This past Monday, I returned from my stint at the World Series of Poker as a blogger for PokerNews.com. It was a fantastic experience, one which I hope to get the chance to do again sometime. Playing in the World Series is a lot different from reporting the World Series. I actually enjoyed the later more this time. One reason is that I didn’t have the stress associated with playing. The last two years, I was burnt out by the time the World Series was over. This year, I could have continued on past the time my contract expired. I was glad to be done though. By the time 4-H Camp time arrived, I was sort of regretting my decision. I ended up figuring out later on that was just due to my missing camp. I talked with several people about camp, and things went well. Step will be taken to where I can attend next year. There is a small hole in me that is noticeably missing due to not attending camp. At the same time, we must make sacrifices in our lives at time to make our overall life better, or at least put ourselves in said position.

One thing that is different now that I am back is that I am officially Summer’s manager. We have of course joked a little about that since the beginning of her Senior year at Longwood, but she officially asked me while I was in Vegas. As a result, I have begun to research potential comedy gigs, and might event float her name for some small local roles. I will start her off small as this dream is one that she is pursuing while trying to work full time. If she stays serious about my managing her, who knows where this will wind up, as I will try and get her started as best I can.

Anywho, back to the WSOP. I was witness to a lot of interesting final table and even some history making events. John Phan won his first bracelet on my watch, as did David Benyamine. I was able to watch final tables that included Marcel Luske, Jennifer Harman, Mike Matusow, Hoyt Corkins, and Erik Seidel. Phil Hellmuth and I had a conversation about Matusow during one event. I got to meet Lon McEachern and actually got to talk to him at length on several things, including his thoughts on Harrah’s overemphasis of the excessive celebration rule. I learned that Jean-Robert Bellande is just as he appears to be on TV. (I have a pet monkey too as a result of the event I covered him in.) An Egg McMuffin was even threatened to be thrown at me. (You need to read the PokerNews.com blog about that one.)

All in all it was a great trip. I’m glad to be back home. Of course, I got some news when I got back home that was expected but yet unexpected. I can’t go into that for a while still. It doesn’t involve me.

Oh and for those of you wondering who the hotter girl between Amanda Leatherman and Tiffany Michelle is…. you need to check out Melissa Castello. Yes Melissa, Im talking about you.

Ok folks, talk to you soon.

I covered Event #29, which was a $3,000 NL Holdem event. As most of you know, I hate NL Holdem, but I will play it and I will cover it because thats where the money is at. Tuesday night was the final table of the $3k NL event. John Phan and David Singer were two of the pro’s at the table.

David Singer is a dick. He is a complainer. He complained that the players weren’t announced. (The table was not televised and maybe 20 people were watching.) He complained about the lighting (which was a semi legit complaint). The floorstaff moved them and then they complained that they were too close to people. Then he complained that there weren’t any rails. And that was just at the final table. He had other complaints as well, including the fact his name didn’t have a little FTP logo beside it. Oh boo hoo bitch. I dislike having to root against a pro, but this time I was rooting against him. He lost. Good.

The final table went relatively quick until we got to heads up. John Phan takes entirely too much time to do anything. He takes too long at breaks, he takes too long to bet, call, raise, or whatever. About an hour or two into the match, John Phan and Johnny Neckar decided that they would talk out a deal at the table. First, this shouldn’t have happened at the table. They should have taken a few minutes away from the table, had their discussion, and came back. A few hands after making the deal, Phan decides they are going to dinner for 90 minutes. What the fuck was that?? He decides not to come back on time from dinner. Gee…big shock.

Now comes the part of history. Around midnight, after playing heads up for about 5 hours, the two decide to push all in blind. You read that right, all in blind. They would get dealt two cards face down, have the flop, turn, and river dealt, and then show one card at a time. My partner in blogging Heath was pissed, but honestly, this was the only fun part about the final table. The above picture is the scene at the end of the second hand.

The board on the second hand was J-8-Q-Q-5. Johnny Neckar had 4-2, and was playing the board. John Phan had 4-7, and the 7 played. You can see the amusement on my face regarding the hand. The third hand of the three card series was just as funny when Phan had K-6 and Neckar Q-4 and his 4 paired with the board.

Clearly they made a second deal so that they could get it over with. In the end, John Phan won the bracelet and the title. Phan and Neckar definately made history with going all in blind three times in a row. I was at the table and witnessed the last two hands. Although I don’t like NL Holdem, this is one memory I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I actually had fun watching a holdem tournament….at least for two hands anyway.