Calistri's Corner

I don’t know how many times I’ve actually been to Vegas in my life, but I think I’d be safe taking the over at fifteen.  And at some point (I’m guessing around the 2006 WSOP), I stopped being a tourist; Vegas stopped being their town and became my town.  I still don’t think I could ever live here, but I have to admit that I feel at home here. 

It’s not because I’ve bellied up to a poker table at almost every casino; fondling cards and and kibitzing with the locals - although that’s part of it.  To me, Vegas is now like the lines on my grandmother’s face; something both fragile and familiar.  I understand its history and know that, in some small way, I’ve become a part of it.  It’s like family.  Like blood.  I know its flaws and it knows mine, but our bond prevails.

While I have plans and things I’d like to do in Vegas, I’ve come to let Vegas set my pace.  I wade into her waters and let a current move me through my stay.  Sometimes it’s a fast current that crashes me over rocks, swirls me into eddys and barely let’s me come up for air.  Other times, it drifts slowly through the backwaters, allowing me to study a piece of her shore in a new and enlightened way.

My stay, this time, will have some personal time for poker, but sprinkled through my real agenda.  I’m here to finish up some interviews with Mike Matusow for his upcoming book.  I’ve really enjoyed spending time with Mike on this project.  And I smile every time I stand at his doorstep and look down at the mat that says, “Wipe Your Paws.”

Mike has two cats; Flash and Aces.  Maybe because Mike is bipolar, it’s too much of a cliche to say that there are two sides to Mike.  And it’s probably even more a cliche to say that pets and owners take on each other’s personality.  But Mike’s cats are very different from each other - but both are very much like Mike.  Aces is a big strong cat; independent, confident, and has a read on everybody.  He likes company, but is basically in the zone.  Flash is unabashed about both his need for affection and his ability to be affectionate.  Flash isn’t young anymore, but he loves to entertain with a playful exuberance that represents far more kitten than cat.

So today, I might try to sneak in an Omaha hi/lo tournament at the Orleans and then spend a little more quality time with Mike, Aces and Flash.  And after that?  Who knows.  Vegas will tell me when she’s ready.             

This entry was posted on Friday, August 17th, 2007 at 8:29 am and is filed under Professional Poker Players.