As you've probably grown accustomed to, this will likely be long and a bit all over the place. The further away from a tournament I do the recap the more likely it is to jump around like House of Pain.
Tennis
Vegas usually ends up being a good tournament for me. I like it because I always have something to do compared to other tournaments where I have to search for something to do. I can play poker or blackjack, know where to go to eat, etc... This time I added another activity to my Vegas résumé. I finally looked for tennis on the strip and found out that Bally's has courts. Bally's is right next to the Flamingo where the tournament is held so the walk is relatively short for Vegas. (it's still almost 15 minutes as it's in the clear rear of Bally's but it's an easy stroll) They have a pro there who used to be an actual pro in the 80s, David Pate. His two sons who were solid college players also work there along with a woman who played a couple of years on tour. The staff is therefore pretty decent.
There's a huge difference between your regular every day 'tennis pro' that works at a local club and an actual pro. There are tennis pros who are weaker than I am. This doesn't mean that they can't be an effective teacher esp. if they just help run clinics but personally I need people who are (or were) 5.0 players or stronger if I'm going to hit with them and get anything out of it. I tried to go to one of their daily clinics the first day there. I figured it was hit or miss leaning largely towards miss. A clinic consists of whoever shows up that day and a pro leading the clinic. In Vegas I doubted anyone worth while would be there but I thought I'd try it. Unfortunately I was right so after that first day I only hit with the pros one on one.
USTA Ratings Guideline (in case you're interested)
Even though it forces me to get up a couple hours before I'd like to, I think overall it's beneficial for me to drag my ass out of bed at backgammon tournaments to play tennis beforehand. When one travels a lot, esp. for backgammon or similarly related things, they tend to eat a lot less healthy than they would at home. Their sleep scheduled gets screwed and they exercise a lot less too. Some people may also be drinking more than they would at home. Overall, this may help people shape themselves to what is commonly seen as the 'stereotypical male US backgammon player'. Older, bowler's gut, overall unhealthy looking. I'm going to throw off that curve for as long as I can.
For anyone who may want to know, Bally's courts are old. Like 35 years old. They seriously need redone. I was surprised that they didn't have some rich connection over the years who enjoyed tennis enough to throw the money at them to redo the courts. Still, it's not a big deal if you're just hitting to get some bad bounces. I think these are the only courts on the strip itself but I have to research it further to make sure.
The Journey there
Going from Columbus, Ohio to Las Vegas is a fairly easy trip. Southwest has a couple of direct flights every day for reasonable prices if you book in advance. It has been getting more and more expensive over the last few years but still, not too bad. Once there you have many options for getting from the airport to your hotel. Normally I stay at Caesar's nowadays, used to stay at the Venetian, but wherever the tournament is in Vegas I'll stay at that casino. It's way too much of a hassle to book at another hotel and walk over for the tournament. Too time consuming.
Anyway, from the airport to the hotel I usually take a shuttle. It's pretty cheap and doesn't take overly long. If you're traveling two or more people it's probably best to take a taxi as you can split the fare. On this shuttle ride we were dropping off a group of English girls. The driver had to ask them what number tower they were staying at (not at the Flamingo) and one of the girls answered with the six digit number. For some reason I already knew that the driver wouldn't understand it so I internalized the number momentarily. The driver uttered the 'what is that again?' and I rattled off the number. They cracked up that someone had to 'translate their speech to American' so that the driver would understand.
When I was working as an English assistant in France we went on a trip to London. I was the only native English speaker as the rest of the staff were French people who taught English. Upon arrival they trying to exchange money, francs to pounds. I forget what the issue was but I noticed them having a problem. I walked up and asked the Frenchies what the issue was, they told me, and I relayed it to the cashier in native English. Issue resolved. The Frenchies were all floored that whatever they had been saying hadn't been understood and it only took 2 seconds to clear it up with a native speaking.
One of the things I hate about Vegas is that if you're paying for a room you get the *room rate* which I believe was something like $92 for this tournament. Then on top of that you get your normal taxes and other hidden fees which generally jack up the price 20%. Then on top of that is a $20 daily surcharge. They say this goes towards access to the gym, internet access, maybe some other bullshit. All things you don't necessarily need or want but it's not an option, it's mandatory. You know what, if it's mandatory, just include it in the original price. I get why you don't it's jackassery is all. So while it's not the tournament's fault that the snuggly $92 price they list is closer to $150/night it is misleading to those who don't realize.
