The plane has just left Las Vegas. Things did not go as I hoped but went as well as they could. Sitting on the plane watching the people board you notice two things, the blood shot eyes and the slowness that they move. I know how they feel. Exhaustion will hit me tomorrow.

I can say the trip was successful for many reasons. I was able to get into a few no limit hold cash games and also entered a few tournaments and even won one of them. Place 6th in another. Invested $180 in the tournaments and won $599. Took a very big chip lead at the final table by first getting a full house kings over aces and then took out two players by having an ace high flush. Only got to 6th place on another tournament when big slick hit for me but I was beaten by three of a kind. Sevens if you can believe that.

I have always stated that the river is a harsh mistress. After watching the pros play at different tables I know to do this full time will never be my cup of tea. I enjoy the game for the enjoyment of the game and the people I have met at 5th Street and on a few tables I have played in the last few days. Many players chasing the elusive catch of cards. I will still try to win my way into a few more of these tournaments because there are four I would really like to be in.

Most no limit games I played had average pots of less then $200 and only a few times per hours did the pots exceed $300. One table I was “lucky” enough to get on had pots exceeding $500 every other hand. One pot was over $1500 and I knew I was on the wrong table. 6 of the 10 guys being too aggressive, in my opinion, and 4 of us just waiting for the others to run out of money. Walked away from that table with a little less the $200 in profit.

Had fun on another table where three ladies were playing and doing their best to take the guys money and one of them was really succeeding. Saw her the next day and she had take over $1200.00 in 7 hours of playing.

You always hope the next players have cards and they bet but you always want their cards to be just under what you have. Hitting the flushes, the gut shot straights, the full houses, kept the money in front of me most of the time, but also gave some of the money to someone else. If I would have had even a portion of the hands I saw on the cash tables at the main event I would not be flying back early.

Met and talked to at least 10 people who made it to the second round of the main event. They all had their own stories and I wished them the best. I have played over 40 hours worth of poker in just under 4 days. I have won hands and I have lost hands. I am not coming home rich in money only in memories.

I know I have many people I should thank for their support but I will limit this final thank you to Jeremiah for publishing these humble stories and to Bill for getting up early to haul me to the airport and staying up late to pick me up.

I will wait for the next 5th Street tournament to hear "shuffle up and deal".

The number of people was unbelievable. I have been to many conventions over the years but this rivaled any I have attended. Men and women wanting to get started or see someone they have only seen on TV. Vendors hocking their ware. Sales women in almost nothing, trying to get everyone to come see what they have. The side stories of these alone could fill many pages but I would never offend the ladies of 5th Street Poker. One lady advertising was only wearing body paint.

It should be noted that Martha wore the Nice Pair T shirt and the number of stares, takes and double takes were unbelievable. Of all the advertised merchandise there was not one like this but I will bet there will be next year. I will leave the comments my mind has alone at this time.

The main room filled up very quickly when the players were allowed in. With number of camera men, photographers, tournament official, the hundreds of press, dealers, waiters, and other personnel I wondered where the players would sit. After over an hour wait in a very crowded hall, players were asked to take their seats and as we had to prove that we were a player with our purchase card for this event we had to try to get through the crowd of spectators that were trying to see in the room to spot someone they might have seen on TV. I got to my table, I incorrectly reported this earlier as 116 it was actually 166. No wonder I sit on table one at 5th Street hard to confuse that one.

10 players at each table and a feature table on stage. Over three hundred alternates waiting also to be seated. Ended up being over 240 total tables I heard. This is just the first of four days to qualify for the second round. I was seated next to professional Yung Fan. He has been at over 8 final tables but no bracelet yet for him. 18 years as a professional player. He had one meltdown about one player and a dealer decision but who would not with the pressures the pros are under to perform.

James Garner, of Maverick fame was player and also welcomed the crowd and announced shuffle up and deal. It should be noted that no matter how many rules were in place there were many violations and mostly by the pros. I could write at least a page or two just to this

Finally we were under way. It took 12 minutes for the first person to be eliminated to an announcement and a thunderous applause. Blind levels of two hours long. Immediate rises just to take the pot and prove a superior position. Sometimes that works but I really think many of the new guns did not understand that many of the pro's might say they hate this type of play but I watched some of the people and mistakes were easy to spot, sometimes.

