Los Angeles Trip Report Part 2

by Nolan Dalla

This page is part of Ken's Poker Page

On 21 Oct 1998 18:35:05 GMT, in rec.gambling.poker nolandalla@aol.com
(NolanDalla) wrote:

**********************************************

DAY 1: I spent a day in Las Vegas (no report) before coming into LAX in
Los Angeles. The trip begins with my selection of hotels -- which is
CRYSTAL PARK RADISSON HOTEL and CASINO in Compton (just south of Los
Angeles).

I was uncertain to where to establish my "base of poker operations."
Since my goal was to keep expenses down, my selection of a hotel from
where to operate was critical. Good advice came from my good friend and
respected CPM fellow-columnist LOU KRIEGER, who swayed me away from the
Bicycle Club (my initial choice) in favor of CRYSTAL PARK. LOU pointed
out correctly that THE BIKE has steadily gone down hill in recent years.
It no longer spreads the variety of games that would allow me to play
around the clock (more to come on this issue in a later post). CRYSTAL
PARK, being a new hotel and being the only casino in Los Angeles with a
hotel directly on the premises had obvious advantages. Also, the $100,000
Poker Challenge Tournament was beginning the day I arrived, which ensured
a steady stream of side games at all limits. So, the CRYSTAL seemed the
natural choice.

As a working model for this trip, I consulted beforehand with my good
friend, LARRY "THUNDER" PETERS. LARRY did an extended LA poker road trip
for about a month last year. I had hoped to use LARRY's own experiences
to my advantage -- hitting certain cardrooms at key times in order to gain
maximum advantage (which all means -- I was trying to find the "softest"
games in the city).

My own experience in Los Angeles was limited. I had not played in LA in a
year and a half -- and that was only at HOLLYWOOD PARK. I had not visited
the major cardrooms such as the COMMERCE and the BIKE in almost four
years. And, since the CRYSTAL was new, I had never visited this room
before. Therefore, my advance planning was an important element in
ensuring a successful poker tour. Thanks to LARRY and LOU for laying good
solid groundwork for me, in this regard.

My first game is $6-12 Omaha H/L8. I've laid-off of poker for almost six
weeks and need a "break-in" game to get back in sync. Sometimes a lay-off
can be a good thing, but I find that if you stay away from poker too long,
you get rusty and start forgetting some of the games' finer points. Moves
that are usually instinctive to good players become matters which must be
thought at the table. I don't like having to deliberate my decisions.
When playing at this limit, most moves should be natural.....so therefore
-- Omaha I find to be the best "break-in" game to get the mental wheel
turning in the right direction.

My first "sighting" comes about an hour into the game. None other than
JOHN BONETTI walks by the table. We see each other and JOHN and I
exchange greetings. This is the first time I've seen JOHN in about 6
months and he looks like he's lost ten years (he's 70). I mean he just
looks fabulous. JOHN tells me that his cancer is now in remission and
seems to have (inexplicably) left his body. No more pain. No pills. It
just disappeared. I have tears in my eyes as I hear this news because I
know JOHN was just thrilled with a column I did on him some time ago for
CPM. He asks for me to report that he's doing very well and wants to
thank everyone for all the support he's received during his bout with
cancer. The session nets a win. Result: PLUS $7 in two hours.

Next game is a $6-12 hold'em game. Nothing of note to report, but
according to my records I made a small score Result: PLUS $24 in two
hours.

At 7:00 p.m. -- the first tournament begins. It's a $50 No-Limit Hold'em
event, with a maximum of two re-buys. I draw a good table (no name
players). 30 minute rounds. We start with $400 in chips. About 200
entries. Early in the tournament I am dealt A-K, flop top pair best kicker.
I move all-in. Other player calls with a flush draw and gets there.
RE-BUY! Another half hour goes by and I am dealt pocket tens. Someone
raises, I move all-in and get called.

Opponent flips over pocket Aces and it's time for another re-buy. No
recollection of how I busted-out......but let's just say you won't be
seeing NOLAN's name in the final standings of this one. Result: MINUS
$160

After the tournament, the top section at the CRYSTAL is 'jamming. A
couple of $10-20, two $15-30's, two $20-40's and one $30-60. They try and
launch a no-limit hold'em game, which goes for a short time. I sit in a
$15-30 hold'em game with TOM MCEVOY to my right and also meet PAT FLEMMING
(a well-known Las Vegas pro). Lot's of table chatter and I pick up some
interesting stories. Result: PLUS $170

It's been a long day. I'm upstairs in bed by 4:00 am (extremely early for
yours truly when he's on the road).

More to come.............

NOLAN DALLA

Continue to Part 3

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