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
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
posted by Hoyt Corkins at 10:02 PM
2 Comments:
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Hey Hoyt, spoke with you briefly in Aruba last year. Was a pleasure meeting you and nice to see you have a blog as well. Look forward to reading!
(Edited due to a horrible fat finger)
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