Dealers were changed every 30 minutes. I lost the first 5 hands I played. Good cards but hit nothing. Still I am at the biggest game in the world. Best hand dealt was an A-6 Diamonds and hit nothing on flop and after two raises after my act I folded. Still hit nothing on the river. I won one hand by using a WTHWB do when I got A_A but the flop came out K_J_? and K_J was suited. Tripled, highest reraise and everyone folded. Recovered most of my losses.

For the number of people in the room it was quiet and business like. Nothing like you see on TV. Late in the day they set a few people in the crowd up to shout and scream for a player and I thought how cheesy this is.

After almost two hours I saw the James Garner was only a few tables away and that was neat for me. After another hour it was announced the James Garner was knocked out. Many people were falling fast.

By this time there were over five hundred players to go before the cutoff and also at this time I did realize how much longer we would be playing. The two hour mark we got a break but they had to divide the player in half and ask the crowd to leave before the break and not to use the bathrooms so the players could make it back in the 20 minutes allowed. This went on twice every two hours.

Four plus hours in and I had won only three hands. Took a big hit on big slick and had to really tighten up. I changed tables a 6:15 and ended up with Gus Hanson at the next table and three pros at my table, one is the garbage man that I have watched on TV. Mark Sief kept coming over and giving the garbage man, the baseball scores. Gavin Smith was walking around the room wit a camera crew following him everywhere. Gus H had reporter after reporter wanting to interview him and camera men trying to film him playing hands. At one time I had more chips in my stack then he did. I never saw him with more then the starting amount. Guess I am not doing to bad. Took a pot from two of the pros and the woman that was at my table she was mad about my raise but she did not call my raise and I just picked up three big blinds. Q-Q

10:45 PM and only $1700.00 left. Blinds only 150 and 300 but antes are hitting hard even at this level. No cards since the Q-Q and everyone reraising on every hand. Over a hundred tables emptied. Over a 1000 people out before me. Gus is under $4000 at this point and still talking to reporters.

Went out with Q-J suit flop was Q K 8 my all in was beat by kings. What do I say. Adrenaline rush yes disappointment a big yes. Looked around as I left over a hundred tables empty. Many pros knocked out and playing satellites trying to get back in the next day. 10 players at $1030.00 each and was asked if I wanted to join a new table told thanks but no thanks.

It has been a little over 24 hours. I was asked if I would ever buy into this directly. My answer would have to be not for 10G. It has been such an experience. It has given me memories and something new to talk about for a long time to come. It is hard to really describe this entire experience and all of the support I have received from my wife and boys, the people at 5th Street, and my work.

I will sign off for now and now I can go after my real goal, since this experience was just a tune up for this goal, a 5th Street Trophy.

I just got back from picking up my registration and entry cards. Registration was a mad house everyone pushing and asking questions and only 4 people to help them. I will start tomorrow at 11 AM on table 116 seat four. It is rather strange to see the buy in is $10,000.00.

The crowds are unbelievable even for Vegas. There are booths of every type trying to push every type of card item known to man. Women and men dressed or should I say not dressed. Everyone is trying to get you to take something or sign up for something. I might start doing that after playing. When walking through the area we saw Chris Fergusson, Doyle Brunson and the man they call the mad genius, can not remember his name.

I finally made it to the room that the world series will be held in. I do not know exactly how to describe this but it is not the RIO I am use to playing at. There are 209 tables set up and ready to go. Before I got there I could not figure out why there was such a long line waiting for the signs going to the poker cashiers cage they were advertising but when I stepped into the room I knew. Better then half these table were already filled with people already testing there luck against each other and the professionals. The nerves I had stared acting up until I looked closely at the table and saw they were the same size as any table I have sat at and they had a dealers chair as well as 9 chairs for players. I thought, I can do this and if the cards are there I can play and last.

