World Series of Poker DiaryWorld Series of Poker Diary - The 2005 Pilgrimage
By Dave Colclough of Bet365 Poker
Each year several hundred poker players make the annual pilgrimage from the UK to the gambling ‘Mecca’ of the world. This year the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas has been moved from April/May to mid summer, but I doubt that any players will de deterred. In fact, numbers are expected to be up two or three fold.
Day 0 - 02/06/05
Wow. Not the best start in the world. Tony ‘tikay’ Kendall gave me a lift down to Gatwick. I arrived at the check-in desk with plenty of time for my 13:30 flight only to be told that they had closed the flight 8 minutes ago. I had misread the Vegas arrival time in Vegas as the departure time…doh! These 8 minutes proceeded to cost me another 11 hours as the alternative route took in Orlando and phoenix on the way. Not Ideal preparation.
When I finally arrived (having been up 24 hours now) I quickly unpacked and trotted off to this years new venue, The Rio. My oh my, things only got worse. The registration queue for event no.1 was taking between 3 and 4 hours. It sold out at 2400 entrants. Poker has gone ballistic in the US. Anyway, I just couldn’t face the thought of another 3 hours on my feet, and had to write off the first event.
Day 1 - 03/06/05
Unpacking, I found that some baggage handler had decided to relieve me of my iPOD. Does he not know this is a more important tool to a poker player than a pair of sunglasses! Heathen! I was quite sick with jealousy when I wandered up to the Rio and watched the huge conference room heaving with life. I was also tickling with amusement when over 2000 players tried to cram into the one restroom on first break. The Rio are not getting top marks for organisation in my book. Let’s go back down to the Horseshoe!
I did try the Super Satellite in the evening. Hmmm…having played for 7 hours I was eliminated 2 outside the money. Things can only get better as they say…My poker student (and blondite) from Florida, Brian Wilson, did squeeze through for a $10,000 seat though. I’m gonna ask him for some lessons tomorrow.
Dave
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