I believe this is year six. I missed the first few due to work – that really is a four letter word.

This year’s event was held at the Golden Nugget and started two hours before Phil Ivey’s poker charity event, but the WSOB was open late – with fireworks even later in the night.

I made plans with my family – Dan and Darian and Ryan, a couple friends – Larry Gardner, Jennifer Newell, and Aaron Hendrix – we would meet in front of the poker room and then proceed to the pool area. Tony G. was supposed to attend with me but he called as I arrived at the Golden Nugget to say he would be playing the charity event but wouldn’t be attending the WSOB.

We all met, everyone was introduced to each other and away we went to show our invitation and get our wrist bands to be allowed entrance to the area. What a kick off this was. The pool was completely reserved for this party and set up with kazillion food choices and drinks and service, service, service.

SO-o-o-o-o-o-o-O, you know the routine kids, you may download a picture for your personal use, but they cannot be used for any other purpose. I didn’t take as many pictures as I usually do. Have no idea why…I just didn’t.

The is the pool area as viewed from one of the upper decks that house cabanas – of course it’s minus most of the bodies that filled it up later:

In our milling around, eating, visiting, hanging out, I imposed upon Jennifer Tilly for a picture with my boys – every time I’ve pulled up the camera around her she’s very receptive to a picture and never acts like it’s an imposition. I’m always impressed with someone that isn’t impressed with themselves and I honestly believe she fits that to a T. I also love her in the movies – she’s a great actress. In the picture with her is son Dan, Dan’s son Ryan, Jennifer, son Darian.

Chau Giang and his lovely family.

Karina Jett and my sons used to romp through the Las Vegas night clubs together – long before she became Mrs. Jett. Nice to connect with old friends. And of course the boys know Evelyn Ng also. Nice that they got their pictures taken with great looking chicks at this BBQ. That’s the part of poker that is always fun, you meet people, you may lose track of them for awhile, but sooner or later your paths cross again.

My friend Larry surfaced and disappeared to mingle with the crowds from time to time. I did find him at several different points and we visited about poker, people, and life. I managed to snag a picture of him with two poker superstars.

My boys and I are Guitar Hero III nut cases and we have Rock Band (Wii). A Guitar Hero III exhibition was planned, along with a hula hoop contest and karaoke, but obviously our interest went directly to the Guitar Hero III section of the entertainment. Evelyn was the star of this show. She played in expert mode and I have to say she spends way too much frigging time practicing I was extremely impressed. She was incredible. I’m envious.

While the guitar thing was in progress, Jeff Madsen ended up on stage doing a rap sequence and then a guy that was either related to, or a friend of, Phil Ivey got up on stage and the battle of the rappers was on full overload. Seeing Phil and Erick laughing will give you an idea of how funny it was.

Jeff also played the guitar and Matt Savage took to the stage with Evelyn.

Joe Bartholdi was part of the table reserved for the Evelyn Ng party:

And who is the hottie with Joe? None other than Casey Lynch. Joe and his girl are going to compete on Guitar Hero and in the 2nd picture, look at the hottie in the game…Casey Lynch.

Some of the people I worked with at Bellagio kept rolling by asking me if I’d seen Carmen yet. My standard answer was, “When Carmen hits the door, you’ll know she’s here.” Damn it! She made a liar out of me, I looked around later in the evening and she was there, hanging out with Wan. No noise, no singing and dancing, no fanfare. What the hell happened there?

Somewhere around this time, someone else I was talking to asked, “How do Suzie and Howard get the whole pool of the Golden Nugget locked up for this private party? All the food and drinks, how can they afford it?” Before I could nod my head they went with their own answer, “Maybe Phil Ivey loses $4 million in the pit and it’s just a wash.” Umnhhhh….

More of the pictures without dialogue and names:

In the picture directly above – left – is Alex and Barry. I love Alex, she always has a smile for me and warmth that is incredible. I asked her for a picture with Barry. Barry was talking to Todd Brunson and Alex slipped in behind Barry. I actually took three shots but couldn’t get Alex to step up by Barry – and Barry never stopped his conversation with Todd (not that he should have to). I also took one of Alex alone. You’d just have to be there to experience the warmth of that smile.

By somewhere around 9:30ish you could have ran a truck over me and never found any moisture in the squished mess that was left dead on the pavement. The wind blew constantly and we were outside. I went through numerous bottles of water but still felt like I really was in the desert. Larry left the party somewhere around 9ish I think.

Tony G. did stop in for a moment and I introduced him to my sons. John Caldwell of PokerNews was there too. He asked me what was still going on with my teeth…of course I had the plastic mouth guard stuffed in my mouth to keep my lips away from the evil plastic crowns. *It’s funnier now*

Donna Harris had found us too. She ended up being Dan’s ride home because there was no steam left in this granny. I said goodbye to a few people as the karaoke was just about to get underway and headed out the door and up the street to the Steed. I gave Darian and Ryan a ride up to the old digs. On my way back across the valley, I could see the fireworks going off over the WSOB Golden Nugget party. Damn!

Maybe what Howard Lederer said to me when I left his 40th birthday party is true, “That’s what old people do. They go home early.”