“What the …”

I had read an Austin blog awhile back about some modifications to Shoal Creek. I have not driven down Shoal Creek in quite awhile. Today I decided to miss some traffic and headed south on Shoal Creek from Steck. What the … are those semi-circle curb concoctions every couple of hundred yards on either side of the street. They are filled with a single tree, some tiny plants, and rocks. I predict that all plants and perhaps the trees will not survive. So what were they thinking? Are these there for safety reasons? I seriously doubt it because they now force cyclists out into traffic. Are they for esthetics? They do not look good to me. In fact, they look really out of place. IMHO they look like a total waste of good tax payer money. Probably the next time I travel down Shoal Creek they will be gone. Sheesh!

My second what the … has to do with our state representatives. What are they doing protesting gambling bills today at lunch? I concur that promoting casinos as a means to bail out the educational system is a little loony. First of all no single source of state money should be ear-marked for a single purpose. Casino’s offer much more value in that they could stop the Texas money running away to Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Mississippi, and Las Vegas. They could employee thousands of people. They could offer entertainment and a more pleasant atmosphere along the Texas coast. Representatives need to face the facts that Texans like to gamble. I could easily find a poker game hear in Austin seven nights per week. I do not really care for one arm bandits, so putting those at race tracks does nothing for me. I do believe in playing games that require some skill and that at least I have a chance of controlling the outcome.

OK! Here is my platform when I run for office. World Class poker rooms will be built in Galveston, Corpus Christi, Austin, Dallas, and Houston. A portion of the revenue generated would go into the general fund. A portion of the revenue would be set aside for charity. I would create the TPT, Texas Poker Tour. Each poker room would host a championship style tournament annually. Winners would qualify for the Capitol Classic in Austin Texas. Our wonderful representatives claim that gambling impacts the poor. I agree in that many people are looking for that single pull on the slot machine or the 6 numbers to appear in the Lotto. Everyone wants to get rich quick. Poker on the other hand requires a bank roll, skill and patience.

Texas is likely to get poker rooms about as likely as I am going to run for office!

What the … was I doing playing for flushes in 5-card draw. The other night I lost 3 or 4 times when I was dealt four suited cards. The pot sizes were decent, but it required me calling $1.5 - $2.50 to draw my single card. I did not hit a single one, so I went through a $15 bank roll quickly. One of you math gurus needs to educate me on the odds with 5 players playing 5 card draw of filling the flush. I had my share of bad beats, but reckless pay has dwindled my bankroll on 24HPoker. I am going to stick with holdem until I can build my bankroll back.

I am invited to a $40 buy-in tournament Friday night, but my wife has to work and I have to prepare for the neighborhood garage sale. Oh Boy! Perhaps I can take a cut of the proceeds to add to my poker bank roll. NOT! If I can get everything organized I may at least show up and drink a beer. I might deal, but most importantly I might be able to get in a ring game or a losers tournament. The tournament looks like it will have 16 – 24 players, which is nice. Oh well maybe next time!

We have a busy weekend with 3 soccer games, piano recital, and a garage sale.

What the …!

Play on, play SMART!