I know it has been along time between Thoughts. I actually wrote a long one last week, but the computer ate it (something abut an automatic restart when i wasn’t looking) and I lost it.

OK, to business. First, the book. Advanced Limit Hold’em Strategy is delayed again, but really should be available in this country sometime in mid-September. (It will probably be available in England/Europe a couple of weeks earlier for those of you who will be there) I appreciate the notes I have gotten asking where it is. I assure you I am am the most anxious person around to get the thing in m the hands of the readers.

BARGE was last week. This is the Big August Rec.Gambling Excursion, and it was held in Binion’s, where we had not been in some time. It was a great homecoming as that house really understand and supports us. The Venetian did a great job last year, but many BARGER’s look forward to the $29 room rate not available at the fine places like the V.

For the first time. I failed to cash in any of the tournaments (I entered the stud/8, blackjack, lowball, TOC-Style, Stud shootout and NLHE.) All of these are very inexpensive, but you get to play with some of the world’s top players, who have been coming to BARGE for many years. For example, Andy Block was at my table for the Stud Shootout (directly on my left - I finished third at my table), and Chris Ferguson was there for the NLHE (but did not fare well). Gavin Smith - WPT player of the year in 2004 - won the BARGE NLHE in 2003 (foreshadowing his amazing success in the real tournament world, played in all of the events, and was our guest speaker at the banquet.

Here are two of the tips from Gavin’s very entertaining talk:

1- Early in large buy-in events, Gavin devotes half of his chips to speculative gambling, hoping to hit something or steal something and build up a lead. If he fails to to this and loses the chips,. he slows down and tries to make a real hand…then go back to speculative playing.

2- Gavin does a lot of speculative calling…feeling, as I do, that calling, especially in position, is a very powerful tool in NLHE. Most players do not understand the incredible value of calling inthat form of the game, and thus fold or raise too often.

Gavin may look goofy and have a silly rep because of his well publicized prop bets, but he really understand poker and tournament theory (and, as many top tournament pros do, he rarely plays cash games). I really like the guy (but not on my left).

I did OK int BARGE side games, playing 4-8 holde’m, 4-8 HORSE, and 1-2 ($5 semi-mandatory straddle) Bing-laha. This exciting Omaha variant is played like pot limit Omaha, but after the flop betting, the player with the dealer button rolls a die - with penalties for weak rolls - and if it comes 1-2-3 we play the rest of the hand hi-lo, 4-5-6 we play the rest of the hand high only. A very exciting action game, especially if the stacks are deep (most players buy in for around $500-$1,000, but sometimes we get a game like last year when both Greg Raymer andGavin Smith bought in for much more,and the rest of us tried to follow suit as much as possible.

Next year I will give you all more notice,and you can sign up (on-line sign-ups only) at www.BARGE. org.

Upcoming events for me: Well, not so up coming, I did another Internet radio shopw, this time with hosts Lou Krieger and Amy Calistra. It is also on holdemradio.com, and you can probably find this on in the archive if you look soon.

A charity tournament benefiting the Jewish Community Center of Las Vegas, which needs a premanent home, will be held on Aug. 12 at the Palms. Sponsored by Eli Elezra, Erica Schoenberg, David Benyamine & Evelyn Ng, it is billed as a shootout. We’ll see when we get there. Anyone interesting playing ($450 donation for enty) write to me.

Finally, I will be in Florida again starting Aug. 18 for 10 days taking care of Mother business, and getting her condo ready for sale. She is doing great in her assisted living place I am delighted to say.