Today is a day of rest for all the frazzled, worn out WSOP Championship Event players. Of course the ones that have already busted out are probably refreshed from screaming/crying/dying because they got knocked out and have spent all their ire and emotions focused on the dreaded final hand and the ‘donkey’ that busted them. The remaining 1,200 or so have to still be on edge and stressing over their chip position and who they will face when play begins again tomorrow. It’s got to be especially difficult because they’ve made it this far and now have to finish in the top 873 to hit pay dirt. From beginning to end, the WSOP is a monumental event. I’ve wondered how many additional employees are staffed due to the overload of players and their friends/loved ones (coming along for the show), during this time period…not just in the poker room but in porters, food service, maids, payroll, etc. And not just at the Rio as all the places around town are swamped when a big tournament hits town. Bellagio Cup II started on July 24th and runs until August 10th. Bellagio is never quiet. When major events are running elsewhere in the city, Bellagio always picks up the overflow and runs full steam ahead, offering all limits and games, and that’s where all the serious players land when they aren’t in a seat in a tournament across town. The tournaments offered at Bellagio during the ‘Cup’ are equitably priced buy-ins and offer a novice player the opportunity get their feet wet, without it costing them an arm and a leg. The final event is a $10,000 buy-in but there are plenty of satellites available. My heart always stays with Bellagio.
I had lunch with Craig and Michael – resident bloggers at PokerWorks – a few days ago at the Rio. As I waited in the hall, outside the coffee shop, for them to show, I had an opportunity to visit with someone that I’ve dealt to for years – clear back to the early Mirage days, J. C. Cernuto. I was completely amazed that he’d never heard of Michael Craig, nor the book The Professor, the Banker, and the Suicide King. How possible? I know I keep my head in the sand most of the time but I thought it was ‘a given’ that everyone knew about the book and the big game. Apparently J. C. had never heard of the big game either. Aw…come on, he’s joshing me right?
My bud and pal, Wayne is back from his Alaska cruise. We met at the Rio for lunch yesterday. Doyle Brunson was finishing lunch with a beauty queen as we entered. After she left, I approached Doyle about the possibility of an interview for the main page on PokerWorks. He gave me his email address, written on the back of one of my business cards. When I handed the card to Craig (after all, he’s the main man for all interviews in the world as far as I’m concerned), I said, “This might be the closest you ever get to obtaining Doyle’s autograph.” *joke*
After lunch, I drifted briefly through the tournament in the Amazon Room, it was day twoB of the main event. I can’t imagine the stress involved at this point for most of the players still in the tournament…although I wish I was there so I’d know how it felt. As I was leaving the scene ofthe ‘green felt wars’, visiting with Craig, we ran into Johnny Chan. I asked Johnny if he’d be willing to give us an interview and Craig would be the one working with him – “…right now.” OK! C ya, Craig. Off I went, leaving Craig to what he does best. Soon, we will have a Johnny Chan interview up.
After leaving the Rio, I headed for The Sharper Image, to test out a massage chair. I found the chair I am going to marry.I’ve already asked the Ultimate Human Touch Massage Chair to be my mate for life. Incredulous! The only problem was the sales assistant kept coming back to check on me, I couldn’t spend the rest of the evening hogging this wonderful luxury. The wedding will be in about three weeks. YIPPEE!!
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I ran into Johan Storaker at several points during the daily tournaments. I dealt the hand to him and Freddie Deeb, in the Aruba final event, where Johan went all-in, got called by Freddie with a lower Ace, and four queens came on the board, and they split the pot. This is the first time I’d been able to take a picture of Johan that he wasn’t dead assed serious as he looked at the board. I like this kid.This picture was taken last week.
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I finally triedCoca Cola Blak. I actually boughta four pack when my sis was in town, thinking she might want to test drive one.After she left, I drank all four – on three different days. The good news is, I like the taste. The bad news is there isn’t any way they can possibly be good for the body, so…I’m thinking not to buy any more of them. Kee-rist! Why is it when you like something, it’s always bad for you?
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Back to the WSOP and the days ahead, those in limbo land, not in the money yet, have to be ‘standing on the edge’. Damn it! I wish I was one of them.