Catch up...

So I havent posted for a while. Much of my energy has gone towards staving off death in the past four days. I guess my assumption that the worst of it had passed was quite a ways from the mark. There has been little room for blogging. Now that I can breathe/see properly, I suppose I better go over the last few days.

Thursday I played the $2000NL despite being quite sick. I didn't think it would affect my decisions though, and I was pleased that it did not. I got myself involved in a pot early with Theo Tran, an old nit, and "some guy" who was wearing an Ed Hardy shirt and mirrored sunglasses. I called out of the big blind with 4c2c (75 more into pot of 500) and saw a flop of KcTd5c. I checked it over to Theo who bet 375, and Mr. Ed Hardy called. I had already CR'd Theo earlier (with T7cc on 864cc flop) so I figured to just flat. Turn came the 3c and I checked again. Not sure whether checking is good or not, I kinda expected Theo to bet again but he checked and Mr. Ed Hardy insta bet 900. The way he bet it didnt make me think he was strong at all, it was like when you cbet and check the turn, the other guy goes "a-ha, got nothing ey, I'll bet!". I was pretty certain I had the best hand, the only question was to get it in then or not. I decided to flat and let him give me more chips on the river; he seemed like an ego-type guy would wouldnt give up on a bluff. I didnt think he would call a third bet with anything I beat except a turned set. I ran the risk of my flush being counterfeited, but thought the risk was worth it. Effective stacks on the river were about 4400 and the pot was around 3k-3.2k I guess. The river bricked; I expected to get another 1500 or so out of him, so I was quite surprised when he moved in after I checked to him. It caught me a little off guard, and I considered for a while whether I had misplayed my hand. I began to be a live pro and look for tells. He was sitting back in his seat with his arms folded and appeared to be staring me down from behind his mirrored glasses. He was breathing rather heavily, which in noobs can mean "omg i have a flush please call!" or "omg im bluffing pls dont call!". I engaged him by telling him he seemed uncomfortable. He did not react. I asked him if he was certain about his bet, he nodded slowly, and continued to stare me down.

I called, he said "nice call, I have queen-high", I informed him that it was no good and raked in the pot.

Then Andrew "adgee" Jeffreys sat down at my table, flipped like god to everyone's surprise, and I was out 5 hours in.

Friday I was still quite sick but starting to feel a little better, but still stayed in bed for the majority of the day, until Jay suggested we go to Il Mulino at Caesar's. Feeling like I should probly eat something I went along. If any of you have the chance to visit this restaurant I suggest that you do. The service was magnificent, the food was delicious, and everything about the restaurant's ambience and decor was fitting of an upscale Italian restaurant.

The others went out to drink up a storm while I went home to sleep off my first decent meal in a while. I slept for about two hours before waking up very ill. About ten hours later I got into a cab to go to the doctor. The GP system here is fairly similar to home, but appears to run a little better. My key concern was that my travel insurance would cover the consultation. Upon handing my insurance card to the congenial young lady behind the desk I was relieved to see she appeared to be familiar with it and begun processing something or other into her computer. I sat back down and began to tune out the informercials blaring out 192dB when she called me back over to the desk. I ambled over in time to hear her tell me that whilst technically my insurance does cover the consultation, it doesn't cover it upfront; ie. I have to claim it back when I get home. Sigh. I am already envisioning the shitfight in getting the money back at home, my chances are slim to nil.

I also regret not becoming a doctor, in Las Vegas; $175 per consult is pretty sweet.

Anyway, my surprisingly hot doctor told me I have Bronchitis, gave me antibiotics and told me to drink a heap of water.

The rest of saturday was spent trying to not die.

Sunday I played an abbreviated schedule online, and failed. It is kinda getting to me how bad I'm running on this trip, I'm down a shitload of coin and I have played fairly well. I was prepared for the high-variance nature of a trip like this, but it still sucks to be constantly on the arse end of every coinflip.

Last night I finally got a good sleep, 11hrs straight in fact, and awoke to see that the golf tee time I booked had long gone. Dean and I decided to go shopping (again) and cabbed it to a different outlet mall. We ate at an IHOP, as we had planned to do for some time, and proceeded to the mall. My disgust levels rose from 0 to well in excess of infinity when I saw that they did not have a Polo Ralph Lauren store. I decided since it was the first time in a week I didn't feel sick from standing up that I wouldn't let this ruin my day. We hit Hilfiger and I picked up a few more things, Dean out-bought me easily and is close to catching up for the trip. We're thinking about ways to send stuff home as there is seriously no chance of getting it all back in our suitcases.

We arrived home and Dean decided to fleece me in a game of UNO (only $0.50 a point as I am rusty, thankfully); then Aleks and Steve brought us home food - from FatBurger. O, M, G. pretty sure I can't ever eat from there again but I'm glad I did it once. I had the 2XL+bacon and regret nothing.

Going to play golf tomorrow and Thursday. Going to play online on Wednesday and probably play some live satellites on Friday while the others play the Venetian $2100. Hopefully Friday/Saturday night we'll hit the Hofbrauhaus.

Next WSOP event is Saturday, $1500NL, followed by the $3000NL on Sunday.

Hope all is well back home.