Layne Flack and “Fun Bobby”
Wow, has it been that long since I last posted here? I’m still at the Commerce–games have been awesome–in both directions–had some of my biggest losses and biggest wins ever in the past week or so. This first story is only mildly about poker strategy, more of a poker lifestyle anecdote…Necessary background information: I’m not a “poker lifestyle” kinda guy–I don’t swap percentages, get involved in backing arrangements, bet on props or non-poker things like golf and stuff. This is on purpose–I think of all those things as -EV, and kind of a distraction from the +EV activity I’m pursuing by playing poker. Besides, more importantly, it keeps me “under the radar”–nobody ever asks if they can borrow money from me or anything like that.
Anyway, so a few days ago, I get into what has become my standard game here at the Commerce this trip, the 20/40 NLHE. It was a pretty wild affair–we had Layne Flack in the game across the table from me (should have brought earplugs 
), and I had the greatest seat you could ever have in a poker game–one absolutely gorgeous female player to my left, another to my right (Remember the old Mike Caro affirmation? “I am a lucky player, a powerful winning force surrounds me…”).
So early in my sit, there’s a straddle hand, several callers, to me in late position. I have AsJs. I stick in a big raise. Layne calls, along with one other player to his left. Flop is QT7 with one spade. Layne checks, next guy makes a very slow deliberative check. Too fishy for me–I take a free one.
Turn card is the Nine of Spades, giving me a s—load of outs. Layne fires and now the next guy raises? I shove it all-in, Layne insta-calls, the other guy folds (oops), and Layne turns over KJ for the nut straight. No problem though, as a spade comes on the river.
Naturally, the whole rest of the night, Layne was riding me pretty good about my play: “Y’see these guys? They read some books, they think they know everything…”, etc, etc.. I tried to point out that I had my outs with the Kings, with the Eights, as well as the spades. Layne said, “Did you see my hand? I’ll spot you the Eight. Let me tell you, when Layne Flack puts the big money in he has a big hand..”, etc, etc… All in good fun, of course, like I said, the table was all friendly, we had the women there, which always makes the table more fun, and the booze was flowing.
Which brings me to the next fun part of the story. Jean-Robert Bellande (AKA “Fun Bobby”, AKA “The Survivor guy”) comes wandering by our game, just to talk to one of his friends at the table. He notices that I’m drinking a Corona, and have another one waiting for me in the on-deck circle (we were getting towards the stupid alcohol cut-off time here in LA–they stop serving at about 1:15 AM, so if you want any booze you have to order a lot between midnight and 1 or so).
Bobby and I barely know each other, but does this stop him? No way. He says, “Hey, is this your beer?” I say Yes, and he says “My man!!”, as he helps himself to the other Corona, squeezing the lime into the bottle, and taking a swig.
Now, I’m not so much of a nit that I’m gonna bitch and moan about the $4 it costs for a beer at the Commerce, but this being “Fun Bobby”, I had no reason to worry in any case: The next thing I know, he’s called the cocktail waitress over and ordered two Coronas AND a round of shots for everybody at the table. He wasn’t even playing in the game! He kept that game well-lubricated through long after last call, and I had a great night, both enjoyable and profitable. I told him afterward that now I understand why they call him “Fun Bobby”.
Little by little, I’m getting a little more pulled into this poker lifestyle thing. As long as I can keep away from the negative aspects, I’m sure it’ll make these poker trips of mine (especially ones like these where this stupid casino is in the middle of nowhere) more enjoyable.
More poker strategy and less poker lifestyle next post.
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Comments
I would love to hear strategy posts. I am trying to break through to consistently winning at $5/10 right now. Lifestyle posts are fun too though.
I completely agree about not swapping percentages and backing. I suppose it might work for tournament grinders who play the 10Ks because it reduces variance, but overall I would much rather play with my own money, for my own money. Great post by the way!
I agree, have some fu. It’s alot easier to win money from people when they are comfortable with you and like you. Just don’t get into loaning money.
Any pics of the girls?
Everybody and their brother writes strategy posts. Stick with the lifestyle posts.