I Got Your Pair Right Here: The World Series of Poker
It’s not the smartest thing I’ve done with $1,500, but it’s certainly the most interesting.
I’ve entered the World Series of Poker, Event 27 – No Limit Hold’em. No Rebuys. No Add-ons. Yes, this is the same World Series you see on ESPN at all hours of the morning – but it’s not necessarily the same tournament. It’s not the $10,000 buy-in Main Event – if I had a spare $10,000 lying around, I could think of a lot more creative things to do with it than play cards… Then again, you could say the same thing about a spare $1,500, but at least I have a chance to win a coveted World Series bracelet, and I get to test my skills against the big boys.
I play in three monthly games – one started as a Ladies Night and morphed into the Ladies and their Husbands Night. I also play with a group of docs, loudmouths, dirty old men and general rabble-rousers on Friday nights and an offshoot of that group which meets on Sundays.
When notified of my decision to play in the Series, one of the Friday night / Sunday afternoon rabble-rousers said, “You’ll be fine, Stacy – you’re a talented player… Really, if there’s any shortcoming in your game, it’s that you’re not using all your talent to its fullest potential.”
“Really?”
“Well, you come out here wearing T-shirts and jeans, sweat shirts – nothing that really shows off your true talent. I’m just saying, at the World Series, you should bring your ‘A’ game.”
Or D game as the case may be.
Honestly, I hadn’t thought about my World Series wardrobe beyond the skull-n-crossbones cowboy boots I wore when I won on consecutive Sundays and brought home $812 (and covered half the cost of my WSOP entry). I shared Phil’s comment with Pat, thinking he’d enjoy the chuckle.
“I think it’s a great idea. There’s gonna be a lot more guys there than girls playing so it’s to your advantage to do what ever you can to help your cause – I mean, you’ve got a nice pair, might as well show ‘em.”
Not only did my husband agree with Phil’s statement, so did the Ladies group… or at least all their husbands did.
“You gotta play with what you got.”
“Actually, I play with them all the time,” Pat said. ”But I agree.”
Normally, they are for home-entertainment purposes only – I mean, we’re obviously not using them to nourish any kids… but using them to nourish our bank account is altogether a different idea. The winner will take home upwards of $600,000. So with that return on my investment, I’m all-in for “showing down my pair.” Unfortunately, my play-clothes veer toward T-shirts collected from locally owned taco stands, corporate schwag from my clients, and Van Halen concert memorabilia. Thus, this weekend I will be headed out to Skanks R Us to invest in at least one new shirt.
“And make sure it’s short-sleeved,” Phil offered. “Like a tank-top.”
“Dude, it’s cold in the casino – I freeze my freakin’ ass off.”
“My point exactly.”
This story will be continued next Saturday, June 14. Tournament starts at noon at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. For my $1,500 investment, I get $3,000 in chips. Blind levels are one hour long, starting at $25-$50. There’s a 20-minute break, every two hours, and a 90-minute dinner after Level 6. The first day we play to Level 10 – should be around midnight – and my goal is to make it to Day 2, after I make it past the first break and then to dinner. The second day, we start at 2 PM and play to the Final Table, and play for the Final Table begins Monday, July 16 at 2 PM. I hope to see you there – watch this page for live updates… and wish me and my pair good luck!