THE MATUSOW PRE-SHOW

On Sunday, July 15, the Main Event was winding down to the final table in the Amazon Room. I decided to buck the crowds and go instead to the Bellagio, where the WPT Bellagio Cup was being decided. The shadow of the Series eclipsed the third running of the Cup, but the WPT event was still big: 548 entries, including Mike Matusow, who made the final table.

Did I need a better reason than that to watch my first-ever live WPT finale?

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My goal was to give you a new post – actually, TWO new posts – when you checked this space on Monday. After I busted out of the Main Event at the Orleans Open on Sunday, I drove straight home and composed the two posts, “Matusow Stays in the Picture” and “Greetings from Omaha.” By the time I arrived home at 9 PM, however, I was feeling physically and mentally ill. I dozed off … for six hours. It’s now 3 AM. When I wake up at a decent time, I will write and post those entries.

I like the idea of giving you some good new stuff on Monday morning. It’s just going to take a bit longer this week.

Apologies.

M

Remember my first post about the 2007 World Series? (Post #150, from May 28)

“If the 2006 World Series of Poker was like Woodstock, the 2007 Series threatens to be Altamont. Harrah’s barely had control of last year’s Series; add in lame-duck management and the company not just biting the hand that feeds (online poker) but vomiting on it as well. Throw in thirty to forty thousand desperate gamblers, most of whom are fighting to become or escape stereotypes or archetypes; pros; celebrities; good dealers and floor personnel; incompetent dealers and floor personnel; bureaucrats; promoters; doomsayers; naysayers; and gawkers. All this adds up to an ugly panorama, and one I don’t dare miss.”

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I am back in Las Vegas. I came to play in the final four events of the Orleans Open, and I’m immediately wondering whether I made a mistake. Among the many, many posts I’m writing is the one I expect to post later tonight, titled “Harrah’s Valedictory”, about how I thought Harrah’s did operating the World Series this year. I was about to write the section about the Rio, about which I have a few negative things to say.

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I started writing this entry a few minutes after 1 AM on Wednesday, July 18. There were four players left in the Main Event and they had been playing four-handed for over 150 hands. Then Alex Kravchenko went out, and Ray Rahme soon to follow. As I scrambled to complete what I had written, handle new experiences, and order room service to the Amazon Room, I became overwhelmed and BANG, the tournament ended. Jerry Yang was champion. My potato skins finally arrived. And seven hours later I was driving home to Scottsdale.

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A NEW FACE FOR POKER

WHAT’S THIS PINK PONY DOING ON MY DESK?

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While I was writing my most recent entry, one I haven’t posted yet, Alex Kravchenko and Raymond Rahme have been eliminated, in 4th and 3rd places respectively. It’s 1:50 AM and after a short break, Jerry Yang and Tuan Lam will play heads up. There’s room for a lot of play but the history is that there won’t be. After 3 hours of expecting a fast final table, then 9 hours of realizing that it could be a very long final table, we’re suddenly in a position of seeing a fast finish.

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SHAME ON YOU IF YOU THOUGHT I WAS ACTUALLY GOING TO GO HOME

TURBO TEN-DIMER

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FIRST DISPATCH ON FINAL TABLE DAY

JERRY YANG ROARS OUT OF THE GATE

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Today is final table day at the World Series of Poker. My plan is to scam myself premium access I otherwise don’t deserve, free food, maybe take a couple things “to go”, and overhear a bunch of things I’m probably not supposed to be hearing.

I already know what’s going to win: some dude.

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