WSOP 2006 - TP's Updates...

Talking Poker · #1 07-27-06, 03:23 AM

I figured it's about time to start my official WSOP 2006 thread, so here it is. To kick things off, here's a link to the main 2005 thread:

It contains links to all my updates from last year, including my tourney report. A number of our regulars weren't here this time last year, so hopefully you guys will enjoy reading through these old threads. There's some good stuff in there.

I think I may reread my tourney report myself to help get me geeked up for the Main Event.

Talking Poker · #2 07-27-06, 03:44 AM

Today's update will be short and sweet:

I travelled for most of the day and finally got to Vegas. I rented a car, made my way to my friends' place, and hung out with them and their adorable 2.5 year old kid for a few hours.

I headed down to the Rio tonight, registered for the Main Event (there were ZERO people in line - tomorrow, I expect there to be dozens if not 100+), I let ImageMasters take my picture for their cool facial recognition software, and then I walked around for a while. I railed the 2-7 single draw lowball table for bit and learned that Evelyn Ng and David Williams are a "thing" now. I might have known that, but I'm not sure. Anyway, pretty funny how this guy goes from being a complete nobody (a former Magic player) to going deep at the 2004 WSOP... and now 2 years (and numerous accomplishments) later, he's got a gold bracelet and is on his way to another one, wih the beautiful Evelyn Ng by his side. Yeah, I'd say it's been a pretty good couple of years for David. It just makes me wonder what unknown person will be on top of the poker world 2 years from now. I mean, it stands to reason that the winner of this year's Main Event will be a completely unknown person... but someone who will be a household name this time next year. Isn't that crazy?

Anyway, I digress... All of the suites/lounges were closed, but from the outside, everything looks bigger and better than last year. It looks to me like UB, Bodog, Full Tilt and Stars all have nice suites. I didn't see one for Party, but I did see a Party Poker bus drive by on Las Vegas Blvd - there were at least a dozen models living it up on the open air roof.

The trade show (or whatever they call it) - the Expo thing - starts tomorrow. I expect that to be better than last year's and last year's was pretty cool.

Oh, and I checked out the new food court and extra bathrooms area. Well done, Harrahs.

I guess that's it. Tomorrow, I'll head over to the trade show for a while, get my passes for the UB party tomorrow night, and hopefully get together with Zybomb for that. The UB party was fun last year, and I know a lot more UB people now than I did then, so I'm looking forward to it.

Reel Deal · #3 07-27-06, 10:09 AM

Really looking forward to all of your reports TP. GL!!

Nikita · #4 07-27-06, 10:48 AM

Keep us posted and GL. Hopefully, you're the one we are all talking about next year!

ChipFish · #5 07-27-06, 09:09 PM

Good luck man! Taker down!

Stop by the PokerStars Booth.
They have some sort of Battleship Headsup thing going.
If you get a chance to take a peak at the Stars client, it's under private tourneys near the top.

Talking Poker · #6 07-27-06, 10:22 PM

I saw the Battleship thing... it looked kinda lame (at a glance).

The Poker Expo thing is really cool though - I spent quite a while there today and will likely go back again tomorrow. It's fun for me as a player (lots of free stuff), but it's also a great place to network as an affiliate. It's fun putting names with faces too. I mean, who knew the girl from PKR who has emailed me so many times was so cute???

Tonight is the UB party. I'm taking my friend Tim who I am staying with and also meeting up with Zybomb and taking him nd his friend too. I called 2Tone to see if he was here yet, but didn't hear back. I have 6 passes in total though, so if he does show up, he's in.

BTW - huge props to UB. they have a sweet suite, with food, drinks, etc in the VIP area for the people who won Main Event packages through them. They also gave me a nice duffle bag full of UB gear, including a jersey. They even have a dude on scene doing personalized embroidery - Anyone who has a UB account can get their name (or whatever) sewn on a free UB hat. Well done - this is a HUGE step up over how they treated their players in Aruba.

Oh, the Celebrity/Media event was tonight. This was my first time NOT playing in it... I was majorly bummed. Celebs I saw: Jennifer Tilly (we chatted for a minute), Cindy Margolis (looking very plasticy, I might add), Norm MacDonald, Robby Gordon, Anthony Michael Hall, James Garner, etc... I hate that I didn't get to play this year.

Ok, time to get ready for the party - meeting Zy in less than an hour.

New Guy · #7 07-27-06, 11:59 PM

TP first off bro finish off what I couldnt do for the forum!! We are all pulling for you!!!As far as your recap of last year, that was amazing I never read thru all of that.You put it all down very well and Man I hope its 10x's longer this year.Im off to ct for the weekend ,sure i'll end up at foxwoods but I'll be keeping close eye on you and will be up there if your sitting pretty!!SO JUST DO IT!!!!!

ChipFish · #8 07-28-06, 02:38 AM

Remember though: No K-K for all your chips

Talking Poker · #9 07-28-06, 02:15 PM

So, my friend Tim and I met up with Zybomb last night. The three of us went to the UB Party, which was much bigger than last year's. The VooDoo Lounge on top of the Rio is pretty cool, but I think I preferred the smaller venue at the Palms last year (I didn't even see Phil Hellmuth this year, let alone get to bust his chops). They had an open bar for us, and a sweet spread of food too - from fancy schmancy finger foods to a turkey and pork carving station to a huge desert table.

Eventually, we met up with my friends the Stolzman's, and the group of us hung out for a while and kicked back some drinks. I also traded 4% of myself in the Main Event with Steve for 2% of him and 2% of his son, John.

We hung out until a bit after midnight, but then Tim's back started bothering him (he was in a car wreck last week - got rear ended by a guy doing like 35 and eating), so we called it a night.

The plan for today is to head over to the Rio and check out the Poker Expo thing some more, and the Main Event of course, and then meet up with Zy, 2Tone and lightfungus tonight.

It's 11:15 here now, so I guess the Main Event is under way!

Wow... I can't wait to see what the final numbers are going to be. Alternates??? Oh my - this could make for some long Day 1s.

omahilo · #10 07-28-06, 02:35 PM

sounds like alot of fun...

didnt one of the Stolzman win or do very well in a WPT event awhile back? if so that 2% could end up being worth alot...

their 4% could end up being worth even more tho

Talking Poker · #11 07-28-06, 02:51 PM

Im hoping the 4% I give them ends up being worth a lot more...

And yes, John won a WPT Event (Tunica) for about $1.6 million in 2005. It's a GREAT episode if you missed it. He's at a STACKED table (Grinder, Negreanu, Chau Giang, Scooty Nguyen) and a huge underdog, but he played great and pulled it off.