Reno, WSOP Circuit, Borgata Deep Stack, Huck & Vanessa, and Layne

I am again on an airplane, Virgin America this time, headed to Vegas, then Reno for Jen Harmon's charity event. First of all, I'd like to congratulate Huck Seed and Vanessa Rousso for making the finals at the heads up event, it was great to see two of my favorite players do so well. I like the comments Shannon Shorr made about the NBC heads up event. Now I'm not complaining because I think I should have been invited, although I wouldn't have minded, but I do think they could do a better job, a much better job. I guess their intention is to make it like the skins game, where it's a popularity contest and all about the ratings.

I played in a fun little event this weekend that my brother Eric invited me too. He lives in a suburb of NY City, Montclair New Jersey, and a bunch of local guys get together for a holdem tournament. Initially I was told they didn't want any professionals, but after I assured them I was dead money in this type of event, they included me. I didn't really do too well, but it was a fun event. One of the hosts told me if I was the Oracle, he was the Barnacle, because his strategy if to hang around. I believe the nickname is available and I like it. The best part of the day came after the tournament when I went with my nephew to baseball practice. He is 9 and plays on a traveling team, he was impressive to watch. I also got to play with my neices on the jungle gym which was great, then a family dinner and back home.

From Reno I'm heading to the WSOP circuit in Atlantic City and will hang around for the Borgata deep stack. The events at Borgata are usually great and I'm sure this one won't disappoint. $500,000 guarantee for a $1,500 buy in. I was torn between playing the WPT event and these two. From a value standpoint, I believe the Atlantic City events represent a better value. The other advantage is that the cash game action at The Borgata will be great. There are a lot of choices these days and I try to choose wisely when it comes to picking events.

I am hooking up with Layne Flack at the Vegas airport, and I'm anxious to hear about his heads up trials and tribulations. Layne is one of the most talented poker players I know, and I know a lot of talented poker players. His instinct and ability is truly amazing. Off the felt he has been a good friend and we have had some interesting times over the past two years. His story is an interesting one, with perhaps more highs and lows than most. I think he is capable of almost anything if he can stay out of his own way.

For more information on Roy Winston, you can visit his website: www.oraclepoker.net or send an email to: [email protected] with your questions or comments. The contents presented herein on this blog are purely the opinions of Roy Winston, and are not intended to reflect or promote the opinions of any other person, group, or entity. If you like what I write than thanks for reading, and if not well, thanks anyway.