The rundown on Vegas

I departed Las Vegas relatively early and got home relatively late, and now I'm beat. It was a long week by any measuring stick, and here's hoping my wife doesn't take a look at the checking account anytime soon. Man, I tell you, I had a rough time, and I think I'm finally convinced that blackjack is an evil game only to be played by folks desiring a beating.

Honestly, if you ever see me at another blackjack table please walk over and punch me in the head.

I've sworn that game off forever.

It was so bad a high-level Division I coach nicknamed me 'Brooks Robinson' because I was stuck on third base hopelessly dealing with one hard hit after another, just trying to hang around considering I was getting more 14s than R. Kelly. And I hate Red Bull and vodka. It's a terrible combination. You have too many and you want to fall asleep, but you can't because you're jacked-up on Red Bull. Consequently, you end up never sleeping before having to go watch basketball games all day, and did I mention it was 113 degrees? That's just ridiculous. So needless to say, I'm glad to be home and I don't plan to leave my house for the next 48 hours unless there is a medical emergency.

Anyway, the summer tournaments are still going on through Saturday night.

Some of you have actually emailed wanting to know what's happening where because you're in Vegas for whatever reason and might want to check out some of the top prospects in the country before losing all your money doubling against a six that the dealer somehow turned into a 21. If so, here's the rundown for Saturday's action.

-- ADIDAS SUPER 64 SEMIFINALS --

(Games tip simultaneously at 1 p.m. PT in the two gyms at Rancho High)

Pump N Run Elite vs. Grassroots Canada Elite
Compton Magic vs. Atlantic Celtics

The Pump N Run Elite/Grassroots Canada Elite game should be great. Former Arizona star Miles Simon coaches the Pump N Run Elite, and if you go don't be surprised to see Denzel Washington in the gym. The Academy Award winner's son plays for one of the Pump teams, which means Washington is now part of Dana and David Pump's official traveling party. On the other side, there will be no famous actors, to my knowledge. But Grassroots Canada Elite does feature Tristan Thompson, Scout.com's No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2010. Meantime, the Atlantic Celtics have Derrick Favors, Scout.com's No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2009. So you can stand in the doorway at Rancho High between the main and auxiliary gyms and literally watch the top-rated high school junior and senior in the country at the same time, if you want.

The championship game between the winners is scheduled for 6:20 p.m. PT at Rancho High.

-- REEBOK SUMMER CHAMPIONSHIPS QUARTERFINALS --

(Games tip in the following order every 75 minutes starting at 9 a.m. PT in the main gym at Foothill High)

Houston Elite vs. Upstate Basketball Club
Worldwide Orange vs. D-One Sports
DC Triple Threat vs. Arizona Metro Elite
Northwest Panthers vs. Team Breakdown

There are many elite prospects still alive in this event -- among them John Wall (ranked third in 2009), Kenny Boynton (ranked eight in 2009) Abdul Gaddy (ranked ninth in 2009), Ryan Kelly (ranked 13th in 2009), Avery Bradley (ranked 21st in 2009), Mfon Udofia (ranked 40th in 2009), Ari Stewart (ranked 56th in 2009), Richard Howell (ranked 74th in 2009) and Brandon Knight (ranked fifth in 2010). Speaking of Knight, I ran into Reggie Rose (brother of No. 1 pick Derrick Rose) in the airport. We were talking about players, and he specifically asked about Knight and whether I had seen him. I told him I had, and then we agreed this kid is a special talent. He'll be a junior in high school next season and a star in college in 2010-2011, guaranteed.

The Reebok Summer Championships semifinals are scheduled for 2 p.m. PT and 3:15 p.m. PT at Foothill High.

The championship game between the winners is scheduled for 6 p.m. PT at Foothill High.

-- THE MAIN EVENT SEMIFINALS --

(Games tip simultaneously at 9:05 a.m. PT in the two gyms at Spring Valley High)

Houston Hoops vs. Drew Gooden Soldiers
California Supreme vs. Mac Irvin Fire

The best prospect left in this event is Jeremy Tyler, a 6-9 center for California Supreme. He's Scout.com's fourth-best player in the Class of 2010. The Mac Irvin Fire's Crandal Head is already committed to Illinois. Scout.com ranks him 12th in the Class of 2010, meaning two of the best juniors in the country will be on the court together in one of these semifinals.

The championship game between the winners is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. PT at Spring Valley High.

And now I think I'm gonna try to sleep.

Goodnight.

