So. I like to play poker. I'm not particularly good at it - I've won some, and lost some heart-breaker hands ...but I enjoy the struggle.
I was fortunate enough to win a medium sized tourney ... took home a couple of thousand $, AND got a comped entry to a larger ($1500) entry to another tourney the following weekend. With visions of coming home in a limo ... I start my quest by a trip to Reno. The room (a nice one) and the game and a couple of meals in their top drawer restaurant was included. IF I am able to go all the way - it will take three days.
Now, it is important (for me anyway) to be sharp during a game. Mentally and physically healthy, and I strive to be "there" when the game starts. My wife says she has watched me play, and even my facial expressions are different. Focus.
I made it all the way to the third and final day. The field had been reduced from over 500 to less than 50. Only six tables left. Almost to the money. I was real nervous, hyped was more like it. I ate a light breakfast and realized that I had a slight headache.
Wifey gave me a Motrin. I went up to the room and ate some MJ infused candy that I had. I find that a little bit of MJ right before the game starts calms me, makes me more likely to think, take my time, etc. And eating it makes it last longer
I went back to the casino area where wifey was playing slots, hung out for a bit waiting for the game to start. I realized that my hands felt warm and I looked, and ... I had welts on my forearms. My throat was feeling tight and itchy, my eyes were swelling. WTF!
I was having an allergic reaction. to what? What did I do?
Now, I am allergic to Penicillin. As in, VERY allergic to it. It is the only thing that I am allergic to.
I showed and asked my wife .... what did she give me. "Motrin" she says. "here, I'll show you." She took out a small bottle with several different type of pills in it. All in the same container. "And what is this one" I said. "That is aspirin." Pointing at different shapes and colors. "And this one is Gantrisin. And these are Pathocin. And this one is ...." Wait. WAIT. Pathocin?
I googled it. Pathocin is FUCKING PENICILLIN. My Motrin was touching those pills. Damn.
We'd been thru this before, and we both knew that it was a quick trip (and moved to the front of the line) to the nearest ER.
But. But. I got a game starting in a half hour. I go to the card room and explain the situation to the lady at the desk. She could see I wasn't lying. By now one eye is swollen shut, I am rasping as I breathe, welts all over my neck and arms. I must have looked like a red Hulk. But rules is rules. I had to be seated by the end of the second blind (about half hour) or I would forfeit. No, someone else can't play for me.
Wifey is real upset now. First because I look like Quasimodo or something. But the biggest reason she's worried is that .... I'm close to final table, and the associated payoff for that -- I am NOT leaving the game.
I went to the gift store and found some Alka-Seltzer Cold Plus. This stuff has some serious anti histamines in it, and its bubbly, so it gets right into your blood stream fast. I bought them all. There was prolly 12 on the shelf. (That's twelve packets of two each.)
Went to the nearest bar and got a chimney glass of water and dropped about six in there. Bartender smiled and said something about "rough night last night eh?" I didn't want to explain, just grunted. (Probly all I could do by then, my throat was pretty tight). Got them down, got more water .... did it again. I think I chewed one. I would have snorted one if I could have. (Hey bartender ... got a razor blade and a straw I can use?) Wife would whisper worried words in my left ear (come on honey, lets go to the hospital).
After about fifteen minutes I left. Mostly because the bartender was looking at me with concern now ... and I didn't want him to call security. They'd of taken me out of there in an ambulance if I'd of attracted any attention. So, I staggered away holding hands with wifey.
I joined the game in progress. Everyone looked at me very strangely when I sat. I felt very strange. Sounds echoed in my brain. The sharp click of chips banging together was deafening. When there was no echo, it sounded like a permanent "waaa, waaa, waaaaa" in my head. It even dround out the voices I usually hear. (just kidding) It was my big blind and my hands shook when I reached for the chips. A pretty cocktail waitress asked me if I wanted anything and I ordered a Tequilla to quell the shakes. Time was warped. I felt like I'd been there for days. I kept hearing a song in my head, "You take Sally, I'll take Sue - ain't no difference between the two. Cocaine. Rolling all around in my brain." I might have sung that out loud. *sigh*
The tequila and anti-histamines were doing some kind of a synergistic dance in my body, and, about the time I was learning to deal with that, yea ... the MJ kicked in. I was seriously fucked up. LoL.
I don't remember most of my play, but they let me play. LoL. Wifey was close by in case I fell offa the chair she could explain to the ambulance crew. I remember playing like I was watching someone else play. I was thinking in third person too. "Why didn't he bet that more aggressively?" LoL. As time went by the swelling went down; I could see out of both eyes now. My eyes got 'stuck' on a spot on the wall and the dealer had to tell me that "it's your action" to wake me up. She asked me once if I was ok, I said I was fine and asked if she was ok. She assured me she was and play went on.
