A brief session history

I've been able to piece together that we've had 5 sessions in the second series so far:

Session 1: May 2003, Columbus. Over Memorial day weekend. This session mostly finished off series 1, that the Remix took of course. Moshdawgs took session 2-1. The scoresheet notes that this series is for dinner @ Hooters, though negotiations continue on that front...

Session 2: December 2003, Chicago: Between Christmas & New Years. Moshdawgs treated the Remix to dinner @ the Olive Garden, per the agreement reached in the first series. Pictures were taken. Fun was had. Moshdawgs had two 3 game winning streaks, eventually took the session 9-7, 11-8 overall

Session 3: May 2006, Chicago: Memorial Day session in Chicago. I believe Zak was the first house guest at my new apartment, and we moved between here and the place on Farwell I believe. Moshdawgs won the first 4 games, went on a 5 game winning streak and dominated this session 10-5, at one point having a 10 game lead before falling back to a commanding 21-13 series lead after the Remix won the last 2 games.

Session 4: May 2007, Columbus: Another Memorial Day session. Remix got off to a 5-1 start before settling for an 8-6 session win, pulling the Moshdawgs back to a 27-21 advantage.

Session 5: July 2009, Columbus: The latest session, in which the Remix dominated and had a chance to get even before losing the last game. 32-30 Moshdawgs is where it stands.

There we go - 3 sessions in Columbus, 2 in Chicago, 31 games in each city. Moshdawgs are 7 ahead in Chicago, Remix 5 ahead in Columbus. It's now clear why Zak doesn't want to leave town. I'll be working on stats for each session now that I've worked out when each one was.

Remaining Game Posts

Game 60 - Dawgs got set on a nil in the first hand, then came back with a successful 10 bid in hand 3. Unfortunately, the Remix got 10 tricks in 2 straight hands, including one in which they bid 10. From there they strolled on to an easy victory. Remix 538-44, 8-4 for the session 29-31 overall

Game 61 - Moshdawgs were at -150 after 2 hands. They successfully got a blind nil 5 to get to 0 points but that was as high as they got until the final hand when they got their score out to 4. Total blowout for the Remix. Remix 529-4, 9-4 session, 30-31 overall.

Game 62 - The Remix were within one game since game 12, when the score was 6-5, and were looking to tie the series for the first time since 3-3. They held the lead early, but kept picking up the overbooks. In the pivotal hand 7, the Moshdawgs surged ahead with an 8 hand coupled by the Remix going down on overbooks. The Remix attempted blinds to get back into it but to no avail. Moshdawgs take the final game of the session, 519 to 70, 5-9 session, 32-30 overall.

Another image of Fungai with our Spades Mascot, 2009

Back home

Day 4 - Farewells & Happy Trails

Well, spades weekend is (almost) over. The Remix pulled within one before losing the last game to leave the second series @ 32-30 Moshdawgs, so the weekend clearly went to the defending champs. Adam has been dropped off @ the airport, Zak is back home with the fam, and the Chicago boyz r heading towards Dayton. Fun weekend, but all good things must come to an end.

The boys with our Summer, 2009 spades Mascot

Portrait of Fungai: Spades Warrior

What would you have bid?

Andrew never got to bid it...

Oddity

For the first time that we all can remember, all non trump queens walked, without people throwing off - so we each had at least 3 of each non trump suite. Fung had 2 spades, which ends up being the only person with two of a particular suite. The result: Remix bid 8, got 10.

Day 3 continued

Game 58 - Remix gets set 3 times in a row, with only the 4 of a blind nil succeeding to leave them down 310 points. A couple of blind 7s later things were a little better for the Remix, only down 180 tricks. Then came hand 7. Moshdawgs go 7, Remix go Nil 4 with Fung nilling. As the game is going along, Zak realises he has a good chance of larrying. He tries to give the moshdawgs one trick, but to no avail, he gets 8 and larrys. His only chance was to have his partner bust his nil, but the point total would have been the same, the only advantage being one less overbook if the nil busted. A blind 7 for the Remix failed on the next hand, then they made a blind nil on the next hand, leaving them behind 150 with the moshdawgs at 419. Moshdawgs went nil 5 to win after the Remix bid blind 7. Bad strategy by Fungster led to the moshdawgs getting their nil 5 exactly and the win. Moshdawgs win 519-406, 4-6 for the session, 31-27 overall

Game 59 - high bidding hands led to an early lead for the Moshdawgs. In hand 4, Adam larrys while protecting a nil by Andrew - he went 4 and got 10. Zak constantly refused to blind in this game, and the Remix end up down 300 with the Moshdawgs at 476. The Remix went blind 10, and MADE IT! Remix wins, 574 to 436, 7-3 for the session, 28-31 for the series. Second successful blind 10 made in the series, both by the Remix.

