It’s like a combination of a summer camp, a college dorm, a cruise ship and a family reunion. There’s a set schedule, some free play time, an endlessly revisited cafeteria area, familiar faces in every direction and countless new –
It’s like a combination of a summer camp, a college dorm, a cruise ship and a family reunion. There’s a set schedule, some free play time, an endlessly revisited cafeteria area, familiar faces in every direction and countless new – dare I say – friendships being created.
Though it maintains these familiar aspects of other social experiences, the World Series of Poker is in a category unto itself. On the busiest of days, there are people bustling through the Rio poker area like it’s a shopping mall the day after Thanksgiving. But for every 25 people I see scurrying around is one that I recognize. It might be a well-known poker player often on TV, or it might be an athlete or pseudo-celebrity out here trying their luck with the rest of us.
In the main hall, poker tables with identifying numbers resting above scan as far as the eye can see. Some people are playing tournaments, some are playing various cash games, some are watching their friends from the sideline.
But while poker is one of the ultimate individual games, it’s amazing how quickly those competing against one another can become somewhat bonded. Almost every person I’ve sat at a table with for a decent amount of time has then been someone I later had a conversation with in the hallway, or has come up to me and asked how I’m doing.
Not many would equate the term “camaraderie” with poker, but it is an unlikely result of being around the same people for days on end.
As far as results go, it’s been a pretty solid, if not spectacular week for me. One change is that I’m getting ready to enter my first official WSOP event as I write this. I hadn’t originally planned to play it because by the time this Sunday paper is printed and delivered, I’m supposed to be in the air over the Pacific and on my way back to Kauai. But if things go well in my event, that will have to be slightly delayed.
If not, I can at least say that I’ve entered a real World Series event. I won’t be the only Kauai representative able to make that claim, as Friday’s Seniors event contained its fair share of Garden Isle patronage. One of the biggest fields of the series – 4,407 players – showed up for the no-limit hold-em tournament open only to players 50 and above.
The last I heard, two of the five Kauai players I knew had survived until the dinner break. But if the tournament’s chip counts are accurate, none of them are among the 491 players who ultimately made it to Day 2.
The odds are against me to achieve a seat on Day 2 of my own no-limit hold-em event, but having to change my flight would be a small price to pay for such a claim.
• ‘My Thoughts Exactly’ appears Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays in The Garden Island. Email David Simon your comments or questions to dsimon@thegardenisland.com. Follow David on Twitter @SimonTGI
