Random WSOP Pics

Primo and Joe Hachem

Chris Ferguson & Erik Seidels' bling

A shot of our loot from the WSOP Lifestyle Show

Phil Ivey's bling bling

Just a few days away

It is almost time for me to leave for Vegas. I fly out on Thursday night and get to Vegas shortly after 11 pm local time. I am going to be staying at the Treasure Island for the duration of the tourney (on Pokerstars dime). Luckily, I found out that I will be playing on Saturday (Day 1B) and not on Friday. That will give me a full day to adjust and get ready for my first day of poker. It is going to be a huge event with over 8,000 people playing. I went last year as a media rep and it was crazy then with 5,000+. I am really excited and look forward to testing my poker chops in a big tourney.

If you remember, one of my poker resolutions was to play in a major tournament this year. The other was to get better and play well. I think I accomplished both of those goals by making it to WSOP. I am playing well right now and look forward to this weekend.

Making Plans; Getting Ready

Ever since I found out that I would be playing in the Main Event this year, I have been running around scrambling to make plans. With the event being less than two weeks away, I had to find a flight, get time off work and make hotel arrangements w/ Pokerstars. Considering that I am late in the game when it comes to preparing for the Main Event, the Pokerstars people move really fast. I had my travel money and hotel arrangements in less than three days. The only thing that I am now waiting for is the confirmation of my buy in to the event. Not mention, I found a cheap flight to Vegas in a short amount of time. Well, I have done all those things and now am at least logistically prepared to go.

Next, I have to get mentally prepared to play now. I figure that this will be the most grueling test of mental stamina that I have experienced ever. Can I really play poker for 12+ hours a day? You see the poker shows on TV and hear the stories, but you really have to wonder about the mental/physical strain that comes with playing. This is a life changing opportunity for me. I want to be at and play my best. If I can accomplish those two things, then we'll see what happens with the rest.

Big Annoucement!

It has been awhile since I last wrote anything on this blog. The last thing I wrote was before my vacation trip to Vegas about 2 weeks ago. That trip went well and I had a great time. Ever since then, I have been playing alot of poker.

I played in the WSOP 150 seat tourney yesterday on Pokerstars. It was billed as the biggest online WSOP satellite ever. We had 7,377 players buy in and compete for 234 seats to Vegas. They added more seats because with all the registrations they covered the guarantee. The extra players added an additional 84 seats to the prize pool. The tourney lasted for over 8 and a half hours with 7,143 busting out with nothing. Yes, your truly captured one of those coveted seats. I finished in the top 234 and was awarded a $12,000 WSOP package from Pokerstars. I will be a member of Team Pokerstars at the 2006 WSOP.