Not only did I attend my first BARGE event last night, I also played in my first 7-Card Stud 8OB tournament as well.  Since 1991 the Big August Rec.Gambling Excursion has been held in Las Vegas.  Before the rise of forums like 2+2, the rec.gambling newsgroup used to be the online source for everything you wanted to know (and often didn't) about poker. 

A few of the newsgroup regulars decided to get together annually in the 1990's and BARGE was born.  The first poker tournament was held in 1992 and featured 9 players.  Over time BARGE grew into multiple tournaments and spun off into FARGO (Foxwoods) and ATLARGE (Atlantic City).

Last night JDN and I rolled into Binion's about 7:30 for the kickoff event, an $80 7 Stud 8OB tournament.

I learned a valuable lesson when we picked up our name badges, albeit a bit too late: don't let Gavin Smith register you for anything.  Printed in all-caps across the top of my badge was BUTTNUTT.  Classy.

After running over to the Subway at Four Queens to grab some dinner, JDN and I made our way back to Binions for the start of the tournament.  As it turns out, there's a number of professionals who are BARGE "lifers."  Gavin has been going since the mid-nineties, along with Andy Bloch.  Richard "Quiet Lion" Brodie was also in attendance as was WSOP Media Director Nolan Dalla (read Nolan's trip report from the 2000 BARGE).  Bill Chen, Steve Brecher, and Perry Friedman are also rumored to be joining us later in the event.

I got off to a hot start, scooping a nice pot with quad 4's and ended up doubling the starting stack of 2k by the first break.  After that break the betting limits started getting a bit silly as the average stack only had about 4 or 5 big bets. 

JDN decided he couldn't stand the thought of playing just one tournament so he also registered for the 8 PM nightly holdem tourney.  Somehow Mr. Heineken's multi-tabling seemed to work out for him as he made the final table and precedeed to bust 8 of the 9 other players on his way to the win.

I was able to outlast most of the field when I got moved between my two favorite WSOP runner-ups, Andy and Gav.  After being warmly greeted a round of BUTTNUTT chants led by Mr. Smith, Andy busted me in 15th place (out of 90ish).  I had a trash hand but got stuck defending my bring in with a pair and chasing a low that never came. 

I'm not able to make the Blackjack and Video Poker tournaments, but I will be returning to Binion's for the "Draw Lobah Tournament."  Only I have no idea what Lobah is.  Oh well.

Here's the schedule for the rest of BARGE:

  • Tuesday, 7/31/2007: Stud/8 @ 8:00pm. Entry: $50 + $20
  • Wednesday, 8/1/2007: Blackjack Tournament @ 11:00am. Entry: $50 + $10
  • Wednesday, 8/1/2007: Video Poker Tournament @ 3:00pm. Entry: $40 + $10
  • Wednesday, 8/1/2007: The Zimmers Memorial Draw Lobah Tournament @ 7:00pm. Entry: $60 + $20
  • Thursday, 8/2/2007: Team CHORSE @ 11:00am. Entry $420 per Team (See Below)
  • Thursday, 8/2/2007: Significant Others Stud Tournament @ 11:30am. Entry: $20
  • Thursday, 8/2/2007: Stud Shootout @ 7:00pm. Entry: $75 + $20
  • Friday, 8/3/2007: TOC™-style @ 10:00am. Entry: $75 + $20
  • Friday, 8/3/2007: Symposium @ 4:00pm, $15 (at the Golden Nugget)
  • Friday, 8/3/2007: TOC™-style (Finals) @ 6:30pm
  • Saturday, 8/4/2007: No Limit Hold'em @ 10:00am. Entry: $100 + $20
  • Saturday, 8/4/2007: Significant Others Hold'em @ 11:00am. Entry: $20
  • Saturday, 8/4/2007: Banquet (the speaker will be BARGEr and TV Personality Gavin Smith. After Gavin speaks we'll be roasting a long time BARGEr!) @ 7:00pm, $25 (at the Golden Nugget)
  • Saturday, 8/4/2007: No Limit Hold'em Finish (if needed) @ 10:30pm
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