Living through the WSOP

I slept most of the day Friday, waking up around 4:00 or so after hitting the sack after 6:30. Most of the time when a group of folks are finished with some big event, there are emotional farewells. For the WSOP, it was akin to living through the Bataan Death March (1/1000th of that for anyone who actually did).

I made my way to the Bellagio, waiting for a $15/30 game to open up. Someone announced that there was immediate seating at $4/8 Omaha H/L with a 1/2 Kill, so I figured what better way to kill some time. $350 later, I grabbed a seat at the $15/30 table. Two hours and $500 later, I left the Bellagio with JimmyT, the famous unemployed guy who’d cashed in the Main Event. My last hand was indicative of my night, checking my 3s-6s from big blind, flop came 4s-5s-10c, we got it all in with two others (I got my last money in on the turn), 9s hit the river, and As-10s took my last cash. Of course, 3-6o also cracked my aces at the Bellagio, with a K-6-2 flop and a 3 on the river for the nice check raise.

JimmyT looking at Lynette Chan. Jimmy and I had a nice visit at Caesar’s after we found somewhere to sit. He’d bought some slacks and a nice shirt with his Main Event cash, and his story was pretty remarkable. It was great to follow it from Day 1, as well as to see some good happen to him. With so many online qualifiers in the field, he was closer to the norm than the pros were. When players would bust out, you’d most likely find them at a $3/6 LHE or $1/2 NLHE table that night telling their heartbreaking stories of bad beats and poor play. The Main Event is the quintessential American Dream event, literally anyone having a chance to become part of riches and glory. Being so close to these folks, it was a bit of a downer to be honest with you. These names that we’ll become even more familiar with when the event is televised aren’t the Harrington’s or Farha’s of our earlier episodes. They aren’t even the David Williams’ or Josh Arieh’s of the world. They truly are the Steve Danneman’s compounded, folks who finished in the top 200 who’d never played a tournament before, people whose answer to my question, “How did you prepare for the Main Event,” most often looked like, “I read a book,” or “I tried not to play cash games.” Maybe it is about zen; just don’t do anything to get ready for this.

After a big bear hug from JimmyT, I decided to chase my heater that I was on and headed to the lovely Treasure Island Poker Room. The blue chips there left a stain on players with a high pH on their skin, so I sat down at a $1/3 NLHE game. I treaded water until stacking a Mexican fellow who spoke no English until he said “All-in” after what may have been the donkiest play I’ve made in quite awhile. I bet a four-club river that he’d checked while holding the Qc (Ac on board), only to be raised all-in by my friend who I instacalled. Of course he had Kc-3c for a flush on the turn that he’d checked, and both of my plays were pure stupidity (why value bet there?). I had bought in for $250 and was left with $30 or so, then I rebought for ultimately another $400. Some good young Asian folks had arrived (Mingh Ly also stuck his head into the room, but I couldn’t persuade him to sit with us). One good player had pushed me off of TPTK, so I was particularly focused on him. He raised it to $20, and his lady friend (very lovely young lady) called, then I made it $75 with QQ and both called. Flop came Q66, I bet $100, he immediately made it another $100, then I moved all-in for another $245. I’d never goaded anyone into calling before, but I stared him down then said, “Go ahead and fold,” to him. The antithesis of me, but it pulled a call out of him (I think he actually called with A-K from what I could overhear). I then let the young lady bet my flopped set for another $230 or so (I didn’t raise her out of respect for her eyes and friendliness, which was also very stupid). Also caught a gutshot that I overbet after I’d told her I wouldn’t make plays on her (also very stupid). Ended up +$700 for the TI session, almost erasing the earlier debt.

The big cash games at the Rio had moved elsewhere by the time the Main Event had rolled around. I didn’t sleep Friday night and made it to the airport around 5:00AM for a 7:00AM flight. I was able to head to the Delta Medallion line, bypassing about 150 people in the process. No sweat for me, slept the whole flight, picked up by a car service at the airport, then got the Big Guy (eldest son) who was staying with a friend while Sweetie was in the Mountains north of G-Vegas with our other two boys. I was passed out by around 7:00 while the Big Guy watched a marathon of Flight 29 Down or something like that (a Lost for kids). Sweetie called me to get him in bed, then I woke up around 2:30 and donked around on Stars. More erratic sleep yesterday (we got breakfast at 8:00, then I slept through when we were supposed to go to church even the the Big Guy woke me three times). Everyone made it home around 4:00, which was so great to see. I ended up passing out again around 7:30 last night, then waking up at 2:30 for good this morning. I played more on Stars while catching up on a few things, and I’ve been trying to play more NLHE than I normally do. The boys started school today, so we walked them out to the bus stop. The Little Guy (2 years old) had his backpack and wanted to go as well, then he started crying when I told him he’d have to ride on a city bus (“Where’s the city bus, Daddy?”).

A busy few days of work ahead of me, as well as more PokerWorks stuff to complete (articles to write, etc.).  A few articles which may have gotten lost in the shuffle during the WSOP:  Juan Carlos Mortensen interview, Mike Sexton Parts I and II, Harry Demetriou interview, Joe Tehan interview, and Vince Van Patten interview. I know the Harry Demetriou and Joe Tehan articles may have been missed by most, but I think the others folks saw.

Finally, my Monday’s have been without Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, where I see where this blog leads.  No more, so I return to this staple.  I’ll be working on links this week, but we start looking at referrers from last week:

• Wicked Chops Poker:   From the ATL (which I didn’t realize), Snake often sat next to me in the Media Room.  Good guy, scandalous writing, definitely worth the trip there.
• Poquer-Red:  This Spanish site pimped me a couple of times through the WSOP, and they’ll be translating the Juan Carlos Mortensen interview, which is pretty neat.  I would leave comments in English, as I didn’t really know what an article stated.  They had some really nice things to say, so at least head over and give them a Buenos dias or something.
• Pokerati:  DanM, one of the great ones, has a great site.  You’ll be glad to continually keep him in your blogs to keep track of.
• Hammer Player:  hoyazo is a great host at his MATH event on Monday’s (couldn’t defend my title last week).  The king of the screen shot is never one for being lite in the trunks of posting, so check him out.
• GCox:  he’s a staple in the MATH and the Mookie, and I missed sneaking to Okie-Vegas to meet up with him.
• Klopzi’s Mediocre Poker:  klopzi was a big support to me during my WSOP trip, so thanks to you and all the others.  Head over to give him a try.

I’ll work to finalize all the SWAG winners today, and there are a few unclaimed items I’ll have to give back up.  Have a good day, and hope to see you soon.