Lost in a sleepless haze

Date: Fri, Dec 25, 2009

Primm, Nv - Riding the short hop on the monorail over I-15 between Whiskey Pete's and Buffalo Bill's always seems to me like a solemn time.

Nobody moves a muscle or speaks, and everyone has that blank mile long stare into oblivion look. I shot this scene with a full size camera and large diffused flash attachment and didn't get the slightest wince from any of these folks. Some of the best poker faces must ride these rails.

I have often been told by security that Pete's does not allow photographing inside their casino however Buffalo Bill's has never forbidden me. Perhaps the legend about the original owner and moonshiner Pete MacIntyre is true about wanting to be buried standing up with a bottle of bootleg in his hands so he could watch over this area.

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Vegas Facts (Sopranos-Junior's Poker Funhouse)

Date: Fri, Nov 20, 2009

The first neon sign appeared in Las Vegas in 1954 at the Boulder Club.

The bell is the oldest symbol still used on today's slot machines.

The average annual temperature in Las Vegas is 66 degrees.

It would take 288 years for one person to spend one night in every hotel room in Las Vegas.

Shrimp consumption in Las Vegas is more than 60,000 pounds a day. That's higher than the rest of the country combined and adds up to 22 million pounds per year.

The Stardust was the first hotel in Vegas to add a sports book to its casino.

Nickel slots on the Strip pay back anywhere from 86.9 percent to 92.8 percent of what they take in.

Las Vegas casinos never use dice with rounded corners.

It's estimated that every day Las Vegas casinos give away $3 million of freebies (more than $1 billion per year) just to get customers through their doors.

It's against the law to pawn your dentures in Las Vegas.

The Horseshoe was the first Las Vegas casino to install carpeting.

A vagrant once turned a $400 Social Security check into $1.6 million playing blackjack in a Las Vegas casino.

According to suppliers, purple is the favorite ink color in daubers used by Las Vegas Bingo players.

The beam of light atop the Luxor in Las Vegas is made up of 39 individual lamps. Each xenon lamp costs $1,200 and will last about 2,000 hours. The electric bill for the Luxor beam is $51 an hour.

Las Vegas has the highest number of unlisted phone numbers of any U.S. city.

The iconic, waving neon cowboy, located at Vegas' Pioneer Club downtown, is named Vegas Vic.

Frank Sinatra was the first Vegas headliner to earn $100,000 per week.

More than 110,000 marriage licenses are issued in Las Vegas each year.

Elvis and Priscilla Presley were married at the original Aladdin hotel.

The Silver Slipper was the first casino to hire female card dealers on the Las Vegas Strip (in 1971).

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Bill SB 788

Date: Sun, May 10, 2009

Jacksonville, Fl - I read in yesterdays newspaper Florida lawmakers have passed a bill that would expand gambling in the Sunshine State including some significant impact for poker here.

The bill is SB 788. It was reported Governor Charlie Crist will probably sign the bill, although the Florida Seminole tribe must also approve the deal.

In national news Barney Frank has opened the door to legal online poker. Read more of this story here or here.

Initial reaction from poker players and supporters concerning the bill was far from positive, however. The bill does include the much dreaded opt-out option for individual states. However, this is seen by some as an unavoidable piece of the legislation. Read more at flopturnriver.com.

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Today is a good day to die

Date: Tue, Apr 28, 2009

Jacksonville, Fl - Crazy Horse was considered a holy man by the Lakota people. He was brave and appeared unafraid to die. The Lakota tribe revered him and would follow him into any battle. "Today is a good day to die" was immortalized amongst the Lakota.

On the contrary, blues man Albert King wrote "Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die.

I recently received the enclosed video from my friend Stacey Childs. She was doing research for her monthly online magazine "Disco Underworld" and asked her readers to view the video and then answer the following: "What would your last lecture/work/article/book/painting be?"

I can't say what my final expression would be but I know I would want my family around. It's great food-for-thought. I am both a serious and lighthearted man, but it seems to me there should be some meaning or message behind every image I produce. I also believe many photographers/artists/writers, say and express more about themselves when they create.