Time was melted into one lump. I looked around and found that I was at final table. One of only nine left. I was guaranteed a payoff. I was tired and wanted to go to bed. I thought another Tequilla would be a good idea, and decided against it. I was about mid field for chips, so I was healthy there.
I got delt pocket 6's. Not a very good hand; just kinda good. The Russian jerk sitting across from me who'd been needling me and talking in Russian to his friend at the same table (against the rules by the way) looked me hard in the good eye and announced at the top of his lungs and with a heavy Ivan accent "ALL IN". It was a direct challenge.
I thought, "what the hell" and called his all-in. The flop was in my favor - got another six. Now a set is a good hand, not pretty good, but GOOD. After the flop another player decided to go all-in, and I called that one too. Fat pot. Everybody else folded so the rest of the cards were dealt. Fourth street was no help, but the river was ANOTHER SIX. Now quads are "the nuts", and yeaa, I won the pot. A big one. And Russian guy was pissed - bonus. Russian guy had nothin - a pair or something and I told him he was stupid for trying to bluff me. He told me he wasn't bluffing, he was playing his pair. I suggested that he read a book about playing poker. More pissed - more bonus.
With only five others to beat now I'm starting to get pumped. I ordered that Tequila because I knew the game would be over before I could pass out.
I dunno what happened, but I got cards. Good cards. AK suited. Pocket Queens. Drew a flush once. KILLED it and took FIRST PLACE. $12,500 purse. When it was down to just two I discovered that my opponent was a trial lawyer. I asked him if they taught Bluffing in law school. He said, "No, they teach you how to lie." I liked him, he was a good guy -- but, I beat him anyway. (Second place paid $8000 or so.)
The dealer was grinning from ear to ear and kind of shaking her head in a 'what the fuck' kind of way, so I tipped her $500 and tried to stand up. Wifey helped me to my feet and out of the card room. (I married well.)
I was in bed in my room by 3pm, and didn't wake up till checkout time the next day.
Now, I am a bit superstitious, but I just don't know if I could (or should) try to get in the same state of mind. If anyone wants to try it ... it goes like this.
1) Eat something that you are deathly allergic to,
2) eat a half gram of Blue Dream hash in an edible,
3) eat as much anti-histimines as you can find in a casino gift store,
4) drink at least two shots of alcohol.
~ Auggie ~
I was fortunate enough to win a medium sized tourney ... took home a couple of thousand $, AND got a comped entry to a larger ($1500) entry to another tourney the following weekend. With visions of coming home in a limo ... I start my quest by a trip to Reno. The room (a nice one) and the game and a couple of meals in their top drawer restaurant was included. IF I am able to go all the way - it will take three days.
Now, it is important (for me anyway) to be sharp during a game. Mentally and physically healthy, and I strive to be "there" when the game starts. My wife says she has watched me play, and even my facial expressions are different. Focus.
I made it all the way to the third and final day. The field had been reduced from over 500 to less than 50. Only six tables left. Almost to the money. I was real nervous, hyped was more like it. I ate a light breakfast and realized that I had a slight headache.
Wifey gave me a Motrin. I went up to the room and ate some MJ infused candy that I had. I find that a little bit of MJ right before the game starts calms me, makes me more likely to think, take my time, etc. And eating it makes it last longer
I went back to the casino area where wifey was playing slots, hung out for a bit waiting for the game to start. I realized that my hands felt warm and I looked, and ... I had welts on my forearms. My throat was feeling tight and itchy, my eyes were swelling. WTF!
I was having an allergic reaction. to what? What did I do?
Now, I am allergic to Penicillin. As in, VERY allergic to it. It is the only thing that I am allergic to.
I showed and asked my wife .... what did she give me. "Motrin" she says. "here, I'll show you." She took out a small bottle with several different type of pills in it. All in the same container. "And what is this one" I said. "That is aspirin." Pointing at different shapes and colors. "And this one is Gantrisin. And these are Pathocin. And this one is ...." Wait. WAIT. Pathocin?
I googled it. Pathocin is FUCKING PENICILLIN. My Motrin was touching those pills. Damn.
We'd been thru this before, and we both knew that it was a quick trip (and moved to the front of the line) to the nearest ER.
But. But. I got a game starting in a half hour. I go to the card room and explain the situation to the lady at the desk. She could see I wasn't lying. By now one eye is swollen shut, I am rasping as I breathe, welts all over my neck and arms. I must have looked like a red Hulk. But rules is rules. I had to be seated by the end of the second blind (about half hour) or I would forfeit. No, someone else can't play for me.
