Astonishing how far Boulter has fallen.

Qualified in Japan, so an opportunity, and got hammered.

Unless she does well in Hong Kong she is in danger of dropping out of the top 100 because of the points she won last year there.  She is likely to be UK number 4 behind Raducanu, Kartal and Jones in a couple of weeks. At the start of the year I was thinking she'd kick on this year and be solid top 20.  She really has been our most dependable BJK player too, so this isn't good for GB either.

I now think Raducanu is more likely than not to be seeded in Australia.  Assume Boulter lasts in the top 100 just long enough to not have to qualify.

I've not been in the Palazzo cardroom since they moved to the new area, is it all sloped now?

The one they had by Noodles Asia was ideal, so it's annoying they've moved (twice?) since then.

I think that Wazuzu is about the biggest slope I can remember in the Wynn

Horseshoe is doable, there is an elevator at the front of the hotel, then you go on the walkway and at the end of that a lift down to the strip level.

There is a ramp in the middle of the steps on the walkway through to Paris from Horseshoe.

Horseshoe is probably the best value CET hotel, and if Iron is going during WSOP to play anything would 100% stay there or Paris.

Think my room at Palazzo was on two levels.  Ie bed and lounge area had steps between them?  So long since I stayed there.  Venetian/Palazzo has lots of levels I think.  Shops are a level up, then you go down to strip?  It is quite a slope if you go up from the strip to the shops (think you can do some of it on a travelator).  Sure have to go up and down for some food options.  They had that cardroom downstairs in the exhibition area for a while during WSOP.  It was a proper hike from the strip.  No idea where it will be next year. Doesn't seem very wheelchair accessible to me, but not the expert in this conversation. 

Obviously do the slope for Wazuzu.  Love it there.

Raducanu has finished for the season.  She was really struggling with the heat/injury in the last 2 tournaments.  I don't know if she stays in the top 32 at the end of the year.  She has no points to lose, but the next couple of tournaments will be soft and I noticed a lot of entries were around her, but plenty of others have stopped for the season, so it isn't impossible.  She isn't winning a tournament this year though.

Thought Venetian Rooms and Casino wasn't very flat.  Don't think I'd pick them over the Wynn.  Suspect it is easier to get round the Wynn too, as all poker, most food on one level. More or less - you have to go down to Terrace Point Cafe, though think you can just go to bar etc without going down?  Jardin is ok from memory. There is a ramp at Red 8.  Think the buffet is flat. 

Marky, do you know if the Horseshoe is doable?  I thought it was fine, but know there are steps I walk up to Paris (never looked for a ramp).  All the cheap eats can be done via elevator? - I use an escalator, but think you could just get a lift - can't confirm if there is an elevator as I think I got there that way once by accident.  I think it is flat if you get there.  Think the main poker rooms are doable.  Daily deepstacks more of an issue, as it was up two escalators.  I assume there was a lift, but even if there was, it was pretty rammed up there. 10 handed and tables close together.

Loads of space around the Wynn poker tables.  There are some one day tournaments there, but the price point is significantly higher than daily Horseshoes.  Cheaper daily tournaments at MGM, Planet Hollywood and downtown.  Can't comment on how easy they are to get around in a chair (will say MGM is massive, think you may need to go the Scooter route unless marathon trained!).

Update please Mr Anthony

Last night of a truly wonderful holiday tonight, best of my life, flying home tomorrow, so will Update you once I'm home, probably over the weekend or early next week.

What about you Mr P?

Over the summer we went to a place which I thought you'd love.  Will be intrigued to know if it was a same place as I think you went to the USA again, and you are a big fan of Scotland/Norway. 

It was Alaska and Vancouver Island.  The West Coast of Vancouver Island is just like stunning view after stunning view. Rains a bit, but people are down to earth and food simple but somehow really good. Think you'd love it if you didn't go there. Alaska similar really.  Alaska is much more like Vancouver Island than Vancouver Island is like Vancouver.  FWIW I know a few poker players go to Vancouver for WCOOP and really think they should just go that little bit further.

Thanks David.

Sounds right up our street.

We'd probably use Amtrak up to Vancouver & then work from there. We've done most of the West Coast Amtrak from San Diego right up as far as Seattle, & it's a terrific journey, especially through Oregon, so that little bit extra up to Vancouver would be fun.

