Aruba right around the corner
Posted: 2008-08-31 17:52:25By: Shawn Rice
Hello Ubers
I have been taking a little break since the WSOP, not even playing as much online. I have been playing more home games in both Lubbock and Amarillo Tx. It's great to see you old friends you play with often and it seems like the ones you have not seen on years and years have not changed how they play one bit.
I decided I was going to play the $2100 buyin poker tourney at the Winstar Casino in Oklahoma this past weekend. They had 5 starting days of 300 players each and the top 30 from each day got to come back Saturday and the final 150 played down to the final 9 for TV. I am not sure where all it was aired but I did see it on TV last Saturday with a friend of mine named Stacy Jones from Midland Tx making the final two. The TV show was commentated by Greg Raymer and Annie Duke and seemed to be very entertaining and insightful as they are two of the best teachers of the game. In fact I was asked to be part of an online teaching site called Proplaylive.com owned by the people who put on the World Series of Poker Academy Camps. Also involved are players Erik Seidel, Tom McEvoy and Bill Chen along with a few other great teachers and players. It was an honor to be asked and I love making videos as it keeps me on top of my game.
I made it though the 1st day with about double average in chips which I felt pretty good about being the levels where only 40 minutes long and some really bad jumps in the structure. At one point you are playing 100/200 then playing 200/400 with a 25 ante which means you are losing over 60% of your chips in one level which is pretty bad but I can admit I have never seen worst playing in a $2000+ buyin tourney ever. I knew I had to play this tourney very different than most any larger buyin tourney that I ever played. My play was to not gamble as much and take advantage of other peoples mistakes. I figured this was my true advantage. I got knocked out in 13th place winning $39,000 when I was about 13 times the big blind with 33 and I pushed from the small blind heads up vs. the big blind who had JJ. Which was not that bad out of 1500 players but it's still a little sick when 1st place paid $700,000 which would of made for a nice two days of playing. There where many people I knew there from my home town along with many UB regualars like DashAlert, ClassyPloppy, SassyTexan and All Golf. I did get knocked out in time to go see Linkin Park play in Dallas, which was a good show, but my mind was still on not winning the tournament. Looking back I did well and am very proud of my play of the 2 days. Wish I could always say that.
Next Monday I head out to Los Angeles for the filming of The Best Damn Poker Show II. Again it will be Annie and I Vs Poker Ho and Phil Hellmuth, If you don't have to lay over 5 or 6 to 1, bet on us.
This year will be a little less star power and more of your fellow UBers whom you play with daily. I know SassyTexan made the show (with NO help from me what so ever) and also a lady from my hometown named Donna that I didn't even know auditioned for the show in Vegas. This will be very fun and also some long hours of work as last year we worked from 8am til 12am or so. I can't wait to see how you all made the show and it will be a blast I am sure.
Aruba, Aruba, Aruba. It's that time of year again and I have gone every year since 2003 and trust me when I tell you the is the best and most fun tourney you can ever play, If you get knocked out you are still in for an awesome time. This year Matt Savage will be back again with an awesome structure and finishing in enough time to allow everyone to enjoy the Aruba nightlife. I know Scott Ian and Pearl Aday will be there jamming and I will be testing my liver. When I first show up I have to weigh in as Debo and I have a weight loss bet with Poker Ho for $10,000, I need to lose as much as possible until then as I have lost about 45lbs so far and Debo about 20, I think we need to lose about 90lbs total to cinch the bet, Ho also has a $10,000 bet with Phil Hellmuth that he will lose 50lbs total. I love Ho's bet here as he is already very close.
Do what you can to try and make it to Aruba this year as it will be a great time enjoyed by everyone. I hope to see many of you there and the opening and closing parties really rock! Ohh and there is also a poker tourney there with millions to be won. Also don't be shy and come up and say hello.
Proud UB Team Member
Shawn Rice
