I can’t help but wonder what the fate of the WPT will be. This article points to a not so bright future. On May 26, 2002, I was present at the Media announcement of the WPT – World Poker Tour. I was even told that I might be the dealer to deal the hand that showed the hole card cams…but my breasts weren’t big enough – no shit? – and I didn’t. Someone that had never held a deck before was given the honors…her breasts were big enough. Nah…I don’t want them and it’s never been an issue with me. If my tits had to represent/proceed me in my lifespan I’d go have surgery, just like almost every other woman in Vegas has done.

But tits aside, the whole world knows that the WPT opened up poker as it is now. Has its day come and gone? Time changes everything – obviously – but the demand for poker still appears to be HUGE, on TV and in live and online games, so what is the issue? Are we set for a down trend in poker on TV? Is the cost too high to produce and market the game? Are the big name players asking for a kick back/cut or what is the deal…the real deal? No answers here. Maybe you have a few thoughts of your own you’ll share with me in the comments section of this little etching in cyber.

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I was in the Rio yesterday afternoon and waited for Tony G. to step out of the Deuce to 7 at break time. When break hit, it was like the who’s who of pros that flooded out of the room, there were very few players that I didn’t recognize or hadn’t dealt to. And people were lurking in the hallways waiting to grab a pro for a photograph/autograph. Jennifer Harman was surrounded and when the flood stopped for half a second, I stepped in and touched her arm. When she turned around, I said, “I thought I’d give you a hug just for good energy.”

She’s such a tiny, fragile looking child, she stepped right into my arms and gave me a big hug back with, “Thanks, Linda.”

Nice! I went on my way.

I found F-Train sitting up in the media area, giant smile on his face, and he came down immediately to give me a big hug and visit for a few. Damn nice! He looks so happy. I love it when people are happy with themselves and life and aren’t all twisted up inside.

Joseph Smith Sr. AKA FlipChipPro was in the media area also and he came down to chat it up. Love that guy, his smile goes clear to his eyes and he has such a great way of showing expression just by the way his eyes frame out what’s going on in his thoughts.

And I had a chance to visit with Pauly. That was great. He looks so relaxed and at peace instead of the married to the keyboard, up to the mili-second, 28 hour a day. live blogging he was doing last year. We talked a little bit about the world of poker as it fits into the world of life – for just a few minutes out of time, in an ocean of stressful wanna wins, we had a moment that wasn’t hurried by the sound of a ticking clock. Life looks good on Pauly right now, I hope he manages to keep it that way.

Somehow I missed Tony G. as he left the room on break, but I did catch him coming back in. As he scurried to take his seat, he took the time to give me a welcome hug and spend one of his beautiful smiles on me. Take him however you like, on or off camera, he’s a real person with a real heart. I love Tony G.