If we knew the time or close to the day we were going to leave this world I am sure our work would be much more profound for many of us. I have my favorite photographers, artists and writers and feel like they are posting their last piece in every work they publish. I don't know if this is done consciously but their material is always inspired from something powerful.

In the skillful art of poker; playing the game successfully and being around for another day, one must also possess the fearlessness to crash and burn at anytime. We're all going to the big casino in the sky eventually, so why live in fear of the inevitable. Don't save up your "A" game. I don't believe you can take it with you. Play like there's no tomorrow. There might not be.

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Doyle Brunson and Minced Meat

Date: Tue, Mar 17, 2009

Jacksonville, Fl - Years ago I had a friend who was a golden glove boxer and can recall hearing many times the question and the inevitable subsequent debate, about who would win a fight between Mike Tyson and Mohammad Ali if they fought each other while both in their prime.

I couldn't help but thinking about this hypothetical match between arguably the two greatest fighters of all time after I read Doyle Brunson's recent blog off gambling911.

"Another thing that pisses me off is when these "know-it-alls" talk about the old time poker players not being any good. I'd like to see any of the "greats" go back and play Johnny Moss, Pat Renfro, Sailor Roberts, James Roy, Doc Ramsey and a host of other guys that made their living playing NLH. Of course that can't happen so we'll never know. I've played against both worlds and I think the two old guys would chew up these young guns."Doyle's full post can be read here.




We all have different talents, both at the tables and in our "other" lives. Joe Thomissen has a keen eye and a knack at choreographing music with images and film. I would like to thank him for his recent collaboration in the making of "Highway Junkies" which can be seen on any of the following links:

http://slimefaceimages.blogspot.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/664FREEDOM/
http://visionpublishing.info/

My hypothetical chips would be "all in" on Ali.... but then again I'm an old trucking fart.

I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest.
~Mohammad Ali

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Getting there is half the fun!

Date: Tue, Mar 10, 2009

Jacksonville, Fl - After only a few days shy of 3 and a half years from my first post on this blog, I have decided on getting a face lift. Not a medical rhytidectomy mind you, as that would be too costly and a hopeless procedure for the real "Slimeface", but I have replaced my old blog template with a new and improved design.

I created Poker4peace back in October 2005 to enter a free blogger tournament at poker stars never intending on keeping it alive for more than a quick entry ticket to a freeroll. I wasn't the first to the blogging community, but there were quite a few less bloggers back then and a lot fewer poker blogs. I recently created a new site at slimefaceimages.blogspot.com. It will be interesting to see if this new site will enjoy the longevity Poker4peace has.

Here are a couple of new and exciting poker sites I have discovered that may be worth attention!

Pokersoftware.com is the largest and most comprehensive online resource for information on poker software and a fine resourse for what's new in poker software!

Thisisthenuts.com has an interesting rakeback on top of the highest rakeback percentages in the industry. TITN also offers a value-added freeroll exclusively to their customers each and every month!

Two great poker sites that offer both value and and selection in today's crazy online poker world! Check them out!

It is easy to smile at an insult and pretend it's funny when the person insulting you is hosing you with money.

-- Alfred Alvarez (2001)

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A WSOP 2007 Long Shot

Date: Tue, Feb 24, 2009

Jacksonville, Fl - How sweet is this!! As I mentioned in my previous post the odds of hitting a straight flush are approximately 1 in 72,000. The odds of hitting a Royal flush I have read are close to 1 in 650,000! I missed this hand at the WSOP 2007 but here is a clip of the "long shot" in poker!



Speaking of sweet... for those who haven't heard of www.poker.bodoglife.com it's worth the time to explore. One of my favorite reads from this entertaining and educational site is their "Poker Article" section including a topic under "Poker Psychology", a must read for every serious player both novice and veteran.

With plenty of news, articles and a truly helpful "Poker Tip of the Day" this online poker site has something to offer for everyone! Go visit them and be the judge yourself.

In the proper setting, stealing the blinds from the “under the gun” position is an advanced poker tactic employed by experienced players. This tactic is simply an attempt to steal the blinds from the worst position on the table.... an excerpt on "bluffing" from Bodoglife.com

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Steel Wheels!

