Trip Report: WPT Invitational Day 1

[DonkBox]

Yes i've luckboxed my way into another poker tournament! I'm currently out in Los Angeles at The Commerce Casino. Day 1 of the WPT Invitational starts in about 5-6hrs (there's some sort of drinks thing at 5pm, not sure exactly when the tournament starts).

For those that don't know the WPT Invitational is an invite only event and there's no entry fee. The prize pool is 200k and last year they paid the top 6 (final table) and there were 315 entrants (top heavy payout structure hey - Mark Wyatt would never play this!). Barry Greenstein took 1st place and the 100k cheque. The field is a mix of the top pros and Hollywood 'Celebs, and me!

However, i was a bit disappointed to find out that this event clashes with the NBC Heads Up Championship, another invite only event. It has a $20,000 buy-in so the prize pool is bigger and as such all the top names (with the exception of Doyle) are playing it. However it started yesterday, so anyone who lost their first match may come here to play the event.

As for the celebs, i reciveved a list of those confirmed to play. Apart from the usual poker playing celebs (e,g Lou Diamond Phillips) names that jump out include Roddick, Sampras and Shannon Elizebeth. Oh and i really want to sit at the same table as Raven Symone (Rudi from the Cosby Show!)

The tournament is set to run over three days. I expect the structure to be very similar to the GUKPT events e.g 10,000 chips and 1hr levels, although IO predict the antes will come it at 100/200 instead of 150/300. Either way no need to go silly early doors, although with the top heavy payout structure I'm going to be willing to gambol more than in a regualr tournament. i think the first day will be all about being patient and picking spots. I suspect that there will be a few pros/celebs who will be playing for appearnces sake and not to win/cash which means they're going to be playing loose, so tightening up will be the way to go. For example I bumped into Harry Demetriou in a lift, asked him if he was playing. He said, "if i wake up in time!"


The card room is huge - well i'm told it is. I got here about 9pm last night after an 11hr flight, ordered room service, sank a few beers and crashed out. The closest i've got to it is watching the WPT on tv last night.

Cabs in L.A are expensive! The ride from the airport (30 mins) was $80! And i went and bought a laptop today and there are back - maybe 45 mins was $100. There goes my $1/$2 money!

I bought a laptop out here (thanks for Scrote for some advice) I bought this one and in the UK it would have cost me about £300 more

I'll try to post an update during the first dinner break or if i get knocked out sooner!

[alexross1977]

tasty lappy, GL in your games, and take some snaps mr technology

[DonkBox]

tasty lappy, GL in your games, and take some snaps mr technology

I didn't bring a camera with me as couldn't find it. However, we've got an official snapper out here for the magazine so i'll get some from him.

[Dice Man]

Nice one. Good luck. Ivey might be there after losing to Don Cheadle heads up.

[alexross1977]

what magazine u involved with?

[Raiser]

what magazine u involved with?

Think about it really really carefully..... it doesnt take a genius. Are all these spammers the same?

[alexross1977]

Think about it really really carefully..... it doesnt take a genius. Are all these spammers the same?

err spammers? I am a valued poster tyvm

re the magazine, i am presuming its ie/pp or some other uk poker related publication. jeezus u would think u might give a str8 answer to a simple question.

[dancoles]

I think the clue is in the tournament he is covering !!!!

Ok, sorry that wasn't a straight answer was it !!!

WPT magazine, there you go !!!

[DonkBox]

here's the cliff notes version i'll provide a full report in a little while.

- I busted 92nd (ish) of 400+ on the last level of day 1, when i shoved for $21k (blinds 2-4/500) with A-Q utg called by UTG+1 who covered me barely and big blind who only had 12k back, they had K-Q and J-5 respectively, a king flopped, 65k at that point would've had me in good shape
- the event was a total crapshoot (luckily I play an Stanleys so was well prepared) - 30 min levels - 10,000 chips 100-200, 100-200/25, 200-400/50 etc. The antes were the killers.
- I could not win a race, twice when well placed my 8s were beat by A-10 and A-K
- I sucked out big time when i raised from the button with Q-9s and got called by the big blind on a 9-5-2 flop, he bet out for 6k, i dwelled and re-popped for a little over 8k more. He called with jacks, no probs as a queen rivered (i'd have preferred it to turn)
- Cool people I got to play against - Harry Demetriou, Joe Cassidy(he played a very interesting hand which i'll discuss - this hand is more interesting than anything I played and I learnt more from it too), Jason Mewes (jay from the Jay and Silent Bob Movies) - no hot chicks though
- Cool people I saw - Phil Laak, Jason Alexander, Jon Favreau, Vanessa Rousso

[alexross1977]

woot.
sounds fab.
tell us more

p.s was it the crack addict from jay and silent bob u played with or the other one? i think jay is/was the crackhead no? just wondered if a crackhead can play good poker