Here's my problem: I'm mostly in Vegas to socialize, network, gather information, etc., and you can't do that in the poker room because almost no coaches play poker. However, almost all coaches play blackjack. Honestly, you can walk into the Palms at anytime from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., and there will be Division I coaches or assistants filling the blackjack tables, and I can convince myself that I'm "working" if I'm talking to them about basketball while I'm splitting eights beside them.

Thus, I never play poker and always play blackjack.

I think I spent a total of three hours in the poker room all week, won about $250 on a 1-3 No-Limit game in that time. And I was happy. But besides that, it was all blackjack all the time (in the spirit of networking, of course) and all losses to embarrassing degrees. And it's not that I don't know how to play blackjack. I mean, I know how the game works, know all the dos and do nots, when to hit and stay and split and double. I'm a genius in that way. But my cash flow doesn't reflect as much, and I really do hate the frickin' game, which is why I'm headed back to poker exclusively (at least until next July).

As for the Red Bull, there's something very "Vegas" about drinking Red Bull and Vodka, perhaps because you can't get it at most of the casinos near my home. Plus, after a long day of watching basketball games -- like five or six or 10 a day -- you feel like you need a pick-me-up to keep going and in that regard Red Bull makes sense. But at some point you have to go to sleep, and then you can't because of the Red Bull. It's a mess, I tell you. But I think my body is starting to adjust now that I've been home for about 18 hours.

calzone12 Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 24, 2008	Posted on: July 26, 2008 12:12 pm Score: 83 The rundown on Vegas Dear Gary, Your article makes you sound like a rookie. Rookie drinker. Rookie gambler. As far as the Red Bull goes, What the heck were you thinking ?? Of course you're not going to be able to sleep You've been around the block enough times to know better. As far as the blacjack goes - that was just silly. Play a few hands just for fun, then go to the real game - poker. Gary - you're a POKER player. NOT a blackjack player. Remember ? You've already found this out. So stick to poker. limit. Small stakes. 3-6, 4-8, 5-10. And for gosh sakes, no more Red Bull with your vodka. I'm sure that's what led to this travesty in the first place. Charles [ Reply to Comment ]
Gary Parrish Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Feb 8, 2007	Posted on: July 26, 2008 2:25 pm Score: 94 The rundown on Vegas Here's my problem: I'm mostly in Vegas to socialize, network, gather information, etc., and you can't do that in the poker room because almost no coaches play poker. However, almost all coaches play blackjack. Honestly, you can walk into the Palms at anytime from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., and there will be Division I coaches or assistants filling the blackjack tables, and I can convince myself that I'm "working" if I'm talking to them about basketball while I'm splitting eights beside them. Thus, I never play poker and always play blackjack. I think I spent a total of three hours in the poker room all week, won about $250 on a 1-3 No-Limit game in that time. And I was happy. But besides that, it was all blackjack all the time (in the spirit of networking, of course) and all losses to embarrassing degrees. And it's not that I don't know how to play blackjack. I mean, I know how the game works, know all the dos and do nots, when to hit and stay and split and double. I'm a genius in that way. But my cash flow doesn't reflect as much, and I really do hate the frickin' game, which is why I'm headed back to poker exclusively (at least until next July). As for the Red Bull, there's something very "Vegas" about drinking Red Bull and Vodka, perhaps because you can't get it at most of the casinos near my home. Plus, after a long day of watching basketball games -- like five or six or 10 a day -- you feel like you need a pick-me-up to keep going and in that regard Red Bull makes sense. But at some point you have to go to sleep, and then you can't because of the Red Bull. It's a mess, I tell you. But I think my body is starting to adjust now that I've been home for about 18 hours. [ Reply to Comment ]
calzone12 Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 24, 2008	Posted on: July 26, 2008 3:01 pm Score: 86 The rundown on Vegas Just so you'll know Gary - You CAN get Red Bull at the casinos in Tunica. However, most of it is in employee access only machines in, or near, a breakroom. Also, since they have to pay for it, they'll charge you for it. But most cocktails will be happy to get it for you - for a good tip. [ Reply to Comment ]
Gary Parrish Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Feb 8, 2007	Posted on: July 26, 2008 8:38 pm Score: 94 The rundown on Vegas Yeah, I tried to order one a few months ago during a tournament. The waitress told me it would be -- I think -- $6.50 for the Red Bull or something like that. I usually tip $5 a drink, either way. But I wasn't going to pay $6.50 plus a tip for a drink in a stupid casino. So I just asked for Grey Goose on the rocks, and I think that worked out OK. [ Reply to Comment ]

Gary Parrish

Parrish: The Thoughts