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POCKET ACES

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Maryann Guberman has been a writer and editor with many gaming publications, including Sports Form, Card Player, Poker World, Player's Panorama and Systems and Methods. She also has written and edited numerous books on gambling.

May 9, 2009

Any Day Now

Okay, so it's 19 days now. That's how long it is between the day of this writing and the opening day of the 2009 World Series of Poker. That's how long it will be until we can watch some of the highest stakes poker ever available to the public. And if you are in Las Vegas, it is available. All you have to do is find a suitable valet parker (the Rio doesn't clearly mark the path to a valet closest to the WSOP. You either have to know where you are going, follow someone you think knows where he is going, or take your chances by twisting and turning through various metal fences toward the back of the casino.)

Be prepared to tax your car's air conditioner while you look for valet.

If you plan to walk from any open parking lot, think about bringing a spray bottle you filled with water the night before and put in the freezer. You might need to cool off as you head toward the entrance.

All that pitiful suffering will be worth it, though, because the annual event has become a happening. People have taken on roles that makes them appear bigger than life and in order to get face time; they stay in costume and/or attitude throughout the even, or at least until they are in money in the big event.

Sadly, all this posturing sometimes denigrates the game. Then again, before the TV version of poker became so popular, poker didn't have such a heady reputation. Now the negatives just include things like excessive testosterone, guys showing up to play half dressed, fellows following in the footsteps of Puggy Pearson who, for one day only, would appear in some kind of Halloween garb.

While I prefer to see players concentrate on their game and not on how many words they can get the color man and commentator to devote to them, I'm of a mind to accept it. After all, were it not for poker, most of these folks would never have their 15 minutes of fame.

Negativity aside, I will be wandering around the Rio during this series. I'll be focusing not on the players but on their style and on their success or failure. I have at least a half dozen to cheer for but over all, I'll be happy just to see anyone win -- except maybe ... oh let's not go there.

The whole point of this message, though, is for the novice who will be attending the World Series action for the first time. Aside from parking problems, and a little sweating, and maybe some claustrophobia from getting jostled around by the crowds, you will likely enjoy being player or spectator. (Of course as a player you don't really want to be a spectator.) And instead of just waiting for the big event -- the championship contest -- visit the early games too. While player count will be high, the room won't always be packed with railbirds. If because of scheduling and planning and interference from such mundane items as work and familial obligations you can get to see only the championship event, plan to arrive early, find a spot in the aisle and be prepared to be knocked around when the real crowd starts to show up.

Better yet, find a satellite tournament somewhere and win it. That way you have a chance to see the World Series of Poker championship from the best seat in the house -- the final table.