Ok guys - some of you may be aware (cough cough) that I and a select other 600 or so are going to the WPT next week to play poker and have fun in the sun. (others - Tikay - have decided to go on a cruise but i make no judgement on your personal preferences for late night toilets).
Anyway - myself, Rupert, Suited Jock and The Rookie will be at the Atlantis resort. Not sure if there are anyother blonde players - sorry if I have missed anyone out - does anyone know?
I am about to go off line until I get to the Bahamas - I get there on the 2nd January for an extended holiday - so I wanted to start the update thread now for what I hope will be a very long report......featuring all blondites fighting it out on the final table. I am sorely disappointed not to be going to the blonde bash (I never want to miss out on anything) so I'm looking forward to reading about it while we are all away.
My first thoughts are: I am packing for a great trip that could become a trip of a lifetime- and although I am at least a 600 to 1 shot the odds do shorten bearing in mind a lot of them will be american....
I have no idea of what to pack as I haven't decided on my table image. The nails are painted ice maidenish, the lips have been tattooed (red - to remind me of Red Dog obviously) the hair has been restyled and I am looking decidedly kelly osbournish (hmmmmm) and I cant decide whether to go as an english lady or a poker player if that makes sense! Cute or gutsy? - undecided! I have interviews booked with the tv people - as a female english player I have attracted a bit of attention - I'm hoping that my poker will do the same. (for its skill not its badness)
I am packing 3 books - two harringtons (i like the pictures in his books) and one loaned by TE which having read the chapter he has recommended will either get me on the final table or out first hand......dont want to say anymore unless I give my game plan away. Having said that I am confident that as soon as I sit at the table I wont remember what a game plan is or how to play bun the baker. Still - when i shout snap it might make them laugh
Have just packed my good sunglasses - which i rarely wear but in case i need to retreat i will do it cooly behind my shades.
Have also packed my new (only) card protector - a crystal cat (resist Kev) donated by TE which definitely helped me get second the other night in Luton. its like a visual ipod - helps me focus - light coming through the crystal is very calming and energising all at the same time. Last night - as I rolled the cat around the table - Simon the dealer asked me why i kept playing with my pussy - classic silent moment before the table errupted.....in laughter (she adds quickly)
Anyway back to poker - All paperwork packed incase PS tell me when I get there it was an admin error and im not really playing. A few glad rags to wow the boys (the little black dress is packed) and lots of dollars to put in their equivalent of megabucks. i will invest a few for you Heid - I know what a slot machine queen you are!!
Had a horrendous game last night at Luton which uset me because i wanted a good game before I went away. Still - you can only play your game and last night wasn't mine.
i have a few distractions while I am away - january is my businesses busiest time so I have made a commitment to do some work every day -
I really wanted to completely immerse myself in poker but i have to be real about it.
Life in other areas has been a little traumatic recently and the day after I fly back I am due to go into hospital for further tests, I cant pretend I'm not a little concerned and I have been less than truthful to myself and others as to the reality of it all, so I'm looking to this trip to take my mind off it all and indulge myself in some drinking, massages, oh - and winning some poker!!
All in all its going to be a roller coaster - especially if i take a day or so out to go to Disney which is a short hop away (never been) and go on a few rides. A fishing trip is also planned and my expertly timed sea sickness should attract a few marlin.
My room has been upgraded so I am in a tower room - away from the rowdy mob (damm) so I hope I will get plenty of sleep before the first days play - i am on flight one - so start at 12 noon next Thursday January 5th. Brian Wilson is playing day 2 and is using that to his advantage ....offering drinks to unsuspecting players so they will not be as good day 1. I have him fooled - alcohol can only improve my play - make be braver - so i will be raising all in with 4 7.
This will be only the third time I have played with running antes later in the game - once in vegas where I got anted out and once at celebpoker game where I made it to the last 2 tables but the antes, my fear of Mad Marty and JJ Lui on the same table as me, and feeling tired got the better of me. However - we start with 10K chips and levels increasing every 75 mins so there is a lot of play to be had.
First thing I do when I get to the ballroom (is it a room for dancing or where the ball breakers play) is to find the ladies loo - i will drink a lot of water to keep the brain cells connecting when I'm playing and I will need a quick route to the facilities at break time. Break after every level of 15 mins so plenty of time to regroup my thoughts away from the table. I have also heard that a coke at the hotel is $6 so secondly I will be going to the local supermarket (no flies on me!) and stocking up on refreshments. PS pays for everything apart from drinks!
I then have the tv interviews lined up - they are paying me to say stuff like Poker stars is great (yipee) - and then my holiday is my own!!
I have prepared as much as I can at this stage I think - I really want to do well but I have to accept that skill and luck go together. I will be making a stand early at my table (I think) to ensure they dont start bullying the bird - good advice from TE that I will probably take. After that I intend to call any bets as long as I have quads. (or 4 7 off obviously).
I have TE, Kev and Red Dog on speed dial - TE and Red Dog for hand advice while I'm playing - and Kev just to take my mind off the game.....he's been tutoring me in the penguin game and i now have a score of 60. Sorry Tikay - couldn't include you as I wasn't sure if you would have your glasses on or not.....and I wasn't sure about ironsides advice on Ak.......
i am taking the digital camera (simple enough for a three year old to work) so expect a few shaky photos out of focus. Looking forward to this internation blonde assignment and i promise that some of my reports will be about poker - can't speak for all blondites though!! (I'm sure I remember a thread about Brian Wison, stewardesses and dancing on the roof of a bar or something? I expect my reports to be a little more sedate than that!
)
My flight from gatwick has also been upgraded - so at 8 am on Monday morning I will be raising a glass of champagne to you all - if it wasnt for Blonde I wouldn't be going - and for that and the friends I have made here I will be forever grateful!
Its going to be a blast!!!!
Tracey x
Author