AC and/or the Connecticut Indian Casinos that cut into their player base. But that didn’t change my attitude. I was there for the PLO and NLHE, especially on their terms, would not do.
“Okay, I see what’s going on here. Am I that big of a fish that you guys will bend over backwards to start a game around me!” It was a joke, obviously, and the group laughed. I insisted on leaving, said my goodbyes and hit the road.
In 24 hours, I’ll be in New Orleans. While wifey Kim will be at her conference courses, I’ll be at Harrah’s N.O., playing poker. All other times, I’ll be enjoying the Big Easy and all it has to offer.
As we get closer and closer, my other poker trips are at the forefront of my mind. Vegas for the Blogger Gathering is, naturally, first and foremost. God damn, I love me some poker!
Until next time, make mine poker!
