Super Bowl XLVI - Live Diary

Pregame

It is about 45 minutes until the beginning of Super Bowl XVLI, the New England Patriots vs. NY Giants from Indianapolis.

I decided to stay home and watch the game because I can pay better attention here.  If the Patriots were not in the game, I would have gone out somewhere - a sports book or Super Bowl party.  Two weeks and non-stop talk about everything (important and not important) leave most people, including myself, ready for kick-off.  Here are some things that come to mind as game time approaches.

Super Bowl Pick

I'll just get this out of the way now.  Current MGM line.

New England -3 vs. NY Giants 
Under 55.5
Score: 27-20

Last Week: 1-1
Season: 124-129-12

Conference Championship Game Picks

NEW ENGLAND -7 vs. Baltimore
NY Giants +2.5 vs SF 49ERS

Last Week: 1-3
Season: 123-128-12

Overheard at the Poker Table

One of the really fun elements of playing poker is the conversation with people at the table.  It's easy to talk about being in Vegas, poker, restaurants, entertainment, sports, betting, quantum theory (that was pretty painful to listen to), different places, etc. - all while playing a game.  I still follow the action pretty closely.  Most people are friendly, and a few are interesting.  I ask questions if somebody is a craps player because I am learning how to play.  I'll answer questions or offer opinions on what to do in town if somebody asks.

The first Overheard at the Poker Table is better than this one, but here are a few from the last couple nights. Less overheard and more involved than I'd prefer, but here goes...

Attractive Young Woman:  Unfortunately I have to leave now to judge a Brazilian Bikini Contest.

Me:  I'll take your place if you'd rather stay here and play poker.

Attractive Young Woman:  I'd like to, but I can't.  I have to judge the winners.

Me:  Well what time does it end, so I can console the losers?

Extremely Talkative Old Man:  Where are you from?

Me:  Me?  I live here.  

Extremely Talkative Old Man:  You look like Doyle Brunson.

(Except for the part where I'm 37 and he's around 80.  I suppose it could be a compliment if he meant the way I play low-stakes poker, as opposed to physical appearance.)  

Me (quiet joke about an old local who plays tight, but raised twice in a row):  All this raising has to stop.

Young Guy (speaking directly to the old man):  If you raise my blind, I'm going to raise you back.

Old Local (to the young man): Why do you have to have to talk like that?

Young Guy: I was joking and trying to have some fun.  What are you doing, working to pay the rent on your trailer park spot?

Young Guy:  I don't know much about betting on football.  How much would I win if I bet $100 on the Denver Broncos to win tomorrow?

Me:  Nothing.  

Player 1:  Do you know where the nearest restroom is?

Player 2:  Walk out that way, and go into the club that's around the corner.  Go around the club and you'll come out on the other side.  The bathroom is just around the corner from there.

(That same restroom is visible from the table, and just outside the poker room.)

Foreign Player:  Does a flush beat three-of-a-kind?
Me:  Yes.

Another player and I split a pot when we both had AJ.  The board was A, J, X diamonds, X diamonds .He had four diamonds, so he could have won the pot if a diamond came on the river (20% chance of beating me on the river).

Me (to the other player):  Nice hand.  You had a flush draw too.
Other Player:  Thank you.
Older Man Not in the Hand:  There's no justice in poker.
Me:  You don't consider splitting the pot justice?
Older Man:  No.
Me:  You have an odd sense of what is just.

This same old man had earlier lost a big pot when somebody beat him by catching a flush on the river with 10H, 5H . I don't think he considered that justice as he stormed off the table.  Some people say stupid things.

Patriots - Broncos: AFC Divisional Playoff Live Diary

It took me all day to decide what to do for today's Patriots - Broncos game, but I ended up making the simplest choice, which is to stay home and watch the game by myself.  I've been out the last few nights, so I'm fine with relaxing today.  And since I'm home, I can write before and during the game.

Right now the 49ers are ahead of the Saints 20-14.  The Saints have turned the ball over four times, and yet they still stand a chance.  I picked the Saints -3.5, but would like to see the 49ers win for a few reasons.  The Patriots own the Saints draft pick, so the higher the better.  Also, I may be more afraid of the Saints than the Packers in a potential Super Bowl match-up.  All the NFC teams will be tough for New England to compete against.

I went back and read my Live Diary from the first Patriots - Broncos game.  There are some telling details that led to the result, a 41-23 Patriots victory in Denver on 12/18/11 Box Score.

NFL Playoff Picks

New Orleans -3.5 vs. SAN FRANCISCO
NEW ENGLAND -13.5 vs. Denver
BALTIMORE -7.5 vs. Houston
GREEN BAY -7.5 vs. NY Giants

Last Week: 1-3
Season: 122-125-12


College Final Results:


Bowls: 17-17-1
Season: 65-56-3

BCS National Championship

Alabama -1 vs. LSU (at New Orleans)

Bowls to date: 16-16-1

Season: 64-55-3

Wild Card Weekend Picks

I'll get the Wild Card Weekend picks in early.  Gives me all week to change my mind.

HOUSTON -3 vs. Cincinnati
Detroit +11 vs. NEW ORLEANS (Saints win, but don't cover)
Atlanta +3 vs. NY GIANTS (Falcons win, bet ML at +140)
Pittsburgh -8 vs. DENVER

Last Week: 9-6-1
Regular Season: 121-122-12

2012 College Bowl Picks

Penn St. +7 vs. Houston
Georgia -3 vs. Michigan St.
South Carolina -2.5 vs. Nebraska
Florida -2 vs. Ohio St.
Oregon -5.5 vs. Wisconsin

Oklahoma St. -3.5 vs. Stanford
Michigan -3 vs. Virginia Tech
Clemson -3 vs. West Virginia
Kansas St. +7.5 vs. Arkansas
Pittsburgh -3 vs. SMU
Arkansas St. -1 vs. Northern Illinois

Edit: After the first five games on 1/2.
Bowls to Date: 16-12
Season: 64-51-2

Happy New Year - Fireworks

Many of the casinos on the strip had fireworks displays for the New Year.  I played poker until after 11pm, then watched the fireworks from Tropicana and Las Vegas Boulevard.  Tropicana was to my right, MGM in front, Aria to and Planet Hollywood to my left.



Note: Clicking on the image links to the online gallery.