Date: Thu, Feb 19, 2009

Jacksonville, Fl - When you play your bad cards right it just feels good! When you flop the big nuts it feels damn wonderful!!



There are 40 possible straight flushes made up from the standard deck. For those readers who are new to the game a straight flush is when your 5-card hand consists of 5 consecutive cards, all from the same suit. The odds are approximately 1 in 72,000 and just about unbeatable!

Only a higher straight flush and of course the grand daddy royal straight flush (5 cards that are consecutive in value from the same suit with the Ace as the high card) would own you. :) I have no idea what the odds are for hitting a royal straight flush and I have never been so lucky.

I have hit a straight flush 3 times I can remember and the payoff was much greater than my chump change pot I won last week but it still felt like a high stakes victory when showing down the 1 in 72,000 hand!

To learn some effective Texas Hold'em strategies check out Flopturnriver.

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Extenuating Circumstances Updated

Date: Sat, Jan 31, 2009

Jacksonville, Fl - It's been a hectic and downright incredibly fast action 2009 new year as I have needed to extend my time away from the road. New projects I would never have had the time for, driving the 600 - 700 miles a day I typically do have been a mixed blessing. It is amazing what you can accomplish when your 24 hour day is booked solid and you set your mind on accomplishing. Nevertheless.... I have been neglecting new and old business, friends and family but have been enjoying the process of catching up!

I haven't viewed my stats in a long time for this old blog but was surprised to discover new viewers coming from my own web site www.slimeface.com. Not long ago I redirected my domain to a Flickr page where I have posted images taken from my 18-wheeler.

My recent trucking video titled "Trucking Across America (Part 2)" (collaborated with Mrs. Slimeface on lead vocals) is dedicated to the honorable mentions below and to all my fellow truckers, friends and players I have met over the road and online in the past 3 years!


Stacey Childs editor of Disco Underworld a new site attracting a lot of attention from all over the zine world!

Mr. Joe Thomissen AKA 664 Freedom

David Gordy editor of Vision Registry of Vision Publishing. David has put together a cool video with a sampling of selected trucking images I have published he calls "The Heartbeat of America".

Laura Brunow Miner editor of JPG Magazine.

Jim Wirth writer for Open Road TV.

Flopturnriver for poker news updates.

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Full Tilt in the hammer lane

Date: Sat, Dec 27, 2008

Jacksonville, Fl My first Full Tilt sighting while crossing the Rockies recently. Tractor trailers can legally gross 80,000 lbs without special permits and many times these trucks run close to their maximum allowable weight. I couldn't help but imagine what this trucker was hauling and asked the driver as he passed on the C.B. but got no response.

In the old days when the price of diesel was relatively cheap companies would run their custom trucks up and down the road as a promotion and advertisement of their products. Gasoline has seen a nice retreat recently but diesel is still too high and I doubt this was much of a free ride.

This has been the first Christmas I've seen home in many years. We usually roll Thanksgiving, Christmas and all other special days I miss into one around the 4th of July. It's nice to be home in Florida but with near record high temps in the 80's it doesn't feel much like winter although it is suppose to cool off 10 to 15 degrees next week!

Safe travels to all who have to be on the road this week and happy holidays to all!

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The Road Less Traveled

Date: Sun, Nov 9, 2008

Jacksonville, Fl - Back at home in Florida to take time off the road as I doctor my health and sooth my bones. I have spoken with several of my trucker friends from around the country and have heard of the changing weather and the beginning of winter for many. I hope to return back to the highway in a few weeks but in the meanwhile I am resting comfortably with the air-conditioning wide open and enjoying the Florida sunshine in short sleeves!

On my way back from northern California I needed to return back to Florida as soon as possible. Although I am a private pilot and have no fear of flying when at the controls, I do have an aversion for commercial jets and higher altitudes so I rented a car and drove across country. I've logged over 3 million miles driving big rigs in the past 30 years or so, but it had been since 1979 since I drove a 4-wheeler coast to coast. What a difference 14 more wheels can make! :)

Along my road trip I passed many casinos but had no time for play but did notice all the hotel and casinos along I-40 were full. If there is an economic crisis/disaster looming ahead it is not apparent by the shear number of cars and trucks crammed in these parking lots across the USA. What a beautiful sight!