While I'm bitching about things, something I do best, every day I see common sense sodomized. It still shocks me at what lengths humans go to not process information in some situations though. Perfect example is when I get to the hotel, check in, and am waiting on the elevators. There are many people waiting on the elevators and when the light lights up saying an elevator is arriving people start to walk towards it/in it before the door open. Guess what donkeys? If there are a lot of people waiting it's usually because the elevators are in use by other people. If you're on the ground floor the elevator coming down is going to have people on it! Stay back and let people get off the elevator before you try to get on nits.
Some backgammon
In a recent tournament I played doubles with Rory. I watched most of the match like a hawk when I wasn't playing because Rory can occasionally find a play that I wouldn't even consider. Last match we were playing we get to gammon go and I turn for just a moment to say something to someone and he wins the opening roll with a 54 and plays S, 24/20 13/8. What the hell!? I can't even turn around for a second! This is the type of play or unawareness for players who I consider decent that is unacceptable in my book. Well low and behold, one of the first things I witness at this tournament is Ray playing with the score being 3a 1a post Crawford and he wins the opening roll with a 54. He makes the same play Rory did. It should be punishment enough to Ray knowing he makes the same kind of mistakes that Rory does.
In one of my first matches I drew Opponent X. I asked, as I always do nowadays, if we were playing legal moves. Opponent X said 'no'. I was surprised to say the least. Before this I don't know if anyone had actually ever said no. I was visibly stunned and told Opponent X that it didn't make any sense to deny. It had to be worse equity to not play legal moves against me. First, there's the fact that almost any opponent of mine is more likely to make an illegal move than I am. On top of that, there's noticing the other player has made an illegal move. I feel I'm very good at this. I'm always paying attention to what my opponent plays so I get a feel for his mistakes and his overall PR. Also, in the short term if needed, I'm able to recreate the game from scratch to make sure the current position is correct. Also, after noticing an illegal move I'm much more likely to be able to evaluate whether it is beneficial or detrimental. Overall I don't understand why one wouldn't agree to legal moves with me but so be it.
Turns out I made the first illegal move in this match! It was one of those inane illegal moves that mattered very little equity wise. I played a 64 or 65 when swinging a checker around the board. Opponent X noticed it, had me correct it which was to my benefit. The rest of the match my opponent ended up making 6 random illegal moves. They weren't all in his favor or anything but definitely not playing legal moves improved my equity overall. To further nail home the point (and be an ass) at the end of one of the games I pulled a fast one to prove a point. We were in a race where it was hopeless for me to win so while taking off a checker I put it on the bar. Opponent X quickly rolled and peeled checkers as one would in a race where contact was broken. I pointed out that since he rolled he had allowed my illegal move to stand and I could now take aim at him from the bar. Example:
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| XGID=--ACCCB------------abaabbA:1:1:1:00:0:0:3:0:10 | |||||
| Blue on roll, cube action? | |||||
eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10
Of course I didn't really try to force him to play from here. It was merely to prove a point.
While we're on the subject, I was watching one of Phil Simborg's matches and his opponent had also not wanted to play legal moves. During this match Phil's opponent was on the bar v. a 5 point board with the 6th point being slotted. The opponent rolled a hitting number and hit the clock thinking he had fanned. What a huge swing! Phil pointed it out and allowed it to stand. (as he should)
On to a Super Jackpot match of mine. The Super Jackpot often draws only stronger players. It makes sense, esp. in Vegas, because the price tag to get in is significantly greater. In Vegas you could buy in to the first round for $1k or directly into the round of 16 for $2k. I don't know if anyone bought into the round of 16 this time. Along the way to my disappointing second place finish I met an opponent who played in the double digits I thought at the time. This is a rarity and quite the puzzle to try to solve over the board on how to extract the maximum amount of equity.
This match was recorded and I ended up playing a 3.3 or 3.4 whereas my opponent had played 14+. Immediately after entering the match I went back and 'corrected' the mistakes I had purposely made over the board and that brought my PR to 2.7. This was by far the most interesting match I had with all the according to opponent implications. I hope to make a video about this match and what I was thinking at the time.
Random
#1
What is the definition of a sport? I know it has been debated over the ages esp. when people start included 'mind sports' as part of the mix. Sitting at the Bellagio playing poker I realized what a sport certainly is not. You can not call it a sport of any sort if while doing it you can also watch it! I was playing poker and watching it at the same time.
