Born 30 something years ago into a card-playing clan in the North of England: the low-roller's poker odyssey has taken him from the school common-room via down-trodden Midlands' casinos, smoky Cotswolds pubs, celebrity Soho drinking spots and of course the ubiquitous world of cyberspace to the home of poker itself, Las Vegas. Join his search for juicy take-downs, great pot odds and the occasional back-door straight as he goes for glory.
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Tuesday, July 25, 2006
LIVE YOUR LIFE, THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE
On my way down to breakfast, I contemplated bringing my headphones, to keep out the eternal stimulus - pop pumping, slot rattling, the beautiful nonsense that is the Vegas circus. Eventually finding the Grand Buffet - who needs the gym, when you can walk two miles to eat without even leaving the hotel? Gina was great - as I gave her the run-around on the tea scenario - since when does orange pekoe class as English breakfast? We eventually settled on some Earl Grey - you guys out here have got to learn how to make a cup of tea. A cup of hot water and a tea-bag meant that I had to work some English magic to bring it off - and amazingly it was great, much enjoyed and even enhanced by Paul MaCartney: "She says yes...I say no...Hello, Goodbye...blah,blah,blah". Returning, with the aid of my sophisticated sat-nav (follow the yellow-brick road, or in this case the brown carpet), I pass the tables. "Hey, honey what are you having for breakfast? I think I'll have some blackjack, followed by some slots, easy over". All this to the tune of Adamski's Killer. It occured to me that everything was just right - they had the key ingredient - they were enjoying themselves.
GAME TIME: I have just over two hours til start. I have banged some pills - I won't bore you with the dietary details... yet. Oh go on then I can't resist, here's one from Dragon Herbs (pronounced 'Erbs by the way) in Los Angeles. Daniel (of the guitar) assured me it was the dogs. It is called Duanwood Reishi and it says on the bottle 'Duanwood Reishi mushroom is arguably the most revered herbal substance in Asia (I'm not arguing). The elite substance for achieving radiant health and spiritual attainment'. Did he see me coming? We shall see (I am saying this a lot lately). He also managed to sell me some 'Heaven Drops' - Wild Ginseng. I will give you the full low-down at some point, but suffice it to say the kids birthday presents are on hold til 2008 (and their mom's too - by the way, I promise not to call you that when I get home, but right now I am in the US of A - yeeha! yo the man). So back to my somewhat elusive point. I had better get ready, as right now all I am doing is writing, even when I'm not - breakfast was just one long mental blog. I need to address the supplements and order my UPS van to take them down to the Rio. I need to phone for my Q-link (more later) and I need to stop thinking B-log and start thinking A-game. Poker A-game. I had a chat yesterday with Phil Gordon, author of "The Little Green Book" - truly the best poker book ever written, pound for pound - it's small, you can't hollow it out to hide your dollars in, and you can carry it unassisted - take note Doyle. So a bit of that and then into the Ford Taurus. Please don't get your hopes up - a friend, Alan, busted out before the first level was done, $1,000 gone in under an hour. His kids will be glad to hear that he has since recovered it in the cash-game. I feel good and I feel ready, well almost.
5:28 PM | Permalink
Good Luck from all at the Andrew Robson Bridge Club in Parsons Green, London.
Best wishes
Jack