Wifey is real upset now. First because I look like Quasimodo or something. But the biggest reason she's worried is that .... I'm close to final table, and the associated payoff for that -- I am NOT leaving the game.
I went to the gift store and found some Alka-Seltzer Cold Plus. This stuff has some serious anti histamines in it, and its bubbly, so it gets right into your blood stream fast. I bought them all. There was prolly 12 on the shelf. (That's twelve packets of two each.)
Went to the nearest bar and got a chimney glass of water and dropped about six in there. Bartender smiled and said something about "rough night last night eh?" I didn't want to explain, just grunted. (Probly all I could do by then, my throat was pretty tight). Got them down, got more water .... did it again. I think I chewed one. I would have snorted one if I could have. (Hey bartender ... got a razor blade and a straw I can use?) Wife would whisper worried words in my left ear (come on honey, lets go to the hospital).
After about fifteen minutes I left. Mostly because the bartender was looking at me with concern now ... and I didn't want him to call security. They'd of taken me out of there in an ambulance if I'd of attracted any attention. So, I staggered away holding hands with wifey.
I joined the game in progress. Everyone looked at me very strangely when I sat. I felt very strange. Sounds echoed in my brain. The sharp click of chips banging together was deafening. When there was no echo, it sounded like a permanent "waaa, waaa, waaaaa" in my head. It even dround out the voices I usually hear. (just kidding) It was my big blind and my hands shook when I reached for the chips. A pretty cocktail waitress asked me if I wanted anything and I ordered a Tequilla to quell the shakes. Time was warped. I felt like I'd been there for days. I kept hearing a song in my head, "You take Sally, I'll take Sue - ain't no difference between the two. Cocaine. Rolling all around in my brain." I might have sung that out loud. *sigh*
The tequila and anti-histamines were doing some kind of a synergistic dance in my body, and, about the time I was learning to deal with that, yea ... the MJ kicked in. I was seriously fucked up. LoL.
I don't remember most of my play, but they let me play. LoL. Wifey was close by in case I fell offa the chair she could explain to the ambulance crew. I remember playing like I was watching someone else play. I was thinking in third person too. "Why didn't he bet that more aggressively?" LoL. As time went by the swelling went down; I could see out of both eyes now. My eyes got 'stuck' on a spot on the wall and the dealer had to tell me that "it's your action" to wake me up. She asked me once if I was ok, I said I was fine and asked if she was ok. She assured me she was and play went on.
Time was melted into one lump. I looked around and found that I was at final table. One of only nine left. I was guaranteed a payoff. I was tired and wanted to go to bed. I thought another Tequilla would be a good idea, and decided against it. I was about mid field for chips, so I was healthy there.
I got delt pocket 6's. Not a very good hand; just kinda good. The Russian jerk sitting across from me who'd been needling me and talking in Russian to his friend at the same table (against the rules by the way) looked me hard in the good eye and announced at the top of his lungs and with a heavy Ivan accent "ALL IN". It was a direct challenge.
I thought, "what the hell" and called his all-in. The flop was in my favor - got another six. Now a set is a good hand, not pretty good, but GOOD. After the flop another player decided to go all-in, and I called that one too. Fat pot. Everybody else folded so the rest of the cards were dealt. Fourth street was no help, but the river was ANOTHER SIX. Now quads are "the nuts", and yeaa, I won the pot. A big one. And Russian guy was pissed - bonus. Russian guy had nothin - a pair or something and I told him he was stupid for trying to bluff me. He told me he wasn't bluffing, he was playing his pair. I suggested that he read a book about playing poker. More pissed - more bonus.
With only five others to beat now I'm starting to get pumped. I ordered that Tequila because I knew the game would be over before I could pass out.
I dunno what happened, but I got cards. Good cards. AK suited. Pocket Queens. Drew a flush once. KILLED it and took FIRST PLACE. $12,500 purse. When it was down to just two I discovered that my opponent was a trial lawyer. I asked him if they taught Bluffing in law school. He said, "No, they teach you how to lie." I liked him, he was a good guy -- but, I beat him anyway. (Second place paid $8000 or so.)
The dealer was grinning from ear to ear and kind of shaking her head in a 'what the fuck' kind of way, so I tipped her $500 and tried to stand up. Wifey helped me to my feet and out of the card room. (I married well.)
I was in bed in my room by 3pm, and didn't wake up till checkout time the next day.
Now, I am a bit superstitious, but I just don't know if I could (or should) try to get in the same state of mind. If anyone wants to try it ... it goes like this.
1) Eat something that you are deathly allergic to,
2) eat a half gram of Blue Dream hash in an edible,
3) eat as much anti-histimines as you can find in a casino gift store,
4) drink at least two shots of alcohol.
~ Auggie ~
....
