WSOP Circuit in Tunica and WPT Battle of the Champions

Natalie and I went to the WSOP Circuit event at the Grand Casino in Tunica, since it is only about an hour from the condo in Cordova. We decided to go ahead and get a suite at the Horseshoe, since we have so many friends that work and play there. That way we can visit with them and enjoy the health spa there. I made it late into the first day, and was thinking that I could make it to the second day with a respectable amount of chips... until the cards changed in my opponents' favor. I couldn't get a hand to hold up. So, with about an hour or so left in day 1, I busted out. We went back to the Horseshoe and caught up with some old friends. The next morning, I was ready to head back to the condo, but Natalie convinced me to spend one more night. She said the change of scenery would do me some good. I think it did. I had hardly gotten out of the house after the mouth surgery and I was starting to get cabin fever.

After our mini vacation, it was time to gear up for the Battle of the Champions for Season II of the WPT. I watched old WPT episodes featuring my potential opponents. There were 13 WPT champions for Season II; 11 committed to participate; and 3 had to cancel at the last minute. That left 8 of us to battle it out for the $25,500 prize. Barry Greenstein and Michael Kinney busted out early on to leave the final six: Phil Laak, David Benyamine, Noli Francisco, Mel Judah, Antonio Esfandiari, and yours truly.

We took a break in the action to do our pre-final table interviews and for the WPT crew to get the set ready for filming. They had a luncheon at the Bike to introduce everyone to the new "Shauna Hiatt". Her name is Courtney Friel. She made her career in Natalie and Steve Lipscomb's home state of Tennessee. She actually got her big break in my favorite city in Tennessee - Jackson. That is where a lot of Natalie's family lives. Her family is big time there. The road into the airport is named after her great-grandfather, Grady Montgomery. Ok, enough about Jackson, TN.. back to the tournament.

At the final table, Phil Laak was the first to go out, then Antonio and Mel Judah... and unfortunately, I took third. Noli and David grinded it out for a while and David ended up winning it. Even though I didn't win any money, it was a fun tournament, and another opportunity to see my handsome face on the television again. LOL The WPT crew is a great bunch of people. They work real hard at what they do and the proof is in the quality of the shows they make. It was a real honor to be invited to participate in a special WPT show.

We made it back to Las Vegas today. And even though the flight from LA to Vegas is only an hour, I am really tired. It's amazing how even a little bit of travel can wear you down so much. I think I am going to go to bed.

One last piece of business. If you see Natalie tomorrow (Sept. 1) tell her Happy Birthday. I'm going to try and get it right myself. I woke up this morning thinking that today was her birthday and ran into the bedroom shouting, "Happy Birthday, Baby!" I was real proud of myself for doing such a good job of waking her up. Until she mumbled at me that it was not her birthday, rolled over, and went back to sleep. Maybe I'll be a little more successful with the b-day surprise in the morning. LOL

It's Been Awhile

I know I haven't posted in awhile. We've been visiting family and trying to tie up loose ends in Alabama and Memphis. I had to go to the doctor about my mouth again... This time, an oral surgeon. He found a cyst and cut it out. He said it was about the size of a quarter in diameter. I was totally out of it. Natalie worked hard to take care of me. That medicine they put you on makes you feel so weird! I was walking in to the walls, I was so dizzy. The swelling has finally gone down.

Now that's all over with, I can gear up for the WSOP Circuit Main Event in Tunica. I played the Pot-Limit Omaha with rebuys the other day and didn't do any good. My mouth was still bothering me a little bit that day and my ipod was dead. Natalie and I just drove down there from the condo on a whim. I had her pack a bag in case we decided to stay the night. Once I bought in the tournament, I told Natalie she should see about getting a room. The people at the Grand were very nice and comped it for us. Once I busted out, we had an enjoyable time at the pool.

My mouth is better -- I seem to have more energy now that the infection and that cyst are out, my ipod is charged and ready to go, and I have been getting more exercise lately. Hopefully I can get lucky in the tournament and do well. I need it after getting torn up at the Rio and the Plaza tournaments. That was a lot of work playing those tournaments and not making a big cash. It hurts a man's ego a bit. Well, it's getting late. I'm going to hit the sack.