Calistri's Corner

If you know anything about me, you know I’m frugal.  I like quality, but always at a good price.  And of all the possible prices, ”free” really works for me.  I thought about that this morning, as I reached for my blue and white striped Party Poker polo shirt.  (more…)

For seven weeks in Vegas, I woke up to a perfect azure sky that looked like it would crack in two as the blazing sun rose into it.  I can stand the heat; I’m from Texas after all.  It was the weather’s fragile sameness that was slowly driving me insane.  (more…)

I have a lot of pictures from the 2007 WSOP.  I probably have dozens of pictures of every pro and most of the celebs that played.  I do not have a picture of Tobey Maguire.  Why?  Because he doesn’t like his picture taken in the field.  (more…)

The WSOP has a cycle much like a washing machine.  At the start of the series, players pile into the preliminary events like dirty clothes into the tub, hoping to come out cleansed, with a bracelet or a replenished bankroll.  The preliminary events churn through the players, lifting some to the top and leaving many to swirl around the bottom in dead money limbo.  (more…)

It’s not that the pros aren’t happy to play the WSOP, but it’s a long, risk ladden, haul.  They play long days.  They play many events that can quickly eat into even a healthy bankroll.  And while this is a job they love, it is still work.  So it’s a rare and treasured moment when I can gaze across the vast expanse of the Amazon room and see a truly happy person. (more…)

I hate this part of the WSOP.  Although I miss home like nobody’s business, in some ways, I wish the preliminary events would go on forever.  For five weeks I have strolled through the Rio; being able to count on seeing my poker friends and acquaintences.  It’s been my temporary neighborhood.  And now, one by one, my neighbors are moving out.  (more…)

Much ado was made this year about Harrah’s flattening the payout structure for the main event.  And that indeed is a good thing.  But if you played any of the preliminary lower buy-in events this year, on average fewer people in your field were paid when compared to last year - and you paid more juice than last year.  Kudos to Change 100 for being the sparky one and figuring out there was something amiss with the Ladies event this year. (more…)

I know I’m supposed to be an unbiased reporter here at the WSOP, but yesterday when Bill Edler entered the Sequestrium (the curtained off and  isolated final table) my best wishes went in with him.  It was going to take more than my wishes, as Bill started the final table as the short stack with a 5-to-1 disadvantage when measured against the chip leader. (more…)