I won’t be heading towards the Bahamas this year as previously planned. I really don’t have any feeling about it one way or the other. I can say I’m happy to miss the hurricane season. I can also say this first year could be a total, deal ’til you drop, hectic little venture. But it could also be a lot of fun and plenty of E/O’s. Oh well. I just have to wait to hear it from people that got to go.

What happened?

Everyone’s claim is true, I’m the worst dealer in the world. I’m not a professional. I’m a flake that snuck in after management went home at night, knocked the dealer that was supposed to be pushing the table OUT, and took their spot – all without security or players or floor personnel seeing me do it. WILD! INSANE!

Nah! It just so happens that the gig in T&C is a first time WPT event. At first they were going to have staff stay at Club Med, then it was thought maybe there would be too many poker players (yummy for the event) so staff would be bussed from some hotel down the road. Yes, a hotel/destination resort is being built where the casino is but it ain’t done yet. Also, it’s supposed to be the warmest time of year there – and extremely humid. Did I mention hurricanes? But those facts weren’t going to deter me. I was going.

But I’m not.

Apparently the casino approved 65 dealers for this venture, 15 from their own staff, leaving 50 to be imported. The travel agent took the first 50 email names, mine wasn’t one of those, and booked. Leaving the rest of us out in the desert or where ever we all come from. I knew something was awry when I didn’t receive my usual email responses from Suzie, then I got one from the travel agent. I sent Suzie an email opting out this year, if that would help matters. Yup! I’m supposed to be guaranteed to be in for next year.

Although I hate missing the first part of anything fun, I’m not sure I’ll be missing much. I’ve heard the horror stories of the first year at Aruba, where 15 dealers were imported from the US and the government wouldn’t allow them to deal. Most of them were relying on making money on the venture and had no $$ when they got there. They couldn’t afford to change their airfare and go back home, some didn’t have $$ to eat on. Russ Hamilton (UltimateBet good guy) saved their bacon…er…ahhh. gave them some bacon. I went to Aruba the following year, I had to WORK! It wasn’t until the last few years that it turned into a vacation for me. So…be it what it may…I’m OK with missing the first year.

I may not practice my dealing skills until next year’s event. WOW! Is that a great beat or what?