FARGO 2015 - Trip Report - Cactus Kev

Ron Lyons asked me to join him for FARGO this year, and since it has been a while since I attended any of the ARG events, I decided to go this year. So here is a short trip report...

Thursday:

Ron picked me up shortly after 9am, and we were off to Connecticut. We did not spot any Jersey Devils while traveling through Jersey. Arrived around 3:30, checked in, grabbed a slice of pizza, and played in the Fossilman Heads-Up Tournament Training Session. Basically, that meant me playing heads-up NLHE against six opponents. I played pretty poorly, and lost 5 of my 6 matches. Needless to say, I did not advance to the final bracket. Grabbed some dinner and relaxed in my room until time for bed. Found out that Joe Walsh was playing a concert on Friday, and that Mickey Dolenz (of the Monkees) was playing a free concert Saturday night. I decided to pass on the pricey Walsh ticket, and go with the free Monkees!

Friday:

Had a nice $10 breakfast buffet, and downloaded two high-res pics of Mickey Dolenz. Was hoping I'd be able to meet him after the show for an autograph. Sent the pics to my pal for him to use Photoshop to resize them to 8x10" size. Once he did so, I printed them on photo paper at the casino's business center.

The Pairs Limit HE/O8 tourney started at noon. Me and Ron were partners, with me playing Omaha Hi/Lo for 20 minutes, and then Ron playing Texas Hold'Em for the next 20 minutes, and so on. Fun game! We were doing very well, and our stack was increasing. Then, as the limits got higher, I made huge blunder and lost a hunk when I tried to play KKQQ all the way to showdown, and it didn't win. Then, on the next hand, I was dealt A35Q (with the Ace suited). There was lots of pre-flop raising, which I begrudgingly called. The flop was 7KK, followed by even more raising. I reluctantly folded, losing even more chips. Sadly, the turn and river gave me a low, and the other two players were indeed going high, so had I stayed I would have won a nice half pot. I apologized to Ron for my shoddy play, and he took over in Hold'Em. We built our stack back up best we could, and were able to squeak into the final table for the money. We busted out in Sixth place, netting $180 each. I know we would have placed higher if I hadn't blown a bunch of chips on that KKQQ hand. We celebrated our victory at an Irish Pub, and then I turned in.

Saturday:

I decided not to play in the NLHE tourney. I had some office work to complete, so I stayed in my room working, resting, and watching some Breaking Bad episodes. Ron helped me play some Willy Wonka video slots before dinner, and then we hit the 7pm FARGO buffet. It was excellent! I didn't stay to hear the guest speaker, as Mickey Dolenz started at 8pm and I needed to get up to the show. Sadly, all the seats were taken, but I was able to find a spot on the outside rail that had a decent view and sound. Here's a clip from the show.

After the show, it appeared that Mickey would only be signing autographs and meeting people who were inside the club. I couldn't have that, so I waited by the railing and at the appropriate time, I snuck through between the fence and a fake boulder. Got in line, got to meet him, shake his hand, get his autograph, and talk to him for about 40 seconds. Very cool!

Sunday:

Played in the 11am H.O.S.E. tourney. There were only 37 players in this tourney. I played pretty well, and got to the final two tables. Eventually, the antes were T200 each hand for Stud Hi/Lo, and I hit a huge dry spell. Each hand I would ante T200, look at my three cards, and fold. Was getting very low so I needed to catch a hand. Finally got a pair of Tens with a six and was able to call. My only two opponents appeared to both be going low, so I liked my chances. By fifth street, I was all-in. I finally made two pair (Tens and Sixes), but the guy on my right made a low hand of 23456, which sadly was also a Straight. So he scooped the pot, and knocked out both me and the other guy.

Ron had already busted out, so we cleaned up and drove over to Foxwoods Casino, as I'd never been there. After arriving, I played in a 4-8 limit HE cash game for about three hours, but wound up losing about forty bucks by the time I left. I was unimpressed with Foxwoods. It was a bit dumpy and bland.

Monday:

Got up, packed, checked out, and did my roulette free-roll spin. Sadly, #12 came up and nobody had chosen it. We got in the truck and headed back home.

PROS:
It was nice seeing fellow ARG'rs I hadn't seen in ages
Mohegan Sun was a nice casino. Well designed and cool architecture
Room was spacious, and I was on the 31st floor with a great view
Free wi-fi everywhere in Mohegan Sun
$10 breakfast buffet was awesome. So was the FARGO dinner.
Mickey Dolenz concert was great, and got to meet him

CONS:
Smoke was everywhere. I hated it. Maryland Live! has spoiled me.
Foxwoods was a dump.
Some of the Sun dealers weren't that good. They miscalled numerous hands in hi/lo games.

--Cactus Kev