#2
A random quote I overheard at the tournament: "My opponent almost ran out of time. He had less than 2 minutes left when we finished." I busted a gut over that one.
#3
One of the things I like about the Vegas tournament is that the draw is done with assigned tables. In other words, you go up, find your name on the draw sheet and next to it is a table number. You go and sit at that table until your opponent shows up. This can be a little problematic nowadays with so many people wanting to record and needed to be near an outlet, good lighting, or simply set up their gear in advance as to not waste valuable tournament time. I still prefer it though.
This type of draw means you don't necessarily need to know who your opponent is nor find your opponent. You'd think everyone can figure out a number like '64' and be able to locate that and sit at the proper table. I always cross reference and see who my opponent is even though that mildly defeats part of the purpose of posting a draw in that way. I spend more time in front of the draw which wastes a few seconds of someone else being able to see the draw.
So when the consolation was posted I went to my table number and waited. My opponent was someone I had never heard of. A guy showed up who spoke as much English as I speak Chinese, roughly zero. We started our match and had made it a couple of games in before I was informed that I was playing the wrong person. I had sat at the correct table but he had not. He was supposed to be at 65 instead of 64. This was unfortunate because this opponent was playing a form of cubeless bg and I didn't see how I'd lose to him.
This gives us another incentive to not show up late and these types of mishaps would occur less frequently! He wasn't late enough to receive penalty points but was late enough to get the assist in screwing things up.
#4
Use a baffle box, don't use a baffle box, generally I don't care. I will want you to use one if you shake for shit. I won't ever use one unless I'm ruled against. Watching Joe Russell and Ian MacFarlane play with a baffle box was akin to watching Sharapova & Venus Williams. I couldn't tolerate it for very long. They used a baffle box yet both of them shook wildly more I feel like than if they weren't using a baffle box. I get shaking a bit because it's habit and then rolling into the box but this felt like it was an unbaffle box and that the only way to counter the device was to shake obsessively.
#5
There are a few players on tour who often wear headphones like myself or Carter. When doing this between games I make sure to check the score. I often don't say it or verify verbally with my opponent but I do watch them write it down and make sure it matches my own. I also listen between games in case they try to confirm the score with me. I played an opponent who was concerned about headphone players in general not being able to do this so this is just a message for those who do headphone frequently to make sure between games that the score is correct.
#6
Shower mfers. I promise you you won't melt. It's called 'personal hygiene' but when you're going to be inflicting it on a roomful of players it's no longer your own stench that you alone have to sit in. From the poker table to the backgammon room there's way too much unpleasant odor floating around.
#7
When traveling and esp. in Vegas you should budget a large allowance for your meals. It's really hard to eat a meal in Vegas for under $20. Sure, you can get a slice for 8 bucks or grab something crappy at the food court for $15 or so maybe but this reflects back to my own worries about eating so poorly while traveling. You can do it cheaper with a lot of hassle and other drawbacks but I don't think it's worth it. I average I'm guessing $75/day in Vegas when I'm paying for things.
#8
I've heard it said for years on end now how this person or that person in backgammon is good at ping pong. Recently, I forget where, I saw a guy wearing a tshirt that said 'ping pong champion'. I think it was in Vegas and I was walking with Sax. I pointed it out and told him that given the shirt I knew the guy couldn't be any good at ping pong. Why? Because a champion at table tennis wouldn't have that shirt. If you don't generally refer to it as table tennis you aren't good at it, just leave it at that.
My gambling
I arrived early and stayed a few days after then went to LA for a few. During all that time I had time to play plenty of blackjack and poker. I played 20/40 limit with Steve Sax a couple of times and the rest of the time I played low stakes no limit poker. Poker day 1 I broke even, poker day 2 I lost almost 4 bills, poker day 3 I won a buck and a half, and poker day 4 I won somewhere in the neighborhood of 1500 I'm guessing. Overall a good showing for pissing away time and entertaining myself.
As for blackjack, I didn't have a negative session until the day I was leaving. Won 100, won 225, won 400, then dropped 225. Again, no complaints. In chouette play of which I did little, I won 200 and won 100 playing Nackgammon.
I have a few more things to post in relation to Vegas but no more time right now. I'll post this as is and add on by tomorrow.
Stick