Too Much To Say

There's been so many games lately, I don't have time to write about all them what with traveling and working, and all that jazz. But some interesting times have come up and I thought I'd share them with everyone.

Well, after struggling for a while to get my foot in the door in a Broadway show, or a touring company, the roof fell in on me this week. First off, musicians are different than actors as far as how we get jobs. Actors audition for the casting department and are seen and therefore hired as to how they look. Musicians get calls from other musicians based on how they performed in another show. Now, politics can come into play here, as if I were on a show, I'd want my friends to be there too. So, you have to break the barrier and get in there somehow. Well, I've been trying all different tactics. Calling people about their friends, calling people that are in the shows themselves, calling production offices. Nothin'.

Well, I went to go pick up my paper work for my job in the city, and a woman was there, and somehow it came up that her friend was the drummer at the new B'way show at Lincoln Center. I jokingly said "we should get in touch" and she was like "ok!" Before I knew it, she took down my info and now it was time to play the waiting game. Flash forward to the next night, and I get a call from a 212 number. I think "maybe it's broadway" and wouldn't you know it, it is! So she talked to him and he agreed to meet with me and I called him the next day. He later called me and we decided to meet up on Saturday at the theater so that I could sit in the pit and watch the show.

That same day, I got an email from Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines to go out and do a show on one of their ships for 4-6 months! This, and Gateway starts next week! So I've got all these options lined up in the air right now, and last night, I get a call from Billy, the b'way guy. He tells me that he has to cancel our plans for Saturday as another guy is coming in to watch, because he's playing the show for him next week. So, broadway cancelled on me, but next week we'll be back on. I also have to make a deicision about Royal Caribbean. I don't know how long I want to be out of NYC if i finally start making my rounds as a Broadway Sub. This decision can wait however for a bit longer....

Ok, now what you all came here for...some poker stories!!

Well, Eddie's game has been up and down. 3 weeks ago, I was in the zone, really ran into no trouble whatsoever and cruised on to a victory. The key hand was when we were 5 handed and it folded to me on the button. I loved my position and I would've tried to steal, but I picked up a hand ATs. With the blinds at 400/800 with a 100 ante, I raised to 3000. The SB called me and he had so far liked to check raise all in with any piece of the flop. He had done it 2x so far at the final table alone, and 3x at the table we were at before. We took a flop of Ah9s6h. He checked and I bet 9000. He thought and said he'd put me all in, and has me covered. Now usually he just does it without thinking, so I got confused as he threw a monkey wrench in there. I figured I was good and I had to call here. I did, and he turned over KTh! Well, I've just gotta sweat the flush draw. Board finishes out club club, and I get a huge chip lead.

2 weeks ago, I come in 12th place out of 31, nothing exciting. This past week, I make the final table, and make a bonehead play of opening UTG with KJo and calling an allin for double my bet. Eddie pushes in also on the shortstack and has AK, the allin player has QQ, I can't win. Well, I flopped a J just to be cute, but it was not meant to be. Out 10th/27. On a good note, I firmed up my 2nd place spot on the overall points list, and get to start the freeroll with 170K with blinds starting at 500/1000 and the levels change every 45 minutes! I expect to do well in this kind of situation.

Well, at the Gateway last night, I had asked a couple of the regulars that are back, if they wanted to play some cards, and we had about 6 people for a game, which is great. Usually, we have to struggle for a 6 person game. When I got to the theater, 15 people wanted to play, and we ended up starting with 2 tables. Final table would be at 7 and top 3 pay out. We made it to the final table and there were 4 of us left. With 6900 chips I raised to 2400 in the SB with 6s6c, one caller. Flop comes 3s7s7c. I move in for my remaining 4500, and get called immediatly by 2h2d?!?!? Ok, that's cool, turn is the 9s. Very good, now he has to catch the one deuce that isn't the 2s, giving me a flush. Well, the 2c peels off on the river, and I bubble. I shook his hand and wished them luck, thems the breaks. Honestly, what could I do different?

Then this morning, I watch a little more of the World Poker Open from WPT this week. I decide to splash around a little 1/2 NL on Bodog before my shower, and the first hand I flop middle pair and a flush draw. Turn is no help, and the river makes my 2 pair with J5, and I call a bet to a made straight. Well, -$15 now. 3 hands later, I get KsKc and an early position player goes all in for $7. Another player calls and the next player makes it $32. I decide to flat call thinking everyone else will fold. Well, the button calls, as do both original callers. Hmmmm...this pot is huge. Flop comes 3c6c7c. One player bets 12.50, 2 callers including me and another player pushes in for my remaining $139. Fold Fold (after all that they've invested??) and I decide to call, if he has Aces, then what can I do? He has QhQs. It's ironic that I have to sweat anothe 1 outer just like last night, although this is for 42x more money...Turn is in a 8 to give the original all in player the sidepot with his straight (910). River is a blank and I collect the $427 side pot. Not bad for just waking up! I cashed out soon thereafter and went to work...which is where I am now. Leave your comments for me as usual. Later!