I picked up the Poker Stars duffle bag and was surprised withthe amunt of items they give. A baseball type jersey-heavey, a hockey type jersey, a heavy jacket, t shirts, hats, and 7 misc smaller items. Now I know where my money goes. Martha had the biggest surprise when Alberto showed up and since she kept staring at him he came over and put his hand on her shoulder and gave her a smile. At least 30 pounds of free gifts.

Well I will sign off for now and take my wife out to eat. I will ask Martha to call a few times and update my progress as well as let everyone know who she might see or get pictures of.

Well I am finally here in Vegas. Like any trip to Las Vegas the excitement level of the plane is one of high hopes and dreams of hitting the big one. If you have never been at McCarran airport you step out of the ramp that you take from the plane and you step into an area of rows of slot machines. Note that this is also the only airport I know of where smoking is allowed and it is only in a glassed cubed area that has higher limit slot machines.

From the gate you take a walk to the dual monorail section and you ride a monorail that rivals an Indy car race. Get in and hang on is all I can tell you. Las Vegas has over 33 million visitors a year and 80% plus flies into this airport. That is well over 300 planes a day. This convention or tournament is expected to have 8000 to 10,000 entrants which mean it is one of the medium conventions that hit this city. Getting your luggage from an over packed area of people arriving and then standing in a weaving line for a taxi can take up to an hour but you really do not think about this with all of the colorful advertising and slots machines that can keep your attention. The advertising is small billboards of headliners performing at the different casinos that week, nearly naked women and men promoting the production show the casinos are famous for, comedians, stage acts, animal acts, and magicians try to draw you in to one casino or another. Large screen TV ’s showing portions of various shows, acts and specialties the various casinos have. They do not call this place Sin City for nothing.

I never realized how much would have to be done when I played the first tournament online to win my seat into the second online tournament and win a spot into the main event. Besides arranging for someone to watch my house and dogs, getting time off work and making certain my wife could get time off and come with me. Then came the e mails from Poker Stars and Harrah’s who run the actual event. Eleven e mails from Poker Stars with online links to terms and conditions verification of name address and all relevant personal information. Over 15 pages of items to read fill in or go to more pages. Harrah’s terms and conditions for this event is 8 pages long. But my wife and I are here.

We have checked into the room at the Flamingo Casino and Hotel and will soon be leaving for a short trip to the Rio to read and sign more documents, pick up my gift bag and explore the different areas around and hopefully in the 60,000 square feet area I hope to call home for the next two weeks on what I hope to be a chance to win the bracelet.

I will write more when I return. I wish to thank Bill B for getting up so early to take Martha and I to the airport.

In just a few days I will be headed for the poker opportunity of a lifetime for any player. I plan on sending in my experiences and my thoughts for all the good people who play at 5th Street Poker Parties' poker events. I hope that this give you a look into the world that I was so lucky to get into.

I first wish to say that without the encouragement of Bill Brickweg to get me started last October in playing the game on no limit Texas holdem I would not have spent hundreds and hundreds of hours in front of the computer and playing on the 5th Street tables and watching this on TV. THANKS and I think my wife has hired a hit man and she knows where you live. IF I come home with the bracelet I think she will call him and cancel the contract. LOL

I now wish to thank the people who helped me learn the game and gain better playing techniques. 5th Street Poker Parties as a whole but Jeremiah, Gunnar, Brian, and Dallas for putting up with my jokes. I wish to thank; Lynda, Jeff, Jennie, the Brad’s, Toby, Paul, Scott, Rich, Troy, Tom, JR., Paul, Tammy, Kristin, and so many more that have taken my chips and kept me from the trophy. ;)

Facing 8000 or more people that are expected to be in this tournament is not too much of a factor for me. 100 plus degree heat is only slightly more of a factor. Playing at the same table with the world’s best professionals or celebrities from around the world might cause awe for me but will have little to do with playing the cards that are dealt to me. I am more concerned that Jeremiah will put a bounty on my head at every 5th Street Poker Parties game if I win the bracelet and I will never get a trophy from 5th Street.

Bracelet or no bracelet I still want a 5th Street Poker Parties Trophy.

Thanks to everyone and I will try to make you proud and to increase my bank account so I can buy a round of drinks for the Monday and Thursday players after I get back.

-Al C