2004 Was a Great Year, Thanks Everyone!
2004 is down to the final hours, so time to look back, give thanks and talk about the future. The Poker Prof and I began this blog just before the start of the 2004 World Series of Poker, in fact, it was April 15th. I would never have predicted the success we have enjoyed as a result of our efforts. You, our readers, have made all the work worth it by coming to read what we blog and look at our photographs. Our first thank you is for everyone that has stopped by to see what we are offering. Without you I would have quit this job.
The poker industry has reinvented itself and moved out of the smoke-filled backrooms frequented by the stereotyped degenerate gambler. Poker is now a highly respected sport on prime time television. Families watch tournament poker and follow their favorite players from the comfort of their living rooms, thanks in part to Lyle Berman and the World Poker Tour. New poker stars and millionaires are created weekly. The major Las Vegas resorts, that just a few short years ago were closing poker rooms and turning their backs to the players, are now opening new poker facilities and actively competing for players.
Tournament poker has moved into the big time with millions of dollars in prize money offered to the bold, skilled and sometimes lucky players that win all of their all-ins on any given day. The Internet poker rooms are teaching the game to people that have never touched a playing card or sat in a live game.
When Greg Raymer won the 2004 World Series of Poker Main Event and collected a record purse of $5 million he gave hope to the millions of new poker players dreaming of someday winning the big one. Greg, the Fossilman, was the second WSOP Champion to gain his entry to the dance through an Internet satellite tournament. In 2003 Chris Moneymaker won the WSOP Main Event even though he had never played in a live game, only on the Internet. Are these two back to back WSOP Internet Champions a fluke? Maybe; but, maybe they are not. Live tournaments now attract record numbers of players. During the nineties a couple of hundred entrants in the WSOP Championship event was the norm. The 2005 WSOP Main Event is expecting more than six thousand entries. Internet players are experienced in playing and surviving tournaments with large numbers of entrants, so the advantage goes to them. This advantage will be short lived as the live tournament professionals adjust their game to take into account the thousands of players vying for a piece of the prize. The most important single thing to remember when playing in a tournament: Survive!
The Las Vegas and Poker Blog had its share of lucky breaks in 2004. The first was being recognized as legitimate media by Nolan Dalla, 2004 WSOP Public Relations Director. He issued press credentials and we were on our way. We attended every WSOP event with camera in hand and we shot thousands of images. The best of the bunch we complied and posted in a permanent gallery. A very big thank you, Nolan, for your confidence. The WSOP gig resulted in our being invited to cover many tournaments including the Hard Rock Pro/Am Celebrity, Four Queens Poker Classic, the Golden Nugget's Touring Comedians Charity tournament, the Final Table Challenge, the Ultimate Poker Challenge at the Plaza, the Bellagio’s Festa Al Lago, Hard Rock's Hot Tex II, Orleans Open 2004, the Game Show Network's Battle of the Sexes at the Plaza and the Bellagio’s Five Diamond World Poker Classic. We also covered the first (and last!) WPPA tournament at the Orleans; but, that’s another story for another day.
Thanks to everyone that allowed us to come into the tournament pit and document the events and players including Nolan Dalla, Matt Savage, Jack McLelland, Doug Dalton, Garret Okahara, Dave Lamb, the World Poker Tour, the Hard Rock and Bonnie Damiano. I’m sure I will remember many others that invited us in.
And finally, I wish to thank all of our fellow Bloggers for giving us a link from their established blogs even though we were a complete unknown. Without being allowed into this exclusive community we would not have survived, much less flourished. Thanks to all of you that came to our first ever World Poker Blogger Tournament at Sam’s Town and made it a great success. It would never have been possible if not for our friends and fellow bloggers, Dick Gatewood and Dr Pauly. I wish to offer a special thanks to the professional players, Marcel Luske, Max Pescatori, Evelyn Ng, Karill Gerasimov, Ron Rose, Charlie Shoten and Tom McEvoy for taking the time away from busy schedules to attend and visit with all of us. You truly made it a special event, one we will never forget!
A special thanks goes to Foiledcoup for having the confidence in our efforts and voluntarily providing his view of the poker industry and the events. He provides our readers with his unique insight into the world of poker through his personal relationships with the players and workers.
And least I forget, I wish to thank Mrs. Flip for her understanding, encouragement and assistance during the long hours I have spent at events and at the computer keyboard. Thanks for proofing the hundreds of articles and correcting the many mistakes.
