A Horseshoe Virgin

"Every time a plane takes off from O'Hare for Las Vegas without me, another little piece of my heart dies."
--Jim McManus, "Positively Fifth Street"

Vegas is a long way from here, in sunny Santiago de Chile. There are a few casinos in Chile, but none of them have Texas Hold Em or 7 Card Stud.

But I remember my first trip to Vegas. It was only last July, but it seems like so long ago.

I was staying at the Horseshoe, and when they opened a no limit table, I couldn't resist. I immediately jumped off the $2/$4 limit game and traded in all my cash (only $317) for a rack of chips.

The blinds were $1/$2, and I was out of my depth.

I felt confident, having memorized the starting hand groupings from David Sklansky's "Hold em for Advanced Players." (As if that would make me a good player, but what did I know?) I was also terrified -- the biggest no limit game I had ever previously played in had been when we upped the buy-in to $10 at my weekly game.

I mostly folded around, waiting for my chance.

I was on the button and was dealt K2 of clubs. About six people limped in front of me, and I limped too (hey, it's a Group 7 hand!) The big blind checked, with what I later learned was 10-10.

I don't remember what the flop was exactly, but two of my suit came and it was a large pot. The betting on the flop was affordable.

The turn brought the A of clubs, giving me the nut flush. I was astonished when an early position player came out betting with $100.

I checked for a pair on the board to make sure a boat wasn't an option.

Then I pushed immediately -- way to fast for someone with the nuts, but what did I know? I was just astonished at my good fortune! I had never been in a pot anywhere near this large.

"All in," I said, for a little more than another hundred.

My opponent called and turned over the Q-high flush. He had played Q8 of clubs from under the gun!

The river didn't change anything, and my hand was good. The loser was disgusted, walking away from the table cursing his bad luck.

I was shaking. One hand later, I picked up my chips and said goodbye to that game. I took the money and ran.

I moved to Santiago at the end of September, and I'd love to get back to Vegas. But that won't happen until I either save enough money for a flight, win enough money online or decide to move back to the states.

Living south of the equator is the good life, but it can't compare to the glow and glamour of Vegas.