Gearing up for nationals

I haven't been to Sarasota for a couple of years, so it feels weird going back to play natties.   Masters is a bit of a crapshoot... hard to tell how good the field will be or who the best teams will be year in and year out.  

Hold-em

I had my first foray into playing poker at a casino this weekend......it is way different than sitting around a table at home.  Cy and I went over to the Cherokee Casino in Tulsa.  We each pulled out 100 bucks, and sat down an a 1-2 no-limit table.  Next to me was a young dealer wearing heaps of OSU apparel and CY to my right.  The dealer asked us a question which I didn't understand, but Chris said no, so then I did too.  We posted blinds and were away.  The betting is fast, the dealing is fast, and it was very disorienting.  I couldn't get a feel for how to play at all.  I folded a couple of hands, then got an AJ in position.....hmmmm.  One other person in after the flop and I flop top pair...keep in mind I am still not able to concentrate very well or feel comfortable.  I bet 5 on the flop and she just calls.  The turn was no help, I bet 10, she calls.....the river...another J.  Now I am thinking a value bet and only was trying to figure out how pulling in a bunch of chips goes..I bet 15, she calls.  I turn over trip j's, she turns her cards over and I wait for the chips.  Except she has a straight.  I didn't even see it on the board..man just out of it.   I lose out on big slick a few hands later to a flush when I had to 2 pair.  100 bucks went fast.  

Luckily (or unluckily) we got stuck one more night in the Tulsa area and I went back to the 1-2 table with John John.  I was feeling way better about things today.  Bet small play tight.  When I sat down, the dealer asked if I had a player card(most regulars have these to pay and play with)  no, I said.  Do you want to post now, or wait for the blinds...I'll wait.  This day went far better.  I played a few hands, only losing a bet of 6 bucks one time.  I won on top pair, Q's in the hole and a big win flopping the high straight.  I felt very comfortable at this table.  This time I came out 140 bucks ahead!(thank you JJ for making me stay one more round)  John John also came out about the same....so, all in all, I came out 40bucks ahead.