Las Vegas Highs Lows & Extortion - WSOP Trip Two 2017 Update

Friday, July 28, 2017

Las Vegas Highs Lows & Extortion - WSOP Trip Two 2017 Update

By the pool with a Pina Colada FTW!

I have tried to remain extremely positive about my last Las Vegas experience but after day seven of my return home still quite sick with holes in me from blood tests & fear of mutated flu viruses inside my aching body, its tough! I figured now I have risen from my bed I would not just complain, nor would I concentrate on following up on all of the fabulous things that happened, rather, even it all out with some highs and lows and what really got to me the most which can only be classed as time extortion and trickery!

I will start with the highs! I had the most fabulous people around me whilst in Vegas during my time at the WSOP! Not only were these people bright poker players, poker executives, writers and media staff but they were fun loving and never ceased to give smiles and a welcoming feeling! The WSOP and 888 poker crews sure have their stuff in order and I can only extend my congratulations to them all for what can only be classed as a very successful World Series of Poker, which went without a hiccup.

I owe a very big thank you and also some book reviews to D&B Poker for the books they gave to me to read over, sadly, I wasn't able to do on air interviews as promised. I will ensure I make it up to
them by screaming out the books I love most, from the mountain tops, as soon as I am well and writing every few days again.Pictured is Chris Moormans book published by D&B as well as a matching congratulatory cake! Brilliance!

Of all poker highs, one would have to be a little biased and mention the brilliant Heidi May taking down the WSOP ladies event as my all personal favorite. I had always wanted to watch the ladies event conclude and to see a fellow Australian take it down was something that had me jumping up and down and running the halls like a crazy woman (after I went under the rail snapping pics as quick as I could, of course!). Heidi sure has done Australia proud, along with James Obst who I really shouldn't leave out! Back to Heidi, she makes my high of the decade with my two favorite poker aspects joined together: women and Australia. I don't think this can be ever beaten, unless we have a future article title which says something like:

Australian Woman Wins WSOP Main Event Bracelet!

I was very smart, lucky and blessed to sign up as a diamond member of the Las Vegas Advisor which you can read about in my past blog posts. The Las Vegas Advisor gives some beyond fabulous deals, coupons and money savers that I just could never live without again. It is also a wealth of information which helped me along my way, where my friend was absent. Furthermore I was again blessed to go on an excursion to Huntington Press and gawk at the covers of gaming books galore and refresh, rewind and relax for a short while.

I had a lot of relax and rest time whilst in Vegas with again, the most amazing company I could wish for. I had beautiful lunches, dinners, pool side drinks, endless discussions and a lot of fun trekking the streets of Vegas & the casinos as well as going to a fabulous show (comedy hypnotist at V Theater), shopping and laying in bed (theater and shops pictured). My accommodation (talking of laying in bed) was fabulous! Every place I stayed, in fact! I simply can not complain about my personal time in Vegas, other to say that I just didn't have enough of it! I don't think a life time would be enough time anymore! If I could turn back time I would change only one thing, I would have had less sneaky cigarette breaks. It wastes time, life and fun as well as precious moments. Needless to say, I really miss the place and the people already.

When it comes to lows, I will try not to concentrate too much on them and give them much attention, negativity isn't going to make me feel any better. Firstly, the plane trips are always nightmares. I can not wait until they cut the flight time in half, somehow, surely its going to happen one day soon! I think I made my trip a little worse after drinking copious amounts of alcohol (per my body size at least) in order to sleep! Landing in LA wasn't pleasant, though much more pleasant then flying! My next low would be the shock to my system die to the climate difference! From -4 to 48c - HOLY COW! Enough said!

Crazy Aussie Lady needs some more poker action. Hehe!

Poker wise, I was quite disappointed that I didn't do more coverage of the WSOP, I was also disappointed I missed the main event, but there is always next year which may even bigger and better than this years all round record breaker! Either way, I am going to do my very best to get back there, punctually in 2018! I am also disappointed that I missed seeing James Obst win his WSOP bracelet, though, I was there in spirit I suppose and did watch a lot of his play. I am also annoyed as hell I didn't be poker groupie like and annoy the worlds best players for photographs. They are something I will likely treasure one day and well, I was too busy talking and not busy enough thinking! In all honesty, who talks to Negreanu multiple times, interviews him and doesn't get a pic? I suppose I'm just not poker groupie minded? Likewise with Chris Moorman, goodness gracious! Why didn't I get a picture with these great players? Not forgetting, I played no events, another disappointment but an expected outcome. In fact, I played no poker at all (Except a friendly heads up match)... Who does that?

A most disappointing thing that happened was falling victim to what I can only call trickery and to some level, extortion, mostly time extortion. In previous blog posts I mentioned the benefits of MyVegas rewards. Its an application I wont be using so frequently again! I had all the spending of my points penned out for when I arrived in Vegas. Unfortunately on arrival, nothing I wanted was available from my location. I contacted my sister who was in Australia and these reward options were still there for her. Buy before you leave! Some did re-appear again but with price extortion. The helicopter ride worked out cheaper without using the rewards and the Beatles Love show at MGM also worked out cheaper. Maybe it was poor timing for me, I have a lot of friends who use the app. Regardless, I wont be relying on it again for benefits or discounts and I take back everything I have previously said for now.

Ladies, gents, carry masks and have your hands sanitized constantly during travel! I know of three friends from the land down under that became seriously ill while transiting or playing poker. I am sure there are a lot more, I have not really spoken to too many people. I will leave that as my last note and a little tip.

Thank you to each and every one of you that accommodated me in any way during my 2017 WSOP experience. Thank you even more to those that invested a personal interest, added a personal touch or continued to be the very best friends / people that they are. You guys are what makes Vegas so very special and dear to my heart, from now to eternity! You are stars! Until I return again, I will continue to think as I work my way back: Ad astra per aspera. 💗