What's Wrong With The Word: "Cockpit?"

I took this past week off from live play to relax during the Thanksgiving holiday, although I still played a little online. Of all the holidays all year long, the one that is my favorite is Thanksgiving. I enjoy getting together with my parents, brothers and their families. Growing up, Thanksgiving was the one holiday that we always got together as a family, sure there were many others that we usually did something, but Thanksgiving was a constant. I also really like the fact that it is a non-religious holiday. That may sound funny, and I say live and let live when it comes to religion, however I think things have gotten out of hand. Religion these days is best case a crutch and worst case just an excuse to kill your fellow man. One thing is certain, those in control of it, and I’m talking about pretty much all religions use it to control and advance their own agenda, which more often than not, involves hurting some other group along the way. What ever happened to turn the other cheek, we have gone to more of a do unto others before they do unto you type of system in the world today. I could go on, but why clog up my inbox with all the hate email. Besides it’s unlucky for poker players to be superstitious or religious.

I am leaving again, later today for Prague, which will be my first EPT. I love to fly, but am getting tired of all the time in the back of a plane. If I’m not in the cockpit at the controls, I’d rather be somewhere else, but it’s the only way to get there. While I’m on the subject of flying, why is it when the Captain makes the greeting announcement they always say: “from the flight deck, this is your Captain…” This is fine on a multi-deck aircraft like a 747, but on almost every other commercial aircraft, the cabin and cockpit are on the same level, so there is no flight deck. Do we live in such a politically correct society that now you can’t say the word “cockpit?” I will see how this week goes and will then decide between the five diamond, at Bellagio and a circuit event in Atlantic City. Jack at the Bellagio has made some solid improvements in the tournament schedule, adding some other games besides no limit holdem and reducing the buy-ins of many of the preliminary events to a more reasonable level. I would have liked to see the main event buy-in back at the 10k mark from the current 15k level.

For New Years I am going to check out the newest MGM-Mirage property, Aria. It is supposed to have a great new poker room. From there I am jumping back to Cyprus for their event. They are having several small events, and a main event, which should draw over 250 players, with a $2,500 buy-in. You might be thinking, why Cyprus instead of PCA? First of all I am not the biggest fan of the resort where the PCA is being held, the prices are high and services low. This is the opposite of the Merit Casino in Cyprus. During the WPT event, held there a few months ago they went above and beyond catering to the poker players. It will be more like a vacation for me. I am trying to plan my live play tournament schedule based on what I perceive the value of the event to be. Obviously, it’s my rating scale so I get to assign the value based on my perception of the value to me.

When it comes to the actual event I like to take into account the size, buy-in and structure of the main event, as well as any preliminary events. Also the quality of the field I will be playing against. Where the event will be, expense of the travel and if there will be cash games and what those games will be like. Another factor that must be considered is the timing of the event, will it conflict with other tournaments I don’t want to miss or any family obligations. Lastly, I think about what else is there to do, is it a place I want to see. Although, I seem to spend 12-16 hours a day in the poker room, 6 or so hours sleeping and when you add in eating and all the other necessary things, there isn’t much time for all that much. Now don’t get me wrong, I do take some days off, but when I’m at a tournament location and there are good games or events, I want to play. When I am on vacation, even if there is poker I sometimes never play a hand. Although sometimes I am guilty of a little online play if there is downtime.