Decent Start to 2011...

My 2011 is already off to a great start. I have to hand it to PokerStars for putting on another incredible event down at the PCA. This year’s attendance for the Main Event managed to top last year’s despite both the economic and political climates. It’s sort of fitting that they have the event in the Bahamas – better climate all around.
The PCA started very well for me. Unlike the WSOP, the Main Event comes (nearly) first in the Bahamas – with only the Super High Roller Event proceeding it. It was my first live tournament of the year, and with it came my first live cash of the year. So, pretty good start for me! Granted, I finished in 164th place, but due to the big turnout (over 1500 runners) and flat prize structure, I managed to cash for $17k. Which, at the Atlantis, was about enough to cover my room service bill. But that wasn’t even the big score. In addition, I actually even won one of the side events – the $1,600 No Limit Hold ‘em. That was a much nicer start to my year – $40k for that bad boy!
I should also inform you of one of the best side events in the entire world, though you won’t find it on any schedules or announced in any poker room. It’s called the Dan Goldman “Drunk N Go.” Dan Goldman was one of the first ever employees for PokerStars, and while now he works mostly with the PPA, he still gets the royal treatment from Stars, and he passes that along to us. What does that mean? That means, late at night, we get our very own poker table to do with what we please. And what we please is cocktails, cocktails, cocktails while we play the world’s most ridiculous sit and goes. They’re usually $50 buy-ins, so no one’s really sweating the money too much. Just good time with good people, and if you get really lucky – you win enough money to cover the next round of drinks.
After that, I attended the Chad Brown event in Jacksonville, Florida. Florida recently changed their legislation to allow more high-stakes poker, and I’m really excited for what that means, not only in Florida, but for other states to hopefully follow suit. The event was a blast, and I look forward to other events in Florida. Now Florida can be home to both gators and sharks.
More recently, online, I’ve been running better, playing better, and getting deeper and deeper in tournaments. I will continue to work on my game throughout the year. I still have so much to learn. Most recently, I played the Deep Stack event at the Borgata in New Jersey. I didn’t cash, but you can’t cash in everything. Ok, maybe you can, but at least that’s what I’m telling myself to sleep better at night.
The next big live tournament for me is going to be the NAPT at the Bike in California. Until then, I’m going to rest up a bit and take the kids on a vacation to Mexico. I’m going to take most of the month of February off (still playing online of course), and take some time to hang with the family, and drink some margaritas down Mexico way. If you see me online, don’t forget to say “Buenos Dias” and hope that the margaritas are affecting my EV….