Oh yea, thanks to the Poker Prof for nagging me into getting off the couch and becoming productive. I am reminded that all the work has been worth it everytime I look at the web logs and realized that thousands of people visit with us everyday. Thanks to everyone that has made 2004 such a big success.



They distracted him by pounded on the door to the room next to his and complaining about a misplaced key; when he opened his door to check out the problem they tried to force Greg back into his room. The 2004 World Series of Poker Champion called upon his lawyer learned, poker sharpened skills of observation; then quickly decided he would take his best shot in the corridor. He shoved the larger of the two to the floor, then the smaller guy pulled out a gun and demanded the money. A surprised Raymer then watched the guy on the floor get up, then he and the second would-be robber with the gun decided to retreat, walking past two hotel security people responding to Greg's shouting. The Bellagio’s surveillance then watched the two leave the hotel and drive away in their car. Raymer identified them from photos and hotel security then completed the ID from the surveillace video and after connecting them with an incidence earlier in the evening. They had been playing in the Bellagio’s poker room. Las Vegas police continue to search the city for the two.
New Year’s Eve is rapidly approaching, just a few hours left for 2004, then we march into 2005 and begin a new round of poker tournaments. The World Series of Poker will be held in its new digs at the Rio Resort located just off the Las Vegas Strip. Even the dates for the WSOP have changed to later in the year, beginning June 2 instead of mid-April. Will downtown Las Vegas be without a major poker tournament for the first time in more than three decades? Not hardly. Barrick gaming, new owners of the Plaza Hotel in downtown Las Vegas, has stepped up and scheduled
Beginning on June 3rd, 2005 will be the
The biggest problem live game players face is waiting for a seat to open up. Hopefully, our learned leaders will decide it isn’t a crime to play online poker and we Americans can join the rest of the civilized world competing in virtual poker rooms without fear of being a law-breaking criminal, having bank accounts frozen and credit cards cancelled.
I met a "snowbird" from England at the Bellagio. More of a bridge player than a poker player. He wisely, unlike the Hendon Mob who waste money on rooms; but, don't pay staff, took my advice and relocated from the Bellagio to a huge suite at the Tuscany for only $59 a night. However, New Years Eve sees the arrival of the $350 a night rate; so, he wisely decided it would be a good idea to leave Las Vegas and see California, especially the Pacific coast. He asked me along for the company. After 10 years in Vegas, I have turned into #1 homeboy, never even left town for a few hours to see the Hoover Dam. A belated seven year itch arrived just in time for me to say yes. As I am the one with computer access and an atlas I am the trip planner.
I liked the idea of a day one drive through Death Valley and somehow finishing the day in Monterey. Day two would include a visit to Bay101 in San Jose on the way to SF. Then, down the coast to Santa Monica, a place I love, and return home to Vegas via Harrah’s Rincon, where I hope to be for the World Series prelim in February.
The Christmas shopping rush is over here in Las Vegas; but, the after Christmas sales have just begun. Today was a trip to the
The latest addition is three stories of marble, giant statues, spiral escalators, reflecting pools, fountains, skylights and more than 160 shops straight out of Rodeo Drive. The Forum provides shoppers with limo drop off and valet parking. Restaurants for hungry patrons include something for every appetite and budget. Take the family to the Cheesecake Factory or sample great seafood at Joe’s Seafood, Prime Rib & Stone Crab, catch a quick lunch at the trendy Planet Hollywood or treat yourself to creations from Wolf Gang Puck’s Spago. If you just need a quick pick up there are numerous espresso and pastry bars. Browse world class art at Peter Max Gallery, pick up a bauble at Bvlgari, perhaps a new purse from Fendi or Gucci. Buy the kids that perfect toy at FAO Schwarz or the Disney Store. The Forum Shops at Caesars, the shopping wonder of the world, is also the most profitable shopping center in the US. The place is always filled with shoppers from all over the world and most are carrying bags filled with just purchased treasures. In a recent survey more than 65% of Las Vegas visitors said they had gone shopping and made a purchase while vacationing here.
The town is beginning to fill up for the New Year’s weekend. The sidewalks along the strip were shoulder to shoulder with tourists watching the dancing Fountains at the Bellagio, the fire breathing Volcano at the Mirage or the Pirate ship battle in front of the TI Resort. Another good news item is the Las Vegas monorail is finally running again after extensive testing and re-certification. Hopefully the falling monorail parts will be no more and the system can provide a quick and convenient means of moving about the Las Vegas Strip. Most of the hotels are sold out for the weekend. The major strip resort’s room rates for the New Year are averaging $600 to $800 per night with a two night minimum.





