style=”font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;”>I’m having WSOP déjà vu.I think I may be on the same flight I took out of Las Vegas in 2006.The sun has just dipped behind the mountains and the strip is beginning to twinkle with Neon.Normally when I leave Las Vegas, I look out the window for the Bellagio fountains but when I leave the WSOP my eyes are drawn to the Rio.style=”mso-spacerun: yes;”> My thoughts linger on the little things like…
ten minutes before break when Jack Effel announces “Alrighty spectators, it’s that time again…”This actually translates in Latin to “Alrighty rail birds get the hell out of the way so the tournament players can get something to eat, share their bad beat then smoke in the heat.”style=”mso-spacerun: yes;”> Or other moments like.. Gavin Smith AT and the life of every party, Joe Sebok hopping or possibly hobbling out of Jett Nightclub, Charles Barkley lovin’ my momma’s boy question, Nolan Dalla who was always screwing around and NEVER worked yet sent me a ton of updates, Lacey Jones’ cleavage, Andrew Feldman having NO CLUE I wrote nasty notes on his reserved seat sheet (and for the record.. I didn’t write on anyone elses), Dan and Pauly snuggling close at the media desk and of course… Jason Kirk watching my bust out hand of the Main Event and having the exact play on paper which forbid me to justify anything in my mind.
style=”font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;”>Leaving the WSOP is always bittersweet.style=”mso-spacerun: yes;”> On one hand I’m glad to get back to a life of normalcy. Waking up every morning feeling like its Friday can get old.style=”mso-spacerun: yes;”> And I don’t miss the crowded hallways… sometimes I find myself mooing as I’m shoved around by ill-mannered cows and pigs. Nonetheless, it is the very crowd and fans enabling the occupations and opportunities for media and the poker pro. They’re either your consumer or fish, so complaining is really quite hypocritical.
style=”font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;”>On the other hand, there are wonderful friendships I bid farewell knowing a year will pass before we meet again (and that’s assuming they stay in the poker world).Sure, we communicate in cyberspace but rarely is everyone in poker under the same roof at one time. No other poker tournament hosts such a large poker congregation which bonds and reconnects friends from all over the world.style=”mso-spacerun: yes;”> When I walk into the Rio every summer, it feels as if I’m going to a high school reunion, summer camp or an old college friend’s wedding.style=”mso-spacerun: yes;”> It’s just much longer and tiring.style=”mso-spacerun: yes;”> By the end… the luster has worn off, the conversations run dry and the lack of sunlight in your life has reminded you of the importance of vitamin D.style=”mso-spacerun: yes;”> One entity of WCP joked that the Starbucks lady remembered his name and drink from last year but by the end of the 2008 WSOP she even knew… his last name.
style=”font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;”>Furthermore, since women only made up (roughly) 3% of the 2008 WSOP Main Event, it should prove how difficult it is to make many female friends in the poker world.Especially, when you factor in the cattiness and competitiveness put forth by so many of them trying to be the most “noticed.”Sadly, even in our modern era that crap still goes on.I make a lot of effort to make other women look good rather than trying to suck in as much attention I can get for myself hoping to promote unity.style=”mso-spacerun: yes;”> It’s great if things happen for me, if they go to someone else… I may be disappointed but I believe it wasn’t meant for me.style=”mso-spacerun: yes;”>
style=”font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;”>I have been extremely fortunate to have made some wonderful friendships with a lot of great women in poker.style=”mso-spacerun: yes;”> Unfortunately, we are all very busy during the WSOP and don’t have many opportunities for female bonding.For example, I bonded quite a bit with Liz Lieu and Lacey Jones this year, however, the majority of it was over the phone. My real estate in the Media Box allowed me to spend time with Shelley Rubenstein (have I mentioned she’s Europe’s premier poker writer?) and Brazilian Maridu but… busy is as busy does.style=”mso-spacerun: yes;”> Actually, Rubenstein was my date to all the parties this year. My role in the poker industry has shifted so much that I found myself wearing so many hats that previous relationships were unable to be nurtured like I had intended.Media friends were frantically running around and pro friends were either busy playing or too bummed to hang because they weren’t.I didn’t even have the chance to tell Change that I thought of her back in April when I pulled out the patent leather sling backs.And now remains a regret after her poker fashion dilemma tweet on twitter.style=”mso-spacerun: yes;”>
style=”font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;”>Thanks to everyone who gave me a hug, said hello, saved me a seat, shared some junk food, invited me to a party, sent funny texts, gave me an interview and bought me a cup of tea.style=”mso-spacerun: yes;”> Thanks to WCP for the Girl on Girl Series and to all the girls I did on WCP. Thanks to Bluff Magazine for not sexually harassing me or any of my female colleagues. Thanks to my favorite editor in the red jacket. Thanks to all my new friends I made this year and to all my old friends for understanding my schedule. Thank you to Jeffrey Pollack for the ride to the strip club and for putting on a great WSOP along with Seth Palansky, Ty Stewart and Jack Effel. Thanks to John Caldwell for timing the ESPN camera just right so I had to pay him five bucks on camera. A very big thanks to everyone who reads and links to my site. And a special thanks to my sweet ass husband for supporting my work and helping me get my arse out there. My smile is sincere and you all hold a special place in my heart.
style=”font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;”>Now, I am heading home towards a beautiful moon and the bright light city is behind me.Well, at least until November (or September).Man, WCP may kick me to the curb for being so mushy.style=”mso-spacerun: yes;”> In that case, hey, you should all go $#@$ yourself!style=”mso-spacerun: yes;”>
style=”font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;”>Xoxo,
style=”font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;”>Poker Cougar
we like you mushy