I was asked several times during the World Series of Poker, if I were
going to write anything about the changes that had occurred, good or
bad. With only a couple of exceptions, I’ll leave it to my fellow writers to
critique the event. I think I will mostly just try to pass on some of the
occurrences that I found amusing.
During the finals of the first event, the $1500 limit hold-em event, when
the field was reduced to 3 or 4 players, they brought out the bracelet
and set it on the table. One of the players said, “Hey, this isn’t the same
bracelet as they had before.” Soon the action was stopped and the
players were talking about the new bracelet. One of the people on the
rail said quite loudly, “Somebody get Jack.” I was standing fairly close to
the person who said that, so I calmly told him, “Jack doesn’t work here
anymore.” It took a couple of seconds for the thought to sink in but
finally he said, “Oh!”
The first night I went to the buffet and I quickly noticed that there was no
line. I thought to myself it must be a week night or very early. Soon I
realized none of the above was true-- it was Friday night, around 7pm.
Then I realized why there was no line. No giant shrimp, no crab legs, no
ice cream! At that moment, I vowed never to cuss the line I might have
to wait in, to get into a buffet or restaurant.
I had some friends who did real well at the series. “Super” Mario
Esquerra finished third in the huge , first limit hold-em. He and I went to
eat together a night or two later. We were interrupted two or three
times during our diner. The funny thing about it was, everyone who
came up to our table said congratulations to Mario, then asked if they
could talk to him for a minute. I thought it was funny how they all chose
the same words. I wrote if off as coincidence and soon I had forgotten
the whole thing.
A couple of nights later my friend, and rising tournament star, Jack Fox,
and I were standing outside the Horseshoe getting some air. A person
who we both new joined our conversation. He congratulated Jack on his
third place finish the night before, and then said, “Jack, can I talk to you
for a minute in private?” I excused myself, knowing full well what was
coming. A bell went off in my head. I had heard those exact words too
many times in the last few days.
Later in the tournament, I made it a point to go up to everyone I knew
who had won something and congratulate them. Then I would casually
ask if I could talk to them for a minute. I loved the look on their faces. I
knew just what they were thinking, “Et Tu Brutus.” Now I’m not saying
there are not a million ways to ask someone for a loan, or to be put into
a satellite or a tournament. I do believe when someone in a casino or
card club asks if they can talk to you for a minute, your best answer
should be, “I’m supposed to meet someone for dinner and I’m late.
Maybe we can talk later.” Then run and hide.
One of the things that was amusing to many of my friends was that I
obtained a press pass. If someone had told me a year ago that I would
be receiving a press pass at the World Series of Poker, I would have
called him crazy. My friends and I thought it was a formality, but I did sit
in on a couple of final tables thinking I might get something to use in a
column. I gave up after watching two final tables. Nothing noteworthy
happened.
Then on Sunday night, the eve of the $10,000 championship event, I had
planned on getting a good night sleep. But before I could go to my room,
a problem came up where there were two final tables going on at the
same time. Unfortunately, as intelligent, bright and all knowing as Max
Shapiro is, he can only do the write up for one tournament at a time. I
volunteered to finish writing up the remaining 4 players in the women’s
stud event.
Over the past 12 years, I have seen many of the writers write up the
final table of a tournament, but only now do I realize how difficult it is.
You guys are underpaid and under appreciated. So on behalf of all the
players over the years, thank you to Lynn Loomis, Max Shapiro, Byron
Liggett, Mike Paulle, and Don Larrimore.
For what it's worth ...
going to write anything about the changes that had occurred, good or
bad. With only a couple of exceptions, I’ll leave it to my fellow writers to
critique the event. I think I will mostly just try to pass on some of the
occurrences that I found amusing.
During the finals of the first event, the $1500 limit hold-em event, when
the field was reduced to 3 or 4 players, they brought out the bracelet
and set it on the table. One of the players said, “Hey, this isn’t the same
bracelet as they had before.” Soon the action was stopped and the
players were talking about the new bracelet. One of the people on the
rail said quite loudly, “Somebody get Jack.” I was standing fairly close to
the person who said that, so I calmly told him, “Jack doesn’t work here
anymore.” It took a couple of seconds for the thought to sink in but
finally he said, “Oh!”
The first night I went to the buffet and I quickly noticed that there was no
line. I thought to myself it must be a week night or very early. Soon I
realized none of the above was true-- it was Friday night, around 7pm.
Then I realized why there was no line. No giant shrimp, no crab legs, no
ice cream! At that moment, I vowed never to cuss the line I might have
to wait in, to get into a buffet or restaurant.
I had some friends who did real well at the series. “Super” Mario
Esquerra finished third in the huge , first limit hold-em. He and I went to
eat together a night or two later. We were interrupted two or three
times during our diner. The funny thing about it was, everyone who
came up to our table said congratulations to Mario, then asked if they
could talk to him for a minute. I thought it was funny how they all chose
the same words. I wrote if off as coincidence and soon I had forgotten
the whole thing.
A couple of nights later my friend, and rising tournament star, Jack Fox,
and I were standing outside the Horseshoe getting some air. A person
who we both new joined our conversation. He congratulated Jack on his
third place finish the night before, and then said, “Jack, can I talk to you
for a minute in private?” I excused myself, knowing full well what was
coming. A bell went off in my head. I had heard those exact words too
many times in the last few days.
Later in the tournament, I made it a point to go up to everyone I knew
who had won something and congratulate them. Then I would casually
ask if I could talk to them for a minute. I loved the look on their faces. I
knew just what they were thinking, “Et Tu Brutus.” Now I’m not saying
there are not a million ways to ask someone for a loan, or to be put into
a satellite or a tournament. I do believe when someone in a casino or
card club asks if they can talk to you for a minute, your best answer
should be, “I’m supposed to meet someone for dinner and I’m late.
Maybe we can talk later.” Then run and hide.
One of the things that was amusing to many of my friends was that I
obtained a press pass. If someone had told me a year ago that I would
be receiving a press pass at the World Series of Poker, I would have
called him crazy. My friends and I thought it was a formality, but I did sit
in on a couple of final tables thinking I might get something to use in a
column. I gave up after watching two final tables. Nothing noteworthy
happened.
Then on Sunday night, the eve of the $10,000 championship event, I had
planned on getting a good night sleep. But before I could go to my room,
a problem came up where there were two final tables going on at the
same time. Unfortunately, as intelligent, bright and all knowing as Max
Shapiro is, he can only do the write up for one tournament at a time. I
volunteered to finish writing up the remaining 4 players in the women’s
stud event.
Over the past 12 years, I have seen many of the writers write up the
final table of a tournament, but only now do I realize how difficult it is.
You guys are underpaid and under appreciated. So on behalf of all the
players over the years, thank you to Lynn Loomis, Max Shapiro, Byron
Liggett, Mike Paulle, and Don Larrimore.
For what it's worth ...
Can I Talk to You for a Minute
By Vince Burgio
By Vince Burgio