Presumably you took the family, did they enjoy it?

You still playing poker? With Sky, or elsewhere? Not sure how much fun Sky is now it's joined I-Poker. There's a Sky Poker Discord Channel which I occasionally peruse, but I've moved on & to be honest, I'm not sure I'd enjoy still being part of it, I have a different agenda these days. I wish them all well though & I miss a few of the crew. I don't miss the Moaning Minnies though.

Sorry about the delay.  Am busy at times.

I think you told me you were going to Hawaii when we were in Vegas, so my guesses were probably worse than you thought. 

On Vancouver Island, you can get a ferry from Seattle, so don't even need to go to Vancouver proper. Got quite excited about it.  Can even go up to the Yukon, which is even more wild and remote.  You can have a road trip through Alaska to the Yukon too, but guess there must be some car switching going on, as you are in 2 different countries. There is pretty much one road up via Vancouver and one up via the Rockies, so don't really need a satnav.  Drive 1000kms, get to Yellowknife, turn left, take the other road back kind of thing. Genuinely want to do this now.

You got no mobile signal out of towns, so very much like it used to be.  Would be strange to breakdown with no phones etc.  Guess people just stop and help you out still.  Can't imagine many of them driving past, maybe I am too optimistic?

We genuinely just came across a bear wondering done the road at one point.  You can even catch sight of dolphins and whales from the Ferry, but we were out of luck. kids loved it really.  Vancouver Island just had the very best zipline through a canyon. The eldest is very much like me and loves adventure, so we did a bit of kayaking too. I can't see the youngest ever taking up ice hockey (she just needs somewhere to perch and watch her phone and she is happy).  If we'd stay longer, we'd have fit more in.

Don't really play poker much at all now.  Friday is ice hockey practice, weekend she has games, so I fit it around that.  Am lucky to get one night a week these days, but still play the Sky ipoker games if I can whilst they are still running.  Am thinking of trying to play some WSOP circuit events at DTD.  They are only doing Omaha and not hi lo though.  Might see you there?

Btw I know you always talk about my kids like they are about 5.  Eldest had an entrance exam to Cambridge on Thursday. Apparently it is one of those places that is kind of a big deal.  Very proud obv; even if she doesn't get in. 

Update please Mr Anthony

Last night of a truly wonderful holiday tonight, best of my life, flying home tomorrow, so will Update you once I'm home, probably over the weekend or early next week.

What about you Mr P?

Over the summer we went to a place which I thought you'd love.  Will be intrigued to know if it was a same place as I think you went to the USA again, and you are a big fan of Scotland/Norway. 

It was Alaska and Vancouver Island.  The West Coast of Vancouver Island is just like stunning view after stunning view. Rains a bit, but people are down to earth and food simple but somehow really good. Think you'd love it if you didn't go there. Alaska similar really.  Alaska is much more like Vancouver Island than Vancouver Island is like Vancouver.  FWIW I know a few poker players go to Vancouver for WCOOP and really think they should just go that little bit further.

Kartal looked good today British number 2 next week

Didn't see today, but she steamrollered Kasatkina.  Was thinking Maya Joint has been playing so well, and she was well beaten too.  Beating Andreeva is a top result.

She definitely seems to have taken a step up in her short absence.  She is definitely playing better than Boulter and isn't far off first two sets Raducanu.  If we include the third set, probably better right now.

She can obviously beat Noskova, and with Swiatek gone and no Sabalenka, this isn't impossible.  Think Pegula and Gauff are clearly a bit inconsistent at times.

Draper has announced he isn't playing again this year.  Don't think this is much of a surprise as better to miss 2/3 months now than around the Australian Open.

Think Raducanu has done right to miss the BJK this time, even if I'd like to see her.  She needs to consolidate into a solid position in the top 32 by the year end.  Still think she should try and win a 250, but we are getting late for that this year ( is possible?). Way less likely to bump into Swiatek, Rybakina or Sabalenka, and there aren't many others to fear the form she is in?

On Hannah Klugman, before her semi I noticed Vandromme had won 4 ITFs this year.  I know people knock the bottom rung, but think she just looked more battle hardened. She has the tools to push on.  Hopefully does so when she is allowed to play more games at age 17/18. 

Skupski and Salisbury very much looked to have the final won a couple of times.  Was a sad end.

And how good was Alcaraz.  Always cheering him over Sinner.

