This and That

by Linda Johnson | Published: Apr 19, 2005

In this column, I've compiled some bits of news as well as some miscellaneous anecdotes that have been piling up on my desk. Enjoy!

Legislative Changes …The Oregon House recently approved a bill that would make it legal for charity "casino night" events to allow Texas hold'em to be played. Currently, only games such as craps and blackjack, in which players bet against the house, are allowed. The measure passed by a vote of 56-1 and has been sent to the Senate.

Stations Casinos … Congratulations to Station Casinos for becoming the first gaming company to make Fortune magazine's list of the top 100 companies to work for. It was ranked 54th.

Wynn Las Vegas … Chances are that if you haven't already made a reservation to stay at Wynn Las Vegas during its first year of business, you will get shut out. The resort, scheduled to open on April 28, is reporting 100 percent occupancy for the first year. Room prices range from an average of $271 per night for a 600-square-foot standard room up to $2,000 per night for a villa. Of course, if your financial statement rivals Steve Wynn's, you can lease a suite for a mere $560,000 per year.

WPT Invitational … During the recent celebrity-filled World Poker Tour Invitational at Commerce Casino, my starting table consisted of Justin Portman (supermodel Natalia Vodianova's husband), Jeremy Sisto (Six Feet Under), Patrick Bruel (France's famous actor/singer), John DeFrancis, Mike Paulle, Ben Roberts, Macauley Caulkin (Home Alone), and David Sutcliffe (Gilmore Girls). At one point, one of the actors made the comment, "I need a table change. There are too many people here who know how to do chip tricks."

True Poker Story … I was playing $150-$300 Omaha eight-or-better at Commerce Casino during the Invitational and there was a gentleman in the game listening to a CD music player. During one hand, the flop came J-3-3 of three different suits. A professional player who had flopped a full house capped it when heads up with "Mr. Headphones." Again, it was capped on the turn when an 8 appeared. The river card was a 4, and it was capped again. At this point, Mr. Headphones revealed his A-2-6-10 holecards, and split the pot with the professional player, who held J-J-A-3. The pro couldn't help himself as he commented aloud, "What song are you listening to – I Believe in Miracles?"

Unbelievable … An online poker site was the successful bidder on eBay of a pregnant woman's belly, on which to advertise its site during her pregnancy. The final bid was $8,900.

Speaking of advertising, I got this letter from a reader: Yesterday, I was in Gardena and heard a commercial on the car radio. I swear, I'm not making this up. The commercial started out saying something about the $500,000 poker jackpot, and naturally, it captured my interest. They were talking about going to some poker game or tournament, and then they started talking about how it's too bad that you're going to be sitting and squirming in your seat from the discomfort of hemorrhoids. All of a sudden, I realized this was not a poker commercial; it was a commercial for Preparation H! Poker has certainly become mainstream!

World Poker Tour … Season three has begun airing on Wednesdays on the Travel Channel. Here are some fun facts about the World Poker Tour:

Eleven tons of equipment plus the dazzling WPT set travel with the WPT to locations all over the world. In the first two seasons, the WPT traveled 88,000 miles on three continents.

It takes 75 workers two days to assemble the arena and set up the accompanying television gear, which includes 17 cameras, up to six miles of cable, and a hodgepodge of other technical equipment.

More than $48 million was awarded in WPT prize money in the first two seasons.

There are more than 80 "regulars" who play most of the WPT events.

Season one had a total of 1,399 registrants. Season two had 4,344. That number should more than double in season three.

When play gets heads up on the WPT, there is a unique money presentation. Some of the ways the money has been brought in include via Harley-Davidson, by a frogman with a treasure chest, by a team of oxen, by Indian tribal dancers, by a Roman warrior, in a conga line of ship's officers, in a dough bowl, by a cowboy with saddlebags, by bikini-clad beauties emerging from a sea shell, on a stagecoach, on silver platters by beautiful women accompanied by Cirque du Soleil acrobats, by police and security guard escorts, dropped from the ceiling, by Cleopatra, by airplane, and from a magician's hand.

The players who won multiple tournaments in season one and two are: Gus Hansen (4), Howard Lederer (2), and Erick Lindgren (2).

The WPT website, www.worldpokertour.com, has more than a million page views per week.

More than 16,000 spectators came to final-table tapings in the first two seasons.

In the first two seasons, the WPT generated more than 3,500 print stories in newspapers and magazines, including Sports Illustrated, People, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Business 2.0, FHM, and TV Guide, and was the subject of more than 750 national and local television segments.

It's WPT quiz time: Who was at every WPT final table with the exception of one during seasons one and two? Drumroll…………….…me! OK, so what if I was there with a microphone in my hand as the live studio announcer; what a great job I have!

Now, let's play poker!