College Football Picks

Here are the first picks of the college football season.

South Florida (+10.5) vs. NOTRE DAME
Boise State (-3.5) vs. Georgia (in Atlanta, GA)
MISSISSIPPI (+3) vs. Brigham Young
Texas Christian University (-6) vs. BAYLOR
Southwest Missouri State (+40) vs. ARKANSAS
Oregon (-3) vs. LSU (in Arlington, TX)

Season: 0-0

Had a Bad Day

You know it's not your day when this happens to you after calling a raise (with 8 7) on the button...

Odds Calculator at www.cardplayer.com

Random Thoughts

Haven't written anything in a few weeks, so here are some random thoughts.

1.  Cirque du Soliel - Saw Ka and Viva Elvis recently, got a discount for purchasing two shows.  KA, I liked.  Had low expectations from speaking with different people who have seen it, but I thought it was good.  I remember being surprised when I first heard that Cirque du Soleil was going to present an Elvis themed show.  Viva Elvis was less like a Cirque du Soliel show and more like Elvis the Musical.  Perhaps that is why it is being shut down and changed around January.  I enjoyed much of it, but there were times I was puzzled by the performance.  My thought is more cirque, less musical.  Seems like I'm not alone.

2.  Las Vegas Scams - I'm sure there are a bunch.  Four I have been hearing about are taxi drivers driving off with tourists bags, "free promotional cds" that aren't free, club admissions (that don't work), and $1 bottled water (water bottles refilled with tap water and caps glued back on to appear that they're sealed).  Wouldn't interact with any of these sorts.  I had a panhandler ask for change at the 7-11 the other day, but the odd thing was that he named his price, which was $0.15.  Sad in many regards.  No confrontations with street people, although a day doesn't pass when I'm not asked for money.

3.  Seen enough disgusting tattoos to last a lifetime.  Playboy bunny on the back of the head; "You Don't Like Me" tattooed across neckline; stars on face; hello kitty on back of hand, just to name a few.  

4.  Aria sportsbook was a good place to hide out before Viva Elvis.  Other places I like to lay low at are UNLV Student Union (a couple minutes walk), In N Out Burger (ditto), Village Eateries at NY, NY, 2nd floor of World of Coca Cola on the strip (have good rootbeer floats), Tropicana sportsbook, Marilyn's Cafe at Tuscany Casino (cheap eats).

5.  Poker is going well.  Still need to avoid the ups and downs (at least the down part).  I'm adjusting a few things that should make a difference in that regard, specifically being more aggressive so people don't chase and catch cards against me.  Nothing is more frustrating than letting a chaser catch their hand, then paying them off.  

6.  Patriots played terribly yesterday, but that's ok.  It's just the preseason.  They'll still win 12-13 games, make the playoffs and be a Super Bowl contender.  I am interested in seeing the cuts and roster moves they make before Week 1 (and after, when a veteran contract is no longer guaranteed).  

7.  It's still hot here.  About 105 every day.  But no earthquakes, hurricanes and flooding, so I guess that's alright.

8.  Will post some new pictures soon.

What's New?

Not much new here.  Did not play cards last weekend and only for about 2 hrs. today.  Won a big pot because I caught a flush when two people flopped straights.  Sure, I had to catch a card to win, but a 40% chance at tripling up is an easy decision to make.

Here's the hand.  I was in the small blind and limped with two suited cards (Kc, 6c), checked the flop, and then all hell broke loose.  Nobody is going to fold in this scenario, and all the money's going in.  Turn was another J, opening up full house possibilities, river was 3C, for the flush.  Ship it.

Odds Calculator from www.cardplayer.com

Considering going to a baseball game tomorrow night.  Have some pictures on the camera; I'll upload sometime.  Want to write a post about current trends I have noticed since I have been here, but just haven't gotten around to it.  If Tiger wins the PGA, I will cash a 20/1 ticket.  Not holding my breath on that one.  It's at the Atlanta Athletic Club.  Used to drive by there on the way to work and kayak by some of the holes on the Chattahoochee River.