Thanks for the emails regarding my absence and I am still alive but must recharge the electrical system every now and then. Just like the game of poker I am in this for the long haul where endurance and consistency are paramount.

What is luck? Sharks and fish both believe in it, but in different ways. To fish, it is intrinsic and predictive: Those who possess it win. To a shark, it is the unforeseen cosmic blip that transforms kings into a losing hand.

~Unknown

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Hand analysis

Date: Sun, Sep 21, 2008

Jacksonville, Fl - I recently read of a discussion on Cardplayer.com that was fascinating! If you haven't read these hand analysis over at CP check it out. They could prove to be quite informative to even the most skilled player. Good stuff!

"Yeah, they think, “He would never check-shove with the nuts, here.” Not only do you have to play your opponents’ images, but you have to be conscious of your own image. Especially when I’m playing, a lot of people have a lot of assumptions about me, and I can tell the way that they react in hands versus me whether they are someone who just assumes that I’m always bluffing. Take a line that looks super obvious that you have a monster, and it just doesn’t matter, because they won’t believe you."

I have been spending much time cleaning out dead links in my blog roll and replacing them with new ones! I hate to see so many blogs disappear that I have known since 2005 but I suppose it is a sign of the day. If anyone who has a poker blog and would like to be added to my roll shoot me an email and I will add your site as soon as possible.

Thanks for the mail I have received this month regarding my where abouts. All is good and I'm still trucking pulling a tanker coast to coast. It's always summer in Florida but I am beginning to feel those freezing temps across the Rockies and it won't be long before they become the norm again. Preparing for a California departure and hope everyone is healthy and playing smart and watch out for those "blind spots".... they're killers!

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Fell Omen 2 and Donkeys

Date: Tue, Aug 12, 2008

Ripon, Ca - I read this morning in one of those paper floor mats you find in truck stop showers some interesting unknown facts to me like for example there are more fake plastic flamingos than there are real ones in the world. I had no idea. The one that I was not surprised about was the fact more people are killed and likely to be hurt by donkeys than those killed and injured in plane crashes. Just sayin'....

I was reading in the San Diego paper this morning more news on the latest and most modern poker bots. I don't play much online these days as I have been playing live for almost a year but if I did I would be much more concerned than I use to be about the power of these programs and their offspring!

A few years ago I had a load to pick up at the Women's Correctional facility in North Vegas. Before entry I was searched and my truck was inspected including under the hood. I was asked for guns, knives and other objects which I had only a couple of pocket knives in my possession to submit. After I entered through armed security the gates closed quickly behind me and I was not permitted to leave my truck while the women inmates loaded my 53 foot trailer of furniture, if I recall.

Though I was in a big 18-wheeler with a huge hood and motor I got to thinking about how someone could actually crawl up and hide in the engine compartment risking loss of limb and/or life. It's amazing to think what another might consider doing when so desperate. Never underestimate your opponent cause you never really know.

Check out the latest poker forums from Flopturnriver. Good reading and great tips!

Back to Vegas tomorrow. Still hot as hell in the deserts and traffic on I-15 is a crawl with all the perpetual construction. :) Stay cool!

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Flopturnriver

Date: Wed, Jul 16, 2008

Jacksonville, Fl - 12,044 miles past and I am back in Florida for a short stay before leaving to California this Friday. Summertime Florida in the middle of July is hot with humidities near 100%. Nothing beats sitting under a big shady tree with a cold drink by the water with a warm southern breeze! The good life!!

Speaking of hard to beat... I was reading "Tips from the Pros" over at the Flopturnriver and thought it was quite refreshing as well. No matter how good we get or "think" we have become as players it's always wise to review advice from the people who play everyday and have proven successes. I would recommend reading these "tips" no matter what your level of play is and see if you have any holes or cracks beginning to form in your game you were unaware of. Time worth spending!

I am currently waiting for a reload back to California and wish everyone who is road tripping this summer the best of travels. For those who can pony up for the gas bill this July and venture out long distances don't forget to take extra water! It can be a life saver especially for those long wide open western spaces! May the River be with you!

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