Lucky Bastard

Blame Bonks for the now rather infamous and sort-of-flattering moniker. Was accused as such since time immemorial... Since probably the 6th Grade when i got (i was already a very good "researcher" at that time) the landline number of a certain Iris Hardinero--- a mutual crush between the two of us. Now, here's the gist: Iris, two to three years older than us, was the hottest (Ok, you never used that word when you were 12 years old, so replace that with "cutest") girl in our barangay ("Tinago" was the name of the barangay, in English it's translated to "hidden") and it so happened that when going home after school, Iris would also be waiting at the same kanto where Bonks and myself commute--- meaning it was a daily treat to us, the apple of our eyes waiting for a tricycle and both of us hoping we'd be riding the same tryk as well. You can only imagine when Bonks discovered that i did get the number eventually (and before him). i am not sure if he called me a lucky bastard then; but the words of envy could be something that resembles such. It's insignificant that six years later (college) Bonks became Iris's friend by being a friend of a friend of a friend of Iris. She just wasn't my type anymore (though she'll be always be my crush) and i've grown up quite a bit but i was the luckiest 12 year old before i want to keep that memory with me and forever remind Bonks about it.

However, Bonks would also remind me how lucky i was all the time. i never quite understood if it's meant as an insult or as a compliment... Knowing Bonks, it's both. (Not directly from him) i've created a short list of how lucky i was over the course of this lifetime:

• A king among aces. Staying with the "star" section for my entire elementary and high school. On the average, there were 45 students in the class. i always placed 40th to 44th in the class standings. i don't care. i just was so happy i stayed with that group for my entire pre-and adolescent stage.
  
• Couples for Christ. That's the (religious) organization of my Pa and Ma during my errr..."formative years" For the most part, i disliked prayer meetings at home and even more disliked the group gatherings and parties with it since it means that i should socialize with other kids and parents. While i never really got developed the socializing part, i thought it strengthened and defined Pa an Ma's relationship--- meaning, it's one well-knit family despite the barrage of financial woes and other unavoidable family members feuds.
  
• Vocalist by default. Never could carry a tune but i didn't know to play any instrument either. The band, cheezepaper (with Bonks, Fiel and Ronald) knew this so i was "forced" to step up (No actually forced them) to grab the mic! (Note: Our debut performance was our farewell performance.)
• Sports bets. My career-best win was a couple of thousand bucks win in a USA against the world bet during the 2006 FIBA World Championships. i have a knack for selecting the right team or side and has won quite a few bucks in this form of should i say "friendly" gambling.
  
• This job. They actually pay me to write about sports. Siyet. i could do this for free (half-kidding)

That's just some but what led me to refer to the moniker once more was because of my first-ever not-so-friendly (financially) Texas Hold 'Em (regular, rake) Poker at some new-found friends new-found place last Saturday. Buy in was at 500 pesos. What they did not tell me was that this was "regular" poker meaning it's practically unlimited buy-ins for all. There were 10 players all in all including the new friend named Allan, who invited me via references from old friends. He was a very hospitable host and made us newbies very comfortable in their place. (i was with Che, who still had undeveloped guts to actually join any real poker and who took the pictures posted here.)

Another important thing about the 500-peso buy-in was that all of the drinks (alcoholic and otherwise) were unlimited! Meaning you can practically drink yourself to your poker death because you'd be too drunk to bluff! And that's not a bad deal at all. Poker and a few drinks can really make a day passable.

So anyway, there i was with my knees shaking and hands as pale as the unlit tip of a Marlboro Lights by the first hand... i can talk about how i won some hands and looked real good during some stretches or i can talk about my stupidity on some calls (too much emotion, too much thinking etc...) in the end it DID not matter that i lost the 500 pesos (though we ordered some hotdog ,maybe a pair of a pair of SML's, a pack of ML Gold, french fries and a couple of Coke Zero.) IN short, while it did not cost me much, it was the experience that i considered priceless. It's a matter of time now if i decide to take this game to another level... A matter of conscience to take friendly gambling to not-so-friendly territories... A matter of pride to consider this "hobby" as a major part of a dull and blunt normal workaday world... And finally, a matter of practicality if indeed this has a potential to be an investment. Win and lose, of course.


An oh, i almost forgot how i became one lucky bastard that night:

Last hand for everyone, as a goodbye game to cap the night, Allan introduced me to the No-Look Poker. Same rules with Texas Hold 'Em with a little bit of a tweak; no one gets to take a look at their hands as the flop-turn-river (They even added an ocean!) is exposed; 100 peso each buy-in for all the player (There were 14 who joined the fray)... Then each player turns up their hands one at a time... The flop-turn-river showed a couple of 6's and some... Fourth player showed he had a 6 and a 7... Trips... He grabs the lead and can smell the 1,400 bucks in his hands... 5th player, 6th 7th... Nobody had enough to outdo Mr Fourth Player (Am bad with names and he was one of the unfriendly ones anyway so i don't care about his real name)... 8th.. 10th... 12th... No success at all. 13th, Che shows a 3 and 4... Still no luck.. My turn. Last hand of this goodbye game... i turned up my cards one at a time... i showed a 6... i smiled a very large sheepish grin.. Prayed for a high card to outdo Mr. Fourth Player... Flipped it over, then showed everyone i had an... ACE! i win!

No Look Poker. No Skills Needed. Just some heaven-sent Luck. No Look in Poker? i am the Jason Williams of Texas Hold Em Poker, somebody should have warned them. Lucky Bastard.