PokerWorks

I am writing to you from the sunny skies and white sandy beaches of Aruba. Down here for the 2007 Ultimate Bet Aruba Poker Classic, I can't complain about having to work because I am currently sipping a Pina Colada and staring into the clearest blue water I've ever seen.

I arrived Saturday night alongside Annie Duke and her family, after just barely making our connection in Miami. I will be here till next Sunday, so stay tuned for all the behind the scenes action.

These are some of the bigger events scheduled for the week:

Monday:

In the morning there is a World Series of Poker Academy with Phil Hellmuth, Annie Duke and other UB pros. The academy is described on their website as being, "A new poker camp that will arm you with the skills required to win a WSOP bracelet and immortalize yourself in poker history. "

In the afternoon Annie is teaching Shane Reynolds, a baseball player who is starting in a reality show about Aruba, how to play poker. Also playing the instructor role is Phil Hellmuth. He will be giving Scott Ian, the lead singer of Anthrax, poker lessons complete with how to be a gracious at the table.

After spewing all of his poker knowledge, Hellmuth is throwing a private home game with some of his friends and fellow Wisconsin poker players in a suite here at the Radisson. I am lucky enough to get the invite to all of the above events and I will be sure to fill everyone in on the antics.

Tuesday/Wednesday:

Get your poker face on and pony up the bills, as the Aruba Poker Classic gets underway at noon. Both Day 1a and 1b begin in the poker room with $10,000 in starting chips and blinds at 25/50.

Saturday:

Where every player entering this event hopes to end up, the final table starts at noon to determine who will join the likes of Devin Miller and Freddy Deeb as the next Aruba champion.

I'm off to play a dice game with Annie so I have to run. Tonight there is a welcome party by the pool. I promise to take a ton of pictures and will keep you updated on all of the haps down here in sunny, beautiful, amazing Aruba!