What would you bid?

This wa one of Adam's hands...

Last Night

Psychological warfare was waged last night. Fungster and Sarge began "singing" along with Bob Marley. Two cats in a sack would be more melodic.

We each drank a can of Red Bull around two AM. It wasn't anything special. I didn't feel more awake or alert.

Frustration at the Card Gods last night. What will the next day bring?

Warriors in the park

The end of the night.

Early hope.

Day 3

2 pm - we're finally up, getting pretty, and all that Jazz. Entered in the scoresheets, looking at the stats. It's still freaking cold in here. Need to get some pants on, get on out to feed ourselves, and then find our partner for more spades playing. 3 games behind is the closest the Remix has been since 11-8. They need to press the advantage. Kick 'em while they're down.

Day 2 games

Game 52 - Moshdawgs jump out to an early lead after an 8 hand followed by a nil. Remix problems compounded by a failed nil by Zak puts them behind 140. However, they then set the Moshdawgs going for 8 to draw back within 2. Despite not bidding above 6 the rest of the way (7 more hands) the Remix are able to win because of overbook problems that kept the Moshdawgs under pressure they weren't able to overcome. Remix wins 546 to 149 to take a 3-1 lead in the session, close to 28-24

Game 53 - starts with a fortunate misdeal for the Fungster. But that was the end of the luck for the Remix. Moshdawgs had a 10 hand followed by a nil 6 to win in 5 hands (not including the misdeal) - which is tied for the fastest finish (on multiple occassions). Moshdawgs 504 to 104, 2-3 session, 29-24 overall

Game 54 - The Remix got up 240 points in the first 4 hands. Then the Moshdawgs roared back. Blind 7 and a set got them back to within 60. 10 hand 3 hands later put them ahead for good, and though the Remix were able to make the Moshdawgs go back on overbooks, they only prolonged the inevitable. Moshdawgs win 531-68, 3-3 session, 30-24 overall

Game 55 - Moshdawgs lead early, till they got set while bidding 7. Remix take 7 overbooks in 2 hands to go back 100, giving the Moshdawgs back the lead. In critical hand 9, Remix set the Moshdawgs to take the lead, and close it out in the next hand. Remix 515-438, 4-3 session, 25-30 overall.

Game 56 - Back & Forther, Remix led, Moshdawgs got far ahead, Remix came back, fell back, came back again and got a 10 hand to win in the 12th hand. Remix 609-301, 5-3 session, 26-30 overall.

Game 57 - Ugly game. Moshdawgs start with a 10 hand (so yes, that's 2 straight 10 hands bid & made successfully), then set Remix again to go ahead by 370 points. Two hands later, the Moshdawgs were down by 60. A 5 bid was set by a blind nil 5 hand on the other side, and then a blind seven set a nil and a 4 bid. From then on, it was back & forth, with the Moshdawgs getting two successful nil bids in a row by Kovac to force overtime, with both teams tied at 530. The Remix then got the lucky 8 hand to win the game, 618-576 ot, 6-3 for the session, 27-30 overall.

It is now 7am on Saturday. We've just had some free breakfast, and are now talking about whether we're going to sleep or not. Good times, if you're the Remix

Moshdawgs. Meditating after loss

Day 2

3 pm - had lunch at Schmidt's, where we were haunted by the ghost of John McCain. We also recorded some interviews which we will try to upload. Had a slight rain delay when a downpour hung over downtown C-Bus. But we made it thru, our hotel room has been cleaned up and we're ready for Game 4!

11 am - we're all finally waking up and preparing for the new day. Zak's not here, Adam & Decker are all cleaned up, and Fung finally gets to give up the computer after dealing with a work emergency that he thought he'd already dealt with. Damned email quarantine! Anyway, Fung's off to get ready, Decker's about to start "setting lineups", whatever that is, and Adam's just sitting there looking pretty, that's when he's not filming everything with his new cam. But then again I'm doing that too.

Day 1 - Final

4:00 am - Updated standings - Moshdawgs lead 28-23. Moshdawgs in the black to the tune of $22.50. So the Remix have gained a game and $1.30 so far.

3:30 am - Remix take the first game of the second half in style, winning game 3 502 to 124, taking it in 6 hands. Key was a 10 bid by the Remix which was successful, though we would have been idiots to mess that one up.

