Vegas: Day One

I think this is my eighth trip to Vegas in the past year- or maybeit’s my ninth. And other than a slightly delayed flight out of Austin, Day One in Vegas was everything I hoped for.

My chauffeur, the Poker Shrink, picked me up at the airport and whisked us to Binions to catch the Wednesday Poker Discussion Group (WPDG) in full swing. The turnout was about 25ish, and the conversation was both thought provoking and fun. It’s just nice to sit with a group of players and click the brain fully into poker mode. I knew Linda Johnson and Jan Fisher were going to be there, butthere were a few additionalpleasant surprises. I hadn’t seen Rick “Da Voice” Charles in what seems like forever, but he and his wife Peg were in attendance.

Another surprise was seeing Russ and Judy Carlson. I had watched Russ (pictured above)make two final tables at the WPO in 2006. And watched Judy finish 4th in the 2006 WSOP Seniors event; the first WSOP event she had ever entered.

After the meeting, theShrink and I headed upstairs for a wonderful dinner at Binions Steakhouse with Linda (pictured below), Jan (pictured above)and Ed from the WPDG. We were joined by Carolyn Ford and Ron Erwin. I got to know Carolyn whileplaying the 2006 Ladies event at the Orleans.She finished 3rd, Linda Johnson won the event – and I had my classic deep, but deadmoney, finish. Carolyn closed the year well, making four final tables at the Winter Pot of Gold tournament in Reno. She also can carry off a hat better than I can.

Also joining us were Bobby and Deborah Davidson from the Oasis Casino in Mesquite. I have never been to the Oasis, butwith everyone talking about how much fun they’ve had there, I think a road trip might be in order. Maybe theOasis Open, May 10th – 14thwill give me an excuse to check it out.

I was looking forward to finally meeting Dennis Oehring, who had set up the dinner. But Dennis ran intosome High Stakes Poker deadlineissues and missed his own dinner party. Hopefully we’ll meet up soon.

Today’s plan is to run down toBinions to see if I can sat into tomorrow’sLadies UPC event. I also have to do the radio show tonight – which means I might have to skype in from the Krispy Kreme at Fitzgeralds….this should be interesting.