LAS VEGAS–I\’m boondoggling in Sin City for the big fight tonight (FYI–smart money is on Mayweather going the distance, based on my poll of 3 cab drivers). I had basically all of Friday to kill, so I figured I\’d play in the $550 at Venetian or the $1,080 at Bellagio. I\’d heard the Venetian was getting much deeper fields than the Bellagio, and since the Bellagio tourney often involves some grizzled pros (like David Sklansky), I figured it was a better play for my money.
Upon arrival, I have to say once again, the Venetian poker room is spectacular. People are nice, dealers and staff are great, food is good, and there are about 47 million tables in a very comfortable room. I wandered over to tournament registration, where I was informed that the tournament usually has around 100 players. Okay, I thought, this may not be quite as big a prize pool as Bellagio, but it was probably a smarter bet. Plus, the structure is phenomenal: 10,000 in chips, 40 minute levels, 25-50, 50-100, 100-200, 100-200 with an ante, etc. I signed up.
Tournament time rolled around and I took my spot, Table 39, Seat 4. In seats 6 and 7 were two delightful, talkative ladies I did not recognize. Seat 3 was open. I settled in and counted my chips. As I looked around the room, I notice there appeared to be only 3 tournament tables going. So great, not much of a prize pool. As I lamented, Seat 3 sat down and I looked up to see Scotty Warbucks. Huh? What is he doing here? The prize pool is like $15,000??? He starts talking to seat 6, and it becomes apparent that she is Marsha Waggoner. Before long, their good buddy Kenna James stops by–Kenna is playing at the next table. If you are scoring at home, that\’s almost $5 million in tournament winnings sitting in, what turned out to be, a 31-person tournament. What the hell is going on here?? Garcon, more gin tonics!
Almost immediately, I was down to 6,000 and certain I would be the first one out. But I managed to grind it out and actually made it to the final table around 3rd in chips. Then I tried an elaborate bluff on Shoten, lost most of my chips and hung on to cash 5th, further solidifying my stranglehold on the Pokerati Correspondent POY standings.
I have to mention that Shoten is one quirky little dude. In addition to schlepping his book, Scotty was passing around a working thesis he\’s got going that expands upon the core principles of his book but takes the principles away from the poker table. Someone made the mistake of asking him if this was like \”No Limit Life II.\”
\”This is like No Limit Life a Billion,\” he replied. \”It will blow your mind.\” Awesome.