Please check out our live updates on the main event at www.pocketfiveslive.com!My wife and I arrived in Vegas at 4:45 in the afternoon, got checked into the MGM (not the nicest hotel, but it was free) and got to the party at 6:20. After hearing about last year's party, I was quite surprised to see how many people were there. The room was full.
The first person I met, without knowing it in the elevator, was Mindwise. Scott is a really cool guy and a lot of fun. Then I met the P5’s staff, minus Adam, and they were all fun guys to meet as well. <READMORE>After that, I met SusieQue, who was very kind and who took me to meet Shawn Rice. Shawn is a sincerely warm person who said some very complimentary things about me to my wife. I then met Feldliss, who is one of the nicest guys around. What happened then was quite humbling. A steady stream of people wanting to introduce themselves and wish me well in the main event. It was a bit overwhelming.
I know I’m going to leave a lot of people out, but here are some first impressions:
BodogAri-this guy looks 14 years old! (Fantastic guy, though)
Loewa79-there is no wondering why this guy is such a great player
Gator93-is there a more cheerful guy around?
KrazyKanuck-UB is really lucky to have him
Mucker-a beautiful woman inside and out
BiggunX-a true credit to the US military
Haleike-what a genuinely nice guy
Dhubermex-a classy guy
CrazyCypriot-what a perfect name for him! (Very cool guy)
Rizen-this guy's name should be “calm”; no wonder he’s a great player
wowswift-now I know why off topic is so spicy!
Towards the end of the party, I was finally able to meet Adam. I had a lot of respect for him before, but it has grown. We were able to sit down and have lunch on Saturday, and it was one of the highlights of trip. We talked about the main event, the site, and life in general. It was an awesome time.
Speaking of the main event, I busted out in the last hour of the night on day C. It was similar to what happened to Sheets in that we both had KK lose to AA in the last hour. I wound up with my kings in the bb. I was at a very aggressive table where every hand there was a raise. On this hand, for the first time, everyone folded to the button. He raised 4x, which he had done a few times before. I tripled the bet, he pushed, and I called. He showed AA, and I was out.
I know that most everyone that I talked to talked about how bad the play was in the main event. I didn’t experience that. The play online is far worse. The first table that I was at was full of solid players. The second table (I only played at two tables), only had two weak players. I stayed around average for most of the day. I certainly could not complain about cards. I had AK 6 times, AA, KK, QQ, and JJ twice. However, I lost with AK 5 times, AA once, KK twice, QQ once and JJ twice. The flop and turn were very unkind to me all day. I picked up key pots by playing position and outplaying people after the flop. I honestly played fantastic poker. After evaluating the day, I could only think of 1 hand I would’ve played differently. Unfortunately, breaks just didn’t go my way. That’s a part of poker.
As far as P5’s coverage is concerned, they are doing a fantastic job. Cal came by my table at every level. I also saw Adam a couple times, as well as Riley. They are working their tails off, and as you can see with P5’s live, the effort is paying off. They are also doing this while the tourney directors are being very difficult to deal with.
Good luck to the P5ers who are still alive. We’re rooting for you! </READMORE>