Day two started for me at 08:30 am.The muffins were better today, bought from Seattle’s Best, rather than the factory ones from the previous day. The Pit Bull was replaced by Red Bull. Evy was back to her usual sweet self. She experimented with different shades of make up from Lee's $5K collection. I suggested a Gene Simmon’s Kiss face. After her session Evy came over for a hug. Obviously she didn't find Mr. Right from the selection of toothless wonders in the Plaza sportsbook. Next up, Jen and Kathy. These three were the 10:00 am girls. With only one round for each player left they realized that not only did they have to play against the men for a team prize of $5K each, they were playing against each other. The top three point scorers of each sex reaching the final with a prize of $40K to the winner.
The players have to keep changing clothes to give the impression the series was filmed over six weeks, not 36 hours. The best dressed male or female was Antonio Esfandiari.
I sat with the make up girls again. The talk is not of poker but the players appearance,"X needs to cover their ears," "Y should be wearing long sleeves," "Z’s hair is too much," I loved it.
Seasons greeting and a bah humbug to everyone. I’m in the full jolly spirit of things handing out coal to relatives and glowering at people who try to send good cheer my way. I've spent the past few days improving the
The players were sitting hunched in their seats,
He played every hand never folding a one,
Whilst the rest of you were Christmas shopping or driving to LA, I was blending in backstage at the "Battle of the Sexes," a new seven part poker series, to be on GSN, filmed over two days this week at the run down Plaza. Ceiling tiles either missing or discoloured from water leaks. Players reported mold in the bathtubs. Want to know what Evybabee is like at 08.30 am? What the WSOP champion had for lunch? Then read on.
Karina Jett and Clonie Gowan, both Mothers, are more familiar with the daylight hours. In fact, Karina looked liked she had been up for hours, so perfect was her make up and hair (that’s another plug for Lee). Lee told me she had been up since 05.30 am. Note to TV networks planning on filming a poker event: A 2:00 pm start works better for the players. Chris Moneymaker was the winner of the ‘tired look award’ amongst the dozen players. He has lost a lot of weight since his WSOP triumph.
Jennifer Harman, looking for some TV exposure after missing most of the WSOP because of her well documented health problem, informed me she was still exhausted from her fourth place finish to Daniel Negreanu on Saturday. "I never had chips so I played under pressure for two days."
The Poker Prof and I just returned from a fast trip to the Southland, Los Angeles, that is. We combined some business interest with a holiday visit for Mrs. Flip and made the one day turn around without incidence. Traffic was light to moderate, even our return across LA at evening rush hour on the infamous I-10 was quick. We will have a major announcement in the near future as a result of today’s events, providing everything continues on track. We stopped in at Hollywood Park Casino and looked around hoping to see
Tables filled with players and floor people constantly calling names from the wait list for any empty seats. The trip was hastily conceived so we had no time to contact OJ in advance, maybe next trip we will not be so rushed.
Scott Fischman won the first "Young Guns of Poker" WPT event on Sunday at the Bellagio. The event was an invite only shootout with the oldest player only 24 yrs old.
Jennifer Harman, Evelyn Ng, Karina Jett and Clonie Gowan play against four male professional counterparts. Amazing that Foiledcoup doesn’t seem to know who the guys are. I will be there with the camera and shoot photos of the action, if possible. Of course, I can always take more photos of Foiledcoup and the girls. Seems that every time I look through the view finder there is Foiledcoup and one or more of the babes of poker smiling into the lens.
Foiledcoup will provide a complete report including photos of the WPT Young Guns of Poker Tournament held Sunday evening at the Bellagio. The group of invited players topped out at twenty-four years of age. They competed for a $25,000 + $500 seat in the WPT World Championship at the Bellagio in April, 2005. The winner of the tournament and seat was Scott Fischman.
I don't know when Flipchipro is planning on buying his Christmas gifts; but, our run in to Christmas has been shortened by the addition of the Young Guns of Poker at the Bellagio Sunday and a Battle of the Sexes being filmed at the Plaza Tuesday and Wednesday. The latter will feature my favourites, Karina Jett and Evelyn Ng, as well as Jennifer Harman, who agreed last week to join our stable. This means we will follow Jen's progress in any tournament she plays; plus, she gets to have her photo taken with me! Clonie Gowan is the fourth women who will take on four male players.
Steve Rassi was crippled by Jennifer Harman. His only way of playing was to go all in. Jennifer called him with A,Q; Steve looked confident as he showed Q,Q. However, Jen flopped an ace. Daniel came in for the kill the next hand. Steve took home $217K plus a TV appearance in the spring.