Nice to see Anisimova beat Swiatek, maybe put those Wimbledon final demons to rest.

Agreed on this, and I struggle to warm to Swiatek. Pleased to see Osaka through too, think she has been through a lot whatever people think of her.

British fellas in the semi too.

Both British girls seem to be making hard work of the girls tournament, but both grinding pretty hard. Think Klugman just doesn't seem to hit winners much and still misses the ones she hits straight back.  Just feel she could be so much better if she irons out these two issues.

Much better today.  Saw much of Klugman's match, but kept switching to Stojsavljevic.  Both seemed better today.  Oliver Bonding is on next on Louis Armstrong, but have to do Dad stuff for a bit.

Would be great to see both Brit girls in the final.  Really is a big deal we have so much young talent.  Might go out and paint a roundabout in celebration, though not convinced these two are English enough for the likes of tiny Tommy, or that painting roundabouts is a celebration. 

Nice to see Anisimova beat Swiatek, maybe put those Wimbledon final demons to rest.

Agreed on this, and I struggle to warm to Swiatek. Pleased to see Osaka through too, think she has been through a lot whatever people think of her.

British fellas in the semi too.

Both British girls seem to be making hard work of the girls tournament, but both grinding pretty hard. Think Klugman just doesn't seem to hit winners much and still misses the ones she hits straight back.  Just feel she could be so much better if she irons out these two issues.

Red button on sky for the doubles untill the later stages which makes recording it for mum impossible but they did show the 3rd set ok the Boulter/Kartal  on skymix
Mum loves the wheelchairs so hoping they arent on over night.

I know how to get it in UK. I am just saying what I can see in the US/Canada.  Think doubles players overestimate their marketability.  I don't know what the answer is, but think there was a clear market for the mixed doubles tournament at the US Open.  The crowd looked fuller than the singles I have seen and there was some local hype.  Prize money was X4 too.  Can't see either thing happening with the normal mixed doubles entrants.

Obvious problems that it messes up the singles tournaments in the week before the US Open and the normal doubles players lose a big payday (though mixed normally has even worse prize funds than same sex doubles).  Other majors copying seems more likely than the US Open reverting to the old format from where I sit. 

Of course we still have Klugman and Stojsavljevic in the girls singles (plus 3 others, one got through qualifying). Klugman should be 2nd seed, I think Xu is too old now.  Bonding also has a chance in the boys Singles.

Women's doubles entries seem thin on the ground. Boulter and Kartal are playing together and won the first match.  Hopefully they can get some wins and it helps both their games and future BJK games.

Cash and Glasspool are out already, which was a bit of a shock.  Am on the right side of the Atlantic for the tennis, but it is harder to watch here (split screens and jumping between games).  Saw some of the mixed doubles last week, but no games this week so far.  I think that shows where we are with doubles.  The mixed doubles got publicity and television time, traditional doubles just isn't getting it here (have been in Alaska and now in Vancouver Island, big recommend).

All the singles gone in the US Open.

Think both were pretty much expected.  I think Rybakina is effectively the 3rd best player in the World after Sabalenka and Swiatek, so drawing her then Sabalenka is as bad a draw as Raducanu could getm. I don't think she played very well, but Rybakina was on fire and it is hard for anyone to stop here.

Norrie wasn't really expected to beat Djokovic, but both him and Raducanu should be back in the top 32 by Australia, as both have very few points to defend (something like 180/110 respectively by the end of the year).  I don't think either is really struggling with injury either. 

Not convinced Draper gets back quickly.  He was struggling in the mixed doubles too and only really played because it was the US Open.  Wouldn't be surprised if we didn't see him for another month.

Kyle retires today. Such a shame with the injuries when he was at his peak.
[/quote
Shame to see him go. Probably for the best, he hasn't really looked like being competitive at any stage since coming back, and we have plenty coming through so isn't going to get the wildcards.

just noticed Jones ranked 86th left it too late and needs to go through qualies

Quite surprised about that.  I had assumed she got in with plenty of time.  I know the seeds are chosen after this weekend, so assumed that the main draw entries were decided quite late too.  Suppose have to know the qualifying/main draw split earlier than the seeds.  She seems to run bad quite frequently.

Fery got a walkover in Colombia, which is a weird way to get your first challenger title, and a significant number of points for him.