It's been a while since I last played at Hawaiian Gardens Casino. I got the pass from the wife on Saturday and headed up to Los Angeles early in the morning after my workout. I was originally planning on heading to Bicycle Casino to use a coupon the casino sent to me back in August. The coupon included a $10 California Games Bet Voucher, $15 towards a complimentary dinner, 1000 instant reward points and 25% of Hotel Spa services. It expired on Dec. 31, 2017 so I used that leverage to sweet talk my wife into letting me go. I figure the EV of the coupon was north of $25 depending on the rules pertaining to the California Games Bet Voucher.
But, I never made it to Bicycle. On the way up there I checked Poker Atlas and discovered that the overnight 20/40 game broke, so instead I went to Hawaiian Gardens as it is on the way to Bicycle and already had two 8/16 games running and an overnight 40/80 still going.
I looked at the 40/80 lineup, declined, put my name on the board for 20/40 and took a seat in the 8/16 game. An hour and $200 later, the 20/40 game started with me planted in seat 9. Seat 9 at most poker casino tables is my favorite seat. Most dealers are right handed and since you're next to the dealer and the rounded edge of the table at seat 8, there's usually more room and you don't have to struggle to see the board. And with right handed dealers, they are usually swiveling the dealer chair in a manner that keeps their body away from seat 9. Left-handed dealers are a bit of pain to deal with when in seat 9, but fortunately they are rare.
In any case, for the first time in a long time, I ran like a god. For like the entire session. Once again, I qualified for Crush Club. In for 2 racks, out for 12+ racks. Here's the documentary proof:
Here's an example of how good I ran. Sylvia, a very tight Korean lady opened the button - 3. Button - 2 and button both called. I called in the big blind with 64o.
Flops came 7 5 3 two spades. I led, Sylvia raised, 1st cold caller called, button 3-bets, I called, Sylvia called, 1st cold caller now capped, all called.
Turn was an offsuit deuce. Checked to the 1st cold-caller who bet, button raised, I 3-bet, Sylvia folded for sure a big pocket pair. All called.
River was an offsuit 8. I bet. Called in both spots. Button - 2 had 33, button had 77. That hand is just pure dumb luck.
Another hand I opened the button with QQ. Blind defended with A9o. Flop came Q98. Check/bet/call. Turn 9. Check/bet/call. River 8. Check/bet/2-bet/3-bet/4-bet/call. I just called his 4-bet. Too weak? Should I 5-bet and call a 6-bet? Or is 4-bets enough with top-full on a double paired board where there are 2 quad combinations that have you beat?
Or another with QJo in which a player on full blown tilt raised a limper with AA got 2 callers behind and I called in the big blind with QJ. Flop came J 7 3 rainbow, I bet he raised and I called. Turn was a Q. I bet, he raised, I 3-bet, he 4-bet and I called. River was a blank and it checked through?!?
Talk about burning up chips and not thinking about what hand your opponent could possibly have. Is there any 1-pair hand that any competent 20/40 limit player 3-bets on the turn as played up to that point? Uh, no. Thanks for the gift buddy.
As expected my 2017 poker hours were way down given my new gainful employment. Nonetheless 2017 was a profitable year poker-wise. Nothing major, but made an extra low 5-figures on the side. Not bad for a hobby.
Happy New Year everyone and have a great 2018!