2:30 am - The Remix take revenge and win game 2, which was also game 50 of the series, 506-414. Key in this game was hand 7, where Decker missed a chance to set the Remix when he let a club trick go instead of spading it. Fungster took the trick and the Remix made their 5. The last hand, hand 9, had the remix needing 6 to get over 500 and the Moshdawgs 8. The Remix got their 6 hand, so the dawgs had to try a nil 4, with Decker nilling. Alas, it was not to be, with Decker's nil busted when his 7 of spades defeated all comers in a spades led trick.

Columbus Hotel Room Showdown

Here we are. Fungster put his leftovers from the BBQ place in the fridge. Now, every time we open the fridge, it smells like someone farted.

The amazing farting fridge.

Before dinner, we met Zak's son. He was terrified as we stepped from the car. Primal screams wracked his body. Tears streamed down his face as he saught solace in his mother's arms.

As in another great war, Lincoln says fight with a blind seven, his memorial says blind nil.
Now we fight.

Moshdawgs win game 49! 569 - 223!

Day 1 - 1:15 am

Game 1 of the current series is over. Moshdawgs win, 569 to 223. Moshdawgs went 10 in the third hand and it didn't go their way. However, the Remix took too many overbooks during the game and two crucial blind 7s by the Moshdawgs put them back into the lead. The Remix wasn't able to give the Moshdawgs enough overbooks at the end to prolong the game, and so the Moshdawgs draw first blood.

Other observations - we have a lovely hotel room, with a suite for playing spades and a separate room for sleeping. We've got a fridge and a microwave to store & heat snacks. Which has caused a bit of a problem - Fung brought some BBQ leftovers back from the restaurant today, and since the fridge is rather small, it has been reported to "smell like ass" everytime its opened. It's also freaking cold in here, but Fung anticipated that and has his sweats on to compensate.

On to game 2...

Day 1 -11pm

Took Zak home for a dinner. Poor Thomas was terrified of these 3 new people he'd never seen before. So we didn't hang out there for too long. Had some BBQ dinner with Jeni, went back to pick up Zak, drove back to the hotel, which is right in yuppieville. Drinks are being poured, cards being pulled out. It's time.

Day 1 - 6:30 PM

The gang is all together. All checked in. Wireless internet working. Now for some dinner, then we will come back and get it all started!

Day 1 - 5pm

An hour out. That is, if people weren't driving like assholes. Or so says Drew. Now we're behind asshole #2. Why are you in this lane? I hate every fuck who drives in this state... Oh, here we go, this guys pulling over. Just in time for that truck to pull into the fast lane! Ugh. I just want some open road... And why is the clock in this car not digital? I don't want to have to think to figure out the time... Dead deer - how sad... The hot chick knew to move out of the way...

Now passing thru Vienna...oh, the heaven of three lanes. Now look at this guy - oh I'm in this lane coz I'm going the speed limit, which is what you should be doing...

I'd better stop, he'll keep going. We're listening to music on his iPhone and it is often interrupted slightly when a message comes into the phone. Hilarious.

Day 1 - 4:30 pm

day 1 - 2:30 pm

Some guy @ the pump giving shit to the toyota owner said "I'm a real home grown American, that's why I drive an American car" before it was pointed out to him by toyota guy that Jeep is owned by a German company - don't think that's true but... "Yeah, well it was born in America." Then towards Indy a big anti evolution sign - you could tell because it had the monkey to human drawing with a slash thru it and a verse, the very first one - "In the beginning, God creted... This is the heartland folks.

Day 1 (cont)

2 pm - on eastern time now. Polished off a strawnana shake in Lafayette. Phone battery getting low. Time 2 get some gas & get back 2 it.

Day 1 (cont)

12 noon - blogger on the phone sucks ass. couldn't edit the thread, had 2 start a whole new post. Ok, think I figured it out - html mode is needed. Driving in Indiana, thinking of stopping soon 4 lunch. Kovac called with airplane sob story. It has begun

Live Blog - Day 1

10:20 am - work calls. Easy one, phew. Methinks it's time to shut down the desktop & go downstairs...

10:10 am - Fung misses call from Decker, and Decker leaves message that ends with "This Fucking Sucks". Not sure whether to be worried, or if that's par for the course

9:26 am - ...we are officially behind schedule. Not that that really matters - an hour or so off won't kill us, we probably wouldn't do anything till after dinner anyway. Guess I can spend some time cleaning this pigsty up.

9:15 am - Adam calls. @Logan, ready to leave. Fung also ready to leave. However, Fung hadn't read his email, or he'd know...

8:30 am - packing, scrubbing, anticipatin'...

7:00 am - Fung wakes up. Goes around & starts collecting up all the gadgets that have been charging up overnight. New camcorder - check. Batteries for camera - check. Phone - check. Laptop - check.