Has anyone noticed how time is flying by? Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like a day, month, year is
shorter than it used to be. I keep having these birthdays, Xmas’s, Thanksgivings, Easters much quicker
than they used to come.
That is the thought that struck me as I started the blog for March. The reason I think it came to mind is
because I realized my favorite tournament, that being the Wildhorse Spring Round-Up, is only a few
weeks off and it just seems like yesterday that the Fall Round-Up ended. And, I realized the World Series
of Poker, which seems like just ended, is less than three months off.
I sometimes think I should get into a different business where maybe time would go a little slower. On
the other hand, always having something to look forward to may be a sign that you are enjoying your life,
so maybe I should just shut up and enjoy the fact that it seems there is always something exciting coming
up.
Enough of the Philosophy lesson, let me just remind everyone to make their reservations for the
upcoming Wildhorse Spring Round-Up as time is getting short. I talked to tournament director, Roland
Waters, and he told me room reservations are the most he has ever had for any of the past Round-Up
tournaments. So, it should be obvious, there will be big crowds, big payouts, and a whole lot of poker.
The link to the schedule is
www.wildhorseresort.com/PDF_Files/Poker_Spring08.pdf
I am scheduled to man the Normandie Casino’s booth at the upcoming Fred Hall Fishing Tackle and Boat
Show. I will be there on Saturday, March 8th, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. I must confess, I have no idea of
what to expect. I do know, there will be tens of thousands of people, fishermen and boat people who will
be there. As to whether they will be interested in poker, I have no idea, but the organizers think yes so
maybe I will be able to sell some books and hats.
As far as the rest of the time before the Wildhorse, I am not sure where I will be. As I am trying to
decide where to go, I am faced with one of the dilemmas of the new poker world, that being, there are
four different tournaments that interest me and all, it seems, are going on at the same time or
overlapping. There is the Winning of the Green at the Bike in L.A., the World Poker Challenge in Reno,
the Wynn tournament in Las Vegas and the Shooting Stars at Bay 101 in San Jose. When it is all said
and done, I will probably just stay home and play the Winning of the Green at the Bike.
Regardless of which tournament I choose, hopefully I will be able to report some good news from one of
them in my next blog.
For What it’s Worth
Vince
Well, here we are in 2008 and so far it has, for me, been mostly vacationing with my family in Kansas City
and a few days in Tunica, Mississippi, The vacationing part was awesome as spending more than my
usual few days “back home” was a real pleasure.
I borrowed my sister's car and drove down to Tunica, Mississippi, where I met up with Howard “Tahoe”
Andrew. Howard got lucky and won the Pot Limit Hold’em tournament and I had the fun of getting to the
same final table with him. Howard and I kid each other quite a bit but, in reality, I have no better friend
in the whole world. It was nice to see Howard win, but I was disappointed that I could only make it to
seventh place. We celebrated with a couple of nice dinners in their fabulous steak house at the Grand
Casino. Of course, you know who ended up paying, as usual it was me. Just kidding, the meal was
compted as one of the nicest, efficient managers anywhere, Dale Carden, took care of us. Dale is a
fellow Seniors' Hall of Fame member and a delight to be around. Dale works for Harrah’s and, if you are
in Tunica and at Harrah’s, ask for him and tell him you are one my fan’s--I’ll bet there will be a free lunch
in it for you.
The schedule for the Spring Poker RoundUp is out and here is the link. Click here:
www.wildhorseresort.com/PDF_Files/Poker_Spring08.pdf
Remember to make your reservations early as the Wildhorse Hotel sells out quickly. There are shuttles
going from the other hotels to the Wildhorse, but it is more convenient to be right on the premises.
My latest update on the sales of my books is good. We are getting down to the point where, with any
luck, I will sell out of both books by the end of the year. On the subject of books, I am now being asked
by many what my next book will be. I am open to any suggestions as to what you might think would
make an interesting book. So, if you have any ideas, email me at VinceBurgio@aol.com
As far as the Pizza Pasta and Poker hats, I only have about 20 left so if you are interested, order one or
more now as I definitely will not be reordering.
Till next time good luck to all.
For What it’s Worth
Vince
I The Fall Poker Round-Up at the Wildhorse Resort and Casino concluded a short time ago and it was a
huge success. It looks like the word is out and has spread. We are getting more and more people who
come from other than the Pacific NorthWest. I have been hosting the tournaments at the Wildhorse for
four years now and it just continues to grow in popularity and the numbers bear that out.
Our next tournament is the Spring Round-Up and is in April. If you go to the left of this (my home page)
you can click on “Poker and Other Interesting Sites,” there is a link there to the Wildhorse Resort and
Casino where the schedule can be found. It may not be posted for a few weeks, but it will be posted in
plenty of time for you to make plans if you want to attend.
The Fall tournament, I must admit, is my favorite tournament at the Wildhorse. Maybe it has something to
do with football season and all the excitement that seems to generate amongst the players, I am not sure,
but I love it up in Pendleton in November.
I personally have wrapped up playing for the year and am now concentrating on getting the house all
decorated, buying gifts, and just enjoying the season.
I am hoping to go to Tunica Mississippi after the first of the year as my trip there last year was cut short
with the passing of my best friend, Pat Flanagan. Pat has been gone almost a year and it is still hard to
imagine he’s gone.
For What it’s Worth
Vince
I am happy to report that on Sept. 20, I won my second California State Championship event. This time it
was a No-Limit Hold’em Shootout event. First place was $28,000 and the win couldn’t have come at a
better time as my wife Debbie and I were leaving the next day on a week-long vacation to the southeast
United States. The trip was planned a few months earlier when I lamented to my wife that I had been in
49 of the 50 United States. She suggested we take our vacation to the southeast states and visit the last
remaining state I had not seen. The state I had not seen, by the way, was West Virginia. So, we had a
great trip and I accomplished a life-long dream, that being to visit every state in our wonderful country.
I have had several goals in my life which I have striven to reach and, at the moment, I can honestly say I
have reached almost every one of them. The funny part of reaching most of the goals is that, after the
initial happiness or jubilation, I realize that no one really cares, except me. There will be no article in the
newspaper or magazine exclaiming, “Vince Burgio sees all fifty of the United States of America.” Then, I
usually I laugh at myself and ask myself and my wife, “Why did I expend so much energy doing that?”
Of course, a few days later, I am again in pursuit of some goal that I have set for myself.
You might wonder what are some of the goals I have left to accomplish or some of the goals that I have
accomplished. The goals I have accomplished I won’t say because, as I said earlier, looking back, most
of them would seem stupid or silly. The one’s I have left, I may share with you when I accomplish them.
In my defense, I will say many motivational speakers encourage the use of personal goals by doing this.
They say it conditions the mind, conscious or sub-conscious, and makes it easier to achieve the goals.
The Wildhorse Fall Poker Round-Up is less than a month away and, even though I know you are tired of
hearing this, this year’s event is going to be enormous. I could lead you to believe I am psychic, but to
be honest, I know the tournament will be big because Roland Waters (the tournament director at the
WildHorse) has told me the number or rooms that have been sold exceeds all past tournaments. So, if
you are thinking of coming to Oregon for the tournament, better get on the phone to Billie Robbins and
make a reservation. Billie’s phone number is (541) 966-1549, her hours are 8am to 4pm, Mon-Fri.
For What it’s Worth
Vince
